Chapter 322
Dracos chuckled. He was proud that the Second Legion was no longer the First Legion's follower.
The Devers patted his shoulder and asked, "Where is the hero who crossed the Krati River?"
"He was injured while crossing the river. He is receiving treatment from the doctors in the city. He can't go out for the time being," Dracos answered.
"He's injured! Is it serious? "The Devers asked with concern.
"I heard from the doctors that a few of his ribs were broken on his left side. His lungs are injured and there are some external injuries. However, he will recover after some rest."
"Without him, we wouldn't have won today! We must take good care of him! "The Devers urged.
"Don't worry, Sir. We will take good care of him! "
The Devers nodded. He was about to say something when he saw a large group of people walking in their direction. He immediately smiled and strode toward the oldest man from Abyssinia. "Are you Chief Bagylipi?"
Bagylipi hurriedly bowed and was ready to salute Bruti. "Chief Bagylipi of the Perga Tribe of Abyssinia greets Sir Consul Devers!"
The Devers quickly stopped him and said passionately, "Thank you! Without your help, Abyssinia would not have recovered its peace so quickly! The people of Diónia and Abyssinia should thank you! Because of your decisiveness and selflessness, they will not have another family member die in vain! … "
The words of the Devers made the white-haired old man emotional. Many people in Abyssinia had called him a "traitor" these few days. One could imagine the grievance he felt. At this moment, the young man in front of him gave him the feeling that it was hard to meet a bosom friend.
"Because of your achievements, I've proposed that the Senate of Diónia hold an emergency meeting. Through a majority vote, you'll become a member of the Senate of Diónia, just like Vespa and Hemont of Lucania. You'll become a respected elder of the entire Alliance of Diónia. I wonder if you're willing to accept this?"
After listening to Devers's words, the steady Bagylipi showed a shocked expression, but soon he answered without hesitation, as if he was afraid that Devers would go back on their words, because this was what he hoped for. "I do! Thank you, Senate, for your trust in me! "
Devers held his arms and laughed. "That's great! From now on, we are a family! "
Dracos, Adrianx, and the others congratulated Bagylipi.
Bagylipi showed a rare smile.
At this moment, he heard coughing behind him. Only then did he remember that he had overlooked something. He quickly turned around and said, "Sir Devers, let me introduce you, this is —"
"Leader Brim of Abyssinia!" Before he finished speaking, Devers had already rushed to salute him. On the way, he had already learned about the situation of several leading figures of Abyssinia in detail. At this moment, he said enthusiastically, "It was with your help that Dracos and the others were able to defend the fortress! Similarly, the Senate of Diónia, in order to thank you for what you've done, invites you to join the Senate! "
After listening to Bagylipi's translation, Brim was a little stunned. Previously, when he saw Cosenza's army retreating from the fortress, he knew that Abyssinia would no longer belong to Bruti. However, he still found it a little hard to accept that it would suddenly belong to an alliance dominated by the Greeks.
"Say something, are you happy?!" Bagylipi gave him a look and pushed him.
"I … I'm very happy …" Brim mumbled softly.
Dyvers did not take it to heart. He laughed and said, "Elder Brim, rest well! We still need your help in the upcoming battle! "
Just as Brim responded, Creylou squeezed forward. Before he could speak, Devers looked at him and said loudly, "I know you, Creylou, the hero of Abyssinia! If it weren't for you, how could the warriors of Abyssinia return home so smoothly! "
After listening to Bagylipi's translation, Creylou did not expect that the Consul of Diónia, whom he had never met before, not only recognized him, but also knew about his deeds. He was both excited and proud.
"Originally, I have proposed to the Senate to let you enter the Senate. However, you are too young and have never managed a tribe before. The senators of the Senate believe that you should first be appointed as an official of Diónia affairs. After you have accumulated a certain amount of administrative experience, the senators of the Senate will open the door for you!" Devers explained to him that he did make a proposal to the Senate, but it was just for show. He did not want to let this young man enter the Senate now. That would only lower the quality of the senators in the Senate, and it would also make people feel that the threshold of the Senate was too low. Previously, senators such as Amyntas, Alpuenshi, and Ledes were not of high quality. However, that was the initial stage, and Devers needed a lot of support. The situation was different now. Creylou was a little disappointed.
