Wise senators such as Kunograta and Cornerus stood by and watched, and the others did not stand up to answer. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

Davers continued: "Then look at the north of Niutum, all the territory of the Lucanians, and several large towns, Grummentum, Pixis, Poitia, Galaguso, it is said that the total population is more than 100,000 people, several times our population, although they are still fighting each other, but when the Greeks occupy their traditional territory and threaten their own security, will they unite against us?" Even if we defeat them, they will only have to burrow into the mountains, and we will do nothing, but will only make the Lucanians hate us even more, they are familiar with every mountain and every river there, they will change their tactics, and they will quietly attack our citizens who farm and graze, and sneak up on our baggage and caravans, and the output of Niutum will not be able to feed a large population. There we are few and Luccaria are many, and if we cannot conquer them, they will devour us. What are we going to do? ”

Seeing that someone wanted to speak, Davers sneered: "Someone may say, 'Isn't there still Laos?' They will help us! 'Yes, Laos is our ally. However, when we, the leader of the alliance, asked them again and again for military support and material assistance, it may have been okay at first, but after a long time, do you think Laos will look down on our strength and have other thoughts?! Don't forget that Avinogis was not a pure Greek, and had never worked with a Greek, so we can't hope that he will always stick to his covenant! ”

Davers paused for a moment to give everyone time to think, and then continued: "Therefore we can only continue to transport food and increase the number of soldiers from Turiyi and Amendora to Niutum, not to mention that the mountain roads are difficult to walk, and the war is very costly. Do you think it makes sense to continuously invest and consume the precious manpower and material resources of the Tuafa Alliance into a city that will not get any benefits?! What's more, there is a powerful Crotone by his side, ready for revenge at any time! ”

"Then what are we going to do to attack Niutum and provoke the Lucanians?" Bulkos listened to Davers and began to retreat.

"All of you here must be impressed that the Lucanians have invaded Turriyi many times. Although they suffered defeat this time, they have a large population after all, if we don't attack it and weaken it, otherwise when it regains its strength, it will definitely invade us again, of course we want to keep them out of the alliance's territory, not to let the flames of war burn on our own land and destroy the farmland and houses we have worked so hard for! Alexis replied by standing up.

"Can the Lucalians help us stabilize Niutum and solve the difficulties that the Archon said?" At this point, Scombras stood up and asked.

A subtle smile appeared on the corner of Davers's mouth: "First of all, Veesba, they are Lucalians, and after defeating Niutum, it will help us stabilize the mood of the residents of the city. There are rich and poor among the Lucanians, and we need to take the stubborn rich and warriors into slaves, distribute the captured cattle and sheep to the poor, and let a mixed team of Greeks and Lucanians take charge of the whole city. At the same time, there were also strong tribes and weak tribes in the Lucanian tribal union, and some tribes were like Vesbah, who were reluctant to join the city-state, but because of the war, they wandered around and found it difficult to survive. We can open a market on the border of Niutum and use our clay pots, iron goods, and other goods to attract the poor little tribes to come and exchange cattle and sheep, furs, prey, etc., and if necessary, give them appropriate help. Over time, they will be happy to be close to us. In this way, we not only facilitated our trade, provided food for the garrison soldiers, but also weakened the Lucanians.

You must ask me why the Lucanians believe in us Greeks and want to approach us? Davers exclaimed, "Because Wesbah and Bagul are there, and they are involved in the management of every matter." In the eyes of the Lucanians, Bagule still worships the gods of Lucania, maintains the traditional customs of the Lucanian people, and is still the real Lucaria! But they were citizens of the Tuafan Union, dressed in splendid costumes, drank good wine, and lived in comfortable houses...... Their way of life is bound to be the envy of the Lucalians, and eventually the other Lucalians will be willing to join our alliance as well! ”

"But what if the Lucanians, who have only been in the alliance for half a year, return to their familiar lands, and if they rebel?" Stron Glass asked.

