Far away in the Decapitator City, the accounts of the two deserter soldiers were heard by Septimus.
The news of Cinna's death through the connection of the clones became known to Septimus.
Septimus was slightly surprised by the news. Although he knew that Cinna would die in this year, when the news of his death actually arrived it still surprised him a little.
The intelligence activities of the clones covered almost all the Roman cities of Italy, but the city of Brundisium, being the city where Sulla landed in the original history, had a delegation of one hundred clone soldiers prepared to negotiate with Sulla.
Septimus's commercial caravans began to mobilize and purchase a large quantity of grain.
Throughout the entire year 84 BC, Septimus had purchased large quantities of grain through his white sugar shops, not only at a low price in Capua, but also through his caravans in Sicily and Naples, which caused a slight food shortage in Capua.
In ancient times, productivity was low and grain was not as cheap as it is now. Often, feeding a single person could consume all of their income.
Accumulating a large quantity of grain during a period of war allowed Septimus to resell it and generate great profits.
While Septimus was making preparations, in the city of Rome the death of Cinna slowly began to spread.
The political situation in Rome became tense, but with great figures and prestigious families taking power. The vast majority of the upper class in Rome trusted that they would be able to stop Sulla.
On the other hand, the elections for the consul of Rome were also approaching.
The political situation in Rome was very tense, and only the citizens of the city of Rome were able to participate in the elections.
The Roman system dictates that, in order to elect consuls and other officials, Roman citizens must travel to Rome to vote in person; they cannot vote locally.
Therefore, the citizens of the regions closest to Rome are highly valued, since those farther away are less likely to travel to Rome.
The city of Capua is not far from Rome, so the importance given to a powerful figure like Septimus, with his great wealth, is evident.
Lucius Scipio sent a message to Septimus requesting his financial support.
Septimus mocked Lucius for his shameless attempt to use the family relationship to ask for money. If Septimus were only a simple wealthy elite, he would be very interested in financially supporting the new consul.
But with the replication ability and a completely loyal and unlimited army, it was not necessary.
Lucius Scipio's message received no response from Septimus.
On the other hand, Lucius Scipio frowned when he received no response.
Money was important, and Lucius Scipio knew it, but he could do nothing in the face of Septimus's lack of response.
A crucial condition for becoming consul was wealth: the ability to bribe the people.
Borrow money to obtain an official position, borrow more money after the promotion, and finally become consul.
After becoming consul or president of the Supreme Court, one could amass wealth in the province that would be assigned to them at the end of their term.
For example, after finishing his term as legal advisor, Caesar was appointed governor of Hispania, but his creditors prevented him from taking the position. He needed to settle an overwhelming debt of 830 talents, equivalent to about 5 million denarii.
Crassus acted as guarantor, finally allowing him to leave.
After finishing his term as governor, he not only paid off a great debt, but also had enough money to compete for the consulship; this was the usual path for most officials.
In conclusion, money was the key to occupying positions throughout Rome.
Although Lucius Scipio was displeased with Septimus for not supporting his candidacy, as the future consul he did not give it much importance.
The position of consul was already determined; the elections were only a formality.
Time passed slowly and the year 83 BC arrived.
Rome
The death of Cinna had spread throughout Rome and was common knowledge.
The consul Gnaeus Papirius Carbo completed his one-year term and was replaced by Gaius Norbanus and Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus.
The appointment of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus had already been decided for many Roman nobles. The influence of the Scipio family should not be underestimated.
The name of Scipio alone gave blind confidence to all Romans.
The appointment of Gaius Norbanus was unexpected for many Roman nobles, but with the support of the former consul Carbo, the election was easy.
On the other hand, Sertorius was removed from political power in Rome.
After the death of Lucius Cornelius Cinna, the summit of Roman power was dominated by Gnaeus Papirius Carbo and other leaders.
Sertorius, who was a competent commander but politically uncomfortable (he disagreed with some of Cinna's ideas), was sent to Hispania as governor.
Rome now had a total of 22 legions that had been accumulated since the death of Cinna in order to face a possible attack from Sulla.
Inside an enormous residence on the summit of an imposing hill, the two consuls together with other members of the high Roman nobility decided on the strategy to confront Sulla.
More than twenty nobles from different influential families in Rome were gathered.
"Stop making noise," Norbanus spoke with a loud voice.
"The consul Norbanus and I have already taken into account all your opinions and the places where we will mobilize the troops," said Lucius Scipio with a kind expression on his face.
The noise of the nobles gradually calmed down. They were all important people and understood that meaningless discussion would not achieve results.
Norbanus and Lucius Scipio had gathered the nobles in order to coordinate the defense of Rome.
The death of Cinna was already known by Sulla, and it was rumored that he was gathering Greek mercenaries in order to land in Rome.
It was necessary to coordinate with the nobles the mobilization of the legions.
"I have decided to go to Capua and defend the region of Campania from a possible invasion by Sulla," said Lucius Scipio with a smile.
The nobles had no objections. Their confidence in victory was absolute and came from the 22 recruited legions, a total of more than one hundred thousand legionaries.
On the other hand, Sulla's situation did not seem good, and his military force was not a rival for Rome.
Even if his command ability was excellent, Rome was not weak. The consul Scipio was a descendant of the god of war, and they did not believe that Scipio would not be a rival for him.
The meeting with the nobles had the purpose of coordinating the mobilization of the army with the nobles.
It was well known that the expeditions of each consul were accompanied by a large number of sons of nobles; this was not only an opportunity to obtain military merit, but also to gain experience and prestige. In ancient Rome, those who did not have military experience were forbidden to enter politics.
They often occupied the highest positions; for example, Julius Caesar obtained the position of military tribune in his first military service.
Lucius Scipio was aware that his expedition to protect the region of Campania would attract a large number of nobles interested in obtaining military merit.
With the support of a large number of nobles and his family prestige, Lucius Scipio trusted that he would be able to maintain the position of consul for a long time.
On the other hand, he also sought to take revenge against Septimus and demonstrate to that foolish young elite the grave mistake he had made by not supporting him financially.
Lucius Scipio coveted the wealth of Septimus.
During the last years, Septimus had managed to recreate white sugar, paper, and different types of alcoholic beverages that had become luxury goods in all Roman banquets and had generated a great amount of profit.
Nevertheless, Septimus's large expenses on land, minerals, grain, construction materials, and various goods had given him a reputation as a spendthrift.
Lucius Scipio despised Septimus; with that great wealth, Lucius's political and military power would have no limits.
The Scipio family, which collaborated with Septimus in the trade of white sugar outside Rome, was the one that best knew the incredible wealth generated each month by Septimus.
The greed for Septimus's wealth had been growing together with the power of Lucius Scipio and the Scipio family.
Lucius Scipio would mobilize ten legions with the purpose of protecting the region of Campania and would take under his control all the lands and wealth of Septimus.
On the other hand, the nobles agreed with Lucius Scipio's proposal.
Septimus did not know that he was being treated as a big fish by the new consul of the Scipio family.