< 242. The Future of Ro 2 >
Apart from the assassins who were plotting, the political scene of Ro seed to be peaceful.
It was like the calm before the storm.
The aristocrats tried their best not to catch Caesars eye, while the populists agreed with everything Caesar said, as they always did.
But there were always those who gave signs of unrest.
Caesars close associates constantly paid attention to the rumors on the streets and warned him.
One of them was Caesars wife, Calpurnia.
She was very anxious about Caesar attending public events without any guards.
Please, cant you take so lictors with you? There might be people with bad intentions.
I have the citizens who always support around . What are you worried about?
But you are almost defenseless in places where ordinary citizens cant participate.
The only places where citizens cant participate are public eting rooms, and there are other officials who have lictors there. So I dont need to drag lictors around and intimidate people.
Caesar answered casually, but looked closely at his wifes face.
She looked different from usual, with no strength in her eyes and full of anxiety.
He grabbed Calpurnias hand tightly and asked again.
Why are you so anxious? Did you hear anything bad?
When I went out on the street last ti, a fortune-teller warned to be careful. He was a famous fortune-teller who was very good at predicting bad things
Fortune-tellers are always like that. They create anxiety in people. Thats how they make money. Im breaking many traditions in Ro right now. But to others, I might look like a destroyer of tradition. So I need to show them that I respect the traditions that have value. Not taking lictors with is also for that reason.
Then how about taking so guards like Marcus?
Caesar felt a bit embarrassed by his wifes persistent attitude today.
He wondered if he had to do that much, but he thought it would be best to appease her for now and nodded slightly.
Ill think about it. But hiring guards is not sothing I can decide easily. Ill think about it slowly after this months schedule is over. I have to go out soon because I have to attend a dinner hosted by Lepidus.
Calpurnia didnt seem completely satisfied, but she accepted it and stepped back.
Caesar put on a tunic dyed in crimson and purple, and wrapped a huge toga over it.
He finished his preparations and went out of the mansion as he was, riding a sacra via to the temple on the Capitoline Hill.
He finished his duties as the chief priest and t with his clients until evening ca.
He turned his footsteps to the Palatine Hill to attend a dinner party hosted by Lepidus.
Lepidus, who was Caesars lover Servilias son-in-law, had been quite close to Caesar since before along with Cassius.
He also had excellent administrative skills, so Marcus also showed him a lot of favor.
Being friendly with both of Ros real powers, he had many opportunities to make money.
He had a talent for seeing through the flow of finance, and accumulated a huge fortune in a few years.
He bought one of the best mansions in Ro.
The luxury mansion overlooking the Forum Romanum was full of guests he invited.
Looking at the faces of those who gathered, there was no distinction between populists and aristocrats.
Caesar and Marcus, as well as Antonius and Cicero, Brutus, Cato, Piso, etc.
It was no exaggeration to say that all the prominent figures in Ro were in one place.
Lepidus naturally placed Marcus and Caesar at the highest seats among them.
Soon after all the guests arrived, they took their seats guided by Lepidus.
Its been a while, father-in-law.
Marcus greeted politely and sat next to him.
Caesar smiled brightly and reached out his hand.
I feel like I can breathe now that I see your face. Ive been surrounded by annoying people lately. How is your business going?
Yes. Im planning to open the facilities next month. Im going to host an opening celebration dinner, and Id appreciate it if you could join and brighten up the place.
Id love to go. The black drink you gave last ti coffee, was it? I thought it was just bitter at first, but it had a strange charm. How should I put it? It makes want to drink more.
Our household staff are already addicted to coffee. Julia tried to drink six cups a day, so I had to stop her with sweat.
Oh dear. I drank one cup at night and couldnt sleep, so I got scolded. But it would be great when I have sothing to do all night.
As they chatted and laughed, the banquet went on harmoniously.
Lepidus was very picky about food and wine, so everyone was satisfied with the high-quality al.
He served the best white wine for the light fish dishes, and specially selected Chios red wine for the heavy at dishes.
And that was not all.
He offered four different kinds of wine to match the desserts that followed.
I feel like my fatigue from today is gone when I taste this.
Caesar muttered and drank his cup repeatedly.
How about you? Does Julia always get anxious when you go to war? She tries not to show it, but I can see it. Im more worried about her health than anything else. Is sothing wrong?
A fortune-teller gave a bad prediction and told to take lictors with again. I explained why I couldnt do that, and he told to take guards like you. I wish I had a loyal slave like Spartacus by my side. The problem is that I dont have anyone like that around .
Spartacus had recently been elected as a plebeian financial officer and gained the qualification of a senator.
Thanks to that, he was able to stand by Marcuss side as if it was natural even when the Senate eting was held.
