"can."
"It's so refreshing."
"When we came here, His Majesty had already informed us of the conditions we could offer."
Tomyris didn't hide it either.
Anyway, in her opinion, Collins had no other choice.
"If Corinth is willing to peacefully join the Greek Empire, we can grant it the status of a 'free city'. Specifically, Corinth can maintain its autonomy to the greatest extent possible, and does not need to completely change its political system like Athens did. Institutions such as the Council of Nobles and the Citizens' Assembly can be retained. In principle, the archons of Corinth will be appointed by Your Majesty, but the specific process will be up to the Corinthians themselves to choose the candidates and report them to Your Majesty, who will then confirm them."
"I see!"
For Collins, this is indeed a very tempting choice.
If it becomes a free city.
Corinth's authority will be very free.
"As for the economy, after we unify the Greek peninsula, we plan to focus on the development of commerce in two cities, one is Corinth and the other is Athens. Among them, Athens is mainly responsible for trade in the Aegean Sea region, while Corinth is responsible for trade in Greater Greece and around the Egyptian Sea. At that time, we will concentrate all trade resources in Corinth to avoid trade conflicts between Corinth and Athens."
"This point will surely convince our businessmen."
Aristocles nodded.
And here, Tomyris finished her words.
"Then, that's it."
"Is that all?"
"This is already the most generous condition in the entire empire."
"Indeed, if we agree to this, it won't be long before Athens is far behind Corinth, but..." Aristocles obviously had something else in his words, but he didn't say it directly.
"Mr. Archon, I think you should understand that Athens is now undergoing an unprecedented reform. The nobles of Athens have all been executed for disobeying Your Majesty. And I think the nobles of Corinth definitely don't want this to happen to them. Similarly, Corinth is also unable to resist the attack of the empire. However, Your Majesty is compassionate and does not want the war to lead to the bloodshed of many people, the barrenness of the land, and the economic recession. Problems that can be solved peacefully should be solved peacefully as much as possible."
"Yes, yes!"
Rhodes was also nearby, issuing his own threats like a kitten.
"I, I will flood the entire Corinth!"
"Understood!"
Aristocles looked at Rhodes with a smile.
Although such a threat seemed meaningless, he knew that this person could really do it.
"Your Majesty can give Corinth. I think the elders of Corinth should be able to clearly know what choice they should make. However, I actually have some different opinions on the first point, the free city."
"Please say."
"I don't think Corinth needs so much autonomy."
"Why?"
"The nobles of Corinth are very annoying. You can see that these people are conservative and don't know how to create an unprecedented new situation in such a world pattern. As a result, after defeating the Persians, the Athenians seized the opportunity and became the representative of the Ionians, while we Corinthians have to think about forming an alliance with Sparta to compete with Athens. The nobles of Corinth and his stupid citizen assembly have long been proven to be useless."
"..."
Regarding Aristocles' speech.
Tomyris made no comment.
What on earth did he want to say?
"So, I can advise Corinth to open the city gates and welcome Your Majesty, but at the same time, don't keep Corinth's political system. Athens is already in a good situation now. Those who hinder the city's development should be eradicated. Only in this way can young people with strength and talent stand out, and the people of Corinth can be happier."
"I see."
Tomyris probably knew.
Aristocles said so much, but in fact the content was nothing more than one point.
That is, he just intends to eliminate dissidents.
There is no doubt that in the eyes of Aristocles, the nobles of Corinth were corrupt, incompetent and despised. For the future of Corinth, killing them and then dismantling the aristocratic council, including the citizens' assembly tied to it, became the most necessary thing. But behind all this, was the ambition of the consul Aristocles.
What a greedy person.
But Hilde just likes greedy people.
Without ambition, how can you achieve great things?
Therefore, Tomyris knew Hilde's preferences, so she said: "In this case, you can completely follow our instructions and negotiate with the nobles. After the peaceful annexation is confirmed, how to deal with these nobles is our business."
"it is good."
Aristocles laughed happily.
"Then Corinth's future must be a happy future!"
"But, what about you?"
Tomyris glanced at the map on the wall.
"You won't, just for Collins' future."
"So what do you think I should be doing this for?"
"Something that is more in line with your own interests?"
Under Tomyris's gaze.
Aristocles smiled at first, then waved his hand.
"As expected of you... the messenger chosen by His Majesty."
"Isn't it obvious?"
"To be honest, I do have my own ideas."
Sure enough, the fox's tail was revealed.
