Chapter 205
Cunogorata's solemn expression relaxed a lot. He thought for a moment and said, "I'm afraid our war with the Crotone can't be resolved in two or three days. In that case, we should focus on how to solve the problem of supplying food to tens of thousands of soldiers."
Marigi immediately said, "I'll rush to the market now and suspend all wheat transactions. I'll immediately purchase all flour and other food from the market to prevent the merchants from maliciously speculating on the news of the war and causing the price of food to rise. I also suggest that we go to Heraclea immediately to purchase food as a reserve … "
The Devers nodded in agreement. Although Merces had a long face, he still cooperated and brought Marigi to the treasury to collect the money.
At this time, Burcos stood up and said, "It's now the season for wheat planting. Most of the citizens are participating in the war, which will seriously affect the harvest of this year's agriculture. I suggest that we stop mining and organize the thousands of city-state slaves to farm the citizens' land. At the same time, we give some benefits to the free citizens of the Alliance so that they can take the initiative to help us. That way, we won't lack labor in the fields."
"Burcos, you're very thoughtful." The Devers said solemnly, "Cornelus, Cunogorata, and … (Neutum is quite far away, and under normal circumstances, Sesta is in the city and can't attend every Senate meeting)." His gaze shifted to the back of the meeting room. "Vesba, Hemont. (Hemont has been to the Grumentum many times and successfully signed a peace agreement with Sinsinag. He has also persuaded the small Lucaria tribe to submit to the Alliance. His influence among the Lucanians is stronger than Vesba's. Finally, Bagoule suggested to the Devers, and the Devers suggested to the Senate. The Senators voted and approved, making him the third Lucaria Senator.) The Devers suggested to discuss with Burcos and come up with a feasible plan as soon as possible to ensure that there won't be any problems with our food farming and grazing due to the war. "
"Okay," the few of them replied.
"Felicius, immediately issue a war mobilization order to all the cities in the Alliance! Also, send someone to inform Laos and Castellón to send reinforcements … Oh … and … Hmm … Tell Castellón to strengthen the city's defenses and burn the pontoon bridge over the Trionto River! "
Felicius was stunned for a moment. He wanted to say that there was no bridge over the Trionto River and that they could walk on foot, but out of trust and obedience to the Devers, he immediately bowed and said, "I'll send someone to do it right away."
"Plesinus." The Devers said apologetically, "We had no choice but to suspend the construction of the temple and invest all the income of the treasury into this war!"
"I understand, I agree!" Pleasinus replied.
The Devers nodded in relief. Looking around at the elders, he clenched his fist and raised his right arm. "My lords," he said loudly, "Crotone had destroyed cities on the Xubari Plain thrice! After we defeated it, it must be very jealous of Diónia! Why? It's because it's afraid that Diónia will seek revenge after it grows stronger. It will do everything it can to strangle Diónia while it's still growing. So, this war is not something we can avoid even if we want to! The war is upon us, we must unite and defeat Crotone once again. We must avenge the humiliation of Burning City and open up a wider world for the future of the Diónia Alliance! "
"War! War! If we can defeat Crotone once, we can defeat it a second time! "Capus, Antonios, Amyntas, and the other mercenary elders raised their arms and shouted.
"Fight Crotone to the death!" Scombras, Proxilaus, and the other Amendolara elders responded enthusiastically.
"Turií must not be destroyed again! We must fight Crotone with all our might! "Burkes, Ancitanos, and some other Turií elders also expressed their support angrily.
"We Lucanians are also citizens of the Alliance. We will defend the Diónia Alliance with all our might!" Vesba and Hemont, the two Lucanian elders, naturally supported the Devers's decision.
Amidst the excitement of the declaration of war, the two officials, Cunogorata and Cornelus, who were initially hesitant, also decisively declared that they would lead the officials and citizens of the cities under their jurisdiction to prepare for the war.
"Dong!" While Marigi was leading his men to the market to buy food, the bell that was originally cast for the Temple of Hades was temporarily placed in front of the Grand Assembly Hall because the temple was not completed yet. It rang for the first time today. The cavalry then galloped toward Amendolara, Neutum, Laos, and Castellón!
When the citizens heard the bell ringing throughout the city, most of them were still a little confused.
At this time, the patrols ran through the streets and alleys of the city, shouting continuously, "Citizens, attention please! Citizens, attention please! War has broken out! War has broken out! Citizens who have participated in military training, please gather at the square immediately! Gather at the square immediately! … "
On the vast Sybari Plain, the cavalry also shouted the same words in every newly built village.
War had suddenly come, and it was natural for the citizens to be confused and panicked. However, the strict military training over the past six months had taught the citizens and prospective citizens discipline and obedience. They put down their chores and stopped working. After praying to the statues of the gods in their homes, they hugged their families and said goodbye. They brought all their weapons and rations and gathered at the Victory Square of Turií from all directions …
Such an obvious move in the city of Turií certainly fell into Tratus' eyes. He wrote in a secret letter: Turií has issued a war mobilization order. They are rushing to buy food in the market. There is a riot at the port, but it is under control. The situation in other cities is temporarily unknown.
