The Mad Tycoon of Rome

Chapter 28: Face to Face 1

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Marcus returned to Rome with Spartacus and Seline.

Rome, which he had not seen for almost a year, felt different from before.

The whole city was buzzing with anticipation for the grand triumph that would soon take place.

The mood was also high because of the consecutive suppression of Sertorius’ rebellion, which had lasted for more than five years, and the slave uprising, which had dragged on for nearly two years.

The people of his family were overjoyed to hear of Marcus’ return.

Theutoria, who had been pacing in front of the mansion, hugged him as soon as he got off the carriage.

Her young eldest son, who had left home, had returned more mature and reliable.

Boys of this age grow up every day.

His mother cried tears of joy and held her son, who had grown taller, in her arms and did not let go.

“I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Septimus, who was watching from behind, bowed his head silently. 

Danae muttered that it was a relief with a tear-stained face.

He thought about apologizing, but it didn’t seem like the right atmosphere.

Marcus just smiled.

So his mother cried more.

His younger brother, who ran out in a hurry, wanted to hear the heroic record of his brother’s victory firsthand.

That day, they talked until the sun set.

His mother and brother listened attentively to Marcus’ vivid experiences.

Septimus and Danae, who were standing behind him and watching over him, also marveled at times and rejoiced with him as they immersed themselves in the story.

The highlight was, of course, the final battle between Spartacus and Crixus.

Theutoria sincerely regretted the fact that they were friends and comrades-in-arms.

“What a sad story. To go to the battlefield to kill a friend…”

On the other hand, his younger brother Publius could not hide his excitement with a flushed face.

“That’s amazing. I can clearly understand why father gave Spartacus the name of our clan and even freed him. I wish I could have seen it myself. It must have been a legendary scene that only appears in the epics of heroes… Spartacus is pitiful, but the people who watched him must have felt a surge of hot spirit.”

Most Romans would react like Publius. 

Marcus was able to gain confidence in his future plans by listening to his brother’s words.

When the long conversation with his family was over, Septimus approached him and asked.

“Young Master, I heard everything about this matter from your Father. But don’t you think you gave up too much?”

“Why do you think so?”

“The value of a triumph is greater than you think. Even if they know that you have made a great contribution, the citizens are more easily impressed by what they see. And if you consider the silver coins that will be distributed at the triumph, there is no more to say. You may gain the trust of the Senate, but the support of the people will go to Pompey.”

“You’re right if you look at it in the short term. The momentary impact of a triumph is really huge. But such a fervent atmosphere doesn’t last long. It’s just a one-time thing. Rather, what stays in people’s mouths for a long time will have more influence in the long run.”

“But how can you be remembered by people for a long time?”

Marcus smiled triumphantly.

Septimus’ point was not something he hadn’t thought about.

It was something that had already been brought up when he asked Crassus to give up his triumph.

Crassus was worried that the citizens would not know well about his military achievements if he gave up his triumph.

Marcus had prepared a solution.

“You said it yourself, right? The citizens are more easily impressed by what they can see. So let’s give them that. It’s a good thing that I was going to ask you to do something anyway. Hire a famous playwright. It would be nice if he has a high reputation, but not someone who takes too long to write.”

“You want to stage a play?”

“Yes. It will be a kind of propaganda, but there is no better material than this. If he adapts it properly, the audience will be ecstatic. I guarantee it.”

Rome’s theater was not very high-quality in the early days of the Republic.

It was not until the 3rd century BC that it became decent, when famous Greek works were translated and performed.

After that, plays based on the heroes or citizens of ancient Rome were written and the base gradually expanded.

After the Punic Wars, the theater was only open for about 10 days a year, but now it was almost 30 days.

It might be even more if you include special performances.

There was definitely a growing desire among the Romans to see interesting plays.

Septimus also seemed a bit tempted.

“A play with Spartacus as the protagonist… There are already quite a few plays with Greeks as the main characters, so it should be possible.”

“Spartacus is now a Roman. If we emphasize that, it can be a very educational play.”

“Think about it. A gladiator who was dragged as a slave meets a master who recognizes him and swears loyalty and uses all his abilities. Then he kills his old friend who started a rebellion, while shedding tears for his lord and Rome, and becomes a proud Roman himself. If we add some dramatization, there will be no story that can satisfy the Romans more than this.”

This way, he could also subtly praise the excellence of Marcus and Crassus, who treated slaves humanely.

