Juleios ignored him and continued, "For those who defeated the Lucanian tribal coalition, reclaid Andolara, and joined Andolara as new citizens today, the land they currently own will also be exempt from taxes! At the sa ti, a batch of ’Andolara Rebirth Silver Brooches’ will be minted. Each new citizen will receive one, to be kept permanently. They can wear it proudly on their chiton during grand public occasions, so future generations will rember their achievents!"
"That’s more like it!" Matonis, satisfied, sat down.
Now, the new citizens straightened their backs with pride.
Juleios had given both groups their share of honor, and both sides accepted this arrangent with satisfaction, restoring peace to the hall. Cornelius, observing this, couldn’t help but acknowledge Juleios’ remarkable political skill.
"What’s the point of proposing this law if no one is paying taxes?!" lsis complained.
"You don’t understand, Treasurer," Cornelius said with a smile. "None of the current citizens will need to pay land taxes, but anyone who becos a citizen of Andolara in the future and owns land will be required to pay taxes."
"Please note," Juleios reminded, "that the exemption applies only to your existing land. Any additional land you acquire in the future will still be taxed!"
"If that’s the case, then I can accept it," Antonios stood up and said. "Andolara was founded by the ancestors of Cornelius and the others, and they’ve endured great suffering because of it. We should respect that.
However, we have shed blood and sweat for Andolara and deserve our share as well. Paying taxes—I think it’s a fair solution."
"Antonios is right! We agree with this plan!" the new citizens echoed in support.
"Yes, we are the founders of this new Andolara! Future generations should know everything we’ve done today.
The tax-exempt land and silver brooches will be the best evidence of our achievents and our honor!" Protesilaus exclaid excitedly, and none of the older citizens objected.
After the eting, the new citizens gathered in the square, while the older citizens walked along the rugged mountain paths.
"Cornelius, you were far too lenient with that young man tonight! You didn’t oppose any of his proposals and watched him easily convince those ignorant rcenaries!" Stromboli complained loudly.
"Hey, Stromboli, stop shouting ’young man’ this and ’young man’ that. Juleios is our consul, and we should respect him!" Lafayas said, glancing at the new citizens behind them and reminding Stromboli to lower his voice.
"Consul? More like a king! Has he ever consulted us before proposing anything? Has he ever discussed his plans with the Senate beforehand? And he invited so many brainless rcenaries, who only know how to obey him, to participate in this eting.
It’s clear he just wants to make all the decisions himself!" Stromboli continued, grumbling.
Scombras couldn’t hold back and interrupted him: "If you have a problem with the consul, why didn’t you say anything during the eting?"
Stromboli was montarily at a loss for words. He rolled his eyes and said, "Why should I oppose him alone when none of you objected? I’m not stupid! Oh... I get it now. Cornelius is now the City Administrator, and Lafayas is the Registrar. You’re both big shots!"
Scombras stepped forward, glaring at Stromboli. "Shut up, Stromboli! Cornelius has done everything he can to protect this mountain city. You shouldn’t speak about him like that! And... even though those soldiers were rude and even hit , to be honest, the young consul’s proposals were interesting. Especially the tax proposal—it surprised . But Andolara hasn’t changed in over a hundred years..."
"Uncle Scombras is right! After all the suffering Andolara has endured, we can’t go on living the way we did before! Whether it’s appointing Juleios as the lifelong consul or his proposals, as long as they can make Andolara strong and ensure we are no longer humiliated, I can accept it!" Lafayas said.
"Not only that, but we must also attack Lucania, defeat them, and avenge ourselves!" Protesilaus, the youngest of the six, said excitedly.
"Lucania has a large population and vast, mountainous territory. Attacking them won’t be so easy. That young consul is just boasting," Stromboli said skeptically.
"Juleios led a small group of rcenaries to annihilate the much larger Lucanian coalition. That’s a fact! He recaptured Andolara in a single night. That’s also a fact! Tell , which general or citizen in all of Greater Greece could accomplish those two feats?" Scombras countered.
