Chapter 108
Cornelus finally understood. The Devers were trying to rebuild Amendolar's political structure. Since the Devers were already in control of Amendolar and the Senate, the only thing Cornelus could do was nod.
Naturally, the appointment of the two was approved.
"Mister … Mister Consul, Amendolar's treasury only has around three thousand drachmas after we sorted out the resources we seized from the Lucanians …" Mercies reminded him.
"Hey, he's already working as soon as he's been elected. Isn't this official too passionate?" Epicthenis joked. Everyone laughed.
"Three thousand silver coins isn't even enough to buy one Talian …" the Devers frowned and mumbled to himself.
Cornelus felt his face burning. He quickly explained, "Cornelus doesn't have a port, and not many merchants come to the city to trade. Many city-states have the stone mines we excavate. Only Heraclea buys some from us every year …"
"It seems like we need to appoint a commercial officer to manage the trade and think of more ways to earn money for Amendolar," the Devers said.
Mercies' eyes lit up. He immediately said, "I recommend Marigi to be the commercial officer!"
"Oh, you're on good terms with him now?" The Devers was a little surprised.
Actually, it wasn't that Mercies and Marigi had improved their relationship, but Mercies wouldn't go against money. Marigi really knew how to earn money, and she knew it very well.
"Marigi might be a Persia, but he's really good at business. He did a great job at the market next to our camp!" Olivers yelled from the back.
"I also agree with him being the commercial officer. I've been to that market, and it's really lively," Epicthenis added.
"Olivers has his eyes on someone's daughter and wants to use the opportunity to please his future father-in-law." Matonis joined in the fun, revealing Olivers's past.
"Shut up, big guy!" Olivers scolded.
"Silence! The Senate is a sacred place, not a place for cursing! Whoever dares to spout nonsense will be chased out! " Devers glared at the two of them. It had been a good suggestion, but these two had ruined it. He was afraid that it would cause other people to think too much.
Matonis and Olivers immediately shut up.
"This Marigi is from Persia?" Cornelius asked doubtfully.
"He used to be, but because of the persecution of the King of Persia, he brought his family to join us and fought with us in Persia. He came to Greece and participated in the battle against the Lucanians. He became one of our mercenaries, so he's now a citizen of Amendolara. I sent him to Tarantum this morning to discuss an alliance. He was indeed a very outstanding talent! I believe that with him as the commercial officer, the wealth of our national treasury will increase significantly! "The Devers praised Marigi.
Cornelus listened attentively. He was a little hesitant about the Devers' proposal. He glanced at Lafayas a few times, as if to say, "Do you have any objections as the new Census Officer?" "Don't make me oppose everything!"
Lafayas hesitated for a moment, stood up, and said, "But he's from Persia … The Greek city-states have never —"
"So what if he's from Persia? As long as he's sincerely willing to become our citizen and has done so much for us, we should accept him! " The Devers suddenly stood up and said loudly to everyone in the hall, "Originally, I wanted to wait until the right time to say some things, but since the Census Officer has raised this sensitive issue, I'll share some of my views with everyone."
"Everyone knows that citizenship is very difficult to obtain in almost all the Greek city-states. The richer and more powerful the city-state, the harder it is to obtain it. For example, in Sparta, it's almost impossible for outsiders to obtain citizenship. In Athens, the current rule is, 'Only when both parents are from Athens can a child become an adult citizen of Athens.' Why is citizenship so difficult to obtain? " The Devers raised the question loudly, and everyone in the hall fell into a short silence, especially the new citizens. They remembered the sweat and blood they had paid for this citizenship, and the huge risks they had taken. The words of the Devers resonated with them.
"That's because they're afraid that outsiders will share the political rights, land, and wealth of the city-state with them!" Alexis said with hatred.
"That's right! The selfishness of the Greek city-states made them refuse outsiders to join them, and at the same time, they gave up the opportunity to strengthen themselves! After the fiasco in Sicily, Athens was unable to recover. Why? Because they don't have enough young and strong citizens. Even though Sparta now dominates Greece, it mainly sends mercenaries and allies to fight outside. Why? Because they only have about 3,500 citizens, and they also have to prevent the Black Roshi riots in their country. The war-loving Sparta citizens will only get fewer and fewer, and eventually, they will lose the hegemony of Greece. Look at our neighbor, the Turís. After losing the battle with the Lucanians, even though they know that we defeated the Lucanians, they are so careful that they don't even dare to open their gates. Why? There aren't enough young citizens, and they are afraid that they won't be able to stop us from rushing in and looting them. "
Everyone laughed, and so did the old citizens. When it came to the problem of the Turís, everyone had the same understanding.
"Then look at Persia, which we have been to before. Is Persia big?" the Devers asked.
"Big, too big!" the new citizens answered in unison.
"Are there many people in Persia?"
"Yes! There are people of all races! "
"You have to know that Persia was just a small tribe in the beginning, and it was bullied by the Medes. The tribe's leader, Cyrus, was very wise and open-minded. He got along with the surrounding tribes in a friendly manner, and generously accepted other tribes. The tribes that were originally oppressed by the Medes, who dominated the Mesopotamian plains, succumbed to him. Later, even the enemy, the Medes, surrendered to Persia. Persia was like a snowball rolling on the top of a mountain, and in just a few decades, a small tribe became a big empire … "
Everyone listened attentively to the Devers' narration of the history of Persia. Even the well-educated Kornellus and the others, who knew little about the big eastern country of Persia, listened with great interest.
"Why is the Empire of Persia strong? It is because it accepted other tribes as its citizens, just like how the Mediterranean Sea is so big because of the countless rivers that flow into it. "The Devers' words made everyone fall into deep thought.
"Just like what I said before, if you are only satisfied with farming in a small city, and when the other cities and forces become stronger, they will lead their armies to the city, surrender, and become their vassals, then I won't say more. If you are not satisfied with the mediocrity of today and want to make Amendolar stronger so that it will no longer be bullied by other forces, then please remember that people are always the greatest wealth of a city! We, Amendolar, should not be as closed and conservative as the other cities! We must be open, and we must sincerely accept everyone who is willing to join Amendolar and contribute to its prosperity, no matter where they come from. Only in this way can our strength grow rapidly! Maybe you will say that Amendolar doesn't have that much land and wealth to share with them, but that's because your eyes are only on the small land of Amendolar! "
The Devers looked around and pointed to the west with his left hand. He said proudly, "Look around us, there are the Lucanians and the Bruti in the west, the Mesapi, Puchetti, and Downey in the east, and I heard that there are the Samonai in the north … Wait, there are so many indigenous people, isn't their land and wealth enough to share?!"
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