ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 1110 Revenge (continued)

When Okriton heard this, he looked surprised at first, and then became angry. He couldn't help shouting and asked: "Why are you doing this?! Even if there is a grudge between your Magonid family and Lord Hanno, you are How could the Carthaginians, who still have the blood of Carthage’s founder Queen Dido, do such a wrong thing that threatens the survival of all Carthaginians!..."

"Did you come here just to teach me a lesson?" Although Haka's voice was soft, it was like blowing a cold breeze, which made Okriton's body feel cold and immediately drove away the dissatisfaction in his heart. , allowing him to quickly regain his composure: "I... Lord Haka, even though you have now served Dionia, you are still a Carthaginian. I hope you can stop 'letting the Eastern Numibians continue to Invade Carthage territory' and give your compatriots a way to survive!"

Okriton lowered his posture and sounded very sincere.

"I did this to give my compatriots a way to survive." Haka restrained his laziness and said seriously: "If Carthage continues to secretly confront Dionia like this, it will do no good to Carthage! In a few years you will find that Carthage is completely isolated in the entire Western Mediterranean, and even its once closest Phoenician allies will move away from you one by one..."

"Since signing the peace agreement with Dionia, we in Carthage have been re-adapting to the new order in the past few years and are busy restoring trade. We have never wanted to secretly confront Dionia, let alone take any measures Any hostile action, I don’t know why Mr. Haka said this! On the contrary, Dionia incited the Eastern Numibians to invade Carthage. This is a violation of the agreement. Does Dionia want to tear up his own Has the good image of 'keeping one's promises' declared war on Carthage again?!" Okriton looked filled with indignation and said sadly.

Haka looked at him coldly and whispered one word: "Masili tribe."

This voice immediately exposed Okriton's disguised anger. He wanted to defend himself, but Haka continued: "Do you need me to recite the full text of the secret negotiation between Carthage and the Masili tribe?"

Okriton was immediately discouraged, and was even more frightened that Carthage was under such terrible surveillance by Dionia.

"From the conspiracy between Carthage and the Masili tribe, it can be seen that you, the Carthage Senate, still have some illusions. But I believe you who have witnessed the grand scene of this giant city of Thurii, Even if the Masili tribe gets your help and really unifies the tribes of West Numbia, it will be nothing more than a small trouble for the now powerful Kingdom of Dionia. We even only need to easily dispatch two or three A legion can completely pacify it. But for you Carthage, this will be a disaster related to the survival of the city-state, so the kingdom allows the Eastern Numibians to attack Carthage to make you truly realize that Carthage How weak Taiji is now!"

Haka signaled the slave to pour him some wine, then slowly turned the wine glass with one hand, his expression became serious: "I am a Carthaginian, I know my compatriots very well, most of them like to do business Instead of waging war, they like to enjoy themselves more than suffer on the battlefield, and are more afraid of death... So even when Carthage was at its most prosperous, it was still unable to defeat the Greeks in Sicily, just because the Carthaginians were not a people who liked to fight. The fighting nation lacks bravery and tenacity. In the past, you could still let Numibians and mercenaries fight for you. Now you have no one to rely on. I think the elders of Carthage can extinguish all the remaining ambitions in their hearts. Drop it and let the people do what they want!
For example, in the past, Carthaginians did not like bathing very much. Since the Dionians invented bathhouses, Carthaginians have begun to like taking baths. For example, in the past, Carthaginians did not like to go inland to do business because of the traffic. It is very inconvenient, but since the Dionians built wide and flat roads, Carthage merchants have frequently gone deep into mountainous areas such as Bruti and Lucania to obtain trade profits... and things like what I just talked to you about As long as it starts to be put into use in ordinary urban areas of the kingdom, I can guarantee that the Carthaginians will soon be thinking about how to make it so that they can enjoy clean water without going out... Are there many cases like this? few.

You see, although the people of Carthage hate Dionia on the surface, they are actually always paying attention to the new things created by Dionia and enjoying the huge trade system created by Dionia... So why not let Carthage be completely integrated into this system?In this way, the safety of Carthage will be completely guaranteed, and the people will enjoy everything built by Dionia with peace of mind.I believe that with the ability of the Carthaginians, they will become richer than before in a few years! "

Okriton was silent.

Haka didn't speak any more, but gently stroked the warm pool water with his hand.

