Chapter 814
For Mikeris, he did not care much about how high an official position Enanilus would hold in the kingdom after his return. As long as he appeared in the officialdom of the kingdom, it would show the people of the kingdom the king's understanding of the Mikeris family. It would no longer hinder the family's development in business and politics in the future.
Therefore, the atmosphere of the whole meeting became more relaxed. They also talked about the busy situation of the merchants of Diónia transferring supplies at the port of Ostia in the past two days. They also began to enclose their land, build stores, and look for business opportunities.
In the end, Mikeris left the Senate of Rome with a smile on his face, but Alcibidas stayed because the Devers was going to hold an administrative meeting here.
… …
The meeting was mainly attended by the Asistes, Nicomacus, Antradoris, and some other elders, as well as some middle-level officials of important departments.
"Everyone, you are now sitting in the Senate of Rome." The Devers saw the officials who came in and took their seats looking around curiously, so he gave a brief introduction.
"It's much smaller than our Grand Chamber," said the Asistes.
"But the city of Rome is bigger than the inner city of Turií," said Nicomacus respectfully. Nicomacus said flatteringly: "Judging from the density of the houses, the population is also very large. It is hard to imagine that Your Majesty took only one day to capture such a magnificent city!"
"Nicomacus, that's a compliment to the soldiers who participated in this siege!" The Devers laughed.
"That's why I'm proud of the amazing achievements made by the soldiers!" Nicomacus responded quickly.
"The soldiers took down this big city, but it's up to you to govern it and turn it into a city that belongs to Diónia." The Devers' next words made the officials puff out their chests.
After that, Devers began to talk about the main topic. He faced the crowd and said, "Before you volunteered to come to Latin, you should have some understanding of this region. You've learned more about Ostia, but you may not be clear about the situation we are in right now. Therefore, you must have a comprehensive understanding of the war situation in Latin."
At this point, the Devers gestured to Herneapolis.
Henipolis immediately had two guards raise a wooden board with a map of Rome and the surrounding cities, and brought it to the Devers' side.
"Sit forward. That way we can see more clearly."
As soon as the Devers spoke, the officials did not care about their status and squeezed into the first and second rows of the venue. They raised their heads and stared at the map seriously.
"Rome is indeed the largest city-state in central Italy." The Devers pointed at the map and said in detail, "It and its surrounding land area is no less than our Turií's Cybari Plain, or even much larger. Although we have taken down Rome, to the south of Rome are its Latin allies and colonial cities. To the north of Rome are its Etruscan allies and colonial cities. In addition, about 70,000 soldiers from Rome are returning from the punitive expedition against the Hernici … We are now like a lion surrounded by countless wolves. The situation is very grim! Fortunately — "
The Devers' finger that was pointing at the city of Rome slid down the Tiber River and stopped at Ostia. "The Tiber River is under our control. It allows us to transport supplies and personnel to the outside world through the waterway. However, if we cannot break out of this situation of being besieged by an isolated army, the waterway will be cut off after a long time, and Rome will be completely surrounded. The victory that we have previously paid a huge price for will be in vain. So, I request that all of you immediately get to work and take over the city of Rome. Not only must you restore stability as soon as possible, but you must also make it able to help us in the upcoming battle!"
The Devers' words made the senators and administrative officials present feel the pressure. Their faces were solemn as they stared at the map, but there was also a glimmer of excitement in their eyes. After all, most of the Diónia officials who voluntarily chose to come to Latin were citizens who refused to be mediocre and were tired of the overly stable environment. They were ambitious or adventurous citizens.
The Devers glanced at them and felt their strong spirits. He smiled in his heart and said, "Next, I will announce the appointment of administrative positions in Rome during the war."
The reason why the Devers emphasized the word "during the war" was to indicate that this was a temporary appointment. When the war was over, the arrangement of administrative personnel in the occupied territory would need to be reviewed by the Devers, the Senate, and the Kingdom's Officials Management Committee.
Most of the officials sat up straight subconsciously.
"The governor of Rome —" The Devers looked at their former herald and said loudly, "will be appointed by Senator Asistes!"
Before leaving Turií, the Asistes had been summoned by the Devers. He knew the arrangements for him, so he looked calm.
