Chapter 326: Internal and External

Cooperation In the middle of summer, all citizens and soldiers in Agrippina were immersed in the scorching heat, which made everything seem so listless. Because the sun was so scorching that people were drowsy, standing guard at the city gate naturally became the most painful thing for these Bagauda soldiers.

The news that Augusta-Treville had been recaptured by Rome had spread throughout Belgian Gaul. Such a sudden attack would naturally alert the Bagaudae elements in the province. No one knew whether the Romans would land north of the Rhine, or even where the Romans would attack.

The whole city was in a state of panic. They were heavily guarded. A few days ago, intelligence came that a large number of Roman legions had appeared in a village not far away. This was like a bomb exploding in people's hearts. The usually stingy internal service officer had to take out the armor and equipment stored in his warehouse to equip the soldiers. No one knew when the people outside the city would no longer be poor people waiting to enter the city, but a mighty Roman legion.

Another leader of the Bagauda rebels, the Barbarian Bill, has led his army to occupy Agrippina since he broke away from the Bagauda rebel coalition. Of course, after the looting by the Bagauda rebels, the whole city was impoverished, but it didn't matter, there were women he plundered and prostitutes in the city, plus the powerful force to threaten the villagers to pay tribute to him, so they could naturally live a carefree life.

He occupied the original governor's palace of Aresio and sat on the newly made seat. The whole hall was no longer dark like the depressed guy in Aresio. He lit up the whole house with firelight, just like daylight. The musicians in the tavern who had no time to escape, what they could do now must be to play their familiar songs for the barbarians.

Bill was surrounded by women on both sides, holding a glass of fine wine in his hands, and all he could hear were the sweet compliments from these women who were just sitting there on the fence. A look of joy appeared on his face.

"My lord, I must say one thing, we don't have time!" Even in such a peaceful and harmonious situation, Bill's response made Tiberius very worried, because as long as they were not prepared, the Roman legions would descend from the sky, appear outside the city and attack the city fiercely.

Tiberius escaped from Augusta-Treville and of course brought his loyal companion Jurgen with him. As comrades who had fought side by side with him, Bill gave them a grand reception.

Of course, Bill may have been accustomed to such nightly revelry, and he turned a deaf ear to Tiberius's reminder, perhaps because he had lost himself in the praise of the women around him. He just waved his hand and said to Tiberius disapprovingly: "Don't worry, my friend! The legion led by Augustus of Rome was not larger than this one? However, it was defeated outside the forest of Augusta-Treville. If it weren't for the help of the gods, I'm afraid Rome would have to get a new Augustus."

Bill drank the wine in the glass, then said casually, "Augustus is already like this, so why should he be afraid of his ministers? These guys who only know how to enjoy themselves will definitely go back to their master to claim credit after taking this city. Coming here is nothing more than a show. If they attack deep into the hinterland, aren't they afraid that our army will overwhelm them?"

"But," Tiberius said, "I heard that the Roman commander is issuing citizenship to the surrounding villages. Many people will join them, and you will lose the surrounding villages!"

"Village?" Bill raised his voice, making people feel incredible. He asked Tiberius: "What do I need a village for? Those farmers who only know how to farm and complain would have died long ago without my protection. Now they don't know how to be grateful, but instead turn to the enemy who oppresses them for the sake of citizenship? Ha, funny!"

At this point, Bill poured the remaining wine in his glass onto the woman who was leaning on him and caressing him. The woman opened her mouth and welcomed the wine, as if accepting a gift. Although the wine fell on her neck and chest. The woman not only did not avoid it, but laughed lewdly, and reached out to caress her chest and looked at Bill with a seductive look. This was naturally something Bill enjoyed immensely. How could he ever get enough of such a luxurious life?

"As long as the army is in my hands!" Bill said fiercely, "I now have enough money to pay for my soldiers, and my soldiers are well-equipped, unlike yours, Tiberius. How can a bunch of beggars with you win?"

Such words made Tiberius shut up and never speak again, because speaking would only bring humiliation upon himself. Jurgen listened to it even more. When he mentioned Augustus of the Western Roman Empire, his heart was in his throat. Now he patted Tiberius' thigh and signaled him with his eyes not to speak any more.

"Tiberius." This time Bill was no longer polite. He said to Tiberius with a serious expression: "I hope you can understand now that you are under my protection now. I also hope you can remember how you joined our team. Of course, you don't have to be so polite. After all, we are allies who have fought together. I will certainly not treat you unfairly!"

After saying that, Bill signaled with his eyes to the two girls beside him. The two girls quickly understood what he meant. They both stood up and obediently came to Tiberius and Jurgen and seduced them with their beauty.

"You two just need to enjoy yourself. Don't worry about anything else!" Bill said, picking up the wine glass that had just been filled with wine and drinking it all in one gulp.

After the banquet, Tiberius and Jurgen returned to their rooms with uneasy hearts.

"Jurgen, look, he just won't listen. He has no idea how terrible our opponent is!" Tiberius looked very angry, but there was nothing he could do. He could only say angrily, "If I had an army of 10,000 people, I don't think this bastard would talk to me in this tone."

"But sir!" No matter how miserable Tiberius was, Jurgen was still willing to call him sir. He said, "Bill must be obsessed with his achievement of taking down Agrippina. With our status, he won't calm down no matter how much we persuade him. We must think of a good solution now."

"What's the good idea?" asked Tiberius.

"Escape." Jurgen explained, "I learned from the commander of the city guards that a large number of villagers entered the city some time ago when we didn't know the Romans were spreading citizenship rights. But they seem to be quite strong."

"Is this true?" Tiberius was shocked and asked hurriedly.

"This is just their joke, but I don't think they are villagers." Jurgen said, "I'm afraid the Roman army has already attacked."

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"We have to tell Bill quickly, it's dangerous now!" Tiberius said hastily, "We can't let him stay in the dark!"

"My lord, it's too late!" Jurgen said, "I'm afraid they will attack today. Let's find a place to escape before they attack!"

"But, but!" Tiberius wanted to say.

(End of this chapter)