Augustus Road

"They are very loyal to their masters, but if their masters slightly offend them, they will also rebel." - William of Malmesbury's evaluation of Norman knights

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"Are we going to be allowed to sleep?" Lepidus lay on the couch with dark circles under his eyes. The doctor next to him served wine and masa instead of medicine and bandages. The commander of the legion complained to his confidant while eating and drinking.

When others were congratulating the commander for his excellent performance, only Pope was scratching his head and muttering that it was wrong. Lepidus was a little irritated, so he asked his engineering battalion officer what was wrong? Pope thought for a long time before suddenly saying that for the legitimacy of this war, the commander pretended to be in danger of death, which really inspired the spirit of the legion and left the Senate speechless. The governor's request for war must be approved, but your situation will be written as Acuta, so that everyone in Rome can see it.

Libida was sweating profusely at this time. Doesn't that mean that Potti will also see it!

"Hey, since I am in a 'life or death' situation anyway, I don't need to go to the battle against the German barbarians?" Libida jumped up from the couch, "The war is imminent, and the Governor has ordered the camp to be closed. Who of you will replace me in the tent? I will give up the 'treatment' and take the Governor's recruitment funds to Etruria and Rome to recruit veterans first, and then recruit new soldiers in Milan and Illyria. By the way, I will go home to show that I am actually safe and sound, otherwise Potti and the children will panic when they see Acuta!"

"Since it is already a camp ban, then you have to stay in the tent with peace of mind." At this time. Labinus untied the curtain and walked in. "If you leave your post without permission, the 12th Legion will not be able to command with your chief centurion alone. Caesar values ​​the combat effectiveness of the Vipicinus cavalry you just conquered in this battle, because the German cavalry is first-class."

"But..."

"Listen, there is no but. I will send a messenger to Rome to explain the matter you are worried about just now." After Labinus finished speaking, he nodded to Lepidus.

"But I am still in danger of death!"

"The governor will offer sacrifices for you in front of the statue of Venus. Your soldiers also prayed in front of the statue of King Numa, and you will be "well" soon." Labinus' tone still did not allow room for negotiation.

In this way, Lepidus' "treatment" ended on the third day. He tried to make his face pale, wrapped in clothes and riding an owl, smiling and weakly reviewing his 12th legion. All the centurions and soldiers cheered with tears in their eyes. They didn't want their commander to die like this. It was said that His Excellency Caesar had found the best doctor, and yesterday the soldiers' committee purchased ten strong cows in Besançon and Santoni in Gaul, and beat them all to sacrifice. To bless the commander's "injury" to get better, now Caesar instructed Lepidus to appear at the right time, so as to have the best encouraging effect on the soldiers' momentum.

"Those barbarians want to take me away from you, how can it be possible! You still have to follow me and conquer the entire Renus River area. Your retirement resettlement area in Sardinia is only half completed, but I have to be honest, the funds are already tight, so you have to fight bravely to have your own cemetery and apartment."

The soldiers of the 12th Legion cheered and laughed.

Then Lepidus said, "I already know the behavior of each brigade. Each brigade sacrificed a cow. So when I was seriously injured, I vaguely saw a shadow standing at the head of my bed. Although I was unconscious and could not see the other person's face clearly, my mind was as clear as spring water. It was the patron god of my family, King Numa. He said to me with a majestic voice. No, this voice did not reach my ears, but directly reached my heart. He said-you let the soldiers sacrifice to me, and I will give you back with divine power."

"Divine power, divine power!" Now not only the soldiers of the 12th Legion, but even the cavalry of Vipicinus who had just joined, became inexplicably fanatical. Their clan leader told them that the gods were indeed on the side of the Romans. That day, the commander was ambushed by the Germans. The spear pierced so deeply that I thought even the best witch doctor could not save him. Unexpectedly, he was immediately blessed by the heroic spirit of the ancient Roman king and came to review the troops on the third day.

Sacrifice for miracles!

Then, Sabokemus, who looked disdainful at the side (because Sabokemus was an Epicurean believer and was always cautious about false superstition), began to register the personnel and service roster of the entire legion in detail with the clerk, because Lepidus had already instructed him on how to fight the Germans immediately. He had to constantly observe the opponent's tactics and figure out a way to fight the Germans, so Sabokemus had to be very careful about this matter. He had to carefully understand all aspects of the legion: infantry centuries to battalions, the newly attached cavalry battalion mainly composed of Vipicinus people, as well as artillery units and baggage trains, how to match tactics, how to conduct the battle, Sabokemus sighed, and then worked vigorously.

At this time, in Caesar's tent, when Lepidus entered, Areovistus' envoy was standing there, with an awkward expression, still using humble words to explain the previous incident at the Great Mound, saying that it was a misunderstanding and could be completely resolved, and that some of the king's previous words were also angry and uncalm, "As long as we can maintain a peaceful relationship with the Republic, we are willing to offer another 800 talents of gifts to the Governor."

"What nonsense!" Caesar's expression was very stern. First, the envoy actually said "another tribute", making him seem like he had received a lot of bribes before; second, what misunderstanding needs to be resolved? Can I tell you that the German cavalry was the 12th Legion of Vipicinus pretending to throw stones at us?

Next, Caesar severely denied all the envoy's requests, and said that he had said everything he should say in the previous peace talks, and now he either did it or went to war. As a result, the envoy was still shameless and servile, and Lepidus watched quietly.

After the envoy was finally driven away, the other officers laughed and said that now the soldiers could see the ugliness of the so-called Germans. They had a terrifying physique, but they were so cowardly. Under such circumstances, our army, which was now in high spirits and blessed by God, would surely win.

"No, we can't be deceived by this guy's appearance! There is a proverb in the East that says that the more arrogant the envoys who come to negotiate are, it means they are at the end of their rope; on the contrary, the more humble they are, it means they are making secret preparations for war. If I am right, the Sewefers will soon approach and attack our army!" Li Bi Da judged. . )