Chapter 502
What do you mean by 'with your help'?! It's as if you Lijim people participated in the naval battle too! Saikory cursed in his heart but did not show it on his face. After all, Atilikrus was not only an important figure in Lijim's politics, but he was also the father-in-law of the King of Devers.
Fortunately, the Devers knew his father-in-law's personality. Before the fleet departed, he had already told Saikory, "Diónia is very grateful to the alliance of Lijim for their great help. We will return Lijim's warships as soon as possible!" Saikory answered without hesitation. Right now, there were hundreds of captured or damaged three-decker warships parked in the military port of Turín. They were left idle due to the lack of sailors. There were so many warships that the military port could no longer accommodate them, so some of them had to be moved to the commercial port. Lijim's request to return the warships would solve some of their problems.
"When the time comes, can the returned warships be equipped with the 'wooden bridge' you mentioned?" Atilikrus asked again.
Saikory did not expect the chief general of Lijim to make such a request. He was stunned for a moment. Although it seemed easy to install the raven suspension bridge, he had heard from His Majesty the Devers that it involved profound knowledge of the use of pulleys and complex mechanical manufacturing. That was why a few suspension bridge operators could easily rotate the base, pull up and down the suspension bridge. Saikory still remembered the scholar from the Diónia Academy, Martikoris, who had proudly declared, 'Other than Diónia, there's no other Greek city-state that can build a raven suspension bridge unless they have a profound understanding of pulleys!'
"What? Can't I?! "Atilikrus asked again when he saw that Saikory did not speak.
Saikory simply said, "I can't make the decision on this matter. Only His Majesty the Devers can. Besides, the raven suspension bridge is only one of the reasons we were able to defeat the navy of Syracuse. More importantly, Diónia's powerful heavy infantry, especially during the second battle with the navy of Syracuse. Syracuse also sent heavy infantry that had almost the same number of soldiers as us on each warship, but they still suffered a crushing defeat … "
As he spoke, Saikory went straight to the point, "Diónia and Lijim are allies. With our protection at sea, Lijim will not be attacked by the enemy from the sea. There's no need to spend money and equip the navy."
Atilikrus's expression darkened when he heard this. He stared at Saikory and said angrily, "In the letter to me, the Devers hoped that Lijim could send troops to Hibernian or other places in southern Greece to attack with your fleet to attract and restrain the Syracuse 'army and create conditions for your attack on land. However … "
Atilikrus's expression darkened, "Previously, in order to help you, the people of Lijim took the initiative to attack Medmar and suffered heavy losses. We no longer have the strength to carry out such a risky operation. Please tell the Devers that we are truly sorry! Since Diónia is already so powerful, it is completely capable of defeating the people of Syracuse on its own! "
With that, he stood up, "I still have something to do. Enjoy your meal."
Atilikrus actually left the hall and left just like that.
The guests looked at each other, and Saikory felt even more awkward. It was supposed to be a lively banquet, but it ended on such a sour note.
… …
In the evening, in the backyard of Atilikrus's mansion, Alcibidas criticized him, "Father, your behavior at the banquet today was too extreme. You left a bad impression on the visiting people of Diónia! If they return home and spread the news, not only will it affect Aegnis, it will also affect our business in the Turií shipyard! "
"Do you think I was angry because of that lowly person of Diónia?" Atilikrus's anger at the banquet had long since disappeared. He said to his son with a profound meaning, "I did it for my son-in-law to see."
"For the Devers to see? What do you mean?" Alcibidas looked puzzled.
Atilikrus felt helpless. As an ancient immigrant family of Lijim that had once ruled the city for decades, his family had always held an important position in Lijim's politics. However, his two children did not know what was going on. They did not have any political talent that was passed down in their family. His daughter, Aegnis, married the Consul of Diónia … Oh, now the King of Diónia. She was lucky enough to become a concubine, and she was also an influential priestess of the Temple of Hera in Turií. She had a respectable status, but she was simple-minded from a young age, and was no match for the shrewd and capable concubine. His son, Alcibidas, was shrewd, but he used it all in business and had no interest in politics. His current position as a general was forced upon him by Atilikrus.
