Chapter 43: Choice of Era
In early 67 BC, Rome was on the verge of exploding due to civil dissatisfaction.
Above all, they couldn't stand the feeling that their lives got threatened because of the pirates.
Every day, the plebeian council condemned the incompetence of the Senate and Lucullus' greed that brought the situation to this point.
"We want to live a life without worrying about food!"
"Return the wheat price!"
"Does it make sense for pirates to enter the Italian Peninsula! The senate must come up with a plan!"
If this situation persists, there may really be a riot.
In fact, the reason why the Senate was so silent was not that they were incompetent.
Even the senators knew from the beginning how to deal with this situation.
The reason why wheat prices have soared now is due to social unrest.
If it could lower only this anxiety, wheat prices were likely to fall significantly at any moment.
All they have to do is give full authority to a master who can wipe out the pirates and announce that he will go into the sweep.
The Lucullus case was a problem that could got dealt with after a reasonable amount of time.
In fact, there was a continuous debate in the Senate.
Cicero has been rapidly increasing his popularity recently, raising his voice as if he was frustrated.
"How long do I have to drag on a problem that's obvious? No matter how much more you think about it, will there be any difference? If we leave the pirates like this, the riots are not the only problem, but the allies will turn their backs on Rome."
"Who doesn't know that? Everyone is worried because there is no suitable way."
"Aren't you trying to choose a solution that everyone knows? It is a problem that can be solved enough if a competent general is appointed to wipe out pirates, and if Lucullus is dismissed and a reputable general is sent to the East."
Despite Cicero's remarks, the senators still looked displeased.
Lucullus is Sulla's henchman who took the lead in strengthening the Senate and comes from a prestigious family who served as consul and praetor.
The majority of senators did not want to replace him, who belonged to the pro-senatorial faction.
Terentius, Lucullus' brother, cautiously suggested his opinion.
"Is there any need to dismiss Lucullus? Even if Mithridates has now recovered Pontus, that is only superficial. Having already lost a series of battles to Lucullus, his military power is not great. As long as Lucullus gathers his men, he will be able to drive back in no time."
"Isn't this what happened because he couldn't properly gather the troops?"
"After one failure, he must have learned a lesson. Shouldn't we at least give him a chance to make up for his mistakes?"
"Terentius is right. Even if Lucullus failed to finish, he still hasn't accomplished anything. You should respect that."
Other members of the aristocratic faction sided with Terentius.
When they reached a conclusion in the direction of not dismissing Lucullus, Cicero sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Well, aside from the Lucullus case... What are you going to do about the pirates? We should select a commander as soon as possible and draw up a plan to wipe out."
"Even if I ask you to select a commander...…."
All eyes of the senators turned toward the empty seat.
It is the place where Pompeius should be.
He was absent from the meeting because of urgent business.
Naturally, they thought he would come out to fight off pirates, but it was strangely quiet.
The senators were anxious about Pompeius's move.
"Why is Pompeius so still? Since he is the only one who can wipe out piracy anyway, it can only be seen as the intention of silently granting Imperium."
"That's right. You must want the Senate to bend over first."
"It shouldn't happen. So, wouldn't it be like the whole Senate is begging Pompeius?"
Senators were all of the same minds. If a request got made, it must be done by Pompeius first, never by the senate.
This is because if the Senate bends to Pompeius again this time, it will clearly recognize the authority of the Senate as under Pompeius.
For this reason, he could not organize a subjugation force even though pirates got infested.
It may seem ridiculous, but senators decided that the survival of the republican system was more important.
Of course, the Senate was the only one who had this idea.
For the majority of citizens, it was tens of thousands of times more important to stabilize their lives at the moment than for that reason.
Pompeius was also well aware of this fact.
And now there was Marcus next to him.
He advised Pompeius to stick to his silence on purpose.
Time is on his side anyway.
This is because if citizens' complaints exceed the critical point, the Senate will eventually have no choice but to bend and come in.
And the longer it drags on, the greater the right Pompeius can take.
Pompeius occasionally showed his face on purpose at the place where the plebeian council always held.
Whenever that happened, citizens desperately grabbed Pompeius's toga and hung on.
