"I suggest that the day of the wedding be designated as the Marriage Festival and Goddess Hera's Celebration. This will let the citizens remember the suffering and new life that Amendolara has gone through. It will also let them realize the importance of marriage and family. This will be more conducive to the unity of the citizens of Amendolara!" The Devers said solemnly. Cornelis was surprised by the depth of his consideration and the sincerity of his concern for Amendolara. He nodded in admiration and said, "Sir Consul, I think all the citizens will be happy to have such a beautiful festival!"
"Yes, we all agree to establish Goddess Hera's Celebration and Marriage Festival!" The old citizens agreed, let alone the new citizens.
At this time, Hilos stood up and asked with concern, "Sir, what should we do with the soldiers who haven't found a woman to marry?"
The Devers was prepared for this. He gestured for Cornelis to answer.
Cornelis's expression was solemn. "Before Amendolara joined the war with the Lucanians, there were four thousand citizens. Now, there are only five hundred citizens and more than a thousand widows. Therefore, more than two thousand families have lost their husbands and wives. Therefore, there are enough houses for the new citizens. Of course, if the original owners of the houses have children or elderly, I hope that the new citizens can take care of them." Cornelis's eyes glistened with tears. The other old citizens also looked sad.
The Devers looked at the new citizens and emphasized loudly, "Not hope, but must take care of them! Because you have accepted the inheritance of the original owner, including the land and wealth, of course, you have to fulfill your responsibilities on behalf of the original owner! "
"Sir, don't worry. We will ask our brothers to take care of the elderly and children!" Hilos was the first to promise. The other officers also expressed their support. Amyntas even said, "Whoever occupies the house but doesn't take care of the elderly and children, I will beat him to death!"
The Devers nodded and said, "Very good. I hope that you officers will strengthen the supervision of the soldiers! At the same time, the Senate will also issue laws to supervise the implementation. "The Devers said and looked at Antonios." This is the responsibility of the Censor. Antonios, if you find anyone violating the law by not raising or abusing orphans or the elderly, report it to the Senate immediately. We will strip them of their citizenship and banish them from Amendolar! "The Devers' stern words made everyone tense up.
"I will supervise seriously!" Antonius promised solemnly.
The elderly citizens nodded silently, appreciating the Devers' determination to protect the rights of the elderly and children.
"Okay, next, let's talk about the issue that everyone is most concerned about." In order to ease the atmosphere, the Devers smiled and said, "The Senate will introduce a bill to ensure that every new citizen gets at least five acres of land. Of course, some people were lucky enough to find a good wife and inherit more land, while others might have less. Don't worry about it. I'll get the treasurer, Merses, to do a detailed calculation of the land wealth that everyone has. In the future, when we obtain new land, we'll give priority to the citizens who originally had less land. Are you satisfied with this arrangement? "
"Satisfied!!"
"It's very fair!!" the crowd shouted excitedly.
The meeting had lasted for almost two hours. It was getting late, but the citizens were still in high spirits. The Devers decided to bring up a topic that he had been thinking about for a long time but had never made up his mind. He took a deep breath and stood in the middle of the hall again. He faced the crowd and said loudly, "Everyone, as a citizen of the city, it is his right to participate in all the political activities of the city. Being a soldier and defending the city is his duty and, in fact, his right. Unless there are special circumstances, it is impossible for free people and slaves to join the army of the city. Only citizens have the right to fight for the city, so it is also a political right. "
Both the elderly and the new citizens nodded in agreement.
"But it's not easy to manage a city well. Building all kinds of public facilities requires money; repairing the city's defenses and equipping them with weapons requires money; rescuing the people in times of disasters requires money; even sending troops to war, it's fine if it's only for four or five days; the citizens can bring their own rations, but after a long time, the city still has to buy the food needed, not to mention hiring carts, boats, labor, and so on. Furthermore, the public servants of our city aren't paid now. Everyone is obligated to contribute to the city. In the future, when the city manages a larger area, there will be more work to be done. As a public servant, he might not have the free time to take care of his family's farmland and pastures. His income will be less than that of the citizens who aren't public servants. This is unfair, and in the long run, I'm afraid that the citizens won't be willing to work for public servants anymore. Therefore, if a city wants to develop healthily, it won't do without enough money in the treasury! "
Most of the new citizens, who were born in poverty, didn't know how complicated the operation of a city was, so they listened with great interest. The elderly citizens felt that the young lifelong consul was able to think so deeply about the problems of the city just after taking office. Their worries about his inexperience dissipated a lot. Cornelus, on the other hand, felt his eyelids twitch. He had a hunch that something big was about to happen.
