A Harbinger of Turbulence

Rome, which he returned to after three years, was much different from before.

There was no worry on the faces of the people since they were completely free from the threat of pirates, and the east was also calmed down.

Marcus, who returned to Rome in a carriage from Brindisium, climbed the Palatine Hill in a large welcome crowd.

When he arrived home, he could see the faces he missed for the first time in a long time.

The first names to be called were Crassus, the father, and Tertulla, the mother.

"Father, mother. Have you been at peace so far?"

"Yeah. I'm glad you look healthy."

Crassus smiled kindly and placed his hands on Marcus' shoulders.

Tertulla nearly ran over and hugged Marcus tightly.

There was a little bit of water in her eyes.

"You've grown a lot more dignified."

His father and his mother said nothing more. He came back safely, so it's okay. With that one word, the sincerity was overflowing.

His younger brother Publius welcomed his brother's return with a face full of excitement.

Marcus, who is building up his brilliant performance, is now almost like a hero to his younger brother.

"Hello, brother. I heard you made a great contribution in this war."

"It has only occupied a few poor lands that cannot even resist. Rather, Spartacus, who won the medal for fighting for his life on the battlefield, has a greater contribution."

Marcus found Cellini looking at Spartacus among the family members.

In her hand, she held a silver civil crown for Spartacus.

Marcus is not so ignorant as to disturb the reunion of a married couple after a long time.

He poked Spartacus at the waist next to him and winked.

"You must have a lot to catch up on with your wife, so go now."

"Yes, I'll be on my way then."

Spartacus walked to his wife with a bright smile. Selini bowed to Marcus and went back to their room with her husband.

Marcus last had a reunion with his loved ones.

He purposely put off the order for the last time because he didn't want to cut off the story in the middle.

Julia came to Marcus' arms as she ran slowly, as he waited calmly from one side.

"Mr. Marcus!"

"Julia, how have you been? Have you ever felt sick or uncomfortable anywhere?"

Julia lifted her head slightly while hugging Marcus and smiled broadly.

At 18, she looked a lot different from three years ago.

Now, she has definitely become a woman who feels beautiful rather than cute.

"That's what I have to say to my husband who came back from the battlefield, but he's still worried. I was able to do well without any inconvenience because other people were considerate."

"I can't help it even if I hear that I have a lot of worries. Anyway, I'm glad you're doing well."

"But you grew a bit."

"Really? Spartacus also said that, but I guess the growth period is not over yet."

Marcus was much taller than he was in his previous life, perhaps because he made sure he had nutrition.

By ancient standards, he was definitely tall.

Unknowingly, it applied strength to his shoulders, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"You were always cool. You look much more reliable than before."

"Haha, even if someone sees you, you might be mistaken as the goddess Venus who came down to the world for a while. I want to brag to Rome that my wife is so beautiful."

"It's not to that extent. You're exaggerating too much.…."

Septimus and Danae walked slowly behind Julia while the friendly couple talked.

The two congratulated Marcus on his safe return.

Marcus also thanked the two people who managed the business and took good care of Julia.

That evening, a splendid banquet was held to celebrate the eldest son's return.

Marcus resumed his activities normally from the day after eating, drinking, and venturing.

First of all, he closely examined the changes in the political world.

63 B.C. was a year of considerable political change.

Cicero, who steadily increased his political power in the Senate, was finally elected as a consul and began his term.

Cicero, who came to the capital from the provinces, succeeded as a praetor, and became a consul, became a positional figure.

It was also unusual that it was not a typical case of success as a war hero.

In fact, Cicero was very proud of his success story.

He even sent a congratulatory message saying that he sincerely welcomes the return of Marcus, who loaned him election money following the purchase of his mansion.

Next, he heard a brief business report from Septimus, Danae, and Vitruvius.

The most encouraging report was that the new furnace was finally able to operate stably.

Now, there is finally a way to mass-produce steel.

This does not simply mean an increase in military power.

He can improve more than one or two items, from farm equipment to various tools.

Marcus highly praised the achievements of Vitruvius and the craftsmen and even paid a hefty fee for their labor.

Reports from other sectors continued.

"It is no exaggeration to say that we have already virtually dominated the women's cosmetics market. We are also successfully increasing our share of accessories and clothes by making use of our capital. Madam seems to have a very good sense of this."

"That's right. Should I say that you have a great eye for identifying products that might become popular? In addition, the ladies couldn't come to their senses when they supported their appearance."

