"Dear Madam, you must intervene to put an end to this, for as soon as General Appis walks on the front foot, they are on the back foot in the Gallic lands. The general once stipulated that the system of tax collectors must be changed, and a unified government tax system and tax rate must be implemented. But the rich man on the high, look, what is he doing? He was co-opting a group of officials, nobles, and knights, and continuing the old system of taxation, ignoring the general's reforms, and, as everyone knew, General Appis's intention was to want the officials to give up their houses in Lugdurum and rent them to landless commoners for free or at low prices, so that they could do business and trade, and make the city prosperous, but as soon as the general left, the man in power, he did not do it at all. ”

In the mansion of Apis in early autumn, the aristocrat Lucius told the first lady, Tertila, about what happened outside the mansion, and the rich man Lucius was referring to was Crassus the Younger, who was now in charge of the Gallic government, and was a loyal partner of Apis. But what Lucius said to Tertilla was not all false, after all, after Appis left, it was true that Crassus did not rent out all his shops and houses at a low price to the landless civilians, who had been in Abys's plan, and needed the joint efforts of officials at all levels. And little Crassus has the same virtue as his father, he is very harsh on civilians, he can spend a lot of money on the legion, but in the treatment of civilians, he cares very much about the gains and losses. And such a characteristic just allowed Appis's opponent to find a handle.

It's just that Tertila is not as innocent and stupid as they thought. After many changes, Tertila is no longer the simple and naïve little woman she used to be, and the reason why she can see this farce more or less.

So, in the face of the visits of officials and nobles, Tertila just listened quietly, and a faint smile always hung on her lips, making it impossible to understand her thoughts.

"Well, you're right, my husband has been committed to the reforms of Gaul so that the people of Rome can really benefit from the war, but cheap slaves are always bought by a few, and these slave labor occupies jobs that belong to the common people. The situation today is very different from what he envisioned, and I'll find a time to talk to Levius. ”

Tertila replied with a smile.

Such an answer made Lucius and several nobles not know how to continue the conversation for a while. Tertila neither contradicted them, nor supported them, nor promised them anything. It's just a more subtle pretense of ignorance, softening the topic and shifting it to Levius. Because after Apis left, he actually let Levius take over his work, and Crassus Jr. did not have any title, but everyone knew that with Crassus Jr.'s qualifications and wealth, after Appis left, the economy of Gaul would definitely be his decision. And Tertila knew that the person who came to him today was Little Crassus, but he deliberately pretended not to understand, which made the atmosphere at the scene a little embarrassing for a while. It's like a burning flame that meets an iceberg. Suddenly there was silence.

"Well, then, dear Lady Tertilla, excuse me. If anything, we will let you know in time. After all, we are all resolute supporters of the generals and of this reform. Lugdunum really needs such a reform, and the people of Gaul need something to do for them. You can't let some people cover the sky with one hand. ”

Seeing that Tertilla was so shrewd, Lucius knew that it was almost impossible to trick the woman in front of him into disrupting the situation. Then he got up with interest, said goodbye to Tertila, and when he left, he didn't forget to perform a routine.

And Tertila was also very aware of the purpose of these people's trip, when the reform was carried out, the competition for interests in Gaul was very fierce, at this time, Apis went to Britain again, and in the whole of Gaul, there was only Crassus the Younger who was left to implement the laws and specific contents of Apis, and the aristocratic faction represented by Lucius actually counted on Crassus the Younger and Apis to turn against each other, so as to achieve their ulterior purposes. In recent days, rumors about little Crassus covering the sky with one hand and expanding his ambitions have gradually increased and spread. Tertilla speculated that this was also a rumor deliberately spread by the group to stop the ongoing legal changes and tax reforms.

"Thank you for your support of my husband, and when Apis returns, I will tell him what we have talked about today, yes, Gaul, Lugdunum, needs your support so much. And I, many times, it is inconvenient to come forward, not only because of Appis's intention when he left, but also because of my personal character. I don't want to get too involved in politics. Of course, what you mentioned today, I will also tell Levius to remind him. ”

Tertilla returned gracefully.

Then, Lucius and his party walked out of the villa with a smile on their faces.

……

"Aren't you worried about the rumors out there? This is simply slander, slander. You and I have worked hard for this reform, while those with ulterior motives are spreading rumors about us behind our backs, trying to make Apis suspect us, and even cause infighting, yes, they are not used to the current situation so smooth, and want some storms. ”

Lugdunum, in the Administrator's Residence, was complaining to Crassus with resentment on his face, complaining that he had not done anything about the situation in front of him, and that he had not even come out to explain it, nor would he arrest those who spread rumors. As if none of this had anything to do with him.

"Don't worry, these people are afraid that Gaul will not be in chaos, because our reforms are against their interests. But they don't understand the relationship between me and Apis, it can't be torn apart by a few rumors, we fought together on the battlefield, shoulder to shoulder, I saved his life, he also saved me, how can these nobles who talk about this comradeship all day long in the synagogue understand? Let them spread it, there will always be only one truth, and I am not afraid of slander. If we send out guards at this time and arrest them, it will arouse the suspicion of Appis, and it will arouse the dissatisfaction of the people, and we will solve the problem violently, unless it is a last resort. ”

Facing the restless Livius, little Crassus sat on the chaise longue and replied leisurely.