Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1240: The Ministry of Commerce's Requirements

"He'll be here. He promised me!" Theos said with certainty.

Sostratus thought. Out loud, he said, "That's wonderful. With your help, we can resolve this issue today."

Theos nodded, then shifted the subject. "While we wait for the others, let's discuss how to secure the Ministry of Military Affairs' support for your brother."

Sostratus finally understood why Theos had brought up his brother earlier. The older merchant was offering a preemptive favor to ensure Sostratus would make concessions during his upcoming negotiations with Dicaeopolis. Naturally, Sostratus had no intention of refusing.

...

It didn't take long for the others to arrive. Sebenus the slave trader, Kalmandes the wine merchant, Micris the shipbuilder, Phrasias the wool textile merchant, Agum the medicinal herb merchant, and Inipias the stone merchant all filed in one after another. Naturally, Dicaeopolis was among them. Though his expression was stony, he at least refrained from immediately picking a fight with Sostratus. Theos quickly pulled him over to sit at a nearby table. After a few minutes of whispered conversation, Dicaeopolis's expression softened. He stared across the hall at Sostratus, who was still welcoming guests at the entrance, with a complicated look in his eyes. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Once all the invited guests had arrived, Sostratus ordered the servants to bring out the prepared dishes and had the maids pour everyone fine wine.

He raised his wine cup and pitched his voice to carry across the room. "Gentlemen, it has been quite some time since our chamber of commerce last gathered like this. Thank you all for taking the time to attend tonight's banquet. I offer this first cup to you!"

With that, he drained it in a single gulp.

Following his lead, the others joined in the toasts, and the banquet's atmosphere quickly grew lively.

Dicaeopolis watched all of this and took a quiet sip from his wine cup. He knew exactly why Kalmandes was so eager to help Sostratus liven up the party. Over the past few years, Sostratus had helped open up markets in the Greek Mainland and the Aegean Sea for Kalmandes's wine, massively boosting his profits. In fact, nearly every merchant at this table had received Sostratus's help in getting their goods into the Greek Mainland market. Dicaeopolis himself was no exception. It was only their recent dispute over the Athenian Pottery that had soured their relationship. But if that particular issue had truly stemmed from King Davos's own instructions... then it was a massive problem indeed. It looked like he really did need to sit down and have a proper talk with Sostratus.

At that thought, he stood up. "Sostratus, I also offer you a toast. Thank you for the considerable help you've given us in the chamber of commerce these past few years!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the hall abruptly fell silent. Everyone's eyes fixed on the two men.

Sostratus didn't hesitate. He raised his wine cup and smiled openly. "Without the guidance of our former president, I would never be where I am today! To the continued growth of the chamber of commerce, and to the ever-increasing prosperity of everyone's businesses here tonight—let us drink!"

Both men drained their cups.

"Excellent! Wonderful!" the others cheered in unison. Theos broke into a relieved smile. It was obvious to everyone that the two men had buried the hatchet, and the rest of the guests eagerly drank to celebrate.

"Don't just drink. Eat some food first, and we can talk while we dine," Sostratus said. Having temporarily resolved the conflict, he was in excellent spirits.

"President, yesterday the Ministry of Commerce summoned the chamber of commerce presidents from every town for a meeting, and today you've invited us all to this banquet. Do you have some important news to share?" Sebenus asked bluntly. "You might as well tell us now. Otherwise, we'll just be worrying over it, and we won't be able to enjoy the food and drink!" The others voiced their agreement.

Sostratus pointed at him with a feigned look of helplessness. "Such an impatient man, you can't even wait a little while. Fine, I'll tell you now."

He stood up, scanning the room before speaking in a booming voice. "I'm sure most of you have already guessed that the Ministry of Commerce summoned us to discuss the upcoming Theonian Rugby Games. And you'd be right! Two years ago, when His Majesty first announced that the Theonian Rugby Games would be held here in Thurii, the Ministry of Finance began pouring massive amounts of gold and silver into the preparations. They have established enormous prize pools for the various athletic events, which has caused an absolute sensation among the people across the entire kingdom and our allied states. Athletes from every region and allied city are eagerly registering, and a flood of spectators is already pouring into Thurii for the events...

