Chapter 184
The meeting hall suddenly fell into a cold silence. The elders all knew that the relationship between Pausanias and Lysander was strained.
Elder Theopetius coughed twice and asked, "Why haven't I heard of this Tua Alliance mentioned in the report?"
"It's a newly established alliance. Its full name is the Turií – Alliance of Armendolara!" Lysander's explanation confused the elders who rarely paid attention to the western Mediterranean. Lysander had obviously done some research and reminded them, "Do you still remember the Turií emissary who came to Sparta to ask for help a year ago?"
"Yes … I remember. We rejected his request at that time." Elder Lysipus nodded and said, "But we gave the Turií the right to recruit mercenaries in the Greek city-states of the eastern Mediterranean. For a city-state that once supported Athens and even sent troops to participate in the war, if it wasn't for the fact that it was invaded by the natives, we showed the generosity and mercy of Sparta out of the morality of being fellow Greeks, otherwise … "
"That's right!" The other elders echoed.
"It was this Turií emissary who received permission from our council of elders to go to Byzantium and recruit some of the mercenaries who just returned from the Persia expedition. It was these mercenaries who helped the Turií defeat the natives and recapture Armendolara that was occupied by the natives. In the end, these mercenaries became citizens of Armendolara. Their leader is called … called … Devers, and he even became a lifetime archon of Armendolara." When Lysander said this, Agesilaus shouted in surprise, "Chrysops once told me that he found a military genius called Devers among the mercenaries during the Persia expedition. He wanted to apply to the council of elders to let this Devers become an honored guest of Sparta and give him land to settle in Laconia for our use." Is he talking about this person?! "
"Military genius?!" Elder Theopedes sneered. "Isn't it ridiculous to talk about military geniuses in front of us, Sparta?"
"We, the people of Sparta, know that there are no geniuses in battle. Only those who grow up from a young age, go through tough training, and gain a wealth of experience. Every citizen of Sparta can become an excellent commander when they're old enough!" Elder Lysipus said proudly.
"You're right!" the 45-year-old Agesilaus said humbly.
Lysander looked at him and continued, "Not long after, we all knew that the Crotone occupied Turín and burned the city. It was this Devers who led the Amendarans to attack the Crotone's army at night and captured them. After that, the Turín and Amendaran formed an alliance. The Devers were still the Life Consul …"
"So, Crotone was defeated by these mercenaries. It seems like these Devers are quite capable," an elder exclaimed.
"The Life Consul of two cities! I'm afraid this Devers is very ambitious. He wants to be the tyrant of Greece like Dionysius! "Lysipus reminded the crowd.
"It's obvious. These mercenaries who settled in Greece wanted the mercenaries who fought together with them to come to Greece to help them. That's why they sent someone to Ephesus to incite the mercenaries to escape!" Theopedes said loudly.
"Chalisthorpes's report didn't mention that anyone was secretly stirring up trouble. Perhaps it's just because these mercenaries heard the news from Greece," another elder said, hoping that everyone wouldn't take the matter too seriously.
"Then why didn't we, Sparta, hear the news? It's obviously the doing of someone with ulterior motives! "Theopedes retorted.
Even though Lysander and Theopedes didn't like each other very much, Lysander said, "As long as these two incidents are related, if we, Sparta, say that it's the doing of the Tulip League, then it must be it!"
"That's right! That's how we, Sparta, do things! " Lysander's strong opinion was approved by the elders, led by Lysipus. Pausanias thought to himself, 'Lysander, who's known for being anti-tradition, has the cheek to say that he wants to carry out Sparta's tradition!' But he remained silent and didn't object.
After the debate ended, the culprit was found. Everyone's opinion on how to punish the Tulip League was almost unanimous: send someone to condemn the Tulip League, ask them to compensate for Sparta's losses, and ask them to send back the mercenaries who escaped to the Tulip League!
Lysander added, "Since the Devers of the Tulip League are good at commanding battles, let them lead troops to join Dechiridas's army and fight against Persia!"
"Agreed! Take it as their punishment for disrupting our Sparta's battle in Asia Minor! "Theopedes and the elders agreed.
The elders spoke one after another, deciding the fate of the Tua Alliance.
At this moment, Agesilaus asked, "What if the Tulip League rejects our request?"
