"This war (for Athens) is a whole destruction, the navy, the army, everything is destroyed." - Thucydides commented on Athens' defeat in Sicily expedition

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Li Bida admired the technicians who gave Pompei statues. This bust is lifelike, with exaggerated eyes, funny curly hair, and commotional clothes. It is no different from a real person. It is Geneus Pompei who is too confident on the battlefield. "Be careful, be careful." Many slaves used simple lifting equipment to slowly place the bust on the base in front of the Grand Theater. There are sculptures there, statues of the Gaul nobles killing their wives, and reliefs of the kings of the East riding in chariots. These were enemies of the Republic, but now, without exception, become the inspiring decorations that the Romans could see before entering the Grand Theater, turning into a part of the glory and pride of the country.

"In Caesar's eyes, Pompey is about to become a loser..." After Li Bida finished the matter, he went to Caesar's pre-designated residence to visit, namely the house of Sevilla, Brutu's mother.

The atmosphere of the dinner was very cold and awkward. Sevilla wore a long dress with a straight face, but she sat on the couch with a blank expression, playing the harp for Caesar. Portia had red eyes and sat next to her without saying a word. Occasionally, only servants and courtesans walked back and forth, adding plates and drinks to the guests, and whispered and cautiously.

It is said that in Claudi's old house, Anthony was also holding a banquet with two widows, Claudiya and Fulivia. But the scene there should be much more crazy and enthusiastic. Because Anthony is said to be pursuing Fulivia. As long as he marrys this young and beautiful and proud widow, he can get a generous dowry. But Claudiya now sees young and handsome men like Anthony, and is like a crocodile in the river and wildebeest, and wants to pull it into the "river" of the bed of the boudoir and chew his flesh and bones into pieces.

"You mean that Brutu is now in Ephesus, and is under the double-sided attack of your army. It is very likely that my brother will end up with the same fate?" Sevilla stopped playing the harp after hearing his lover's tactful narration, and then her eyes turned to Li Bida. "It's really a sigh of relief in the world. I didn't expect that it was you who besieged Gatu until death. The civil war broke the most harmonious family and made the closest friends turn against each other. This statement seems to be true."

"Dear Madam, this tragedy happened. I feel sorry for you, and even more so for my friends, Brutu and his wife. Portia is here. When Brutu risked his life to meet me through the Syrian desert, even though I had military power at that time and had different camps, I still handed the army to him without hesitation. Please believe me - but the battlefield is much crueler and ruthless than you imagined." Li Bida must explain that even in his heart, he thought that telling women about the things on the battlefield was purely boring and unnecessary.

Portia still couldn't help but cover her face with her hands and started crying. Her originally red and plump face now became haggard because of worry and sadness. She choked and said to everyone, "I'm so sorry, I still can't get used to living in the same room with my father-killing enemy. Even if Brutu is in the same front with Pompey now, this is probably the fragility of a woman!" After that, Portia ran to the inner room crying.

Le Bida was left behind and sat in the same place with embarrassment. He said goodbye or toast. When Caesar saw his deputy, he calmed down the atmosphere and said, "Women's fragility may not be a good thing, so we have always said that women live longer because their emotions will be expressed with water, while men can only use blood. So compared to this, I am more worried about my child Brutu, who is working with Pompei and the group of people. He is a philosopher and a young student. He is with the group of murderers without blinking, and is still in the far and wild East..." As he said that, Caesar himself stood up excitedly and paced back and forth in the same place. It is obvious that his emotions have been expressed to a certain extent.

Sevilla could not calm down, and his eyes flowed silently along his eyelashes and cheeks. "Do you still remember that even though he is not related to you, have you already regarded each other as father and son?" So Caesar took the opportunity to step forward and comforted his favorite woman. Li Bida felt depressed and walked to the ventilated terrace of the restaurant, looking at the deadly quiet martial law street under the night. Then Caesar's personal slave quietly stepped forward and handed him a note.

Li Bida secretly glanced at the Neri Restaurant. Caesar's back just blocked the hostess's vision, so he turned around under the fire and opened the note. The handwriting on it was very clear. It was Caesar's handwriting: "It is a fake to organize the triumphal ceremony, it is a trick. Time must not be delayed. If it is delayed, the soldiers will sooner or later cause greater mutiny and cannot give them time to gasp and think about it. Within three days, the legions will all be dispatched to join Brindisi's 12, 13 and 14th legions, ready to go to Greece and go to Gerberus and Marseilles. You will continue to divide some of the troops as the governor of Sardinia and join forces with Curio to go to Afriga."

After the quick reading, Li Bida quietly clicked the paper strips and threw them off the terrace. It quickly burned into ashes in the wind in the air, and dissipated in a wisp.

In the next three days, Li Bida continued to enter and exit the streets, squares and sculpture workshops as a temporary construction officer. Some soldiers in high-end clothing and armor continued to enter and exit the city gates, discussing with the construction officials at any time on the conspicuous streets. It seemed that they were planning the route of the triumphal parade. There were also more grain transport ships coming to the Tiber River Port, bringing precious bricks, spices, wine and other things from various places. "Caesar is going to hold a grand triumphal ceremony, and see the large and gorgeous ceremonial vehicles that stay outside the city gate!" On the street, anyone with any identity, the core topic of these days, is this.

"I don't want the dinar because of the lack of quality. I have seen the world, and only you who live in the city still recognize this kind of money. You must know that in the previous battles, I have obtained four gold chains one after another, and I deserve so much reward." Sometimes, a large and round centurion, under the city gate, bragged about his adventures and courage in various battlefields, and looked forward to a triumphant bounty. "No child can be left behind, otherwise we will compile the rhymes of Dick's push into songs when we enter the city, and sang it from the age of twelve until now."
Chapter completed!