Chapter 1076
Devers listened carefully and finally nodded. "At the next administrative meeting, what you said will become an important basis for the discussion of tax rates."
"What's there to discuss … Your Majesty, you might as well just set it," Mersius muttered.
Devers did not seem to hear him. Seeing that he was even more dispirited after saying that, he said with concern, "Have a good rest. I'll visit you next time!"
"Your Majesty, you won't stay a little longer?! The next time you come … I'm afraid you won't be able to see me … "Mersius muttered again in a low voice.
When Devers heard this, his heart ached. Just as he was about to comfort him, he heard Mersius say softly, "Your Majesty, do you remember the first time we met? … At that time, you had just invented smoked sausages and temporarily solved the problem of the mercenaries' food storage … After I found out, I immediately went to Menon and asked for you to join my supply team … I still remember that night you told us the story of the treasure … With your help, it was the easiest march I've ever felt in Persia … At that time, I had a vague feeling that you would become an amazing person … So when Menon and you had a conflict, I firmly stood on your side …
Now, it proves how correct my choice was! … I'm a bankrupt merchant from Ionia, but I ended up becoming the finance minister of the most powerful kingdom in the western Mediterranean. I have tens of thousands of wealth in my hands. How lucky I am! I no longer have any regrets … "
After hearing Mersius' words, Devers did not know what to say for a moment. He forced a smile and said, "Actually, you're wrong. Before I was transferred to the supply team, you saw me once … At that time, I was walking to the supply camp, and you ran into me. You suspected that I wanted to steal food because I was hungry, and you even had the guards chase me away."
"There's actually such a thing? I have no impression at all!" Mersius' eyes widened in shock, and then he laughed. "It's a pity that I only found out now. Otherwise, I would often brag to Antonius and Hilos … that I'm the only person who has ever reprimanded you, Your Majesty!"
"I only remembered it now. Otherwise, how could you have lived so easily under me for the past decade?!" Devers also laughed and joked.
Even Maltius, who was usually serious and serious, smiled.
As Hennebris listened to them talk about the past, he could feel the deep camaraderie between them from their laughter. He could not help but feel a little envious and yearning.
"Your Majesty." The smile on Mersius' face had yet to disappear. He said in a deep voice, "After I die, I want to donate most of my assets to the kingdom …"
"Oh, a miser like you is willing to do that?!" Devers teased him with a smile, thinking he was joking.
"I'm serious. This is my will! I want to donate 80% of my inheritance to the kingdom, leaving only 20% to support my family! "
Devers saw Mercies' serious expression and immediately retracted his smile. He asked in a low voice, "Are you really willing?!"
"I don't have a child. What's there to be unwilling about …" Mersius mumbled, a little absent-minded. "The Kingdom of Diónia was built by you, Your Majesty, through hard work. You can be considered our child …"
Hearing this, Devers was touched. He sat by the bed and patted Mersius' swollen hand. He said emotionally, "On behalf of the kingdom, I thank you for your generosity!"
"Your Majesty, if I donate this money … can you exchange it for a statue of me … to be placed in the Pantheon …" What Mersius said next stunned Dyvers, and he laughed involuntarily. This was Mersius' true character!
Devers wanted to reprimand him first. The right to be placed in the Pantheon was not a commodity that could be bargained for! …
However, seeing Mersius' pale face and hopeful gaze, Devers's heart softened. He said directly, "Even if you don't donate these assets, the great contributions you've made to the kingdom in the past will undoubtedly give you the right to be placed in the Pantheon. Not only that, I'm also preparing to erect a statue of you in front of the Finance Department so that the officials in the Finance Department in the future will see you as an example. They must be stingy with every Opol in the kingdom. They must not waste, and they must not be corrupted! "
"Thank you, Your Majesty … Thank you, Your Majesty …" At that moment, turbid tears flowed out of Mersius' lifeless eyes …
Walking out of Mersius's mansion, Devers could not help but stop and look back. He thought of Cornelus, who had passed away a few years ago, and Mersius, who would be going to Elysee at any time. His heart was heavy. The heroes who had built Diónia with him were gradually entering the last years of their lives …
As he was thinking, he turned around and saw Martius standing upright. However, his white beard showed his age. He sighed in his heart. Martius, you're getting old too …
"Your Majesty, I can still easily defeat the young guard! I can still be your guard! "Martius answered firmly.
