Chapter 89: I’m going to Gaul (1)
Chapter 89: I’m going to Gaul (1)
Two days after the election, Crassus’ mansion was abuzz with aristocratic senators and their slaves.
“Hahaha! Let’s eat and drink to our hearts’ content today. Let’s celebrate our glorious victory!” Metellus Scipio said, laughing heartily as he raised his cup.
The other aristocratic senators responded to Metellus’ toast with bright smiles.
They had achieved an unexpected success in an election where defeat had seemed certain, and they felt elated.
Even Cato couldn’t help but smile slightly, a rare departure from his usual demeanor.
He approached Marcus, who was quietly sipping his wine, and said, “You can’t be so quiet when you’re the biggest contributor to this election. You should say something too.”
“It’s okay,” Marcus replied. “Actually, the candidates were chosen by my father, and I only supported their campaigns. It’s his merit that he picked the right candidates.”
“You’re too modest. If only the young people of Rome followed your example, things wouldn’t have turned out like this.”
“You’re too kind,” Marcus said, emptying his cup and glancing around at the intoxicated senators.
Crassus was surrounded by the leading aristocrats and showered with praise, while Cicero was engaged in conversation with Bibulus, who had emerged from his mansion after a long time.
Since they were nearby, Marcus could hear their exchange.
“Bibulus, do you plan to return to politics after your governorship is over?” Cicero asked.
“I don’t know,” Bibulus replied with frustration. “I’ve been stuck surveying cattle paths and fixing fences for a year.”
“But you must have learned something from your failure. You’ll be more seasoned when your term ends.”
“There’s one thing I’ve definitely learned. I’ll never confront Caesar head-on again. I don’t have the ability to do that, nor do nine out of ten senators. Cato is no exception, and no offense… but I think it’s too much for you too, Cicero. You’re wiser and more learned than Caesar, but you lack his cunning.”
Cicero forced a smile. “I admit I lack cunning. But being good at politics requires more than just that. Look at Marcus. He’s an upright young man, lacking in cunning, yet he did a fantastic job this time. It was possible because he had the full support of the Senate.”
“Ah, Marcus… Yes. He’s a real talent in politics. If he had been consul instead of me, Caesar wouldn’t have been able to do as he pleased… It’s all my fault for being incompetent.”
“That’s not true. You did your best. Honestly, those who blame you are conscienceless. If they’re so confident, why don’t they run for consul themselves and face Caesar?”
“Thank you for your words. But I’ll never run for consul again. I’m tired of the responsibility. After my governorship ends, I’ll just make speeches denouncing Caesar and remain a senator.”
Bibulus sighed deeply and drank his wine.
Cicero quickly refilled his cup with diluted wine. “Rest until you’re ready again. Based on the election results, we don’t need to worry about the aristocrats yet. They’ll maintain the balance until you’re recharged and can return.”
Even Cicero, perceptive as he was, couldn’t see the full implications of this election.
It seemed that no one in the Senate had grasped what had truly happened.
Some of the excited aristocrats were openly discussing matters that made their eyes narrow.
“Did you sell one of your latifundia?”
“They said I rented too much public land and got caught by the agrarian law. So I sold the lease to my nephew before the law passed. I’m planning to buy some land from failing farmers with that money. It’ll be harder once the agrarian law is fully enforced, so I need to buy it in advance.”
“Should I? But won’t it be less profitable because of the agrarian law?”
“What are you talking about? It’s easy to trick ignorant plebeians into selling their land. And if you work the slaves hard and extract as much as you can, you’ll never lose. It’s a good deal. You might not make a fortune overnight, but you’ll secure a steady income.”
“That does sound tempting. But I don’t have much money right now… Can I get a loan from the bank?”
“Certainly. And there are companies that help you buy land from farmers at a low price. You can get help from them. I work with a company like that. We balanced the election this time, so our world will continue. Don’t worry and take advantage.”
‘They’re talking nonsense,’ Marcus thought, clenching his brows and biting his tongue at the debauched conversations around him.
They seemed to have shrunk a little under pressure from the populares, but most aristocrats were still like this.
That was why Cicero struggled to gain a foothold with the optimates.
They were intoxicated by their aristocratic privilege and thought it natural to exploit the lower classes.
They resented Cicero, a newcomer, for challenging them.
Scolding them was futile.
Cato and Brutus were republicans not because they were aristocrats but because they believed strengthening the Senate's power was in their best interest.
For them, the election was merely a means to seize power and increase their wealth legally.
Cato and Cicero disapproved of these attitudes but couldn’t stop them.
They couldn’t, and it was pointless to try.
The republic envisioned by the aristocrats was a system where a few aristocrats rotated in power and shared it among themselves. They were averse to dictators and opposed the concentration of power in a single individual.
“Do as you please. You won’t be able to maintain that forever,” they thought.
The aristocrats believed that the candidates they elected would represent their interests, but reality often diverged from their expectations.
The candidates Marcus supported planned to act in favor of the aristocrats to avoid suspicion. However, their actions would primarily focus on the broader national interests of Rome.
After the party that left him feeling conflicted, Marcus gathered the core members of the aristocratic faction to discuss the future.
Cato, Cicero, Metellus Scipio, and Crassus remained in the reception room after the others had left.
Metellus, slightly inebriated, asked, “So, what are we discussing now?”
“Of course, it’s about next year’s agenda. We need a rough outline in advance, even if we finalize the details later. As I mentioned before, merely reacting to the other side’s actions won’t work. We need to be prepared to strike at any time.”
“That makes sense. What’s your plan?”
“First, we’ll prioritize the people’s livelihood next year. This is to prevent us from becoming complacent just because we had a good result in the election.
