Juleios listened intently as Marigi concluded his plan. The ancient Greeks, he realized, were no fools; they had long understood how to protect their city-states’ economies.
"We in Andolara currently have nothing," Juleios said thoughtfully, "so there’s no need to worry about losing what we don’t have. Let’s lower all our tariffs. If the surrounding city-states charge 2%, we’ll charge 1%. If they charge 20%, we’ll charge 10%. Attracting people here will stimulate trade, and our citizens will naturally find ways to earn money for their families."
"Lord Juleios, I’ve been waiting for this decision!" Marigi said with a wide grin. Then, his expression turned serious. "However, Heraclea and tapontum are allies and have good relations with us. I believe we can negotiate well with them."
This was a delicate matter. Juleios rubbed his chin in thought.
Originally, Juleios and his rcenaries had enjoyed a good relationship with Thurii—they were even regarded as saviors. However, after the rcenaries beca citizens of Andolara, the animosity of Andolara’s original citizens toward Thurii complicated things. Juleios had hesitated to initiate contact, and Thurii’s envoys, frustrated by repeated cold receptions, grew resentful.
Andolara, once Thurii’s "junior," now appeared arrogant, wounding Thurii’s pride. Worse, Thurii felt betrayed by the rcenaries’ actions, further souring relations.
The resulting stalemate was a disadvantage for Andolara. It not only hurt economic diplomacy but also hindered Juleios’s broader strategic plans.
In Juleios’s vision, Andolara would take advantage of the weakened Lucanians and launch an offensive to claim their lands. However, geography posed a challenge:
To the north, Heraclea was an ally backed by Tarentum and untouchable.To the south, Thurii, though weakened, was a forr ally. Attacking them would provoke outrage among the Greek city-states, a risk Andolara could not afford.To the west, between Andolara and Heraclea, lay the Sinnis River, leading into Lucanian territory. Bagul explained that the region was a wilderness of mountains, rivers, dense forests, and deadly wildlife. Vespa’s tribe had suffered severe losses there and refused to return by that route.
Thus, the only viable path was through the Sybaris Plain, westward over mountain passes to Laos. Traversing the Sybaris Plain required improving relations with Thurii.
Juleios rubbed his chin again. He had planned to wait until the new families in Andolara settled and tensions between old and new citizens eased. However, it was now clear that both economic trade and military strategy depended on resolving diplomatic ties with Thurii.
"Marigi," Juleios declared, "rest assured. This afternoon, I’ll convene a Senate eting to discuss the Thurii issue and work to improve relations with them."
Marigi bead. "Lord Juleios, if you propose a bill, would anyone dare oppose it?"
Juleios smiled. While Marigi’s words were not flattery but fact, he still had to consider the sentints of elders like Cornelius. Unity between Andolara’s old and new citizens was critical. He chose not to elaborate and simply nodded.
Sensing the need to move on, Marigi raised his voice. "Oh, Lord Juleios, I almost forgot to ntion another idea. The doctors in our rcenary dical camp are highly skilled. Back when we set up the temporary market in Thurii, many citizens and freedn ca to the clinic for treatnt. Over ti, more and more patients arrived. When we dismantled the market to move to Andolara, so even begged us to stay.
"Shouldn’t we establish a large clinic in Andolara? This could attract patients from neighboring city-states. They’d stay here, dine, shop, and boost our city-state’s inco."
Marigi’s suggestion sparked a mory in Juleios. Amid his busy schedule, he had nearly forgotten Andolara’s unique resource: dicine.
Excitedly, Juleios said, "A clinic is too small. If we’re going to build, let’s build a hospital!"
"A hospital?" Marigi asked, intrigued.
"A hospital that not only treats patients but also provides lodging for the seriously ill, allowing continued observation and treatnt. It can serve as a center for dical research, host lectures, and train young doctors. Such a place will attract patients from far and wide!"
Marigi’s eyes widened. "I’ve never heard of anything like this in Persia—or anywhere else. This idea is... incredible!"
"What I’m describing is the ideal," Juleios admitted. "It will take ti to reach that level. We’ll start gradually. Honestly, I’ve already missed two dical lectures I promised Helpus!" He laughed.
Marigi, ever perceptive, realized anew the depth of Juleios’s vision. As he left the residence, he felt even more convinced that he had chosen the right leader to follow.
anwhile, Juleios pondered: if Andolara beca a dical hub for Greece, could it also beco a center for entertainnt and culture?
With this thought in mind, he headed to the side room where Cristoia was discussing bank matters with several freedn accountants. Her personal maid, Asuna, was assigning tasks to a group of newly purchased slaves.
As Juleios entered, Asuna greeted him with a respectful bow. "My lord, you’re back."
The freedn quickly stood to pay their respects, while the newly acquired slaves, unsure of what to do, froze in place.
"Cristoia, did you get the leatherworker I asked for?" Juleios asked.
"I did," Cristoia replied, "but buying one leatherworker cost as much as four or five ordinary slaves."
"In business, you have to think long-term," Juleios said with a chuckle. "Don’t focus on the cost now. This leatherworker’s future earnings will far exceed the value of a thousand slaves."
Cristoia smirked playfully. "Yes, great rchant. Anyway, we need a leatherworker." She gestured toward an elderly slave. "That’s the one you wanted."
Juleios approached the thin, gray-haired man, who bowed deeply.
"You’re Greek?" Juleios asked, surprised by his appearance.
"Yes, master," the man replied calmly. "My na is Torikas, from Ephesus. I beca a slave because I couldn’t repay my debts."
Juleios nodded. "If your skills are good, it won’t take more than a few years to buy your freedom."
Torikas’s expression didn’t change. "My son died in battle, and my wife passed away long ago. I’m the only one left. If you don’t send away, master, I’ll stay here until I et the ferryman..."
Juleios paused, struck by the man’s resignation. Finally, he nodded. "If that’s your wish, you can spend your remaining years here in peace."
Taking Torikas to the courtyard, Juleios used a stick to draw a crude oval shape in the dirt.
"Is this... an olive?" Torikas asked hesitantly.
"It’s a rugby ball, made of cowhide," Juleios said, his eyes gleaming with excitent.
"A rugby ball?" Torikas repeated, his expression bewildered.
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