Chapter 13 Hera's Wedding Celebration

Davos suppressed his excitement and said to Marigi: "Now the city-state is distressed by the lack of money in the treasury, and you are back just in time. As a commercial officer in Amendolara, change the situation where there is almost no trade in Amendolara. , It is your duty to increase taxes for the treasury! I hope you will study the city-state well, think hard, and come up with a good plan!"

"I will try my best to do it well!" Marigi showed a look of eagerness to try.

"And..." Davos stopped talking just after he said it: I'll talk about the marriage proposal in a few days, after all, Marigi just came back.

Seeing that Davos did not speak any more, and did not dare to ask, Marigi said, "That's right, my lord. Two people from the Pythagorean school of Tarantum came with the ship to Amendolara, saying yes. I was invited by you."

Davers asked hastily, "Where are they now?"

"It should be looking for you." Marigi said uncertainly.

…………………………

Soon, Davos met people from the Pythagorean school in his house: one called Mattikoris and the other called Mentotik Els. Both of them looked young, so they should not be too old. over thirty years old.

Therefore, Davos, who had just returned home, said with a smile, "You guys look very young!"

This remark annoyed Mattikoris, he said loudly: "Math is not based on age to judge the level of level, my quick calculation in Tarantum no one can match! You think I am willing to go to this remote place by myself. from the small town?"

Davos chuckled: "Look, I didn't become a consul at a young age. If I look down on your young age, don't I look down on myself?!"

Mattikoris was taken aback.

"In fact, on the contrary, I am very happy that the Pythagoreans are all young people. Because they are young, they are energetic; because they are young, they are ambitious; because they are young, they dare to break the rules and think that their predecessors dare not. Think! This is especially important in the academic field, isn't it?!" Davers said passionately.

Mentotik Els, who had been silent before, widened his eyes.

Mattikoris muttered embarrassedly: "You're right..."

"You can rest assured! I will strongly support the development of your school in Amendolara, and I will provide you with a large house free of charge for you to live and teach, as long as you do not violate the laws of Amendolara,

You can develop your students in Amendolara without any restrictions. I believe that with your abilities, you will create a brilliant career in Amendolara that your classmates in Tarantum could not create! Make up for the regret of your ancestor Pythagoras! "

Davers' promise and encouragement ignited the passion of the two young people. After they saluted Davers respectfully, they asked Davers to send someone to take them to the house. They would start work immediately after a short rest.

Davers, of course, couldn't ask for it. When the two of them were far away, he could still hear Mattikoris' voice: "That consul is not bad! It's really good! Bittarantum..."

"Maticris, keep your voice down, you're still in someone else's house!"

...

Davos listened, and couldn't help laughing.

"Do you really intend to fully support the development of the Pythagoreans in Amendolara?!" Cristoia walked out of the side room, put her hand on Davos' shoulder, and said worriedly: "I heard that Bi The Dagoras School has a bad reputation. They act secretly and disrespect the gods. Instead, they believe that everything is made up of "numbers". It's not welcome!"

Davos smiled indifferently: "What does it matter, aren't we Greeks accustomed to living in harmony with gods! We won't be completely ruled by gods like the Egyptians, and if we disrespect gods, we will be executed. What's more, it is not easy to become a disciple of the Pythagoreans, except for a few highly educated nobles, ordinary people can't pass their test, which is why their school can't grow. And they are against democracy !"

"Oh..." Cristoia's eyes flowed: "Do you think they will support you?"

"What does it matter to me if they support or not!" Davers shrugged and said, "But at least it means they won't be a big trouble. Also, don't think they only study mathematics, they are interested in philosophy, music, art... …both are deeply researched. And one that interests you, academically they advocate for gender equality.”

"Really?" Cristoia asked in surprise.

"Of course it's true. It is said that Pythagoras' wife is his student. I heard from Architect." Davos laughed: "With their occupancy, you will have no shortage of banks in the future. An employee who can keep accounts."

"Didn't you say they couldn't develop?" Cristoia remembered what he had said before and rolled her eyes at him.

"Of course it won't work according to the current method of the Pythagoreans. However, after these two young people hit the wall, I don't believe they will not make changes." Davos said confidently.