Stromboli snorted but said nothing.
"Did you notice how the new citizens look at Juleios? Their gaze is as if they’re staring at a god!" Protesilaus said dramatically.
"I heard they call him the ’Divine-Touched.’ Maybe he really can create miracles," Tritodemos said, a hint of anticipation in his voice. "I’ve heard there’s a beautiful lake northwest of Andolara, near the upper reaches of the Sinni River. The Lucanians call it Dokara (modern Lake Senise). Maybe I’ll not only get to see it but even own a piece of land there."
Stromboli snorted again, but his anger seed to subside.
"War always ans death. If we can avoid it, we should," Cornelius sighed.
"Either way, it’s not us who’ll be fighting. Those rcenaries seem eager enough," Lafayas said nonchalantly.
"They’re citizens of Andolara now," Cornelius reminded. After a pause, he added, "Still, we’ve underestimated Juleios. Despite his youth, he has an extraordinary understanding of city-state politics. Could he really be the ’wisdom granted by Hades’ that the new citizens speak of?"
None of the other five refuted his comnt, their silence suggesting they shared his amazent.
"But we still need to observe Juleios’ actual governing abilities," Cornelius said cautiously. "The proposals he’s introduced could significantly impact and change Andolara, but we don’t yet know to what extent. What we can do is ensure Andolara’s stability, monitor for issues, and promptly remind Juleios.
At least for now, he seems different from Dionysius of Syracuse."
The other four nodded, while Stromboli asked gravely, "But what if Juleios ruins Andolara and refuses to listen, acting recklessly?"
"If it truly cos to that..." Cornelius hesitated, unsure how to respond.
"Then we’ll drive them out!" Scombras said decisively. "Even if it ans cooperating with Thurii again!"
The others exchanged glances but ultimately nodded silently.
Juleios returned to the square late at night.
Entering his tent, he found it still lit with candles. Cristoia, who had been waiting for his return, had fallen asleep on the mat.
Juleios quietly approached her. Crouching beside her, the flickering candlelight illuminated her beautiful and delicate face. Her breathing was light and steady, and the corners of her mouth curved in a faint smile...
She must be having a beautiful dream! Juleios quietly stared at her, unconsciously captivated. Arriving alone in this unfamiliar world, fighting desperately to survive, even with a group of comrades to entrust his life to, his once-lonely and drifting heart found a harbor to rest in because of her.
He couldn’t help but reach out and gently stroke Cristoia’s smooth, flowing hair. To his surprise, she woke imdiately, rubbing her sleepy eyes and lazily saying, "You’re back."
Juleios clasped her hands together and said tenderly, "Cristoia of Miletus, would you be my wife?"
Cristoia’s eyes suddenly sparkled, her beautiful face glowing in the flickering candlelight. Following Juleios on his eastward and westward journeys, her greatest fear was now gone. She hugged Juleios tightly and softly spoke the vow of a lifeti: "I will!"
After their passionate embrace, Cristoia lay on Juleios’ chest, listening to him recount the evening’s events in the eting hall. Sleep gradually crept into her mind...
It was then that Juleios said, "Cristoia, I’m hesitating about asking you to do sothing."
"What is it?" Cristoia asked curiously.
"Have you heard of a bank?"
"Yes, I have. Isn’t it about lending money? My father also worked in this field in Miletus. I’ve heard him talk about it before.
He admired the Athenian banker Pasion the most because not only did Pasion beco the wealthiest man in Athens through lending, but he also earned the respect of Athenian citizens..." Recalling the past, Cristoia felt a trace of sadness.
"Excellent! I want you to establish a bank in Andolara, specializing in lending money to its citizens," Juleios said imdiately.
"A bank?! ?!" Cristoia was stunned.
"Yes, you!" Juleios raised his head and gazed at her, his eyes full of trust. "You’ve managed the dical camp so well. I believe you can manage this bank just as successfully!"
Cristoia steadied herself, thought for a mont, and reminded him, "But that would require a sufficient amount of silver coins."
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