“Wonderful!” Davos finally couldn’t help standing up excitedly. “Little Heraclides, it is truly remarkable that you could think of these things!”

“My Lord, this is not just my own idea, but a proposal after consulting with other personnel of the Road Bureau,” Little Heraclides said truthfully. He was a bit puzzled: How could just some ideas about road reconstruction make this young, wise, and divinely inspired Archon so excited?

He naturally wouldn’t understand that at this moment, Davos was thinking about the national character of the Greeks. Through historical records from his past life and his personal experience in this era, he felt that Greeks were indeed an outstanding race, creating brilliant civilizations in technology, culture, military, politics, sports, and other aspects. But why was it Rome, not Greece, that later unified the Mediterranean?

Davos believed there were some fatal flaws in the national character of the Greeks: overly pursuing the self, making it impossible to form unity; overly unrestrained and passionate, lacking steadfast resilience. Greek city-states built countless magnificent temples, stadiums, and theaters, yet couldn’t manage their cities to be tidy and hygienic… Therefore, since becoming a mercenary leader, Davos started using strict military laws to restrain undisciplined mercenaries and intentionally guided and changed the Greek populace under his jurisdiction slowly.

The fact that Little Heraclides’ Road Bureau could notice these details and make modifications—this serious, steadfast approach of considering the people—naturally made Davos feel gratified. He praised, “My judgment was not wrong. You are not only an excellent road and bridge construction master but also capable of becoming a good Director of the Road Bureau, managing the road system within the Theonia City-State Alliance well!”

Facing the praise, Little Heraclides was somewhat embarrassed but continued, “Road reconstruction requires a lot of money. I’m worried the Senate—”

“Rest assured, the Senate will pass your proposal.” Davos guaranteed. “The benefits the highway brings to Theonia are enormous. reconstructing the highway will only make travel and cargo transportation more convenient for the people. This is a good thing; no amount of expense is too much.”

“Then I’m relieved!” Little Heraclides was sincerely grateful to Davos. It was this young man who stopped him and his father from wandering destitute! It was this young man who allowed him to find his career! And it was this young man’s support that allowed him to emerge in Theonia’s political arena!

” Is your father’s health okay?”

Davos’s words brought him back to reality. “Not very good. Recently, he often wakes up at night feeling suffocated, coughing incessantly, and seeing blood in his phlegm… I told him to rest more at home; Piasicos is watching over the temple, so there won’t be any problems. But he just won’t listen!” Little Heraclides said with a face full of worry.

Davos sighed inwardly. In fact, Herpus, who had treated Heraclides, had long secretly told him: This stubborn skinny old man doesn’t have much time left…

Davos comforted softly, “Your father treats the newly built Thurii city as his own child; he can’t let go! Don’t worry, I will ask Herpus to send a doctor to watch over your father at any time…”

***

Sending off Little Heraclides, Davos stretched, preparing to return to the backyard to accompany his sleeping wife and son.

At this moment, the slave steward Libazo entered and reported, “Master, Lords Philesius, Bagulos, Vesba, and Hermon request an audience.”

Davos naturally knew why these men had come. This was a major event concerning whether Theonia’s arrangements during this period would finally bear fruit. He had to rouse his spirits. “Invite the four senators in.”

Speaking of which, Davos was also somewhat helpless. Public officials in several cities of the Theonia City-State Alliance, such as city Chief Executives, judges, and tax officers, all had office locations—town halls. However, the senators of the Senate, who controlled the highest power of the entire alliance, had no personal offices except for discussing state affairs and formulating bills in the Senate House. Even Davos, the only Archon and First Senator of the entire alliance, was the same. Therefore, the living room of his residence became Davos’s usual office, as was the case for most other senators. The Senate had discussed building a magnificent office building specifically for the senators of the entire alliance several times, but due to funding, manpower, and other factors, this suggestion remained only on paper.

After the four sat down, Philesius, as the Military Officer, spoke first. “Lord Davos, we came this time to ask for your instructions. Is it time to launch the plan to seize Grumentum?”

“What is the situation in Grumentum now?” Davos asked seriously. In fact, he already had some understanding of the situation in the Lucania region through Aristelas.

