Chapter 13 The Plague of Lust (Part 2)
The small city of Nicosia, separated by two mountains, is extremely warm even in winter, and the fields bloom with plain and comfortable colors. The former governor, Cato the Younger, wanted to leave this city on purpose and couldn't wait to return to Rome. For the Republicans, this Saturnalia was full of joy: not only did Cato the Younger capture the island of Cyprus without any blood, but Cicero also received the help of General Pompey and returned from exile.
"The citizens lined up to welcome me back from the city limits of Rome to Brindisi, and they carried me hand in hand into the city!" Cicero's letter was full of self-praise. Forgetting everything and being overwhelmed when faced with adversity, it is said that the first thing he did when he returned to Rome was to mobilize the republican senators who were willing to help him, and took armed slaves to the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitol Hill to search and suppress Cronus. The various documents that Laudian had placed here, including the provincial financial account books, the original Acuta of the Senate proceedings, and many state or private political letters, were all taken out by Cicero and burned to dryness. Clean, Claudius's followers were vulnerable to the majestic "former exile" Cicero and scattered.
"I want to take the years when the ** Claudius was in power in Rome (Caesar went to Gaul, Cicero and Cato the Younger were wandering around, Pompey did not care about worldly affairs, and the two consuls were like corpses, so in the past two years, the city The actual ruler is the uncrowned king Claudius), and all traces, whether just or unjust, are wiped out. This is the best revenge." Cicero continued to say proudly in the letter, "Look, The guy who incited the mob is now in hiding, but I will hunt him out like a sewer rat, and then repay him with his own blood, try him publicly in a people's assembly, or put this guy on the spot. Kill the villain!"
In fact, Lepidus, who came to Nicosia to see him off, also held a letter from Claudius, "Cato and the chickpea nose are dead, dear adoptive father, where are you? My account book at Catopil Mountain All the documents were burned by Cicero, and many of the reasons to protect me were lost. I was afraid that until Cato the Younger returned to Rome in triumph, my life and honor would be in danger. Adoptive father, please be sure to give me a helping hand - your favorite and most beloved person. Dear little Babu, I love you.”
Lepidus wrote back to comfort him and said, please send my regards to the beautiful Claudia and Fulivia. But don't worry about this matter. I have made every possible plan. The person who will save you when the time comes will be Cato. Unexpectedly.
Outside the city gate of Nicosia, Cato the Younger's motorcade stretched for a long time, because the transportation of 3,500 talents was a huge project. His nephew Brutus planned it and built thousands of sturdy wooden cabinets in advance. A large cork is tied to the bottom of each wooden cabinet. It is very convenient and safe to transport by land and sea. Even if the ship sinks, it can float and not sink to the bottom. Each wooden cabinet contains two talents and five hundred drachmas of gold and silver coins. , marching from Nicosia towards the port in a mighty manner, ready to be put on the ship for transportation.
"Dear Governor, won't Casio's fleet be used for my expedition to Egypt soon?" Lepidus, who was standing in front of the city gate and seeing him off, smiled and lowered his head to consult Cato.
Cato the Younger reluctantly said that he was very sorry, but Casio's ships had to escort these spoils (and of course the additional sponsorship of 100 million sesterces from the Joseph Chamber of Commerce) back to the capital of the Republic.
"I'm very envious. With so much money, your father-in-law Felipas will be elected as the new consul in the coming year. In other words, your father-in-law already is, but he still needs to pay off some small debts." Lepida The sharp tone made Cato feel very unhappy. Yes, his wife Marcia wrote a letter saying that her father had successfully eliminated the interference of the Big Three and ascended to the throne of the chief consul. Our aristocratic republic is about to turn around. , but it also cost a huge amount of campaign funds. Therefore, in addition to part of Cato's large sum of money that must be turned over to the national treasury according to regulations, the rest must be used to fill the holes left in the political circles, so a large amount of money is needed. Money, neither he nor Caesar can be exempt from this, even if they have different positions.
"Then, what do you think?" Little Cato was a little impatient. He was about to set off, but this naturalized general kept chattering and sarcastic.
"Oh, no, please don't mind. I should have positioned myself correctly a long time ago. Our legion is just an empty number now. The Republic has not recognized us marginalized children. Your nephew wants me to ask for the budget from the Pharaoh instead of the Temple of Concord. So, I am very In shame, he went to beg the Pharaoh. A general of a republic went to beg a foreign monarch. Even if it was detrimental to the country's dignity, he finally got some talents of reward. He used the money to improve the soldiers' equipment and weapons so that they could have Cloths for the winter and shoes for marching, the governor does not need to care about them at all, so it is better to let Cassius's fleet escort you back to Rome. Maybe there will be a great triumph waiting for you, while we Even if the ships left in the port of Salamis are repaired, they can still cross the sea, and at least they won't end up feeding the fishes at the bottom of the sea so easily." Lepidus' words were harsh and bitter, which made Cato and Brutus blush. stand up.
Finally, Cato the Younger said, "When the troops are sent out next spring, Cassius will return to Salamis and carry the Thirteenth Legion to Egypt." Rarely did he verbally acknowledge the existence of the Thirteenth Legion, and then got on the horse. After leaving, Brutus came up with some embarrassment, stretched out his hand towards Lepidus and said, "Although we are enemies in justice, we are still friends in private, right?"
"It's natural. Say hello to the beautiful Portia for me. After the spring warms up, I will write to Bodie and ask her to go back to Rome to visit. I heard that Portia's health is not very good." Lepidus is neither cold nor hot. He held Brutus's hand and said.
"Well, before Saturnalia, I will also visit Caesar's mother and wife for you, and bring you my sincere greetings. It's a pity that your woman and child are in Milan." Brutus nodded and let go of his hand. He also got on his horse and walked towards the streets to the north.
The next person who rode past Lepidus was Cassius. He smiled mysteriously at himself and simply said, "See you next year."
At the end of the motorcade sat Di Linmo and Ascher with different expressions. They were also going to follow little Cato back. Originally, Cato wanted Munajius to accompany him and take charge of the account books, but he was The resentful Munajius refused.
Because even Lepidus could see that Munajius was a patron of the Cato family, and there was no problem with his loyalty. But it was also true that when little Cato wanted to leave himself to others, he "has always been "Just and selfless", Munajius was not allowed to go to the island of Cyprus before, but Cannaides was asked to accompany Brutus to ask for money and account books. This made him extremely sad and angry, and felt that his patron did not like him. , don't trust him either. (To be continued.)