Chapter 928
"Stolo, I just baked some bread with the freshly ground flour. It's still warm! It's very fragrant! Bring a few pieces back to try! "
"Stolo, have the houses in Awentine been demolished? I heard that the city hall is going to build bigger and better-looking houses. Is that true? "
"Stolo, I saw some people from the city hall at your house in the afternoon. Something might have happened."
… …
Words of warmth and concern warmed Stolo's heart. Even when he was locked up in his house by the Diónia, these people still tried their best to help his family. That was why he was willing to provide them with legal help at a low price or even for free.
He responded with a smile as he hastened his steps home.
"Stolo, you're finally back!" His wife, Cornia, threw herself at him and hugged him tightly the moment he entered the house.
"Aren't I doing fine? What happened?" Stolo caressed his wife's back and asked softly.
"The people from the city hall came in the afternoon. They emphasized that you must go to the city hall after you return home to see that Asi- … Administrator Astres. Stolo, will … will something happen to you?! "Cornia looked at him worriedly.
"We've gone through the worst of it and survived it. What bad thing could happen?!" The experience of this period of time had turned this innocent and adorable noble wife into a frightened bird. Stolo pinched her nose and pretended to be relaxed. "It's possible that the Diónia saw that I've performed well and are giving me a more important mission."
"Is that so? That's great! " Cornia heard this and seemed to take it seriously. She said hurriedly, "Stolo, go to the city hall and see the administrator. You must tell him, can … can you let my mother and sister go home?!"
Stolo was stunned. Ever since the families of the Romans who escaped to the Capitoline Hill were forced to descend the mountain, apart from a small number of civilian families who were verified and released by the city hall, the rest of the noble families were imprisoned in the city and sent to Saturnicum to persuade the defenders to surrender. Stolo's mother-in-law was the wife of the famous senator Ambustus of Rome, and Cornia's sister's husband was the Roman general Servius who was still leading the resistance in Saturnicum. Therefore, the city hall would not release them easily.
Stolo had asked about this a few days ago, but faced with his wife's expectant gaze, he nodded and said, "Okay, I'll ask the administrator."
Cornia's smile blossomed like a flower as she personally served Stolo's dinner on the table.
… … …
During this period of time, even at dusk, the city hall of Rome was still very busy. The allocation and transportation of food and supplies for the two armies, the distribution of land and residential arrangements for the newly migrated citizens of Diónia, the supervision of the autumn harvest and subsequent taxes, the urgent organization and preparation for the upcoming Hades celebration and the rugby match … a series of complicated and urgent administrative matters were placed in front of the Asistes and his subordinates, urging them to complete them day and night. So when Stolo walked into the city hall and saw the officials here working hard, he could not help but sigh.
When Stolo was brought into the office of the Asistes, the Asistes had just sent off the inspector. He was almost 50 years old, and after working for a long time, it was inevitable that his back would ache. He stood up, stretched his waist, and paced back and forth in the room. When he saw Stolo come in, he signaled him to sit down while he continued to stand and talk, "I heard from Mainas that you've done a great job these days, especially helping the engineering team resolve several major conflicts in a timely manner."
"They didn't have any conflicts in the first place. It's just that there was a communication problem," Stolo said cautiously.
"Different customs, different ideologies, coupled with the language barrier, the inability to communicate normally has led to conflicts between the new and old citizens. This has become the most troublesome problem in maintaining order in the city of Rome. This is not a trivial matter!" Asistes rubbed his forehead and said solemnly, "Just now, the inspector came here to complain to me, saying that there are too few citizens of Rome who can speak Greek and are illiterate to join their inspection office. This has always led to them being unable to stop and persuade both sides of the conflict when they are carrying out their tasks. Sometimes, it will easily lead to greater conflicts. In the long run, it's not good for the stability of Rome, so I've decided to let you go to the inspection office.
As far as I know, you used to be proficient in the laws of Rome and often defended the civilians. So I want you to go to the inspection office and follow the inspection team to deal with various disputes in the city. At the same time, you can gradually familiarize yourself with the laws of Diónia and become an inspector in the future. What do you think? "
Stolo did not agree immediately. He pondered for a while and hesitated before saying tentatively, "I heard that Diónia also has a position called Protector, which can help the people fight for their rights and protect their interests. I want … to take this position in the future."
