“If Divo Braille is unwilling to help you, what makes you think I would?” Andrea asked coldly.
“You know, after I was free from the arena, I joined the patrol team in the southeast city for a period of time. I’ve investigated far too many criminal cases. According to my accumulated experience, cases like vandalizing public facilities would surely happen more than once. And the next time, I’m afraid you won’t be getting it repaired in a day or two.”
Andrea felt a chill when he heard what Zhang Heng said, knowing that he was being threatened. Just as he would never admit his connections with the Binota Mine, Zhang Heng would never admit that the damage to the sewer pipe was related to him. So, he gave Andrea a fair reminder.
Andrea knew what Zhang Heng was trying to tell him, though. If the Binota Mine problem could not be resolved, Andrea would never get his peace as an aedile. And this was the critical time for him to be promoted to financial officer. Even if he had political allies propping him up, he would still lose the support of the people if he did not do his job well.
And once he lost the support of the people, no matter how powerful his political allies were, they wouldn’t be assisting his promotion to become a financial officer.
Andrea knew at that time that Zhang Heng had gotten a hold of his weakness. As of now, he had two options to choose from. He could insist on sticking to his original plan. If he did that, Zhang Heng would never complete his task. However, he might lose his entire political career. There were more than a person or two who were against Commodus now. Although everyone was secretly fighting the emperor, each person had their own agenda.
Some people wished that they could control the young emperor to gain more power, and some wanted to show Commodus that they were not afraid of him. Some adopted the soft and hard approach, ensuring that they could keep their existing power. Then there were some who wanted to complicate the situation and take advantage.
As for Andrea, he chose this side so he could cozy up to certain core political figures and benefit from them. At the same time, he weighed the pros and cons of his decision. For now, if he insisted on following his plan, his personal interests would be greatly affected. Hence, being so stubborn was simply meaningless.
On that account, Andrea could only choose the second option. He responded after a moment of silence. “You don’t have to worry about the mine. I heard that the accident wasn’t that serious. Another one or two… no. They can resume work today.”
“Very well.” Zhang Heng nodded and said, “I know some people from the patrol team. I can ask them to keep an eye on the sewer pipe. If someone dares to do damage it, we will help you to catch the culprit.”
“Thanks for your hard work.” Andrea gritted his teeth and muttered a thanks.
And Zhang Heng pretended that he did not hear the man grinding his teeth. Instead, he laughed and said, “I’m glad we finally reached a consensus so that the matter can be resolved peacefully. I won’t bother you anymore. After this, I’m going to tell Decius the good news. Since the mine can resume operations tonight, I believe he will want to gather the craftsmen in advance.”
After Zhang Heng finished speaking, he got up from his seat. “We have lost a lot of time. It’s time for us to hasten the pace if we still want to meet the dateline.”
Andrea struggled for a moment, finally reaching out his hand before Zhang Heng left. “I’ve seen your heroic appearance in the arena, but I didn’t expect you to play so well in the political world too. If someone looks down on you in the future, I believe they will surely regret it.”
Zhang Heng discarded his aggressive manner too and shook hands with Andrea. “I am also amazed by the importance of the public facilities to you. I believe you will become a financial officer smoothly.”
…
It only took three days for Zhang Heng to restart the construction of the bronze statue, which had been suspended for a long time. And finally, the works were all completed before the deadline.
Fifty-two freshly-made Commodus bronze statues stood out in an open space on the outskirts of Rome. The rising sun plated the statues with a golden coat. The young emperor, accompanied by his wife, reviewed the bronze statues, and he was pleased that each one looked as majestic as they stood. The statues looked just like him.
When these statues were transported to various provinces, especially the more remote ones, the people from there would have a chance to admire the emperor’s likeness.
“You did an excellent job. Once again, you perfectly completed the task I gave you. You will never let me down, won’t you?” Commodus then patted Zhang Heng on the shoulder and looked at his wife. “What kind of reward do you think I should give him?”
“It’s my responsibility to complete all tasks you ask of me, Your Majesty.” Zhang Heng bowed slightly.
“It is also my responsibility as the emperor to reward those who do well,” Commodus responded wittily.
Queen Christina thought for a while, and she said, “I heard from Lucilla that you still perform in the Victor Arena. That means you shouldn’t be short of money. Since you used to be a gladiator, I don’t think you need any slaves at home. However, you don’t have a wife yet. ”
Commodus’s eyes suddenly lit up when he heard that. Helping someone to pick a partner was a skill set all emperors possessed.
Zhang Heng was also taken aback and hurriedly spoke before Commodus said something, “…I actually have a lover.”
“Oh, is it? Which girl?” Queen Christina was curious.
“She’s a spectator of my shows, and she is a civilian. We have been engaged in a private relationship for a while now.” In order to prevent Commodus and his wife from finding him a wife, Zhang Heng had to make up a love affair spontaneously.
Christina wanted to ask more questions, but she noticed the impatient look on her husband’s face. Hence, she hurriedly suppressed her curiosity and returned to the elegant posture a queen should have had.
Commodus then continued, “I heard that you now live by the Tiber River. The scenery there is good, but it is too far away from the palace. Sometimes I need my advisor by my side as quickly as possible. And you are renting a house. If you want to integrate into this city fully, you need to have your own house. Since this is the case, I will give you a domus.”
“That’ll be too expensive, Your Majesty,” Zhang Heng said.
“No, this is what you deserve. You did a good job with the southeast city. Working as an advisor is your job, but it is not a reward. Strictly speaking, the house is not a reward too. I’m just giving you a place to stay. Later on, I will pick a fief and reward you,” Commodus said happily, “However, all the fiefs near the city of Rome are now occupied by others. There are still lots of fiefs in the local province, but they are too remote. You will have to find someone to take care of it for you. I will pick a fief for you afterward.”
Zhang Heng had to admit that although future historians portrayed Commodus as a worthless, bad-habited emperor with—and he died in an extremely embarrassing as well—the young emperor standing before Zhang Heng did treat his men quite well, for now, at least.
Zhang Heng was actually thinking about finding a fief for himself. Once he was given one, it would mean he’d be completely separated from the plebians and became a nobleman. Considering that he had freed himself from slavery only four months ago, the speed of him being promoted was almost like riding a rocket.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login