Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 480 In Rome

At the end of the fourth year of Jianping,

Feeling dismayed by the increasingly chaotic state of the court, Wang Mang resigned from his official post and returned to his fiefdom of Xindu, ostensibly to follow in the footsteps of his teacher Kong Guang.

His wife and children stayed by his side and did not understand why Wang Mang wanted to "retire while he was still at the peak of his career".

"With the Empress Dowager still in court, how long can the Fu family be so arrogant!"

His second son, Wang Huo, said, "In my opinion, we should continue to fight them and take back everything that belongs to the Wang family!"

His eldest son, Wang Yu, said blankly, "Isn't this inappropriate... The world belongs to His Majesty, and the appointment of his subjects is entirely up to His Majesty."

"How can we regard the position of Grand Marshal as the private property of the Wang family just because it has been passed down through generations?"

Even to some extent,

The government was mostly controlled by powerful nobles for generations.

But the destiny of the Qin and Han dynasties,

Ultimately, it is different from that of the pre-Qin period.

Apart from the emperor,

Who else can rightfully and confidently pass power from father to son?

Wang Huo merely snorted in dissatisfaction.

"But what exactly is Dong Xian?"

"How dare a treacherous official who sold himself to rise to power become the Grand Marshal!"

After saying that, he ignored his older brother and leaned over to his mother, pleading with her.

"Xindu is not a prosperous place. I really want to go back to Chang'an to enjoy happiness."

His mother,

Wang Mang's wife, Lady Wang, remained silent.

She reached out and opened the small window of the carriage, looking at the one ahead—

That was the carriage Wang Mang was on.

This "sage," praised and fervently admired by the world, always seemed enigmatic to Wang when interacting with his family in private.

He was strict with himself at all times and acted in accordance with the etiquette and laws that people admired, just like a puppet or clay deity that fits people's imagination.

She and he had been a devoted couple for many years, and had several children, yet she still couldn't see through the true nature beneath that sacred facade.

But based on a wife's and a mother's intuition,

Wang secretly believed that this man did not truly love her or their child.

But there are several children,

How could he not like any of them?

Doesn't he need offspring to inherit his mantle?
to this end,

Wang sought out her mother-in-law, Qu, to investigate the reason behind it.

anyway,

She was Wang Mang's wife and the mother of several children, so she had to do something for the family.

But the mother-in-law, who had remained silent for many years, quietly accepting the offerings from her son, said nothing.

The other person knelt before the Buddha statue that had been brought home, clasped their hands together, and recited the scriptures written many years ago by the monk who came from the west, which were meant to pray for the well-being of their children.

Her expression was very serious.

It was clearly not the same face or expression, yet it gave the impression of Wang Mang.

This made Wang very uncomfortable, and she soon left without asking any more questions.

"...Anyway, once we get to the new capital, you all need to rein in the arrogant and spoiled temperament you developed in Chang'an!"

"Don't tarnish your father's reputation and cause him trouble!"

Wang Yun nodded in agreement.

Wang Huo, however, did not take it seriously.

He thought:
I am his son.
He's my father!

So what if I cause a little trouble?
We can't just beat his son to death!

Wang Mang, who was sitting in the carriage in front, was completely unaware of the conversation between the mother and son.

He didn't want to know either.

No one in the world is more trustworthy than oneself.
Nothing in the world is more precious than power.

Wife and son?
They're just external possessions!

He lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked outside, noticing that the people not far away were holding a sacrificial ceremony in the countryside.

Wang Mang thought:
It seems that people all over the world really believe in these things.

Perhaps he can use this to his advantage to gain more benefits for himself.

……

As Wang Mang arrived in Xindu, he employed a strategy of strategic retreat, attempting to prepare for his eventual resurgence.
The distant western land,
Augustus, who ushered in a new era for Rome, was also seeking to sanctify his family so that it could rule the country forever.

"But this is not an easy thing."

The strategists Augustus had invited from the Qin state, drawing upon the rich experience of reform among the various states of China, persuaded this great monarch:
"Even with the combined efforts of six generations of emperors, I, the First Emperor, could only maintain the unification for a little over ten years."

"Before Rome, there had never been a monarch who ruled alone. How could Rome have suddenly gone from being governed by the people to being ruled by a monarch who ruled alone?"

Augustus said, "I studied this history in Qin, how could I not understand such a principle?"

The glory of the Julius family, passed down to his generation, had become the true sun of Rome.

Caesar had foreseen this during his lifetime.

He specifically sent his adopted son Octavian to the Qin state, hoping that he could learn from the Qin people's advanced experience of independent rule and make corresponding preparations for the family's later evolution into the Roman imperial family.