We secured three-quarters of the aediles, who are closely linked to the people’s livelihood, and nearly half of the quaestors. We should be able to launch projects that will earn the people’s support. Of course, I’ll avoid short-term populist measures.”
Cicero looked skeptical and shrugged. He recalled the crude conversations of the aristocrats earlier.
“Will that work? Many aristocratic senators will prioritize filling their own pockets over caring for the people’s welfare. We need to appease and guide them, or we risk diminishing the power of the optimates.”
“I’m aware of that. The key is to ensure the aristocrats benefit as well. I’m working on a suitable policy, so you needn’t worry.”
“Really? If you say so, then let’s proceed with your plan for next year. What else do we need to address?”
“We need a countermeasure against Caesar. I don’t think he’s only concerned about the present; he’s always thinking several steps ahead.”
No one in the Senate understood Caesar better than Cato, though his insights were often based on personal feelings and received little recognition.
“Marcus, you agree, right? Didn’t you say Caesar has more plans?”
Of course, Marcus knew better than anyone what Caesar’s plans were and what he might do next. However, he had no intention of revealing that.
Marcus pretended to be cautious, popping a grape into his mouth. “It wouldn’t hurt to keep both possibilities open. In that regard, I’m considering going to Gaul for a year or two.”
Everyone in the room widened their eyes at his casual remark.
Cicero asked incredulously, “You want to go to Gaul? Are you planning to support Caesar’s army as a volunteer? You don’t have to go that far…”
“I do. There are several reasons for this.”
“Such as?”
“Firstly, I can observe his plans up close. If Cato is right and he invades Gaul and achieves military success, I should be in a position to share some of the credit. Of course, compared to the supreme commander, my share will be minimal, but it’s better than sitting idly in Rome.”
Metellus turned pale at this.
“Do you really think Caesar can achieve success if he invades Gaul?”
“Of course. He wouldn’t embark on an expedition without calculating its potential. That’s why someone needs to keep a close watch on him.”
“But if you leave Rome, the aristocrats who are just beginning to organize might falter.”
“It won’t be a problem for a year. As I mentioned, I’ll establish our policy and direction before I go. I’m also planning to scout candidates for the elections in advance. That should be enough for you and Cicero to manage the rest.”
Cato was the first to agree with Marcus. He was uncomfortable with the idea of Caesar leading four legions beyond the Senate’s oversight.
Marcus had previously led an army under Pompey and occupied a region, so he was well-positioned to apply as a legion commander.
“I propose we pass a bill to add another legion to Caesar’s command, making it five legions. I’ll fund and command this additional legion myself. It’s only natural for a son-in-law to gain experience under his father-in-law.”
“As I listen to you, your opinion seems to be the best. I have no objections, unlike Cato,” Cicero said, agreeing with Marcus’s plan.
With Cicero’s agreement, Metellus had no choice but to concur. Ultimately, all the core members of the aristocratic faction agreed to let Marcus serve as a legion commander in Gaul under Caesar for at least a year.
Once the rough agreement was reached, only Marcus and Crassus remained in the reception room.
Crassus, who had been silent, spoke up for the first time. “Are you really planning to stay in Gaul for just a year?”
“Well… I’ll have to assess the situation once I’m there, but I doubt a year will be enough. I might end up staying for two years.”
“No one in Rome has ever ventured so deeply into Gaul and completed the conquest. Do you really think Caesar can achieve that? Even if he tries, five years might not be sufficient.”
Crassus and Pompey were aware of Caesar’s plans to invade Gaul but doubted the expedition’s success. They believed there was a significant difference between merely avoiding defeat and fully conquering an entire region.
Crassus was confident that Caesar would only achieve minor military successes and would eventually withdraw his forces. Though Caesar enjoyed adventure, he was not the type to gamble on ventures with a high risk of failure.
Pompey shared similar doubts about Caesar’s plans.
Marcus, however, knew that history would unfold differently. “The expedition to Gaul will end with results that every Roman will admire. Moreover, from Rome’s future perspective, this expedition is crucial. The fertile land and abundant resources in the Rhine basin are essential for sustaining Rome.”
“Do you really believe Gaul is that fertile? While there are regions with a suitable climate, I can’t guarantee they are ideal for farming,” Crassus questioned.
“Based on my research, Gaul is highly suitable for agriculture. Implementing the four-field system there could greatly increase Rome’s food production. Additionally, Rome will need more iron ore in the future. There are rumors of significant iron ore deposits west of the Rhine that we need to explore.”
Marcus was determined to acquire Alsace-Lorraine, a region in modern France’s Grand Est area. This region accounted for 90% of France’s iron ore production. For Rome, which needed more iron than ever, this was a land that could not be relinquished. Furthermore, Gaul’s land was far more productive than Italy’s, which would be crucial given Rome’s rapidly growing population due to improvements in sanitation.
In other words, Caesar’s expedition to Gaul would be a pivotal moment for Rome’s future. Marcus knew it was likely to succeed, but he couldn’t afford to be passive. Unexpected variables might arise, and he needed to ensure a strong foundation for Caesar’s success.
While Marcus wished he could participate in the expedition as a legion commander, he had other critical tasks to focus on. His plan was to support Caesar’s success while securing exclusive access to Alsace-Lorraine’s resources and the right to cultivate the land he scouted first.
Caesar was unaware of the full value of the land Marcus wanted, so he agreed readily. Who would expect such vast natural resources to be hidden in a previously unknown territory?
In Marcus’s mind, a clear vision of the future was forming, contrary to the crude map of Gaul.
‘It’s finally time to use that book,’ Marcus thought.
His confidence came from knowing he had information close to a well-kept secret. The book he had memorized, The Gallic Wars, promised him extraordinary success in the expedition.