Chapter 1111
"To be honest, the gods' creations are truly wonderful! Look at those two elephants. They're so huge and mighty, but they're very docile, especially that little one. Her little trunk tugs on the mother elephant's tail and refuses to let go. The mother elephant doesn't get angry, and instead continuously uses her trunk to suck up leaves for the little elephant to eat … This reminds me of Avriya when she was young. She's always like that, always sticking close to me, afraid that I'll leave her … "Aegnis said as she smiled and sighed.
Devers looked at Aegnis, who was rarely so lively, and said with a smile, "I see that you seem to be infatuated with these elephants!"
"That's right!" Christoya finally found someone who understood her, and complained loudly, "Aegnis just told me that she won't be going to the Temple of Hera today, and that she's going to stay at home and watch the elephants. She even asked me to accompany her! Tell me, we're almost 50 years old, how can we be like children? Besides, I'm so busy now, where would I find the time to sneak around and watch elephants … "
"In my opinion, let's put everything else aside today and go see the elephants with the children, and enjoy the joy of being together as a family!" Devers suggested loudly.
"Alright!" Aegnis smiled like a flower, and immediately clapped her hands in agreement.
Christoya frowned slightly, and just as she was about to object, Devers gently pressed down on her hand and said softly, "You're busy every day, let yourself relax today."
Devers's concerned gaze softened Christoya's heart, "Alright, we'll stay at home with the children today, and won't go anywhere. But … it's not a good idea to place the elephants next to the mansion. Although they look docile, they're still so big, and if they go berserk one day, they'll be a danger to us!
Also … these elephants are rare animals that the people of the kingdom have never seen before. After they were transported to the mountains yesterday, many people wanted to come in and see them, including some elders. This morning, the children even let their friends pass through the sentry post and come up the mountain to see the elephants … In the long run, it'll be difficult to ensure the safety of this place! … "
"I've already considered this matter," Devers said unhurriedly. Devers said unhurriedly, "Christoya, we'll have another business deal coming up."
"What is it?!" Cristoya immediately perked up.
"Build a zoo."
"Zoo?"
"We've heard stories of Heraclea strangling a Nemean lion since we were young, but have you ever seen a real lion?"
The two sisters shook their heads. (In fact, in this era, there were still prides of lions in the interior of Asia Minor and the Two Rivers, but Miletus was a coastal city-state, and Greek women were not allowed to travel far, so Christos had no chance to see them.)
"We've heard of the story of Apollo shooting the python to death. You may have seen snakes, but have you seen a real python?"
The two shook their heads again.
"We've all heard that there are hippos and crocodiles in the Nile River in Egypt, but what do hippos and crocodiles look like? There were probably not many people who had actually seen Diónia. Devers tapped his fingers on the table, and said confidently, "Then why don't we build a zoo? Keep these strange animals in a zoo, let them live in a fixed area of the park, and create a suitable living environment for them. Do you think the public will come to see them? "
"Of course there will!" Aegnis immediately replied, "Just an elephant is enough to make the people so crazy. When I came back yesterday, I heard the captain of the palace guards at the foot of the mountain complaining that the people wanted to force their way in to see the elephant, and almost got into a fight with them."
Christoya had been in business for many years, and immediately understood the meaning of Devers's words. She asked uncertainly, "You mean, just like when football and football games are held in the arena and people are charged tickets to watch the games?"
"That's right." Devers secretly praised his wife's quick thinking, and continued to explain, "After all, it takes money to raise these animals, and a large number of people are needed to maintain the whole zoo. The money collected through tickets can make up for these costs. As for where the rare animals in the zoo will come from? We don't have to worry at all. The city-states and forces that are on good terms with Diónia, or want to be on good terms with Diónia, will take the initiative to send them to me after they know that I'm building a zoo and collecting rare animals, in order to strengthen our friendship.
