Pope Augustus

"Gaspard is there, do we need to take measures to curb him?" For caution's sake, Faol decided to ask.

"What do you think of Gaspard?"

"Based on my interactions with him these past few days and his performance, he is impetuous, eager for quick success, and has lofty ambitions but limited talent, making it difficult for him to develop further. He is also prone to stumbling. What he did before has already laid hidden dangers for himself. It just wasn't related to my plan, so I didn't tell him," Gaspard analyzed seriously.

"Since that's the case, let him fend for himself. Let's talk about the current situation of the Rome Newspaper. I'm more concerned about that."

"Alright. The Rome Newspaper has just been taken over, everything remains as it was, and the personnel haven't changed. I've roughly understood that many people in the newspaper have some connection to Gaspard and got in through backdoors. Among them, the newspaper's editor-in-chief has an in-law relationship with Gaspard."

"The editor-in-chief of the newspaper must be replaced. I cannot let this relative of Gaspard continue to be the editor-in-chief. As for the rest, that falls within the new editor-in-chief's responsibilities; we can't worry about everything. However, the selection of the editor-in-chief must not be taken lightly. If there's no suitable candidate for now, it's better to leave the position vacant for a while."

"Do you have any requirements for the editor-in-chief of the newspaper?"

"That's a good question. Let me think," Augustus mused for a moment, then continued.

"First, this person must be honest and reliable, with good character, and must not sell out their integrity for profit. I will let him know many things later, and if this person is not reliable, the harm will be very great.

Secondly, they must have a strong sense of justice, not fear the powerful, and dare to expose the truth. If they have experience in struggle, that would be even better. The editor-in-chief of a newspaper is the one who must not be afraid of offending people. I don't want a court writer who only sings praises.

Then, it is essential to have critical thinking. And to pay attention to current affairs and politics, have a full understanding, and even more, have their own unique views. The more knowledge they have of the history of various countries, the better.

Also, there must be no bad habits or negative news. The editor-in-chief himself is the face of the newspaper, and he cannot ruin the reputation.

Let me think if there's anything else to add. Oh, right, they must have a high level of education; how could I forget that? This is the most basic; it's best if they have some presentable works, not the romantic kind, but those rich in thought. Being proficient in several languages is not strictly necessary.

If I've missed anything, please add it for me. I can't think of anything more right now."

Faol listened attentively, watching Augustus speak with such vigor, feeling it was perhaps a bit idealistic. Suddenly, Faol had a flash of inspiration.

"Augustus, I just remembered someone who might very well meet your expectations. He is currently in Rome; do you think you could find some time to meet him?"

"Oh? Is that so? That's wonderful! Is he willing to serve as the editor-in-chief of the newspaper? Please arrange for me to meet him as soon as possible, if possible, right here."

He had originally thought that, given his requirements, finding a suitable person would take some effort, but he didn't expect Faol to immediately have a candidate to recommend. Augustus now had complete faith in Faol, and he would definitely meet anyone Faol recommended.

"I think she should have no reason to refuse. So, when are you free? Do you think tomorrow would work?"

"I'm fine anytime, whatever suits her, the sooner the better. If possible, this afternoon would be great."

"Okay, I'll go find her now." Since Augustus was so keen on the person he recommended, he naturally couldn't be slow either.

In the afternoon, Faol brought someone over.

Augustus sized up the newcomer: she had a neat black bob, a face with distinctly carved features, and an unusually handsome, angular face. Her long eyelashes, sapphire blue eyes, high nose bridge, and lips of moderate thickness were all impeccable. Her every gesture exuded an elegant, gentle, and refined aura.

"Greetings, Your Holiness, my name is Katerina."

Katerina's opening words startled Augustus.

"You're a woman?" Augustus re-examined Katerina and only then noticed that if she were a man, she seemed to be missing something, but if she were a woman, she seemed to be missing something else.

"Yes, so what if I'm a woman? Can it be that even Your Holiness cannot be free from convention?" Katerina said with disdain.

"No, no, please forgive my poor eyesight; I didn't notice just now. Since you are a woman, why are you dressed like this?" Augustus looked incredulously at her masculine attire.

"I'm used to it," Katerina replied with an air of nonchalance.

"Alright. Faol recommended you to me as the editor-in-chief of the Rome Newspaper. Does your presence mean you are interested in this position?"

"Yes."

"Could you discuss your views on royal power and divine power?" It must be said that people are visual creatures, and first impressions based on appearance are very important. But a good first impression isn't everything. Augustus would not reduce his scrutiny of Katerina because of it; he certainly didn't want a mere pretty face.

"Monarchical power is not divinely ordained. The emergence of the state arises from the inherent needs of human nature, and thus politics came into being. The foundation of politics is not ethics, morality, or religious belief, but power.

The reason why religion holds a prominent position in the state is not due to the truthfulness of religion, but because it is a bond that connects society. The ecclesiastical kingdom is protected by religious customs, and such monarchs are supported by a lofty righteousness that the human heart cannot attain. In such a capacity, to presumptuously comment on divine power would be to destroy one's own foundation," Katerina stated very frankly.

"You've read Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince?" Augustus was very surprised. At this time, The Prince was a banned book throughout Europe.

"How do you know about The Prince?" Katerina was even more surprised. That the Pope could immediately recognize the ideas of The Prince after she had disguised them—this would probably be unbelievable if she told anyone. One must know that The Prince was listed as a banned book largely due to the influence of the church. So, you don't let others read it, but you secretly read it yourselves?

When Katerina asked, Augustus also realized the problem. As the Pope, it was indeed unreasonable for him to have read The Prince. He couldn't very well say he had dreamed of it.

"How I know isn't the point. You should know why The Prince became a banned book. Do you think it's appropriate to extensively discuss the ideas of The Prince in front of a Pope?" Augustus, with his rich debate experience, chose this method to turn a passive situation into an active one.

"If you cannot even tolerate this much difference in thought, then I don't think I will regret losing this opportunity," Katerina said, her expression unchanged.

"Niccolò Machiavelli, however, negates papal authority and misinterprets religious doctrines on many levels."

"But he held Pope Julius II in extremely high regard."

"How do you know I am necessarily the same kind of person as Pope Julius II?"

"I think you are more tolerant than him, otherwise I wouldn't be standing here."