It is not advisable for anyone who carefully considers complex issues to harbor hatred, passion, anger or pity in order to be immune from their influence. If the vision is blocked by such feelings, i.e., it is not easy to identify the right thing, then no one will be concerned about the purpose and interests that they fervently wish to achieve. When the mind moves unhindered, its reasoning is correct; But if a fierce emotion dominates the mind, it becomes a tyrant over the mind and makes reasoning powerless.

- Gaius Julius Caesar (Roman dictator)

After dealing with the gold coins and the two younger brothers, Oscar decided to wait for Prisca to get up; It's not that Oscar cares much about Prisca, but Oscar needs Prisca to get up and go with him to the Maxentius family's mansion. Nominally, it was the newlyweds who went to visit their father-in-law and mother-in-law, but in fact it was Oscar who wanted to hear what Decius had said last time about the affairs of the Legion.

As it approached noon, Prisca finally came out of the room; At this time, Oscar was in the dining room preparing for lunch. Seeing Prisca coming, Oscar immediately stood up and pulled out a chair for her; Prisca gave Oscar a charming smile. You must know that there is no concept of gentlemanly demeanor in Rome in this era, and in such a patriarchal society, it is rare for Oscar to be able to do this for Prisca.

The two quickly ended their lunch in a pleasant atmosphere, and Oscar did not want to delay any longer, so he directly invited Prisca to go back to the Maxentius family mansion to visit the Decius couple; Naturally, Prisca would not refuse Oscar's kindness. So, the newly baked Oscars got into the magnificent carriage of the Augustus family and headed for the Maxentius family mansion.

After arriving at the Maxentius family mansion, the attendants outside the door put the two into the mansion without even informing them; As soon as the two entered the main hall, they heard Sevious' voice: "The fourth sister and brother-in-law just got married yesterday, and they can't wait to come back today; It can't be Oscar, you bullied our Prisca last night, right? Prisca, Mother knows you're coming back today, and is waiting for you in the backyard; If you have any grievances, you have to complain quickly! ”

Sevious' teasing reminded Prisca of what had happened last night, and his face immediately flushed; I didn't even dare to say anything, so I ran straight to the backyard. Looking at Prisca in the distance, both Oscar and Sevious had a doting smile on their faces; Immediately, Sevio said to Oscar:

"Oscar. From now on, we are all family; The House of Augustus and Maxentius would also be the strongest and strongest allies. I know that you will treat Prisca well, and that we of the Maxentius family will not treat you and the Augustus family badly; Soon you will be on your way to Sardinia, and all the estates of your Augustus family throughout the Latin province will be protected by us Maxentius. As long as I, Sevious, live for a day, you will never have worries! ”

is different from the cunning Decius and the wise Marcus. Sevious's impression of Oscar has always been that of mediocre qualifications but extremely family-oriented; So Sevious's words not only did not make Oscar feel that he was hypocritical, but made Oscar feel more affectionate to him. Without waiting for Oscar to say a few words of affection, Sevious continued:

"Oscar, I know you're going to say something like gratitude; You and I are already a family, so you really don't have to be so polite. And also. I'm here today more than just to greet you; I deliberately broke up Prisca just now. Now my father is waiting for you in his study, and he has a lot to say to us individually. ”

With that, Sevio led the way to Decius's study, and Oscar silently followed Sevious. When they arrived in the study, Decius and Marcus were already drinking tea inside; Seeing Sevios and Oscar coming, Marcus immediately got up and greeted Oscar, while Decius sat motionless in the main seat of the study.

Oscar, though feeling particularly uncomfortable, called out to Decius for his father, and gave him a traditional Roman aristocratic son-in-law greeting his father-in-law; Decius didn't embarrass Oscar, but motioned for Oscar to sit down next to Marcus. After all three of them are seated. Decius was still sipping his tea; It wasn't until after drinking the last sip of water in the teacup that Decius said slowly:

"Oscar, you must have come here today for the sake of what I said last time about the command of the legion; Now, I can give you the answer. We, the Maxentius family, are about to form a private legion attached to our family, the Falcon Legion; This legion will be made up of legionnaires, family guards, and covert forces loyal to our Maxentius family.

The Falcon Legion numbered no more than six thousand, and was very lacking in training and battle formations to cooperate with the battle; However, each of them is a carefully selected warrior of our Maxentius family, and each of them is loyal to our Maxentius family. I mean to give you this legion to take to Sardinia, and they will obey your orders completely, even to your word; And I need it. It was after the Hannibal problem was completely solved that you gave us a battle-hardened elite army of the Maxentius family.

I know that you will definitely be worried about whether this legion will really listen to your orders and the problems with the military expenses and equipment of this legion, etc.; I've thought about it all for you. Because the men of this legion are loyal to our family of Maxentius, I have arranged for them to have enough gold coins at once; In the time you have under your command. They don't need any military spending.

