North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 196 Returning a Favor
Following the ceremony was a grand banquet hosted by the Vatican.

After the banquet, Azu found a rare opportunity to accompany Pius IX for a walk alone.

For a slightly overweight old man like Pius IX, taking a walk after meals to aid digestion is a daily routine.

To be able to take a walk alone with His Holiness the Pope is a rare honor for anyone.

In the old gardens of the Vatican, Azu accompanied the heavy-footed Pius IX as they strolled slowly among the rows of flowers and plants.

"The Earl of Gold Mountain...!"

“Your Majesty, please call me Li, or Azu, it’s fine!” Azu said, “It sounds better that way. I just don’t feel comfortable with the title of Earl…!”

"Hehe...!" Pius IX smiled warmly. "Alright, Li... are you satisfied with the title of Earl of Gold Mountain?"

"Satisfied, very satisfied!" Azu laughed. "As long as Your Majesty personally bestows the title, even if it's just a knight, I'm satisfied!"

Pius IX laughed heartily: "Li, now it's just you and me, so there's no need for such formalities in private."

"Let's talk about something practical."

Ah Zu understood perfectly. The Vatican and the Pope had given him a lot of face, and it was time for him to return the favor.

"Your Majesty, once I return to California, I plan to further reduce the price of penicillin. What do you think?"

“That’s a good thing!” Pius IX nodded approvingly. “Only by making penicillin affordable for more believers can the gospel be spread to more patients around the world.”

Azu continued, "Before this, the normal ex-factory price of penicillin was thirty dollars, and the price supplied to the church was twenty-four dollars."

"When I get back, I plan to offer a 50% discount...!"

"Half price...?" Pius IX asked, quite surprised. "So, the one provided to the church is twelve dollars apiece, right?"

Azu smiled and nodded: "Yes! Current production capacity can only support us in lowering the price to this extent."

"When our production capacity continues to expand next year and the year after, the price will continue to drop until it becomes affordable for everyone."

At Huamei Pharmaceutical Factory, a production scale of over one million units per month has been achieved.

The total cost of each vial of penicillin has also dropped to below thirty cents.

If the annual production of penicillin reaches tens of millions of vials, and the price remains affordable only to the middle class and above, it will undoubtedly be difficult to absorb such a large production capacity.

Therefore, continuing to lower prices is both Azu's own wish and a necessity forced by circumstances.

Pius IX smiled with considerable satisfaction: "It seems that bestowing upon you the title of Earl of Gold Mountain was worthwhile after all...!"

Azu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am not such a mercenary person...!"

"Haha, isn't that right?" Pius IX looked back at Azu's face with amusement.

Ah Zu shook his head: "Of course not!"

"Your Majesty, as for the number to be provided to the Church, I think three million is a reasonable figure for the coming year. What do you think?"

“Three million…!” Pius IX murmured, “That’s still too few for the entire Church…!”

Azu shrugged: "Our production capacity is limited right now. I've already given 30% of our capacity to the church, and we really can't squeeze out any more."

"However, there will be more and more in the future! A year from now, our production capacity will at least double again, and the amount of penicillin we supply to the church will also double again."

"Hmm...!" After thinking for a moment, Pius IX nodded slightly: "Alright... You can discuss the specifics with Antonelli in more detail."

Azu then changed the subject: "Your Majesty, as far as I know, your family was born in Senigalia, in central Italy, is that right?"

"Oh...?" Pius IX turned his head, smiled at Azu, and said, "Why are you interested in my family?"

Azu then asked, "Your Majesty's family is the Ferretti family of Senigalia, is that correct?"

Pius IX nodded slightly: "Yes! Why did you suddenly ask this?"

Azu continued, “Your Majesty, my Huamei Industrial Company needs to find a suitable partner in Italy to sell our products throughout the country.”

"Our company's products include not only penicillin, but also a large number of machinery products, as well as... weaponry, and even... ships!"

Upon hearing these words from Azu, the Ninth King of the Blessed Ones was deeply moved and horrified!

"Lee, what do you mean...?"

Azu laughed and said, "Your Majesty, if you and your family are willing, I can transfer the distribution rights of all Huamei products to the Ferretti family!"

The Ferretti family was a minor noble family in central Italy, and by the time of Pius IX, they were practically just empty titles.

It wasn't until Pius IX became a cardinal and even pope that the Ferretti family gradually began to prosper.

"Distribution rights for all Huamei products, including penicillin...!"

Pius IX immediately fell silent!
Although he was the Pope, he rarely interfered in civilian affairs.

But he also knew very well how profitable Huamei Company's products could be.

Penicillin, weapons, even ships...!
Pius IX couldn't help but feel his heart flutter!

Being the pope does not mean severing ties with one's secular family.

On the contrary, family background is also one of the important factors in becoming a pope.

For example, the Medici family, which is said to be the reason there would be no Renaissance without the Medici, produced four popes.

Another famous Borgia family also produced two popes.

