"What did Caesar demand? I don't believe that he went to such great lengths to bribe the masses, *** Roman politics, really for the sake of the rude mob in the square. Pen ~ Fun ~ Pavilion www.biquge.info"

The day after the tribune election was over, Cato the Younger took Carrenus to Appis. The meeting took place not in the apartment, but in an unknown tavern. For this purpose, Cato invited a special place to leave a well-soundproofed room, which was originally used by foreign merchants to come to Rome for business and rest, and now became a place for secret meetings between the Senate and the plebeians.

"Of course not, honorable Marcus Cato."

When he first saw little Cato, Apis was actually full of awe, after all, this was a rare clean man at the end of the Roman Republic, unlike other Roman aristocratic senators, little Cato's life was very frugal and hard. It is rumored that this guy even eats very little food a day to maintain his physical fitness, he goes to the market to buy the cheapest drinks, and uses the cheapest daily necessities, it is hard to imagine that a person with a rich family inheritance can be so strict with himself. And right now, the historical celebrity in front of him does have a bit of the flavor of what is written in the history books, he is thin and cold. His resolute eyes are full of bravery and holiness, unlike other nobles, who are always mixed with their own selfish desires and deceit.

If it weren't for the fact that he had already joined Caesar's side, Apis really didn't want to confront such a rare clean and honest man. But the reality is that now I have to make an effort to change history for Caesar.

"If he has any ideas, or any requirements, please say them directly. Let's get straight to it, Appis, your status is too straightforward, and before you ran for tribunes, you were even a centurion of a legion, serving in Gaul for a long time, and rarely even Rome itself. If it weren't for Caesar, I'm sure you wouldn't be where you are today. ”

Cato Jr.'s questioning was very direct, and he didn't like to ask questions in a roundabout way, which complicated the otherwise simple meaning. Today, it was not surprising to meet Appis.

"Caesar's request was to be consul next year."

Appis took a sip of the low-strength wine in his hand and spoke to Cato the Younger and the other Senate member beside him.

"Does he just want to be an archon, or does he want to take control of the Roman legions?"

Little Cato's words were very direct, and it was generally unbearable for outsiders, but Apis understood the characteristics of this man long before he met him, so he was not surprised.

"Just the consul, the honorable Marcus Cato."

Appis replied lightly. At the same time, Appis noticed that the man next to little Cato seemed to have a more calm and gloomy mind, and he was standing there, from beginning to end, silently, quietly observing, like a poisonous snake lurking in the shadows, through those dark eyes, scanning the surroundings, judging whether the prey was strong or weak?

"If it were only an archon, he could have won it by the legal and normal means, as he had always done before, in the market squares of Rome, giving campaign speeches and winning the votes of the people. There was no need to shove his copper-stained coins into the hands of the Roman elect. ”

Cato Jr. said indignantly. Behind him, Carrenus pressed his shoulder to indicate silence.

"But without the protection of the legion, how can Caesar keep himself safe. He had prepared too much for this war, and he had lost too much, and how many people in Rome were eager to drink up his blood, to make fences of his bones, and to fill their own gardens. If, a year later, without the protection of the legions, Caesar returned to Rome alone. How many political opponents will add to him? You can't let a hero of Rome, a man who has devoted himself to the cause of the Republic, a man who has opened up countless territories for the Motherland, return to his homeland unarmed, and then be surrounded and intercepted by mobs, right? ”

Faced with little Cato's indignation, Apis sat down in his chair and said coldly.

"It was his own fault, the republic was sacred and inviolable, and he, Julius Caesar, during his tenure as consul and governor of the province, paved the way for himself to reach the pinnacle of power by bribing the citizens, and while Crassus was still there, he united the richest man in Rome, as well as Pompey, to form the Triumvirate, manipulating Roman politics and preparing him for the Gallic Wars. His actions made the civil elections of the entire Roman Republic an empty shell, and how many righteous people could not be elected and promoted through fair and fair means, while those who only recognized money and only recognized interests occupied a place in the senate. This is a stain on the Republic, and if he is hated by his political enemies, he is also the one who has created the situation. ”

The more Cato Jr. spoke, the more excited he became, and even jumped. He took a sip of the shoddy wine to clear his cloudy throat.

"Not necessarily. Dear Cato. I've heard that the politics of Rome has always been the politics of a few oligarchs. You've been talking loudly in that rotten hall all day about democracy, republicanism, but in fact, how many people are genuinely thinking about the future of the republic, you, Marcus? Cato is one of them, however, what are more people doing? They quarreled every day in the halls of the Senate, for their own selfish interests, from the outbreak of war to the construction of projects, and each wanted to make his own fortune from these specific events. So, after so many years, there is no progress in Rome, but people like Caesar and Pompey, who also manipulate the situation and the political situation, however, they are justified and are not afraid of the abuse and ridicule of others, so their enemies stand up justifiably and want to defeat them under the banner of republic. However, as decades have passed, you see, weren't it these people who really brought prosperity and strength to Rome? ”

"Rome's politics doesn't need you, an illegally promoted tribune, here!"

Appis's words made little Cato furious, and his roar almost shattered the room. However, Carrenus was in the right place. He asked, smiling—

"Young tribune, we have come today only to ask Caesar's purpose, and Cato is very direct, but the question speaks to the distant days of Rome, which are not of concern to us today. As for what Caesar wants, we can go back and discuss it. ”

This was the only line that Appis heard from the companion next to Cato, however, he was like a docile she-wolf, and Appis knew that he was listening carefully to the content of the audience. is also carefully observing himself, compared to the hard little Cato, this guy may be the real difficult character to deal with. (To be continued.) )