ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 359 The restlessness of businessmen
In the corner, Theos and Dickopolis sat quietly enjoying the food.

Theos finished the fried beef on his plate and said loudly: "Please bring me a glass of wine."

After getting a response, he picked up the clean linen towel on his left hand side and wiped the oil stains from the corners of his mouth.

"Anyone who watched the public trial on this day -" Dickpolis pointed his fork at the diners arguing loudly around him and said: "They are all angry, but you act calm."

"There is nothing to be angry about! In my former city-state of Corinth, such things were not uncommon." Theos took the wine from the waiter, thanked him, and continued: "Important positions in the city-state are controlled by nobles. Well, the selection of generals is always carried out among those dozen families. Isn’t that the case in Keldoria? (Kerdoria is a city-state on the island of Crete, at the westernmost end of the island).”

"That's true, so I feel as calm as you."

Both of them laughed.

"However, one thing you are wrong about is that Keldolia is just my former city-state, and now I am a Dionian." Dickpolis reminded him pretending to be serious.

"Both you and me." Theos smiled and raised his wine glass, and the two touched it lightly.

"However, there is a way that Polluxis did... I agree with..." Dicopolis looked around, leaned his head, and whispered: "Convene a citizens' meeting."

Theos looked at him and said nothing.

Dickpolis continued to whisper: "All decisions in the Dionysian Alliance are made by the Senate. We ordinary citizens can neither participate nor object, and we can't decide anything. Although ordinary citizens may become a Senate Senator, according to the law, this road is too long! Businessmen like us, who are traveling all day long, have no chance of holding any public office. If—"

Dickpolis hesitated for a moment, then said: "If the system of Dionia does not change, I'm afraid... I'm afraid some businessmen will leave. After all, with a lot of money, they can't interfere with the Dionia Senate. Any decision we make always makes us businessmen unwilling to accept it, right?"

Theos lowered his head and took a sip of wine, suppressing the surprise in his heart and asked: "Are you among the people who are leaving?"

"Of course I won't leave here!" Dickpolis said with certainty: "Here is the best food in the Mediterranean! The best entertainment and competitions! The best hot spring baths! And there is no war of invasion. It is simply the best place on earth. Elysee Paradise! Why should I leave!" Dickpolis leaned back in his chair and said loudly.

"You're right, friend!" A man with a reddish face and a drunken look came over and patted Dickpolis on the shoulder, and said excitedly: "It is precisely because of Mr. Davos that there are Today’s beautiful city of Thurii! Brothers, let us pay tribute to the great Lord Davos!”

After he finished speaking, the diners at the same table stood up and raised their glasses: "To Mr. Davos!"

Affected by them, other diners also stood up.

"Lord Davos, a great victory!"

"Salute to our great commander!"

The originally noisy restaurant actually converged into one voice.

After everyone finished the toast, someone stood up and said jokingly: "To our damn Senate!"

Suddenly the laughter and curses started again.

Dickpolis smiled and watched their noise, and Theos reminded him: "Now Dionia is not without the danger of war!"

Dickpolis was stunned for a moment, then said: "Are you worried about Syracuse?"

Theos nodded slightly.

Dickpolis waved his hand indifferently: "As a former Corinthian, I don't think you should worry about this problem. In mainland Greece, Sparta, Athens, Corinth, Thebes, Argos...etc. There are so many things like sending spies between city-states, buying off enemy members, and even defending the interests of enemy states at citizens' assemblies... If a war broke out because of such trivial things, the Greek mainland would have been in chaos long ago!... However, to be honest, the current situation in Greece is really bad, especially in Corinth. I heard that the Spartan army is stationed in Corinth and often has conflicts with the coalition forces of Corinth, Athens, Thebes, and Argos. During the fighting, people died every day... You are so lucky to have come out early!"

Theos was silent for a while when Dicopolis mentioned things about his motherland, and then he sighed: "Yes, the Corinthians are having a hard time... I heard that King Agesilaus of Sparta led an army in Persia The fighting troops have landed in northern Greece and are preparing to go south. Together with the Spartan army, they will attack from north to south. The anti-Spartan coalition must be in danger!... Speaking of which, I should really thank you, if it weren't for your Persuasion, I won’t make the decision to join Dionia so quickly!”

