Chapter 1094
"So who won the debate in the end?" Lucias asked curiously.
Plato said calmly, "You're more familiar with Aesocrates, so you should know that Aesocrates has a hoarse voice and is better at writing than speaking. That's why he sent his student to debate. Of course, I also sent Speicippus to take up the challenge …
Judging from the result of the debate, we should have won, but judging from the subsequent developments, it didn't eliminate the doubts that the people of Athens have about Diónia. Instead, it increased their fear of Diónia. Aesocrates has achieved his goal … "
"In the past two years, Athens has been a little alienated from Diónia. What's the reason? Is it just because Diónia is stronger? "Ancitanos asked.
"There are several reasons," Plato said thoughtfully. "… Although Diónia hasn't set foot in Greece in the past few years, it has long signed a friendly agreement with Sparta. However, it refused to form an alliance with Athens and the Thebes during the two wars (the Corinth War and the Thebes War). This made the people of Athens a little wary. More importantly, Athens' maritime trade has been facing competition from Diónia. Although some goods of the same type are almost the same in quality, Diónia provided more goods at a lower price. This caused Athens to lose some of its traditional city-state markets, such as Cyrenaica and Crete. This also made many merchants in Athens and expatriates in Athens vigilant. Under their instigation and support, the General Assembly of Athens passed a resolution two years ago. 'The city-states that joined the maritime alliance led by Athens must not allow goods from Diónia to enter the city-state market for sale' …"
"I know about this. Our minister of commerce, Marigi, even angrily suggested to His Majesty to send an envoy to Athens to protest and take the same measures, but His Majesty didn't agree …" Ancitanos said emotionally.
"There's another reason." Plato looked at the Devers who were listening, "When Pericles summoned the Greek city-states to build the city of Turií, he originally hoped that this sub-state of Athens could become a pivotal power in the Western Mediterranean Greece, thereby expanding the influence of Athens. Later, because of the War of Peloponnesus, which led to the fall of Athens, this goal could not be achieved. Now that Turií has become the center of the Kingdom of Diónia and the Western Mediterranean Sea, I'm afraid that some of the Athens elites who want to restore the glory of Pericles will bear grudges against them … "
"I don't care if Athens is wary of Diónia or not." At this moment, Devers spoke. With a scrutinizing gaze, he observed Plato's reaction, "I just want to know, Plato, do you think Diónia is a threat to Athens?"
"Dear King of Devers." Plato said frankly, "After the debate with Aesocrates, I have a little doubt, so this time I seriously traveled around the Kingdom of Diónia. What I saw and heard … confirmed in my heart that the Kingdom of Diónia is not a threat to Athens, but the hope of Athens and even all the Greek city-states!"
Plato's answer was somewhat unexpected to the Devers, who blurted out in surprise, "Why?"
Plato replied with a serious expression, "The Greek territory is narrow, with many mountains and little land. The land is barren, and survival is difficult. The city-states on that land have been at war for decades for their own interests. The people are in exile, and the land is barren. In the long run, the city-states will eventually die out …
Now it seems that in order to completely end this terrible situation, a very powerful force must intervene to force the city-states such as Athens, Sparta, Thebes, and Corinth to know their place and not dare to fight again. Only then will peace come.
Persia can't do it, it wants Greece to perish. Only Diónia will treat the city-states of Greece equally, just like the Samonians and Rome. It is even possible to build flat roads between the mountains of Greece, so that trade between the city-states can be carried out more freely and conveniently on land and sea, so that the people of the city-states can enjoy peace and happiness under the order set by Diónia … "
Plato's increasingly excited voice echoed in the palace. Ancetanos and Lysias looked at each other. They did not expect Plato to have such great expectations for Diónia. It made them excited, but they did not know how to respond, so they looked at the Devers together.
The Devers tapped their fingers on the table while listening carefully. There was no obvious emotional fluctuation on their faces. When Plato finished speaking, he smiled faintly and said seriously, "For the time being, Diónia has no plans to interfere in the political situation of Greece."
"I understand." Plato said knowingly, "I only hope to see the Greek mainland have a long period of peace in my lifetime!"
