Chapter 1 The Hidden Young Prosecutor (Part 1)

"Preserve the achievements made by people and make evil words and deeds fear the blame of future generations." - Tacitus's discussion on the function of history is quite similar to Confucius.

If Corinna betrayed and deceived herself, it would be a terrible thing. Thinking of this, Turinus suddenly vomited, and then he wiped it with his sleeve. Time passed quickly, but in this room, he could only see the hourglass and the movement of the narrow sunlight projection outside. He felt like he was alone in the black ocean, driving a ship, full of terrible reefs, hurricanes and sea monsters.

What he didn't know was that the verbal battle in the court was still fierce. The high priest holding the railing secretly handed notes to the legal officials many times, asking them to investigate this case only to Fonteus, and as long as he was punished, they would stop.

But Cicero's notes were also stuffed like snowflakes, but he didn't give them to the jury, but to the young prosecutor. In the end, the prosecutor asked to question the witness Fonteus.

"Today's time is up. I suggest that we stop here." Chief Judge Bisso made this suggestion not only to protect the defendant, but also because he was old and lacked energy.

But the young prosecutor was energetic. He kept asking Bisso to summon Fonteus and promised that he would only ask a few key questions and would never deliberately delay time.

Bisso looked at the audience below and did not dare to make his own decision. He talked to Pansa and others on both sides of him and ordered the jury to vote on this matter. The vote was very efficient, eleven votes in favor. Four votes against. Plus the rest abstained. "You can summon Fonteus."

Not long after, Fonteus walked in wearing a civilian suit. "You admitted in your testimony that you were the only planner of the mutiny?"

"Yes." Fonteus replied.

Then the prosecutor continued to ask, "So what was your motive for inciting the twin legions to attack Lilybius?"

"Because Caesar's veterans are all connected, they are extremely dissatisfied with someone in the audience who usurped power by pretending to be powerful." Fontius said bluntly.

"But planning this mutiny requires a huge amount of money. According to the unified testimony of many soldiers, they have received a lot of subsidies and rewards before." After the prosecutor finished speaking, he handed the tablet with the testimony to the jury for review, "And Mr. Fontius, as an ordinary legion officer, Turinus's former assistant in the Greek theater, could not come up with this amount of money! Now I want to know, who came up with this money?"

There was a turbulent crowd inside and outside the court, "Do you mean that Fontius is not the real mastermind?" Pansa asked the prosecutor. He got the other party's approval.

"It was collectively donated by the free people and knights of the Julius family!" Fontius "flustered and spoke without thinking."

Then Bisso stood up and angrily said, "Witness. Where does your testimony put me? You should know that although the free people and retainers of the Julius family had previously distributed the inheritance, the specific direction and list were still in my hands. What you mean by this is that I also participated in this conspiracy?"

The court was now in such chaos that it could not continue. The high priest and his entourage and guards left the scene in anger. The other judges could only shake their heads and said that Fonteus would be detained for the time being and wait for the trial the next day.

Lepidus did not return to the Prima Villa, but went to the high priest's official residence to stay. At night, Leo and his entourage suddenly appeared in front of Turinus's house on Niushou Street. Seeing him, Atia and Octavia burst into tears, grabbed Leo's sleeves, and asked Turinus why he had suffered such a disaster.

"I can only say that my father and I originally wanted to suppress this incident, but it spread too widely, and it is no longer something my father can control today." Leo said sadly.

"What will happen to Turinus?" Mother Atia cried, "Philips and his son have gone out to rescue him!"

"That's why I came here. My father has returned to the high priest's residence to plan this matter. We all believe that Turinus will not participate in such things. I am here to mediate on behalf of my father. The ending of this matter should not be so tragic. At most, he will lose his eligibility to run for election, because according to regulations, candidates during the election period are not allowed to have lawsuits." Leo sat on a chair in the courtyard and analyzed to the women, "So, the target of suspicion should be locked on Turinus' competitors."

Leo's words made the women feel relieved. Since this incident was just a replay of the previous Republic election drama, Turinus's fate was limited, because even a life-and-death struggle had a bottom line in Roman tradition.

Atia finally selected a few names, Helcius and Cicero. The former might be hidden behind the fog, while the latter obviously wanted to kill Turinus. There was no other reason, that is, in the previous massacre, Turinus had wanted to join Antony in declaring Cicero on the public enemy list, and now Cicero was fiercely counterattacking.

"The most troublesome one is Cicero, and Hersius is easy to deal with, because he was cultivated by my father. As long as my father reprimands him, he will not dare to be too arrogant - but Cicero. ....." Leo squirmed in his seat a few times, feeling very embarrassed, because Cicero is difficult to bribe. In terms of status and reputation, he is now at the top, and he himself is not a good person. People who are particularly interested in money.

At this time, Octavia anxiously pulled Leo up and came to the back garden. Regardless of the presence of slaves, she buried herself on Leo's shoulder and cried, "You and your father must help Turinu." Si, our family has always been a well-off family of knights. Although my stepfather has also served as a consul, he is only famous for his speeches and rhetoric and does not have any wealth to boast about. And I want you to do it now. It’s really hard to talk about.”

"I know that Turinus is not a stingy man who likes to accumulate wealth. He gave all the inherited property to the army and retainers. Say it, Octavia, don't be in a trance anymore." Leo Encourage her to talk her thoughts out.

"Bribbe six praetorians and nine knights who serve as judges. As long as they are willing to vote and acquit Turinus, even if it is a minor crime, then everything will be fine!" These words come from Octavia Even she felt desperate and crazy when she said it. She could only sit down with her face covered and continue to cry.

But Leo still gritted his teeth and said, "I will ask my father for help. The bribe may cost one hundred or even two hundred talents, but I will still do it!" (To be continued...)