Before you trust someone, get to know them deeply.

- Marcus Tulius Cicero (Roman statesman, orator, orator, jurist, and philosopher)

More than ten days have passed since that trip to the public bathhouse, and during these ten days, Oscar's daily task is to constantly train himself and train his swordsmanship; Maybe it's because the original owner of this body is indeed a natural general who is quite keen on training. In short, Oscar felt that his progress was unusually rapid in the process of training himself and training his swordsmanship, as if he was not learning, but recovering.

In just a short period of more than ten days, Licinius confessed: If Oscar was an ordinary legionary officer, then his swordsmanship was enough to be qualified for the position of captain; But this is also the foundation of the Oscars is very strong, and if you want to improve further, you need to work hard. However, as long as Oscar continues to be in touch; It only takes half a year at most, and Oscar can meet the swordsmanship requirements of an ordinary legion lieutenant.

Regarding Licini's comment, Oscar felt that it was fair; As for Licini's suggestion to Oscar later, Oscar didn't hear it. Soon Oscar is going to return to Sardinia, and once he returns to Sardinia, many things will need to be done by Oscar himself; Whether it is Oscar's upcoming reform plan or the establishment of military schools in the army, these are things that Oscar cannot fake others.

Of course, even in the busiest times, Oscar will take a little time out every day to strengthen his sword skills and physical training; After all, you are the most trustworthy person. Licinius was indeed a loyal general, but he couldn't keep him by his side all the time; What's more, the Augustan family is now very short of excellent generals, so it is even more impossible to waste Licinius's talent in vain.

However, Oscar didn't have time to practice swordsmanship this afternoon; Because last night the housekeeper of the Maxentius family sent an invitation, saying that he invited Oscar and Prisca to return to their parents' house for a banquet together. Dinner? What feast to go to? Isn't it true that Decius wants to finalize something with Oscar before Oscar leaves? However, the presence of Prisca did bring the Maxentius family closer to the Augustus family.

Prisca has been preparing all kinds of necessary items since she knew last night that she was going back to her parents' house today; For example, what kind of clothes should I wear, what kind of jewelry should I wear, what kind of gifts should I bring to my mother and two sisters-in-law, etc. In the end, Prisca even offered to take Mingyue back to the Maxentius family mansion with her; This makes Oscar confused.

Originally, Prisca argued; Since Mingyue is already a member of the Augustan family recognized by Oscar and the Roman aristocracy, then she is Oscar's own sister. So. Prisca wanted to help her slowly integrate into the upper class of Rome; Accompanying Prisca back to the Maxentius family mansion was only the first step, and in the future, Prisca would take her to more aristocratic banquets and gatherings of ladies of the upper class.

Prisca can decide such a small matter for herself, and Oscar doesn't intend to mix it up; For he had more important matters to discuss with Decius, and he really had no intention of bothering with such trivial matters. But one thing is true. That's since the last confession banquet; The relationship between Prisca and Mingyue has become more and more intimate, as if they are sisters, which makes Mingyue and Oscar estranged now.

After a brief lunch in the Augustus family mansion, Oscar took Prisca, Mingyue and Licinius to the Maxentius family; Why did he accompany Prisca back to her parents' house for a banquet and take Licini with her? It turned out that Oscar planned to return to the family tonight all the 300,000 gold coins promised by Decius on behalf of the Senate to fight Hannibal and the 300,000 military expenses of the First Eagle Banner Legion, the Sixth Legion, and the Eleventh Army for the next year.

After all, it is not a few days before Oscar sets off for Sardinia, and the personnel and equipment of the six legions, including the First Eagle Banner Legion, the Fifth Eagle Banner Legion, the Sixth Legion, the Eleventh Legion, the Falcon Legion, and the Boar Legion, have all arrived; As long as he gives the order, the army can sail to the Latin port and board the ship directly. So there is no room for delay in finalizing something. Moreover, Oscar himself has a brand new idea that he wants to communicate with Decius; Once the idea gained the support of Decius and the Senate he represented, it really killed two birds with one stone.

When the group of four arrived at the Maxentius family, the butler of the Maxentius family was waiting for Oscar and the others at the gate; However, after the chief butler introduced the four of them into the mansion, two more people dressed as butlers appeared. As if anticipating Oscar's intentions, Decius sent Licinius to receive the 600,000 gold coins that had been loaded into the carriage; Prisca and Mingyue were also taken to the backyard by a housekeeper.

Oscar thought that this time it would be another secret conversation between Decius and his son; So he followed the old butler to Decius's study. After arriving at Decius's study, to Oscar's surprise, there were no Sevious and Marcus in the study, only Decius leaned on the chair of the main seat and waited for his arrival.

But. With the cunning of Decius; Since he chose not to let Sevio and Marcus be here, there must be a reason for him, and Oscar just needs to wait for Decius to speak. Of course, Oscar is still Decius's son-in-law after all; So after entering the door, Oscar still had to greet Decius with the same etiquette that a son greets his father.

