Augustus Road

As a result, when he saw Lenchardt appearing, Lepidus immediately looked around for a hole, as if he was very ashamed. Lenchardt naturally also remembered him, a guy who didn't have an unpleasant appearance but a very inferior personality, and that Claudius. A colluding character. But because of the situation, she just snorted coldly in her nostrils and sat on the chair behind Cicero to see what the purpose of Caesar and Pompey's envoys were.

But in response to Cicero's question, Demetrius looked at Lepidus with disdain, and then said arrogantly: "The new consul has sent many envoys and friends to Alba during this period. The meeting with the victorious General Pompey in the villa was the same, so that’s probably the purpose of coming here today! Speaking of which, how did you know about my whereabouts? "

"This is not difficult at all. Everyone knows that you are now the most trusted person around General Pompeo. I have been hanging around your new house every day during this period. Of course, I have never been able to see you before." Lepidus' tone was very humble, but it made Cicero, who was sitting in the armchair, even more vigilant. He knew that this cunning Oriental was good at making sudden decisions when speaking and debating.

"Of course, I have spare time today to pay a visit to the former consul." Demetrius continued to be arrogant, and then he asked Cicero some key questions about his master. Eager to discuss with Cicero - Cicero certainly understood that the issue Pompey was most concerned about now was that the proposal to resettle veterans had been suppressed by the Senate, but the great Pompey actually asked him for help now. It made me feel elated, so I felt tolerant and considerate of Lepidus, the broker who "followed" Demetrius: This former slave seemed to have always claimed that he was from Seris. He was born free, and after being captured by the Roman legions, he had to be a military slave for a period of time. But I really don’t know the authenticity, but now I heard that he also climbed into the Lepidus family whose lintel was contaminated, and even got Crassus. With the approval of Caesar, he put on the toga robe that only nobles can wear, and continued to work for the interests of Caesar and Crassus. Now he had to look at the face of a high-ranking slave like Demetrius, which was really worthy of mercy.

So Cicero's excessive sense of justice and vanity overflowed again, and he said warmly to Lepidus, who looked embarrassed, what exactly did Caesar want you to convey?

An excited expression immediately appeared on Lepidus' face, and he hurriedly handed over Caesar's letter board respectfully. Cicero took it and looked at it. Caesar was full of words of praise for him, which not only expressed Cicero's feelings during the election campaign He was grateful for his "limited support" and firmly stated that during the year of his rule, he must first follow the opinions of Cicero and General Pompey in everything. Caesar also praised Cicero, "We use the sword To conquer territories, you transcend them with civilization and eloquence.”

Somehow, after reading Caesar's letter, Cicero couldn't help but feel a little dizzy, but he still tried to calm himself down. The reason was that he didn't trust the owner of the letter or the guy who delivered the letter enough. He frowned and thought about it. After a while, he suddenly asked Lepidus: "What do you think of Akuta, which was implemented by His Excellency the Consul last month?"

"Very good." Lepidus said.

"Why?" Cicero sneered, feeling that this man didn't even have the slightest idea of ​​reading.

"Because I think this is a benchmark." After Lepidus finished speaking, he suddenly took out a beautifully decorated flip book from his entourage. Cicero took a closer look and found that it was actually his book "Disputations", which was full of books. He carefully collected various personal lawsuit cases and attached arguments on how to win in lawsuits. At that time, he spent two talents on this book and hired several slaves to copy it. , but the total number of copies circulated in Rome was only seven or eight.

"Sorry, I don't know how this benchmark is related to my book collection and Caesar's Akuta." Although seeing Lepidus actually struggling to get a copy, he felt as happy as if he had found a close friend, but West Cero continued to ask, and now the attention of the whole scene, including Cicero's wife Renchart, was transferred to Lepidus holding the "Defense".

"Dear Sir, I am so addicted to your work, which has taught me various skills in dealing with lawsuits, and I often think that there are only ten people in Rome who can read this book, and I am one of them. , I really feel a sense of superiority. It is really worth it that I spent 5,000 drachma owls to buy this book." Li Bida raised the book respectfully, and then changed the subject, "But you still have to do it. Remember a knight named Eupis?"

Cicero's body trembled slightly, as if Lepidus mentioned the embarrassing thing he least wanted to mention. Yes, Eupis was a provincial knight who had been accused. At that time, Cicero took the initiative to defend him, but However, because he paid too much attention to this case and memorized the debate draft all night long, which led to lack of energy on the opening day of the trial, he lost. This was one of the few cases that Cicero lost. He was usually reluctant to mention it with a very unhappy expression. The expression asked: "He was my defense partner, and we faced a failed case together."

"Now this man is still living in exile in Marseille, and he later saw your defense collection. What do you think he said after reading it? He said that if you could publish this book earlier, He won’t be living a life of eating fish every day in Marseille.”

"Why?"

"Because when you wrote the book, you were not in court, but from a perspective of post-summary, you carefully revised many of the words that were not perfect in court at that time - in other words, this book represents the most ideal debate. In fact, this is the value of the book. Books are always higher than reality, and they always guide us to correct reality. So, what Eupis said is right. If you could publish this book earlier, maybe he could win the lawsuit if he had seen your book before."

"But have you ever thought that if there were not only seven or eight copies of this book, I would not be Cicero, but everyone would be Cicero!"

"If everyone is Cicero, then wouldn't the Roman state be completely civilized and orderly? Isn't this the philosopher as king? Your noble ideals exist in your books, and then are recognized by all the people. This is your royal power. The scoundrels and ambitious people cannot enter this pyramid. In other words, Caesar's Acuta was also established for this purpose." After speaking, Lepidus bowed to the slightly surprised Cicero and quickly left. (To be continued.)