The Curia

[/Bean\]

As I said before, young Cicero, we need a force in the south. Moving half the IV legion will provide us with a force in the south. We also need to destroy these rebels. It just so happens we need both, and both can be achieved in one procedure. By destroying the rebels, we restore order to Italia, but also show the Poeni that we can deal with any threat at either end of our Republic.

[everyone]

would that not be too insignificant a way to show them? I don't think much would be achieved with almost half a consular legion crushing a small group of rebels numbering around 300; besides I doubt Punic intelligence is as informed as to know that there are bandits looting Campania; they are probably more concerned with their Iberian colonies or whatnot.

[/Bean\]

Barbatus looks down upon Cicero.

Ah, you are young, and naive, Senator. The Poeni have informants, spies and sympathises all over the Middle Sea. Not only that, but talk of the rebellions are all over Italia. Any half witted merchant could pick up upon their presence. Gossip spreads fast.

As for a show of strength, I do not see how showing just how easily we can crush any rebellion is a bad point. If we want to show how strong we are, then we dont send a small force do we?

[everyone]

'talk of rebellion'? madness! however is that possible, our republic is prosperous, how could there possibly be many people speaking of rebellion?
but apart from that, I think you have convinced me that sending a few regiments (OOC: 3 or 4, yes?) to crush the rebels would be prudent. Initially I had interpreted your words as referring to sending half or more of the troops there.
But who would command them?

[/Bean\]

'talk of rebellion'? madness! however is that possible, our republic is prosperous, how could there possibly be many people speaking of rebellion?

Uh...beacause they are rebelling...? It is nothing more than a few Samnites that do not know when they are beaten. But it is rebellion. It should be put down as such.

And I think you are missing the point here. Yes, send half the legion. It is designed not as a military decision, but as a politic one. I have said everything I have needed to already; I wont repeat myself. You have a lot to learn about politics, young Cicero.

[everyone]

at this moment Cicero mumbles something unintelligible that sounded like "bloody political nonsense" and takes his seat.

(OOC: I have yet to decide S.C. Cicero's age, so for the moment I think he'll be 'young'; also I think most of the characters I RP would mumble unintelligibly often; just look at Asina)

[/Bean\]

Balbatus smiles slightly, but not cruely. True wisdom only came with age and experience, he knew, and he was satisfied that the discussion had blown into a fit of rage due to a lack of knowledge, that was so common with the youth of today.

(OOC: Balbatus is reasonably old anyway, so he would refer to this Cicero as young whatever.