Pope Augustus

With David's full cooperation, the new tax reduction policy was implemented very smoothly. This was not a world-shattering event, but it was Augustus's first step in controlling the Papal States. Such an achievement undoubtedly started things off well.

Pope Augustus had just taken office and was committed to benefiting the people, which made the vast majority of ordinary citizens develop a good impression of him.

Of course, there are always some people who like to speculate about others with the worst malice, and various conspiracy theories emerge endlessly. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that some ill-intentioned people are behind these voices.

Many of these theories were too bizarre, and even those who concocted them probably didn't believe them themselves. Augustus only treated them as jokes when he heard about them, and these baseless wild guesses naturally wouldn't have much impact.

Augustus's goal was originally very simple: to offer small favors to win over the people's hearts. Some people over-interpreted it, only leading to increasingly bizarre guesses. Ordinary people wouldn't think so much; the government took less money, and they had more money in their hands, which was a tangible benefit.

If they weren't truly unable to survive, who would willingly spread rumors with people from who knows where? Being well-fed, well-clothed, and having a place to live was the pursuit of most people in this era. Those who truly couldn't survive had mostly already died or fled.

Francesco's security team wasn't idle either; they arrested many rumor-mongers, detaining some and fining others. Augustus detested rumor-mongering, but he also disliked Francesco's methods.

So he found Francesco and told him not to make such a big fuss. Francesco readily agreed, but then turned around and intensified his efforts. This also made Augustus realize that not everyone was as sensible as David.

When it comes to public opinion, if it doesn't cause an impact, it can be ignored. If it causes a significant impact, simply suppressing it with force will only provoke a greater backlash. Using public opinion to counter public opinion is the best method.

This also reminded Augustus of a very important thing: public opinion. What was the main source of public opinion in Europe during this period? Newspapers.

In 1450, the German Gutenberg invented metal movable type printing technology, and thus printed newspapers began to be issued. In 1493, news of Columbus's voyage was published in a Rome Newspaper. At that time, newspapers were only issued when notable major events occurred.

Historically, in 1609, the German region was the first to issue regular weekly newspapers. However, if desired, in the Papal States of 1605, weekly newspapers could have been issued. Even with the Papal States' superior economic conditions, daily newspapers would not have been a problem, though they would operate at a loss.

But just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be. Many things are possible but unnecessary. Augustus wanted to control the newspaper for political purposes, not to enrich the entertainment options for the common people. In fact, literacy rates in various countries at this time were quite worrying.

If a daily newspaper were introduced now, it would truly be burning money, and the newspaper would have a headache, having to rack its brains daily to come up with content, possibly leading to reporting vegetable prices hundreds of years early.

Actually, the current model still fits his needs quite well: report when there's news, don't report when there isn't. Everyone benefits. How to proceed specifically still needs careful consideration after understanding the situation.

Who should he ask about the newspaper's situation? Of course, it was Faol; he couldn't think of anyone else. What if he was in a high position? There wasn't a second person he could entrust. Augustus couldn't help but feel sad and cherished Faol even more. So he had someone call Faol over again.

"Augustus, what do you need me for?" Because being called 'His Holiness the Pope' all day was too uncomfortable, under Augustus's strong insistence and repeated persuasion, Faol finally reluctantly agreed to call him by his name in private.

Hearing that the Pope finally had something for him to do, Faol, who had been idle for several days after becoming the Pope's Chamberlain and expecting to show his skills, was so happy his eyes lit up.

"Faol, how much do you know about the Rome Newspaper? Tell me what you know."

Faol thought carefully for a moment and replied, "As far as I know, the Rome Newspaper is currently operated by the Borgia Family. The Rome Newspaper does not make much profit, and sometimes it even runs at a deficit. However, the Borgia Family is a large and powerful family, so they don't care about this small loss.

The Borgia Family's purpose in operating this newspaper is not to make a profit; it is more to use it as a symbol of wealth and status.

My memory of information about the Rome Newspaper is limited. If you need it, I can collect more comprehensive information about the Rome Newspaper as soon as possible."

Upon hearing 'Borgia Family,' Augustus's heart sank. In the Italian region, the Borgia Family's influence was no less than that of the Medici Family, and their power in Spain was something the Medici Family could not compare to at all.

Historically, the Borgia Family had produced three Popes. This family's fame primarily came from Alexander VI, one of them; the life stories of the other two also fully proved that 'like father, like son.'

Unlike the good reputation of the Medici Family, the Borgia Family was almost entirely infamous. The Borgia Family was often closely associated with wealth, intrigue, poison, and (sensitive word).

The charges against Alexander VI included but were not limited to: ~, simony, theft, ~, bribery, ~, and murder. The Borgia Family's ancestral poison, 'Cantarella,' gained notoriety during this period. The infamous 'Papal Meridian' was also drawn by him.

The Rome Newspaper being in the hands of the Borgia Family was undoubtedly the worst answer.

Firstly, this family is not short of money; they regard the newspaper as a symbol of wealth and status and don't care about profit. If it were in someone else's hands, at most it would just cost a bit more money. In the current situation, even with money, it might not be possible, and even if they were willing to name a price, it would definitely be an exorbitant one.

Secondly, the Borgia Family is too extensively connected, with many forces distributed in Italy and Spain. Openly offending them is not a wise move. If they are pushed too hard and instigate Spain to attack, he might also experience a 'Sack of Rome.' Moreover, he is from the Medici Family, and it would sound very bad if he severely suppressed rival families as soon as he took office.

Thirdly, given that the Borgia Family is known for intrigue and poison, it's hard to guarantee that this generation doesn't have some ancestral skills. Crossing them might lead to being poisoned or murdered at any time.

Even if it's difficult to negotiate, negotiation should still be the primary approach. Using other means to deal with commercial issues is not the right path, nor is it feasible. Risking his life for this matter is simply not worth it.

Who should go to negotiate? He certainly couldn't; being ignorant of himself and the opponent, he would only be tricked. His gaze fell on Faol again; the person for this task must be reliable.

He didn't know if Faol was good at negotiation, but he certainly wouldn't be worse than himself. He would treat a desperate situation as if there was still hope; if it really didn't work out, he would just think of another solution.