In the huge Greek peninsula, Hilde planned to build at least five provinces, including the Thessaly province in the north, the Athens province in the east, the Epirus province in the west, and the Peloponnese Peninsula. Hilde would also build two or so provinces. At present, Hilde planned to divide it into the Achaia province in the north and the Laconia province in the south.
Hilde had already made the idea of establishing a province clear to the diplomats of those city-states, so the diplomats of Naupactus must have done the same.
But the interesting thing about this matter is that the diplomat seized this opportunity very cleverly.
Naupactus was a small city-state built on the coast. Its geographical location was not very prominent. Its only advantage might be that it had a good plain area for growing food, but that was all. In addition, it was located in a deeper bay, so it could not compete with city-states like Corinth in terms of business.
But if, as he said, he could become the capital of a province of the Greek Empire, their fate would change dramatically.
The first change is naturally——
It would be made the principal city of the province of Achaia, and given political and economic support.
The biggest problem in Greece is that there are too many city-states, but most of them are small city-states. For example, in Achaia, there is no large city-state that can play a decisive role. It is all small city-states with tens of thousands of people. Such a city-state system will greatly hinder the economic development of the area. Therefore, in Hilde's plan, the task of building a central city will naturally fall on the capital.
The Fifth and Sixth Chapter: The Spartan Condition
So, if Naupactus could become the capital of the province of Achaia.
in the coming decades.
It will receive policy support from the Greek Empire and develop into the largest and most important city in Achaia.
But then again, Hilde originally planned to set the capital of Achaia in Corinth. After all, the future Romans established Achaia in Corinth. But... if it was set in Naupactus, Corinth would be treated as an ordinary city. Maybe it would be quite interesting. Thinking of this, Hilde couldn't help laughing.
"His Majesty?"
Alcibiades was a little confused.
I don't know what Hilde is laughing at.
"It's alright, let's just leave it at that for Naupactus."
"Really?"
"Yeah, isn't it interesting?"
Hearing Hilde's reply, Alcibiades also laughed.
"Indeed."
"Anyway, Corinth is already the largest city-state in this area. I think the Corinthians won't mind giving up the capital to Naupactus, right? I guess after we conquer them, the Corinthians will think that the capital is not a big deal. With Corinth's population size and economic strength, they don't need to take Naupactus seriously at all."
"but……"
Alcibiades shook his head with some concern.
"If Naupactus is set as the capital, the future governor's residence must also be set up there. However, it is still some distance away from Corinth. Isn't it inconvenient for us to control Corinth?"
"Place the governor's residence at Naupactus, but place the general at Corinth."
"I see!"
It turns out that it is the separation of military and politics.
Generally speaking, the highest administrative body and military body of a province are both in the same city.
But if we separate them as Hilde said, it would be more effective.
"Then I will reply to the messenger now."
"Okay, I'll leave it to you."
After Alcibiades left.
Hilde smiled contentedly.
Things are indeed going as Hilde expected, at least for now. Hilde likes this feeling, the feeling of letting enemies fight each other for unrealistic interests. Isn't this the case now? In order to compete for future development opportunities, Naupactus has begun to put forward conditions. No money, no autonomy, just the status of the capital. It must be said that Naupactus's archon is very smart. He knows that he can't resist the Greek Empire, so he might as well lie down and be a good child, and seek the most important welfare for future generations.
For such a smart person.
Hilde wasn’t nasty.
So, naturally there will be many benefits.
Hilde thought so and walked to the front of the map.
Now, the map of the Peloponnese in front of Hilde was a newly drawn map, which had already included the Peloponnese region in the Greek Empire's rule. The northern province of Achaia and the southern province of Laconia were marked on the map, but the map needed to be modified. After all, the capital of the province of Achaia was no longer Corinth as originally planned, but a new city-state, Naupactus.
As for the province of Laconia.
The current tentative capital is Sparta.
But it all depends on whether the Spartans are willing to obey.
"I hope they can understand the current situation."
Hilde couldn't help but frown when she thought of the pedantic Spartan King Archidamus.
As a modern person, the Spartans are more famous than the Athenians. Everyone knows how powerful the Spartans are. So when Hilde traveled here, she kept thinking, how great it would be if there was a Spartan troop under her command. So Hilde is also working hard for this. If Sparta is liberated peacefully, Hilde's little wish can be fulfilled.
Hilde thought so.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
------------
And here is the new port of Corinth.
This is the port leading to the Aegean Sea, which is currently one of the largest ports in Corinth.
Corinth straddles the isthmus, but is actually divided into two urban areas, one is the old city, located in the west, and the other is the new city, which is the new port, located in the east. The two cities together are the well-known Corinth. The new port is an important guarantee for Corinth's commercial hegemony in the Aegean Sea. Because of this, the port here is very prosperous and large in scale. In addition, Corinth was not greatly affected by the war, and many ships traveling to and from Athens now choose to dock at the new port.
As a result, the port became busier.
And Aristocles stood at the edge of the harbor.
Looking at the port with endless stream of ships coming and going.
