Augustus Road

"War is the king of all things and the father of all things." - Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher of Ephesus

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At 50% interest, the governor was taking the lead in violating Roman law's restrictions on usury, but he was the one paying the interest. But the tribunes and centurions hesitated a little, and stamped their own rings on the loan contract one by one. Nothing else. In these short few months of fighting, Caesar easily won their favor. and trust, because the bald governor is not just a swinger as he appears on the outside. Perhaps this is his image at the dinner party in Rome. On the battlefield, Caesar takes the lead and is considerate of the lower class. Only soldiers who know how to drive will understand. The most vulgar jokes will lead to the most touching speeches before the war. Of course they knew that Caesar was heavily in debt before in Rome, but this only increased the legend of this man - eight hundred talents of debt did not knock this guy down, what else in the world could trouble him?

In this way, Caesar borrowed one hundred and fifty talents of money in a short period of time at a high interest rate. This was the property of the two legions, including the first brigade of the Lepidus Thyme Auxiliary Corps, and the middle and high-level officers. , they all poured out their money and gave it to Caesar.

"I will not take this money to the city of Rome. I will distribute it to all the soldiers tomorrow, and give a replacement to those who are killed or injured. In addition, open the camp for three days and collect the money from surrounding Vesua." All the vendors, male and female journalists, dancers, and cooks are summoned to let the soldiers have fun, but remember not to invite the soothsayers. Before the war, the soldiers were most taboo about contacting these people, which would damage morale. "In the camp late at night. , Caesar took off his military uniform, looked in the mirror, and ordered Lepidus and Papinna who were standing aside. At the entrance of the tent, his friends Ebro and Basatus were waiting for the governor to slowly tuck in the toga as soon as possible. This is a very time-consuming thing, but Caesar never appears casually and simply on any occasion - quite a while later, he was riding on a horse wearing a robe, the bonfire beside the tent was still burning, and the sounds of night watch soldiers sounded from time to time around him. The command was heard, and Mo Ye, surrounded by the endless wilderness, still hung low.

Lepidus, Papinna, and the generals of the legions came forward one by one, kissed his ring, and wished him a triumphant victory in the consul election in Rome, just like on the battlefield of Lusitania.

"Everyone, in three months, I will become the master of the Palatine Hill and the Temple of Concord." Caesar raised his hands to salute everyone and said goodbye. When Lepidus stepped forward, he specifically took the temporary financial officer's hand and asked: "Before In Iduka City, you and I once walked to the end of the wilderness and saw the vast and cold Atlas Sea (the Atlantic Ocean). I wonder if you felt its power? "

"Yes, Your Excellency, you will be guided by Neptune, the God of Poseidon, and Venus, the God of Love, to recreate the great deeds of Alexander the Great. Even if Pompey envies this emperor the most, only the one who can finally break the laurel branches of the empire will be Your Excellency.”

"I am already forty years old. Maybe I can still be content with being a second-rate person in Rome while my hair is gray, studying food and philosophy, and live my eighty years without any worries. Walking to the cemetery. However, I have not bought a cemetery at all, nor have I made a will. This is unbelievable for a forty-year-old Roman man, but that is how I am. Chasing Alexander the Great has come to naught, so I made a great wish in front of the statue of Venus, and I will realize it in the second half of my life, even at the cost of losing half of my life span. What I fear most is lying on my bed and in front of a candle before I die. Let aging and death slowly bite my heart like a bug until I take my last breath. Therefore, the affairs of Lusitania will be handed over to you, and the city of Rome will later witness our success!"

After saying that, Caesar turned around, led his followers and guards, and slowly walked out from the side door of the camp, lighting a torch. In the distant wilderness, the ruins of villages and towns are still burning with flickering flames. The next morning, Lepidus followed Caesar's instructions and distributed all the money raised yesterday to the legionnaires. Everyone's shouts were deafening, determined to fight to the death for the governor.

Looking at Caesar's leaving figure, Lepidus really admired him. He borrowed money from the tribunes and centurions, but actually used debt to conclude a "firm contract" with these people - the most persistent and iron-clad relationship. , I am afraid that the world has not surpassed creditors and debtors. If Caesar does not die for a day, these people will follow him wholeheartedly. They are afraid of his death on the battlefield and must guard him with all their strength. Later, Caesar rewarded all the money to the soldiers, encouraging them to work hard on the battlefield and earn greater honors and gains for themselves. Anyway, the governor didn't have to move a penny when he came and went. He had everything under his control.

After the money was distributed, in accordance with Caesar's instructions, the wooden gate of the legion camp was opened. Vendors selling various goods, as well as secretaries responsible for writing letters, as well as men and women in the flesh business from far and near, poured in from all directions. , but the guards have also set up access control and are not open to soothsayers.

"Don't be like this. I can write the spells of Phoenician, Roman, Greek and Celtic gods, and communicate with each god to pray for blessings and removal. Don't you pray before the war? I can make the pig's internal organs automatically turn red, make the cow's intestines bend in a smooth direction, and make the divination chickens that don't eat eat happily. Don't believe in your legion's fortune tellers, they will only mess things up..." Outside the camp gate, a charlatan wearing a Celtic hat was arguing with the doorman.

At this moment, Lepidus walked out of the side door with a smile and Papinna. The two had become quite close in the past few days. Sometimes Papinna even asked about the relationship between him and Caesar. This was Lepidus's eternal "pain". The rumor of his ambiguous relationship with Caesar had spread smoothly from the Claudius family's boudoir banquet to the alleys of Rome, and now it had also spread to the military camp. Some generals who were jealous of his military exploits would make a big fuss about this matter, and his direct subordinates all knew that this topic was a "minefield" for the treasury officer. Anyone who said anything nonsense would definitely arouse a wave of rage more than Neptune, the god of the sea.

But it seemed that Papinna was an exception. Facing his question, Lepidus hinted shyly that the friendship between him and Caesar was extremely strong, and this kind of strength was beyond ordinary friends or superiors and subordinates, at least Lepidus thought so.

"What an excellent man is Caesar, he really deserves your admiration and friendship." Papinna also continued to test without leaking a single drop. (To be continued.)