Nicomacus, Antraporis, and the other senators were obviously incomparable to the Asistes in terms of qualifications, but they were still more or less disappointed that they could not become the highest administrator of such a large city, which was considered one of the best in the kingdom.
The Devers saw it and continued, "Neutum, Kenaporis, Mesagne, Enona … Since the establishment of Diónia more than ten years ago, the Asistes has been serving as the governor of the newly conquered alien areas. His political achievements are outstanding, and he has rich experience in governing the alien races. This is why I chose him to serve as the governor of Rome …"
After a few words of explanation, he said, "Nicomacus, Antraporis … You will temporarily serve as the adjutant of the administration of Rome and govern Rome together with the Asistes. There is also an adjutant of the administration that I have just appointed from Rome. I hope you can get along well with him and make full use of his role."
The senators were surprised, but with their rich political experience, they quickly understood the intention of the Devers's move. They immediately calmed down and expressed their stance.
Then, the Devers appointed several important middle-level officials in Rome, all recommended by the ministers of various departments.
"The commercial officer of Rome will be Flaccus."
As soon as the Devers finished speaking, a Diónia official in the meeting stood up and said loudly, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!"
The Devers looked at him and said solemnly, "Because of the continuation of the war, it is impossible for Rome to trade with the surrounding forces in a short period of time. However, there are many merchants from the kingdom. While they bring us supplies and wealth, they will also cause some chaos … Marigi praised you as the best trade officer under him. I hope you can manage them well and let them be of help in this war, not trouble!"
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty!" Flaccus replied confidently.
"The Turií Chamber of Commerce, the Lijim Chamber of Commerce, and a small number of merchants from Crotone and Tarantum … They have all donated a large number of military provisions and supplies for this war. So while you strengthen your management, you must also let them reap the benefits. We cannot mistreat these merchants who have contributed to the kingdom, so you must grasp the scale!"
While the Devers exhorted him, he comforted him, "You don't have to worry too much. I have found a good superior for you."
As he spoke, his eyes turned to the Diónia senator who had been silent at the side of the meeting and had just taken office not long ago. "Alcibidas, I appoint you as the administrative adjutant of Rome, specializing in trade affairs."
"Me?!" Alcibidas was a little confused. Previously, the Devers had asked him to stay for a meeting. As a newcomer to the kingdom's political scene, he was prepared to listen attentively.
"You heard it right, it's you!" The Devers joked. "All the officials of the kingdom who come here have to work. Now that food is scarce, we can't afford to keep idle people."
A smile appeared on the faces of the Asistes and the others, but no one laughed out loud. Those who could sit in this meeting were all middle and high-ranking officials of the Kingdom of Diónia. They were all well-informed, so of course, they knew who Alcibidas was.
"I'm not giving you this appointment because you are my relative, but because you are not only a senator of the kingdom, but also the head of the Lijim Chamber of Commerce. You can better coordinate and communicate with the merchants of Diónia who come here. Of course, as an official of the kingdom, you must stand in a neutral position and treat every merchant equally, not just the merchants of Lijim, "the Devers reminded him.
Alcibidas was a little tempted. He remembered what his father had said to him. "… That's good too. Since you have decided to merge Lijim into Diónia, I won't stop you … But you have to understand that there are many powerful and capable people in Diónia. You can't do whatever you want like you did in Lijim! Although the Devers is your brother-in-law, with his character, he will never give you more care. And as a relative of the royal family, you will become the target of many people's attention. If you don't want to be the target of ridicule, then work hard … Gain a foothold in the Senate of Diónia. That way, you can give your sister more support … "
Recalling the past, Alcibidas pretended to be hesitant and said, "Your Majesty, I really want to work for the kingdom, but I'm not very familiar with the kingdom's laws and system …"
"Sir Alcibidas," Flaccus said hurriedly. "Don't worry, I will do my best to help you!"
The Devers looked at the newly appointed commercial officer approvingly and said, "Don't hesitate, Alcibidas! With Flaccus' full support, what else do you have to worry about? "
Alcibidas immediately said, "Your Majesty, since you trust me so much, I am willing to accept this position."
。 Library of Literature.
Comments