Maximus was surprised by Brebiusta's proposal because the territory of the Taulisians was not on the west bank of the Danube River, but on the east bank, located at the northern end of the Danube Plain, encircled by the foothills at the western end of the Carpathian Mountains, with the Danube River as a barrier to the west. The land was not small and fertile, so the Taulisians were not weak.

Brebiusta, seeing Maximus's slight confusion, explained frankly: "The Taulisians have frequently harassed our Dacian tribes on the east bank of the Danube in the past; they are accomplices of the Boyi people! I have twice attempted to lead an army to take revenge on the Taulisians, but they rely on mountainous defenses, which ultimately led to my fruitless return.

Your Nix has a large fleet, having successfully crossed the Delaware River and defeated the Boyi people, which shows you are also experienced in amphibious operations. I believe that attacking the Taulisians from the riverbank would be more successful for you.

Moreover, the Taulisians are also a branch of the Celtics and are incompatible with us Dacians, whereas your Nix has past experience in conquering Celtics. Therefore, it is most appropriate for Nix to handle the Taulisians. This way, we can avoid the Taulisians causing trouble behind us when we go to war with Rome in the future."

Maximus looked at the Mediterranean map on the table, roughly outlined in brine, which did not depict the Taulisians nor the forces north of the Taulisians' territory. However, he had already investigated clearly that, like the Boyi people, the Taulisians bordered the fierce Germanic tribes—the Quadi and Oxi people—to the north, having frequent skirmishes. So Brebiusta's proposal had his own motives...

Nevertheless, Maximus did not intend to expose this. With a smile, he said, "Thank you for your generosity! Since that's the case, after defeating the Boyi people, Nix will consider eliminating the Taulisians to ensure peace throughout the Danube Plain."

"Good, then let's sign the alliance now!" Brebiusta said decisively.

............

After forming the alliance, both sides returned to the shore.

On the way, Deqineu involuntarily sighed.

"What? Are you still worried about our impending war with the Romans?" Brebiusta comforted, "Just now, Chief Maximus and I have agreed that the fight against Rome should not involve only Nix and us Dacians. When the time is right, Maximus will send people to unite the Gaul and the Germanic tribes, and we will also find ways to persuade the Parthian Kingdom and the wandering Pontic Nobles...

We will try to unite all forces that hate Rome, and by then, with the Romans entangled in civil war, we are more likely to achieve victory!"

"I am somewhat concerned about the future confrontation with the Romans, but to avoid being enslaved by the Romans later, we must do this, I understand that," Deqineu lamented, "I am just amazed by Chief Maximus of Nix. He is merely of slave origin, yet he knows so much about the entire Mediterranean situation and the internal affairs of Rome, it's truly... truly alarming!"

"No matter what, now that Nix and Dacia are allies, to defeat the powerful Romans, our two tribes must rely on each other and unite as one!"

Brebiusta said in a deep voice, "Moreover, according to the agreement I made with Maximus, once a civil war breaks out in Rome, the Nix army will cross the mountains westward into Italy, while we will march directly southwards from the east, first striking into Odryssia, then directly threatening Rome's Macedonia Province...

Italy is the Romans' stronghold; the enemies that the Nix army will encounter will undoubtedly be powerful, whereas on our side, it will be much easier because we will be facing the loose Odryssian tribes.

We can take this opportunity to execute our planned strategy, merging all the Thracians who speak the same language and share similar traditions into our tribal alliance. Our strength will certainly be greatly enhanced, and I have confidence in defeating the Roman provincial army!"

Deqineu was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Maybe you're right; allying with the Nix and giving up the territory of the Taulisians, allowing the Nix to become a barrier, blocking the northern Germanic tribes for us, leaves us without worries.

Once the Roman civil war truly breaks out, we can devote all our strength, first conquering Odryssia... No matter the ultimate outcome of the war with Rome, Dacia will become the most powerful force in the north of Greece, and by then, we will fear no country, including the Nix."

"That's right, exactly!" Brebiusta looked back at the small boat carrying Maximus heading to the opposite shore, a surge of heroic spirit rising in his heart.

............