Although Alcibidas had always been indifferent to politics, as the successor of Atilikrus's career, he would often advise him, hoping that one day he would come to his senses. This time was no exception, "Now that the people of Syracuse have lost the sea, it seems that it will be difficult for them to recapture it in a short period of time. As long as the people of Diónia respond appropriately, they will not lose this war. Then, when the people of Syracuse retreat back to Sicily, the alliance of Diónia, which did not suffer too many losses in this war, will definitely become the unshakable overlord of Greater Greece. We, Lijim, do not want to become their vassal, so we must make our voice heard! "
"There is nothing wrong with becoming a vassal of Diónia," Alcibidas said disapprovingly, "Only by becoming a vassal will there be trade benefits. The territory of Diónia is already so big now, and according to what you said, it will be even bigger in the future. This will be even more helpful to my family's trade! Moreover, my brother-in-law is the ruler of this powerful country. Will my sister let me suffer losses? "
Atilikrus did not expect his lazy son to have such thoughts. He was a little angry for a moment, but it quickly turned into helplessness, because he vaguely felt that Alcibidas was not the only one in Lijim who had such thoughts. Since the alliance between Lijim and Diónia, not only was its safety guaranteed, it had also benefited greatly in terms of trade. Because of the environment, Lijim had more merchants than farmers, causing the people of Lijim to be very tactful. It was very likely that they would give up the independence of the city-state for their own interests. Just like before the alliance of Diónia, the people of Lijim could also ignore the racial conflict between Carthage and the Greeks and form an alliance with Carthage. This was not only to fight against Syracuse, but also to attract the huge trade market of Carthage.
"Even if we become a vassal, we must become a vassal with strength. Only then will we be valued by Diónia." Atilikrus suddenly felt a little discouraged. He sighed and turned to remind his son, "Do you know why I insist on those warships that only belong to Diónia?"
"Why?"
"Messina!" Atilikrus looked at him and said in a serious tone, "If Dionysius is really defeated by the Devers, I'm afraid that Syracuse will be in chaos. When that time comes, he won't have any extra power to protect the newly built city-state across the strait. We can take it back and make it a sub-state under Lijim's control! With the port of Messina, we can control the entire strait. This will be very beneficial to the city-state and your business! "
Alcibidas was very excited when he heard this. His eyes flashed as he imagined the huge profits that could be brought by taking Messina. However, his expression quickly returned to normal, "Father, do you think that my smart brother-in-law didn't see the importance of Messina? There's a popular saying among us Greek merchants, 'Great profits mean great risks.' The reason why my business is so successful is because I never do anything beyond my capabilities. And if Lijim wants to obtain Messina, is he prepared to take the risk? "
Atilikrus was stunned. After receiving the news of the Dionysian fleet's consecutive victories, he was overjoyed and thought about Messina. Desire momentarily blinded his reason, and he almost forgot that Messina was the target of many. Syracuse, Carthage, and now there might be another Diónia eyeing this strait.
After thinking for a long time, Atilikrus's face regained its spirit. He said with relief, "Alcibidas, I just realized that you will become an excellent general!"
… …..
The next day, Sykerian led the sailors to the port to board the ship.
Sykerian originally thought that because of the banquet last night, the people of Lijim's attitude towards them would change. He did not expect that not only would the people still be enthusiastic, but Atilikrus also personally came to see them off. His attitude was even more enthusiastic than the day before. He did not mention a word about yesterday's discord and actively expressed to Sykerian that Lijim was willing to fulfill its duty as an ally and fully cooperate with Diónia in defeating Syracuse. As for the specifics, they could discuss it with General Fedun who was stationed in Taurina.
At the same time, Atilikrus also asked Sykerian to bring a letter to the Devers.
Although he did not understand why Atilikrus's attitude suddenly changed, it was undoubtedly a good thing. Sykerian was in an unusually good mood, and when he gave the order, his voice was especially loud, "Go to Messina!"
… …
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