Chapter 155
Thirdly, Crotone would not interfere with Castellón's alliance with the Tua Alliance, but Crimea must remain neutral. (After all, Crimea was very close to Crotone. Joining the Tua Alliance was like a sharp knife pressed against Crotone's abdomen. Of course, Lysias could not agree. Marigi did not insist either because the Tua Alliance did not have enough power to help Crimea defend against enemy attacks. However, the Devers still decided to release the Crimissa captives in half a year according to the terms of the ransom with Crotone. The Crimissa emissary thanked them profusely and promised, "We will no longer be enemies with the Tua Alliance!")
Fourthly, the Tua Alliance could not form an alliance with Rockley or sign any agreement against Crotone. (This was strongly requested by Lysias. Marigi pretended to be troubled. In fact, the Devers told him in private, "We have no plans to form an alliance with Rockley at the moment to avoid angering Crotone and causing the negotiations to fail." Marigi used this as a bargaining chip to force Lysias to make concessions in other aspects.)
Fifthly, from the date the agreement was signed, Crotone and the Tua Alliance would maintain peace for three years. After that, the agreement could be renewed depending on the situation.
… …
The Crotone emissaries returned to their motherland with the preliminary agreement. After the council's confirmation, they entered the city of Turií again.
The attentive Lysias noticed that the walls of Turií no longer had any traces of smoke and fire. The collapsed areas had been patched with newly built bricks and mortar. From a distance, it looked brand new. He was shocked by the efficiency and enthusiasm of the Turií. In fact, he did not want to have any more conflict with the Tua Alliance. However, before he left, Myron reminded him repeatedly that even if they wanted to sign a truce, it could not be for more than two years.
Lysias understood that most of the generals and council members of Crotone, led by Myron, were not willing to accept this defeat. They were still planning to take revenge in the future! Crotone was famous in Greece for its athletic competition. The people's personalities were also branded with the qualities of athletes who did not want to admit defeat. This was somewhat similar to the Amendorans of the Tua Alliance that he had been in contact with for more than two days.
Lucias sighed softly and led the group into the Turís' camp again.
Apart from changing the time limit to "two years", the other contents of the armistice agreement did not change much. Both sides sacrificed livestock to Apollo, chanted the name of the god aloud, and swore that the Crotone and Tua Alliance would never violate the armistice agreement. Finally, they signed their names and the names of their respective city-states. Why sacrifice to Apollo? Because Crotone and the former Turís both worshipped Apollo as the patron saint of the city, it was easier for both sides to abide by the agreement.)
With the agreement reached, Lucias was in a hurry to return. The Devers and the others would not hold him back. Before sending Lucias onto the ship, the Devers said sincerely, "I hope the Crotone and the Tua Alliance will never fight again!"
The Devers' sharp gaze made Lucias feel that the young consul had already seen through Myron and the others' tricks. He immediately said, "Apollo above, this is also my sincere wish!"
Standing at the bow of the ship and looking at the construction site of Tuliyi City that was still bustling with noise, looking at the merchant ships that were shuttling back and forth at the estuary, Lucias left Tuliyi with a heart full of worries …
The Devers and the others watched Crotone's ship leave from the dock.
Cornelus let out a long sigh, "We're safe now!"
"Yes, we're safe for now! I'm afraid Crotone will attack us in two years! "Cunogorata said calmly.
"That's right. Otherwise, they wouldn't have specifically asked for a shorter armistice. Therefore, we must make full use of these two years to strengthen the Tua Alliance as soon as possible, so that no faction that covets us will dare to invade us! "The Devers encouraged the group.
"That's right!" The group's spirits were roused.
"Consul Consul, look at the compensation money in this armistice —" Marigi immediately wanted to make a request.
The Devers interrupted him and said, "All the compensation money will go to the national treasury, and Mercies will be in charge of safekeeping."
Mercies instantly beamed with joy.
"The Reconstruction Committee will be in charge of planning, managing, and spending the money. Just like the supplies we seized previously, it will all be used for the daily expenses of the people, the reconstruction of the city, and public works. Any department that needs to spend money will have to apply to the committee, and only after obtaining approval can they receive the funds. The treasurer will also be in charge of supervision! "
After the Devers finished speaking, Mercies winked at Marigi. Marigi was so angry that he turned around, not wanting to see him.
