The senators' hearts tightened, but no one refuted. Over the years, the faith of Hades had become more and more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Two years ago, a judge in Crotone suddenly died in his sleep. His widow turned herself in at the city hall the next day, saying that her husband had accepted bribes several times and made unjust judgments. As a result, he was severely punished by Hades … "This matter was widely spread throughout the kingdom, and the people respected the just and strict Hades even more. This made the officials even more respectful towards this gloomy and solemn god, including the senators.
At this moment, Pleasinus saw someone standing up not far away. It was Marigi. He thought that Marigi was going to object and was surprised.
Marigi smiled at him and said, "Of course, I also support His Majesty's decision. However, from the perspective of trade, I want to say that His Majesty's decision is correct. Due to the three wars that broke out one after another, especially the war with Carthage, even though the flames of war have not spread to our main territories, it has already caused the number of foreign merchants that used to come to Diónia to do business has decreased. The commercial taxes of various cities have also decreased in these few months. This is because these foreign merchants are not optimistic that Diónia will be able to obtain the final victory in these three simultaneous wars, so they dare not come into contact with the kingdom again.
We dare to hold a grand celebration like the Rugby Finals during the war precisely to show them our kingdom's confidence in victory, thus allowing trade to return to prosperity. "
"Furthermore, the Rugby Finals itself can increase a lot of tax revenue, improving the tight state of the treasury." Finance Minister Merses interrupted while using his fingers to forcefully knock on the armrest of the wooden chair. He reminded in a dissatisfied manner, "Everyone! Everyone! You must now understand that the biggest problem in the kingdom is no longer food, but the treasury! It's the treasury that is running out of money! "
Wesba asked in surprise, "Sir Merses, during this period of time, His Majesty has already transported a large amount of wealth obtained from Rome and other conquered cities to the port of Turií. In the end, it has all been placed into the treasury. I heard that there are at least a few thousand Talientes. Also, after Alexis's army occupied Kaoutim, Beneventum, Lola, and other Samonese towns, they have also transported a lot of wealth back. How can the treasury still be short of money?!"
"Sir Vesba, you only see the treasury collecting money, why don't you see the treasury spending money?" Mercies snorted coldly and complained loudly, "The previous drought had already depleted a lot of the national treasury's savings. At the start of the war, the Sicilian fleet was almost completely destroyed. His Majesty and the Senate made a decision to immediately build a few hundred warships! Do you know how much it will cost?! Tens of thousands of soldiers and sailors died in battle or drowned. There were also many citizens who were severely injured and disabled. Do you know how much compensation will be needed?! Eleven legions were fighting with nearly 100,000 people. How many javelins and arrows would be used in a battle?! How many spears were broken? How many Short Swords, Shields, and War Horse were destroyed? How many weapons and armors do I have to buy to ensure that the soldiers can continue to fight? Doesn't this cost money?! … His Majesty and Alexis's spoils of war have only just wiped out the previous expenditure on the treasury. But the war is far from over, and the treasury will continue to be depleted. Therefore, we should not let go of any measures that are beneficial to the treasury! "
Vesba laughed dryly. "It seems that the war has a huge impact on the kingdom's trade and finances. But the autumn harvest is about to end. Once the citizens pay the land tax, the finance department should feel a little more relaxed."
A few elders in the hall sneered. They felt that Vesba did not understand the kingdom's finances at all. The land tax money was simply a drop in the bucket for this war.
Antares stood up and looked around with a dignified gaze. He could not allow anyone to look down on the authority of the rotating chairman. Although he despised Vesba's incompetence, as the rotating chairman, they were on the same side on this issue.
"Are there any objections?!" Antares said loudly. "If there are no objections, then hurry up and carry out His Majesty's decision. It will be September 9th in a few days. We must start preparing immediately."
The hall returned to silence.
Vesba nodded to Antares to express his gratitude. He then said loudly, "Since everyone agrees with His Majesty's decision, then this year's football finals will continue!"
After saying that, he raised a small hammer and knocked on the small bell on the table, making a crisp sound. He then turned his gaze to one of the five rotating chairmen in the front row, the governor of Turín. "Lord Lucias, you are still in charge of the football tournament this time. What difficulties do you need us to solve?"