The Devers continued, "The income of Amendolar's treasury is quite small, and Cornelus has already explained the reason. This hinders the development of the city. In the future, when we occupy more land, more people will join Amendolar. Will they fight to the death for the city like we do? I'm afraid not, because they pay too little and get it too easily, so they won't cherish it too much! "
"You're absolutely right!" The elderly citizens shouted first. They were a little dissatisfied with the immigration bill proposed by the Devers.
Of course, the Devers knew what they were thinking. He sneered in his heart and said loudly, "Therefore, I suggest that the citizens of Amendolar who own land be levied a land tax of one percent every year!"
His words were like thunder. Everyone in the hall was stunned, and then like hornets whose nest had been poked, they started shouting.
Cornelus's hands and feet tightened. "Oh no!"
"Did I hear that right? You want to levy a land tax on the citizens of the city?! "Strompoli asked uncertainly.
This was considered a polite attitude, but the old Scombras rushed over and pointed at the Devers' nose. "Are you Greek?! Don't you know that the Greek city-states will never levy a land tax on the citizens? You've gone crazy thinking about money! Do you think we can still live if you become a lifelong consul?! "
Although the new citizens were also dissatisfied with the Devers' words, they would never allow anyone to insult their respected leader, especially the captains. With Matonis in the lead, they quickly rushed over and pushed the Scombras away. "Hey, old man, how can you speak to a consul like this?!"
"I'm going to say it, so what? You ignorant bumpkins don't know the serious consequences of levying a land tax! "The Scombras' face was red as he scolded them contemptuously.
This infuriated the group of young and hot-blooded team leaders. "What did you say! Say another word, and I'll beat you up! " They scolded and pushed the Scombras away.
Scomb Bras' weak body could not withstand the strength of these battle-hardened officers. He immediately sat on the ground, panting heavily. Cornelus and a few other elderly citizens hurriedly went forward to support him, while others quarreled with the officers.
Both sides were in a mess.
"Quiet! All of you, quiet! "The Devers panicked and went over to stop the fight.
Finally, both sides separated.
The Scombras was still cursing. Matonis glared at him, and he lowered his head again, not daring to say another word.
At this time, Mercies stood up and said, "One percent tax is already very little! In Persia, we all know that their land tax is more than ten percent! " As the financial officer, he was naturally concerned about the filling of the treasury.
"That's Persia. Greece has never had a tradition of levying a land tax on its citizens!" Strompoli retorted.
"There was during the reign of kings."
"That was hundreds of years ago. It's the era of democracy now. The Consul Devers personally promised in the square that he would 'not be a king'. I think all the citizens will object if we levy a land tax! "Strompoli looked at the Devers. His voice was not loud, but it was laced with hidden threat.
The Devers looked at the crowd. The new citizens did not object due to the prestige of the Devers and only watched quietly. The old citizens, on the other hand, had their dissatisfaction written all over their faces. Only Mercies was sincerely supportive. He smiled and said, "I haven't even finished my suggestion, and you're already so agitated. Don't worry, let me finish my suggestion slowly. The citizens who have been living in Amendola since today will now have their land tax-free. This is to thank them for being the descendants of the founders of the city and for their contributions to Amendola over the past two hundred years. When the treasury has money, we will make a batch of 'Amendola Founders Silver Buckles'. Every old citizen will receive one and keep it forever. They will wear it on Bolton in grand public occasions to let future generations know of their family's long tradition and glory. "
As soon as he said that, the old citizens were stunned. Scomb Bras, who was still chattering on, stopped talking as well. All of them puffed out their chests. This is glory! Even though they had no choice but to let the mercenaries join Amendola, the pride of the natives and the grievances of reality made them feel uncomfortable. The Devers had given them a chance to show off their identity forever! Compared to this, the tax was nothing. Besides, they would not be able to collect it.
"Agreed!" The Scombras was the first to shout.
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