Augustus Road

"It is always cheaper to teach your own people how to use weapons than to pay to hire soldiers from other countries!" - "Ancient Roman Art of War"

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"But when this centurion received this golden bowl, he was still the treasurer, and I believe that his gift did not violate the rules of the legion. If you want to hold accountable the governor, please go to him outside the Dickman Gate." Sabokemus took courage and argued.

Caesar laughed and said that the bastard Lepidus had found some interesting subordinates. Then he put the golden bowl back into the arms of little Hortensius and entered the camp where the Thyme Legion had prepared for him.

In the camp, all the barbarian elders stood up and greeted Caesar. Caesar also attended the chair unceremoniously. The confidential slave next to him placed a stack of neatly organized documents in front of him. Caesar began to read through it. He was very pleased to see that in these documents related to barbarian taxation, land boundaries and debt relief, the key points were neatly written in charcoal ink with processing opinions and detailed annotations. This made it very easy for him to rule on matters. Quickly, Caesar immediately stipulated that the tribes in Lusitania that gave up resistance and rebellion must take on the task of clearing out bandits on their territory after the governor's palace demarcates the territory; and pay a full tithe tax to enrich the governor's palace. treasury, and all other exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes will be abolished as promised by a certain former treasurer (the one who left the Dickman Gate); in addition, the poor people in the tribes and towns will be distributed their relief wheat and small businesses. A piece of land large enough to stand on. In addition, Caesar required the surrendered barbarians to provide appropriate servants and auxiliaries. Help him attack the last barbarian stronghold that is still resisting. Olcrese.

The barbarians praised Caesar's kindness and generosity. Although the governor used sword and fire to destroy no less than seven or eight tribes during his advance from south to north, sold thousands of captured men and women into slavery, and destroyed a large number of fields.

"Little Crassus, I didn't expect you to handle these documents so neatly before." After the barbarian representatives left, Caesar politely praised the young son of Crassus. But Crassus the Younger did not have the slightest intention of taking credit. He frankly told Caesar that all this was the result of Lepidus' financial officer's hard work. Moreover, he led the army to win the battle of Iduka City.

Caesar in the main seat laughed, and he asked the orderly to call in the stubborn and serious Sabokemus who was still on duty in the camp outside, and said that he could leave along the Dickman Gate. The young officer did not say anything unnecessary. If so, he saluted Caesar and prepared to turn around and leave. Caesar continued to laugh and said: "Young man, I asked you to go outside Dickman's door to recall the former financial officer."

After seeing Sabo leaving, Caesar walked to the map table and said to a fat old man next to him with gray hair and a face as red as wine. "Papina, there is a siege in the city of Orcresi coming soon. I still need your guidance. It doesn't matter. As long as I complete the expedition and return to Rome in triumph, I will definitely help you lift your status as a public enemy and return to your motherland."

The old man rubbed his hands excitedly, stood up and thanked Caesar.

When Sabo quickly walked outside the door, Lepidus was sitting on a high mound built by digging trenches, telling several young soldiers stories about past battles. During the Tegreseta War in Asia Minor, he was How to capture the golden crown of the King of Kings, and from time to time instruct the soldiers milking the goats next to them on how to use their fingers.

"Do you realize your crime?" When Lepidus entered the camp again, Caesar stood in front of the map table and stared at him.

"Yes, I should not have kidnapped elephants and Numidian mercenaries, and then commanded them to sweep across the heart of Spain, conquered several tribes that may have assisted the Lusitanian rebels, and surrendered many barbarians in the north - -This is all my fault." Lepidah said with lowered eyes.

"You are lying, dear Calabis. Although you now have the noble title of Lepidus, your real name is still the Roman guest who was not afraid of wind and rain. This is wrong. What is a true noble? Then Even when you are a gambler, you must have a reverence for fate, because the greater the glory, any small mistake will kill you." Caesar said, then tapped the map board with his finger and said: " But if you are the governor, then you are an out-and-out hero in this expedition. Not only did you contain and eliminate a large number of enemies in the governor's palace, you also expanded the scope of blood tax collection in far Spain to a distance of three to four thousand stadias. . Okay, you should express your apology to me in exchange for my understanding."

"The money I have from selling the spoils of war... I still have two hundred talents... I think it will be enough for you to return to the city to run for the consulship." Lepidus said hesitantly, and Sabo next to him was surprised. He stared at his eyes. He originally thought that the treasurer had already generously distributed all the war proceeds to his subordinates, but luckily he was still grateful for the treasurer's gift of five talents.

"Well..." Caesar hung the hook pen on the edge of the map table and suddenly said to Lepidus: "I think you know something. Pompey faced such a major decision before. The Senate gave The question is whether to run for consulship or hold a triumphal ceremony."

"That's right. Your Majesty the Governor means that Pompey has already enjoyed the great triumph?"

Caesar nodded and handed a letter to Lepidus. The letter was written by Cicero. It said that just a few days ago, Pompey rode a white horse and led a team through the entire city of Rome. Twelve elephants appeared in the parade, causing the entire city gate to be demolished to allow them to enter. Then they were driven into the Colosseum. Hundreds of sword slaves launched a bloody hunting battle against twelve elephants, thirty lions, and fifty leopards. When Cicero saw the elephants make a soul-stirring cry and fall like a heroic giant, the audience around them cheered desperately, but he shed tears for the dead elephants, the tragic death of the largest and noblest creatures in the world.

"In this bloody place, the elephants that fell to the ground and died are the winners, and all of us are losers." This is Cicero's original words.

Lepidus was not interested in Cicero's philosophical views. He understood as soon as he saw Caesar's eyes, which were as vain as Pompey's: it was impossible for Caesar not to yearn for the triumphal ceremony attended by twelve elephants. Caesar was ambitious and vain. When he was young, he would wear his toga to the extreme of fitting. However, unlike Pompey, whose vanity far outweighed his ambition, Caesar would calmly think when the two conflicted.

"Sir, I suggest you give up the triumphal ceremony and choose the election for consul, otherwise I will withdraw all the money, and you can't really punish me because I am not afraid to leave the Dickman Gate again." Before Caesar could say anything, Lepidus spoke word by word and openly revealed his feelings. . )