December was a tense and busy month, with every department rushing frantically to prepare for the reforms.
Umberto reviewed a vast number of documents every day, suffering through the workload yet enjoying every moment of it.
It was not until the land reform oath-taking ceremony approached that he finally left Rome and embarked on the journey south.
The special train carrying Umberto was escorted by his personal guards throughout the journey.
The trip of more than two hundred kilometers took eight hours, and by the time the train arrived in Naples, evening had already fallen.
After arriving, Umberto received the Minister of Justice, the Minister of the Interior, and the commander of the Provisional 1st Brigade, briefly discussing the current situation in Naples.
Umberto first asked Cosentino, commander of the Provisional 1st Brigade, to report on the progress of the security cleanup.
“Your Highness, after more than half a month of law enforcement operations, the mafia elements in the area have basically been cleared out, and hundreds of rural bullies have also been arrested.
In addition, I assisted Silvano Berti in reorganizing the Naples police system to strengthen its ability to respond to public security incidents.” “It seems the results are quite good.” Umberto understood Cosentino’s personality very well, and if the operation had not gone smoothly, there would not have been a smile on his face.
“This incident has also sounded an alarm for me, namely that the ability of the Carabinieri and the police to suppress local criminal forces is far too weak, while their organizations are easily infiltrated, making such problems extremely difficult to prevent.” Umberto turned toward Berti and continued, “According to our previous plans, once the reforms begin, we will start reorganizing the police system so that professional, courageous, and responsible people can protect the local population, while completely prohibiting appointments based on nepotism or personal recommendations.” “Very well, Your Highness.” Berti had remained here for an entire month and had already thoroughly understood the security situation of the large city, so even if Umberto had not mentioned it, he had intended to begin reforming the system.
“Good, then continue and tell me what you’ve learned during this period.” Umberto gradually turned the conversation into a casual discussion.
Whether dealing with national affairs or family affairs, there did not need to be so many complicated objectives.
Umberto’s requirements for government officials were actually quite simple: as long as they were responsible, capable of fulfilling their duties, and willing to innovate, that was sufficient, and he had no intention of establishing some excessively complicated evaluation system.
The objectives of each government department had already been broken down according to the targets of the Five-Year Plan, so officials merely needed to proceed according to those targets.
Governing a great country was like cooking a small fish; everything required patience and gradual refinement.
…
On the morning of January 1, 1923.
Groups of people streamed toward Villanova Memorial Square, including government officials, hurried reporters, and ordinary citizens who had come to witness the occasion.
When Umberto appeared in the square accompanied by a group of cabinet officials, more than a hundred provincial governors and heads of provincial land departments were already standing in the center of the square.
Giovanni Marelli, commander of the Carabinieri, had also rushed over from Rome the previous evening to participate in the ceremony, serving as the firm military backing of the Ministry of Agriculture’s reform committees.
The square and the distant fields were packed with tens of thousands of people, some of whom had come to mourn the victims while others simply wanted to witness this historic occasion.
To guarantee Umberto’s safety, Sulmona and personal guard captain Parisi remained beside him throughout the ceremony, prepared to protect him in the event of an assassination attempt.
Of course, Umberto was already known as a strong ruler, and few people dared to retaliate against him openly or act recklessly.
After all, when a monarch was truly enraged, the consequences could shake an entire country.
Federico Moretti, the Minister of Justice, served as the host of the ceremony, symbolizing the justice that the government intended to bring to the victims.
He stepped onto the main podium and spoke in a sorrowful voice.
“Everyone, please remain silent and observe three minutes of silence for the victims.” The entire gathering immediately became solemn.
Three minutes later, Moretti began reading the eulogy.
The eulogy was lengthy, expressing grief for the dead, anger toward those responsible for the massacre, and admiration for the courage of those who had resisted.
After the eulogy was finished, ten soldiers raised their rifles and fired three volleys into the sky, sending the dead on their final journey with the honors accorded to heroes.
Immediately afterward, Umberto walked toward the main podium.
His expression was solemn.
He had originally prepared many things to say, but as he looked across the enormous crowd before him, the words suddenly became difficult to speak.
