Volume 5: The Hegemon of Southern Italy, Chapter 49: The Prelude to the War

“That’s wonderful!” Davos finally couldn’t help standing up in excitement. “Little Heracleides, it’s truly remarkable that you came up with these ideas!”

“My lord, this wasn’t my idea alone. It was discussed and agreed upon with other members of the Road Bureau,” Little Heracleides said honestly. He was somewhat puzzled: how could mere ideas for road improvements excite this young, wise, and seemingly divinely inspired magistrate so much?

He wouldn’t understand, of course, that right now Davos was thinking about the national character of the Greek people. Drawing on historical records from his previous life and his own experiences in this era, Davos felt that the Greeks were indeed an excellent race—they had created brilliant civilizations in technology, culture, military affairs, politics, sports, and many other fields. But why was it Rome, not Greece, that later unified the Mediterranean?

Davos believed there were fatal flaws in the Greek national character: an excessive pursuit of individuality that prevented unity; an unrestrained passion that lacked steadiness and perseverance. The Greek city-states, which built countless magnificent temples, arenas, and theaters, could not keep their own cities clean and orderly… So from the moment Davos became a mercenary leader and imposed strict military codes to discipline the unruly mercenaries, he had been deliberately guiding and shaping the Greek populace under his rule.

That the Road Bureau’s Little Heracleides could notice these details and propose changes—this conscientious, practical attitude that considered the people’s welfare naturally brought comfort to the great lord. He praised, “My judgment was correct. You are not only an excellent master builder of roads and bridges but also capable of being a good director of the Road Bureau, managing the entire road system of the Daonia Alliance!”

Facing such praise, Little Heracleides was a bit embarrassed, but he continued, “The cost of widening these roads is considerable. I’m worried the Senate—”

“Don’t worry, the Senate will approve your proposal,” Davos assured him. “The roads bring enormous benefits to Daonia. Improving them will only make travel and goods transport more convenient. This is a good thing, and no matter the cost, it’s worth it.”

“Then I’m relieved!” Little Heracleides felt sincere gratitude toward Davos. It was this young man who had saved him and his father from wandering and homelessness! It was this young man who had helped him find his career! And it was this young man’s support that allowed him to make a mark in Daonia’s political scene!

“How is your father’s health?”

Davos’s words brought him back to reality. “Not very good. Lately he’s often been waking up at night with a choking feeling, coughing nonstop, and there’s blood in his phlegm… I told him to rest at home, that Piasikos is watching the temple and there won’t be any problems, but he won’t listen!” Little Heracleides said, his face full of worry.

Davos sighed inwardly. In fact, Helpus, who had treated Heracleides, had quietly informed him: the stubborn, thin old man didn’t have much time left…

Davos said softly, “Your father treats the newly built city of Thurii as his own child; he can’t bear to leave it. Don’t worry, I’ll have Helpus send a physician to keep watch over your father at all times…”

…

After seeing off Little Heracleides, Davos stretched lazily and was about to head to the rear courtyard to be with his sleeping wife and child.

Just then, the chief slave steward, Ribazo, came in to report: “Master, the four lords Philistos, Bacule, Vespa, and Hemon request an audience.”

Davos naturally knew why these men had come. This concerned whether the arrangements Daonia had made recently would finally bear fruit. He had to rouse his spirits. “Please invite these four senators in.”

He had to admit, it was a bit frustrating. The public officials of the Daonia Alliance’s cities—such as City Administrators, judges, tax collectors—all had their own offices in the City Hall. But the senators, who held the highest governing power over the entire alliance, had no individual workspaces except for the Great Council Chamber in the Senate, where they discussed state affairs and debated legislation. This included Davos himself, the sole magistrate and chief senator. So the sitting room of his own residence became Davos’s usual place of work. Most other senators were the same. The Senate had several times discussed building a grand official building for all the alliance’s senators, but due to considerations of funding, manpower, and other factors, it remained only on paper.

After the four were seated, Philistos, as Military Affairs Officer, spoke first: “Lord Davos, we have come to ask you if we should now activate the plan to take Grumentum.”

“What is the current situation in Grumentum?” Davos asked with a serious expression, though in fact, through Aristelas, he already had some understanding of the situation in Lucania.

