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Pollux’ words spoke most of the concerns of the statesmen of the Senate. The statesmen born in Thurii and Amendolara, including Kunogelata, have suffered the disaster of having their city destroyed, so they have a deep fear of war. And the statesmen of Krimisa, such as Androlis, Eurypus and Pleitinas, supported their decision because they were newcomers and were closer to Cornelius and Kunogelata.

With the statesmen of the main war faction being either sent by Davos to other city-states to hold important posts, such as Hielos, Sesta, Bagul, and so on or have followed him to Taranto, like Kapus, Drakos, Antonios, Alexius and so on. The only one left is the Chief of Military – Philesius and the Chief Commercial Officer – Marigi, and they decisively said that they should support the Siro tribe and stop the annexation of Consentia and not let the Bruttian tribal union become more powerful.

Even Mersis, another trusted subordinate of Davos, wavered because he worried about the outbreak of war consuming a lot of money and goods.

While Vespa and Hemon, who were born in Lucania, have expressed their support for the Siro tribe based on similar experiences.

Overall, only a few people support the Siro tribe, as most of the statesmen are against interfering in the internal affairs of the Bruttii to avoid another war.

Pollux was pleased with himself on the fact that his opinion won the support of the majority in the Senate and was about to be adopted for the first time.

But at this moment, Plesinas stood up, “Esteemed statesmen, I remember lord Davos briefly mentioning about the Bruttians before he left, and he said worriedly, ‘Bruttii may become a great danger to our Theonia!’ That is why I think that any decision involving Bruttii must be made known to the archon, lord Davos and have him make the final decision, especially if we cannot reach an agreement.”

Plesinas is not just an ordinary statesman, he is the grand priest in charge of the Temple of Hades; he devoted most of his energy to the affairs of the temple, training young priests and priestesses, improving the various systems of the temple, and to also supervise the construction of temples in other cities…it can be seen that Davos, who was the head priest, valued him greatly that he even allowed him to do whatever he wanted, while Plesinas had also repaid Davos’ trust with his excellent performance that in such a short period, the belief of Hades was accepted by the people of other cities in Theonia, which was inseparable from his efforts. Therefore, he not only has a certain reputation among the Theonians but also has weight in the Senate.

As soon as he spoke up, the others would have to re-evaluate the real intention of his words. After all, behind him stood Davos.

Philesius and Mersis were also part of Davos’ inner circle, except that these two men, one focused on military affairs and the other obsessed with money, are not sensitive in politics. Although Marigi is no stranger to politics, he is, unfortunately, a citizen of Persian origin. In the absence of Davos in the Senate, most of the statesmen of Thurii and Amendolara tend to ignore his opinions, intentionally or unintentionally.

Pollux thought that Plesinas was deliberately sabotaging him, and for a moment, could not help but stand up and angrily say, “Davos! Davos! Can’t the Senate decide anything or do anything without Davos!!”

Plesinas then said while pretending to be surprised, “Lord Pollux, in your eyes, have we done anything?! Lord Kunogelata and lord Cornelius exhausted themselves every day for the prosperity and stability of Thurii and Amendolara! Lord Burkes had travelled all the cities and villages of Theonia to supervise the people’s farming! Lord Vespa and Lord Hemon had paid close attention to the situation of the tribes in the Lucanian region and would even go there to resolve it once conflict arises! Lord Stromboli has created a silver coin for our Theonia that could be comparable to the ‘owl’! Lord Ansitanos is building new akademias for the other cities of Theonia! Lord Herpus called on the city-states of Magna Graecia to hold the first Medical Symposia in all of Greece! Lord Protesilaus proposed new bills now and then to improve the laws of Theonia! The union’s public service management committee, headed by lord Tritodemos, is concerned about the appointment and performances of each public officials in each city every day! Lord Enanilus is supervising the constructions of the warships and worked hard to train our navy! Lord Scambras…”

Plesinas would salute respectfully to the statesman who he had just told of his deeds in his work, and the statesmen whose name was mentioned smiled in response. He continued speaking without hesitation, almost going through most of the statesmen, “The reason why we have so many things to work on and enjoy, is because of lord Davos’ great leadership, which has led to the powerful Theonia we have today, and which has allowed us to govern the increasingly huge union’s territory without the worry of being invaded by other city-states! Who among us has better military talent than lord Davos? Better leadership? Have a stronger ability to judge the situation?…”

“No one!” Although only Mersis answered, all the statesmen remained silent, and they were more or less agreed with it in their hearts.

