Marcus had a dream, and as usual, it took place in a library.
But this time, things were different. The empty bookshelf was now filled with books. This was the first time he had seen such a sight since arriving here.
Marcus was thrilled by the sight and saw it as an opportunity to address many of his problems.
'Great! There's so much knowledge I've been eager to obtain.'
As he moved toward the bookshelf with excitement, he suddenly stopped.
Years of training had taught him to remain calm in situations like this. He suppressed his enthusiasm and took a moment to think.
'Let's evaluate this rationally. Why are the previously missing books now available?'
One possibility was that a significant amount of time had passed.
After returning to Rome and receiving permission from Crassus, several days had passed since the grand opening of the gladiatorial competitions. More than two months had elapsed since he first picked up a book.
"Does it take over two months to wait before the next book becomes available?"
If this hypothesis was correct, he could afford to take a break. However, this was still unsatisfactory. Marcus's thirst for knowledge was intense.
Without real-time access to the internet, solving problems was challenging. For instance, he didn't know how to make soap for hygiene management or an early furnace.
If he could obtain the needed knowledge at least once every two months, it would be a temporary solution.
'The issue is that there's no guarantee I'll find the answers I need with just one book.'
For simple items like soap, a single book might suffice. However, for more complex technologies that involve various intertwined processes, one book alone wouldn't be enough.
For example, if creating A also requires B and C, acquiring the minimum knowledge might take over six months.
If the process takes a year or longer with no results, he would need to look for an encyclopedia-like book, but he couldn't find one.
'The key is to accurately prioritize the tasks and select only the books that can provide concrete solutions.'
Receiving no more than six books per year was a tight constraint.
Moreover, when the time comes to build military forces, he could no longer focus solely on acquiring knowledge.
He would need useful strategies, information about opponents, and detailed terrain analysis for battlefields.
Even a brief consideration reveals the overwhelming amount of necessary information.
'Ugh... It's frustrating. How can I manage to acquire the knowledge from even six books in a year?'
With nearly a decade left until Marcus takes full control of his own forces, he could potentially read about 60 books or fewer. Choosing carefully would be essential to make the most of this opportunity.
The problem would arise if the assumption that a certain amount of time must pass before selecting a book were incorrect.
In that case, there would be no clear solution, so Marcus decided to revisit the library's state two months later and reassess.
For now, he needed to choose his second book.
'Let's be cautious. There's no guarantee I'll have another chance to select a book in two months. I need to assume that this might be my only opportunity.'
Ultimately, Marcus chose not the book he needed most urgently but the one that would provide him with the clearest advantage: a rare masterpiece by Julius Caesar and the essence of Latin literature—a Gallic biography.
**
Despite their wealth, the Crassus family rarely hosted meals that could be considered even a small banquet. Compared to Lucullus, whose every meal was a feast for gourmets, the Crassus family's meals were modest by comparison.
However, today's meal was an exception, featuring an array of delicacies not often tasted.
Crassus, with an unusually hearty smile, raised his glass of wine and announced, "As everyone knows, today's gathering is to celebrate Marcus's achievements. Let's eat and enjoy ourselves."
"Thank you. I appreciate the recognition and will continue to work hard," Marcus replied, taking the opportunity as motivation.
Crassus smiled with satisfaction and nodded. Tertulla, who had been anxiously watching her eldest son, looked at him with pride.
"Did Marcus really achieve such great things?" Tertulla asked.
Crassus, glancing at his wife's elegant and beautiful face, replied, "Of course. The water wheel improved by Marcus's proposal has been proven to work exceptionally well. Additionally, the division of labor has greatly increased artisan productivity. Most importantly, Marcus's improvement plan for the gladiator games is outstanding. It promises substantial profits."
After praising Marcus, Crassus turned his attention to Spartacus, who stood behind him. "I saw the gladiator match the other day. Your skill was remarkable. If you continue to perform like this, I will reward you fairly."
"You will not be disappointed," Spartacus responded with a bow.
Spartacus's debut match in Rome was nothing short of shocking. His opponent, a seasoned Gallic gladiator with a record of 7 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses from 11 matches, was defeated in under a minute by Spartacus. The audience erupted in cheers for this new sensation who fought with unparalleled ferocity.
Publius, the younger Crassus, celebrated his brother's success with evident pride. "I had hoped he would deliver something extraordinary someday. I'm thrilled that my prediction came true."
"Thank you, Publius," Marcus said.
"Honestly, I wasn't confident about managing the business our father started, but now I feel reassured with my brother here," Publius admitted.
Publius made a strong impression. He was a boy who would undoubtedly grow into a tall, handsome man. He excelled in studies and had a pleasant personality, earning him widespread affection. It was no surprise that the original Marcus felt overshadowed by him.
Although Marcus himself was outstanding in appearance, he must have felt complex emotions, being less accomplished than his younger brother in every way except his face.
However, the current Marcus did not view his younger brother as a competitor. His own performance far exceeded what could be expected from an 11-year-old child.
In just a few months, the trust of Crassus, the head of the family, had completely tilted toward Marcus.
"Marcus, how is the development of the stirrups and horseshoes you proposed going?"
