"If you want to help the ignorant and restless commoners gain power in Rome, to fight for their own happiness and interests...
First, they must have a clear understanding of their own position.
There is so much injustice in this world because people's positions are too unclear, making them confused about their goals…
They don't know what they're fighting for, what they should be striving for, or who they should see as their enemy.
If they can't even figure that out, they'll easily be used and manipulated as tools by those who are truly clever.
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First of all, there is the division of class levels.
Just like the Roman nobles would live on the Seven Hills and never interact with the common people, nor would they join the people in the city to relax.
In this way, you cannot expect these nobles to see the grief (pain) of the common people, nor can you expect them to understand things they have never experienced.
The so-called class refers to the different groups into which people are divided due to different status and means of production in certain social production relations.
There is a saying that goes, all human history is the history of class struggle.
When it comes to this kind of thing, we have to say that wherever there is class differentiation, there will inevitably be exploitation and oppression!
The rich people in Rome could build large villas on the hills and live a wealthy life.
The people at the bottom of society, however, live a precarious life.
Even though the men in their families are winning battles outside, they cannot make ends meet at home and have to sell the land they depend on for their livelihood...so here comes the problem.
Ordinary people live such a hard life, so where does the rich get their money from?
As a Roman citizen, have you ever thought about this question?
Rome has always won battles, yet why are the soldiers' families so impoverished and destitute?
It is because an invisible yet distinct line has long divided the Roman people into two, or even several, classes with significant disparities.
Beneath Rome's prosperity and strength lies an ugly side.
The first step is to clearly identify your class, and then determine your exact position within the hierarchy.
Understand who is suppressing, oppressing, and exploiting you.
Next, figure out which class levels are your enemies and which can be won over as allies.
Only by clarifying these key core issues can one know in which direction to strive and fight. Otherwise, one might be aware of the empire's crisis but remain clueless on where to start.
It may even be that people know how to make the country better, but because they can't distinguish who their enemies are and who their trustworthy allies are, they repeatedly miss the opportunity for reform, encounter obstacles, and ultimately fail.
But that is a distant story for another time.
At this moment, what Tiberius needed was simply to first make the people aware of their position, feel anxious, understand who their enemies truly were, and learn to fight for themselves.
What comes next is part of the future plan.
Night: "Think about it carefully. Before we attempted this task (the land reform), wasn't there already someone who saw the crisis in Rome and tried to change it?
Need me to give you a reminder?"
In response to Tiberius's sincere request, he smiled and replied: "It was during the Hannibalic War, actually. The conflict between the nobles and the common people had already emerged and nearly escalated.
However, with the onset of the war, the conflict eased, but once the war ended, someone proposed a law to protect the interests of the common people.
Lucius—there was a tribune by this name who successfully passed his law in the Roman Assembly.
The new law stipulated that no citizen could own more than 500 acres of land, no more than 100 cattle, and no more than 500 sheep.
But, under the interference of the Senate, this law became nothing but an empty promise."
This law, in essence, sought to redistribute the land owned by the Roman state to the common people.
This, of course, touched upon the interests of the nobility.
After all, in ancient Rome, it was difficult to distinguish between public property owned by the state and private property owned by the nobility.
Therefore—it's easy to imagine how, if a similar law were proposed again, the Senate, representing the large landowning class, would resolutely resist any decree aimed at redistributing public land.
And what they are attempting to do now, though it began with advocating for the soldiers, is also a voice for the millions of slaves, for those who have been exploited and pushed to the brink, unable to survive.
This will undoubtedly draw the suppression of the Senate and the large landowners again.
Their strength alone won't be enough; otherwise, they would only repeat past failures. They need to rely on the power of the people.
'Should the unarmed commoners be sent to fight?'"
At that moment, Tiberius was deeply worried and confused as he asked Night.
However, the man responded, saying, "They are far from being unarmed commoners.
You are underestimating the power of the people, Tiberius.
Once a person realizes what their survival depends on, and when someone tries to take away the last thing they have and cut off their livelihood completely, even the most timid person will have a fire of determination ignited in their heart.
They will go mad, fight with everything they have, and do whatever it takes—even biting a piece off their enemy to survive.
Never underestimate anyone's will to live.
Everyone has the potential to become a hero.
When a small spark grows into a raging fire, all the citizens of Rome, the freedmen, and even the slaves will rise to speak for themselves.
The Senate will tremble in fear—don't believe me? Just wait and see.
We cannot rely solely on the power of the commoners, of course—we also need our own army.
Bring the retired soldiers to our side; they are the main force in this battle.
And as for how much the awakening of the people's will can surprise us—
Let's slowly enjoy it. That crimson storm will come eventually."
At this moment, the flashback ended, and they returned to the present.
Looking at the crowd below, full of roars and shouts, Tiberius could tangibly feel a force.
It wasn't the physical force of a battlefield clash, but a kind of spiritual power…
A will of awakening, burning like a flame within their souls, with the unified voices all calling for the same goal, creating a sense of awe…
Tiberius began to believe that they might actually succeed.
In that instant, many memories flashed through his mind, most vividly the night by the Ebro River, when Night inspired the people and led them in a desperate strike.
When people have faith, they can indeed unleash a formidable power that commands respect.
With a goal in mind, people will not be confused.
As long as they know the direction is right, they will fight to the death without fear of hardship!
He now believed that the people, who had clearly identified their enemies, had transformed into true soldiers.
Meanwhile, in the crowd, Strabo Pompey was utterly petrified.
He barely remembered how the following moments passed.
When Tiberius let out his final cry, calling on those who, like him, wished to change everything to stand with him, the crowd responded with a roaring, unanimous shout.
It was fierce, resolute, angry, and thunderous—so loud that it struck fear into the heart of Strabo Pompey, standing on the side of the nobility.
Suddenly, someone began chanting Tiberius's name, and soon, countless others joined in, shouting his name over and over...
It was as if they were calling out to a hero from their hearts.
Strabo Pompey felt he could no longer stay in that place for another second.
How... did this happen?!!!
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