ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 1085 The mysterious Gorgeon

"The people of Tarantum have always thought of themselves as great, as if they were nobler than anyone else. In fact, they have been annexed to the kingdom very early. Leotini, Taunis, Potentia...these former allies of the kingdom have all been annexed one after another. Kingdom, but it still maintains the identity of a free city... This time Prince Apox was able to overwhelm the Tarentum people in their most proud knowledge, which really made us relieved. It is a pity that we did not see the scene with our own eyes. !"

"Let's drink to the wise and wise Prince Apox!" Someone suggested loudly, and everyone responded immediately.

While everyone was drinking and celebrating, Maximus looked gloomy: King Davos's son has already become famous in the kingdom at such a young age, but his own children are still far away from being able to attend Tulii School. Alas, …

"One more drink?" The cook's voice interrupted his daze. He turned his head and saw that the cook had already scooped a spoonful of beer and stretched it out to his wooden cup.

He shook his head, but heard the cook say comfortingly: "This cup is free, I'll buy it from you, just keep an eye out, there will always be a way!"

Since moving to the outer city, Maximus goes out every day to look for work. At the same time, he comes to this street pub every evening to drink a beer. On the one hand, he relieves his depression, and on the other hand, he wants to know more about these diners. As the news came and went, everyone gradually became familiar with him, and his situation was generally understood by everyone.

Maximus took the wooden cup that was filled with wine again, hesitating whether to say "thank you", and then heard the cook say: "Since there is no chance at Thurii City Hall, you can actually consider going to other town halls." Halls, such as Cosenza, which is also a large city in the kingdom, is not too far from Turii. Perhaps because it is in the inland mountains and there are many residents in Bruti, many free people are unwilling to go there. I heard that the city hall there is short of employees. If you go there, you should be able to get hired more easily, and you might even get more opportunities to make meritorious deeds."

Hearing this, Maximus' heart moved, and he hurriedly said sincerely: "Thank you!"

The cook smiled sweetly and said: "You're welcome. Actually, I can't control my mouth. If you really go to Cosenza, I will lose a good customer who can patronize my business every day."

"I say if you can't let go of Aphra, you might as well marry Maximus!" one diner joked.

The cook immediately widened his eyes, slammed the wooden spoon on the counter, and cursed: "I wonder if you, Neleus, drank too much wine and started talking nonsense again! Do you want me to find someone to pour cans on you? Cold water, sober up!”

"Neleus, you are such a bitch. If you don't mess with Aphra every day and let her scold you a few times, won't you feel uncomfortable!"

"I don't think he's mean, he's just a spring cat."

"How to say?"

"It's heat season!"

"Hahaha……"

A group of people started making jokes, and the atmosphere in the tavern suddenly became lively.

At this time, a diner with sharp eyes waved outside the tavern and shouted: "Gorgion, you are here!"

Gorgeon strode into the tavern and nodded to the diners. When he saw Maximus, he hesitated for a moment and then said to the cook: "We still follow the old rules."

While the cook was preparing food and wine for him, someone already asked loudly: "Gorgion, is there any news today?"

Gorgeon glanced at the diners who were crowding around, and then at Maximus who was lying next to him at the counter, and then said seriously: "There is indeed very important news today, especially for Maximus. important!"

Maximus, who was about to listen attentively, was taken aback for a moment, and asked without hesitation, "What's the news?"

"News came from the Senate this afternoon. The question about whether to send legions to the border to guard the border, which has been making a lot of noise some time ago, has finally come to an end." Gorgeon said solemnly: "Minister of Military Affairs Hilos asked The Senate submitted a proposal to "employ free people to form a border army to defend the northern border of Etruria and the southern border of Illyria." Alcibiades of the Ministry of Finance attended the Senate instead of Melses, the minister of finance. A proposal was also submitted on 'requiring another 6% direct tax to solve the military expenditure problem of the newly formed army'..."

"Do we really need to increase taxes?!" Many diners said in unison.

Only Neleus shouted in surprise: "Only a 6% tax increase, which is too little!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was immediately scolded by others.

"In addition, the Minister of Household Registration, Laphias, also submitted a proposal." Gorgeon frowned, and the noise in the tavern forced him to increase his volume and continued: "He proposed to 'extend the free people to become Dio The number of years for citizens of Dionia has been extended from the original 5-6 years to more than 10 years. Only free people who accept the employment of the kingdom and become soldiers of the border army can become official citizens of Dionia after the expiration of the five-year service period.'

