Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1091: Athens' Envy

"So, who ultimately won the debate?" Lysias asked curiously.

"You know Isocrates well," Plato said calmly. "You know his voice is hoarse and that he is better at writing than speaking. Because of this, he sent his student to debate, and naturally, I had Speusippus take up the challenge...

"Judging by the debate itself, we won. However, looking at subsequent developments, it did nothing to dispel the Athenian public's doubts about Daionia. Instead, it seems to have deepened their fear of you. In that sense, Isocrates still achieved his goal."

"Over the past two years, Athens has grown somewhat estranged from Daionia," Ansitanos said. "What is the reason? Is it merely because Daionia is so powerful?"

"There are multiple reasons," Plato said thoughtfully. "...Although Daionia hasn't set foot on the Greek Mainland in recent years, you have long maintained a Friendship Agreement with Sparta, yet refused to ally with Athens and Thebes during the two conflicts—the Corinthian War and the later Theban War. This put the Athenians on guard. More importantly, Athens' maritime trade has faced stiff competition from Daionia lately. For certain similar goods, the quality is nearly identical, but Daionia provides larger quantities at lower prices. As a result, Athens has begun losing some of its traditional city-state markets, such as Cyrenaica and Crete. This naturally alarmed many native Athenian merchants as well as foreign merchants residing in the city. With their instigation and support, the Athenian Assembly passed a resolution the year before last declaring that 'no city-state within the Athens-led Maritime Alliance shall permit the sale of Daionian goods in their markets'..."

"I know of this matter," Ansitanos sighed. "Our commerce minister, Marigi, was so furious that he suggested His Majesty send an envoy to officially protest to Athens and enact identical countermeasures. However, His Majesty refused..."

"There is one more reason." Plato looked over at Davos, who was listening intently. "Years ago, Pericles of Athens called upon the Greek city-states to build Thurii City. He originally hoped this Athenian colony would become a pivotal power in the Magna Graecia region of the western Mediterranean, thereby expanding Athens' influence. Later, due to Athens' decline following the Peloponnesian War, that goal was never realized. Yet today, Thurii has become the center of the Kingdom of Daunia, as well as the center of the western Mediterranean. I am afraid this reality fosters resentment among certain Athenian elites who long to restore the glory of the Periclean era..."

"I care little whether Athens is wary of Daionia," Davos finally spoke up, observing Plato with a scrutinizing gaze. "I only want to know: do you, Plato, consider Daionia a threat to Athens?"

"Honored King Davos," Plato replied frankly. "After my debate with Isocrates, I did harbor a few doubts. That is why I took the time on this trip to earnestly tour the various regions of the Kingdom of Daunia. Everything I have seen and heard has only solidified a single thought in my mind—the Kingdom of Daunia is not a threat to Athens. Rather, it is the hope of Athens, and indeed, of all the Greek city-states!"

"The Greek Mainland is a narrow territory, burdened with mountains and lacking arable soil," Plato answered, his expression grave. "The land is barren, and sheer survival is inherently difficult. Yet the various city-states on that land have waged constant war for decades over their respective interests, leaving the populace displaced and the fields laid to waste. If this continues, every city-state will eventually march toward its own demise...

"As it stands, to bring an absolute end to this disastrous situation, an overwhelmingly powerful force must intervene. Only then can Athens, Sparta, Thebes, Corinth, and the other city-states be forced to know their place. Only when they no longer dare to spark new conflicts will true peace arrive.

"Persia will not suffice; it would much rather see Greece perish. Only Daionia can do this. You would treat the various city-states of the Greek Mainland with the same equality you have shown the Samnites and the Romans. You might even carve broad, level roads through the mountains of the Greek Mainland, allowing trade between the city-states to flow far more freely and conveniently by land and sea. Under the order established by Daionia, the people of every city-state could finally enjoy peace and tranquility, securing a relatively prosperous and happy life..."

Plato's increasingly impassioned voice echoed through the Royal Palace. Ansitanos and Lysias exchanged glances. Neither had expected Plato to harbor such monumental expectations for Daionia. The prospect thrilled them, yet, unsure of how to respond, they both turned their eyes to Davos.

Davos listened closely, tapping a finger lightly against the dining table, his face betraying no obvious shift in emotion. When Plato finished, he offered a faint smile and replied earnestly, "Regarding the Greek Mainland, Daionia has no current plans to interfere in its political affairs."

"I understand," Plato said knowingly. "I simply hope to live to see a lasting peace upon the Greek Mainland!"

After that, the guests at the banquet tacitly steered away from the subject, chatting instead about other matters.

