The next morning, in the carriage on the way to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Edward Frost, Felix's new assistant, was making final itinerary confirmations.
"Boss, the meeting with Archbishop Hughes is scheduled for ten AM. I have prepared the preliminary concept document for the orphanage and school plan as you instructed, as well as a symbolic bank draft for one hundred thousand dollars as start-up capital, issued in the name of a charity foundation."
"Well done." Felix nodded with his eyes closed.
Frost hesitated, but still asked the question that had been bothering him.
"Boss, since joining the company, I have reviewed all of your past business records. You are a businessman who values efficiency and maximizes profit. You rarely engage in charitable activities. This time, investing such a large amount of capital and effort in charity seems somewhat different from your usual style."
Felix slowly opened his eyes. He looked at his clever assistant and decided to give him his first and most important lesson since he took office.
"Edward, what do you think is the greatest weapon of my biggest enemy, Mr. Sloan?"
"It is his railroad alliance," Frost replied without hesitation.
"No." Felix shook his head, "Railroads are just his weapons. His true power comes from the vast, invisible network of connections he has woven with money and interests in Washington and Albany over decades. That is his fortress."
"Our victory in Washington was only because we temporarily found a more powerful ally than him. But this alliance is fragile because it is built on common interests. Once the interests disappear, the ally will become a new enemy."
Felix looked at Frost, speaking one word at a time.
"Therefore, I also need to build a fortress that will never betray me."
"Sloan's fortress is built on the greed of politicians and businessmen. And my fortress," Felix's eyes gleamed with calculation, "will be built on the hopes and votes of hundreds of thousands of Irish."
"New York City alone has over two hundred thousand Irish. They are poor but united, and at critical times, they can make their voices heard through votes. And Archbishop John Hughes is the gatekeeper of this power. What I need is the key in his hand, understand?"
"Sloan previously imitated me, using public opinion in newspapers to portray what kind of person I am." Felix's lips curved into a smile, "Then I will use the bricks of Five Points, the loyalty of the Irish, and the prestige of the church to build a monument for myself that he can never tear down with any amount of money or lies."
These words made Edward Frost's heart surge.
It seemed that beneath this young Boss's seemingly gentle exterior lay a grand and ruthless ambition... St. Patrick's Cathedral was less a church and more a center of power.
There was none of the luxury of the mansions on Fifth Avenue, but its towering Gothic spires and solemn atmosphere themselves represented an authority that transcended worldly wealth.
Archbishop John Hughes, the legendary figure who led countless compatriots to this New World during the Great Irish Famine, received Felix in his private parlor.
He was nearing seventy, but his blue eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's, seemingly able to see through people's hearts.
"Mr. Argyle," after a brief exchange of pleasantries, the Archbishop got straight to the point, "my time is precious. Miss Catherine previously mentioned a grand plan for an orphanage and a school in her letter. Now, I want to hear your true thoughts."
Felix handed over the plan prepared by Frost.
"Your Grace, my idea is very simple." Felix's tone was full of sincerity, "War has filled this city with homeless children. Many of them, like us, have Irish blood flowing in their veins. Their fathers died fighting for this country, but they may die on the streets from hunger and cold. I do not think this is fair."
"Therefore, I plan to invest one million dollars over the next ten years to establish a complete system consisting of an orphanage, a school, and a community hospital in Five Points. I will be responsible for funding and construction, and I hope the church can assist with daily management."
Archbishop Hughes listened quietly, without any expression on his face.
He slowly spoke, "Mr. Argyle, your generosity is surprising. But the church never easily accepts goodwill from unknown sources. There are many wealthy people in New York, but you are the first who is willing to continuously invest one million dollars for the poor Irish in Five Points. Tell me your true purpose. Is it for the glory of God, or to have your own name carved on the cornerstone of a building?"
This was an unavoidable question.
Felix knew that in front of such an astute person, any false pretense would be futile.
"Both, Your Grace," Felix chose to be frank.
"My enemies previously attacked my reputation with lies. So I need to use concrete actions to prove to this city what kind of businessman I am. I need to gain a reputation; this is my 'selfish motive.'"
"But," he looked into the Archbishop's eyes, "I choose to do this for the Irish community not just for myself. Because Irish blood also flows in my veins. My parents are buried in this land. Helping these children is also helping the shadow of myself who once struggled in poverty."
This half-truthful, yet emotionally charged answer softened Archbishop Hughes's stern face.
He was a religious leader, but even more, a shrewd politician.
Indeed, he could see through Felix's ambition, but what he valued more was the tangible benefits this ambition could bring to the hundreds of thousands of his compatriots who were discriminated against and oppressed.
"You are very frank, Mr. Argyle." He nodded, "I accept your frankness, and I accept your proposal."
"The church will be your most steadfast partner." He made a promise, "But we also have conditions. The school curriculum must include Catholic religious education. The hospital's operations must also strictly adhere to the church's ethical guidelines."
"Of course, that is what I intended," Felix immediately agreed.
"Then," the Archbishop stood up and extended his hand, adorned with the bishop's ring, to Felix, "for the glory of God, and for the children who need help."
"A pleasure to cooperate."
As Felix and Frost walked out of the solemn cathedral, the sunlight outside broke through the clouds.
"Boss, you succeeded." Frost's tone was filled with admiration, "With the Archbishop's support, your prestige among the Irish will be unrivaled."