Caesar was advancing victoriously on the Gaul battlefield, with reports of victory coming frequently. However, during these years of his absence from Rome, the Roman political arena was in constant turmoil and undercurrents.

Publius Claudius Pulcher was born into one of the greatest noble families in Rome, the Claudius family. For centuries, members of this family have remained at the core of the republic, producing many governors and notable politicians, although there were also some fools ridiculed by the public.

For example, an ancestor with the same name commanded a Roman fleet during the First Punic War. Before the battle, he performed the traditional chicken divination, but the chickens did not cooperate. In anger, Publius threw the chickens into the sea and declared, "If they won't eat, let them drink", resulting in a major defeat for the Roman fleet.

A few years later, Publius's sister was being carried through the streets of Rome when the crowd blocked her way. She loudly wished her brother could drown some of the poor people, showing the arrogance and tyranny of the Claudius family in Rome.

This generation of the Claudius family consisted of six siblings, all of whom were known in Rome for their capriciousness and wanton behavior. Claudius, the youngest, was the most outrageous.

Lucullus was his brother-in-law. While serving under Lucullus in Little Asia, Claudius incited the soldiers to mutiny against his brother-in-law, earning Lucullus's deep hatred.

Upon returning to Rome, he also cuckolded Caesar during the festival of the Good Goddess.

Besides Caesar's wife, he also had affairs with many married women, but it was widely rumored in Rome that he had incestuous relations with his three sisters.

One of his brothers-in-law, Lucullus, could no longer endure this, ultimately divorcing his wife and publicly proclaiming her incest with her brother Claudius.

Claudius felt no shame. Next, he did something that shocked the noble families. To gain power, under the arrangements of Pompey and Caesar, he changed his status from a noble to a commoner and was elected as the Roman People's Guardian in 58 BC.

After taking office, he first did some practical things for the people, such as ensuring that the poor received regular free grain supplies... After gaining their favor, he began to show his strength.

He criticized Cicero, asserting that Cicero violated Roman tradition by executing the Catiline Conspirators, and even called for a public assembly by the Senate to re-discuss the issue.

The Claudius family, with its centuries of accumulated connections and a wide network of clients across Rome, led many important senators, originally close to Cicero, to refrain from offending Claudius by helping a "newcomer." Consequently, Cicero had to flee Rome, beginning his exile.

Later, Claudius passed a bill formally exiling Cicero and confiscating his property.

Claudius then instructed his supporters to burn Cicero's residence, erecting a sanctuary for Lady Liberty on the original site.

Claudius's ruthless tactics frightened the senators.

He then, with clever maneuvers, marginalized Cato, sending him to oversee the annexation of Cyprus, as Cyprus was a wealthy kingdom. Conquering it could fill the Roman treasury, providing funds for the newly passed law of "free grain supply for Roman citizens."

With Cicero's exile and Cato's reassignment, two key figures of the conservative faction departed from the Roman political arena, seemingly evidencing Claudius's alignment with the triumvirate.

But subsequent events disproved this view; Claudius did everything solely for himself.

First, the annexation of Cyprus insulted Pompey, as it altered his previous plans for the East.

Then, the Armenian prince, who was a hostage under house arrest in Pompey's home, was secretly released by Claudius.

He further directed his thugs to beat up the governor Gabinius, breaking his fasces, embarrassing him simply because Gabinius was supported by Pompey and tried to hold Claudius accountable for the Armenian prince's escape.

Claudius even had one of his slaves deliberately drop a dagger at a public assembly, and under interrogation, the slave claimed to have been sent to assassinate Pompey.

Though Pompey was brave on the battlefield, he was terrified of assassinations due to past experiences in his youth, and this cast a shadow over his heart. Consequently, Pompey shut himself indoors, avoiding visitors for months.

Moreover, Claudius openly questioned the legality of decrees made during Caesar's term as governor, summoning Bibulus at a public gathering to testify against his former colleague.

After Claudius stepped down as People's Guardian, the senators breathed a sigh of relief.

But they rejoiced too soon. Claudius still controlled a large number of supporter-thugs based on trade associations, often using these henchmen to threaten political opponents or disrupt gatherings.

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