Published at 7th of July 2023 10:42 pm

Chapter 808: Valerius Persuasion

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“Also…uhm…uhm…” Seeing the hopeful gaze of the Roman plebeians, Valerius suddenly couldn't remember what he would say next and became nervous.

So his assistant Adrius immediately came to his side and whispered, “Become a citizen, land-”

Valerius finally snapped out of his daze and expressed his thanks to Adrius. Although Adrius’ despised Valerius' foolishness, he also envied his good fortune while inwardly grumbling about how he wasn't a Romane despite being born in Latium.

Nonetheless, he firmly believed that the request from His Majesty the King to assist Valerius was an excellent opportunity for him. And as long as he performed well, he was confident he would soon receive a promotion.

Fearing he would forget about it again, Valerius hurriedly said, “His Majesty King Davos also decreed that they won’t recognise lands currently owned by the Roman citizens and would instead be redistributed. Any Romans who apply to become a Theonian citizen will first receive an acre of land, and the earlier you apply, the better the location and the more fertile the land will be. Later, you can also get rewarded with lands once you join the Theonian army and win achievements…or make other contributions.

In addition… Those who become Theonian citizens can apply for public positions in the future and take office after passing the assessment. Ah…also, Romans who become Theonian citizens can obtain low-interest loans of only five per cent from the Theonian…bank. Finally, your children can study in Theonia's school with excellent teachers to educate them for only one drachma per year…”

Valerius kept talking while recalling things as he feared forgetting them again, so he didn't notice that the plebeians in the Roman Forum became restless again.

Those who didn't have land showed excited expressions. Meanwhile, those who owned land were angry at having their land reduced but became interested when they heard the following benefits. But the ones ecstatic the most were those slaves as they could finally break free from their lowly status and potentially become citizens.

Naturally, the few Roman nobles mixed in the crowd had grim expressions. Still, they did not dare speak out as they feared getting beaten mercilessly like the ones before.

As their discussion grew louder and louder, someone suddenly shouted, “Can we also become a statesman of the Senate?”

Then some followed in agreement, “Yes! Can people from our status become statesmen in Theonia?!!”

The noise suddenly quieted down as everyone eagerly awaited Valerius' answer.

But their sudden question dumbfounded Valerius because he also didn't know the answer.

Suddenly, Davos, who had just listened to the interpreter's translation, stepped forward and said loudly, “Of course, you can! Besides becoming a Theonian statesman, you can also become a governor of the kingdom in the future, managing four to five big cities like Rome! Or you can become an army commander, commanding several legions and tens of thousands of soldiers to fight the enemy!

You may not know, but more than half of Theonia's statesmen had come from humble origins, some having worked as mercenaries and some even former slaves. In addition, many of them were not even Greeks, but Bruttians, Lucanians, Messapians…they are all races native to this land, just like you.

So whether you can become a statesman in the kingdom of Theonia depends not on your background or race but on whether you have made enough contributions to the kingdom and whether you have the ability to take on this crucial task! Theonia offers every citizen equal opportunities, regardless of wealth, social status, or race, so whether you can become a senator or a high-ranking official in the kingdom solely depends on your own efforts to achieve it!…”

When the interpreter's translation spread throughout the Roman Forum, the Romans became even more stirred up, with some shouting, “Great!” To the Roman commoners who had gotten oppressed for decades and wanted to break the nobles’ monopoly of power, Davos’ words were simply deafening to them.

When the crowds' discussion grew louder, Adrius reminded Valerius, who quickly shouted from the stage, “Quiet! Quiet! Let me finish my speech first; I have another good thing to announce!…”

After a while, the venue became slightly quieter.

Then Valerius said with all his strength said, “His Majesty King Davos…uhm…when he saw the houses you all live in are too small and crude, he was kind enough to decide that all Romans who apply to become citizens of Theonia will get allocated with new houses in the city of Rome, which were once owned by the nobles, allowing you to live comfortably!”

