Volume 3: The First Croton War, Chapter 19: Marigi's Business Plan (Part 2)

Davos understood: it seemed the ancient Greeks weren't fools; they too knew how to protect their own city's economy.

"Amendolara now has nothing, so we don't need to worry about that—let's just lower all our tariffs. If the surrounding cities charge two percent, we'll charge one; if they charge twenty percent, we'll charge ten... As long as we attract people, it will drive our trade, and our citizens will actively seek opportunities to earn money for their families." Davos, short of funds, had already decided to poach from his neighbors.

"Lord Davos, I've been waiting for this decision of yours!" Mariji cheered up, but he quickly reminded him, "However, Heraclea and Metapontum have good relations with us and are allies, so I believe we can negotiate well with them. But our relations with Thurii aren't good. Merchants from elsewhere who transport goods from Thurii to store here and then sell them in Thurii's market might face obstacles."

That certainly was a problem! Davos rubbed his chin in frustration.

Originally, Davos's mercenaries had a good relationship with Thurii—they were even the great benefactors who had saved the city. But after the mercenaries became citizens of Amendolara, given the original hatred of the Amendolara people toward Thurii, Davos couldn't take the initiative to contact the Thurian delegation. And after multiple visits were rebuffed, the Thurian delegation grew angry. Amendolara had only ever been Thurii's 'little brother,' yet now it was acting inexplicably arrogant—this hurt the pride of the Thurians. At the same time, the mercenaries' 'deception' (as the Thurians saw it) also infuriated them.

Thus, their relationship became strained. This deadlock was detrimental to Amendolara and very unfavorable for Davos. It affected not only Amendolara's economic diplomacy but also Davos's grand strategy and the promises he had made before the Senate.

In Davos's plan, Amendolara should seize the opportunity of the Lucanians' weakened strength to press the attack and invade their lands. But these past few days, when he calmed down and studied the map closely, personally surveying the surrounding terrain, he discovered a major problem: to the north of Amendolara was Heraclea, an ally backed by Tarentum, which could not be touched. To the south was Thurii, whose strength was now severely diminished, but Davos could not lead an army to attack it because Thurii and Amendolara had no grievances and had once been allies. Moreover, the mercenaries were originally invited as hired troops by Thurii. Without cause, launching an attack would surely incur the dissatisfaction and vigilance of Magna Graecia's cities, and Amendolara's small frame could not afford to provoke public anger. To the west of Amendolara, between Amendolara and Heraclea, following the Sinni River upstream, one could indeed reach Lucania—this was the path Vespa and his people had once taken.

For this reason, Davos specially sought out Bacule to inquire and discovered that west of Amendolara was a savage, wild region filled with mountains, crisscrossed by rivers and lakes, dense forests, and teeming with snakes and insects. Bacule's tribe had spent over a year there, and their numbers dwindled from over ten thousand to less than four thousand. This is why Vespa, after capturing Amendolara, was unwilling to go back to Lucania by the same route. Going downstream to Amendolara was slightly better; but going upstream to reach Lucania, the losses from injuries and illnesses along the way would likely be staggering. And once they attracted an attack from the Lucanians, reinforcements from behind would be impossible to rely on.

Therefore, the only way left was to pass through the Sybaris Plain, then trek westward across the rugged mountain paths to reach Laüs. Although the journey was long, at least non-combat casualties would be much fewer. And to go through the Sybaris Plain, relations with Thurii had to be smoothed out.

Davos rubbed his chin. Originally, he had planned to wait a while longer, until the newly formed families in Amendolara had settled down and the hatred had gradually faded, before negotiating. That would have been better. But now it seemed that whether for improving trade and commerce or for strengthening military power, diplomatic relations with Thurii had become a bottleneck that urgently needed resolution. So Davos made up his mind: "Mariji, rest assured! This afternoon I'll convene a meeting of the Senate specifically to discuss the issue of Thurii, hoping to improve our diplomatic relations with them."

"Lord Davos, as long as you propose the motion, how could they dare not agree with you!" Mariji's words were not flattery; it was simply the truth. However, Davos also had to consider the feelings of senators like Cornelius. After all, this involved the unity between old and new citizens of Amendolara. But he didn't want to explain in detail to Mariji now, so he just smiled. After all, this Persian still needed a long time to adapt to the Greek political system.

