v8 Chapter 9： 7 Hill City - Rome! (1)

Tapirus landed in Ostia with his entourage of the messengers.

Soon, he was surprised to note that in this prosperous port, the most Latin people who were not black-haired and black-eyed appeared, but the familiar Carthagin merchants from the south of Dionia, who were familiar with them. The cargo of a ship was docked here, and then it was preferentially unloaded by the port personnel, and was transported to Rome in the east. Compared with other city-state merchants, the port was much faster, and the process was Preface, obviously has been in operation for a long time.

In addition, in the port area of ​​Tapirus also saw the businessmen of Dionia. Over the past decade or so, the expansion of the Kingdom of Dionia, the rapid expansion of territories, the increase of various resources, the construction of roads within the kingdom, and the construction of bridges have provided convenient transportation, coupled with the various benefits promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce. The implementation of the measures for the development of commerce and trade has led to the prosperity of commerce and trade. Many cities have sprung up many merchants, and they have attracted foreign businessmen to actively apply to join Dionia. This has made the Dionyrian businessmen’s footprints all over the place. The entire Western Mediterranean. Of course, except for Sardinia, Corsica, and southern Iberia under the strict control of Carthage.

In the early years, some Dionysian businessmen came to Rome to do business, and they also became an important source of information for the Dionysian intelligence department to understand Rome. It’s just that they can’t get more discounts than the Carthage businessmen who have established a close relationship with Rome.

Rome is similar to Dionia, and it is not a seaport city. It is located on the middle of a large river. But the difference is that Rome is farther from the coast, and there are more than 40 miles of land. Therefore, it is very difficult for the ship to go upstream and straight into the city of Rome. Therefore, it needs the port of Ostia to transfer the goods.

The group of Tapirus went out of Ostia and went north along the south bank of the Tiber River.

By 3 pm, they saw the city of Rome standing in front.

"...Rome is a city formed by Latins and Sabin people 300 years ago. It is said that it was full of tidal flats and swamps at that time. Many powerful forces around it don't see this place, but this does not mean The Romans can develop quietly and securely, and it is invaded by foreign enemies from time to time.

The Etruscans once ruled it, the Gauls ruined its city, the Walsils, the Equé, the Sabine, and even the Latin alliance of the Romans... and other forces have defeated it one after another. But the Romans gradually grew up in constant setbacks and wars, and today it has become the most powerful city-state in central Italy..."

When Tapirus heard this from the mouth of King Daphus, he deeply felt the respect of the Diaonian ruler to Rome, and also made him feel: there are so many around. The hostile Romans can still grow to the present level, and the Romans must be a tough and tenacious race!

On the side of interest, Tapirus looked at the increasingly clear city of Rome and looked for information about it from his memory.

Rome is known as the City of Seven Hills, because there are seven hills in the city, all of which are concentrated in the corner of the Tiber River. Because such a chain of rivers that first westward, then eastward, and westward, caused flooding during the rainy season in spring and summer, it is easy to form depressions, so the original Romans lived in these hills. on……

The Roman city that Tapirus now sees is a new city. It was built on the ruins by the Romans after the Gauls were chased ten years ago. It is said that the Romans only took a year to build it. Ok, can you build a big city in such a hurry? !

As a result, Tapirus was surprised to find that the Roman walls standing in front of his eyes were not as flat and straight as the walls of the city of Turijin. The walls were smooth, but curved, and the bricks and rocks were irregular and chaotic. They are put together, so the wall is rough, the gap is large, and even the outer edge is ribbed. Of course, the wall is high enough, so it can be judged that the wall is thick enough, otherwise the wall can not be supported by such a bad wall...

Of course, this is only the personal opinion of Tapirus. More professional people are hidden in his messenger group. They will quietly and carefully observe the city, from military, political, commercial, social... Record the situation in Rome and the surrounding area in detail, and after collecting the information, go back and report to King Daves.

In fact, what Tapuis didn't know was: Seven years ago, after the Celtics were driven away from Camilos, the city of Rome was already in ruins. The Roman people debated whether to "migrate a city that has suffered unfortunately because of the curse of the gods, or to rebuild a new city on the ruins?" and finally had to hold a citizen assembly to vote.