Perhaps it was because, in such a sorrowful place, he could not bring himself to deliver those passionate and inspiring words with the excitement he had originally imagined.
“Everyone, today is both a day on which we mourn the innocent victims and the day on which the kingdom formally begins its land reform.
I originally had many, many things I wanted to say, but standing here before these heroes who sacrificed themselves for the land, I find myself unable to become excited, because the burden resting upon my shoulders has suddenly become even heavier.
“In the center of this square stand the regional officials who will lead this reform, while beyond the square stand the people whose hearts are filled with hope.
Together, we are witnessing this great moment.
“I do not wish to say anything unnecessary.
The future of Italy is now entrusted to you.
Regardless of your political position or faction, when you stand before the people, you must regard yourselves as their servants and faithfully accomplish the tasks entrusted to you by the cabinet.” Umberto paused before looking across the assembled officials.
“Please remember that you are the public servants of the people.” “Everyone, I am counting on you!” After speaking, Umberto walked to the side of the podium and bowed deeply toward the assembled officials.
Rustle.
For a moment, the provincial governors and officials stood completely still with solemn expressions.
This bow was far too heavy for them to treat casually.
“Rest assured, Your Highness!
We will work together with one heart, complete the tasks entrusted to us by the cabinet, and faithfully serve the broad masses of the people!” Several officials, overwhelmed by the atmosphere, shouted their response, and their voices immediately inspired everyone around them to raise their arms and answer together.
“Please rest assured, Your Highness!” The emotions throughout the square surged.
Reporters hurriedly photographed the moment when Umberto bowed, astonishment visible on their faces.
Outside the square, the ordinary people who had witnessed the Crown Prince bow on their behalf also began shouting.
“Long live Umberto!” “Long live Umberto!” “Long live Umberto!” …
The following day, newspapers throughout the country seemed to have reached an agreement in advance, publishing reports about the oath-taking ceremony beneath almost identical headlines: ‘The Crown Prince’s Request.’ After reading the reports, people throughout the country raised their support for the royal family to an entirely new level.
The King was willing to step forward for them.
The Crown Prince was willing to bow for them.
Who would not love and support such a royal family?
Another enormous demonstration erupted through the streets of Rome, with crowds repeatedly shouting: “Long live the King!
Long live the Crown Prince!” Some newspapers even commented, ‘The greatest royal family in the history of Italy has been born, because more than sixty percent of the country’s farmers have now become the royal family’s most steadfast supporters.’ The land reform officially opened the curtain on the kingdom’s comprehensive reforms.
After undergoing a month of training, the recruited volunteers departed with the cabinet’s assignments, traveling to towns throughout the country and penetrating deep into remote rural regions to contribute their strength to the revival of Italy.
At the same time, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice jointly issued a sternly worded circular that also served as a warning to anyone contemplating resistance.
The Carabinieri and municipal police forces throughout the country entered a state of heightened readiness, while anyone who deliberately created disturbances or violently resisted implementation could be dealt with publicly according to law.
Marelli was ordered to exercise unified command over the Carabinieri and police systems during the reform period, and any armed resistance was to be suppressed immediately.
During the first few days, armed opponents appeared in places such as Sicily, Campania, and Pulixi, resulting in several confrontations with the Carabinieri in which the resisting groups were quickly suppressed.
After these incidents, organized resistance throughout the country rapidly fell silent.
Taking advantage of the momentum, the Ministry of Justice issued new firearm-control regulations prohibiting private individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms and other highly lethal weapons without government authorization, with unauthorized possession constituting a criminal offense and detailed penalties to be announced after the regulations were finalized.
Most organized armed groups had already surrendered their weapons and disbanded, making it obvious that the new regulations were primarily directed against local criminal organizations, particularly the Mafia networks of the south.
Some people publicly opposed the regulations on the grounds that they undermined citizens’ ability to protect themselves, but the government ignored those objections.
In Umberto’s view, ordinary citizens had little reason to possess lethal weapons outside legitimate self-defense, while widespread firearm ownership provided violent criminals and local armed factions with the means to challenge public authority.
Whatever opposition remained, one thing had already become clear.
No one would be permitted to block the advance of the land reform.