Chapter 643
"Plato is indeed a great scholar. I've read his Utopia. The description of the various systems of the city-state and the concept of the ideal city-state completely shocked me!" Forstkada's sincere praise made the youths look at him a little more kindly. He then added, "However, he will soon be invited to the Diónia Academy."
What?! The students were shocked. Some looked at Plato hurriedly, while others shouted in disbelief, "You're lying!"
"Calm down, my students! Jealousy and uneasiness have blinded your eyes and prevented you from thinking rationally. What's the use of learning so much! "Plato's scolding made the youths feel a little ashamed.
He then turned to Forstkada and said seriously, "Knowledge is for you to improve yourself and observe the world, not to show off!"
Forstkada was shocked and quickly admitted his mistake. "You're right, I was wrong!"
Plato's expression softened. He picked up the letter in his hand and asked, "I would like to know who proposed the 'All-Greek Scholar Conference' mentioned in this letter. How is it going to be carried out? Who are the people you invited to participate? "
After being reprimanded by Plato, Forstkada was filled with respect and did not dare to be negligent. After thinking seriously, he replied, "It turns out that our Kingdom of Diónia has a 'Great Hellenic Medical Forum' every year. Later, the dean of the Academy of Mathematics, Mentotic-Ayers, founded the 'Great Hellenic Mathematics Conference'. Then, Professor Ancitanos organized the 'History Conference' … After Professor Gorgia came, he also proposed to hold a 'Philosophy Conference' at the beginning of this year. When the King of Devers learned about this, he felt that many scholars were proficient in many fields of knowledge. Every academy in the kingdom held an academic conference. Not only was it repetitive, time-consuming, and inefficient, the range of invited scholars was too narrow, mainly from Italy and Sicily. Therefore, he proposed to create an 'All-Greek Academic Conference', inviting famous scholars from all over Greece to participate, exchange knowledge, and explore the mysteries of nature and humans together.
I remember that His Majesty once said something that was widely spread in our academy. He said, 'The sparks of wisdom are produced in collision, and the truth becomes clearer the more it is debated.' "
When Forstkada said this, Plato's eyes lit up, and he could not help but be moved.
Forstkada continued, "As far as I know, this conference will consist of two parts. One was for scholars to give lectures on one or more topics based on their expertise. At that time, there would be many students, people, and even scholars listening. The other was for scholars to exchange and debate. Similarly, a small number of students were allowed to listen and ask questions …
This time we sent invitations to all the famous scholars of Greece. I do not know exactly which scholars there were, but at least I know that in Athens there were Antisthenes, Isocrates, and Ceaetetus. Because I still have to deliver a letter to them. "
At the mention of Antisthenes, Plato frowned slightly.
Beside him, Vesippus asked anxiously, "Can we attend the 'All Hellenic Scholars Conference' in Diónia?"
Forstkada smiled and said, "Of course. Diónia welcomes all the young people in Greece who love, respect, and thirst for knowledge to come to Turií and participate in this Greek academic event! "
At this point, he asked Plato respectfully, "Have you made up your mind?"
Plato stroked his long beard, nodded, and said, "I have long wanted to travel to the Kingdom of Diónia with its unique political system. This is a good opportunity, I will be there on time! "
After receiving a definite answer and quickly receiving a reply from Plato, Forstcadar immediately took off the bag that was slung over his shoulder and opened it on the stone bench. With the sound of metal clattering, Forstcadar saw that it was filled with shiny silver coins.
Facing Plato's surprised gaze, Forstkada said seriously, "His Majesty Devers said, 'Knowledge is priceless, and the time and energy of scholars are very precious.' Therefore, these 500 silver coins of the Kingdom of Diónia are your reward for attending this conference. This also includes your expenses to return to Athens. Please accept it!
When you arrive in Turií, your accommodation and food will be arranged by the Academy of Diónia, so you don't have to worry. Also, when you go to Turií, please take this invitation letter with you. If the ships of Sparta or other city-states intercept you, just show them this letter, and they will let you go. We, the Kingdom of Diónia, have already communicated with these city-states in advance … "
"You guys are too thoughtful!" Plato could not help but feel emotional when he heard these words. Obviously, Diónia knew about his past, which was why they gave him such a special instruction.
