Chapter 1190
Plato frowned, put down the pen in his hand, and said, "Don't panic, Aurelius! I've said before that you should try to remain calm in everything you do, because only by remaining calm can you think rationally. Especially you, I've said it many times, but you always forget it! "
"Teacher … It's like this, at today's assembly of 5,000 people, the resolution to join the Greek Alliance and declare war on Diónia was passed …" Aurelius said, panting.
Plato was not surprised, but shook his head gently. "Didn't I say it before? Judging from the current situation in Athens, it's only a matter of time before Athens declares war on Diónia. These stupid people of Athens are always easily driven by anger and lose their minds. The assembly, which holds the highest power in the city, has become a place for them to vent their emotions. This is the flaw of the so-called democratic system of government! "
"Teacher … and …" Aurelius gulped. He wanted to continue speaking, but he was replaced by a more steady voice. "Teacher, the General Assembly has also passed a resolution — saying that you've committed treason, and you're to be tried!"
Septimus walked into the room and said with a sad and indignant expression, "I once went on stage to defend you, but I couldn't stop it from passing …"
Plato looked at his proud disciple and saw that there were several bruises on his face and his chin was swollen. He could imagine the terrible situation at that time. He said softly with a pained voice, "Thank you for your hard work, all of you have to worry about me!"
"You're our respected teacher, this is what we should do!" Aurelius finally recovered and said indignantly, "Fortunately, you didn't attend the assembly today. The situation at the scene was terrible, especially Aesocrates. Aesocrates, in particular, wrote a speech and had his students read it at the meeting. It was full of slanderous words about you, but the ignorant people listened to him. Spiripus went on the stage to defend you, but the irrational people called us traitors and attacked us with pottery shards … "
"I can imagine how bad the situation was." Plato's expression became serious. "I also participated in the assembly that called for the trial of Teacher Socrates!"
"Teacher, Scholar Socrates didn't listen to your advice and believed that the assembly would give him a fair trial, but in the end, he lost his life! You mustn't — "Speuthippus tried to persuade him.
"I know what you want to say. Don't worry, I'm not Teacher Socrates!" Plato lowered his head and looked at the manuscript on the desk. He gradually made up his mind and said firmly, "I won't participate in that so-called fair trial! I haven't finished my exploration of the polity, and I still have books to write. I don't want to die so soon, so I've decided to leave Athens first! "
Septimus was obviously relieved, but it was Aurelius who said, "Teacher," and said, but Septimus, and said hesitantly, "If you leave now, the ignorant people will to … will, Aesocrates will!"
"Time will, and, and will will will will, and will., will!" Plato say!
"Teacher, where are you going after leaving Athens?" Septimus asked again.
"Since Aesocrates said that I'm colluding with Diónia, I'll go to Turií and study at their Turií Academy for a while …" Plato said hopefully, "When we return to Athens, we can make the Academy better!"
"Teacher, I'll go with you!"
"Me too!"
… …
At this moment, the chief general of Athens, Callistratus, was meeting with Persia's envoy, Datis, in his home.
Datis had been staying in Sparta's territory, but when the Diónia army captured Mersenia and the First Fleet began to blockade the coast of Sparta, Datis felt afraid. He was worried that he would not be able to escape when the Dionysian Army attacked Sparta's territory in the future, so he used the excuse of supervising and coordinating Persia's transport of mercenaries and supplies to Sparta. In the end, he ran to Corinth, and because the First Fleet of Diónia attacked Corinth Port, he felt uneasy and soon came to Athens.
"Congratulations, general, your proposal has finally been passed at the assembly!" Datis congratulated Callistratus.
Callistratus said seriously, "You're mistaken. This proposal was made by the executive committee of the generals. It's the common will of the majority of the citizens of Athens!"
At this point, he smiled, "I believe that your king will be very happy when he learns of this news."
"That's hard to say," Datis said insincerely. "The king of Persia hopes that Greece can maintain peace. If he learns that a major war will break out here again, I'm afraid that the 'Peace Treaty of Kallias' that he has worked so hard to urge you to sign will not be implemented, I'm afraid he will be very angry!"
