Chapter 599
My lords, as far as I know, when Legio III first occupied Elona, the Campanians were afraid of the kingdom. They did not want to face the threat of a stronger kingdom while fighting against the Sammonae. The Campanian Alliance signed the treaty with us, trembling with fear. I think they were psychologically resistant to us at that time, but after years of hard work by us, especially Enona, the Campanians' fear is disappearing, and their love for the kingdom is growing! Many Campanians believe that the Kingdom of Diónia is a wealthy, culturally rich Greek kingdom that treats them kindly. They can find work in the kingdom's territory and earn money to support their families. They will not be exploited too much. So far, about 800 Campanians have officially become citizens of Diónia in Enona, and about 1,400 Campanians have become probationary citizens. There are about 3,000 registered Campanians who wish to become citizens of Diónia, and the number is still increasing! "…"
When Asistes finished, the elders applauded. This time, it was not out of etiquette, but a recognition of his achievements in Enona. At the same time, they were proud that their kingdom had been recognized by the people of a powerful city-state alliance in Italy.
After the applause died down, He Mon stood up and said, "Lord Asistes, Enona is a special town. It's special because not only does it border the Campanians, but it's also close to the Samonians. Have you taken the same measures against the rebellious Sammonean people who are also part of the Diana Alliance? Have you allowed Enona to become the bridge between the Sammonean people and the kingdom? "
Compared to the previous question, this one was easier to answer. It was another free point. So, Asistes nodded at Hemont. "Thank you, Lord Hemont, for your question! Enona is indeed neighboring the Sammonae, mainly the Cayutini, one of the four major tribes of the Sammonae. However, unlike the Campanian Alliance, Enona is not the only kingdom that shares a border with the Sammonae. Kopsa and the Free City of Potentia are neighbors of the Sammonae. All three of us have been working hard to improve our relationship with the Sammonae.
After all, the Sammonae are different from the Campanians. They are not Greeks, and their customs are completely different from ours. In the past, they have always been enemies of the Campanians, and are wary of our kingdom. Although I have tried to make it easier for the Sammonae to enter Enona to trade or work, there have been very few Sammonae entering Enona for the past few years. However, three years ago, I decided to build the town of Baparia in the valley of Laconia in the north of Enona, next to Cayutini. Now, the town is developing rapidly — "
When Asistes said this, the Devers suddenly said, "Laconia … Is the leader of this town of Cayutini Quinduc?"
"Your Majesty, it is Quinduc, the leader of the Cayutini tribe that you captured. He used to be the leader of the largest Cayutini tribe in Laconia," Asistes replied. "He is quite friendly to Diónia."
The Devers nodded. When the Sammonae army invaded Potentia and was defeated, several noble Sammonae leaders were captured, including Quinduc, Gherni, and even Torek, the leader of Pentene. For some reason, the Devers treated them well and even let them stay in Turií for a while, treating them like distinguished guests. In the end, they were released to Sammonae along with the other captives. It seemed that not only Gherni, but Quinduc had also changed his attitude toward Diónia.
Seeing that the Devers did not speak, Asistes continued, "We all know that the Sammonae live in the mountains and mainly graze for a living. There is a lack of food there, and it is not enough to support a large population. So for decades, the Cayutini have been attacking the Campanian Alliance to gain more land. Ten years ago, the Sammonae also launched a large-scale attack on Potentia. In the end, they were defeated by the army led by His Majesty and had no choice but to become our ally.
In the town of Barbaria, we built a market to sell grains and other food to the Samonai people. The Samonai people can use any goods to barter with us. They don't have to use gold or silver coins. Of course, the ores, prey, and livestock that they bring have to be valued first. We try to be as fair as possible. As time passed, the Sammonae who traded with us gradually let down their guard. In order to obtain more grains to bring back to the tribe, many of their tribesmen began to enter the town of Barbaria and accept the employment of the citizens of the town, cutting down trees, clearing wastelands, farming … in exchange for payment. Today, the town of Barbaria is the busiest. In one day, there are nearly 300 Sammonae working in the town.
