Chapter 58: The Aftermath Of The Incident (2) "This has put me in a really awkward position."
Catiline wasted no time getting to the point, revealing his agitation.
"I can't find a way out of this mess. No matter what I do—whether I follow my supporters' wishes or go against the Senate—I feel trapped."
"I can imagine your frustration. Money matters can be very sensitive."
"I didn't expect that becoming a praetor would create such a backlash with my clients. It feels like I'm sinking into a swamp with no way out…"
Catiline sighed heavily and lowered his head.
Marcus observed Catiline's downcast eyes with a cold, assessing gaze. He had not yet decided how to handle Catiline, but he had three potential options to consider.
The first option was to help Catiline resolve his problems and align him with his side. The advantage here would be gaining a noble from a prestigious family as an ally and recovering the money lent for the election. However, this could create future complications with the Senate if not managed carefully.
The second option was to use Catiline to recover the money owed, then sever ties. This option involved less risk but also less benefit, providing only a modest return on the loan.
The third option was to discard Catiline and use him as a stepping stone to gain favor with his supporters. While this would forfeit any recovery of the loan, it could yield results similar to his original plan.
Given that Catiline was now a praetor, Marcus needed to reconsider his strategy. None of these options were straightforward, and the choice would depend on Catiline's capabilities. If Catiline proved more capable than anticipated, it would be a waste to use him merely as a scapegoat. Conversely, if he was incompetent, it might be too risky to keep him.
From their brief conversation, Marcus judged that Catiline's decision-making was poor. He should have anticipated the fallout from his promises as a praetor. Complaining now only highlighted his lack of foresight.
'This is an opportunity. I need to exploit it and uncover his weaknesses.'
Marcus poured some diluted wine into Catiline's cup and asked, "Wouldn't it have been better to seek Cicero's help first? As the current praetor, he might be able to help you make peace with the Senate."
Catiline's face contorted at the mention of Cicero.
"Beg that upstart from a plebeian background? No way."
"He may have started as a plebeian, but he is now a noble and a praetor."
"He's still just a newcomer from a plebeian background. I don't consider anyone who hasn't been part of a noble family for at least three generations as a true noble. How can someone who was born and raised as a plebeian become a noble simply by acquiring a title? It's absurd."
Marcus gained insight into Catiline's character. His disdain for those not from noble families was well-documented in history. Catiline's arrogance and refusal to accept plebeians in positions of power had led to significant clashes with Cicero, whom he openly mocked for his plebeian origins.
The only reason Catiline maintained a friendly relationship with Marcus was due to Marcus's connection to the prestigious Licinius family. Catiline's inability to accept Cicero's influence in politics stemmed from his rigid aristocratic views.
"So you believe plebeians should be excluded from Rome's political sphere?" Marcus asked.
"Plebeians have their own roles, and nobles have theirs. That's why there are assemblies and tribunes for plebeians. They should remain in their own spheres, while the Senate should be led by noble families with established prestige."
"Then you have no intention of forming an alliance with Cicero?"
"Absolutely not. I came to you because I needed someone who could understand me on my level. I thought you would relate, given your noble background from the Licinius family."
"Well…"
Marcus offered a noncommittal response. Many in the Senate shared Catiline's views, and Catiline's relationship with Cicero had deteriorated further since becoming a praetor. Given Marcus's need to maintain good relations with Cicero and his allies, there was little reason to support someone as volatile as Catiline.
Catiline's rigid aristocratic thinking also diverged sharply from Marcus's vision. Even if Catiline had some valuable abilities, his current demeanor did not suggest he was worth the risk.
"Please convey to your father that if I can gain the support of the Crassus family, I might find a way to work with the Senate," Catiline said.
"That might be possible. But how do you plan to work with the Senate?" Marcus inquired.
"That's… I'm not sure yet. Do you have any suggestions?"
Marcus's opinion of Catiline plummeted. This situation was a test for both Catiline and Marcus. Marcus needed to demonstrate his ability to handle unforeseen challenges and navigate deviations from historical outcomes.
If Marcus couldn't manage this minor variable effectively, his prospects of rising to the top of Rome were in jeopardy.
For now, Marcus decided to dismiss the first option. Catiline's capabilities did not seem worth the potential risk. The rigidity of Catiline's thinking, likely due to economic downfall among nobles, was a significant drawback.
They inherited the blood of prestigious noble families, but reality did not align with their heritage, and they had little hope of restoring their former glory.
"There are many things to consider, but the most urgent task is to prevent your supporters' anger from erupting," Marcus said.
"That's exactly what I don't know how to handle. That's why I'm so worried."
Marcus observed Catiline, who was pounding his chest in frustration, with a scrutinizing gaze. He needed to make a decision soon.
Catiline's resentment and envy towards successful newcomers from plebeian backgrounds had intensified, especially as he accumulated significant debt for his election campaign. The Crassus family, with their wealth, power, and prestige, embodied the ideal Catiline aspired to.
While Marcus could manipulate Catiline like a puppet, this would make him less valuable in the long run. The remaining options were to use him moderately and then discard him or to give him a chance to prove himself.
'Should I use him moderately and then discard him, or…'
Marcus considered Catiline's desperate appearance. Discarding him immediately might be premature; he might yet demonstrate his capabilities when pushed to his limits.
"What you need to do is buy some time. During this period, work on calming down your supporters. You might not be able to completely appease them, but at least you can manage them to prevent a riot."
