ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 528 Strong
Just when he was getting impatient, Davos returned with Henipolis. As soon as he saw Phoebidas in the tent, before he could speak, Davos spoke first: "I Meet you, Phoebus of Sparta! Four years ago, you came to the Senate of Thurii as a Spartan envoy, and falsely accused the king of hiding soldiers from the Persian expeditionary force. You also threatened that Sparta would give Dio Nia, a painful lesson, I still remember what you said."

Phoebidas didn't expect that Davos would mention the incident to him as soon as he came in, and he was caught off guard. If he had followed his past temper, he would have said with a stiff neck: "Yes, I said those things. ! The fact that the war with Crotone later also proved that Dionia indeed hid those mercenaries!"

But times have changed, and Sparta's current predicament and Syracuse's current situation have forced him to choose his words carefully. It's not that he doesn't understand politics, but in the past, Sparta's strength did not require him to think too much, but Dai Onia's current status in Western Mediterranean Magna Graecia, as well as the strength shown by Davos in the war, made Phoebias feel a little afraid. This always tough Spartan was actually a little stiff. Said: "...That...that was just a misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstanding?! No! I don't think so!" Davos stared at him, his sharp eyes seeming to penetrate his heart: "It is precisely because you are resentful of Dionia that you will accept Sparta He went to Syracuse as a military adviser, followed Dionysius to invade Magna Graecia, commanded the right wing of Syracuse to defeat the Crotones in the Battle of the Ramato River, and again fought in Crotone. In the battle, he once again commanded the right wing in an attempt to defeat my Dionysian army... Spartan Phoebias, your hands are stained with the blood of the Magna Graecia!"

Phoebidas was secretly shocked when he heard this. He didn't expect that Davos knew everything about his actions in Magna Graecia during this period. However, regarding Davos's accusation, he didn't have to act like before. He replied against his will: "I think you must have misunderstood. Dionysius is afraid of your Dionysian army and hopes that Sparta can send officers to help him. As an ally, Sparta certainly cannot refuse. Because I have been to Sicily several times and am relatively familiar with Dionysius, so the Council of Elders sent me to help Dionysius...I am just doing my duty!"

"Your duty?! Is to help the people of Syracuse and massacre us Magna Graecia?! Is this Sparta's attitude towards us Magna Greece?!" Davos sneered, with a bit of anger on his face: " In this case, don’t blame our warriors for not having eyes on their shields and spears!”

"It is the honor of every Spartan to die on the battlefield!" Phoebidas is not afraid of the threat of Davos, but now that the Dionians have reversed the situation, he must Taking into account Dionia's view of Sparta, he defended Sparta: "Lord Daves, you should know that when Sparta signed the alliance with Syracuse, they did not think of Syracuse. Sparta will one day declare war on Magna Graecia. Due to the existence of the alliance, Sparta has to provide help, but Sparta really hopes that peace can be achieved between Sicily and Magna Graecia! So this time I am here on behalf of Sparta. , I hope you can seriously consider Dionysius’s proposal and end this war that has killed and injured countless people!”

"I was really touched that the Spartans who lived by killing actually cared so much about the life and death of the Magna Greeks." Davos mocked.

He heard the threat hidden in the Spartan's words, and said resolutely: "A few days ago, your Spartans sent a messenger Chrysops to Thurii in an attempt to get Dai Dionia surrendered to Syracuse, I have made it clear, 'Dionia will never enter into any negotiations under the coercion of the enemy, as long as there is an enemy still on our land, we Dionia people We must fight him to the end!' At that time, the Battle of Crotone had not yet happened. Today, when we in Dionia have gained an advantage in this war, I can also tell you clearly that peace talks are possible, but The crimes committed by Syracuse in invading Magna Graecia must be punished! It is impossible for Dionysius to easily escape back to Sicily without paying any price!"

Phoebe Das met Davos's piercing eyes, felt his uncompromising will, and didn't feel much frustration in his heart. This just verified his thoughts before he set off. He came to Dionia this time. Coming to the camp to promote peace talks between the two sides was not his main purpose.

"I think Dionysius is already prepared for this." Phoebidas replied lightly, and then changed the topic: "Lord Davos... What do you think of the war taking place in Corinth now?"

