Chapter 343
"But Hades doesn't just rob randomly. Persephone has the power of her mother, Demeter, and can help Hades control the underground resources. Moreover, Persephone is beautiful and kind, and can pacify the restless souls in hell … Facts have also proven that Hades and his wife Persephone have always respected and loved each other, far better than Zeus and Hera, or Poseidon and his queen. They rule hell fairly and strictly, upholding the good and punishing the evil. The people of the world are afraid of the punishment after death, so they don't indulge too much in life, and our city-state society is stable! Therefore, Hades is the god who has helped us the most! "Caldis said sincerely.
Caldis' words completely reversed Lycassus' understanding of the gods. He wanted to refute, but he felt that Caldis' words made some sense. After a while, he murmured, "Are you the priest of Hades?"
"I wish I was, but I'm not!" Caldis said regretfully.
"I'm a merchant. A year ago, when I went to Turií to do business, I fell seriously ill and almost lost consciousness. My despicable slave even stole my purse. I thought I would quietly go to Hades in a foreign land … "Caldis was immersed in the memories of the past." But when I woke up, I found myself on a warm bed in the side hall of the Temple of Hades. The saintess in white robes served me with food and medicine, and the kind priest came to visit and comfort me from time to time. I quickly recovered. Not only did the priest of Hades not ask for money from me, but he even gave me money to go home … The great Hades saved my life! " Caldis sobbed, and his eyes were a little wet. "Later, I learned that the Temple of Hades didn't just treat me like this. They treated every Greek in danger with the same kindness! Tell me, is there any other temple that treats its people as well as the Temple of Hades? "
"… No." After listening to Caldis, Lycassus couldn't help but yearn for the Temple of Hades in Turií.
"That's why I've decided to go to Turín and serve Hades!" Caldis said with determination: "In the future, I will return to the West Courtyard and build a temple for Hades!"
… …
At dusk, Nicestratus and his entourage arrived at the southern bank of the Umbria River. They crossed the wooden bridge over the river and entered the city of Crimissa.
"I've asked all the hotels here, and they're all full. How are things on your side? " Nixtratus knew that something was wrong when he saw Statipus walking over with a dejected look on his face, but he still held onto a glimmer of hope.
Stathippus shook his head. "It's the same for the inns in the northern part of the city. I heard that it's because the Marriage Festival of Diónia is coming. Many engaged men and women in the city of Aspuztum have to rush to the Temple of Hera in Turií to attend the wedding ceremony, so the hotel rooms are fully booked … "
The sky was about to turn dark. The two of them were anxious, but there was nothing they could do.
Were they going to sleep on the streets tonight?! Thinking of this, Nixtratus subconsciously hugged his frail body tightly.
"I have an idea." At this moment, a voice came from behind him. Seeing that the person who spoke was the Sillidean he didn't like, Nixtratus couldn't care less about being reserved. "What is it?"
"Come with me." Caldis smiled mysteriously and brought them to a place.
"This is a temple?" Nixtratus looked at the building in front of him in confusion. Its shape was similar to the temples Nixtratus had seen before, but it was also different. There were no walls.
"This is the Temple of Hades." Stathippus had stayed in Turií, after all.
"What are we doing here?" Nixtratus suddenly felt nervous. The eerie and terrifying Hades was the master of the night.
"Lodging," Caldis said and walked straight in.
Lycassus followed closely behind, excited and curious.
After understanding the situation, the priest of the temple readily agreed to let them rest in the temple. However, the empty rooms in the side hall were already full, so the priest brought them to the main hall.
Nixtratus and the others were still a little afraid. Would they disturb Hades Hades?
The priest said with a smile, "Hades is kind and willing to help the people in need, as long as they don't pollute the environment in the temple."
There were actually people resting on the floor in the main hall. Nixtratus and the others were relieved. The priest even asked the believers to provide them with blankets and hot water. Even Nixtratus, who had never come into contact with the Temple of Hades before, praised "Hades" for his kindness.
That night, they slept peacefully. Of course, the main hall they slept in was on the side of Elysium. No one dared to sleep in the hall on the other side of Hades.
