"Would you rather be a second to the rest of your life? Your Excellency, why should you succumb to the name of an upstart of commoner origin, when you have endless wealth and noble status? Appis originally had nothing, but it was you who funded him to form an army, defeat the Germans, and occupy Gaul, which led to today's three-headed division. Now that Apis is gone, Gaul needs your leadership, and the land needs a new leader, and that leader is you, General. ”

"Despicable villain, do you want me to betray my comrades and take Appis's place, aren't you afraid that I will now have the guards beat you to death without any responsibility?"

In the Gallic capital of Lugdunum, in the mansion of Little Crassus, Ribris's lobbyist is impassionedly persuading Little Crassus to set up his own door and take this opportunity to control the whole of Gaul, however, Little Crassus, who has a reckless personality, does not have this idea, and even if he has, he is quickly suppressed by his own reason, and Little Crassus knows that it is a shameful act to betray his comrades at this time, and Apis has never been hostile to himself, never wary of anything, but he is so kind to him, it is reasonable, Little Crassus knew he couldn't do that.

What's more, there is no evidence that Apis has been killed in battle, all rumors are just rumors, and no one has seen the scene of Apis being killed with their own eyes, and there is no evidence. Perhaps, by this time, Apis, who had defeated the barbarians with the 10th and 12th legions, was preparing to return triumphantly, and in that way he would not only become an ugly man who betrayed his comrades, but also a Roman sinner. So, what to say, little Crassus will not agree to such an approach.

"I am afraid, and no one is not afraid of death, but if my death can be exchanged for a new Gaul, then I am willing to do so. General, look at the nobles who are ready to move, they are eager to elect a new leader to lead the Gallic army at once, so that they can control the wealth of Gaul as they please. This is a time of killing and plunder, and it takes a sane and virtuous leader to ensure the stability and peace of a region. General, the man who sent me, myself, knows that you are such a person. ”

Lobbyist Ryan Bius continued. Although he was indeed worried in his heart that he would be beaten to death by the little Crassus in the courtyard in the next moment, but the matter had come to this extent, and there was no possibility of concealment and turning back.

Luckily, little Crassus eventually let him go. Maybe there's a desire in the heart, or maybe there's always a beast in everyone's heart. From time to time, it collides with your moral bottom line, this time, little Crassus didn't say it on the surface, but letting Ryan Bius go has said everything, and at the same time, the nobles in the city know his position.

In the days that followed, officials and Roman nobles who opposed Apis visited the villa of Crassus the Younger, where they had "friendly and close" talks with Gaul's richest general.

However, to everyone's surprise, at this time, Apis's subordinate, the most capable lieutenant, Maximus, returned.

The return of the cavalry commander not only disrupted the plans of the anti-Apis aristocratic faction, but also put their negotiations with Crassus the Younger on hold.

Maximus knew that when he returned to Lugdunum this time, he did not know how many people in the city wanted to kill him. So, Maximus hid all his whereabouts, and finally, to the cheers of a crowd of civilians, entered the Great Assembly Hall of Lugdunum. And in the square at the entrance of the General Assembly Hall, countless happy civilians gathered, waiting for the council to come up with the latest solution.

On a sunny morning, when Maximus walked into the Julius Hall in a robe, the councillors, officials, and aristocratic delegates on the stage undoubtedly cast hated and contemptuous glances at the chief of the legionary cavalry in front of them. However, history will not repeat itself, and Maximus's action made the anti-Appis people gnash their teeth, but they were helpless.

"Glory, flowers, conquest, good news? No, that's not what I'm here to deliver today. I braved the snowstorm and the waves to come from Britain, thousands of miles away, with one purpose, to tell you the truth of the matter—that Apis is still alive. ”

In the huge Great Hall, as soon as Maximus finished speaking, the audience was in an uproar. Officials at all levels sat in their positions and exchanged heads and talked about each other. Some were skeptical, while others were overjoyed by the news. Of course, these people are either the opposites of Apis, or the ones who benefit from Apis's interests. The aristocracy was also divided into two factions, those who had a slice of the Apis pie in the reform supported Apis' return, while the other wanted Apis to remain in Britain forever and disappear from public view. And the appearance of Maximus focused all the contradictions on him alone.

The cavalry commander knew that such a situation would occur, so he told the people the news in advance to ensure his own safety.

"If Apis is alive, we should be glad that the gods have not forgotten us! But one thing, General Maximus, if Apis is still alive, why for so long, he has not heard a little, what about himself? And what about his legion? Why don't you show up? Gaul longed for his triumphant return, and we could not be a good leader. ”

Councillor Baburtus stood up and spoke.

Maximus glanced at the gray-haired old man, and a pang of hatred broke out in his heart. The old man who is already so old is still running around for his little gain and loss and wealth, and has become a slave to money and desire. All he said was to question that Apis would not be able to return, so that the group behind him could elect his so-called new leader.

"That's exactly what I'm here for. Ladies and gentlemen, our great general Apis, who has been besieged in northern Britain, has ordered me to guard a fort and town there. He led the 10th and 12th legions deep into the north, however, the barbarians were too cunning and besieged him in the cold snow. Until I left the fortress, and the rout of the north kept coming back there, seeking refuge. Their caliber is all unified, that is, Apis is still alive. We must try to rescue Appis! ”

Facing the skeptical gazes around him, Maximus shouted.