Augustus Road

"I hope you understand that there is no citizen in Rome who does not yearn for the triumphal ceremony." Caesar was not angry. He seemed to be testing Lepidus, as if the answer would be clearer if he said it in the other person's mouth.

"But this triumphal ceremony is also a method of the Senate, a way for them to feed you. If you are willing to accept it, you will eventually have no choice but to crouch under the pressure of the Temple of Concord and be at the mercy of six hundred old men in purple robes. This is the case with Pei. Don't forget, I heard that Cicero said more than once during the Catiline Conspiracy, when your opinions differed from Cato the Younger (Caesar did not advocate the execution of Catiline, but Cato the Younger). However, he is willing to review and even adopt your plan, because Cicero said that as long as he listens to your plan, the wave of rebellion among the common people will be greatly reduced. , but he is a hero deeply rooted in the hearts of the common people. This is your political advantage and also your disadvantage - you will definitely be plotted by the Senate after returning to Rome, so the best way is for me and Crassus is working hard to get you elected as consul next year. Next year, you will lay a truly solid foundation in the political arena of the Republic, and then continue to confront the Senate. Of course, the premise is that you must reject the triumphal attack! "Lepidus!" Finished speaking.

"Lepidus, Lepidus, well, actually I'm still used to calling you by your original name. But don't forget, the Thirteenth Army will automatically enjoy a triumphal ceremony next year because of its military exploits in Ponticabion. My plan is to Incorporate the achievements of this Lusitania expedition and apply to the Senate for the same grand triumph as Pompey. Are you willing to lose the glory of the Thirteenth Legion?" When Caesar said this, his eyes seemed to shine again. The vanity in his heart took over again.

"But what about your money? Don't forget that Pompey spent thousands of talents on this great triumph. Just transporting twelve elephants from Syria to Rome, I estimate it would have cost no less than three hundred talents." Talent of money. And the money I have on hand is only enough for you to transport six elephants. No, you still have to pay for the elephants. Otherwise, where will the elephants come from in Spain and you only need to be elected to power? Officer, I can earn two thousand talents for you in one year, and then I will support you to serve as governor of a province where you can make greater profits after you step down as consul." After Lepidus finished speaking, he seemed to feel inwardly. Something ignited in him, and the historical trend of the real plane seemed to gradually coincide with his personal prospects. What he had to consider now was how to gain greater benefits in the process of this coincidence.

"Okay!" Caesar suddenly raised his left hand again, as if he was waiting for Lepidus's words, "I will end my term as governor ahead of schedule and quickly return to Rome to register as a candidate for consulship next year, so as not to interfere with it. , For this reason, I need smart assistants to help me win the confrontation in the Colosseum. I will take my friend Ebro back first, and I will leave this place to you and Lord Papinna. "

Lepidus, who was just about to welcome Caesar's decision, suddenly felt a chill in his heart, Papinna? The rosy-faced old man over there stretched out his hand very gently, took Lepidus's hand, introduced himself warmly, and said that I am Papinna, who has volunteered to become the governor's staff and guide for this expedition. .

Isn't this Papina the sworn enemy of Milu, Tagus and Pop?

These three veterans previously served in the Marius Republic rebels (because they ultimately failed, and the theory of a winner and a loser was also very popular in the Roman world), and they had previously followed the "One-Eyed Dragon General" Sethius He fought in Spain with generals such as Metra and Pompey. The most prominent feature of Sethius is his one-eyed general. Like other one-eyed generals such as Philip, Antigonus and Hannibal, he is full of outstanding talents and wisdom. However, compared with these people, Sethius has He has more shining points. He is cleaner than Philip, more loyal to friendship than Antigonus, more tolerant of enemies than Hannibal, deeply rooted in the hearts of his tribesmen and Spanish barbarians, and has repeatedly defeated Metra and Pangolin. He was the most powerful general in Rome (he was the first opponent that left Pompey at a loss. Pompey was once so ravaged by him that he did not dare to go to war and could only pray to the goddess of victory in front of the altar to boost his morale). But Sethius also had the biggest shortcoming, which was his lack of luck. Fate was full of cruel injustice to him.

When Metra and Pompey despaired of defeating the one-eyed dragon, they resorted to despicable means and openly offered a bounty of one hundred talents and twenty thousand acres of land to buy the head of Sethius. . Finally, after Sethius defeated the external enemies and Spain began to feel at peace, the so-called aristocrats who fled into Spain during the internal strife began a regular "sideshow" in the city of Rome. Fearing Sethius, but even more jealous of his achievements, many people wanted to seize his army. Among them was Papinna, a despicable and sinister villain who spread rumors everywhere and He encouraged the senators and nobles who fled to Spain to abuse the barbarians, and claimed that all this was done at the instigation of Seth Uris, in order to divide the camp of the one-eyed general. Later, Papinna organized people to lie about the military situation, saying that the frontline team had won a great victory and was going to hold a grand banquet for the priests and gods. At the banquet, Papinna broke the wine glass as a signal. The one-eyed general sitting on the seat immediately Stabbed to death by one of his henchmen, Papinna then usurped One-Eye's army. But when the news of Sethius' assassination came out, most of the Spanish barbarians were unwilling to fight for a villain like Papinna, and instead surrendered to Pompey one after another.

The isolated Papinna was forced to fight a decisive battle with the returning Pompey, but how could he be Pompey's opponent? He was completely annihilated in one battle, and he fled with many letters containing the dark secrets of Roman nobles, and hid in a corner of Spain, raising a large number of retired sword-fighting slaves and armed slaves to protect himself, so it was out of reach for veterans like Milu to seek revenge on him.

Who would have thought that Lepidus would meet this guy here? It seems that this gentleman still can't hold back his ambitions that are not in line with his actual talents, and is ready to join Caesar's account and rise to prominence.

But Lepidus remained calm and shook the other's hand enthusiastically. The hand felt cold and damp, which made people very uncomfortable, and aroused goose bumps in his heart. He pretended to be a stranger, hoping to cooperate with Papinus sincerely and help the governor conquer Lusitania as soon as possible. (To be continued.)