Just as soon as he began to vote, a centurion who became a hero in the previous battle came to the stage with a flag officer and suddenly shouted: "Stop and put the flag in. This place is the best." Jiancheng location!"

His words immediately got the support of many former comrades. Immediately, Camillaus and several other highly respected veterans quickly declared with devout attitude: This is a god!

Citizens have actually become bored with this long-running debate and are anxious. Under the guidance of their trusted veterans, their emotions have changed rapidly. Everyone cheers and asks to rebuild Rome here. .

In order not to consume the enthusiasm of the people, and the enthusiasm of the people, the work of the city was quickly unfolded. Since there is basically no normal planning and construction, the construction process is completely arbitrary or convenient, so whether it is a city wall or not, Or private buildings are built quite badly, but the speed is guaranteed. After the reconstruction of the Roman city within one year, you can imagine how effective it is.

If it wasn’t for the "Celtic occupation of Rome" that gave the Romans a tragic memory, plus years of war, in the past few years, the Romans have repeatedly repaired their city defense during the slack season to guarantee the city. The safety of the people. Otherwise, Tapirus came to Rome five years ago, and he will see that the situation of this wall is even more unsightly.

There was a long queue in front of the city gate in the west of Rome. The towering people of Tapirus stood in front of the city guard until dusk.

The Roman city guard looked at Tapirus in front of him and the followers behind him: "You are the messengers from Diaonia?"

After listening to the translator's translation, Tapirus said calmly and loudly: "Yes, I am in the order of the King of Dionia, come to Rome to discuss things!"

The city guard no longer hesitated and said to another soldier next to him: "Come and call Minusius!"

After a while, I saw a young man in the city wearing a full armor and a red cap on the top of the helmet. He was surprised when he heard the narrative of the city guard: Daionia, but it was with Jiatai. The same powerful kingdom! What did its messenger come to Rome for? !

With this doubt, Minusius went forward and said in fluent Greek: "I am the Roman city governor, Minusius. Are you the messenger from the Kingdom of Dionia?"

"I am a diplomat of Dionia, Tapirus, with the important mission of the kingdom, to talk with the Roman Senate." Tapirus salute.

"Rome welcomes you, the distinguished messenger of the Kingdom of Dionia!" Minusius smiled and said apologetically: "I am sorry, I have kept you waiting. During this time, our Roman citizens are in the same invasion of Wall. In the West, another force went to calm the rebellion of Tuscuol. In order to prevent the enemy from attacking, the Senate stipulated that 'only the Romans are allowed to enter and exit the city.'"

Tapirus expressed his understanding.

Minusius led them into the gate.

When he entered the Roman city, Tapirus discovered that his previous judgments were not wrong. It was not just the walls of the city. The high and low, large and small houses in the city were also the result of rushing to build a big city within one year. . These houses, which have certainly not been planned as a whole, are as mad as the weeds on the ground. The streets are narrow and curved, the garbage is piled up indiscriminately, the sewage on the ground is flowing, the air is filled with strange smells, and it is possible to step on the urine. ......

Minusius saw that Tapirus and others were frowning Some even held their noses, how can they not understand what the problem is.

His face was reddish and explained: "The Celts invaded our city more than a decade ago, and when we drove them away, we found that our Roman city was destroyed by them. When rebuilding the city, However, in the face of the allies' betrayal and enemy invasion, our main energy is used to repel the enemy. Therefore, there is not enough time and wealth to rebuild the various urban areas, so that the people can solve it themselves, so it becomes now...

In the past few years, the Senate has also made a resolution to broaden the roads of various neighborhoods, but the war that took place every year makes us really unable to take time... Even during this time, we can’t get enough Manpower to transport the garbage in the city..."

Tapirus expressed understanding on the surface, but he did not agree with it. He believed that such a terrible urban environment reflects the Romans' lack of interest in urban planning and their concern for people's lives. If there are so many houses with too close and slanting slopes in Turui, the officials of the Ministry of Construction have already sent people to force them to be demolished, because it will lead to urban insecurity, causing house collapse and fire... …and many more. And those houses that are overcrowding the streets will not only be demolished by the road bureau officials under the Ministry of Construction, but their owners will also be severely punished because it encroaches on the public interest...