"Oh, wait a minute, I remember you just said that Diónia was only founded a year ago, and in less than two years, it has become the overlord of Greece?! This is simply … is … "
"You want to say 'miracle', right? I heard that the consul of Diónia is the 'favored one' of Hades. He is very young, but he has never lost a battle. The Lucanians, the Crotone, the Locrians … they were all defeated by him one after another. Maybe there really is a miracle! "
"According to what you said, Diónia is so powerful in Greece. It's better for Corinth not to become enemies with it because of such a small matter in the arena …"
"That's your Corinth's business, Iawonis."
"Alright, Hipparkus, tell me about your Lijim. You are in the land of Greece. Why didn't you form an alliance with the powerful Diónia?"
"We Lijim have no intention of fighting for the hegemony of Greece. We just want to live our own lives."
"That's what everyone thinks. But Hipparkus, God is temperamental. Maybe one day Lijim will be involved in the conflict of the Greek city-states. Instead of being passive, it's better to take the initiative to find a strong ally … "
…
Since this farce, everyone was talking about the foreign race and the strange city-state alliance of Diónia. The name of Diónia began to be known by more Greeks in Greece. This was a story to be told later.
At this time, many people in the arena were inquiring about the origin of Diónia.
There were two young people in the audience. They were from Thebes. After listening to the conversation between Hipparkus and Iawonis, one of the young people said excitedly, "Diónia, this is really a strange city-state alliance! What do you think, Epaminonda? "
The other young man sighed, "To be able to dominate Greece in such a short time, it's not just the ability of the consul. The political system of the Diónia alliance must have its unique features!"
"You think the same as me. I've decided!" The young man said loudly, "When I finish my studies next year, I will go to Diónia to have a look. Come with me."
Epaminonda shook his head. "I'm sorry, Pelopidas! You know that my teacher, Lycis, has been promoting the teachings of the Pythagorean School of Thought in Corinth for the past few years. I don't have to go to Tarantum anymore. I can learn from him nearby and help him deal with some affairs at the same time, so I can't go so far to avoid wasting time. "
The young man named Pelopidas pressed Epamelonda's arm. "Didn't that man just say that the central city of Diónia is in Turií? It's just across the Taranto Bay. It's less than two or three days by boat from Corinth Bay. It's not far at all. Besides, you're my best friend. How could you bear to let me go out alone? "
… …
With Adrianx and Lizaru imprisoned in Corinth, the rest of the Diónia delegation was not in the mood to participate in the competition. They hurriedly sent someone back to Turií to report the news.
The Senate held a meeting to discuss the matter. A few senators, led by Polyxis, believed that Lizaru's reckless behavior had tarnished the image of Diónia, and that Adrianx, as the person in charge of the delegation, did not manage the team well, causing Diónia to become the laughingstock of Greece. They should all be punished by the League!
Devers firmly opposed it. He believed that Adrianx and Lizaru's behavior was not wrong. It was the conservative Corinth people who were wrong. Their narrow ethnic concept excluded the people of Diónia, which was made up of many ethnic groups! Since the self-proclaimed orthodox natives of Greece rejected the participation of the citizens of Diónia, who were made up of Lucanians, Thracians, and other ethnic groups, then there was no need for the people of Diónia to participate in the four major competitions! Diónia had the ability and strength to organize its own sports meeting! …
The Devers's speech was supported by most of the senators, especially Vesba, Hemont, Butler, Marigi, Epitenis, and the others.
However, the Senate had no other way to force Corinth to release Lizaru and Adrianx. After all, Corinth was an old powerhouse of Greece. It would not care about the newly risen League of Diónia, and Diónia's current strength could not affect Corinth. Therefore, the only way was to send a messenger to apologize to Corinth and donate a certain amount of gold and silver to the Temple of Corinth. Only then would the delegation be able to return safely.
Other than Mercies, who opposed the outsiders, everyone else agreed. For the Devers, the most important thing for Diónia now was to focus on dealing with Bruti. They could not afford to complicate matters. Therefore, even though he was unwilling to accept the Senate's decision, he could only endure it for the time being.
