Chapter 532
Just when he was getting impatient, the Devers returned with Henepolis. Before Phoebidas could say anything, the Devers spoke first, "I know you, Phoebidas of Sparta! Ten years ago, you came to the Senate of Turií as a messenger of Sparta and framed me for hiding the soldiers of Persia's expeditionary army. You even threatened that 'Sparta will teach Diónia a painful lesson'. I still remember what you said to me. "
Phoebidas did not expect the Devers to mention the past to him as soon as he came in. He was caught off guard. If it was his usual temperament, he would have stiffened his neck and said, "That's right, I did say those words! The fact that there was a war with Crotone later proved that Diónia was indeed hiding those mercenaries! "
However, times had changed. Sparta's current predicament and Syracuse's current situation had forced him to choose his words carefully. It was not that he did not know politics, but he did not have to think too much about Sparta's strength in the past. However, Diónia's current status in Greece of the Western Mediterranean, and the strength that the Devers had shown in the war, had made Phoebidas feel a little fearful. The usually tough Sparta said stiffly, "That … That's just a misunderstanding …"
"Misunderstanding?! No! I don't think so! " The Devers stared at him. His sharp eyes seemed to be able to see through his heart, "It's because you have a grudge against Diónia that you accepted Sparta's order and went to Syracuse as a military advisor. You followed Dionysius to invade Greece and commanded the right wing of Syracuse to defeat Crotone during the battle of Ramatho River. Then, you commanded the right wing again during the battle of Crotone and attempted to defeat Diónia's army … Phoebidas of Sparta, your hands are stained with the blood of Greece!"
Phoebidas was shocked. He didn't expect the Devers to know everything about his actions in Greece. However, he didn't have to lie to the Devers like he did before. "I think you must have misunderstood. Dionysius is afraid of Diónia's army and hopes that Sparta can send officers to help him. As an ally, Sparta can't refuse. I've been to Sicily several times and I'm familiar with Dionysius. That's why the Elder Council sent me to help Dionysius … I'm just doing my duty! "
"Your duty?! To help Syracuse and slaughter Greece?! Is this how Sparta treats Greece?! " The Devers sneered. There was a hint of anger on his face, "If that's the case, don't blame our spears and shields for being blind!"
"It's every Sparta's honor to be able to die on the battlefield!" Phoebidas wasn't afraid of the Devers's threat. However, now that the Diónia had turned the tide of the war, he had to take into account Diónia's perception of Sparta. Therefore, he defended Sparta, "Master Devers, you should know that when Sparta signed the alliance with Syracuse, they didn't expect Syracuse to declare war on Greece one day. Due to the existence of the alliance, Sparta had no choice but to provide assistance. However, Sparta sincerely hopes for peace between Sicily and Greece! Therefore, this time, I'm here on behalf of Sparta, hoping that you can seriously consider Dionysius's proposal and end this war that has cost countless lives! "
"I'm touched that the Sparta, who live by killing, cares so much about the lives of Greece," said the Devers mockingly.
He could hear the hidden threat in the Sparta's words. He said firmly, "A few days ago, Sparta sent an emissary, Kelissops, to Turií in an attempt to force Diónia to surrender to Syracuse. I've made it clear that Diónia will never negotiate under the threat of the enemy. As long as there's an enemy on our land, we, Diónia, will fight him to the death!" At that time, the Battle of Crotone hadn't happened yet. Today, we, Diónia, have gained the upper hand in this war. I can also tell you that we can negotiate, but Syracuse must be punished for their crimes in invading Greece! It's impossible for Dionysius to escape back to Sicily without paying any price! "
Phoebidas looked into the Devers's bright eyes. He could feel the uncompromising will, but he did not feel much frustration in his heart. This was just a confirmation of his thoughts before he set off. His main purpose of coming to the Diónia camp this time was not to urge the two sides to negotiate.
"I think Dionysius is prepared for this." Phoebidas replied faintly, and then changed the topic, "Master Devers … what do you think of the war that's happening in Corinth now?"