'In addition, if freedmen are willing to rent land in southern Iberia, they can successfully become formal citizens after settling there for seven years...'"

As Gorgeon spoke, the noise in the tavern gradually disappeared, and finally there was a strange silence. Everyone focused their attention on Gorgeon.

Gorgeon was still a little unaccustomed to this. He lowered his head and took a sip of beer, coughed a few times, then looked at everyone, and finally his eyes fell on Maximus: "Sir Laphias's proposal is very important to me." Your influence is not big, because according to what he said in the Senate, freedmen who had applied for registration before the proposal came into effect were still implemented according to the original "Immigration Act" method of converting to formal citizens in 5-6 years... So, Marcy James is the most affected."

After saying this, Maximus' face turned pale.

"Has this old bastard Laphias lost his mind? If he dares to make such a proposal, isn't he afraid of being resented by the free people of the entire kingdom?!" A diner immediately cursed angrily.

"What do people have to be afraid of? He lives in the inner city and is protected by many guards. It is difficult for us to enter and exit the inner city, let alone see him. Besides, he dares to make such a proposal to change the already existing situation. The "Immigration Act" that has been implemented for 20 years is impossible without the support of King Davos in advance, isn't it Gorgeon?" Another diner analyzed calmly.

But Gorgeon did not respond to his question, but lowered his head and took another sip of wine.

"Maximus... and all of us, don't be anxious. Whether it is the "Immigration Bill" or the "Taxation Bill", they have been in effect for almost 20 years. They will not be passed so easily! As time goes by, the Kingdom will Citizens have gathered to oppose, and these proposals may eventually be rejected by the Senate!" a diner said confidently.

His words received echoes from everyone including the cook, and even Maximus felt refreshed, thinking he saw hope.

At this time, Gorgeon sighed and said: "In fact, these proposals have been approved... In the afternoon, all departments of Turiyi City Hall, especially the Inspection Department, had received an emergency notice. Officials are required to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the situation in Thulii City. During the period when the bill is announced, the stability of order in the city must be maintained!..."

"What?! Passed?! Such an important bill was passed so quickly?!"

"What are the elders doing?! Are they sleeping?!"

……

The diners roared angrily to vent their surprise and uneasiness.

"The senators did not sleep. That's because His Majesty King Davos also proposed a bill. This bill will divide the kingdom's territory into more than a dozen regions and add regional administrative agencies. The highest position is the regional administrator. It is said that its The responsibilities are somewhat similar to those of the previous wartime governors. He can govern all the towns in his area and has considerable power... The elders must leave enough time to discuss this important proposal and also think about appointing the chief administrators of these areas. The candidate..." When Gorgion explained, there was also a strange look on his face: after staying in Thurii for so many years, this was the first time he heard that four people appeared in the Senate at the same time in one day. An important proposal related to the future development of the kingdom, this is definitely not a coincidence, but the masterpiece of the wise king!
“Aren’t the Immigration Act and the Taxation Act more important than this Act establishing the District?!”

"I see, these elders only care about whether they can become that...regional chief executive, they don't care about the interests of the people at all!"

"Yes, that's right!"

……

The quarrel in the tavern gave Maximus, who was already depressed, a splitting headache. He pushed the wine glass back to the cook, struggled to push away the diners in front of him, and staggered out of the tavern.

"Maximus, are you alright?" someone shouted with concern behind him.

Maximus didn't respond at all, his feet seemed to be dragging heavy objects, and he staggered forward in a daze...

After walking for a while, he came to the building he rented and came back to his senses. Looking at the pedestrians coming and going, a sadness arose in his heart: I have made a huge sacrifice and have made up my mind. Bring your family into this new kingdom!However, since I took my family out of the camp and came to this huge city, everything has not been going well. And the news I heard today completely made all my previous plans for the future come to nothing. This is Jupiter's response to My punishment for betraying my compatriots?Or is it because I don't fully believe in Hades, so he doesn't protect me at all? ! "

Although life was difficult during those years in the slave camp, he kept working hard because he had the goal of gaining freedom as soon as possible.But now when he was standing freely in this bustling city, he felt unprecedentedly confused: Where should he go in the future? !

(End of this chapter)