"If we give them citizenship, if we give them the status of the senators of Vespa and Bagul, we treat them as if they were our own, and let them live in a civilization far beyond the reach of the Lucanians, a splendid culture created by our forefathers through generations of toil and wisdom! I firmly believe that they will be assimilated by us, not by them who are ignorant and backward! Of course, there is a small possibility of mutiny, but I think it's worth the risk! Because in case of defeat, we will only lose more than a thousand slaves and postpone the plan to attack Lucania; But if we succeed, we will get a vast land of Lucania and a population of hundreds of thousands. With all this, would we still be worried about Crotone?! No, Crotone is just a small rock in the path of our alliance, we can easily kick him out, and we will be greeted by a wider world! ”

Davers's final passionate speech thrilled the senators, and they began to whisper to each other excitedly.

Davos took the opportunity to announce a temporary adjournment.

He then approached the two city administrators, Cuno Gorata and Conelus, and asked them to take the lead in supporting his proposal.

"I've listened carefully to this plan to stabilize Niutum that you have involved with the Lucanians of Vesbah and Bagul, and I think it's worth trying." Putting aside his personal feelings, Cornerus said approvingly.

"Lord Davers, are the situations you mentioned earlier really so dangerous and difficult without the help of Lucanians like Veesbar?" Kunograta asked rhetorically with a slight suspicion.

"Only by thinking about the worst can we work hard for the best." Davers replied.

Kunograta thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Meeting again, the majority of the senators, led by Kunograta and Cornerus, agreed and Davers's proposal was approved: Bagul would lead nearly a thousand Lucanian warriors into the army, and after the capture of Niutum, they would all be granted citizenship of the Alliance, and Vespa and Bagul would enter the Senate.

Although the few senators, led by Polyxis, lamented: this was an unprecedented shame for the Greek city-state! The Holy Council Hall will be defiled by the filthy breath of the natives!

But most of the senators ignored their chatter, still looking forward to the great gains that were about to be made to Lucania......

……………………

As soon as Phellisius stepped into the house, he heard a great commotion in the courtyard.

The courtyard originally assigned to Philisius, his wife Delia was going to plant some apple and fig trees in the atrium, but Philicius had no opinion, but was opposed by his adopted son Melisanda: he wanted to transform the atrium into a training ground, so that he could exercise his body and train his fighting skills at any time. Eventually, his wife, who loved her son, agreed.

As soon as he heard this voice, Pherisius knew that it was Melisanda who was looking for someone to practice again.

He walked down the cloister, and when he got closer, he realized that Melisanda's opponent was his friend Arcinis. The young man from Amendolala's home was able to appear here apparently because of tomorrow's expedition.

Philicius thought of the appointment given to him by Davers today, and his heart couldn't help but feel a wave of nervousness, he never expected that Davers would let him be the commander of this trip to Niutum, you must know that he has been a mercenary until now, and he has only commanded battles alone, and under Davers's dazzling vision, he feels even more pressure.

He leaned against the pillar, thinking about his thoughts, while his eyes wandered as he watched the fight between the two young men on the field.

"You're back!" Behind him, his wife Delia's gentle voice sounded: "This is the syrup I just boiled today, add some dates, it should be sweeter, you quench your thirst first." ”

With the warm water in his hand (because it was almost winter), Delia said with a smile, "For today's dinner, I made your favorite grilled cod, and I also stewed mutton, wheat porridge, and bread...... Because Arcinis will be staying at home tonight, dinner is a little more generous than usual. ”

Philicius took a sip of water and said, "It's rare for a guest to come to our house, and it's good to be lively. ”

Delia was busy going to the kitchen to make dinner and directing the slave girl to set the table, and Phellisius looked at her busy back, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart that he had made the right choice: although Delia was a little older, she was a good Greek woman who was industrious and virtuous, and arranged the affairs of the house in an orderly manner.

The training on the field was finally over, and Melisanda still refused to admit defeat and said: "Arcinis, you only defeated me by relying on the fact that you are two years older than me and have more strength than me." When I'm an adult, I won't lose to you again! ”

"By the time you're an adult, I don't know how many real battles you've competed in!" Arcinis retorted without showing weakness, and as soon as he turned around, he saw Phaelicus outside the atrium, and hurriedly shouted respectfully: "Lord Phellisius! ”