Augustus Road

Hearing the inexplicable heroic words of the Pharaoh, Mortanmenes smiled awkwardly with his hands behind his back. This eunuch of Armenian origin was much more clear-headed than his master: the Roman Republic had not had an official of equal status to receive him until now. The Pharaoh was now in Naples in a purely private capacity, not in Rome. Even if we went to see Pompey right away with a large amount of money, it would only be a private interaction, without any diplomatic relations. .

Just when Mortanmenes was about to comfort the Pharaoh, a group of slaves holding huge colorful feather fans and wearing gorgeous oriental clothes suddenly appeared on the street on the other side of the breakwater, playing local Italian songs, and appeared in Ptolemy XII's field of vision. When all the followers were talking about it, the Pharaoh said confidently, "This must be the team that welcomes me from this country."

As a result, Mortanmenes, who was standing by, didn't dare to say a word, because there were many luxury cruise ships in the bay, and the people sitting on them were all rich enough to rival a country. How could he know that this team was not welcoming one of them? So if he agreed with the Pharaoh's judgment, if he got angry, the Pharaoh would definitely blame him, but if he opposed it, he would not end up well. At this time, just keep silent and smile flatteringly.

But to the eunuch's surprise, the people behind the team held up a giant portrait with words written in Greek and Egyptian cursive to welcome Ptolemy Pharaoh. This immediately gave the Pharaoh on the boat a sense of pride of "predicting things like a god" and "feeling at home". Then many strong men stepped into the shallow water on the shore, scrambled to take the rope thrown by Pharaoh's cruise ship, pulled the boat, and shouted enthusiastically to pull it to the floating pier. Then Ptolemy XII got off the boat and landed easily, raising his hand to signal the welcoming team in the sound of music.

The leading man in a long robe and a short beard frequently expressed in Greek that he welcomed the Pharaoh to this country and called himself "Pharaoh's most loyal servant", which made Ptolemy XII feel very useful and liked the man even more, so he asked his name.

"Curia attendant, confidant of Consul Caesar, Carapis Aemilius Cornelius Marcus f. Lepidus." The man answered modestly.

Then, Lepidus led the Pharaoh and his party into the "temporary villa" that he spent a full two hundred talents to decorate. It was all in the Egyptian style, with low-key and luxurious sand-yellow columns, colorful line-carved murals, and hieroglyphics everywhere. On the flat terrace on the second floor, there are short palm pots, white sand baths, and you can see the entire beautiful Bay of Naples from it, with the gray volcano in the distance.

As a result, Ptolemy XII was more satisfied. He held the curved scepter and said to Lepidus with a smile in a very straightforward tone: "Who else is in power in the Republic now, except the consul? How about the great Pompey?"

"These two are now the closest allies."

"That's good, that's good - how many talents can be taken care of both of them at the same time, because the restoration of the country cannot be without the approval of one of them." After the Pharaoh finished speaking, he knelt down on the chair, and Motanmenes immediately knelt down with several slaves to help him pass small items such as scented gourds, snacks and ropes. The Pharaoh used these things and kept humming happily, and then She waved outside the hall, "My daughter, come in."

At this time, several strong black slaves wearing only a loincloth carried a light sedan chair with curtains and walked to the steps of the colonnade, then humbly retreated to the outer courtyard. Then two older maids who combed her hair unveiled the curtains, and a small white hand held the top. Then the ten-year-old Cleopatra jumped down lightly. This girl, a descendant of the white Macedonian race, also drew light eyeliner and put on a black wig. On her white arms were hoops with golden beetles and golden snakes. She wore a traditional waisted corrugated narrow sweater of the Pharaoh royal family, and golden bells were tied around her neck and ankles. She walked in a tinkling rhythm.

Lepidus glanced at her slightly. As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Although Cleopatra was only ten years old at that time, her cheekbones were obviously slightly high and her lips were thin. Even if she grew up and developed, her appearance was still inferior to the beautiful Adiana and the rough and sexy Boti. However, her slightly long eyes were shining and looked quite intelligent.

When Cleopatra came through and passed by Lepidus, she glanced at him lightly. Her eyes were not like those of a ten-year-old girl. They were a little grateful and a little bewitching. In this respect, she was much better than the arrogant Adiana. However, the two hairdressing maids beside Cleopatra looked at the attendant with a watery look.

At this time, Ptolemy XII returned to the previous topic and kept asking Lepidus how many talents it would cost to please Caesar and Pompey, two big figures who could have a decisive influence on his restoration of the country.

"Since Your Excellency Pharaoh has asked, I will answer. Based on my many years of experience in Rome, it will probably take six thousand talents, three thousand for Caesar and three thousand for Pompey. In addition, does Your Excellency have his own army now?" The huge number reported by Lepidus surprised Ptolemy XII. Even though Egypt had been a wealthy country since ancient times, the total property he brought to Rome this time was no more than three or four thousand talents. Moreover, from what Lepidus said, it would cost money to form a restoration army.

"If I need a team of 3,000 people to go back to Egypt to seize the throne, it would be best if I had experienced veterans or mercenaries. How much would it cost for a year?" It seems that this Pharaoh is not very good at marching and fighting. He deserves the nickname "The Piper" and works for pleasure on weekdays.

"This Curia attendant, if I guess, I'm afraid the number will not be less than 5,000, right?" Cleopatra beside the Pharaoh blinked and interrupted.

"Yes, if the Pharaoh just wants to defeat your eldest daughter who usurped the throne, 5,000 talents are enough; but if you don't want to be thrown into prison or crocodile pool by the restoration army you hired after regaining the throne, at least 8,000 will be needed."

When Ptolemy XII heard this number, his face under the thick foundation changed. According to this attendant, my restoration project will cost 14,000 talents! Not including the high interest.

"But I only have 3,500 talents in cash."

Lepidar bowed deeply and whispered, "Pharaoh, don't worry about the funds for the restoration army for now, because it hasn't reached that stage yet. As for Caesar and Pompey, I can help you with the funds." (To be continued.)