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Davos ignored him and went on to say, “For the new citizens who had defeated the Lucanian alliance and recaptured the city of Amendolara, and had joined Amendolara today, their land will be tax-free! At the same time, a batch of ‘Amendolara’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 achievements!”
“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 mentioning this law?!” Mersis 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 become citizens of Amendolara 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, “Amendolara 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 Amendolara, and we should get something 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 something for Amendolara, and paying taxes – is what I think to be a good way!”
“Antonios, you are right! We agree to this method!” The new citizens have agreed.
“Yes, we are the founders of a new Amendolara! 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!” Exclaimed Protesilaus* excitedly, and the other original citizens did not object. (TL note: One of the 5 renowned citizens.)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
After the meeting, 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 mercenaries!” 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 mean 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 mercenary soldiers, who only know to be obedient to him, to attend this meeting, 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 something at the meeting?”
Stromboli was tongue-tied for a moment, and rolled his eyes, “You weren’t against it, so why should I oppose him alone? I’m not stupid! Oh…I know, Cornelius became 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 me. But to be honest, these laws that this young archon have proposed is very interesting, specially the one about the tax payment. I am really surprised, but Amendolara has not changed for hundreds of years…”
“Uncle Scambras is right! We, Amendolara, 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 Amendolara strong and no longer be bullied, then I will accept even if the tradition of Amendolara 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 mercenaries to wipe out the large number of Lucanian troops! It is also true that Amendolara 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 some expectation, “I have long heard that there is a beautiful lake in the northwest of Amendolara 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 mercenaries are very keen on it themselves.” Raphias was indifferent.
“They are also citizens of Amendolara.” Cornelius cautioned, then paused for a moment, then exclaimed, “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 Amendolara. What we can do now is to try our best to ensure the stability of Amendolara, find out the problems and to remind Davos on time. At least, for now, Davos is not the same as Dionysius of Syracuse.” Cornelius seriously reminded them.
The other four nodded, and Stromboli asked, “What if Davos messed up Amendolara and don’t listen to our dissuasion?!”
“If that’s the case…” Cornelius doesn’t know how to answer for a moment.
“Then get rid of them!” Scambras said decisively, “For the sake of Amendolara, 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 immediately, 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 meeting that night, and sleepiness gradually came to attack her…
At this moment, Davos said, “Cheiristoya, I’m hesitant to have you do something.”
“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 became the richest man in Athens by loaning money, but also won the respect of the Athenian citizens…” Cheiristoya thought of the past and was somewhat sad. (TL note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasion)
“Great! I want you to open a bank in Amendolara to give loans to the citizens.” Said Davos immediately.
“Open a bank?! Me?!” Cheiristoya was stunned.
“Yes, you!” Davos raised his head and looked at her with trust in his eyes, “If you can manage the medical camp so well, then I am sure that you can run this bank well!”
Cheiristoya calmed herself down and thought for a moment, and reminded him, “This will need ample amount of silver coins.”