Chapter 244
The flat and wide streets, the neatly divided blocks, the neatly arranged houses … all of these made one feel the importance that the people of Diónia placed on cleanliness and order. The tall water bridges that spanned across the city, the gigantic water wheels that slowly turned, the uniquely shaped fountains, and the gurgling water on both sides of the roads … all of these showed that the people of Diónia, as Greeks, had their own unique characteristics and pursuits in the art of architecture and technology.
The things that made the emissaries pause the most were the white and towering Triumphal Arch, the majestic Victory Square, and the majestic Senate Hall. These were obviously displaying the ambitions and pursuits of Diónia. If they saw these things in the past, they might have secretly mocked Diónia for overestimating himself. However, after experiencing the Second Crotone War, they had no choice but to take this city-state alliance seriously. They could clearly see that from the moment this new city was built, it had shown itself to be different from the other Greek city-states, as well as its extraordinary ambitions.
Not to mention, just looking at the Temple of Hades that was about to be completed on the hill in the distance, Diónia was the only city in all of Greece that had Hades as the guardian of the city.
Just as the emissaries were carefully observing the center of this new city-state alliance while heading west towards the Senate, the people of Turín had left their houses, and were heading east in high spirits.
"I heard them saying something about … distributing land?" The emissary of Siletina asked curiously.
"Yes, I heard it too." The emissary of Telina asked more directly, "Are you going to distribute the newly occupied land to the citizens?"
"Everyone, the land that Diónia did not forcibly occupy was obtained legally according to the covenant!" Plesinas, who came to greet them, immediately corrected them with a serious expression.
The emissaries did not refute, but they were cursing in their hearts.
"According to the Military Law of Diónia, the Citizenship Law of Diónia, and the promise made by the Senate before the war, all citizens and prospective citizens who participated in this war will be given land." Plesinas continued without hiding anything, "According to the merits of the militia in the war and the actual situation of the land in the northern plains of Assporstum, Crimisa, and Croton … During this time, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Military Affairs under the Senate have done a lot of work. Today is the announcement of the results of land distribution. Not only the people of Tuliyi, but the people of Amendolara and Neutum will also come. Because there are too many people, it can only be held outside the city … If the emissaries are interested, you can go and have a look after the meeting."
"Let's hurry to the Senate and get things done. The citizens of our city are still waiting for our news!" Seeing that the other emissaries were tempted, Sisprotis reminded them loudly, taking the opportunity to hide his embarrassment. After all, the land that Diónia distributed was the land that Crotone was forced to cede.
… …
Sisprotis knew that this trip would not be as easy as the previous one, but he did not expect that in the face of the request of the four emissaries, all the senators of the Senate of Diónia were adamant in their opposition to sending troops.
… "The war has just ended, and Diónia has suffered great losses. They do not have enough money and food to deal with another war!" …
… "The citizens of Diónia have just put down their shields and spears, and they have just been allocated land. They are all ready to take a good rest and plant wheat on the newly allocated land before the end of spring. They can still catch up with the harvest, so there is no desire to fight!" …
… "There is no need for Diónia to become enemies with Rockley, and thus provoke the powerful city of Syracuse!" …
In short, all these words could be summed up in one sentence: Diónia only wanted to rest, and did not want to meddle in other people's business.
Therefore, the emissaries of Siletina, Triene, and Corunna expressed their willingness to sign the Defense Alliance Treaty with Diónia, just like Crotone. However, they were strongly opposed by the senators of Diónia. Their reason was simple: With the current strength of Diónia, almost no force in Southern Italy dared to provoke them. On the other hand, Corunna, Triene, and Siletina were attacked from time to time by Rockley and Bruti. If they signed the treaty, it would be equivalent to these three city-states hiring a powerful alliance of city-states for free to protect their safety. This was obviously beneficial to them, but not to Diónia.
The negotiations in the Senate reached an impasse. Sisprotis was anxious, but there was nothing he could do.
At this time, the Triene emissary said eagerly, "What if I request to join the alliance of Diónia?"
The Triene emissary did not come on a whim. When they passed by Castellón, Amicles and the others had treated them with great hospitality. During the banquet, the senators of Castellón mentioned the many benefits that Castellón had obtained after joining the alliance of Diónia. At the same time, they had seen the stability and prosperity of the people in Castellón with their own eyes, and this had touched the emissaries.