"This is just the beginning, Edward." Felix looked towards Wall Street in the distance, a direction that represented wealth and power.
"Archbishop Hughes only gave me a key."
"Later, I will need to use this key myself to open another great door to the politics of New York City, and even the entire country."
After returning to his residence from the church, Felix finally received what he had been waiting for.
An envoy from the War Department personally delivered an official contract, over a hundred pages thick and sealed with the Federal Government's wax stamp, to the Fifth Avenue mansion.
The contract was signed by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and Felix Argyle.
This document formally established the co-production of the Militech 1863 rifle between Argyle Company and the Federal Government, as well as the joint venture agreement for the "Federal United Ammunition Company."
It provided the most solid legal protection and credibility endorsement from the national level for Felix's rapidly expanding business empire.
The morning after the contract was signed, a high-level strategic meeting was held in the conference room at Argyle headquarters.
Attending the meeting were all of Felix's core team members in New York: Catherine, President of Umbrella; Jones, President of the Food Company; Bank President Templeton of Argyle Bank; Hayes, President of Patriot Investments; and, for the first time attending such a meeting, Felix's new assistant, Edward Frost.
His task was to record every word spoken.
"Gentlemen, lady," Felix began, getting straight to the point from the head of the table, "The battle in Washington is over.
From today onwards, Militech, Umbrella Corporation, and Argyle & Co. Foods will all have long-term orders from the Federal Government.
The company's rear is more stable than ever before."
He looked at everyone. "However, I have gathered you here not just to celebrate victory, but also for a new construction."
He handed a document to Jones, then looked at the others.
Felix said, "Jones has done an excellent job with the land acquisition in Five Points.
All the deeds are now under the name of the Argyle Charitable Foundation."
"Mr. Richard Upjohn, the architect, has also submitted preliminary designs for the orphanage and school," he added.
"Now, I officially appoint Jones as the Executive Director of the 'Five Points Revitalization Plan' to begin the most difficult and most important step of this project—construction and integration."
Felix looked at Jones, his tone very solemn. "Start demolishing or renovating the dilapidated buildings we've acquired as quickly as possible.
At the same time, in the name of the Foundation, recruit a construction team from the entire Irish community in Five Points.
We will use our own money to hire our compatriots to build a brand new future for their children.
All workers involved in the construction will be paid ten percent above market rate."
Jones nodded heavily, accepting the task.
He understood that this action would win hearts far more effectively than mere charity.
"Mr. Templeton," Felix turned to the Bank President.
"Please speak, Boss."
"That future one-million-dollar charitable trust fund needs to be managed with the strictest transparency by Argyle Bank.
I need every expenditure to be traceable.
In the future, this ledger will be our most powerful weapon against all public attacks."
"Please rest assured, Boss," Templeton responded, "The reputation of Argyle Bank will guarantee your benevolent actions."
"Very good." Felix's gaze finally fell on Hayes and Catherine.
"I can tell you very clearly that you must take this matter seriously.
This plan, besides charity, has a deeper purpose."
He looked at his confidants, no longer concealing his strategic intentions. "It will establish an unshakeable reputation for us within New York's Irish community.
And this reputation needs the most powerful megaphone to transform it into true political influence."
"So, Catherine, the cooperation with Archbishop Hughes will be your sole responsibility.
I need you and the church to jointly form a management committee to ensure that every good deed we do is conveyed through the church's channels to every Irish family."
"And you, Hayes," Felix looked at him, "You need to start preparing for our contact with another center of power."
A glint flashed in Hayes's eyes. "Are you referring to... the Tammany Hall?"
"Yes." Felix nodded.
"Previously, due to my relocation, I had a brief meeting with their leader.
There were no promises, nor any hostility.
They are the most pragmatic businessmen in New York, only, the commodities they trade are power and votes."
"Of course, what you need to do now is not to negotiate with them immediately." Felix's thinking was very clear. "Instead, through Archbishop Hughes and our practical actions in Five Points, show them what the Company can bring to the Irish people of this city.
Create political capital that they cannot ignore.
Make them come to us."
Everyone in the conference room felt the grandeur and precision of Felix's plan.
He was weaving a vast net using three threads—business, charity, and religion—capable of encompassing the political power of New York City's grassroots.
"Alright, gentlemen, lady." Felix concluded the meeting. "Go execute your tasks.
Frost, stay behind."
After everyone else had left, Felix called his new assistant to his side.
"Frost."
"Present, Boss." Frost immediately responded.
"Did you take notes of everything just now?"
"Yes, Boss.
Every key point has been recorded."
"Very good." Felix looked at him. "Starting tomorrow, your job is to ensure that everything I just said operates precisely like gears.
You need to follow up on Jones's construction team recruitment progress, coordinate Catherine's meetings with the church, organize Templeton's trust report, and provide Hayes with all the intelligence support he needs regarding the Tammany Hall."
"You will be the central axis connecting all these projects." Felix looked at his feigned calm expression and asked, "Any problems?"
"Of course not, I mean, absolutely no problem, Boss," Frost replied without the slightest hesitation.
"Alright then, go to work." Felix waved his hand. "There's a lot of work to do next.
If you feel overwhelmed, you can find two more people to help you."
"If so, I will apply and report to you."
Edward Frost returned to his desk in the corner of the study after answering.
Looking at the massive plans in his notes, plans that could affect the destinies of tens of thousands of people, his heart pounded wildly.
This damned sense of participating in destiny was absolutely fantastic!