"The plays performed by these clowns on the stage are like stories that happen in our real life, they are actors, and their job is to do all kinds of antics to entertain us and entertain the public. Pen ~ Fun ~ Pavilion www.biquge.info Although we think they are hypocritical and naïve, the public needs these shows and these actors. ”

At the Colbado Theatre in Corinth, Caesar was sitting in a crowded audience, talking to Lepida about Roman theater performances. Lepida knew Caesar's mood at this time, and he would not talk about these amusements for no reason, and when he did, he would suggest or accuse him of something he hated. It's like the status quo of society.

"The ignorant audience needs this, the civilians of Rome need this, and in fact, we sometimes have to play a role in it."

Lepida replied silently.

Then, to the enthusiastic cheers of the surrounding audience, Caesar fell silent, his eyes full of anger, and Lepida knew what he was thinking, because the only thing that surprised people in the barracks lately was that incident.

"Caesar, Apis didn't mean to disobey our orders, he was ...... because of his own mother"

"I know he's doing it for his mother."

Lepida wanted to explain something to Appis, but was directly and ruthlessly interrupted by Caesar. He frowned, his serious face revealing a somewhat tired expression.

"So, you've figured out how to punish him?"

Lebida asked helplessly.

"Yes, I will have Vlanius take his place as commander of the Tenth Legion."

Caesar returned indignantly. Lepida felt that his hard-earned allies were on the verge of crisis. If Caesar's order really reached the barracks, then Apis would lose his military position, without military office, and without enough wealth, Lebida knew that once Apis lost his military position, he would lose everything. Because he's just a civilian. Then Tertira, Lepida couldn't think any further, once Caesar's order was given, he would lose one of his most valuable pawns.

"But Appis is a rare talent."

Lepida added.

"Definitely. But he disobeyed my orders. He must be severely punished, otherwise, if I forgive Apis, all the Roman officers in the future will think that I Caesar can be negotiated, and they will take risks when faced with a choice of interests. Then the discipline of the regiment will cease to exist. If we want to defeat Pompey and carry out a vigorous reform for Rome, we cannot allow such a thing to happen again in the army! ”

Caesar replied with some pain. Because before this happened, Caesar had already planned that once Apis successfully completed the mission again this time, he would hand over the permanent command of the Tenth Legion to this outstanding young man. And with him, with all his glory, return to Rome. But Appis's betrayal made it all come to naught. Caesar had a heartache of hating iron for not being made of steel. And then he went on to add-

"I will not take his life, but Apis must also receive some necessary punishment. Flogging, or to the lowest level, to be an ordinary soldier, to be a coolie. I'll still give him a chance, as long as he's genuinely repentant. Like you said, Apis is a talent, a rare talent. And his military exploits also have a certain popularity and weight in the legion, and too much punishment will also cause dissatisfaction among the soldiers. ”

Caesar's words reassured Lepida slightly. It's just that from the heart, Lepida also knows more about the person of Appis, he can be an eagle on the battlefield, a poisonous snake in the political arena, or an emotional baby, and Tertila, if he can make good use of it, it is not a problem to control Apis, Lepida thought silently in his heart......

……

"Brother, now it's okay, let's be reduced to ordinary infantry together, digging these dirty fortifications with these soldiers. Hey, I must be crazy to be willing to suffer this sin with you. ”

A few days later, Crassus Jr., along with Appis, was demoted to the lowest rank of legionary infantry, and with everyone, on the outskirts of the camp, doing the hardest work. Taking off his armor and sackcloth, he wore only a serbrigacum (ancient Roman underwear) and sweated in the trenches.

"Brother, I'm sorry. Actually, you don't have to suffer this crime with me, this crime has nothing to do with you, your father is the famous Licinius Crassus, and this punishment should not fall on you. ”

Appis said with deep remorse and guilt. But Apis also understands that little Crassus is not the kind of snobbish person, and in the political circle of Roma's deceit, he can still find such friends and brothers who are willing to treat each other with all sincerity, and Apis felt very surprised, and at the same time, he also lamented the various social conditions, some people are unscrupulous in order to achieve their goals, and some people are really willing to stick a knife in both sides for the sake of brothers and friends. This is not a plot that is only in fiction, it is a reality......

"Needless to say, in Spain, you saved my life."

In the face of Appis's guilt, Marcus Crassus only understated it. His eyes were filled with the feeling of noble comradeship of the Legion, Apis was convinced.

……

"Appis, your legion, your soldiers......"

Not far away, the new commander of the legion, Frannius, walked over, and the sadness on his face was no less light than that of Appis. And as soon as he spoke, Apis understood why.

"Legion Commander ......"

"No, don't say that. You are the true Captain of the Tenth Legion. Caesar may have just asked me to take your place temporarily, but I know that this position will be yours sooner or later. You see, those veterans, they don't listen to my orders at all. I can deal with them with military law, but in that case, it will not have a real effect, they will only obey me on the surface and scold me behind my back. And you are their real commander, the Legion Commander. ”

Flanius is also a minor celebrity in Roman history, one of the most frequent characters in the Civil War, but when he stood in front of him, Apis felt his helplessness and helplessness. Perhaps it was his own appearance that replaced the original position and glory of many historical figures. Appis smiled silently bitterly in his heart.

"You can be nice to them, have fun with them, gamble with them, play with the captive slaves. Bathing together, and so on. In short, I can do it, and I'm sure you can too, and after that, they will be heartfelt to you. ”

Appis replied with a wry smile.

"Still impossible, Apis. I have heard that the Tenth Legion exists because of you, and that if it were not for your skilful command in Spain, the Tenth Legion would have been in ashes long ago. It can be said that Caesar built the Tenth Legion, and you gave it a second life. Soldiers are loyal to you, this is the result of the combination of time and experience, and I cannot replace you. Caesar will one day enable you again. I'm sure he's only punishing you temporarily, because no one can override the discipline of the Legion. ”

Franian stood in the trench in a military uniform and chatted with Apis, but compared to Apis, who was only wearing a pair of underwear, Franius felt that his actual status was inferior to that of the criminal of the legion in front of him...... (To be continued.) )