When bidding farewell to the young Octavian, Caesar patted him on the shoulder and said:
"Do it well!"

"I don't have any children of my own!"

Influenced by the patriarchal clan system of the Chinese states,
Caesar had a strong idea about getting married, having children, and then having his descendants inherit his business.

But there were many problems at the time, and the future was unpredictable, so he did not mind supporting his adopted son and helping him to achieve great success.

After all, an adopted son is still a "son," and it's better than the lineage going extinct.

Octavian knew his thoughts and didn't see anything wrong with them.

After all, although Rome had a wild atmosphere, it still had the heart of a normal person.

But the common mind,
Isn't it just biased to one side?
Who wouldn't love their own child?
Before it grows up
He only needed to follow his elders' arrangements, study quietly in Da Qin, and wait for the sun to rise in Rome.

to this end,

Octavian made a special effort to study the story of the Qin Dynasty in the Central Plains.

The vast and boundless historical records of the various Xia dynasties,

Besides allowing future generations to learn from it,

It can also allow outsiders with a spirit of innovation and a desire to go further to learn.

And based on those years of studying abroad,
Octavian may not have been very knowledgeable about the customs and traditions of the Chinese people, or even about geography and astronomy.

However, he could readily cite various allusions derived from political exchanges and military games.

In the post-Triumvirate era of Rome, when he vied for power with Antony, Lepidus, and others, he further integrated theory and practice, thus completing the unfinished work of his adoptive father Caesar and becoming the sun illuminating a new era for Rome.

"I don't ask for much, I only hope that my family can last for a long time."

After reminiscing about the past, Augustus spoke fluently and with a pure Qin-accented Mandarin to the advisor who had followed him ever since he decided to return to Rome.

"As you can see for yourself, I have made many preparations for this and achieved good results."

After taking control of Rome,
Augustus implemented many reforms and made significant efforts to curb the decadent lifestyle in Rome.

This caused even the most authentic Roman men, accustomed to indiscriminate dining and lodging, to secretly complain:
"Look at this Augustus, the First Citizen!"

"Apart from his appearance, he doesn't look like a Roman at all!"

"He's been corrupted by the Qin people!"

Why can't they learn from their adoptive father!
Despite having studied in the Qin state for over ten years, Caesar returned still with a Roman style.

Why should you, Octavian, restrict the traditional Roman ways of enjoying life just because you've returned?
of course,

These complaints did not deter Augustus's ambitions.

He forcefully implemented these policies, and the young people who grew up afterward successfully adopted a posture that satisfied him.

But how can that be enough?

"Changing people's hearts is not something that can be done overnight," said Qin Ming, his strategist from Qin. "I know your ambition and I understand your determination."

"But in reality, if you want the glory of the Julius family to never fade, you still need to consider selecting a more suitable successor."

“Drusus is dead, and Tiberius has the ability to be your successor.”

Tiberius and Drusus, the brothers

They were all Augustus's stepsons.

However, influenced by personal feelings and blood ties, the latter was more favored by the stepfather.

After all, their mother, Livia, was a rare moment of indulgence and romance in Augustus's rational life.

For this woman,

Augustus, who was still Octavian at the time, did not hesitate to divorce his politically arranged wife and forced Livia, who was already married, to divorce as well and come to him.

And Drusus,
This child was born to Livia shortly after she married Augustus.

Given the prevailing customs in Rome,
And there was the frenzied entanglement between the two sides.
Many people suspect that this "prince," whose birth date is estimated to be that of his mother and ex-husband, is very likely Augustus's illegitimate son.

otherwise,

They are both stepsons,

Why did his younger brother receive more favoritism, and even his wife, whom he married after he came of age, was carefully chosen by Augustus—Antonia, his niece from the Julius family?
Why didn't Augustus simply marry his daughter to the other man?
For this,

The Qin people who followed Augustus remained silent and made no comment.

unfortunately,

Fate always likes to play tricks on people.

When someone has made various preparations for something, they always want to give people a "surprise" at the last moment.

Seven years ago,
Drusus died of illness on his expedition to Germania, which greatly saddened Augustus.

Just when everyone thought he would support another stepson, Tiberius, as he had supported Drusus, Augustus turned around and adopted his two grandsons—

He did not have any children with his true love, Livia, but he had a daughter with his ex-wife.

Augustus then married his daughter to his old friend, and she bore him three sons and two daughters.

Aside from leaving a young son to his old friend to inherit the family business, Augustus named his other two sons "Caesar" and made them new members of the Julius family.

This led to the rumors that Drusus was his illegitimate son spreading even more rapidly.

This also put Tiberius, the undisputed stepson, in an awkward position.

