Augustus Road

"The more beautifully its guise of freedom is dressed up, the more abominable slavery it will inevitably produce.¤," - Tacitus satirized the consul election in the imperial era, which was entirely an election nominated by the emperor.

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When Cicero left the house, the morning glow had just spread over the hills and reflected the sparkling Tiber River, surrounding the city of Rome like a ribbon. The sunlight had not yet completely entered every block and corner. Under the crowded arcade, the light was still as blurry as the night. Cicero was walking as fast as he could, thanks to his years of fitness habits. Old Taylor was panting and followed behind him, carrying chores and books, "Hurry up. Hurry up, Taylor."

Finally, when we walked to the entrance of the square, we heard the low howl of a beast, which scared Cicero to the point where he stood stunned. He really couldn't believe that such a thing could still appear in the city of Rome. Could it be another hornet? Is the animal barrier in the fighter school loose? "Taylor, tell the people behind you to wave the torch, quickly!"

The attendant slaves behind him all knew that beasts were afraid of fire, so they hurriedly protected their master on both sides and in front of him, dancing flames towards the long-haired beast.

what is it? Its size was almost the same as a lion, much larger than the leopard in Asia Minor, but its posture and howl were like that of a wolf. The other vendors who came to the market also witnessed this monster like Cicero and were frightened. He threw the basket and trailer on the spot and ran away in the alley. This behavior confirmed that Cicero was not in a nightmare. "What did I see? The eyes, nose and tusks of the Nile falcon were like pigs." Like a jackal with long curly hair all over his body," Cicero murmured.

This monster is like a ghost. Facing Cicero, he circled back and forth a few times, then roared loudly, jumped up in the air, jumped a few times, then disappeared into the arcade of his home, and then a red fire light rose up and flew to Capitol Hill. Cicero and his attendants stood there blankly. Unable to move for a long time, several slaves hurriedly ran to the arcade where the monster was. After a while, their faces were so pale that Cicero could clearly see it from a hundred feet away, and they ran back, "This one's The mistress has just given birth to a monster baby with two heads, no gender at all, just like a lump of meat."

"Take me to see it." Cicero was shocked.

But the slave shook his head and said that the baby died just after birth and was full of blood. Its four eyes are half-open.

As the morning mist and smoke gradually began to drift, the noise in the Juilliard Hall became louder and louder. Every senator learned of the tragic death of Decimus and the march of all Lepidus' legions southward. They all rolled up their sleeves, folded their arms, and besieged Cicero angrily, "I think you have promised before, and then After Lepidus takes office as high priest and consul, the chaos in the entire republic will disappear! "

"Don't panic, we still have a lot of room for maneuver," Cicero shouted.

"Before, you said everything was gone, but now you are saying there is room for maneuver. We should cut off your tongue now." The senators cried and shouted in grief and anger, and spitting stars flew like a meteor shower in front of Cicero.

"You shouldn't have sent Lepidus to the expedition. You should have completely entrusted the command of the legions to Young Caesar!" Some people said.

"God knows what your psychology is, you actually want to award the murderer Deximos with a thank-you ceremony. Now you really offended Young Caesar and Lepidus." Some people said so.

The Senate was in a state of chaos, and the whole city of Rome, no, the whole of Italy was like this. Whether they were nobles or civilians, everyone was packing their luggage, with the purpose of fleeing as far away as possible. Many people said that the life of Malulus The only thing he did right was to live in seclusion in the countryside in advance. This incident proved that even fools can have unexpected blessings.

In the chaotic synagogue, Cicero was still there with his arms raised and kept shouting, saying that now we should "defend while compromising". He advocated using the money from the treasury to recruit all the people of suitable age in the city and suburbs. citizens, and appropriately liberate young and strong slaves, arm all the sword fighting slaves in the school, and form two legions as soon as possible, preferably with a thousand cavalry. Then, after we had the capital to resist, we went to negotiate with Lepidus and Octavian, "We don't need to panic at all, and there is no need to do things that will embarrass the Republic and the Senate because of the current temporary difficulties. We still advocate Take charge of the overall situation and give orders. All the senators and all the knights in Rome should join in this defense work. If there are people and money, we can achieve a great and glorious victory in the fight against the beast of tyranny. , from now on, Bisso and I, as the highest-ranking censors, will temporarily direct all work. My compatriots must remember that the greatest terror is not tyranny, but the fear of tyranny. From now on, no one with any status will be allowed to Officials and officials have left the city of Rome. From now on, no one is allowed to be absent from every meeting due to illness or any other reason. Could it be that when Pyrrhus and Hannibal were approaching the city, there were still senators who did not come because of these trivial reasons? Synagogue? Remember, it was this fighting spirit that never resigned to being a slave that supported the city of Rome through seven hundred years and made it the most powerful country in the world. Now it reminds us of our ancestors... ..."

"Lepidus' Thirteenth Legion is in the city!" I don't know who came from this voice. "Cicero is going to have a long speech. I think he should be asked to go. Maybe his retinue will give him a thousand sesterces." The price was sold to Big Head Soldier."

After saying that, all the senators on the seats and tables and chairs jumped and ran as nimbly as apes, and rushed out of the door, like villagers who couldn't wait to attend a certain celebration. There were two senators with their fingers... The squeeze broke.

"Where are you going?" Cicero shouted, standing in the middle of the mess.

"We want to escape, or go to Lepidus, Young Caesar, or Antony to show our loyalty. We are not involved in any conspiracy." A senator shouted to Cicero without respect, and then turned around. Hehehehe ran away, even leaving his sandals behind.

Cicero turned around and looked. Only one senator was still there, his fellow censor Picasso who also wore double-edged purple cannons. "Lucius Corpunius Picot, I didn't expect you." Still willing to stay and co-preside the current situation with me.”

"Dear Cicero, I am getting old and I really don't have the body to squeeze into the door frame with those people. I'm afraid I will die on the spot." Bisso replied, and then both of them smiled bitterly. At this time, Cicero Seeing that several clerks responsible for recording were still there, Serro asked them, "Continue to set up the shelf and don't escape your responsibilities. Your Excellency Bishop and I still order the order to be published, but now there is no need to vote."

Then, Cicero continued, "First, release Gaius from the dungeon! Then, release Casca, Spinzel and others from there. We are impartial." (To be completed.) Continued.)