After the unification of Sicily, the entire western part basically fell into the hands of Appis. From Britain to Afridelia, from near and far Spain to Brindisi, such vast territories were subordinated to the new Roman leader, Appis. Recalling the ups and downs and twists and turns along the way, sometimes Appis is full of emotion.

Among them, how many people were sacrificed, and the throne of the emperor was watered with the blood of countless people, to this day, Apis understands the meaning of this sentence more and more. However, putting aside those bloody battles, at this moment, I can indeed rest for a short time. Before Anthony's comeback.

In the evening, in his own home, Apis entertained friends such as Crassus the Younger, Maximus, Octavia, and Cicero. These people are people who support themselves and help themselves along the way. Now, they can "talk about life" in this luxurious villa. Of course, the topic of conversation is still inseparable from politics, economics and women......

"That Cleopatra is the wrong master, and she should have chosen our handsome Appis over Antony, who could only rudely charge on horseback. Look at what that bull has done all these years? He went out to Parthia, but was beaten into a water dog by the combined forces of Parthia and the Eastern States. marched into Rome, only to be driven out of Italy by our great general Apis, and in the end he almost left his entire shipload in Italy. Such an embarrassment, thanks to him, Mark Anthony was once a cavalry commander under Caesar. ”

Little Crassus talked eloquently in the banquet hall, causing the whole table to burst into laughter. Some of them are from military backgrounds, and what they like is such direct ridicule and ridicule. Elegant men like Cicero and Tapsus hid their faces and smiled, agreeing, but not participating.

"Cleopatra, I heard that Antony is still actively trying to correct her and Caesar's son. What a shame, Caesarion? It was just an illegitimate child hiding in a foreign country who wanted to inherit the name of Caesar. Antony is also a fool, he doesn't want to think, will the Roman people agree? ”

Another of Appis' legions, Publius. Svetrie scoffed.

"Anthony was too convinced that money could decide everything, even war. But he didn't want to think about whether those eastern mercenaries had combat effectiveness. A group of soldiers with no sense of honor, once they encounter a heavy setback, will fall apart and flee like birds and beasts. I admire his personal bravery, but not his mind. ”

At the banquet, the people spoke freely, and since Apis did not entertain the senate except Cicero, the people had no scruples.

"Thirteen years, I've known Appis for thirteen years, and in all those thirteen years, he hasn't let me down once, and he is definitely a trusted companion and friend. We shared weal and woe on the battlefield, and during the most difficult Gallic wars, we even shared a horse and a bed. Appis, you will always be my closest comrade-in-arms. Come, ladies and gentlemen, here we should all bless Apis that Rome will be unified again. Also, Apis, I want to tell you that if you fool around with the Queen, I will not care about you, and if you let that Cleopatra give birth to another child, then don't inherit your name. ”

Little Crassus, a little too excited, picked up his glass and pointed to Appis. Everyone around laughed too. Because a group of big men get together, they are always inseparable from the topic of women.

"Brother, if I fool around with Cleopatra, I will *** her, but I will not give birth to a child with her."

Apis sat on the throne and said with yellow humor. The whole audience burst into laughter.

In the glittering living room, the banquet entered the second half, stimulated by alcohol and food, and the guests began to get up one after another, looking for their beloved prey. Those aristocratic women stood in the corridor outside the living room, or in the corner of the living room, with heavy makeup and a pair of charming eyes bewildering the guests.

Then, you can hear the soft murmurs and soft hums of the young women in a dark corner.

"Octavia, there's something I've been thinking about for a long time and I've wanted to tell you, but I didn't have the chance. So, tonight, I'll tell you what I think. ”

The guests indulged in the inner hall and the corridors, and Appis found Octavia, who was silent on the balcony. It's like the scene they had when they first met many years ago. The only difference is that in that year, Apis was a slave who had no freedom and was at the mercy of others, while Octavia was the eldest daughter of the noble Gaius family. And now, Apis is the de facto ruler of Rome, and Octavia is just a widow from a declining aristocratic family.

But this still can't reduce Appis's care for her, after all, Octavia also saved her life when she was young, and if it weren't for her, her trip to Rome would have been over long ago. Appis knew that no matter what he was going through, he had to be good to Octavia. Even if she has no power to use.

"What do you think? Apis. ”

Octavia turned, and the moonlight fell on her face, still white and soft. The years have left wrinkles on her beautiful face, but they have not deprived her of the qualities of beauty.

Appis stroked Octavia's face with his hand and said—

"Gaius. Minucchius, a good man, he was a supporter of Caesar and my comrade-in-arms, he used to support me financially when I fought against the Germans in Gaul, I thought, it's time to ......"

"You want me to marry him?"

Octavia interrupted Appis and said.

“…… Yes, after so many years, you are cumin, but a woman must always have a support, and she must always have a family. ”

"You don't have to persuade me anymore, Appis, there have been so many changes since I met you when I was seventeen years old and when I was forced to marry Sextus that I don't want to go through anything else. I'm not the kind of woman who leans on the railing and can be casual with men. I'm here for your banquet today, just because it's a private one. ”

Octavia said melancholy. She is always so beautiful and full of melancholy.

Then, looking at Octavia's still delicate face, Apis couldn't help but kiss it lightly again. Like everyone else in this villa at the moment, under the cover of night, he indulges his desires and ulterior selfishness......