Just as the previous night's rain had just cleared, the clerks and clerks of the Roman Senate had begun to get busy early. Young officials in white toga robes hurried in and out of the marble staircase, waiting outside the hallway with scrolls and codexes.

There was only one reason why they would get out of bed so early - the imperial carriage under His Majesty the Emperor stopped outside the gate of the Senate early in the morning. Moreover, it has been more than ten days since His Majesty the Emperor announced the codification of the code, and not only the Imperial Council, but even the elders of the Senate have begun to ask about it.

Both sides were very concerned that this would also be the first time that Her Majesty Helena had attended a meeting of the Senate since her wedding, which would be of great significance to the provincial nobles—Helena would share all rights and honours with him equally, as Theodore had promised beforehand. Naturally, in the Senate chamber, there should also be a seat under Her Majesty the Queen. The men showed unexpected persistence in this matter, so much so that Bran Elfwan had to give a few words of caution to the Imperial Council.

In the reception room at the back of the Senate, Theodore sat behind an oak desk with a solemn face, while Herodotus and his favorite Virgil stood outside, waiting for Caesar's orders.

Even if Virgil didn't look up, the eye could see Theodore's struggling eyes. He sighed slightly, but he didn't open his mouth - he was a smart man, and he knew what he should say and when he should be dumb, instead of showing off his talents there, which was a stupid thing done by someone who had just come out of the academy.

The codification of the new code was the first thing she had to do after the empire was established - it was related to the most basic form of government and the relationship between the upper and lower hierarchies of the entire empire in the future, and it was not just codified. During this time, the entire empire would be in a very unstable and turbulent state, and both the provincial nobles and the Roman dignitaries would fight for the benefit of the next hundred years at all costs.

At the same time, this was also the best time for Theodore to take control of the entire empire - almost half of the nobility was now concentrated in Caesarea, and there was no better time to reconcile the two sides than now. Once these people return to their respective lands. It's not so easy to control them directly!

But to keep them, you need the right reasons and reasons - so Theodore extended the celebration to fifteen days, and had to announce the codification of the law immediately after Aaron's departure, with the sole purpose of establishing the most basic administrative system while everyone was gathered together. In any case, when they return, they must exercise their power within the established rules, rather than acting arbitrarily. Because the rules are made by everyone.

However, all the reforms in this world are a redistribution of ready-made interests, and some people will inevitably lose some benefits. At such a time, the powerful will inevitably try their best to preserve their interests in this regard, while the minority will have to face the tragic situation of being carved up - nature. They must have been reluctant.

"Call Duke Bran Elfwan. Theodore, who had been thinking about it for a long time, finally made up his mind—or in desperation, he had to make a choice: "We can't delay any longer, he must take office at once, go to Larria to be the governor of the four provinces, and what Rome needs most now is stability!"

Virgil nodded silently - if the only people who suffered serious losses from the rise of the empire might be the lords of the original Laria. Not only was the territory divided by Theodore, but many families were involved in the previous Larian rebellion, and even their fiefdoms were deprived!

Theodore tried to maintain a moderate attitude towards most of the local lords in the north, such as the lords of Mysterma, and divided the provinces basically according to the previous cover cover. The transfer of power was also up to Aaron to compromise and negotiate, with the exception of Laria. For no other reason, these men had rebelled before, and the lords of Laria had nothing to do with Theodore. The two sides can be said to be completely cold to the extreme.

On top of that, the little Duke Bran himself did not have the slightest affection for these rebels, and had no intention of defending them. In that case, Theodore was willing to sacrifice a group of unlucky people - but after all, these people were directly related to the Elfwan family. It would have been nice to have Bran in charge.

"The sudden departure of Duke Laria while the code was being compiled was not a perfect choice. Herodotus sighed a little in frustration: "This will break some of the ...... of the Imperial Council A delicate balance, the provincial nobility will think that this is your preference for the Senate. But there is no alternative. ”

"I'll please them!" Theodore snorted, then waved his hand and said, "From tomorrow, Helena will also participate in the affairs of the Imperial Council, and I will announce this this afternoon." ”

"Wise choice, Caesar. Virgil curled the corners of his mouth slightly. Although His Majesty Helena would not have much influence on the council, her presence was in itself an attitude of Theodore - Virgil certainly knew how much the young Caesar loved his queen, and if it was possible, he would never let the girl get involved in the strife of the crowd, and such a move was enough to prove his concession.

