Chapter 167
Cunogorata, Cornelus, and the other wise elders stood by and watched. The others did not step forward to answer.
The Devers continued, "Then look at the north of Neutum. It's all Lucanian territory, and there are several large towns, Grumentum, Pyxis, Potentia, and Galaguso. It's said that they have a total population of more than a hundred thousand, several times our population. Although they are still fighting each other, when the Greeks occupy their traditional territory and threaten their own safety, will they unite and oppose us? Even if we defeat them, as long as they burrow into the mountains, there's nothing we can do, and it will only make the Lucanians hate us even more. They are familiar with every mountain and every river there. They will change their tactics and quietly attack our citizens who farm and graze, as well as our supplies and caravans. Neutum's output can't support a large population. There are few of us there, and the Lucanians are many. We can't conquer them, and they will devour us. What should we do? "
The Devers saw that someone wanted to say something but stopped. He sneered and said, "Some people might say, 'Isn't there Laos? They will help us! 'Yes, Laos is our ally. But when we, the leader of the alliance, ask them for military and material support again and again, it might be okay at the beginning, but after a long time, do you think Laos will look down on our strength and have other thoughts?! Don't forget that Avinogis is not a pure Greek, and he has never cooperated with the Greeks before. We can't pin our hopes on him to always stick to the alliance! "
The Devers paused for a moment to give everyone time to think, then continued, "Therefore, we can only continue to send food and soldiers from Turií and Amendola to Neutum. Not to mention that the mountain roads are difficult to traverse and the huge consumption of war. Do you think it's meaningful to continuously invest and consume the precious manpower and material resources of the Tua Alliance on a city that can't get any benefits?! Besides, we have a powerful Crotone by our side, ready to take revenge at any time! "
"Then why are we attacking Neutum and provoking the Lucanians?" Burcos began to back down after hearing the Devers' words.
"Everyone here should have a deep impression that the Lucanians have invaded Tuliyi many times, right? Although they suffered a defeat this time, they still have a large population. If we don't attack and weaken them, they will definitely invade us again when they recover their strength. Of course, we hope to keep them out of the Alliance's territory. We don't want the flames of war to spread to our own land and destroy our hard-working farmlands and houses! "Alexis stood up and replied.
"Can we use the Lucarians to help us stabilize Neutum and solve the problem that the Consul mentioned?" Scombbras stood up and asked at this moment.
The Devers revealed a slight smile, "First of all, Vesba and the others are Lucanians. After defeating Neutum, it will help us stabilize the mood of the people in the city. There are rich and poor among the Lucanians, and we will capture the stubborn rich and the warriors and make them slaves. We will distribute the cattle and sheep we have captured to the poor, and we will put a mixed band of Greeks and Lucanians in charge of the city. At the same time, there are strong and weak tribes in the Lucanian tribal alliance. Some tribes are like Vesba, unwilling to join the city, but because of the war, they wandered around and found it difficult to survive. We can open a market on the border of Neutum and use our pots, iron products and other goods to attract the poor tribes to come and trade them for cattle, sheep, furs, game and so on. We can also give them help when necessary. After a long time, they will be happy to be close to us. In this way, we not only promote our trade and solve the problem of food for the soldiers stationed there, but also weaken the Lucanians.
You must ask me, why do the Lucanians believe in us Greeks and are willing to get close to us? " The Devers said loudly, "Because Vesba, Bagoule and the others are there, and they are involved in the management of every matter. In the eyes of the Lucanians, Bagoule and the others still worship the Lucanian gods, maintain the traditional customs of the Lucanians, and are still true Lucanians! But they are citizens of the Tua Union, wearing gorgeous clothes, drinking good wine, living in comfortable houses … Their way of life will definitely arouse the envy of the Lucanians, and eventually, other Lucanians will be willing to join our union! "
"But if we put Bagoule and the other Lucanians, who have only been in the union for half a year, back to the land they are familiar with, what if they betray us?" Strone asked.
