ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 498 Atili Cruz’s Ambition

What does it mean to be with your help? !It seems as if you Lijim people also participated in the naval battle!Sekerian cursed in his heart, but did not show it on his face. After all, Atilicrus was not only an important figure in the political arena of Lijim City State, but also the father-in-law of King Davos.

Fortunately, Davos knew what kind of character his father-in-law was. Before the fleet set off, he had already told Sekerian: "Dionia is very grateful to the ally Lijim for the great help. We will return Lijim's treasure soon." Warship!" Seclian replied without hesitation.There are now hundreds of captured intact or somewhat damaged triremes parked in the Turiyi military port. They can only be idle because there are not enough sailors. There are even too many warships and the military port cannot accommodate them and have to be partially Transferred to the commercial port, Lijim asked to return the warship just to help them solve some difficulties.

"Can the returned warships be equipped with the 'wooden bridge' you just mentioned?" Atilicruz asked again.

Sekerian did not expect that Lijim's chief general would make such a request, and was stunned for a moment.Although installing the Crow Suspension Bridge seemed very simple, he had heard His Majesty Davos say that it involved the use of profound pulley knowledge and complex mechanical production, so several suspension bridge operators could easily turn the base, and Raise and lower the drawbridge.Sekolian still remembers that the scholar Marticolis from the Dionysian Academy even proudly declared, 'Except for Dionia, no other Greek city-state can make a crow suspension bridge, unless they have a deep understanding of pulleys. Research! '.

"What? No way?!" Seeing that Sekerian didn't speak, Atilicruz asked again with a look of surprise.

Sekerian simply said: "I can't make the decision on this matter, it can only be made by His Majesty Davos. And we can defeat the Syracuse Navy, the Crow Suspension Bridge is just one reason, and more importantly, our Dionia is strong The heavy infantry of the Legion, especially in the second battle with the Syracuse Navy, the Syracuseans also sent heavy infantry almost equal to our number on each warship, but they still suffered a disastrous defeat... …”

As he spoke, Sekerian said straightforwardly: "Dionia and Lijim are allies. With us providing protection at sea, Lijim will not be harassed by the enemy from the sea and spend money and equipment. There’s really no need for the Navy.”

When Atilicrus heard this, his face suddenly darkened, his eyes looked directly at Sekerian, and he said angrily: "In his letter to me, Davos hoped that we, Lijim, could send troops to ride in your fleet. Land and attack at Bonian or other places in southern Magna Graecia to attract and contain the Syracuse army and create conditions for your attack on land. But——"

Atilicrus's face sank: "Before, in order to help you, we Liji people took the initiative to attack Medema City, but we suffered heavy losses. We no longer have the strength to take such risky actions again. Please tell Daves that it is really I'm sorry! And since Dionia is already so powerful, it is fully capable of defeating the Syracuseans independently!"

After finishing speaking, he stood up: "I still have something to do, please use it slowly."

Atili Cruz actually left the living room and left.

The guests looked at each other, and Sekerian felt even more embarrassed. What was supposed to be a lively banquet ended up being unhappy.

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In the evening, in the backyard of Atilicruz's mansion, Alcibiadas criticized Atilicruz: "Father, your performance at the banquet today was too extreme, and you left a lot of trouble for the visiting Dionians. It’s a very bad impression! If they return to their hometown and publicize this matter everywhere, it will not only affect Agnes, but it will also affect our family’s business at the Thurii Shipyard!"

"Do you think I was angry because of that lowly Dionian?" Atilicruz's angry look at the banquet had long since disappeared, and he said to his son with deep meaning: " I made it for my king's son-in-law."

"What do you mean by showing it to Davos?" Alcibiadas looked confused.

Atilicruz was a little helpless: as an ancient immigrant family in Lijim, he once ruled this city-state for decades, and his family has always occupied a pivotal position in Lijim's political arena.But neither of his two children knew what was going on, and they had no political talent inherited from the family at all.Her daughter Agnes married the consul of Dionia... Oh, now she is the king of Dionia. She was lucky enough to become a princess and the chief priest of the influential Hera Temple in Thurii. She has a respected status, but she has been simple-minded since she was a child, and is no match for another shrewd and capable princess; while her son Alcibiades is shrewd, but he uses it all in business and is not interested in politics. His current position as a general It was Atili Cruz who forced him to take the position.

