What do you mean by your help?! It's as if you Lijim also took part in the naval battle! Sekeli was relieved to slander, but he didn't show it in his face, after all, Artilicrus was not only an important figure in the political arena of the city-state of Lijim, but also the father-in-law of King Davers.

Fortunately, Davers knew what kind of character his father-in-law was, and before the fleet set off, he had already instructed Seklian: "Dionya is very grateful to the allies for the great help they have given, and we will return Lijim's ship soon!" Sekrian replied without hesitation. Now there are hundreds of captured intact or somewhat damaged three-layer oared warships parked in the military port of Turiyi, which can only be idle because there are not enough sailors, and even because there are too many warships, the military port can no longer accommodate and has to be partially transferred to the commercial port, and Lijim asked for the return of the warships to help them solve some difficulties.

"When the time comes, will the ships that will be returned also be equipped with the kind of 'wooden bridges' you just mentioned?" Artili Cruise asked again.

Sekrian didn't expect this Lijim's chief general to make such a request, and he was stunned for a moment. It may seem simple to install a crow drawbridge, but he had heard it from His Majesty Davers that it involved advanced pulley knowledge and complex mechanical work, so that a few drawbridge operators could easily turn the base and pull up and down the drawbridge. Secorian remembered that the scholar from the Dionian Academy, Matthicoris, even proudly declared, 'There is no second Greek city-state other than Dionya that can make a crow drawbridge, unless they have a deeper study of pulleys!' ’。

"What? Can't you?! Seeing that Sekrian did not speak, Artilicrus asked again with a calm face.

Sekelian simply said: "I can't make the decision on this matter, only His Majesty Davers can make the decision." And we were able to defeat the Syracuse navy, the Raven Drawbridge was only one reason, and more importantly, our Dionian Legion heavy infantry, especially in the second battle with the Syracuse navy, the Syracuse people also sent heavy infantry almost equal to our number on each ship, and the result was still a crushing defeat......"

As he spoke, Sekrian simply said straightforwardly: "Dionya and Lijim are allies, with us providing protection at sea, Lijim will not be harassed by the enemy from the sea, and there is no need to spend money and equip the navy." ”

When Atticlus heard this, his face sank, his eyes looked directly at Secrean, and he said angrily: "In his letter to me, Davos hopes that we, Ligem, will send troops on your fleet to land and attack in Hibernian or other places in southern Greece, so as to attract and contain the army of Syracuse and create conditions for your attack on land. But—"

Artili Cruz's face sank: "Before, in order to help you, we, the Lijim people, took the initiative to attack Madema City, but suffered heavy losses, and we no longer have the strength to do such a risky action, please tell Davers, I'm really sorry!" And since Dionia is already so strong, it is fully capable of independently defeating the Syracuses! ”

After speaking, he stood up: "I still have something to do, you use it slowly." ”

Artili Cruise went straight out of the living room and left.

The guests looked at each other, and Sekrian was even more embarrassed, what should have been a lively banquet ended unhappily.

……………………………

In the evening, in the backyard of Artilicrus's mansion, Alcibidas criticized Artilicrus: "Father, your performance at the banquet today has been too radical, and you have made a very bad impression on the visiting Dionians!" If they return to their hometown and spread the word about it, it will not only affect Agnes, but also our family's business at the Turiyi shipyard! ”

"Do you think I'm angry and angry because of that lowly Dionian?" Altericruz's angry face at the banquet had long since disappeared, and he said to his son with deep meaning: "I am doing this to my king's son-in-law. ”

"What do you mean by showing Davers?" Alcibidas looked confused.

Artilicruz was a little helpless: as Lijim's oldest immigrant family, who had ruled the city-state for decades, his family had always held a pivotal position in Lijim's political arena. But neither of his children knew what was going on, and they had no political talent inherited from the family. The daughter Agnes married the Archon of Ionia...... Oh, now that she is the king of Dionia, she is lucky enough to be a princess, and she is also the chief priest of the influential temple of Hera in Turiyi, and her status is revered, but she has been simple-minded since she was a child, and she is no match for another shrewd and capable princess; And his son Alcibidas is shrewd, but he is all used in business, and is not interested in politics, and his current position as a general is still forcibly given to him by Artiliclus.

