Chapter 5 Brutus's Confusion (Part 1)

"There are only the voices of a bunch of slaves here." - Tiberius would say this contemptuously every time he came out of the Senate.

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"After talking for a long time, you still don't have the confidence to defeat Lepidus!" Fulivia was very angry.

"Yes, yes, woman. If the opponent is Turinus, I can still give it a try, but what is in front of me now is an insurmountable desert, and my adventurous ambitions are useless. Desert you I have never seen it, but I have seen it. It is very difficult to win. I will definitely remove all the chips on the gambling table." After Anthony said, he actually hugged his knees and became angry like a child, and tears began to roll in his eyes. .

Fulivia sighed, and then hit her husband twice on the spine, "Then while you still have a province and sufficient weapons, negotiate terms with him before surrendering."

At this time, a messenger envoy appeared from the gate of the courtyard. He brought the latest news from the city of Rome, which was quietly delivered by Antony's friend Igurus. "What, is that boy Leo, waiting to discuss with me at the border?" After receiving the letter, Anthony pondered it carefully. Then his face became more relaxed and he said to his wife, "Since Lepidus sent Leo here, it means that he will not kill me like Turinus did." ”

The Rubicon River is still gray and desolate. Since Caesar crossed here, the system of the Republic has undergone earth-shaking changes, but the cultivated land, grassland and swamps here have rarely changed. After the outbreak of the war, this stretch of barren The eye-catching river will always be the focus of the north, but after the war, it left. It is still an inconspicuous river. There is nothing to make people stay at this moment.

Leo rides a docile mare. Just like his father, the guards led the way until he saw Antony, who was also riding a horse opposite, and hurriedly dismounted and saluted his father.

Later, in a secluded farm, Leo stood upright, respectfully and solemnly handed the bronze plate into Anthony's hands, and said directly, "I can express my position to my father, Lord Anthony, here. I fully understand it." With my father’s full authorization, I can discuss any matter with you.”

"I want to continue to retain the governorship of Shannan Province and the authorization of the four legions." Anthony said while holding the bronze plate.

"This is impossible, Sir Anthony. Shannan Province will then be merged with Umbria, Pinukem and other regions. Then the governor there, like the governor of Syria, must be designated by the Executive Yuan. , the former defends Rome, and the latter defends Asia, which is a critical place. Three regular legions must be stationed - so what you are talking about is not within the scope of this discussion. "Leo stood upright. Explain in detail.

Anthony laughed contemptuously and spat on the ground. Then he casually looked at the content on the bronze plate, "The chief priest of Julius Priesthood, in addition to enjoying the annual salary of the governor, he can also enjoy three A million sesterces of divine meal subsidy. I said, what do I need this for?”

"Of course, this money will not tempt you, the great father, but behind these money and positions is permanent security, which belongs to the Antonius family, the Aemilius family, and the Julius family. "Leo continued.

"Safe, just as safe as that boy Turinus is on the island of Malta!" Anthony stood up with some anger, holding the riding crop in his hand, "In the future, won't it be your Aemilius family who will be the only one to be proud of you? Can you still tolerate me in your eyes?”

"It is precisely because Turinus is the successor of the Julius family and he has great political energy that he blindly attempted to harm my father and me. But you don't have to worry, Mr. Father. My father just hopes that you can Have no grudges with him and live peacefully in wealth and glory for the rest of your life. The staff assigned to you is equivalent to a consul. On this point, my father can swear an oath to any god!"

"Your father's subtext is that my political ability is low, so compared with Turinus, I can't make waves, right?" Anthony gritted his teeth and turned around twice, and then he whispered to Li O said, "Am I a political idiot?"

Leo paused twice, and then said to Anthony in a low voice, "I don't think so."

"Really?" Anthony hung the riding crop on his leg with some sadness.

"I think it's too much to use the word idiot as a figure of speech. It should be more appropriate to say that he lacks political ability."

This sentence made Anthony glare at Leo resentfully and resentfully for a long time, and then he looked directly at Leo, "I can trust you, but I can't trust your father. I need appropriate conditions, not a priesthood, not an official rank, and not money." , I don’t know if you understand what I mean.”

"Yes, of course I understand." After saying that, Leo stretched out his hand, "My and Viviya's child has not yet fallen to the ground, but if it is a son, your child will be born without any resistance. Daughter Antonina will be his wife."

Half a month later, the army from Pinocenza marched in formation from the south of Milan, and then to Mutina, where the Skylark Legion and the 11th Legion also joined the marching sequence, which was equivalent to Anthony's surrender. He had handed over all the armed forces in his charge. In the bleak autumn wind, Anthony said goodbye to his wife and daughter. He stood in the hall of the house, washed his hands with a washbasin, and slowly looked back at the armor and dagger hanging on the wall, as well as his exquisite and majestic helmet. Then he put on the sheepskin robe used by the priests, leaned on the spruce staff used by Pan, and walked out.

Outside, Leo and the cavalry team were waiting with pine torches, because it was only the third sentry at this time. Anthony looked at his "sons and daughters-in-law" and then at the fish belly white in the sky, "How about it, your father will be very happy to see me dressed like this?"

"I think not only my father, but the whole republic is very happy." Leo replied on the saddle.

"What kind of republic is there?" Antony sneered, holding up his cane, and followed Leo and the cavalry on foot, like a wandering monk. At this time, all the soldiers of the legions were lined up in a long column and passed in front of them. Faces under the firelight passed by one after another. Some of them were familiar to Antony, and some were unfamiliar to him. Just watching, his heart suddenly became sad, and he felt that he was a coward who threw down his weapons on the battlefield and begged for his life.

Standing in the sea of ​​torches, Antony would think, what would it be like if he had fought hard before and instigated these troops to rush into Rome?

But now, he can only think about it. Let future generations judge whether he is a coward or a warrior. The reality is that I did not resist, put down my weapons, and accepted a relatively humiliating peace. (To be continued...)