The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 173: Juleios’ Visit (Part 1)

"I understand. I’ll discuss this with Mersis tomorrow," Philesius nodded, his tone resolute.

"Mersis is a stingy fellow," Juleios remarked, a hint of mirth in his voice. "He’ll probably want to scrape even more for the treasury. You’ll have to stand firm on principle."

"I’ll bring Amintas and Martonis along tomorrow," Philesius responded earnestly, prompting a hearty laugh from both men.

Seizing the opportunity presented by their jovial mood, Philesius broached a subject that had been weighing on him. "My lord, public officials receive salaries for their work. But soldiers, who serve for extended periods and are unable to return home, receive nothing. Shouldn’t they also be paid for their service?"

"Well, well!" Juleios exclaimed, pointing a teasing finger at him. "Our military officer has learned how to look out for his own department!"

Philesius grinned unabashedly. "If I don’t, the soldiers will say I was irresponsible as military officer."

Juleios chuckled, then leaned back thoughtfully. "In principle, you’re right. Soldiers should be paid for their service. I recall hearing someone say, ’Athenian sailors on expeditions earn two obols a day, while hoplites earn four.’"

"That’s correct, my lord."

Juleios sighed. "But that was Athens—a city-state renowned for its immense wealth. The Dionian League, by contrast, is still in its infancy. Our treasury is barely managing to pay the salaries of fewer than two hundred public officials. For thousands of soldiers, even at a rate of one obol per day, the cost would be staggering! The reconstruction of Thurii and the payment of officials are already straining Mersis to his limits. If you bring this up to him now, he might explode."

With a confident smile, Juleios added, "But rest assured, once the League becomes wealthier, I won’t let our soldiers suffer losses."

Though it was only a verbal promise, Philesius felt reassured. He had worked closely with Juleios long enough to know that the man always kept his word. Furthermore, Philesius understood that Juleios’ ambitions depended on a strong and loyal military—one capable of sustained combat.

"How is military discipline in Neutum?" Juleios asked, shifting topics.

"It’s excellent," Philesius replied with a smile. "There haven’t been any conflicts with the Lucanians. Of course, that’s largely because they know you’re planning a victory triumph for them. No one wants to risk being barred from such an honor."

Juleios nodded approvingly. "A soldier with a sense of honor makes a good citizen," he mused, his thoughts drifting momentarily to his former comrades from the Persian expedition. He hoped those accustomed to the chaos of plundering wouldn’t cause trouble within the League.

Suppressing the unease creeping into his mind, Juleios turned his attention back to Philesius. "Are you ready for the public review?"

Philesius hesitated. This seasoned warrior, who had faced countless battles, now appeared nervous and hesitant. "I..." he began, faltering slightly.

"What’s there to be nervous about?" Juleios chided lightly. "You’re not going alone—Drakes, Epithenes, and Hieronymus will be there with you. Stand tall and show the people of the League the image of their generals! Let them see that those who fight bravely for the League are the ones who earn the highest honors." Juleios clapped him on the shoulder, his tone earnest.

Though Philesius felt the weight of responsibility, he nodded, drawing strength from Juleios’ encouragement.

Juleios, sensing the need to lighten the mood, shifted gears again. "By the way, the Fourth Battalion under Bagule will participate in the triumph. We’ll need the First Battalion to temporarily replace them at Neutum for a few days."

He paused, his gaze thoughtful. "In the future, Bagule’s Fourth Battalion should settle permanently in Neutum. They can defend it locally, which will save us military expenses. However, their standards are far from what we require. We’ll need to send instructors on rotation to ensure rigorous training."

Philesius hesitated. Noticing his hesitation, Juleios asked, "What is it? Are you concerned about the Fourth Battalion?"

"No," Philesius replied quickly. "Bagule is a fair and capable leader. He’s about to marry the daughter of a Greek citizen, and most of his soldiers trust him. Many of their sisters have already married into Greek families. The ties between Lucanian and Greek citizens, particularly in Amendolara, are growing stronger. But..." He trailed off.

"What’s the problem?" Juleios pressed.

"The League doesn’t have professional soldiers. We can’t keep citizen-soldiers stationed far from their lives indefinitely."

Juleios smiled, the solution already formed in his mind. "We’ll have reserve citizens take turns serving at Neutum. This will become part of their assessment for full citizenship. Veterans will serve as instructors, taking leadership roles at the Lao River Fortress. It will also double as a military training base for the League."

Philesius listened intently as Juleios continued. "The Lao River Fortress controls the main route between Thurii, Neutum, and Laos. That road will soon become a major artery for merchants. With our allied status and preferential tariffs, it will attract Greek traders. The customs revenue alone should more than cover the cost of maintaining the garrison."

Initially overwhelmed by Juleios’ focus on commerce, Philesius soon grasped the brilliance of the plan. "So the customs taxes will fund the troops’ food and wages," he said, admiration evident in his voice.

"How long does it take to travel from Thurii to Neutum through the mountain paths?" Juleios suddenly asked.

"About three days, my lord. When we marched earlier, we moved quickly and made it in three days. At a normal pace, it would take four."

"And with a caravan carrying goods, even longer," Juleios muttered, tapping the arm of his chair. "We must prioritize building a road to connect Thurii, Neutum, and Laos. Ideally, all three cities should work on it simultaneously. It will strengthen ties and foster integration."

Three Days Later

Juleios announced his intention to visit Neutum, a decision that caused a stir in the Senate. Some senators argued that Neutum’s political stability was still fragile and urged him to delay the trip. But Juleios dismissed their concerns. "I’m going precisely to stabilize Neutum further!" he declared, ultimately convincing them.

The traveling party included Vespa, Scombras, Tritodemos, and a dozen other senators without official posts. Soldiers from the First Battalion were assigned to escort them, doubling as the temporary garrison for Neutum while the Fourth Battalion participated in the triumphal celebrations. The Fourth Battalion soldiers’ families and a few League merchants accompanied the group.

Young Heraclides, preoccupied with designing a wooden bridge over the Crathis River, was reluctantly persuaded to join the expedition. Juleios argued that it would allow him to survey the terrain for a road between Thurii, Neutum, and Laos. Though hesitant at first, Heraclides soon became absorbed in his observations.

"These sharp mountain stones must be smoothed out," he said, scrutinizing the terrain. "This cliff, with its loose soil, could collapse in heavy rain. We’ll need mortar to stabilize it. And this narrow path—no cart could pass through here. We’ll need to widen it."

Juleios and the senators followed Heraclides like students, marveling at his insights. Their pace slowed as they absorbed his analyses, but their understanding deepened.

By nightfall, the group set up camp along the mountain path. The First Battalion soldiers, accustomed to the hardships of military life, efficiently established a secure perimeter. The Fourth Battalion soldiers’ families, returning to their familiar homeland, found comfort even in the rugged terrain. The merchants, driven by the promise of profit, bore the journey’s challenges without complaint.

Juleios sat by the fire, gazing at the dark mountains ahead. "This road," he said softly, "will not only connect cities—it will connect our people."

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