However, the development of the situation did not go as Caesar wished, as his greatest reliance in Rome—Pompey—finally betrayed him.

The Senate passed a resolution to strip him of his position as Governor of Gaul, dissolve his army, and leave him to return home alone. Not only would he lose the chance to celebrate a Triumph for his glorious achievements in Gaul, but it would also be difficult for him to successfully win the consulship campaign. On the contrary, in his vulnerable state, he would only attract more attacks from his political enemies.

If Pompey's promises were trustworthy, Cicero wouldn't have been forced into exile initially.

What Caesar yearned for was a peaceful return, to obtain a prominent position in Rome, and to have all the Elders, even those who disliked him, acknowledge his prestige, influence, and authority, enabling him to fulfill more political ambitions.

Now it seems that not only will he not achieve this wish, but he might also end up like Milo, exiled overseas, living in poverty and humiliation.

The Senate doesn't want me to live! ... sighed Caesar deeply.

The messenger beside him saw Caesar holding the letter without speaking for a long time and couldn't help but ask him, "Governor, are you going to reply to Pompey?"

Caesar thought for a moment and nodded.

In the letter to Pompey, Caesar recalled their past friendship, thanked Pompey for his support, and then stated clearly that if Pompey could enable the Senate to pass a resolution allowing him to return to Rome after relinquishing the governor's post with immunity from prosecution and retain partial military command, he would consider seriously complying with the Senate's recent decree.

The messenger left with the letter Caesar had written.

Caesar immediately called for his financial officer, Mark Antony.

Mark Antony, a distant relative of Caesar, was not from a famous Roman noble family as indicated by his name.

Antony's family rise mainly came from his grandfather, who was one of Rome's most outstanding orators and even served as a consul, but was killed in Marius' purge upon his return to Rome. His father, of mediocre talent, was tasked with clearing pirates but unfortunately suffered a defeat and soon died in regret. His mother remarried with the nine-year-old Antony, and his stepfather, Lentulus, was one of the Catiline Conspirators executed on Cicero's orders.

Antony's growth was fraught with difficulties. Upon reaching adulthood, he became a follower of Little Curio, who introduced him to the pleasures of revelry and women, leading to a life nearly devoid of self-control.

In short, Little Curio, Antony, and their gang of young men lived indulgent, reckless lives, notorious in Rome, despised and detested by many.

Besides these, Mark Antony's strong physique and abundant energy made his character particularly flamboyant, assertive, and unafraid of threats.

However, his crude nature and lack of meticulousness made him an unsuitable financial officer; nevertheless, Caesar chose him to win over Little Curio and because Caesar's family was thin-blooded, with few relatives who could support him, making Antony a rare trustworthy and worthy figure to cultivate, aligning with Caesar's principle of employing personnel.

The Ulysses family, while a famous Roman priestly family, achieved little in the political arena and couldn't compare with noble families, and in Caesar's generation, it had further declined, lacking numerous guests and strong political connections, relying mainly on Caesar's own efforts.

When Caesar took the position of Governor of Gaul, most of the advisors willing to follow him were New Roman Nobles. The noble children looked down on the 'upstart' Caesar and distanced themselves from him due to political stance differences.

However, a few lawless yet ambitious young nobles, naturally unafraid of authority, disliked the traditional gradual advancement of the Roman officialdom, without firm stances, they were willing to work for Caesar if given rapid advancement opportunities.

And due to their origins and their unrestrained manner, they often managed to cause quite a stir for traditional Roman Elders, thus creating situations favorable to Caesar. Claudius did so, Little Curio did so, and now Caesar had set his eyes on Mark Antony.

Handling provincial finances poorly was inconsequential, as Caesar had professionals responsible. He just wanted to give this distant relative a chance to ascend to the upper echelons; and even before Mark Antony had served a year as Gaul's financial officer, Caesar maneuvered to make him next year's Roman People's Guardian.

Antony was naturally grateful and devoted to Caesar.

With the changing situation, Caesar decided to release this fierce wolf ahead of schedule.

He only subtly expressed his disappointment with Pompey's betrayal and his anger toward the persistent suppression by the Senate to Antony.

Antony immediately promised to do his utmost for Caesar.

Upon receiving Caesar's reply, Pompey assumed Caesar had compromised.

