Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Seeing the turmoil in the city intensifying, the high priest of the Temple of Apollo was very worried. Although he had only been the high priest for a few years, he was far less influential on Syracuse than the previous high priest (in the previous high priest). With the efforts of the priests, he once allowed the various forces of Syracuse to eliminate differences, contributed to today's political structure, and restored peace and tranquility in Syracuse, so the prestige was very high), but he decided to learn from his ancestors and do his best. Do your best to bring order back to stability in Syracuse.

To this end, he took the initiative to find Theagenis and Falecus one after another, and persuaded them to stop attacking each other, otherwise it would only give the enemy in the north an opportunity.

In fact, after learning of the chaos in the city, Theagenis and Falecus felt scared. After all, Dionia's army of tens of thousands was eyeing the north. If there was civil strife in Syracuse at this time, then But it's dangerous!

Just as the high priest came to persuade them, the two descended the donkey along the slope and expressed their willingness to reconcile for the sake of Syracuse.

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On the morning of the third day, the members of Syracuse entered the venue with serious expressions. Before the meeting began, news suddenly came: a Dionysian army had left the city of Catane and was heading south. March, the number of more than 50,000 people.

The congressmen suddenly became nervous: Is Dionysian going to attack us? !

When everyone was panicking, Theagenis stood up, took the initiative to show his favor to Falecus, and spoke generously, reminding everyone not to be deceived by the Dionysians, but to unite and defend against the coming attack.

Falekus and other centrist MPs responded positively and began to discuss how to deal with the coming war.

There was no more quarrel in the venue, and it was even more harmonious than previous meetings, as if the quarrels, insults and conflicts here yesterday had never happened.

However, the fact that generals with political literacy can reach a compromise in the face of a crisis and restore order to the council does not mean that ordinary people can easily do it, not to mention that they do not know that the situation in the council has changed, although The city hall sent more patrols, but there were still clashes in the city, which led to a tragic incident.

Several young Te-Argenis supporters got into a quarrel with a group of neutral supporters, which culminated in a fight. They were outnumbered and beaten.

When the patrol arrived to disperse the crowd, they found a young man stabbed in the chest with a dagger and fell in a pool of blood, and no one could see who had assassinated him.

The patrol team didn't know how to deal with the incident for a while, but the people who supported the pro-democracy faction had arrived at the scene one after another. Seeing the tragic sight, the crowd was excited and angrily demanded that the murderer be punished.

The news reached the council, and the originally lively venue suddenly became calm. Both the democrats and the neutrals were conducting urgent consultations. What measures should be taken to satisfy both their supporters and Syracuse in such a situation? crisis without causing turmoil.

At this moment, the sentry came back with another message: Dionia's army passed through the ruins of Paragonia and continued south, and the leading cavalry may have reached Gera.

The deputies were stunned, and then they all showed joy, and some even burst into cheers: It turns out that the Dionysian army is not going to war with Syracuse, but to attack the Carthaginians!

Without the clouds of war,

The atmosphere of the venue suddenly became relaxed.

At this time, Te Argenis stood up and pointed out sternly: Since there is no way to know who the real culprit is, the neutral supporters who participated in the fight are all guilty and should all be arrested and put on trial!

Of course, Falecus and others firmly opposed it, and the quarrel sounded again in the venue.

It didn't take long for Cybnus's speech to intensify the conflict between the democrats and the neutrals that had already subsided. He said: Although the Dionysians have begun to attack the Carthaginians, we, Syrah, have begun to attack. Kuza is still in a state of hostility with Dionia. In order to ensure that there will be no accidents in the future, and to reassure the Dionysians of attacking the Carthaginians with all their strength, it is necessary for us to temporarily restore friendship with Dionia. I think—the conditions given by the Dionysians must also be fulfilled!

The condition given by the Dionians was to ask the Council of Syracuse to punish Falecus and others! Suddenly, the turmoil in the venue became bigger and bigger.

Although Hiktas did not participate in it, the democrats and the neutrals criticized each other, and the content revealed made him feel indignant and sad, and he understood a lot of things that he did not understand before: why some of the port civilians who were originally agreed Members of Parliament suddenly support a resolution that is unfavorable to the port civilians at the meeting? Why did the port populace gradually become disunited and lead to divisions? ...

