Augustus Road

"Rather than being an ambitious man, he is more vain." - A British critic satirized Pompey

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Hearing Carapis' warning, Claudius and his sister looked at each other in surprise, and then Claudius shouted angrily: "Why did Cicero do this? I just raped his wife! Besides, everything was done in secret. Even if Lenchart refused my proposal, there was no need to publicize it. Does she understand the rules of Rome? Damn it, who leaked the news?"

"The one who leaked the news was you, who proudly said the name of Cicero's wife at the banquet when the Thirteenth Legion was stationed in Philippollone? Baburius .Mr. Claudius. "Carabis teased in his heart, but he remained calm on the surface, and said sincerely: "I only know that banquets, no matter how big or small, are the source of fierce rumors. Claudius, you should be careful about your words in the future."

Just as Carabis was speaking his mind, several guys in cloaks, in the alleys of the villa complex on Palatine Hill, held chalk buckets or chalks and painted obscene pornographic pictures of Lenchart and Claudius on the walls and temples. They were all amateur architectural interior painters, hired to make a living, so they tried their best to use perspective in their artworks to win the favor of their employers. Every erotic action detail and organ of the two protagonists in the picture was visible to the extent that there was a huge amount of accompanying words. After finishing the work, they walked out of the alley, took the money bags from the little pigeon Paluma and the giant Oplik who were watching the wind at the alley entrance, and left with a thousand thanks.

Over there, Carapis's advice really worked. Claudius scolded Cicero and the Lencharts, and kept doubting Anthony, Curio, and even his sister's new wife. He walked around the restaurant anxiously, and finally asked Carapis as if he remembered something, "If Cicero wants to stop me from becoming the tribune of the people, what despicable means will he take?" It seems that this man has never cared about the process of becoming a tribune.

"I think there are two reasons. First, he will use your pure noble family background to make a fuss. As we all know, the Claudius family is the most noble matriarchal family in Rome, a descendant of the Sabines, and as ancient and noble as the Julius family. Cicero will hold your noble bloodline in his hands. You must know that only common people can be tribunes of the people. Second, Cicero will incite the Tribus People's Assembly and the Centuriate People's Assembly to bribe you, so that you cannot get the legal number of votes. So now I am very worried, Claudius, can your assets support the bribery?" Sweat seeped from Claudius' forehead. He held Carabis's shoulders and said, "My sister and I are now in negative assets. You know that. Yes, my sister cheated you before and extorted 30,000 drachmas from you. Horse, but you should continue to help me. Carapis, this is also good for you. The power of the civilian tribune is enough to protect you from doing anything in Rome. I have two huge powers, iusauxilii and veto. If we join forces, who will we be afraid of, Pompey? Crassus? Or Cato the Younger? "

The playboy is right. Iiusauxilii is the "right to interfere", which is unique to the tribune. He can use this power to help any citizen who comes to complain and confront anyone, even the senators; and veto is the veto. As long as the tribune shouts this slogan, the orders of officials and the Senate in Rome will be prohibited from taking effect and will be submitted to the citizens' assembly for further voting.

"But I have also calculated the cost of bribery, at least two hundred talents, and my current assets are not enough to pay for this. There is only one solution now, that is, I will act as an intermediary to borrow money from your former brother-in-law, who is also my patron." Carapis continued to get straight to the point.

As soon as these words came out, Claudius and his sister screamed at the same time, as if they had heard the most horrible thing, and expressed their strongest opposition, but Carapis did not give them the opportunity to make noise, "Listen, Mr. Claudius, and my respected former mistress, you are the people who will call the shots in the Roman political and social circles in the future, you can't be unable to understand even this little interest! Now our enemy is Pompey, and Lucullus' enemy is also Pompey. Everyone's interests are the same. Leave this matter to me to handle, and all I need is a token."

"What token?"

"Autolycus, Mithridates' sword." Carapis said word by word.

Claudius hesitated, but Carapis continued, "I also understand the significance of this sword to you, but Lucullus will not deny your merits because of this sword. I think even if the Thirteenth Legion has a small triumphal ceremony, it will probably be delayed for two or three years because of Pompey's efforts. Therefore, this sword will not be of much use to you, because you will be the civilian tribune next, and you cannot join the legion. The law clearly stipulates that the tribune must be in the city and cannot leave Rome for even a day, so it is better to use this sword in exchange for campaign funds-Claudius, you can't trust outsiders now, you can only trust me, what good are those drinking buddies to you? Only I will put aside the past and give you and your sister full support, and I am Marcus's adopted son, don't you think I can't handle this matter well?" Finally, Claudius and Claudia exchanged glances with each other, and finally nodded to Carapis, indicating that everything was on you.

"By the way, what about my noble blood?" When Calabis put his sword in a long and narrow box, put it on his back and prepared to leave, Claudius hurriedly asked behind him.

"This is very simple. Just find a civilian family and be his adopted son."

"Then let me be your adopted son! You are the adopted son of Marcus, but you are not more than a generation old. In theory, you are not a noble, you can only be regarded as an upstart commoner." Claudius hurriedly took Calabis's hand. , Claudia also came up and stopped her, "You must agree to this matter, Calabis, this is my begging."

Looking at the siblings, Karabis looked solemn. He looked afraid of trouble at first, then nodded responsibly and said, "I will find someone to go to the Municipal Department to handle this matter as soon as possible."

In the early morning of the next day, Luculas sat on an armchair in the Prima Villa, looking at the Autolicus in his hand with satisfaction, counting the exquisite diamonds on the hilt and scabbard, "This is my little battle in the past." Ya, the trophies I most hoped to seize, I originally wanted to get the crown of the Armenian King of Kings, the sword of Mithridates, and the scepter of the Parthian King. This is the highest honor of a Roman general, but I just completed one of them, and you did a great job, son.”

"But the six thousand talents are fake." Calabis stood cautiously next to the patron. He was afraid that the patron would be dissatisfied because he had formed the Thirteenth Legion but had "no harvest". (To be continued.)