"Dear Caesar, this is all the information we have gathered this month. Foreign Minister Virgil bowed slightly, and in a calm tone, he handed out a thick scroll, put it on the desk in front of him, and then unfolded it little by little: "Contains all the news we have received in the past three months!"

"Of course, most of it is public information, and some of it is hearsay, and there is no evidence of gossip, all of which have been categorized above. ”

"You're always so reliable and convincing. Theodore sat behind the table and smiled and exclaimed, "My dear Virgil!"

"Just a little bit of your duty as your courtier, Caesar!" said the young foreign minister, still expressionless, bowed gracefully in thanks.

"Well, come and tell me, what are our dear allies doing right now?"

"First of all, the two districts of Mithmer and Salion. Virgil pointed to the two western regions on the scroll and said, "In the last three months, the prices of iron ore, horses, and linen have risen wildly in both places, and they are in short supply!

"They are consolidating their forces and strengthening their reserves. Virgil said slowly: "More precisely, recruitment! In the last month alone, more than a thousand Mistemaeus have been drafted into the army, and many northern highlanders have been recruited by Archduke Brenus to join his army!"

"And the fact that glass and spice prices are starting to decline this season is also proof of this. ”

Theodore's brow furrowed, and his index finger tapped on the map: "Where did they get all that money, or did they increase taxes?"

"No, on the contrary, especially in the Salionian region, taxes have gone down instead of increasing! And the price of food in the market has only risen slightly, to an acceptable extent. Virgil refuted Theodore's conjecture.

"What the hell is going on?!"

"That's the second thing I'm going to say. The foreign minister nodded: "Because they are expanding! The two Grand Dukes began to incorporate the surrounding fiefs into their rule almost at the same time, and now they are no longer what they used to be!"

"In this, they have an advantage over us!" Virgil sighed softly: "Whether it is long-term prestige or regional deterrence, Brenus and Urtok far surpass Rome!

"What's more, they're not as merciful as you!" Virgil pouted: "Although many people took the initiative to join, there were also those who were not willing, and their fate can be imagined............ It's just a life!"

"That's what you have to gain, and you have to lose. Theodore waved his hand helplessly: "In the first battle of Savenclone, all shijie understand, the powerful empire in the past has been completely destroyed! The order and law of the past have all become a dead letter, and the binding force of the past has completely disappeared, if it were not for the threat of the southern orcs, the war would have burned all over the entire northern shijie! Where can we have such free time to build cities, store food, and form legions?!"

"In fact, war has already raged in the North! Caesar. Virgil shook his head and said, "Laria!"

"I've heard Brenus talk about it. Theodore said in a deep voice, "It seems to be because of the question of inheritance?"

"It's more complicated than that!" Virgil gestured from raising his hand: "Now the Laria region, large and small, all the lords who are related to the Grand Duke of Laria have declared themselves to have the so-called 'indisputable' inheritance. Wars are going on almost every day, of course, on a small scale, but they are dangerous enough. All roads in the whole area have been blocked, roadblocks have been set up, and news of business trips being robbed every day comes in, and the chaos can be imagined!"

"So, we need a legion strong enough to protect Rome and give her enough deterrence!" Theodore nodded: "This is the case in the north now, whoever has more troops has indisputable authority! If order cannot be maintained by morality and law, then it can only be restrained by the sword!"

"But now Rome is very difficult to recruit more troops, and one legion is already the limit - without destroying production. Virgil whispered, "Do you want to recruit troops in the territories of those dependents?"

"No! Not yet! Theodore waved his hand: "That will only turn these unfaithful fellows away from us." At least for now, Roma can't show any weakness on her part!, and we have to be on guard against those who are on our guard!"

"Does this seem to be a little contrary to your previous benevolent approach?" asked Virgil, a little confused, "or do you have some new idea?"

"Any action is used for a clear purpose, Virgil. Otherwise it wouldn't make any sense. Theodore closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair: "I can be generous and merciful to envelop them, let them understand the wealth and generosity of Rome, and make them look forward to the prosperity and strength of Rome, but I will also always let them understand the power of Rome, let them feel intimidated, restrained, so that they can not relax for a moment!"

