Davos ignored him and went on to say, “For the new citizens who had defeated the Lucanian alliance and recaptured the city of Andolara, and had joined Andolara today, their land will be tax-free! At the sa ti, a batch of ‘Andolara's Rebirth Silver Badge’ will be cast, and each of the newly joined citizens today will have one and permanently keep it, so that the future generation can know of their achievents!”
“That's just about right!” Matonis sat down satisfied.
Now, the new citizens have also straightened their chest.
Davos gave honor to both sides, and both sides have accepted it with satisfaction, which restored the calmness of the venue. Cornelius could only acknowledge that he has a great political skill.
“Everyone doesn't pay taxes, so what is the use ntioning this law?!” rsis was discontent.
“Don't you understand, financial officer.” Laughed Cornelius, “All the current citizens don't have to pay land tax, but those who will beco citizens of Andolara will have to pay taxes when they will own a land.”
“Please note that you don't have to pay tax on your existing land, but you will have to pay land tax for the land you will own in the future.” Reminded Davos.
“If that is the case, then I can accept it.” Antonios stood up and said, “Andolara was created by the ancestors of Cornelius and the others, and they have suffered so much for this, and so we should respect them. While we have also paid our blood and sweat for Andolara, and we should get sothing in return. The citizens who will join us in the future will enjoy these things that we have done for the city-state. So they naturally will have to give sothing for Andolara, and paying taxes – is what I think to be a good way!”
“Antonios, you are right! We agree to this thod!” The new citizens have agreed.
“Yes, we are the founders of a new Andolara! In order to let the future generation know the things we have done today, these tax free land and silver badge are the best proof and glory!” Exclaid Protesilaus* excitedly, and the other original citizens did not object. (TL note: One of the 5 renowned citizens.)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
After the eting, the new citizens all went to the square, while the original citizens walked on the rugged mountain path.
“Cornelius, you had given way too much to that young man tonight! You didn't even refute the laws that he proposed, and just watch him easily persuade those uneducated rcenaries!” Complained Stromboli loudly.
“Hey, Stromboli, don't just keep shouting ‘young man', Davos is our archon, so we should respect him!” Raphias looked behind at the not too far citizens that have newly joined, and so he reminded.
“Archon? I think you an king. He didn't even asked our consent to even one of his proposal! Which of his proposal has been discussed with the elders in advance?! He had also allowed so many mindless rcenary soldiers, who only know to be obedient to him, to attend this eting, it is obvious that he only wants to have the final say!”
Scambras was unable to bear it and interrupted him, “Since you have a problem with the archon, why didn't you say sothing at the eting?”
Stromboli was tongue-tied for a mont, and rolled his eyes, “You weren't against it, so why should I oppose him alone? I'm not stupid! Oh…I know, Cornelius beca the praetor and Raphias is now the census officer, they are already a big shot! This is the gift of the archon, and the reason why you are too embarrassed to oppose him, right?”
Scambras rushed and glared at him, then said, “Shut up Stromboli! You can't say that about him, Cornelius did his best to protect this mountain city! Also…although the soldiers were rude and hit . But to be honest, these laws that this young archon have proposed is very interesting, specially the one about the tax paynt. I am really surprised, but Andolara has not changed for hundreds of years…”
“Uncle Scambras is right! We, Andolara, have suffered so much that we can no longer live as before! Whether it is appointing Davos as archon for life, or his proposal, as long as he can make Andolara strong and no longer be bullied, then I will accept even if the tradition of Andolara is changed!” Said Tritodemos seriously, and made several of them nod in secret.
“Not only will we not be bullied anymore, but we will attack Lucania, defeat and exact vengeance on them!” Said Protesilaus, the youngest of the six, excitedly.
“Lucania has a large population, a vast territory and most of them are mountainous areas. It is not so easy to attack them. The young archon is just boasting, nothing more.” Said Stromboli doubtfully.
“It is a fact that Davos had led a small number of rcenaries to wipe out the large number of Lucanian troops! It is also true that Andolara was recaptured in one night! Which strategoi and citizens in Magna Graecia can do these two things?” Protesilaus retorted.
