Chapter 1088
"The people of Tarantum have always thought highly of themselves, as if they were nobler than anyone else. In fact, it has long been affiliated to the Kingdom of Leotini, Taunis, Potentiya … These former allies of the Kingdom of Tarantum have successively merged into the Kingdom of Tarantum, but it still maintains its status as a free city … This time, Prince Apox was able to surpass the people of Tarantum in the field of knowledge that they are most proud of. It's a pity that we didn't see it with our own eyes!"
"Let's drink to the smart and intelligent Prince Apox!" Someone suggested loudly, and everyone immediately responded.
While everyone was drinking and celebrating, Maximus looked gloomy. The son of the King of Devers had become famous in the Kingdom at such a young age, but his own child was still far from being able to attend Turín school. Sigh …
"Another glass?" The cook's voice interrupted his thoughts. He turned his head and saw that the cook had scooped up a spoonful of beer and placed it in front of his wooden glass.
He shook his head, but the cook comforted him, "This is free. It's on me. Don't worry, there will always be a way!"
Since moving to the outer city, Maximus had been looking for a job every day. At the same time, he would come to the tavern on the street at dusk for a glass of beer. On the one hand, it was to relieve the depression in his heart, and on the other hand, he wanted to get more information from the diners. As time went by, he gradually became familiar with everyone, and everyone roughly understood his situation.
Maximus took the wooden glass that was filled with beer and hesitated whether he should say "thank you". The cook then said, "Since there is no chance in the Turín City Hall, you can actually consider going to the City Hall of another town, such as Cosenza, which is also a big city of the Kingdom. It's not too far from Turín. Perhaps because it's inland in the mountains, and there are more Bruti residents, many free people are unwilling to go there. I heard that the City Hall there is a shortage of employees. If you go there, it should be easier for you to be hired, and maybe you will get more opportunities to make contributions."
Hearing this, Maximus' heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said sincerely, "Thank you!"
The cook smiled and said, "You're welcome. In fact, I can't control my mouth. If you really go to Cosenza, I will lose a good customer who can patronize my business every day."
"I say, if you can't bear to part with Aphrodite, you might as well marry Maximus!" A customer teased.
The cook's eyes immediately widened. She slammed the wooden spoon on the counter and scolded, "Did you drink too much? You're talking nonsense again! Do you want me to get someone to pour a can of cold water on you to wake you up? "
"Nelius, you're such a lowly person. If you don't provoke Aphrodite every day and let her curse at you, you'll feel uncomfortable, won't you?"
"I don't think he's cheap. He's just a cat in spring."
"How so?"
"It's rutting season!"
"Hahaha …"
The group of people joked around, and the atmosphere in the tavern became livelier.
At this moment, a sharp-eyed customer waved his hand toward the outside of the tavern and shouted, "Gorgian, you're here!"
Gorgian strode into the tavern and nodded at the customers. When he saw Maximus, he hesitated for a moment before saying to the cook, "Follow the old rules."
When the cook was preparing food and drinks for him, someone already asked loudly, "Gorgian, is there any news today?"
Gorgian glanced at the customers who crowded over, then looked at Maximus who was leaning on the counter at the side. He then said seriously, "There is indeed a very important news today, especially for Maximus!"
Maximus, who was already listening attentively, was stunned. He could no longer care about being reserved and immediately asked, "What news?"
"There's news from the Senate this afternoon. The issue of whether to send legions to defend the borders that has been spreading like wildfire has finally come to a conclusion," Gorgian said solemnly. "The Minister of Military Affairs, Hilos, submitted a proposal to the Senate to 'hire free people to form a border army to defend the northern border of Etruria and the southern border of Illyria'. Archipedes from the Ministry of Finance represented the Minister of Finance, Merces, in the Senate and submitted a proposal to 'request for a direct tax of 6% to solve the military expenses of the new army' …"
"Are they really going to increase the taxes?!" many customers said in unison.
Only Nelius shouted in surprise, "Only 6%? That's too little!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he was immediately reprimanded by the others.
"In addition, the Minister of Household Registration, Raphael, has also submitted a proposal." Gorgian frowned. The noise in the tavern forced him to increase his volume as he continued, "He proposed to 'extend the period of time for free people to become citizens of Diónia from the original 5-6 years to more than 10 years. Only free people who accept the kingdom's employment and become soldiers of the border army can become official citizens of Diónia after the 5-year service period.'
