It was still drizzling.

Alcibidas left the port area with the caravan, and after going up the avenue, he went straight to the city of Turiyi.

Since Alcibidas had a lot of property in Turiyi, he would come to Turiyi almost every month or two, and every time he came, he would find that there would be some changes in the city of Turiyi, which made him often sigh: the development of the Kingdom of Dioonia is too fast!

And this time, there are a lot of new changes in the city: in the past, there were more than a dozen large waterwheels along the Klatty River in the city of Turiyi to transport clear river water to the city through the viaduct around the clock, and through the transfer of the water tower, to the large fountains distributed in an orderly manner throughout the city, residents only need to go to the nearest fountain from their homes to draw water, which is very convenient, and there is no need to worry about the problem of water at all. The drought taught the Dioonians a lesson, not only to cherish water more, but also to take more precautions to store water, such as in the outer city residential areas, where water reservoirs were built in the courtyards of each house, and covered with wooden planks to prevent water from evaporating. Many citizens even raised money to build a small altar of Poseidon in their own residential areas.

Although the drought is over, the temporary grain shops built by the Turij town hall in the markets of the city are still full of people and more than ever, because by this time the people's homes have almost run out of food.

Alcibidas looked at the long queue in front of him, and the people basically maintained good order, remembering a series of recent events in the country:

His mother state of Lijim did not have fertile land, so the production was not much, and after becoming a free city of the kingdom, Lijim was backed by Dionia, the trade was prosperous, the territory was safe, the citizens were rich, luxury was common, and the people did not have extra food. After the drought also ravaged Lijim, several rivers in the territory were cut off, and the city soon began to run out of food.

The Council of Ligem panicked and hurriedly appealed to the Kingdom of Dioonia for help. Davers ordered a batch of grain to be allocated to Lijim, and sent them to be instructed again and again: to control the amount of money that everyone bought.

But the officials of Lijim did not pay attention at all, and the grain was put on the market, and in a blink of an eye, it was bought up by the rich people of Lijim, so they had to ask for help from Dionia again.

Despite his unsightly face and anger, Davers approved another batch of grain for Lijim, and warned them that Dionia's reserve of grain was to supply nearly 2 million people in the kingdom, and that there would be no surplus food for Lijim. If you are short of food after that, please find your own way.

It stands to reason that this time Lijim should have learned his lesson, but in fact he didn't.

Lijim's generals and council members privately distributed the grain, and some even took the grain and sold it at a high price in their own grain stores. The merchants of Lijim also took action, went to various parts of the Mediterranean to buy grain, and then shipped it back to the Lijim market to sell it at a high price, and even went to Dionia, hoping to make money in the same way, but were severely punished by the Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom.

There were not only wealthy merchants in the city, but also ordinary people and a large number of port freedmen, who did not have enough money to continue to buy food from the market, and the price of grain in the various grain stores in the city was too high, and the council did not impose strict restrictions, which made the people complain.

It was at this time that it was revealed that "the Council of Ligem had twice embezzled the relief food given by Dioonia free of charge", which finally aroused the anger of the people. They rallied, looted the grain stores, wounded the merchants, and even shouted the slogan "Let's not be a free city, Ligem should be completely incorporated into Dionia".

While Alcibidas was leaving Ligim and coming to Turii, the riot was still going on......

Alcibidas sighed, suppressed the annoying emotion, and walked straight forward, passing the inspection of the city guards, and entering the inner city with the pack caravan.

It's almost dusk, and Victory Square is still bustling: vendors are shouting loudly; Bards rap loudly here; Some of the students of the Dionian Lyceum were giving speeches, which not only exercised their courage and knowledge, but also promoted their profession to the public; There are also artists who perform their poems, music, and even plays that they have just created here, and through the audience's reaction and feedback, they go back and continue to refine their works.

Around Victory Square, the people discussed the contents of the Senate's proclamation posted on the stone wall; Under the steps in front of the library, young people read stories from their books, surrounded by children who listened attentively; At the Turi Fountain, women are drawing water and chatting, while children are laughing and having water fights...... It's a warm and peaceful sight!

