Chapter 25: False Feelings and True Intentions (Part 2)

"How is your father's property?"

"Of course, with your care, everything is fine. How much I long to serve under your subordinates, but you are now engaged in civilian work. "..." Maecenas said with a kind of outspoken enthusiasm.

After Lebida encouraged this young man, he saw another young man, but his clothes were extremely shabby, pulling a thin horse with hairless hair, and wearing nothing of value. In front of these people, he was like a cold among the peacocks. He was like a crow, but his eyes were extremely firm, so he was immediately noticed by Li Bida, "This will be a good man in the future."

However, Lepidus, who adopted a provocative approach, deliberately walked up to the child, took Maecenas's sword, threw it to the child, and said, "Before your master enters the camp and takes the oath, as a Servant, his sword must be kept and polished.”

The young man stood up straight with some anger and dissatisfaction, and said, "Rong Zhen, I am not a servant, I am from a noble family - although my family is in decline, because my brother once served Pompey, and you later released him."

"Of course, of course, I know your identity. You are the younger brother of Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa, right?" Lepidus then tried to magically throw Maecenas's sword back, and then He then took out a dagger with a gorgeous scabbard and a bag of silver coins from behind, "Marchus Agrippa, come on, put on your weapons, and use these coins to exchange for some clothes that the young nobles like."

Who would have thought that Agrippa only took the dagger and flaunted it in front of Lepidus, saying, "I only need this. Clothes, money and merit will all come with my own efforts."

The former cavalry commander nodded in approval, and then Leo and Octavian both came forward affectionately. He hugged Agrippa and never let go. They have obviously known each other for a long time. However, Agrippa rarely followed them to participate in social activities and watch competitive activities. He was a strict self-disciplined young man.

"How about, young children, follow my fleet and sail to Apollonia. Then you will all become cavalry captains and study hard at the Apollonia Academy! Writing, rhetoric and mathematics are indispensable, but Don't forget to hone your swordsmanship and riding skills!" Lepidus was in a good mood today, and then Octavian said, "Macenas is not going to the academy."

"Of course he won't go to the academy. Because I forgot to mention just now, Maecenas is just a knight in the province of Macedonia now. You and Leo are his superiors. Ask him to come to the academy every two months to report on his work to you. ." Lepidus said playfully, and then the children burst into laughter, and Maecenas shouted that I will fulfill this duty.

It was now the end of September. On the Adriatic Sea, Lepidus' fleet set sail against the wind, but when they stood on the deck, they noticed that the entire sea was above them. Brindisi was like a huge magnet, attracting ships from all over: Illyria, Greece, Cyrene, Sicily. All kinds of ships covered the sea, but the teenagers lying on the side of the ship looked at each other affectionately under the setting sun. Most of them were not merchant ships, but transport fleets carrying people. Among them, the one that surprised Leo the most was It was a simple and primitive longship from Illyria. I don’t know how long the people on board had been suffering and fighting on it, but when they saw Lepidus’ ship, they still waved and shouted enthusiastically and proudly, and Asked how long it would take to reach Rome.

"They went to stay in the citizen representative area of ​​Ostia River Port. If nothing else happens, they will have to wait one to two months before voting on the national plan for the coming year on the 'sheep pen' in the square." Lepida He also lay on the side and explained to the children.

"For the sake of citizenship? Guardian, this scene makes me despise the Republic and every other wonder place in the world, because it is the place that best proves the greatness of Rome, allowing these people to brave the danger of shipwreck and the hardship of sleeping in the wind to come Here we are quarreling over the affairs of the whole country." The sea breeze blew the hair on Turinus' forehead, and he said these words intoxicatedly.

And Leo was also looking at the entire seascape under the golden sunshine. Then he turned back, leaned against the side of the ship, pulled the sail rope, and murmured, "Farewell, mother and sister; farewell, Octavia." "

A few days later, at the port of Apollonia, Turinus, Leo, Maecenas and Agrippa turned around and waved goodbye to Lepidus, "Carry your own luggage, Maecenas, my knight." Then Lepidus suddenly shouted, and Maecenas turned red in the face. He hurriedly pulled the things carried by the servants around him, and then several children were each carrying things that were about the same weight as the soldiers marching. They hummed and refused to admit defeat. After getting off the gangway and boarding the land, when the mules and horses in the cabin were led out, they pulled the reins, because no one dared to ride up in front of Lepidus, and walked towards the college full of poplars and pine trees on the other side of the mountain. Go there, the white courtyard wall there is very easy to spot.

Then, their fleet continued forward and arrived at the port of Piraeus in the city of Athens. Similar to the Ostia river port in Rome, the city of Athens, which was good at designing and defending, was not directly adjacent to the ocean. This made It can ensure that it is foolproof before the enemy navy raids. Between Piraeus and Athens, there is a long city wall. Lepidus personally led his team members and thousands of Gallic slaves along the streets under this wall. , walked into the Agora Market, the famous business district of Athens.

After becoming a vassal of Rome, Athens' market buildings also changed in line with the republican style. A rectangular colonnaded hall was built in the Agora for municipal meetings. The democracy of ancient Greece was gone, and the power of the city was also in the hands of elders and nobles.

"Your team will temporarily stay in the open space around the Ten Generals' Council Hall, where there are houses and tents for rent, and good drinking water. When the city has prepared enough supplies, let the supervisor take this group of people to the Isthmus of Corinth." Several local dignitaries standing in front of the Agora said to Lepidus very respectfully.

"Well, the time for this project is not particularly urgent, but the excavation of the ancient city of Troy is imminent." Lepidus looked at the bustling Agora business district with interest, and said casually, as if he didn't care much about any of the work.

However, the local nobles were well prepared and immediately reported back that the newly built Pandino Library in the city could meet the needs. "Your Excellency's secretary and scribe can stay there, and there are a large number of files in the library for research and reference." (To be continued...)

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