Chapter 6 The Envoy From Parthia (Part 2)

In order to unite the interests of the battle, Brutus ordered that the originally scattered legion numbers of the Republicans be combined into one, that is, the four legions he belonged to, composed of veterans and Greeks, were the first to fourth legions, and Cassius The two legions of Eurasia were the fifth and sixth legions, the two legions of Eurabella in Ionia Minor were the seventh and eighth legions, and finally the newly recruited legions in Thessalia and other places were the ninth and tenth legions, and The Aetolian armed forces also formed a separate army and acted as an independent wing.

Now, the combined fleet of Cassius's two legions has defeated the city-state of Rhodes. However, Brutus hopes that he will only use the army of one legion and send the other legion and most of the fleet back to Greece and the Peloponnese. Nyssa came and placed the legions on the narrow isthmus of Corinth, closing and guarding Brutus's attack route.

By this, Brutus sent nine or twelve legions of new soldiers, commanded by Horace and Virgil, to stay in Athens and Euboea to monitor the troops of Sabo and Adriana who might appear from the fortress of Lepidus. Brutus and the other generals, with four main legions, the Aetolian servant army, plus the eighth legion sent by Eurabella across the sea, a total of six legions, marched along the road. , rushing towards the Apsus River - this river was the point where Caesar, Lepidus, Pompey and Rabinus had previously fought fiercely, and it was also the key point at the border between Epirus and Greece. The city of Bugarotum here happened to be where Agrippa's headquarters was located.

Now Agrippa's heart was full of hesitation. After he learned what happened to his friend, he held the sword and sat opposite his brother Lucius. The brothers said nothing. All the subordinates and officials were driven out of the camp.

"Brother, you should know. From the moment you crossed the sea to accept the order of the high priest, this was an out-and-out political conspiracy, a frame-up of my friend and commander-in-chief."

"So what? Sulla and Marius began to open up the whirlpool of war, then to Caesar and Pompey, to Lepidus and Brutus. This was the scene of the Roman Republic for forty years. There were not even one ancient and noble family left. Your friend's Octavian family is no exception. Now that it is completely destroyed, it will be annexed by the Phillips family. And my only pursuit now is that our family will not become extinct. "Lucius. After finishing speaking, he paused and sighed, "I was also a person who pursued republican ideals before. Until the end of the war in Africa, I was also a military tribune in Pompey's army. I fought hard until I was injured and captured. But now No more. The idea has long been turned into an empty shell, and those who are willing to protect it have fallen into the dirt. Even if I don't care, I can't tolerate the disappearance of Agrippa's name. My dear brother, won’t your friend take the path of a king after taking charge of the country? There is no need to deceive yourself anymore.”

After speaking, Lucius pointed at Agrippa, "I am not eager to convince you now, but if you must understand that if you continue to follow Turinus, there will be only one end, and that is to be exiled to a farther wilderness. Go to the island and involve everyone in the family. Agrippa, as a brother, I have already put my family in such danger once. I don’t want you to make the same mistake again. If you are stubborn, it is very simple, just hold on. The hilt of the sword in your hand, either commit suicide or fight with me - I must tell you frankly now, that the seven legions here are the army of the Republic. When the original commander Turinus was exiled for his crime, The command should naturally belong to the high priest, but now in the absence of the high priest, it belongs to you - if you are not willing to take over, then self-exile or commit suicide and transfer the command into my hands, but Agrippa, if you dare to incite the legions If you rebel, you will be severely punished and you will not be buried in the family cemetery even if you die."

After Agrippa heard these words, he hung his head in anxiety and hesitation. He raised the blade of his sword and poked the carpet again and again. He was caught in contradictions and confusion in terms of family affection, justice and responsibility.

At this time, the situation did not allow him to think too much. A herald told him the news that the frontline scouts had learned: Several legions of Brutus were in the winter camp in the city of Athens, rushing towards the Apsus River. .

"The decision now lies in your hands. Should you protect Epirus and use the legions at your hand to protect this city, this river and this country, or should you be busy with internal strife that ruins your reputation?" Over there, I heard the news. Lucius also became aggressive, asking his brother to give a clear position.

When Agrippa frowned and sweat oozed from the palm of his hand holding the sword, another herald wearing a feather on his head walked in from another exit in the camp, holding an engraved sword in his hand. The order board said that it was urgently coming from Rome. "Please read it because there are outsiders present." Agrippa looked at his brother with a look of dissatisfaction and resentment and said.

"The High Priest authorizes the Senate to grant to you the power to succeed the governor of Illyria, and the office of procurator, president of the seven legions of Epirus and Illyria, responsible for the defense against Brutus and Brutus until the spring. Attack of Cassidy partisans."

After the announcement was completed, the herald held the authorization tablet in his hand and stood still. Because Agrippa was his superior, he did not dare to hand over the seal and documents of the appointment directly, but respectfully Waiting for Agrippa to come get it himself.

But Agrippa stayed in his seat in distress, unable to get up, walk, or sit.

At this time, it was Lucius who directly snatched the commission from the herald. He stood in front of Agrippa and said, "Take it!"

The other party was still silent. He looked up at his brother, and then lowered his head. Finally Lucius couldn't help but said, "Agripa, answer me now, what has been your dream since you were a child!"

But the other party still didn't answer, so Lucius took his place and asked himself, "When you were a child, you came and went in front of me, and you talked about two dreams, architect or mechanic. You said you hoped to achieve something like The level of technicians under Crassus hopes to transform the congested and dirty Rome like a Greek city, hoping to build many new lifting equipment. As for the current commander-in-chief, this is indeed not what you desire. Although you often exercised in stadiums and arenas and honed your martial arts and riding skills when you were a child, I understand that in your heart you do not yearn for a military career - Agrippa, even if you have no works yet, I am the first to admit that you Will be the greatest architect in the world, provided you are alive for another three days and are not dead or exiled."

Then the elder brother took a deep breath and asked his younger brother, "Tell me, where do you think the most fundamental soul of an architect is?" (To be continued...)