Davos faintly smiled upon hearing the crowd discussing again.

Davos knew that conquering Rome with only tens of thousands of troops and a surprise attack wouldn't be enough since Rome had a well-established government, advanced civilisation, a large population, and formidable resilience. Unfortunately, Davos couldn’t transfer Theonia’s massive army to crush Rome completely when faced with the Carthaginians' attack in Sicily, the Samnites attacking their border in the north, and the impact of the drought, nor could they take time to assimilate them.

So to quickly expand their advantage of having occupied the city of Rome and shake the resistance of the Romans, Davos pondered several times and adopted the method of supporting one group of people to overthrow another group, especially since there has always been a contradiction between the nobles and commoners ever since Rome's founding, with it becoming deeper and deeper over time.

In his long investigation of Rome, Davos discovered the Roman nobilities were, in fact, a commune of clans, like the patriarchal society in ancient China, firmly linked through blood and interest, with each member contributing to the house while enjoying the aid the clan provided. But after their death, the land and wealth owned by the clan members would only belong to the clan and wouldn't flow outside. So unlike the loose tribal systems of the Bruttians, Lucanians and other races that Theonia had conquered, they would have to spend a lot of time and effort to break down and assimilate Rome. But the current situation didn't allow Davos to take his time, so he turned to focus on the Roman commoners.

These plebeians, who the Roman clan excluded and long suppressed, were easy targets for Theonia's absorption and assimilation. By allowing the commoners to occupy the land and houses owned by the nobles*, they would inevitably fight against the Roman nobles since they wouldn't easily hand over the things they obtained, which would also achieve Davos' goal of weakening Rome's strength.

While Davos pondered deeply, Valerius shouted again, “Now you can go there and queue up and apply to become citizens of Theonia!”

Valerius pointed below the platform where several wooden tables were set up side by side, with a group of ten young staff officers led by Tolmides holding a papyrus and quill.

The crowd suddenly quieted down as they began looking at each other, with no one taking the initiative to step forward.

With the silence lasting for a long time, Crotokatax began to get worried while silently watching on the platform and couldn't help but look at his father not far away.

Sensing his gaze, Davos waved his hand, gesturing not to worry.

Suddenly, Valerius pointed at someone below the stage and cursed, “My former neighbour, Decimus, didn't you used to tell me how you would kill those nobles and take back the land you should have gotten while also taking over their houses and enjoying their beautiful female slaves?! Now that you have a great opportunity in front of you, why are you still hesitating?!! Are you just a coward who could only bark?!!!”

The thin middle-aged man got provoked immediately, “Valerius, don't think you can tell me what to do just because you are lucky enough to become some city official! Once I become a statesman, watch out for how I will deal with you!… Damn it! Anyway, I have nothing to lose! Fine, I'll apply to become a Theonian citizen!”

He walked towards the registration stand after saying that.

“What about you, Lucius?! What are you still hesitating about?!!” Valerius shouted while pointing to another of his former neighbour.

Lucius looked at Decimus, who was leaning over the table and started walking hesitantly at Valerius' urging.

With one, then two and three people going, those already somewhat interested no longer hesitated and started following them.

Crotokax felt puzzled seeing the long queue before the registration stand below the stage, “How could these Romans easily abandon their homeland and become our citizens?!”

“Your Highness Croto, Rome was originally a city of immigrants, with their citizens not only from Latium but also Etruria, Sabines and a small number of Marsi and Aequii… It is said that after they defeated the Celts, the Roman Senate also passed a law to vigorously absorb the Latins and other ethnicities around Rome who became homeless because of the war to enrich Rome's population. Hence most of them became commoners of Rome.”

Then Davos also interjected, saying, “These Romans only hesitated just now because they don't know Theonia much and are afraid of getting swindled. Moreover, they feared we would abandon them at any moment, resulting in them becoming victims of the Roman nobles' wrath. Fortunately, Valerius played a crucial role in dissipating at least some of their fears…”

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