I have three hundred soldiers, all of whom can warm wine and kill Hua Xiong

Roman Empire City of Rome.

Severus sat on a throne inlaid with agate, staring at the senators who were arguing with each other with a smile.

"Your Majesty, the Chinese Empire and the Parthian Empire signed the Fulusa Treaty. Now the Kushan Empire and the Parthian Empire have become minions of the Chinese Empire. Next, the Chinese Empire will most likely bring the Parthian and Kushan people to attack us. "

"The previous Eastern Expedition consumed too many of our soldiers, and all parts of Rome were in chaos. Now, although Rome has stabilized internally under the leadership of His Majesty, it is still difficult for us to stop the Chinese."

"Yes, the Chinese are stronger and more cunning than the enemies we have encountered before. I heard some businessmen say that the area and population of China are comparable to ours."

"If it doesn't work, just negotiate with the Chinese. Negotiate peace first, and then break the contract and kill them."

"We can also think of ways to split China from within."

When the Romans encountered a powerful enemy, they always surrendered first or used various methods to divide the opponent.

Wait until the opponent's strength weakens, and then devour the opponent in one bite.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Romans in this era did not even have the most basic integrity.

The so-called agreement is like a piece of waste paper in their eyes.

It is precisely because of this trend that even the emperor's personal guards in Rome did not have much loyalty at all.

Severus looked at everyone again and stood up slowly.

Severus in history was a capable man who reunited the fragmented Roman Empire, defeated the Parthian Kingdom, and provincialized Mesopotamia.

It is no exaggeration to say that Severus is the first capable person to appear after the Five Wise Emperors.

Everyone who arrived at the Senate House turned their attention to Severus.

Severus then said again: "I am not here today to listen to your arguments, nor to hear you say some depressing words. I am here today to convince you."

"I want to disrupt Rome's existing legions and quickly form fifty infantry legions, ten cavalry legions, ten archer legions, and ten auxiliary technical legions."

"I will use these newly formed eighty legions to defeat the Chinese."

Severus' words shocked everyone in the hall at the same time.

According to Severus' words, Rome will form a regular legion of nearly 50 people, which is a huge burden for Rome now.

You must know that 50 people will eat astronomical amounts of food every day.

In addition, in the past, cavalry, archers and technical soldiers were all called auxiliary soldiers.

Now Severus wants to separate them and form a separate legion, which will add another huge expense.

"Your Majesty, I hope you will adjust the number of soldiers based on Rome's current situation. Rome's current finances cannot afford so many troops. On the existing basis, adding eight legions is a bit reluctant."

Severus waved his hand at the speaking senator, "Since Rome's current finances cannot afford so many troops. Then increase Rome's taxes."

"On the existing basis, increase tax revenue by [-]%. It shouldn't be difficult to support eighty legions. If it still doesn't work, then increase it by [-]%."

"Thirty percent?"

The elder who spoke before let out an exclamation.

"Our current taxes are already very high, and many free people have gone bankrupt because of the taxes. If we increase the tax by another [-]%, these free people may stand up and launch an uprising. By then, Rome will be in chaos again."

Upon hearing the elder's words, Severus immediately sneered.

"If they dare to stand up against me, I will turn them all into slaves. Then let these slaves go to the sea side of the Balkan Peninsula to build a large number of defensive fortresses. With the help of the sea, we can easily block the Chinese army."

"In addition, you also need to remember that we increase taxes to arm and develop the army. As long as the army is firmly in our hands, no matter how high the taxes we set, it is reasonable."

After Severus said this, everyone in the Senate closed their mouths.

As Severus said.

The Roman army was now in the hands of Severus, and the Senate was not even a big deal.

After looking at everyone, Severus continued: "This time I am recruiting a larger number of soldiers. In addition to the Roman people, I also want to recruit a large number of slaves and gladiators."

After hearing Severus' words, another senator stood up.

"Your Majesty, it is not wise to let slaves take up swords. They have no loyalty to Rome."

"loyalty?"

Severus sneered and said: "What is loyalty? Are the Guards, all selected from the nobles, loyal? If they were loyal, they would not kill the emperor and cause chaos in Rome."

"Everyone only cares about interests. Whoever can benefit you will be the one you favor. Compared to you here, slaves have much lower requirements."

"If I give you a mountain of gold or silver, you may not be grateful to me. But as long as I give the slaves freedom and fill their bellies, they will be loyal to me."

Severus' words made everyone in the hall bow their heads again.

Some say the Romans were pragmatic.

In fact, the Romans were selfish.

In Rome everything could be traded.

Including loyalty.

"Okay, you can tell the people of Rome. Although the Chinese are devils, the gods are with Rome, and the Chinese are not scary at all. If the Chinese dare to invade Rome, they will suffer a rare defeat .”

After Severus finished speaking, he stood up and prepared to leave.

Upon seeing this, a respected senator quickly shouted to Severus: "Your Majesty, please wait a moment, I have one more thing to report."

"whats the matter?"

"Recently we discovered that a new sect has emerged throughout Rome?"

"What sect?"

"It seems to be called the Five Bowl Rice Sect. They are developing very fast."

"Five bowls of rice?"

Severus frowned slightly and asked, "Do they believe in a rice god that they have never heard of?"

The elder who spoke lightly shrugged his shoulders and said, "Your Majesty, if we allow them to develop, I'm worried..."

Before the elder could finish his words, Severus gently waved and said, "It's just a small sect. Don't take them seriously. Our attention now should not be distracted. In addition, I I don’t believe that they can still grow into the last straw that breaks Rome’s back.”