Chapter 197
Then, the drumming stopped and was replaced by a long and vigorous horn call.
The members of the Blue Team also began to dance enthusiastically in a loose formation. Their movements were strange and unrestrained, and when they were excited, they even screamed "Ah! Ah! ". Their screams were filled with a primitive wildness that made people's blood boil …
When the horn stopped, the members of the two teams lined up and saluted the audience around them seriously. The cheers in the arena lasted for a long time …
Dios was so attracted by this novel and unprecedented opening that he did not hear Dicbolis' voice clearly.
"Dios, which team do you want to win?"
"Blue Team!" Dios answered without hesitation. The wild war dance of the Blue Team attracted his attention.
"You actually want the Lucanians to win!" Dicbolis was a little surprised.
"The Blue Team is Neutum's team?!" Dios suddenly realized. No wonder the dance was different.
"Didn't you see the competition information posted at the entrance of the arena?" Dicbolis emphasized, "I support Amendolara! Many of its citizens are from Crete, including my friends (referring to the soldiers of the Seventh Brigade of the First Legion). "
At this time, the members of both teams turned around and faced the VIP seats. Amidst the clamor, Dios saw a person stand up from the VIP seats.
"That's the only Life Consul of the Diónia Alliance, Devers!" Dicbolis' voice was filled with awe and a little jealousy.
It was the same for Dios. He had a strong urge to see this legendary Blessed with his own eyes.
He saw the Devers wave his right hand down.
The rapid and sharp bronze horn sounded continuously, and the competition began.
… …
"Sir Devers, there are more people watching the competition this afternoon than in the morning. According to the guard at the entrance, many of them are foreign merchants." Marigi said excitedly, "Sir, it seems that your plan to use an exciting competition to attract the rich people from the surrounding cities to spend money in Turií is completely possible!"
Mersis was also very excited. "I just went outside the arena to take a look. Beer, milk, and dried fruits are almost all sold out. Even sunshade hats and linen cushions have been sold out!"
"It's mainly because the rugby competition is too attractive!" As the governor of Turií, Cunogorata was also one of the people in charge of the competition. He followed the instructions of the Devers and participated in the organization, publicity, security, and preparations for the competition. He personally developed the planned rugby competition into the current situation. He was also filled with surprise. "Sir Devers, I think the rugby competition can be held regularly in the future, and we can charge fees, just like watching a play."
"Will the money from selling the tickets go to the national treasury?" Mersis asked anxiously.
"Of course it will go to the national treasury, but we need to pay the players and compensate the injured players to encourage more people to actively participate in the sport. The rest of the money will be used to build more arenas in Amendola, Neutum … Cunogorata, Cornelus, Marigi, Alexis, and Mersis, the five of you will form a rugby competition committee to discuss how to further promote rugby and attract more foreigners to watch. Make a more detailed and perfect plan, and speed up the implementation. In the future, when this sport becomes popular in Greece, we can also hold a rugby competition in Greece and invite the city states of Greece to send teams to participate! … "
Devers' words encouraged Cunogorata and the others. In this era, there were four sports competitions that had great influence in the Greek city-states. The Olympia Games held by the city-state of Elis in the Peloponnesus Peninsula was the oldest and most sacred, mainly dedicated to Zeus. The Temple of Zeus in Olympia was the holy land of the Greeks (one of the Seven Ancient Wonders); the Isthmian Games held by Corinth was mainly dedicated to Poseidon; the Pioscia Games held by the famous Delphi Temple in the Pioscia region was mainly dedicated to the Sun God Apollo; and the Nemean Games held by the Argosians, who boasted that they were the descendants of the noblest kings since ancient times, were also dedicated to Zeus. In addition, there was the Pan- Athens Games held by Athens to commemorate the Goddess of War and Wisdom, Athens. The Pan-Athens Games held by the city of Athens were also very influential, and not only were there sports competitions, but there were also competitions in music, poetry, and drama. Whenever these celebrations were held locally, famous people from all over Greece would gather there, and the eyes of all Greeks would also be focused there, winning great fame for the host city. If the rugby game developed well and a large-scale Pan-Hellenic rugby game was held to commemorate Pluto Hades, not only could it expand the influence of the Diónia League, but it could also make Cunogorata and the others famous in history and receive the favor of the gods.