……………………

In the early morning, wild flowers bloomed all over the Amendola Mountains, with bright purple and bright red, a romantic sea of ​​flowers, most of which were purple thyme, swaying in the mountain wind, spreading the rich fragrance all over the city.

Pairs of men and women dressed in costumes came out of their respective houses and gathered in the square...

More than 1,500 newlyweds turned the small square into a joyous crowd. The morning light shone on their happy smiling faces, and their eyes were focused on the central platform: there stood a statue of Hera carried from the Temple of Hera in Metapontum, the goddess holding the right hand With a cane, he lightly twisted the corner of his clothes with his left hand, and with a kind smile, he faced the newlyweds under the stage.

The statue is surrounded by several priestesses in white robes, dancing sacred dances and singing carols...

After the ceremony, High Priest Hera said to the countless newcomers in the audience with her clear and penetrating voice: "Today is a beautiful day, God Hera will be here to witness your happy union! Greeks The family is the most cherished, a happy marriage is the symbol of the prosperity of the family, and the cornerstone of the city-state’s stability!  …”

The high priest stepped forward, leaned over and asked, "Hera entrusted me here to ask all the men present, 'Will you be willing to shelter your wife from the wind and rain, and love her until the end of her life, no matter how difficult it is? ?"

The men headed by Davos said without hesitation: "Yes!!!"

"Hera entrusted me to ask all the women present, 'Would you be willing to run the family for your husband, raise children, and respect him until the end of your life, no matter how difficult it is?"

The women headed by Cristoia said sincerely: "I do!!!"

The high priest smiled: "Now the newcomers can kiss each other!"

Davos and Cristoia, Georgris and Dania, Olivers and Mitra (Due to the early arrival of the Hera priests of Metapontum yesterday afternoon, Davos hurried to go Marighi offered to marry him, but he did not expect that he readily agreed. In fact, Marighi, who was influenced by the royal system in Persia, didn't care much about Olivers' reputation and wealth. What he cared about was whether Olivers was close to Davos. friend, and Davos personally proposed)... Countless pairs of newlyweds stared affectionately, kissed sweetly...

Stromboli, who was watching, couldn't bear to look at it, but protested in a low voice: "This is against Greek tradition, it's too immoral! The inspector... The inspector should stop them!"

"The Ombudsman has already visited Tarantum." Scombras said with a smile, "I think this Hera ceremony is quite interesting."

"'Happy marriage is a sign of a prosperous family and the cornerstone of a city-state's stability.' This sentence makes perfect sense!" Raphias also sighed.

"I've never seen this kind of sacrificial ceremony of Hera before." Cornerus was a little puzzled.

"I heard that the consul rushed to the residence of the high priest at night to discuss and decide together. That must be the idea of ​​the consul." Protesilaus guessed.

"Listening to you, it seems that your consul is an interesting young man." Heraclea's messenger, Anrocris, looked at the square and said with a smile.

"God Hera bless you!" The high priest said sincerely with his fists to the sky.

Several priestesses began to throw holy water to the audience, and the newcomers sang the hymn of Hera reverently.

As soon as the marriage ceremony was over, the firefighters on the side of the field started pouring water into the field with pots filled with water. Although they were notified in advance, the women screamed and hid in the arms of their men, while the men While protecting their wives, they had to snatch the firefighters' crock pots. The screams continued throughout the venue, and the scene was cheerful and lively...

"It's so interesting! It's so interesting!"

"What are you doing?" asked Terry Todmus.

"Go back and get the water jug!" Protesinus ran without looking back.

"Take a crock pot?" Terry Todmos was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood. Seeing the excitement on the field, he was also moved, and shouted loudly: "Take a few more crock pots!"

"Yes, take a few more!" Scombras was also childish, and he also lamented: "It's a pity that I got married early!"

"Amendolara has not been so lively for a long time!" Raphias sighed.

Stromboli was touched by this sentence, watching the water mist rise in the field, condensing into a seven-color rainbow in the sun, he stopped complaining for a while, and muttered: "It's not like this will be held on this day every year in the future. A celebration?!"