I couldn't help but sigh: "Ships! They are all ships! These are all wealth that keeps coming and going!"
"Mr. Archon."
A man in a blue robe bowed behind Aristocles.
"The Spartan messenger has been waiting for a long time."
"Not in a hurry."
Aristocles held his hands on his waist and never took his eyes off the harbor.
"Don't you think this scenery is beautiful? Since Athens was besieged, these merchants have had to come to New Port to sell their goods quickly. In one month, the total trade volume in New Port has increased by more than ten times. The merchants in Corinth have made a lot of money in this conflict. Alas, why don't the Athenians continue to persist? If the war lasts for a year or so, Corinth will replace Athens and become the most powerful commercial city-state."
"Mr. Archon."
The man emphasized again.
Perhaps he was somewhat dissatisfied with Aristocles' attitude.
"The Spartan messenger has..."
"I know."
Aristocles turned and glared at him.
"Spartans, don't give up yet."
"Their attitude has become more moderate than before."
"Eased? How did it ease?"
"For details, we still need to meet the Spartan envoy in person, Mr. Archon, to know."
"Oh my, it's not good to keep people in suspense like this, is it?" Aristocles walked up to the man, stretched out his hand, and pinched the man's chin. "My patience may be limited."
“Yes, that’s right…”
Being threatened by the oracle.
The man was also scared.
"The Spartans want to share the rule of the Peloponnese with us."
The Purpose of Deliberate Delay
Hear the word split.
Aristocles could not help laughing.
"Equal? Spartans?"
"Yes……"
"Do the Spartans think that they can do whatever they want here just because they can command the Peloponnesian League? If we didn't have a common enemy, how could Corinth be willing to obey the Spartans' orders?" Aristocles smiled coldly, with contempt on his face. "However, the Spartans are quite sincere. At least they are willing to lower their proud heads and share the delicacies on their plates with us."
"Indeed it is."
"Okay, I'll go meet them then."
Aristocles seemed to be in good spirits.
However, in the man's opinion, he always felt that something might happen.
Collins' current situation can be said to be quite bad.
Corinth, located on the Isthmus of Corinth, is an important strategic point. If Corinth chooses to stand with the Spartans, it will inevitably become a bridgehead facing the attack of the Greek Empire. If it joins the Greek Empire, it will inevitably face the attack of the Spartan coalition forces... So, no matter what choice is made, the Corinthians and the city of Corinth will face a huge challenge. War will inevitably happen on the land of the Corinthians.
As for Aristocles, he was a complete opportunist, so he hoped to mediate between the two parties to gain the most benefits. Of course, Aristocles knew very well that the defeat of the Spartans was a foregone conclusion, so he did not expect the Spartans to defeat the Greek Empire. In the end, he still had to surrender to the Greek Empire and bow down to Hilde's skirt.
But before that, Aristocles wanted to take advantage of the Greek Empire.
Ask for something more.
For example, future status, power, and wealth.
After all, Aristocles was also an oracle.
But even so, Aristocles still rode back to Corinth with the man. After arriving at the prosperous and magnificent city of Corinth, Aristocles deliberately delayed a lot of time on the road. He warmly greeted the Corinthians on the road, and went to the commercial district to look at the recent goods and selected some fruits and fresh cooked food.
The man stamped his feet anxiously.
But I didn't dare to make any suggestions.
Inked for more than an hour.
Aristocles then arrived at his private residence.
The Spartan envoy had been sitting here for half a day. He came here in the morning, but Aristocles was not there, so someone went to Newport to find Aristocles. But Newport is about two hours away from Corinth. The Spartan envoy arrived at sunrise in the morning, so Aristocles should have returned at least before lunch. But now, it was almost time for dinner, and Aristocles was still nowhere to be seen.
Even the Spartans.
I can't stand this long, meaningless wait.
Just when he was about to leave.
Then Aristocles' loud laughter was heard outside the house.
"Hahahahahaha, sorry to have kept you waiting!"
I heard his voice before I saw his face.
The messenger looked up and saw Aristocles, with a beaming face, pulling aside the curtain and walking straight in.
It was the first time for the envoy to meet Aristocles. Although he had known about this archon of Corinth for a long time, he was still a little surprised when he saw him. His handsome face had three-dimensional features and clear lines. Under his heroic sword-like eyebrows, his eyes were as bright as stars, as deep as a cold pond, always flashing with the light of determination and wisdom. Although he looked a little unkempt, his beard was not very neatly groomed, and he wore an ordinary linen robe, he looked like a commoner.
But, it gives people a feeling.
But it is very different.
The resentment that I had just felt while waiting has now disappeared to some extent.
"The journey is long and inconvenient. I hope the messenger can forgive me."
"Mr. Archon..."
The messenger wanted to say a few more words.
But Aristocles already knew what the messenger wanted to say, so he simply interrupted him.
"Alas, I have no concept of time. Although I have already rushed back, I still wasted a lot of time. I heard that the Spartans are very generous and magnanimous. Can they forgive my excessive behavior?"
"Of course."
The messenger was brushed off with just one sentence.
