Chapter 182: Waves of Revolution

Chapter 182: Waves of Revolution

< 182. Waves of Revolution >

“Then we will adopt Cato’s proposal for the food distribution issue.”

The booming voice of the consul, Aemilius Lepidus Pius, echoed in the newly expanded senate house.

It was a building that Marcus had built to restore the dignity of the senate.

It was more magnificent and spacious than before, enough to overlook the whole of Rome.

Considering the conservative tendencies of the elders, he had also placed sculptures that were at least 100 years old.

Marcus had renovated the senate house because he believed that Rome should look more splendid than cities like Athens, Alexandria, or Antioch.

Rome, the center of the world, and the senate house that led Rome, had to have a dignity that matched them.

Marcus’s argument received a lot of support from the conservative elders.

The new senate house was much larger than before, so it could accommodate more people.

The senators were happy to use the space more comfortably, but it was a design that also considered the possibility of increasing the number of senators in the future.

Marcus decided to spend some money and renovate the forum beyond the senate house as well.

He paved marble on the vacant lot, and erected eye-catching statues and pillars on all sides.

In the center fountain, he placed nymph statues made by famous artists with great care.

At first, the senators were suspicious of his intentions, but they were greatly satisfied with the majesty of the completed senate house.

In fact, the number of travelers and merchants coming to Rome from the wealthy east was increasing day by day.

They often ridiculed the senate house as a shabby place.

It was a huge insult to the proud elders that Rome was regarded as a barbarian with only strength.

Fortunately, the newly completed senate house was so majestic that even the arrogant rich men of Alexandria would stick out their tongues.

Marcus strengthened his influence again by establishing the prestige of the senate in these small places.

Sextus sneaked up and sat next to him, who was leisurely watching the progress of the meeting from behind.

“Are you not going to express your opinion at this meeting?”

“The meeting of the senate should be led by the consul. I intervened too much before, so it’s better to have a cooling-off period like this. This way, they won’t suspect me if I keep some distance from them.”

“But didn’t you propose the initial plans for expanding food distribution and building a library? It might look like other senators are taking credit for your work.”

“That’s why it’s better. The people and nobles are not fools. They know who is really leading these projects, no matter what name is attached to them.”

Sextus tilted his head with a vague expression.

Marcus sighed inwardly at Sextus’s reaction.

At Pompey’s request, he agreed to look after Sextus for two years.

The rumor that Marcus recognized Sextus as Pompey’s successor had a tremendous impact.

The governors who were looking around immediately bowed their heads to Sextus and pledged their loyalty.

They were people who had been evasive even when he visited them personally.

They changed their attitude as soon as they sensed that Marcus was on his side.

Sextus felt the harshness of reality.

He decided that it was time to lie low for now.

He deliberately stuck to Marcus’s side and asked for his advice on almost every issue.

It was more to show his friendship with Marcus than to really need help.

Marcus knew this too, but he still gave him sincere guidance.

But as he spent more time with him, he naturally got an estimate of how much Sextus could handle.

He couldn’t help but compare him with Octavius, who was improving every day.

Even now, it was like that.

If it were Octavius, he would have understood what Marcus intended and raised more advanced questions or topics for discussion.

Sextus couldn’t expect such a brilliant talent from him.

Most of them were naturally derived from the process of senate meetings.

Marcus intended to propose agendas only when absolutely necessary.

For several months, Rome’s political situation was peaceful without any trouble.

The citizens marveled at the majesty of the huge library that was being built and eagerly waited for its completion.

He intended to watch the atmosphere for a while like this, but unexpectedly he had to step up sooner than he thought.

He convened a senate meeting after receiving a letter from Antioch.

The senators who saw Marcus sitting on his high seat felt that something very important would be discussed today.

Marcus confirmed that more than enough people were present and started the meeting.

“I think many of you are curious about why I convened this meeting.”

Marcus finished his prayer before starting the meeting as short as possible and went straight to the point.

“The delegation from Han arrived from where we agreed to exchange last year. They are not satisfied with just looking around Syria, but they want to see Rome in person. We have some time until they arrive in Rome by boat, so we need to check again on the scale and schedule of the welcome ceremony, as well as how to treat them.”

The senators looked at each other with embarrassed expressions.

Among them, there were few who knew exactly what country Han was and where it was attached.

Marcus had reported several times about related matters, but there was no serious discussion about it.

“I reported last year that I sent a delegation there. And I got an answer that I should handle it at my discretion.”

“Ah, is it that great country that is farther east than India?”

“I think we just decided to leave everything to Marcus because we were so busy at that time...”

The senators seemed to remember it as if they had just remembered it.

Marcus bit his tongue softly at their reaction.

“Han is the country with the strongest power in the far east. They have population, technology, and culture that are comparable to Rome, so we need to maintain a friendly relationship with them. Considering the distance between the two countries, there won’t be any direct conflict anyway.”

Cicero stood up as a representative and asked a question.

“Isn’t that the place where the silk fabric that is popular these days is produced?”

“That’s right. We mainly import silk from Han and they import wine and sugar from us.”

“Doesn’t that mean that the reason why the delegation came here is not simply to exchange friendship, but to dig out the sugar manufacturing method?”

“Maybe they have that purpose too. They won’t do anything obvious like trying to dig out the manufacturing method right away, but they might have some idea of getting a clue.”

Cato sneered and shook his head.

“Then isn’t it rather good? There is not a single person in Rome who knows the sugar manufacturing method... No, there is only one person.”

There was a burst of laughter among the senators.

As Cato said, sugar manufacturing was virtually monopolized by Marcus.

If Han had really wanted to get the sugar manufacturing method, it would have been better to search the East, but they had no way of knowing this fact.

This was not a matter of mocking Han’s ignorance.

It was common sense that usually the most information was concentrated in the capital of any country.

The delegation that Marcus sent to Han also went to the capital, Chang’an.

“Then there is no need to worry. Let’s treat the envoys from Han as the best guests and take them wherever they want to go. We just have to be considerate so that they can enjoy Rome’s culture as much as possible.”

Cicero smirked and winked as he said.

“After all, what are you worried about when you don’t know any secrets to leak even if you want to? It would be better to discuss what we can dig out from them instead.”

“I agree with that.”

Piso readily agreed with Cicero’s words.

Finally, Cato scratched his head and asked Marcus.

“By the way, who did you say was in charge of the delegation you sent to Han? Is he trustworthy?”

“I sent my brother Publius. He will probably come back with satisfactory results that you will all be happy with.”

< 182. Waves of Change > End