"Appis! Ah, lo and behold, this is our big hero. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 infoRoman heroes who returned triumphantly from Spain. I really shouldn't have underestimated you, when you were a slave. ”

In late autumn, Apis took Lepida to visit the Battinius family, who lived in Rome's western district. However, as soon as he entered the door, he was ridiculed by this former ally. Although Batinus did not say anything contemptuous on the surface, Appis could tell that the main figure in the Roman aristocratic league did not have much kindness to his visit.

Perhaps it was Caesar's march into Rome that shattered his last dream of making a fortune, or perhaps it was Apis who created the popular riot that caused a sensation in Rome and caused Bartinius' final plan to be aborted. In short, this former ally of Caesar does not have much affection for Apis and Lepida at the moment. It was only in the hands of Lepida and Apis that he had to reluctantly entertain Rome.

But Apis didn't pay attention to such ridicule, the truth is the truth, and the sarcasm of words is just a childish vent, just like Antony's ridicule of Octavian is always to the bottom of it, but when Octavian defeated Antony in the final battle, he just said coldly - "You want to die, there are many ways." This is the philosophy of rulers. Although at this time, no one knew that Octavian, who was still a hairy child, would defeat the powerful army commander Antony in the future.

"Then you need to keep your eyes open now, because the current Apis may become a more powerful existence in the future, maybe the financial officer, or the legal officer you sat down again."

Appis raised his head and said lightly. This made Batinius angry, and his face was crimson with drunkenness. Nearly kicked the two uninvited guests out of the house. But helplessly, Lei Bida was accompanied by guards, and even if the elder elder was present, he didn't dare to say a few words.

"Apis, Lord Lepida, I suppose that if I am not mistaken, you have come today to persuade me to abandon the noble alliance, to stop sending civilians, and to stop causing trouble, right? However, I want to tell you in advance that this matter is not negotiable. I believe that Caesar's losses have been enough. I have supported him since he was in Gaul, however, to this day, what have I gained? I did not hesitate to support the great Roman general, the governor, however, three years later he forced his way into Rome with his legions. Caesar drove out the nobles of the Senate! No one has done anything like this in six hundred years! And I can only waste my financial resources and energy in this meaningless position. Oh, gods, I want to help him again. But give me a reason to help him and believe him. ”

Batinius shrugged his shoulders and said. There was a fluctuating hatred and confusion in his eyes. And this happened to be the goal that Appis was looking for. The more complex the human nature, the more loopholes there tend to be.

"Caesar? Yes, we are here for Caesar, and for the sake of what you are talking about. So, now that you've said what we've talked about, allow me to tell you a little bit about where you are now. ”

In the face of Batinhos's feelings of resentment. Appis responded calmly and naturally. Lebida sat on the sidelines, quietly watching the two old acquaintances chat. Although he was in a much higher position than Apis, and was in charge of the city of Rome, he was not as familiar with Batinius as he was. Appis met the Roman nobleman while he was still a gladiator slave. It was also because of him that Apis met Octavia. Now that I think about it, it was better not to know each other at the beginning......

"My situation? Well, great Legion Commander Appis, tell me a little bit about where I am now. Is it under the sword, or above the hotbed. ”

"No, neither. You are at the crossroads of the city gates. ”

Appis replied lightly.

"Yes, but now Caesar is defeated."

Batinius returned with a slanted look.

"However, you have no more chance to get close to Pompey and the Senate. Because you chose to stay in Rome at the beginning of this war. Those who remained in Rome, once the civil war was over, were enemies of Pompey and the Senate. ”

Appis said, raising his voice. Then, both Lepida and Apis saw Batinus's face slowly stiffening.

"Yes, you did not help Caesar by staying in Rome, and, I know, you want to use this operation to please Pompey and the Senate in Greece. But you are doing this to no avail. In fact, when Caesar entered Rome with his legions, you did not choose to go into exile with Pompey to Greece, and your image was completely erased from their minds. Pompey and the Senate will think that you are nothing more than a bunch of traitors who have seen the wind and steered the rudder. In their minds, you put wealth and money first, and in their minds, you have no real position at all. Yes, if you had chosen to flee at that time, everything you had would have been gone, and all your assets could not be taken with you, they were in Rome. However, at that time, there were many other Roman nobles like you, and they chose to flee with Pompey and the Senate. In Pompey's mind, he wanted to keep these people, not you who only saw the wind and rudder after knowing the results of the battle. Because after the battle is decided, the people who take refuge on the other side, whether it is Caesar or Pompey, will not like such people. No one will like a traitor. Even if there is only one betrayal. ”

"Alright, alright, Appis. Even if you make sense. But how can you guarantee that I will continue to support you in any way. Yes, perhaps I and the nobles who remained in Rome would not have had the opportunity to receive the support of Pompey and the Senate again. However, if I continue to support Caesar in this war, then Caesar will really be defeated at that time, and Pompey will not let me go. You still have some convincing reasons for me. ”

Batinius was still wary of Appis's words, and even in his heart, such words had indeed moved his position.

"Wealth, the wealth promised by Caesar. We will pay you in advance. ”

Appis replied with a smile.

"Are you kidding? Legion Commander Appis. And Lord Lepida. If I'm not mistaken, even during Caesar's own reign in Rome, his finances were extremely conservative and embarrassing. It's even enough to maintain the Legion's daily expenses. All the power he promised to the people has not been fulfilled. And these things can be done with just some possessions. If Caesar still has assets, why hasn't he taken them out for a long time? ”

"That's because it's not time yet."

Appis replied confidently. At the same time, he saw the even more confused expression on the face of the noble councillor opposite. Even Lepida on the side couldn't help but show a mocking look.

"Caesar bequeathed us enough wealth to run the city for three years. The poor who were waiting to be fed, the daily expenses of these two legions, were all within the form of this wealth. However, Caesar also tells us that special events can be advanced in advance if necessary. He expected, for example, that news of the setback at the front would cause an uneasy commotion in Rome. Batinius, in fact, Caesar had anticipated your every move long before he left. Come on, let's talk about cooperation. We can pretend that you are not participating, that you are not part of the nobles' trouble-making efforts, but you need to cooperate with us. ”

Appis duly pushed the subject aside, and then both Lepida and Apis saw Bartinius' distorted expression. There is no doubt that in the face of facts and eloquence, those with flaws in character will always give in. Seeing that the Roman nobles who used themselves to please Caesar back then were being played with by themselves in applause at the moment, Apis couldn't help but feel a little proud in his heart. Many years have passed, and those dark, enslaved days are finally just a thing of the past.

"You've helped us stir up trouble within the Coalition and stir up a puddle of sewage. You need a few allies, yes, you make a list, and then we'll visit them one by one. Together, you will stir up the inner workings of the Alliance. At the next Citizens' Assembly, I would like to see the delegation of the League of Nobles disagreeing with each other. And as a reward, a subsidy. We're going to give half a million Sestyrs for the losses you've caused by hiring civilians during this time. ”

Before Batinus could speak, Lepida couldn't wait to tell him what he had planned with Apis. (To be continued.) )