Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1085: The Mysterious Gorgion

"The Tarentines have always thought highly of themselves, acting as if they're nobler than everyone else. In truth, they submitted to the kingdom a long time ago. Leontini, Taunis, Potentia... all these former allies have been successively integrated into the kingdom, yet Tarentum still retains its status as a free city. Prince Apox crushing them in the very scholarship they take so much pride in really gave us a chance to vent our frustrations! It's just a pity we couldn't see the scene with our own eyes!"

"Let's drink to the wise and brilliant Prince Apox!" someone proposed loudly, immediately drawing cheers of agreement from the crowd.

While everyone drank and celebrated, Maximus's expression darkened. King Davos's son was already famous throughout the kingdom at such a young age, yet the prospect of his own child attending the Thurii School was still nowhere in sight. Sigh...

"Another cup?" Aphra's voice broke him out of his daze. He turned his head and saw the cook holding out a ladle of beer toward his wooden cup.

He shook his head, but Aphra offered words of comfort. "This cup is free, on the house. Don't take it so hard; there will always be a way!"

Ever since moving to the outer city, Maximus had gone out looking for work every day. At dusk, he would always come to this street-side tavern for a cup of beer. It helped relieve his depression, and he also hoped to pick up news from the other patrons. Over time, he had gradually grown familiar with everyone, and they had come to understand his situation.

Maximus took the refilled wooden cup. He was hesitating over whether to say thank you when Aphra spoke again. "Since there aren't any opportunities at the Thurii city hall, you could actually consider going to the city hall of another town. Cosenza, for example. That's also a major city in the kingdom, and it's not too far from Thurii. Perhaps because it's in the inland mountains and has a large population of Bruttii, many registered freemen aren't willing to go there. I heard their city hall is short on hired workers. If you go, it should be easier to find employment, and you might even get more opportunities to earn merit."

Hearing this, Maximus's heart stirred. He hurriedly gave her a sincere, "Thank you!"

Aphra giggled. "No need to thank me. I just couldn't keep my mouth shut. If you really went to Cosenza, I'd be losing a good customer who visits my business every day."

The cook's eyes immediately widened. She slammed her wooden ladle onto the counter and snapped, "Neleus, have you had too much to drink? Are you spouting nonsense again? Do you want me to find someone to dump a pot of cold water over you to sober you up!"

"Neleus, you really are a glutton for punishment. Do you feel sick if you don't provoke Aphra into cursing you out every day?"

"I don't think it's that. He's just a tomcat in spring."

"How so?"

"He's in heat!"

"Hahaha..."

With the crowd bantering back and forth, the atmosphere in the tavern instantly livened up.

At that moment, a sharp-eyed patron waved toward the outside of the tavern and shouted, "Gorgion, you're here!"

Gorgion strode into the tavern, nodding in greeting to the patrons. Upon seeing Maximus, he hesitated slightly before turning to Aphra. "The usual."

While the cook prepared his food and drink, someone asked loudly, "Gorgion, any news today?"

Gorgion swept his gaze over the crowding patrons, then glanced at Maximus, who was leaning against the counter nearby. His expression turned serious. "There is indeed very important news today, especially for Maximus!"

Maximus, who had already been pricking up his ears, was stunned. Tossing aside all reservation, he immediately asked, "What news?"

"News came from the Senate this afternoon. The question of whether to dispatch legions to defend the borders, which has been fiercely debated recently, finally has a conclusion," Gorgion said solemnly. "Hylos, the Minister of Military Affairs, submitted a proposal to the Senate to 'employ registered freemen to form border defense troops and deploy them to defend the northern border of Etruria and the southern border of Illyria.' Akibides from the Ministry of Finance attended the Senate in place of Finance Minister Mersis and also submitted a proposal 'requesting an additional six percent direct tax to resolve the military expenses for the newly formed army'..."

"They're really raising taxes?!" several patrons exclaimed in unison.

Only Neleus cried out in surprise, "Only a six percent increase? That's too little!"

He was immediately reprimanded by the others.

