"Before I report this resolution to all distinguished gentlemen, including the Ombudsman and the Treasury and the Enforcers of the Courts and the State Council, please pray to the gods who have blessed Rome for their love and protection that has brought about such a great victory, including the achievements it has bringed. Of course, the great Caesar and our invincible legions also contributed a lot to it, and this is an indelible achievement!"

In the government hall made of white marble, almost all the Roman officials were present, sitting attentively on the white stone steps, waiting for Herodotus below to speak, and their excited expressions were unconcealed.

After acquiring the two domains of Haringus and Talboa, Rome's territory almost tripled, stretching from Lake Valen to the north of the Severcro Mountains, which amounted to two-thirds of the north and south in the central north of Shijie, and the wealth and land brought with it were self-evident.

Population and land, the two great problems that had always plagued Rome, were temporarily relieved.

A Roman army of 30,000 people and 3,000 occupations was really too high, and if it weren't for the fertile land and intensive cultivation, it would not even be possible to guarantee the supply of food! Rome walked on the balance beam for a whole year, and if you were not careful, it would be an abyss.

Caesarea almost gritted his teeth and tightened his belt to supply the cost of his army of 1,000 men, at the cost of last year's Caesarea having little to stock up on to cover the price of food in the market.

Of course, high risk brought high profits - Rome's prestige was so great that almost all the merchants who had ever passed through Salion or Mithmetz would spread the Roman legions' exploits in Severcro far and wide: the Roman legions as the mainstays, the knights of the royal guard who charged the front, the priests of the gods of war who were the lone heroes............ And, of course, their great commander, Caesar of the Romans: Theodore Julian!

Originally just a little famous (as can be seen from the impressions of the lords of Rome), the new people of the north suddenly became famous in the Broken Border Mountain. Coupled with the newly acquired large territories, Theodore became a powerful lord on a par with Ultok of Salion and Archduke Brenus of Mistemay!

The benefits of prestige are self-evident - at least when people talk about the Romans, they don't say, "Oh, that place where mirrors and olives are made", or at the very least, "Their armies and knights are great!"

Only with strength can you have the right to speak, and this is universal, and the merchants of Rome can finally pass through the northern shijie, and no longer have to sign trade rights one by one and negotiate toll taxes. This brought back a great deal of wealth to Rome.

Above all, the new territory represented more land, more positions, and Caesar could not have indulged the autonomy of two cities of such importance, and it was obvious that officials should be sent out. Of course, the new territories also had to build estates to provide Rome with sufficient food and cash crops, and if they could not be directly controlled, it was also a good choice to sell these expensive estates.

For these young officials, who had struggled to continue in Caesarea, Haringos and Talboa became a good place for them to amass wealth and show off their talents.

"The gods of Rome bless us!

The high-pitched cheers echoed in the government affairs hall one after another, both public and private, and the next news was very exciting.

"Well, first of all, about the management of the new territories, Caesarea had sent a special building three days ago to be responsible for the construction of infrastructure for both places, especially sanitation. Herodotus read word for word: "This expenditure will be covered by the grain stocks of the two places, including the road to be built to connect the three places, and of course the generous donations of some of the enthusiastic merchants!"

"The Venerable Caesar believed that all the cities of Rome should be the same in terms of taxes, with a poll tax of one dinar per month in the cities and no on the farms, three out of ten in the case of agriculture, a mercantile tax according to the value of goods, a heavy tax on luxury goods and gold and silverware, and the same should be true for the export of grain. Herodotus looked around: "Are there any objections?"

Everyone shook their heads, and it was clear that this was within their expectations, and that it would not hurt the main interests, even if it was passed.

Theodore nodded at Herodotus and motioned for him to continue.

"So, then there's the management issue. Herodotus, after bowing slightly to Theodore, continued: "We will give all the people of Rome the 'right of citizenship' -- the right to hold a town council, to elect the priests of their own district (i.e., our streets), to deal with internal disputes, to consult on the internal construction of the city, to elect the magistrates, of course, subject to strict examinations and age restrictions......

"Wait a minute!"