When a family member becomes pope, they will use their power and influence to benefit their own family.

"Li, are you serious?" The smile on the face of the IX Protector completely disappeared, replaced by a serious expression.

"Your Majesty, of course I'm serious! How could I possibly speak nonsense in front of you...!"

Pius IX pondered for a moment and said, "If you have this idea, I can arrange for someone from the family to have a serious talk with you."

“However…!” Pius IX said, “Li, what do you want to get from me?”

With the wisdom of the ninth generation of the Blessed Ones, he certainly understood that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

The Earl of the Gold Mountain, the youngest governor, must have something to ask of him to send me such a generous gift.

Azu calmly smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Cardinal John Hughes of America is applying to return to Rome to retire due to old age and illness. Is that true?"

Pius IX understood instantly!

"Li, you're planning to make Archbishop Evan a Cardinal of America, right?"

Azu nodded without hesitation: "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Pius IX pondered, “But I don’t understand, how will Evan becoming an American cardinal help you? After all, you weren’t born in America, and you can’t run for president of the United States!”

"Your Majesty, although I cannot run for president, I can support others in their presidential campaigns!"

"Li, are you saying you support Abraham Lincoln?"

Azu nodded slightly: "President Lincoln was an outstanding statesman. Under his leadership, America was able to abolish slavery and move towards true equality and prosperity!"

"Therefore, I hope that Archbishop Evan can become a cardinal of the United States and help Lincoln in next year's presidential election."

Those who can become popes are all intelligent people; none of them are fools.

In front of intelligent people, Ah Zu did not hide anything, but spoke frankly without any reservations.

Azu smiled and said, “Your Majesty, if Archbishop Evan could become a cardinal of the United States, given my relationship with Evan and with President Lincoln, we would certainly be able to project the Church’s influence onto the American political arena as much as possible.”

This sentence struck a chord with Patriarch Ninth!

Pius IX was looking for a suitable opportunity to expand the church's influence in American politics.

And just like that, the opportunity came!

Pius IX was once again moved, but his face remained expressionless.

"Li, I will seriously consider your suggestion!"

Pius IX changed the subject: "However, I also have a small request!"

"any request?"

After a brief silence, Pius IX asked, "Do you know that traitor Garibaldi?"

“Garibaldi?” “Yes, Garibaldi!” Pius IX nodded emphatically.

Since the Second Revolt, which Garibaldi organized, caused such a huge uproar that Pius IX had to flee Rome and seek refuge in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Garibaldi became a source of great anxiety for Pius IX.

Pius IX said, "That traitor Garibaldi fled to America after his rebellion failed."

"According to the church's intelligence, that traitor Garibaldi is now hiding on a small island in New York."

As he spoke, Pius IX turned his gaze to Azu: "Li, if you can capture that traitor Garibaldi and bring him back to Rome to hand him over to the Papacy, I think the position of Cardinal of America should be a foregone conclusion...!"

Anyone who has studied history in junior or senior high school knows who Garibaldi was.

He was a key leader in the unification of Italy.

It can be said that without Garibaldi, there would have been no unified Italy!

But what does this have to do with Azu?

He would love for the whole of Europe, including Italy, to be as divided and weak as possible!

It would be best if Europe quickly entered Season 1, and the major powers fought tooth and nail!
“Garibaldi!” Azu noted it down: “Your Majesty, I will arrange this matter as soon as possible!”

"Believe me, it won't be long before you see that traitor named Garibaldi kneeling at your feet, kissing your shoes, begging for your forgiveness!"

"Very good, hahaha...!" Pius IX laughed heartily, unable to resist patting Azu heavily on the shoulder: "Excellent! My Earl of Gold Mountain...!"

"Now I understand why you were able to rise to prominence like a comet in just two short years!"

"A young man like you is someone I've never seen before in my life, even for me!"

Pius IX found the young Earl and Governor increasingly pleasing to the eye and grew to like him more and more.

Azu said, “Your Majesty, I will bring Garibaldi to your feet, but please do not reveal that I was the one who did it. That would have an unnecessary negative impact on my political reputation.”

“Of course!” Pius IX was quite pleased. “I will handle this secretly, and it has nothing to do with you!”

Pius IX continued, "Li, is there anything else you need? Just tell me, and I will do my best to fulfill it!"

Azu said, “Your Majesty, within Archbishop Evan’s diocese, I hope he will have the authority to recommend his subordinate bishops.”

"Hmm...!" Pius IX pondered, "Lee, is it possible that someone from the Vatican has extended their reach into your California?"

Pius IX was undoubtedly a smart man; he understood things immediately.

Ah Zu likes to deal with people like that.

“Yes!” Azu nodded and said, “As for who it is, I’d rather not say more! But my California is not a place where a few individuals in the Vatican get rich.”

“I understand!” Pius IX nodded calmly. “Have Evan submit the list of nominees. I will approve it personally!”

As Pope Pius IX, he was certainly aware of the shady dealings within the Papacy.

