Chapter 1288
Of course, the Asistes knew very well that the kingdom's focus was still on the smooth handover of power in Egypt and the war against Persia, so he continued, "It's precisely because the Egyptian monks have suffered a lot over the past year that when we expressed our goodwill to them, they quickly approached us. Not only did they proactively help us promote the legitimacy of the kingdom's rule over Egypt, but they also took out part of their food reserves to help us solve the food supply problem.
"In addition, Amon Taepu also proposed on behalf of the monks that they are willing to continue to provide food for the kingdom's army attacking Persia, as long as we give them part of the spoils of war —"
"We can't agree to this request!" Matonis objected loudly. "The spoils of war obtained by the army are exchanged with the soldiers' blood. One-third of it has to go to the national treasury, one-third to the Ministry of Military Affairs, and one-third to the soldiers themselves. The soldiers didn't get much in the first place. It's already good enough that we didn't kill these fat Egyptian priests. How dare they snatch food from us!"
"Silence!" The Devers saw that most of the commanders were angry under Matonis' lead. They had no choice but to put on a stern face and warn in a low voice, "Don't say such things carelessly in the future! Persia is the richest in the world. The wealth accumulated over the past hundred years is incalculable. As long as we defeat Persia, the soldiers can obtain far more spoils of war than before. It's not a big loss to give some to the Egyptian temples.
On the contrary, you should know very well that the most important thing for a kingdom's army fighting a foreign country far away from home is not the spoils of war, but the food! During war, food is more precious than gold. You can't buy it even if you have money. If there's a lack of food, even the bravest soldiers will be easily defeated! We only need to give up some spoils of war that we might obtain in the future, but we can exchange it for sufficient food that the Egyptian temples can provide immediately. This is a great deal for us! "
At this point, the Devers looked at the Asistes and asked, "If I agree to their request, how long can the food they provide supply all our troops?"
"According to what Amon and Taipu told me, it can probably protect the royal army in Egypt for more than two months. After more than two months, Egypt will enter the harvest season, and the food harvested in the Nile Delta can continue to provide security for the army …" Asistes made a serious calculation and replied, "According to the situation Amon and Taipu told me, it can probably guarantee the royal army in Egypt for more than two months. After two months, Egypt will enter the harvest season, and the food harvested in the Nile Delta can continue to provide security for the army …"
Devers looked around at the generals. "Everyone, did you hear that? Now, it's up to you to decide if we should accept the Egyptian monks' request!"
Martonis' face was slightly red, but his tone was firm. "As long as it can reduce the burden on the kingdom and benefit the army, it's worth it for the soldiers to lose some spoils of war. Of course, we'll agree!"
Matonis's words were immediately agreed by the other generals.
Devers smiled and nodded. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Calsidis was hesitating to speak. He immediately asked, "Calsidis, do you have anything to add?"
"Your Majesty." Calsidis could only tell the truth. "According to what I know, the Egyptian monks' request isn't because they're greedy. It's because of their tradition. In the past, after the Egyptian army won a battle, they would offer the spoils of war to the temple, and the temple would also donate food to the army during the battle …
I'm thinking … after we defeat Persia, the Kingdom may station troops in Egypt or nearby areas to consolidate the conquered areas. If these troops follow Egypt's tradition, then when they go out to war, they may be able to rely on Egypt to solve their food supply. This will greatly reduce the burden on the Kingdom. "
"Hmm, that's a good idea!" Devers was slightly surprised. He didn't expect the temporary commander of the Egyptian army he'd appointed to be so focused on the battle. As he looked at Calsidis with approval, he said, "Henny, write down this suggestion. We'll discuss it after the battle."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Devers didn't praise Calsidis anymore. After all, he wasn't the most senior among the generals present, and he was from Sicily. If he showed too much importance to him, it might cause some generals to be jealous. So, Devers immediately changed the topic. "Asistes, since Amon Taep is so sincere in cooperating with you and supporting the kingdom's rule in Egypt, I'll follow your suggestion in the letter and appoint him as the regional governor of Egypt … uh, what do the Egyptians call it?"
"Vizier, which means prime minister," Asistes replied.
