Chapter 28 Portia's Blood (Part 2)
When the procession of virgins walked out of the alley, many praying people were kneeling and prostrating there, but Antony was still standing there, his face was livid and his mouth was twisted. `Top` Point`-Novel` Yes, he was a naturally bohemian and optimistic person, but there was always a concept in Antony's world, that is, if you give, you must be rewarded, which is also the belief followed by all Roman nobles, "getting rewards, lucky possession", and Antony was no exception.
In fact, if Antony was a careful and rational person, he might think about why the virgins said these words to him, because according to regulations, virgins are not allowed to reveal the contents of private wills to relevant people, but Antony is Antony, and this result almost knocked him down, but he quickly turned around with a resentful mood, "Press the list, but continue to advise Caesar quietly and watch the situation."
"Oh, you said there is a conspiracy group against me recently?" Caesar rarely came to Julius Courtyard today, sitting in the courtyard with several staff members, eating olives and discussing political affairs. After Antony came in to report this matter, he said it casually.
"Yes, and according to insiders, there are many people close to you in this group." Antony's words made everyone else present tremble with fear or shock.
Caesar did not answer directly, he just put his hands on the armchair, without saying a word, and then he said to Antony, "Is Lepidus about to arrive in Brindisi?"
Several staff members took the opportunity to say that the general would be able to come to the city before the Wolf Chasing Festival in about one market day to preside over the latest Tribus People's Assembly.
"Send a letter quickly. Ask him to bring the six legions over. Station them in the Mars Parade Ground; and Antony. You will find a few tribunes immediately and gather the people. I will announce a major decision in the square." Then, Caesar stood up, wearing a plain robe, and walked out of the courtyard with his staff members.
About two quarters of a day later, the people who were summoned to the square by the tribunes saw that Caesar was dressed simply. Surrounded by 300 elite guards, he stood on the podium at the bow. When the people saw the terrifying weapons and bows and arrows carried by the guards, they were filled with extreme fear and anxiety. However, Caesar then stroked the podium with his hand a few times, and then Caesar said publicly to everyone: "In fact, I should have made such a decision a long time ago. That is, the tragic civil war that took the lives of half of the citizens has completely ended. Rome will once again use troops in distant and rich foreign countries, and I have obtained the legal authorization of the Senate and the People's Assembly. I am fully responsible for this matter as Dictator. But recently there have been many clear or unclear words, some of which are slanders by my enemies. Some are misunderstandings of my friends and even the people, saying that I, Julius, intend to become king, establish a permanent dictatorship, and become a mind that thinks for the people. This is simply a great misunderstanding of me. I must be honest that everything I do is for the revival of the vitality of the republic. So I expanded the number of the Senate and the People's Assembly in order to allow more people in the country to participate, but many conservative stubborn people always think that they should always I have forgiven these people before. As we all know, I, Caesar, did not issue a public enemy declaration during the civil war, but I have decided to continue to forgive these people, hoping that they can regroup under the banner of the Republic. So in order to show my sincerity this time and avoid unnecessary insults, I am determined to disband the guards composed of Spaniards and Gauls around me. "
His announcement caused an uproar. The civilians and knights raised their hands to cheer Caesar's frankness and kindness, but many people in the crowd began to make a fuss. Some people shouted, "Julius, you are deceiving everyone. Why don't you disband all your legions?" Some people also made a fuss, saying, "I heard that your deputy will soon enter Rome with another legion."
However, Caesar did not refute this at all. He just walked down the podium amidst all kinds of voices. Then he immediately fulfilled his promise. Several tribunes stopped the barbarian guards who still maintained the inertia of following. Finally, Caesar walked back to Julius Courtyard with only a few close staff members.
About three days later, Brutus, who went to visit his mother, learned of Caesar's decision from Seville. The young son did not say much. He just chatted with his mother for a while, then got up and said goodbye and returned to his home. There, Cassius was waiting for him. The two met in the name of a dinner invitation. "Caesar, this is a scam." After dismissing all the servants, Cassius sneered and said that he came here for Caesar's decision. "While he was waving the olive branch, Lepidus was leading a whole legion into Rome. Maybe after you and I were exposed, he would not hesitate to order the soldiers to kill us and the entire tribe." "Don't be so angry with Caesar, always saying that he is a liar. Everything we do is for the country and justice. And Longinus, you are like this, it seems that we are taking revenge." Brutus was dissatisfied with the other party's vicious attack on Caesar. "In addition, even if we fail, Caesar will deal with it according to the provisions of the law. When he was a legal officer, he refuted most people in the Senate and advocated fair and reasonable treatment for Catiline."
"Are you scared? You scared Brutus, again!" Cassius immediately jumped up and patted his chest, saying, "Yes, I am an impulsive person. Although I try my best to hide my emotions on weekdays, I married your sister despite the ugly rumors about her and Caesar, hoping to work with you for the cause of the country and justice, but you are timid and wavering. You are letting down all those who sacrificed for the Republic, do you know? When I was still studying at the college, Sulla was the dictator of the whole country, and his son boasted in front of his classmates My family is the first family of the Republic. When other students were like you, I rushed up and slapped his son a few times, because my character has always been like this. I can't stand any shameless lies of any dictator. If everything must be done according to the thinking of philosophers, then this country will be hopeless. "
After saying that, Cassius waved his fist, "Listen, Caesar's disbanding of the guard is a concession for you, but for me, it is a good opportunity, because he can't walk on the street with a legion." Then he rushed out of the door viciously.
Brutus lowered his head and said nothing. At this time, the women's exclamations came from the inner room behind the curtain. Brutus rushed in immediately and found that his beloved wife Portia was lying in the arms of several maids, holding a pair of bloody scissors in her pale hands, "Portia!" (To be continued...)