Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

In the corner, Theos and Dickpolis sat quietly eating their food.

After Tios finished eating the fried beef on the plate, he said loudly, Please bring me a glass of wine.

After getting a response, he picked up the clean linen towel on his left hand and wiped the oil stains from the corner of his mouth.

As long as they watched this day's public trial, anyone— Dickpolis pointed his fork at the diners who were arguing loudly around him, and said, They are all angry, but you behave calmly.

What's there to be angry about! In my former city-state, Corinth, this kind of thing is not uncommon. Theos took the wine from the waiter, thanked him, and continued: The important positions in the city-state are all held by nobles. At the same time, the election of generals is always carried out among the dozen or so families. Isn’t that the case in Keldoria? (Keldoria is a city-state on Crete, at the westernmost end of the island)”

That's right, so I'm as calm as you are.

Both laughed.

However, there is one thing you are wrong about. Keldoria is just my former city-state, and now I am a Dionian. Dickpolis reminded seriously.

You and I are both. Tios raised his glass with a smile, and the two touched it lightly.

However, there is a way that Polyxis did... I agree with... Dickpolis looked around, put his head close, and said in a low voice, Hold a citizens' assembly.

Theos looked at him without speaking.

Dickpolis continued in a low voice: All decisions in the Dionysian Union are made by the Senate, and we ordinary citizens can neither participate nor oppose, and decide nothing. Although ordinary citizens may become a Senate Elder, but according to the law, this road is really too long! Like us businessmen, who are running around all day, it is impossible to hold any public office, if—”

Dickpolis hesitated for a moment, but still said: If the Dionysian system does not change, I am afraid... I am afraid that some businessmen will leave. After all, with a lot of money, they cannot interfere with the Dionysian Senate. Any decision made by us always makes us businessmen unwilling, right?

Tios lowered his head and took a sip of wine, suppressing the surprise in his heart, and asked, Are you also among the people who are leaving?

Of course I won't leave here! Dickpolis said affirmatively: There is the best food in the Mediterranean! The best entertainment! The best hot spring baths! And there is no invasion war, it is simply on the ground Elysee! Why am I leaving! Dickpolis exclaimed, leaning back in his chair.

That's right, my friend! A blushing, slightly drunk man came over and patted Dickpolis on the shoulder vigorously, and said in a loud voice, It is because of Lord Davos that there will be Today's beautiful city of Turii! Brothers, let us honor the great Lord Davos!

After he finished speaking, the diners at the same table stood up and raised their glasses: To Sir Davos!

Affected by them, other diners also stood up.

Lord Davos, Wansheng!

Salute to our great commander!

The originally noisy restaurant has converged into one voice.

After everyone finished toasting, someone stood up and said jokingly, To our damn senate!

Immediately, the laughter started again.

Dickpolis smiled and watched their row, and Theos reminded him: Dionysian is not without the danger of war now!

Dickpolis was stunned for a moment, then said, Are you worried about Syracuse?

Theos nodded slightly.

Dickpolis waved his hand indifferently: As a former Corinthian, I don't think you should worry about this problem. In mainland Greece, Sparta, Athens, Corinth, Thebes, Argos...etc. Dispatching spies between city-states, bribing parliamentarians from enemy states, and even defending the interests of the enemy state at citizens' assemblies... Is there still a few such incidents! If wars break out because of such trivial matters,

The Greek mainland has long been a mess! ...But, to be honest, the situation in mainland Greece is really bad now, especially in Corinth. I heard that the Spartan army was stationed in Corinth, and they often fought with the coalition forces of Corinth, Athens, Thebes, and Argos, and people died every day... You are so lucky to come out early!

Theos was told about his mother country by Dickpolis, and after a while of silence, he sighed: Yeah, the Corinthians are having a hard time... I heard that the Spartan King Agesilaus led the Persians in Persia. The expedition troops have landed in northern Greece and are preparing to go south. Together with the Spartan army, the anti-Spartan coalition must be in danger!... Speaking of which, I should really thank you, if not for yours Persuasion, I will not make the decision to join Dionia so soon!

