Roman Slave Owner

"I see. The Crusaders should stop recruiting. Three legions are enough."

Levi said.

"It's really nice."

Valens said excitedly, seeing so much money being spent like water, it would be a lie to say that he doesn't feel distressed.

"In addition, I decided to completely eliminate Metellus in January next year."

Levi said.

The handover of the consul will be in March next year, so Li Wei still has five months in office.

"How to solve it? We don't have any advantage in the Senate."

Cicero said dejectedly that the tribunes of the people originally supported them, but now even the tribunes of the people have no advantage.

"Look at this."

Li Wei pushed a piece of paper in front of them, and everyone hurried over to read it.

"Give Li Weishan the position of governor of the three provinces of Northern Gaul, Southern Gaul, and Iberia for a five-year term. He has an army of 10 legions. He is also allowed to hire allied troops and mercenaries to participate in the war, including the Crusaders."

"Give Li Wei the right to go to war, allow him to attack the Germans and other threatening barbarians, and allocate a total of 100 million dinars for war expenses."

"The existence of crusaders is allowed, and there is no upper limit on their number."

"In view of the abuse of divination power, all centurion meetings, citizen assemblies, civilian assemblies, and senate meetings can be held without divination."

After reading this, everyone was shocked.

"Patriarch, what do you mean?"

Cicero asked with some horror, he felt that Li Wei seemed to be making a big deal.

"I have decided to submit these as bills to the Citizens' Assembly, which will be voted on by the Citizens' Assembly."

Levi said.

Since the right of divination has been abused by Metellus and the others, the right of divination should be completely abolished.

Moreover, it is too expensive to raise the crusaders of 8 legions, so he decided to ask the state and the church to help raise some of them.

He still planned to take an army of 10 legions on an expedition to Germany, in addition to adding 2 legions of crusaders, and all other crusaders stayed in Rome to prevent accidents.

Anyway, I have an absolute advantage in the Citizens' Assembly, so I don't have to be afraid that I won't be able to pass these.

"But... these are really crazy, those elders and priests will go crazy."

Cicero said.

He can guarantee that once these conditions are put forward, the Senate will definitely go crazy.

It is impossible for the country to spend money for Li Wei to make contributions, and the elders will definitely oppose it desperately.

The right to divination is a right that the nobles cherish very much. For this reason, all parties have fought for hundreds of years. How could they give up so easily?

"Don't worry, they have to agree if they don't agree. The citizens' assembly has the supreme power."

Li Wei said with a smile that at this time, he was very fortunate that the Citizens' Assembly had the highest legislative power passed in March.

"Patriarch, do you want to do something... something big."

Gaita said.

"You are right. When the Crusaders complete their initial training, I will hold a meeting of the Senate to announce this decision in person. The decisive battle will be in January next year!"

Li Wei said coldly.

He is a little annoyed, let's solve these things as soon as possible.

Cicero looked at these clauses with a frown, and finally said: "Of course we can pass the clause to abolish the right of divination, but once it is abolished, it will inevitably lead to a huge counterattack from the enemy. I suggest that it is best to modify it."

"How to modify?"

Levi asked.

"It is best to change it to all priests and officials with divination powers before the assembly. Which day is an auspicious day, let the citizen assembly be held on that auspicious day. Of course, there must be a time limit for this auspicious day, such as the three days proposed by the bill. Between the market and 6 market days."

Cicero said.

Li Wei pondered for a while, nodded, and looked at him with admiration.

As expected of Cicero, what he thought was thoughtful.

"You make a lot of sense. What we want is that the Citizens' Assembly must be held, not to deprive them of their right to divination.

This can indeed greatly weaken their desire to resist, so it's settled. "

Levi said.

After speaking, he picked up a pen and revised the clause.

***

***

There was an uproar in the Hostilla Hall, and they were all completely shocked by Li Wei's words.

"Li Wei, what are you doing?"

Metellus said in surprise and fear.

"I am firmly opposed to the German expedition. Although the Germans went south, it was decades ago. Now that the two sides are at peace, why start the war lightly?"