Those cardinals all hoped to place their people in the richest dioceses in the world.

For cardinals, taking control of those wealthy dioceses would mean having another source of income.

With over two thousand dioceses worldwide, the church employs over two thousand bishops.

Although they are both bishops, going to bustling cities like the Bay Area, New York, London, and Paris is completely different from going to the primeval jungles of Africa.

Pius IX waved his hand dismissively: "Li, don't worry about those cardinals! I will personally step in and warn them."

Azu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, that would be perfect!"

Pius IX continued, “Lee, stay in Rome for a few more days. I will arrange for my family head to have a proper talk with you. Then you can leave.”

"Your Majesty, everything is as you wished...!"
-
After that conversation in the garden, the cardinals indeed became much more obedient, and no one bothered Archbishop Evan anymore.

Moreover, the bishop recommended by Archbishop Even received the Pope's personal approval in the shortest possible time.

Azu and Lord Lorenzo, the current head of the Ferretti family and the younger brother of Pius IX, had a very pleasant meeting.

During the meeting, Azu handed over the distribution rights of all of Huamei Company's products in Italy to the Ferretti family.

From that point on, in other words, Azu tied Pius IX to his cause.

Having achieved all their goals in Rome, Azu and his group embarked on their journey once again.

The first destination was Genoa, the hometown of Archbishop Evan and Vivian's mother.

Genoa is Italy's largest port city, located in northwestern Italy, and is also one of Italy's major industrial and handicraft cities.

Archbishop Evan's father, Vivian's maternal grandfather, was once a shoemaker in Genoa.

Archbishop Even himself was born in Genoa, and it wasn't until he was twelve years old that he boarded an immigrant ship bound for America with his father.

But Vivian's mother was born in America.

Archbishop Evan was more than ten years older than his youngest sister, Vivian's mother, and Parker Parker's wife.

That's why Peter Parker said that Archbishop Evan was his guide in serving God.

The group first headed south, then boarded a ship again at the port of Naples, and then headed north all the way to Genoa.

Archbishop Even, who had lived in Genoa for twelve years, was visibly excited upon arriving in Genoa.

Under his guidance, Archbishop Even led the group to visit their family's original home and the former shoemaker's shop.

Decades have passed, and everything here has changed beyond recognition!
This former home has changed hands countless times.

The original shoemaker's shop has now been turned into a butcher shop.

Throughout the journey, Archbishop Evan kept talking to Vivian about his hometown, never stopping.

Archbishop Evan is now a high-ranking clergyman in the Church, and can definitely be considered to have returned home in glory.

He even recognized many old acquaintances on the street!
Especially when he encountered his childhood playmates, who are now elderly with white hair, Archbishop Even couldn't help but shed tears, lamenting the vicissitudes of life and the fleeting nature of time.

……

After a three-day stay in Genoa, we boarded the ship again and continued our journey.

This time, the destination is Venice, the water city in northeastern Italy.

Venice in this era did not even belong to Italy, but was part of the Austrian Empire!

After a four-day stay and tour in Venice, Azu and his party boarded the Papacy's luxurious carriage.

From Venice, you can travel directly to Vienna, Austria by land.

In Vienna, the group stayed for a full week, during which the newly appointed Count of the Goldberg personally paid a visit to the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph I.

This was also an emperor with an exceptionally long reign, ruling the Austrian Empire for a full 68 years, from 1848 to 1916.

This emperor, who reigned for an exceptionally long time, even personally instigated World War I after his nephew and heir to the throne, Archduke Ferdinand, was assassinated in Sarajevo…!
However, his empress, Sisi of Bavaria, the most beautiful and famous princess in all of Europe, was not so lucky!

In the suffocating atmosphere of the Habsburg court, Princess Sissi, who had a carefree childhood, lived an extremely difficult life, with each day feeling like an eternity.

In particular, Princess Sissi's aunt, who was also her in-law, the domineering Princess Sophie of Bavaria, made things difficult for her and was very demanding.

The successive deaths of her children further devastated Princess Sissi's health.

Finally, she was assassinated by Italian anarchists and died on the shores of the beautiful Lake Geneva.

……

Fortunately, it was 1851, and Princess Sisi was still a carefree fourteen-year-old country girl who had not yet met Franz Joseph I and begun her tragic life.

In Vienna, the newly appointed Count of the Goldberg received a warm welcome from Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.

In return, Azu showed the Austrian emperor, who was almost the same age as him and quite young, a series of advanced weapons produced by the Huamei Company.

Among them were the HM49 advanced rifle, which was so powerful it was astonishing and completely ahead of its time, and the even more powerful HM51 water-cooled heavy machine gun!

"My dear Earl of Gold Mountain, the advanced weaponry you demonstrated is simply breathtaking...!"

The young and handsome Franz Joseph I played with the advanced HM49 rifle, completely captivated by it.

"My dear Earl of the Gold Mountain, may I ask if you would consider selling these advanced weapons to the Austrian Empire...?"

(End of this chapter)