Giovane，brevegiornopiùvecchio，lavecchiaia，inbrevelunghezzadelgiorno。 (When you are young, the days are short and the days are long; When you are old, the years are short and the days are long. ）

– Gaius Julius Caesar (Roman dictator)

Of course, in this way, the legions of the Roman Republic would be completely reduced to the private armies of the various families; And not as before, even if it was actually controlled by various families, but still did not resist the orders of the Senate and the Republic. The reformed corps, under the orders of its own supreme commander-in-chief; It is even possible to start a civil war against the Senate and the Republic! For all the legions no longer have any reverence for the Senate, and no loyalty to the Republic; They are just tools in the hands of their respective commanders.

Will Oscar, who understands this, agree with Marius's plan for military reform? Nonsense, I have to agree! If the whole republic had been so peaceful, how could the House of Augustus become the new masters of Rome with a chance? Only by letting these conspirators muddy the waters of the republic can the House of Augustus have a chance to take advantage of it, isn't it?

So, whether it is Quintus, who is eager to improve the combat effectiveness of the legion, or Oscar, who has other plans; Both agreed to Marius's plan for military reform. Oscar already felt in his heart that this military reform plan was imperative; The rest of the family would have agreed with Marius's plan for military reform. Because Marius's military reform plan will not only not weaken the control of the major families over the legions, but will further strengthen it; Why wouldn't they do it?

As for Marius's deep desire to usurp the military power of the Maxentius family, even if everyone knew about it? Marius himself was originally the son-in-law of the Maxentius family, and it was a struggle within their family that had nothing to do with anyone else. Everyone just needs to keep the legions belonging to their own families firmly in their own hands, so why bother with the rest? Moreover, the Maxentius family, mired in infighting, was bound to decline; This is a blessing or a curse for other families, after all, everyone is still a competitor by nature.

After reading in detail Marius's plan for military reform, Quintus asked his own question, he wanted to know the specific composition of each legion. Marius immediately introduced: "The new type of legion, with a full strength of 6,000 men, supplemented by 120 auxiliary cavalry and more than 60 ballistas and stone catapults. 12 brigades, the first brigade has 720 people, the remaining 480 people, a hundred-man team of 80 people, the regimental flag is a unified silver eagle flag, each brigade has its own different flag.

According to my current plan, each legion should be equipped with 48 ballistas and 12 stone catapults; Each ballista requires 10 people to handle the transport, and each stone catapult requires 20 men to handle the transport. In this way, the auxiliary ballista and stone crossbowmen would need 720 men; The total number of a standard army is as high as 6,840 soldiers, which is enough to deal with a small war, and it is also enough to play the role of the main battle formation in a decisive battle of tens of thousands of people. ”

Quintus was pleased with Marius' explanation, and Oscar also praised Marius's new preparation; Such a new establishment is indeed more effective than the original corps formation. The only flaw was that the cavalry was once again weakened; However, the quality of the Roman cavalry was simply too poor. It is not an exaggeration to describe it as vulnerable on the battlefield, and it is not worth wasting resources in the establishment of the legion. The remaining 120 auxiliary cavalry are estimated to be the role of rapid reconnaissance; Otherwise, there would be no need to set it up at all.

At this time, Oscar remembered a question; So, Oscar turned to Marius and asked, "Your Excellency Marius, your military reform plan does not mention the original five legions of the Republic; Could it be that the five legions are the same as these ordinary legions? You know, although the five major legions suffered a devastating blow this time; But these five legions are the pillars of the Republic for hundreds of years after all, and their significance is extraordinary! ”

Oscar's question made Quintus also look at Marius suspiciously, these five legions can't be the same as ordinary legions! Marius said confidently: "The five major legions of the Republic have made countless contributions to the Republic for hundreds of years, and naturally it is impossible to be the same as ordinary legions. The Legion Banner of the Common Legion is the Uniform Silver Eagle Banner, while the Legion Banner of the New Five Legions is the Unified Golden Eagle Banner; And bear the name of the Eagle Banner Legion.

The new Roman legions were professional armies, and their symbol, the eagle banner, was the soul of every legion; There is also a brigade flag and a hundred-person flag under it. The Roman commander could tell from his banner the legion to which the brigade was attached, the strength of the troops, the equipment, and even the place where the brigade was convened. In my military reform, only the legions that have achieved great victories can be awarded the Golden Eagle Banner and given the name of the Eagle Banner Legion.