Hearing Oscar's greeting, Decius slowly opened his eyes; Then he said to Oscar: "Oscar, you are also my son-in-law, don't be restrained, sit down by yourself." I didn't let Sevius and Marcus come here today, just so that we could talk openly and honestly between you and me; You're not the same as their two brothers.

The two brothers were too pedantic. Even with Marcus's wisdom, he understands many things, but he just won't do them; For what he calls principles. Sevios, on the other hand, was even less than his brother, too weak; Both of them are more than successful and less enterprising. I can't take on the responsibility. And you, Oscar, are completely different, you are brave and resourceful; And you are the one who can really do great things. ”

Decius's words made Oscar feel a little seen through inside; However, Oscar just wanted to explain a few words for himself, and for Sevio and Marcus. Decius stretched out his hand to interrupt Oscar's speech. Decius got up from his seat. While looking at the blue sky and white clouds in the sky from the window, he said abruptly:

"Oscar, you don't have to explain anything. Not to mention speaking for the two brothers; I am their father, and I am an old man over 60 years old. For me, whether it's them, or you; I can easily see your character, which is what sixty years of life experience have given me. It is something that you cannot have. I don't misread anyone, and I don't make judgments about anyone; Moreover, you are all my dear ones.

I have come to you today because I have two things to discuss with you; One thing is that I want to help you again, which is to do my part for the republic, and the other thing is my request to you. Of course, I won't have any requirements for you in these two things, you can do it if you want to, and you can not do it if you don't want to do it; I don't blame you. The alliance between the Augustus and Maxentius families will not change because of these two events. “

How is this a little bad, Oscar feels that Decius is talking about his own death! Actually, think about it too; Decius is sixty years old this year. This is an old Roman man. What's more, Decius's health has not been very good, coupled with the ups and downs of the situation in the republic in recent times and worries about his two sons; All of this made Decius's body and mind more and more tired.

The only thing to be thankful for is that Decius was able to leave his sons as much as he could for the rest of his life; This family business is not just about wealth, but also about the way that Decius did to pave the way for his two sons and leave other legacies. Needless to say, Oscar himself became part of Decius's calculations; Decius will definitely use Oscar to protect his two sons.

However, did Oscar himself willingly become a pawn of Decius? Of course not! Even Marius, who was born into a minor aristocracy, broke away from the control of Decius and became a potential threat to Sevio and Marcus; Naturally, Oscar, who is at the helm of the powerful Augustus family, is unlikely to be a pawn of Decius. It is clear that Decius had already made a mistake with Marius once; He wasn't going to make a second mistake with Oscar.

So, Oscar is not worried about what tricks Decius will use to trap himself; After all, Decius's days are running out, and he doesn't have the time and energy to play slowly with himself. Of course. Nor is Decius the kind of naïve idealist who thinks that everything will be fine by playing the emotional card; There would be a better way for him to willingly serve the Maxentius family, and Oscar was convinced.

So, Oscar also said half-sincerely and half-hypocritically: "Father, you are too serious; We were originally family. No one can change that! Moreover, if you need me to do anything, just tell me, and I will not refuse you; As for the eldest brother Sevius and the second brother Marcus, they will all be my closest people to Oscar, and no matter what happens in the future, I will try my best to ensure that the two brothers inherit the Maxentius family! “

Oscar's vows did not gain the trust of Decius. On the contrary, it made Decius's heart feel even more that the Oscar should not be underestimated; This is because Decius was well aware that Oscar's promises were worthless. For a successful careerist, commitment is like farting; Today he can swear to you, tomorrow he can stab you in the back, and Decius himself is such a man.

Between people, between families, the eternal topic is interests; Decius believes that as long as the price he offers is high enough, whether Oscar is sincere or hypocritical, he will unswervingly become a sword in the hands of the Maxentius family. At the same time, the Maxentius family will also be a strong support for the Augustus family to flourish.

Moreover, the world is too big; It was so big that Oscar and his family of Augustus had plenty of room to expand all the time. In addition to the Carthaginians, Gauls, Spaniards, Numidians, and Greeks around the Romans, there were Germanics, Britons, Dacians, and Scythians in the north, and Egyptians, Seleucids, Parthians, Ponticians, Armenians, and so on in the east.

In short, the world is very big, and the family of Augustus and Maxentius can rely on each other and be closely united by interests. As for things that go back a long time, it's not something that people can think about now; Besides, Decius did not think that the Romans could expand to the extent that they could conquer all of the above races, something that Alexander the Great had not done! (To be continued.) )

PS: Today is the third watch of the weekend, and it is still the standard update of 10 o'clock, 12 o'clock, and 18 o'clock; Chasing the wind because there is something in the past two days, so if the book friends have comments and chase the wind and do not reply in time, please forgive me!