It is from the port of Ostia to Sicily.
It was a longer journey than he thought.
The romance of a ship trip turned into boredom and irritation in less than a day.
The waves weren't that bad, but this two-stage Liburnian galley shook tremendously.
Marcus was left limp in one corner and had to soothe the aftereffects of seasickness.
After he arrived at the port, he jumped with all his might and got off the ship without looking back.
Strangely, as soon as he came down to the ground, his spinning head seemed to stop.
"Sigh... damn it, now I'm getting a little better."
"I didn't know the young master would be so seasick."
"It's my first time on a boat. I'll be a little more used to it next time I ride it."
"I hope so."
Spartacus smiled bitterly and patted Marcus on the back carefully.
Meanwhile, Cicero contacted the client he was supposed to meet in advance.
In the Sicilian delegation, Hicetas was the most vocal figure.
Cicero had been acquainted with him since the days when he served as the quaestor of Sicily.
Hicetas, who was sincere and upright, deeply respected Cicero for a long time ago.
"I would like to express my infinite gratitude for coming this far. Please tell me whatever you need, Senator."
"Thank you. I'm so reassured to have you. First of all, I have a carriage and manpower that my party has arranged, so you can help me contact the witness."
"Yes, but I think we need to talk a little bit about the prosecution fee. Originally, I understand that it is customary to pay for such high-priced requests with art."
"That's right."
It was almost like an ironclad rule not to trade cash among Roman lawyers.
This is because lawyers can receive honorariums under Roman law but cannot claim fees.
This was a principle established 200 years ago.
The reason was the social notion that they could distort justice if lawyers dealing with the law worked for money.
However, naturally, talented lawyers accumulated wealth by receiving fees under the guise of honorariums.
Since it collects illegal remuneration, it did nothing that the censor could easily catch.
So the lawyer's favorite fee was art.
This is because it is easy to cash in, and there is little change in value, even if the storage period is prolonged.
The origin of money laundering using artworks dates back to this far ancient times.
Hicetas scratched his head with a troubled look on his face.
"You've suffered this much, so of course we have to pay a reward...… We have almost no artwork left. Because it all went into Verres's pocket...…."
"He must have taken care of me viciously. I didn't know that all the magnificent artworks in the mansion were embezzled during the governor's time."
Cicero clicked his tongue as he recalled the luxurious mansion of Verres he had seen before.
He thought he decorated the mansion like an antique shop because of its artistic spirit, but it was quite shocking that it was all stolen goods.
'Senator, since the situation is like this, so I will try to find other valuable items instead of art. If it doesn't work, you can get cash in a way that doesn't get caught by the censor...…."
"Ah, you don't have to. I've already discussed with my group how to get the fee while coming here."
Cicero gave Marcus once, who is now a little pale and continued cheerfully.
"As you know, I'm aiming for the position of aedile in the Quintilis (July) election. The election is almost a fait accompli, as half of the aediles are supposed to be handled by the plebeian. But the problem is that I am not in a position to throw money into the air like other aristocrats after being elected."
An aedile is a standing political officer in charge of roads, buildings, and public works.
However, it is not a job that simply performs general administration. Their jurisdiction included festivals and public entertainment.
What is unique is that the repair of buildings and the holding of festivals are often covered with their own money.
This is because even praetors and consuls must gain as much popularity as possible in order to be elected.
However, Cicero has not yet been supported by that amount of wealth. It would be possible if he were in debt, but as a man of law, he was reluctant to take on a large amount of debt.
Here, Marcus reminded Cicero that there was also a food supply during the work of the aedile.
With that alone, Cicero saw through how he should receive the fee.
"So the fee will be paid by wheat. It's more like a reward than a fee because I don't get it myself. If you could cut the price of the grain I sell to Rome next year when I will work as an aedile, that would be enough."
"That's quite possible. Is that really enough?"
"Of course. You in grain-rich Sicily don't know, but Rome is very sensitive to wheat prices. There's no point in holding a festival if you can't catch the price of a grain no matter how much you open it."
"Even if we didn't have to pay as a fee, we would lower the wheat price as a token of our appreciation."
"Then, please lower the price a little more than you originally thought."
Hicetas immediately drew up a contract on the spot. No matter how low the price of wheat was, it was never a loss to get compensation from Verres.
To that extent, the amount of money and art that Verres robbed was enormous.
"Where do you plan to start your investigation? In my opinion, Panormus Harbor or Lilybaeum would be suitable."
"I will go to Syracuse and Messana first."