"Yes, appoint Amon Taep as Vizier, in charge of the administration of Upper Egypt," Devers said seriously. Dyvers said seriously, "And you are also a Vizier, responsible for governing Lower Egypt. I won't appoint a minister. The Kingdom's Ministry of Finance will soon send tax officials to centralize the management of Egypt's finances and taxes. In addition, although Amon Taep is Upper Egypt's Vizier, his office must be in Memphis … Tapirus, you must clarify these matters with Amon Taep! "
"Yes, Your Majesty," Tapirus replied. Tapirus replied: "This was what they did during the reign of Pharaoh Tanib. Now that our kingdom is stronger, we only need to make these requests to Amongho Tapirus, and he will definitely be happy to agree."
As the founding monarch of Diónia, letting a surrendered subject of Egypt gather the High Priest and Vizier of Egypt at the same time was, in fact, equivalent to giving up control over Upper Egypt. Although this was only temporary, it still made Devers, who had always been tough, a little unwilling. He said in a serious tone, "Although I promised not to migrate to Egypt, the assimilation and integration of Egypt is still the most important thing for you, Asistes, to govern Egypt. I hope you can think of a good way!"
"I understand, Your Majesty." The Asistes, who had rich experience in governing foreign tribes, replied confidently, "There is a special feature in Egypt. After the governor of a town becomes a pharaoh, the people of this town will be promoted and put in important positions. Many Egyptians believe that the reason why Diónia was able to occupy Egypt was that Naukratis played a big role in it, so we can naturally put a large number of Naukratis who are similar to us in blood and culture, and are more willing to be close to us, so as to speed up the consolidation of our rule in Lower Egypt.
I have appointed the former governor of Naukratis, Ulillocus, as my assistant. I have also transferred a number of young officials from Naukratis to Memphis to serve as translators and scribes. After confirming their ability and loyalty, they will be sent to various towns to take up important positions.
I have decided to open all the towns along the coast of Egypt to strengthen trade with the kingdom, so as to break the closed state of Egypt and allow the Egyptians to have more exchanges with the people of Diónia.
I hope to be able to send the children of the nobles of Lower Egypt to study in Turií. I also want to build many schools in Egypt, so that the kingdom can send enough teachers to teach, so that the next generation of Egyptians can understand the strength and prosperity of the kingdom, identify with the kingdom's culture, and gradually see themselves as citizens of Diónia, and feel proud of it … "
The Devers listened carefully and thought for a while before nodding with satisfaction and said, "Very good. Write down all your ideas. I want to read them carefully. Asi, I can rest assured that you will rule Egypt! But you have to pay attention. Not only will Naukratis be of great help to us in governing Lower Egypt, but its strategic position is also very important to the kingdom! Once there is turmoil in Egypt, as long as Naukratis is still loyal to the kingdom, reinforcements from the kingdom can easily land on the western coast of Egypt and quickly quell the rebellion. So in the future, there must be a garrison of the kingdom in Naukratis! "
"I will remember, Your Majesty," Asistes replied solemnly.
The Devers glanced at the drowsy generals and said loudly, "Calsidis, you know the Egyptian army better. Tell me, how is their combat power?"
Calsidis quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the combat power of the Egyptian army is not strong. Although their soldiers do not lack the courage to fight, most of them do not wear armor. There are no heavy infantry, and there are not many cavalry. The only slightly better ones are the archers, but their archers do not have good offensive awareness and tactics like our light infantry. They usually hide behind the infantry's shield wall and attack the enemy from afar. It is said that this tactic was learned from the Persia. It is rather rigid, and the only advantage is that they can run fast …"
The generals burst into laughter.
"What about their chariots?" The Devers' tone was still calm.
"The Egyptian chariots are used to carry the archers. They look scary, but they are not as strong as the Gauls' chariots. Instead, they are too big of a target for our light infantry to attack."
The Devers listened thoughtfully. "It seems that the Egyptian army will not be of any help to us when we attack Persia. Instead, they will be a burden …"
"Your Majesty, the Egyptians are not completely useless to us. They are hardworking and easy to obey. They are very suitable to be the servants of the army," Calsidis suggested.
"Ever since you led the army to Egypt, has there been any movement from the Persia in the north?" the Devers asked again.
This question swept away the sleepiness of the generals and lifted their spirits.
"I think it might be because the Persia did not expect us to attack Egypt so soon. They were not prepared, so they did not gather their troops in time to threaten the Egyptian border, nor did they directly lead the army to invade Egypt … Until last month, when I led the main force of the army to the east of the Nile Delta, Pere Ramesses, and even moved some of the troops to the city of Daphnai, which is closest to the eastern border. That attracted the attention of the Egyptians, and they increased their troops to Gaza City."
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