The story had a high degree of completion, and it ended with Rome’s glorious victory, so the audience’s reaction could not be bad.

Publius was already very excited by Spartacus’ saga.

Spartacus had become almost a legend among the eight legions that followed Crassus.

Marcus told them to go around and tell what they had seen when they returned to Rome.

The soldiers who participated in the victorious war were always eager to brag about their experiences.

And Spartacus was already gaining fame as one of the best gladiators in Rome.

Naturally, the rumor spread like wildfire.

If the play was released in this situation, it would be the best propaganda.

In fact, in ancient times, theater was one of the best propaganda tools.

But this method was not fully established in late republican Rome.

The person who used theater most actively for propaganda was the first emperor, Octavianus.

He hired writers to produce plays that contained the myths of his dynasty.

Marcus got inspiration from here.

‘It seems like I’m getting inspiration from Augustus’ actions for everything I do.’

It was not a feeling, but a fact.

There was already someone who had suggested a perfect way to win over the masses and the Senate, and it would be foolish not to use it.

Septimus, who understood Marcus’ intentions completely, did not disagree and nodded his head.

“I’ll find the most suitable writer. And is there anything else I need to do?”

“Oh, right. While you’re at it, look for a suitable gift.”

“Who are you planning to give a gift to?”

“Pompey. He said he would throw a big banquet after the triumph, and it seems like father and I will go there. So I need to prepare a gift in advance. Look for something that has more symbolic value than just being expensive, something that can stimulate Pompey’s vanity.”

“I understand. As soon as the sun rises tomorrow… No, I’ll look into it right away.”

Septimus bowed his head once and went outside.

When the conversation between the two was over, Danae, who had been quietly listening from the side, came closer.

She seemed to have wanted to talk to him for a long time, but held back.

Her appearance, which was like a puppy, was so cute that he smiled involuntarily.

“Did you do well while I was away?”

“Yes. I studied hard all the time, cutting down on sleep, to become someone who can help you as soon as possible.”

“…How many hours did you sleep a day?”

“I slept for five hours. At first I slept for four hours, but then I was too sleepy and the study efficiency was not good.”

‘She doesn’t know her limits.’

Danae often lost her screws like this when it came to things related to Marcus.

He told her to study hard, not to sacrifice her life for studying and not sleep.

And yet she was smiling happily as if she liked it, so he couldn’t help but smirk.

“Make sure you sleep enough to not harm your health. And you don’t have to study so hard. From now on, try to relax and do something even when I’m not around.”

“Okay. I’ll do that.”

Danae kept smiling and stayed by Marcus’ side.

If she were a dog, she would have wagged her tail incessantly. It felt like that.

“Did you do anything else besides studying while I was away? Something fun or interesting.”

“Oh, yes! Well, you see…”

Marcus went to bed listening to Danae’s chattering happily by his side.

The night he welcomed in Rome after a long time was endlessly deep.

Marcus’ boyhood was also heading towards its end.

※※※※

Pompey’s triumph was a huge success, making all the Roman citizens ecstatic.

If it weren’t for him, the entire province of Hispania might have fallen out of Rome’s hands.

Even the Senate, who envied Pompey, praised his achievements.

On the other hand, many expected that Crassus’ name would be relatively overshadowed, but that was not the case.

A play based on Spartacus became very popular among the Roman citizens, and Crassus’ name also rose along with it.

Crassus, who was known as a greedy rich man, suddenly became a kind master who recognized and valued talented slaves.

His impact was not as immediate as Pompey’s, but Crassus’ recognition also steadily increased without anyone noticing.

Taking advantage of this momentum, Pompey and Crassus were elected as consuls with an overwhelming difference from the third place and below.

Pompey achieved an unprecedented feat of becoming a consul at the age of 36.

If he were a person with a strong sense of law, he would have been embarrassed, but Pompey was proud of this exception.

He held a grand banquet to celebrate his election as consul.

It was a place to show off himself as the youngest triumphal general and the youngest consul in Roman history.

The Senate frowned, but Pompey ignored such reactions.

He invited prominent figures from the Senate and famous people from the equestrian class. 

Of course, he also invited his fellow consul, Crassus.

Crassus did not want to go because he hated to see Pompey’s arrogance, but he decided to attend anyway.

It was politics to smile and dine with an unpleasant opponent.

Crassus was a person with considerable political skills, contrary to the public perception that he only cared about money.

He decided to introduce his son, Marcus, on this occasion and headed to Pompey’s mansion with him.

