In the Roman military camp outside Lugdunum, a Roman legionary cavalryman plunged into Agrippa's military camp like an arrow from a string. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 Info Then, in the tent of the barracks, the officers of the Legion saw the iron-blue face of their commander, Agrippa. Like on the eve of a storm, endless anger and resentment have accumulated.

"Damn it! Appis led his legion across the Alps and plundered the Aletion. ”

Agrippa read the top-secret letter and cursed. Everyone present showed surprised eyes because of this. If the information in this letter is true, then everyone here has undoubtedly been teased by Appis. Little Crassus is a papier-mâché monster, and the strength of the legions in Gaul is not worth mentioning at all, not the main force of Appis. The real main army, in the spring, had already crossed the natural barrier of Italy and reached Rome proper.

"What does Caesar mean by the young?"

Immediately afterward, Agrippa's cavalry commander, Noticlas, asked anxiously. He knew that if the letter had come from Octavian's own handwriting, it must have also mentioned Caesar's military demands on Agrippa that followed.

"Octavian told me to go back. Go back with all the legions. But the capital of Gaul, Lugdunum, was about to be conquered, and if this capital was breached, Apis's resistance in the whole of Gaul would be torn apart, and damn it, at this time, Apis had arrived in Rome. ”

One step away from victory, Agrippa was reluctant to give up the city and the vast tract of Gallic land, but Octavian's orders could not be left unfulfilled. Crassus Jr. was wounded, leaving only the lieutenant general Maxim in the city to organize the rest of the legions to resist. This was originally a bloody siege battle, but now it has come to naught.

After Agrippa finished speaking, he slapped the table angrily, but no one dared to care. They all waited in silence for the commander's order. And this order is the withdrawal of troops...... Yes, under the noses of Crassus Jr. and Maximus, Agrippa really withdrew his troops this time, and he did not leave a single member. And little Crassus, who had been lured by Agrippa before, no longer dared to launch an army to pursue. Moreover, there are not many soldiers in the city itself. Little Krasun would rather defend the city than take the risk.

……

Aletion, Rome's largest city in northern Italy, was scorched and in shambles. Destroyed houses lay scattered along the road, and civilians looted by the mob that night were scattered in the streets. The nobles who could escape fled before the siege, and those who could not escape were taken to the municipal mansion in fear and were "disposed of" by Appis.

"Maximus, Kurlas, and Lord Pydarris, do not be alarmed, Apis is not a tyrant, not a robber, and will not loot your property and villas. You are all nobles of Rome, and nobles deserve the status and respect they deserve, and I have come today just to ask you to help me solve the many problems of the future of the city. ”

The Aretian Municipal Mansion, which had been ransacked last night, had become the place where Apis met and gathered at noon today. It's just that it's better to say that it's a convocation than an escort. Although the soldiers were polite to the nobles of the city, several heavily armed GIs stood at the door, and the fools knew the consequences and consequences of not cooperating. As a result, these nobles in the city of Aletine had to cooperate with the "escort" of Appis's men in their clothes to this place where they had originally met to discuss political affairs.

"Let me state first, last night, your siege caused a mob to storm my home and loot my mansion, including the gold and silver stored in the vault. General Appis, if this meeting is to discuss the settlement of displaced people, I am not in a position to answer any questions that follow. ”

In the hall, the chubby aristocrat Bidaris spoke first.

Appis only squinted at him, and had no intention of continuing to talk to him. Then, in an atmosphere that was almost suffocating, Apis glared at several of the Aretine nobles present. And everyone, in such an atmosphere, undoubtedly had their hearts beating faster. The fat aristocrat Pydaris undoubtedly threw out the topic that Apis was going to talk about today, which saved Apis from the embarrassment of speaking in advance.

"Your Excellency, let me say a few words, in the past, when Titus was the mayor of the city, he would let the nobles and wealthy merchants of the city first come up with funds to solve the problem of food and clothing and housing for the citizens, and then, when the crisis is over, allocate funds from the municipal income to the merchants and friends who donated money and goods to the merchants and friends who donated money and goods."

After a long silence, the great nobleman Marklius could no longer hold on, coughed twice, and then proposed loudly, breaking the dull atmosphere.

"Well, that's a good offer. And I've heard that Titus will pay you the necessary interest when the general crisis is over, after all, you are the ones who provide the supplies and money for disaster relief. ”

Immediately following Marklius' words, Apis asked politely.

However, such an inquiry made several of the nobles present silent again. In fact, everyone wants a share of interest in their hearts, which is "justified", and they take out funds, which were originally available for interest or usury, and now they are lent to you, and naturally they should get back a part of the interest. But the city changed hands, and Apis held three Roman legions, and no one dared to speak out under the power. The slightly wiser Kurlas sat in the corner, silent, knowing that today, whatever Apis wanted, given to him, the lack of the right to speak under the threat of the legion, and the preservation of life was far more important than any wealth.

"Why? Why don't you speak? I have already said that I, Apis, am not a demon, not a robber. We will not take your assets. That's your legitimate asset. No one can deprive it. Say, do you all want to get that interest? ”

Appis sat on a circle chair in the center of the hall and continued to speak calmly. There was no expression on his face, making it almost impossible to see what was going on in his mind.

"Yes."

After a moment of silence, the fat young nobleman, Bidaris, responded in a voice as thin as a mosquito.

"Okay, good. After the disaster relief, I will pay you double the interest at the market rate. ”

After Apis finished speaking, a happy smile appeared on the young nobleman's face. Then, without waiting for him to finish his rejoicing, Apis spoke again, and said:

"However, there is a condition."

At this moment, everyone's ears were stretched. Holding their breath, it was as if every word Apis said next had to do with the money in their pockets, and it was......

"The condition is that you must support the reform of the new Agricultural Land Law. Give your illegally occupied land to the hungry vagrants, to the impoverished Roman citizens. ”

Appis exclaimed. The sound was loud, and the whole city was silent. At this time, the Roman nobles who were invited only knew the true purpose of the general of the Northern Legion in front of them.

"Oh! No! It's not fair, Your Excellency! ”

Bidaris almost rolled out of his chair. Shouted.

"No, quite the opposite, that's fair. You take out the funds for disaster relief, and I will give you interest. Well, as a deal, you support my reforms. Of course, you can also choose not to work with me. It will be up to the destitute civilians of Aletion to see if they will. Lord Bidalis, I can only protect your lawful assets, and I cannot protect the land that has been acquired by abnormal means. ”

Appis said in a solemn voice.