Chapter 245
The original Crotone Alliance relied on Crotone in both foreign affairs and wars. The other city-states had to pay tribute every year. Of course, Crotone did contribute a lot to the alliance's safety in defending against foreign enemies. However, with Crotone's power, it often made decisions without consulting the alliance, and the other alliances had to provide support for it, just like the declaration of war with Diónia. If they followed the Devers's suggestion, the opinions of the smaller alliances could be valued in the new alliance. This was a good thing for Triene, Corunna, and Siletina.
"I agree with the Consul's suggestion. Let's establish such an alliance among our city-states. This way, we can unite the city-states in southern Italy, protect our interests, and prevent our enemies from easily offending us!" The Triene Envoy, Cypross, expressed his support first.
Then, the Siletina Envoy agreed with this suggestion. Because their homeland was being protected by the Crotone army, the Corunna Envoy only expressed his approval in a vague way.
Therefore, everyone's eyes were focused on Sethpross.
Sethpross was already in a mess. He knew that as long as he nodded, the new alliance would be established, and the Crotone Alliance would no longer exist. Crotone's century-old hegemony in southern Italy would also come to an end. In fact, after the second Crotone War, the power of Crotone had already declined. It was only the Crotone Alliance that comforted the people.
Sisprotis did not dare to take on such a big responsibility and become the scapegoat of the people's insults. Therefore, he stammered, "This matter … I … I can't make the decision. It has to be … discussed and decided by the council."
The other Envoys were disappointed by his delay, but the Devers said calmly, "It's okay, we can wait."
… …
Negotiations could wait, but the war would not stop.
In the middle of February, Syracuse's army easily occupied Agrigento, which was the second largest Greek city-state in Sicily.
A few days later, Rockley's army, which had received a small amount of reinforcements from the kingdom, left the camp and marched toward Corunya City. Even though there were still more than two thousand Crotone reinforcements left in the Siletan territory, the Crotone army resolutely joined forces with the Corunya army and marched out of the city to meet the enemy. After the battle lasted for an hour, Rockley started to gain the upper hand with the advantage in numbers. If it weren't for the wind that coincidentally blew and prevented the Rockley cavalry from pursuing, the allied army of Crotone and Corunya would have suffered more than a small setback.
… …
When Turín was rebuilt, every senator of the Senate was allocated a residence. Cunogorata had purposely chosen a courtyard that was far away from his former residence to avoid being reminded of the past.
That night, when he returned home, the living room was still lit by candlelight. His eldest son, Sostatus, came out to welcome him. "Father, you're really late today. Did something troublesome happen in the city again?"
Cunogorata glanced at him and took off his sweaty Bolton. He stood in the courtyard and asked a male slave to bring water to clean his body. Then he said, "Antares and the others of Crimissa have come to the Senate to report. I'm busy with their household registration, the allocation of residences, and a lot of other things today …"
"You don't need to do these things yourself. Just let your subordinates do it."
"What do you know! Considering that Crimissa has just joined the Alliance, we need to use actions to show that Diónia values the senators who represent the people of Crimissa and dispel their worries … "
Sostatus leaned against the pillar and said disapprovingly, "It's another request from the Devers, isn't it?"
"Damn you!" Cunogorata grabbed the wet cloth in the slave's hand and threw it at Sostatus. He yelled, "How many times have I told you not to disrespect the Archon? You never listen!"
"How have I disrespected the Archon?" Sostatus yelled as he picked up the wet cloth and carefully threw it to the slave. "The Devers are my commander. I've always followed military law and listened to orders. However, this is how I speak. I can't change it. "
Cunogorata looked at his son's lazy expression even when he was seriously rebuking him. He couldn't help but sigh. This son of his really isn't cut out for politics! Thinking of this, he asked, "Why aren't you sleeping and waiting for me here? Are you thinking of borrowing money from me again?"