“Lord Archon,” Hermon bowed slightly and said, “Not long after Potentia repelled Pyxous and occupied Grumentum, their Great Chief Puamote led the main army back to Potentia, leaving only his brother Polet with two thousand tribal warriors to garrison Grumentum. Lusau, the son of the former Great Chief of Grumentum, Akpiru, also remained in the city to assist Polet in managing Grumentum.”

Davos smiled. “That Lusau who was betrayed by his own people?! The Potentians actually dare to use him?!”

“My Lord, you are right. It was a mistake for Puamote to leave Lusau behind!” Vesba took over the conversation and sneered. “I have dealt with Lusau. He bullies the weak and fears the strong, and holds grudges extremely. It was he who led the army to drive my tribe into the mountains back then… It is said that when he was in Potentia, he fawned over Puamote like a dog. Perhaps because of this, Puamote mistakenly believed he would help Potentia stabilize its rule over Grumentum.

However, after Lusau returned to Grumentum, he gained the allegiance of several tribes, strengthening his power, and began to act arrogantly. Although the chiefs of those tribes that originally betrayed him had been killed by Cincinnag, Lusau did not spare their people. He often sent newly allied tribes to provoke disputes, then punished them on grounds of disobedience, taking the opportunity to embezzle their settlements and pastures… He often agreed to Polet’s orders verbally but didn’t execute them at all behind his back, or even acted against them.

Meanwhile, those warriors from Potentia, relying on being victors, also oppressed the Grumentumians in the city. It is said that Polet treated the tribes inside and outside Grumentum relatively gently, but he couldn’t control his subordinates, let alone make Lusau obey his orders.

Now, the people of Grumentum hate Lusau and hate the Potentians!” As Vesba spoke, he glanced at Hermon. “So after the envoys Hermon and I sent into the city contacted them quietly, they were warmly welcomed. They urgently hope we drive out the Potentians!”

“The Grumentumians hate Lusau, but we should thank him!” Davos joked, and everyone laughed.

Davos asked again, “What are their demands?”

“They are willing to join Theonia, but they hope that after we seize Grumentum, we can let them migrate to Niutum, giving them land with an area no less than their current settlements and pastures. Like those tribes in Niutum, Theonia must not interfere with their management of their people. For this, they are willing to provide maximum assistance for Theonia to seize Grumentum.”

Hearing Hermon’s words, Davos was slightly surprised. “Are their demands that simple?!”

“Initially, their demands were far more than these. But our people made them realize that they betrayed Lusau, then betrayed Cincinnag, and now want to drive out the Potentians. So their only reliance is our Theonia City-State Alliance. Making things difficult for the master who will protect them in the future is not a smart move!” Hermon said somewhat smugly. “The peaceful life of Lucanians in Theonia and the alliance’s good reputation for always keeping promises made them finally choose to cooperate with us.”

“Since that’s the case, after we capture Grumentum, why don’t they stay in Grumentum? After all, that is their homeland.” Davos was somewhat puzzled.

“My Lord, that’s because they are afraid!” Bagulos said contemptuously. “Because they believe Potentia and Pyxous will come back to fight for Grumentum in the future, and they dare not face their wrath again!”

“These guys are sensible people,” Davos muttered. Honestly, leaving these fickle tribes in Grumentum would make him uneasy. Since they tactfully volunteered to leave, Davos naturally had to reciprocate. “Does Niutum still have extra pastures to accommodate them?”

“Not for the time being.” Vesba said hesitantly, “However, I have negotiated with all the tribal chiefs in Niutum. Some tribes are willing to migrate to Grumentum and exchange settlements with these Grumentum tribes, but they hope to obtain the iron mining rights of Grumentum as compensation.”

Davos shook his head gently. The iron mines of Grumentum had long been coveted by some senators, like Masisasus, who had approached him several times hoping to contract the iron mines of Grumentum.

He pondered for a while and said, “Owning mining rights is impossible, but they can obtain a portion of the iron mine’s revenue. As for exactly how much, Hermon, go talk to them, but it cannot exceed 20%. The prerequisite is that they provide labor and participate in mining and transporting ore.”

“Alright, I’ll go to Niutum tomorrow to discuss it with them.” Hermon nodded.

“Are the warriors ready? Has the surprise attack plan been finalized?” Davos turned his gaze to Bagulos beside him.