I am the son of the traveler

Chapter 98 grants citizenship

"In the name of the supreme King of Macedon, son of Hercules, proclaims the granting of citizenship of the Kingdom of Macedonia to those who possess the citizenship of the Greek city-states..."

Antigonus’s new decree once again detonated the entire city of Pella, and then spread throughout the kingdom at an incredible speed. Everyone was shocked by Antigonus’s move. This kind of large-scale granting of citizenship to foreigners is unprecedented. For the first time in history, although the citizens of the Greek city-states were granted citizenship, both the Macedonian nobles and citizens felt a sense of crisis, and it also gave hope to the free tribesmen.

They thought, even Greeks can be granted citizenship, so are they still far away from becoming Macedonian citizens?
Less than half an hour after this decree was promulgated, officials and nobles of the kingdom flocked into the Vigina Palace to ask Antigonus about it.They were headed by Senonides the nurturer and Nikoclides the philosopher, and they were menacing. It seemed that they would hang on until Antigonus gave them a satisfactory answer.

Antigonus understood what they were worried about. He slowly asked his servants to arrange chairs for the officials and nobles. After they sat down one by one, he said with a smile: "Gentlemen, I grant the former Greek citizens of Macedonia Citizenship is also something I have to consider.”

"What are you considering?" Nicoclides asked. He and Senonides had just been discussing the engagement at the latter's home. After being informed of the news, they rushed over without stopping.

"Gentlemen, I believe you are well aware of the composition of the residents within the Kingdom of Macedonia. Orthodox Macedonians only account for about one-third of the population, and the rest are mostly free people from various tribes and immigrants from Greek city-states."

"When discussing the conscription with the military consul Cronus today, I discovered a very fatal problem, that is, the number of citizen soldiers that can be recruited is actually not enough to assemble a double phalanx. You know what this means What? This means that if we don't increase the number of citizens, then as the war develops, the Kingdom's army is likely to be filled with a large number of soldiers composed of non-Macedonian citizens!"

After Antigonus finished speaking, everyone's expressions changed. They naturally knew the important status of citizen soldiers to a country. In the Greek world, the number of citizens in a country symbolized the strength of the country. In their eyes, the people are not their own after all.

Seeing that their faces became ugly, Antigonus smiled slightly, and continued: "I granted citizenship to those Greek immigrants in order to increase the strength of citizens. Although they are still foreigners in essence, they are still the same as us after all. Civilized people, and, having the status of Macedonian citizens, they will give everything to defend our motherland."

Of course, this is not absolute. Just like some people, although they have the nationality and citizenship of the country, they go abroad and do things that harm the interests of the motherland; while some people do not have the nationality of the country, but willing to give his life.It was the blessing of the system that made Antico dare to say such absolute words.

The officials and nobles were a little shaken by what Antigon said. They looked at each other and discussed in a low voice head to head. Antigon didn't care about them. He looked at Nicolides, Said: "Teacher, how is the discussion between you and Mr. Senonides about the engagement related matters?"

"The date has been set for the time being." Nicolides said, and Xenonides, who was sitting next to him, took over the conversation at this moment, and said, "Just half a month later."

"Half a month?" Antico was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright, I hope I will see a grand scene by then."

"Understood, Your Majesty." The two elders said in unison.

While several people in Antigonus were talking, the noble officials over there finally reached a conclusion. They all turned their attention to Siparcus, the Kingdom Inspector, and wanted him to come forward to answer as a representative.

Xiparchus knew very well that the reason why he was chosen was simply because of his status as the future father-in-law.He stood up slowly under the gaze of everyone, looked at Antigonus, and said: "Your Majesty, although we understand that you have to make a decision for the future of the country, those citizens do not know that we will come forward to protect the country. You persuaded them to calm down. However, we hope you will not make similar moves again."

"Of course, we have no objection to granting citizenship to Gentiles, and we support your granting citizenship to Gentiles who have contributed to the kingdom."

"I understand what you mean, Hipparchus, and I can assure you, gentlemen, that this is only a temporary measure."

Antigonus knew what they meant and agreed wholeheartedly, but no one knows whether he would comply in the end.

Seeing that Antigonus readily agreed, the nobles left one after another to help the king calm down the Macedonian citizens.After they left, Antigonus fell into deep thought. This time he had figured out the bottom line of nobles and citizens. If it was just a single or small-scale grant of citizenship, they would definitely not bother, but if this large-scale collective Macedonian citizens who feel that their status has been affected are bound to be dissatisfied.

……

The influence of the decree issued by Antigonus lasted only a few days. With the persuasion of the noble officials, the Macedonian citizens gradually understood the king's intentions, and the dissatisfaction in their hearts dissipated. Immigrants who were citizens of Greece before crossing into this world turned into citizens of the Kingdom of Macedonia overnight. Naturally, they were in a good mood. They sincerely thanked Antigonus for his generosity, and their support for the young king took a qualitative leap.

The new citizens who had acquired a new identity were grateful and devoted themselves to the construction of the new city. They were very diligent even without the encouragement of others, which surprised the nobles.

Antico didn't expect his decree to have such a big effect, even if he knew it, he would just smile wryly in return—this is called unintentional insertion,

At the same time, Antigonus's chief of guards, Agnes, took several guard knights and set off on a ship heading for the Merchant Republic of Feron. This was the decision Antigonus had made before the battle of Arcelos. It's just that because of the war, he delayed this trip until the end of the war.As mentioned above, before Agnes set off, Antigonus also dispatched a trireme to escort.

(End of this chapter)