Chapter 5 The High Priest Goes to War (Part 2)
"In the past there were some disturbances and unpleasant repressions in the city of Rome, but now all the unhappiness has passed, and the republic is on the agenda of recovery, with the help of Picasso, Cicero, Caesar the Younger, Panza, and Under the auspices of Anthony and other core figures, food will soon be delivered to the port of Ostia from various places. We are preparing to expand the number of civilians enjoying free food rations to 200,000. During the reign of Emperor Caesar, It was once reduced to 100,000 people, and the treasury had to spend an additional three million dinars of silver coins every year. However, for your daily well-being and the stability of the city, I believe it is all worth it. In addition, administration n∈. Previously, the hospital's office in the river port was only temporary. Now this department has a suitable location, which is the city of Capua, between the Bay of Naples and Campania. There will soon be a thousand confidential personnel. , high-level slaves trained in transcription, finance and planning, and a council of one hundred knights, together with the chief minister, His Excellency Ebro, and envoys from each wartime province, will move there to handle any matters related to their respective industries. Provincial-related taxes, account books, and recruitment of new soldiers, that is to say, everyone, now your affairs are free. You don’t need to be too busy with trivial matters, but focus on pleasing the Roman citizens with celebrations and discussing some key national affairs. That’s it.
I plan to expand three to four small wartime provinces after all the wars are over, because our enemies are still in the west and east of the world. Their total number is close to twenty legions, equipped with many cavalry and archers, as well as a large number of wealthy cities groaning under their shackles, enduring ruthless exploitation and oppression. Therefore, we must expel and eliminate these public enemies of the Republic. Carry out the ultimate revenge for Lord Julius. For this huge consumption is essential. Therefore, in addition to moving the Executive Yuan, our Ten-member Committee believes that it is better to temporarily cancel the cashier affairs of the treasury, and instead centralize 70% of the tax revenue within three years in the Holy Library for military expeditions. The specific quota is determined by the Ten-member Committee and the Executive The hospital makes unified deployment according to the priorities of each battlefield.
Guys, that's all I have to say, I'm about to embark on a new journey. In about a month's time, Young Caesar will be sworn in to fight here. I hope you will come to see him and his legions off as you did to me. I am the descendant of King Numa and Rex Lius. My victory and the victory of the Republic will be sacrificed in front of the temple. I hereby make a vow that after returning in triumph, I will be the new God of Love in the main square. Build a new Temple of Lius next to the temple, then that’s it. You are all waiting for my good news! "
After saying this, Li Bida walked down the steps. The blue-grey smoke from the altar rose in the blue morning sky. The high priest got on the horse. Matthias and Alp held the mount for him, and then the eagle bearer, the standard bearer, the retinue of cavalry, and the general Zuo, one by one, walked along the corridor under the Capitol Mountain towards the camp outside the city.
Sitting in the semicircular assembly hall opposite, Cicero and Basatus were the first to stand up and applaud, and then the rest of the senators also stood up and encouraged, "God bless Rome, and all the gods of the republic bless you and me."
When Lepidus' army was advancing towards Naples, the legions from each garrison came back to build up one by one, and the mobilization documents were like snowflakes, "Very good, my dear Carabia, we will send a strong army immediately." The fleet passed through the land controlled by Brutus and Cassius, and sent the Thirty-three and Thirty-fourth legions to assist in the battle. "
"Your Majesty Theodorus, the king of Galasia, was willing to act as an iron wall to prevent Eurabella from uniting with the legions of the Syrian province, and to confine him to a corner of Ephesus."
"The Ptolemaic female pharaoh publicly announced her 'indifference' towards me. She only said that she would send sufficient taxes, grain to support four legions for a year, and 300 transport ships to Cyrene as a reward. The second echelon, other than that, she doesn’t want to help me at all—well...that’s it, she’s really cold.”
"Now the new fleet and the new legions from the new city of Cyrene, Port Brundium, are sailing towards Lilibei."
By the time Caesar was sworn in the city, Lepidus and his staff had already crossed the Strait of Messina. The first few legions had gathered at the Port of Lilibi from all directions by sea and land. The entire port city had turned into a huge camp and dock. The cranes on the road have never stopped. The beaches, rivers and hills outside the city are all white barracks, like the white sand covering the earth.
Soon, Leo met up with Habaluka, the steward slave who came across the sea, and set up camp in the city hall of Lilibi. This young man handled and ran everything every day with the assistance of groups of slaves and knights: Military pay, account books, clothes and armor, military slaves, food, pack horses, and the dispatch of various ships. He deeply realized what his father said to him before, that is, "Understand the logistics of an army, and you understand war." What is it?" "For the Roman generals, they always believed that wisdom and courage were the basis for war, but in fact they were wrong. Money, equipment and transportation always control war." "War is not just an art. , and also accurate figures and calculations."
In the occasional rest time, he would ride with his father and brother to the high ground where the city temple was located, overlooking the roaring and rolling sea and the vast white sky. "Eighteen years ago, when I followed Julius Caesar to Lusitania, I saw the ocean. The Romans and people of all other nations believed that there was the edge of the world." Lepidus stared at the boundary between the sea and the sky, recalling the past years.
"That's right. The maps and books drawn by naturalists all say that the world ends here. Even the Punic ships of the time did not search for people and countries outside." Leo sighed.
Libida laughed, "Silly boy, where is the edge of the world?" Then he stared at the waves crashing on the rocks, breaking and repeating, "It's been eighteen years? I don't belong to this world, but I'm no longer confused now. Leo, Boti, Calabia, even Caesar and Pompey are the ties that keep me and this world together. Maybe the Creator used his irresistible big hand to gently put me, a butterfly, into this forest, and then he looked at me coldly through the outer cover formed by the atmosphere of heaven and earth, like playing with a pet. It's really ridiculous - but it's really credible. I am the chosen one." After saying that, Libida pulled the reins and ran back and forth along the edge of the cliff twice, and then said to the two children, "Eighteen years ago, I did things according to the rules of the Republic; now, I want to reshape this country and make it obey the will of me and my family!" (To be continued...)
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