Chapter 548 The War of Successors

Let’s not talk about the fact that after the grand funeral of Theodosius II of the Eastern Empire, various noble forces have begun to stir up trouble. In order to seize power, court officials and generals have even fought openly.

But in the Western Empire, Valentinian could no longer suppress his inner impulse. He repeatedly asked Luca and Aetius to organize an army and asked Aresio to prepare enough food and fodder for them.

He couldn't wait to see what Constantinople looked like, and what it felt like to sit on the throne of Augustus in the palace of Constantinople. He probably wanted to sit there as soon as he opened his eyes the next day.

Aetius and Luca regrouped their troops on the seventh day after entering the city, and the number of both sides even reached 50,000.

"This was as grand as when Julius Caesar returned to Rome like a victor, and even more so than before. The streets were full of soldiers ready to set off, and two outstanding men walked among them holding scepters. They were cheered by the Romans, just like Julius Caesar did back then, except that Caesar did it for himself, while these two did it for others." The historian recorded everything in detail with his pen, "God shed glory on each of them, making them look as dazzling as if they were wearing gold. This made everyone present believe that they would win."

Sitting in the carriage passing through the center of the street, Valentinian lifted the curtain of the window and looked at the Roman citizens on both sides of the road who saluted his carriage.

"Look, this is the honor that Augustus deserves!" Valentinian grinned, turned around and held his two daughters, Eudolia and Obelilia, in his arms, his hands constantly stroking Obelilia's shoulders.

He likes his daughters because he feels that he sees his former self in these two little ones.

"When you get to Constantinople, it will be your playground. You can play however you want! It will be your home. No, the whole of Rome will be yours."

Valentinian spoke arrogantly, making his two daughters laugh, as if he had let the loyal Luca break through the gate of Constantinople, and the eastern Rome had surrendered to him. This arrogant man completely ignored Licinia who was sitting in the back. According to his parable, this woman deserved to be abandoned! This made Licinia, who could not bear the insult, get off the carriage. She would rather sit in the simple carriage without soft cushions than sit in the carriage of Augustus that was like a miniature palace. Fortunately, Luca sent some blankets made of sheepskin and cowhide, so that the noble Augusta would not suffer too much.

For nearly two months, everyone had their own plans along the way, from Rome to Aquileia, and from Aquileia to the east to the province of Dalmatia.

Constantinople was getting closer and closer, and all they had to do was pass through the province of Macedonia. However, in Dyrrachium, the army that had come from afar finally encountered unprecedented resistance.

A mixed force of Thracian field troops led by Marcian, the husband of Theodosius II's sister Pulgolia, and the capital guards of Constantinople appeared on the rebuilt walls of Dyrrachium.

This is a defense line like a long wall, and Eastern Roman soldiers stand on the top of the city holding the Laban flag.

Aetius was a little surprised after being stopped, but Luca looked very calm, as if all this was within his expectations.

Luca did not intend to send out cavalry to ask why their way was blocked, but instead signaled the army to make way to the left and right, allowing Augustus' chariot to slowly come to the front of the army.

"What, what does this mean? Why do we have to stop?" Valentinian leaned out of the car window with an unhappy look on his face and glared at Luca and Aetius who were at the forefront of the army.

"I'm sorry, Caesar, we seem to be in trouble." Facing Valentinian's questioning, Aetius saluted Valentinian slightly and explained to him: "It seems that our friends in the east do not welcome our arrival."

"Who is it? The bastard who dared to challenge Augustus!"

At this point, Valentinian could not tolerate any obstacles on his way forward. He jumped off the carriage, cursing, and rushed towards Dyrrachium in front of him, regardless of his messy robes, leaving Aetius and Luca unable to stop him.

"Damn it, do you know who I am? I am Augustus of Western Rome, the legitimate descendant of the Flavius ​​family. This is your real Augustus!"

"laugh!"

An arrow fell from the sky and stuck in front of Valentinian. It made him shut his mouth. The sudden flash of cold light frightened Valentinian so much that he fell to the ground.

"This is the Eastern Roman Empire, not Augustus's Rome of the Western Rome. So, turn back and don't do anything you shouldn't do when it's too late to make amends."

The guards hurried over and helped the frightened Valentinian back to the army.

"Assassin, traitor!" Valentinian's legs went weak, and he cursed all the time. After taking a few sips of water, he finally came to his senses. He immediately sat up, pointed at Dyrrachium in front of him and shouted to Aetius and Luca: "Now, in the name of Augustus, I order you to lead the brave Roman army and flatten this traitor's fortress!"

However, Valentinian's order did not prompt the two captains to respond actively.

The two sergeants stood on the left and right sides of Valentinian without saying a word, and there was not even any movement to show that they were following Valentinian's orders. After all, they both had a detailed account book in their minds about how much weight Valentinian held.

"how?"

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Valentinian stared at the two captains with wide eyes in surprise, "Why don't you follow my orders? Why don't you obey Augustus' will?"

"Caesar, they are our compatriots!" Luca explained, "We can't do something crazy at this time."

"Yes, yes." Aetius agreed with Luca's words. He nodded repeatedly and added, "I don't think this is the time to make enemies with our compatriots in the East."

"They are traitors! Traitors!" Valentinian lost his mind, roared loudly, rushed forward and snatched the iron sword from the soldier's waist. "You are all cowards, I can see that you just don't want me to become Augustus of the Eastern Roman Empire. You two are also traitors, traitors who betrayed Augustus!"

Valentinian cursed, pointed his sword at Dyrrachium, and shouted to the generals behind him: "Now, if anyone can lead the army to capture this city, I will give him the eagle flag and the position of captain of soldiers."

Such a sentence can be said to have made the others present gasp. Everyone stared at Valentinian with wide eyes, wondering if this guy was crazy. How could he appoint a sergeant? He could only take the position of a sergeant. But for the two people in front of Valentinian, who dared to stand up? That would be suicide.

(End of this chapter)