"Good … Good …" Devers subconsciously stroked his beard, then said to Heniboris, "Do you remember what I said to Mersius just now?"
Heniboris immediately replied, "I remember. Let Sir Mersius be stationed in the Pantheon and erect a statue of him in the Finance Department."
"Yes, go back and draft a proposal. We'll discuss it at the next administrative meeting as soon as possible … I'm afraid Mersius won't be able to hold on for long …" Devers let out a long sigh.
… …
These few days, a rumor suddenly appeared in Turií: The Etruscan emissary had asked for help from the kingdom. At the same time, in view of the frequent attacks by the indigenous people at the southern border of Iberia, King Devers was prepared to agree with the ministers' proposal to send one or two legions to the southern border of Iberia and the northern border of Etruria respectively to build fortresses and defend against the attacks of the indigenous people. According to the Ministry of Military Affairs, every soldier of the legion would be stationed at the garrison for at least half a year …
This news quickly spread throughout the entire city of Turií and quickly spread to other cities. The officers, soldiers, reserve soldiers, as well as their families and relatives of the various legions discussed this matter every day. After all, they made up a large proportion of the kingdom's population, so this naturally caused huge waves throughout the country.
Not long after, another piece of news came out: The defensive fortresses would be built at the frontline of the border. There would be no towns or markets around it, only the indigenous people who would constantly come to harass them. For the safety of the soldiers, the garrison troops might not consider giving them holidays. They would let them go to the towns at the back to rest and relax, or even go home to visit their families …
As soon as this news came out, the soldiers and citizens of the legion felt even more uneasy. Many anxious public militias gathered and went to their respective barracks to ask the senior officers stationed in the barracks for detailed information. They also said, "We are not afraid to fight against a powerful enemy, even if it means shedding blood or even sacrificing our lives; but we are afraid of being trapped in the fortress like criminals, without freedom for more than half a year, completely unable to take care of our families …"
Some radical Turií citizens even gathered and went to the Senate to ask the senators: they hoped that they could oppose this proposal and not let it pass.
Many of the senators were puzzled and asked the presidents in turn, "Is there really such a proposal?"
Lucius and the others said in a unified voice, "There was indeed a minister who made this proposal, but His Majesty did not immediately agree to it. He is still carefully considering the matter."
While the outside world was in a mess, the Devers sat in the office of the palace. After listening to the investigation report of the whole situation by Aristiras, he thought for a moment and said, "Now that the water is boiling, we have to put something in first and see if it can cook something good."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Aristiras understood tacitly.
"Is there any other news?"
"Your Majesty, we have collected the criminal evidence of Servius, Frius, Aulus … these former Rome nobles' attempt to rebel," Aristiras said as he handed over a stack of records in his hand respectfully.
The Devers looked through it carefully and said calmly, "There are quite a lot of people. While the people's attention is focused on the matter of sending the border troops, pass this evidence and the name list to the Turií inspection department and let them be responsible for arresting them. "
"Yes." Aristiras hesitated for a moment and then said, "Your Majesty, there is a secret report from Iberia that Hasdrubal and a few members of the Magonid family often gather together, drink, and insult the kingdom …"
The Devers did not even frown and asked, "Is there any other suspicious situation?"
"Not yet."
"If you have any dissatisfaction, it is better to vent it in person than to look normal on the surface but secretly plot something," the Devers said disapprovingly. "Continue to observe."
"Yes."
At this moment. Bang! Bang! Bang! There was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" As soon as the Devers finished speaking, Aristiras naturally retreated to a corner.
"Your Majesty, Priest Plesinas requests an audience!" Heniboris walked in and said.
"Let him in."
Plesinas did not come alone. There were two priests behind him, each holding a few wooden boards.
"Your Majesty, the selection for the design of the statue has ended. We have brought the works of the winners. Please make the final judgment and choose which design to make the statue."
"The results are out so soon?!" The Devers immediately became interested and said, "Put them on the table and let us look at them one by one."
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Heniboris stretching his neck to look at them. The Devers then waved to the left and right and said, "You two, come over and take a look. Give us some advice."
Heniboris and Aristiras immediately came over.
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