Theodore glanced at him unhappily and asked in a low voice, "Also, about the north...... Is there any news about the Ryan tribe and Duke Aaron Brennus about the affairs of the Far Arctic Ice Field?"

"The Grand Chief of the Ryan Tribe, Gado, is gathering his army...... It was sad news that Jupiter had been slaughtered by a tribe called Aslum that he was going to marry. Virgil immediately made a sentimental expression, not paying the slightest attention to the roll of Herodotus' eyes thrown over by him: "Duke Mithmech, and the tribune of Ustan Constantine, who rushed to the Ryan tribe, went to Aslum to investigate, and the Duke thinks that something may be found from there, although I am skeptical." ”

"There is no better former commander in Rome than him, and I'm sure Aaron will surprise us. Theodore smiled slightly, and shrugged his shoulders as expected: "With Ustan here, and Knight Captain Jorah, we don't have to worry about his safety, just wait for news." ”

"But there are indeed many people who are worried about the Ryan tribe's preparation to gather an army. After all, the Ryan tribe has a very significant influence among the highlanders, and it is not quite in line with the current situation of Rome to start a war with the barbarians of the Misty Mountains. Herodotus took Virgil's words with a solemn expression: "If something happens, we, as the Senate, may also have to face the choice of whether or not to support them. ”

"Then be ready, Mithmael's army has not yet withdrawn from Caesarea, and I will give them orders if necessary. Theodore said in a deep voice, and then smiled again: "Moreover, my Duke of Salion has long wanted to go to the Far North Ice Field, and he will not refuse!"

"If you could, I would still like you to plan more, and if the Duke of Ultok is transferred, it will be troublesome to exert influence on Salion. Herodotus felt that it was better to persuade Caesar: "At least until the new code is finalized, we still have to maintain a balance—the Senate has already expressed dissatisfaction with your election of the senator, and at this time, the balance between the two sides is still very important!"

"Of course. Theodore nodded, his right hand resting his chin on his chin, and the beard that was gradually starting to grow was only as pale as fluff: "If I could, I would try to ...... Bran before he left."

"Your Majesty!" the door to the reception room was suddenly pushed open, and Virgil and Herodotus turned around almost immediately. The sound of sonorous footsteps took advantage of the sound of iron boots. The Knight of Elendil, dressed as a knight of the Imperial Guard, barged in with a horsehair helmet in his left hand and a letter in the other.

"This is a letter from Salion, with the seal of the Duke of Salion on it!" Elendil knelt down on one knee in front of his desk and handed the letter to him: "The messenger is now standing outside the Senate chamber, and has been saying that he wants to meet you, but I stopped him...... Please, my Caesar!" said he bowed his head in a heavy voice.

"You have done a very good job, very decent, Knight of Elendil. Herodotus nodded in astonishment: "It seems that you are indeed a good knight of the guard - although anyone can enter the Senate and speak to Caesar, we still need to be aware of security issues." ”

Theodore didn't say much, but carefully used the letter opener to cut open the golden lion seal on it—it was indeed the seal of the Ultok family—and slowly opened the letter, obsidian eyes sweeping over it. Although he had tried his best to hide it, the three people guarding next to him noticed that Theodore's hands were tense and his pupils contracted suddenly.

Theodore forced his composure to put the envelope on the desk, pressed it with the stone strip of the paper, and then raised his head to look at the three people who were looking at him cautiously, and almost word for word: "Gather all the senators, ministers, representatives of the nobility of the provinces, and the imperial council, and discuss politics in the Senate Chamber today!"

"Besides, call the Minister of War, Mehemus, at once, and I will see him now. Theodore's awe-inspiring gaze was like two frozen stars: "Tell him that this is a military order!"

"Caesar, what is ......" Elendil stood up from the ground with a puzzled expression: "What happened?"

"Actually...... It's nothing. Theodore smiled, but the smile didn't feel any warmth.

"The Rangers of Salion, who have spotted a large number of orc wanderers near the border, are approaching the north!" (To be continued......