Chapter 128
Because he often went to the Devers' camp to convey the Devers' orders, many people were familiar with him. So when Asistes shouted from the ridge, Y 'zam immediately dropped his farming tools and ran over.
Asistes looked at this unconventional Dukean and couldn't help but laugh, "Y 'zam, why are you working so hard? You even dragged your wife with you?!"
"In two days, we'll have our first military training. I heard that this training will be very strict, and after the training, the Judge will teach everyone a very interesting game! I have to finish my farm work quickly so that I can focus on the training, "Y 'zam said as he wiped his sweat with his shirt.
Asistes said half-jokingly, "Not bad, you're already doing a good job. You're more like a Greek than us Greeks!"
Y 'zam laughed and took Asistes' words as a compliment, "It's easy to work, but it's a bit troublesome to get water. You have to waste a slave just to fetch water!" He complained.
"I heard that Master Devers asked Alexis to gather carpenters to discuss building a 'water wheel'. After it's built, it'll be placed by the river. That way, the water from the Sinni River can flow directly to the higher ground like yours," Asistes said in a low voice, showing off a little.
"Oh, there's such a magical thing! What does the 'water wheel' look like?! "Y 'zam asked curiously.
"I heard Master Devers say that it looks like a wheel. You can ask Master Devers about the specifics." Asistes shrugged, indicating that he wasn't too sure.
"How would I dare ask the Judge!" When he first became a mercenary guide, he often saw Devers. At that time, he was curious about this young man who could become the leader of a mercenary group. But as Devers led the mercenary group to victory again and again, Devers became more and more important in his heart. In addition, there were rumors in the army that "he was a god's chosen one." There were even rumors that "Devers were the blood of Hades." This made the more ignorant and god-worshipping Dukaya's Yizam look at this young leader with awe. When he was in Byzantium, when the Devers asked the mercenaries to follow him to Greece, even though it was thousands of kilometers away from his hometown, Izam still followed without hesitation. He believed that following the "Son of God" was not a bad thing.
"Now you have a chance. Sir Devers wants to see you," said Asistes with a smile.
"Really?!" Izam asked in surprise.
"Of course it's real! Do you think I would dare to use the name of Sir Devers to joke with you?! " As soon as Asistes finished speaking, Izam cheered. Without wiping his face or patting the dust, he shouted a few words to his wife in Lucanian. Then, he ran towards the direction of Amendolara.
… …
"Izam, we meet again! I heard that the Senate has given you a house and a field. You even got a wife. How are you doing? Are you used to it? Do you cry because you miss your hometown? … "
As soon as they met, Devers asked about Izam with concern. This made him relax. He excitedly told Devers about his experience during this period of time. Devers listened carefully and finally said, "You see, Greeks, Dukayans, and Lucanians can live together well, like a big family, right?!"
"Yes, Sir Consul!" Izam plucked up his courage and said, "As far as I know, many of my teammates who married Lucanian women said that they found a good wife. Even though they can't speak Greek, nor do they know how to weave, make bread, or command the slaves to work … but they are all working hard. They can even take the initiative to help their husband with the heavy work, and the way they express their feelings is very passionate. They even dare to do all kinds of things with their husband at night …"
Towards the end of Izam's speech, even though it was a little vulgar, Devers laughed. "Yes, we Greek women are too traditional and conservative. Both sides should learn from each other!"
Izam saw that Devers was so easygoing, and he became braver. He said, "It's just … it's just that these Lucanian women miss their families very much. They hope that their families can regain their freedom as soon as possible!"
Devers's happy expression did not change. In fact, he was very happy to see such a situation happen. "Don't worry, the city doesn't have any relatives who mistreat them, and they are taking good care of them. As long as they can abide by the agreement, they will be able to regain their freedom by the time we set them. As long as they perform well, the time will be shortened. You can go back and tell your wife to tell the other Lucanian women that the city will arrange for them to meet their families after some time! "
"I will, Sir Consul." Izam nodded.
