"In order for the people of Rome not to suffer from the siege of the city, and for the innocent civilians not to be displaced by the war, Octavian Turinus, you must open the gates and accept the offer of peace. Pen~Fun~Pavilion www.biquge.info Apis wants to rule Rome with you and manage the city. ”

After the negotiations broke down, Apis's army surrounded the city of Rome, and Livius, as the representative of the legions, from time to time shouted to the bottom of the tower, demanding that Octavian give up resistance and serve the civilians of the city.

However, Octavian also sent Masinas and responded in a loud voice-

"Are you righteous? Colluded with pirates to blockade the city of Rome so that food and supplies could not reach the city. Countless civilians are starved and suffered. When did such a wise Apis fall to the point of colluding with pirates to attack Roman citizens? If Apis is so merciful and wise, then tell us what happened to the bandits outside the city. ”

The bandits that Macinus refers to are the ones who crushed the Commodus pirate fleet of the Capua Navy in the Battle of Messina. At this moment, under the pressure of step by step, the city of Rome was blocked on all sides by Apis as planned. And as Masinus said, everyone, even if they are fools, knows that Commodus and Apis are united. Their alliance is so naked, it doesn't shy away from the eyes of everyone.

"Those are not bandits, they are not pure pirates, Lord Masinas, you must know that they are also Romans, they are poor Roman civilians. Why are they doing this today? But it's also for the power to survive, for the land and for the wealth. Like all the Roman plebeians who joined our side, they longed for the implementation of the new Agrarian Law, and for the creation of wealth with their own hands, and the great Octavian was not willing to give even this power to these hungry people? ”

Levius questioned aloud under the city, as Appis had answered.

The scene became awkward, and no one could convince anyone, and Appis was actually on the side of the civilians. Octavian now had two choices, one of which was to continue to deal with Appis, between the nobles and the commoners. To win hearts and minds. On the other hand, it is completely on the side of the aristocracy. It's like the duel between Caesar and Pompey back then. The war between the two was essentially a struggle between the commoners and the aristocracy. Caesar was driven to do so because he had few allies in the Senate, and Apis was on the side of the plebeians because there were few Roman nobles in Gaul and Germania...... But Octavian was different, and after four years of peace in Rome ruled by Caesar, many nobles who had fled to Greece and the East returned to Rome. Octavian could not have given up the nobility altogether, otherwise he would have given up financial support. Although Caesar left behind enough wealth to last for a while, it will be consumed one day.

"Damn Apis, he has pushed us to a desperate situation, is he going to let the whole of Italy also implement his so-called new "Agrarian Law" according to his will?! The Roman aristocracy would not agree, this was a huge profit difference, the commoners would only pay 60% of the harvest, and the slaves would pay 100%. The nobles of Rome would not have agreed! ”

Masinus ran back to the mansion from the castle tower and complained to Octavian.

"Yes, we can't let him succeed, otherwise, we will lose both the nobles and the commoners. But at the moment, I don't have a better solution to this dilemma. In addition, the lack of food has made it increasingly difficult to maintain law and order in the city. ”

Young Octavian, who had finally shown a bitter grimace after a series of setbacks, looked at the few ruffians who had just robbed the citizens of their belongings and ran wildly under the attic of the mansion. Tell Masinus that he will face the greatest dilemma since inheriting Caesar's legacy. And this dilemma was created by the people who protected him in the first place to inherit Caesar's legacy.

……

"Famine and riot, Atticus, I seem to see a way and hope to save Tertilla."

In Cicero's mansion on the hill of Castor in Rome, the gray-haired Cicero sat on an ivory chair and proposed a final plan. He was tired of being watched, isolated, and in danger at all times. Now, he proposes a one-and-done plan, seeking the advice of his close friend Atticus.

"What do you think of again? My old friend. ”

Atticus asked calmly.

"I intend to take advantage of the chaos in the city, to incite the displaced people to revolt, and to purposefully sack the mansions of Seville, to rescue Tertila, and then to escape from the city from the Tiber. Never to come back, I'm tired of fighting. Escaping Rome, I will spend the rest of my life in northern Italy or Spain in a beautiful manor house. ”

Cicero said with a little tiredness. After all these years, caught between Appis, Octavian, and Antony, and literally living under the threat of swords and persecution on a daily basis, the aged Cicero finally felt that wealth was so insignificant compared to a peaceful life.

"So, you've got it planned?"

Atticus was silent at first, then asked calmly.

"Yes, my only remaining ally in Rome must be utilized. I have contacted the gang leaders of the Uris and Apia neighborhoods, and in a week they will help me gather a 'mob' of more than 500 people, some of whom will be responsible for smashing the streets and markets around the Seville villas, and some of them will rush directly into Seville's houses on that day and knock the guards unconscious or knock them down. Then they ransacked the mansion. The only blind spot was that I couldn't get in touch with Tertilla until it was implemented. I'm worried that when the mob smashes down the mansion, Tertila will come forward to protect her mother, her old house, because of the unknown circumstances, and then the situation will be a little troublesome. ”

Cicero said worriedly. After all, this is a big event. Seville was no ordinary aristocracy, and the mob attacked the army, which was undoubtedly a great culpability, and no one would have dared to do it had it not for the current situation.

"Well, now that you've decided to do it, go for it. But have you thought about your future path? In the event of a failure, do you have a role to play? Can you make sure that the people you have bought will not betray and give up your name? ”

Atticus reminded with the friendship of a friend.

"I can't guarantee it, but this is the best chance, and if I don't try, maybe I'll lose my last chance to be free."

Cicero stood up and spoke with a tragic expression......