Chapter 329
After lunch, Patroclus and Stefos went to the Temple of Nina in Athens, which was not far from the school.
The temple was built by the local people to thank Athens for their great help in rebuilding the city of Turín (the original patron of Turín was Apollo). After the Peloponnesus War, Turín forcibly cut off relations with Athens and expelled the Turín of Athens. Since then, the number of people who came here to pray had decreased, and now there were only a few.
The children liked to play rugby and soccer in the small square in front of the temple. In these sports, Patroclus was a little star, because at the age of 13, he was far stronger, faster, and more agile than the other children, so everyone liked to play with him.
But these days, he and Stefos were not interested in playing. The two children were lying on the wall of the temple and throwing stones into the Koseni River.
"Stefos, I haven't seen my father for almost two months. Let me tell you, this is the first time I've been away from my father for such a long time. I wonder how he's doing now … "Patroclus stared blankly at the rushing river. He was a little worried and complained," Last time, I saw him. "Last time, when the First Legion passed by Turín, the Devers didn't even let them go home! They left so fast, I tried to chase after them after class, but I couldn't catch up with them … "
Stefos laughed carelessly. "I heard from my father that the requirements to be a soldier of the legion are very strict, much stricter than the requirements of our school. If you break the rules, you will be spanked. Your father is afraid of being spanked, so of course he doesn't dare to come to see you! "
Patroclus glared at him. "I don't think you are worried about your father."
Stefos stopped throwing stones into the river and reminded him loudly, "I told you, Amyntas is not my biological father! But … he is very good to me and my mother … "
"He used to tell me stories about the battles he fought with the great Archon Devers in Persia," said Stefflows, tilting his head to one side and thinking for a moment. He is a hero. I like him very much. I believe that nothing will happen to him! Because the battle commanded by the Great Devers Consul has never failed! "
His optimism infected Patroclus. "You're right. The Legion of Dionysia is invincible!"
At this time, a child ran into the temple excitedly. "Good news! Good news! … "
"Proclus, what good news has made you so happy?!" The children stopped playing and looked at him.
"Cheer up, students! Under the leadership of my father, Legio III annihilated the invading Picossis army! "Proclus shouted excitedly.
"Is this true?" Patroclus asked hurriedly.
"Of course it's true!" Proclus raised his head. "If you don't believe me, go to the city of Turín. The whole city is cheering!"
"No one doubts this victory, but the main reason for this victory is the command of the Devers Consul." Stefos saw Proclus' excited expression and remembered that there was still no news from his adoptive father. He could not help but interject.
Proclus was speechless for a moment. He glared at Stefos and could not help but shout, "Anyway, it was my father who commanded the troops in the Grumentum. What is your father doing now?!"
This time it was Stefos' turn to be speechless.
Just as the two of them were arguing, the other children were already cheering. "Great, victory!"
"Long live Diónia!"
"Long live the Legion!"
…
The cheering children began to line up according to the military movements taught by the instructor and played a "triumphal" game. Proclus and Stefos were pulled into the team by Patroclus. But soon, the two of them began to argue about who should be the flag bearer …
… …
At the same time, in the Senate of Turín, the Senate was discussing the affairs of the Union of Diónia.
The rotating chairman, Marigi, took out a scroll of papyrus and said, "The governor of Crimissa, Sir Scombras, sent a document saying that he has thought of many ways, but there are still many people in Crimissa who are unwilling to subscribe to the wheat bonds. So far, the bonds allocated to several other cities have been sold out, including Asprusstom. Only Crimissa — "Marigi raised his voice." It was originally allocated the least, but not even half of the shares have been sold! Do you think we should bring the rest of the bonds back to Castellón? Amicus has already sent people to say several times, 'The citizens of Castellón are eager to subscribe to our bonds!' "
"Agreed!"
"I have no objections!"
"Borrowing 100 catties of wheat and paying back 115 catties in a year, that's a huge profit! Diónia did not take advantage of the citizens at all, so why are there so many people in Crimissa who are unwilling to subscribe? We should think carefully about the reason behind it! "Kunogorata reminded everyone.
