Enzo was taken aback, then declined, "Your Holiness, I truly cannot bear such immense power. Please withdraw your decree. Investigating cases and arresting suspects are within my duties. But taking over other positions, that is beyond my capabilities."
"Some key positions being vacant might lead to a widespread paralysis of the administrative system. I'm not familiar with the situation, and it takes time to select suitable successors. I can't just pick anyone and replace them every three days if they're unsuitable.
Moreover, if the suspects are innocent after investigation, they must be released. I can't just directly take over their positions. That's why I asked you to temporarily take charge. If you refuse, do you expect me to manage it myself?" Augustus questioned sharply.
With great power comes great responsibility. Enzo had no intention of advancing further, nor did he possess the strength to do so. Such authority would only be a burden to him.
The most direct impact was that he couldn't just kill and not bury; if a position became vacant, he would have to take it over, and if problems arose, he would be held accountable. He could certainly place his trusted associates everywhere, but this was only temporary, and it remained to be seen whether the Pope would acknowledge them after the case was concluded.
Seeing that the Pope was determined to give him this hot potato, if he refused, he would have to refuse the investigation into the mastermind as well. Enzo was unwilling to give up this excellent opportunity to gain presence and eliminate political rivals. Weighing the pros and cons, Enzo finally accepted.
"Then I will do my best, but handling affairs of other departments might be somewhat beyond my ability. If there are any mistakes, please be lenient."
Augustus curved his lips into a smile and comforted him, "Don't worry, I know this isn't easy. I won't blame you for any minor issues during your temporary takeover. Just go ahead and investigate. Your primary task is still the investigation, and these authorities are given to you to facilitate your investigation."
Enzo nodded as if he understood.
"Then I will go back now to prepare a plan, gather personnel, and then submit it to Fao Si for review. After it's confirmed feasible, we'll proceed with the action?"
"Go. But remember, this investigation is primarily led by you, with Faol as an assistant. You don't need his approval for everything. As for me, I have many other important matters to attend to, so unless it's extremely important, don't easily come to me with questions." Augustus patted Enzo's shoulder, speaking with great expectation.
"Alright, the rest of you can go back as well. You've all worked hard. Get some good rest, replenish your energy, as there will be many more things that require your attention later. Faol, stay for a moment; we have other matters to discuss."
After everyone left, only Faol and Augustus remained in the vast conference hall.
"Now that it's just the two of us, speak your mind." Augustus had long sensed that Faol had something on his mind, so he kept him behind.
Faol spoke without hesitation, "Augustus, why did you ask me to assist Enzo with the investigation? Is it truly to assist him, or to monitor him?"
"Both to assist him and to monitor him," Augustus said calmly, "You are to provide all possible help for whatever he needs to investigate; and if he makes any improper moves, you must stop him promptly and report to me.
Of course, the latter is highly unlikely, but we must be prepared. As for whom he wants to arrest, as long as it doesn't involve our people and isn't too excessive, you don't need to interfere. Give him full freedom.
You must also not interfere with his methods of interrogation after he arrests someone; let him do as he pleases. Even if he wants you to know about some unsavory matters, you should avoid them. Ignorance is bliss; knowing means sharing the consequences with him.
In short, as long as he does not engage in improper conduct, interfere with him as little as possible. Let him cause as much trouble as he wants, and you can even provide him with material to help him stir things up.
I know you want to remind me that if not strictly supervised, Enzo will use this opportunity to eliminate dissenters and install his cronies. That's fine; it's exactly what I want. Enzo is a smart man; he knows what he can and cannot touch, and I am confident I can control the situation."
Faol was utterly shocked and asked in disbelief, "Augustus, why are you letting him do this? You know this will bring chaos to the Papal States."
Augustus nodded, saying meaningfully, "I understand all of that, but this brief, minor chaos is an unavoidable growing pain that the Papal States must experience to become a great nation. If we don't take the initiative to rectify things, we will have to contend with endless conspiracies and internal strife that could resurface at any time.
The Papal States currently appear calm on the surface, but undercurrents are surging. From princes and ministers to hawkers and porters, everyone has their own agenda. To put it extremely, our nation lacks any cohesion. How can we build a great nation like this?
Therefore, I intend to use this opportunity to investigate the mastermind behind the assassination to purge internal opposition forces, improve the internal environment of the Papal States, and clear out the positions held by those incompetent and corrupt officials at all levels, allowing more capable and idealistic individuals to assume important roles.
While I don't expect this to be a permanent solution to internal problems, it should at least suppress them in the short term and ensure the nation develops in a positive direction. Afterwards, we will strive in all aspects to ultimately achieve true unity of purpose.
When the people have faith, the nation has hope, and the country has strength, how can great endeavors not succeed?"
Augustus became increasingly agitated as he spoke, gradually entering a state of selflessness, as if the future he envisioned had already appeared before his eyes.
Faol deeply agreed with Augustus's vision for the future but still harbored doubts: "Your intentions are certainly good, but isn't this method a bit too radical at times? And it also seems a bit undignified; if our enemies ever use it to attack us, it might draw criticism. Wouldn't it be better if we used some gentler methods?"
"You need strong medicine for chronic illness. Using gentle methods to deal with this kind of problem will only lead to it sprouting again like weeds. Only this way can we eradicate it. Most importantly, through this investigation, and by using Enzo's hand to handle this matter, we don't have to do it ourselves. This is an excellent opportunity." Augustus said decisively.
"But if Enzo is allowed to eliminate dissenters at will, I fear he will implicate as many as possible, and it's hard to guarantee that there won't be innocent people or loyal individuals among them…" Faol said, unable to bear it.
"Not necessarily. In the entire Papal States, or even all of Europe, how many people in high positions are truly completely clean? Among those few rare individuals, many are also forming factions and abusing their power.
These people are not unusable, like David; everyone knows he is insatiably greedy, yet I still use him, and even rely heavily on him. As for those who are irrelevant and incapable, even if truly innocent, there's nothing to regret about discarding them."
Faol did not speak, expressing silent protest.
Augustus looked at Faol's disheartened expression, sighed, and finally compromised: "Didn't I ask you to supervise Enzo? If you want to manage these matters, you certainly can, but you also need to be mindful of the extent and not completely tie Enzo's hands."
"Thank you, Your Holiness." Faol said, delighted.
Augustus smiled helplessly, then suddenly remembered something important: "Oh, right, write a letter and send someone to Duke, telling him to return, bringing his entire army."
"Your Holiness, why is this?"
"It's a small matter, just do as I say."