Tomyris couldn't help but think.
"Then tell me."
"Isn't the situation in Greece going through an unprecedented change? If I can seize this opportunity, wouldn't it be possible for me to become a hero who goes down in history?"
The second part of the sixth session was a fairly smooth meeting.
"You want to be a hero?"
"Correct!"
Aristocles nodded heavily.
“Be a hero!”
"But……"
"Corinth is too small, so small that it is almost impossible for people to do anything great. I am the archon of Corinth, an oracle chosen by the gods, so I am trapped in Corinth. However, the Greek Empire is different. The Greek Empire is a huge country that stretches from Ionia in the east to Epirus in the west. Moreover, there will be many wars in the future, including the final decisive battle with the Persians! Therefore, if I join the Greek Empire and serve under your majesty, with my strength, it is possible for me to achieve great things and go down in history, isn't it?"
"Indeed."
"Besides, I hope I can stand out in the empire and have a better life than I have now."
"Yeah, I got it."
Tomyris rose and held out her hand to Aristocles.
"Well, welcome first."
"Is this good?"
"Your Majesty has never disliked people with ambitions and goals. As long as you are loyal to Your Majesty and the Empire, then Your Majesty will naturally not treat you unfairly. We will convey your wishes to Your Majesty truthfully."
"Then please."
"You still need to work harder on Collins's matter."
Let’s not talk about what Aristocles thought for now.
For Tomyris, all he had to do was get the Corinthians to open the city gates.
That's enough.
As for how Hilde would treat Corinth and Aristocles in the future, that was Hilde's own business. Tomyris was not responsible for selecting talents for the empire, but since Aristocles was an oracle, if he could join the Greek Empire, it would be good news for the empire and Hilde. So Tomyris took out the parchment and signed some drafts with Aristocles to confirm the next course of action.
"Then let's go back first."
"Why don't you stay and rest for a night?"
"It does not need."
Tomyris shook the parchment scroll in her hand.
"This is good news and needs to be told to His Majesty in time."
"I hope your majesty will be satisfied."
Aristocles placed his hands on his heart respectfully and bowed.
Although the agreement was only signed, in fact, neither side had taken any actual action. The effectiveness of the agreement still depended on whether Aristocles could make Corinth surrender peacefully as promised, and whether Hilde was willing to give this ambitious young man some opportunities. So, when Tomyris left, the smile on Aristocles' face also disappeared.
"call……"
He breathed a sigh of relief and returned to his room.
The delicious food on the table was hardly touched.
Aristocles sat at the table, grabbed the roast meat with his hands and stuffed it into his mouth.
Opportunity, opportunity.
These are all opportunities.
Aristocles was not satisfied with the little Corinth. After becoming the Oracle, Corinth reluctantly chose him as the consul, but he was afraid of him, so he kept an eye on him. Aristocles could not stand such a life. He was also a nobleman, but the nobles were so stubborn that they were unwilling to let go of their own interests and reputation. In Aristocles' eyes, it was really stupid.
Collins' future will be ruined by these people sooner or later!
And the little stage of Corinth.
Aristocles was not satisfied at all.
But now, Hilde is here.
As long as you can seize this opportunity, you can create unprecedented achievements with your own strength!
Aristocles, who thought so, actually had this idea and intention a long time ago.
Being able to go down in history and become a great figure with influence that can radiate the whole world, isn't this much better than arguing with the nobles in Corinth every day? The lives of the nobles are none of Aristocles' business. All he wants is more opportunities, more power, and more wealth. If he can get more opportunities, even if he offers Corinth as a gift to Hilde, it doesn't matter at all.
And now...
Tomyris and Rhodes' words made Aristocles feel relieved.
This is the result he wants.
----------
Tomyris and Rhodes soon returned to Megara.
The whole trip took less than a day.
"Hmm...How should I tell Sister Sissi about this?"
Rhodes became a little worried.
She always felt that Aristocles was a bad man and that Hilde would definitely not like him.
Tomyris just smiled bitterly and explained.
"Sissi won't mind these. She only cares whether this person can bring a better future to the empire."
"Is that so..."
"Of course, although I don't like this guy either, he is able to look beyond the small city of Corinth, which shows that he has vision. Besides, don't you think Aristocles is very similar to Alcibiades? The temperaments of the two of them are very similar to mine."
“I just think their names are very long.”
"That's true..."
Rhode's complaint left Tomyris unable to refute.
