Augustus Road

Cleopatra glared at the chief of the palace guard several times, and then her eyes turned to Rufio who was standing at the foot of the steps.

"Dear General Rufio, how have I treated you and your troops over the years?" Queen Elizabeth asked in a lazy and charming tone.

"Yes, very good. The treatment of my three legions is also very good. Although Caesar has passed away, the spokesperson of the noble goddess Isis in the world, the female pharaoh, still takes a considerable part of the annual tax to provide support. Soldiers and their families. "Rufio is a general who has been in Egypt for a few years. With his slender figure, high cheekbones and short hair, his appearance in the Egyptian court is very different at this moment. He answered fluently - although his attire has not changed, he has long abandoned the Latin character of telling the truth. He understands that if he wants to enjoy a stable seat in the Ibos court, he must pretend to be himself.

"Then why do your three legions need to go back to Italy? The soldiers have already enjoyed the coins engraved with my and Caesarion's faces. Many of them have also found beautiful Egyptian women as wives. I have also provided camps and accommodation. Give them the dormitory, and you should now advance and retreat together with the Hormashi Legion to serve our mother and son." As she said that, Cleopatra held her child's hand with pity and love, and then stroked his golden hair. He hugged him on the throne next to him and said to Rufio, "Look at him, does he look exactly like your master Caesar?"

"Yes, my loyalty to Caesarion has been reflected many times in my oath." Rufio saluted hurriedly.

"Then take the three legions and the Hormachian legion to the desert border now. Don't let that bastard Lepidus come into Egypt. If possible, kill him." Queen Elizabeth suddenly said coldly. This talk.

Rufio's eyes widened. He raised his eyebrows on the spot, then pretended to be confused and said, "Do I have the right to ask the reason for doing this?"

"It's very simple. If you don't want your master's flesh and blood to suffer the same fate as that young Caesar, then just do this." Cleopatra on the throne raised her fingers covered with gold ornaments. "No, you have to do this. Egypt is the country you should be loyal to now."

"The same was true for Gabinus's legions back then. They thought they were Egyptians, but later most of them died under the attack of my master and the high priest. Please forgive me, Your Majesty Pharaoh, I think my duty is to protect Caesar Leon is thoughtful, but he is not under any threat now. The high priest just wants to see him, just like an elder wants to see a junior. This is also the consensus I reached with the chief of the palace guard in advance. Yes, Your Majesty the Pharaoh. "If you and Caesarion go to the border to meet the high priest with a friendly attitude, there will definitely be no problem," Rufio said, he was originally a liberated slave in Caesar's portal. Because of his cleverness, Caesar appreciated him and not only granted him freedom, but also entrusted him to stay in Alexandria and supervise three legions.

But on the other hand, Rufio had already had a close relationship with Lepidus. Lepidus had recorded all the people Caesar admired, and he had already extended his bribery hand. Rufio always respectfully called him "Master Father" in his letters. , respected teacher." As early as when Lepidus and Young Caesar joined forces to conquer the Pompeian party and the Republican Party, Rufio hurriedly expressed his allegiance to the high priest and asked if he could command three legions and join the battle in Greece and Asia Minor. However, Lepidus replied: He said calmly, "You are now in charge of more than just three legions, but need to control the entire Egypt, so staying still is the best option."

Now that the overall situation has been decided, Rufio is even more anxious. If he doesn't perform well, then when Dahang rewards him in the future, won't he have to obediently hand over the army and lose his status as a free citizen of Julius' family? Prosperity, this life?

So this time, while the high priest secretly sent a letter to Queen Elizabeth, he secretly sent a secret message to him and another informant Diotusos in advance, so the two of them immediately became busy to prompt the high priest and the female pharaoh meeting, because in Rufio's vision, the Republic was about to annex Egypt. If he did this, it would be a great achievement.

What was said in the palace today was just a draft that Rufio had already prepared and spoken out.

But the queen was so angry that she was shaking all over. She angrily rebuked Rufio for his ingratitude, but the other party laughed and turned a deaf ear. Then she turned her attention to the two veterans Xieke Behu and Serapion, but she still didn't get anything. respond.

Then she looked farther away for help, but Diotusos, the chief of the palace guard, interrupted her fantasy, "Even the Tomb Guards and the River Guards will not shoot their bows and arrows at the high priest. , this is especially true for the heads of Nomu and the treasurers of various countries, so your majesty, it is better to go to the meeting, because of the friendship between the high priest and you, he will never harm you. "

Finally, Her Majesty Queen Marie covered her face miserably, weeping and sobbing. Was she destined to be a tool for Lepidus to seek wealth and power in her life, and could only survive as his ally and vassal? She couldn't help but think of the conversation she had with Lepidus in the palace courtyard on the Bay of Naples when she was very young, after arriving in Rome with her father. Thinking about it now, it was extremely shameful - she was so young and frivolous, she actually said She set such a grand goal, but now it is all in the past. And the Curia attendant who seemed at a loss in front of her at the time now dominates the entire world and has become the chess player with the last laugh in the power struggle. hand.

"Egypt, Egypt, God Horus! Open your eyes and take a look. Now there is not a man standing in the entire royal court." The grief-stricken Cleopatra shouted out, scaring Caesar. Ang stood up, while the eunuchs and courtiers below continued to turn a deaf ear and were submissive. Are they a bunch of puppets in my eyes, or am I a puppet in their eyes?

In the early morning of the Ipos palace, Cleopatra stood in front of her wearing a silk robe. The red sun was rising over the market and the ocean. Behind her, countless servants and soldiers were leading mules and horses. The camels were busy preparing for the "meeting" on the border. Queen Marie looked at the child holding her hand and couldn't help but shed tears again. She understood that everything was over and everything was different. Previously, Lepidus would reject her courtship and give her to Caesar for his own benefit. Then, To this day, Lepidus will of course also deal with her child Caesarion in order to eliminate future threats.

"Mother, I heard Diotusos say that my guardian is a very good person, isn't he?" At this time, Caesarion raised his head and said to her childishly. (To be continued...)