… …
During the autumn harvest, the citizens were busy harvesting.
The Devers did not stay idle. He quietly went to the city of Asplustum to test the valley leading to Ambania a few times. He also went to the north bank of the upper reaches of the Krati River to carefully observe the situation of the river and the location and environment of Abyssinia on the other side of the river. He also went to Laos to investigate the mountain road leading to the city of Vigo. Young Heracrid, Mentoticus, Els, Mercies, and the others accompanied him. Everywhere they went, they had to calculate the flow speed and depth of the river. They had to consider the possibility of building roads and bridges, as well as the transportation of food and other issues.
After returning, the Devers repeatedly discussed the attack plan with Felicius, Karpus, Dracos, and other senior military officials.
At the end of September, before the autumn harvest was completely over, news came from Triene: some Bruti people broke into Triene territory and were captured!
In fact, the real situation was: after Antalys went to Cosenza, the Bruti tribal alliance accelerated the attack and annexation of the tribes who refused to be incorporated, forcing some of the Bruti people who were unwilling to join the alliance to escape from the mountains.
The Devers, however, took the opportunity to let Aristiras send his spies to spread rumors in the cities of Turií, Amendolara, Crimissa, and other cities: the Bruti people were unifying the tribes, and after establishing a strong tribal alliance, they would launch an attack on Diónia. Now, it was just a tentative attack by the Bruti people …
At the same time, they also reminded the people: don't forget the blood debts committed by the Bruti people in the past when they repeatedly plundered the city-states of Greece!
The cities of Diónia were soon shrouded in a tense atmosphere, and the citizens were even more furious. They strongly demanded: start a war against the Bruti people, collect the blood debts, and eliminate the hidden dangers!
At the beginning of October, the autumn harvest was over, and Diónia was full of requests for war. The time was ripe to use force against the Bruti people.
After several rounds of discussion, the Senate announced to the citizens: the Bruti people ignored Diónia's peace proposals and warnings, and wantonly destroyed the Xilu tribe, an ally of Diónia. Based on the alliance and morality, Diónia declared war on the Bruti people!
Thus, the Bruti War officially began!
In the square of the city of Asplustum, the soldiers of the Legio IV from Crimissa and Asplustum were gathering …
In the Victory Square of Turií, the soldiers of the first and second legions from Turií and Amendolara were gathering …
In the square of Neutum, some of the soldiers of the Legio III were gathering …
Due to the extremely important location of the Grumentum, in order to stabilize the situation in Lucania Municipality, the citizens of the Third Legion in the city could not be moved easily.
Just as the pre-war preparations were progressing in an orderly manner, the Devers once again received the leader of the Xilu tribe, Hepscitus, in his mansion.
"Diónia has declared war against the Bruti people. I believe it won't be long before you hear the news of victory. The Bruti people ignored our warnings and wantonly slaughtered our Greek compatriots. They will be punished! "The Devers promised solemnly.
Hepscitus' eyes were filled with tears as he said gratefully, "Sir Devers, thank you! Thank you so much for selflessly helping our small and weak tribe! You are truly the Blessed One of Hades! You are the guardian of justice and fairness in Greece! All of us surviving West Lu people will pray to Hades at all times, wishing you good health and safety! " We also wish the citizens of Diónia an early return of victory! At the same time, I have a small request that I hope Sir can agree to. "
"Oh, what is it?"
"My tribesmen and I hope to join your army and fight alongside you to seek revenge against the Bruti people!" Hepscitus said excitedly.
"I can understand your feelings, but the Dionysian Army has gone through tough training and strict discipline. Those who violate the military rules will even be beheaded! I'm afraid that your joining will not only not increase our strength, but it will also affect our battle. If you violate the military rules, do you think I should punish you or not? Therefore, I can't agree to your request. "The Devers rejected him tactfully but firmly.
Hepscitus was disappointed. He said unwillingly, "Then … then we can … be guides!"
"Guides only require two or three people." The Devers saw his disappointment and felt that the time was ripe. He said, "However, there is something you can do. If you do it well, you can give the Bruti tribe a huge blow!"
"What is it?!" Hepscitus asked anxiously.
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