Six years ago, when Plato was traveling in Syracuse, there was a civil strife in Syracuse. When he left, he was intercepted by the warships of Sparta. At that time, the Corinth War had not yet ended. The Sparta generals who were angry with the people of Athens detained the famous scholar of Athens and sold him as a slave. If it were not for his friend who rescued him in time, he would probably still be digging in a mine. This terrible experience also made him wary of going to the Western Mediterranean. Moreover, when the news of the "Treaty of Alliance between Diónia and Sparta" reached Athens, most of the people of Athens cursed Diónia, calling it a traitor (because the old Turií was built on the initiative of Athens, the people of Athens thought that Diónia should support Athens). This also affected Plato's mood, so he had not traveled to the most powerful kingdom in the Western Mediterranean.
This time, he could finally make up for this regret.
… …
In the King's office in the Royal Palace of Diónia, the five rotating presidents of the Senate, Minister of Commerce Marigi, Minister of Finance Merces, and Supreme Censor Sesta gathered together.
The Devers looked at them and said solemnly, "This time, I invited you here because there are a few important things I want to discuss with you in advance. At the beginning of the year, some of you participated in the General Assembly of the Kingdom of Diónia and the General Assembly of the Commissioners, and those who did not should have heard about it. Many local representatives and commissioners mentioned the problem of 'the elders receiving gifts from the citizens and foreigners', especially the elders who served as the chief executive. They also repeatedly mentioned the 'Polyxis Treason Case' and the current 'Laodisian Case', hoping that we can do something about it. I once promised them that I would make a change on this issue, and now it's time to fulfill my promise! What do you think of this? "
Everyone looked at each other with a solemn expression. Most of them did not expect that the Devers called them here today to discuss this thorny issue.
The hall was silent for a while. As the most important person in the Senate after the death of Cunogorata, Cornelus had to stand up and speak first, "Your Majesty, since the establishment of Diónia, it has been the right and obligation of the citizens to serve in the public service of the kingdom. At first, there was no need to pay any salary. But today, not only the middle and low-level officials, even the laborers who transport supplies, the jailers who supervise the criminals, and the sentries who guard the fortress are paid. But in the whole kingdom, only the elders don't have any salary. Because this is a noble position, the elders serve the whole country and the citizens, and should not be calculative about salary like the low-level officials.
But … I remember when the League was first established, there were no major events. Generally, the Senate would only hold a big meeting every five or six days, and the rest of the time, we could stay at home with the slaves to take care of the fields. But now, the kingdom is so big, and there are so many things to do. Almost every day, we hold a meeting in the Grand Hall to discuss the kingdom and pass bills. How can we have the time and energy to increase the income of our families? Although according to the laws of Diónia, the elders will give a certain amount of land obtained from each war, the income from the land is limited, and it is often affected by the climate and soil. However, the income from the land is limited, and it's often affected by the climate and soil. Many elders who don't know how to manage the household are even worse off than low-level officials … "
"You mean it is reasonable for the elders to receive gifts?" The Devers asked softly with a calm expression.
Cornelus was so nervous that he couldn't speak for a moment.
"Your Majesty, what Lord Cornelus said is the truth." Lysias took over the conversation and defended Cornelus: "The position of a senator is noble, but senators are also human and have desires. They also hope to be able to eat good food, drink good wine, and wear gorgeous clothes. Although wealth cannot reflect a person's nobility, we can imagine that when a senator living in poverty receives a wealthy merchant who is dressed in gorgeous clothes and is accompanied by four or five servants, who is more likely to be a senator in the eyes of the people?
That is why Laodisian was so popular among the elders in the beginning, because he was generous and often invited the elders to banquets … This is also why there are so many people fighting for the vacant position of the chief executive. After becoming the chief executive, they have more opportunities to accept gifts from the local people to increase their income, allowing them to live like the rich citizens of Diónia. "
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