Rome Must Fall

"However, I believe you all know that according to the military laws of our army, if you want a woman to follow you, you cannot rely on force, but on voluntariness. In fact, I will spread your heroic deeds throughout the army and establish you as a Being a role model will definitely attract the attention of many women in the army. This has already helped you a lot, and you have to rely on yourself next. "

Maximus said seriously: "Actually, you don't have to stare at the nurses on the medical team. Look wider. There are more good single women in kitchens and warehouses. You are more likely to succeed in pursuing them. "

"The leader is right!"

"Thank you, chief!"

…

The soldiers rushed to express their gratitude to Maximus, obviously listening to his advice. In their opinion, although this leader was young, he could lead them to conquer the city many times and ensure that they had enough food, clothing and clothing. You can also care about their lives and mingle with them, so how can you not make them admire and love you.

Maximus looked at everyone with a kind expression, suddenly showed a hint of surprise, and asked Bubius in a low voice: "I remember that I sent 100 of you to infiltrate here before. Twelve of you were injured in the battle last night. I It seems that all the injured brothers are here now, but I counted carefully, why are there only 98 people? "

"Report to the leader." Bubius's eyes showed sadness, and he said in a heavy tone: "Two of the seriously injured brothers could not survive. Before we came..."

Maximus' expression became solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "I have sent people to urge the medical team to arrive as soon as possible so that other injured brothers can receive better treatment. I believe that no more injured brothers will suffer from this. Casualties!"

Having said this, he raised his voice and asked: "Tolerugo, when will the remains of these two dead warriors be cremated?"

Tonilugo replied with a rare serious look: "When I came here, I just discussed it with Frontinus and planned to wait for the bodies of the brothers who died in the siege of Canossa to be transported tomorrow and cremate them together. It’s time to summon all the soldiers to pray silently for them as before!”

Cremating dead soldiers with collective silent prayers by the entire army was a new initiative that Maximus started to implement in his own team after occupying Pompeii, mainly to enhance their sense of belonging to this team and cultivate their The sense of honor as a soldier and the courage to face death have only been held twice so far.

"I know." Maximus did not complain in front of ordinary soldiers that Frontinus did not inform him of such an important matter in time. He looked solemn and said loudly: "I will use my best when the time comes. Send them off with a eulogy. We must let the gods know their heroic deeds so that their souls can enjoy peace!

I will also ask Capito to keep their ashes. When one day we have a real home of our own, I will let people build a glorious temple, a temple dedicated to these warriors who died in the war. Temple, let the living people often worship them, so that our descendants will always remember their heroic deeds! …”

As the soldiers listened, their eyes gradually shone with a burning light, and the light was full of longing...

After seeing off Tolerugo and others, the smile on Maximus's face disappeared. The request made by the soldiers just made him fall into deep thought: they want women! This is probably the common wish of the vast majority of soldiers. It seems that it really complies with the saying, "when you are full and warm, you can think about lust." Or maybe the loose military discipline of other teams in the past caused the soldiers to often indulge in their own behavior, which affected them to some extent and gave these people of humble birth a strong physiological need. …

From another perspective, this should also be a good thing. If these soldiers with nothing were allowed to get married and have wives, they would have families and care, and they would fight more bravely to defend their women. More importantly, when one day the army flees Italy and is no longer pursued by the Roman legions, will the soldiers who have wives or even children easily leave the team? …

Thinking of this, Maximus turned back and said: "Argo, go to the rich area, find Volenus, and ask him, how many women are there in our team? How many are without husbands? These are not What is the age of your husband’s woman? … Ask for more details and tell me back.”

"Yes, chief."

"Also, tell him that all the female slaves in this city must not be spared, and all of them must be included in my team!"

…………………………………………………………………………

Sio Pompos, a domestic slave of a Sarapian nobleman. He had received some education since he was a child. He was good at arithmetic, smart, and eloquent. Therefore, when he became an adult, he was mainly responsible for purchasing goods for his master's mansion, and he was relatively free to move. , you can still make some money from it, and your life is quite nourishing, but all this changed after the rebel army captured the city of Sarapia.

The master was killed, and the mistress and young masters were expelled from the city. Although the soldiers holding bloody daggers kept comforting them, "Free Italy is a team of slaves and poor people...", Sioux Pompos and other slaves still remained He was trembling with fear, fearing that his head would fall to the ground accidentally.

But in fact, this vicious team kept their word and did not massacre them. Then people in civilian clothes came, gathered them together, asked about their birth and origin, and recorded them. They were declared to be members of the Free Italian Army.

Pompos resisted this in his heart, but he knew how to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. On the surface, he obeyed. Even though he scorned the practice of these free Italians leading newly joined slaves to complain, he still said it in public. A lot of bad things said about the original owner.

Perhaps it was because of his performance that he won the trust of the rebels, or perhaps because of his own talents. A few days later, he was sent to the port market to be responsible for the sales of a pottery shop. He changed from a former buyer to a seller. The strangeness of the situation is really sad.

On the first day of opening the shop, there were almost no customers, and the whole world was deserted. He spent most of the time cleaning the shop and placing pottery.

In the process, he recognized that several pieces of pottery in the shop actually came from his original owner's home, and he was responsible for purchasing them back then, and he felt very emotional.

Western Pompos and other slaves working in the port market were arranged to live in a famous wealthy merchant's mansion in the city. The living conditions were much better than when they were slaves, and the food was good. They could even eat some meat, some As a result, people no longer resisted joining Free Italy.

