Rome must fall.

Chapter 96 Interesting Stories from the Market
  To be honest, the pottery sold in this pottery shop is very different from ordinary pottery shops. There are only a few pottery for daily use. Most of them are exquisitely made and high-quality pottery, which are used as luxury interior decorations. Item, a small part of it is damaged.

Western Pompos knew that these pottery were looted from wealthy areas by the rebel army, and these people from poor backgrounds really refused to let go of even a cent!

Pompos looked at the copper shop opposite with boredom. It used to be a gold and silver jewelry store. It is estimated that the gold and silver jewelry inside were taken away by the soldiers and turned into a copper shop. However, there were almost no sundries inside. Bronze vessels are mostly used for decorations, such as bronze statues.

Pompos couldn't help but started to complain again. He didn't think these things could be sold under the current situation.

After chatting with his companions in the nearby shops for a while, Pompos saw a figure moving at the entrance of the market: That person named Alacosia was right, someone really came today!

The pottery shop was located near the entrance of the market. He could clearly see that the people who came in were all Sarapian people. They looked at the entrance for a while and then hurriedly ran towards the street. Some calmer people came first. In front of the pottery shop, he asked: "Where are the people selling flour, vegetables, and meat?"

"It's moved to the very back." Xiopampos pointed and thought: These rebels are a bit cunning. They put all the food shops at the very back of the market, so that the civilians of Sarapia have to pass by. All shops, but if they don't have the heart to buy, it won't matter how clever you do it.

Even though he was thinking so, he couldn't help shouting: "We sell pottery, good pottery! Black pottery from Corinth, red pottery from Athens! There are also vase paintings by famous artists! In the past, these pottery were displayed in the houses of wealthy people. Now you have the opportunity to own it in a noble house! Come and buy it, don’t miss this great opportunity!..."

Xiopang Bos shouted for a long time, until his mouth was dry, then he stopped, picked up the wooden cup and took a sip of water.

At this time, a short and fat figure walked over cautiously.

Xiopang Bosi's eyes lit up, he immediately put on a smile, nodded and bowed and said: "Soriclas, good morning! Do you want to buy pottery?"

Zoriclas, a merchant from Sarapia and a member of the town council, came from a wealthy family, but was stingy by nature. He would rather live in a civilian area than build a mansion in a wealthy area. Precisely because of this, he was lucky enough to escape the uprising. Military liquidation. This person lives a simple life, but has one hobby - collecting good pottery.

Xiopang Bosi had dealt with him before, so he felt that business was coming, and he was very attentive.

Soriclas also recognized Western Pompos and asked in a surprised voice: "You also joined these rebels... er, Free Italy?"

"I didn't! It's just that they forced me to do things for them. How dare I disobey!" Xiopang Bosi quickly defended himself in a low voice.

Solicoras didn't pay attention to what he said at all. He leaned closer and asked in a low voice with some anxiety: "Rebellion...what does Free Italy want to do with us people?! You work for them, you know?" ?!"

Western Pompos really knew, because Alakosia had told them about it several times, hoping that when the people of Sarapia asked, he could tell them so as to relieve their doubts and worries.

"Soriclas, I heard one of their stewards say that as long as you don't violate the few laws they promulgated in the city and live in the city properly, they will never hurt you, nor will they take away Take your property. Even if they leave in the future, they will still protect your lives and property and leave this town intact..."

After Xiopang Bos finished speaking, he emphasized: "Of course this is what I heard them say. Whether these people can actually implement it remains to be seen..."

Thoriklas, who had been frightened these days, completely ignored the reminder from Theo Pompos and only listened to what he wanted to hear. He suddenly let out a long breath: "It would be great if this could be done! Great! Ouch!"

Thoriklas screamed, and the sack on his shoulders fell to the ground. He didn't care to rub his sprained waist, and first lowered his head to check whether the wheat in the sack had spilled out.

Theopompus couldn't help but ask: "Why do you go out to buy things alone? And you don't bring your slaves with you?"

"You can't take them with you! You can't take them with you!" Soriclas shook his head repeatedly: "What if they defect to rebel... Free Italy as soon as they come out!"

Western Pompos was silent. He did hear that the rebels had not asked for slaves from the civilians so far, but if the slaves took the initiative to escape from their masters and join them, they would definitely accept them. However, with Soriclas' status, there were only five or six slaves in the family. If one or two really escaped, he would probably be heartbroken to death!
  This cautious attitude of Soriclas caused a change in the psychology of Western Pompos unconsciously. He actually dared to laugh at the Sarapia councilor in his heart, which was unimaginable before.

"No more words." Sorikras calmed down and looked at the pottery displayed in the shop, with a look of envy on his face: "Are these pottery really available for purchase?"

Western Pompos immediately cheered up and said: "Soriclas, you are an expert. You must have noticed that most of the pottery here comes from the mansions of those adults. They are all high-quality and precious pottery. Free Italy There are also people who know the goods, but they feel that these potteries are not as practical as ordinary pottery pots and are inconvenient to transport, so they put them out for sale, and the base price given is not too high.

This is a rare opportunity to own these treasures! When I came to the market today, I saw merchant ships entering the port. The person in charge said that foreign merchants would also come here to purchase. If you are late, you may never see these precious pottery here again. ! "

Soriclas did not speak, staring at the pottery in the shop with an expression as if he wanted to eat them, but he still hesitated in his heart because he felt the hatred of the rebels towards the rich. Otherwise, he would not have cleansed the entire wealthy area and taken away their accumulated wealth, so he was frightened these days. Even when he came out this time, he was prepared to be killed, and he only brought enough to buy a bag of wheat. If he spends a lot of money to buy pottery now and let these traitors find out that he is rich and have evil intentions, then...