Marcus slipped into the conversation. Hicetas answered, tilting his head.
"What? That's the city that's in cahoots with Verres. It will be difficult to find evidence of exploitation."
"Instead, it would be easy to find traces of collusion. And no matter how much the city colluded with Verres, everyone can't take the profits equally. There are bound to be people who don't take enough advantage, and those people will have a lot of complaints. Then, even a small price will open your mouth easily."
"Oh... that's true."
"And we must not forget that Lucius, Verres' brother-in-law, is the current governor of Sicily. They're already expecting us and preparing for us. We need to move in a line that they didn't expect."
Sicily is vast. Even if Lucius were the governor, it would be impossible to control all areas in a short period of time.
Of course, there is no choice but to give priority to areas where there are many people who will sympathize with Cicero.
Marcus intended to poke this loophole in common sense.
Hicetas was told to gather as many witnesses as possible from Lilybaeum.
Lucius' eyes will naturally be on that side if he moves in a row.
That much, Marcus and Cicero can move freely.
Marcus set out for Syracuse with Cicero in a carriage he had prepared in advance.
The accompanying escorts, just in case, were ordered to follow at a distance to remain unnoticed.
Spartacus was the only person next to him.
He dressed him in shabby clothes and painted his face with charcoal just in case anyone recognized him.
In this way, Marcus appeared to be the son of an ordinary family traveling with a sturdy slave.
Cicero, who was sitting across from him, suddenly opened his mouth.
"I'm so glad you came with me. I was anxious because I thought Verres's check would be much worse than expected."
"Maybe he's very conscious of Pompeius."
"I wish I could have been a little more vigilant, but it's a pity that I can't hope for such a fluke. Still, your comments are really helpful. It's like saying that you should receive your wages in wheat."
"Even if I didn't tell you, Cicero would have thought of it all at some point."
In fact, falling wheat prices were a huge benefit not only for Cicero but also for Marcus.
If the Verres trial is won, he will supply Sicily's wheat cheaply next year.
It was exactly in line with Marcus's attempt to buy a large amount of wheat.
Cicero will gain popularity among citizens, and Marcus will be able to make a huge profit.
In other words, it is the best result that each other is satisfied with.
Marcus, of course, didn't make it look like that at all. It is Thaddeus who is hoarding wheat, not himself.
He is helping Cicero with a sense of justice for the republic's future.
For Cicero, who was completely unaware of this fact, Marcus only seemed to be a solid timber that led the Republic.
* * *
Arriving in Syracuse, Marcus went straight to the Greek magistrate named Dion, whom he had already investigated.
The reason for taking pictures of him was simple.
This is because he was the one with the least increase in wealth among the numerous magistrates.
"Are you Dion, the magistrate of Syracuse?"
He was wearing a pallium, an improved version of the traditional Greek costume, the Himation.
"What did you want me to see you for what reason? I have a lot of work to deal with, so just tell me what you're doing."
Consistent in an irritated manner, he changed his expression as soon as he saw Marcus' silver coin.
"We're a team of investigators from Rome. I want to ask you something about the governor, can you answer me? Of course, I'll give you a full reward."
Dion's eyes glowed with greed as he looked at the silver pocket shaking in front of his eyes.
"Well...but it's not something I can decide at my disposal."
"No one else will know what the magistrate said. We'll keep the evidence strictly confidential until the trial. And if you are disadvantaged by this trial, we will provide you with financial compensation accordingly."
"Uh... is that true?"
"I can write you a contract here. Honestly, wasn't the reward too cheap compared to the hard work you've put in so far? Even if you work, you have to get a fair price. Speaking of which, let's have a drink tonight and relax."
Marcus put some more silver coins on Dion's palm.
Dion coughed in vain, desperately suppressing the area of his mouth that was about to unravel.
"Hmm! Hmm, well, all this... I'd appreciate it. You must be a rich family."
"Well, I have enough to not be envious."
"Yes. If you give me a contract to compensate me for all the damage, there's nothing I can't say." Frankly, I also think the former governor's tyranny was serious. But what can a magistrate like me do? If they tell me from above, I'll do what I'm meant to do."
It is a speech that he is not responsible for because he was forced to comply with the order.
Cicero's eyebrows twitched as he watched, but Marcus beckoned him to leave it to him.
The person who should be intertwined anyway is Verres, not this kind of minnow magistrate.
There was no need to waste emotion in an unnecessary place.