The Eagle Banner would be the highest honor of the Roman legion, and the flag bearer in charge of the Eagle Banner could be equipped with a reinforced protection of the Hundreds, which would be named the Eagle Banner Hundreds; The number of personnel is twice that of other ordinary hundreds, the best equipment, the soldiers are all veterans, and its centenarian captain is also the highest status among the hundred-man captains in the legion.

If the Banner Bearer of the Legion is killed, it means that the Legion is in a very dangerous state and is in a bitter battle; At this time, theoretically any member of the legion could protect the Eagle Banner and take the helm of the Eagle Banner to protect it from being taken by the enemy. This will require a strong sense of honor for the legionnaires, and the loss of the eagle flag is the greatest shame for the whole legion, and this shame will surely accompany them for the rest of their lives.

I hope that the loss of the Eagle Banner of an army represents the death of most of the soldiers, and the death of all the generals of the legion for the legion; Otherwise, the ordinary soldiers will be executed in ten draws. The punishment for generals above the captain is the heaviest, and their entire families will be exiled or even sold into slavery; It's about holding them accountable for their actions.

Moreover, once the Eagle Banner of any regiment is lost; The republic will completely abolish the formation of this corps. All remaining soldiers of the legion will be disbanded on the spot, and the number of the legion will be eliminated forever from the number of the republican ** regiment; In addition, the number of the regiment will not be restored in any form from now on. Even if one day, the other legions recaptured the eagle banner of that legion; The legion will also not be rebuilt.

Of course, this is only for the Silver Eagle Banner in general; They are just ordinary legions, and they will not even be given the name of the Eagle Banner Legion. For the Golden Eagle Banner Legion, which has made great contributions to the Republic, that is, the real Eagle Banner Legion; I believe that every such army is the most valuable asset of the Republic and the most brave and elite army.

Therefore, if the Golden Eagle Banner Legion loses its Eagle Banner; If more than 80 percent of the officers of the legion are killed, all the generals of the legion will also die for the legion. Well, the regiment can lose the Eagle Banner three times in such a situation without punishment; After three times, they will be demoted to the Silver Eagle Banner. However, everything is subject to change; Even the once brave Golden Eagle Banner Legion could fall into decay, in order to prevent this from happening.

If the number of soldiers of the Golden Eagle Banner Legion is less than seventy percent, all the generals of the Legion do not die for the Legion; Well, the legion will immediately be the Silver Eagle Banner Legion. And, in addition to the privileges mentioned above; The salaries of the soldiers of the Golden Eagle Banner will be twice that of the soldiers of the Silver Eagle Banner, and the quality equipment will be given priority to the Golden Eagle Banner. These are the things that the heroes of the republic deserve. “

With such a careful explanation and arrangement by Marius, Oscar and Quintus are naturally undoubted. In this way, after solving all the doubts of the two; Marius made it clear that he hoped that the two would support this plan of military reform on behalf of the House of Augustus and Scipio at tomorrow's Supreme Military Council of the Republic, and Oscar and Quintus certainly agreed.

Marius was very pleased to have the support of the two men, three of the five most powerful families in the entire Roman Republic, who had explicitly supported him; At that time, the Julius family will definitely not oppose themselves, and only one Brutus family will not affect the overall situation, and this military reform plan will definitely be implemented.

As long as this plan can be implemented, Marius himself will soon steal the power of the Maxentius family; After his own slow management, sooner or later he could take all the military power of the entire Roman Republic into his own hands. At that time, the so-called five families will be reduced to their own playthings; He will become the new emperor of Rome himself! You know, I'm only 24 years old this year; He will have a lot of time in the future to take the military power back to himself step by step. Time will prove his wisdom, and he will definitely become the first emperor of the Roman Empire!

The beautiful fantasy in his heart makes the always moody and invisible, and it is inevitable that he will be a little complacent; In this regard, Oscar and Quintus have completely different ideas. Quintus simply rejoiced that Marius had succeeded in the implementation of his reform plan; However, Oscar knew that it was Marius who saw his own hope of usurping the Maxentius family, and that this was Marius's ambition to succeed!

As if sensing his gaffe, Marius immediately adjusted his mentality; And hurriedly changed the subject: "Your Excellency Oscar, Captain Quintus; Tomorrow's Supreme Military Council of the Republic will appoint the names of the recruit corps and their commanders. At that time, each of our families will receive three legions; You should have to think about the leader of your family's recruit legion tonight, otherwise you will be caught off guard by then. “

Marillus's kindness reminded the two that of course they would not refuse; But having said that, the three of them have nothing to say. So, Marius took his leave with interest; Quintus also confirmed with Oscar the specific union of the two families, and then returned to the Scipio family's own mansion. After the two left, Oscar also left the parlor and returned to his study.