Chapter 1038
Oh … there's another profession with a respected status, which is to become a scholar, but it's too difficult. I don't think you'll consider it. You can discuss the three paths I've mentioned with your child and choose carefully.
As for your youngest son, he's only ten years old. After you move to Turín, let him attend a Turín school as soon as possible. This way, when he comes of age in the future, his development will be smoother than his elder brother's. Also, let your daughter go to school as soon as possible. "
When Tibulus said this, he saw Publius frown slightly, so he said, "I know that you Romans, like the Greeks, are more traditional and conservative in the education of your daughters, but let me tell you, our Diónia is different. We will let girls study and exercise together with boys, and try our best to cultivate her talents so that she can find a good husband when she grows up. This is because our Diónia believes that only a healthy mother can give birth to a healthy child, and only a talented mother can give birth to a smart child!
In the kingdom, not only do women have the right to inherit property, but there's also a law that says, 'If a citizen only has daughters and no sons, he can discuss with his son-in-law and choose one of the children born to his daughter to inherit his surname.' Therefore, women have a higher status in the kingdom. "
When Tibulus said this, he could not help but smile. "I have two daughters now and no son, but with these legal provisions, I'm not worried at all."
Publius did not know how to respond, so he remained silent for a while.
However, Tibulus stood up and said, "In this season, don't soak in cold water for too long, or you'll easily catch a cold."
As he spoke, he walked out of the bath, took the cloth towel hanging on the wall, and threw one to Publius.
Tibulus wiped his body with the cloth towel, stretched his limbs, and said loudly, "Take a bath, and you'll definitely be able to have a good sleep tonight. Tomorrow, you'll be full of energy to attend the kingdom's convention!"
"Yes, the baths in Turín are amazing. I can't help but want to move to Turín earlier!" Publius praised loudly again. He seemed a little excited, partly because of the bath, and partly because Tibulus's words made him confident about moving to Turín.
… …
The next morning, after breakfast, the guests of the Wang State Guesthouse solemnly tidied up their attire and walked to the conference hall not far away. At the same time, many people gathered from other directions and soon formed two long lines in front of the assembly hall.
On this day, the Turís patrol had sealed off the entire Plaza of Victory and the Senate, forbidding any unauthorized personnel from entering. The inner city was also prohibited from entering and exiting in order to ensure that the Kingdom Assembly would proceed smoothly.
As a newcomer to the kingdom's Senate, Publius stood in the line. He didn't know anyone, so he looked at the people around him warmly greeting each other and telling each other about recent events.
However, Tibulus, who followed him, was indeed a Turií. Although it was his first time attending the Kingdom Conference, he knew many people, and he even took the initiative to introduce Publius to them.
When these people learned that Publius was a new senator of the kingdom and came from Rome, they were all curious and asked about the situation in Rome.
Publius also answered seriously, and everyone gradually became familiar with each other. Only then did Publius realize that these people were the local council members elected by the various towns in the Kingdom of Diónia to attend the conference.
Not long after, Publius and Tibulus stood in front of the main entrance of the conference hall. After the conference's disciplinary officer at the door asked for Publius' name, he looked at him with some doubt, "Sir Publius, you're a senator, so you can enter through the side door. Didn't the hotel staff tell you?"
Publius glanced at Tibulus and said, "It's my first time attending the Kingdom Conference. I think it'll be more lively through the main door."
"Oh, that's alright. Please come with me!" The disciplinary officer said politely and led them into the hall.
It was a huge circular dome with at least ten steps from top to bottom. There were many wooden chairs arranged neatly and densely on each step, forming a semicircle around the center. In the center was a flat ground paved with white marble, and there were a few dark red wooden tables. At the back of the center stood a stone platform a few meters high, and on it was a wide and exquisite chair.
Publius stared at it a few times, guessing that it was the seat of the King of Diónia.
The few rows in front of these chairs were already filled with nearly 300 people. They wore white robes embroidered with exquisite black patterns, and most of them had white hair. They were whispering to each other.
These must be the senators of the Kingdom of Diónia! Publius thought to himself. Just as he was about to follow Tibulus and sit behind them, the disciplinary officer walked to the front and whispered a few words to the people in the center.
Soon, five people stood up and walked towards them.
Publius recognized one of them — it was Antares, who had received them before.
