ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 297 Secret (please subscribe)

"So, your brother also went to Cosenza." Davos sat in the study and listened to Aristelas' report: During the time he left Thurii, what happened in Dionia and the surrounding areas some things.

"I've been there for six days, and no news has been sent back yet." Aristelas answered truthfully.

Davos heard something from his serious tone and asked, "Aren't you worried?"

Aristelas was silent.

"Don't worry, Bruti don't have the courage to hurt our envoys yet! They may be on their way back, or they may be imprisoned by the Bruti people..." Davos comforted him seriously and said: "If it takes a few days, God, there is no news yet. Dionia will make a 'war threat' to Bruti and force them to release them!"

"...Thank you, sir!" Aristelas said with some worry and some gratitude.

Davos patted his shoulder solemnly and said: "A warrior who dares to risk his life for Dionia will never treat him badly! When your brother comes back, it will take him less time to become a formal citizen than You're much earlier! But don't worry, I will keep everything you do in mind!"

Aristelas did not speak, but bowed respectfully.

Davos asked again: "Is there anything else?"

Aristelas adjusted his mood and said in a deep voice: "Yes, it's about Polluxes."

"Poluxis?" Davos blinked.

"We found that Polyxis gave many slaves in his family free status, and with his help, these freed slaves applied to the Ministry of Agriculture for renting and planting a lot of land..." Aristillas said here, after reading Look at Davers.

Davos listened calmly.What Aristelas now said was nothing unusual about what Polluxes did. On the contrary, Davos probably had to praise him for responding to his call and setting an example by freeing many slaves.

But Davers knew it would never be that simple.

"These freed slaves used part of the proceeds from the rented land to pay taxes and part for their own use, and most of the proceeds were given to Polyxes."

Hearing this, Davos's eyes suddenly opened: "How much profit did they give to Polixes?"

"The specific proportion is unclear, but I'm afraid it's not a small number. Because he had about 35 freed slaves who applied for about 180 acres of land." Aristelas looked at the record in his hand and said.

"These slaves should know about Dionia's bill on renting land. Why didn't anyone report it?" Davos asked loudly.

"It is understood that these slaves are all Polluxes' domestic slaves. They have lived in his home for at least 20 years and should be very loyal to him. Secondly, Polluxes used the relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture to let these slaves rent seeds. All of them are fertile land, except for the 20.00% land tax and the money paid to Polluxes (registered freemen who rent land must pay 20.00% land tax, reserve citizens [-]%, and formal citizens only Paying a [-]% land tax), the remaining income far exceeded what they earned as slaves. Moreover, these rented farmlands were close together, and the liberated slaves lived collectively in several large houses and monitored each other. It is said that There are also some who say that 'their families' live together, but in fact they are probably overseers sent by Polyxes..."

When Aristelas finished speaking, Davos's eyes narrowed into a slit, with a cold light flashing in the slit, and he asked sharply: "Does Bulcos know about this?"

"Judging from the current signs, he should not know about it." Aristelas answered seriously.

"you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Davos stared at Aristelas' face for a while, feeling slightly relieved.He had a very good impression of Burkos, especially after Davers led the army to defeat Crotone and took over Thurii. Burkos actively cooperated to stabilize the political situation in Thurii, and he also actively responded to Dai Vos. Firth's new policy.Although he and Polyxes were both well-known nobles in Thurii and owned a large amount of land, he voluntarily gave up the ownership of most of the land and freed some slaves...

"It would be better if I didn't..." Davos said softly, but he knew in his heart: It's just that this time Burkos may be dragged down by friendship.

"Is there anyone else who does such a thing?" Davos asked again with a gloomy face.

"We are still continuing to investigate, but with so many cities, there is not enough manpower..." Aristelas said in embarrassment.

"How many people do you need? Make a plan. After I read it, if I think it is feasible, I will increase the funds for you. I must check this matter carefully! Check it carefully! Focus on all the senators in the Senate and the alliances that serve On citizens who are in public office!" Davos said in a stern tone. He did not expect that corruption would breed in Dionia less than two years after its establishment, and he was very annoyed.

But as a consul, Davos also had to consider other issues, so he reminded: "The investigation must be conducted quietly without alerting anyone. If there is any situation, report it to me immediately!"

"Understood, my lord!"

...............................

"Davos! Davos!..." Melcis shouted his name angrily and hurriedly walked into the living room.

Davos knew that the fat man must have something to ask of him, so he straightened his face and said, "Mersis, you have to call me Lord Archon here."

"Okay then, Lord Archon." Merses came to Davos, stretched out his hands, and said, "Please remove me from my position as Alliance Treasurer. I can no longer do this job!"

"Why? You don't want to take a period of leave and travel to other places." Davos teased at first, then saw Mersith's serious face, and then said in surprise: "You haven't always done this Isn’t it good?”

"You asked Mariji to bring me a message and asked me to prepare four legions and two months of food reserves in advance, right?" Melses asked.

Davos understood now. He nodded and said, "Yes, I told Mariji."

"I can't do this!" Merses said angrily: "There are at least 3 people in the four legions, and they consume nearly 6 kilograms of grain every day, which is nearly 400 million kilograms in two months! Such a huge amount of grain cannot be Calculating the price increase in the future, we have to pay at least... There is not so much money in the treasury now. Even if we count the union land tax revenue in September and October and the usual commercial tax revenue, it is not enough, because we still have to pay all the money. Remuneration of public servants, the construction of the Castellon-Crimisa and Crimesa-Asproustum avenues, the improvement of the Crimesa swamps, and Plesinas Apply to build small temples of Hades in other cities such as Amendolara, Krimisa, and Niutum. None of these projects cost money! Well! Spend a lot of money!"

"Okay, Melses. I know that you have tried every means to save money for Dionia. It is indeed very hard! But if you give up, I will never find you in the alliance again. There is no better financial officer than you! Can’t you bear to watch the alliance we have worked so hard to build collapse due to lack of effective management of the treasury and lack of money!” Davos quickly praised.

"Now the alliance is getting bigger and bigger, with a lot of income and expenditure. It is really not something ordinary people can do to manage them well!" Mersith got the praise from Davos and immediately became energetic. He had not been able to manage it well before. The good emotions were also released, and he no longer vented his dissatisfaction. Instead, he thought about it and said: "Lord Archon, I can prepare up to three legions and a month's worth of grain. If you don't accept it, then change it." I!"

one month!Davos rubbed his chin.In the past, he led his troops to fight, and most of the battles took place near the territory of Dionia. The scope and scale of the battles were not large, and they ended quickly. Among them, the second Crotone War, which lasted the longest, did not exceed ten years. Five days, so I haven’t felt the logistical pressure yet.And this time the war with Bruti was to conquer a region and become an enemy of the entire race, so the difficulty would inevitably increase greatly.Even if the war goes smoothly, he predicts that the end time will be longer than before. Two months is just a conservative estimate.Unexpectedly, this has already made Dionia feel very difficult and unable to provide full support.

The war is about national strength!A word came to Davos' mind. He was a little helpless. Thinking about it, Syracuse led an army of 8 to attack Carthage at the beginning of the year. The war has lasted for half a year and it is not over yet.Dionia still rises too fast, has too little foundation, and has insufficient savings!

"Davos, I have a way to solve the problem of military ration supply." Merses stepped forward, called Davos's name affectionately, and said slightly mysteriously.

"Oh, what way?" Davos's heart moved.

"The autumn harvest is coming soon. After the autumn harvest, almost all citizens will have enough food at home. Wouldn't it be solved if each of them can bring their own food rations for 20 days or a month!"

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(End of this chapter)