Try this one...
Two different ways of making steel were developed in 18th century England. Several different authors have suggested that neither method was beyond the reach of the Romans. In fact there is evidence that the Romans would have had less trouble industrializing the 18th century England in many ways.
In this Q7 low manna world a Cabalist has introduced both types of steel manufacture and the box bellows (which, because it fans the fire constantly, gives the iron and steel workers access to greater heat with less effort) in the local year 670
AUC(52BCE). In a mere twenty years iron and steel tools are already both much more common and of better quality throughout the Western empire. Clearly this is a long term project to transform a parallel for profit. Already the same Cabalist has introduced mulberry bushes from China into the Mediterranian basin in many areas.
This Rome is beginning to change, but what does the Cabal want to turn this Rome innto? Centrum wants to first find out the Cabal's plans, then kick them out and take over. Homeline has similar plans with less interest in taking over.
Basically, espionage and a secret wars in a Roman Empire being transformed.