Dickpolis laughed and said, In that case, how should you thank me?

This was originally a joke, but Tios whispered: I went to Lord Davos' mansion a few days ago and discussed with him about the donation of Stone Bridge. You know, I have followed Lord Davers to donate money many times. It is in line with the new bill passed by Dionia in recent years on the 'incentive clauses for foreigners to donate public buildings', so I became a citizen of Dionia so quickly...

You're a big businessman now, Dickpolis said.

Theos ignored the faint sourness in his words and continued: Master Davos asked me carefully about some businessmen protesting in the square, and finally he said, 'It can't go on like this, Dioni Ya has to change!'

Did he really say that?! Dickpolis asked in surprise.

Of course, I remember it clearly! Theos said with great certainty: Lord Davos has always been a man of his words!

Dickpolis gleamed in his eyes...

…………………………

My lord, are you looking for me? Aristillas walked into Davos' study.

Sit down, Aristillas. Davos casually pointed to the wooden chair beside him.

Yes, my lord. Although Davos behaved casually, Aristillas sat down respectfully.

Davos leaned back in his chair, looked at his intelligence chief, and said, You should have been following me for almost five years, right?

Accurately speaking, it should be four months and nine days after five years. Aristillas said seriously.

You remember it so clearly. Davos smiled and said, I haven't seen you gain any weight after being with me for so long.

Aristillas said helplessly: This subordinate has this physique, no matter how much you eat, you won't get fat.

If Cristoia has a physique like yours, she will be very happy. Davos chuckled.

He looked at the tall and thin young man with emotion: You have been with me for so long, even if you have become a citizen of Dionia, you are still willing to continue to collect information for me, and with your ability, you are fully capable of any role in the alliance. A public office... It can be said that you have silently made a great contribution to the alliance! Just like this public trial case, I am very grateful to you, and I feel very guilty at the same time!...

Aristillas suddenly felt uneasy: Did Davos want me to leave here?

Davos tapped lightly on the arm of the wooden chair with his right hand, and said slowly, From now on, I can finally do something to repay your help to me.

Aristillas was almost taken aback by Davos' sudden remarks, and he heard Davos continue: Aristillas, you know Syracuse very well. Tell me, if we have a relationship with Is there any chance of winning if the powerful city-state of Sicily, across the sea, starts a war?

Aristillas's uneasy heart finally beat sharply, he suppressed his excitement, and after thinking for a while, he said, My lord, I think that Dionia is not small in strength compared to Syracuse. Gap.

Davos was not surprised by what Aristillas said, he was satisfied with his attitude, even though he hated Syracuse, he was still able to analyze the problem from an objective standpoint: Oh, what's the matter? The gap? Tell me in detail.

According to what the adults have told me, the strength of a city-state is mainly judged from four aspects. These four aspects are population, economic capacity, land area... um... and... moving...

War mobilization capability, Davos reminded.

I almost forgot. Aristillas re-arranged his thoughts and continued: Now Sicily, in addition to Lilipi, Eryx, Panomes and other westernmost coastal city-states, are also under attack. Outside the control of the Carthaginians, other areas have been conquered by the Syracuses, including the Sikelians in the eastern inland, which have also been conquered by Dionysius through various despicable schemes such as bribing and assassination. The Taquis were still fighting fiercely with the Sicilian-Greek coalition led by Dionysius in Solus, but according to the latest news, the Carthaginians had already lost the battle, and it was estimated that the defeat was only a matter of time.

According to the information we sent to Syracuse, Gera, Agrigen, Leotine... Aristillas paused: The intelligence gathered by the people of the city-states such as Katanai and Naxos. , combined with what the Dionian merchants who went to trade in the various city-states of Sicily heard, to have a general understanding of the strength of Syracuse-

He paused again, and Davers patted the armrest: Just say it, I'm more daring.

Syracuse and its surrounding towns number about 400,000 people, plus the other city-states directly controlled and affiliated by Dionysius may be close to 1.3 million people... He said here, looking at Look at Davos.

Davos looked calm and motioned for him to continue.