Augustus Road

This bill was proposed by Claudius that morning and passed overwhelmingly at the Tebris Assembly that afternoon. This was Claudius's new battle cry. .

There is no doubt that one stone stirred up a thousand waves. This time Claudius's attack was directed at Cato the Younger, who had presided over the passage of the "Wheat Law", so the backlash was particularly strong. Cato the Younger again He did not hinder the proceedings like he did with Caesar. He sternly requested his colleagues, including the priests of Rome, claiming that people like Claudius would be severely punished. He was shaking the foundation of the republic. In short, he still said before Caesar's set of copywriting is just renamed.

Now it was Caesar's turn to resort to "obstruction of the proceedings." Within a whole day of Cato the Younger proposing the plan, Caesar instigated Basatus to continue to express lengthy speeches on the topic of how the governor had the power to choose provinces. Not giving young Cato a chance, Cato was so angry that he was shaking all over, while Cicero seemed to have aged ten years in an instant (although he was not young before), sitting in the corner lamenting the current situation of the Republic and the future.

When Cicero was chattering there, Caesar's eyes swept over him like a hawk, and then loudly asked Cicero to speak on related topics. Cicero said in a panic that I was only speaking in private. Besides, I have no constructive opinions to express on these two issues.

Then Cicero saw that Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus were all looking at him very gently. This caused a cool air to come out from under his feet and went straight to his hair. He didn't know this kind of gentleness. What kind of murderous intention is hidden behind his eyes?

However, less than half a market day after the bill was debated, Claudius took advantage of the remaining power of the "monthly wheat relief" plan and directly bypassed the Senate and amended a brand-new law in the people's assembly. Facicero should be very familiar with it. When he urged Catiline to be sentenced to death in the Senate, Caesar's rebuttal was based on the Roman Law of Bronze Table: "In the Roman state, a citizen has no right to kill." Another citizen’s death.”

Now Claudius not only adhered to this article, but also asked the people to add an article. It was this article that made Cicero on the Palatine Mountain fly to the world, that is, "If a citizen arbitrarily kills another citizen, the tribune He will have the power to judge and punish him, even to the point of throwing him from the Talpeian Rock to death!"

That's right, what Cicero was most worried about happened, and soon his friend Aetius wrote quickly, saying that Claudius had gained enough popularity and support by revising the wheat law before, so this time when he proposed the whole When the law was revised, the people passed it in full without even "thinking about it." Moreover, when Claudius hung up the amendment plank at the venue, he shed tears in front of all the people. He openly said, "Maybe some friends and I are not in the same era, but I have always continued to fight for their legacy. , together with all the people.”

Those "little friends" who are "not in the same era" as Claudius, on the surface they refer to the Gracchi brothers, but everyone inside understands that they refer to Catiline, Liantulus, and Siddichus Si et al.

Soon, disasters followed one after another. First, Catiline's followers openly wandered around the Grand Circuit under the Palatine Hill, delivering memorial speeches and requesting the power of the tribunes to retry Catiline's case. Later, when Cicero wrote to Curio, asking for his help, he thought that he had helped Curio so much before, even if he had offended him before, or had a murder relationship with his "loving couple with the same surname" Antony. The hatred of his father, but why should Curio help him this time, right?

But Curio just wrote back very coldly, persuading Cicero not to worry about this matter. He would invite Pompey to speak about the situation at the appropriate time.

So Cicero pinned his hopes on Pompey. However, as the noise and intimidation against him in the streets of Rome increased, Pompey acted like a hermit and did not react at all. Finally, Cicero couldn't bear it anymore and decided to risk the danger himself to see Pompey. At this time, his friend Aetius came to the door in person and persuaded Cicero not to go, because Pompey was now spending all day with Caesar's daughter. They stuck together and became the laughing stock of his former staff and generals. "We have never known that the great Pompey would be so obsessed with a young woman who was his daughter. Next time he triumphs again, we must advise all the citizens of Rome to put their own "So, Pompey can't help you now. The streets are full of Claudius's mob. As long as you go out on the street, you won't be torn to pieces by them." , will also be humiliated as never before.

Cicero shed tears. He complained to his friends that when Catiline's conspiracy was put down five years ago, it was not the same group of people who cheered for him, respectfully called himself the "Father of the Nation", and thanked him for bringing the Republic to the throne. Save yourself from the dangerous abyss. But today they want to push the founding father off the Tarpeia Rock. What could be more crazier than this, "If I were to die tomorrow, it would be the greatest disaster for the Republic, because everyone would chase the blood-stained It's the so-called reputation." This was Cicero's conclusion while sobbing, but after finishing the decision, he still consulted Aetius on how to avoid this disaster.

"The plan for now is nothing more than two ways. One is to see Caesar and express his approval of his proposal. Don't you understand that he is behind all this? The other is to leave Rome and take refuge in a villa in the countryside. The authority of the tribunes cannot extend beyond the city of Rome. As long as you leave, Claudius can't do anything to you. "This is what Aetius proposed.

As a result, Cicero hesitated again. He stammered and continued to ask his friend if he could choose the first path. He was even willing to be Caesar's "stayer" in Rome because he knew that Caesar's father-in-law, Piso, lacked political experience.

At this time, Lepidus knocked on the door of Cicero's villa at the right time. It was not known how many times he had dealt with Cicero, but this time he came to negotiate with Cicero on behalf of Caesar. Even though Lenchart was sitting next to him aggressively, there was no humility in his words:

"Your Excellency the Consul asked me to give the weight. Please support Caesar in Basatus's proposal. Then the reward is-you can join Caesar's legion, and even serve as the chief deputy general. Three years later, Caesar and Pompey jointly promised to help you and Basatus be jointly elected as consuls. You can definitely score twice. In addition, as long as I spread the word, Claudius can immediately reconcile with you."

"Don't believe the nonsense of this broker." Lenchart next to him shouted angrily.

"My dear lady, I am not a broker now. I am a regular attendant of the Curia. I hope you will recognize this as soon as possible!" Lepidus retorted, "You know, Claudius used to be your husband's right-hand man. Now it has come to this, I am afraid it has something to do with jealousy of you!" (To be continued.)