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(Simulator) Chapter 88: The Two-Year Grace Period! Allow the Capable Youth to Rise
🕑 Added 2024-09-21 17:06:00 +0000 UTC"We absolutely cannot set this precedent. Whether it’s Tiberius or Lista Night, both are too young.
If we allow them to run for tribune now, it will inspire every young Roman to think they can do the same.
Without proper experience, their abilities won’t match the responsibilities of the position."
"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures…"
“Or perhaps you have someone more suitable in mind than the two I’ve proposed?
Other than Tiberius and Lista Night, is there anyone who can calm the fury of the Roman populace in these tumultuous times following our military defeat?
Rome no longer has the luxury of waiting.
If we continue like this, the Senate will lose its credibility among the people, and the Senate will become a symbol of incompetence.”
The elder Gracchus’ sharp words cut through the chamber.
Then, turning the conversation, he brought up a new point:
“According to Roman law, the nobility can reduce the two-year waiting period.
Tiberius is already twenty-nine. Granting him eligibility to run for tribune isn’t breaking any rules.”
Finally revealing his true intent—Gracchus was making his move.
At this point, many of the noble senators realized what was happening—this sly old fox!
Mentioning Night’s name earlier was likely a distraction, his real goal was always to push his own son into power.
That said, Gracchus' argument about the Senate’s credibility with the people was not without merit.
The opposition began to quiet down as they reconsidered.
Faced with a choice between the two, Tiberius, who they initially hesitated to support, didn’t seem quite as unpalatable now.
The senators resumed their discussions, the room buzzing with debate.
Meanwhile, the faction backing the Gracchus family began to mobilize, voicing their approval of the plan.
The tide was subtly shifting in favor of the Gracchus family.
Outside the Senate chamber, just a wall away, stood Night and Tiberius, waiting for the outcome of the meeting.
For now, they weren’t allowed to participate directly in Senate sessions.
However, Night’s keen hearing easily penetrated the wall.
He could hear the elder Gracchus speaking inside, even using his own name as part of his argument.
Night: emmmmm
'Who would’ve thought that, while I was here to watch the drama unfold, I’d end up becoming part of it?'
He remembered something a writer had once joked about:
“Human nature loves compromise and moderation.
For example, if you say, ‘This room is too dark, we need to install a window,’ everyone will object.
But if you suggest tearing down the roof, they’ll suddenly be willing to settle for a window.”
...
And now Night thought—It seems that no matter where you are in the world, this theory holds true.
This is human nature…
Back inside the Senate, chaos reigned.
Some senators began to concede that perhaps giving Tiberius a chance wasn’t such a bad idea.
But others continued to challenge the elder Gracchus.
“The two-year reduction is usually applied to those running for the position of quaestor, not tribune.
It doesn’t follow the law!”
Gracchus responded calmly,
“If it applies to quaestors, why not tribunes?
Where does it say in the law that the two-year reduction is only for the position of quaestor?”
Originally, this special privilege was a loophole created by the old noble families to give their young heirs an advantage, allowing them to enter politics two years early.
Most young nobles would start as quaestors, gaining experience and public favor on the battlefield before moving on to run for tribune.
This policy wasn’t strictly limited to quaestors, but no one had ever dared to challenge the unspoken rule that one had to be thirty to become a tribune.
As the debate raged on, the Senate was split down the middle, with neither side able to gain the upper hand.
Even the elder Gracchus hadn’t anticipated how deadlocked the situation would become.
When the final vote came, the number of supporters and opponents turned out to be evenly split.
Gracchus frowned but quickly devised a new strategy to break the impasse.
He raised his voice and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, hear me out.
Since the number of supporters and opponents is the same, why don’t we invite the two young men in question to join us?
Perhaps, after hearing their own views, some of you may reconsider your positions."
Gracchus wasn’t ready to give up on this opportunity for his son to step into Rome's upper political circles.
He was confident in Tiberius’ ability to sway the Senate.
As a father, he knew his son’s strengths well and trusted that Tiberius could seize this chance.
Of course—
Had he known the wild plans Tiberius and Night were actually plotting, he might have regretted pushing his son into Rome’s political arena so soon.
In the end—
The Senate agreed to Gracchus' proposal and Night and Tiberius were quickly summoned.
As the two entered the chamber, they were met with a variety of gazes from the senators—some friendly, some scrutinizing, and others carefully concealed.
After the elder Gracchus explained the situation to his son and Night, Tiberius looked slightly anxious.
He quietly leaned over and asked Night, "What do you think?"
The latter replied calmly,
"Just watch and learn…
You’re the next leader of the Gracchus family, so show some backbone.
This is your chance—
If you can win over the Senate and secure your candidacy, you can become tribune and start executing the reforms you’ve dreamed of.
Think of Karl and the others…"
....
The mention of their comrades in arms brought a fierce determination to Tiberius' eyes.
...
“Think of the many more soldiers awaiting justice from Rome, and the slaves toiling under the Italian landowners.
They don’t have the luxury of waiting for a year while you grow slowly,” Night reminded Tiberius. “Consider what the Senate most needs right now.
You should know how to reach their hearts.”
Night's words steeled Tiberius’ resolve, solidifying his determination to reform Rome's small-farm economy.
After all, he had pleaded for the man's help before; how could he back down at this critical moment?
Taking a deep breath, Tiberius stepped forward, his voice calm but commanding as he addressed the Senate:
“Senators, please, hear me out!”
He began by analyzing the various internal conflicts and wars plaguing Rome, from the Spanish campaigns to the Sicilian slave revolts.
He discussed the looming threats from the Gauls, neighboring barbarians, and the kingdom of Pontus, as well as Rome’s depleted treasury and the unrest among the remnants of Carthage.
Rome, Tiberius warned, might seem powerful on the surface but was in fact precariously close to collapse.
Though his words could be seen as alarmist, and while the crisis wasn’t as immediate as he suggested—especially with Scipio Africanus still holding the fort—Tiberius' points were valid.
Not to mention, his passion grew more and more as he spoke, and his enthusiasm was contagious.
His words made many senators reflect on Rome’s current crises as they realized that no one could remain untouched if the Republic faltered.
If the situation continued unaddressed, nor to mention the soldiers and slaves, even the Senate would be forced to confront Rome's looming demise ...
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