Chapter 234: Triumph 3

Chapter 234: Triumph 3

< 234. Triumph 3 >

This triumph was unlike any other triumph that Rome had ever seen.

It was not just a matter of scale or splendor.

Pompey’s triumph was also impressive in terms of size and magnificence.

Rather, if we look at the contribution to the state treasury, Pompey had done more service than this.

This war was, after all, a repulsion of an invading enemy, not a complete conquest of that region.

Marcus intended to fully annex the Bosporus and make the Black Soil a Roman land.

If he had led the war to victory, he needed something to boast to the people.

It was good to save the country from an unprecedented crisis, but it was also important to bring tangible benefits that they could feel.Rêạd new chapters on no/v/e/lbin(.)com

In this respect, the outcome of this war was satisfactory enough for both the Senate and the citizens.

There was one thing that the Huns had helped with, even though they had inflicted massive damage on them.

Thanks to the Huns pushing out the entire vast area from eastern Germany to the Black Soil, there was no problem in occupying it.

The countries that had settled in that area were already destroyed by the Huns, and the minorities who were ruled by them welcomed Rome as liberators.

As a result, Dacia, which had been devastated by the Huns, was quickly incorporated into Rome’s province, and the reorganization of eastern Germany was also underway.

The Romans of this era did not know well, but Marcus knew how rich the Black Soil was.

This area, also known as Chernozem in modern times, had all the conditions for maintaining fertile soil.

It was a bit exaggerated, but it was a land where farming would be better than the Italian peninsula even if you just sowed seeds.

And the resilience of the soil was amazing.

No matter how much you farmed, the fertility of the land hardly decreased.

If it was a burden to pull the border line up here, you could just set up a puppet regime and build a colony.

Marcus’s report to the Senate emphasized this point greatly.

Hundreds of thousands of slaves secured from the Bosporus and new granaries.

These two factors alone would make up for the losses suffered by Rome in this war and leave plenty of change.

Brutus, who was also a senator, was able to access the contents of this report faster than anyone else.

“So how much richer are we talking about?”

“Didn’t Governor Marcus give a simple example? He said that if Gaul and Britain were fully cultivated and food was produced normally in the Black Soil, there would be enough food even if Rome’s population doubled.”

“This is amazing... I couldn’t even imagine this a few years ago. On one hand, I’m worried that there might be other problems if food is so abundant that it rots.”

“Well, that’s true. Maybe there will be a demand to distribute wheat for free to not only the poor but also all citizens. This point needs to be discussed together.”

The senators’ faces were bright as they listed their worries one by one.

The food problem had always been a headache for everyone since Rome’s population increased rapidly.

But when did they stop worrying about that?

This was also entirely due to Marcus’s merit.

His developed new farming and sowing methods took root and increased food production efficiency.

On top of that, he also benefited from taking over Mesopotamia and expanding the granaries.

Now imagine how happy it would be if they cultivated Gaul and Britain and applied new farming methods there.

Cicero read through the report with a satisfied smile on his face.

“Governor Marcus’s report says that population growth is a planned future and we need to prepare for it now. He asks us to use our wisdom to devise a system that suits the new Rome. It naturally shows how much he values ​​the Senate.”

“Of course. Isn’t it us who make the foundation of Rome? He knows what is essential.”

“It’s amazing that he still keeps his original intention even though he has reached such a high position. Some people might waver in his place.”

Cato, who had been looking for an opportunity, added a word.

“If it weren’t for Governor Marcus, Caesar would have already revealed his ambition. I guarantee you.”

“Hmm... well... that...”

“Since it hasn’t happened yet...”

As most of the senators hesitated and trailed off their words, Cato snorted and raised his voice.

Neither side was a future he wanted to imagine.

‘I’ll have to talk to Marcus when he comes back.’

The news that Marcus had left Brundisium and was coming to Rome had already reached the senate.

The Roman citizens were all preparing to welcome the return of the hero.

Some even said that they couldn’t wait for his arrival and went down to Brundisium to join him on his way back to Rome.

This was not a simple exaggeration.

As Marcus approached Rome, more and more people followed him.

But Brutus and even the senate did not expect something that happened.

Marcus, who they thought would come straight to Rome, settled down in Mars Field outside the sacred boundary line.

“I have enough preparations for the triumph here. I will stay here until then.”

He did not add anything else, but it was as good as declaring that he valued Rome’s tradition.

Still, for his supporters who wanted to see him, he showed up near the city gate every day.

Brutus felt something that had been stuck in his chest loosen up at once at Marcus’s move.

He made an excuse that he was sick and skipped the senate meeting to see Marcus’s face.

As expected, today too, people were flocking to see Marcus’s face.

“Oh, there he is. Marcus!”

“Please stay in Rome for a long time this time!”

“Don’t you have any intention of running for the consulship!”

The cheers were so loud that his ears were deafened.

People were leaning their faces to see Marcus’s face better, but they did not do anything rude like blocking his way.

But there is always an exception to everything.

A woman with a deep sorrow on her face suddenly jumped out of the crowd and blocked Marcus’s way, kneeling down.

“Marcus! Please listen to my story!”

“Hey! What kind of rude behavior is this! Get out of here!”

“Don’t you know that some people can’t do that and just watch!”

Naturally, there were shouts from all sides and the citizens moved to drag the woman away.

Marcus raised his hand to stop them and asked in a gentle voice.

“Did you suffer any injustice?”

“My son... he died in Greece. He was a boy who applied for the army with the determination to protect Rome... but not even his body, let alone a decent souvenir, came back.”

The woman started to cry and sob.

Marcus stopped walking and silently listened to her story.

“Even though he fought so bravely... all he got was ridicule that he had disgraced Rome. I was so unfair that...”

The crowd’s mood became solemn at the woman’s cry.

There were more than one or two people who had mocked those who had lost in Greece, swept by the atmosphere, even in this place.

Brutus, who had been watching the scene from the gap between the people, watched Marcus with a pounding heart, wondering what he would answer.

“I know that no matter what I say, it will not comfort the grieving lady’s heart. But still, the work of identifying the soldiers’ bodies and souvenirs is not over yet. I will do my best to return your son to your family.”

“Thank you. Thank you very much. And...”

The woman hesitated for a moment and then gathered her courage to say.

“Was my son’s death really... as people say, a vain death? A shameful fight that disgraced Rome... nothing more than a meaningless defeat?”

Marcus was silent for a moment and did not say anything.

The citizens who were gathered waited for his mouth to open, swallowing their saliva.

Marcus looked around them once and slowly opened his mouth.

“There was someone I wanted to invite here anyway, but this worked out well. I will take this opportunity to clear up this issue.”

< 234. Triumph > End