Chapter 255
"That's great!" Devers finally could not help but stand up excitedly. "Young Heraclide, it's amazing that you can think of this!"
"Sir, this is not my idea alone. It's a proposal after discussion with other staff of the Highway Bureau," Young Heraclide said truthfully. Little Heracrid said honestly. He was a little confused. How could the young, wise, and seemingly god-given consul be so excited about some road reconstruction ideas?
Of course, he would not understand that at this moment, Devers was thinking about the national characteristics of the Greeks. Through the historical materials of his previous life and his personal experience in this era, he felt that the Greeks were indeed an excellent race. They had created a brilliant civilization in science, technology, culture, military, politics, sports, and so on. But why was it Rome and not Greece that later unified the Mediterranean?
Dyfus believed that there were some fatal flaws in the Greek national characteristics. They were too self-centered and could not form unity. They were too passionate and unrestrained but lacked practical tenacity. The Greek city-states had built countless magnificent temples, arenas, and theaters, but they could not keep their cities clean and tidy … So, ever since Dyfus became the leader of the mercenary group, he had used strict military law to restrain the undisciplined mercenaries. He had been trying to slowly guide and change the Greek people under his rule.
Young Heraclide's Highway Bureau could notice these details and make changes. This kind of serious, practical, and considerate approach certainly made Devers feel gratified. He praised, "My judgment was not wrong. You are not only an excellent road and bridge builder, but also a good road bureau chief, managing the road system in the Diónia Alliance!"
Young Heraclide was a little embarrassed in the face of praise, but he still continued to say, "The reconstruction of the road will cost a lot. I am worried that the Senate —"
"Don't worry, the Senate will pass your proposal." Devers guaranteed, "The road has brought great benefits to Diónia. The reconstruction of the road will only make it more convenient for people to travel and transport goods. This is a good thing. It's worth it no matter how much it costs."
"Then I'm relieved!" Young Heraclide was sincerely grateful to Devers. It was this young man who stopped him and his father from wandering! It was also this young man who helped him find his own career! And it was this young man's support that made him stand out in the politics of Diónia!
"How is your father's health?"
The Devers' words brought him back to his senses. "Not too good. Recently, he often wakes up at night and coughs non-stop. I can even see blood in his phlegm … I told him to rest more at home. Piascos is watching the temple, so there won't be any problems, but he just won't listen!" Heracrid Jr. said worriedly.
Devers sighed inwardly. In fact, Herpes, who had treated Heracrid, had already told him that this stubborn old man did not have much time left.
Devers comforted him softly, "Your father sees the newly built city of Turín as his own child, he is worried about it! Don't worry, I'll ask Herpes to send a doctor to look after your father at all times … "
… …
After sending Young Heracrid Jr. away, Devers stretched and prepared to go back to the backyard to accompany his wife and son who were sleeping soundly.
At this time, the slave supervisor, Ribazot, came in and reported, "Master, Felicius, Bagoule, Vespa, and Hemont, the four Senators, are here to see you."
Of course, Devers knew why these four people were here. This was a major event related to whether the arrangements of Diónia would finally be effective. He had to pull himself together and said, "Invite the four senators in."
Speaking of which, Devers was a little helpless. The public officials of several cities in the Diónia Alliance, such as city governors, judges, tax officers, and so on, all had offices in the city hall. As for the senators who controlled the highest power in the Alliance, they had no personal office except to discuss state affairs, discuss and enact bills in the Senate's Grand Hall. The same was true for the only senator in the Alliance, the Chief Senator Devers. Therefore, the living room of his own mansion had become the usual office of the Devers, and most of the other senators were the same. The Senate had several times discussed building a magnificent office building for the senators of the entire Alliance, but due to various factors such as funds and manpower, the proposal remained on paper.
After the four of them took their seats, Felicius, the military officer, was the first to speak, "Master Devers, we are here to ask you if it is time to start the plan to seize the Grumentum."
"What is the current situation of the Grumentum?" Devers asked with a serious expression. In fact, he had already learned about the situation in the Lucaria region through Aristiras.
