Mythical Three Kingdoms

Adding in the 2,700-plus who were annihilated by the surprise attack from the Fifth Lark Legion, the Wolf Cavalry of 7,000 that came now, including the Trap Formation, is fewer than 2,500, a severe loss indeed.

However, after such a ferocious battle, the Wolf Cavalry led by Zhang Liao under his command managed amidst the brutal battlefield of injury, recovery, battle, injury again, recovery, to continue fighting, and matched with the Three Talents Trajan Legion. Initially extremely close to the Dual Talent Extreme in quality, accompanied by the will to compete with stronger foes, they have already shown some progress.

As for the Iron Cavalry, the most fierce of all the legions, the force of 7,000 that went out to battle now is scarcely down to 2,300, and all, including Li Jue and the others, are wounded. Yet their return is so imposing that it involuntarily draws the attention of everyone.

On the other side, as the Romans are cleaning the battlefield, they receive new information: Severus has ordered funerals for all soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

Roman funerals are relatively simpler, starting with cremation, then a ceremony, followed by relocating the ashes to pottery, sealing, and burying them.

“How do we distinguish the sealing for Han Dynasty soldiers?” Fabio asked somewhat troubled.

“They have plaques; affix their plaques on the pottery,” Novelli replied coldly, then pointed to his head, “Such a powerful country, only with some issues here.”

“The warriors of the Empire should not die for other countries; even in death, it should be for battles for their own country,” Barulo interjected, following Novelli’s statement.

“They probably have their own considerations. After all, we are far stronger than Parthia; if the Han Dynasty indeed has great power, then in the future, we will become their neighbors, which is very important. They also need to know our strength in advance to ascertain their future policies,” Pipunannus suddenly interrupted to explain.

“After all, for most empires, having a powerful neighbor is not ideal, even if we truly harbor no malice, speaking as one empire to another, we still belong to the category of hostile neighbors,” Lakrilayke said with a straight face, “To mention, I have always wondered, isn’t the Finance Officer supposed to be stationed in Rome?”

Pipunannus glanced at Lakrilayke, “Young man, remember that the dividends of war hold great significance for finance. In the rear, we possess a complete tax collection and management system; even without me, it can operate. But at the front, here is a wasteland of systems; how to manage finance here concerns the future of the Roman Empire.”

To put it simply, we’re out of money; Italy’s finances will certainly be in deficit this year, and a big one at that. Even if I go meticulously adjusting the tax, closing loopholes, it holds no significance; instead, it might destruct the existing system.

If that’s the case, I might as well not interfere and let the people below follow the previous regulations and process. He’s following Severus to see if there’s any place to make money to fill the financial gap, such as these armors, weapons, and equipment. They’re good; pick them up, fix them, and it will save some, indeed save.

Further still, when I return, upon seeing that massive fiscal deficit, I might lose my temper, cut a batch of redundant officials, and then make a commotion in the Senate to dispose of those notorious local rich men being collected, and those incredibly wealthy yet stingy Elders who don’t know to donate to the country.

After coming twice like this, roughly all the war dividends obtained from this year’s foreign battles should count as revenue. As for that massive deficit, it has been mostly filled in Pipunannus’s little notebook now.

The Senate indeed is not short of upright individuals, nor is it lacking in capable figures, but it is filled with a lot of dregs too.

In Pipunannus’s view, killing a batch of magnates to fill the national shortfall is key, for the country; it’s time for you corrupt and bribery-taking Senators to sacrifice your lives. After all, wasn’t it agreed back then, for the Roman Empire, we vow unwavering loyalty, so gentlemen, you should align yourselves.

In conclusion, this guy isn’t a good bird either, although extremely upright and ardently loving this country, seriously speaking, it’s when he raises the banner for the country. He strikes at anyone without issue.

Not only corrupt officials, even those holding genuine honorary roles in the Roman Senate, if it reaches the point where the country has no money and they have money, this guy might dare eliminate them to subsidize the national treasury, but well, it’s said he hasn’t got six or seven years left.

Otherwise, truly allow this guy to live another twenty years. When Severus dies thirteen years later, when the Roman Empire truly begins to lack money, the odds are he would raise the butcher knife to start slashing the wealthy knightly and noble classes in Rome.

If truly done, maybe the Roman Empire might hold on several more years. Yet the Finance Officers after this guy don’t possess such boldness.

Nevertheless, back to the point, serving as the Finance Officer of the Roman Empire, having started as the Finance Officer since Marcus Aurelius, which is the later period of the last of the Five Wise Emperors, they surprisingly find their household poor to the point of letting the son sit in a cart. Pipunannus indeed counts as a strange species among finance officers.

Lakrilayke was hoodwinked by Pipunannus, dazed, and could only nod indifferently, acknowledging that the other party spoke reasonably.