"I will take back their land and privileges, in due course. I hope these people are smart enough, otherwise I wouldn't mind using a little bit of violence like Brenus and Urtok did!"

"Your wisdom and mind are the key to the strength of Rome, the great Caesar!" Virgil wasted no time in making a small ass and bowing to Theodore in respect.

"Well, don't talk about that!" Theodore waved his hand, "Is there any good news?" I mean good news!"

"If so, there is. Virgil smiled slightly: "It's from the north, the news brought back by Commander Konstantin!"

"Although there was a little bit of a small dispute, but Shidfu, who had never had anything to do with us before, is now willing to trade with us, there are rich iron ore resources, which can be said to be not bad, and it is also a good news!"

"He always surprises me!" Theodore held his chin and smiled, "That crazy fleet commander!"

"Maybe you should increase the number of people in your fleet, now they want to protect more trade routes!"

"We'll talk about it when he returns!" said Theodore, "and it's not right yet." ”

"Speaking of the North, there is one person you should perhaps meet. Virgil said, "Do you remember the guy who won the horse race?"

"You mean, the guy called Gado?"

"He is the son of the Grand Chief of the Ryan Tribe, and he is now studying at the Caesarea Junior College, it is estimated that he was introduced by Commander Constantine, and he participated in the competition because of Professor Febius's recommendation!"

"The prize for the contest hasn't been handed out yet, has it?" asked Theodore.

"I can arrange it now if you need it. Virgil smiled elegantly, the corners of his mouth curled: "I believe this will be a meeting of the last kind, for both parties!"

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"Congratulations! Congratulations on such an enviable achievement, and I believe that the gods of heaven are also blessing you, aren't they?!"

In the playground of the backyard of Caesarea Castle, Theodore looked approvingly at Gado, who was about the same height as himself, and celebrated him: "All in all, congratulations on winning that game!"

"Thank you for the compliment. Jia Duo smiled modestly and stroked his chest: "There are also some luck elements in this!"

"Elendil, bring the horse and let the winner be dressed in his spoils!" Diodore smiled happily, "That's what he deserves!"

"My lord, this ............"

"Shhhhhh Theodore waved his hand and patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "I said, you deserve it!"

The two servants of the castle came up to Theodor with their armor and swords, and after saluting, began to dress Gado, put on his armor, fasten his cloak, buckle his belt, and tie the silver sword to his left side, and did it all with skill.

"Now all of Caesarea is cheering for you, for a hero from the north. Dio smiled as he walked up to him and looked at him with clear eyes: "I heard that you have a very good relationship with Constantine, is that right?"

"That honorable gentleman was my first teacher. Gado nodded a little shyly: "He taught me a lot. ”

"He's one of the people I trust the most, and so is his family. Theodore waved his hand casually: "So, what did you come to Caesarea for?"

"I want to see with my own eyes and see what the Romans are really like!" replied Gado earnestly, "I really want to know, I think I should come, and my father is very supportive." ”

"You have a good father!"

"So, you plan to study in Caesarea?" asked Theodore, "is that so?"

"It's not just that. The northern boy shook his head slightly: "There are more, but I can't say anything, in short, I want to see it with my own eyes." ”

"Wish you could see it. Theodore stopped: "You can see what the real Rome is like, what Rome represents!"

"I think I'll see!" said Gado's face with a happy smile.

"Ah, by the way, as a friend, and as Caesar of the Romans, I would like you to bring me a gift for your father, as a testimony of our friendship!" Theodore beckoned behind him, and a servant approached with a large chest.

"A suit of armor?" asked Gado curiously.

"Oh, and that's not all. Theodore shook his head: "And an axe and a gun, a beautiful cloak and a pair of bracers, I sincerely hope that our friendship will last forever!"

"I hope he likes these gadgets!" muttered Theodore.

(Welcome to the National Day, so update in advance today, lalala.)

I can only take two days off when I am empty, either a make-up class or a professional class, and it will be a monthly exam soon, so I can only hate the expected daily double watch - alas, but at least I will double watch once tomorrow, respectively at two o'clock at noon, and half past seven in the evening, I hope you don't blame me.

zuihou,Recommend the ticket or something, hurry up, ah, ah, ah, it's only five votes, I'm sorry for this recommendation!)