"Mr. Pompeius! Please do something about the pirates. I can't live like this at all."
"The only person who can calm this situation is Pompeius!"
"Ah, of course I'd love to, but there's a legal procedure for this...."
Pompeius did not mention the senator, but the citizens were not fools.
Rumors spread that the Senate did not give down the Imperium in envy of Pompeius.
Sensing the flow of public sentiment, the Senate is in a situation where it cannot do this or that.
Feeling that the time was finally ripe, Pompeius began to act.
He made a tribune named Gabinius his faithful limb.
The tribune is a public official elected by the plebeian council and serves to represent the plebeian.
Only plebeians could get appointed to the tribune, where they elected ten people at a time.
Those who become tribunals are entitled to enter the Senate and get promoted to aristocrats.
Their rights were indeed powerful, and no one could physically violence the tribune. There, all individuals have independent jurisdiction and legislative power.
Even if the Senate tried to pass any law, the tribune was able to block it by exercising its veto.
It is no exaggeration to say that the authority given alone is comparable to the consul, the highest official in Rome.
Sulla judged that the rights of the tribune were too strong and removed all privileges, but Pompeius returned them to their original state.
For that reason, Pompeius's current popularity among the plebeian was absolute.
Thanks to this atmosphere, tribune Gabinius proposed a shocking anti-piracy operation at the plebeian council.
"Citizens! How long do we have to endure it? We have been waiting for well over a year in respect of the authority of the elderly. But they're just proving that they don't have the ability or the idea to come up with a solution. Then we have no choice but to step up. The aristocrats will get away with this for a few more years, but we're different! I mean, it's a matter of survival for all of us!"
"Right! If the Senate intends to sit on the sidelines, the council must deal with this matter!"
"If you buy wheat, you don't have any money left! I don't understand why you're just watching this crazy situation!"
Gabinius unfolded the parchment he had written in advance and read the contents of the bill he was going to draft.
"According to the solemn will of the citizens, I, Gabinius, propose a bill that reads as follows! Twenty legions are dedicated purely to this operation."
If it were 20 legions, it would be a large army composed of more than 120,000 heavily armed infantry and 5,000 cavalries. Few wars in history have involved troops of this size.
"Secondly, in order to operate 20 legions, at least 500 military ships are deployed. Third, the commander-in-chief has the absolute authority to appoint the last member, and 14 senators are assigned!"
Gabinius' explanation continued.
The budget for this operation alone exceeded 140 million sestertii.
This is about two-thirds of the national budget.
In addition, the commander-in-chief of this operation could have jurisdiction over the entire Mediterranean area and more than 50 miles from the coast to the interior.
The duration of the mission was also unconventional.
Unlike the custom of renewing the Imperium on a yearly basis, the period of three years got set from the beginning.
Of course, Pompeius got nominated as the commander-in-chief with this absolute authority.
Throughout Roman history, there has never been a case in which they gave such a command to one person.
Even Scipio, at war with Hannibal, did not receive this authority.
This was practically putting the whole of Rome in Pompeius's hands.
This is because managing the entire Mediterranean area means that all of Rome's supply lines will go under Pompeius.
Citizens enthusiastically supported Gabinius' bill.
They were willing to give away as much authority as possible if he could end this tiresome pirate.
The Senate is literally in a state of turmoil.
Those who belong to Optimates shouted that they could never accept such a crazy bill.
They even accused Pompeius of having the seeds of a dictator.
But not everyone objected.
Cicero, who is close to Pompeius, first voted in favor.
He was a thorough republican but also a loyalist to the republic's security.
"Everyone, you have to think calmly. If you veto it here and vote that bill down, all that's left is riots. If you don't intend to stamp down the entire Roman citizen by force, you have no choice but to support Pompeius here."
The senators were only upset and could not make any counterarguments.
Here was someone who gave strength to Cicero's opinion.
It was Caesar, who newly entered the Senate as a quaestor.
"If there is a senator who wants to take charge of this operation instead of Pompeius, feel free to express your opinion. Or we should come up with a more reasonable alternative. Otherwise, the citizens will see this as a mere pinch. Then, naturally, the Senate has no choice but to take care of the aftermath, right?"
