Chương 142: Chapter 47 : Change

Immediately after Cicero's speech, the consuls decided to take a short recess. It was to give each senator time to review my proposal before putting it to a vote. Cato, as expected, ignored my proposal and left the Curia Hostilia. I followed closely behind him.

"Young Caesar, you speak as if it is a given that the Senate will accept your proposal. Asking me to take charge of operating the lottery." Seeing me follow, Cato let out an irritated sound.

"The Senate will accept my proposal. Because it will be beneficial to the Senate, the Republic, and the Senators themselves."

"Beneficial to the Republic, you say." Cato came to a halt. As the people around us looked on curiously, Cato and I stared at each other in silence. There was probably no one in Rome as obsessed with tradition as Cato. In the original history, he was the very person who kept Crassus and Pompey in check, forcing them to join hands, and eventually even pushed Caesar into forming the First Triumvirate. It was also Cato who drove a wedge between Caesar and Pompey after Crassus died in the East. It was quite ironic.

Every action Cato took claiming to protect the Republic ultimately became the root cause of its downfall. A self-fulfilling prophecy, in a way.

"You are playing a dangerous gamble, Lucius Caesar. Do not forget what end met the Gracchi brothers, who bought the favor of the masses to secure their own political gains."

"The reason the Gracchi brothers were popular with the citizens was that they offered solutions to their problems." I replied. Of course, the Gracchi brothers must have had political ambitions as well. But the reforms they proposed were necessary for the Roman Republic. Distributing public lands with unclear ownership to the poor plebeians through agrarian laws, and establishing colonies to absorb the surplus population. But the Senate did not accept this.

They refused to give up even a fraction of their profits, and they also refused to compromise. Land distribution was an unacceptable proposal for the senators who owned massive estates.

"The Gracchi brothers violated Rome's traditions—its mos maiorum. There is no act that threatens the Republic more than that. And now, you, Lucius, are following in their footsteps, are you not?" The debate between the two of us was different from the atmosphere in the Senate earlier. Cato continued in a calmer, yet still cold tone.

"It is said that King Jugurtha, upon leaving Rome, said this: It is a city put up for sale, and it will meet a swift ruin the moment a buyer appears. Do you too believe you can buy Rome with money?" He added.

"If we trade the honor we possess for money and corruption, the only fate left for the Republic is ruin."

"Right now in Rome, there are thousands, no, tens of thousands of people starving because they cannot find even a single loaf of bread. Many among them are soldiers who fought for Rome and some came to Rome after their land was taken away." My voice grew firmer. No matter how famous Cato was for his ascetic Stoicism, he was a Senator who enjoyed expensive wine. He'd never had to beg in the streets just to eat.

"How can there be honor for the poor who beg on the streets to feed their children?"

"Even so, do you think the Republic can walk the path of glory if state affairs are run according to the whims of the poor? Our Senate has a duty to save the Roman citizens from themselves."

"Then who checks the Senate?" In truth, Cato's words were not entirely without merit. Populist politics were rampant in the Roman Republic, especially in this era. Numerous politicians dominated the popular assemblies using their supporters, and even threatened and exiled Senators. The Populares and the Optimates. One side tried to upend everything for their own benefit, while the other clung to outdated traditions for their own benefit. Then which path should I choose?

The woman in the temple, the one who dropped me into this world, had said a great storm was approaching. I didn't know exactly what that was, but to survive—no, to protect my new family—I had to fix Rome. It was an undeniable fact that Rome could not be maintained as it was now. Even if my father didn't step forward, it was destined to collapse.

"Senator Cato, what do you consider to be the greatest strength of the Roman Republic?"

"..." Cato looked surprised at my question. After a brief silence, he slowly opened his mouth.

"The traditions and uncorrupted morality established by our great ancestors. True freedom that rejects absolute power, and the duty of the citizens." It didn't deviate from my expectations in the slightest. A very Cato-like answer.

"I believe it is change."

"Change?"

"Rome began as a monarchy, became a Republic, fought countless tribes, and went through conflicts." Roman history was a series of struggles. Starting as an alliance of several tribes, it became a Kingdom, and soon transitioned to a Republic. Though it began as a mere small village, it gradually unified Italy by fighting the Etruscan and Gallic invaders. It defeated Greece and Macedonia, once the powerhouses of the Mediterranean, and even brought Hannibal, the great general of Carthage, to his knees.

