Chapter 181
Then, Devers asked the question that all the senators were concerned about. "Is there any movement in the Grumentum in the north?"
"On the second day after we captured Neutum, there were Grumentum scouts who entered the 'Fertile Mountain Ridge'. After they were discovered by the soldiers of the Fourth Brigade, they quickly escaped," Sesta answered.
"They knew that Neutum had fallen so quickly?" Devers asked in confusion because the Senate had received the war report that no one escaped after Neutum was captured.
"Uh … uh …" Sesta saw that there was something wrong with Devers's expression and quickly explained, "Bagoule and I later analyzed that when we attacked Neutum, there should be people grazing in the mountains. When they saw that the city had fallen, they directly fled to the Grumentum … Since then, the scouts from the Grumentum have not appeared again. We sent Izam's team to investigate, and at the same time, we received information from the Lucanian people who ran over from the north. Only then did we know that after the great leader of the Picossis, Sinsinag, occupied the Grumentum, the relationship between him and the tribes who had betrayed Lusau was very strained. Those tribes did not listen to Sinsinag's orders at all because he did not fulfill the promise he had made to them. Now, both sides each occupy half of the city and are very wary of each other. Perhaps because of this, the Grumentum did not take any action against us for occupying Neutum! "
The improvement of the situation in the north did not make Devers feel better. On the contrary, he looked solemn and questioned, "Why did no one report these things to the Senate in advance?! The Senate will not interfere with your governance of Neutum, but we manage the entire Alliance. Every accurate intelligence and news will determine the next strategy of the Senate. War or peace with the Grumentum? Do we need to mobilize the entire Alliance for war? … Wait, do you think that Neutum alone can withstand the attack of the Lucanian army?! "
The Devers' unkind criticism made Sesta unable to lift his head, and Asistes felt even more guilty. Originally, he was going to report to the Devers, but Sesta said, 'Let's figure out the situation first. Asking the Senate for instructions at every turn makes us look incompetent.' Being a young man, he agreed. After figuring out the whole story, he happened to hear that the Devers were coming, so he put it aside for the time being. He didn't expect the Devers to be so angry.
"Lord Sesta, you violated the Senate's order and killed the captives without permission! The Senate did not pursue the matter seriously only because the Consul interceded for you! Now, you're acting on your own and hiding the news. You're not respecting the Senate. Do you think the Senate won't impeach you just because you have a two-year term?! "Scombras criticized loudly.
Then, one by one, the senators expressed their dissatisfaction with Sesta's actions.
Sesta's face was red, but he was smart enough to remain silent and did not argue for himself.
Of course, the Devers would not let the governor and assistant they recommended, Neutum, continue to be criticized, so they came out to smooth things over. "The results you've done are still important! However, I hope that you'll learn from this lesson and keep in touch with the Senate so that we can keep abreast of the situation in the Lucaria region … "The Devers said that, but in their hearts, they had already made up their minds. After returning, they would increase the investment in the private intelligence organization that they personally controlled and urge Aristiras to expand the scope of his intelligence collection.
"Is there anything else that we forgot to report?" Finally, the Devers reminded them.
"My lords!" With a red face, the Asistes plucked up his courage and said, "The day before yesterday, a family from Lucaria came to complain, saying, 'Her daughter married a Greek. After this Greek obtained the status of a probationary citizen and rented the allocated land, he began to mistreat his daughter. He beat and scolded her every day and even said that he wanted a divorce.' After our investigation, what he said was basically true. We warned the Greek, saying, 'If he dares to divorce, we will revoke his citizenship and expel him from the Alliance!' However, I feel that this is not the only case. I hope this will attract the attention of the Senate! "
"You've done the right thing! However, such a shameless person, I think he should be caned as a warning! " Scombras said angrily. Although he did not like the Lucaria people, he disliked the people who exploit loopholes in the law and play petty tricks even more. "
"It seems that we need to investigate the living conditions of the freedmen after they marry Turií women. Also, we need to amend the marriage bill that was previously promulgated and add additional requirements, such as no divorce within five or eight years, otherwise …" said the Devers thoughtfully.
His words received the approval of the senators, and they discussed amending the marriage bill.
