Chapter 363
In the corner, Dios and Dicropolis sat quietly and enjoyed the food.
Dios finished the fried beef on his plate and said loudly, "Please follow me and have a glass of wine."
After getting a response, he picked up a clean linen handkerchief on his left hand and wiped the oil stains on the corner of his mouth.
"Anyone who watched this day's public trial," Dickpolis said, pointing at the diners around him who were arguing loudly with each other, "would be furious, but you are calm."
"What's there to be angry about? In my former city-state of Corinth, such things are not uncommon. " Dios took the wine from the waiter, thanked him, and continued, "The important positions in the city-state are controlled by the nobles, and the election of the general is always carried out by those families. Isn't it the same in Kaer Doria? (Kaer Doria is a city-state on the island of Crete, at the westernmost point of the island.) "
"You're right, so I'm just as calm as you are."
Both of them laughed.
"But, there's one thing you're wrong about. Kaer Doria was my former city-state, and now I'm a citizen of Diónia." Dicropolis pretended to be serious as he reminded Dios.
"You and I are both." Dios smiled and raised his glass. The two of them clinked their glasses.
"But, there's one thing that Polyxis did … I agree with …" Dicropolis looked around, then moved his head closer and said in a low voice, "Call for a citizen's assembly."
Dios looked at him without saying a word.
Dicropolis continued in a low voice, "All the decisions in the Diónia Federation are made by the Senate. We ordinary citizens can neither participate nor oppose, and we can't decide anything. Although an ordinary citizen can become a senator of the Senate, according to the law, this path is too long! Merchants like us have to travel all day long, and it's impossible for us to take up any public office. If — "
Dicropolis hesitated for a moment, then said, "If the system of Diónia doesn't change, I'm afraid … I'm afraid some merchants will leave. After all, we have a lot of money, but we can't interfere with any of the decisions of the Diónia Senate. This will always make us merchants unhappy, right? "
Dios lowered his head and took a sip of wine. Suppressing the shock in his heart, he asked, "Are you one of those who are leaving?"
"Of course I won't leave this place!" Dikbolis said confidently, "This place has the best food in the Mediterranean! There was the best entertainment competition! The best hot spring bathing place in the world! Furthermore, there were no invasions. It was simply an Elysium on Earth! Why would I want to leave! "Dikpolis leaned back in his chair and shouted.
"You're right, friend!" A man with a flushed face and a slightly tipsy expression came over and patted Dikbolis on the shoulder, then said in an excited voice, "It's because of Lord Devers that the beautiful city of Turís exists today! Brothers, let us salute the great Lord Devers! "
After he finished speaking, the diner at the same table stood up and raised his glass. "To Lord Devers!"
Influenced by them, the other diners also stood up.
"Long live Lord Devers!"
"Salute to our great commander!"
The noisy restaurant had converged into one voice.
After everyone finished their salutes, someone stood up and jokingly said, "To our damned Senate!"
Immediately, laughter and curses rang out again.
Dikbolis laughed as he watched them quarrel. Dios reminded him, "Even now, Diónia is not without the danger of war!"
Dikbolis was stunned, then immediately said, "You're worried about Syracuse?"
Dios nodded slightly.
Dikbolis waved his hand nonchalantly. "As a former Corinth man, I don't think you should worry about this problem. In Greece, Sparta, Athens, Corinth, Thebes, Agos, and other city-states had sent spies, bribed enemy councilors, and even defended the interests of the enemy at the Assembly of Citizens. If war broke out because of such a small matter, Greece would have long been in a mess! But, to be honest, the current situation in Greece is really terrible, especially in Corinth. I heard that Sparta's army is stationed in Corinth and often fights with the allied forces of Corinth, Athens, Thebes, and Agos. People die every day. You're really lucky to be able to come out early! "
Dikbolis talked about the motherland. After a moment of silence, Dios sighed. "Yes, the people of Corinth are not having a good time. I heard that Sparta's King Agesilaus has led his army from Persia to the north of Greece and is preparing to move south. Together with Sparta's army, they will launch a pincer attack from the north and south. The allied forces of Sparta are definitely in danger! Speaking of which, I really should thank you. If it weren't for your persuasion, I wouldn't have made the decision to join Diónia so quickly! "
Dikbolis laughed. "If that's the case, how should you thank me?"
