Chapter 21 The Stone Falls (Part 2)

After finishing, Lepidus pointed at Leo and whispered, "Go out first and ask Kelly to take Si Yan and Sword Slave to seal all the passages in Prema and refuse all visitors, whether they are senators, knights or free people. Tell them that the high priest's family is not open to outsiders today. If you have any requests or complaints, please come back in three days." Then he took out a bronze tube from his arms and said, "Give this to Kelly and ask him to find it. Send the courier out and immediately call all the troops of the Sixth Army to station in Rome to prevent anyone from causing trouble in the upcoming election."

Hearing this, Octavian felt a chill in his heart. It seemed that he was right in not listening to Curio. If such an attack were launched rashly, it was hard to say who would win, but as long as he couldn't kill Lepidus, he would definitely be behind. The end is true.

"Father, guardian, I remember that the defense of the city of Rome was not the responsibility of the twin legions?" Young Caesar asked curiously after Leo left.

"That legion has been removed by me, and the new one stationed in Mauritania has been omitted. Soon your classmate Little Juba will return to King Adam of Numidia, and the twin legions will also send three brigades to take up guard duties. ——After all, it used to belong to the Pompeian party. I have brought back General Trureas, and I will immediately prepare to find him a casual position in the coming year. We should not be too reassured by this kind of army, and the Sixth Army should be at ease. "After explaining, Li Bida remembered that his son-in-law-to-be was here to attend his banquet today, and hurriedly said, come on, come with me to the restaurant over there.

Sure enough, the final place for the dinner was not the grand and huge main hall, although there was a special glass patio that could project the reflection of stars. Lepidus guided Octavian. Walked around the corridor of the restaurant a few times. Go out again. Following the bridge floating on the artificial lake, we finally arrived at the most secluded northwest corner of the lake, a small independent restaurant covered with a small round cover. In the center, there is a floating dining table held up by a mechanical fountain, all shaped like reed boats on the Nile River. Then there are nine couches spread out like stars over the moon. People can lie down on them and enjoy the music. The joy of water. You can freely take out delicacies and drinks from each "little reed boat". The restaurant is lit with fire and has long and narrow windows. It can not only maintain confidentiality, but also reflect the clear water shadow. It is here in late summer and early autumn. A party is naturally the best choice.

"Oh, you people in Rome are really good at playing!" Another Hersius, who seemed very vulgar in the eyes of Caesar, was also one of the guests tonight, after arriving here. He immediately shouted and threw himself on his couch, laughing. With a thick Sicilian accent, he said, "It's so beautiful, so good! My stomach slowly felt warm before I even tasted the delicious food - it turns out, Lepidus, you set up a slight charcoal fire under the couch, Interesting and interesting.”

"Today's dishes include many fish and shrimps, so these things are set up to prevent your stomach from getting cold." The host explained with a smile while sitting on the couch.

"I'm not in the mood to eat so much delicious food, because I know what's going to happen tonight." Hersius chuckled, and after saying that, he began to follow the other circular beds towards Lepidus.

"Your Excellency Hersius, you can just stay there, because the beds are all marked!" Lepidus suddenly said with a serious tone, pointing to the original place with his finger.

So Hersius could only feel annoyed, and rolled back like a copper spoon pointing to the center of a circle.

Then the guests who came in were Paulus, Basatus, Ebro, Pansa, and Picasso. Even Cicero came. They were either close friends of the high priest or important figures who could influence the entire city of Rome. .

Now Cicero obviously does not like to talk as much as in the past. He is much more cautious. Even when he saw Young Caesar, he respectfully addressed him as "His Excellency the Administrator of Illyria", which surprised Young Caesar.

When everyone else was seated, Young Caesar always stood respectfully. This day was different from the past - he now wanted to give a good impression to his guardians, namely Picasso and other figures. As a junior of his age, he had to worry about the order of things. etiquette. "Turinus, Turinus." The guardian finally called his nickname affectionately, and then patted the last empty couch next to him, "Come and sit here with me."

Then, Utica lobster, roasted ostrich brain, fried herring steak, grilled venison and other dishes were brought out by the hands of the slaves. The wine was also put in silver pots, but the guests opened the pots. Only then did Guy realize that it was all filled with Egyptian beer. "Today's dishes are mainly exquisite and delicious, just enough to fill the stomach, and wine is no longer used to avoid getting drunk." It seems that from the words of the high priest, today's The theme of the banquet is indeed something other than "eating and drinking".

"Corinna, Corinna!" Lepidus rang the bell twice, "I won't let Bodie be the hostess today. You come." After saying that, he smiled at the surprised young Caesar beside him and said, "Corinna has to get used to this role, right?"

The implication of this sentence is so obvious that even Cicero would smile knowingly. It seems that the high priest is preparing to call his daughter out of the ranks of virgins as soon as possible. After the sacred ceremony, she will bloom as beautiful and generous as a noble lady should.

Corinna was also wearing a plain robe made of Indian cotton, with only a wide tasseled "Zona" tied casually at her waist. She continued to wear her hair in a girlish braid and walked in slowly. Like an elf in the lake, she unabashedly placed a small chair and sat between the young Caesar and the central "small food lake". She began to serve wine and dishes to the guests, and several female slaves knelt to assist her. At this angle, Octavian could just see her complete back neck with a beautiful arc, her bright eyes under the side bangs, her slightly thin lips, and her red cheeks. When she smiled, these parts could form the most beautiful angle of a girl, which was also what Octavian loved most about Corinna.

"Okay, we can discuss things under the protection of the rational and calm Muses. This is very simple. Mr. Piso and Mr. Cicero are inspectors, while Paulus and Helsius are both city law officers. Mr. Pansa is my colleague consul this year, and Basatus and Ebro are the core elders of the Executive Council. I invite everyone here to discuss the election of the current consuls. Or to put it more clearly, who will serve as the deputy consul next year and share the power to govern the country with me." Soon Lepidus brought up the topic.

However, everyone was silent. It seems that they still have to wait for the host to express his own opinion. (To be continued...)