Chapter 669 Chapter 773: The New Structure of Eastern Rome

Luca’s question really confused Kessel, but after all, he was an envoy sent by Gaiseric himself, and he was the best among the Vandals.

He quickly understood what Luca meant by his words. It seemed that he wanted the Vandals to choose between Rome and Constantinople.

The divorce of Valentinian III and the current ascension of Flavius ​​Luca are all inextricably linked. From Luca's short words, Cather realized that the Eastern and Western Rome were not as harmonious as before.

At least for now, the issue of tribute from Africa has become one of the reasons for the open and secret struggles between the East and the West.

"Caesar, these tributes need an owner, but now..."

"As far as I know, there is a section of the Via Claudia from Africa to Alexandria. There are many towns along the way and there are abundant supplies." Luca said, and the waiters behind him pulled up a huge map of Rome.

At this time, Luga stood up, and the etiquette officer beside him hurried forward and respectfully handed the wooden stick inlaid with a golden handle to Luga.

"You will transport the tribute from Carthage and follow the Via Claudia all the way to Ptolemy, which will bring you to the eastern Roman territory. Then, I will authorize the establishment of a warehouse there to store the tribute you transport. It will be our business to decide how to deal with the goods."

"I'm afraid I can't accept your offer, Caesar!"

After listening to Luca's explanation, Caesar pondered for a moment and then raised his head. He shook his head firmly at Luca and said bluntly: "My king Gaiseric is a vassal of Western Rome and a vassal of Valentinian. We cannot give Valentinian's tribute to you, Caesar. This is not in accordance with the rules."

After saying this, Kessel lowered his head. He deliberately avoided Luga who was standing on the stage and staring at him with a fierce look.

"Okay, I understand what you mean." After Luca finished speaking, he nodded to the guard holding a gift. The guard understood his meaning, and came to Kaiser with the golden spear gift box and handed it solemnly to Kaiser.

"Caesar?"

Katerl looked at the gift that was handed back to her, and quickly raised his head to look at Luca in confusion. Luca had already turned his back, leaving Katerl looking at his back, but she had no idea what his expression was, and she couldn't figure out what he was thinking in his heart.

"Messenger of the Vandals, you should now understand who you are talking to." Luca said without turning his head, "You call me Caesar, which means you acknowledge my status as the Augustus of Rome. As the Augustus of Rome, I, Valentinian, no matter who I am, must stand on the side of Rome. I am Rome, Valentinian is also Rome, I am Valentinian, Valentinian is also me, which means I am Rome, so you have to pay tribute to Rome. For the same Roman territory, you pay tribute to Ravenna or Constantinople. Is there any necessary connection between them?"

"this."

Kessel was speechless after being refuted by Luca's "eloquent speech". He looked up, not knowing what to say.

"Do you understand what this means?" Luca seemed a little impatient with Katerl. He was looking at Katerl on the stage, his expression full of displeasure.

"Let me think about it, Caesar. This is a very important matter after all. It even concerns whether we can coexist peacefully."

Kessel raised his dilemma, which was understandable. After all, they had always paid tribute to Rome and Ravenna. Now that they had changed, they would no longer pay tribute to Ravenna but to Constantinople. Although they were both territories of the Roman Empire, this was not in accordance with the rules. If they paid tribute to Constantinople, they would inevitably become enemies with Ravenna. At that time, Aetius, who represented Ravenna, would bear the brunt of the blame, and the Senate of Rome would form an expeditionary force to attack. Wouldn't this indirectly cause a war? "I'm afraid this matter." Kessel scratched his head in embarrassment, and then said to Luca, "Caesar, I'm afraid I can't make a decision now, especially on behalf of my king Gaiseric. I think I can only stop here today. I still need to think about this specific issue when I go back."

"We should think about this issue. It shows that you are a very cautious person." Luca smiled at Kessel and nodded repeatedly, praising him. "It seems that Gaiseric sent you here because you are so cautious and trustworthy. Of course, Wo also likes cautious people. After all, impulsive guys can only go to heaven to see God earlier in this turbulent era. So let's stop here today. I will arrange for someone to prepare a room for you, a room that can match your status. Go back, Vandal messenger, I'm afraid you have to think about my words carefully in the next few days."

"Thank you Caesar for your tolerance!" Kaiser thanked him while backing away. Only after he and the guards disappeared outside the meeting room did the smile on Luca's face gradually stiffen and finally disappear without a trace.

"Caesar." John Antiochus looked at Luca impatiently and asked with concern, "This guy seems to be in a dilemma. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to make a decision for a while."

"This is a very difficult choice, my friend." Luca smiled at John Antiochus and continued, "Years of war have necessitated reconstruction. We have lost too much because of the war. A wise monarch should not only consider the present, but also look ahead to the future, decades, or even generations. Although we don't know what will happen in the future, now that we are in control, we must make some selfish decisions to pave the way for future generations."

Luca knew that Kessel was not stupid. At least he knew the answer to this question and Luca wanted it urgently, but he couldn't give it.

If he had answered this question hastily on behalf of Gaiseric, he would have made the entire Vandals entrenched in Africa the target of public criticism.

Such a seemingly simple choice actually requires sufficient preparation in the heart. If you firmly refuse, you may win Ravenna's favor for the Vandals.

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But Kessel couldn't do that, because the meaning of the words he heard outside the door and the reasons hidden in them were self-evident.

Regardless of whether he heard the officers' comments intentionally or unintentionally, if it was true, then when the negotiations collapsed, his returning ship would probably be followed by the huge Roman expeditionary force. This time, there would be no Senate or any difficulties to stop Luca.

"Then have you ever thought about what the western politicians, especially Valentinian, would think if you took away the tribute that originally belonged to Ravenna?"

"Let him do whatever he wants. Anyway, I need to avenge that knife!" Luga clenched his fists, appearing very decisive and resolute.

(End of this chapter)