Although Alcibidas has always been indifferent to political affairs, as the successor of Artilicruz's career, he has often told him that one day he will come to his senses. This time was no exception: "Now the people of Syracuse have lost the sea, and depending on the situation, it will be difficult to recapture it at least in a short time." As long as the Dioyans deal with it properly, they will not at least lose this war. Then when the Syracuse retreats back to Sicily, the Ionian Alliance, which has not suffered much loss in this war, will surely become the unshakable overlord of the Greater Greek region, and we ligim must make our voices heard if we do not want to become its vassals! ”

"There's nothing wrong with being a vassal of Dionia." Alcibidas said disapprerovingly: "Only by becoming a vassal will there be preferential trade. Dionia's territory is already so big now, and according to you, it will be even bigger in the future, and the more it will help my family's trade! And my brother-in-law is still the ruler of this powerful country, will my sister make me suffer! ”

Artilikruz did not expect this lazy son to have such thoughts, and he was a little angry for a while, but soon turned to helplessness, because he vaguely felt that Alcibidas was not the only one who had such thoughts in Lijim City. Since the alliance between Ligem and Dionia, it has not only been secured in terms of security, but also in terms of commerce. Because of the environment, the Ligems had more merchants and fewer farmers, which led to the Ligems being tactful and very likely to give up the independence of the city-state for their own interests, just as before the Dionian League, the Ligems could ignore the ethnic conflict between Carthage and the Greeks, and form an alliance with Carthage, not only to fight against Syracuse, but also to attract Carthage's huge trade market.

"Even if you become a vassal, you must become a powerful vassal, so that you can get the attention of Dionia." Suddenly discouraged, Artilicrus sighed and reminded his son, "Do you know why I insist on those ships that are unique to Dionia? ”

"Why?"

"Messina!" Artilikrus glanced at him and said in an accentuated tone: "Once Dionysius is really defeated by Davers, I'm afraid there will be chaos in Syracuse. At that point, he won't have the strength to protect the newly built city-state across the Channel, and we can take it back and make it a sub-state under the control of Lijim!" With the port of Messina, we have control over the entire strait, which is good for the city-state and good for your business! ”

Alcibidas was greatly moved, his eyes flashed, and he imagined the great benefits of taking Messina, but soon his expression regained his composure: "Father, Messina is so important, do you think that my shrewd brother-in-law did not see it! There is a popular saying among us Greek merchants, 'Great profits mean great risks.'" The reason why my business is going so well is because I never do anything beyond my ability. And Lijim wants to get Messina, is he ready to take the risk? ”

Artilicrus was stunned, after receiving the news of the successive victories of the Dionian fleet, he was ecstatic, thinking about Messina, and his desire blinded his reason for a while, and he almost forgot that the city of Messina was the target of everyone, Syracuse, Carthage, and now there may be another Dionya staring at the pass of this strait.

After pondering for a long time, Attilicruz's face regained his spirit, and he said with relief: "Alcibidas, I only found out now that you will be a good general!" ”

………………………………

On the second day, Sekrian led the sailors to the harbor to board the ship.

Sekelian originally thought that because of last night's banquet, the attitude of the people of Lijim towards them would change, but he did not expect that not only the enthusiasm of the people was still the same, but Artilicrus also came to see him off in person, and his attitude was more enthusiastic than when he greeted him yesterday, he did not say a word about yesterday's discord, and actively said to Sekelian: Lijim is willing to fulfill the duties of the allies and make full cooperation for Dionya to defeat Syracuse, and how to act, you can consult with General Fitun stationed in Taurina.

At the same time, Artilicruz also brought a letter to Davers by Torseclian.

Although I don't understand why Attillicruz's attitude changed suddenly, it is undoubtedly a great thing, Seclian is in an unusually good mood, and his voice is especially loud when he gives the order: "Go to Messina!" ”

………………………………

In 715 B.C., the Qumai colonists from the Greek mainland of Euboea and the Kalchis of north-central Greece founded a city on the lowlands of the strait near Sicily and the Apennine Peninsula, and named the colonial city "Zankle" (meaning sickle) because of the shape of the port that resembles a farmer's scythe for harvesting grain.