Roman Slave Owner

Let's go first. This place is some distance away from the city of Chalcedon. I have been here with Sura before.

Luculus said.

Li Wei nodded, and then asked Belieus to settle the soldiers, while he and Luculus rode slowly towards the city of Chalcedon.

The two chatted casually, and soon talked about the upcoming war.

I didn't expect Bendu to gather 300,000 troops. It seems that we have to be careful in this battle.

Luculus said.

Before heading to Asia, they had inquired a lot about the Ponto army. When they learned that the Ponto army claimed to have a strength of 300,000, he was shocked. He did not expect that the Ponto army had gathered so many troops again.

The 300,000 he said should have included soldiers and slaves. There are definitely not so many soldiers who can fight.

Levi said.

The monarchs in Asia, like ancient China, loved to exaggerate their numbers.

Half of the 300,000 soldiers that King Mithradati VI of Pontus said would be considered good.

Moreover, he is familiar with history books and knows that not only those monarchs have this problem, but many literati also have this problem.

For example, Herodotus, the most famous historian, wrote Xerxes’ expedition to Greece and led an army of five million. This is obviously impossible. Anyone with a little military knowledge will know that five million Wan's army could not be organized at all in ancient times.

There is also the Romans written by Appian fighting against foreign races, often with only a few or dozens of casualties, all of which are nonsense, and their exaggeration ability is comparable to that of devils in later generations.

You have a point.

Luculus said.

They marched along the main road. Along the way, people's livelihood was poor, houses were dilapidated, and many civilians were displaced. It was completely different from the prosperous Asia in his impression.

And the eyes of those commoners looking at them are not right. The Romans are the rulers here, and they look at Li Wei and others not only without fear, but with hatred.

Did you see it? Their eyes are full of hatred.

Li Wei frowned and said.

Lukulusi's heart moved, and he nodded slightly.

This is not a good thing. Asia is the forefront of our war with Pontus. If the people here do not support us, it will be very bad for this war.

Levi said.

Ahem... I may know the reason for this.

Luculus said.

Oh, why?

After Sulla fought against the king of Pontus and conquered Asia, in order to punish those who betrayed Rome, they imposed a fine of 60 million dramaks (one dramak = one dinar) on their taxes for five years at one time. .”

Those people simply couldn't afford so much money, so they were bought out by those taxpayers at one time, and then they collected it from the people. But you can't blame Su La for this. You also know that General Su La was in urgent need of military expenses, so It had to be done.”

Luculus said.

Li Wei couldn't help but suddenly realized that it was so.

Taxpayers are not a job. With their style, since they have paid so much money for the people of Asia Province, they will definitely earn back from the people several times.

According to my speculation, those people must have not paid back the money. The taxpayers will only make interest, so that they will have to pay back the money for the rest of their lives.

Luculus said.

Li Wei nodded slightly, because of the instigation of his little wings, the Eastern Expedition was many years earlier than in history.

In fact, until ten years after Sulla left Asia, the people of Asia did not pay back the money.

Later, it was Luculus who showed mercy and tried to reduce the tax, but this also completely offended the taxpayer group. They had huge influence in Rome and encouraged Rome's senators and high-ranking officials to pay Luku Luce caused a lot of trouble, which eventually led to the loss of his military power and his early transfer from the combat zone.

Then what should we do?

Levi asked.

We have to find a way to reduce this tax, otherwise the people may fall to the side of the capital.

Luculus said.

Li Wei did not agree immediately, and this matter was under the control of the governor of Asia, Lebiris.

With Li Wei's influence on him, he can definitely let Lebiris do this, but it will also harm Lebiris.

That was a huge profit of more than 60 million dinars, plus the interest rate, their profit was definitely more than 200 million dinars, and I don't know how many Roman nobles and knights were involved behind it.

No matter who dares to touch such a large sum of money, they will definitely be counterattacked with all their strength.

Seeing that Li Wei didn't agree, Luculus sighed, and he didn't continue to persuade, because he also understood the difficulties.

Before they came to Chalcedon, they saw the team of Lebiris coming to greet them.

This team is very large, in addition to Lebiris, you can also see many Romans and some foreigners.

After seeing Li Wei, those people were all smiling, and the most excited was a tall, red-haired, dignified middle-aged man.

With a look of excitement on his face, he looked at Li Wei as if he was looking at the savior, and he directly left the team to meet him.

General Li Wei, you have to decide for us, those Bendu people are really too domineering...

After speaking, he broke down in tears, and the seven-foot-tall man burst into tears on the spot, making Li Wei bewildered.

Who are you?

Levi asked.

My name is Diolotas, and I am the king of Galasia. The king of Pontus, Mithridates, is so ambitious that he dared to attack Rome several times. It is an unforgivable crime...

This tall man had an excellent eloquence, and he made the king of Pondu look like a devil in hell.

But after knowing his identity, Li Wei knew his purpose.

Galacia is located in the east of Asia, in today's Turkey, and is connected to the province of Asia. It is a kingdom composed of Celts. As a result, Pontus was destroyed by the way after the Western Expedition.

So the king of Bendu became a subjugated person, and what he wanted most was definitely for Li Wei to help him restore the country.

Thinking of this, Li Wei's interest in him is not high, at least for now, let him hang out.

Seeing Li Wei's indifferent face, Diorutas felt chilled in his heart.

Li Wei is his only hope of restoring the country. If Li Wei is unwilling to help him restore the country, then their royal family will really be finished.

General, I welcome you on behalf of all the people of Asia.

Liberias said.

Hahaha, the life of the governor of a province is going well.

Li Wei laughed and said.

Lebiris said respectfully, This is all cultivated by the general.

Hello, respected General Li Wei, I am Gaius Lamia.

At this time, an extremely fat businessman with a smile on his face came over.

The surname Lamia is not many, who are you, Elius Lamia?

Levi asked.

.