'In addition, if free people are willing to rent land in the southern region of Iberia, then after settling there for 7 years, they can also become official citizens smoothly …' "
As Gorgian spoke, the noise in the tavern gradually disappeared. In the end, there was a strange silence. Everyone's eyes were focused on Gorgian.
This made Gorgian a little uncomfortable. He lowered his head to drink a mouthful of beer, coughed a few times, and then looked at the crowd. Finally, his eyes fell on Maximus, "Sir Raphael's proposal has little impact on all of you, because according to what he said in the Senate, free people who have applied for registration before the proposal takes effect will still become official citizens in 5 to 6 years according to the original Immigration Act … Therefore, Maximus is the most affected."
After saying this, Maximus's face suddenly turned pale.
"Is this old bastard Raphael out of his mind?! Isn't he afraid of the resentment of the entire kingdom's free people for daring to make such a proposal?! "A customer immediately scolded angrily.
"What's there to be afraid of? He lives in the inner city and has many guards to protect him. It's a little difficult for us to enter and exit the inner city, let alone see him. Besides, it's impossible for him to make such a proposal to change the Immigration Act that has been in effect for 20 years without the support of the King of Devers in advance, isn't it, Gorgian? "Another customer calmly analyzed.
However, Gorgian did not respond to his question. Instead, he lowered his head and drank another mouthful of beer.
"Maximus … Let's not worry. Whether it's the Immigration Act or the Tax Act, they have been in effect for almost 20 years. It won't be so easy to pass them! After a long time, the citizens of the kingdom will gather together to oppose them. These proposals may eventually be rejected by the Senate! "A customer said confidently.
His words were echoed by everyone, including the cook. Even Maximus felt refreshed, thinking that he had seen hope.
At this moment, Gorgian sighed and said, "In fact, these proposals have been passed … In the afternoon, the various departments of the City Hall of Turín, especially the Department of Inspection, have received an urgent notice, asking the officials to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the situation in Turín. During the period when the bill is announced, the stability of the order in the city must be maintained! … "
"What?! It's passed?! Such an important bill has been passed so quickly?! "
"What are the senators doing?! Are they sleeping?! "
…
The customers roared angrily to vent their surprise and uneasiness.
"The senators are not sleeping because His Majesty the Devers has also proposed a bill to divide the kingdom into more than a dozen regions and set up regional administrations. The highest position will be the regional governor. It is said that the governor's duties are somewhat similar to the previous wartime governors. He can govern all the cities and towns in the region and has considerable power. The senators must reserve enough time to discuss this important bill and think about the candidate to be the governor of these regions …" Gorgian explained with a strange expression on his face. He had been in Turín for so many years, but this was the first time he had heard of four important bills related to the future of the kingdom appearing in the Senate within a day. This was definitely not a coincidence. It was the masterpiece of the wise king!
"Aren't the Immigration Act and the Tax Act more important than the bill to set up the regions?!"
"I think these senators only care about whether they can become the governor or not. They don't care about the interests of the people at all!"
"Yes, that's right!"
…
The quarrel in the tavern made Maximus, who was already depressed, feel a splitting headache. He pushed the wine glass back to the cooking maid and pushed away the diners in front of him with all his might before he staggered out of the tavern.
"Maximus, are you okay?" Someone shouted with concern behind him.
Maximus did not respond at all. His feet felt like he was dragging something heavy as he staggered forward in a daze …
After walking for a while, he came to the front of the building he rented. Looking at the passersby coming and going, a sense of sadness welled up in his heart. "I've made a huge sacrifice, and I've made up my mind to bring my family into this new kingdom!" However, ever since I brought my family out of the camp and came to this huge city, nothing went smoothly. The news I heard today completely destroyed all my plans for the future. Is this Jupiter's punishment for betraying my people? Or is it because I haven't completely believed in Hades, so he doesn't protect me at all?! "
Although life in the slave camp was tough, he had been working hard because he had the goal of obtaining freedom as soon as possible. Now that he was free in this prosperous city, he felt an unprecedented sense of loss. Where should he go in the future?!
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