At dusk, Hiktas returned to the house in the port exhausted, but was told by his family that a civilian said that he had something important to look for and was waiting in the hall.

As a general of the port civilian faction, Hiktas often received some port civilians and even free people at home, listened to some of their opinions and demands, and tried his best to help them solve some difficulties.

While the servant was preparing dinner, he decided to go see this man first.

Seeing Hiktas walk into the living room, the commoner got up in a hurry and saluted.

Hiktas saw that he looked ordinary and had no impression in his mind. He should have never seen him before, so he asked, What's your name? What's the matter with me?

The man's ordinary Muna's face suddenly showed a mysterious smile, and he said softly: Lord Hiktas, Lord Antrapolis asked me to say hello to you!

The long memory of Hiktas was stirred up by these words, and his heart was shocked, and his turbid eyes suddenly became sharp, looking directly at the man.

The man looked at him calmly.

Soon, Hiktas reacted, turned around and said solemnly to the confidant servant: You go out first and tell others that you are not allowed to enter here without my order!

After the servant went out, Hiktas asked, Are you a Dionian?

Yes. My name is Artemis, a citizen of Dionia, and I am from Catanay. The man said frankly.

Dionians, you are so brave! Hiktas slammed the back of his chair and shouted sharply: Come on, how many of you are in the city of Syracuse?! Is the turmoil in the city? You caused it?!

The man was not frightened, but smiled slightly, and said sternly: The life of the civilians in the port of Syracuse in the past two years has not been easy! The area of ​​land they own is shrinking, and some have even been relocated. The number of people participating in the Citizens' Assembly is limited, the number of people elected to the council is limited, and even the number of people elected as generals has decreased... The commoners in the port cannot unite and fight for their own interests. Instead, they are divided into several factions. They are fighting each other over the interests of unloading ships and fishing at the port, and they have given the council a reason to suppress you... Hiktas, if Lord Antrapolis knew the situation of the civilians in the port today, he would Very sad!

Although Antrapolis no longer served in the intelligence department of the Kingdom of Dionia, he was the one who dispatched personnel to help the civilians of the port of Syracuse unite, and finally successfully launched a riot, so although Hiktas and the others Haven't met Antrapolis, but was no stranger to the name, which is why Artemis mentioned him several times.

Hiktas listened to these words, his face was blue and purple, and he was quite ashamed: the current predicament of the port populace is of course related to his incompetence and lack of leadership.

But he quickly came to his senses: the enemy of Syracuse was sitting in front of him!

He immediately lowered his face and wanted to refute.

However, Artemis suddenly took out a scroll of papyrus tied with a black rope from his arms, and said in a deep voice, Lord Antrapolis is far in the north of the kingdom, and of course he cannot understand the civilians in the port of Syracuse today. However, His Majesty King Davos who was in Catane was very careful to understand the situation of Syracuse from us, expressed unusual concern for your situation, and said that he would do his best to help you, He also wrote this letter, let me bring it to you!

Saying that, he pushed the paper roll in his hand forward.

Hiktas stepped back subconsciously, staring straight at the scroll, his pupils shrunk sharply: This is the most feared enemy of Syracuse's generals and deputies - King Dionia Write a letter! If I accept it, I am afraid that I will be tempted, and I am afraid that if the matter leaks, it will become evidence of my collaborating with the enemy; but if I don’t accept it, I am worried that I will miss a great opportunity. a blow to myself...

Hiktas was very contradictory in his heart and stood still; while Artemis did not say a word, he kept holding the scroll... The whole picture seemed to be still.

After a long time, Hiktas sighed softly: I'm old...

He cautiously took the paper roll that was as light as nothing but as heavy as a thousand pounds with both hands...

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The Syracuse scouts did not notice that while the Dionysian army was marching south, a Dionysian army had left the west gate of Catanay earlier and was heading northwest. mountain march.

In the afternoon, the army approached Agilion, not far from the western foot of Mount Etna.

Clayrou, who had received the news in advance and was waiting outside the city, greeted him.

Lord Crelu, I kept you waiting! Lizaru and Epithenes hurriedly dismounted and apologized. Although Kleirou was ten years younger than them, he was also an elder of the Senate, and this time he was specially ordered to temporarily give up administrative affairs to assist them. The two did not dare to wait any longer.