When Sisprotis heard this, he was shocked and subconsciously shouted, "Sisprotis, do you know what you are talking about?!"
"To save Triene!" The emissary, Sisprotis, said righteously, "We, the people of Triene, have always abided by the covenant in the alliance, responding to the call of Crotone, paying tribute on time every year, and in every war, we have actively sent troops and food! Now, in exchange, the people of Rockley have wantonly destroyed the territory of Triene. Triene is a small city-state, living in the gap between Hibernian (a city-state in the Rockley Alliance, south of Triene) and the Bruti. If we do not defeat Rockley as soon as possible and the Bruti attack, I am afraid that the people of Terrila will starve to death! "
Sisprotis wanted to say that if Triene ran out of food, Crotone could help.
But he immediately swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. Crotone had experienced two wars with Diónia and suffered heavy losses. Because of the blockade by the fleet of Rockley, the people in the city were also facing a food shortage. This was the main reason why Crotone was so eager to agree to their three allies to ask for help from Diónia.
He warned loudly, "Don't you know that after joining the alliance of Diónia, you can no longer have any alliance relationship with other city-states?! If Triene leaves the alliance of Crotone, then Crotone will immediately retreat the troops of Crotone who are defending Triene. In the future, if the enemy invades, we will not give any help to Triene! "
Sisprotis' words were not only directed at Triene, but also to the emissaries of Syracuse and Corunna, and even the Senate of Diónia. After all, the main force to resist Rockley in the South was Crotone. If it refused to help, not only would the other city-states be in big trouble, it would also be a hindrance to Diónia's plan.
Because of that, the emissaries of Syracuse and Corunna who originally had some thoughts kept their mouths shut. The emissary of Triene, Cypross, was also in a difficult position.
Seeing this situation, the Devers said slowly, "Emissaries from the city-states of Crotone, if Diónia agrees to your request and sends troops to repel Rockley, then Rockley and even Syracuse will most likely focus their anger on Diónia. Any rational citizen of Diónia will not allow us to make such a foolish decision to help you, which is completely detrimental to the interests of our alliance."
The emissaries' expressions darkened at the words of the Devers.
The Devers then changed the topic, "But as you have said just now, whether it is Diónia, Crotone, or Syracuse … conflicts of interests, or even wars, are ultimately a matter between the Greek city-states. However, colluding with Syracuse of Sicily and intervening in the war between the Greek city-states like Rockley is undoubtedly attracting a hungry wolf to a flock of sheep, threatening the safety of the entire Greek city-states. We must end the war with Rockley as soon as possible while Syracuse is busy fighting Carthage, not giving Syracuse an excuse to interfere. Therefore, whether to send troops or not, the Senate of Diónia is in a difficult position! The citizens need a good reason to let them, who yearn for stability, feel that they are not fighting a meaningless battle for an outsider. Diónia also does not want to be abandoned after helping you, and face a strong enemy alone in the future! "
The emissaries fell into silence. The meaning of the Devers' words was already very clear.
However, Sisprotis was distraught. He remembered the warning of Lucius before he left: Diónia may not want the large amount of gold, silver, and materials promised by the city-states to force it to send troops, and it may not sign a defense alliance treaty with the city-states. They may want more …
At this time, the Devers spoke again in a clear voice, "I have a proposal for you to consider."
At the moment when he paused, every emissary pricked up their ears.
"The five city-states of Diónia, Crotone, Syracuse, Corunna, and Triene shall form an alliance together to resist and attack the enemies who dare to invade us. The alliance shall not invade each other, and if there are any conflicts, they can be resolved through negotiation! … "
Hearing this, the emissaries all looked as if they had expected it, but the expression on Sisprotis' face deepened. The others were obviously a little tempted, especially the Triene emissary, Cypross, who became lively again and rushed to ask, "May I ask, Lord Consul, who will be the leader of this alliance?"
As soon as this question was asked, Sisprotis suddenly became nervous.
The Devers smiled slightly, "Regardless of the size of the alliance, the alliance shall be equal. When there are problems and it is difficult to reach an agreement, each city-state can vote to solve it …"
Comments