Apuleus was dragged out by the guards, struggling and shouting, "Don't lie to yourselves, Rome is over! It's all Camelus' fault! Jupiter is on top, help! Rome! It's all Camillous' fault..."
After Apuleus was escorted out, the temple was silent. Some people clasped their clothes tightly in their hands, with fear hidden in their eyes; some people looked down at the ground to cover up his red eyes...
Portitus and Malujinsis looked at each other, and a sense of powerlessness surged in his heart, but he suppressed this negative emotion and said softly: "Ambestus, please continue what you just said. issue."
… … … … … …
After the triumphal end, Davos was preparing to hold a military meeting to discuss the next step of the army's offensive plan, but before the meeting, he received a person.
"Sit down, Publius."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Publius was respectful and fluent.
Publius is not the elders on Capitoline Hill. These days, he has witnessed the sincerity of the civilians in the city of Rome, the escape of large numbers of civilian soldiers, and the escape from the Viais and Etruscans who came to Rome. The messenger of the city-state learned from the mouth: Viai and Kessrela were indeed captured by Dionia, and several city-states in Etruria allied with Dionia, followed by Surwartham and Xhosa. Surrender... He even learns that the Roman army that fought in Ostia was finally disbanded.
As the patriarch of a large Roman clan, he has been keenly aware that the Dionysians have established a firm foothold in the Latium area, and it will be difficult for Camelus and the others to regain Rome.
Emotionally, this was a bit frustrating for him, but it was good news for the Manlius clan, who had been forced to join the Dionysian side.
Therefore, in the eyes of Davos at this moment, Publius was sitting very well, posing a gesture of respectful listening.
Somewhat grasping Publius' mentality at this time, Davos smiled slightly in his heart and said, "I heard from Asistes, the Roman administrator, that you actively assisted the city hall during this time, making Dionysian The governance of Rome was more targeted, more efficient, and much smoother.”
"Master Asisters praised me too much. I just made some suggestions. After all, I know Rome better." Publius said modestly.
Davos looked at him and said suddenly and bluntly: "I think you, as the patriarch of Manlius and the patriarch of Rome, whether it is your understanding of this area or your ability to handle government affairs, are far better than Valks. , but he is now the administrative adjutant of Rome, and you are idle, do you feel unwilling?"
Publius's heart jumped, and he said quickly: "Your Majesty, my family and I are just your captives. We are very grateful for your forgiveness. How can we dare to expect other things!"
"You have joined the kingdom of Dionia and are becoming a citizen of Dioria. I think with your shrewdness, you should have understood the political system of Dionia these days." Davers tapped the table with his hand. Looking at him, he said: "The Senate of Dionia gathers the elites of various cities and races in Dionia. They can help me formulate the laws and decisions of the entire kingdom in the Senate, and they can also serve as a city, Even the chief executive of a region alone manages the administrative affairs of tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people. While they are fully dedicated to the kingdom, they are also doing their best to protect the rights and interests of the region and race of their origin. A city as big as Rome To be incorporated into the kingdom, of course, it is necessary to have elites who can represent the Roman people in the senate and cry for their rights..."
"Your Majesty..." Publius was moved, he knew that the reason why Davos said this to him must be because he was expecting him, so he boldly asked: "How can I become Dionia's What about the old man?"
"First of all, put down your role as a Roman nobleman, no matter what administrative position you hold, do your best to serve the commoners in the city and win their approval... I think you can easily achieve this with the foundation laid by Marcus. Davos said seriously: "Secondly, you have to make enough credit for the kingdom to gain the approval of the elders of Dionia, so that when you get the recommendation, at least you won't be opposed by most of the elders. ."
After listening to Publius, he immediately said: "What does your majesty want me to do, please give me an order, I will try my best to complete it!"
Indeed a wise man! Davos met the other party's eager eyes and said in a deep voice, "Now there is a very important thing that you need to do quickly. The Etruscan city-state has allied with us, and the Roman colony to the north has been completely eliminated. The north is safe. Although the army led by Camillous has been disbanded, he still has a considerable number of soldiers and the support of the Latin allies, and I do not intend to engage them head-on for the time being.