With the expansion of the kingdom's territory, our zoo will only grow bigger, and house more and more rare animals. At that time, Turís will not only be able to eat delicious food, watch competitions, soak in hot springs, and enjoy celebrations. They will also be able to see the zoo. Whether it is the common people, school students, or academics, they will not have to risk their lives to travel far, and they will be able to understand and study most of the rare animals in the world. This is a very fortunate thing! At the same time, we will let them know how great God is. He not only created us humans, but also so many wonderful animals. We are not alone … "
Devers spoke eloquently about the future of the zoo, but his heart was filled with emotion. When he heard from Ancitanos that the Mauritanian emissary delegation had sent a few elephants, his first reaction at that time was that these must be the legendary North African elephant, a branch of the African elephant! Petrus had defeated the Roman army several times with it, and Hannibal had also incorporated it into the army to pose a threat to the Roman people. Unfortunately, it had become extinct during the era of Rome, not because of war, but because of the gladiatorial games that the people of Rome were passionate about. The people of Rome captured all kinds of beasts from all over the Mediterranean, and then transported them to the Colosseum for the gladiators to kill. They earned money, and at the same time, excited the audience …
Devers had read an article in his previous life about a Roman emperor who held a grand gladiatorial game to entertain the people of Rome. During the whole gladiatorial game, thousands of beasts were killed. During the continuous killing by the people of Rome, not to mention the North African elephant, there were no more lions, leopards, and other beasts in the entire Mediterranean region. If it were not for the fact that the Sahara Desert was difficult to cross, which allowed the animals south of the desert to survive, modern people in his previous life would probably only know about African elephants, lions, and other beasts in the literature.
It could be said that the Westerners in his previous life had pursued a crazy way of survival from ancient times to the present. In this life, Devers wanted to change them. Then he would start by cultivating the good habits of children and animals in the zoo.
… …
Okridon asked the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Diónia to submit his request to see the king, but there was no news for two days. Seeing that the celebration was about to begin, he became anxious and had to listen to another idea given by the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the celebration, not only did many foreign envoys and distinguished guests come to Turií, but the governors and important officials of various towns would also try to find time to come back to participate in the celebration. At the same time, visits to the important ministers of the kingdom would also become more frequent. Generally speaking, the residences of the five rotating presidents and the ministers of various ministries would become crowded.
Logically speaking, Hakkar's residence would be even more so. Since the two brothers came to Turií last year, Hasdrubal immediately became the commander of the army and soon went north to take up his post. Hakkar, on the other hand, became the official rotating president of the Senate. Even though he was still recovering from his illness, Devers could not wait to let him take charge of some government affairs so that he could quickly familiarize himself with the kingdom's political system. In addition, another important member of the Magonid family, Dido, had become a princess and even gave birth to two little princes … The Magonid family was a hot topic in the kingdom's political scene. One could imagine that the number of officials who visited them should be like a school of carps in the river, but in reality, there were very few visitors.
This was because Hakkar had publicly announced, "He is sick and weak and needs to rest, so he does not welcome officials to visit his home."
On top of that, Herpes even endorsed him.
At first, the officials of the kingdom were skeptical, but since the few Phoenician senators visited and were rejected, they finally confirmed that what Hakkar said was true.
After Okridon arrived in Turií, he deliberately learned about the situation in this area. Coupled with the many years of enmity between the Magonid family and the Hanoverian faction, he had always been hesitant. But now, he had no choice but to brace himself and pay a visit, but he did not expect to receive approval.
Of course, this former noble of Carthage, now an important minister of the Kingdom of Diónia, received guests from his hometown in a very special way — to soak in a bath.
Baths were invented by the people of Diónia, but after the two countries first signed a peace treaty more than ten years ago, they were quickly introduced to Carthage. The Therme Hot Springs was a place that the people of Carthage loved to visit, but of course, it now belonged to the Kingdom of Diónia.
Although Okridon was surprised by this request, he was already surprised that Hakkar was willing to give his opinion, so he did not dare to refuse.
The bathroom in Hakkar's house was built strictly according to the traditional layout of Diónia's bathrooms. When Okridon finished the first procedure and walked into the hot spring, Hakkar was already sitting in the pool.
Okridon had never seen Hakkar before, but he had long heard that Himilco, the head of the Magonid family, had a very intelligent second son. Unfortunately, he was born with a disease, and the doctor who had treated him had diagnosed that the child would not live past the age of 20.
But now, although Hakkar was slightly thin and weak, his face was ruddy and his eyes were bright. He did not look like someone who was about to enter the grave.
Hakkar looked at him and said in a calm tone, "After I came to Turií, the doctors of Diónia suggested that people like me, who cannot do strenuous exercise, should soak in bathrooms more often. It is good for my health. I followed the advice and soak in baths every day. When you came, I was in the middle of a bath, so I invited you here to meet me. "
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