After finishing negotiations, Mr. Garibaldi straightened the wrinkles in his clothes before leaving Mazzini’s residence.

When Mr. Garibaldi arrived at the apartment’s communal lounge, the old woman who was dusting the candlesticks with silk stopped her work and quickly walked up to Mr. Garibaldi.

"Sir, are you leaving now?" The old woman bowed, a flattering smile on her face.

"Hmm!"

Mr. Garibaldi nodded slightly, understanding that the old woman’s attentiveness was entirely due to the 100 British Pounds in his favor.

Afterwards, Mr. Garibaldi casually asked the old woman how much time was left before Mazzini’s rent would be due.

Upon hearing Mr. Garibaldi’s inquiry, a glint of cunning flashed in the old woman’s eyes. She hurriedly extended two gnarled fingers and said to Mr. Garibaldi, "Since the rent for this apartment is paid annually, there are only two months left until the next payment is due!"

"Two months, hmm!" Mr. Garibaldi pondered for a moment, then promptly took out a 50 British Pounds note from his pocket and handed it to the old woman.

This time, the old woman didn’t scrutinize the note before accepting it. She knew that a gentleman as wealthy as Mr. Garibaldi was unlikely to use counterfeit bills to deceive her.

[During the 1850s, Britain’s own management of large denomination notes wasn’t particularly strict, leading to a significant amount of counterfeit currency circulating.

These fake notes closely resembled the real ones, even mimicking the signatures almost perfectly.

If not carefully examined, it was hard to tell the authenticity of the notes.]

The old woman, smiling broadly, pocketed the money while feigning modesty, saying to Mr. Garibaldi, "Sir, the amount you gave is really too much!

I wouldn’t know how to give you change back; the gentleman upstairs doesn’t need nearly that much for a year!"

"I know!" Mr. Garibaldi responded to the old woman, then commanded, "During the time that gentleman stays here, I hope you can offer him the best service!

If there’s any money left over, consider it a tip from me!"

"Honorable Sir, I believe that someone as generous as you will surely become even wealthier in the future!" said the old woman, fawning over Mr. Garibaldi, her body almost bent at a ninety-degree angle.

"Wealthy?" Mr. Garibaldi’s lips curled into a self-deprecating expression, muttering to himself, "My goals aren’t just about having money!"

Upon hearing Mr. Garibaldi’s words, the old woman immediately realized that the man before her must be a powerful figure, and quickly changed her tune, praising Mr. Garibaldi, "I believe you will surely become the Prime Minister of a country someday!"

"Prime Minister, hmm!"

Mr. Garibaldi mumbled, a hint of amusement appearing on his round face.

The old woman had no idea that he had already served as a country’s Prime Minister and had no lingering affection for that position.

Currently, he is engaged in a cause greater than serving as Prime Minister.

"Let’s hope so!" Mr. Garibaldi ambiguously replied to the old woman.

With the old woman’s enthusiastic guidance, Mr. Garibaldi left the apartment and boarded a carriage she personally hailed him.

Standing at the apartment entrance, the old woman watched the distant carriage with a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

If possible, she would really want to keep that wealthy gentleman in the apartment,

such generous customers, the old woman hadn’t encountered for over a decade.

Sadly, someone of his status and position would definitely not reside in such an apartment.

After all, the other party was merely a hurried passerby.

With this thought, the old woman returned to the apartment.

Then she went to an empty corner, taking out two 50 British Pounds notes again.

At this moment, greed filled the old woman’s eyes. She first sniffed the notes vigorously, then rubbed them continuously with her wrinkled hands, muttering, "I must be good to that gentleman!"

Next, the old woman decided to prepare a lavish dinner for Mazzini that evening to express her gratitude.

If it weren’t for Mazzini living here, the old woman would likely have a hard time receiving such generous tips.

...

Switching sides of the story.

After a long time since leaving Mazzini’s apartment, Mr. Garibaldi finally left the slum.

When Cavour crossed the bridge built over the Thames River and entered the wealthy district, the originally narrow and cramped road immediately became spacious. The layout of the buildings was not like the slums where the houses were densely packed; between each apartment, there was enough space for two rows of carriages to drive through. The pedestrians on the street also dressed differently from those in the slums. Every lady’s attire and the flowers on their felt hats were unique, resembling a scene where hundreds of flowers vie for attention.

The carriage proceeded along the broad, straight road, quickly arriving at the hotel where Victor Umberto was staying.