A thin young man with his hands raised high stood up, his face a little pale and sweaty on his forehead - probably because the voice was so loud that all eyes were turned to him.

"I don't think that a place like this, which has just been brought under Roman rule, should not be subject to stricter management?" the young man asked, as if he was a little lost, his eyes rolling around, "Wouldn't it be that the people of these regions have no sense of belonging to Rome if they were given such lenient conditions?!"

As soon as these words came out, they immediately received a response from the people around them, who nodded yes and whispered to each other, their eyes constantly paying attention to Theodore's complexion.

Disappointingly, however, Theodore did not seem to respond to the man's rebuttal, as if he were quietly listening to the other man's rebuttal.

"Caesar means this......" Herodotus tilted his head and squinted at the young man: "For the time being, the administrator of the new town will be selected in Rome, appointed directly by Caesar and the Council, and the inspector will be sent twice every six months to supervise the local finances and management, and then consider whether to make a selection in the local area!"

"So......" Herodotus' eyes narrowed even more, "theoretically you have a chance, Your Excellency!"

"I—I'm sorry, I'm ......" The young man's eyes became even more flustered, and he explained himself incoherently, a pleading look lingering around.

"You don't have to!" Diodore stood up with a smile and made a gesture of invitation to the man: "Anyone has the right to give an opinion at the meeting, including you and me!"

"Caesar. Herodotus gracefully stroked his chest and bowed to Theodor.

"Gentlemen here, we are witnessing a great moment and a great future. Theodore said in a deep voice, his voice echoing through the white hall.

"Rome of the past, having succeeded in its tolerance and benevolence, did not hesitate to hand over all the privileges reserved to Roman citizens, to former enemies, and later allies, and to be humble in Rome, where people did not value the distinction of nationality, or of the region, or of the color of the skin. It is the distinction of talent and morality, and those with noble character and outstanding ability can get a place in Rome and display their talents to the fullest, which is the reason why Rome is strong!"

"We have also hated our enemies, drawn our swords and humiliated us, the Punics (Carthaginians) are the most haode examples, and the result was the birth of Hannibal, who regarded the Romans as his lifelong enemy, and hundreds of thousands of Romans Zuihou exchanged their blood for peace that could have been easily attained - the simple truth is that as we do unto others, others will do unto us!"

"And now, more than 70,000 people are waiting with great anticipation for the generosity and mercy of Rome, and as many as a million are waiting to see how the Romans will treat their fellow citizens!

"Roman civilization should not be limited to the Romans, and the word Romans should not be limited to a certain people, but a culture, a way of life and habits, and the Roman eagle flag should not be just a so-called will, but a vision, a vision of the future and victory, a liliang that can unite people without coming from the heart. That's what Roman culture is all about!"

Theo took a breath of relief, eagerly looked at the people who were silently looking up at him, and continued to say in a deep voice: "This land is very large, there is a lot of wealth, of course we can get what we deserve from it, but it is not plunder, encroachment but sharing, sharing with our people and friends, I am not against everyone's investment in new territories, as long as it is legal, it deserves the protection of the gods!"

"May the gods bless this land forever - !!!"

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"What a wonderful speech, my lord. ”

In the hall of the castle, Herodotus sat leisurely opposite Theodor and praised softly: "I really didn't expect you to have such a good eloquence!"

"It's all thanks to you!" Diodore smiled playfully and raised his hand: "It's all the result of your cultivation!"

At such times you should say: it was the scholars of Rome who inspired me. Herodotus joked, "However, your decision is indeed very surprising, and even if you take the cultivated land of these two territories into your own arms, I am afraid that no one will dare to make any opinion." After all, they owe allegiance to you, not Rome!"

"But I am Caesar!" said Theodore, "and the people are Rome!"

"Well, let's get down to business, my dear Mr. Herodotus!" Theodore raised the corners of his mouth: "I believe that he came to me at this time, and it must not be for such a little thing!"

"Someone wants to come and visit you. Herodotus said quietly.

"Visit me?"

"And more than one!" said Herodotus, "many, to be exact. ”

"Uh, a lot!"