“In that case, when it comes to such an important matter that concerns the safety of Theonia Union, then even if lord Davos is not here, we should listen to his opinion before making a decision. Because there is no one here who can make the right judgment better than him!” The words of Plesinas made a small number of statesmen, mainly Pollux, who were dissatisfied with Davos’ excessive control over the Senate speechless. Indeed, there was nothing wrong with Davos’ decisions so far, and that is why Theonia had developed so quickly.

At this point, Kunogelata came out in support of the proposal to “leave the issue of the Siro tribe to Davos”.

The statesmen of Amendolara, headed by Cornelius, the statesmen of Thurii such as Ansitanos, Burkes, Enanilus, Marsyas…had all agreed, so the matter was settled.

After the meeting, Plesinas and Herpus walked out of the Senate Hall together. They were discussing whether some of the freemen and foreigners who were believers of Hades, who had no money to cure their illness, could be treated by the hospital first and then later be paid by the newly established relief fund of the Temple of Hades. (note: The money was from the Theonians who donated when they come to the temple to pray.)

“Chief Priest!” Plesinas heard someone calling him. After looking back, Marigi quickly caught up with him, “If it wasn’t for you, I am afraid that the request of the Siro tribe would have been rejected!”

After two years of training in specific government affairs, Plesinas has become much more mature and stable than before. He then immediately said with modesty, “I did not do anything. It is all due to the prestige of lord Davos playing a major role. Although Pollux shouted loudly, his persuasion ability was very average.”

“Lately, Pollux has been very active!” Marigi said meaningfully.

“Don’t worry. He can’t do anything.” Replied Plesinas immediately.

“This Pollux is so annoying. Why did you let him into the Senate in the first place?!” Herpus, who did not care anything besides medicine, not even politics, interjected.

Plesinas coughed a few times.

At that time, when Davos led the army to repel the Crotonian army and wanted to take control of Thurii, in order to soothe and stabilise the Thurian population and also to attract useful talents, he recruited those who survived the burning of the city and were of good reputation, status and skill into the Senate, which also includes Plesinas, who had once opposed Davos. Facts have proved that this method is very effective as it had not only made the people of Thurii accept the Amendolarans led by Davos quickly but also allowed him to dig a lot of talents, such as Burkes, Plesinas, Ansitanos, and the Nauarch of the Navy – Enanilus…

Herpus’ thoughtless words had embarrassed Plesinas, so Marigi steps forward to rescue him, “Lord Philesius is going to hold a dinner banquet this evening. Would lord Plesinas be interested in it?”

Plesinas’ eye lit up, he knew that although Davos valued him, Davos trusted the group of former mercenary statesmen and citizens who had been through life and death with him more, and these people were more united, making them the most powerful political force in Theonia and even more so militarily. Now that he got an invitation, does it mean that this group recognised him?

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

The next day when Davos, Diaomilas, Umakas, Teriphias and Taudeles discussed the army’s next plan of action, there came another disagreement.

Teriphias believed that although the allied forces were the “victor” of this battle, the soldiers suffered heavy casualties, and it was not advisable to continue the attack. Instead, they should withdraw to the city for recovery and then attack when the Messapi-Peuceti alliance invades again.

While Diaomilas was inclined to this opinion from the bottom of his heart, but as the commander of this Tarantine army, the soldier had suffered a lot of casualties with very few results. Once the people find out the situation, they will pour their anger on him. So in order to not get impeached by the ecclesia, it is necessary to get a decent battle record. Therefore, he suggested that after a short rest, they would continue north and attack Brindisi. If the Messapi-Peuceti alliance intercepts them, then they would engage them in a battle, but this time, they would fight on the plain. The Greek hoplites and the Greek phalanxes would be useful, while the Messapi-Peuceti cavalries had already suffered heavy losses; therefore, the Greek alliance would have the upper hand in this battle, even though they were fewer in number. And if the Messapi-Peuceti alliance avoided this battle, they would capture Brindisi, rescue the captured Tarantines, obtain the spoils of war, capture the aborigines in the city and take them back to Taranto and turn them into slaves to appease the people and make up for their mistakes.

Umakas also had a similar idea, but Taudeles supported Teriphias’ opinion this time because there were too many casualties among Metapontum soldiers.

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