"Also, on the first day of every month, Mercies, you must give a detailed report on the receipt and spending of the national treasury to the Senate meeting. If anything goes wrong, you will take full responsibility!" The Devers said sternly.
"Yes," Mercies replied weakly.
"Alexis, go and tell the captives the contents of the agreement. Since the Crotone won't let them mine, we'll let them build roads. Build a road that connects Heraclea, Amendolara, Turií, and Castellón. Let Heraclede's son, that … "
"Young Heraclede."
"Yes, that's him. Let him be the commander of the entire road project. He'll bring a group of craftsmen to supervise and manage according to the blueprints. "
"Yes, Consul Consul," Supervisor Alexis replied.
"I can understand building a road that connects Heraclea, Amendolara, and Turií. Why do we need to connect it to Castellón? Since the Crotone might launch an attack in two years, Castellón won't be able to stop them. Won't it make it easier for the enemy to advance if we build a road? "Ancetanos asked doubtfully. The other Turií elders were all concerned.
The Devers explained seriously, "If we build a road that connects to Castellón, our personnel and trade with Castellón will be more frequent, and our relationship will be closer. Castellón will be more dependent on us. With a road, our army and supplies will be able to reach Castellón faster. Castellón is also our ally now. We have the responsibility to maintain its safety. In the future, Castellón will be our frontline to defend against the enemies in the south. Of course, building a road will make it easier for the enemy to attack us, so we'll try our best to keep the enemy out of our territory so that they can't use our road. "
Ancetanos and Cunogorata were deep in thought. Some of the others were encouraged, while others were doubtful …
… …
After a busy day, the Devers returned to his tent late at night. He found someone waiting for him in the tent.
"Andrea, why are you here? Did something happen to Cristoya?! "the Devers asked hurriedly.
Andrea bowed respectfully, "Honorable Consul, Madame didn't want to disturb your work because she saw that you were busy rebuilding Turií, but I think I should still tell you about it."
"What is it?!" the Devers asked eagerly.
"A few days ago, Madame kept vomiting and couldn't eat. I suspected that she was pregnant, so I asked Sir Herpes to examine her, and it turned out to be the case." As soon as Andrea finished speaking, the Devers was pleasantly surprised. He asked again, "Is Cristoya really pregnant?!"
It's true, Sir. "
"That's great! That's great! " The Devers hugged Andrea excitedly and spun a few rounds on the spot, completely ignoring Andrea's shyness.
"Martius!" he cried, shouting towards the outside. Martius! "
"What's the matter, Sir?" Martius walked in.
"Hurry and get the horses. I want to go back to Amendola!" the Devers said eagerly.
"Sir, it's too late now. It's not safe on the road. Let's go back tomorrow," Martius advised.
"I can't wait! Cristoya is pregnant! I'm going to be a father! I want to go back and see her immediately! Immediately!! "the Devers said with determination and excitement.
"Congratulations, Sir! This is a gift from Hera! If that's the case, we'll escort you back, "Martius said happily.
"Okay!"
The group of people rode out of the camp. The hurried sound of hooves woke up many people in the camp. "Who's riding in the camp this late? It's against the rules!"
"I heard that the Consul's wife is pregnant. He's rushing home!"
"Really?! That's great news!! "
Late at night, the quiet camp was filled with cheers.
… …
The Devers hurried home and went upstairs. He saw a little head poking out of the door and looking outside vigilantly.
"Cynthia!" He picked up his little daughter and kissed her hard. "It's so late. Why aren't you sleeping? I need to spank you!"
"You woke me up." Cynthia wiped the saliva off her face with her little hand and pouted.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I apologize." The Devers smiled and patted her head. "Where's my brother?"
"He's sleeping in there."
"Where's Mom?"
Cynthia hesitated and pointed to the master bedroom.
The Devers put her down and patted her butt. "Go to sleep." Then, he strode to the master bedroom.
Cristoya was reading an account book under the oil lamp. Hearing the footsteps, she turned around and was surprised. "Why are you back?"
"If I didn't come back, you would've kept it from me, right?!" The Devers pretended to be angry. He sat next to Cristoya and hugged her with one hand and patted her plump butt with the other. "How dare you not tell me that we have a child. Do you think you deserve to be punished?!"
"You know everything." Cristoya put her arms around the Devers's neck. "Did Andrea tell you?"
Comments