"As we all know, these games aren't just a festival for the gods, the athletes, and the spectators—they are equally a festival for us merchants. Two years ago, during the 103rd Olympic Games, our kingdom sent athletes to compete for the very first time, and we went along to join the excitement. During those games, Olympia drew tens of thousands of spectators from everywhere. The shops set up in Olympia and its surrounding towns made an absolute fortune as a result.

"However, even though our kingdom is the leader of the Greek League, the traditional prejudices of the Greek Mainland remain deeply rooted. Theonian athletes were mocked and discriminated against in Olympia, and we Theonian merchants were pushed aside. No matter how much money we offered, we couldn't even buy a single storefront to sell our goods—"

"The president is right! Those damn Greek merchants actually dared to use such despicable tricks on us!" Sebenus shouted in anger. "This time, during the Theonian Rugby Games, I will let them see what Theonian merchants can do!"

"Exactly, President! We should take advantage of these games to show those ignorant Greek merchants the true power of the Thurii Chamber of Commerce!" Sebenus's words immediately struck a chord with several men in the room.

Sostratus smiled but did not directly agree. Instead, he continued, "It is likely because of how we Theonians were treated at the Olympic Games that King Davos decided to host the grandest games in history. He wants to demonstrate the sheer might of our kingdom, while also contrasting the narrow, selfish minds of the Greeks against the boundless tolerance of Daionia. Minister of Commerce Marigi informed us that the kingdom has not only sent invitations to our allies, but has also notified every nation across the Mediterranean Sea—even our enemy, Persia!"

A commotion rippled through the hall.

"The Ministry of Commerce convened this meeting specifically to require that we kingdom merchants not participate in these games with a narrow desire for revenge, but rather welcome foreign merchants with a tolerant attitude," Sostratus explained. "Only by doing so will trade at the Theonian Rugby Games grow increasingly prosperous. Only then will we earn more and more gold and silver, and only then will the Theonian Rugby Games become the most famous event in the Mediterranean Sea, a great spectacle everyone eagerly attends!"

Here, Sostratus emphasized his tone. "After the meeting concluded, Lord Marigi specifically held me back for a discussion. He required that upon my return, I must issue a strict warning to all merchants in the Thurii Chamber of Commerce. During the games, no one is to exclude, harass, or infringe upon the interests of foreign merchants. No one is to use illegal means to secure special privileges that would ruin the fairness of commercial activities during the games. Furthermore, as one of the hosts of these games, the Thurii Chamber of Commerce must actively assist the Ministry of Commerce in maintaining the normal operation of all commercial markets across the entire Thurii Region..."

"Lord Marigi also had me convey a direct command issued by King Davos himself: 'If, during the games, the Ministry of Commerce discovers any kingdom merchant—especially merchants of the Thurii Chamber of Commerce—violating the above requirements, they will be strictly punished, regardless of who they are!'"

The moment he finished speaking, dead silence fell over the hall.

After a moment, Dicaeopolis couldn't hold back and rushed to ask, "From what you're saying, does our Thurii Chamber of Commerce not even have the right to move into the 4 temporary commercial markets they opened in the city for the games?!"

His question was exactly what everyone else was most concerned about. On the day the Ministry of Commerce announced the creation of these temporary markets, nearly everyone present had mobilized their networks, attempting to secure the largest and best-located storefronts in each market—the more, the better.

"Of course not," Sostratus replied sternly. "I asked Lord Marigi that exact question. He told me, 'Every domestic and foreign merchant applying to enter these markets will be treated equally. I will personally oversee the distribution, doing my best to ensure that every merchant participating in the games receives an ideal storefront. The final distribution plan will also be submitted to His Majesty for approval...'

"Lord Marigi also quietly told me, 'His Majesty has tasked the Intelligence Department with secretly investigating any illicit activities during the games. Once discovered, all involved parties will be severely punished without leniency.' Therefore, you shouldn't harbor any illusions of getting away with it, otherwise you will only destroy yourselves."

Sostratus's warning made everyone's hearts skip a beat. The merchants exchanged uneasy glances, all silently calculating their next steps.

Theos couldn't help but speak up. "It's just fair competition! What is there to worry about? Our Thurii Chamber of Commerce is the largest in the kingdom, and all of you here are top merchants in your respective industries. Whether in wealth, manpower, or the quality and quantity of your goods, you outclass the merchants from other regions of the kingdom, let alone those from small Greek towns! Furthermore, you have the geographic advantage. Under the conditions of fair competition, are you truly telling me you can't beat them?"