Georgis was considered a wealthy man in Amendolara (actually, it was his wife who was wealthy). He owned ten mu of mountain land in Amendolara, all planted with olive trees over ten years old, and had his own oil press to produce olive oil. Originally, the family only had a simple cart, mainly used to transport finished olive oil to the port of Thurii. After Dancy married Georgis, considering that Georgis frequently traveled between Thurii and Amendolara for military training and handling military affairs, she specifically bought a passenger carriage for her husband to ride in, to boost his prestige. In fact, Georgis rode a horse more often.

Although there were not many pedestrians on the highway at this time, all carriages departed in order. It had been nearly a year since the Amendolara-Thurii highway was completed. During its use, the public had formed some customary rules under the guidance of the League for safety and convenience.

Now, the League’s Road Bureau had been established, and Little Heraclides was successfully elected as the head of the department. According to leaked news, he planned to start on two things immediately: first, submit a “Theonia Road Maintenance and Usage Bill” to the Senate, intending to transform these folk road rules into formal road laws applicable across the League to improve road usage efficiency; second, he prepared to propose a new highway design plan and a plan to renovate old highways to Archon Davos.

The coachman drove the two horses at a steady pace. The wooden wheels, tightly bound with iron strips, spun rapidly on the flat road with a “clatter-clatter” sound.

Inside the bumping carriage, Georgis listened to his wife’s chatter while thinking about some things he had heard regarding the newly established Road Bureau.

“I plan to buy four more slaves tomorrow.” His wife’s words caught his attention.

“Don’t we have enough slaves at home?” Georgis asked in confusion.

“I haven’t gone to see the three mu of land you were newly allocated in Crimisa yet, but I heard it’s all good land. According to the regulations of the League Agriculture Department, it can only be used to grow wheat. You are busy with the League’s military affairs now; how can you have free time to run to Crimisa to work? Of course, I need to buy more slaves to look after the fields there year-round for us,” Dancy explained.

“It’s only three mu of land; we don’t need that many slaves, do we? Just feeding them will cost a lot of money.” Georgis used to be poor and still maintained the good habit of thrift.

“Darling, you don’t know that ordinary citizen families in Theonia now have at least two or three slaves. Everyone understands that only by freeing up the adult males in the family for military training can they establish merit in war, gain honor, and win more land and benefits. The slave market built at Thurii’s port just half a year ago has expanded several times over. The price of an ordinary slave has risen from the initial 160 drachmas to 200 drachmas. If I don’t buy a few more now, I’m afraid the price will rise to 300 when we want to buy later.”

“Besides, the extra slaves can be sent to Crimisa to speed up plowing our fields, digging ditches, and rushing to plant wheat seedlings. When the farm work there is done, we can send a few back to the oil press in Amendolara to help transport pottery jars and look after our olive oil shop at the port… When the busiest autumn arrives, and we need more labor to complete farm work like harvesting wheat, beating olives, pressing oil, grinding flour… our slaves will be enough. There will be no need to hire temporary labor, which wastes money and isn’t efficient…” Dancy explained to Georgis in detail.

Georgis didn’t understand these things very well, but he trusted his wife’s ability, so he nodded and said, “Since that’s the case, do as you say.”

Dancy leaned happily into Georgis’s embrace.

The carriage stopped in front of the south gate of Thurii. According to regulations, carriages could not enter the city, so the Georgis couple had to get off and walk, followed by a slave carrying his weapons and equipment.

Along the way, many citizens could be seen accompanied by their wives, and even elderly people and children came to see them off.

Since Davos set an example (he often brought Crystoia to public appearances), and with the integration of a large number of Lucanians, the tradition of Greek city-state citizens’ wives staying at home and rarely showing their faces in public was seldom observed in Theonia.

“Georgis! Georgis!”

Hearing someone calling him, Georgis turned around quickly and saw it was Olivas.

He rushed over with his Persian wife, Mitra.

After the four greeted each other, Olivas said excitedly, “I heard you returned to the First Legion this time!”

“Because Captain Hylos took office as the Chief Executive of Asprostum, I’m just temporarily filling his vacancy.” Georgis still kept the old habit from Persia, calling Hylos “Captain.”

“What temporary! Davos will definitely keep you in the First Legion!” Olivas curled his lips and smiled mysteriously.

“Why?” Georgis asked puzzledly.

