Augustus Road

At this time, Cicero's situation was not so wonderful. The nightmare that had woken him up countless times finally became a reality. Claudius, the previously silent tribune, suddenly ordered a large number of street gangsters on the day of the trial. Surrounding Cicero's beautiful Poplar Villa, these hooligans did not shout loudly and rudely as usual and painted obscene paintings on the walls of the courtyard. Instead, they collectively maintained a terrible silence, leaving Cicero in the courtyard Rother was trembling, his pale face and hands were lifeless, and he was still clutching the defense draft that he had carefully prepared for many days. When his wife Lenchart walked out of the inner room and loudly encouraged him to appear in court, he just said: "I Once I encounter something that makes me nervous, it will bring down the quality of my defense, so it’s better not to go.”

Cicero, who failed to appear in court, finally defeated the "savage" Neruda. Lepidus, who had devoted himself to preparing for two months, gave everyone a textbook performance in front of the legal officer and the jury. To prosecute, he imitated Cicero and collected a large number of irrefutable witnesses and physical evidence in Macedonia, Peloponnese and other places where Neruda served. His eloquence was like a galaxy, leaving Neruda unable to parry. He had no choice but to admit his corruption crimes in Macedonia.

"This is inevitable, because everyone knows that during your tenure in the province, your Excellency has always adhered to two basic policies unswervingly, and that is drunkenness and prostitutes!" When Lepidus used this sentence to sum up his views on Neruda After the accusation was submitted, the judicial officer announced that Neruda was guilty of corruption based on the jury's 22 votes in favor, nine abstentions, and five dissenting votes, and must return the stolen money of 4 million sesterces to Macedonia. At this time, the Macedonian appeal group outside the door applauded - they never expected that this foreign naturalized citizen who had just heard his voice at the age of 29 could actually perform so well that even Cicero "backed down". Well, everyone knows about the relationship between Neruda and Cicero. If he were not afraid of this mysterious young man, why would the eloquent king temporarily choose not to go to court?

In fact, Lepidus knew that his war was bound to win, because Caesar had just promulgated a new Jurisprudence of Julius, which was to severely liquidate and prevent the lawlessness of local governors and tax collectors. Under the general political situation, Neruda There is no hope of recovery.

But convicting Neruda was only the beginning. Lepidus actually brought up Catiline's rebellion again, yes, the ghost of Catiline who silenced many people. Lepidus sharply filed additional prosecutions, saying that Neruda, Metra Seiler, and another respectable person whom he did not want to name for the time being (but all fools know who they are) were guilty of perjury when suppressing Catiline. , robbery and war massacre, because the veterans of Fesule were still citizens after all, and the Senate only sentenced Catiline, Liantulus, Siddigus and other five people to death.

After this accusation came out, even the judicial officer began to be afraid, because the prosecuting lawyer with a foreign appearance in front of him was like Catiline trying to reverse the case. Who gave this man named Lepidus such courage? ?

But soon, some private notes were delivered to the Chief Legal Officer, which made him feel much more relaxed. He immediately announced vaguely that Neruda's corruption crime was undoubtedly established, but Lepidus made an additional The court considered that the evidence was insufficient and was beyond the scope of the prior declaration, so it was temporarily not accepted.

It doesn't matter, this kind of result is exactly what Lepidus wants, and those notes are also the means he and Caesar have negotiated in advance. He just needs to spread this "wind", and who should listen to it? Of course it was Cicero and Cato the Younger, because both of them advocated the death penalty at the time. These two people should soon hear that the nature of Catiline's death may be in danger of being "overturned." ; Also, giving it to Metra and Neruda is like giving them a warning in disguise - be careful, be obedient, and do as you are told, otherwise you will look good. Catiline's death can make you two successful, and it can also Destroy you both.

As for Lepidus, of course there was no such risk. At that time, his name was Calabis, and he was just a member of the legion who followed orders. He will always remain a battle hero.

In the evening, amid the heartfelt praises of the crowd of onlookers, Lepidus walked out as a victor. He was greeted with honors and flowers. Of course, there would also be generous "gifts" from the Macedonian Appeal Team, but none of them Lepidus politely refused: "The consul has just issued a new jurisprudence. Theoretically, I am also within the restricted scope and must abide by it."

Then he even defended Cicero to everyone: "Actually, if Cicero appears in court, I may not win, but I believe that Cicero gave up this defense for the sake of justice. He is worthy of being the founding father of Rome. "As a result, Lepidus' "hypocritical" statement aroused greater goodwill among the people. They donated flowers and fruits one after another. The whole scene was lively and warm.

In fact, the founding father at this time was already out of his mind after learning about Lepidus' additional attacks in the court. Of course, he knew that Lepidus was just a pawn in front of the stage, and behind it was Caesar's instigation. Caesar was naked. Cato warned him that perhaps Cato would not be afraid of this threat, but Cicero was strongly shaken.

"In Caesar's eyes, I have been regarded as an object to be excluded. What if he joins hands with Pompey and Crassus in the future to overturn Catiline's case? In fact, I was sure that Crassus and Caesar must have participated in the conspiracy, but later they protected themselves, so I did not pursue it. But now I think about how stupid my compromise was. These people finally want to use me as a scapegoat and counterattack." Thinking of this, Cicero couldn't help but shudder. Catiline's desperate laughter seemed to have become a mockery of him, echoing in his ears.

As a result, within two days, Cicero hurriedly told Lenchart that he would go to southern Italy with his good friend Aetius for a month or two. During this period, he hoped that Lenchart would turn down all banquets and defense applications on his behalf. After that, he set off in a depressed mood.

Of course, he and Aetius did not go to the sunny southern Italy, but tried to wear inconspicuous cloaks and went to the slums of Mount Avendini. Cicero's decision surprised even his close friend Aetius. You know, Cicero usually looked down on these mobs. Even a stubborn noble like Cato the Younger would go here in person to distribute relief food to the people after the promulgation of the "Wheat Law". So in the past, it would be more painful for Cicero to step into the narrow streets of Mount Avendini, which were full of feces and dirty water.

There was no sunlight here at all. There were ruins, smoke and dirty sheds everywhere, and there were abandoned babies crying and sitting on dung heaps, which made Cicero cover his nose. Of course, what scared him the most was the prostitutes standing in the dark who would sell their bodies for an ass. He avoided them like avoiding evil spirits.

"My friend, go faster. I remember that Catiline's tomb is in the suburbs at the foot of the mountain." Cicero said in a panic. (To be continued.)