Chapter 1241
"If it wasn't for your help, I wouldn't be who I am today!" Hesclaus quickly expressed. "I'm willing to serve you forever!"
"Hey, we're helping each other out. No one has to serve anyone," Sostatus said straightforwardly. Sostatus said straightforwardly, "If one day you want to develop independently, no problem. Just tell me. My father once told me, 'The more friends, the wider the road.' I've always kept that in mind and followed it. That's why I'm where I am today. Even if you want to be independent in the future, I'll still support you. We're still friends and can still help each other. "
"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare! "Hesclaus quickly said, but he kept Sostatus' words in mind.
"Let's get down to business." Sostatus' expression suddenly became serious. "My pottery shop in the inner city is very famous. Even His Majesty the Devers knows about it. That's why he ordered a batch of pottery from me. The order I sent you seven days ago was for the goods he wanted! You must use the best clay, the best potter, and the best vase painter according to my requirements. Make the most exquisite pottery in the shortest time possible and send it to Turís. If His Majesty is satisfied … Think about it, we might become a pottery merchant specializing in supplying the royal family. By then, the whole kingdom and its allies will be proud to own our pottery! More importantly, if His Majesty is satisfied, I'll mention that you're from Peleus and from his hometown. He'll definitely look at you differently. Don't you think so? "
Hesclaus' jaw dropped. He was stunned. He didn't expect the order to be so important to him. He had already paid enough attention to it, but it seemed like it was far from enough. He immediately said, "I'll rush back to Athens tomorrow and personally supervise the workers to make the best of the best!"
Sostatus nodded and comforted him. "You don't have to worry. The sports meet will only be held a month later. There's still time. I've already bought the tickets for the opening ceremony and some important competitions. You don't have to worry about it. Just focus on this matter! Oh, and this little guy — "
Sostatus patted Lilias' head. "Don't let him go back and forth. Just stay at my house. I'll get someone to take care of him!"
"Okay!" Hesclaus agreed without hesitation.
Lirias raised his head and looked at the two blankly. He had only been playing with the statue and did not know what had happened.
At this moment, a youth ran over. "Father, why did you call me here?"
"You came just in time." Sostatus waved his hand. "This is Uncle Hesclaus, my partner."
"Hello, Uncle Hesclaus!" The young man immediately greeted him politely.
At the same time, Sostatus pointed at him and introduced, "This is my second son, Sosiklis."
Hesklaus was a little embarrassed because he hadn't prepared a special gift for the children of Sostatos.
He pointed at Hesclaus's son and said, "This is your uncle's son, Lilias. He will be staying at home for a while. As the young master, you are responsible for taking good care of him. Make sure he has a good time in Turií, understand?"
"Understood, Father." Sosiklis stepped forward and quickly pulled Lirias into the inner courtyard.
"Sir, this … I'm sorry to trouble you!" Hesclaus said, a little touched.
"I have three children. One of them died of illness when he was young …" Sostatus casually began to talk about his family matters. "I only have two left. The eldest was influenced by his uncle and doesn't want to be a merchant. He wants to be a soldier and is now an officer in the border army stationed in Thessaly. (There was a riot at the border army in the Po River region. The Ministry of Military Affairs learned a lesson from this and stipulated that all officers of the border army must be regular Diónia officers to ensure the army's absolute loyalty to the kingdom.) Four years ago, I went to Thessaly mainly to visit him. In the end, thanks to Hades, I found you, a very capable merchant —"
"Sir, you flatter me." Hesclaus was a little embarrassed. Of course, he didn't know that Sostatus went to Thessaly to visit his son. More importantly, he wanted to open up a business channel between Thessaly and Diónia. As Hilos was his brother-in-law, it was convenient for him to do things in Thessaly. It was only a coincidence that he met Hesclaus, a pottery merchant. Although Hesclaus was indeed capable, Sostatus valued his background more because he was from Peleus.
"So, I can only pin my hopes on Sosiklis, hoping that he will inherit my family business in the future …" Sostatus said as he led Hesklaus into the dining hall in the front yard. The dining hall was large and had many tables, but there were only a few people chatting with each other.
