Chapter 1082
In fact, according to the Greeks, it wasn't Hades's job to be in charge of rivers and springs. However, ever since Hades performed a miracle at the Turi Spring and resurrected Poseidon, the people of Diónia gradually thought that Hades was the true protector of the springs and drinking water. Poseidon had become his assistant instead.
At this time, there were a few women carrying earthen jars by the pool, chatting as they filled the water. The children were playing around the pool and the stone pillars around it.
Two of Maximus's children were eager to join in, but Fulvia stopped them.
Although Maximus was surprised and confused about how the water came out of the pool, he didn't ask. Instead, he followed the servant up the stairs to the third floor, along the slightly dark corridor, and arrived at the room for rent.
They met a few tenants along the way, and they all greeted the servant humbly. Obviously, the owner of the house usually let the servant take care of the entire rental building.
Although the room was simple, with only a bed, a table, and a few chairs, it was clean and spacious, and the lighting was good. It was much better than the house he lived in in the slave camp, so Maximus immediately decided to rent it.
After putting the package in the room, he followed the servant to the tax office and signed the rental agreement.
It was already dusk when they finally settled the matter of renting the house. Both Maximus and his wife were a little hungry, and the two children were no longer in the mood to play. Therefore, Maximus decided to bring his family to eat and fill their stomachs.
There were many restaurants near the place they were renting. Among them, Cristoya's was the most famous. It was full early, and there were still people queuing outside.
However, considering the price, Maximus finally chose to eat in a street pub that was cheaper.
This kind of street pub usually only had a ring-shaped counter, and there were many round holes in the stone counter. Open wine, beer, and clay jars were placed in these holes. At the end of the counter, there would be a shrine inlaid on the stone wall, but it wasn't usually for Hades. Instead, it was for the Greek god of wine, Dionysus.
When Maximus and his family walked into the tavern on the street, there were already some customers in the tavern, making the small tavern seem a little crowded.
The cook in the middle of the counter saw them and immediately asked with a smile, "What would you like to eat and drink?"
"Do you have anything to fill your stomach?" Maximus asked as he looked at the bottles and jars on the counter.
"Bread, cheese, vegetables, nuts, and olives … We can provide them to you right away. Of course, if you need some hot soup, we can also cook mutton and beef soup, wheat porridge, and bean porridge on the spot, but that will take some time." The kitchen maid looked at Maximus' family and estimated their needs. She said fluently, "Of course, the most important thing here is that we can provide you with all kinds of wine and beer produced by the kingdom, and the price is relatively low."
"Give me four pieces of bread, four slices of cheese, two bowls of oatmeal and a big bowl of haggis soup," Maximus said after thinking for a while.
"Don't you want to drink?" The kitchen maid tried her best to persuade them. "Looks like you've walked a long way. You must be tired and thirsty. Why don't you have a glass of beer to moisten your throat and relieve your fatigue?"
Maximus wasn't someone who could be easily persuaded, but when he saw the customers holding glasses and talking loudly at the counter, he suddenly changed his mind. "I'll have a glass of beer."
"What kind of beer do you want?" The kitchen maid pointed at a round hole on the counter and said enthusiastically, "I recommend Cristoya beer. It's made by the brewery under Princess Cristoya. They invented the beer of Diónia, so their beer is the most authentic, best to drink, and very refreshing. It's very popular among the people of the kingdom. Because of the high demand, most of the production is bought and stored by those damn rich merchants and officials to entertain guests at banquets. There aren't many on the market. Our pub got some because of special connections. Although it's a little expensive, it's very rare. "
Although Maximus was a little tempted by her words, he still suppressed his desire and said, "Just give me a glass of ordinary beer."
Although the kitchen maid failed to persuade him, she didn't show any disappointment. She smiled and said to him, "Okay. Then one loaf of bread is 5 Opol, four loaves of bread is 20 Opol … That's a total of 67 Opol, which is equivalent to 9 Drachma and 3 Opol. Pay up first, I'll prepare your food immediately. "
Well, the price of this dinner was close to a month's rent! If it was in the past, Maximus wouldn't care about such a small amount of money, but more than three years as a slave had taught him the hardships of life. He took a deep breath and counted out ten Drachmas and four Opol from his money bag.