"I called you here today to ask if you are willing to complete a mission?" Devers finally got to the point. He looked at Izam and said in a deep voice, "We need to understand the situation in Lucania City, but we have no idea what is happening there. I need someone to sneak in and gather information. Asistes recommended you to me."
"I am willing to go!" Izam answered without hesitation.
Devers did not expect him to agree so quickly. He reminded him again, "This is a very dangerous mission. It might even be life-threatening. Don't you want to reconsider?"
"I am sure!" Although Izam yearned for the prosperity of the outside world, the strict rules of the army always made him feel a little uncomfortable. He liked the feeling of running freely in the mountains and the excitement of quietly approaching prey. Now, there was a good opportunity in front of him. "But, Sir Consul, please give me some time to prepare."
"There is no hurry. You can prepare carefully. As long as you successfully return from Lucania, I will set up a Mountain Reconnaissance Team with you as the captain. Also, after you leave, I will also ask Kristoya to pay attention to your family's situation and solve your family's difficulties at any time! "
Devers' promise and care made Izam grateful and excited. He said loudly, "Sir Consul, don't worry! I will successfully find out the news in Lucania and come back safely! Please keep the position of the reconnaissance team captain for me! "
"Okay!" Devers liked confident subordinates. Setting up a reconnaissance team was something he had been thinking about for the past few days. After all, the Apennine Peninsula was mountainous, which limited the reconnaissance cavalry. A Mountain Reconnaissance Team that could easily cross the mountains and observe the situation would be of great help to Amendola's army.
… …
Bagoule was leading his people to build warehouses and hotels for Amendola. They were divided into several groups: one was responsible for cutting down trees, one for grinding stones, and one for compacting the foundation.
There were more than a dozen craftsmen in the city. Some were instructing the Lucarian slaves in building the foundation, while others were doing surveys.
Alexis and Heraclede were supervising the progress of the construction while looking at the blueprints.
Heraclede was an apprentice of Hippodamos, the famous engineer in Greece. When he was young, he had participated in the design and construction of the city of Turín with his teacher. His biggest regret was that he could not stay in Turín. If he had, he would have been one of the first citizens of Turín. However, when he returned to Athens with his teacher, Pericles's political enemies accused his mistress, Aspasia, of taking bribes during the construction of the Parthenon. Hippodamos was somehow implicated, and his teacher was imprisoned. He was expelled from Athens and returned to his hometown in despair. In the end, the Peloponnesian War broke out, and his hometown was caught in the chaos of war. Life became difficult …
Twenty years later, he and his wife and son escaped from his hometown, which had been occupied by Sparta. They came to the relatively peaceful mainland of Greece, to Turín, which he had once worked for. However, the current Turín was no longer the Turín that needed a large number of immigrants and talents when it was first built. The city hall refused to accept him as a citizen of the city, and the penniless Heraclede had no choice but to stay at the port. He stayed there for more than twenty years. During these twenty years, he and his son built houses for others, repaired the city walls, and made a living. He gradually gained some fame and saved some money. However, he was still a free man living under someone else's roof, living in a crowded and damp shack. He had no land and no status. At this time, he was already old, and his wife had passed away a few years ago. He did not have many requirements for life. His only regret was that his son, Heraclede Jr., was still young and had completely inherited his skills. He should have had a brighter future …
Just as he was worrying about his son's future day and night, a stranger walked into the simple wooden house he shared with someone else. Because it was only a few days ago, he could still clearly remember the conversation.
"Who is Heraclede?"
"That's me. Who are you?"
"I heard that you were once an apprentice of Hippodamos, and you even built the city of Turín?"
"Yes, that's the truth. I never lie."
"Then are you willing to accept Amendolar's employment and be responsible for supervising the construction of some projects? The salary will be fifty silver drachmas a month."
"What kind of projects?"
"I'm not too sure. When you go, Amendolar's construction manager, Alexis, will tell you. At the same time, he also told me to tell you that if you do a good job and have a talent for construction, he will recommend you to the Consul Devers and let you become a citizen of Amendolar. "
Immediately, he could hear the people behind him talking in envy.
Comments