Mariji, reading his expression, immediately dropped the topic and raised his voice to say, "Oh, Lord Davos, I almost forgot another idea. The doctors in our mercenary medical camp are highly skilled. Back when we ran the clinic in the market we built in Thurii, many Thurian citizens and freemen came for treatment. Later, more and more patients came specifically for us. When we had to dismantle the market and move to Amendolara, some patients begged us not to leave... What do you think about opening a large clinic in Amendolara?! That would attract patients from neighboring cities to come for medical treatment, and they could also stay overnight, eat, and purchase goods here, increasing our city's revenue."

Mariji's words truly reminded Davos. He had been so busy lately that he had forgotten that Amendolara still had a specialty product—medicine! So he said, slightly excitedly, "A clinic is too small. If we're going to build, let's build a large hospital!"

"A hospital?"

"A hospital can not only diagnose and treat patients but also allow the seriously ill to stay there. While observing their condition and providing ongoing treatment, it will help them recover faster. At the same time, we can conduct medical research, hold medical lectures, and train young doctors... I believe such a place will attract many patients to come for treatment!" Davos explained to him in detail.

Mariji listened, somewhat dazed. Although he didn't fully understand some of the content, he couldn't help but say, "In Persia, I've never heard of a clinic that could become what you, my lord, describe as a hospital. This is... this is truly wonderful!"

"It sounds great, but to reach the level I'm talking about, we have to take it step by step. So let's start with the preparations. To be honest, I already owe Helpus two medical lectures I haven't given!" Davos's words reminded Mariji that the young man before him was the true leader of the medical camp. All the doctors held Davos in high esteem. Wasn't this young man, proficient in military affairs, politics, commerce, and medicine, a gift from the gods? The more Mariji thought about it as he left Davos's residence, the more he felt he had chosen the right master.

Davos, meanwhile, was thinking: Since we want to build Amendolara into a medical center for all of Greece, could we also turn it into a major entertainment center?!

With that thought, he immediately walked toward the side room.

In the side room, Cheiristoya was discussing matters of money lending from the bank with several freemen who served as accountants. Beside her was her personal maid, Asuna (an Egyptian slave sent by Mesis to help in the medical camp; when Cheiristoya managed the camp, she found Asuna intelligent and capable, and they got along well, so she requested her from Mesis). Asuna was assigning labor tasks to several male and female slaves that Cheiristoya had just purchased from Tarentum.

Asuna noticed Davos the moment he entered. She immediately bowed her head and lowered her hands in salute: "My lord, you're back."

The freemen also quickly bowed respectfully, while the newly arrived slaves looked bewildered, not knowing what to do.

"Cheiristoya, did you buy the leatherworker I wanted?" Davos asked.

"Yes, I did. But the cost of buying one leatherworker would have gotten me four or five ordinary slaves." Christhoya complained.

"In commerce, you have to think long-term. Sure, a leatherworker costs a lot now, but in the future, the money this leatherworker earns will exceed the price of thousands or tens of thousands of slaves." Davos teased half-jokingly, half-seriously. With so many people present, he didn't dare make any affectionate gestures.

"Yes, Master Merchant!" Cheiristoya gave him a sidelong glance and said, "Anyway, our household does need a leatherworker." She pointed to one of the slaves: "That's the one you wanted."

Davos walked over. The skinny old man bowed respectfully: "Master."

"You're a Greek?!" Davos was slightly surprised by his appearance.

"Yes, master."

"Where are you from? What's your name? How did you become a slave?"

"My name is Toricas. I'm from Ephesus. I couldn't repay my debts, so I became a slave," the old man said calmly.

"As long as your craftsmanship is good, within a few years you'll be able to save enough to buy your freedom and become a freeman," Davos promised.

"My son died in battle, and my wife died long ago. I'm alone now. If you, master, don't drive me away, I'm willing to stay here until I meet the ferryman..." Toricas's resigned demeanor made Davos pause, then he nodded helplessly: "In that case, rest assured, you can spend your remaining years here in peace." Having said that, he led Toricas to the central courtyard. Using a wooden stick, he drew a pattern in the soil where flowers were planted.

"Is that an olive?" Toricas looked at the crude drawing on the ground, uncertain.

"This is a rugby ball made of cowhide!" Davos's eyes sparkled.

"A rugby ball?!" Toricas's eyes widened.