Even though he possessed sufficient ability and made many contributions to Rome in the new era, he was still forced by such pressure to resign and live in seclusion.

This caused Qin Ming, an onlooker, to feel anxious.

As a gentleman of the Chinese nation,
He knew all too well the storm that would rage if the king delayed in choosing a successor.

Far away,

The former emperor of Qin, who instigated a rebellion due to his suspicion of his sons and ministers, is not yet completely rotten!

Augustus is now sixty years old.
How much time does he have left to raise his grandson?
As the saying goes, "The weather is unpredictable, and fortune can change in an instant."

The lifespan determined by Heaven cannot be changed by willpower.

Moreover, his daughter Julia harbored deep resentment towards her father for forcing her to marry Agrippa, Augustus's contemporary, friend, and general, in order to maintain political stability.

In the process of raising children,
Will she instill in him some resentment towards Augustus?

"Are you willing to gamble your entire life's work on an unknown outcome?" Qin Ming asked.

“I have observed Tiberius for a long time; he is a cautious man who knows his limits.”

"What's wrong with entrusting the country to him for the time being and letting him appoint two princes as his successors?"

It's simply a matter of transferring money from one hand to the other.

Upon hearing this, Augustus looked at him and said, "I thought that as a member of the Chinese people, you would pay special attention to the inheritance of a family and a clan."

Although Tiberius became his adopted son,

However, the Claudi family, to which the other party came, also enjoyed a noble status in Rome.

Therefore, Tiberius did not change his surname and did not fully integrate into the "Julius" group.

Qin Ming simply cupped his hands and told him, "I am a servant of the emperor, and I will share his burdens."

"Now that I have followed you to Rome, how can I possibly handle affairs according to the ways of the Chinese without considering the situation in Rome?"

Different national conditions

We can't do anything reckless!
The pragmatism and flexibility of the Chinese gentry were honed through repeated stubbornness and setbacks.

A guy who doesn't believe the facts.

As early as the chaotic Spring and Autumn Period, it was refined into provisions by other feudal lords.

"...I will consider your suggestion."

At last,
Augustus nodded slightly, ending his conversation with Qin Ming.

Qin Ming then withdrew and walked onto the wide, expanded avenue of Rome, intending to return to his residence.

"Ok?"

Sitting in the carriage, Qin Ming noticed several unusual figures by the roadside. He couldn't help but stop the carriage, walk over to the group, and ask them:
"You're from the Qin state?"

"Yes."

The old man in the yellow robe answered in this way.

Qin Ming's eyes lit up, and he stroked his beard, saying, "Has the situation in Qin improved?"

otherwise,

How could a Qin person have the time to stroll around Rome?

To know,
After the Qin Dynasty was in turmoil, Rome took the opportunity to attack the city of Yu Bi.

The two countries then completely broke off relations and went their separate ways.

Rome frequently harassed the coastal counties of Qin, such as Longxi and Longnan, from the sea.

Preoccupied with internal strife and unable to launch a counterattack, the Qin state could only order a maritime ban and clear out the coastal areas, so that even if the Romans landed, they would not be able to plunder anything.

Even if Qin Luo was involved in smuggling,
However, they mostly did it in secluded places, rather than openly coming to Rome.

"No," the other person said.

Qin Ming immediately felt disappointed.

Although he had lived in Rome for many years, he still missed the Qin state.

Not receiving the good news he wanted, Qin Ming naturally lost his initial excitement.

But the other party...

After all, they were fellow villagers whom I hadn't seen for many years.
Qin Ming wouldn't just walk away in a huff.

"I would like to invite you to stay at my residence and tell me about the current situation in Qin. Would that be alright?"

Qin Ming said this.

"Okay." The other person nodded.

Then the elder at the head of the group moved his nine-section staff and called to the young men and women behind him:
"Follow along."

"Mary, Joseph."

"Good teacher!"

The two immediately picked up their luggage and climbed onto Qin Ming's bicycle.

Passing by the magnificent Pantheon in Rome, which was recently rebuilt,
The two young people let out soft, surprised gasps.

They pointed at the building and asked, "What's this for?"

"It is a temple used to worship gods."

"Is there a God who worships the Chinese?"

"Not yet."

Qin Ming felt disappointed again. "I couldn't persuade Augustus to welcome the gods of the various Xia states to reside there as soon as possible."

"However, I heard that, in order to show Rome's inclusiveness, they will later allow gods from non-Roman races to enter."

"I will try to persuade him again on this matter."

"That would be great."

The woman named Mary clasped her hands together and said happily, "A merciful god should be revered by all people."

"Hopefully, Rome will also be able to enjoy his care in time."

(End of this chapter)