The bandit suppression work was in full swing.
Under the guise of joint bandit suppression, the Papal States' army gained military passage rights in all Italian regions except Venice, moving unhindered throughout the Italian peninsula.
During the bandit suppression operations in other countries, Karl and Duke both, by coincidence, ordered the entire army to survey the climate, hydrology, terrain, biology, soil, and culture of various places for future needs.
Of course, publicly, it was declared as a necessity for bandit suppression.
Karl and Duke indeed provided great help to various countries in their bandit suppression efforts.
The Papal States' new army achieved great success upon its debut and established deep friendships with various Italian nations through the bandit suppression, invigorating everyone in the Papal States.
"Stirile, how is the investigation into Liam progressing?" Augustus asked with concern.
Suddenly asked, Stirile's heart trembled, thinking he had messed up, and quickly remedied, "The investigation is still ongoing, there's just a small part left. Do you need it now? I'll go get the investigation report then."
Augustus waved his hand, "No hurry, just give me a brief summary first. Have you found any issues?"
Stirile pondered for a moment, then replied, "Liam himself doesn't seem to have any problems. Liam comes from a clean and relatively humble background. He has always been very diligent and entered politics early. He works assiduously, but his career path has always been difficult, coupled with not-so-good luck. Although his political achievements were good during his tenure in various positions, he was always promoted and then demoted for various reasons, remaining a grassroots cadre for over a decade."
Augustus nodded. This information was completely consistent with what Faol had reported to him, and also what Enzo had provided him earlier, but the crux of the matter was clearly not here.
"So, where is the problem?" Augustus pressed.
"You know, Liam was exceptionally promoted by Enzo to serve as the acting Minister of Internal Affairs."
"Is there a problem with that?"
"That's the problem. We still haven't found any connection between Liam and Enzo before this, which is why our investigation is still ongoing," Stirile said, somewhat troubled.
Augustus chuckled. So that was why. Faol also hadn't found any prior connection between Liam and Enzo. Was not finding a problem considered a problem?
"Not finding a problem, isn't that a good thing? I asked you to investigate if there was a problem, not to necessarily find one. Perhaps Enzo simply recommended a virtuous person for the country?"
"But based on my many years of experience serving under Enzo, Enzo would not do anything futile," Stirile whispered thoughtfully.
Augustus fell into contemplation. Stirile had been with Enzo for so long, he should understand Enzo better than himself. After a long while, he spoke, "Then, in your opinion, there must have been some prior connection between Liam and Enzo, but you just haven't been able to find it?"
"I can't say for certain, but I think it's very likely."
"Then, after Liam took office, has there been any interaction with Enzo?"
"There have only been some ordinary interactions, the kind ministers have among themselves; nothing problematic was found. However, to my knowledge, Liam is grateful to Enzo for his benevolence."
"We judge actions, not intentions. There's no problem with being grateful to Enzo if there's no improper conduct, but he does need to maintain a distance from Enzo," Augustus deliberated.
"Do you have any plans?"
"You don't need to worry about that. What about your investigation, will you continue?" Augustus changed the subject.
"Yes. I want to investigate further. I always feel like I've overlooked something," Stirile said, unwilling to give up.
"Then continue investigating. I'll give you three more days. If you really can't find anything, then let it go."
Recalling the number of people under Stirile, Augustus realized a problem: "Oh, by the way, are you short-staffed?"
"Indeed. Before, when we were under Enzo, we were only responsible for specific tasks. Other matters were mainly handled by other corresponding systems. Now, we have to handle everything ourselves, and it's truly a bit overwhelming," Stirile admitted.
"Then we really need to add more staff. After all, you are now an independent system; you can't always be constrained by others."
"Then, how about we transfer over all the relevant systems we used to have under Enzo?" Stirile suggested.
Augustus broke out in a cold sweat: Good heavens, he's really ruthless towards his old superior. How many "relevant systems" was he talking about? If he transferred them all over, Enzo would be forced into early retirement.
"Oh, please don't. Enzo still has his work to do. If you strip him of all his people, what will he do?" Augustus quickly refused, then offered his own plan, "How about this, I authorize you to expand your staff. Ask Enzo for help, use his systems to recruit some people, and then transfer them to you. Just state what you need. For the remaining issues, report them to Faol."
"Alright, thank you, Your Holiness. If there's nothing else, I'll go get busy."
"Go."
Watching Stirile's receding back, Augustus's expression was somewhat complex.
Based on the current results, Stirile had certainly passed his inspection. The findings of the investigation and the information provided were very satisfactory to him. But whether intentional or not, Stirile's intention to draw a clear line with Enzo seemed overly obvious, which made Augustus feel somewhat seen through, and very uncomfortable.
If only Liam had this awareness, then he wouldn't have anything to worry about. Never mind, he'd have someone give him a hint.
…
"Liam, good news!" Benito exclaimed excitedly.
"What good thing did you encounter? Look how happy you are," Liam asked with a smile.
"Do you remember I have an old classmate working with Faol?"
"Yes, you mentioned him to me. What about him?"
"I met him today, and he told me he heard that His Holiness intends to make your position permanent," Benito's joy was genuine, as if he himself were about to become the Minister of Internal Affairs.
"What? Really? Is the source reliable?" Hearing this news, Liam couldn't hold back either. This was the news he had been waiting for!
"Absolutely reliable! He heard His Holiness say it himself."
Liam paced back and forth excitedly. After a few turns, he seemed to remember something and asked, "Did he hear anything else?"
"Oh, yes, there's more. His Holiness is very satisfied with your performance as acting Minister of Internal Affairs, but he has always been concerned that you, having benefited from Enzo, might be controlled by him. That's why he hadn't shown any desire to make your position permanent and wanted to observe you further.
Upon realizing that you and Enzo have no improper dealings, His Holiness immediately wanted to make your position permanent. However, His Holiness also said that if you, after becoming permanent, blindly follow Enzo and disrupt the balance of the Papal States, His Holiness will not tolerate or condone it.
Therefore, as I previously suggested, for your own good, and also beneficial to Enzo, I think it would be better for you to draw a clear line with Enzo. After all, once your position is permanent, you will be on equal footing with Enzo, not in a subordinate relationship. Enzo, in recommending a virtuous person for the country, will surely understand your situation."
"Alright, I understand." Liam knew that the twists and turns and how the situation changed were not for him to inquire about, nor did he believe Benito would know, but he already clearly understood what he needed to do.