Augustus Road

"Then, in that case, I should say goodbye." In front of the bathroom, five dancers from different regions and different skin colors stood in a row. Lepidus was in front of them and said to Hersius with a smile. He deliberately ordered to abandon the plump ones, and specially asked his servants to find slender and voluptuous women, because he knew that Hersius, a fat man, liked this.

Hersius was very surprised. Now in this dreamy manor villa, Lepidus actually said goodbye to him. Shouldn't it be that he, the guest, should leave?

"This is yours, my friend."

"I don't know what kind of price I should bear." The fat man was indeed not stupid. He knew that everything he encountered today was not without reason.

Lepidus smiled, and then he asked knowingly, "I wonder if you understand which side I am on in the current situation in Rome."

"Of course it's His Excellency Julius Caesar. He is my hero. Of course I also know that you are now his rising star - then." The fat man then pointed to his belly with joy. Pooh, said "Is this all possible?"

"Yes, the villa with a total of two hundred talents was originally under the name of the Lepidus family. Now the governor of Gaul has transferred it to you. My wife's grandfather spent three million sesterces back then. , to build the Ofilenu Manor in Sardinia. At that time, the level of luxury there was known as the first in Rome. However, less than thirty years later, Ofilenu is now not even ranked 100th. "Yes, Funer can barely make it into the top fifty, so I specially sent extra entertainment staff, plenty of dancers, and a bathroom covered with luxurious marble. I hope you like it."

Hearing this, Hersius felt even more uncertain. He waved his hands hurriedly and asked Caesar and Lepidus why they did this. After previous setbacks in the political arena, he certainly knew how powerful he was, so it was strange that Caesar was willing to spend such a large sum of money to win over him. Especially in the current tense situation, taking sides at will will cost you dearly in the future.

Lepidus slowly walked to the fountain sculpture next to the bathroom, held the lion's head carved in snowflake marble, and comforted him softly, "His Excellency Caesar is not a person who spends money carelessly. Only rare and high-quality products can be used." It's worth him to do this - you have a very good relationship with the Fabian family, and I heard that in his family, there is a girl named Babulilia who is waiting for marriage..."

These words made Hersius even more panicked. Could it be that Caesar wanted to marry this girl. Or Lepidus, or one of his friends? So he stammered to get to the bottom of it, because he really couldn't get a ready answer. However, Lebida still smiled and finally reported the name of the person. This made him extremely puzzled, "Cicero, the greatest philosopher on the Palatine Hill, has divorced his wife. I am very sorry that their marriage has not come to an end, but there must be someone to take care of the most proud figure in the spiritual country of Rome. So I hope you can make a connection. I have inquired about it. Babulilia’s dowry is extremely rich, and with her youth, beauty, and family power, Cicero should not refuse.”

This detour still failed to be turned around, and Lepidus' next request came, "At the same time. You declare that as the governor, you will prosecute the murderer of the tribune Claudius and the other tribune Triali." , and his minion Ignatius."

"But I know that Cicero wants to defend Trialli. I am not his opponent! And I also want to secretly lead the other party. What is the truth of this?"

"You will know when the time comes. Do what I say - it doesn't matter. What you said to Cicero, Caesar and I don't need you to win at all. You don't even need to prepare a debate speech. In addition, after this case is over, You can then go to the Capitol Hill and register as a candidate for consulship in the coming year." After Lepidus finished speaking, he respectfully stepped back from the curtain fluttering in the night wind, leaving only the stunned Hersius. Then the dancing girls surrounded him like jumping larks, pushing him into the warm and pleasant bath, with soft laughter everywhere...

About two market days later, the red flag was still raised on the ruins of the bare temple on the Capitol Hill. Citizens followed this order one after another and gathered in front of the great court that had also been burned before. The judicial officers were there. In a temporary office in the smoky ruins on Palatine Hill, Cicero looked haggard, pacing back and forth in front of the mirror at home, holding the court speech in his hand, constantly trying to figure out the language on the spot, but his His old habit has returned, that is, when he has something on his mind or is too stressed, he will suffer from insomnia and become irritable, resulting in poor performance in debates.

Originally, he stepped forward to defend Triali without any psychological pressure. He believed that no one in this city could act as his opponent - because Caesar went to Gaul and Curio became the protector. Civil officials, Lepidus cannot appear in court because of the triumphal ceremony. As long as these three are not there, everything will be fine. But earlier, a guy named Hersius, a rough farmer or businessman from Sicily, actually wrote to him, saying that the Fabian family was willing to marry their young daughter to him, but Hersius used an intermediary to marry him. I am trying to gain benefits from this, "I hope you will betray me in future court debates and pretend to lose."

Just kidding, it’s the most ridiculous thing in the world! The court debate involves Cicero's most fundamental dignity. He will not let anyone go. Even if the Fabian family offers chips, he will still remain unambiguous.

But an inner conflict still formed: Cicero began to hesitate. Not only was Babulilia young and beautiful, but behind her was the oldest and most noble family in Rome. He really didn't want this marriage to go to waste, because it was also The best revenge for Lenchardt.

This is the reason why Cicero was uneasy before the trial, but the water clock still pointed to the prescribed time on time. He had to walk down the Palatine Hill and compete with Hersius in the court, although the other party himself made him unable to do anything. He was not afraid, but he was still under a lot of pressure. His friend Aetius was waiting for him at the door. After the two met, they hugged each other affectionately, and then walked down the mountain path side by side, with his closest personal servant, Terello, carrying him on his back. Boxes of stationery and paper followed.

Walking to a house on Niushou Street, Cicero suddenly noticed that in the small window hollowed out in the wall of the courtyard, a pair of clear eyes were staring at him, and then a childish voice came out from inside, "You are Cicero Luo, you will never lose."

Although he didn't know who the child was, after hearing this, Cicero straightened his clothes, nodded and said, "Yes, I won't lose." Then he strode on.