Chapter 1243
"He will come. He promised me!" Dios said with certainty.
No wonder you talked to me about this the moment you arrived … Sostatus thought to himself. He said, "That's great. With your help, we can solve this problem today."
Dios nodded, then changed the topic. "While the others haven't arrived yet, let's discuss how to get your brother to get the support of the Ministry of Military Affairs."
Sostatus now understood why Dios had mentioned his brother before. It turned out that Dios wanted to give him some benefits in advance so that he would make some concessions in the upcoming negotiations with Dicboris. Of course, he would not refuse.
… …
Not long after, the slave merchant Sebonus, the wine merchant Calmades, the shipbuilder Mikris, the wool weaver merchant Frasias, the herb merchant Agumus, the stone merchant Inipias … All of them arrived one after another. Of course, Dicboris was among them. Although he had a straight face, he did not argue with Sostatus on the spot. Moreover, Dios quickly pulled him to sit at the table very close to him. After whispering to him for a while, Dios' expression became better. He looked at Sostatus, who was greeting the guests at the entrance of the hall, with a complicated expression. No one knew what he was thinking.
After all the invited guests arrived, Sostatus immediately ordered the servants to bring the prepared dishes to the table. He also asked the maids to pour wine for each guest.
Then, he raised his glass and said loudly, "Everyone, it's been a long time since our Chamber of Commerce has gathered together like today. Thank you all for taking the time to attend the banquet tonight. Let me toast to all of you!"
After saying that, he drained his glass in one gulp.
"That's because you don't host many banquets as the president. Otherwise, if you say so, how could we not attend?" Calmades joked as he raised his glass. "In any case, I thank the president for hosting this banquet for us. Let me toast in return!" After saying that, he also drained his glass.
With him taking the lead, the others followed suit, and the atmosphere of the banquet began to liven up.
Dickboris saw this and took a sip of wine. He understood why Kalmans was so tactful as to help Sostatus liven up the atmosphere of the banquet. It was because Sostatus had helped Kalmans to open up a market for his wine in Greece and the Aegean Sea, greatly increasing his income. The goods of the other merchants at the banquet had more or less received Sostatus' help and entered the Greek market, including Dickboris himself. It was only because of the pottery incident in Athens that the relationship between the two became strained. But if the root cause of this incident was from His Majesty the King … It was indeed very troublesome. It seemed that he had to have a good talk with Sostatus!
Thinking of this, he stood up. "Sostatus, let me give you a toast as well. Thank you for helping us in the Chamber of Commerce in the past few years!"
As soon as he said that, the hall suddenly quieted down. Everyone's eyes were focused on the two of them.
Sostatus raised his glass without hesitation and calmly said with a smile, "If it wasn't for you, the former President, supporting me, I wouldn't be where I am today! For the better development of the Chamber of Commerce, and for the prosperity of everyone here, let's have a toast! "
The two drank their glasses in one gulp.
"Great! That's great! " The others cheered in unison. Dios also showed a gratified smile. They could all see that the two of them had buried the hatchet, so they all drank to liven up the atmosphere.
"Everyone, don't just drink. Hurry up and eat. Let's talk while we eat," Sostatus, who had temporarily resolved the conflict, said in a good mood.
"President, the Ministry of Commerce gathered the presidents of the Chamber of Commerce from all the towns for a meeting yesterday. Today, you invited everyone to the banquet. Is there something important that you want to tell us? Why don't you tell us first? Otherwise, we won't be able to drink and eat happily if we keep thinking about it! "Sebanus said straightforwardly. The others followed suit.
Sostatus pointed at him, pretending to be helpless. "You're such an impatient person. You can't even wait this little bit of time. Alright, I'll tell you first. "
He stood up, looked around at the crowd, and said loudly, "I believe you all should have guessed that the Ministry of Commerce gathered all the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the upcoming Diónia Games. That's right, it's true! Ever since His Majesty announced that the Diónia Games would be held in Turín two years ago, the Ministry of Finance has spent a lot of money to prepare for the Games. They have also set up high bonuses for the various competitive sports in the Games. This has caused a sensation among the people of the Kingdom and its affiliated states. Athletes from all regions of the Kingdom and its allied states have actively signed up, and a large number of spectators are constantly pouring into Turín to watch the games …
We all know that the Games are not only a festival for the gods, athletes, and spectators, but also a festival for us merchants. The 103rd Olympia Games two years ago was the first time the Kingdom sent athletes to participate in the Games. We also went to join in the fun. During the Games, the Olympia gathered tens of thousands of spectators from all over the world. The shops set up in the Olympia and the surrounding towns all made a lot of profits.
However, although the Kingdom has become the leader of the Greek Alliance, the traditional ideas of the native Greek people are still deeply rooted. The Diónia athletes are discriminated against and ridiculed in the Olympia, and we, the Diónia merchants, are also excluded. We can't even buy a shop for us to set up a stall no matter how much money we spend — "
"President is right. Those damn Greek merchants dare to use those despicable means against us! This time, during the Diónia Games, I'll let them know the power of the Diónia merchants! "Sebanus shouted angrily.
"That's right, President. We should take advantage of this Games to show these ignorant Greek merchants the power of the Turií Chamber of Commerce!" Sebanus' words immediately resonated with some people.
Sostatus smiled and did not respond directly. Instead, he continued, "Perhaps it is because of our encounter in the Olympia that His Majesty the Devers decided to hold the grandest Games. While showing the power of the Kingdom, it also contrasted the narrow-mindedness and selfishness of the Greeks, showing the tolerance and generosity of the Kingdom. Therefore, the Minister of Commerce, Marigi, told us that the Kingdom not only sent an invitation to the allies, but also informed all the countries in the Mediterranean Sea, including the enemy of the Kingdom, Persia —"
There was a commotion in the hall.
"The reason why the Ministry of Commerce held this meeting is to request the merchants of the Kingdom not to participate in the Games with a mentality of revenge. Instead, we should welcome the merchants from other countries with a tolerant attitude. Only in this way, the trade of the Diónia Games will become more prosperous, and we will earn more gold and silver. Only in this way can the Diónia Games become the most famous and great event in the entire Mediterranean Sea that everyone will enthusiastically participate in!"
At this point, Sostatus emphasized, "After the meeting, Lord Marigi specially asked me to stay behind for a discussion. He requested me to warn all the merchants in the Turií Chamber of Commerce when I return. During the Games, they must not exclude, harass, or infringe upon the interests of foreign merchants. They must not use illegal means to obtain certain privileges, thus destroying the fairness of the trade activities during the Games. Furthermore, as one of the hosts of the Games, the Turií Chamber of Commerce must actively assist the Ministry of Commerce to maintain the normal operation of all the trade markets in the Turií region."
Lord Ma Lijie also asked me to convey to you the order personally issued by His Majesty the Devers. 'If the Ministry of Commerce finds any merchants of the Kingdom, especially those from the Turií Chamber of Commerce, violating the above requirements during the Games, they will be severely punished regardless of who they are!' "
As soon as his voice faded, the hall suddenly became silent.
After a while, Dickboris could not help but ask first, "According to what you said, the Turií Chamber of Commerce has no right to enter the four temporary trade markets in the city for the Games?"
The question he asked was also the one that everyone was most concerned about. On the day when the Ministry of Commerce announced the opening of the temporary markets, almost everyone present used their own network in an attempt to obtain the best location and the largest storefront in each market, or even the more the better.
"Of course not. Sostatus said seriously, "I also asked Lord Marigi about this. He told me, 'All the local merchants and foreign merchants who apply to enter these markets will be treated equally. He will personally be responsible for the distribution so that every merchant participating in the Games can get a better storefront. The distribution plan will be submitted to His Majesty for review …'
Lord Marigi also told me secretly that His Majesty has appointed the Intelligence Department to investigate illegal activities during the Games. Once they are found, both parties involved will be severely punished. Therefore, don't take any chances, or else you'll harm yourself and others. "
Sostatus' words made everyone's heart tighten. They looked at each other and silently calculated.
Dios could not help but say, "Isn't it just a fair competition? What's there to worry about? Our Turií Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom. All of you are also the top merchants in a certain industry in the Kingdom. Be it financial resources, manpower, quality and quantity of goods, all of you are better than the merchants from other regions in the Kingdom, not to mention those merchants from small towns in Greece. Besides, you have the geographical advantage. In a fair competition, don't tell me you can't beat them! "
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