"Protector?!" Mayor Asistes was slightly surprised and advised, "You may not be clear, but the Protector of Diónia is very different from the previous Protector of Rome. As far as I know, the Protector of Rome is a major way for the civilians to enter the upper echelons of the city-state, and they can even sit in the Senate. The Protector of Diónia seems to have more power. He can sue officials of all levels, including the governor like me, and even the senators. He can also meet the king and point out the shortcomings of a certain law … However, once you become the Protector of Diónia, it means that you can't inherit other administrative positions in the future, and you will be cut off from the political arena of the kingdom. This is to ensure the independence of the Protector and not be influenced by the administrative officials. Therefore, the Protectors of Diónia are basically the citizens of Diónia who have no intention of developing in the political arena but want to do something for the people. Most of them are middle-aged and elderly. Almost no young citizens who want to make a difference want to become a Protector."
Stolo did not know much about the details of the Protector of Diónia. He was a little stunned when he heard this.
Asistes looked at him and more or less understood some of his thoughts, so he continued, "In fact, you can rest assured that the Kingdom of Diónia treats all the races in the country equally and will not deliberately be biased. Of course, if you really want to do something for the people of Rome, you can serve as an inspector or a judge, make outstanding political achievements, and become a senator in the future. Only then can you truly defend some of the rights and interests of the citizens of Rome of Diónia in the Senate!
As far as I know, you are good friends with Sextus. He has made many military achievements and has been appointed as a captain. It is very likely that in a few years, he will become the head of the Rome Legion. He may even become a senator of Diónia before the age of 40. Are you willing to accept this? "
Stolo was shocked.
Seeing the sudden change in Stolo's expression, Asistes knew that his words had an effect. He walked back to his desk and sat down again. "This matter concerns your future in the Kingdom. Go back and think about it. Give me an answer in two days. I've asked you to come here because there's something more important I need you to do. "
Speaking of this, Asistes looked straight at Stolo and said in a deep voice, "I have just received a battle report from His Majesty. The garrison of Saturnicum has surrendered!"
Stolo was shocked. He could not help but ask, "The garrison of Saturnicum has surrendered?!"
"Not only Saturnicum has surrendered, but Villette has also surrendered just a day later."
Asistes' words gave Stolo another heavy blow. He was stunned on the spot. Although he did not agree to go to Saturnicum to persuade them to surrender, he knew his father and Camillus well. He thought that even if they were at a disadvantage, they would still resist to the end. He did not expect them to surrender! As soon as Saturnicum surrendered, Rome's resistance disappeared. Rome had no chance of recovering!
Asistes saw Stolo sitting on the wooden chair with an uncertain expression. He coughed softly and said, "Although you were rejected the last time you went to Capitolin Mountain to persuade them to surrender, I hope you can go there again. But I want you to go up again. I think the surrender of Camillus' army will have some effect on them on the mountain. "
After a while, Stolo replied weakly, "… I will try my best, but I have a few questions."
"Speak."
Stolo asked eagerly, "Is my father … okay?"
Asistes pondered for a while and said solemnly, "I don't want to lie to you, but you must swear to God that you will not leak what I say. Only then will I tell you."
Stolo looked at Asistes in surprise, then swore to Jupiter.
"In fact, there was a plague in Saturnicum. The generals of Rome had no choice but to —"
Before Asistes could finish, Stolo screamed in shock, "What?! Plague! — "He immediately covered his mouth with his hand, but his hand was trembling uncontrollably.
Asistes immediately comforted him, "The plague may be the most terrifying disease in Rome, but our Diónia's medical science is advanced, and we have a deep understanding of how to treat the plague. His Majesty is gathering doctors to treat the sick soldiers. I believe many will recover in half a month."
Stolo calmed down a little, then asked eagerly, "Then did my father … did he —"
Asistes said calmly, "Your father has been infected and is receiving treatment in a camp near Saturnicum. I suggest you not visit him now to avoid contracting the plague. Also, before the garrison of Saturnicum surrendered, Camillus had already died … Oh, and your brother-in-law, Servius, has also been infected. "
Ancient Greece, Lord of the Mediterranean
Ancient Greece, Lord of the Mediterranean
Comments