Chapter 575
"Harolis, the Diónia said that they will stop Dionysius's army from returning to Sicily. They're not lying, are they?" Ferosanus asked worriedly.
"Dionysius has lost his fleet. He can't bring his army back to Sicily. Instead of worrying about him, why don't you worry about the army that will be captured? There are not only mercenaries, there are also tens of thousands of our citizens and sailors. Will Diónia be able to return them to Syracuse smoothly?! " Stathicos raised a question that everyone was concerned about, but did not dare to face. Harolis felt the same way.
Even though they relied on the Diónia's help to rebel, as the master of Syracuse, they instinctively raised their guard against Diónia. After all, Syracuse and Diónia had a natural conflict of interest. Even though Harolis and the others rebelled because of Dionysius's dictatorship, they also hoped that Syracuse could continue to enjoy its former glory.
Harolis cautiously advised, "We can discuss these issues later. After all, Dionysius has not been eliminated yet, we cannot let our guard down. Furthermore, the Diónia army has indeed shown goodwill. They have distanced themselves from Taunis, and they have fulfilled their promise. Not a single Diónia soldier has set foot on Syracuse's soil … Of course, we cannot let our guard down! Stathicos, you have to supervise the soldiers on the northern wall to increase their patrols! Lord Tethys — "
Harolis looked at the old sailor. The other generals were his like-minded friends, but only this general who came from the port and was born in poverty. Harolis had to remind him again, "I heard that there are some Diónia in the port area. They are spreading rumors, causing the people to feel uneasy, and destroying the security and stability of Syracuse. I hope that you can ferret out these Diónia spies and expel them from Syracuse! "
"Yes, that's what we should do! Syracuse's problems should be solved by us, the people of Syracuse. We don't need our enemies to interfere, because they all have ulterior motives. They want to harm Syracuse! "Ferosanus immediately expressed his agreement.
Based on what he knew, the people of Diónia had close ties with Harolis, and they got along well with the poor people of the port. Not only did they organize themselves to fight against Dionysius's rule, but they also taught them how to fight for their own interests. The success of the land distribution this time was also due to their guidance … But now, the generals who had benefited from it were going to turn their backs on them!
Harolis saw that he was in a daze, and reminded him loudly, "Now that Dionysius's rule has been overthrown, we are generals officially elected by the citizens of Syracuse. We represent the will of the people, and our dealings with the people of Diónia should be done through formal diplomatic channels, and not in private like before. This will not only confuse the people, but it will also harm the interests of Syracuse!"
Harolis' words were spoken openly, and Tethys could not refute it, so he could only agree.
"Ferosanus, are you willing to make a trip to Diónia, and discuss with the Diolyan Senate on how to end this war, and at the same time, return the citizens of Syracuse who have been captured by Diónia?" Harolis asked.
"I'm very willing!" Ferosanus agreed.
"What if the people of Diónia come up with a lot of harsh demands?" Falcus, another general of Syracuse expressed his concern.
"I think the people of Diónia will most likely ask for compensation for the war, and … protection of their rights in the northern part of Syracuse … Catanai, Leontini, and other city-states." Over the past few days, Harolis had not only led the people to purge the remaining forces of Dionysius inside and outside the city, but also to stabilize the order of Syracuse. At the same time, he was also thinking about how the new regime of Syracuse could obtain security and development in the upcoming situation. Diónia was a huge rock in front of Syracuse, and there was no way to go around it. Harolis had naturally thought about this a lot.
"Diónia might even ask us to disband the Sicilian Alliance, and return the land of the other city-states that we have occupied in the past!" Tethys reminded loudly.
Everyone's expression changed, especially Tethys, because the piece of land promised by the council was seized by Syracuse from several affiliated city-states in the south.
