"Those who want to see my jokes are going to be disappointed again. My dear, follow me on this march south, and you don't have to stay in Gaul any longer. Because, I don't plan to come back, we will go straight to the city of Rome, where it will be our home. ”

Lugdunum, in the villa where Tertila and Apis had lived for six years, Apis excitedly told his wife about his future plans. And it's all about the future. The money raised from the legionnaires is being used to prepare for the requisition of food and supplies, which is like a loan investment, if it succeeds, it can get double or even several times the profit, and if it fails, it will be bankrupt and in debt.

"Appis, have you really decided to do this? It's like gambling, how do you know you're sure you're going to win? ”

Although Tertilla was overjoyed to hear that she could return to Rome, she was also worried about her husband's risky move.

"The soldiers miss their homeland, that's why I'm sick. You know, dear Tertila, that, in fact, with the assets I have kept in store over the years, it is enough to organize a large army to the south for a decisive battle with Octavian. But I borrowed money from my soldiers, and promised them what I would get after the war. It actually ties my fate to theirs. They can only earn this thirty percent interest if they fight bravely on the battlefield and protect me. The more I borrowed, the more they worried about my safety, and the harder they would fight. And now, the time has come to fight Octavian. Britain has stabilized, Gaul has been baptized by a round of rebellion, and there is basically no opposition, so that I can safely go out to Italy and fight Octavian. In fact, all I've been doing before is these preparations. Now, it finally has what it should be. ”

Appis said slowly.

"Home...... That was already a very distant place for me. When he was younger, the scene of Brutus and his mother Sevilla laughing and eating at home is far away and blurred. It's good to be back in Rome, of course, but I'm more worried about your safety. ”

Tertilla replied with some sadness.

Appis knew what she was feeling, what Tertila had experienced, and it just so happened to be her own, that she had witnessed the whole process of the family from prosperity to decline.

"Don't worry about me, don't remember the painful past, we should see a bright future, a bright and sunny tomorrow."

"Also, this time you will march with me, and you will live in the attached barracks. Although I took you with me, and the soldiers did not dare to talk about anything, but as a general, I did not want to take the lead in breaking this rule, you know, the discipline of the regiment is very important. ”

……

Two days later, the huge Roman Gallic legion received the blessing of the god of war in Piazza Mars, and then, in a mighty way, left Lugdunum. After that, no one knew the whereabouts of the team. Appis hid the route of the march in a way that even Lugdunum's officials did not know. In the previous bloodbath, the spies sent by Octavian had been almost cleared, and no one knew which road this huge heavy infantry army would follow after leaving Lugdunum.

……

"100,000 soldiers? No, it can't be. Apis was not that powerful, and he did not have the funds to sustain such a large army. If he does, for three months at most, his supplies will not be able to keep up. Did he want to conquer Rome in three months? ”

The news of Apis' march soon reached Octavian, but the young heir did not seem to believe such a thing. He had reason not to believe that Gaul was not Italy, and that even though it was a vast territory, it could not have much wealth without prosperous trade, no large estates, and no rich mines, and even with the addition of Libya, Africa, the combined wealth of several provinces was not as rich as that of Italy. And Appis's time in Gaul never seemed to be peaceful, how did he assemble such a large army? Octavian did express his doubts.

"It is true that he does not have enough money, but I heard that he borrowed money from his own soldiers, and promised 30% interest. Most people said yes to him. ”

Masinus recounted in front of Octavian, looking worried.

"Apis had been defeated once in Africa, and in Britain had his Tenth Legion buried, so that the soldiers still wanted to believe him, what a bunch of madmen. Incomprehensible madman. What kind of charm did Appis have that convinced them? ”

After listening to Masinas's report, young Octavian stood in front of the map and muttered to himself. His pale face was like his pale mood at the moment. A little helpless and hard.

"He's playing with fire and setting himself on fire."

Masinus then denounced.

"It's really risky, and if Apis can't get a big win in a short period of time, the high interest rate will crush him. At that time, the soldiers who can't get the money, or even the capital, are likely to rise up and make trouble, and in that way, Appis's southern expedition will be defeated without a fight. But I know my opponent, and every time Apis dares to take a risk, he is already quite sure. It's just, I don't know where his confidence comes from? ”

Octavian said with a frown. Since Agrippa's departure, he has lost the object of his consultation. Masinus conscientiously helped him with his daily affairs, but he could not have a keen military eye to help him make military ideas.

"Maybe it's just blind confidence."

Macinus returned with sarcasm.

"Don't worry about that yet. Tell me, Masinas, if you were Appis, where would you march next? Ten legions, four auxiliary corps, this is not a small number, no matter where it goes, it is impossible to hide itself well. I can't hold Rome to the death, we must intercept Appis on his way into Italy. Don't let them destroy an inch of land and fertile land around Rome. ”

Octavian asked anxiously, staring at the huge map of the Roman world in front of him. The growth of age and experience has made him no longer show nervousness and fear in the face of such a large-scale battle.

"I think it's going to be here, Perugia. If I were Appis, I would first occupy this fortress and then, with the help of rivers and military routes, would connect the whole of Tuscany. Gather the surrounding food, grass and supplies, and then attack Rome. ”

Masinus stood beside Octavian, looking at the large map and expressing his opinion on the upcoming battle.