"So you would do exactly what instead, Qvintvs Aemilivs? Send a message to our generals that they don't have to do what we entrusted them to do? That they can stay in Roma drinking wine while their men are dying in the field without a commander - and with no repercussions whatsoever?
They have not done what the senate laid on their shoulders to do, a responsibility that they accepted when they took the command. When they leave their men to fight leaderless, it's their fault entirely, and not ours. The only blame we can take is trusting that they would do their duties, but not following up and punishing those who don't only work to show everyone that you don't have to do what the senate commands of you. It would be foolish in the extreme to let this go just like that, and I have yet to hear any proposal from you as to what should be done here instead."
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