"That part seems to have inherited from my father's blood."

It seemed that Julia had not only inherited an outstanding intellect from Caesar.

A specific plan to make silk popular flashed up in Marcus' head.

After hearing the full report, he went to Julia's room and gave her a silk dress.

Julia, who encountered a completely different fabric, could not hide her excitement.

"Oh my gods, how can clothes be so light and have such a good texture? I tried it on myself and it feels great."

Silk was colorful and even had a sensual feeling because it could make clothes stick to the body.

It caught his eyes so much that he couldn't take his eyes off a beautiful woman like Julia.

"What do you think? Do you think you can bring a trend to Rome?"

"Of course. Can I wear this to the next banquet?" I think just doing that will go viral."

"Do whatever you want. I'm a little worried that other men will see you with strange eyes."

"Oh, what a joke."

It was 100% pure, but he couldn't stop it.

It will become a big trend in the future anyway, so you can't tell people not to wear silk clothes at all.

'I'll just have to bury the whole family name if someone comes up later.'

And while making money is good, too expensive silk prices could lead to inflation, so he had to come up with measures to deal with that.

In fact, at the time of the Empire, Rome even tried to ban silk, saying it caused too much luxury.

Of course, the reason for the soaring price of silk was the monopoly of manufacturing methods in the East and the brokerage trade in Parthia.

You can figure out the production method, so you just need to get the cocoon out.

Indeed, the future Eastern Romans made silk weaving their monopoly.

There was no reason why Rome could not.

Julia's voice was heard in Marcus' ear, who had been thinking for a while.

"By the way, Mr. Marcus, I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"You originally told me to take care of it on my own, but since Marcus is here, I think I need to talk about it. My father is going to run for Pontifex Maximus (supreme priest) soon, and he asked me to lend him the election fee."

"Of course, I'll lend it to you. Lend as much as you want. We'll also mobilize enough campaigners."

Julia opened her eyes wide and looked at Marcus.

Soon she tilted her head as if she were surprised.

"You take it very casually."

"Huh? Isn't it natural for a son-in-law to help his father-in-law's election?"

"No... It's not that I'm not surprised that my father is a candidate for the Pontifex Maximus. Everyone else responded that it was unexpected."

The Pontifex Maximus was the highest position in Rome's religious world and held a position of great authority.

Even the Vestal priestesses, greatly revered in Rome, were under the care of the Pontifex Maximus.

At the same time, it was also a reality that a person who had built a reputation was considered an honorary position.

Both of them became Caesar's competitors in the upcoming election and were consuls aged about 60.

In fact, when he said he would run, everyone around him was surprised.

Even the Senate could not understand why a man of the caliber of Caesar would pay such a huge debt for such an honorary position.

Marcus, well aware of Caesar's tendencies, could roughly guess why.

"Do you think father-in-law's choice was unexpected?"

"It was like that when I first heard about it."

"Then it's not now. I feel the same way. A Pontifex Maximus is a much more useful position than people's perception. The most attractive thing is that it is a lifetime position."

In the case of a dictatorship, due to the nature of Rome, which causes competition, all government posts were strictly plural in principle.

And all elected office terms were fixed at one year.

This was no exception to the consul, the highest official in Rome.

However, the Pontifex Maximus was able to maintain his position until his death because it was not a political position.

Elections are held this year because of the death of Metellus Pius, the predecessor.

Caesar was also an ambitious man, but he was also as vain as Pompeius.

There is no way that he did not covet the position at the head of the religious world in Rome.

"My father probably has things in the distant future in mind as well. In fact, the Pontifex Maximus can get quite involved in politics too, if he wants to."

"Yes. Rome gives a lot of meaning to religious ceremonies."

In Rome, when national events were held, ceremonies were always held under the leadership of the Pontifex Maximus.

Here, he could have canceled the event itself because the fortune-telling was not good if the Pontifex Maximus had decided.

Of course, this was rarely the case, but the words of the Pontifex Maximus had that much authority.

Caesar was sure to covet this position, considering the political aspects of the Pontifex Maximus and honor.

Unlike Pompeius, who preferred honor over power, Caesar wanted both.

"My father is at a disadvantage because he has a short career, but he has made various moves to win the election. I think it will probably be elected itself."

"Because he is popular with the citizens."

"Anyway, it's all thanks to Mr. Marcus. Thank you again on behalf of my father."