As soon as this was said, most of the senators looked at Antalys.
He looked rather embarrassed, and quickly coughed a few times, stood up and said, "Sirs, I … I think there are a few reasons … First of all, Crimissa is the latest to join the Union of Diónia, and it has only been half a year since then! Most importantly, it is different from Asprusstom … "At this point, he calmed his emotions, cleared his throat, and solemnly said," Although it is hard to tell the truth, it is the truth. The outbreak of the war with Crotone was not caused by the people of Diónia, but many people in Crimissa think that Diónia should bear some responsibility. Many people in Crimissa died in the war with Diónia, and half a year is not enough to resolve the resentment in their hearts. With resentment, naturally, they will not be able to fully trust Diónia … "
Antalys' words caused a brief silence.
After a while, Cornelus said in a low voice, "The war with Crotone was inevitable. Although Crimissa has become a part of Diónia, it seems that we still need to do more to resolve the grief in the hearts of the people of Crimissa. I also hope that Lord Antalys, Lord Euripides, and Lord Priades can provide more help! "
"Whether it is as a member of the Senate or as a citizen of Crimissa, this is what we should do!" Euripides said firmly, "I believe that it will not be long before the people of Crimissa feel fortunate and proud to be citizens of Diónia!"
Euripides' words were unanimously agreed with by the senators.
At this moment, Pollux stood up and said, "Respected senators, we were just talking about the issue of wheat bonds. It reminds me of what Lord Mercies once said, 'The military rations exchanged from the people can at most last for more than two months'. Am I right? Lord Mercies. "
Although Mercies hated Pollux, he had to nod and said, "Yes, I did say that. But — "
"Thank you!" Pollux loudly interrupted Mercies' words and quickly said, "Even if we have seized Abyssinia, but the Bruti is such a large area with a population of more than a hundred thousand. I'm afraid it will be very difficult to conquer it in just two months! More importantly, while we are concentrating on dealing with the people of Bruti, the people of Lucaria in the north are also taking the opportunity to cause trouble. Now, does the Senate have any good way to deal with Bagul … um … His Lordship's heavy injuries, and we don't know if he's dead or alive, and Picosis's large-scale attack on Grumentum? " When Pollux said this, he looked sympathetically at Vesba and Hemont. Although he hated these "barbarians who sneaked into the Senate", he needed these staunch supporters of the Devers to doubt the young man.
"No! Because all the soldiers are fighting with the people of Bruti! If this goes on, I'm afraid that before we conquer the Bruti area, the people of Picossis will have already taken over the Grumentum and invaded our Neutum! When that time comes, our Dionia Alliance will be attacked by enemies from both sides, and our army will also be facing a shortage of rations. A great disaster will befall the Dionia Alliance … My lords, please think about it seriously. Such a terrible situation is very likely to happen! "Polyxis cried out in anguish.
A few of the senators' expressions changed, and some were deep in thought.
Seeing this scene in front, Marigi cursed in his heart: This damn Pollux has only been quiet for a few days, and now he's out to cause trouble again!
In order to keep the Devers' plan to lure the people of Lucania a secret, only Avinogis, Sesta, Hieronymus, and the main officers of Legio III knew about it. Marigi, who did not know about it, anxiously winked at Pleasinus, hoping that he would stand up and refute Pollux.
"We're too warlike! After repelling the Crotone, we quickly attacked the Grumentum. A few days after helping Tarantum, we launched a war against the people of Bruti … Our crazy expansion has caused uneasiness in the surrounding forces, and they will join forces to deal with us! The attack of Picossis is just a precursor. For the long-term security of Diónia, we should think about it and formulate some laws to restrain this practice of waging war at will! "
Pollux's words did not mention the Devers, but anyone could tell that these words were obviously aimed at the Devers. The Great Assembly Hall suddenly became very quiet.
At this moment, there was a "bang", and the sound of the door being opened was particularly clear in the quiet enclosed space.
Felicius looked excited and quickly walked into the hall.
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