Chapter 770
"For the sake of Rome's safety, it is always right to be cautious! Most of the citizens of Rome have been deployed to attack the Hernici, and we only have 3,000 young and strong citizens stationed in Rome. It does seem like we are lacking in manpower! " Ambrosius took over the conversation and raised his concerns. He took the initiative to propose, "I suggest that we immediately mobilize the citizens above the age of 50, and at the same time, arm the civilians and freedmen in the Aventine Street (referring to the famous slums in Rome at this time). Together, we will defend Rome until Camillus returns with his army! When the meeting is over, I will immediately look for Cassius, the chief of the city guards, and we will complete this task together. "
Although many of the senators expressed doubts that Diónia would immediately attack Rome, they still agreed to the proposal for the sake of safety. Some even suggested that they should also immediately send someone to contact the surrounding Latin Allies and ask them to send their citizens to help defend Rome.
But some people objected, "Most of the citizens of the Latin Allies have followed Camillus to attack the Hernici, where would they have extra soldiers to help us? I am afraid that when they know that Diónia has invaded Latin, they will ask us for help."
This proposal was eventually left unsettled.
At this time, Abinius sighed, "According to the previous battle reports, Camillus has been leading the army to attack Fürentirum for some time. This is the most critical moment. If we ask him to retreat now, I am afraid that all the previous efforts will be in vain."
Many people sighed when they heard this. The Hernici were about to be wiped out, and that land would belong to Rome. How could they be willing to give up when they were so close to success?
Camillus's enemy, Apuleius, took the opportunity to stand up and accused, "Senators and newcomers, as the dictator of Rome, Camillus leads an unprecedented 70,000 troops and consumes a huge amount of food every day. So far, he has not been able to conquer Fürentirum and completely destroy the Hernici forces. He has also put Rome in such a dangerous situation. He must be responsible for this! We should not let him retreat first, but urge him to take Fürentirum within these two days, and then quickly return to Rome, so that we do not waste the supplies that we have been frugally providing for the army. If Camillus can't do it, after we have repelled the Diónia, we should consider whether or not to punish him. "
Apuleius's words moved some senators.
This made Potitus very angry, because if Apuleius's proposal was approved, it meant that his suggestion of "letting Camillus lead the army back as soon as possible" was likely to be shelved by the Senate. So he angrily accused Apuleius, "You are putting Rome in danger!"
Although Potitus was a man of virtue and prestige, Apuleius finally found an opportunity to accuse Camillus, so he went all out. He retorted loudly, "According to Ambustus's plan, we can organize nearly 10,000 troops to defend the city tomorrow. With such sufficient defensive power, I have never heard of any force that can take down a city in one day, let alone Rome which can accommodate more than 100,000 people. We must be confident that we can hold on until Camillus returns with his army!
What's more, this is just my lord's speculation. There is a greater possibility that the Diónia will not attack Rome immediately. After all, it is a great risk. And for this small possibility, we have to give up a great opportunity to wipe out the Hernici and gain a new colony. I don't think this is a wise move, and it will not do us any good in Rome.
It is precisely because the Diónia army has invaded Latin that the other races that hate Rome will inevitably jump out to fight against us again. Only by wiping out the Hernici and severely weakening the Walsi's power can we focus on our greatest enemy, Diónia! "
Apuleius's words were reasonable, and Potitus was speechless for a moment.
At this time, Maruginense, who was also sitting in the ivory chair in the front row of the hall, spoke, "Apuleius is right. Urging Camillus to wipe out the Hernici as soon as possible will be beneficial for us in the war against the Diónia!"
Originally, many senators were very tempted by Apuleius's suggestion, and Maruginense's support made them even more determined. This was because Maruginense was also a very senior senator in the Senate. He was about the same age as Potitus, and he had also served as a consul several times (less than Potitus). It was only because when the Celts attacked Rome, he did not stay and defend Capitoline Hill, but retreated early. This became a stain on his political career. Therefore, after the reconstruction of Rome, he was relatively low-key in the Senate, but this did not mean that his influence was small. After all, his full name was Publius Cornelius Maruginense, and he was the most important representative in the Senate of Rome's wealthy Cominellius clan.