However, as an ordinary tribesman of the Nicourou tribe of Abyssinia not long ago, he had become the leader of a tribe in the blink of an eye. He could not expect too much, so he said modestly, "Compared to the two leaders, Bagylipi and Broom, I still know too little. I will do my best to help my tribesmen adapt to our new home, Diónia."
Devers nodded. Although this leader was young, he was steady and knew his limits. Devers was satisfied with his position.
Before entering the city, the Devers went to the small riverbank.
Amidst the roar of the Krati River, Devers listened to Dracos narrate the process of the ambush on Ciudad Abyssinia. Although he was the one who came up with the plan, he could still feel the thrill of that night as he watched the raging river. He could not help but say emotionally, "I don't think there's any problem with Secorian wishing to leave his name on the Hall of Valhalla! It is his bravery and fearlessness, and that of another brave man, that have allowed us to stand on this beach! I hope that their deeds will inspire the citizens of Diónia to be brave enough to contribute to the Alliance, and the Alliance will always remember those who have contributed! "
"Sir, you are right!" Dracos felt the same way.
Most of the people of Abyssinia who followed the Devers to the riverbank only then knew the reason for the fall of the town. Some of them even thought that if they had built one or two watchtowers at the riverbank, today's events would not have happened …
At this moment, the Devers turned around and said to Bagylipi and the rest, "Turií and Abyssinia are actually not that far apart, but the river separates Turií and Abyssinia from each other. It also makes life difficult for the people of Abyssinia … Therefore, when the war is over, not only will we build a cable bridge here, we will also build a real bridge so that Ciudad Abyssinia will no longer be a poor and remote place, but a place where merchants gather and pedestrians must pass through. Ciudad Abyssinia will definitely prosper! Because from Turií to Cosenza Highlands, Abyssinia is the shortest route! "
The Devers's words made Bagylipi and the other people of Abyssinia who could understand Greek excited.
Back at the city gate, he refused to let the army enter the city. Instead, he asked the newly arrived First Legion, the Allied Army, and the Legion Reserve Army to expand and settle in the defensive camp in the east. However, the tens of thousands of heavily armed soldiers circling in front of the city gate still made the people of Abyssinia afraid.
After entering the council hall of Ciudad Abyssinia, the Devers did not waste a second to discuss the ownership of Abyssinia with the three Abyssinia leaders and a few tribal nobles. After half a day of discussion, they finally reached an agreement:
1. After Abyssinia was merged into the Union of Diónia, the Senate would appoint a governor to manage the administration of Ciudad Abyssinia.
2. The tribes would still have jurisdiction over their people and land. The tribal leaders would exercise the right of management, and the city governor would not interfere.
3. The land tax must be paid by the leaders on time, and military training must be attended regularly.
4. Given that Abyssinia was the first town in the Bruto area to be merged into Diónia, the tribes could apply to the Senate to change the fertile tribal territory.
5. The people of Abyssinia enjoyed the same rights and obligations as the people of Lucania. At the same time, when they voluntarily asked to leave the tribe and live independently, the tribal leaders could not stop them.
…
After the agreement was reached, Bagylipi hesitated and said, "Master Devers … I have a small request."
"Please speak," the Devers replied politely.
"As the lifetime governor of the most powerful city-state union in southern Italy, you have too few guards! Like our Bruti leaders, which one of them did not have two to three hundred or even a thousand guards around them? Therefore, I hope that my nephew Rodom can become your bodyguard and protect your safety. At the same time, he can also learn how to be a qualified citizen of Diónia under your guidance … "
Rodom? The Devers remembered the energetic young man in the welcoming team. He was about to respond when the others in the hall realized the benefits of Bagylipi's proposal and shouted, "Master Devers, my son also wants to be your guard!"
"And my two sons!"
"There are five in our tribe!"
…
The reason why the people in the hall were so enthusiastic was because of the tradition of Abyssinia. When Nicourou was tyrannical, almost every family had sent their children to be his guards. Now that they were conquered, it was inevitable that they would feel a sense of gain and loss. If they could have a closer relationship with the highest authority in Diónia, they would be happy to add more security to their families and tribes.
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