On the wide avenue, a group of cavalry was slowly advancing, with knights holding high the golden laurel banner symbolizing Rome at the front, while an old man stood side by side with another young man in a purple robe.

"My lord, the members of the Senate still have many grievances against you. Herodotus looked at the smiling Theodor with a sad face, and said helplessly: "Everyone thinks that you are still too hasty, and too generous, although generosity is one of Caesar's necessary virtues, but also to divide the time and occasion, of course, if possible, try to show the best to the Roman people." ”

"So, you think I should wait for the other person to say that?" Theodore tilted his head: "Let him ask me?"

"That's right!" Herodotus said with some annoyance, "The Senate is not unaware of the importance of allies, and it is also clear that Rome must unite with the natives here in order to be strong and resist the orcs. But we also have to try to get more benefits for Rome, right?"

"To give up is to gain more, and to give up is to conquer all my dear Herodotus. Theodore smiled and said like a poet: "Instead of striving for some petty profits, it is better to be generous, so that the other party understands our attitude and principles, and only those who make friends sincerely can get sincere friendship, right?"

"My lord, you always utter such philosophical quatrains that leave people speechless. Herodotus lowered his head and looked at Theodore with "grief", which made him tremble.

"That's just proof that I didn't make the wrong decision, right? Uh, hehe. ”

"Caesar, the port has arrived, do you want to send a cavalryman to pass first?"

Raising the flag, Valence turned his horse and asked.

"Ah, then send someone to inform me, just so that they can come directly to me. Theodore quickly responded, avoiding Herodotus' "plaintive" gaze and looking normal.

It was the first time he felt it like this, Theodore sighed in his heart, it turned out that Valens's black face could also make people look so comfortable.

Is it true that happiness is all comparative?

..................

"This is the mayor of the port, and this ......" Valence frowned, "It was the merchants who elected a representative to accept your summons. ”

In front of Theodore, there were now these two people, both dressed in white robes, bowing their heads respectfully. The difference was that one man's white robe had nothing but black trim, and the other wore a belt trimmed with silver trim.

"It was a pleasure to meet both. With a slight smile, Theodore stretched out his right hand, and before he could react, the somewhat obese fellow happily pinched Theodore's fingers, and kissed his fat mouth directly, as if to gnaw it off.

Glancing at the man with disdain, the city magistrate walked up meticulously: "So, honorable Caesar, do you need to clear the way so that you can inspect it?"

"No, you just need to arrange Herodotus. Theodore smiled and shook his head: "Also, where did Constantine go?"

"The Fleet Commander is busy recruiting new recruits, are you going to see him now?" asked the Lieutenant with his head bowed.

"Then let's wait until he's done. Theodore feigned a relaxed attitude and said, "A man ought to be true to his word, so I do what I say." ”

These words made the merchant happy, and he looked more respectful with his head bowed.

"I still can't understand what you're doing. Herodotus frowned, not paying attention to the merchant beside him: "Weishenme must personally summon these Mercury believers? ”

Theodore shook his head, although he thought of Herodotus's attitude, he still didn't expect him to be so direct.

Like China, the Roman Empire also attached great importance to merchants, and pursued a standard policy of heavy agriculture and suppression of commerce, because the down-to-earth yeoman farmers were the source of Rome's soldiers, and merchants had never heard of a merchant who would put on armor for his country and swear to shed a drop of blood.

Therefore, although the development of Roman roads and shipbuilding brought great convenience to commerce, these people were still of low status in Rome, and the Romans, who loved oriental luxury goods and spices, had to pay tens of millions of silver coins each year to India and China (of course, a large part of it was because the Persians collected taxes in the middle), and many merchants were worth hundreds of millions, and even tried to invest in officials, and there was the most basic collusion between officials and merchants in human history.

However, these fat and oily merchants were still not recognized by the upper class, and in the eyes of the aristocracy they could only be fat pigs to be slaughtered, and the merchant's god Mercury, whose identity was the messenger of the gods, was also regarded by the nobles who believed in Jupiter, the king of the gods, the sun god and Apollo, the god of artists, as the low-status characteristics of these people.

"But then I won't know what they can do for me, and they won't know what I need them to do. Theodore replied.

Herodotus did not argue with him anymore, but left with the magistrate, this "little matter" did not require too much care from the Senate, since Caesar wanted to deal with it himself, then it was better not to meddle in it.

"I'm sorry, but Councillor Herodotus has always been more direct in his rhetoric. A benevolent smile appeared on Theodore's countenance, "It won't hurt you, will it?"

"No, of course not!" said the merchant with a smile, constantly wiping the sweat from his face: "Please rest assured, we won't take up too much of your time, just a little while." ”

After saying that, he smiled with himself and led the way in front.

"You won't understand, when these Mercury believers really understand the liliang in their hands, what will become of this shijie. Muttering quietly, Theodore's mind had already flown out of the sky.

"What did you say, my lord?"

"Nothing, just some boring gibberish. Theodore smiled happily.

Theodore was still impressed by the leisurely and tranquil harbor, the quiet streets, the clean roads, the smiling pedestrians, the old men and children sitting in the shade of the trees, the middle-aged men with straw hats in the baskets, the small marble-carved fountain in the middle of the road, and the vendors pushing carts shouting hard.

