Augustus Road

In order to handle this matter well, Lepidus first hid in his "Carabis River Warehouse" and secretly hired a group of street thugs to inquire about Pompey and Cato the Younger in the city, as well as all the information related to the two people.

Soon, key intelligence came that Pompey had bought a private villa with a gorgeous colonnade at the foot of the Palatine Hill in Rome for his most favored Jewish slave Demetrius, but Demetrius had not returned to live there for the time being because he was out on business.

Well, Lepidus decided to use this Jewish slave as a breakthrough to "help" Pompey and Caesar to resolve their past grievances. Although he was suspected of breaking up a couple, his purpose was completely just and there was no burden in doing it.

It would take at least a market day for the Jew to return, so Lepidus had plenty of time to do something. He first sent a fast-running slave to the small academy on the Tiber River island to sincerely invite the Peripatetic Tyranion to his villa in Apillon to attend a small "academic banquet" with only figs and wine, as well as many books, which suited Tyranion's taste. Then, he used Tyranion's attendance as a "temptation" and went to Seville's house on the Esquinino Hill, carrying a very generous gift, inviting Brutus, who was extremely interested in philosophy, to come to Apillon to honor his banquet with his newlywed wife Portia, one of Cato the Younger's daughters.

Apilon in autumn has the most pleasant and beautiful golden scenery, and the rich also like to spend their golden days here. When Brutus learned that Tyrannion would also attend the banquet and there were no "golden youths" such as Claudius and Antony, he happily took Portia to Lepidus's small banquet.

"Oh, my God, Porti, I didn't know you were a woman who lived such a meaningful life. Although you are not from a high-class family, I'm sorry to use this word, but you can actually host a party for the wives of soldiers on the front line every other market day, and you can also teach them to play the recorder, recite poetry, and write letters to their husbands. This makes me envious. It's interesting to say that although I was born in the most conservative aristocratic family in Rome, I don't object to the lower-class ladies pursuing elegant and simple beauty. Once ordinary people also yearn for balance and harmony, I think it will be a great benefit to the entire state." In the pavilion by the stream, Brutus's newlywed wife Portia stared with round eyes, holding a wine glass, and sat on the couch. She was obviously chatting very frankly and happily with Porti who was standing by. Then she turned to seek her husband's response. Brutus obviously fully approves of his newlywed wife, so he toasts Lepidus and says, "I sincerely hope that when I join the legion soon, your woman will also accompany Portia to protect her. I am afraid that she will be lonely, and I am even more afraid that shameless men will take advantage of her and enter her boudoir. You know, even Pompey is not immune to this kind of thing - the generals are fighting against the barbarian kings on the front line, and our politicians are busy comforting their wives in the rear."

"You are joking again. As a person, I am obviously concerned about the scandals of my family members, and Brutus, I married you not because of your romanticism, but because of your loyalty and honesty." Portia put down her glass with some resentment, obviously expressing limited dissatisfaction with Caesar's affair with her husband's mother.

"Speaking of this, I remembered your great-grandfather, the 'legislator' - Cato the Elder." Seeing that the atmosphere was a little awkward, Tyrannion began to change the subject and joked, "It is said that he once passed by the street in front of the Regency and saw a young man he knew coming out of it. The young man was very panicked when he saw him, because everyone knew that your great-grandfather had strict moral requirements, but your great-grandfather said to the young man - you are good, because you chose to dissipate your desires in the Regency, instead of trying to seduce a noble woman with good character and destroy Roman virtues and families." After saying this, everyone laughed again, which made Portia feel particularly useful. She has always been a woman who pays attention to the reputation of her family. This is a natural match with Brutus, especially proud of her great-grandfather's Puritan principles.

Although Lepidus had heard that Cato the Elder was not a kind person from the bottom of his heart, he was just the son of a rich farmer, not a natural aristocrat. He became famous by relying on conservative aristocrats such as Fabius during the Punic Wars (mainly opposing the hedonists led by Scipio Africanus, who advocated absorbing Greek and Eastern culture and wealth), and then he entered the aristocratic circle and rose step by step. Therefore, he strongly advocated the conservative and simple so-called ancient Roman legacy. He hated the hedonistic atmosphere and was an enemy of women. He also slaughtered the rebellious barbarians in Spain crazily, and called it "fighting to support war". In the end, he probably couldn't tell the difference between his surname and his advocacy, so he simply merged the two. The common people regarded him as a role model of morality - but Cato the Elder had raped the daughter of his secretary slave in his study at home, and would also send capable slaves to participate in maritime trade (Julia had imitated his behavior and went bankrupt twice before).

However, Lepidus had no intention of exposing this. He was just waiting for this opportunity and asked casually: "Dear Brutus, although Julia refused to marry you, look at what a wonderful person you have got now. , she not only has beauty, but also has noble family virtues. I have heard that even Pompey, the great general who returned from the East with great success, the great man who conquered three hundred foreign races, abandoned Hongxing and cheated on her. After becoming my wife, I also proposed to Portia’s family. If I remember correctly, Portia still has two younger sisters to marry!”

At this point, Portia was immediately a little distressed. She said that her father hated Pompey, but both sisters admired Pompey, the favorite of Rome. In this inevitable conflict, she felt that It smells like a family tragedy.

Lepidus immediately winked at Bodie, and Bodie said softly, "Roman women need to completely obey their father's requirements, whether in life or marriage. However, we can still win over sisters in whatever way we can. In my opinion, it is better to create an opportunity for your father and General Pompey to talk openly. Your father is a role model, and the general is a hero with unparalleled achievements. I think there is nothing we can't agree on. ”

These words caused Portia to nod her head repeatedly, and even Lepidus exclaimed with surprise in his heart. It seems that Porty's progress in rhetoric can be expressed with great speed, and he can use more complex vocabulary to express his ideas.

At this time, even Brutus discussed with his newlywed wife for a while, and then expressed his approval of the plan of Lepidus and his woman. Everyone clapped their hands and agreed, saying why not do something good for the Roman city in public or private life? (To be continued.)