When Pompianus first received the financial expenditure report, after serving as a finance officer for over ten years, he nearly quit. Commodus was a fool, but Severus was truly a wastrel.
However, out of love for his homeland, Pompianus painstakingly took on the task. After all, having been the finance officer for over ten years, he understood the importance of his position. While he was there, he could at least curb certain malignant expenditures. If he stepped down, the savings from the Five Wise Emperors, which had lasted thirteen years, would likely be depleted in less than ten.
Thus, although Pompianus wished he could strangle Severus, he had to cooperate with Severus and continue pressing on.