Once, there was such a place in my memory, the water town in the south of the Yangtze River, the fireworks in March, the Qinhuai River, the endless scenery in sight, of course, it is still somewhat different, compared with there, it seems to be more simple and, thick.

The pragmatic Romans, despite their artistic admiration, always showed their adherence to discipline and norms in their architecture. The shapes of the buildings are all molds, and you will never see winding paths, each of which is horizontal and vertical, and the whole city is full of geometric shapes, which seems too monotonous.

The merchant Theodore brought to the temple of the port, and it is also the only temple here - the temple of Neptune, dedicated to the god of the sea Neptune, although it is smaller than the temple of Jupiter in the town, but it can still be seen that its good intentions, a Neptune 4-meter full-body carving is placed in the main hall of the temple, endless majesty.

Unlike the Crucidian clergy, which was widespread all over the world, the Roman polytheist clergy, which was also treated as civil servants, had a very small number of clergy, most of whom were probationary or part-time, and were responsible for the religious affairs of the inhabitants of a certain district of the city, who were elected by the inhabitants of that district. Like the official clergy of Rome City, from the high priest to the most basic priest, all add up to only fifteen people (there seems to be another saying that there are 45 people), to a certain extent, it also limits the possibility of religious seizure of power, of course, this is also related to the difficulty of its election, most of them are highly respected people, compared with the cross pope that often comes out of the jerks, or the lack of virtue compared with the powerful bastards, the Roman high priests of the past dynasties are far beyond in terms of morality and ability.

"This temple in Neptune was built at the expense of many of our colleagues in the port. The merchant introduced Theodore as he led the way, while Valence followed behind him, while the other knights of the Imperial Guard stood guard near the temple.

"Of course, this has something to do with the fact that the port officials did not allow us to build the temple at Mercury, believing that the temple in Neptune would be more helpful for blessings. Sighing slightly, the merchant said in a tone of regret.

"Still, Mercury is one of the twelve gods, isn't he?" said Theodore, smiling, turning his head, and the merchant sat down in his chair with a slight look of surprise and a flattering smile, and beside him were many merchants who had been waiting here early, with the same cautious flattering smile, or rather looking up.

Theodore suddenly understood that so many kings and emperors were reluctant to deal with these merchants—they were too tactful and hypocritical, even the most hypocritical politicians—because the courtiers would at least be loyal to their kings and emperors, and the merchants never gave their hearts easily.

Above all, for them, even facing their own Caesar, it was just a transaction, but the transaction could be dangerous, and if they were not careful, they would need to show the most impeccable tact, which made Theodore even more disgusting.

So he had to come up with the same things as these people and deal with them in the same way - it would protect himself and reassure them that Caesar was just a business, and of course it was just an inconsequential business for Caesar, a small entertainment.

People live in the world and always have to wear masks, and who's to say it's not?

"I'm sure we don't need much introduction, you, I already know each other, and I, you should have known each other a long time ago. Theodore walked to the table and looked at the respectful-looking merchants in front of him, "So I hope you will be honest with me about what you want from me, and what you can bring me in return, and I hope that the language in this is concise and clear." ”

Perhaps Theodore's words were too direct, which surprised the merchants who had been prepared for a long time, and although it was a surprise that they were allowed to be summoned, it still made them stunned for a moment.

Perhaps this is the unique cheerfulness and directness of young people? The businessmen looked at each other, but for a moment their wet mouths could not make any sound.

"Dear Caesar, please forgive us for our rudeness. A weathered-looking businessman stood up and humbled over: "We hope to have your protection." ”

"Every Roman can be protected by me. Theodore interrupted him bluntly: "Do you not now have the protection of Rome? ”

"Yes, yes...... Yes!" the merchant was frightened by this series of questions—and of course it was not known whether this was true or if it was a joke for Theodore: "We hope to be protected by the fleet, so that we can safely go to the north, and do business with the people there, and for that we may pay an extra share of taxes." ”

"You are Caesar, my lord, who is blessed by the gods, and we are Mercury believers. The merchant kept rubbing his hands back and forth, "I'm sure Mercury must have sheltered you, too." ”

"The north?" asked Theodore, "Weishenme is the north?"

"Thank you for your generosity, and for the Lord named Brenus. The merchant prompted: "In the map of Caesarea that you published last month, there was a description of the north. ”

"In the snowy wastelands north of Lake Valen, there lives a race called the Highlanders, with their own cities and tribes, and crucially, there are abundant minerals, furs, and a lot of precious wood. Little by little, the merchant described: "And these are what Caesarea needs, and the Roman army and the city need these skins and minerals, and we can get these things for you." ”

"Sounds like a good idea. Theodore smiled and replied, "Maybe we can discuss it further?"

Hearing this, the merchants couldn't help but show happy expressions. At this moment Valence came over, and without even glancing at the men, he went to Theodore's side and whispered a few words.

"Let him in!" said Theodore.

Soon, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door, and Constantine, with a messy beard, walked into the main hall of the temple in a solemn posture that no one else had ever seen, and stood in front of Theodore with his hands on his back.

"Your fleet commander, Konstantin has come to report!"

"Good. Theodore turned around, walked up to him, and smacked Konstantin's chest hard: "I wonder if my fleet is ready to complete the mission I have given it?!"

"Of course!" Konstantin bowed his head sharply: "Please command." ”

"This is good!" Diodore smiled and turned his face to the merchants who stood up involuntarily, "I have an important task for you now, my dear commander!"