"So, you mean that Cicero didn't suspect you in the slightest?"

In the quiet of the night, Octavian stood in the office of Julius's mansion and asked Narcidius, who had come to report the situation. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 infoThe quiet moonlight poured into the room, outlining the grim face of Octavianus.

"No, at least it doesn't, he talks to me like he used to, and he talks to me from the bottom of his heart."

Nacidius replied respectfully.

"That's good. This time, friend, you're doing a great job. I will ask Masinus to give you a manor on the outskirts of Rome. It was originally my father, Caesar's inheritance, which is my current property. I would give it to someone who would be helpful to the Roman Republic. ”

Octavian whispered. His figure looked thin in the moonlight, but it was deep. The mighty republic was in the hands of this cold and intelligent young man like a baby. Narcidius knew that unless the gods favored Apis, Apis, who had no foundation, would not be able to defeat the Caesar heir in front of him in any case. So, as early as half a year earlier, he defected, betrayed Cicero and chose Octavid Turinus. And poor Cicero really didn't know anything about it.

"By the way, the letter, stay. I have other uses. ”

Narcidius, who had been promised the property, was about to turn away when Octavian stopped him. The letter from Cicero to Appis, apparently, Octavian wanted to do something about it.

……

"Masinas, our old friend is coming. Now, go and revise this letter and tell Appis that there is no heavy garrison south of the Spanish Pyrenees, and that Caesar's legions are on the task of building military roads in Italy. Imitating Cicero's tone, he suggested that Apis unite with the local Spanish tribes and attack the city of Carman. It was an important port for Spain on the inland sea, and he told Appis that as long as he took that town, he could ensure the smooth passage of the legion on the Spanish grain route. Agrippa had been waiting there for a long time. By the way, find a slave who imitates handwriting to write, don't show flaws, Apis is a suspicious person by nature. ”

After Nacidius left, Masinus walked in almost at the same time. Octavian arranged everything in his official residence. An efficient brain doesn't miss every detail, it's a carefully arranged war. Although Octavian himself had no talent for military affairs, he could make up for this shortcoming by handing over the power of the Agrippa legion.

Masinus carefully wrote down every word, instruction and command of Octavian on the spot. Although the war had not yet begun, all the high-ranking officials who followed Octavian on the Roman side were already nervous, and the atmosphere of saber rattling spread throughout the decision-making level. Everyone knew that Apis was not a barbarian, but was once one of Caesar's most trusted legions. Together with Labinus, he led the Tenth Legion.

"Also, all the officials who have contact with Apis should not touch them yet, and do not reveal any rumors. Now is the most critical moment, the big net that has been woven for three years, just waiting for this moment to close the net, and the prey cannot be allowed to smell the danger in advance. Agrippa can't tell a third person about Agrippa's presence in Spain, Masinas, at this time, you have to hold your breath and keep everything confidential. ”

Octavian then said. Twenty-year-old Octavian, after three years of bloodshed, was clearly more mature. He was ambitious and strong-willed. He vowed to reclaim the northern territories of his "father" during his lifetime.

"Okay, I'll take care of everyone. Wait for your command, Caesar. ”

The big war was imminent, and even Masinas, who was in charge of internal affairs, couldn't help but feel excited. Young people always have romantic fantasies about war, Octavian lamented.

……

"What did the letter say?"

A few days later, the "autographed" letter of Marcus Tulius Cicero was delivered to Appis. Maxim sat in the barracks tent and asked anxiously.

Cicero wrote to us that Italy was heavily garrisoned by Octavian, and that Caesar's Parthian Legion and the Fourth Legion were stationed in Verona, an important city in northern Italy. The other four legions built military routes near Rome, with a combined strength of more than 30,000 men. Spain was lacking in defense, and Cicero advised me that, if I decided to start this war, I would start with Spain, cross the Pyrenees, unite with the Aguitanians, and attack Octavian's cities in Spain. In his letters, Cicero even suggested that I should first conquer the town of Kalman to ensure the smooth passage of grain by sea. ”

Appis said, handing the letter to Maxim.

"This is good news, and we can just use it as a justification to ask the Aguitanians to send an alliance to fight in conjunction with the Legion. Recently, these Gallic mountain dwellers in northern Spain have begun to stir up again, and the addition of these allies has just happened to join the legions as hostages. ”

Maxim read the letter and said excitedly.

"I've always felt that there was something wrong with this letter, Maxim."

But in the face of the already "clear" military situation, Apis stopped and began to hesitate.

"What did you find again?"

"Since I decided to attack Octavian, I have received a lot of information from all over Italy and Spain, but the content of this information varies, and some people tell me that Spain has been in turmoil lately, and that Octavian's Caesar's legions are gathering and pacifying the local barbarians. A large number of tribal armies joined Octavian's legions. Other sources were the same as Cicero's, saying in their letters that Italy was garrisoned by tens of thousands of Octavian's troops, but Spain was empty. Which side do you think I should be inclined to listen to? Or, neither side's intelligence should be trusted? Maybe this was a trap in the early days? ”

Appis frowned, preoccupied.

"Traps? Appis, is this your instinct again? Or do you suspect that part of our people has been controlled by Octavian? The intelligence they passed on to me was false? Or did Octavian force them to do so? ”

"That's exactly what I'm worried about. But at this moment, we have no evidence and we cannot draw conclusions. It would have been nice if Cicero could have come to the barracks in person, but he could not leave Rome. ”

Appis sighed.

"Perhaps we should let the vanguard go to northern Italy and Spain first, and capture some of the local barbarian inhabitants to ask for clarification. The Gauls of Shannan were in fact not friendly to Octavian. ”

Maxim suggested.

"That's all there is to it. By the way, the person I want you to help me find, do you have a clue? ”

Appis asked melancholy.

"Not yet, but my men have bribed the local officials of Rhode Island, one of the busiest ports in the Inland Sea, and I think maybe in a few months we can hear from him."

Maxim replied honestly.