"Master Senator." Hemont bowed and said, "Not long after Potentia defeated Pixian and occupied the Grumentum, their great leader, Puamot, led the main army back to the city of Potentia, leaving only his brother, Boret, to lead two thousand tribal warriors to guard the city of Grumentum. It turns out that Lusau, the son of the great leader of the Grumentum, Akepirus, also stayed in the city to assist Boret in managing the Grumentum."
Devers smiled. "Lusau, who was betrayed by his own people?! The people of Potentia really dared to use him?! "
"Master, you are right. It was a mistake for Puamot to leave Lusau behind!" Vesba took over the conversation and sneered. "I have dealt with Lusau before. He bullies the weak and fears the strong, and he is extremely vengeful. It was he who led the army to drive my tribe into the mountains … It is said that when he was in Potentia, he flattered Puamot like a dog. Perhaps it was because of this that Puamot mistakenly thought that he would help Potentia stabilize the governance of the Grumentum.
However, after Lusau returned to the Grumentum and gained the support of several tribes, his strength increased, and he began to act arrogantly. Although the leaders of the tribes who had betrayed him had been killed by Sinsinag, Lusau did not let his people off. He often sent new tribes to stir up trouble, and then punished them for disobedience. He took the opportunity to annex their settlements and pastures … He often agreed to Poret's orders verbally, but did not carry them out behind his back, and even went against him.
The warriors from Potentia also bullied the people of the Grumentum in the city because they were the victors. It is said that Poret treated the tribes inside and outside the Grumentum City mildly, but he could not control his men, let alone make Lusau listen to his orders.
Now, the people of Grumentum hate Lusau, hate the people of Potentia! " As Wesba spoke, he glanced at He Meng. "That's why the emissary that He Meng and I sent to the city secretly made contact with them, and we were warmly welcomed by them. They are eager for us to chase away the Bortians!
"The people of Grumentum hate Lusau, but we should thank him!" The Devers joked, and everyone laughed.
The Devers asked again, "What are their demands?"
"They are willing to join Diónia, but they hope that after we take over the Grumentum, we will allow them to move to Neutum and give them land no smaller than their current settlements and pastures. Like the tribes in Neutum, Diónia will not interfere with their management of the people. For this, they are willing to provide the greatest help for Diónia to take over the city of Grumentum."
After listening to Hemont, the Devers was slightly surprised. "Their demands are that simple?!"
"At first, their demands were far more than that, but our people made them realize that they have betrayed Lusau and Sinsinag. Now, they want to drive away the people of Potentia, so their only hope is the Alliance of Diónia. Making things difficult for the master who will protect them in the future is not a smart thing to do!" Hemont said with some pride. "The peaceful life of the Lucanians in Diónia and the good reputation of the Alliance of keeping its promises made them finally choose to cooperate with us."
"If that's the case, why didn't they stay in the Grumentum after we took over the Grumentum? After all, that is their homeland. "The Devers was a little confused.
"Sir, that's because they are afraid!" Bagoule said disdainfully. "Because they think that Potentia and Picossis will come again to fight for the Grumentum City in the future. They don't dare to face their wrath again!"
"These guys are smart people," the Devers muttered. To be honest, he was worried about leaving these capricious tribes in the Grumentum. Since they were smart enough to leave voluntarily, of course, the Devers would return the favor. "Is there any spare pastures in Neutum to accommodate them?"
"Not at the moment," Vesba said hesitantly. "However, I have negotiated with all the tribal leaders in Neutum. Some of the tribes are willing to move to the Grumentum and exchange with these Grumentum tribes' settlements, but they want to be compensated with the mining rights of the Grumentum's iron mines."
The Devers shook his head gently. The iron mines of the Grumentum had long been coveted by some of the senators in the Senate. Senators like Masisakus had looked for him several times, hoping to contract the iron mines of the Grumentum.
He pondered for a moment and said, "It's impossible to have the mining rights, but they can get a part of the profits from the iron mines. As for the specific amount, Hemont, you go and negotiate with them, but it can't exceed 20%, provided that they provide manpower to participate in the mining and transportation."
"Okay, I will go to Neutum tomorrow to discuss with them." Hemont nodded.
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