Chapter 163
"Beer is made from barley, and the one you're drinking is the result of many experiments. It tastes very good, but there's a lot of wine in it. But Davus said, 'Don't worry, it's good for your body.' But Davus said, 'Don't worry, it's good for your health.' Now I drink a little every day. It quenches my thirst and doesn't get drunk as easily as wine … "
"This beer tastes a little special, but it makes me want to drink more after drinking it! Please give me another glass! "Andrea said as she handed the wooden glass to Asuna.
Asuna filled her glass again. Andrea quickly took another sip and said, "Madam, I'm here to tell you good news. The money we loaned to the citizens of Amendola in April has mostly been repaid!"
"So fast?!" Cristoya was slightly surprised.
"There's a good harvest of wheat this year. It's said that there's a war in Sicily and the Peloponnesus Peninsula, so the price has increased. Plus, our restaurant has been actively purchasing cattle and sheep, including their organs, so they've made a lot of money, "Andrea explained. Andrea explained, "That's why they can repay the loan and interest. Some of them even hope to borrow more money to buy more cattle and sheep to satisfy our restaurant's needs."
"Very good! They can make money, and we can collect the loan and make more money. Both sides benefit. According to the Devers, this is a win-win situation. Plus, we can lend the money to the Turií citizens who need it more! "
"Madam, we've earned 400 drachmas from the interest on the loan this time. The restaurant in Amendola has only been open for a little more than a month, and it's already earned about 500 drachmas. So far, we've earned nearly 1,000 drachmas!" Andrea said excitedly.
"Yes, who would've thought that the organs of livestock that the people despised could be made into such delicious food? And it's also good for the body! If the Devers hadn't focused on governing the city, he would've become a famous businessman in all of Greece! " Cristoya said happily, "This time, I'm also very optimistic about the beer industry. I'm afraid it will become our new money-making industry. Now we just have to wait for the arena to be built!"
"Lord Devers is a descendant of Hades. What else can't he do? Bagoule is very respectful to Lord Devers! " Andrea echoed her praise. She thought of something and said, "Madam, there have been a few groups of prospective citizens coming to the bank to ask if they can get a loan. They want to engage in maritime trade."
"Sea trade?" Cristoya frowned and thought for a while. Then, she said, "Sea trade is quite risky. If we're not careful, the ship will be destroyed, and we won't be able to collect the loan. Moreover, they are still probationary citizens. Once the foreign trade fails and they run away, where are we going to find people to pay us back?! But the Devers said that the biggest role of our bank is to support the business of the state and promote the development of trade … "Cristoya thought seriously, forgetting that she was holding a rose that she was about to plant. The sharp thorns on the stem had pricked her finger.
Asuna and Andrea immediately came over to help her suck her finger and bandage the wound with a thin piece of cloth.
Kristoya, on the other hand, did not think much of it. She continued to say seriously, "We have to be careful when applying for loans from prospective citizens. First, we have to find out their character, whether they are honest, and how good they are at sailing. We also have to see if they have equivalent collateral and trustworthy guarantors … If all the above conditions are met, it's best to state in the agreement that they are prohibited from engaging in long-distance sea trade between the East and the West Mediterranean at the beginning …"
"Madam, I understand." Andrea nodded.
… …
While Cristoya and Andrea were talking in the backyard, the Devers were receiving two guests in the living room in the front yard.
"Hieronymus, Agathia, please take a seat! This is the first time you two have come to my place! " The Devers happily welcomed them into the living room and immediately asked the slaves to serve them dried figs, dates, and wine.
Hieronymus was a little nervous, but Agathia smiled and said, "Sir, we have something to ask for your permission!"
"Oh, what is it?"
"Sir, when we were all in Persia, in order to return to Greece, our comrades helped each other, fought together against the enemy, and established a deep friendship and relationship. In Byzantium, I, Hieronymus, and a few companions followed you to Greece. Most of the other comrades chose to go home because they were confused and tired. I had thought they had all returned to their homes and were leading peaceful, war-free lives. But some time ago, someone in the light infantry recruited by Epithenis from the eastern Mediterranean said, 'The mercenaries who went to Persia didn't go home. They were forced by Sparta to continue fighting the Persia in Asia Minor with little pay.'
When we heard this, we didn't feel good. We are enjoying a rich life here, while our former comrades are still suffering in a faraway place. At any time, they could be killed by a spear, a sword, or a spear. Since we have so much land left, and so many enemies like Lucania and Crotone are waiting for us to defeat, why don't we invite them here? They are not only experienced on the battlefield, but also from the eastern Mediterranean like us. We have the same habits and are very familiar with each other, unlike the citizens here — "Agathia saw Daves's face change, and he hurriedly stopped talking.
"What's wrong with the citizens here?" The Devers asked in a low voice.
Before Agathia could speak, Hieronymus said, "Some Turís say, 'We are lowly people from Greece. We only know how to kill, and we have no knowledge. We don't know how to run a city, and we only know how to make a mess in Turís …'"
The Devers's face darkened, but he immediately comforted them, "That's only a minority. Most of the Turís are very grateful to us! Besides, the power is in our hands. Let them talk and vent their frustrations. They can't hurt us. Don't you think so? "The Devers comforted them.
"As for inviting Timason to the Tua Alliance, it's not that I haven't considered it. But now they are Sparta's mercenaries. With our current strength, we dare not provoke the Sparta. "
"Sir!" Agassia said sincerely, "You and I both know that being a mercenary is a free profession. If the conditions are not good, they can leave their employer at any time. Now, Timason and the others have left Sparta and have nowhere to go, so they have no choice but to stay. We can provide them with a new option. As long as we send someone to quietly spread the news in Asia Minor, I believe they will find all kinds of ways to come here once they know about our situation! "
Agathia's words moved the Devers. After all, he could achieve his current career mainly because of military victories, and the foundation of his victories were these Greek expeditionary soldiers. There would only be more and bigger wars in the future, and he needed more excellent soldiers. He patted the back of the chair with his fingers. After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to give it a try. "Alright, then send someone. It's best not to contact them directly. Just spread the news. Have you decided who to send? "
Seeing that the Devers had agreed, Hieronymus and Agathia were happy.
"Sir, Hieronymus still needs to train the soldiers. Let me go," Agathia said.
"Sure, but be careful. Go early and come back early!" The Devers nodded in agreement. He then asked Hieronymus, "How's the citizens' training recently?"
"The new soldiers are training very seriously, especially the original Turís. They have mastered all kinds of skills, but they lack real combat experience," Hieronymus replied.
"Soon, there will be more new soldiers joining the various squads. Our army will obviously expand. I hope you will strengthen your training and not let your combat power decline. Next year, you will have a chance to let them participate in real battles, "the Devers requested.
Hieronymus's eyes lit up. Lucania?!
After Hieronymus and Agathia left happily, the Devers's expression became serious. He called Asistes over. "Recently, there are people in Turís who are dissatisfied with the Amendorians. Go and find out why. Who are they? "
"Yes, sir!"
… …
October, the season of leisure, was supposed to be the month when the Greek city-states held their assemblies and elected their generals and archons. However, in the Tua Union, the archons were the only ones who held their positions for life and did not need to be elected. The senators were either specially appointed by the archons or elected according to their qualifications and had nothing to do with the citizens. According to the newly passed law, all high-ranking civil servants served for two years. They were elected by the senate and appointed by the archons, so they had nothing to do with the citizens.
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