Despite the opposition of senators such as Potitus and Ambrosius, in the end, the Senate passed Apuleius's proposal: to urge Camillus to take Fürentirum within three days, and then quickly lead the army back to reinforce Rome.
Potitus looked at Apuleius, who had a smug look on his face, and his heart was filled with hatred. He knew that Apuleius seemed to be thinking for Rome, but in fact, he was taking revenge for a personal grudge. Because whether Camillus captured Fürentirum within the stipulated time or not, he would not have a good time. Because even if he completed the task and Rome was attacked, the people would resent him as a dictator for not being able to protect Rome. After the war, he was likely to be accused in the Citizens' Assembly. And if he ignored the Senate's order and returned in time to reinforce Rome, he would offend the senators who were eager to expand Rome and gain more benefits.
Damn you, Apuleius! Potitus said loudly, "Since we have made a decision, we should immediately send a messenger to inform Camillus. At the same time, we should also let him know that the Dionysian Army is coming, so that he can step up the battle preparations and take Fürentirum as soon as possible."
Although Potitus said so, he did not think so in his heart. Based on his understanding of Camillus, he was worried that Camillus, who was worried that Rome would be attacked, would likely refuse to attack Fürentirum again and immediately lead the army back. After all, Camillus was a dictator. During his term of office, his power was supreme, and he could veto the Senate's decision and do things according to his own ideas. In fact, during the battle, Camillus could have chosen a senator from the Senate as his agent, who had the right to decide all the affairs in the city. Unfortunately, the modest and cautious Camillus, who did not like to take power, gave up this right, which led to today's predicament.
However, Apuleius was obviously aware of Potitus's intention. He responded directly, "Let's not forget that Camillus is a dictator. During his term of office, the proposals we pass can only be suggestions to him. If he is unwilling to listen, we can't do anything about it … So I suggest that the Senate appoint a special messenger to rush to the barracks in Fürentirum and tell Camillus that we have passed the proposal. After the siege is over, we tell him about the invasion of Diónia. For this, we should seal the gates of Rome and prohibit anyone from going out … "
"You are crazy! You are flouting the laws of Rome! You are provoking the dictator of Rome! Cough … cough … "Potitus was so angry that he coughed repeatedly. His body, which was supported by the cane, was a little unstable.
The senator next to him hurriedly supported him.
Maruginense persuaded with concern, "Old friend Potitus, don't be too agitated. Apuleius did this so that Camillus could focus on completing the task and not be distracted. He is also thinking about the overall situation of Rome and is willing to risk being punished by Camillus. "
"Yes, yes! I think Apuleius's proposal makes sense! " With Maruginense's endorsement, many senators expressed their support for Apuleius one after another. The reason why they dared to be so bold was self-evident. Although Camillus was wise and resolute in dealing with the enemy in the military, he was gentle and kind to the people of Rome and even the senators in the Senate. During his three terms as dictator, he spent most of his time on foreign expeditions and handed over the power to stabilize the country to the Senate. He did not overdo it, and he did not punish any senator. Even Apuleius, the great sinner who slandered his reputation and caused him to leave Rome, was also safe and sound in the Senate. That was why these senators were not afraid of him.
Seeing that even a veteran senator like Lucretius had expressed his support for Apuleius's new proposal, Potitus calmed down. He sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. Out of sight, out of mind.
Sure enough, the final candidate for the messenger by the senators was Milusius, the chief of the city guards. His full name was Milusius Cornelius Scipio, and he belonged to the same clan as the old senator, Maruginense. It was obvious who he would listen to.
When Potitus learned of this result, he only snorted coldly.
After the election, the venue fell into a brief silence. Ambustus took the opportunity to request to go to Rome to mobilize for war, and his request was approved. Apuleius also left the venue to inform the chief of the city guards, Milusius, to carry out the Senate's decision.
The other senators continued to sit in the venue and even began to contact their servants to bring them dinner. Obviously, they were prepared to continue the discussion until night. After all, would the people of Diónia land? Would they fight with the army led by Paulus and the others? Would they really want to capture Ostia? All these needed to be confirmed, so they were waiting for more news to come back from the West Coast.
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