Roman Slave Owner

At this time, hundreds of civilians holding weapons and wearing armor came from the city, and they quickly walked towards the gate.

Who are you?

A guard quickly stopped them and asked.

Gaius, don't ask what you shouldn't ask. They are my friends.

At this time one of his officers said.

The guard looked at him in surprise. The city gate was an important defensive location, so how could anyone approach it casually?

But soon he was shocked. He found that he was surrounded by a group of guards at some point. They all held sword hilts and looked at him maliciously.

You...you...

The guard said with a shocked look on his face.

Do what you have to do.

The officer said to the civilians.

One of the leading civilians nodded, then crossed them and prepared to open the city gate.

Seeing this, Cicero couldn't help being shocked and shouted: What are you going to do?

The civilians glanced at Cicero coldly and did not stop what they were doing.

What are you doing? Stop them quickly!

Cicero said angrily to the guards around the city gate, and then quickly walked down from the top of the city.

Some guards' eyes moved wildly, hesitating whether to take action.

Everyone, I hope you don't take any action. We have been comrades for many years, otherwise don't blame me for being rude.

the officer said.

As his words fell, a large number of guards drew their short swords and stood guard in front of the civilians.

The civilians also drew their daggers and looked at the guards with disdain.

Seeing this, the other guards looked at each other, what should they do?

You...you...

Cicero flushed with rage;

Unexpectedly, these guards actually rebelled directly.

Only then did he understand what Geta said that day. There were too many hidden enemies here, and even if they recruited troops, they might not be their opponents.

Amid the sound of click, click, click, the gates of Rome slowly opened.

Catiline rode in first on his tall horse, and he was the first to see Cicero with a guard of honor.

A proud smile appeared on Catiline's face: Isn't this our consul Cicero? I didn't expect that we would meet under such circumstances.

Catiline, do you know what you are doing? You are rebelling!

said Cicero angrily.

Catiline ignored him. He looked around and found that there was no senator.

This made his face immediately darken. What on earth were those people doing? Why didn't anyone come to greet me?

No! You are wrong! I only acted according to the oracle! The gods told me that I was the ruler of Rome. I should be the lifelong dictator of Rome like Sulla, so I came, and the oracle immediately It’s about to happen.”

said Catiline.

Now if you find your way back and lead your troops to withdraw from Rome, I will ensure that nothing happens to you.

said Cicero.

It's too late! It's too late! Do you think you and I can take charge of this matter? Why do you think I can form four legions by myself? Why do you think they will help me open the door to Rome?

said Catiline, laughing.

General Catiline, please be careful what you say.

The guard officer's expression changed and he said quickly.

Catiline gave the officer a cold look, and the officer stared back at him unceremoniously.

Forget it, for the sake of you offering the city gate, I won't argue with you, but you should pay attention to the tone of your words next time.

Catiline suppressed the anger in his heart and said, Take him to the dungeon.

What crime have I committed that you want to do this to me?

said Cicero in horror.

As the chief priest of Rome, he turned to the Holy Religion. This is blasphemy against the gods. This is a capital crime. Take him away.

Catiline said with a sneer.

Soon soldiers came forward and took Catiline down, and his guards did not resist, because they knew that resistance would definitely lead to death.

Manlius, you lead people to seal the treasury. You must not take advantage of the chaos to steal money from the treasury.

As you command, Archon.

Longinus, follow me to the Hostilian Synagogue. I want to convene a meeting of the Senate.

As you command, Archon.

A steady stream of troops entered the city of Rome, and the Roman citizens were extremely frightened. They seemed to have seen a repeat of Sulla's entry into the city.

Catiline's face showed a cheerful smile, and his dream was finally coming true.

But within a few hours, his smile quickly disappeared.

Catiline sat alone on an ivory seat in the Hostilian synagogue.

He had sent people to find those elders, but only a few dozen elders came, and all the remaining elders seemed to have disappeared.

What do those supporters of his mean? Just let yourself play here alone?

Catiline's eyes flashed with a cold light from time to time.

After a long time, Menmuse appeared here, and his face seemed not to be good-looking.

Men Muse, where are the elders who support me? Where are they?

Those people looked at Menmuse one after another. Menmuse's face was embarrassed. Some things should not be said in front of so many elders.

We can talk about this in private.

Menmuse said.

Then he walked to a deserted corner. Catiline glanced at him and finally followed him.

Actually, this is beyond my expectation. Although they are gone, the support they promised will never change. They will support you with a large amount of money, manpower and material resources.

Menmuse said.

Catiline looked at him coldly. Do they think they are fools? Isn't it just trying to distance myself from this matter so that I can have a way out in case I lose?

Menmuse's expression did not change at all, he just looked at Catiline indifferently.

You guys let me down.

said Catiline.

Please believe in their sincerity. Now you can do what you want to do. Whether it's recruiting troops, attacking the Holy Cult, or going south to attack Dragon City, we support you. I suggest that you recruit troops instead of recruiting believers of the Holy Cult. In addition, you most So that we can attack Dragon City as soon as possible, maybe they have mobilized Li Wei’s tenants now.”

Menmuse said.

I understand, but I want to become a lifelong dictator first! Unfortunately, there is no one in the Senate!

said Catiline.

You can select some people from the army to enter the Senate. That's what Sulla did.

Of course I will.

***

***

The news of Catiline's capture of Rome was like a nuclear bomb, triggering a huge response in Rome.

Soon Catiline added a large number of senators to the Senate, and then the Senate announced the appointment of Catiline as dictator for life.

This shocked many people. Another lifelong dictator in Rome was finally born, and Catiline immediately began to recruit troops.

After learning the news, Longcheng did not issue any statement.