The next morning, after thanking the priest, the group left the Temple of Hades.
As Nixtratus' back was still aching, Statipus suggested taking a carriage, so the group went to the carriage shop.
Unexpectedly, the business here was also very good. There were no empty carriages until a carriage from Asprusstom alighted four people. Only then were they able to pay and board the carriage.
There was a young man and a woman in the carriage. The woman held the man's arm intimately and did not let go of the strangers.
This irritated the conservative Nixtratus and he cursed inwardly, "The people of Diónia are barbaric and not familiar with traditional Greek etiquette."
Caldis, on the other hand, often traveled in Diónia and was used to the sight of Diónia women in public, so he took the initiative to talk to them. After exchanging pleasantries, they found out that the man was called Ephialte, and he became an official citizen of Diónia last year. He lived in Asplustum, while the woman was born and raised in Asplustum. When Diónia signed the peace treaty with Crotone, her family was one of the few who chose to stay, and they seemed to be doing quite well.
This made the people of Crotone in the car feel a little uncomfortable.
The carriage had only traveled a short distance when it stopped. Loud noises could be heard coming from outside the carriage.
Statipus lifted the tarpaulin at the front of the carriage and asked the driver what was going on.
"There's a square in front of us. Those damn rich and nobles have gathered there and are causing trouble. They've blocked the road!" the driver said angrily. "We have no choice but to take a detour!"
After Statipus sat down and explained the situation, Nixtratus became interested. "Why are the people of Crimissa causing trouble?"
"I know a little," Caldis said after some thought. Kardias thought for a moment and said, "Since last autumn, a small number of people in the city of Crimea have begun to protest outside the city hall near the square, asking to reconvene the general assembly and give the citizens the right to participate in politics … I didn't expect that there would be so many people protesting outside the square this year!"
"The citizens of Diónia should have done that a long time ago! Which city in Greece doesn't hold a citizens' meeting? Only Diónia is an exception! "Nixtratus said, venting his anger.
"Syracuse doesn't have one either." Lycassus interrupted.
"Shut up!" Nixtratus glared at him, then loudly expressed his opinion. "A city without a citizens' meeting means that the people have no right to participate in politics. That's a dictatorship! A dictatorship can't last long. Of course, the citizens have to rise up and even overthrow it … "
Statipus pulled him to stop him from continuing. After all, they were only here to participate in the forum and exchange medical knowledge. It was not appropriate for them to spout nonsense and get involved in the internal disputes of Diónia.
Efyarte's face was already red from holding back his anger. He retorted loudly, "Only the stupid people of Crimissa would do such a stupid thing! No one is causing trouble in Asprustom, no one is causing trouble in Amendolara, no one is causing trouble in Turií, not even in the Grumentum! It's because of the rule of the Lord Devers that we can turn from refugees into citizens. That's why we can own land and enjoy peace! The priest of Hades is right. We have to be grateful! It's the same for Crotone. I heard that the war in Greece has been going on for a year. The people's lives are very difficult. Why has Greece been able to enjoy such a long period of peace? It's all because of our great commander, the Divine Devers of Hades! "
Efyarte's words were spoken from the bottom of his heart. Although Nixtratus was harsh with his words, he was only a doctor, not a public speaker. He was not good at arguing with others until his face turned red. Seeing the young man's aggressive attitude, he cowered and muttered in a low voice, "… Another Dionysius …"
At this point, the atmosphere in the carriage became silent.
The carriage went around the square, exited through the south gate, and returned to the main road.
The public carriage that Nixtratus and the others were riding in was a four-wheeled carriage with two horses. It could seat up to six people. The carriage was covered with a leather hood, and there were small windows on both sides, so there was plenty of light. The wooden seats were padded with relatively soft cloth and fur, which could slightly reduce the vibration transmitted from the friction between the wheels and the ground. Even though the roads of Diónia were far better than those of other Greek city-states, it was still inevitable that the carriage would jolt. The most troublesome thing to the passengers was the noise. To prevent the wooden wheels from cracking after a long period of use, they were fastened with iron rings on the outside. When the wheels turned, the iron rings would come into contact with the stones on the road, and the noise would be quite loud.
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