"It's horrible! It's a conspiracy, an absolute conspiracy! ”

When the news of the defeat and murder of Crassus the Younger reached Rome, the whole country was shocked, and the members of the Senate talked about it. Machius roared in his home, expressing his strong displeasure.

"Be quiet, friend, this is a special time, you and me, all of us must be cautious and cautious in everything we say and do, you know, there are countless pairs of eyes staring at us every day. If you doubt this, you are in Appis. ”

Quinnus, who was also a senator of the Senate, cautiously and carefully persuaded his colleagues not to make any noise or raise any questions about the war in the East, because this was not their concern in the first place, and the Senate was only a symbolic institution, and it should no longer be expected to do anything substantial.

"This is my home, my villa, am I not even free in my own home?"

In the face of the admonition of his friend Quinnus, Machius showed great impatience. His father was originally the most powerful person in this temple, and now, after two reshuffles between Octavian and Apis, the whole Roman world has lost their voice, so Macchius can only complain in private.

"Yes, yes, this is your home, but can you be sure that every servant and servant around you is loyal to you? In case they are a small pawn in the vast intelligence network of Appis, how do you prevent and guess? My old friend, times are different, and we still need to hide something in our hearts. I can just talk quietly, and don't let people outside grab the handle. Yes, the affair between Appis and Crassus Jr. is full of suspense and doubtful. But the power of you and me is so small, even if we know the truth, what can we do? The legions were in the hands of Appis, and all of Rome was his people. ”

Quendus sighed as he exhorted his old friend to stop his radical words and actions. They are like the boats of the times, which cannot turn the tide.

"Alas, I understand what you say, otherwise, I wouldn't have been in that white hall for so long. It's just that, occasionally, there are some things that I still can't stand watching. You said that in the hands of Crassus, Rome had already buried seven legions in Parthia, which was originally a great loss, and it was an insult and irony to Rome. Now, I can't guarantee if it's a conspiracy or not, but if it is, Apis is so hateful that he went so far as to bury three Roman legions with Crassus the Younger in order to eradicate the threat. ”

Machius calmed his emotions a little under the admonition of his friend, but he still expressed his displeasure in a nagging voice. Especially for this shocking fiasco. That's tens of thousands of lives. And another insult to the glory of Rome.

"Well, even as you say, we can't change anything. Also, how do you tell that this matter has something to do with Appis? In everyone's understanding, Crassus Jr. and Appis are almost inseparable partners and comrades-in-arms. Together, their power was enough to rule Rome. ”

"Yes, that's why I doubt it. Quintus, think about it, Apis was a very controlling man, would he let Rome be ruled by two people? As long as Crassus the Younger was alive, Rome was not up to Apis alone. And, as far as I know, little Crassus often disagreed with Apis and acted in the opposite direction. Although there has not been any real conflict between them, I believe that the seeds of discord were planted very early. Apis wanted to take control of Rome alone, and sooner or later he had to get rid of the dissidents. Although little Crassus is not his dissident on the surface, I guess in Appis's heart, he has long regarded this person as his worst enemy. Little Crassus may not have noticed, but I suspect Apis had a plan. ”

Machius sat down in his chaise longue, picked up his glass, took a sip, and then continued—

"Friend, just imagine, after the death of little Crassus, who will benefit the most? Undoubtedly, it was Apis. The younger Crassus marched east to Parthia and took with him six legions, of which only three were regular legions. Now that he was dead, Apis, under the slogan of avenging him, at once incorporated the other seven legions under the command of Crassus the Younger. A discerning person can understand at a glance that this is a naked conspiracy. ”

"Your analysis is very reasonable, but I advise you not to get involved in this matter, and not to have any ideas. As you said, the last stumbling block standing in front of Appis has been removed, and now, in all of Rome, there is no one to compete with him. The glory of our ancestors can only be remembered in history. What you told me today, don't tell a third person, old friend, I don't want anything to happen to you again. ”

Quinnus earnestly persuaded.

"I can be silent, but the children of little Crassus's family are going to be sad and miserable. And Appis may also go to the house of little Crassus in person, telling his family how sad he is and how sad he is, and he will take the army to avenge little Crassus. Yes, he would have done it, and he would have said something like that. If the little Crassus family didn't know, they would be teased like pets at best, and if they knew the truth, but had to face the hypocrisy of Appis, I think how uncomfortable they would be. ”

Machius spoke resentfully, with deep resentment and hatred for the dictator Apis.

"Yes, but even if they knew, they wouldn't be able to resist. You have to know the methods of Appis, who controlled not only the senate, but also the common people of Rome unknowingly. He asked the civilians to invest in his legions, and every time the legions fought a foreign war, they would bring tangible benefits and benefits to the civilians of Rome, and the civilians supported him, and now Rome can hardly hear the voice against him. Therefore, even if the family of little Crassus knew the truth, they could not do anything. Unless they are counting on a miracle. ”

Quindus sighed, his words a bit sad, but also a harsh reality. There is no hope, everything is hopeless, if you want to ascend to the throne, restore the so-called family glory, or in your lifetime, if you want to do something, you must befriend Apis and stand on the same side as him. This is the reality. Apis quietly changed Rome in a few years, and it is only today that people discover that Rome has almost become the private property of Apis, and the alliance of interests has long been entrenched......