Augustus Road

Cato's blazing words actually aroused the indignation of Melissus. He lost his calm for a time, because his wife and children died tragically on the blades of the rebels because of this so-called "legality" and "faith". During the fight, he raised his hands and asked: "If you are so indignant and dissatisfied with Caesar, why don't you go to Rome and be heroic with your citizens, but come to our vassal city to incite swords and let the people die." What does our city mean? Who dares to disobey orders? Did we grant military and political power to Caesar? Why should so many high-ranking people in your republic give up their freedom and dignity to defend your rights? But in your eyes, we don’t even deserve the most basic freedom of begging for mercy and preserving the city!”

Merisus became more and more excited as he spoke, and tears could not help but fall from his cheeks. Thinking of the painful experience, he finally hugged his shoulders and started sobbing. Even the soldiers who were listening to the argument fell silent. Little Cato stood on the steps speechless. In the end, he could only say to him: "I can only say that I am extremely sorry, but I will never go to negotiate peace with the generals who besieged the city and bend the knee. I will not I hope to change everyone’s mind, just stick to yourself.”

"Your persistence has cost tens of thousands of innocent people their lives," Melissus said.

"If you want to blame it, it's Caesar who started the war. He was the first to destroy order and norms. Otherwise, no one would have died. I eat on the floor every day just to mourn these innocent souls." Little Cato said calmly.

"Then you should die in this siege. If you survive, you will also affect people in other places. Your hypocrisy cannot save anyone's life. You are a butcher and executioner. Killing without blood!" Melissus became completely agitated and cursed, and soon the soldiers drove him out. At this time, Melissus had no illusions and made up his mind to die with little Cato. In order to pay for the death of his wife and children, Melissus Find consequences and meaning.

He walked carefully and slowly on the dark streets, which were densely packed with people. Most of the dead bodies that stinked in the scorching heat were innocent citizens who were killed or starved to death. Not long ago, these people had happy and prosperous families. In the current season, they should be lying under the cool shade of the trees in the courtyard. Young men and women Biting the hook pen in his mouth, he was thinking while writing emotional words on the writing board. The children were running around in the sun with their toys, and the old people were lying on the bed doing nothing, listening to the summer music in southern Gaul. The lazy chirping of cicadas. The young couple is looking forward to their future life, having sex and reproducing anytime and anywhere freely and happily...

Now everything is ruined. Everything is no longer as beautiful as before. Masseria, this pearl city by the ocean, is really over.

"Since Little Cato wants the whole city to accompany him to be buried, then I will go the other way and ask Little Cato to be buried for our city!"

At nightfall, Triali's men hung flax and cables on wooden poles. After begging the immortal god for forgiveness, they climbed up to the gable from the houses behind the temple, and then lit things on fire through the narrow window. They were thrown in one after another, and soon the flames rose and there was a sound. Cato was awakened by the noise. He immediately jumped up and went to get the dagger that was originally placed beside the cabinet, but found that he couldn't find it. At this time, the entire Immortal Temple was surrounded by shouts and curses. "The riots and disturbances against you have occurred!" Sochis ran up and reported with a panicked expression, "For your safety, it is better to leave here as soon as possible. A noble person has found a ship for me. You can take advantage of the situation." If we run out at night, let alone the wind and rain tonight, the enemy's blockade fleet may not be able to detect us. "

"No!" Cato shouted, and then looked around for his sword. Munajius and Sochis explained that because the servants and followers were afraid that he would kill himself with the sword, they put away the murderous weapon. .

Cato's eyes became fierce, and he shouted that he had been betrayed by his disciples and slaves, and even slapped several of his disciples. Munajius and others were so frightened that they fell at his feet and begged him loudly to calm down their anger. , decide as soon as possible how to decide things and the future, "If you really cherish your customers and friends, you should treat yourself well!"

The scene has become chaotic. Even the Sicilian soldiers who had previously vowed to follow Cato the Younger are now, as Cato the Younger himself said, "The human heart is like a boiler. Only when there is fire can it be heated. Without fire, it will not last long." It will get cold." He began to worry about his life and property, or was secretly bewitched by someone, so he began to take off his armor and throw down his weapons and run away.

The mobs came from all directions and began to use slingshots and hand-throwing methods to smash stones and arrows into the temple. The dome and windows were soon riddled with bullets, and the words "Kill Cato" came from the night wind. shouts. Little Cato looked up and burst into tears, shouting, "Why do we have to deny our beliefs in order to survive? Then isn't what we have learned in the past useless?"

At this moment Munajius winked, and Sochis immediately, together with the few strong soldiers who were still here, and the slaves, lifted up the shouting little Cato, and left in embarrassment through the side door. The burning temple.

On the streets, the mobs were still crowded together and kept a distance from them. They neither wanted to relax their targets nor dared to get too close. They just threw debris from a distance. Little Cato wanted to turn around and argue with them, but he kept being pulled forward by the soldiers. It was raining at the moment, and once it got light, it was time for Lepidus' siege army to plan a general attack.

"There is no time!" At this moment, there was a sudden encouraging shout from the crowd, "Citizens, don't be as cowardly as Cato the Younger. Let's rush forward together. Even if there are injuries, as long as we can save the city of Masseria, it is worth it. He is also the hero of our city!" In the end, these words played a decisive role. The first few people screamed and rushed forward. Sochis swung his sword and knocked down the first two, but was also crushed to the ground by the crowd that kept rushing in from behind. A crazy woman grabbed his sword with her hand and screamed in horror. She raised it high and stabbed it repeatedly. Sochis was soon stabbed to death. This inspired the confidence of thousands of people on the scene. They bravely stepped forward, beat and beat, and killed the soldiers and servants around Cato the Younger one by one, took away their weapons, first killed Apollonides who tried to escape, and then stabbed Munagius who was protecting Cato the Younger, and trampled him to death.

When seven or eight swords pierced into the body of Cato the Younger from all directions, this greatest citizen raised his head in pain and looked at the dark night sky where raindrops kept falling.

Instantly, a series of stone bullets with fire and strange and grand sounds swept across his rapidly shrinking pupils.

Lepidus's siege began!

And I died, and the Republic died too! (To be continued...)