When the banquet concluded and Davos personally escorted Plato out of the Royal Palace, Plato, slightly buzzed from the wine, spoke in a soft voice. "Honored King Davos, I remember that years ago, you accepted employment under the Persian prince, Cyrus the Younger, for an expedition into Persia. The Persian royal family's mutual slaughter in their fight for the throne, and the resulting political turmoil, must have left a deep impression on you... Well, since returning to Thurii, I have heard much praise for Prince Apox. Moreover, Alcibiades has earnestly invited me to his banquets several times, though I declined..."

"Oh," Davos replied evenly, his expression unchanged, and said no more.

After seeing off Plato and his student, he returned to the Royal Palace and summoned Aristiras. "Tomorrow, make a trip to the Ministry of Military Affairs. Notify Alexis to suspend the Warship orders given to Alcibiades' shipyard."

"Understood," Aristiras responded immediately, asking no further questions.

Davos, however, continued, "If Alcibiades goes to the Ministry of Military Affairs to ask for the reason, have Alexis give him this answer. Tell him it comes directly from me: 'Since he does not wish to focus entirely on his business, then he need not do business at all.'"

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

A few days later, Davos was sitting in the study of his residence, pondering the day's political affairs, when a knock sounded at the door.

"Ah, Apox! Come in, come in!" Davos called out, a kind smile spreading across his face.

Apox calmly took a seat opposite him.

Davos studied his second son from up close. Only seventeen years old, Apox was quite tall and slender. His facial features, inherited mostly from Agnes, were strikingly handsome and refined, yet his brow brimmed with youthful confidence and vitality.

"Father, Uncle came to see me today. He told me everything," Apox said straightforwardly.

Davos blinked, asking in an even tone, "Oh? And what did he say?"

Apox did not answer the question directly. Instead, he said in a clear, ringing voice, "Father, I remember you once told me that a great scholar is far more easily remembered by future generations than a king."

"Yes, I did. Everyone knows Thales of Miletus was a great sage, yet no one remembers who the archon of Miletus was at the time..."

"Father," Apox said, his expression completely earnest. "I have no interest in the throne of Daionia! I am only interested in pursuing knowledge and academic research! My only hope is that in the future, I can bring forth new, original insights that will benefit the people and earn the admiration of later generations. I swear this upon Hades!"

Apox's voice filled with emotion as he spoke, raising both his hands.

Davos firmly gripped his son's shoulders, looking at him with deep affection. "Good boy," he said softly. "I have watched you grow up from the very beginning. Of course I know what it is you want! My minor punishment against Alcibiades this time was simply out of anger—anger that he was distracting you from your studies and trying to ruin the deep bond between you and your eldest brother. Put your mind at ease. I not only respect your choice, I support you completely. I hope that in the future, you will become a scholar even greater than Thales, a light shining across the entire history of human cultural development!"

"Thank you, Father! I will definitely work hard!" Davos's words left Apox's blood boiling with inspiration. It took him a great deal of effort to calm his surging emotions. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Father... I have one more request."

"Speak, what is your request?" Davos said, a smile on his face.

Apox scratched his head, his demeanor suddenly turning bashful. "I want... I want to take Nelia as my wife!"

"Who is Nelia?" Davos asked, feigning surprise.

"...The daughter of Miltias, the former naval commander of the Fourth Fleet, and Eunice's classmate," Apox rushed the words out all at once, mustering his courage.

"Oh... have you discussed this with your mother?"

"Father, Uncle has been constantly going to Mother lately, trying to play matchmaker for me. So, I hoped to get your approval first!"

"And will this Nelia agree to your proposal?"

"She will definitely agree!"

"Very well, you have my blessing. We will hold the wedding once you come of age," Davos agreed, his expression serious and his words decisive.

"Thank you!" Apox excitedly pulled Davos into a tight, firm hug.

Chuckling, Davos gently patted his son's still-youthful shoulders. In his heart, however, he couldn't help but sigh: his children were all grown up now. One by one, they would marry and have children of their own, while he himself had already begun to grow old...

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"My lord, we will reach the Crati River Mouth shortly," the ship's captain said, stepping into the cabin to address the resting Haca.

"Understood." Haca slowly rolled over and sat up. He draped a thick leather robe over his shoulders, rose to his feet, and turned to Hasdrubal, who was sitting off to the side with his head bowed, drinking wine. "Brother, care to step outside and take a look together?"

"I'm not going!" Hasdrubal replied stiffly.

Haca knew his temper well and did not try to persuade him further. Supported by a servant, he slowly made his way out of the cabin.