Davos was stunned and immediately understood the Spartans' intentions: "You are referring to the war between Sparta and Corinth, Thebes, Argos, Athens...?" Davos disapproved. He sneered: "A meaningless war has nothing to do with Dionia. I have no need to understand it."

"Dionia has signed a friendly agreement with Athens, and you also have frequent trade relations with Corinth." Phoebidas looked at Daves and pointed out bluntly.

"A friendly agreement is not a military alliance agreement. As long as any city-state is willing to have friendly trade with Dionysia, we are willing to sign such an agreement with them, even Sparta is no exception." Daves looked naturally relaxed He said: "There is no fertile land or rich minerals in the mainland of Greece. What is it worth for the Dionians to stay away from their warm hometown and participate in the war that does not belong to us? The roots of the Dionians lie in Great Greece! There are still many problems in our alliance that need to spend a lot of time and energy to solve and deal with. As long as you don’t provoke us, we don’t have the heart to participate in the messy wars of your native Greeks!”

Phoebidas looked at Davos's face unblinkingly and impolitely. He felt that Davos said these words from his heart, so he said: "So, Dionia is also willing to cooperate with Davos." Sparta signs a friendship agreement?”

"Sparta is now the enemy of Dionia and the ally of Syracuse!" Davos said coldly.

Phoebus said no more.

Seeing the guards "escorting" Phoebus out of the tent, Henepolis couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, does this Spartan want to make Sparta form an alliance with us?!"

Davos touched his chin and said thoughtfully: "...The power shown by Dionia in this war exceeded the Spartans' expectations. They were afraid that Dionia would participate in the war. The war fought in Corinth was not favorable to Sparta."

"So will we do this?!" Henepolis asked excitedly, obviously giving the Spartan a headache and making him happy.

"What do you think?" Davos was noncommittal.

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

The Xubari Plain is filled with mist in the early morning, and the drizzle of early spring is falling.

The victory in the Battle of Taranto gave the people of Dionia hope of victory in the war, and Davos's personal expedition to lead the army also enhanced their confidence, making this fertile land finally alive.

The port that had been blocked for several months reopened, and foreign merchant ships arrived one after another. The workers at the port finally had something to do. Most of the first cargo ships entering the dock were loaded with grain and other food. Of course, smart merchants knew what Dai was doing at this time. What the people of Oniya need most.

The old fishermen of Thurii (young people have joined the fleet as sailors) sailed out to sea early to catch fish to meet the urgent needs of people's lives and earn huge profits for their families.

People in various villages have also begun to replant fast-maturing crops at the urging of village chiefs and agricultural officials to avoid missing this year's harvest.

Although young and middle-aged citizens and freedmen were almost exhausted due to the war, resulting in a shortage of labor, a large number of prisoners filled the gap.Whether it is the swampy plains of Cremisa, the Sybari plains of Thurii or the mountains of Amendolara, you can often see naked and half-starved captives, threatened by the whips and shields of the overseers. , plowing the land laboriously, even in such bad weather, the cold rain has made the captives shiver and may make them sick, and the Dionians have no mercy and no intention of letting them rest.Since you have invaded Dionia, you will have to pay a heavy price. This is a view shared by many Dionia people.

The road leading to the port of Turii was full of people, not only the Turii and Amendolara people, but also Bisinians and Castellon people, driving pack cars and carrying cargo loads. , rushing to the port market to buy food.

At this time, a horse came galloping towards me. The rider's bright red suit was particularly eye-catching. Before he could wait for him, he shouted: "Make way!"

Pedestrians voluntarily retreated to the side of the road, because they knew that those dressed like this would only be messengers from the battlefield. They all carried urgent military information, and no one could stop them, otherwise it would be illegal.

The horses were spraying white air and their hooves were flying. The water on the road was splashed up and wet the clothes of the pedestrians. They did not complain, but couldn't help asking: "We have driven back the Syracuseans." ?!"

They just asked casually with concern, not thinking that the messenger would tell them the general information.But the messenger raised his right hand high and shouted excitedly: "Victory! We are victorious! His Majesty Davos led the army to defeat the Syracuse in Crotone!..."

　Thanks to Zhan Billy for the reward!Your support is my biggest motivation for writing! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)