Harolis was still calm. "It's a negotiation, of course, the other party will make a lot of unreasonable demands, but … Ferosanus, you have to remember, without the cooperation of Syracuse, Diónia will not have it easy. For example, we can go to the Siletlands and persuade the tens of thousands of soldiers to surrender, and help Diónia end the war in Greece as soon as possible. Also, if we, Syracuse, do not recognize Catanai, Leontini, and other Sicilian city-states supported by Diónia, they will not be able to gain a foothold on the east coast of Sicily …" The more Harolis spoke, the more confident he became. After all these years, he had a deep understanding of Diónia, especially the Devers. He believed that the young and wise new king of Diónia would not be blinded by hatred and make too many unreasonable demands.
After hearing this, Ferosanus was assured. He promised, "Don't worry, I will not let Syracuse's interests be harmed!"
"When it's time to give in, we should give in appropriately. After all, we are the party that needs Diónia's help." Harolis was afraid that Ferosanus would be too straightforward and offend the Devers.
"I understand. I'm going to negotiate, not to recite poems." After Ferosanus finished speaking, everyone except Tethys laughed. In the past, when Dionysius hosted poetry banquets, Ferosanus would always make things difficult for Dionysius, thus incurring the hatred of the tyrant.
"Falcus, how much money do we have left in the treasury?" Harolis asked.
"Uh …" Falcus was about to answer when a guard ran in. "Dear generals, a Sparta has come to Ortygia. He says he is a messenger of Sparta, and he wants to meet with you."
"A messenger of Sparta?!" Everyone was shocked.
It was finally here! Harolis clenched his fists.
… …
Phoebidas walked into the city hall. He did not recognize any of the ten people in the room. In fact, every time he came to Syracuse, it was Dionysius who hosted him in the palace on Ortygia Island. He was always accompanied by officials and servants, so he could enjoy the treatment of a noble of the East. He had almost never entered Syracuse alone to experience life, except for the time when Carthage's army attacked the city.
But just because he did not know anyone else, it did not mean that others did not know him. Scarlet cloak, long hair, thick beard, hooked nose, cunning and sharp eyes, and a face that was always cold and arrogant … Harolis was too familiar with this Sparta man. He subconsciously shouted, "Dionysius is back?!"
As soon as this was said, not only Phoebidas, but everyone else was shocked.
Although Phoebidas was a little surprised, he did not show it on his face. He looked at the man standing in the middle of the crowd and asked, "You are?"
"Harolis, the chief general of Syracuse elected by the citizens' assembly!" Harolis said loudly and solemnly. "Respected messenger of Sparta Phoebidas, did Dionysius send you here?"
This is Harolis?! Phoebidas suppressed the curiosity in his heart and did not look at him carefully. Instead, he snorted coldly. "What right does Dionysius have to order the people of Sparta? I just want to return to Sparta to report to the Elder Council about the war in Greece, and help him come here to ask for reinforcements. I did not expect to see a group of thugs making a mess of Syracuse!"
"We are not thugs, Dionysius is! We are just taking back the rights and freedom that should belong to the people of Syracuse! " Ferosanus retorted loudly.
"Oh, freedom!" Phoebidas snorted again in disdain. "Just when Dionysius led his army to turn the tide of the war and only needed ten to twenty thousand reinforcements to turn the tide of the war, the rebellion you started caused tens of thousands of people of Syracuse to lose their support and eventually die in Greece!"
Some of the generals were slightly ashamed, while others retorted loudly.
"Dionysius started this war with the lives of the people of Syracuse. If this continues, all the people of Sicily will be buried together with Dionysius's ambition! Apollo bless us, we have stopped the people of Syracuse from making unnecessary sacrifices for a war that does not belong to us. We will also negotiate with Diónia to rescue the people trapped in Greece! "Stesikos said loudly.
"A war that does not belong to you?!" Phoebidas sneered. "Diónia's army has already taken over Taunis, which is the closest city to Syracuse. Syracuse is already under the threat of Diónia's spears and shields, and you still say this has nothing to do with you?!"
"This is the consequence of Dionysius's constant invasions!" Ferosanus said angrily as he waved his right hand.
Harolis interrupted his friend. "Messenger Phoebidas, these are the internal affairs of Syracuse. We will take care of it eventually. Just tell us why you are here."
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