After a while, Okriton asked in a low voice: "You mean...let Carthage and Dionia form a true alliance?"

"With Carthage's current weak strength, it is impossible to establish an alliance equal to Dionia. It can only become an ally affiliated with Dionia." Haka said very straightforwardly: "Of course I suggest that Carthage It would be better for Taiji to become a free city of the Kingdom of Dionia, just like Tarantum. You should know how comfortable the people of Tarantum are living now..."

Okriton's face became a little ugly. He suppressed it and did not let his anger rise again, but he heard Haka say leisurely: "I know you can't make the decision in this matter. In the end, it still has to be decided by the Senate. to make a decision, but I hope you can make a decision quickly, because the evidence of your collusion with the Masili tribe has been conclusive. Once the Masili people stir up chaos in the West Numibia region, then Dionia The envoys will go to Carthage to question you about breaking the peace agreement.

At the same time, the three Sicilian legions will quickly assemble and prepare to land in Africa at any time. By then, Carthage's situation will not be as easy as it is now as you and I are talking. "

Okriton's expression changed greatly, and he said hurriedly: "Master Haka, we have some verbal agreements with the Masili tribe, but that is only for the people of Eastern Numibia——"

Haka interrupted him rudely: "The discussion on this matter ends here. What choice should Carthage make? You go back and think about it yourself, and let those stupid senators think about it. . Now let us talk about another matter, which is also another matter that you came to Thurii to meet with His Majesty to discuss.

Aren't you surprised?In the past few years, the precious metals transported by the Dionysian cargo ship from Iberia were sold separately to all the merchants in Carthage, but starting from last year, they have only sold them to merchants belonging to the neutral faction..."

Seeing the strange smile on the face of the young man opposite, Oklaton suddenly jumped in his heart, and said in surprise: "Could it be you—"

"Yes, this is also my suggestion to His Majesty." Haka said lightly, turning to look at the slaves: "The water temperature is a bit low, let them heat it up some more."

"Master, but your body -"

"I feel good today, it doesn't matter if the water temperature is a little warmer."

The slave looked at Okriton, whose face was a little ugly. Although he was a little worried, he did not dare to disobey Haka's order, so he quickly ran to the wooden door and gave instructions to the slave waiting outside.

Of course it was impossible for Okriton to suddenly burst out and hurt someone, but the eyes he looked at Hakkar now were full of alertness and caution, as if he were facing a strong enemy: this young man who looked very sick was so terrifying, and what he had done Every measure against Carthage has hit Carthage's weak points hard.

Haka took a slow sip of the wine, and then looked at the remaining bright red wine in the wooden cup. His eyes became solemn and distant. He murmured: "When I was 5 years old and sensible, I learned from others. Know why I am different from other children, because I may die within a few years;
When I was 9 years old, my father returned from Sicily in defeat. He was depressed all day long and often locked himself in the house alone because he heard other people's ridicule. In the end, he committed suicide...

When I was 13 years old, I followed my brother to the strange and barbaric land of Iberia. My uncle Mago told me, 'This is to give the Magonid family a bright future. 'But I actually understand in my heart that this is because my uncle failed in the power struggle in Carthage and had to find a way out for himself;
When I was 27 years old, the people of Carthage were completely wiped out by the Sicilian army. Under the instigation of some people, they angrily attacked the Magonid senators, forcing them to be unable to survive in the city and had to take their families with them. We fled to Iberia, but Dido and I decided to find a way out for ourselves...

After going through so many things, I understand the truth. If you do something wrong, you will be punished by the gods and you have to pay a heavy price. The Magonid family has reached this point today because of their continuous repayment of debts. !but--"

Haka's gaze stabbed at Ocreton like a blade, and his voice was cold and harsh: "What role did you Hannoites play in that war?! The generals Monte Ardenau and Anne who were highly recommended by you Nobas and others were all incompetent. Their repeated failures not only consumed a large amount of Carthage's war resources, but also frequently undermined the confidence of the Carthage people! When my uncle and brother fought hard in Sicily, At that time, not only did you not give them full support, but you used various means to reduce aid to them and slander their achievements!... If I didn’t know that you were all native Carthaginians, I’m afraid I would have suspected that you were Dio The internal response of the Nigerians!"

(End of this chapter)