"How dare they! That means war with Sparta! "As soon as Theopedes finished his sentence, he felt that something was wrong.
Pausanias immediately continued, "We have to deal with Persia and defend the Peloponnesus Peninsula at the same time. We have to be ready to attack city-states like Ellis who are dissatisfied with Sparta. I'm afraid we won't have the energy to send troops to Greece."
"That's right! Greece and Sparta have always had a good relationship. We've never sent troops to Greece. If the city-states there are dissatisfied with us, we'll lose more than we gain! "another elder said.
"Are we going to tolerate the Tulip League trampling on Sparta's dignity?!" Theopedes shouted angrily.
"Don't worry, everyone. We still don't know how the Tulip League will react to this. Even if they reject us and we can't send troops, don't we still have Syracuse? "Lysander said with a smile. His words reminded the elders that Sparta supported Syracuse, even ignoring the fact that Dionysius was a tyrant. They hoped that there would be a strong nation that could be friendly with Sparta and act according to Sparta's wishes in the western Mediterranean Sea, a place that Sparta had yet to reach. Therefore, the elders stopped dwelling on this issue and started discussing the candidate for the Tulip League.
"Let me go," Agesilaus recommended himself. He was a little interested in the Devers that Kelethorpes had mentioned.
"You don't have to go, lest the Tulip League looks down on Sparta!" The other elders felt that Theopedes had gone too far when he said that. It was obvious that Theopedes was mocking Agesilaus for being crippled.
Agesilaus could still remain calm in the face of such humiliation. It seemed like his spirit had been tempered to be extremely strong after facing the disdainful gazes of others for decades. His expression did not change, and he wanted to say something more.
At this moment, Lysander said, "The Tulip League is a small, remote city-state alliance. It's not worthy for the noble royal family of the Greek overlord, Sparta, to send an envoy!"
Lysander's words restored Agesilaus' dignity, and also blocked his path to the Tulip League.
"I suggest that Phoebidas be the envoy," Lysander continued.
After that, an elder exclaimed, "Phoebidas?! That's a hot-tempered, self-assertive fellow! "
"We need a powerful envoy to force the Tulip League to give in!" Lysander said firmly.
After the discussion, it was decided that Phoebidas would be the envoy to the Tulip League.
After the meeting, Lysander called out to Agesilaus who was about to leave. "You're not still complaining that I didn't let you go to the Tulip League, are you?"
Agesilaus shook his head. He had already thought about the key points. Smiling, he said, "I think you're doing this for my own good. Is it because of Arkis?"
Lysander hugged his shoulder in satisfaction and said softly, "Arkis won't last long. If you leave now, won't that bastard Leotychides take advantage of you … Don't worry, I'll always be on your side …"
Agesilaus immediately expressed his gratitude to Lysander solemnly.
Lysander smiled. He liked Agesilaus's steady and humble personality. Agesilaus was friendly, respectful, and easy to control …
Lysander didn't notice that Sanyas was watching him and Agesilaus chatting and laughing warily behind him.
Pausanias called Diopatis in a low voice. "Look," he said, "our Reformer has lately been very close to Agesilaus."
Diopettis looked at the scene before him coldly, then turned to Pausanias and said solemnly, "Although there's no doubt that Leotychides will inherit the throne, rumors have been spreading recently. To ensure that he can successfully take over Arkis, I need your help!"
"You want me to ask for an oracle from Delphi in the name of the king?" Pausanias immediately understood what Diopettis' request was. As the two kings of Sparta had claimed to be the closest descendants of Hercules since ancient times, they had a privilege that other Sparta people did not have. They could only ask for an oracle from the Delphi Sanctuary, so they had the right to interpret the sacred oracle.
"Yes!" Diopettis looked at him expectantly.
"I'll send someone to Delphi!" Pausanias nodded decisively. "I won't let that guy extend his ambition to our royal family!"
… …
It was already November. If it was a few hundred years ago in the ancient era, this would not be a good time for sailing. But with the advancement of navigation technology, even in the Mediterranean Sea, where there were many storms in winter, the main trade routes were still very busy.
The merchant ship that Timason, Zantiparis, Cleano and the others were on finally arrived at Taranto Bay in Greece.
"Turií is in front, our city!" Agathia said excitedly as he pointed at the faintly discernible green coastline in front.
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