How was that possible? Stolen novel; please report. Despite suffering countless defeats and frustrations, Rome never once gave up. The Romans were practical people adept at change. Through the Etruscans, they learned architectural techniques and religious rituals, and fighting tribes in Hispania, they adopted the gladius sword. Waging the Punic Wars against Carthage, they built a powerful navy, and they absorbed philosophy, rhetoric, and art from Greece.

Facing formidable enemies, Rome absorbed their strengths and renewed itself through them. This was possible precisely because it was a Republic, not a Kingdom.

"Not clinging to the ways of the past, but accepting change is Rome's true tradition."

"Tradition isn't about putting out one fire just to light another." Cato replied in a cold tone.

"Protecting the fire we have so it can continue to burn is true tradition."

"Would you not need new firewood even for that?" I said.

"A fire cannot continue to burn with burnt ashes. Just because the firewood changes doesn't mean the fire itself changes."

"..." Cato, silent for a moment, soon turned his head and walked away. I too headed back toward the Senate. I suppose I've said all I needed to say for now. Ah, there was one thing I forgot to say.

"Senator Cato, you said I am walking the same path as the Gracchi brothers!" I said to him in a loud voice. Cato merely paused for a moment. He didn't turn his head toward me.

"It was the Senate who murdered the Gracchi brothers, threw their bodies into the Tiber River, and cut off their heads." In truth, the Gracchi brothers had never committed an illegal act. They violated Rome's customs and traditions, but they did not commit treason. The ones who actually brought an army into Rome and murdered the sacrosanct tribunes were the Senate. The Senate destroyed order under the pretext of protecting it.

Because of that, they lost the support of the citizens and set the stage for individuals like Marius and Sulla to step forward.

"But I have no intention of relying on violence to solve problems. No matter how much it may go against Rome's mos maiorum." In the next moment, Cato let out a chuckle for the first time since I met him.

"I wish you luck, young Caesar."

"I wish you luck as well, Senator." The two of us walked toward our respective destinations.

The Senate approved my lottery proposal in just two days. To be honest, it was much faster than I had expected. Did they think I would use their refusal as an excuse to pull some other stunt? Or maybe it was just because Cicero's silver tongue was too good. Regardless, the Senate allowed me to host the lottery that was already underway. Future lotteries would be managed by the Senate through direct sales offices it operated. Separately, I acquired a new insula and began preparing for a new business.

The lottery wasn't the only thing I promised the citizens. If my businesses until now were for making money, this one was a little different. Rather, it was a business meant to spend money. The operation of a fund and a public center to support veterans.

"We are verifying military service records by cross-referencing legion records kept in the temples. It's taking longer than expected, but we should be able to register hundreds of people before the Saturnalia festival." Babu said, stretching.

"The records we obtained from running the insurance business are proving quite helpful. We can compare them with the personal information we secured in advance."

"I didn't think we'd end up using that information like this." I looked at the endlessly piled stacks of papyrus in front of Babu. We really were using an incredible amount of papyrus. Insurance, Palmolive, the technical school, and now this support for veterans. The businesses I was running consumed a staggering amount of administrative work. In the end, it all meant paperwork. Due to our massive consumption of papyrus, the market price of papyrus had even been skyrocketing recently.

I really need to do something about it before I go bankrupt just buying papyrus. But right now, there are more pressing matters.

"Sir Caesar, everyone is waiting downstairs."

"I'll be right down." Up until now, I had met countless supporters. From those who followed my father to new supporters gained after starting the insurance and Palmolive businesses. Among them were victims who had been scammed by fake Palmolive like bathhouses and laundries owners. Gathering this many supporters was actually my plan from the beginning. Even if violence isn't used, politics in every era is ultimately determined by the number of supporters. Especially in a Republic like Rome.

Therefore, to build my power, I hired citizens as employees, supported fraud victims, and this time reached out to veterans. But meeting them every day, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of guilt.

"Thanks to you, Sir Caesar, I was able to gather the money to treat my son. Thank you so much."

"You don't know what a relief it is that all those scammers were caught. My bathhouse business is doing well too."