"Come, let me introduce you," Sostatus said with a smile. "This is Hesclaus from Thessaly! This is Iskaras from Mersenia! This is Ionidas from New Sparta! This is Androgeides from the Arcadia Union! … "
After Sostatus finished the introductions, the four of them realized that they had something in common. All of them came from regions and alliances that joined Diónia after the Greek War. They were all newcomers to the huge business network established by Sostatus. No wonder they came so early. They immediately felt a sense of familiarity with each other.
Just as everyone was shaking hands and greeting each other, Sostatus's trusted servant hurried in and whispered a few words in his master's ear. Sostatus immediately took his leave and strode towards the courtyard gate.
At this time, his butler had already respectfully welcomed a skinny, spirited old man.
"Sir Dios, I didn't expect you to be the first guest to arrive!" Sostatus's chubby face was like a blossoming flower. "Welcome, welcome. Your presence brings light to my humble dwelling!"
"As a businessman, the most important thing is to be punctual and trustworthy," Dios said seriously. "We've agreed to arrive at dusk, so it should be. Anyone who's late tonight will be punished with drinking!"
"I'll definitely carry out Sir Dios's orders!" Sostatus said with a grin. "The banquet won't end until the latecomers are all drunk! But Sir Laos, shouldn't you be punished with drinking as well? "
"I came so early, why should I be punished with drinking?" Dios pretended to be confused.
"Your son Axikus has married Princess Avia. This is a joyous occasion!" Sostatus said angrily. "You actually held the wedding in secret and didn't invite us for a banquet to celebrate. You've even been hiding all this time. Is it because you've become a relative of His Majesty that you think you have a higher status and look down on us old brothers?"
"Don't spout nonsense! I've already made it clear to you last time. It's not that I don't want to celebrate. It's because Princess Aegnis and Princess Avia don't want the wedding to cause a commotion, so His Majesty specially instructed me to do so. I was also very depressed. After they attended the wedding ceremony, they directly hid in the palace. When the wedding was held on the Hill of Kings, only my family was allowed to go. Even now, many of my relatives are still complaining about me! "
"Hahaha …" Sostatus laughed heartily. "I heard that Princess Aegnis and Princess Avia are people who love peace and quiet, so it's not strange that they would make such arrangements. However, Princess Avia is beautiful and virtuous. Many young elites in the kingdom want to marry her, but your son succeeded in the end. This is sufficient proof that Axikus is very outstanding! "
Dios was very pleased inside, but he spoke modestly. "I can't say that he's outstanding. He just happened to be shot by Eros' golden arrow. Princess Avriya is the director of the zoo, and Akescus also likes animals. You know that the cages used to keep the animals in the zoo are all made by my ironware workshop. Every time the cages are made, Akescus will personally bring people to the site to survey and make the cages … After a long time, when Akescus suddenly told me that he was going to marry Avriya, I was shocked. I had no idea how the two of them got together. "
"Alright, Lord Dios, don't be so smug! Let's treat tonight's banquet as us old friends' celebration for you. You have to get drunk before you go home! "
"Alright!" Dios nodded decisively. "But you have to get drunk with me!"
"Why?"
"Because you have something to celebrate as well!" Dios blinked. "Don't think that I don't know that your brother Dicaocrate has already become the head of the army!"
"What kind of happy occasion is that?" Sostatus said disapprovingly. "There are dozens of army commanders in the kingdom. It's nothing for my brother to become a commander at his age."
"Being a commander is nothing, but being a commander of an elder is something," Dios said unhurriedly.
"He just became a commander, so it's impossible for him to be elected as an elder in such a short period of time. There are many commanders ahead of him …" Sostatus did not have much hope for this. Although the authority of an elder was not as great as before, it was still noble. It also had the power to elect assistant ministers, regional governors, and listen to and evaluate the work of local officials. It was also the main force for the kingdom's general assembly at the beginning of every year to amend and enact laws. Thus, be it administrative officials or military generals, they were still very eager to enter the Senate.
As Sostatus spoke, he suddenly thought of something. He looked at Dios, who had a mysterious smile on his face, and asked softly, "Do you have any inside information?"
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