The Senate had no choice. Still, fortunately, Crassus, who is considered the leader of the Senate, offered a compromise.
"What the senators are anxious about is that Pompeius has too much influence after completing that mission. Therefore, I think that if you put minimum safety measures in that area, everyone's worries will be relieved."
"What if it's a safety device?"
"Pompeius, after completing all his duties, must dissolve the corps and swear to follow the instructions of the Senate. Wouldn't the senators fully understand if you swore before the names of the gods in the presence of Metellus Pius, the pontifex maximus?"
Pompeius readily accepted Crassus' compromise.
He will surely become a national hero of Rome anyway if he carries out the operation to wipe out pirates completely.
Regardless of disbanding the army or whatever, he was sure that the senate would have no means to check him.
He declared proudly in the presence of all senators.
"If I, Pompeius, continue to harm the republic out of ill will after completing all my duties, then the wrath of all the gods will be poured upon my head."
Even after you oppose this, you will have nothing to say, even if you get criticized for being narrow-minded.
The aristocratic senators reluctantly voted yes, brooding over their helplessness.
The bill, which got passed by an overwhelming vote in the Plebeian Council, even won the consent of senators.
When the anti-piracy campaign, which got superficially supported by all classes in Rome, was approved, the price of wheat immediately plummeted.
Of course, Marcus had already sold all the wheat and made the expected profit.
If you have accumulated this much wealth, you have to release a certain amount of money to circulate the economy.
Marcus went to Pompeius and requested that he be accepted into his army as a fee, as he had previously promised.
Pompeius readily accepted this.
In addition, he promised to teach Marcus by his side throughout the operation.
As a token of gratitude, Marcus provided a huge amount of equipment at his own expense.
He decided to prepare as many war horses as Pompeius wanted on condition of the distribution of spoils.
It could have gotten questioned why he needed a large number of war horses to wipe out pirates, but Marcus already knew what Pompeius was thinking.
The flow of Rome, or the Mediterranean world, in the 60s B.C., is clearly directed toward Pompeius.
Marcus decided to surrender himself to the flow without hesitation.
* * *
As preparations for eradicating pirates progressed steadily, Rome returned to life after a long time.
The actual operation has yet to begin, but the Romans have already acted as if they finished the pirates.
To that extent, the trust in Pompeius was absolute.
Caesar felt the atmosphere of the people was more sensitive than anyone else.
The future era is likely to flow around Pompeius.
Everyone praised Pompeius as a great man who would lead Rome in the future.
However, Caesar decided to make a choice contrary to that trend.
His characteristic is that he pushes ahead immediately if he has made a decision.
Caesar settled with Marcus less than a day later.
"So, you're participating in the piracy as the youngest member of Pompeius?"
"That's right."
"Then you'd better get an answer before then."
"What definite answer...…?"
Marcus tilted his head, not knowing why.
Caesar asked, looking straight at Marcus with a somehow difficult gaze to face.
"You said you don't have a marriage partner, right?"
Marcus' eyes opened wide. He didn't expect Caesar to ask him this directly. So he asked back again.
"When it comes to marriage... surely?"
"Yes. I'm asking if you're going to get married soon."
"Hey, it's... Shouldn't you talk to my father first, not me?"
Under Roman law, children's rights are entirely subordinate to the head of the household.
The wedding ceremony had to be in accordance with the will of the head of the household.
Nevertheless, Caesar came to Marcus first, not Crassus.
It meant that Marcus' position was so high.
"If it's a marriage you don't want, your father will never allow it. Therefore, wouldn't it be reasonable to ask your intention first?"
"That... That's right."
"That's why I'm asking you this. By the way, Julia says you're the best man she could hope for. I was originally going to weigh either Pompeius or you to the end. But my daughter seems to be more attracted to you."
Marcus was speechless.
There were a lot of words in his head, but it was difficult to get them out of his mouth easily.
Of course, it didn't feel bad.
As the days went by, Julia's wisdom grew as much as her looks.
If such a talented girl chose himself over Pompeius, he would naturally feel good.