I need to send an emissary to the various Latin city-states in the south, while the Roman army is still resting at Sartnicum in the southwest, and try my best to persuade them to break away from the Latin Confederation, sever ties with Rome, and form an alliance with the kingdom , thereby further weakening the strength of the Roman remnants..."
It's not that Davos has not sent messengers before, but the effect is not good. The Latin city-state is still full of distrust of the outsider Dionia, just like the previous Etruscan city-state, so Davos will Get Publius.
In recent years, Rome has maintained a strong presence in the Latinum region, and the Latin city-states look up to it, and its high-level officials often have contacts with these large clans in Rome, and some even become relatives.
Publius thought for a while and asked, "What are the negotiating conditions?"
It looks like there is a play! Davos pretended to ponder and replied after a while: "Our alliance treaty with the Etruscan city-state can serve as a model. Heni, you will show Publius the content of the alliance agreement later."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Henipolis, who was on the side, responded immediately.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to send an envoy to the Latin city-state to the south." Publius no longer hesitated.
"Very good!" Davos smiled: "With you as the messenger, I believe the negotiation with the Latin city-state will be much smoother. Let's set off tomorrow. If there is anything you need to prepare before the messenger, you can tell Henepolis. , let him solve it for you."
Henepolis immediately nodded to Publius.
Publius also hurriedly gave Henepolis a friendly smile.
"There is one more thing." Davos continued: "When we entered the city of Rome, some remnants of the Roman nobles occupied the Capitoline Hill, and we have not attacked yet, mainly because we were busy stabilizing the order in the city at the time, and at the same time To take care of the emotions of the people in the city (in fact, the main reason is that Davos wanted to keep the enemies on Capitoline Hill to attract the army of Camelus to forcibly attack the city of Rome. As a result, Camelus was not fooled, and His army was eventually disintegrated, and its remnants retreated to Sartnicum to rest, watching their situation, and could no longer threaten the city of Rome for a short time).
Now that the city of Rome is stable, capturing the Capitoline Hill can save our troops and manage the city of Rome better. It wasn't actually because our Dionysian army couldn't attack. Capitoline Mountain is densely populated, and I just need to order the soldiers to continuously throw flaming tar cans with ballistas at the top of the mountain, and I can cause countless casualties..."
When Davos spoke, his tone was flat, but Publius made his hair stand on end. He had seen the terrifying scene of ballista attacking the city on the west side of the city before, and he had no doubts about its power. Hesitating whether to dissuade Davos.
However, Davos sighed and said in a pitiful tone: "I heard that there are many women and children on the mountain, and there are also quite a few temples... Therefore, this is the last resort. I am going to send an envoy up the mountain first. to persuade him to surrender."
Davos said this, but his eyes looked at Publius.
Publius hesitated for a moment, and asked boldly: "Your Majesty, if these people on the mountain surrender... What will we do with them?"
Davos knew what he was worried about: because after Dionia captured the Roman nobles, they mainly imprisoned, escorted from Rome, and became slaves... If this approach was followed, it would be impossible for the Romans on the mountain to surrender Yes, because most of them were Roman senators and nobles.
Davos smiled, tapped the back of the chair with his fingers, and said, "I can assure you that as long as they are willing to surrender and become citizens of Dionia, although they will be sent from Rome, they will not be demoted again. As slaves, they were scattered among the other territories of Dionia, enjoying the same rights as other citizens of the kingdom."
Publius was lost in thought, and he was still a little hesitant.
At this time, Davos said again: "If you become the elder Dionysian, your immediate family will be allowed to stay in Rome. Think about it, this may be the only Roman family left here!"
Publius was tempted again: "Your Majesty... can you allow me to persuade me to surrender after I have been sent to the Latin city-state?"
Publius said this because he had his own considerations. He knew that these elders and nobles on Capitoline Mountain were the most determined group of people, and would never surrender easily, leaving them sleepy on the mountain. God, it may be able to reduce the difficulty of persuading a bit.
"Of course you can." Davos promised and said happily: "You have boldly undertaken these two important things, which makes me feel a lot easier! Let's chat casually next, you have It's the elder of Rome, who grew up here, can you tell me in detail your views on these city-states and forces around Rome?"