Chapter 116
The Devers explained patiently, "Is it better to force them to work or to force them to work voluntarily?"
"Of course it's the latter."
"More importantly, I don't want them to be slaves. I want them to become citizens of Amendolar. This is the only way we can continue to strengthen our power! Think about it. One day, when the natives of Lucania Municipality tremble in fear under the threat of our shields and spears, they will see that some of our soldiers look the same as them, speak the same language, wear Greek armor, eat Greek food, and chat freely with the Greeks. What will they think? "
The Asistes pondered for a moment and said with uncertainty, "They might surrender."
"That's right. Bagoule and the others are the role models for the Lucanians. We will let them know that they will not be mistreated if they surrender to us. Instead, they will live a better life. Think about how Persia treated the other races. We will do better than Persia because we will treat the other races more equally. We will be more tolerant and accept them as our citizens. We will let them enjoy the same rights as us. Only in this way can we eliminate the estrangement between them and us. Only then will Amendolar quickly become stronger! " The Devers said seriously and passionately. He did not want to be a lone ranger in this era. He wanted to spread his political ideas to the people around him, infect them, and change the narrow-minded city-state mentality of the Greeks.
The Asistes was convinced. "Lord Consul, you think so far ahead!"
"Yasi, I heard that you didn't choose a wife this time. Are you interested in choosing a Lucanian woman as your wife? Why don't I ask Bagoule if he has a sister? You can be his relative, "the Devers said jokingly.
The Asistes immediately remembered Bagoule's fierce look and shook his head.
"Seriously, if you really marry a Lucanian woman. When we conquer Lucania Municipality one day, maybe I will appoint you as the governor of Lucania, "the Devers said half-jokingly.
Governor?! The Asistes recalled the awe-inspiring appearance of Asia Minor's governor, Tisafnir, in Persia. As a young man, he was tempted. He didn't think too much about it. In the entire Mediterranean region, only the Persia Empire had a governor-general, and only the king of Persia could appoint a governor-general …
Looking at the back of the Asistes leaving, the Devers were still thinking: Should I set up a low-level public office under the Archon — the Clerk? This way, the Asistes would have a legitimate reason to do things, and the Devers could also personally cultivate a group of like-minded young people, who would become good assistants for him to govern the city in the future.
As Devers was thinking, Krystoya came in and told him, "Olivers is here."
Devers were a little puzzled. Why did this guy come so late at night?
Olivers's voice could be heard, "Lord Consul, your house is really big! If I didn't have someone to guide me, I would definitely get lost … Oh, this marble sculpture is really good. Which master's masterpiece is it? Look at the outline of these muscles … "Olivers rambled on.
Devers looked at him and said, "If you don't get to the point, I'll kick you out!"
"No! No! I really need your help! "Olivers said hurriedly," Lord Consul, you must help me with this! "He looked like he was begging.
"What is it? Say it!" Devers looked impatient, but he was getting more and more interested in Olivers.
Oliver suddenly became bashful and whispered, "What are you doing?" He whispered, "I want … I want you to help me … propose to … Marigi."
"What? Propose? "Devers really didn't hear it clearly this time.
Olivers took a deep breath and said loudly, "I like Marigi's daughter, Mitra. I want you to propose to Marigi for me!"
Devers finally understood. The joke that Matonis and the others had been joking about for the past few days was actually true! When did this guy like Marigi's daughter?
Devers couldn't remember what Marigi's daughter looked like. He only vaguely remembered that she was a petite and shy girl.
"You like her, but does she like you?" Devers first had to figure this out.
"Of course she wants to be with me!" Olivers said confidently.
"Does Marigi know about this?" Devers asked again.