“Magistrate,” Hemon said, leaning forward slightly. “After Potentia repelled Pixis and occupied Grumentum, their Great Chief Puamot soon led the main army back to the city of Potentia, leaving only his brother Pollet with two thousand tribal warriors to garrison Grumentum. Lussau, son of the former Grumentum Great Chief Acipirus, also remained in the city to assist Pollet in managing Grumentum.”

Davos smiled. “That Lussau, who was betrayed by his own people?! And the Potentians actually dared to use him?!”

“You’re right, my lord. It was a mistake for Puamot to leave Lussau behind,” Vespa cut in with a cold laugh. “I’ve dealt with Lussau before. He bullies the weak and fears the strong, and he holds grudges like nothing else. He was the one who led troops to drive my tribe into the mountains… I heard that when he was in Potentia, he fawned on Puamot like a dog. Perhaps that’s why Puamot mistakenly thought Lussau would help Potentia stabilize their rule over Grumentum.

But after Lussau returned to Grumentum, he gained the allegiance of several tribes, his strength grew, and he began to act arrogantly. The tribes that had once betrayed him—their chiefs were killed by Sicinag, but Lussau didn’t spare their people. He often sent newly allied tribes to stir up trouble, then punished them for ‘disobedience’ and seized their settlements and pastures… He would agree to Pollet’s orders with his mouth but completely ignore them behind his back, even going against them.

As for the Potentian warriors, they acted like conquerors, bullying the people of Grumentum in town. It’s said that Pollet treats the tribes inside and outside Grumentum City fairly, but he can’t control his own men, let alone make Lussau obey his commands.

Now the people of Grumentum hate Lussau, and they hate the Potentians!” Vespa glanced at Hemon. “So when Hemon and I secretly made contact with envoys we sent into the city, they welcomed us warmly. They are desperate for us to drive out the Potentians!”

“The people of Grumentum hate Lussau, but we should thank him,” Davos joked, and everyone laughed.

Davos asked further, “What are their demands?”

“They are willing to join Daonia, but they hope that after we take Grumentum, they can be relocated to Nerulum, given land at least as large as their current settlements and pastures, and, like the other tribes in Nerulum, Daonia will not interfere in their management of their own people. In return, they are willing to provide the greatest possible assistance for Daonia to capture Grumentum City.”

After hearing Hemon’s words, Davos was somewhat surprised. “Their demands are that simple?!”

“Initially, they demanded far more. But our men made them realize that they betrayed Lussau, then betrayed Sicinag, and now they are about to drive out the Potentians. Their only refuge is the Daonia Alliance. To make trouble for the one who will shelter them in the future is not the act of wise men!” Hemon said with some pride. “The peaceful and stable life of the Lucanians in Daonia and the Alliance’s good reputation for keeping promises finally led them to choose to cooperate with us.”

“If that’s the case, why don’t they stay in Grumentum after we capture it? It’s their homeland after all,” Davos wondered.

“My lord, that’s because they are afraid!” Bacule said disdainfully. “They believe that in the future, Potentia and Pyxous will try to seize Grumentum City again, and they don’t dare face their wrath!”

“Those fellows are quite clear-headed,” Davos muttered. Honestly, he would be uneasy leaving those fickle tribes in Grumentum. Since they were willing to leave of their own accord, Davos naturally wanted to reciprocate. “Does Nerulum have enough surplus pasture to accommodate them?”

“Not for now,” Vespa said hesitantly. “But I’ve already negotiated with all the tribal chiefs of Nerulum. Some tribes are willing to relocate to Grumentum and exchange their lands with these Grumentum tribes. However, they want the mining rights to the iron mines in Grumentum as compensation.”

Davos shook his head lightly. The iron mines of Grumentum had long been coveted by some senators in the Senate. Men like Massisacus had approached him several times, hoping to contract the Grumentum iron mines.

He pondered for a moment and said, “Owning the mining rights is impossible, but they can get a share of the iron mine’s revenue. The exact amount—Hemon, you negotiate with them—but no more than 20%. The precondition is that they provide labor and participate in mining and transporting the ore.”

“Alright, I’ll go to Nerulum tomorrow to discuss it with them,” Hemon nodded.

“Are the warriors ready? Has the plan for the surprise attack been drawn up?” Davos turned his gaze to Bacule, who was standing by.