Chapter Thirty-Eight: Triumph: The Highest Honor for the Alliance's Warriors

The rooftops of the street were full of people, and they affectionately shouted the names of their relatives, excitedly interacted with the advancing soldiers, and proudly introduced their husbands or fathers to their neighbors, so that every soldier had a feeling of returning home.

When Phellisius was passing by his house, he subconsciously looked over, and on the roof of his house full of people, wasn't the young man who was screaming and jumping Melisanda! In the midst of the crowd, he could faintly hear Melisanda shouting: "That's my father!" That's my father! Father! Father!! ......" And beside him, Delia was looking at him, smiling......

Phellisius smiled, a smile from the heart......

The marching army turned to the west, and here stood a huge arch made of white marble, which was what Davers called the triumphal arch: the vault was a statue of the goddess of victory, and the lintel stone wall was to be carved according to Davers, according to Davers, the battle to annihilate the coalition of Lucanian tribes, the night capture of Amendola, the surprise attack on the army of Crotone, and the battle that established the establishment of the four Dianian city-states of Niutum, so that future generations may remember it. However, due to the tight schedule, a good carver has not yet been found, and the arch is still blank for the time being.

After passing through the Arc de Triomphe and heading west, the road gradually widens, and at the end of the road is the newly built square, which was put into use because of the tight time and before it even had time to choose a name.

Holding the military flag high, Lizam quickened his pace, for he could already faintly see dozens of white figures on the platform of the square, and according to his prior orders, he knew that it was his esteemed consul, Lord Davers, and the senators of the Senate waiting for their arrival.

"They're coming! They're coming! ......," Henipolis shouted excitedly.

"Be quiet, son." Avinogis held down the restless Henipolis and said to Davers: "My lord, thank you for taking care of Henipolis during this time! "When Henipolis arrived in Turiyi, Davers did not arrange for him to stay in a hotel, but in his own home.

"Henipolis is sensible! I love to learn too! His teacher, Ansitanos, liked him very much! And after he came, my house was also a lot more lively! Davers said with a smile.

In the past two days, Avinokis learned from Henipolis that Davers took good care of his son, and that he was not a person who would pay lip service to his gratitude, and secretly decided that he would have the opportunity to repay Davers's kindness in the future, so the topic changed: "My lord, your warriors are here!" ”

"They are not only the warriors of the alliance, but also the warriors of our alliance, guarding the safety of the entire alliance!" Davers said with a smile.

Castron's chief general, Amicles, nodded in agreement. As members of the Ionian League, the top brass of Castlon and Laos were of course invited to the ceremony, and they all gladly attended.

At this moment, seeing the army marching towards them in the distance, they did not feel that the Dionian League was showing off its force to them, because the Dionian League, as the leader of the alliance, would not desperately exploit the allies and demand tribute, regardless of the wishes of the allies like Athens in the Delian League; Nor will they interfere in the internal affairs of the allies like Sparta in the Peloponnesian League. As for sending troops to war, it was an obligation of the allied city-state, but it was a manifestation of equality. Therefore, the stronger the Dionian Alliance, the safer they feel as allies.

Davers looked at the procession walking towards the square, and thought to himself: the reason why he did not let the generals go out to the front like Rome in the previous life, but let the soldiers take the lead: first, to cultivate the sense of honor of the soldiers, but also to highlight the concept of equality of the alliance, so that the morale of the troops will be greatly improved; The second is to reduce the influence of the victorious generals on the people, so as not to cause some accidents in the long run, for which he also placed Phellisius in the most inconspicuous middle of the ranks, and at the same time gave several captains the honor of riding in the carriage, which is also for this purpose. Even so, it was a great honor for the soldiers to celebrate their victories in this novelty, which had never been held before in a Greek city-state.

Brass trumpets sounded, war drums sounded, and the soldiers began to enter the square.

"Oh, I can't believe it! At the forefront was Lizaru! ”

"Which Lizaru?"

"Bagul, the famous hunter of their tribe!"

"And voila! He actually went to the forefront, ahead of the Greeks, and the alliance really has no prejudice against us Lucalians! ”

"Look! Look! Bagul! Sitting in the carriage was Bagul! It's so enviable!! ”

"When can I be like him ?!!"

……

In the crowd on one side of the square, the Lucanians who had arrived from Niutum shouted and shouted, dancing with excitement......

Of course, it was impossible for Bagul to see them in the dense crowd, and after a week of circumambulation, Mito drove the carriage around the field, and then led him into the middle of the square, and his majestic figure stirred up a great wave in the heart of the young man of Lucalya like a large stone: a warrior should enjoy such glory as he did!