Devers saw that they were in a trance and breathing rapidly, and vaguely guessed what they were thinking about. His imagination also ran wild in his heart. In the history of his previous life, the gladiatorial games of the Romans were famous in the Mediterranean, and his Diónia League did not need such bloody, cruel, and inhumane barbaric events. It could still entertain the public and inspire the citizens to be martial artists, and it could do better! In addition to rugby, basketball could also be held in the future … Basketball did not seem to work. The requirements for the ball were too high. Could the current craftsmanship do it? … Football might work. Let the leatherman Torricas try to do it when I go back …
"Score! Touchdown scored! Good job, Tegthenos! " Amyntas and Matonis, who were focused on the game, shouted excitedly. They clinked glasses with each other in celebration.
"Go buy me another can of beer," Amyntas said to the slave attendant.
"Master, the beer outside has been sold out. There's no more."
"There's no more?!" Amyntas immediately turned around and shouted in dissatisfaction, "Sir Devers, your beer is delicious, but the production is too low!"
Devers smiled bitterly. It seemed that it was time to expand the beer workshop again. Thinking of this, he thought of another matter.
"Everyone!" He said loudly. "You should all know that my wife recently bought the hot spring swamp north of Turií."
Burkos was the first to nod. As the agricultural officer, he had personally handled the sale of the land. At that time, he had even advised Cristoya that the place was infested with mosquitoes. Apart from a few hot springs, it was not suitable for farming or building houses, so she should not waste money to buy it.
"I plan to build a large hot spring there to attract Greek merchants and Diónia citizens to come and enjoy themselves. Because it involves the draining and filling of the swamp, the storage of the hot springs, the diversion of the Tino River, and the construction of the hot spring … it requires a lot of investment. Is there anyone willing to cooperate with me to invest in this hot spring?" Devers sincerely invited the elders.
Bath?! The Greeks of this era did not have the habit of taking a bath like the people of ancient Rome in his previous life. They lived a simple life and did not like to take a bath. If their bodies were too dirty, they would rub olive oil all over their bodies, scrape them with a special tool, and then rinse them with water. Therefore, many elders were hesitant about this new thing.
Marigi, who had enjoyed the luxurious life of Persia, shouted first, "Me! I want to invest! " Marigi often discussed the development of the Alliance's trade with the Devers. Of course, he knew the young Consul's talent in business. Not to mention anything else, the Devers had played a huge role in the prosperous business of Cristoia's banks, restaurants, and breweries.
"Me! Me too! "Merces was also someone who understood the Devers's talent in business.
"I'll invest some money too." Cunogorata and Cornelus said one after another. As the two governors who often discussed the management of the city with the Devers, they naturally knew the capabilities of the Devers.
"We're in too." Hilos, Matonis, Amyntas, Antonios, Alexis, and the other former leaders of the mercenaries had blind faith in the hot spring.
Other than Burks, Ancitanos, and a few other Turís elders who were willing to invest a small amount of money to show their support, the other Turís elders, such as Polyxis and Enanilos, clearly expressed that they were not optimistic about the hot spring.
Scombras, Strompoli, and the other Amendaran elders, who did not believe that the hot springs could make money, supported Dyvers, whom they viewed as an Amendaran, because of the Turi people's disapproval.
Vespa did not understand this at all, but he knew that he was at an absolute disadvantage in the Senate, so he could only follow the Devers closely.
Originally, the Devers only wanted to raise funds from the elders for business purposes, and at the same time, tie their interests together, and promote harmony in the Senate. In the end, it became a demonstration of the elders' attitude towards him.
… …
Dios stared at the field without blinking. The game was indeed very exciting, beyond his imagination.
He originally thought that this ball game might be similar to the stone ball throwing game in Sparta, but now it seemed that it was completely incomparable.
Dikopolis supported the Amendaran team, but he did not know why he hoped that Neutum would win from the bottom of his heart. However, the score was now 3: 0, and Neutum was behind.
Dios was a little anxious, secretly cheering for Neutum.
On the field, it was Neutum's blue team's turn to attack. The Amendaran red team clearly cooperated well and knew how to use tactics. They cut off the blue team player's passing route and forced him to the sidelines. Two members of the red team pounced on him. The blue team player with the ball had no space to dodge, so he could only try to pass the ball from his crotch to the back before he was pounced on. The blue team's quarterback was quick, and he quickly rushed forward to receive the ball. Two members of the red team immediately formed a pincer around him …
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