Chapter 5: Cemetery of the Temple of War God (Part 2)

Gnaeus Pompey was not easily discouraged. He adopted the tactic of "surprise attack" the next day, and brought his followers with their sticks, preparing to go to the Temple of Concord to ask for an explanation. Demetrius also tried his best to advocate for his master. Do this, "because the people will still be the world of Claudius and Basatus for the time being, and they are all friends of Lepidus."

But in the great square in front of the temple, Claudius's agents sent intelligence to the tribune as soon as Pompey set out from his mansion, and he soon exerted a terrifying influence in the city. , mobilized a total of five to six thousand party members, and surrounded the large square. When Pompey saw this formation, even if he was a seasoned killer on the battlefield, he couldn't help but tremble. His twelve followers with beams, and Ke Compared with the Laudian followers, they were like a shipwrecked ship in the raging ocean. Pompey still walked towards the Temple of Concord. He didn't even know if there were enough senators inside who dared to come to attend the meeting, and whether he could achieve the goal. quorum.

"Sex-crazed, sex-crazed."

"Get out of Rome and into the Alba countryside."

"Maybe you should wear a red pig bladder under your crotch and dance for us in front of the temple."

"There is a sculpture of you in the temple, be careful!"

Thousands of tongues were constantly focused on intimidating and insulting Pompeo, but Pompeo still mustered up his momentum and continued to push through the crowd with difficulty. However, his heart was indeed hanging, for fear that any mob would be unable to restrain himself and use Attacking him with fists, stones, or even sharp blades would be too much of a loss.

After finally reaching the steps, Pompey looked up and saw Claudius wearing a cloak. Under the guard of several armed slaves and generals. Stand high. Staring at himself with terrifying eyes, "Great sexually crazed general, I think that before you enter the Senate, you should first explain to the people's assembly that you and Cato embezzled other people's inheritance."

"This is a groundless accusation. It is reasonable for Cato to confiscate his inheritance, and all the money must be turned over to the national treasury."

"Can you speak louder! I think you should make a 'reasonable' speech in the National Assembly. Even though Lepidus was just an exile, he also made public remarks. What about you?" Claudius pointed at Pompey and used a huge And shouted in a provocative tone.

At this time, the figure of a certain general beside Claudius flashed, causing Pompey to shrink back in fright, and then there was an excited sound - it was a hidden dagger, which accidentally fell from the general's cloak and hit him. On the marble floor, "Pick it up, hurry up. Do you still want me and the great sex-crazed general to help you, you idiot." Claudius deliberately yelled at the general. The other party leaned down and touched the cold dagger with his hand. Pompey couldn't stand it anymore. He faced countless ridicules and was unwilling to take risks alone. He fled again and left the Temple of Concord.

He later even left the city of Rome and went to Alba to spend a few days with his beloved wife Julia, but his hatred for Claudius grew day by day. "Don't worry about Lepidus or anything like that. I want to kill Claudius." Animal, I finally regretted that time, when even the tuna warned me, it was my own miscalculation that allowed this monster to survive to this day."

Before Julia could comfort and reconcile her husband, Demetrius, who had heard all this behind the curtain, came out and advised his master, "You must not do this. I have already analyzed it. Lepidus is Caesar's accomplice." , is the mastermind and adviser behind Claudius, and is also the confidant of Crassus. He is the most important role in your hostile group. Even if he is just a foreigner, you must make him the primary target for eradication. Cicero's The letter also suggested this." Then he handed Cicero's documents to Pompey. Pompey looked at it and expressed his approval of the personal slave plan, "But I lack someone to restrain Claudius."

Demetrius smiled, and then invited someone to come in. Pompey was a little surprised on the couch and said, "It turns out it's you, Triali, who was the commander of the Eighth Army of Asia Minor. The present tribune.”

Triali hurriedly saluted Pompey and his wife, and said tirelessly, "Dear Sir, I am by no means an ungrateful bastard like Maximus. As long as you can help me and reward me with a step up, I will repay you twice as much." Just as Lepidus repaid Caesar."

At this time, Demetrius stepped forward, patted Triali's back gently, and said half teasingly and half seriously, "But my master has a worry. It seems that Maximus and you are in trouble." When you followed Cassius to Egypt, didn't you stay and serve as Lepidus' naval auxiliary officer? You also assisted him in organizing a fleet and training oarsmen - I even heard rumors that you came back to run for tribune. It’s also the funds provided to you by Li Bida.”

"That's true. Even if I sue him, it's just a gimmick for the campaign. But the other party is just an exile now. How could I not understand such a simple situation?" Triari was shameless to the end. He confessed with a smile on his face.

Pompey nodded and said that you were born into a wealthy knight, and you also retired honorably and without fault in the Asia Minor war. You are fully qualified to be promoted. "Now my request is that the tribunes in Rome cannot It is monolithic, let alone Caesar's personal tool. You can also recruit some refugees and veterans to fight against that bastard Claudius. If you have money problems, just discuss it with Demetrius, but remember, do anything. You have to be smart with your hands and feet and don't involve me in public." After saying that, Pompeo shook off his robe, hugged Julia and walked towards the lake in front of the door.

While Pompey was supporting agents, Lepidus quietly left Rome and stayed in the Bay of Naples, the former palace where Ptolemy stayed (originally sold by Julia, but now it has been redeemed and now converted into an ordinary villa (to cover up people’s eyes and ears), a luxurious and small secret banquet was held.

Only four people were invited, Crassus, Basatus, Ebro, and Curio.

There are actually only two topics for the secret discussion. One is the continued extension of the "friendship" between Caesar and Crassus, and the other is Crassus's expedition next year.

Even though the table was filled with first-class wine, plus platters of lobsters, oysters, and tender meats, the tone of the argument was still fierce, "My son must bring a considerable number of Gallic cavalry to join my expeditionary force to assist me in battle." . In addition, all the legions of Lepidus in Cyrene should be mine." This is Crassus' request.

Ebro and Basatus also had a fierce attitude, "If this is the case, Caesar's military vacancies in Gaul will become larger and larger. Now he is planning an expedition against the British barbarians across the ocean, and needs General Lepidus' men to return." go."

"It's funny. If you can't satisfy me with these conditions, then your Caesar shouldn't go to the other side of the ocean because he doesn't have the money to build enough ships. Don't forget that I am the financial sponsor of his infamous war." Crassus Furious. (To be continued...)