Augustus Road

"The people of Dodona asked Zeus and Dione whether the harsh winter was coming because of someone's impurity." - A divination book from an ancient Greek temple in the fourth century BC

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In the small room of the high priest's residence, Caesar and Calabis sat face to face. The candlelight illuminated Caesar's face. His face seemed a little sallow and he was turning the ring on his finger restlessly. Pompey had divorced his wife because She had an affair with him, but in the blink of an eye Peppa almost cuckolded herself again. But what made it even more difficult for Caesar was that if Peppa had an affair with Claudius, then forget it, the Romans would The secret annihilation was just a matter of catching wind and shadow, but now that bastard Claudius had blatantly tarnished the residence and authority of the Julius family, the high priest, and the chief legal officer, and he really couldn't sit idly by.

"More importantly, my mother insisted on going to court. She insisted on punishing Claudius."

"Yes, all the decent people in Rome now hope that Claudius will be punished." Calabis took a long breath and said to Caesar: "Actually, my patron Tuna also hopes that Claudius will be punished, but they are them, We are us, you must be cautious at this moment and turn disadvantages into advantages. "

"Give me your opinion, Karabis."

"Your Excellency, there is a story circulating in our country of Seris. There was a kingdom with the bear as its totem. Their king worked hard to rule and annihilated many surrounding tribes. Once, when a triumphal banquet was held, a sudden gust of night wind blew Come and blow out all the lights at the banquet. After the servants lit the lights again, King Xiong’s beautiful concubine gave him a horsehair on his helmet and said that there was a cowardly general who just took advantage of the opportunity. In the chaos and darkness, she tried to offend her, but she pulled the horsehair off her helmet. She cried and asked the Bear King to find the Silver Stick General on the spot, but the Bear King announced on the spot that everyone attending the banquet should take off their helmets. Later, when the Bear King went on an expedition against the barbarians, he encountered a fierce fight and was in danger. A brave general rushed in and rescued the Bear King. When the Bear King expressed his gratitude to him, But he said that I was the one whose horse mane was taken away by your concubine at the banquet!"

After listening to this story, Caesar was thoughtful, and after a long time he said to Calabis: "You mean I am the Bear King, and Claudius is the Silver Stick General?"

"That's right, your Excellency, it has been a long time since you went to Far Spain to take office as governor. You are still burdened with considerable debts that have not been paid off. You only have one year in office to reverse the situation. So if our business in Lusitania, It would be bad if you were hampered by people like the Senate, Pompey or Cicero," Calabis suggested as he poured Caesar a drink.

"I'll use Peppa and the family's reputation in exchange for Claudius's gratitude and assistance. Is this what you mean?"

"Yes, let Claudius cause chaos in the city of Rome. He is no different from you in terms of political stance. They are both hated by the old guys in purple robes at the Temple of Concord. He can definitely become your best friend in Rome. Fighting agents, have a good fight with Pompey, Cicero and even Cato the Younger, while your Excellency can rest assured that you can expedition in Lusitania, collect taxes, pay off debts, and not pave the way for running for consulship in the future." Calabis then said. She said distressedly, "It's just Peppa..."

"I have sent someone to propose marriage to the Bisso family. The other party has brought a generous dowry. As for Peppa..." Caesar sighed, drank a lot of wine, and then his eyes became cold. "For Caesar's wife cannot be doubted, not even a little bit."

This sentence was equivalent to acknowledging Calabis's suggestion and announcing the "death penalty" for Peppa's marriage. Calabis felt relieved. He took out the vellum paper and pen and ink and described the relevant matters while writing. , and then promised Caesar: Let me take care of the funeral affairs of the city of Rome. After it is taken care of, I will naturally come to Lusitania to meet you. But now, have you prepared the troops for your expedition to Spain properly?

Caesar looked troubled, and Calabis understood and said that you should go directly with the troops that the Senate has given you the right to organize. After I take care of this place, I will take the soldiers and supplies that I will recruit later and cross the sea to meet you by boat. meet.

"The Senate has promised me that this trip will give me the Tenth Legion as my team, plus the right to organize two auxiliary legions in far Spain, but I will handle the money and food myself. This is Pompey's plan, and the backbone of that legion is the non-commissioned officers Mostly his people.”

"It doesn't matter, I have asked Camis to operate in the port of Brindisi. Anyway, Pompey has disbanded the legion on the spot. I asked Camis to replace it - it is still the designation of the Tenth Corps, but all the centurions have been replaced. Members of the Thirteenth Legion and the Seventh Legion, your Excellency, please rest assured," Karabis wrote quickly on the vellum and replied.

Out of gratitude, Caesar put his soft hand on the back of Calabis's hand, making his whole body numb. Although he instinctively felt resistance, he still forced a smile. Caesar said - your behavior is something To a certain extent, I betrayed my patron, and I betrayed my mother. Now we are all on the same ship. "I remember that you recruited the 10th Brigade of the Thirteenth Legion. I will keep its backbone when I leave." Here you go, find a way to fill up the vacant places immediately, and don’t worry about weapons and money when you come to Spain, just ask Crassus, he has a complete weapons workshop in Etrunia.”

It was not until the morning star disappeared that Carabis walked out of the high priest's residence. At this time, the small vendors on the streets were already carrying goods, moving back and forth in the fog and smoke. The citizens of each district had also enjoyed breakfast early, and they gathered together, making a lot of noise, and rushed to the Ares.

Today was arranged by the Senate. The triumphant general Pompey gave a speech to all the citizens in the city. This was very important to Pompey, and it completely determined whether he could continue to gain the support and support of the people after the Mithridatic War. Carabis thought about it, and followed the crowd to the second floor of the public club next to the Ares. He rented a seat, which cost him fifty dinars. The view here was very good, and he could clearly see Pompey surrounded by elders, knights and citizens. He wore a laurel crown, was well dressed, and had a confident smile. He used the bronze bow as a podium and looked down at everyone.

As more and more people gathered, Pompey cleared his throat and began a vigorous speech. It was obvious that he regarded the speech as an encouragement to the soldiers and centurions on the battlefield.

As a result, Carapis at the window sill began to sneer as he listened. Pompey kept chattering, repeating how he wiped out the pirates, how he destroyed Mithridates Eubert's army, how he faced various crises on the battlefield, how he used the art of command to turn danger into safety, how he broke through the enemy's city, how many prisoners he captured, and how much wealth he seized for the Republic.

As a result, the reaction of the people below changed from indifference to impatience, and the whispering became louder and louder. (To be continued.)