Callistratus sat up straight, looked at Datis with a sharp gaze, and said seriously, "Let's all speak the truth. Didn't the king of Persia ask the Greek city-states to sign the treaty because he wanted us to join forces to defend against Diónia? And now, his wish is being fulfilled. The Greek city-states are forming an alliance to fight against the invading Dionysian Army. I believe that if you report this news to the king of Persia, he will be very happy and will reward you greatly! "
Datis did not respond, but he could not help but show a slight smile on his face.
Callistratus continued, "But if this newly formed alliance is defeated by the Diónia and the Diónia takes control of Greece, I think it will not be a good thing for Persia. When that time comes, I'm afraid that the king of Persia will …"
Datis's face immediately darkened, "What do you mean by that?!"
"Don't misunderstand!" Callistratus said with a sincere expression, "I just want to tell you that the interests of Persia, Athens, and you and I are the same when it comes to defeating the Diónia. Athens needs your help!"
Datis was stunned for a moment, then he smiled meaningfully, "What help can a small messenger like me give to Athens?"
"In the few days that you have been in Athens, I believe that you have learned that we are facing financial difficulties. The treasury is short of money and cannot provide sufficient funds for the army. Without money, we cannot build an army. Even if the other city-states join this alliance, if they see that Athens has not taken any action, I'm afraid that they will hesitate … If this situation drags on, the situation will only be advantageous to Diónia!
Isn't the reason why the king of Persia hopes that the Greek city-states will unite to defend against Diónia precisely because Diónia has the strength to pose a threat to Persia? Now that Diónia has discovered our intentions, they will definitely send more troops to Greece!
Sparta was previously defeated in the battle of Leuctra, and now that they have lost Messenia, their strength has been greatly weakened. Even with your help, I don't think they will be a match for the Dionysian Army! Now, the only one who can rally the Greek city-states and defend Greece is us, Athens! Therefore, we hope to receive the full support of Persia, not only in gold and silver, but also in the navy! "
Callistratus said earnestly in a deep voice, "We currently lack warships and cannot fight against the Dionysian fleet. Once we start a war with Diónia, Diónia's fleet will inevitably blockade Sarons Bay. It will be very difficult for Athens to obtain war supplies from outside, so we need the support of Persia's navy! As long as Persia fully supports Athens, I promise you that Athens will make Greece a solid fortress against Diónia! "
Datis looked at the somewhat emotional Callistratus and could not help but gasp. Athens wants to replace Sparta!
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and Datis fell into deep thought.
Calistratus didn't rush him. He just waited quietly.
After a long time, Datis said, "I will convey your request to His Majesty as soon as possible. Considering your current financial difficulties, I can first take a portion of the funds that His Majesty has allocated to Sparta so that you can build an army as soon as possible, but first, I need to see the sincerity of Athens. "
"What sincerity?"
"First, send some citizen soldiers to Peloponnesus to help Sparta."
Callistratus thought for a moment, then said, "I will have to discuss this matter with the other generals first, and then let the council discuss it before I can give you an answer, but I think it should not be a big problem."
"Alright, then it's settled. I hope that Athens and Sparta will work together to defeat the Diónia and return peace to Greece!" Datis said sternly. Suddenly, he remembered something, "Uh … His Majesty may agree to other requests of Athens, but regarding the assistance of Persia's navy … You have to be mentally prepared, His Majesty may not agree."
"Why?" Callistratus was a little puzzled. During the Corinth War, in order to suppress Sparta, the governor of Feria, Farnabazus, asked Konon to lead the Persia fleet to attack Sparta. Later, Konon left the warships in Athens without permission, and the king of Persia did not seem to pursue the matter. This showed that the king of Persia was generous and understanding. He was willing to invest heavily in critical moments.
"Because Persia will have a major military operation soon, and we cannot do without the navy."
"What military operation?" Callistratus's heart skipped a beat.
"You will know soon."
… …
In a house on the northern coast of Kisira, the Sekerian was holding a military meeting.
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