"The right to divination is a sacred and inviolable right of the priests, how can it be easily changed, you are blaspheming."

"The resolution passed by the Crusader-style Senate should be implemented immediately. You can submit it to the Citizens' Assembly, but it does not mean that you can violate the resolution of the Senate."

"..."

The crowd in the auditorium was raging, and many elders desperately criticized Li Wei, as if Li Wei had committed some heinous crime.

Cicero and the others also defended Li Wei, but their voices were like a wave in the sea, and it didn't work at all.

Li Wei looked at them coldly, and said loudly, "I've made my point very clear. I'll see you at the Citizens' Meeting on the three market days."

After speaking, he ignored the anger of the elders and left here.

All the elders talked a lot, and finally left here helplessly.

With a gloomy face, Metellus rejected the proposal of many elders to discuss together, and then winked at Crassus and Pompey, and the three left here respectively.

It was not long before they were together at Pompey's home.

"Lee Wei must be doing something, and it's a big thing, I can assure you."

Metellus said with a serious face.

"You are right. He dared to propose such a radical plan, which shows that he has decided to give it a go."

Crassus said.

"Will he lead his troops to attack Rome?"

Metellus said with a difficult tone.

The room immediately fell into silence. Maybe they already had the answer in their hearts, but no one wanted to believe it.

"We have to do something, Pompeo, can you reach out to more veterans?"

Metellus asked.

"Yes, but it will cost a lot of money to contact them."

Pompeo said, "I have recruited more than 1,000 veterans, but the cost of Rome is too high. Not only must food and housing be included, but each person has to pay them 20 dinars per month."

"Now is not the time to be reluctant to spend money. We need veterans from at least two legions."

Metellus said.

"Are you crazy? What do you want so many veterans for?"

Crassus couldn't help but said.

"Once Li Wei messes up, these veterans can protect us and kill us. You must know that Li Wei's strength exceeds 9 legions."

Metellus said.

Crassus sneered, after all, Metellus was not thinking about his own life.

He wanted Metellus to die, not himself.

"There are too many veterans in the two legions, I'm afraid we can't recruit so many."

Pompeo said.

Although he has connections with some veterans, those who are willing to obey him are some veterans who are not well mixed.

They need food, they need money, so they are willing to come out and work hard.

Many veterans, wives and children are hot on the kang, and they may not want to swim in the muddy waters of Rome.

"Then how many can you recruit?"

Metellus asked.

"About 5,000 people."

Pompey thought for a while and said.

"I'll figure out a way for the other people, and gather the strength of the two legions no matter what."

Metellus said with a grim expression.

"The veterans of the two legions cost at least 500,000 dinars a month including board and lodging. Which one of you will pay for this?"

Pompeo asked.

Crassus closed his eyes, looking like he didn't care.

It is impossible for him, Crassus, to pay the wronged money.

Of course he will make some preparations in private, but it has nothing to do with them.

Seeing this, Metellus gritted his teeth with anger.

"Pompey, how much are you willing to pay?"

"How about this, I'll recruit another 5,000 veterans, I'll pay for them, and you can figure out the rest yourself."

Pompeo said.

Metellus couldn't help but be overjoyed: "Okay, let's do it like this. We must be fast, and try to complete this matter before Levi reacts."

"OK."

Crassus said with a smile.

Metellus cursed secretly, and continued: "In addition, I think we should contact the governors of various places. If Li Wei dares to mess around, we should persuade those governors to enter Rome."

Pompey nodded expressionlessly, but he didn't take it seriously in his heart. Do those governors dare to do right with Li Wei? I'm afraid they don't have the guts.

"In addition, I know that you have some tenants in your hands. I hope you can arm them when necessary."

Metellus said.

"Levi has more sharecroppers."

Pompey reminded him.

"I... understand, it's just that it's a pinch, and I'm afraid we'll have to."

Metellus said that when he really confronted Li Wei, he realized that Li Wei's strength was extremely strong.