"If we give them citizenship, give Vesba, Bagoule, and the others the status of Senate senators, we will treat them like our own people, and let them live in a civilization far beyond the reach of the Lucanians. This is a brilliant and glorious culture created by our ancestors with generations of hard work and wisdom! I firmly believe that they will be assimilated by us, and not us being assimilated by them, who are ignorant and backward! Of course, there is a small possibility of betrayal, but I think this risk is worth taking! Because if we fail, we will only lose more than a thousand slaves and delay the plan to attack Lucania, but if we succeed, we will gain the vast land of Lucania and a population of more than a hundred thousand. With this, do we still have to worry about Crotone?! No, Crotone is just a small stone on the path of our union. We can easily kick him away, and what awaits us will be a wider world! "
The Devers' passionate speech at the end made the senators excited, and they began to whisper excitedly to each other.
The Devers took the opportunity to announce that the meeting was temporarily adjourned.
Then, he looked for the two city governors, Cunogorata and Cornelus, hoping that they would take the lead in supporting his proposal.
"I listened carefully to your plan to stabilize Neutum with Vesba, Bagoule, and the rest of the Lucanians. I think it is worth a try," Cornelus put aside his personal feelings and said in agreement.
"Master Devers, the situation you mentioned earlier is really that dangerous and difficult without the help of Vesba and the rest of the Lucanians?" Cunogorata asked doubtfully.
"Always think the worst, so you can work for the best," the Devers replied.
Cunogorata thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Once again, the Senate senators, under the guidance of Cunogorata and Cornelus, mostly agreed, and the Devers's proposal was passed: Let Bagoule lead nearly a thousand Lucanian warriors into the army, and after capturing Neutum, all of them would be granted citizenship of the union, and Vesba and Bagoule would enter the Senate.
A few senators, led by Polyxis, lamented: This is an unprecedented shame for the Greek city-states! The sacred hall will be tainted by the dirty breath of the natives!
But most of the senators ignored their nagging, still looking forward to the huge benefits that they were about to obtain from Lucania …
… …
As soon as Felicius stepped into the house, he heard that the courtyard was very lively.
The courtyard that was originally assigned to Felicius, his wife, Delia, planned to plant some apple and fig trees in the atrium. Felicius had no objections, but his adopted son, Melishanda, objected: He wanted to transform the atrium into a training ground, so that he could train his body and combat skills at any time. In the end, his wife, who loved her son dearly, agreed.
As soon as he heard this sound, Felicius knew that Melishanda was looking for someone to practice with again.
He walked along the corridor, and when he got closer, he saw that Melishanda's opponent was his good friend, Arsines. It was obvious that the young man from Amendola was here because of tomorrow's expedition.
Felicius remembered the appointment given to him by the Devers today, and he could not help but feel nervous. He never thought that the Devers would let him be the commander of this expedition to Neutum. One had to know that since he became a mercenary, the number of times he commanded a battle alone could be counted on one hand, and under the dazzling halo of the Devers, he felt even more pressure.
He leaned against the pillar, thinking about something while watching the fight between the two young men on the field.
"You're back!" The gentle voice of his wife, Delia, sounded behind him. "This is the milk I just brewed today. I added some dates, so it should be sweeter. You can quench your thirst first."
Felicius was holding a cup of warm syrup in his hand (because it was almost the beginning of winter). Delia said with a smile, "I've made your favorite grilled codfish for dinner today. I've also stewed mutton, boiled oatmeal, and bread … Since Arsinis will be staying at home tonight, dinner is more sumptuous than usual."
Felicius took a sip of the milk and said, "It's rare for our house to have a guest. It's good to have some liveliness."
Delia was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, and at the same time, she instructed the female slaves to set the table. Felicius looked at her busy back and could not help but sigh in his heart that his choice was correct: although Delia was a little old, she was a diligent and virtuous Greek woman who arranged everything in the house in an orderly manner.
The training on the field finally ended, and Melishanda still refused to admit defeat. "Arsines, you only defeated me because you're two years older than me and stronger than me. When I'm an adult, I won't lose to you again! "
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