Chapter 384
Little Cloto Catax had just climbed onto his father's knee and was about to be carried away by his mother. He was crying and throwing a tantrum.
The Devers did not have the mood to care about him at the moment. He turned to Atilikrus and said, "The Senate of Diónia will be very happy to hear this news. I hope —"
Atilikrus waved his hand and immediately said, "But Lijim also has a small request. I hope Diónia can agree to it!"
The Greeks of Southern Italy said that the people of Lijim were all merchants who haggled over every penny. Atilikrus was one of the best among them. Sure enough, they would not get up early if there was no profit! The Devers pulled himself together and said, "Please speak."
"You also know that the tyrant of Syracuse rebuilt Messina. Messina is now completely on Syracuse's side and is going against Lijim in every way. It also has an accomplice, Tyndaris. That is the Mersenian colony city that the tyrant settled. It is not far from Messina. These two cities often work together to disrupt the trade routes in the straits. Sometimes they even seize merchant ships that come to Lijim for trade … In the long run, no merchant ships will dare to do sea trade with Lijim. Lijim will be destroyed! "Atilikrus said with a gloomy expression.
"We have protested to Messina many times, but it was to no avail. We have also sent messengers to Syracuse, but the tyrant did not receive our messengers at all! So after some discussion, our council decided to build a colony city on the Millet Peninsula to settle the exiles of Catanai, Naxos, Leontini, and some other Sicilian cities … "
"Wait a minute." The Devers turned to the slave beside him and said, "Go to the study and get the map of Sicily." Although the Devers had the habit of looking at the map every day, compared to the familiarity of Southern Italy, the Devers' memory of the terrain of Sicily and the location of the cities was still lacking.
"Catanai, Naxos, and other Sicilian city-states were destroyed by Dionysius. Their exiles must be full of hatred for Syracuse." Devers knew that many city-states in Greece had taken in exiles from Sicily. This was because the Greek city-states were wary of Syracuse, so it was easy for them to provide assistance to those who were expelled by Syracuse. At this moment, the Devers naturally thought of Aristiras.
"That's for sure. That's why they won't be easily roped in by that tyrant!" Atilikrus said hatefully.
At this moment, the map was brought over. Devers spread it out on the wooden table where the cutlery had been removed.
"This is Luna … This is Tyndaris …" Devers looked at the map carefully.
Atilikrus also came over and looked at the map made of parchment. Obviously, it was specially drawn. Not only was the scale large, but the engraving was also detailed. It was no less than the one stored in the city hall of Lijim. It seemed that his son-in-law paid a lot of attention to Sicily. Even the new city-states built by Carthage, the new city of Messina, the new city of Tauromerion were clearly marked. Some of the destroyed city-states were also marked and explained on the side. For example, Himera on the northern coast wrote, "Destroyed by Carthage's commander Hannibal in the war of Sicily launched 15 years ago."
"This is the Millais Peninsula …" Devers's finger finally fixed on the northeast corner of Sicily. The Millais Peninsula was called a peninsula. On the map, it gave the Devers the impression that it was just a protruding headland. It was just between Luna and Tyndaris. The location of this colonial city was chosen very well. It was just right to cut off the connection between the two cities. After all, Luna and Tyndaris were new cities (Messina was destroyed by Carthage). Neither of them was strong. Although they had the support of Syracuse, Syracuse controlled so many city-states. It was impossible for them to fully support Luna and Tyndaris. Although Lijim was not as strong as Syracuse, it was also a strong city-state and very rich. A large amount of resources were poured into this soon-to-be-built city. Soon, its strength would surpass Luna and Tyndaris, thus achieving the purpose of restraining and scaring them.
But there was an important problem here.
"Have you considered Syracuse's attitude?" asked the Devers in a deep voice.
"According to ancient tradition, any Greek city-state has the right to establish a colony. Moreover, the location of our new city is not within the territory of Luna and Tyndaris …" Atilitus said confidently.
"With Dionysius's personality, he will not consider any Greek tradition." The Devers did not think this was a good idea. He said with a serious expression, "It took him a lot of effort to control the western part of Sicily. At this time, there is a foreign force that wants to extend its hand into his territory. Do you think he will agree?"
"That is why I came to Turií this time. Lijim hopes to get your support! " Atilitus said eagerly, "For this, Lijim is willing to let Diónia command our fleet."
Originally, the city-states in the Diónia Alliance did not have the freedom to bargain with Diónia, but Lijim was the only strong Greek city-state that joined the Alliance. Unlike the other small affiliated city-states, the Senate of Diónia had shown enough tolerance and respect to Lijim. In order to strengthen Diónia's voice in the Southern Alliance, the Devers invited Lijim to join the Southern Alliance last year. Other city-states like Crotone did not strongly oppose it. This showed the influence of Lijim, an old and strong city-state. It also made Lijim the only Greek city-state that belonged to both the Southern Alliance and the Diónia Alliance.
The Devers were silent. Support? It was easy to say, but it meant war, which Diónia was trying its best to avoid. Otherwise, why would they sign a treaty of friendship with Syracuse? Lijim was trying to drag Diónia into this!
"I think such an important matter must be discussed by the Senate before it can be decided. It might even need to be discussed with the other city-states in the Southern Alliance," the Devers said vaguely, not giving an immediate answer.
After sending the unhappy Atilitus away, the Devers was still pacing back and forth in the living room, thinking about the Strait of Messina.
Finally, he called for Aristiras.
"There will definitely be a war!" Aristiras said with certainty, "The reason why Jaina and Tyndaris dared to invade Lijim so boldly is because of Dionysius's support. Maybe what Lijim wants to do is what he wants. He can start a war against Lijim, and not only can he take revenge on Lijim —" Aristiras paused and glanced at the Devers.
The Devers did not care what he was hinting at, and said, "Go on."
"Moreover, if Syracuse occupies Lijim and controls the entire Strait of Messina, Dionysius can collect taxes from passing merchant ships to feed his huge army. Sir, according to the intelligence, Syracuse asked for a large amount of war reparations in the negotiations with Carthage, and used the money to buy food, build more warships, and pay the mercenaries. It's not just to deal with Lijim! "Aristiras said worriedly.
The Devers was silent. He knew all this information.
Aristiras continued in a low voice, "Also … Sir, from the intelligence gathered from all over Diónia, I have discovered a situation. I hope it can attract your attention."
"Oh, what is it?" The Devers looked at him.
"Now, among the prospective citizens and registered freedmen, there is a spreading worry. They are worried that even if they become official citizens of Diónia, they will not be able to obtain land … "Aristiras said slowly.
The Devers raised his eyebrows. Indeed, the land of the plains in the territory of the Diónia Alliance had basically been distributed. Only the Lucania Mountains and the Bruti Region had some spare land, but it was not enough to distribute to so many prospective citizens.
"So, they want to leave?" The corner of the Devers's mouth curled up slightly, and he said half-jokingly, half-seriously.
"Diónia is the paradise of the freedmen, why would they leave!" Aristiras paused for a moment, and said in a more serious tone, "They want war, to seize more land through war, to shorten the period of becoming a citizen by participating in war, and to win the opportunity to obtain land through war achievements!"
The Devers's heart sank. The military merit system he designed for Diónia could be said to be the source of attracting the Greek freedmen to flock to Diónia, and at the same time, it was also the reason why they were eager to fight and fearless of death.
"Those who forget war will be in danger, and those who love war will die …" The Devers muttered to himself. The command of the Dionysian Army must be firmly in his hands, otherwise, once it was out of control, the consequences would be unimaginable. But now, Diónia was still weak, and still needed this system to strengthen itself.
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