Augustus Road

Because Cato the Younger of Rhodes kept saying that he could completely solve the affairs of Cyprus and Egypt within the diplomatic framework, and that war was unnecessary. .

"Sir, I need this war, so that's it, my only request is the latter, how much money do you think it will cost?"

"Five million, five million." Caesar said, holding Lepidus's shoulders, "It can't be less, I have to pay at least 500,000, all for you, dear Lepidus - of course, don't forget to invest part of Egypt's income in Gaul in the future. After all, Gaul is not as rich as Egypt. You are my hand reaching out to the East. I still remember your words. If I fall into opposition with Pompey in the future, you, Ptolemy XII, and the queen of Pontus will be my indispensable helpers - so, Lepidus said Tell me, will you have to leave Gaul around next year or the year after? "

"I'm afraid I have to, because I know that the war against the Helvetii will soon be completely over. So the soldiers may return to the winter camp near Milan in early autumn, so I hope to pass the Egyptian bill at the end of the year, which is the critical period of handover of your father-in-law, Consul Piso. "Lepidus then explained that in his opinion, it would only take a year or even less to resolve the Egyptian uprising by force, because now there are only a group of unprincipled foreign mercenaries left in Ptolemy's court, and he only needs 3,000 veterans to break through Alexandria.

But Caesar smiled and said, "Who said that the soldiers will return to the winter camp after the Helvetii are resolved?"

Alas? Could it be that Caesar will continue the bloody war?

The result seemed beyond doubt. Caesar then knocked on the table. Phedius and Dicias, Caesar's two nephews, came in from the curtain outside and handed two tablets to Lepidus, meaning that they had already taken care of all the details.

After reading the tablets from beginning to end, Lepidus suddenly realized, "The war will continue until the winter camp season."

"That's right, Lepidus, you can continue to serve in the army with peace of mind! Let's put aside the Egyptian affairs for the time being. I will arrange everything when we go to winter camp, but before that, I and the entire Gaul province army need you." Caesar put down the hook pen, then took the two tablets, stamped them, and carefully observed his proud work.

In the city of Bibracc, chieftains from far and near Gaul came one after another, bringing generous gifts and money to beg Caesar for protection or arbitration. Caesar, who had won a decisive victory over the Helvetii, seemed to be the "emperor" of Gaul. However, when the chieftains and their wives came to Caesar's temporary residence with large and small bags, they only saw slaves who did chores for him.

"Sir, the governor has already started the pursuit of the Helvetii. Yes, on the fourth day, the day when the camp ban was lifted."

In fact, this pursuit was just a show. Caesar had to continue to show his power to the entire Gaul. The huge military force of six legions lined up along the Aedui region, plowing the fields and sweeping the holes. All the tribes and villages that dared to take in or assist the Helvetii were burned down, and their people were regarded as "enemies of the Republic" and were all crucified and executed.

In the firelight, Lepidus looked at the rows of newly erected crosses, blood dripping from the feet of the executed. In the distant village, the two co-ruling chieftains of Helvetii actually prostrated themselves under Caesar's surrender platform, indicating that their tribe was willing to give up their hostility towards Rome and lead all to surrender.

Lepidus and the 12th Legion were responsible for the guarding of the surrender ceremony. At this time, the chieftains and nobles who rushed to Bibrakde came to this unknown village again, "specially invited" by Caesar to come and observe the ceremony. This was a silent intimidation, which was what Caesar liked to do most.

Commemorius and Veroclos stood at the end of the passage half a furlong away from Caesar's seat. With the "help" of the Roman soldiers, they slowly took off their crowns, robes, armor, trousers and boots. Then they led more than a hundred tribal nobles who were also naked, bent over one by one, crossed the thorny yoke gate, came to Caesar's feet, kissed the soil he was standing on, and expressed their willingness to hand over all their weapons, women and children, and food to Caesar for disposal.

“You don’t have to hand over everything. Today’s encounter at the yoke gate is just to tell you how badly your previous actions have affected the tribes of the entire Gaul province. What you really fear in your heart, and the real enemy, is the German barbarians, not the Republic. It is us Romans who have provided you with perfect protection. I didn’t expect that some of you were not grateful at all. Once the Germans walked out of the forest and crossed the Rhine River, you were terrified and not only did you not think of resisting, but you also went to harm other good tribes. So I declare that the crimes of the two chiefs, Nanmeis and Veroclos, will be pardoned, and he will be allowed to retain the existing tribal members, but there is a condition. , that is, you must return to Lake Leman, which is your original settlement, and take on the responsibility of protecting the border for Gaul and the Roman Republic. I will immediately give you some food and seeds to help you restore your homes and camps, but you must do it as soon as possible, because the most powerful Germanic tribe, led by their king Areovistus, will soon come to ravage the Gaul region again, because it is the season for grinding wheat into warehouses. "As soon as Caesar said this, representatives of all the tribes in Gaul, big and small, were in a panic. Many people held down the javelins of the Roman soldiers and crossed into the ceremony field, shouting Caesar's name and asking him to explain the meaning of his words.

"My meaning is very clear, everyone. Before, it was just an internal punishment for the Helvetii who had invaded you recklessly, and later, I will unite with you to resist the invasion of the barbarians from Germania. This is a war to defend the country, not only for the Republic, but also for you Gauls." After Caesar finished speaking, he asked all tribal representatives to follow him to Bibracte to convene a "All-Gaul Conference" to discuss the matter in detail, and the inside story needed to be kept secret from others.

When Caesar's guards left the village, he said to Lepidus, "Take your things and go to Bibracte with me."

"Sir, I have an unwelcome request. But it's not for me personally, but for the next war."

"Please speak." (To be continued.)