The Devers was stunned, but he immediately understood the intention of the Sparta, "You mean the war between Sparta and Corinth, Thebes, Agos, Athens …?" The Devers sneered disapprovingly, "It's a meaningless war that has nothing to do with Diónia. I don't need to understand it."
"Diónia and Athens have signed a friendly agreement, and you often trade with Corinth." Phoebidas looked at the Devers and pointed it out bluntly.
"A friendly agreement is not a military alliance agreement. As long as any city-state is willing to trade with Diónia, we are willing to sign such an agreement with them. Even Sparta is no exception." The Devers said with a relaxed look, "There is no fertile land in Greece, no rich minerals. What is there for the Diónia to leave their warm homeland and participate in a war that doesn't belong to us? The roots of Diónia are in Greece! There are still many problems in our alliance that require a lot of time and energy to solve. As long as you don't provoke us, we don't have the mood to participate in the messy war of the Greeks! "
Phoebidas looked at the Devers's face rudely. He felt that the Devers were speaking from the bottom of their hearts, so he said, "So, Diónia is also willing to sign a friendly agreement with Sparta?"
"Sparta is now the enemy of Diónia and the ally of Syracuse!" The Devers said coldly.
Phoebidas did not say anything else.
Watching the guards "escorting" Phoebidas out of the tent, Henepolis could not help but say, "Your Majesty, does this Sparta want Sparta to form an alliance with us?!"
The Devers rubbed his chin and said thoughtfully, "… The power that Diónia displayed in this war is beyond Sparta's expectation. They are afraid that Diónia will participate in the war in Corinth, which is disadvantageous to Sparta."
"So, will we do that?!" Henepolis asked excitedly. He was obviously happy that the Sparta were troubled.
"What do you think?" The Devers did not comment.
… …
The Sybari Plain was covered in mist in the early morning, and the drizzle of early spring was falling.
The victory of the Battle of Taranto had given the people of Diónia hope of winning the war. The Devers personally led the army into battle had also boosted their confidence, bringing life to the fertile land.
The port that had been sealed for a few months was reopened. Foreign merchant ships arrived one after another, and the workers at the port finally had something to do. The first cargo ships that entered the port were mostly loaded with grains and other food. The smart merchants certainly knew what the people of Diónia needed the most at this time.
The old fishermen of Turií (the younger ones were already serving as sailors in the fleet) sailed their boats early to catch fish to satisfy the people's urgent needs, and at the same time, earn a huge profit for their own families.
Under the urging of the village chief and agricultural officials, the people in the villages began to plant crops that were about to ripen quickly to avoid missing out on this year's harvest.
Although the young citizens and freedmen were almost all mobilized due to the war, resulting in a shortage of labor, a large number of captives filled the gap. Whether it was the Swamp Plains of Crimissa, the Sybari Plain of Turií, or the mountains of Amendola, there were often naked, half-starved captives plowing the land under the threat of the supervisors' whips, shields, and spears. Even in such terrible weather, where the cold rain made the captives shiver and might even make them sick, the people of Diónia did not pity them or let them rest. Since they had invaded Diónia, they had to pay a heavy price. This was the common view of many people in Diónia.
The road leading to the Turií port was filled with pedestrians. Not only were there Turií and Amendolans, but there were also people from Abyssinia and Castellón. They were driving carts and carrying loads, rushing to the port market to buy food.
At this moment, a horse galloped towards them. The rider was dressed in bright red and was particularly eye-catching. Before he could shout, "Make way!"
The pedestrians instinctively retreated to the side of the road because they knew that only messengers from the battlefield would be dressed in such attire. They were all carrying urgent military information, and no one could stop them. Otherwise, it would be against the law.
The War Horse was puffing white smoke as its four hooves kicked up, splashing water on the road and wetting the clothes of the pedestrians. They did not complain. Instead, they could not help but ask, "Did we defeat the Syracuse?!"
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