But his actions were not slow at all. He not only sent letters for help to Livy's allies, but also mobilized a large number of tenant farmers and civilians to join the army. The whole of Rome became turbulent again.

In a dungeon, the sun shines through the skylight on Cicero's face, which is full of tragedy.

Unexpectedly, the Roman consul who was so high a few days ago has now become a prisoner. His life is more miserable than this, and he doesn't know what Catiline will do with him.

At this moment, there was a noise outside.

Cicero looked outside and saw a hooded man walking towards this side under the leadership of guards.

The guard opened the door and the hooded man walked in.

It's you? Men Muse.

After seeing the man's face clearly, Cicero said in shock.

What a surprise, dear Cicero.

A friendly smile appeared on Menmuse's face, looking like an old friend he hadn't seen for many years.

What are you doing here?

Cicero said with an unkind expression.

Menmus had never had a good relationship with them, not to mention the fact that he might have played an ambiguous role in the coup.

Of course I'm here to save you.

Menmuse smiled.

Cicero looked at him in surprise. Could it be that the sun was coming out from the west? He actually wanted to save himself?

I know you are doubting me, and I assure you that I am innocent. We do have conflicts, but I am firmly opposed to any military coup. The reason why I stay is to try to resolve this dispute. I don't want Rome to be in trouble again. More blood.

Menmuse said with sincerity.

Cicero looked at him suspiciously. He really couldn't believe the people of Menmus.

But now that he was saving himself, he decided to hold him still.

Really, this is really great. I didn't know what you were planning to do...

said Cicero.

Don't worry, I've bribed the guards here. I even saved your guards, as long as you don't forget my kindness.

Menmuse said with a smile.

Cicero couldn't help but curl his lips. During his imprisonment, those nobles often showed their goodwill through the guards, and they secretly gave him many luxuries.

Aside from his inability to gain freedom, his life is actually pretty good.

As for their purpose, of course he knew it, didn't he just hope that he could say a few nice words in front of Li Wei and leave a way out for himself.

Shall we leave now?

Leave now, you follow me.

Menmuse said with a smile.

Then he took Cicero away from here, and the guards along the way ignored his departure, as if they were transparent people.

This made Cicero secretly lie. The power of these nobles should not be underestimated.

After leaving the prison, Menmus took him out of Rome. Carriages and a large number of horses had been prepared outside, and his guards were also here, but their expressions were a little sluggish.

You can leave now. Please tell Lady Emilia that I will do my best to prevent Catiline from destroying Rome.

Menmuse said sincerely.

I will. Thank you for your life-saving grace. I will never forget your kindness.

Cicero also said.

Menmuse nodded with satisfaction, and then watched Cicero leave.

***

***

In Rome, Catiline was drinking with his two best friends, Manlius and Longinus.

After becoming a lifelong dictator, Catiline was also very generous to his friends. Manlius was appointed commander of the cavalry by him, which is the most important official position after the dictator.

Longinus not only became the chief senator of the Senate, but was also responsible for the defense of the entire city of Rome.

He did not trust those nobles, and he hoped to have all power in his own hands.

Catiline, why don't you seize the properties of Livy and his senators? Now their people are selling off their properties like crazy. Every time they sell off an property, they will have a lot more soldiers.

Manlius said.

Manlius, tell me, why should we go against Levi?

said Catiline.

Have you forgotten that he sent someone to assassinate you?

Manlius said with a shocked look on his face. Everyone in Rome knew about the conflict between Catiline and Livy.

They did send someone to assassinate me once, but it was not them who did it the next few times. This is what their people told me.

Catiline said with a mocking look on his face.

This is impossible. Do you believe what they say?

Longinus looked in disbelief.

Who knows this?

Catiline said with a faint look. To be honest, he didn't dare to believe the two friends in front of him.

Those nobles have great powers, who knows if they have done any transactions.

Catiline, don't be stupid. Once Levi comes back, do you think he will let you go? You will die without a burial place.

Manlius said, Now you just offended Li Wei. Once you do this, you will offend Li Wei and all the nobles, and you will really be dead.

I know.

Catiline said that in fact, he had secretly sent people to negotiate with Emilia and the others. If they agreed to their terms, then he really wouldn't mind maintaining peace with Li Wei.

Also, Li Wei is the protector of many countries and peoples. From Africa and Numidia to Gaul, from Germany to the Eastern countries, there are Li Wei's people everywhere. If nothing else, Dragon City's request for help The letter is already on the way. Once they organize reinforcements to land in Rome, we will be defeated. Time is life, and we cannot delay for a day. We must defeat Dragon City as soon as possible, and then integrate the power of the entire Rome. Only in this way can we have a chance of survival.

Manlius advised earnestly.

I understand, you don't need to say any more.

Catiline shook his head and said.

Seeing Catiline's continued refusal, Manlius and Longinus were helpless.

At this time, the atmosphere became a little dull, and the three of them started drinking again.

At this moment, a guard ran in in a panic.

Report to the dictator, we who were recruiting troops outside Rome met a group of cavalry just now when we came back. We found that their behavior was very suspicious. After tracing, we found that they turned out to be Cicero and his men.

What did you say? Cicero ran away? This is impossible! This is impossible!

Catiline was shocked.

Cicero was his most serious offender, how could he escape outside Rome?

Call the conscripts over here.

Manlius said.

Soon, several soldiers came in escorting a prisoner. Catiline asked what happened in detail, and then interrogated the prisoner. Catiline's face was so gloomy that it looked like it could drip water.

Send someone to bring Cicero to me.

said Catiline.

As commanded.

The guards quickly left here with Catiline's warrant, but after a long time, they returned the news that Cicero was missing.

This made Catiline really furious.

Door Muse! What a good thing you did!

Catiline's eyes shone with a chilling light, In this case, don't blame me for being rude.

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