“Hahaha! Who is this!”

Pompey welcomed Crassus with exaggerated gestures, spreading his arms wide.

Crassus hid his true feelings and smiled back, clasping Pompey’s extended arm.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you since the election of the consuls.”

“Hahaha, we’ll have to run the state together next year, so we’ll see each other often. Anyway, is this boy your eldest son that you cherish so much?”

Pompey’s gaze turned to Marcus, who was standing next to Crassus.

Crassus nodded his head proudly with a sincere smile.

“You guessed it right. This is my eldest son, Marcus.”

“Marcus? Isn’t that your name?”

“I gave him my name in the hope that he would be like me. But it was a vain thing to do. This boy is not just like me, but he will be much greater than me. Hahaha!”

“Father. Don’t show such a look, or other people might envy you.”

Crassus laughed louder, ignoring Marcus’ restraint.

“Ha! Envy? Let anyone who has a better son than me in Rome come out and say it. If there are any fools who say that, they are just blinded by jealousy and talking nonsense.”

Crassus trusted Marcus so much that he could believe anything he said, no matter how absurd.

The skills that Marcus showed after the war ended were that amazing.

He had never lost anything by doing as his son said. 

No, rather than losing, he was only gaining immeasurable benefits.

And the senators, who used to restrain Crassus, did not do so anymore.

Rather, they showed deep intimacy and camaraderie when dealing with Crassus.

When he was elected as consul this time, the senators even competed to congratulate him.

Crassus was enjoying the best feeling of his life.

And with alcohol added, his pride in Marcus came out without any filter.

Marcus politely responded and sent Crassus somewhere else.

Pompey felt a great interest in Crassus’ unusual appearance, which he had never seen before.

‘Come to think of it, he also mentioned his son back then.’

He took his eyes off Crassus, who was moving away, and turned his gaze to Marcus.

“How old are you?”

“I’ll be sixteen next year.”

“So you’ll be an adult in two years. Then you must have been very young when you went to war. Haha, even I didn’t go to the battlefield at that time. You have a lot of guts.”

“I’m not comparable to the great Pompey, no matter how much I do. In fact, I’m still having a hard time suppressing my nervousness to see the person I admire in front of me.”

“Admire? Me?”

It was a look of surprise. 

Crassus and Pompey were well-known enemies in Rome.

But Crassus’ beloved eldest son said he admired Pompey, so he naturally had doubts.

“I may be a person of the Crassus clan, but before that I am a Roman citizen. If I don’t have a respect for Pompey Magnus, who is building a reputation equal to that of Africanus, it would be a lie.”

“Your father and I are not on good terms, you know?”

“That’s true, but in the end, aren’t you both the core pillars that lead Rome? And strictly speaking, by the time I enter politics, Pompey will already be the supreme leader of Rome with everything under his feet. There is no reason for me, a newcomer, to be hostile to a great elder.”

“Haha, you are a refreshing and honest friend that I like. You don’t want to badmouth your father in front of your child, but you seem to have a much more open mind than Crassus.”

Pompey liked the expression ‘everything under his feet’ very much.

Especially since it came from the son of his rival.

He shook the glass of wine and pointed to the garden of the mansion.

“Why don’t we go over there and talk more? I’m very curious about you who changed Crassus into a doting father.”

“It’s an honor. I also wanted to have a deep conversation with Pompey Magnus, whom I admire.”

Pompey secured a space where he and Marcus could talk alone in the spacious garden.

The slaves laid out wine and various snacks on the table.

“I shouldn’t leave my seat for too long as the main character of the banquet, but it should be okay for a while. You go first.”

A slave filled Marcus’ glass with wine. 

The fragrant aroma tickled his nose with the pleasant night breeze.

“I’m honored to accept.”

Marcus lifted his glass and carefully brought it to his mouth.

A smile played on Pompey’s lips. 

His eyes were full of interest.

“You said you have a talent that surpasses Crassus.”

“That’s an exaggerated evaluation.”

“Don’t be too modest and tell me honestly. I want to hear your opinion. You can think of it as a test.”

Pompey drank his glass of wine in one gulp and continued.

“You praised me and Crassus as the pillars that lead Rome. Do you really think so?”

“Yes.”

Marcus answered without a moment’s hesitation. But he added one more word.

“But I think both of you have points that need to be complemented.”

“······?”

A flash of anger crossed Pompey’s eyes.

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