Augustus Road

These words immediately made Cato the Younger speechless. Yes, although Caesar was from the most glorious ancient noble family in Rome, he had been working step by step in the world of priests, legions, and lawyers since he was a child. He was definitely more solid than Cato the Younger. As for Cato the Younger, he had only served as the financial officer of Cappadocia Minor before and had never actually gone to the battlefield, so Caesar's question quite embarrassed Cato. .

So he could only grit his teeth and say in anger, "If the Republic needs me, I will go through fire and water without hesitation. I just don't know what this groundless accusation has to do with Basatus' proposal."

"Of course it does matter." Caesar then stepped aside and it was Pompey's turn to perform. The victorious general smoothed the curly hair on his forehead and loudly recounted the conflict between Ptolemy XII and the Egyptian people. Although the pharaoh was against Domestic brutal policies have aroused public dissatisfaction, but we should not allow the people to gain the sweetness of democracy. This is how we treat the people of Rome, let alone a distant country? So I am willing to express my support for Ptolemy's return to the country for restoration, but Rome does not need to send out regular legions or auxiliary legions. It only needs to let the Pharaoh spend his own money to hire Roman veterans or desperadoes on the streets, and then assign me His old subordinates went to lead the team. Anyway, there is no reliable resistance force in Egypt now. "As long as I point my finger, the Pharaoh's palace will fall down." Obviously Pompeo was extremely confident, "My only worry is that Rome We need to appoint a chief executive, one who is highly respected and upright, at least to Cyprus to appease the turbulent people there. After all, not everything can be solved by sword fighting. "

Caesar immediately echoed below, "That's why there was an incarnation of the Republic just now, willing to go through fire and water for the Republic, but he was still worried that he didn't have this opportunity." Little Cato clearly heard the implication of Caesar's words, and he knew that it was all The other party's conspiracy first forced him to express his position, and then made him unable to dismount - Caesar wanted to force him to leave the city of Rome!

But Roman politicians have always been true to their word. Although Cato was secretly sad, he would never avoid it now that the storm was coming. He calmly said to Caesar, "Are you targeting me with your speech just now? If it is me." His visit can stabilize the situation in Cyprus, and he can happily accept the appointment.

Sure enough, after hearing Cato's statement, a group of henchmen of the three-headed monster immediately stood up and cheered loudly for Cato. Caesar was also moved and said: "Of course, Cyprus is not as dangerous as Gaul, where I am about to go. , but because the number of legions in the Republic is limited, and the resettlement of veterans has always been a financial headache, you may not be accompanied by legions when traveling to Cyprus. Considering the special surname there, you can stay in Rhode Island until the situation calms down. The Governor's Palace was opened."

After hearing this "excellent" condition, little Cato left the podium with a sad smile, slowly walked to the seat and sat down. He understood that in this year's competition with Caesar, he was completely defeated. Not only did he not He was able to hinder him in the slightest, but he was generalized and now expelled directly from the city of Rome. If Caesar's father-in-law, Piso, and Pompey's confidant Gabinus were elected as consuls in the coming year, then they would wait until they reached their full rank. When they return, the entire Republic will be theirs.

Thinking of this, Cato covered his face in pain with his hands and couldn't help but feel sad.

At this gathering, Caesar's faction won the final victory: Julius Caesar successfully obtained the province and legions, Cato the Younger was already destined to be squeezed out, Cicero defected before the battle, and Crassus and Pompey also Each takes what he needs and waits for Caesar to return with great honors in Gaul before the two of them can win greater honors.

"Stay away from me, you slanderous friend who betrays your own principles." After the meeting at the Temple of Concord, Cato said sternly to Cicero, who had an embarrassed expression on his face, and then walked step by step in the direction of his home. go.

Cicero was very ashamed. Although he listened to Aetius's advice, which saved him from the same fate of being ostracized, he lost Cato as a friend. This special friend, he might not be around again. When things are going well for you, you are the icing on the cake, but once you encounter unfair harm, he said that he is the kind who is willing to fight to the end for you.

Just when Cicero hated his lack of decision-making, in the alley next to him, Pompey's favored slave Demetrius came out. He once again wore that extremely flattering smile and sighed with the tone of hindsight. He said, Cicero does not need to condescend to go to Caesar's mansion to negotiate terms with him. His master, the great Pompey, has already received your letter asking for help and is preparing to punish the daring Claudius in these few days!

"May I ask what your master's orders are when he comes to see me now?" Cicero replied with a dull expression.

So Demetrius made a generous statement. He said that his master Pompey was extremely disgusted with Claudius. In fact, everything this domineering tribune did was under the instruction of Caesar. He and Caesar were both street gangsters. However, my master is different. He still respects the authority of the Senate very much and supports the Republic from the bottom of his heart. If he were not really embarrassed by the issue of veterans' placement, he would not form an alliance with Caesar and Crassus - so, Ke Laudius is Caesar's wedge in Rome, and my master is willing to assist you in confronting this villain.

Hearing this fresh proposal, Cicero became a little tempted again, or he felt that staying in Rome to fight against Caesar's agents was also to make up for his guilt towards Cato, and besides, he was already very interested in his military career. Disgusted.

But he still couldn't accept Pompey's kindness so readily. He still needed some restraint, so he said awkwardly: "But I agreed to Caesar, and the other party also agreed to let me serve as chief lieutenant. Even the famous general Rabinnu Si also took a back seat.”

"When it comes to the military career of lieutenant general, my master and I are very familiar with it." Then Demetrius mysteriously leaned into Cicero's ear. Regarding the Dirty Barbarian War, your greatest cause is to use eloquence and books to open up the spiritual frontier for Rome, so you should stay in the city of Rome - my master will do his best to do this, so you don't have to worry about Caesar. , By the way, if you don’t want to perform your military duties, you can let your brother go, so that there will be no delay for both parties, which is in line with the best model of political investment. "

Tempted, tempted, Cicero was really tempted. What this Jew said was right. Although he had dismissed this group of people who liked loan sharking when he was the consul, what he saw was Pompey's love for usury. My own support made Cicero feel the most powerful encouragement. As long as I can pull Pompey over, divide the camp of the three-headed monsters, and make them fall into chaos, then I will save the Republic again! (To be continued.)