A few fairgrounds later, two consuls for the following year were elected, with names of extremely unfamiliar names, not to mention Calabis, who had not even heard of many native Roman citizens, but Catiline was clearly finished, and he no longer wore the white robe, but stumbled down the street with a stumbling street in a crude garment resembling a mourning garment, with weeping and angry followers on one hand, and debt collectors tugging at the corners of his clothes and constantly intimidating him.

At the same time, rumors of his rebellion grew, and even many of his followers believed that - at least, in his loyal stronghold, in the settlement of Sulla veterans in Etrunia, north of Rome, a large contingent of veterans, based in the city of Fesule, under the leadership of the veteran Manius, about 5,000 men, were cruising outside the city of Rome, bringing unprecedented tension to the city.

Many people's main concern now is when Catiline and his accomplices will attack in the city of Rome.

In the Senate, a senator named Senis was reading a letter from the city of Fesulet, written by his personal slave, reflecting the current situation in Etrunia: "The party of Catiline, Manius is commanding the army of veterans, marching towards Rome - there is no doubt about it, they are waging a rebellion, a war against the Republic. ”

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is really nothing to doubt, for the consul is still in office, and therefore the Antes of Rome, I declare that in all the vital points of the city, there shall be a guard post under the charge of the magistrates, the magistrates, and the tribunes, to be responsible for the prevention of contingencies. The complete disbandment of the gladiator troupes and training schools in the city, and the expulsion of all of them to other cities, are all factors of instability. Any slave who can expose and identify the conspirators against the republic shall be granted liberty, and a reward of a hundred thousand cesdes; In the same way, any freeman who can expose it will be rewarded with a reward of two hundred thousand Cesses, even if he has been involved in a conspiracy. Zuihou, the contemptible people once again announced that the whole city of Rome has canceled all the entertainment activities that have always come during the election of consuls and the counting of votes, and the whole city will enter a state of martial law from now on! Cicero, in the center of the assembly hall, held the hem of his robe, and read the resolution aloud.

Most of the senators applauded enthusiastically, and Cicero, visibly confident and encouraged, raised his hand again and declared: "At this time, we need no longer condone some people who consider themselves to be noble, but only to commit ugly acts against those of the Republic, because of some unnecessary stereotypes." I think that Catiline should be summoned to the Senate at once, and that the righteousness of the people should judge whether he is guilty or not. ”

Just as Cicero's supporters, including many senators frightened by the words of revolt and riot, were about to applaud, the descendant of Venus, Julius. Caesar stood up from his seat and said in a loud voice: "My honorable consul, I think you are mistaken, that is, the Senate is only a body for discussion and resolution of state policies, not a place for judicial trials, and if you find Catiline guilty, then according to the capital of your fame, prosecute him, in the town assembly, or in the grand court, but it should not be here, there are six hundred senators here, and as a jury, the scale is too large. Moreover, it is said that not only have you brought the city of Rome under martial law, but you are also going to bring back the army of Pompey from the east, and please return to the city of Rome, so that the sword and the banner will appear in the square, what a terrible thing, even more terrible than a premeditated rebellion with no evidence! I really don't understand, Your Excellency, what are you and Pompey planning to do to put an end to a rebellion, or are you forcing a rebellion to happen? ”

"You should understand, Your Excellency the Archon is also very scared, and I don't dare to sleep with my wife in my arms recently." Crassus on the side interjected, "Maybe Pompey is back and can improve all this." ”

There was laughter all around, but little Cato also stood up at this time, "Speaking of women, don't the women of Rome live in terror now?" My wife, my daughters, my female relatives, all the noble women of Rome, even Hannibal, who had been in the city, did not make them afraid, but now they did not dare to nurse their children, but only raised their hands and cried out for the gods to save the city from disaster. Anyone who tries to shake the foundations of the republic deserves to die, and now that Catiline is so suspicious, he must be summoned by the Senate, and no amount of shelter can save him! ”

Cato the Younger's speech had a decisive effect, the majority of the senate echoed Cicero's proposal, Caesar's doubts were drowned in reproach and humiliation, and even many of Cicero's friends raised their fists and scolded Caesar, saying that he was also involved in Catiline's conspiracy - Caesar simply folded his sleeves and covered his face, sat down in his seat and said no more.

Zuihou's decision: After three days, Catirin must come to the Senate to be arraigned and interrogated, otherwise he will be punished for treason.

Many followers directly told him that either they would either burn the city of Rome now and kill Cicero and other political enemies, or they would leave the city now, join up with the forces of Manius, take the city of Rome, bloodied the Senate, and rebuild the country.

These proposals were all vetoed by Catilin in a loud voice, "Friends, I appreciate your concern and follow-up. But these angry suggestions of yours are really pushing my family and reputation into the fire pit, my name is Catiline, my family ancestors are comrades-in-arms of Aeneas, everything I do, is for the republic, this is an unshakable principle and foundation. Now that the Republic doubts me, I must be tested. ”

When Catiline and the crowd walked to the square in front of the Senate assembly hall, he saw that Calabis was removing from a statue the papyrus notice posted by Cicero, and then flicked the dust and said sarcastically to himself: "I really did not expect that Catiline, your intrigues and dreams are worth only 200,000 Cestris. ”

"Calabis, it's not over, I'll walk out of the Senate with my head held high, and one day, I'll take your life away like crushing an ant." Catirin shook her arm and said confidently.

"No, you don't have a chance, maybe you should take your great-grandfather's iron hand with you, because you'll soon be able to use it on the battlefield, but the enemy is the army of the Republic. And I, on the other hand, will step on your stinking body and become a true citizen of Rome. Calabis slowly rolled the papyrus into a roll, and put it in the bronze tube he was carrying, and then walked away, in the direction of the temple of the hearth.

When Catiline entered the Senate, he was confronted by a silent crowd, and everyone's eyes were full of distrust, regret, and hatred, and the consul Cicero, accompanied by Cato the Younger and a few friends, was standing in the center of the field, staring at him like a cobra, and the scar on his nose was red.

Beside Cicero, several clerks were sitting around the desk, spreading out the papyrus, and looking at the consul with intently eyes, waiting for him to speak.

Seeing this scene, Catiline's heart was cold, and he couldn't help but shiver.