Crusader Kings: Prisoners of War

Although the treatment of slaves in Rome was relatively better than that in Greece or other places, especially for slaves living in Rome, who could still regain their freedom if they worked hard, this did not mean that the living conditions of slaves were very good.

On the exhibition stands and in the cages, many people in shackles and chains were picked and chosen, and people became commodities. Fortunately, this was still a relatively decent place in the capital, so the conditions of these people did not look particularly bad. They were not full but not starving to death.

Orville had seen worse scenes than this, so his emotions did not fluctuate very much. Passing through the sparse crowd, Orville came to a place with better decoration.

Even if they were slaves, their status would be different. Those who were skilled, strong, young and beautiful could basically eat half full, while those who were sold as tutors and had high-level knowledge were different. Except for the shackles, their clothes were very decent, and they looked generally in good spirits and were well taken care of.

Even if the owner of a family invites such a teacher, he should be polite. After all, he is the one who teaches his children knowledge. Not to mention these slave traders, excellent teachers can be sold at the price of a sea view villa in the suburbs of Rome, and it is unclear what dignitaries they will serve in the future. For the sake of the future, it is always right to be polite.

Orville selected the most honest and relatively high-knowledge attribute points from several senior talents who know Aramaic and Latin, and then took them away from the market.

——

The city is very big. It was noon when Orville finished his work. He returned to the Flavi Mansion and had lunch with his family members.

The upper class in Rome is used to eating half-lying down. There are several long bed-like things around a long table. Vespa is half-lying in the middle, and other family members are on the left and right sides.

On one side are Orville and Tia, and on the other side is a woman in her forties or fifties, and there is a girl who looks like a teenager next to her.

Tia's biological mother died very early. After that, Vespa did not marry a new wife, but took one of his mistresses home and treated her as his wife, letting her manage the housework.

This woman named Zenis has been with Vespa for more than ten or twenty years. She was born in a low-status family and was a freed slave. She worked as a scribe for a noble lady. She has been with Vespa since he was not yet successful. She can be regarded as a relatively alternative "wife of poverty".

She gave Orville the impression of being humble and capable, and she was very competent for the position of the mother of the family. It is probably because of this that Vespa took her home to live with him. Such a role is probably indispensable for a family with children.

Next to her is Tia's sister, Vespa's other daughter Domitia. Her eyebrows and eyes are quite similar to Tia, her figure is a little slimmer, and she also has blonde hair and looks good, but her temperament is completely different from Tia. The former is a mixture of heroism, sharpness, murderousness and inner confidence, while the latter looks like a noble child who grew up in a greenhouse and lived a life of luxury.

Seeing that Orville was observing her, Domicia did not hide her hostility and glared at Orville fiercely.

Orville did not pay any attention to her at all, curled his lips and looked away. He did not like this little girl because he seriously suspected that Tia might be killed by his own sister in the future. He had already secretly planned in his mind how to kill the other party. Although he might not implement it, it was really a bit of effort to make him smile. He did not have such a strong ability to hide, and he could not hide the look that wanted to stab someone.

Vespa, who was sitting in the middle, saw all of this, but he did not point it out. Instead, he smiled and said, "It's been a long time since the family has been so lively. I guess you two will have to stay in Rome for a while, so just relax. I will naturally find a way to solve the financial problem. It won't be a big problem. You two just need to rest assured and chat with me occasionally. Don't think too much. After experiencing the war, what you need most is a good rest.

Domitia, haven't you missed your sister for a long time? It's been almost three years since you two met. Let's catch up. You don't have to be too unfamiliar with Orville. He is also a very good guy. You will naturally like him after getting along for a long time."

The head of the family spoke, everyone nodded, and then everyone started to eat.

Although he was an emperor, Vespa's lunch was not too rich - bread, cereal porridge, several pickles, pork legs, fish, cheese, and a salad made of hummus and mixed vegetables, which was basically the same as that of ordinary rich people in Rome. There was no difference in the ingredients for the people eating at the same table. It was a very friendly and easy-going table.

Vespa and Zenis occasionally brought up some topics, mainly trivial matters of family life or the latest gossip in Rome. Vespa was not a person who brought political topics to the family table. What he talked about was not that a nobleman was caught in the act of cheating in disguise, or that a certain elder paid for the construction of a magnificent new theater. They were all harmless and interesting things. Everyone could talk about it, and it was not awkward.

Orville was also in a much more relaxed mood because of this. This was the atmosphere of an ordinary family, but in Orville's view, being ordinary was already precious.

People here don't pay much attention to lunch. After a brief meal, Vespa stretched out his hands, and the servants on the side brought a bucket to clean his hands in time. After talking for about half an hour, the meal was over.

"I will discuss financial issues in the Senate later, and by the way, I will find a way for Tiya to join the ranks of senators in the Senate. Orville, if you want to attend, I can take you there as an attendant."

Strictly speaking, the commanders of the legions should be members of the Senate, and the members of the Senate should be over thirty years old. Vespa had some tricks on this matter.

Originally, Tia was only his chief captain. When he arrived at Palfi, he removed the commander of the 12th Legion and made Tia the "acting army commander". This created a fait accompli and Tia took command. Legion, and later commanded several legions to win battles.

Vespa planned to use this title to make an exception for Tia to enter the Senate in advance and become a senator. As an emperor, this was not difficult for him. There were hundreds of places in the Senate.

Orville was prepared for this, but still rejected the other party's kindness: "I won't go, and you should take me out less during public events. It's not a good thing for me to be in the limelight. I will take this opportunity to do something else." matter."

Vesper no longer tried to persuade him, but was somewhat satisfied.

He didn't mind Orville being in the limelight to increase his presence, but having this intention to avoid suspicion showed that his ideological awareness was in place, which was always a good thing.