Seeing Sorikras hesitating, Theo Pompos turned around and went to the back of the shelf to take out something and put it in front of him: "What do you think this is?"

Thoriklas took a closer look and his eyes suddenly widened: "This... this is not the one from Cade Soduras's house——"

"Yes, it is the collection of the Cedesodras family - the amphorae of the famous Athenian pottery maker Nearchos and the vase paintings hand-painted by the painter Pamphils. These are our Salapias. The city’s treasure! In the past, most people didn’t even have a chance to take a look at it, but now you can buy it back as a treasure for your family!”

Soriclas couldn't help but stretched out his hand and gently touched the smooth and delicate body of the bottle. Although the red bottle painting was a bit dim due to its age, the entire pottery was well preserved, with a perfect pottery body without flaws and a lifelike shape. The story of the vase painting of the birth of Athena, touching it is like touching the golden age of Athens.

Suddenly, Zoricras focused his eyes on the mouth of the bottle and asked: "Why is there a gap here?!"

"Those crude rebels didn't understand the preciousness of this pottery at all, and they knocked it when they took it out from the Cadesoladus mansion." Xio Pompos explained in a low voice.

"This is such a waste of natural resources!" Soricles reprimanded, beating his chest sadly. "It should be easy for a pottery connoisseur like you to repair it. And because of this small flaw, the price tag is only 10 ores."

"10 Orei?! 250 dinars! Oh, that's too much!" Thorikras immediately shouted.

"With only 10 ores, you can keep this Sarapian treasure in your own home. All the people of Sarapia will envy you!"

The seductive words of Pompos made Solicras twitch his face, but he still hesitated.

Western Pompos decided to add another fire: "You are a famous person in Sarapia. Everyone here knows you. These rebels should also know that you are a rich man. Although they said, 'No more killing people at will.' ', but if you buy these pottery, you are giving them your money, so wouldn't you be safer?
  And after they leave and Sarapia returns to normal, the price of these pottery will definitely rise. When the time comes, you can sell some of the pottery, not only can you earn back the original money, but you can also make a lot..."

Soriclas was moved. The key was that he was going crazy because of the constant fear every day. He gritted his teeth and said, "Keep all these good pottery for me and don't sell them. I want to go back and get the money!" "

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Pigris looked at the man in front of him with great interest: slender figure, light skin, wavy short hair, high and narrow nose, gray-brown eyes that moved flexibly, he looked like a dishonest person. guy.

"Are you Pompos, the man who sold half of the pottery in the pottery shop in half a day?"

"Yes...yes, my lord."

"Are you Greek?"

"I...Illyrian, sir. To be precise, I...my father is Illyrian." In the afternoon, without saying a word, Arakonia brought Xiopampos to the administration room of the port. He didn't know why, so he seemed a little nervous.

This is quite in line with the leader's requirements for newcomers who join the team... Pygris thought to himself, and then asked: "I heard that the family of Solikras who bought the pottery is very rich. The money must be obtained from squeezing the poor people." Earned by slaves, how do you think we should treat such rich people?"

The tone of Pygris' words was calm, but it made Theopompos feel nervous. He said bravely: "Sir... Sir, Soricles used to be very rich, but he earned it by selling pottery. The money was given to me... We have free Italy, and since we have said that 'there will be no punishment for them as long as they obey my... our decrees in Sarapia', I thought... …I think--"

"You must have said these things to Soricras," Pygris interjected.

At that moment, Theo Pompos felt that his heart had stopped beating. He opened his mouth and was speechless.

But Pigris smiled: "I heard that Soricles is a miser. He usually has to think about eating a fish for a long time. You can persuade him to spend his life savings to buy those pottery, which is enough to prove your Ability, it would be too much of a waste of your talents to just sell things in the market, but are you willing to work under me and help me?"

I don’t want to get too involved with you... Xiopang Bosi thought so in his heart, but he asked in a mysterious way: "What do you need me to do?"

"When my assistant, on behalf of our army, negotiates with the foreign merchants who come to the port to trade, reach a trade agreement, sell our goods at the highest possible price, and purchase the supplies we need at the lowest possible price... "Pigeris explained seriously.

After the last army meeting, he finally selected five subordinates through Volenus who could write and calculate. However, during the subsequent work together, he found that these subordinates lacked the ability to speak well and it was difficult to assist them. He was better able to negotiate with the merchants, so he decided to let his men inspect these newcomers selling goods in the market.

"If you perform well, I will ask for credit from Chief Maximus and let you officially become a member of my staff, and you will be responsible for the sale and purchase of goods in the future."

Theo Pompos walked out of the room listlessly and faced Pygris, the leader of Free Italy. He was accustomed to obeying his master and did not dare to refuse, but he always felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

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"Master, the port of Sarapia has arrived!"

"Drive right in!" Tiger Charles, who was standing on the bow of the ship and watching, shouted to the captain without hesitation.

As a result, the merchant ship sailed towards the port without slowing down, surpassing several merchant ships wandering outside the port in front. Tiger Charles glanced at it, feeling quite contemptuous in his heart: You are all here, why are you hesitating? !

The merchant ship passed through the wide open water gate and entered the port.

The port of Sarapia is not small, but there are not many ships moored and there are few people on the dock, making it seem a bit depressed.

Seeing this scene, Tiger Charles felt excited instead.

At this time, a clipper ship came over, with a flag with a picture of "a man beating a wolf with a stick" floating on the single mast.

Tiger Charles was even more determined. After talking to the people on the other side's ship, he was guided by the clipper to an empty dock.

(End of this chapter)