However, Western Pompos was not moved by the improvement of living conditions. He hated the rebel army controlling him like a soldier. Just like now, after breakfast, a small group of soldiers gathered them and took them together. Port market.

In the early spring, the morning in Sarapia turned from warm to cold. Coupled with the blowing sea breeze, everyone walking on the street couldn't help but wrap their blankets tightly around them.

This blanket was given to each of them not long after they joined the rebel army. Some slaves had been wearing shabby single clothes all year round. This was the first time they put on a blanket to keep out the cold, and they couldn't help but sing praises to the rebel army.

Western Pompos remained silent about this, because his original owner was running this business, buying a large amount of Galganum fine wool from northern Apulia, and then letting the hired housewives spin it into wool, and then Woven into woolen cloth and sold... He was sure that most of the blankets they wore came from the storage in his original owner's warehouse.

But this thing is indeed much warmer when wrapped around the body than linen clothes! But the color is so ugly! ...Xio Pompos lowered his head and looked at the black blanket on his body: Most Garganum sheep are black, so they should not be dyed. It would be great if they could be dyed purple or red! …

He thought for a while and suddenly heard someone shouting: "Hey, isn't that Casaridoa?!"

"It's really Casaridoa! What is he doing?"

"Is he sweeping the floor?! Casarido Ali is actually sweeping the floor!"

"Shh, keep it down, lest he hears it and beats you up!"

"I...I'm not afraid. I am now a member of Free Italy. He dares!"

…

The companions were talking a lot, and Xiopang Bos was also amazed when he looked at the strong figure bending down and cleaning the garbage on the street with a broom not far ahead.

Casaridoa is a commoner of Sarapia. He had lost his father since he was a child, and his mother was too weak to control him. He became a famous gangster in the city of Sarapia, relying on his height and physical fitness to like to blackmail others and make money. Later, he provoked a powerful man and led his men to beat him severely, apparently to death. As a result, he learned the lesson and specialized in blackmailing slaves.

Most Sarapians are engaged in business and like to buy skilled slaves to work for them. In order to increase their enthusiasm, they often give them a small amount of money as salary every month.

Casaridoa specializes in selecting this kind of slaves. The slaves are frightened by his evil reputation and are constrained by their humble status. They always obediently donate the money they carry with them and dare not say anything about it afterwards, because even if their masters know about it, , and didn't even bother to argue with this bastard.

Western Pompos, who often went out for shopping, had been blackmailed by him many times, and naturally hated him so much that he gritted his teeth. Seeing him timidly sweeping the floor in the morning breeze, he couldn't help but feel so happy that he couldn't help but laugh out loud. .

Casaridoa heard the jeers behind him, turned around and looked angrily, only to see a group of fully armed soldiers next to the group of people who were speaking. He immediately bent down obediently and continued sweeping the floor.

At this moment, Xio Pompos suddenly felt that being escorted by such a group of soldiers every day was no longer a restriction, but a blessing.

As they continue to live east, after passing one or two streets, they can see people sweeping the floor, unblocking sewers, and even collecting excrement... In the past, these dirty jobs were done by Sarapia's public slaves. , but today it is the civilians of Sarapia who are doing it.

Just when everyone was very surprised, the man walking at the front of the team, who was said to be sent by Maximus's army to take charge of the port market, said: "There is nothing surprising about this. We in Free Italy have already informed us of this." Sarapians, as long as they work well for us, they can receive wages, buy food and supplies, and continue to live in this city.

Huh, but these Sarapians thought they were great and hid in their houses and refused to cooperate. Now finally someone has eaten up all the food at home, is hungry, and has no money, so he is willing to work for us. Just wait and see, there will be more Sarapians doing the same hard work that our slaves did before! "

His words relieved everyone.

The man named Alacosia emphasized his tone and continued: "But starting from today, you should be busy. Some Sarapians who have run out of food but still have money at home should go to the market. For shopping, some merchant ships from foreign merchants who have agreements with us should also arrive one after another today, so you must behave well today, and I will always pay attention to you.

Our leader Maximus once said, 'As long as you have talent in our team, no matter what your origin or race is, you will definitely be reused! "

Many people were excited by these words, and some even cheered because of it.

Theodore Pompos still sneered in his heart: They are just a rebel army. When the Roman army arrives, they will be destroyed in an instant. If they are used by them, they will be in trouble!

Stepping on the descending stone road leading to the port, my eardrums were filled with a "rumbling" sound, which was the roar of the tide lapping against the embankment, but it still could not drown out the uniform slogans...

Western Pompos knew that this was a rebel army stationed at the port doing morning exercises. In fact, the newly established military camp in the wealthy area where they lived was doing the same thing at this time.

These rebels know how to persist in training, but our city guards only know how to eat and drink every day. No wonder they easily occupied this town! ... Theo Pompos cursed in his heart.

When the wet sea breeze blew on his face, his eyebrows relaxed.

In the distance is the endless sea, and a red sun floats on the sea, dyeing the sea water and clouds red... Nearby, countless seagulls circle and scream in the air. Below them is the white seawall stretching from the land to the shallow sea like a giant arm, as well as the towering lighthouse. A merchant ship is slowly sailing into the port, and the laborers are rushing to the dock...

After Western Pompos and others entered the market, Alacosia encouraged everyone again before letting everyone leave.

Pompos entered the pottery shop. Although he did not approve of the rebels, he was still very serious about what he did. He took a slightly damp rag and carefully wiped each piece of pottery, and then carefully placed them on the bunk one by one.