Chapter 798: Take Him Prisoner

The first person to appear was the Roman Emperor Commodus, who was also the patron of this gladiatorial performance. He stood on a carriage, wearing a flower crown and a full dress, walking around the arena. At the same time, the servants and guards around him took the bread on his behalf. and copper coins were thrown into the stands. His generous move was greeted with cheers like a tsunami from the people.

Commodus' young face was filled with excitement, because at this moment he could intuitively feel that the people were with him and that the people were supporting his rule, so he waved frequently to greet the audience in the stands.

And his wife Crispina was sitting in the stands below. Seeing this scene, her eyes showed excitement and admiration. Every girl doesn't want her man to be a respected hero, and even more so. What's more, her husband was the emperor of the entire Roman Empire.

But Lucila’s face in the box on the other side is worth pondering.

Although she was also smiling, the raised corners of her mouth always seemed to have a hint of sarcasm, and she said, "He's quite intoxicated, isn't he?"

"Huh?" The noise around her was too loud, and her husband Pompeianus beside her couldn't hear her clearly.

However, Lucila did not repeat what she had said before. She yawned and said, "The performance hasn't started yet. I've been waiting for a long time."

"Oh, come on, wait until our Emperor finishes the parade, and then the gladiators will enter the arena to show off." Pompeianus was also very familiar with his wife's temper, and said with a smile after hearing this.

Many people envied him for marrying the daughter of Aurelius and becoming the son-in-law of the previous emperor and the brother-in-law of the current emperor. Lucilla was also a well-known beauty. Although she was remarried, she was still young and beautiful enough and was the dream of all men. wife.

However, Pompeianus himself knew very well that the union between the two was purely a political necessity. The two rarely talked at home. They were very polite to each other, but they were more like guests. Silas inherited her mother's romance and charm, and Pompeianus also had other women outside.

However, Pompeianus did not dislike this kind of relationship. Anyone who got into his position knew what he needed. What's more, after marrying Lucilla, his position in the political arena was indeed more stable. Just for this alone He had nothing to complain about at all.

"How much money did you bring?" Lucilla then asked.

"Right now, I only have a little change with me, maybe forty or fifty oris." Pompeianus turned around in his pocket and said.

Oris is a Roman gold coin. One Oris is roughly equal to 100 sesterces. In other words, Pompeianus's change is four to five thousand sesterces. He paused and continued, "You need money, if you don't have enough, I can ask the servant to go home and get it."

"No need, I'd better go directly to the moneylender." Lucila waved her hand, and a maid immediately went to find the moneylender.

The gladiator shows were always accompanied by betting on spinach, so the moneylenders, like sharks smelling blood, were never absent.

Soon a loan shark with yellow teeth came over, bowed and said respectfully, "Is there anything I can do for you? Dear Augusta."

"I need to borrow money to bet and play. I can return it to you after the gladiatorial performance. How is the interest calculated?" Lucila asked.

"How much do you want to borrow?"

"Then... five thousand gold coins first." Lucilla said calmly.

The moneylender's face changed slightly when he heard this. He usually frequented the major arenas in Rome and participated in more than a hundred gladiatorial performances. However, he has never done such a large business. No, this number has even exceeded After a gladiatorial performance, his loan amount was reduced.

However, he was relieved when he thought about the identity of the woman in front of him. She was Augusta, the emperor's sister. A huge wealth in the eyes of ordinary people was just a gambling capital in her eyes.

"Since you will return it after the performance, the interest will be one hundred gold coins." The moneylender said, "But I can't lend you so much money alone, but I can find other moneylenders. We fund it together.”

"Whatever." Lucila waved her hand, "Hurry up and make a contract, don't delay me from watching the show."

"As commanded."

The loan merchant quickly collected the funds, and then came to Lucila together with the contract. At this time, the gladiators had already begun to enter the arena. They held their hands one by one, held their heads high, and walked out one after another. Another round of cheers.

The popularity of a gladiator can also be seen from the cheers of the audience.

For example, Sartonilos had the loudest voice when he appeared on the stage, and Habitus also enjoyed the screams of many female audiences. As for Zhang Heng and Bach, their voices were obviously much lower. This is normal, just take Zhang Heng is an example. After all, he has only performed a few performances. No matter how outstanding he is, he cannot compare with those veteran gladiators who have accumulated popularity for several years. Bach behind him is even worse.

But when she saw Zhang Heng, Lucila's eyes lit up, she pointed at Zhang Heng and said to the maid beside her, "Hand him."

"How many?"

"all."

Even Pompeianus couldn't help but glance at Lucilla this time. Even for people like them, five thousand gold coins was not a small amount. He didn't expect Lucilla to bet all of it at once. When he saw a person, he asked curiously, "Are you very optimistic about him?"

"Didn't you see his performance last night?"

"What kind of performance?" Pompeianus was a little confused when he heard this. He was busy talking to several senators about the placement of the army last night. After all, the war between the empire and the Germanic tribes was over, and the borders of the empire were rarely peaceful. It could be Part of the army will be abolished, but where to abolish it and where to place these people are all problems. The final plan is also the result of a multi-party game.

Pompeianus has been busy with this matter recently. A banquet like last night gathered most of the empire's powerful people. It was a good time to find partners to exchange information. Therefore, the battle between Zhang Heng and Sartonilos did not involve Pompeianus at all. I didn’t watch it.

"A boring man thinks about politics all day long." Lucila said, holding her chin.

Pompeianus didn't take it seriously and shrugged slightly, "This is the kind of person I am, I can't change it, but I believe in your vision. Since you think he can win the final championship, then I'll bet on him, but my There’s not much money, only forty-six Oris.”

"Don't blame me if you pay." Lucila's eyes were filled with confusion.

"I don't care about your five thousand gold coins. I will treat the more than forty gold coins as a lottery. If you win, I will give you the interest." Pompeianus grinned.