Although Alcibiades has always been indifferent to political affairs, as the successor of Atilicruz's career, he often reminded him of his advice, hoping that one day he would wake up.This time is no exception: "Now that the Syracusans have lost the ocean, it will be difficult to regain it in a short time at least. As long as the Dionians deal with it properly, at least they will not lose this war. So when Syracuse After the Kuza people retreated back to Sicily, the Dionian Alliance, which did not suffer much losses in this war, will surely become the unshakable overlord of the Greater Greece region. If we Lijim do not want to become its vassal, we must issue our own sound!"

"There is nothing wrong with becoming a vassal of Dionia." Alcibiadas said disapprovingly: "Only by becoming a vassal can there be trade benefits. The territory of Dionia is already so large. According to As you said, it will be bigger in the future, which will be more helpful to my family’s trade! And my brother-in-law is still the ruler of this powerful country, sister, will she let me suffer!"

Atilicrus did not expect that this lazy son would have such an idea. He was a little angry for a moment, but soon turned to helplessness, because he vaguely felt that Alcibida was not the only one in Lijim City who had such an idea. Si one.Since the alliance between Lijim and Dionia, it has not only been guaranteed in terms of security, but has also received great benefits in business and trade.Due to environmental reasons, there are more merchants and fewer farmers in Lijim, which makes the Lijim people tactful and very likely to give up the independence of the city-state for their own interests. Just like before the Dionysian Alliance, the Lijim people could also ignore Carthage. Due to the racial conflict between the Greeks and the Greeks, the alliance with Carthage was not only to fight against Syracuse, but also to attract Carthage's huge trade market.

"Even if you become a vassal, you must become a powerful vassal so that you can get Dionia's attention." Atilicrus suddenly felt a little discouraged. He sighed and reminded his son: "You know Why do I insist on those unique warships of Dionia?"

"why?"

"Messina!" Atilicrus glanced at him and said with emphasis: "Once Dionysius is really defeated by Davos, Syracuse may be in chaos. By then, he can There will be no extra power to protect the newly built city-state on the other side of the strait. We can take it back and make it a sub-state under the control of Lijim! With the Messina port, we can control the entire strait. This pair of city-states and It’ll be great for your business!”

Alcibiadas was greatly moved after hearing this, his eyes flashed, imagining the huge benefits brought by seizing Messina, but soon his expression returned to calm: "Father, Messina is so important, do you think I Didn't that shrewd brother-in-law see it? There is a popular saying among us Greek businessmen, 'Big profits mean huge risks.' The reason why my business develops so smoothly is because I never do anything beyond my ability. Things other than that. And Lijim wants to get Messina, is he ready to take the risk?"

Atilicrus was stunned. After receiving the news of the consecutive victories of the Dionia fleet, he was ecstatic and thought about Messina. His desire temporarily blinded his reason, and he almost forgot that the city of Messina was Syracuse, Carthage, and now perhaps another Dionia are all eyeing the pass of the strait.

After contemplating for a long time, Atili Cruz regained his spirits on his face, and he said with relief: "Alcibidas, I just discovered now that you will become an excellent general!"

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The next day, Seclian led the sailors to the port to board the ship.

Sekerian originally thought that the attitude of the Lijim people toward them would change because of last night's banquet. Unexpectedly, not only did the people's enthusiasm remain the same, but Atilicrus also came to see him off in person, and his attitude was even more enthusiastic than when he greeted them yesterday. Yesterday's discord was not mentioned at all, and he actively expressed to Sekerian: Lijim is willing to fulfill the responsibilities of an ally and provide full cooperation for Dionia to defeat Syracuse. For specific instructions on how to act, you can find the one stationed in Tauri. General Feidun was there to discuss.

At the same time, Atilicruz also asked Sekorian to bring a letter to Daves.

Although I don’t understand why Atili Cruz’s attitude suddenly changed, this is undoubtedly a good thing. Sekerian was in an unusually good mood, and his voice was particularly loud when he issued the order: “Go to Messina!”

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In 715 BC, the Cumaean colonists from Euboea in mainland Greece and the Chalcis people from central and northern Greece jointly built a city on the lowland near the strait between Sicily and the Apennine Peninsula. The shape of the port resembles the sickle used by farmers to harvest grain, so the colonial city was named "Zankle" (which means sickle).

　Thanks to book friend 20170214135030192 for the reward!Your support is my biggest motivation for writing! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)