He very happily read Caesar's letter aloud in the Senate, while comforting the anxious Elders, he requested them to also make some compromises and grant Caesar immunity and partial military command as requested in the letter.

He faced stern refusal and rebuttal from Cato, Makarius, and others.

While the impasse persisted, Antony, ordered to return to Rome early as Caesar's representative, attended the Senate and delivered a particularly sharp and malicious speech, attacking Cato, humiliating Pompey's entire political career, and even threatening with armed conflict.

The whole assembly was in an uproar, Pompey stood dumbfounded in shock, recalling his recent efforts to defend Caesar, felt deeply deceived and humiliated by Caesar, trembling with anger he shouted, "If even a minor financial officer under Caesar is so arrogant and domineering, what do you think would happen if Caesar ruled Rome?!"

After the meeting, Pompey invited all the Elders to his residence and solemnly displayed his guarantee: He firmly supported the Senate and, if necessary, he was willing to lead troops to battle!

While aligning with the Conservative Elders that war might be required to relieve Caesar of his governorship, Caesar was inspecting the 13th Legion in Ravenna, delivering a speech.

He passionately recounted: how he and the soldiers bravely overcame difficulties, sacrificed for Rome's territorial expansions, creating immortal achievements, yet those Elders treated him unfairly, thereby implicating the soldiers; he should have become a consul due to his illustrious achievements in Gaul, to enact laws for soldiers to own land, enjoy the cheers of Roman populace, but those who envied him not only severed his chance to become a consul but also issued a decree removing him from the governor's position, disbanding his troops, and even prosecuting him…

To be more convincing, Caesar brought Little Curio, who had come from Rome to discuss urgent matters, before the soldiers.

Little Curio deliberately wore torn clothes, with a face full of grievance claimed: The Senate, due to his defense of Caesar, attempted to arrest and prosecute him, and he barely escaped…

The soldiers were greatly moved, shouting loudly: willing to avenge Caesar and the injustices suffered by the People's Guardian (Little Curio)!

Although Caesar dispatched a messenger to Gaul and recalled the two stationed legions immediately after sending away Mark Antony, at that moment, Caesar had only left the Thirteenth Legion in the Northern Italy Province.

This legion was assembled shortly after he assumed office and had followed him through numerous campaigns. Every soldier had received his generous rewards, all officers appointed and promoted by his grace, thus he was very confident in persuading them to stand by his side.

Indeed, this was the case. When all soldiers and team officers loudly declared their willingness to declare war on Rome for him, Caesar was deeply encouraged, and without waiting to merge with the legions from Gaul, he led the Thirteenth Legion southward directly.

At this time, it was still mid-October of 50 BC, nearly three months earlier than when Caesar declared war on Rome in the previous life.

Due to the absence of the great rebellion led by Vercingetorix in Gaul in the previous life, Caesar's forces were stronger and preparations more thorough, giving Caesar more confidence after learning of Pompey's open betrayal (in the previous life Pompey's stance was always ambiguous) and the ruthless intent from Cato and others against him, prompting him to decisively choose to use force.

Once he made the decision, Caesar's action was astounding. Before reviewing the Thirteenth Legion, he had already sent some capable personnel and soldiers in plain clothes with clandestine weapons to control Amininum.

On October 20th, 50 BC (the 22nd year of the founding of the Nix Tribe), Caesar led the Thirteenth Legion to the northern bank of the Rubicon River, where he paused.

According to Roman Law, as Governor of Gaul, Caesar possessed legitimate authority north of the Rubicon River, but once he led his army south of the Rubicon River without a special Senate decree, he became an outright rebel.

Pompey and Cato could rally Roman citizens to defend the legitimate republic, politically speaking, Caesar lost a move.

Caesar was unclear about how his daring action would impact the situation and uncertain whether he'd achieve ultimate victory, but he knew for certain: he could not retreat as it was already a sheer cliff behind him!

Emotions surged through Caesar, ultimately firming up, calmly stating, "The die is cast."

He then spurred his warhorse, the first to ford the river.

With preparations made in advance, Caesar easily captured Amininum and stayed there for a while, awaiting the hastily fleeing Antony from Rome.

Caesar commanded him to lead a few large units to capture Arezzo and dispatched several units to occupy Pisaurum, Fanum, and Ancona.

Wherever the army went, towns opened their gates to surrender without any battles, and everything proceeded smoothly.

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