Chapter 2: The Cold Bathroom (Part 2)
On the rain corridor on the second floor of the official residence, the high priest slowly walked out and looked at his son's retreating back. At this time, Alp walked up to the door and waited beside him with his arms crossed.
"No need for Arp, Leo is a well-measured boy. Just follow me to have breakfast right away. We will wait for him here." The high priest said calmly.
The Dungeon of Tulianum is the most terrifying place in the whole city of Rome. It looks like a giant beast full of flesh and blood in the morning wind. It lies further east of the Altar of Hercules, next to the Temple of the Goddess Bellona. Looking across the river from a distance, it looks like a simple two-story brick and stone building from the outside, but there are two protruding buildings like chimneys, which make it particularly unique - the jailer will tell you that these two " The "chimney" never emits life, but only the air of death. Its exit is sealed with an iron gate, and then it extends all the way to the oval-shaped tomb-like prison underground. Prisoners inside can only follow the This tall chimney gets some air and sunlight, but at night, the jailer will completely seal the chimney with a cover, so that the entire dungeon is submerged in complete darkness.
The dungeon is not divided into compartments, because there are not many people imprisoned here, so there is no need to do so. The only prisoner now is Turinus. He spent last night alone in the dungeon - the damp and slippery walls On the surface, there is endless darkness and coldness, lifeless reliefs, strange wind blowing through the gaps, and the dead silence that is isolated from the world.
In just one night, Turinus had aged ten or twenty years, and when Leo stood in the passage outside the dungeon, holding a torch, he was like a moth. He quickly came closer. "I can swear to you again. I make the most vicious oath. I will never participate in planning the Lilibi mutiny!"
"Then how should you explain the insults you made to me, my sister, and my parents in your letter?" Leo said under the torch with an expression of unbearable regret.
"Forgive me, it was because I was young and energetic and ignorant of the world. I have figured it out in the past few days. I am determined to admit my mistake to you, even if it means losing my engagement with Corinna, even if it means losing my name as Caesar It doesn't matter to me, I just ask that you don't keep me here even for a day. I am innocent Leo, I am innocent! Even if I say slanderous words proudly behind my back, I really didn't do it. Something that actually hurts you and your family." Turinus cried while holding on to the iron railing.
Leo sighed twice, and then he said, "Then you think about it carefully, and I will convey what you said to father - first of all, did you ever command the legion in the Greek theater. Did you really lack military resources?"
"Yes, that's right. Since the inheritance was distributed, the industries run by the freedmen and freed slaves under my jurisdiction have been in a very bad situation. Many have gone bankrupt, and many others are unable to make ends meet. Therefore, after a year of fighting, I I can only rely on the financial support from the treasury of the Temple of Saturn. However, Brutus's four legions have received financial support from the loyal cities of Asia Minor, Greece and Macedonia. This is the fundamental reason why I have been unsuccessful in many battles. I borrowed money from you in my own name." Turinus seemed to have grasped the life-saving straw.
After hearing this, Leo shook his head, "Now let me tell you the reason for this situation. Turinus, you are still too young. The reason why your adoptive father obtained a lot of money before was not because he was successful in running the industry." On the other hand, it was because he became the governor of Gaul and relied on the hot money from loot and extortion. On the inside, your Julius family's industry and commerce are actually very weak, and their strength only exists on paper. Encountering economic competition and the death of your adoptive father, you are very vulnerable. "
"Yes, yes, you are right. You should have accepted the invitation long ago and joined my army." Turinus didn't know what Leo meant by these words. "Also, I was recruited by Wundt. Yousi was tricked, and I finally understood that this guy actually came to seek refuge with me with false intentions. He is still worried about being dismissed by my adoptive father, and now he is acting as a double agent to try to trick me! "
"Well, after Avinus died in battle, Fonteus quietly took control of the guards, documents and confidential affairs around you, but you always asked Agrippa, who was truly devoted to you, to work hard on the front line. You are indeed wrong about this, Turinus, so in secret Fonteus stole your seal and defrauded Lilibi of five hundred talents of military resources. He also used the money to buy the twin legions. , created a mutiny, and then used self-exposure as a trap to frame you," Leo analyzed slowly.
"That's right, Leo, do you know? There is also Maecenas, whom we have always regarded as our brother, who also has prejudices and misunderstandings about me. He must think that I am the murderer behind the mutiny in Lilibi, so he is so hostile at this moment. I, I know that his father is Caimai, and he is also your father's most trusted retainer. When you explain all this clearly, I will go and tell Mecenas the inside story personally - it's all Cicero, Fonteus and my stepfather made a fool of themselves." Turinus reached out his hand excitedly and held Leo's hand through the iron fence. "Do you remember a few years ago? How we went to watch various competitions and performances together, I will always remember those years in my heart, you have no doubt about this, but now the friends have dispersed, and little Juba has gone to Utica to prepare Adam, King of Numidia, is here; Agrippa is still serving the army at the front in Epirus; Vivia is your wife, pregnant with your child; and I myself have fallen here, your Where is my sister Corinna? She is the one who is most sad, right? I care about her very much, so all my hopes are pinned on you, Leo..."
"How can I help you, Turinus." Leo turned around and held the back of the other person's hand. "I am also very distressed..."
"No worries, my friend, I beg you, please beg your father again, if the guardian agrees, even if I am exiled for three years, nay, even five years, he will invoke me to return to the city of Rome, Keep supporting me, that's it. Leo, I beg you, this is the only hope. Corinna, Corinna, yes, although I did have evil thoughts about other women, I never betrayed. She, if Corinna is really willing to wait for me, I will always regard her as my mistress and my favorite wife."
At this time, the torch kept undulating in the wind. Leo and Turinus held hands together. After a long silence, Leo let go of his hand and said quietly, "It seems that you haven't understood yet." "What am I worried about, Turinus?" (To be continued...)