It was a joke, but Dios said in a low voice, "A few days ago, I went to Lord Devers's mansion to discuss with him about the donation of the stone bridge. You know, I followed Lord Devers and donated many times. That's how I became a citizen of Diónia in accordance with the new 'Reward Clauses for Foreigners Donating to Public Buildings' bill passed by Diónia in recent years … "
"You're a big merchant now," Dikbolis said.
Dios ignored the slight jealousy in his words and continued, "Lord Devers asked me about the merchants' protest in the square. In the end, he said, 'This can't go on anymore. Diónia must change!'"
"Did he really say that?!" Dikbolis asked in surprise.
"Of course, I remember it clearly!" Dios said with certainty. "Lord Devers has always been a man of his words!"
Dikbolis' eyes flashed …
… …
"Lord, were you looking for me?" Aristiras walked into the Devers's study.
"Have a seat, Aristiras." The Devers casually pointed to the wooden chair beside him.
"Yes, Lord." Although the Devers behaved casually, Aristiras sat down respectfully.
The Devers leaned back in his chair, looked at his intelligence chief, and said, "You've been with me for almost five years, right?"
"To be precise, it should be four months and nine days short of five years," Aristiras said seriously.
"You remember it so clearly." The Devers smiled. "You've been with me for so long, but I don't see you gain any weight."
Aristiras said helplessly, "This subordinate has this kind of physique. No matter how much I eat, I won't get fat."
"If Cristoya had a physique like yours, she would be overjoyed." The Devers chuckled.
He looked at the tall, thin young man with emotion. "You've been with me for so long. Even though you've become a citizen of Diónia, you're still willing to continue collecting intelligence for me. With your ability, you're fully qualified for any public office in the Alliance … It can be said that you've made a great contribution to the Alliance! Just like this public trial, I'm really grateful to you, but at the same time, I feel very guilty! … "
Aristiras suddenly felt a little uneasy. 'Does the Devers want me to leave here?'
The Devers's right hand gently tapped the armrest of the wooden chair a few times, and slowly said, "From now on, I can finally do something to repay you for your help."
Aristiras almost choked on his breath when he heard the Devers's sudden change of topic. The Devers continued, "Aristiras, you know Syracuse very well. Tell me, if we were to go to war with the powerful city-state of Sicily across the sea, do we have a chance of winning? "
Aristiras's anxious heart finally beat rapidly. He suppressed his excitement and thought for a while before saying, "Sir, I think there's still a big gap in strength between Diónia and Syracuse."
The Devers was not surprised by the content of Aristiras's words. What he was satisfied with was his attitude. Even though he had hatred for Syracuse, he could still stand on an objective position to analyze the problem. "Oh, what's the gap? Tell me in detail. "
"According to what you once told me, the strength of a city-state is mainly judged from four aspects: population, economic capacity, territory … Hmm … and … movement …"
"War mobilization ability," the Devers reminded him.
"I almost forgot." Aristiras reorganized his thoughts and continued, "Now in Sicily, except for a few coastal city-states in the westernmost part of the island, which are still under the control of Carthage, the other areas have been conquered by the people of Syracuse, including the Sikere people in the eastern inland, who have also been conquered by Dionysius through various despicable tactics such as bribery and assassination. Although the people of Carthage are still fighting fiercely with the Greek coalition forces of Sicily led by Dionysius in Sorus, according to the latest news, the people of Carthage have lost several battles, and it is estimated that defeat is only a matter of time.
According to the information collected by the people we sent to Syracuse, Gela, Agrijan, Leontini … "Aristiras paused for a moment," and the information collected by the people of Catanai, Naxos, and other city-states, as well as the information heard by the merchants of Diónia who went to the city-states of Sicily to trade, we have a general understanding of the strength of Syracuse — "
He paused again. The Devers patted the armrest lightly. "Just say it. I'm a brave man."
"The population of Syracuse and its surrounding towns is about 400,000. Including the other city-states directly controlled by Dionysius, it may be close to 1,300,000 people …" Aristiras looked at the Devers.
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