Not only that, but during the time they were under your command; Every year in June I will send a transport ship to Sardinia with a full army of equipment and 2,000 recruits to give you, except for the equipment and replenishment due to the Falcon Legion, the rest is what I pay you privately, I only need to get an elite army of 6,000 men after defeating Hannibal.

Of course, I won't let you suffer; The previous 440,000 gold coins were all just Prisca's dowry. The annual equipment and recruits are only a small payout. When you return the brand-new Falcon Legion to the Maxentius family, I will ask Sevios to give you 300,000 gold coins and equipment for the five legions at once; That's what I'm really paying you. Oscar, what do you think? ”

The magnitude of the conditions offered by Decius is rare in the history of Rome, which Oscar cannot help but wonder; Moreover, Marius, the third son-in-law of the Maxentius family, was himself a commander-in-chief. With his age and experience, he was able to come up with such a complete plan of military reform, and in time he would surely become a famous general who would leave his name in Roman history!

Why did Decius not use the eloquent Marius. And what about getting rid of yourself at the expense of the near and far? What's more, he is not only the son-in-law of the Maxentius family, but also the leader of the Augustan family; And Marius is completely from the Maxentius family!

As if to see Oscar's doubts, Decius continued to explain: "You must be wondering why I don't use Marius. With Marius's talent and ability, he will definitely be able to quickly improve the combat effectiveness of the Falcon Legion. But can't your wisdom see the deep meaning behind Marius's plan for military reform? Is his ambition merely to dedicate himself to our Maxentius family?

I dare to assert that, although the military reform plan he proposed would greatly enhance the fighting power of our Roman legions; But this military reform program will also become a source of civil strife and even division in our republic! If I give him the Falcon Legion; Yes, the Falcon Legion's combat effectiveness will indeed increase soon. But. When the time comes, will the Falcon Legion of the Maxentius family or the Falcon Legion of Marius?

The current Maxentius family has withered in talent, which makes me have to use Marius to improve the strength of the Maxentius family; But this is tantamount to drinking water to quench your thirst. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for me to put all my hopes in the hands of this careerist; I have to spread out the power of the family. In this way, it can not only safely preserve the strength of the family, but also ensure the deterrence of Marius at a critical moment; so that they do not dare to act rashly. “

Decius's explanation eventually convinced Oscar, because such a thing would be beneficial to Oscar; As long as the falcon legion is in the hands of the Augustan family, it will soon become the legion of the Augustan family. Moreover, the Maxentius family will not only raise this legion themselves, but also provide a large number of equipment and recruits every year; This makes Oscar really can't find a reason to refuse!

Of course, Oscar is not the kind of person who turns his face and doesn't recognize people; In order to protect the interests of the Maxentius family. Oscar himself secretly swore in his heart: no matter what happens in the future, he will definitely guarantee the inheritance of the Maxentius family; Not only for the guilt of using the Maxentius family in his heart, but also to give Prisca peace of mind!

After confirming this matter, Decius discussed with Oscar about the cooperation between the two families in other aspects; With the exception of some core interests that cannot be compromised, the other Oscars have resigned themselves to Decius's terms. As a result, the three of Decius's father and son all have a good impression of Oscar, and even think that Oscar sincerely regards himself as a member of the Maxentius family!

Historically, the covenant signed between Oscar and Decius is called the "Greven Covenant", and the content of the covenant is mainly the following six articles: first, the Augustus family's wine production in Sardinia (10,000 barrels = 300,000 bottles per year) must be sold to the Maxentius family for 300,000 gold coins; Second, the Augustan family needed to order 300,000 gold worth of naval and army equipment from the Maxentius family every year; Third, the wealth and spoils of the Augustusian family's foreign wars had to be handed over to the Maxentius family at market value.

Fourth. The ships of the House of Augustus and the ships of the House of Maxentius will be the staunchest allies in the Mediterranean, and they will have to help each other on any occasion; Fifthly, the Maxentius family must annually provide the Augustus family with no less than five thousand recruits and the equipment of one legion in the capacity of the Senate; Sixth, the Maxentius family must unconditionally support the expansion of the Augustan family. He was responsible for inciting the people of Rome to support the foreign wars of the House of Augustus.

Taken together, this "Gripen Covenant" was beneficial for both the Augustans and Maxentius; It not only solved the problem of the Augustan family selling wine and handling the booty, but also brought huge profits to the Maxentius family. At the same time, the Maxentius family also did their best to support the Augustus family in their foreign wars; The covenant between the two sides has indeed been mutually beneficial. (To be continued.) )

PS: Today's second shift on time is also the second VIP shift; To be honest, there are too few recommendations from the starting point to chasing the wind. As of now. There are only two recommendations for chasing the wind, one is still a text-only recommendation; Alas, chasing the wind is already powerless to complain about the starting point.