"Buy some time… So, I should just refrain from proposing any bills?"
"If you do that, your supporters won't remain passive either. You need to propose a bill to avoid accusations of making false promises to become praetor."
"But if I propose a debt cancellation bill, Silanus will likely veto it immediately."
"That would be the expected outcome. That's why you need to engage with the Senate. I'll provide a bridge for you to request their help. You don't genuinely want to cancel the debts, but you must propose the bill due to your position. If you ask for their cooperation to prevent further social chaos, they won't have a reason to refuse."
Catiline straightened up and nodded, finding the suggestion plausible.
Marcus's advice was not a perfect solution. It was a temporary fix with potential variables and side effects. However, if everything went as planned, Marcus was prepared to intervene himself if necessary. This situation would also serve as a test of Catiline's abilities.
If Catiline proved capable, that would be beneficial. However, if he failed, Rome could face severe turmoil, potentially worse than what was historically expected, with the praetor at the center of the crisis. Marcus was ready to step in to address the chaos, potentially gaining more than initially anticipated.
Catiline left with a relieved expression, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Marcus watched him with a glint of ambition in his eyes. The time was approaching when he would need to step forward himself.
※※※※
As promised, Marcus facilitated a connection between Catiline and Crassus. With Crassus's help, Catiline secured a secret meeting with Silanus, the next praetor.
Silanus wanted to include Cicero, the current praetor, in the discussions as well, but Catiline firmly refused. Catiline was unaware that this refusal was negatively impacting his own reputation.
Nevertheless, Silanus understood Catiline's predicament and found his proposal reasonable. After meeting with Catiline, Silanus spoke with Cicero separately and conveyed Catiline's request.
"So he wants us to fake a dispute over the bill?" Cicero asked.
"That's right. Catiline is not foolish enough to challenge the Senate directly," Silanus confirmed.
"We don't mind that," Cicero replied. "Honestly, I'd prefer to make all of Catiline's supporters turn against him. But, it is what it is."
"Hmm… But isn't it better for us in the long run to avoid causing too much chaos? Let's take this as a positive step."
Silanus smiled with relief, as though a heavy burden had been lifted. However, Cicero couldn't shake a feeling of unease.
"But will everything go according to plan? The citizens aren't fools…"
"That's why we need to manage our actions carefully."
"And I don't trust Catiline at all. He might betray us while pretending to cooperate."
"Don't be ridiculous. Why would he do something so reckless?"
"You never know. Catiline might be overestimating his own power."
Even though the consul was the highest office in Rome, it was not a position of absolute power. If Silanus, who had equal authority, decided to block Catiline, his options would be extremely limited. In such a case, Catiline's political career could face a deadlock, potentially ending it.
If Catiline was abandoned by his supporters, he could not win the election. Conversely, if he was abandoned by the Senate, he would not even be able to run for office. The Senate would never allow someone who had paralyzed Rome's politics to participate in future elections.
Silanus insisted that Cicero was being overly cautious.
"Catiline's demand for a wealthy eastern governorship as a condition for cooperation clearly shows his intentions. He wants to placate his supporters and secure funds from the east. If he were truly aiming for debt cancellation, he wouldn't need to seek a wealthy province."
"Yes, I understand. But Silanus, Catiline's proposal is not a fundamental solution. You're aware of that, right?"
"Of course. We need to address the debts of struggling citizens. However, it's a highly sensitive issue with many conflicting interests…"
The problem of debt was complex. Those in debt were not always to blame; many were ruined farmers who had fallen victim to circumstances beyond their control. The repeated wars, large-scale slave farming, and the nobility's monopolization of the spoils had pushed many small farmers into financial ruin. They had borrowed money to survive and eventually lost their lands.
Their anger was intense, but easing their debts or reforming the land laws seemed impossible under the current circumstances. As Silanus noted, it was a delicate issue affecting many people's interests, especially those of the privileged class. Which politician would propose a bill that directly opposed the interests of the elite?
Given the historical precedent of the Gracchi brothers, such a proposal seemed unlikely.
Silanus, like all previous consuls, had no intention of addressing the problem. All of Rome's politicians were avoiding the issue, playing a game of hot potato with the mounting social contradictions.
As a result, the Senate failed to find a clear solution by the end of the year and continued with meaningless discussions. They demonstrated once again their lack of both the ability and the will to resolve the pressing issues.
Thus, unlike the historical record, the year 63 BC ended without bloodshed. There was no significant commotion. Both those advocating for debt cancellation and those opposing it remained silent for the time being. However, everyone in Rome knew that this stability was merely the calm before the storm.
The two consuls alternated in commanding the army, except when one was away from the capital. They also took turns handling administrative duties, with Silanus in charge for the first month of 62 BC. Silanus completed his month without any notable actions.
Moderate citizens who desired stability awaited anxiously for the next month, when Catiline would take over. Catiline's supporters, deep in debt, roamed the squares with a sense of entitlement.
As soon as he began his consul duties, Catiline acted on his supporters' demands. He proposed a bill that would send Rome into chaos:
"I will cancel all debts incurred by Rome's citizens up to the date this bill is proposed. All such debts will be nullified, and citizens will have no obligation to repay them. Anyone attempting to collect money by force will face severe legal consequences!"
The senators, anticipating this move, closed their eyes tightly. The assembly was thrown into turmoil by the announcement. The promised storm of chaos was about to descend upon Rome.
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