At the same time, they have also begun to slowly accept some of our customs, such as rugby matches. Many Samonai people like this kind of intense physical collision sport, which is very suitable for the fierce Samonai warriors to play. I believe that in another year or two, there will be a Samonai team participating in the kingdom's rugby finals … "
At this time, the Devers added, "This year, a Sammonae team was invited by Turií to participate. It comes from Abenilum, near Kopsa."
The Asistes was stunned for a moment, but then he smiled and said, "It seems that Lord Céxima has done a better job in this aspect than I have."
Another person stood up from the group of elders. "Lord Asistes, I would like to know how the religion of the Hades is spreading in the Campanian region."
The Asistes looked at the person who asked, and saw that it was Plesinus. As the Scepter Priest of the Temple of Hades, Plesinus naturally had some understanding of the development of the temples in the cities. Asking this question at this time was, in fact, still a freebie. So when the Asistes nodded at Plesinus, he glanced at Marigi in the corner of the hall.
He knew that although Marigi was one of the few elders from Persia in the kingdom, and usually seemed to be alone in the Senate, he was in fact a liaison between the former mercenary elders and the other elders. Of course, behind him stood the King's Devers. Therefore, in today's three consecutive questions focused on his most outstanding achievements in the six years he was in Enona. Obviously, these were instructions from the Devers.
He suppressed his gratitude towards the King of the Devers and said as calmly as possible, "Although the Temple of Hades in Enona is not under the jurisdiction of the City Hall, the City Hall has also tried its best to help the development of the Temple of Hades, such as selling grain and herbs to the temple at a very low price every time, and even providing labor and doctors when the temple is short of manpower. As for the Campanians and Samonians who enter Enona, we have done a lot of guidance, so that they can seek help from the temple when they are in trouble.
Over the years, the Temple of Hades has helped countless outsiders who were hungry, homeless, sick, and in all kinds of difficulties. After they returned to their mother country with gratitude, they built many small Hades altars in Pompeii, Naples, Sorrentum, and even some tribes of Samonians. Pompeii even began to hold a celebration of the Hades on September 9th every year with Enona.
What is slightly different about the Samonians is that they not only began to believe in the Hades, but they also began to respect Hercules. Therefore, not only did Enona build the Temple of Hades in the town of Barbaria, but it also built the Temple of Hercules. Every year, during the celebration of Hercules on May 20th, many Samonians would come to Barbaria to actively participate in the Hercules Competition and other competitions … "
After the Asistes finished speaking, Plesinas immediately said, "Thank you, Lord Asistes, for your help all these years, so that the faith of the Hades can quickly spread in Central Italy!"
After Plesinas sat down, another elder stood up. This was Elder Bruti, Kreylu. As a young elder, his question was not so polite. "Lord Asistes, as far as I know, before you took office, Enona's territory was full of forests, and huge trees could be seen everywhere. But during the six years that you were in power, almost all the trees in the territory were cut down. Don't you think that this is a little too much?!"
Asistes smiled and replied, "Thank you, Lord Kreylu, for your concern for the environment around Enona! I would like to explain this question. First of all, the cutting down of the trees in Enona was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, and it was not a violation of the law. "
As he spoke, he looked at the Minister of Agriculture, Burcos. Ten years ago, Burcos had resigned from his position as the agriculture minister because of the Polyxis case. The person who took over the position, Bagylipi, died of illness a few years later. At that time, the agriculture of the kingdom was at its busiest. Great Greece had accepted too many new citizens, and their work in the fields needed guidance and supervision. The newly acquired land in Mesapi and Pucchetti urgently needed planning and reasonable distribution. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture was in urgent need of a capable leader. Devers once again appointed Burcos. Under his persuasion, Burcos once again returned to this familiar yet unfamiliar position, and had stayed until now.
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