"Henepolis is still young! He has just gained power and is a little carried away. He doesn't understand the actual situation in Laos and always wants to do things his way … "Ancetanos defended his disciple with a gentle tone.
"Diónia needs a stable Laos. No matter what Henny thinks, his priority now is to stabilize the order in Laos and slowly build up his prestige. Sir Ancetanos, after you go, tell him that he shouldn't be too hasty in governing Laos. With Diónia's support, his wish will definitely come true in the future! " After venting his anger, Dyvers was in a better mood. He solemnly made his promise, "Also, you have to tell him to listen to the opinions of his father's ministers. He has to respect them, especially his uncle, Arobuma. He has to discuss it with him …"
"I understand, Sir Devers. I'll try my best to persuade Henny, "Ancetanos replied seriously.
"By the way, how's the progress of the Hades Celebration Ode written by Lysias? The celebration will begin in two days, "the Devers asked with concern.
"It's almost done. Even though he's dissatisfied with some of your requests and feels that it limits his thinking, it's a great honor after all. Besides, he'll be reading it in front of thousands of Diónia citizens. He can't be happier," Ancetanos joked.
The Devers smiled too, "Of course, I hope he can prove to me and the Senate through this new ode that the official citizenship of Diónia that I've specially applied for for him is worth it!"
… …
"Sir Devers, it seems like we'll have a bumper harvest of wheat this year. However, if we buy more wheat, I'm afraid we won't have a place to store it, "said Bagylipi. After Burcos resigned out of guilt, due to the fact that the storm that shocked Diónia had yet to subside and the sensitive nature of the position, the Devers finally proposed and the senators elected Senator Bruti Bagylipi to take up the position.
Originally, everyone thought that he was just a transition. They didn't expect that he would be so swift and decisive after taking office. First, Sesta flatly refused to allow Prosecutor Sesta to continue investigating the Polyxis case. Of course, Sesta didn't agree, and both sides took the case to the Devers. In the end, under Bagylipi's persuasion, the Devers stopped expanding the case, which won him the gratitude of the public servants under him.
Then he made a detailed investigation of the Ministry of Agriculture, and after consulting Burcos, the former Minister of Agriculture, issued a new departmental system, which strengthened supervision, improved administrative efficiency, and lightened the burden on his subordinates. For example, Burcos, when he was in office, often went down to the country to learn about the condition of the fields, and required his subordinates to do the same. Lippi did not think this method was advisable, so he gave the responsibility to the village head. The civil servants under the Ministry of Agriculture only needed to make regular inspections and receive reports.
Next, he proposed to the Senate that the salaries of public officials in the Ministry of Agriculture should be increased. The reason was that the labor intensity of the people in the Agriculture Department was too high. They often had to run all over the Alliance and even go down to the fields to help with farming. They had no time to take care of their own fields. Of course, this proposal didn't go through. After all, if he only increased the salaries of the Ministry of Agriculture, what would the staff of the other departments think?
However, Bagylipi won the support of all the public officials in the Ministry of Agriculture.
"Your suggestion is to build more barns?" the Devers asked after thinking for a while.
"Sir, I think the number of barns in Turií, Cosenza, and Grumentum is enough," Bagylipi replied seriously. After experiencing the Bruti War, the Devers proposed to build barns and carry out strategic food reserves after careful consideration. The slogan "prepare for war, prepare for famine" moved the other elders, and they approved the establishment of grain warehouses around the central cities of Turií, Cosenza, and Grumentum. They were also equipped with guards to guard them. It had been two years since then.
"I've carefully checked the situation in the three barns. The wheat stored two years ago is a little moldy. If we keep them there, they will probably go bad. That would be a pity. It's better to sell them and make room to buy new grain …" Bagylipi suggested seriously.
The Devers nodded and said, "If that's the case, then do as you say, Sir Bagylipi."
After sending off Bagylipi, the Devers saw Aristiras waiting outside the living room. "What's the matter?"
"Sir, the intelligence just came —" Aristiras said in a low voice.
The Devers took the small scroll and opened it. His face suddenly turned cold. "You've confirmed it?"
"Yes, sir. Stratus went to Crimea to investigate and only returned today. His bronze plate was forged. While he was away, we sent someone to open his room and found a poisoned dagger … "Aristiras said slowly, word by word, without any emotion.