Stromboli “grunted” and did not answer.
“Did you notice the look in the eyes of the new citizens when they looked at Davos? It is as if they are gazing a god!” Protesilaus said with exaggeration.
“I heard that they call Davos the god's favored. Maybe he can really create miracles.” Tritodemos said with so expectation, “I have long heard that there is a beautiful lake in the northwest of Andolara and the upper reaches of the river Sinni, and the Lucanians call it Docara (now lake Senise). It seems that not only can I go and have a look, but also get a piece of land there.”
Stromboli snorted again, but he is only a little less angry.
“In the end, fighting a war will cause deaths, whether you are good at fighting or not.” Cornelius sighed
“We don't have to fight anyway. I think those rcenaries are very keen on it themselves.” Raphias was indifferent.
“They are also citizens of Andolara.” Cornelius cautioned, then paused for a mont, then exclaid, “However, we have all looked down on Davos. Although he is young, he is very familiar with the politics of the city-state. Is it really just like the rumors among the new citizens that he was ‘enlightened by Hades’?”
His exclamations did not get refuted by the other five people, and it obviously surprised everyone.
“However, we need to further observe the actual ruling ability of Davos. We do not know how much impact and change he will have on Andolara. What we can do now is to try our best to ensure the stability of Andolara, find out the problems and to remind Davos on ti. At least, for now, Davos is not the sa as Dionysius of Syracuse.” Cornelius seriously reminded them.
The other four nodded, and Stromboli asked, “What if Davos ssed up Andolara and don't listen to our dissuasion?!”
“If that's the case…” Cornelius doesn't know how to answer for a mont.
“Then get rid of them!” Scambras said decisively, “For the sake of Andolara, even if we need to cooperate with Thurii again!”
The others faced each other and finally nod in silence.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
It was late when Davos returned to the square.
He returned to his tent, where the candle was still bright, and Cheiristoya, who had been waiting for his return, had fallen asleep on the paved floor.
Davos gently walked to the floor and squatted in front of Cheiristoya. The flickering candlelight reflected her beautiful and sexy face. Her breath was light and long, with a smile on her lips…
She must be dreaming a sweet dream! Davos stared at her quietly, feeling a bit silly. Coming to this unfamiliar world alone and living desperately in order to survive, even if he has a group of comrades who he can entrust his life, but his lonely wandering soul can have a port to seek shelter is only because of her.
He couldn't stop himself from reaching out his hand and gently stroke on Cheiristoya's long and supple hair. He didn't want her to wake up imdiately, but she rubbed her hazy eyes and said sluggishly, “You're back.”
Davos took her hands, folded them together and said gently, “Cheiristoya of Miletus, would you like to be my, Davos' wife?”
Cheiristoya's eyes suddenly glistened, and her beautiful face glowed in the candlelight. With this, one of the things that she had been most worried about while following Davos around no longer exist. She hugged him tightly and whispered her lifelong vow, “I do!”
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
After their passion, Cheiristoya lay down on Davos, listening to him talk about what had happened in the eting that night, and sleepiness gradually ca to attack her…
At this mont, Davos said, “Cheiristoya, I'm hesitant to have you do sothing.”
“What's the matter?” Asked Cheiristoya curiously.
“Have you ever heard of banks?”
“I have heard of it, isn't it just loaning money. My father also ran this business in Miletus. I heard him say that he admired the Athenian banker, Pasion*, the most because he not only beca the richest man in Athens by loaning money, but also won the respect of the Athenian citizens…” Cheiristoya thought of the past and was sowhat sad. (TL note: sen.wikipedia/wiki/Pasion)
“Great! I want you to open a bank in Andolara to give loans to the citizens.” Said Davos imdiately.
“Open a bank?! ?!” Cheiristoya was stunned.
“Yes, you!” Davos raised his head and looked at her with trust in his eyes, “If you can manage the dical camp so well, then I am sure that you can run this bank well!”
Cheiristoya cald herself down and thought for a mont, and reminded him, “This will need ample amount of silver coins.”
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