"Who could have expected the Senate to announce support for us veterans like this? It's all thanks to you, sir."

"This is freshly baked bread from our bakery this morning. Please, have some. If it weren't for the insurance money, I wouldn't have been able to build a new bakery." Every day, new people gathered around me. They were all people whose fates had been changed by the businesses I started. Of course, there were some who approached me aiming for money or favors, but most expressed sincere gratitude.

There were nobles and businessmen, but there were even more ordinary commoners struggling every day to make rent and buy food. For the first few weeks, I gladly welcomed them for the sake of my image. But at some point, my heart began to change. A sense of guilt that I didn't deserve such gratitude, mixed with a sense of joy. To think that my actions would change the destinies of so many people like this. In my past life, I was nothing more than an office worker with no presence.

Unloved even by my family, just an unimportant cog in society. No one helped me, and I couldn't help anyone else. But now it was different. Every single action I took was changing Rome. I had a family to rely on, and the number of people relying on me was growing.

"This kind of life isn't bad either." One day, as the Saturnalia festival was approaching, an unexpected guest visited me.

"Senator Cicero, I didn't expect you to come visit me first like this."

"I should have come sooner, I apologize. I had to finalize the lottery business you proposed." Cicero smiled as he sat in the chair I offered. Beside him stood Tiro, the slave acting as his stenographer, as usual.

"By the way, it was a truly brilliant move, young Caesar. Proposing the lottery business back to the Senate, raising the senate's authority and honor, while simultaneously increasing the number of senators supporting you. It was a move even I couldn't have imagined." Cicero said.

"To praise the Senate that called you in to reprimand you. Where on earth did you get such nerve?"

"As I told you previously, senator, making an enemy of the senate is not in my plans." At least this was the truth. Unlike what Cato mistakenly believed, I had no intention of following in the Gracchi brothers' footsteps. Caesar is only Caesar. There was no need for me to follow behind anyone.

"Thanks to you, we can now somewhat prevent the soldiers' loyalty from being concentrated solely on their commanders. Rome will regain that much peace and stability as well." Cicero leaned forward.

"By the way, how did you persuade Pompey? From Pompey's perspective, his control over his veterans would inevitably loosen."

"He also agreed to the larger picture. Namely, protecting the order and interests of the Republic."

"A truly excellent remark. There is probably no finer young man in Rome right now than you." Cicero smiled with satisfaction.

"You showed excellent self-restraint and flexibility through this incident. The senate and the senators have all acknowledged that. But from now on, before you throw a fireball like that into the senate, won't you let me know in advance?"

"If I had done that, Senator Cicero, you wouldn't have been able to speak with such sincerity." I replied with a smile. Cicero was the only one who noticed the hidden meaning behind my lottery proposal. Through this incident, I had gained a certain amount of favor from Cicero as well. Since I had shown that I respected the authority of the Senate. If I played my cards right, I might be able to succeed in something my father couldn't do in the original history. Bringing Cicero in as a firm ally.

Of course, it wouldn't be easy, but it was well worth the effort. As I was lost in thought, Cicero spoke in a serious tone.

"The reason I came to see you today is not simply to congratulate you. I had a matter I wanted to discuss with you separately."

"Please, speak freely." I tried to look as nonchalant as possible. For Cicero to personally come and discuss something with me. What did he really want?

"My wife, Terentia, runs a bit of a real estate business in Rome. I came to ask if we could sign up for insurance under good conditions."

"Pardon?" For a moment, I could only stare blankly at Cicero. I wasn't sure whether to laugh. The Father of the Republic. The author of De Re Publica, De Officiis, and De Legibus. The most outstanding lawyer and orator in Rome came to me for an insurance consultation. It didn't sound like a joke.

"For you, Senator, I can always offer the best terms. Saturnalia is approaching soon, after all. Please consider it my gift." Wait. If things go well, there's one thing I might be able to get from Cicero. With the Saturnalia festival and the lottery draw approaching. There was one thing I could entrust to Cicero.

"It's a bit much to call it 'in exchange,' but I actually had a favor to ask of you as well, Senator." I said with a smile.

"Would you be willing to take charge of the upcoming announcement regarding the lottery?"