"What kind of thanks do you have between the couple? You don't have to worry about it."

Originally, the Pontifex Maximus was decided by the sum of the priests, but Caesar changed the law by enticing his close tribune.

He submitted a bill to the Plebeian Council that the citizen should choose the head of the Roman religious community.

Citizens, of course, voted in favor.

With Marcus' money added to it, Caesar was able to mobilize even a large-scale campaigner.

With the support of citizens and an overwhelming supply of offensive added, unlike the original history, it formed a smooth game.

On the day of the election, Marcus and Julia went to the Plebeian Council to see Caesar elected as the Pontifex Maximus.

In principle, women did not have the right to enter the Plebeian Council, but there were times when aristocratic women came to see the Plebeian Council. In this case, they passed it because it was the family of the person running for the election with a high probability.

Septimus and Danae did not accompany them, but Spartacus alone followed as an escort.

Of course, the Roman Forum, where the Plebeian Council was held, had no gaps to set foot in because of the large number of people.

In the distance, he saw the envy of the Romans, the Vestal priestesses, escorted by soldiers.

Just in time, Caesar, dressed in a priestly toga, was on his way to the podium to give a speech.

Numerous of his supporters and money-hired electors cheered enthusiastically.

Even though Julia knew that the odds of winning were high, her hands were shaking as if she was a bit nervous.

Marcus took her hand and went to a good position he had secured in advance and settled down.

They could hear Caesar's voice even better as they approached the center of the square.

It was a skillful speech befitting one of Rome's greatest orators.

Fortunately, the speeches of Caesar's opponents, Isauricus and Catullus, were not very good.

The young aristocrat sitting next to Marcus burst into anger.

"They're like boring people! That's how I told you to unify the candidates. Now Caesar is going to be elected without a hitch! Huh, how is this Rome going to flow in the future that such a man becomes the Pontifex Maximus?"

Listening to his voice made it obvious that he hated Caesar.

Marcus and Julia's eyes naturally turned there.

The young aristocrat, who felt the stare at him, coughed in vain and bowed his head slightly.

"Did it sound noisy? If so, apologize."

"No, I just happened to look away."

The aristocrat, who was looking at Marcus and Julia alternately, asked with an embarrassed look.

"Are you related to Caesar by any chance?"

Julia nodded with a slight smile.

"Yes. I am Julia Caesaris, daughter of Gaius Julius Caesar."

"Haha. Daughter...…. Oh, my."

Realizing that he cursed his father in front of his daughter, the aristocrat scratched his head as if embarrassed.

"I heard that Caesar's daughter is a wise woman...…. Come to think of it, I heard you entered the Crassus family as daughter-in-law."

The aristocrat's eyes turned to Marcus this time.

"Are you the eldest son of the Crassus family? Did you come back from an expedition to the East a few days ago?"

"Yes. I am Marcus Licinius Crassus."

"Oh, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Cicero. My name is Porcius Cato."

Cato suddenly held out his arm.

Even though he was taken aback by the unexpected encounter, Marcus calmly grabbed Cato's arm.

"I've heard a lot of rumors, too. You're an outstanding scholar full of love for republicanism."

"Haha, who spread such an embarrassing rumor?"

Cato was one of the republicans that Marcus paid the most attention to, along with Cicero and Brutus.

He had already established a good relationship with the previous two.

He tried to make a connection with Cato, but luckily, such an opportunity came naturally.

"Cato, are you here to see the results of the election for the Pontifex Maximus? You must be busy with your work since you just entered the Senate."

"Oh, I'm here to see how great the two old men who ignored my words are in the election. However, looking at the situation, I think it will be a clear failure."

"Don't you think Caesar is happy to become the Pontifex Maximus?"

"The Pontifex Maximus is the head of the Roman religious community. But his private life is so promiscuous...…. Oh, this isn't something you should talk about in front of his daughter. I'm sorry. Anyway, I don't think Caesar has been able to show proper conduct for the Pontifex Maximus."

Marcus, as well as Julia, smiled bitterly.

To be honest, no matter how much the arm bent inward, there was nothing to refute Cato's point.

Cato took a look at Julia's expression and added a word like an excuse.

"Still, Caesar's daughter is rumored to be a woman of upright character and virtuous woman. So I'm rather sympathetic to you. It's because I have extreme tendencies with Caesar, so I hope you don't take it too badly."

"No. In fact, I also want my father to exercise a little restraint when it comes to relationships with women. It's stinging, but I'll accept it as a valid criticism."