"I've designed and explained their use and structure, so we now have a prototype for experimental use. However, it still requires further refinement before it can be finalized as a product."
"Understood. Since it's not urgent, focusing on perfecting it rather than rushing will be better."
When the main course, a meat dish, was served, the conversation paused as everyone concentrated on the meal.
The feast was lavish, featuring a variety of meats—piglets, deer, calves, wild goats, hares, and more. Marcus, who had been used to simpler fare, was deeply moved by the sumptuous spread.
As he savored the meat, he heard his mother, Tertulla, speak gently. "Since it's a celebration, why don't we also mark your inauguration as a judge?"
"I anticipated that from the start, so I'm not surprised."
"Oh, you've become the chief judge among the judges?" Marcus quickly finished chewing and offered his congratulations. "You're truly amazing. Being the chief judge out of just eight judges is almost like taking on the role of consul."
"Marcus is right." Tertulla said.
"If father becomes an archon, our family will have produced an archon for two consecutive generations."
Even the slaves standing behind them joined in with cheers.
"Congratulations, Master!"
"You'll go down in Roman history!"
"Haha, it's not confirmed yet that I'll become an archon, so let's not jump to conclusions." Crassus waved his hands and smiled broadly, showing his teeth.
The dinner ended in a friendly atmosphere, one of the best in the Crassus family's history.
The younger brother and mother retired to their rooms, but Marcus stayed behind.
Crassus, who had been informed beforehand, also remained seated.
Once everyone else had left, Crassus asked with a puzzled expression. "So, why did you want to speak with me alone?"
"I have something to discuss regarding the business. I didn't want to bring it up during the meal, as it might not be appropriate in front of my mother and younger brother."
"You've really grown considerate. I'm proud to introduce you as my son wherever I go."
"That's too much praise. I still see many areas where I need improvement."
Crassus shook his head and poured more wine for Marcus. "Feeling that way shows you've matured. I was worried about you, but it seems my concerns were unfounded. Perhaps I'm failing as a father for not recognizing your talent sooner."
"I can't believe that. Everything I've achieved here is because I'm your son."
"Haha, thank you for your kind words. Now, let's get to the matter at hand. What do you want to discuss?"
"I'd like you to pass a new law."
"First, I need to understand the details and assess its feasibility."
"I'm proposing a new concept that doesn't currently exist in Rome. I've discussed it with Septimus, and he believes it's possible."
In reality, Marcus had provided Septimus with a one-sided explanation, but he chose not to mention that. It seemed implausible that such ideas could come solely from a twelve-year-old.
On the surface, it was decided that Septimus would work to materialize Marcus's abstract concept into a tangible proposal. Septimus agreed to this arrangement, and given his admiration for Marcus's brilliance, he was now essentially aligned with him.
"Based on your description, it sounds like this involves creating new legislation. I think we need a more detailed explanation," Crassus said.
"Yes. I want to introduce a system called a patent. Simply put, a patent guarantees exclusive rights to individual inventions."
"Exclusive rights to inventions? That's not immediately clear."
"It's a novel concept. Let me explain further."
The core idea behind a patent is to prevent others from copying and profiting from an inventor's creation. The concept of patents is surprisingly old, dating back to the 15th century.
Although Rome was an ancient society, it had a strong tradition of law and contract, more so than the medieval period. Given this context, if the purpose of patents is well understood, it should gain the approval of most lawmakers.
Once patent law is enacted, it could yield significant benefits. Marcus meticulously explained the concept to Crassus, providing specific examples to illustrate its value.
Crassus quickly grasped the purpose of the patent system and soon realized why Marcus wanted to implement this law.
"So, you're considering patenting the stirrups and horseshoes, as well as a new technology for improving wagon comfort."
"Yes, and we also plan to secure a patent for this new technology."
"This is an excellent idea. It's a legally sound and profitable concept. Moreover, it's not about coercing money; it has a solid foundation and justification."
"Exactly. The goal of the law is to promote technological advancement by securing ownership of innovations. It also aims to prevent valuable technologies from being lost or misappropriated."
Crassus sat up straighter, his eyes shining with interest. The more he heard, the more appealing the proposal became. It offered clear benefits to individuals while also enhancing societal progress—truly an ideal legislative proposal.
"This bill must be passed without fail. However, there's a potential issue. Are you prepared for that?"
"Yes. I hope my father can present this bill through another member of the legislature or a tribune. By referring to examples of patent abuses that I've identified, it could be positioned as a refined and more perfect proposal."
"Hmm, yes. That seems like the most effective approach. But tell me, how did you come up with this idea?"
When asked the anticipated question, Marcus smiled and pretended to be modest. "Even if the stirrups and horseshoes I worked on are successful, there's always the risk of others copying them. I thought this new concept might address that issue."
"It's not common to generate a new idea from something that others consider inevitable. You must truly be a genius."
"Not quite."
"No, no. I'm genuinely proud of you. Ha ha ha!" Crassus laughed heartily and patted Marcus on the back. His pride in his son was evident, like a parent eager to showcase their child's achievements.
Marcus bowed his head in gratitude, smiling with a touch of humility.
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