After that, everyone at the banquet tacitly stopped talking about this matter and talked about other topics.
When the banquet was over, the Devers personally sent Plato out of the palace. Plato said softly in a slightly tipsy voice, "Dear King Devers, I remember that you were hired by Prince Cyrus the Little of Persia to go on an expedition to Persia. In order to fight for the throne, the Persia royal family killed each other, causing political turmoil. It must have left a deep impression on you … Well, when I returned to Turií, I heard many words of praise for Prince Apox, and Alcibidus had sincerely invited me to a banquet several times, but I refused … "
"Oh." The Devers responded calmly and did not say anything else.
After sending Plato and his disciple away, he returned to the palace and called Aristiras, "Tomorrow, go to the Ministry of Military Affairs and inform Alexis to suspend the warship orders given to Alcibidus Shipyard."
"Yes." Aristiras immediately responded and did not ask further.
The Devers continued, "If Alcibidus wants to ask the Ministry of Military Affairs for the reason, let Alexis answer. Just say that I said, 'Since he doesn't want to concentrate on his business, then don't do it.'"
… …
A few days later, the Devers returned to the mansion and was sitting in the study, thinking about the political affairs during the day. There was a knock on the door.
"It's Apox. Come in!" The Devers smiled kindly.
Apox calmly sat down opposite the Devers.
The Devers looked at his second son up close. Apox was only 17 years old. He was tall and slender, and he had inherited more of Aegnis' looks. He was very handsome, but his eyebrows were brimming with confidence and vitality.
"Father, Uncle found me today. He told me," Apox said straightforwardly.
The Devers blinked and asked calmly, "Oh, what did he say?"
Apox did not respond directly. Instead, he said in a clear voice, "Father, I remember you once told me that a great scholar is more likely to be remembered by future generations than a king."
"Yes, I said that. Everyone knows that Thales of Miletus was a sage, but no one remembers who the consul of Miletus was at that time … "
"Father." Apox said sincerely, "I'm not interested in the throne of Diónia. I'm only interested in learning and researching! I only hope that I can have more creative ideas in the future to benefit the people and be admired by future generations! For this, I can swear to Hades! "
Apox said excitedly as he raised his hands.
The Devers pressed his shoulders firmly and looked at him lovingly. He said softly, "Good boy, I've watched you grow up. Of course, I know what you want! This is a small punishment for Alcibidus. I'm just angry that he interfered with your studies and destroyed the deep relationship between you and your brother! Don't worry, I not only respect your choice, but I also fully support you. I hope that you can become a greater scholar than Thales in the future and illuminate the history of the development of human culture! "
"Thank you, father. I will definitely work hard!" Apox was excited by the Devers' words. He calmed down with difficulty and hesitated for a while before saying, "Father … I have another request."
"Tell me, what is it?" The Devers smiled.
Apox scratched his head and his expression became shy. "I want … I want to marry Nelia!"
"Who's Nelia?" The Devers pretended to be surprised.
"… The daughter of the former Fourth Fleet Navy Commander Miltias, and Eunice's classmate." Apox gathered his courage and said everything in one breath.
"Oh … Have you discussed it with your mother?"
"Father, uncle has been going to my mother's place to matchmake me, so I hope to ask for your permission first!"
"Will Nelia agree to your proposal?"
"She will definitely agree!"
"Alright, I agree. We'll hold the wedding when you're of age." The Devers looked serious and agreed straightforwardly.
"Thank you!" Apox gave the Devers a strong hug excitedly.
The Devers smiled and patted his son's tender shoulders, but he sighed in his heart. My children are all grown up and are about to get married and have children, but I'm starting to get old …
… …
The captain walked into the cabin and said to Hakkar, who was resting, "My lord, we're almost at the mouth of the Krati River."
"Got it." Hakkar slowly sat up and put on a thick leather robe. He stood up and said to Hasdrubal, who was still drinking with his head lowered, "Brother, shall we take a look outside?"
"I'm not going!" Hasdrubal replied stiffly.
Hakkar knew his temper and did not try to persuade him further. He slowly walked out of the cabin with the help of his servants.
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