"Looks like he's coming for me! Syracuse, four Drachmas … Hmph, Dionysius! " The Devers sneered. A cold light flashed in his eyes. He suppressed the violent impulse in his heart and paced back and forth in the corridor.
Finally, he stopped in his tracks. His cold and gloomy face was filled with determination as he said in a deep voice, "Since he still hasn't given up, then let him come and make a big commotion!"
Aristiras understood and hurried off to make arrangements.
Then, the Devers sent someone to invite Bagylipi, who was still on the way. It was almost a complete reversal of his previous decision. Not only would he not sell the old grain, he also requested that Bagylipi purchase the new wheat on the market in large quantities, preferably in a short period of time. He would also get Merses to provide gold and silver from the national treasury for full cooperation.
Bagylipi felt that the sudden change in attitude of the Devers was a little strange, but he rationally did not ask further. Instead, he chose to agree.
… …
For the past two days, Megalis stayed in the restaurant every day, enjoying the delicacies. He spent almost all the money he had.
Late at night, he returned to the guest room. After locking the door, he lit the candle and took out the dagger from under the bed. He thought of the promise that His Excellency had made before he left. He stared at the dagger in his hand, lost in thought.
The candlelight shone on his face. It was a deep blue …
… …
9th of September, the day of the birth of Pluto Hades. Diónia's celebration was held as usual. Thousands of Diónia citizens surrounded the Victory Square.
The music started, and the priestesses of the temple began to sing the praises of Hades.
After a few years of subtle influence, the citizens were already somewhat familiar with this novel singing method. Hence, the singing sounded from the stage, the audience, and the surroundings, resounding throughout the city. It was a spectacular sight.
Next was the large-scale theater performance in the square. It was also one of the favorite shows of the citizens during the celebration. However, this time, it was not the story of the Greek mercenaries being guided to Greece by Hades, nor was it the epic story of the establishment of the Diónia Alliance under the protection of Hades, nor was it the other legends of Hades. Instead, a strong man appeared in the square. He wore the skin of a lion and held a big stick in his hand as he trudged forward …
The citizens had a deep impression of this image. Immediately, someone shouted, "Hercules! Hercules! … "
Then, accompanied by the heartbeat of the drums, an unusually tall man walked into the square (in fact, he was on stilts and covered his lower part with a longer cloth). Although his appearance was a little strange, the citizens were already surprised: it was actually a giant!
The main version of the story of the "Battle of Hercules and the Giant" was that it happened in Africa, but many Southerners insisted that the battle took place in Southern Italy. Now, it seemed that the Diónia Alliance had fulfilled their expectations.
On the field, "Hercules" and the "Giant" fought … In the end, the "Giant" was killed.
The citizens cheered.
At this time, a group of people dressed in Bruti costumes ran onto the field, led by a woman dressed in gorgeous clothes. They congratulated "Hercules". Soon, "Hercules" and the woman held hands …
Many people were puzzled, but the citizens of Diónia of Bruti understood the scene. They shouted excitedly, "Queen Valentina!"
"Hercules!"
"Brutus!"
…
The other citizens asked them, "What is going on?"
The square was filled with music from the Bruti Mountains. The Bruti people surrounded "Hercules" and "Queen Valentina" and danced the traditional celebration dance of the Bruti.
The citizens outside the field, led by the Bruti people, also began to dance …
Lysias looked at the lively and grand scene. As the dean of the Faculty of Arts of the Diónia Academy, he naturally enjoyed the show from a different perspective than the ordinary people. "I bet that this performance must have been suggested by the Consul of the Devers. He has deep intentions!" His words revealed his appreciation for the Devers. It was after meeting the Devers that he made up his mind to move to Turií.
"In the Diónia Alliance, the Lucanians and the Bruti people account for a considerable number of people. 'Racial harmony and integration' is a term that the Consul has repeatedly mentioned in the Senate, and he is constantly working hard!" Ancitanos said with emotion.
"Yes, it is not easy, and it will take a lot of time!" Unlike Isocrates, Lysias was not a person who believed in the supremacy of Athens or the supremacy of the Greeks. On the contrary, after staying in Athens for many years, he had a deep understanding of the xenophobia and conservatism of Athens. He felt that he had found the main reason for the rapid rise of Diónia.
At this time, the large-scale performance in the square had ended. Ancitanos said with a smile, "Lysias, I can't wait to hear the ode to Hades that you wrote!"
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