"You're underestimating me, Father. The last time I borrowed money from you, I contracted the warehouse and hotel in Amendola. Other than repaying you and paying the rent, guess how much money I earned? "Sostatus asked proudly. Cunogorata ignored him.
"One Talent and 20 Minas!" Sostatus wagged his finger and said proudly, "If it wasn't for the war with Crotone and the blockade of the port of Turií, I could have earned even more!"
He paused and said, "Father, I have something to discuss with you."
"Go ahead." Cunogorata knew that his father had something to say, so he pretended to be indifferent.
Sostatus looked at his father and said carefully, "After this war, the Union will give you and me a total of four acres of land in the northern plains of Croton. I want to use it to exchange for land in Amendola."
"What?! You want to use the fertile land of Croton to exchange for the barren land of Amendola?! " Even though Cunogorata didn't care about money, he had to be careful when it came to land. Land was the lifeblood of the Greeks.
"Father, listen to me!" Sostatus said hurriedly.
Cunogorata knew that his son must have a reason for saying that, so he cleaned himself and changed into clean clothes. He sat in the living room and listened to his son carefully.
"Father, you are the governor of Turií. You should know that the port's trade has been increasing since the reconstruction of Turií last year." Cunogorata snorted at Sostatus' words. How could he not know? He could even tell the number of cargo ships that entered and left Turií every month and the amount of trade taxes. Marigi had made a detailed plan to revitalize the Union's trade, and he had put in a lot of effort to realize it.
"Why can I earn money?! It's because Turií's port can't accommodate so many goods and foreigners anymore. That's why the warehouses and hotels under Amendola are so popular. Now that we've defeated Crotone, not only have we expanded our territory again, but we've also become the strongest nation in southern Italy. Merchants and freedmen will flock here, but the Senate has made a law that forbids the use of the fertile land of Sybari Plain for other purposes. Otherwise, the land will be taken back — "
"Yes, Burkes is in charge of this. It's also to protect the arable land of Turií," Cunogorata interrupted.
"I think this is the right thing to do!" Sostatus flattered him before saying, "This way, Amendolar has become the inevitable choice for these foreign merchants and freedmen. The industrial area that Marigi started last year has been auctioned off. I went to take a look a few days ago. There's already a weapons workshop, a pottery workshop, and a stone carving shop. These are all large-scale workshops that require a lot of labor and slaves. Hence, there's a huge demand for lodging, food, and entertainment. I've discussed it with others before. Four acres of land in Crotone Plain can be exchanged for eight acres of land in Amendola near the industrial area. With such a large piece of land, I can build a large number of cheap houses and warehouses. The annual rent alone will not be a small amount. I can also build some small shops and rent them out as bakeries and clothing shops … When I have money in the future, I can even buy many slaves and rent them out for profit … "Sostatus gushed about his dream.
"Father, no matter how fertile the land is, it'll still suffer heavy losses in a disaster year. According to my plan, as long as the Diónia Alliance remains strong, our family's annual income will be much greater than farming! "
Cunogorata looked at his son's high-spirited face and thought for a long time. He said, "Sostatus, you'll be in charge of the family's finances from now on. I'll announce this at home tomorrow and have Croisos (Cunogorata's slave butler) listen to your arrangements."
"Really?!" Sostatus could not believe his ears.
"Of course! Since you have the talent for business, I won't let you bury it. But … "Cunogorata said," After I die, you'll have to give half of the assets you earn to your brother. Can you agree to that? "
Under Cunogorata's gaze, Sostatus calmed down. He thought about it carefully and said solemnly, "Ever since our family was chased out of Turií and my sister Sephina … left us, it made me feel that I need to cherish my family even more! Dicacortex is my only brother. Father, I'll sign an agreement according to Ni's request. When you go to … Elysee, I'll give him half of the family's assets! And my sister, when she remarries, I'll prepare a rich dowry for her! "
"Very good! Very good! " Cunogorata was relieved. He felt that he had made the right decision. Sostatus's words reminded him of another worry.
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