“Because serving as a chiliarch in the First Legion makes it easier to become the commander of other legions.” Olivas leaned in and whispered, “I heard yesterday Davos proposed a bill to the Senate, and it has already passed: ‘From now on, anyone who has served as a legion commander for five years with outstanding performance can become a senator of the Senate upon recommendation by the senators!'”

Before Georgis could speak, Dancy, who had pricked up her ears beside them, said excitedly, “So my husband will become a senator in the future!”

Olivas glanced at her and laughed. “He will, but after me. Becoming a senator isn’t just about knowing how to fight; you also need administrative management skills. You have to be like me. Not only do I serve as the Patrol Captain of Thurii, but I also hired a private tutor to teach me reading, arithmetic, and public speaking. Next year, I plan to strive for the positions of Junior Agricultural Officer and Commercial Officer…”

Dancy looked at her silent husband and secretly resolved: I must urge him to study hard in the future, engage more in local affairs, and not always stay in the Military Department training recruits… and so on.

Olivas looked over again, finding it interesting: honest Georgis marrying a seemingly shrewd wife was actually quite fitting.

He looked Dancy up and down carefully, suddenly showing a surprised expression. “Are you pregnant?”

Dancy stroked her lower abdomen proudly. “Five months!”

“My wife is pregnant too!” Olivas announced equally proudly. Mitra lowered her head shyly.

“Among the comrades of our squad, I fear only Captain Hylos and Matonis remain unmarried now,” Georgis suddenly said.

“You really are too out of touch! Kunogelata has taken a fancy to Hylos and wants him to be his son-in-law. He even wants Davos to be the matchmaker. Davos has already agreed. With Davos stepping in, how could that block of wood Hylos refuse! As for Matonis, didn’t you notice his behavior was a bit strange when we left Crimisa?” Olivas laughed mischievously. “I had my men quietly inquire in his battalion. Turns out this big guy is infatuated with a girl in Crimisa city… Hahaha!”

“Really?!” Georgis looked pleasantly surprised.

“Of course it’s true! But don’t go asking him. Watch out he doesn’t beat you up and implicate me,” Olivas warned.

***

Theonia dispatching troops in accordance with the covenant was not only to defeat Locri as soon as possible but also an opportunity to display the League’s military might among the city-states of southern Italy and increase its influence in this region. Therefore, Theonia not only dispatched its most elite First Legion but also stipulated that any companies in the First Legion understrength due to injury or illness could be replenished with experienced soldiers from other legions. Even the personnel responsible for transporting baggage were composed of over a thousand mercenaries led by Xanthipparis. This not only ensured the safety of the baggage train but also served as a powerful supplement to the combat troops. Of course, Davos, Philesius, and the others also had selfish motives, hoping these former comrades could establish new merits and become Theonian preparatory citizens sooner.

With over 7,000 men in the First Legion and a 1,500-man baggage escort, totaling nearly 9,000 troops, along with baggage wagons composed of countless pack animals, a massive force marched south grandly after being reviewed by Davos and the Senate in Victory Square.

***

Locri first heard of the Theonia City-State Alliance (it wasn’t called by this name then) during the First Crotoniate War, when the massive Crotoniate army was actually defeated and captured by the much smaller Amendolara army.

Surprised and excited, the Locrians were happy to see another city-state north of Croton capable of causing trouble for Croton. Following the principle of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Locri sent envoys to contact Amendolara, hoping to establish an alliance to deal with Croton together. As a result, the Amendolarans made no response; instead, they signed a truce with the Crotoniates and returned the several thousand captured Crotoniate soldiers half a year later. Moreover, during the negotiations, Locri even became a bargaining chip for the Amendolarans to threaten Croton into reaching a truce. Consequently, the Locrians began to harbor resentment toward Amendolara.

Half a year later, the Second Crotoniate War broke out. The massive Crotoniate army invaded the Theonia City-State Alliance formed mainly by Amendolarans again. While venting their spleen, Locri didn’t forget their arch-enemy was Croton. They quickly sent envoys, preparing to unite with Theonia again. Due to various factors, the envoy Metrophanes failed to contact Davos in time. However, the massive Crotoniate army suffered a disastrous defeat at the Trionto River in just a few days, with only a few thousand remaining to retreat to Crimisa and defend against the counterattacking Theonian army.