Tibulus immediately bowed respectfully and said: "Lord Cornelus, I'm very grateful to you. Sir Lucius! Sir Sedorum! Sir Antares! Sir Vesba! "
As the governor of Turií and once Tibulus' superior, Lucius nodded and said, "Tibulus, thank you for your hard work. Is everything ready?"
"Yes, everything is ready."
"Have a good rest first. When it's your turn later, perform well!"
"Yes, sir!"
The disciplinary officer led Tibulus to the furthest side of the first row so that it would be convenient for him to speak on stage.
Tibulus had already guessed that these five people were the five rotating presidents of the Senate of Diónia. He also noticed that they were different from the other senators in that they wore Bolton robes with gold rims.
One of them, a white-haired old man, smiled and said, "Welcome, Sir Publius! I'm Cornelus, the rotating president of the Senate of Diónia. This is … "
Publius greeted them one by one. Both had smiles on their faces, and their movements were elegant and reserved. Although Publius talked and laughed freely with Tibulus along the way like an ordinary person, at this moment, he deliberately displayed the bearing of a former senator of the Senate of Rome and the patriarch of a large clan.
Then, Cornelus led Publius to the center of the hall and said loudly to the senators below the stage, "Everyone, this is Senator Publius Manlius from Rome who was newly elected to the Senate last year. Please give him a warm round of applause and welcome him as one of us!"
Immediately, there was a warm round of applause.
Then, Cornelus gestured to Publius to say a few words.
Publius did not decline. He took a step forward and stood with his head held high. With a smile on his face, he slowly looked around at the crowd and said in a loud voice, "On my way to Turií, I deeply felt the vastness of the territory of the Kingdom of Diónia. When I arrived in Turií, I was attracted by the prosperity of this huge city. I know that all of this is closely related to the efforts of you, the elites of the kingdom. I'm very happy to be one of you and contribute to the strength of Diónia!"
The applause in the hall was even more enthusiastic than before.
The five presidents looked at each other, and the meaning was self-evident. Over the years, they had held similar simple welcoming ceremonies for many senators who had just joined the kingdom in the Senate. However, there were very few who could say such words in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing. This senator from Rome was not a simple person!
So, the five presidents invited Publius to sit next to them. Normally, this seat was not meant for a newcomer, but today, this seat was specially reserved for him. On one hand, it was to express the sincerity of the Senate of Diónia to the people of Rome. On the other hand, it was convenient for them to understand the current situation in the Latin region from Publius' mouth. So, as soon as Publius sat down, Cornelus and the others chatted with him enthusiastically.
At the same time, the representatives of the local senators entered one after another, and the whole hall became more lively.
After an unknown period of time, a disciplinary officer came over and reminded them in a low voice, "Sirs, all the participants have arrived."
Cornelus stopped talking with Publius, looked at the other four, and asked, "Everyone is here. Shall we begin?"
"Hurry up and start. If we delay any longer, today's meeting may not end until the evening," Antares said eagerly.
Cornelus stood up, and the other four followed suit. Then, they walked to the center of the hall together.
The hall was immediately filled with thunderous applause, which echoed repeatedly in the enclosed circular space.
Publius turned his head and saw that all the wooden chairs were occupied. It seemed that even the entrances and exits had added wooden chairs. Except for the center of the hall, everywhere was packed.
There must be at least a thousand people here! Publius was astonished.
The five presidents walked to the wooden tables at the side of the center of the hall and sat down facing the crowd.
At this time, the disciplinary officers of the Senate, who belonged to the Ministry of Supervision, stood in front and shouted in unison, "The Kingdom's General Assembly is about to begin. Everyone, please remain silent!"
As soon as they said that, the hall immediately quieted down. The speed of everyone's reaction surprised Publius. Of course, he didn't know that if anyone dared to continue making noise, they would be expelled from the hall by the disciplinary officers for "deliberately disrupting the meeting." This was not only a matter of making a fool of themselves in public, but they would also be pursued by the Ministry of Supervision afterward. That would be a great loss.
At this time, Cornelus stood up and stood in the center of the hall. He looked at the crowd and said, "Everyone, I'm very happy that we are gathered in the Senate again today. According to the rules, His Majesty the King of Devers should be the one to give the opening speech, but unfortunately, he is still in Sicily leading the kingdom's army to fight against the Carthage people. He can't be here, so he wrote a letter and entrusted me to read it to everyone."
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