Augustus Road

Chapter 13 Public Enemy (Part 1)

"I would rather govern a poor country with justice than use cruel and unjust means to gain wealth. ︾Dingdianxiao︾ said," - Ancient Roman Emperor Pertinax, one year in power insufficient

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At this time, most of the elders pretended to be panicked and started shouting, as if they had received instructions in advance, and some almost fainted. Basatus and Ebro, who were standing at the corner of the seats, were about to faint. Only then did they realize that Lepidus had fallen into the trap of his specially chosen father. Especially Ebro was about to cry miserably. , you must know that he just escaped from the miserable situation of fleeing and returned to Rome not even a month ago!

But Spinzel obviously had no intention of stopping. He raised his hand amidst the noise, and several slaves laid out the brackets and documents. "Please take a look clearly. This is the former cavalry commander and current Macedonian Governor Lepidus." Everyone has seen the report that Si presented to the Senate three days ago. It is correct. Line by line, it lists in detail the locations of Dacia’s soldiers, the location of its fortresses, and the characteristics of each tribal state. , the preferences of the king and generals, and the drafted march route - yes, Lepidus had planned this war long ago. For him, the Dacian War was not an order in the face of danger, but a plan from beginning to end. We need this war to pave the way for ourselves, and we will do whatever it takes to break out this war. How stupid that a naturalized citizen from a foreign country is trying to become king. Doesn’t this just show how dangerous the republic is now?”

"War mongers, illegal war crimes!" Many elders immediately shouted. And Basatus and Hersius also stood up. Slogans of "no protest" were shouted. Among them, Hersius used a thick Sicilian accent and kept talking about the defense of "it was the Senate itself that claimed that the borders of Thrace, Macedonia and Siberian Gaul were invaded by Dacia." But no one paid any attention, and then Spinzer asked for "the most critical evidence."

At this time, most of the members of Caesar's party were protesting, while Antony was sitting there, his expression changing. While more senators shouted that they wanted to punish Lepidus for his crimes, Brutus and Cicero sat on the opposite seats and remained silent. The whole scene was full of restlessness and weirdness.

Spinzel's evidence turned out to be the Dacian envoys. They didn't know when they came to the city of Rome. No one knew it at all. These barbarians put on the robes that Greeks would wear and spoke in blunt Greek. Talk to Spinzel.

"What you mean is that Dacia sent peace envoys a long time ago. But they were first blocked and killed by Caesar and then Lepidus?"

"Yes. Our king used various methods to detect the fate of war with Rome, including blood sacrifices, divination, and inviting Chaldean astrologers, but the results were all the same, that is, war would lead to the fate of destruction. , so we withdrew the troops on the border very early, returned the territory we originally occupied, and hoped that the wise Roman officials could forgive our temporary reckless actions. The great Majesty Brebista hopes to become a loyal ally of Rome. , the two sides will not deceive each other, and will not fight each other. Your Majesty is willing to provide 30,000 servants in the republican military operation, but your country should allow us an opportunity to express our complaints and sincerity. "

The words of the Dacian envoys aroused even greater uproar. Spinzer said to all the senators, "Philosophers once said that friends are always more valuable than enemies, and the worst peace is better than the best war. What's more, our republic is now floundering and difficult. Reckless wars will only breed more and more careerists. We have Marius and Caesar in the past. We cannot repeat the same mistakes now. Let's not talk about Lepidus' behavior. Asking everyone to vote and discuss the war with Dacia, yes, I ask everyone to vote on this matter now and hand it over to the Centurion and the Priesthood immediately. "

"Objection, because today when the craftsmen were about to deliver the new bronze watch to the Temple of Jupiter, you, the censor, once said that according to the omen provided by the tribunes, the bronze watch cannot be placed today, so by the same token, today It is also not possible to vote on foreign affairs," Basatus and Ebro stood up to protest.

"I think the former consul, you misunderstood what Malulus meant. He said that placing copper watches according to the direction of the weather and stars will allow the enemies of the Republic to succeed. And now it is clear who our enemies are, so we The current vote is just to show God that the country has great respect for his warning." Casca, who was next to him, responded, "But I don't want to see anyone with selfish motives obstructing the normal proceedings of the Senate. , If someone continues to exercise the power of veto indiscriminately, I will drag him out and put him in jail!"

Many senators from the Caesar faction moved to Antony's side and loudly asked him to calm down the situation, because if Lepidus' "illegal war crime" was finalized, he would become a public enemy, and his rank, property and even life safety would be at risk. There will be no guarantee, "He will be exiled by the Senate to the Kingdom of the Dacians and let the other party do whatever they want with him!"

But Anthony didn't say a word. He just squatted on the spot, biting his nails hesitantly and painfully.

Soon, the result of the vote came out, with 631 votes in favor, 218 votes against, and the rest abstentions, declaring that the Roman Republic was willing to make peace with Dacia and the two sides signed an alliance.

"I believe that Lepidus's crimes will be exposed in the subsequent fair trial, but no matter what, the province of Macedonia has become a completely peaceful area. I suggest that the six legions originally assigned to Lepidus, namely the two provincial garrison legions, the Tenth Legion, and the Thirteenth, Sixteenth and Twenty-eighth Legions that are ready to resume service, all cancel their marching orders, and all members gather at the port of Brindisi, and all will be taken over by specialized personnel appointed by the Republic." Spinzer said, "In addition, immediately issue an ultimatum decree from the Senate to summon Lepidus, who is on his way, to return to Rome. Accept interrogation!"

"Protest!"

Then, Helsius was dragged out by the followers on the spot, and then Basatus also stood up and gave a speech, "Everyone, we must not be blinded by the immediate interests. Deposing and hastily convicting Lepidus is tantamount to repeating the tragedy of assassinating Caesar. This will only plunge the Republic into greater turmoil, rather than calming down the current riots and wars. Please listen to me..." But Basatus could not continue speaking. Amidst the shouting and flying gestures, he was also carried away by several followers.

"Marulus, bring people to hunt down Lepidus and come back. Now you can deprive him of the rights of water and fire." Spinzel announced coldly in public, "If he dares to resist, he will be executed on the spot."

The so-called deprivation of the rights of water and fire is equivalent to sentencing Lepidus to death, so that the entire Italian region cannot make fire for him or provide him with drinking water. (To be continued...)

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