"Yes, a chance to fight back. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ”

Carrenus took a glass of diluted wine and drank it, and continued—

"Civilians are always easily agitated, but they are also always easily deceived and deceived. They don't know what we're planning, so they're always afraid of us, and even though they don't say it on the surface, everyone knows that the civilians are always in the light and we are always in the shadows. In fact, the only way to bring down Appis is to take advantage of the innate insecurity and suspicion of the common people. Apis has been rallying the civilians to revolt for a long time, yet he is also suppressing the emotions of the civilians from rising up. We can use this to disguise the evidence that Apis was bribed by the aristocracy to suppress the anger of the commoners and delay the negotiations. The Roman populace were outside the Senate, and they had no idea what was going on every day inside this holy temple. We just need to use civilians against him. This is the most effective approach. ”

Carrenus sat in his chaise longue and looked at little Cato with a sly look, and this time, Cato seemed to approve of the not-so-glamorous plan. Maybe in the face of powerful public opinion, Marcus? Cato just wanted to calm the storm as quickly as possible.

"But why would civilians believe our accusations against Appis? Tribunes are elected by their own votes. What reason did Apis have to accept bribes from the aristocratic faction? ”

After thinking for a moment, Cato asked again. This is indeed a problem, Apis was indeed elected by the commoners themselves, and now, at such a cusp, the Senate directly accuses Apis of betraying the civilians, not to mention that the civilians do not believe in such accusations, even Cato the Younger does not believe it.

However, Carenus gave his own answer-

"For wealth. Cato. That's why, it's as simple as that. ”

Karenus said, a sly smile on his face—

"You must know Cato, that Apis was not a nobleman or a knight, and his wealth was at most moderate in Roman society, only a little better than that of the commoners, and that such a poor man ran for tribune for only two purposes, first, to enter the temple of the Senate after a year for the development of his career. Second, in order to accumulate wealth. Don't tell me that tribunes are here for the good of the common people, since the creation of this 'sacred' position, how many tribunes have really fought for the good of the common people? Except for Gracchus, right? But what is the final outcome of that brainless **? Therefore, civilians who are a little smarter know that the tribunes ostensibly fight for the interests of the civilians, but in fact, they just use this position as a springboard. Therefore, it is not impossible for us to accuse Apis of deceiving the commoners and not working for the interests of the commoners, but accepting monetary bribes from the aristocratic faction. ”

As Carrenus spoke, Cato kept bowing his head in agreement.

Then Carrenus continued—

"Apis has been encouraging the commoners to protest and denounce the aristocracy, and it has been long enough, close to twenty days, and the bill has not been passed for a long time, and there is not even a single movement in the Senate about the process of the bill, everything is told by Apis himself to the commoners, and all the news that the commoners know comes from the news that Apis brought out of the Senate, and from beginning to end, no commoners have entered the Senate to listen to what we have to say. Therefore, the common people did not have absolute trust in Appis. And we can take advantage of this, we disguise the evidence, and then accuse Apis of not letting the bill pass because he received bribes from the aristocracy, and Apis did not suppress the riots of the commoners, which can also be one of the manifestations of our accusation that he received bribes from the aristocracy. For a combination of reasons, I think it's quite possible that the ignorant mob in the square will not believe what we say. We can defeat Apis through what he did. ”

"Karenus, I have to admire your ingenuity, but if this turmoil subsides, I don't want you to use the same conspiracy in the internal struggle of the Senate, although this republic is no longer the one it was when it was founded, but I will still use my body, my flesh and blood, and my life to protect him. This, I hope you understand, if you can do this, I, Cato, will still be your comrade-in-arms and partners in the future. ”

Cato Jr. sighed and acquiesced to Carrenus' plan.

……

"Come down! You liar! You deceived us, you took the property and bribes of that nobleman! ”

A few days later, when Apis was back in the Civic Square, ready to give another enthusiastic speech, the crowd below began to heckle and protest. The reason is very simple, five days ago, Carrenus united many Roman nobles and senators, and began to create evidence that Apis united with the aristocracy and collected bribes from the aristocracy. At the same time, the Senate began to follow Caesar's example and bribe some of the leading figures of the plebeian faction to disseminate this information and evidence among the common people.

The power of public opinion was terrible, and after ten or ten hundreds, there was such a noisy scene in the whole Roman market day.

"Nope! Where did you hear the lies? It was I, Appis, who spearheaded the drafting of this bill, and I am arguing with those in the Senate for your benefit, and you must believe me! ”

Appis was caught in the middle of the chaotic crowd, his voice drowned out by the cacophony of accusations. The scene almost spiraled out of control......

"Stand down!"

Until Sekras led a group of retired veterans, standing in the square with real swords and swords, standing beside Appis. The angry crowd gradually quieted down.

"Sekras? What are you doing? Do you know what you're doing? ”

However, seeing Sekras limp and appear in the square with a Roman dagger, Apis had mixed feelings. If Sekras, who is Caesar's legion, did not appear this time, the civilians might believe that they were innocent, but now, this group of legion veterans appeared in the square with real swords and swords, confronting the angry crowd like this, would people still believe that they were innocent and framed? There is a saying that if you are not afraid of a god-like opponent, you are afraid of a pig-like teammate. Appis felt it deeply, however, if he didn't do so, it seemed that he would not be able to do so, and the angry crowd might overthrow, knock down, or even beat him to death in the next moment. In Rome of this era, speech was free, and behavior was even free......

"Apis, go quickly, away from this group of wolf-hearted, thoughtless fools! Get out of here and plan again! ”

Sekras stood in the audience and yelled at Appis.

Immediately, the civilians in the square, encouraged by several leaders, began to throw stones and vegetables at the group of veterans even more irritably...... (To be continued.) )