As Cavour disembarked from the carriage and was about to pay the driver, he was informed by the driver that the elderly lady had already paid for him.

"When was this?" Cavour’s face flashed with surprise, prompting him to ask the driver.

The driver honestly told Cavour that he and the elderly lady had some cooperation.

Moreover, he was renting another suite from the elderly lady, so Cavour’s carriage fare would be deducted from the rent he owed her.

Upon hearing the driver’s reply, Cavour couldn’t help but smile knowingly, then muttered to himself, "What an interesting person!"

"Respected sir, please allow me to leave now! If I don’t, this shabby carriage might be detained by the police for tarnishing the city’s image!" The driver gestured towards his carriage and said to Cavour.

Indeed, compared to the opulent carriages in the wealthy district, the driver’s carriage was far too simple, with several areas even showing signs of damage.

A carriage like this truly doesn’t belong in the wealthy district; it would completely spoil the district’s aura.

"Please pass my thanks to the lady!" Cavour courteously responded to the driver.

After the driver left, Cavour once again straightened the wrinkles on his sleeves and walked confidently into the hotel.

Cavour quickly arrived at his room and pulled out the key to unlock it.

After hearing a slight door-opening sound coming from Victor Umberto’s room next door, he promptly said to another guest on the sofa, "I believe the commotion next door should indicate Mr. Cavour’s arrival!"

Having said that, Victor Umberto got up to open the door, and the guest seated on the sofa also stood up to follow him.

The two people, one following the other, opened the door and went straight to Cavour’s doorstep.

Victor Umberto gently knocked on the door twice. At this moment, Cavour, who had just entered the room, was about to lie down on the sofa for a short rest. The knocking sound from the door made him guess that Victor Umberto was likely here to inquire about his situation.

Thus, despite feeling tired, Cavour got up and went to the door.

When Cavour opened the door, his expression immediately fell into a brief stupor, because not only was Victor Umberto standing at the doorway, but also Giuseppe Garibaldi, whom Cavour did not want to meet in public.

Cavour glanced around cautiously, and upon seeing no one else nearby, he subconsciously sighed with relief as if he were a thief.

"Quick, come in!" Cavour opened the door, urging Victor Umberto and Giuseppe Garibaldi to enter with an anxious expression.

Giuseppe Garibaldi and Victor Umberto entered the room, and Cavour swiftly closed the door again.

Immediately afterward, Cavour yelled in a low voice to Giuseppe Garibaldi, "Mr. Garibaldi, who told you to show up here!"

Giuseppe Garibaldi also understood that Cavour’s current situation was indeed not suitable for meeting with someone of his military status. He hurriedly tried to explain to Cavour, "Mr. Cavour, actually, I’m here to help you!"

"Help me?" Cavour showed a puzzled expression; he didn’t quite understand what Garibaldi meant.

"Mr. Garibaldi is concerned that you and Mr. Mazzini might have disagreements over the issue of Italian unification.

That’s why he’s here!" Victor Umberto spoke on behalf of Giuseppe Garibaldi to Cavour. "It’s just that you met with Mazzini too early, causing Mr. Garibaldi to fail to catch up. He originally wanted to go in person, but I persuaded him to wait here for your return!"

"I’m very sorry, Mr. Cavour!" Giuseppe Garibaldi apologized to Cavour, then promised, "I assure you that during my journey to the hotel, I was not followed by any secret police!"

Cavour remained silent for a moment, then spoke firmly to Giuseppe Garibaldi, "I believe you!"

If a general like Giuseppe Garibaldi with a special background (mountain troops) couldn’t evade the secret police, then Cavour probably would have been discovered as soon as he set foot in London.

Giuseppe Garibaldi’s anxious face showed a smile. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Then Victor Umberto impatiently inquired about the outcome of Cavour’s discussions.

Cavour informed Victor Umberto and Giuseppe Garibaldi, "Mr. Mazzini has agreed to coordinate our actions in Lombardy and Venice!"

Victor Umberto and Giuseppe Garibaldi clenched their fists joyfully, knowing they were one step closer to the unification of Italy.

"As long as Britain can reach an agreement face-to-face, our actions can commence!"

At this moment, Cavour was equally excited, to the extent that his tone carried a slight tremor.

"But what if the French Empire once again allies with the Austrian Empire to intervene, what should we do?" Giuseppe Garibaldi asked worriedly.

"Well..." Cavour had also considered this issue. "I’ll personally travel to Paris to meet with His Majesty Napoleon III after leaving London!"