Tratus sent the secret letter and on his way back from the port, he saw the freemen rushing to their shabby shacks with worried faces. A trace of apology rose in his heart. After staying here for more than half a year, he gradually fell in love with this lively city. He had ridden in a galloping carriage, eaten delicious boiled beef and mutton, watched exciting and intense football games … He admitted that life in Turií was more interesting and humane than in Crotone. If he was not a citizen of Crotone, he would also be willing to live here for a few years and strive to become a citizen of Diónia. Unfortunately …
… …
The passenger ship that Lucias took left the Corati River. He did not directly return to Crotone along the coastline. He first went to Castellón.
At this time, Castellón did not know that a war had broken out between Diónia and Crotone. Out of courtesy, they received Lucias.
When Lucias told them the news of "the war between Crotone and Diónia", the general of Castellón and the senior members of the council were stunned.
Lucias threatened them, "The 40,000 troops gathered by Crotone are about to arrive. This is the largest army that Greece has ever seen! Castellón can only be safe if it leaves the Diónia Alliance and joins Crotone. Otherwise, it will only be destroyed! "
The council of Castellón had a heated debate. Although they were indeed afraid of Crotone's attack, ever since they joined the Diónia Alliance, it had brought them too many benefits. Transportation was convenient, trade was convenient, the income of the people and the treasury was much more abundant, and the status of the city had also been improved. So far, Diónia had never discriminated against Castellón. According to the covenant, they had never asked for a single cent of tribute, nor did they ask them to do anything against their will. On the contrary, they were invited to any important celebrations … The people of Castellón's opinion of Diónia grew day by day. They seemed to have found the happiness and stability they had under the protection of Sybaris a hundred years ago.
In the end, Castellón reluctantly rejected Lucias's request. The chief general, Amicles, said tactfully, "According to the covenant of the Diónia Alliance, we have no right to sign any treaties or agreements with other cities, so I'm sorry! … "
Lucias had no choice but to leave the port.
At this time, the cavalry of Diónia had arrived and told the council of Castellón that the alliance was gathering troops. Soon, as many as 20,000 troops would arrive to help defend Castellón.
Amicles and the others were completely relieved. They began to strengthen the walls, gather food, burn the pontoon bridge, and seal the port according to Diónia's instructions.
Lucias saw the billowing smoke on the Trionto River, which made him understand Castellón's determination. At the same time, he was also surprised by the strength of Diónia's influence. He was even more determined to agree with Crotone's decision to attack Diónia.
The passenger ship he was on quickly went south and passed by Crimissa. The Crotone fleet, which had been waiting there for a long time, heard the news of the outbreak of war from Lucias. They immediately raised their sails and sailed towards the Diónia Alliance …
At this time, under the reminder of Cunogorata, the Devers sent Plesinas to Tarantum to ask the alliance, which had forty three-oared warships, to provide assistance to Diónia at sea and stop the Crotone fleet from blockading the port of Turií.
However, the Senate of Tarantum, under the strong opposition of Cunogorata, after a heated discussion, they apologetically told Plesinas that Diónia's request came too late. After the new year, the Mesapi invaded the territory of Tarantum again, and Diónia led the army to repel them. The Senate believed that it was necessary to teach Mesapi a painful lesson and beat down their arrogance. So, Diónia was once again ordered to lead the army south to attack Mesapi's fortress, Manduria. The warships of Tarantum had also rushed to the Adriatic Sea to harass the hinterland of Mesapi and interfere with their reinforcements to Manduria, so they could not provide help to Diónia. However, Tarantum could provide food aid to Diónia at a fair price. They only needed to go to Heraclea to buy it.
Note: Due to the reader's doubts, here is an explanation of the population of Greater Greece: According to several sources, the number of Turií soldiers who attacked Lucania in history was 10000 to 15000. The fact that the Turií dared to let such a large number of soldiers stay away from the city showed that there were many citizen soldiers in the city. Therefore, the author of one source guessed that the population of Turií at that time was at least more than 200,000 people (all the people, not just citizens). Other sources showed that when Tarantum was at its most prosperous period, its population was about 300,000. It was a large city in Greater Greece that was no weaker than Athens. Tarantum entered its final glory during the period when Archita was the consul, which was about ten years after the novel was written. Therefore, the population of Tarantum at this time was probably no less than 250,000 people. Then, Crotone, which was comparable to it, had a large area, and its population was probably no less than this number. Locri and Ligem were smaller in area, and their population was certainly less than the above city-states. However, they were influential city-states in Greater Greece, and their population was probably no less than 100,000. The population of these major Greater Greek city-states added up to more than one million. If other Greater Greek city-states such as Triene, which was located on the Euphemia Plain, and Metapontum, which was famous for its agriculture, were included, the population of Greater Greece was probably more than 1.5 million people.
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