"He doesn't know. However, Mitra's mother is very supportive of our relationship, but she can't make the decision. "
Of course, she couldn't make the decision. In this era, whether it was Greece or Persia, men were the masters of the house. If it was in the past, with Olivers's wanton and unrestrained nature, Devers wouldn't even consider this matter. However, after that incident, he really changed a lot. Not only did he not rob women, but he also dissuaded others. One was his savior, and the other was a talent that he saw as his right-hand man. Devers was happy to see their union. "I will propose to Marigi and try my best to matchmake the two of you, but the key still depends on your performance." As soon as Devers finished speaking, Olivers jumped happily. "That's great! That's great! Devers, you're such a good person! "Olivers gave Devers a tight hug excitedly.
Watching Olivers sing and dance as he walked out of the courtyard, Devers couldn't help but laugh. He actually gave him a good person card!
… …
The next morning, the single new citizens protested in front of the Senate, asking for a solution to their spouse problem. They also proposed that they could accept Lucanian women as their wives.
The Senate held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter. Amidst the continuous protests outside, the Senate elders led by Chief Elder Devers reluctantly passed a resolution (the Devers and the new citizen elders were all acting), agreeing to let the new citizens marry Lucanian women who were once enemies of Amendarra.
At the same time, the Senate also passed another resolution: all Lucanian captives would be turned into city-state slaves, working without pay until they died. However, no Amendaran was allowed to harm these slaves because they were the wealth of the city-state.
After that, Devers proposed another motion.
Seeing that the Devers were about to propose another motion, Cornelus couldn't help but feel nervous. Because the Devers' proposals repeatedly broke Amendaran tradition, Cornelus was a little depressed, but this time the proposal was relatively normal.
Before the Devers attacked the Lucanian tribal coalition, they had promised the slaves that they would be granted freedom after victory.
After annihilating the Lucanian coalition, the Turís had brought back more than a thousand slaves they had sent to the Devers. At the same time, they also brought back the Devers' request: to fulfill the pre-war promise and grant them freedom. The remaining nearly three hundred slaves were looted by the mercenaries along the way in Persia and had accompanied them through countless battles and hardships. According to the Devers, these slaves were their own people. So, more than twenty elders unanimously approved the Devers' proposal.
However, another proposal from the Devers caused controversy: the slaves who had become free could leave freely and apply to become citizens of Amendaran.
Strompoli was the first to stand up and express his strong opposition. "Amendaran has never allowed slaves to become citizens of the city-state! If we do this, Amendaran will become the laughing stock of Greece! "His words were echoed by several old elders.
At this time, Antonios stood up and retorted, "Everyone, please note that after the previous motion was passed, they are no longer slaves but free people. Every city-state has a precedent of accepting free people as citizens, and Amendaran is even more so. They have accepted outsiders like us and made us citizens of Amendaran, including a Persia! Why can't they be more tolerant of these free people? And we have already begun to discuss the 'Immigration Bill' proposed by Sir Devers. Isn't it great that these former slaves, now free people, and people who have contributed and sacrificed for Amendaran be the first beneficiaries of this bill? "
The new citizens all expressed their agreement, while the old citizens were speechless.
Amyntas stood up and told the story of how a slave sacrificed himself to save his life during the battle in Persia. Finally, he said loudly, "They are not slaves, they are our brothers! We should give them something in return! "
Helpes briefly described how the slaves in the medical camp assisted the doctors day and night to save the wounded.
Then, Merses also spoke in an exaggerated manner about how the slaves under him quickly calculated money and distributed resources without any mistakes, thus providing the best guarantee for the mercenaries to win the war. He proudly claimed that they were the best managers!
Even though there were only twenty-one people in the meeting, the atmosphere gradually heated up. Devers did not even need to speak before the proposal was passed. After a discussion, the decision was reached. After these free people's application to become citizens of Amendaran was confirmed, they would have a two-year probation period. Within these two years, they would have to live in Amendaran territory, learn to speak Greek, be familiar with the laws of Amendaran, and have no record of breaking the law. After the two-year probation period was over, they would have to pay 200 drachmas to the city-state to obtain probationary citizenship. If they volunteered to participate in a major operation in Amendaran, such as a war, the probation period would be shortened based on their contributions.
Comments