Cato, who was even slightly moved by Julia's answer, shook his head and muttered in a barely audible voice.

"Haha... How come he has such a great daughter...…."

"By the way, Mr. Cato, why did the two candidates other than Mr. Caesar oppose the unification of candidates?"

"Of course, because they believed that they would be elected. Like stupid people."

"I don't think you're against Caesar simply for personal reasons. I think you consider him quite threatening."

"Are you not? I thought you and your father were trying to control him with marriage because you and your father are thinking the same thing?"

Cato softly whispered so Julia couldn't hear.

Marcus nodded calmly and replied.

"It's similar, but I don't think it's a threat right now. First of all, he has no choice but to listen to me and my father, who are the biggest creditors."

Cato's voice became even lower.

"It's like that now, but he's like a plague. If you leave him as he is, the Senate could collapse someday."

Marcus was surprised by Cato's insight, but he pretended to be calm and clicked his tongue.

"That sounds like you're overestimating Caesar. My family and Pompeius are holding out in the Senate, so how can Caesar defeat them?"

"Pompeius is...…. Yeah, I don't believe Caesar will beat Pompeius either. But you have to admit that his political power is at least five orders of magnitude greater than that of Pompeius."

"Politics cannot be done by political power alone. You must have a background. And most of all, Mr. Cato, who is keeping Caesar in check, has his eyes wide open like this. Can he have a different mind?"

When he subtly lifted Cato up, he cleared his throat with an expression that he didn't dislike it.

"Hmmmm, of course I intend to keep a watchful eye."

"Yes. And not only Cato, but also Cicero, and many intellectuals who love the Republic. Although I am not yet old enough to enter the Senate, there are many young people my age who have the same aspirations. The will of the ancestors will continue unbroken in the future. You don't have to worry too much."

"Hahaha, I see. I guess my vision was too narrow. The seeds of a reliable republic like you were already in full bloom."

The two ended the conversation by exchanging friendly words of blessing.

Caesar's election determined the final result, but Cato did not look more offended than the first time.

Marcus saw off Cato, who had left to return to the mansion, and stood up with Julia.

"Shall we go now? I should at least congratulate my father-in-law."

"Yes. We won by a much bigger margin than I thought. I was nervous for no reason."

Caesar had the best landslide victory in all constituencies.

The Pontifex Maximus was paid a substantial salary, unlike other honorable careers.

In addition, Caesar planned to move to the official residence provided to the Pontifex Maximus.

Another official residence of Pontifex Maximus, who currently has no owner, was also under his management. If you repair and rent there, you can also expect additional income.

It has been new blood compared to the money Marcus has lent so far, but he can afford to repay even a small amount anyway.

"I need to mobilize some family slaves to help move into the official residence. And to raise the price of the building to be rented...."

As he was walking while talking to Julia about his upcoming schedule, he heard a cautious voice calling his name from behind.

"Hey, are you Marcus Licinius Crassus?"

When he turned his head, he saw a middle-aged aristocratic man who looked quite upright.

As Spartacus tried to move, the middle-aged aristocrat waved his hand urgently and shouted.

"No, no, sorry for stopping you all of a sudden, but I am not a suspicious person. I am a former praetor and senator."

"Are you a member of the Senate?"

"That's right. I happened to hear about you earlier and found out your identity. I had a request to the Crassus family, and I thought it would be nice to see a solution at this point, so I started talking to you like this."

If you are a former praetor, it means that you are a tycoon who even served as the governor of a province.

Marcus nodded and signaled to continue.

The middle-aged aristocrat continued with an embarrassed look.

"In fact, I'm planning to run for consul this time...… You know, don't elections need money? So I'd like to ask for a loan. Other creditors don't want to lend me money."

"No, why don't you lend money to someone who is a former praetor?"

"That's... I'll be honest because I'll be out right away if I lie anyway. I made a rather radical pledge last year, so I don't get along with the equites. Oh, by the way, I haven't even told you my name yet."

Marcus, who had heard the story so far, slowly guessed the other person's identity.

The biggest issue in 63 B.C. was not Caesar's election to the Pontifex Maximus.

A significant event that would not even be gossip would sweep over Rome.

An incident that finally exploded after the structural social contradictions that Rome had piled up.

The middle-aged aristocrat who was the main culprit of the incident smiled bitterly and said his name.

"My name is Lucius Sergius Catilina."