The kitchen maid looked at the crowd and shouted, "Hey! There's a child who wants to eat. Everyone, please give up your seats! "
With her sharp voice, someone really stood up from the bench against the wall. Fulvia hurriedly squeezed over with the children, thanked the diners, and sat down.
Maximus, on the other hand, stood by the counter.
After a while, the kitchen maid put the bread and cheese he ordered into a small wooden basket and handed it over.
Maximus felt that the bread was still warm, and he couldn't help but secretly nod at the pub's thoughtfulness.
The kitchen maid opened a wooden lid and used a slender wooden spoon to reach into the clay pot in the stone pit. She scooped up the beer, poured a full cup, and handed it to Maximus. As for the oatmeal and mutton soup, they still needed time to boil.
Maximus took the beer and drank a mouthful first. He immediately felt his dry throat moisten. In fact, there was no beer in Rome in the past. Maximus started to like drinking this cheap and worry-relieving drink in the slave camp.
The family sat in a corner and began to eat. Maximus chewed on the bread while carefully listening to the diners' conversation.
"Hey, have you heard? It's said that the 'kingdom is preparing to send troops to the southern Iberia and northern Etruria to build a fortress defense' might be canceled! "
"You're wrong. It's impossible to cancel it. If the kingdom doesn't send troops to the border for defense, then the looting of the barbarians in the mountains will not be stopped. They will only become stronger and more rampant. They might even launch an attack on the kingdom's border territory."
"Isn't that just right for the kingdom to launch a war and destroy these barbarians? Maybe we can also get some military merits and become citizens sooner."
"I heard that the kingdom is not going to launch a big war in the next few years because the last war only happened a few years ago. The consumption is too great, and they have not recovered yet."
"You're right. But that's not the only reason. It is said that whether it is northern Etruria or southern Iberia, there are mountains everywhere, and the terrain is dangerous. Most of the indigenous tribes live in the mountains, and if they can't beat the kingdom's army, they are likely to hide in the mountains. It will be very difficult for the kingdom to completely destroy and conquer them, so it is necessary to first send troops to defend the border and crack down on those barbarians who come to invade. But I heard that because the people's opposition is too great, the decision to send troops to defend the border may be canceled, and instead, they will hire free people to form a border defense army. "
The diners let out a cry of surprise. "Is this true?!"
Maximus' heart skipped a beat, and he looked over. Most of the diners were wearing simple linen shirts and looked shabby, obviously of relatively low status. Only a few were dressed more elegantly, and this person who seemed to know a lot of inside information was one of them.
He took a sip of beer and said proudly, "Of course it's true. When have I, Gorgian, ever lied to you! Let me tell you, this matter has been discussed by the higher-ups, and the reason why it can't be decided is because it takes a lot of money to hire troops, and the kingdom can't take out more money to support a mercenary army specially responsible for guarding the border.
But I heard from a good friend who serves as a palace guard that His Majesty the King of Devers once said very firmly in the meeting that the kingdom's border troops must be established as soon as possible! Because the kingdom's territory is constantly expanding, it will take ten days to half a month to lead the army from Turií to the border to arrive, and it may take two, three months or even half a year in the future. Once the enemy invades and mobilizes the army to face the enemy, I'm afraid the enemy has already occupied the border area and killed countless people of the kingdom. Therefore, it must be established to guard the safety of the kingdom's border. If there is really no money to establish a mercenary army, then he must send troops to guard the border for a long time regardless of the people's opposition! "
"His Majesty the King of Devers is sincerely thinking for the kingdom, but those Diónia citizens are too selfish!" Another diner sighed and said, "If I've become an official citizen, I'll definitely support His Majesty's decision and guard the border as a soldier of the legion without hesitation!"
"Tsk!" Another diner said disdainfully, "As a registered free citizen, if the kingdom decides to establish a mercenary army made up of free citizens, I'll definitely join it without hesitation. And I don't want an Opol's salary, I just want to become an official citizen of Diónia immediately."
A few other diners agreed with him.
"If you become an official citizen and have a piece of land, you'll definitely regret it," someone suddenly said, and it immediately caused a burst of laughter.
"The Kingdom of Diónia has a vast territory and a large population. Why doesn't it have the money to support a small mercenary army?" another diner asked doubtfully.
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