Augustus Road

"They drew lots out of ten people to choose one person for everyone to eat." - The tragic scene of food shortage during the Persian army's expedition to the African desert

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The high priest took the scroll, looked at it, and then said with an admiring tone, "Oh, this plan of the new Roman city drawn by Agrippa is so magnificent. Yes, this is the real possession. The peaceful capital in the imperial style. The winding and narrow lanes, the slums that concealed crime and filth, have all disappeared, and the great library that I strongly advocated for investment has also disappeared. Agrippa is really an outstanding young man. Look. It is not Leo who should be the alderman here, but he should be the one presiding over it.”

But Caesar seriously said that he would not give up Agrippa, because the other party was his indispensable right-hand man who had been commanding the legions and formulating battle plans for him.

"Well, if that's the case, it seems that you can't be willing to give up your love." The high priest covered the scroll. At this time, Leo also came back from outside, and his father asked him if he had done everything he had asked him to do. , after receiving a positive reply, the high priest nodded with satisfaction and handed the scroll to Leo for review. Leo was indeed very impressed, "It's really great. Once I see this picture, it will turn into a beautiful reality. The lines and colored ink will condense into a poem mixed with stone and lime, which will really make you excited and happy involuntarily.”

"If this is true, it also means that the city of Rome will end internal strife and fighting forever. The dark clouds that have shrouded the City of Seven Hills for hundreds of years will dissipate with the advent of the Golden Age. The Roman people. Whether it is the people or the Nobles will enjoy fifty years. No, even more than a hundred years. This is truly a peaceful era created by us!" Young Caesar said excitedly.

At this time, the high priest said to him in a deep voice, "Now there is a slightly more difficult matter, and that is Turinus, your war situation in Greece. After all, there are all kinds of gossip, which is a little unfavorable to you. These days This is also the topic I face most frequently when I am presiding over a senate meeting.”

Upon hearing this, Young Caesar was speechless. He lowered his head in shame and fiddled with the wine cup, but soon the high priest opened the topic again, "But it doesn't matter, as long as you become my wife in the coming year." Colleague consul, I will naturally support you with all my military and financial resources. It is very rare for a twenty-year-old boy to stand up to the likes of Brutus and Cassius. But what the people of the Roman Republic lacked was an objective attitude towards affairs. They only loved the results - spoils, triumphs, and the grand pleasure brought by blood - so Turinus, if he expected this method To maintain power for a long time, how tiring it would be to fawn over them day after day, year after year, no one can stand it, so we need to keep power for a long time, don’t you think so, Turinus?”

Of course, on the topic of "dictatorship and monarchization of power", Young Caesar always stood on the same side as the high priest. In addition, the assistance promised to him by the other party solved his urgent need, "Don't be anxious, take your time. Turinus, in the future there will be Dacia and Parthian martial arts waiting for us to establish. From now on, Leo will preside over the executive council and the municipal government of Rome, and you and I will be responsible for military expeditions - speaking of this, I will Like a burned-out pine tree, aging will come soon, my flame will slowly dim and extinguish, and you will rise like the stars in the night sky." At this point, the high priest was also very excited, and he spoke again. He picked up the wine cup and suggested that Leo and Turinus drink together with him "for the eternal golden years and for everyone's contribution to this".

At this time, in the joyful scene, only Bodie, who had always stood beside the high priest, remained motionless, with a stiff and worried expression, but no one noticed her eyebrows and worry.

In short, when Young Caesar came to Purama Gate and was about to leave and return to his home, he was in a very good mood, not a small good, but a really good mood! But at this moment, Fonteus, who led the retinue of guards, rushed over and hurriedly handed Young Caesar a tablet, "I hope you can read this as soon as possible. The news from Sicily is very detrimental to us!"

Under the light of the fire, Young Caesar read the tablet, and his expression suddenly changed. He pulled Fonteyus to a protruding corner beside the courtyard wall, "What on earth is going on and why?" Was I completely kept in the dark?”

"This is simply the private rampage of a few idiot centurions, but you must explain to the high priest and his son that you didn't know about it until now." Fonteus suggested eagerly.

The dull thunder followed the shimmering clouds in the sky and swam across everyone's feet. It seemed that the autumn rain was coming soon, and the Tiber River would swell again. Under this situation, Young Caesar's mind was running rapidly. He was confused. Why did the high priest and his son never mention such a big thing as mutiny at today's night banquet? Was it that Lepidus didn't want to mention something that obviously involved him and was very embarrassing? Or did the father and son really have a conspiracy against him as Curio said?

Just as he was hesitating, the door opened and a woman came out. She saluted the guards and military academies in a hurry, looking very scared. Then Caesar recognized her: she was Corinna's personal hairdresser. Sure enough, the maid came to him, handed him a small cloth bag with a drawstring, and whispered, "This is a small statue she used to put in the alcove in the room. The rest of the things will be sent to the temple for sacrifice soon, but she still hopes that you will keep one because she hopes to bring some good luck from her family to your family-finally, she asks you to say hello to Octavia on her behalf."

So that's it! According to Roman customs, before getting married, girls must sacrifice their childhood statues, amulets and toys to the Temple of Vesta. Corinna's move is a signal that "I'm about to get ready to marry you."

As the thunder became more and more frequent, Caesar the Younger calmed down, and he said to Fonteus in a very affirmative tone, "There is no need to explain to the high priest and his son. I have a clear conscience about some things. Trust sometimes does not need words."

"But!" Fonteus was very surprised and couldn't help but say so.

But Caesar the Younger was sure of his judgment. He climbed on the donkey without hesitation and shouted to Fonteus and the guards, "Make way."

At this moment, another attendant came forward and bowed, saying, "The people over at Tarquin Swamp are still waiting for your reply!"

That person was obviously referring to Curio. (To be continued..)