That night, after everyone left, the Asistes sincerely admitted his mistake to the Devers alone. The Devers did not criticize him, but praised him for his performance in Neutum that exceeded his expectations, and hoped that he would continue to play a greater role in Neutum, and that he would stick to his own views and not be swayed by the opinions of others …
… …
The next morning, the expectations of the Diónia senators did not fall short. Laos' Avinogis drove a large number of cattle and sheep, loaded with animal furs, jewelry (mainly amber, traded from Massilia), and ten Taliente silver as a token of appreciation from Laos for Diónia's help. This time, the Diónia senators did not complain, and immediately held a simple but grand banquet for the arrival of Avinogis.
The banquet was held in the governor's residence in Neutum. The Devers and the Senate senators present, including Sesta and Bagoule, were all present, while on Laos's side, only Avinogis and his seventeen-year-old son, Henepolis. The banquet for the father and son was arranged at the seat on the left of the Devers.
Avinogis was about 40 years old, stocky, and looked more like a Lucarian than a Greek. He looked simple and honest, and although he was wearing a Greek Bolton, his behavior was not very natural, and it seemed that he had rarely worn it before. His son, on the other hand, was weak and delicate, and his clothes fluttered in the wind, very much like a Greek noble young master.
Although the Devers were very young, Avinogis was very respectful to them. When he followed the Devers into the living room, he was always half a step behind, and always used honorifics when he spoke. As soon as Henepolis sat down, he asked directly, "I heard that the Greeks hold banquets while lying down, why is this different?"
Avinogis immediately winked at him, and Scombras opposite him smiled and said, "Young man, you know the Greek way of life very well."
"Of course, I'm a Greek!" Henepolis responded bluntly. Perhaps because he was a little rude, Avinogis patted him lightly.
"Our Alliance's hospital has researched that eating while lying down is not conducive to the absorption of food, and it's easy to get fat (in fact, it was Devers who instructed Helps to do the research, and then spread it to the patients who came to see the doctor). Eating while sitting down can smoothly reach the stomach, which is good for health. For old people like me, this is very important. Of course, we have to choose the right way to eat. " Scombras said with a smile. Due to Greek tradition, the elderly were always very tolerant of young handsome boys.
"Even in our remote Laos, there are often people who praise the excellent medical skills of the Diónia Alliance's doctors. Of course, what they say is very correct!" As soon as Avinogis finished speaking, Henepolis interrupted curiously, "I heard that the Alliance's doctors are guided by Pluto. Is this true?!"
"I'm not too sure about this." Devers smiled and said perfunctorily, "If you have the chance, you can personally go to Turií and ask Helps, the director of the Turií Hospital."
Unexpectedly, Henepolis nodded vigorously and promised, "Well, I'll go to Turií right away. I'll ask the … um … Helps that you just mentioned."
When everyone heard this, they looked at each other.
At this time, Avinogis said, "Sir Devers, I have a request!"
"Please say it!"
"I want my son to follow you to live in the Alliance."
As soon as this was said, everyone was shocked again.
"Sir Avinogis!" Devers thought that the leader of Laos was worried that Diónia would burn the bridge after crossing it, so he said solemnly, "The alliance established between the Alliance and Laos is a sacred covenant made under the witness of the gods! Unless Laos breaks the contract, the Diónia Alliance will not break the oath under any circumstances. You can rest assured about this! "
"Everyone in Greece knows about the story of Sir Devers keeping the promise. Of course, I believe it! I'm not worried about the covenant, but … "Avinogis smiled bitterly," Sigh … My child has been weak and sickly since he was a child. At the beginning of this year, he almost went to see Ahsi because of a high fever … Then, he went to hell … I heard that the Alliance's medical skills are excellent, and my son has been yearning for Greek culture since he was a child. Therefore, my decision is actually adding trouble to the Alliance, but as a father, I hope the Alliance can agree to my request! "
Avinogis said so sincerely that after the Devers and the elders exchanged glances, they also made a decision, "In this case, on behalf of the Alliance, I welcome Henepolis to Turií as a long-term guest! Also, give him the best care in medical and education so that he can live a healthy and happy life in the Alliance so that he can return to Laos in the future and inherit your family business, Sir Avinogis, because he is your only son! "
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