"If the governor had asked me to do it, no one could have done anything about it. But I don't think you've made me do that and paid me properly, but don't you think it's too much?"
"That's what I'm saying. It's us who actually cleaned up the mess, but the payers only monopolize the top. Hieron bought land in the south in exchange for manipulating the books, but only a few silver coins fell on me."
"It's ridiculous. I'm different from Verres in that respect. If you give us the evidence you have, we will reward you with the appropriate value."
Dion, who had been thinking for a long time, disappeared somewhere, leaving behind the words to wait a moment.
Cicero looked back at Marcus with a suspicious look on his face.
"Do you think he's going to fall for it says?"
"Of course. It's not just a purchase with money, it's a proper scratch of the accumulated complaints. How dirty would you feel if you dipped your hands in dirty work together and didn't get a proper reward?"
The typical pattern in a person in power, who is originally blinded by greed, steps on their tail has begun with an internal accusation.
In that case, if it is a hundred, the problem arises because the whistleblower is not properly treated.
Even in modern times, it was more common than expected for a person who pocketed tens of billions of Won to go to prison after being reluctant to give millions of Won to his subordinates.
Verres was no different from those people.
As Marcus expected, Dion brought documents and wax tablets containing various evidence.
"First of all, this is how much I've handled myself. But it's not because I don't trust it, but can I write the contract first? I think that will help both sides continue the conversation with trust."
"Of course."
Marcus pushed the evidence he had received from Dion into one corner and pulled out the contract.
"Well, then, please stamp your seal here. It is a contract that I will compensate you properly if you suffer damage from this testimony."
"Oh, thank you. You're a man of reason. Let's see...."
Dion looked through the contract with a satisfied look on his face.
The contents of the contract were what Marcus said exactly.
"If a witness is harmed by this testimony, Marcus Licinius Crassus shall be held liable for any kind of damage...."
Dion stared back and forth between the contract and Marcus's face with his mouth wide open. Soon, his face turned pale, and he licked his lips and barely continued.
"Eh, Marcus Licinius Crassus? that way...… Oh, no, the young master...…."
"Oh, didn't I tell you? I am Marcus Licinius Crassus."
"If Crassus is a Roman consul...."
"Yeah. I am his son."
Realizing who he had been talking to so far, Dion knelt down and bowed his head.
No matter how much a magistrate works in Sicily, there is no way that he does not know the power of Crassus, the current consul and richest man in Rome.
He heard rumors that Pompeius was behind Cicero but never imagined that Crassus' name would come out.
"I'm sorry! Stop being arrogant in front of a precious person...… What about the person next to you?"
"This is the person who will prosecute Verres this time. This is Cicero, a lawyer and current senator. He has previously served as quaestor in Sicily."
"Oh my!"
Dion, who thought he was just a member of the investigation team, trembled.
"Well, I really did it because Verres told me to. Please take good care of...…."
"Ah, don't worry. There is no way to capture the person who provided valuable evidence."
"Yes, yes, thank you."
"Then let's finish the story. As for this piece of evidence...…."
While Marcus was talking to Dion, Cicero glanced at the evidence before his eyes.
"I can't believe that even if I rob a magistrate, there's this much evidence...… It's more than I ever imagined. I can believe it even if I robbed Sicily with the intention of ending it."
According to the evidence list, none of the accounting books that Verres reported were correct.
Almost all the figures were fabricated, and they also confirmed that he embezzled the funds of the quaestor.
Among them, the damage was to share the profits with the pirates.
This was a fact that Hicetas had never heard of.
Not all corrupt officials were the same corrupt officials.
One could say that the level of thinking was simply different.
At this point, it was to the point where he felt astonished at the skill of robbing an area in such a way for three years.
After that, Dion even confessed the fact that Marcus hadn't asked.
This is because if Pompeius and Crassus were attached to Cicero, the downfall of Verres was considered a given.
"Then Lucius, the current governor, has already instructed the surrounding cities to conceal evidence."
Dion gave a quick nod.
"Of course, but there are many people who are unhappy because they are not paid properly like me. I'll write down their list. I can also write you a letter of introduction if you need it."
"Oh, thanks for that. I don't have any plans to go out there revealing my identity yet, so this will be a big help."
"Yes, yes, and the instructions given by Governor Lucius can be found in more detail if you give me a day. To tell you more about what I know...…."
Dion's story went on for a long time.
Cicero and Marcus listened.
The orders given by Lucius and the plan of the sabotage were delivered to them.
It was the moment when Syracuse's secret affair with Verres was revealed.