How about Verkingetorix? Wouldnt it be reassuring to have him by your side?
I wish I could, but he seems to be busy enough to lose his eyesight. He has a lot of things to worry about as the representative of Gaul.
Well, Surenas is in a similar situation.
Marcus smiled pleasantly as he felt the sweet texture of cheese on his tongue.
The reform of the long-exhausted administrative system had reduced his workload in the eastern provinces by more than half.
It was still premature to introduce a professional bureaucratic system, but he had laid a solid foundation for it.
Moreover, he had delegated most of his authority to Publius and Septimus while he was in Ro, so he had almost nothing to worry about.
He didnt care much about the construction of hotels or the design of new systems.
He wanted to stay in Ro for the next few years, pretending to work.
Marcus was not a workaholic like Caesar, who dealt with docunts even during als, and he didnt want to be one.
Caesar glanced at the andnt on free grain distribution and asked him one last question for confirmation.
Anyway, you dont agree with taking Lictor with , do you?
Theres no need to drag Lictor around. I dont do that either.
Your situation is a bit different from mine, but Anyway, I get it. Since you think so too, lets keep this situation as it is.
But why did you suddenly bring up that topic? There must have been a reason for it.
It was widely known that Calpurnia had a bad dream on the day Caesar was assassinated.
Whether it was a story made up by later flatterers or a real coincidence, there were quite a few people who warned Caesar of the misfortune.
Caesar ignored their warnings for various reasons, but it was undeniable that he had too much confidence.
My wife heard so rumors. I guess its because I live in the official residence and Im closer to the citizens than other nobles. Naturally, I hear all kinds of groundless rumors.
I see. It must be worrying if you hear ominous rumors.
Who doesnt suffer from absurd rumors as a politician? There must have been plenty of people who wanted to assassinate since my youth.
Well Considering the rage of countless n who might think you stole your wife from your father-in-law.
Caesar smirked at Marcuss sharp remark.
Youre not so innocent yourself when it cos to having multiple won. How are the Pharaohs of Egypt?
They are doing well. They might be on a ship to Ro by now.
The Pharaohs of Egypt are coming to Ro?
They might have so tourist purposes, but there are so things to coordinate when the Senate seats are expanded. They probably think they can get a better deal if they are in Ro rather than sending an envoy.
Caesar took his eyes off the pile of docunts and looked interested.
He had been thinking of having a conversation with the Pharaohs of Egypt anyway.
Make a place for them when they arrive in Ro. Ill gladly attend.
Understood.
Marcus felt a strange feeling as he recalled the relationship between Cleopatra and Caesar in the original history.
He nodded his head.
The Ides of March was the day when Caesar declared that he would finalize the expansion of the Senate seats.
This matter was so important that Marcus also attended the eting.
As he entered the Curia, he saw more than 500 senators scattered around chatting.
Those who recognized Marcus hurriedly approached him and vied for his attention.
You must be busy with your work. How did you find ti?
I cant miss such an important matter. But its almost ti for the eting to start, and I dont see the praetor.
Oh, Lucius had so trouble at the Colosseum and said he would be late. Anyway, even if the eting starts, Caesar and the aristocratic faction will argue fiercely, so we wont vote until much later. It wont be a problem if the praetor is an hour or two late. If he doesnt co until the end, you can preside over the eting instead.
Marcus nodded his head and went to his seat.
Spartacus naturally stood on his right side, and Surenas, who was sitting on his left side, did not take his eyes off the huge pile of docunts in his arms.
Is it ti to start?
Marcus stared at more than twenty aristocratic senators gathered below the stairs.
No one thought it was strange that they were gathered together to oppose Caesar vehently.
Trebonius was loudly talking about their argunts for the debate as if he wanted everyone to hear them.
Cassiuss face was black with tension, and Cicero also had dark circles under his eyes.
Suddenly, he lifted his head and looked in the direction where Marcus was.
Their eyes t, and Marcus waved his hand and smiled.
Cicero smiled back as calmly as possible and ca over to greet him.
You attended the eting today. Youve been missing lately.
I cant miss such an important matter that could ruin the republic. It would have been nice if you could stop Caesar.
Im sorry. I have to remain neutral on this matter. But I secretly hope that you and Cato will win the debate.
Yeah. Thats right.
Cicero nodded his head with a dry sigh and fixed his gaze on Caesar, who had just entered the eting hall.
I have to go back now. I need to align my words with my colleagues a little more.
He let out a short sigh several tis and walked slowly, adjusting his breath.
Good luck.
Marcus watched him turn around with an inscrutable expression.
Caesar, who had taken his seat on the high podium, declared the start of the eting in his usual loud voice, as if he knew or didnt know this tense atmosphere.
< 242. The Future of Ro 2 > End
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