Regardless of financial resources or military strength, they are several times more than theirs, so how can they fight.

Pompey nodded slightly, but whether he would arm these tenant farmers or not would depend on the specific situation.

***

***

Although they tried their best to conceal their actions, they were still noticed by Li Wei.

A large number of veterans poured into Rome continuously, how could he fail to discover such a big situation, which forced him to revise his plan and transfer part of the Crusaders to Rome in advance.

With so many veterans and crusaders stationed in Rome, many people found something wrong with Rome.

A large number of knights and nobles began to flee, and the whole of Rome was in panic.

"Li Wei, I hope that both of you can maintain calm and restraint, and don't let Rome fall into the flames of war."

Inside the Vatican, Catullus said earnestly.

The situation in Rome is too severe now. Those cavalry and nobles can run away, but the senators cannot.

According to Roman law, the elders were not allowed to leave Rome at will.

So some elders discussed it and decided to send someone to make peace with the two parties.

"Don't worry, I'm calm and restrained. My request is very simple. As long as a citizens' meeting is held, those crusaders will retreat. I think my request is very reasonable."

Li Wei said lightly.

Catullus couldn't help but smiled wryly, convening a citizens' assembly would kill people, how could they agree.

"You know, it's really difficult."

Catullus said.

"When did it become difficult to hold a citizen's assembly? Is there something wrong with Rome?"

Levi said.

Catullus looked embarrassed, don't you understand the reason?

"Well, you go and tell Metellus, as long as he pleads guilty and goes into self-exile, I can consider letting his family go."

Levi said.

"This is really great, I will bring this sentence to him. I hope you will remain calm during this time, and there must be no conflict."

Catullus said happily, as long as the two sides don't fight.

After Catullus left, little Li Wei got out from nowhere.

"Dad, are you really going to let them go?"

"Of course not. You have to remember that the words of politicians cannot be trusted. Never show mercy to those who try to kill you."

Li Wei touched his head and said.

Little Li Wei nodded with a vague understanding.

After saying goodbye to Li Wei, Catullus conveyed Li Wei's words to Metellus.

Metellus couldn't help but ponder. The matter has developed to the current point. In fact, he is very eager to compromise, but Li Wei presses on every step of the way and doesn't give him a chance to compromise.

"I hope you can tell him that it is impossible for me to plead guilty. But I can let Keller go into exile and Scipio stand trial, as long as he is willing to let my family go."

Metellus said.

He is the pillar of the family, once he pleads guilty to self-exile, then his family will be on the couch, and Keiler's ability can't support his own family at all.

As for Keller's self-exile, it was already in his plan, as long as he was willing to accept the exile, no matter how big the crime was, he could be forgiven.

Once their plan to destroy Levi's roots is successful, it will be easy to recall Kyleur.

"Tell him, I don't accept it, it must be Metellus himself who confesses his guilt and accepts exile."

Li Wei told Catullus who came to deliver the message.

While the two sides were negotiating, a large number of crusaders came to Rome in various names wearing ordinary people's clothes.

As the date of the Citizens' Assembly approached, the atmosphere in Rome became more and more tense, and they knew that if Livi would make a move, the date was likely to be within a few days.

On January 1st, the cold wind howled, and the warm winter sun hung high in the sky.

After eating at noon, a large number of cavalry galloped towards the gate of Rome.

They were wearing white cloaks with black crosses on them. They were the crusaders who had recently stood on the cusp of the storm.

Looking at the Roman city gate, Memius took a deep breath.

He finally came back, and he didn't expect to come back in this way.

"Who are you?"

asked a soldier guarding the gate.

Memius smiled and said, "Memius, military tribune of the First Crusade Legion, please give me your advice."

"Hello."

The soldier said that he did not expect Memius to be a military tribune, and he was so easy to talk to.

Memius and the cavalry dismounted. At this time, a large number of crusaders also came out of the city, and they all gathered at the gate of the city.

"How long will it take for your people to arrive?"

said a Crusader officer dressed as a military tribune.

"An hour."

Memius said.