"...Do you know why Julia made that choice?"
"Isn't it natural to do so because one is seeing through other extraordinariness?"
"Even if it's an extraordinary person, it's so abstract that it doesn't touch well. And it was so sudden...…."
"It's sudden, but aren't you in a position to go on an expedition soon? Considering that you may not return to Rome for more than three years, shouldn't we listen to the answer now?"
Caesar continued with a smile.
"Besides, it's the wedding of my only precious daughter. There is no possibility that I made a rash judgment."
"Yes, that would be the case."
"In addition, there was an incident that I also recently made up my mind. Can you guess what it is?"
Marcus narrowed his eyes and looked at Caesar.
He had a guess, but he didn't make the mistake of spitting it out of his mouth.
He smiled and shook his head.
"I don't have any clue.
"Is that so? Actually, this is just speculation, and I'm not sure. I'll say it myself to ask for confirmation."
Caesar, who stopped talking for a moment, continued talking slowly with an ambiguous smile.
"Didn't you make a pretty good profit from the plunge and surge in wheat prices in recent years?"
"Ho, what makes you think so?"
There wasn't even a slight movement on Marcus's face as he questioned him.
"This is not my deduction, but my daughter's deduction. She said she's been talking to you a lot lately."
"Yes, but I didn't tell her anything like that particular."
"That's why I made such a speculation. You said you didn't trust my daughter completely yet, so you deliberately avoided the important topic. No matter how trivial a story is, it must have been because he thought that the intelligent child might know something."
"Oh, I see. That's why. But even so, it's an amazing deduction power."
Marcus realized his mistake. As Caesar said, he deliberately did not talk to Julia about wheat.
But it is even stranger that the food shortage that has infested Rome is not the topic of conversation.
Julia thought of a possibility in that Marcus intentionally did not say such a thing.
"It's not a ridiculous imagination that you were involved in the plunge and surge in wheat prices. But I can fully imagine that you were predicting it in advance and doing something. Of course, if you make a profit with wheat, you will get a lot of notoriety, so you will keep it as secret as possible."
"...."
"I don't think this is an absurd reasoning if you are the subject and no one else. And if that's true, it means that your insight into the times far surpasses my imagination."
Marcus, who closed his eyes for a moment and got lost in thought, soon opened his eyes again and asked.
"Should I judge that telling such a fact proves your kindness in itself?"
"Of course. Julia asked me to deliver this to you. Of course, it's a sign that you don't have to be wary of yourself. Then let's hear the answer again. Are you willing to accept my proposal?"
The answer was a fixed question, no matter how much he thought about it.
In fact, Marcus also thought about marrying Julia to Pompeius, as it has been in history.
Because he was good at controlling the situation, the original history flowed as much as possible.
However, Caesar was so active in persuading him that he had no reason to refuse.
Above all, he got very coveted by a woman named Julia.
Finally.
Marcus, who had made up his mind, replied.
"I don't think it's a matter of consent. In fact, it's a matter of asking permission from my father and Caesar."
Caesar's face brightened. Marcus stood up and bowed politely.
"Marcus Licinius Crassus will ask Gaius Julius Caesar for permission. If you give me your daughter, I will cherish and love her for the rest of my life as a bride."
It was an intentional position from the beginning, but Caesar felt something emotional in his heart.
No matter how cold-hearted a politician was, he was also a father.
Caesar put his hand on Marcus' shoulder with a complex smile.
"Unlike me, she's a really pure and soft child. Please protect my happiness."
"I'll do that for sure."
Upon hearing Marcus' answer, Caesar let out a sigh of relief.
Come to think of it, and he felt very sorry for his daughter.
He couldn't be with her when she was born, and he couldn't stand by her even when she was growing up.
Besides, he did a lot of things that would make his daughter frown.
Still, he got the best groom, so at least as a father, he felt like he was doing it.
Marcus felt more emotional than Caesar.
Marriage is a ritual that is considered sacred above all in ancient Rome, as it was in modern times.
Marcus was living his second life, but the marriage was his first experience.
To be honest, he was very excited.
A new life ahead was beckoning toward him.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone