Chapter 1244
As soon as Dios finished speaking, Dikboris continued, "His Majesty and the Ministry of Commerce may be a little harsh on the Turkish Chamber of Commerce, but the fundamental purpose is to show the Kingdom and Turín to the people of other countries in the Mediterranean, and to promote the prosperity of Turín's trade.
In the long run, the prosperity of Turín's trade will be beneficial to the development of Turín's merchants. This is great news. I think we should be happy and do our best to assist the Ministry of Commerce in this sports event! "
Sostatus looked at Dikboris. Dikboris had taken the initiative to speak up for him, indicating that he was willing to restore his friendship with him.
The others at the banquet were deep in thought after listening to Dios and Dikboris's words.
Sostatus laughed and said loudly, "Everyone, we're done with business. Let's not just stand there. Come! Come! Hurry up and eat. These are the dishes I've carefully made under my supervision. They're getting cold. Don't waste them! "
… …
The banquet in the hall in the backyard had just begun. The banquet in the living room in the front courtyard was already very lively under the leadership of Sostatus.
Hesklaus's face was a little red from drinking. A businessman from Carthage, who was a stranger to him, was now holding his hand and talking to him warmly, "You said that you brought your child to Turín. How old is he?"
"Nine."
"It seems that you're going to let him go to school in Turín, right?"
"No, no, you're mistaken. I'm just bringing my child to watch the sports event. The Kingdom has also built schools in Larissa and Philae. I'm going to let my son go back to school in Thessaly next year. "
"I'm advising you." The businessman from Carthage did not seem to hear Hesklaus's response. He continued while hiccupping, "It's best to let your child go to school in Turín. This will be of great help to him when he grows up, be it in business or politics. After all, Thessaly is now incorporated into Diónia. You're a Diorian citizen, this is your fortune …"
Hearing this, Hesclaus was greatly moved.
At this moment a head popped up behind him, startling him. It was the merchant of Massilia, whom he had just met.
The businessman overheard their conversation and asked curiously, "I heard that there are more than ten Diónia schools in Turií?"
"Of course. Didn't you see the population of Turín? It's said that they have more than 400,000 people, which is several times the population of Carthage!" Merchant Carthage sighed. "That's why one or two schools aren't enough. I heard that there's almost one school per block now —"
The merchant from Masilia excitedly continued, "I heard that the school in the inner city of Tuliyi is the best. Moreover, the children of the king, the children of the senators, and the children of the ministers of the kingdom are all studying there. I heard that they are also recruiting students. If our children can study in this school, it will definitely be of great help to their future development!"
"Stop dreaming!" Merchant Carthage spat the grape seeds on the table and sneered. "The school in the inner city has the children of the royal family and ministers studying there. How can it not be heavily guarded? It's true that they are recruiting students from the outside, but they only recruit two types of people. One is the children of the soldiers who died in the war in Turín, and the other is the children of the leaders of the races and the leaders of the city-states that are dependent on the Kingdom of Diónia. It's impossible for people like you and me to enter that school …
However, it doesn't matter if we can't enter the school in the inner city. The schools in the outer city are not bad either. Some of the children of the senators and the officials of the kingdom are also studying there. My eldest son studied in the school in the eastern outer city that is not far from here — "
"Do these schools accept children like us who are not citizens of Diónia?" Merchant Massilian asked in surprise.
"Of course not, but there are other ways —" Merchant Carthage revealed a strange smile and pointed at the wine on the table. "I'll tell you after you finish three glasses."
Merchant Massilian did not say a word. He raised his glass and drank three glasses in a row.
Massilia was the only Greek city-state that was built within the sphere of influence of the Gauls. In the early days of colonization, it accepted the invitation of Cumai and other Greek city-states in Campania to resist the expansion of the Carthage at sea. Since then, it had not participated in any disputes on the Italian Peninsula and had been focusing on its own development.
Because it was close to the Tyrrhenian Sea, backed by the foothills of the Alps, and located at the mouth of the Rhone River, next to another famous mountain pass that connected Gaul with Italy, the Massilians had built a tall and strong wall. The Gauls, who were not well-armed, could not do anything to them. On the contrary, Massilia used its convenience of the sea and land routes to develop itself into a famous port of trade between Gaul and the Mediterranean Sea.
Although they were attacked by the Gauls from time to time, the Massilians, who had benefited a lot from it, were very satisfied with their superior status. It was not until Diónia conquered Rome and became the overlord of Italy that Massilia followed the trend and formed an alliance with Diónia. Until today, the entire western Mediterranean Sea, even the former overlord of Carthage, had attached itself to the Holy Kingdom of Diónia, not to mention that some of Diónia's allies had taken the initiative to join the Holy Kingdom of Diónia. However, Massilia still maintained its former alliance. In terms of trade, it had more frequent contacts with Diónia, but in terms of politics, it had always maintained a distance.
In fact, many merchants from Massilia felt more and more uneasy when they saw that the Kingdom of Diónia was becoming more and more powerful. They had repeatedly proposed to establish a closer diplomatic relationship with the Holy Kingdom of Diónia. However, this proposal had never been passed by the General Assembly. This was because the ordinary people of Massilia were used to this kind of isolation and comfort, and they did not want this situation to change. Therefore, some merchants from Massilia could only find ways to make their families closer to the Kingdom of Diónia to ensure the safety and development of their families, just like what the Massilian merchant had done.
He slammed the empty wine glass on the table and said, "Three … Three glasses are finished. You … You can tell me now!"
Merchant Carthage's eyes were fixed on him. He did not dare to keep the suspense any longer. He hurriedly said, "Uh … Okay, I'll tell you … This … Although there is a law in Diónia that only the children of Diónia citizens are allowed to study in Diónia schools, it's not that there are no loopholes.
You should know that many of the citizens of Diónia are refugees from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. They wandered alone in Diónia, and finally became official citizens and settled down permanently. However, some of them died on the battlefield without having children after getting married … "Merchant Carthage smiled." The adopted children of the citizens of Diónia are legally valid. If you can get the widow of the deceased citizen to agree to recognize your child as an adopted child, and register it with the local household registration office, then your child can enter the school as a future citizen of Diónia! Back then, Lord Sostatus helped my child enter the Turií school through this method … "
"Oh … I see!" The merchant of Massilia, on hearing this, began to think how he might entreat Sostatus to do the same for his child.
"This method won't work now!" A deep voice came from behind Merchant Carthage.
Hesklaus and the Masilia merchant immediately said respectfully, "Lord Conus!"
Merchant Carthage turned around and saw Sostatus' butler, Conus, standing behind him. He quickly got up and greeted him.
Conus was originally a trusted slave of Cunogorata. He obtained his freedom many years ago and became a citizen of Diónia. However, he was still willing to continue working for Cunogorata. Later on, he became Sostatus' right-hand man. He was mainly responsible for the implementation of the huge business network established by Sostatus. Many downstream merchants dealt with him more than Sostatus. This was also why he could host this banquet well and why the merchants were willing to surround him.
At this moment, he looked at Merchant Carthage with a profound gaze. Merchant Carthage could not help but shiver. He realized that he had made a slip of the tongue.
Conus quickly put on a smile and said loudly to the people around him, "This method he mentioned would have worked ten years ago. However, after the Turín Protectors reported it, the Senate specifically issued a decree. 'Unless one of the biological parents is a citizen of Diónia, and he or she is adopted by another citizen of Diónia, only then can he or she enjoy the rights of a minor citizen of the Kingdom.' Therefore, even if a foreigner's child is adopted by a citizen of Diónia, he or she will still not be able to study in Diónia schools! However … "
Conus looked at the dejected Merchant Masilia and said seriously, "There are other ways for your child to study in the schools in the Kingdom. For example, in towns with small populations like Capusa and Galaguso, the Kingdom has also built schools in these towns and sent teachers. Due to the small number of students, it's actually a waste. If you apply to the Educational Department of Turín and are willing to pay a high school fee, it won't be a problem for your child to study in these towns and cities. "
"But … what's the point of letting your child study in these remote places?" Merchant Masilia seemed a little disappointed.
"First of all, even the teachers in schools in remote towns and cities in the Kingdom have graduated from Diónia schools or even academies. They have passed the Educational Department's examination and have gone through more than a year of professional training before they can become teachers in schools. Their teaching ability is guaranteed."
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