Seeing this, it is hard to believe that in fact there is a war going on in Dionia, and it is about to lead to an even bigger war! Alcibidas sighed in his heart, and he walked through Victory Square, bypassed the Senate Hall, and came to the forbidden place named "The Hill of Kings" by the people of Turiyi, and was immediately stopped and interrogated by the palace guards.

Alcibidas revealed his identity and origin, and immediately a guard rode to the king's palace at the top of the hill to make a report.

While Alcibidas waited, the guards checked what he was about to bring up the mountain, and Alcibidas was accustomed to it.

At this moment, a white covered carriage drawn by two white horses, escorted by guards, came from the east. Although the carriage is not inlaid with gold and silver, the exquisite design of the carriage, the gorgeous ornaments painted on the canopy, and the graceful drape on the white horse all show the grace and luxury of the carriage owner.

"Big brother!" The cloth window next to the carriage was lifted, revealing a beautiful face.

……………………………………

Agnes put Alcibidas in the carriage and sent the inspected caravan to the top of the mountain.

"Is my father feeling better?" Agnes asked with concern.

"As before, he was paralyzed in bed and unable to walk, and the doctor sent by His Majesty treated him several times, but there was not much progress...... But he's not as angry as he used to be, and he told me two days ago, 'Come to see you in Turiyi.' 'But, you know......" Alcibidas shrugged helplessly.

When Agnes heard this, her face was filled with melancholy, and of course she knew what Alcibidas was referring to.

Over the years, every time Ligim's chief general Artilicrus came to Turiyi, he would always hint to Davers in various ways: Apox, the son born to Agnes, should be chosen as the heir to the throne.

Especially at a family banquet two years ago, some of the overdrunk Artilicluses even publicly declared: "...... Christoya was not a pure Greek (the Greeks of Asia Minor intermarried with foreigners a lot), and she was a princess of Persia, and her child Crotokataxs would probably cause public criticism if he inherited the throne, and Crotocatax was too mild-mannered to succeed to the king, while Apox was a wise and pure blood, so he should be a worthy heir to Davers......"

When these words were uttered at the banquet, Davers was furious, and he was most afraid of anyone interfering in the kingdom of succession, and deliberately stirring up disputes to destroy his family. In a fit of rage, he not only smashed the jar in his hand, but also ordered the guards to drive him out of the mansion, ordering him to return to Lijim immediately and never to come to Turriyi.

From then on, Attilicruz's prestige in the Lijim Council had diminished, and the councillors who had usually courted him began to turn away from him. Hit by this, Attillicruz was depressed and drank heavily, and one day he suddenly fell and fell into a coma. After resuscitation, the person was awake, but his lower body was paralyzed and he could not walk......

Thinking of these past events, Agnes's expression was gloomy: after this incident happened, she was the most uncomfortable in the middle. On the one hand, she felt very sorry for Christoya, although Christoya generously said afterwards that Artilikruz was talking drunk, she didn't mind, and as before, she got along with Agnes, but Agnes always felt guilty; On the other hand, her father fell ill with alcoholism, and she felt that she should bear part of the responsibility. So this incident has always made her feel guilty.

At this moment, she hesitated for a moment and said, "...... I will go and ask Your Majesty to lift the ban and allow my father to come to Turii! ”

Alcibidas shook his head and said, "Egnes, don't go and ask Your Majesty! You also know the temper of your father, he doesn't come to Turiyi, it's good for you and for the children! ”

Hearing this, Agnes opened her mouth, but was finally silent.

Seeing this, Alcibidas comforted her and said, "Father can't come, you can go to Ligem to see him." ”

Agnes's eyes lit up suddenly: yes, I can go to Lijim, Your Majesty shouldn't stop you!

The two chatted in the carriage for a while about the recent interesting facts in the city of Lijim, and then arrived at the king's palace.

As soon as I got out of the carriage, I saw several figures rushing over: "Uncle! Uncle! ……”

According to the blood relationship, only Agnes's two children are qualified to call Uncle Alcibidas, but in order to prevent the children from being estranged due to this difference in family affection, Davers also specially talked to Alcibidas, so that all children call him Uncle from the beginning.

So, the kids running at the front were not Apox and Avia, but Briantes and Eunice.

"Uncle, what good gifts did you bring us this time?!" Briantes said, glancing straight at the packers behind the carriage.