"In addition, Minister of Census Raphias also submitted a proposal." Gorgion frowned, the clamor in the tavern forcing him to raise his voice as he continued. "He proposed 'extending the required period for registered freemen to become Daionian Citizens from the original five or six years to over ten years. Only registered freemen who accept the kingdom's employment and become soldiers in the border army can become Daonian Official Citizens upon completing a five-year term of service.'

"'Furthermore, if registered freemen are willing to rent and farm land in the Southern Iberian Region, they can also smoothly transition to full citizens after settling there for a full seven years...'"

As Gorgion spoke, the noise in the tavern gradually vanished, eventually leaving a bizarre silence as everyone focused their gazes on him.

This made Gorgion somewhat uncomfortable. He lowered his head, took a sip of beer, coughed a few times, and then looked at the crowd. Finally, his eyes landed on Maximus again. "Lord Raphias's proposal doesn't affect the rest of you much. According to what he said in the Senate, registered freemen who have already applied for registration before the proposal takes effect will still be processed under the original Immigration Law, converting to full citizens in five to six years... Therefore, Maximus is the one most affected."

Upon hearing these words, Maximus's face instantly turned deathly pale.

"Has that old bastard Raphias lost his mind?! He dared to make such a proposal? Isn't he afraid of drawing the resentment of all the registered freemen in the kingdom?!" a patron cursed angrily.

"What does he have to be afraid of? He lives in the inner city, protected by numerous guards, while we have trouble just getting in and out of the inner city, let alone seeing him. Besides, for him to dare put forward a proposal altering the Immigration Act that's been in place for twenty years—it would be impossible without securing King Davos's support beforehand. Isn't that right, Gorgion?" another patron analyzed calmly.

But Gorgion didn't answer his question; instead, he lowered his head and took another sip of beer.

"Maximus... and the rest of us, let's not panic. Whether it's the Immigration Act or the Taxation Law, they've been in effect for almost twenty years. They won't be passed that easily! Given some time, the kingdom citizens will rally to oppose them, and the Senate might ultimately reject these proposals!" a patron said with conviction.

His words drew agreement from the crowd, Aphra included. Even Maximus felt his spirits lift, believing he had seen a ray of hope.

Then Gorgion sighed and said, "The truth is, these proposals have all already been passed... This afternoon, the various departments of the Thurii city hall, especially the Patrol Department, received emergency notices. Officials were ordered to remain vigilant and closely monitor the situation in Thurii City. During the period before the laws are officially announced, they must maintain the stability of the city's order!..."

"What?! Passed?! Such important legislation was passed this quickly?!"

"What are the Senators doing?! Sleeping?!"

...

The patrons roared in anger, venting their inner shock and anxiety.

"The Senators weren't sleeping. It's because His Majesty King Davos also proposed a bill. This bill divides the kingdom's territory into over a dozen regions and adds regional administrative bodies. The highest position will be the Regional Administrator. Rumor has it that the duties are somewhat similar to the previous Wartime Governor; they can govern all the towns within their region, wielding considerable power... The Senators had to set aside enough time to discuss this crucial proposal and consider candidates for these Regional Administrator positions..." Gorgion wore a rather strange expression as he explained. Having stayed in Thurii for so many years, it was the first time he had heard of four major proposals concerning the kingdom's future development appearing in the Senate on the exact same day. This was definitely no coincidence; it was the masterpiece of that brilliant king!

"Are the Immigration Act and the Taxation Law not more important than this bill establishing regions?!"

"The way I see it, these Senators only care about whether they can become that whatever... Regional Administrator. They don't care about the people's interests at all!"

"Right, exactly!"

...

The arguing in the tavern made the already-depressed Maximus's head split with pain. He pushed his cup back to the cook, shoved past the patrons blocking his way, and stumbled out of the tavern.

"Maximus, are you alright?" someone called out from behind him in concern.

Maximus didn't respond at all. His feet dragged as if weighed down by lead, and he staggered forward in a daze...

After walking for a while, he arrived in front of the building where he rented a room and finally snapped back to his senses. Watching the pedestrians come and go, a wave of profound sorrow swelled in his heart.

Life had been harsh during those years in the slave camp, but with the goal of earning his freedom as soon as possible, he had constantly fought and struggled. Now, standing freely in this bustling city, he felt an unprecedented sense of loss. Where was he supposed to go from here?!