When the drums and trumpets stopped and the square fell silent, the soldiers looked up at the Confederate consuls standing on the platform ahead.

Davos took a step forward and said in a loud voice: "Warriors of the Alliance, in these long days of more than twenty days, you have been far away from your loved ones, rushed to strange mountains, fought stubbornly against the fierce enemy, captured Niutum, and at the same time assisted the allies in restoring Laos, solving the problem of Turi'i being attacked by the enemy from the mountains for many years. Thank you! The Senate thank you! Thank you! I and the Senate would like to express our most sacred thanks to you for your efforts and sacrifices!! As he spoke, he took the lead and solemnly bowed to the soldiers in front of him with the elders behind him.

The square was boiling in an instant.

"Wan Sheng!"

"Wan Sheng!!"

"Wansheng !!"

……

The soldiers shouted excitedly.

"It is because of your efforts that the Ionian Alliance has been officially established! After deliberation and decision of the Senate, the triumphant ceremony will be held today as a festival for the whole Union to celebrate the birth of the Alliance! And your military flag will also become the flag of the Alliance, flying over the square! ”

"The alliance wins! 10,000 League!! Union Victory!! ……”

Listening to the cheers of the soldiers and the people, Davers believes that the National Day and the national flag will surely add weight to the unity of these people from the Mediterranean city-states and all races under the alliance, and gradually and imperceptibly form a new race!

………………………

In the afternoon, Davers hosted a banquet at the mansion of Turiyi to entertain Timason, Zantiparis, Criano, and Tormid, accompanied by Agacia, Pherisius, and Hieronymus.

Eating new and delicious food, drinking mellow wine, and reminiscing about the scenes of fighting together in the past, the atmosphere of the banquet was quite warm.

At this time, Cleano burped and asked, "Davers, look at such a beautiful courtyard of yours, and you are an archon and what kind of legion commander you are, what is enviable...... Belch...... When will we be like you?! ”

Here comes the point! Agacia immediately lifted his spirits.

Davers smiled and said solemnly: "As long as you work hard to make your contribution to the Alliance, become a citizen of the Alliance, get a share of the land, and get a life like mine, it's not a problem at all!" In fact, there are more people in the league who are richer than me......"

"Contribution? What kind of contribution?! I've heard that it takes five years just to become a full citizen of your Alliance, let alone become a Senate senator, which is even more difficult! Criano complained.

"That's right, the law of the Union says so, and all Gentiles and freemen are executed according to this, without exception!" Davers said calmly, but firmly.

"But—" Cleano pretended to be drunk, pointed at Agacia, and said loudly, "uh...... That's not what Agacia said to us in Ephesus, he said, 'If we come to Greater Greece, we will soon become citizens and get land!' Or even become a senator! It is because of his words that we have come so far, and now you tell me that it will take another five years to achieve all this, isn't it a lie?! And I heard that the Lucalian soldiers who were slaves half a year ago, and after half a year they were full citizens, and their leaders became senators, so are we not even as good as natives?!! ”

The atmosphere in the living room suddenly froze.

Agacia clenched his fists angrily, and in order to attract Timason and the others over, he said some seductive words, but they were by no means as exaggerated as Cleano said. He wanted to refute, but in such a situation, it would undoubtedly make the scene even more stiff.

Agacia hesitated, Phellisius stopped talking, and Hieronymus frowned and looked at Davers. On this side, Timason, Zantiparis, and Tormid continued to eat as if they had not heard, but secretly pricked up their ears......

Davers still looked unchanged, threw a comforting look at Agacia, and said unhurriedly: "Criano, don't worry, sit down and listen to what I tell you......"

Cleano fired a fire, but it seemed to hit a damp cotton cloth and did not seem to have any effect......

He sat down dumbfoundedly.

"Let's be honest, why do some people take five years and others only half a year? It's all about profit! Davers looked at these mercenary leaders and said seriously: "Because the Lucalians can help the alliance pacify Niutum, and even help the alliance conquer more Lucanian territories, not to mention that they have made a lot of contributions to the alliance before, the road you came by car was built by them, and the Crotone army was defeated by them, and they also actively learn Greek, understand and abide by the laws of the alliance, for such a group of aliens who are willing to integrate into the alliance and can bring great benefits to the alliance, The Senate, of course, wanted to give them citizenship in advance, and the populace had no objections, because they knew very well that the alliance would get much more than it would give!

Agacia is not wrong, although you do not have the advantage of natives like the Lucalians, but you are good at fighting, and there will be no fewer wars in the alliance in the future, as long as you win many battles and let the Senate see your value, then it is not a problem to become a citizen a few years in advance! ”8)