Lucias pondered for a moment before saying, "I also support His Majesty's decision. You know that during this period of war, many citizens of Turín have died or been injured. The people's emotions are quite depressed. Holding a football tournament will help them release their emotions. And on the day of the Hades Celebration, I hope that the ceremony to pay respect to the fallen soldiers at the Hall of Valhalla can be grandiose to appease their families! "
"That's how it should be. I will arrange it. Lord Lucias, you can rest assured!" Plesinas responded.
"In order to prevent accidents, I hope that the Department of Inspection can send more patrols to maintain the security inside and outside the city of Turín … Also, the Ministry of Military Affairs can send more soldiers to maintain the order in the city square and the temple on the day of the celebration."
After receiving positive responses from Hilos and others, Lucias continued, "More importantly, due to the outbreak of the war, our Senate has not given a definite answer on whether to hold this year's football finals. I'm afraid that the cities are not ready yet. We must inform them as soon as possible and let them send teams to participate as soon as possible. Otherwise, the tournament schedule will have to be postponed if the teams can't arrive on time. Also … In the past, friendly city-states have been invited to the ceremony every year. Should we still invite them this year? "
"I think we should continue to invite them. Just like what Lord Marigi said before, we need to show these allies and friendly city-states the confidence of Diónia's victory in order to gain more support from them," the Foreign Affairs Minister Ancitanos suggested seriously. "And according to the war report from Sicily received yesterday, friendly city-states such as Agrigento, Gela, and Minoa have all been destroyed. We should invite them to send envoys to participate in the ceremony. We can take the opportunity to show Diónia's determination to not give up on them, so as to appease their fleeing citizens."
"Lord Ancitanos." Antares asked loudly, "Is Egypt one of the allies that you are going to invite? During the drought and war, Egypt gave us great help, allowing us to get through the most difficult months. "
"That's right, that's right. Although Egypt is our new ally, they have helped us the most. Why didn't anyone mention inviting them before?"
"I'm afraid it's too late to invite Egypt now," some of the senators said regretfully.
"Don't worry, Lords. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just received news from the Eastern Mediterranean. The Pharaoh of Egypt has sent an envoy to visit Diónia. It is estimated that he will arrive in Turií before the ceremony," Ancitanos immediately responded.
"Why didn't you mention such an important thing earlier!" Cornelus complained. "Lord Ancitanos, Egypt is our important ally. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for receiving the Egyptian envoy. If there is anything that you need the Senate to do, just say it. In short, make sure they are satisfied! Also, inform His Majesty immediately and let him know about this. "
Ancitanos nodded in agreement.
After Cornelus gave his instructions, he said to Vesba, who was in the middle of the hall, "Since everyone has agreed to host the rugby finals, quickly send messengers to inform the governors of each city. Invite the alliance and friendly city-states to attend the ceremony as in previous years."
Vesba nodded and called the clerks who were in charge of taking minutes of the meeting. He asked them to immediately start writing letters. After stamping them with the seal of the Senate, they were handed to the messengers who were waiting in the side hall to be sent to various places. (As the Senate of Diónia held meetings almost every day, some proposals could be passed at any time. Therefore, the Senate had fixed messengers to accurately convey the decisions of the Senate to the people who should be conveyed in a timely manner.)
After making these arrangements, Vesba breathed a sigh of relief and asked as usual, "Lords, do you have any new proposals?"
The Minister of Military Affairs, Hilos, stood up and said with a serious expression, "The Ministry of Military Affairs has received information these days. The former prince of Puchetti, Vardalka, is gathering the remaining forces of Messapi, Puchetti, and Downey in Peloponnesus. They are preparing to attack our Apulia region."
Everyone was shocked when they heard this.
Vesba also swept away his previous carelessness and asked anxiously, "Is this information accurate?"
"It has already been confirmed by Aristiras." Hilos only gave a simple reply, and everyone no longer expressed any doubts. Although many senators kept a respectful distance from this intelligence officer of the King of Devers, his ability to obtain information was unquestionable.
"Lord Hilos, do you know how many enemies there are?" Vesba asked loudly again.
"According to the information received last time, there are less than 4,000 people." Hilos said seriously, "It is estimated that they will land in Apulia in the near future."
"These stray dogs are really good at choosing the right time. They took advantage of the time when Alexis led the army expedition to the Samonai Mountains, the fourth fleet left the Adriatic Sea for Sicily, and the entire Apulia region was defenseless."
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