Dickpolis laughed and said, "In this case, how should you thank me?"

This was a joke, but Theos whispered: "A few days ago, I went to Lord Davos's mansion to discuss with him the donation of Stone Bridge. You know, I have followed Lord Davos to make donations many times. It complies with the newly passed bill in Dionia in recent years on the 'reward clauses for foreigners donating public buildings', and it has become a citizen of Dionia so quickly..."

"You are a big businessman now." Dickpolis said.

Theos ignored the faint sourness in his words and continued: "Lord Davers asked me carefully about some businessmen protesting in the square, and finally he said, 'This can't go on like this, Dionysus. Something has to change!'"

"He really said that?!" Dickpolis asked in surprise.

"Of course, I remember it clearly!" Theos said with extraordinary certainty: "Lord Davos has always been a man of his word!"

Dickpolis's eyes sparkled...

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

"My lord, are you looking for me?" Aristelas walked into Davos' study.

"Sit down, Aristelas." Davos casually pointed to the wooden chair next to him.

"Yes, sir." Although Davos acted casually, Aristelas sat down respectfully.

Davos half leaned back in his chair, looked at his intelligence chief, and said, "You must have been following me for almost five years, right?"

"To be precise, it should be four months and nine days short of five years." Aristelas said seriously.

"You remember it so clearly." Davos smiled: "I have been with me for so long, and I haven't seen you gain any weight."

Aristelas said helplessly: "This subordinate has this physique, no matter how much he eats, he will not gain weight."

"If Crystal had a physique like yours, she would be extremely happy." Davos chuckled.

He looked at the tall and thin young man with emotion: "You have been following me for so long. Even if you have become a citizen of Dionia, you are still willing to continue to collect intelligence for me. With your ability, you are completely qualified for any task in the alliance." A public official... It can be said that you have quietly made a great contribution to the alliance! Just like this public trial case, I am really grateful to you, and at the same time I feel very guilty!..."

Aristelas suddenly felt uneasy: Does Davos want me to leave here?

Davos tapped his right hand on the armrest of the wooden chair a few times and said slowly: "From now on, I can finally do something to repay you for your help to me."

Aristiras was almost distracted by Davos's sudden change of subject, and then he heard Davos continue: "Aristiras, you know Syracuse very well. Tell me, what if we and The powerful city-state of Sicily across the sea is going to war, is there any chance of winning?"

Aristelas' anxious heart finally beat rapidly. He suppressed his excitement and thought for a while before saying: "Sir, I think Dionia is still quite powerful compared to Syracuse." gap."

Davos was not surprised by the content of Aristelas' words. He was satisfied with his attitude. Even though he had hatred for Syracuse, he could still analyze the problem from an objective standpoint: "Oh, what's the matter? Gap? Please explain in detail."

"According to what your Excellency once told me, there are four main aspects to judge the strength of a city-state. These four aspects are population, economic capacity, land area...well...and...mobility..."

"War mobilization capability." Davos reminded.

"I almost forgot." Aristelas reorganized his thoughts and continued: "Now, in addition to several westernmost coastal city-states such as Lilipi, Eryx, and Panoms, Sicily is also occupied by In addition to the control of the Carthaginians, other areas have been conquered by the Syracusans, including the Sikelians in the eastern interior, who were also conquered by Dionysius through various despicable strategies such as bribery and assassination. Although the Carthaginians The Carthaginians were still fighting fiercely in Solus with the Sicilian Greek coalition led by Dionysius, but according to the latest news, the Carthaginians had lost consecutive battles, and it was estimated that they would be defeated sooner or later.

According to what we sent to Syracuse, Gela, Agrigento, Leotini..." Aristiras paused and said, "What was collected by people from Catanai, Naxos and other city-states..." Combining the intelligence and the situation heard by Dionian merchants who went to trade in various city-states in Sicily, we have a general understanding of Syracuse's strength——"

He paused again, and Davos tapped the armrest: "Just tell me, I'm a bolder person."

"The city of Syracuse and its surrounding towns have a population of about 40, plus the other city-states directly controlled and affiliated by Dionysius may have a population of close to 130 million..." After saying this, he looked at Diver Sri Lanka.

Davos looked calm and motioned for him to continue.

　Thanks to Li Shibin for the tip!Your support is my biggest motivation for writing! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)