Return to Africa to become a tycoon

Chapter 28 Chartered Colonies

Liu Yide enjoyed the sea view while savoring seafood.

Of course, he was unaware that he had been categorized as "strange." Turning to look at Alessandro, whose expression was complex, Liu Yide, understanding the situation, didn't expose him but instead offered a few words of reassurance:

"Fortunately, it's healed now."

"Ah, oh, oh..."

Although it can be cured, no one wants to do it!

Although his mood was somewhat fluctuating, Alessandro quickly composed himself and changed the subject.

"By the way, sir, I've found you a house."

"house!"

Alessandro's words surprised Liu Yide. It wasn't that he didn't care about the house, but rather that he had never even thought about it.

Genoa is, after all, a major city in Italy. How much does a house cost in such a big city?

Liu Yide was unsure of himself, so he didn't pay attention.

"Sir, you can't stay at the clinic indefinitely, can you?"

Alessandro said with a smile:

"So I took the liberty of looking at a house for you."

That's true; we can't live under someone else's roof forever.

"Leonardo, you're so thoughtful. What does the house look like?"

To be honest, Liu Yide was filled with anticipation.

After all, this is the first time I've lived two lives and own my own assets. It would be a lie to say I'm not excited!

They couldn't help but feel some anticipation, and soon they took a horse-drawn carriage to the northwestern suburbs of Genoa.

As the carriage entered a manor, Liu Yide was somewhat bewildered upon seeing the two-story Western-style building in front of him.

Wasn't it supposed to be a house?

But—this is clearly a villa!

Not only that, this is also a sea-view room!

Alessandro, oblivious to the change in his expression, continued his introduction:

"Sir, this estate originally belonged to a local businessman, but he went bankrupt due to mismanagement. Therefore, the house is currently under court-ordered auction. If you're interested, I'd like to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Yide cut to the chase:

"How much? I'll take it!"

What kind of house is this?

This is clearly an estate, a villa—and it has a sea view!

This is simply the ultimate dream in life!

When he said those words, Liu Yide wasn't very confident, after all, his family's wealth wasn't yet substantial.

But the next offer left him a little stunned.

"It will probably cost around 12000 lira."

What?

12000 lira?

That's just the consultation fee for two VIP patients... My goodness, that's incredibly cheap.

But what Alessandro said next left him completely bewildered:

"Sir, if you're interested, I can buy this house for 7000 lira. After all, it's an asset that the court is currently auctioning off..."

"Damn it..." Liu Yide cursed inwardly, then said:

"This shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

Who would refuse such a great opportunity?

It's awkward... but it's just a polite way of saying it!

"Sir, what are you saying? As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Why make things difficult?"

A smile spread across Alessandro's face.

Now he has finally found his value and is no longer excluded from the circle.

"However, sir, you may have to wait a while, as there are some formalities that need to be taken care of."

"No rush, no rush."

Liu Yide waved his hand. "Is there any need to rush this kind of thing?"

Looking at the manor in front of him, Liu Yide, who had lived a long and arduous life, beamed with joy.

I have a house now!

Not just a house, but a manor villa—it sounds like a dream come true!

Before the transmigration, I worked myself to the bone every day just for a pigeon coop, but at that time, that dream seemed like a distant dream.

But now?

Not only did he have a house, but he also had an estate. Although it was an estate compared to the nearby estates, it was not luxurious or extravagant, but it was still his home!

Thinking of this, Liu Yide's gaze involuntarily turned to the distance, where a building resembling a palace could be vaguely seen.

Compared to that place, this house is indeed insignificant.

Let's wait a little longer!

By next year at the latest, I will be living in a manor like that.

Following Liu Yide's gaze, Alessandro said:

"Sir, that estate belongs to the Duke of Cornaro in Genoa!"

"Oh, another nobleman..."

Liu Yide glanced around and realized that he had seen more nobles in this period than he had ever heard of before—all of them were there to see a doctor.

"I don't think I've ever heard of this duke?"

"Sir, she is the Duchess..."

When the Duchess was mentioned, Alessandro's eyes changed, showing both longing and extreme respect.

"Her title originated from Queen Caterina Cornaro of Cyprus. After she abdicated the throne, Venice granted her the right to rule the territory of the Asolo region, and she was known as the 'Lady of Asolo' or 'Duchess of Asolo'."

After her death, the rule of the territory and her title continued to be passed down through her maternal family, the Cornaro family, which was the wealthiest and most powerful noble family in Venice.

Seeing the longing look on Alessandro's face when he mentioned that lady, Liu Yide couldn't help but think that these Europeans had long since developed a deep-seated awe for the nobility.

"However, unlike most of the old nobles, she was not just a title. Her wealth was staggering. The Cornaro family had been operating banks for hundreds of years, with branches throughout Europe and their own fleet of ships."

Just then, Alessandro suddenly said:

"Sir, although I don't know her completely, the newspapers have said that the Duchess is the most dangerous woman in Italy."

The most dangerous woman in Italy?

Liu Yide became increasingly curious:

"Oh? Why?"

"Because—whoever wins her heart wins everything!"

Alessandro turned his gaze from the distant manor and said in a reverent tone:

"She not only possesses wealth and status, but also stunning beauty... My God, any man would duel for her."

People often duel for her, and in those duels, someone always pays with their life.

"Oh, in that case... she is indeed quite dangerous!"

This is Liu Yide's true thought, and he even remarked:

What would a woman who possesses both wealth and beauty be like in the eyes of others? Would she be a tempting delicacy, or prey in their eyes?

She is indeed in great danger!

Liu Yide's words left Alessandro completely dumbfounded, because he originally thought that this danger should be caused by men flocking to her, but he never expected that the danger was her herself.

"Well, I hadn't thought that much about it, but sir, you don't know that she also has honors."

"honor?"

Liu Yide became even more curious.

This woman is far too complicated.

"That's right, her father was an adventurer who, in his youth, obtained a charter from the Principality of Sicily and established a colonial company."

Many years ago, the company signed a lease agreement with a Sudanese man in Africa, leasing a piece of land of approximately 3 square kilometers in Africa…”

As Liu Yide listened to Alessandro's introduction, the image of the East India Company subconsciously came to mind.

Did Italy also have such colonial companies?

I've never heard of that!

This isn't because he's ignorant; in fact, Italy's rule in East Africa was actually handled by two different companies at different times.

"His father went insane shortly after the lease was granted and later died of illness, but the treaty was valid."

Therefore, whoever marries her will not only gain enormous wealth, but will also become the pioneer of Italy's first overseas colony. Wealth and glory... who wouldn't yearn for that?

Who wouldn't yearn for that?

Not to mention others, even Liu Yide's gaze changed.

Private land, colony.

Doesn't this mean that as long as you get her—no, as long as you get her land—it means you will own a large piece of land?

Of course, the most important thing is not the land.

Rather—local tyrants!

If I could get that land, wouldn't that mean I would be the local tyrant of that land?

What had always troubled Liu Yide the most was how to protect the huge profits brought by those inventions in the future.

Aspirin is just the beginning; many more inventions are to come.

But how can one protect all of this amidst a pack of tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves?

Originally, Liu Yide intended to use his fame to protect himself.

But fame is such an ephemeral thing.

But now?

It seems there's a new opportunity, or rather, a new possibility.

In just a moment, Liu Yide lost all interest in the house and asked:

Where is that place?

(The new book's sales figures are not ideal. I earnestly request that you all add it to your collections and continue reading. Thank you!)