The 81st story of a full-length business novel.
Together with the cheerful song, FIAT remembers the proud victor Itala. So he wanted to be the winner in the world like him with the song. Then he decided to succeed to the glorious legacy of Itala. Thus, he bought the remains of Itala shortly after the end of the War. Here, his hidden mind was clear. That was to exploit the great name and fame of Itala in the Peking-to-Paris Rally in the past.
With the fame, he is to drive his legions towards the capital of the auto Empire, Detroit and climb up to the top with the poetic stanza. Then and then, he is to rebuild up the Roman Empire and erect another spectacular New Obelisk as if he were the Final Artist from the modern Rome. Even now the Obelisk has been surrounded by historic sites such as Coliseum, Plaza Venetia and Triumph Gate at the Victory Plaza. In fact, the Gate was built in celebration of the Roman victory at the florid Foro Romano, which is called one of the most celebrated meeting places in the world. All of them are scattered as the Roman legacies. But, the old Obelisk and some monuments still stand up to the present. And they have impressed the current Romans. (Below is the Gate of Triumph at Foro Romano. Source: Wikipedia & Carla Tavares)
As one of their successors, the chief commander of FIAT is now to build up another Roman Glory. And, he is to follow in his predecessors’ footsteps in this new 21st century. For the reason he has already proclaimed himself as another Garibaldi. According to the Italian historical accounts, Garibaldi was labeled as a resistance partisan general. When he was a boy, he happened to pass by the Triumph Gate at Foro Romano and Coliseum. Looking at mystically huge monuments and ruined shrines he was alarmed and came to get strong doubts:
“Who built them all
When were they built
Why were they made
Who on earth lived here
Were they men or ghosts”
Then he began to find out the questions.
But nobody gave him sufficient answers. Then he came to read annals and historical books on the buildings. Finally, he learned the facts that:
“Long ago, there had been a Great Empire built by my ancestors. And the Empire lasted for more than one thousand of years. At the time such great monuments and shrines were built. And so on.”
Meanwhile, he encountered a book, that is, a biography on Roman heroes written by Plutarch. Then he came to fully understand the ancient Roman history, glory and the great heroes such as Gaius Marius, Sulla, and Julius Caesar, etc.
Among them he was much more attracted by Caesar than other generals. Actually the writer Plutarch described him in more depth than any other Roman figures. Either way, Garibaldi wanted to be a great general like him in the future. (Below is Garibaldi at age 57. Source: Wikipedia)
Also he imagined the old Roman splendor in the ancient parades of victorious legions. After grown up, he really sought to revive the lost glory of Rome as Caesar did. Then, he unified several small kingdoms into one Italian nation with his Red shirt militias.
Meanwhile, he became an old man. So the old age did not give him a much more chance to build up another Roman Empire. Thus, the current commander of FIAT knows very well of him that:
“Garibaldi was a great patriot who dreamed a great dream. And he was a legendary Mars. Never was he a lesser general at all.”
Out of the nostalgia for the past Roman glory he has cherished it in his mind. Also he admires him and has acted as the real historic figure. For the reason, he has rechristened himself as another Garibaldi. Now a would-be Garibaldi is to passionately rebuild another Roman Empire.
One day, he, like Garibaldi, revealed his soldierly mindset to his centurions flatly in a sober face that:
“We are descendants of the glorious Roman warriors. As you know well, our ancestors were more than a match for any other deadly drilled barbarian peoples. In the wake of their great achievements we will have to be another great Roman like our forefathers did. It is our duty.”
Then he delivered his solemn vow to his men that:
“Like our Latin word, Semper Fidelis, I’ll be always faithful to you. Rain or shine, I’ll do my best in propria persona. On my life, I’ll keep the soldier’s faith as your general.”
It was not his showmanship but his generalship. It was touching and worth his weight in gold. At his determined will, his men boomed out en masses that:
“General, like your faith we also will not hesitate to follow you anywhere, blindfolded no matter what our personal sacrifices might be. To us, it is disloyal not to follow you to victory. Even if we are given to the pinch we will not surrender to our enemy. Absolutely, not. We will die first.”
It was a ready-to-wear reply. In this way, they gave him willingly that they would never abandon him. And it became their lifelong trademark. Specifically it was that:
“Refuse to accept defeat until the last minute.
Resist to the last stand under the flag of Final Art.
Never surrender even at death’s dark portal.”
All of it was an indomitable courage. Correct, courage comes with loyalty. It is not from fiat or rule absolute or command. With the courage and loyalty, they have shared his monumental will to create the Final Art as if they were the Knights of the Round Table by King Arthur. Among his knights, Lancia (
) has dominated the World Rally Championship (WRC) from 1987 to 1992 with his Delta force.
Ferrari (
), like him, has an amazing talent to create speedy chariots.
