When the power fell into the hands of the Syracuse Democrats again, Teagenis, Falekus, Stacikos and others who learned the lessons of the past did not create a strange political system of twenty-five generals like before, but instead restored the traditional democratic system of Syracuse, the ten generals, the Hundred-man Council, and the Citizens' Congress, and continued some of the policies and bills implemented during the reign of Herolis, and at the same time, the war reparations to Dionia were also being paid.

In the years since Syracuse was defeated by Dionya, its political situation has been in turmoil, which has exhausted the energy and enthusiasm of the people, but also disappointed some elites with the prospects of Syracuse. For example, Ferrosanus, who accepted the invitation from Dionya Academy to teach in Turiy, and wrote several letters to King Davers, asking him to cut the war compensation he demanded for Syracuse.

It was not until the eleventh year of the Kingdom of Dionys that Davers generously wrote off the war reparations.

The political situation in Syracuse has returned to stability again and has gradually begun to regain its vitality. However, in the past turmoil, Syracuse's agriculture and trade have been severely damaged, and many free people and businessmen fled here and chose the booming Katanai.

When the quiet Syracuse people opened their eyes and looked out, they suddenly discovered that Syracuse, which once dominated Sicily and was intimidated by the Western Mediterranean, was not as strong as Katanai, a city under the Kingdom of Dionys, the former enemy. The allies that once surrounded Syracuse, such as Kamanlina, Gera, Agrithento, had already cut off contact with Syracuse, and instead tried to please Dionys...

The Syracuse people not only remembered the glory of the past, but also hated the culprit of all this, Diony, and most of the taxes obtained by Syracuse were used to pay war reparations every year. So a strange phenomenon appeared on Sicily: when all the Greek city-states of Sicily were in good terms with the Kingdom of Diony, Syracuse alienated this powerful neighbor from top to bottom. They rejected every invitation to celebrate in Diony, but had many disputes and conflicts with the city-states of Diony, Leotini and Taunis, on the issue of land on the border.

These performances of Syracuse were seen by Carthage, so this time the messenger sent by Carthage was on the mission of "to join Syracuse in the alliance against the Kingdom of Dionys."

……………………………………

In the Syracuse City Hall, ten Syracuse generals looked a little solemn after the Carthage messengers walked out of the conference room.

"I don't understand that Dionys and Carthage have maintained friendly exchanges for more than ten years. Why did war suddenly break out?!" General Hiktas from the Port District asked in confusion. Compared with the people of Syracuse in other areas, the civilians in the Port District still had a slight impression of Dionysia, because with the help of the Dionysians, the civilians in the Port District finally organized to resist Dionysius's tyranny, thus forming a force that cannot be ignored in the political arena of Syracuse.

"Don't you understand this! The reason why Carthage and Dionys can maintain friendly exchanges for more than ten years is that they both need time to restore their own strength. In fact, not only Sicily, but also the entire Western Mediterranean cannot accommodate two powerful countries. They will inevitably have wars due to conflicts of interests. It used to be Carthage and our Syracuse, but now it is just Dionysia..." Paronisus's voice was low, as if he recalled Syracuse's past. As an official who once served Dionysus, after the riot, he did not join the war to suppress the rebels due to the opposition of his sailors, and later escaped punishment. In the war to overthrow the murderer Undermarcus, he fought bravely and made great contributions, gained the recognition of the people, and has been elected as a general several times.

"If Dionya fights with Carthage, it is a great opportunity for us Syracuse! In recent years, since Dionya occupied the cities of Catanai, Naxos and Siculi in Sicily, it has had a great impact on our Syracuse. The free people are more willing to live in Katana and Naxos, and merchant ships are more willing to trade in Katana. Other city-states in Sicily are more willing to interact with them. If this continues, when will we Syracuse be able to regain the glory of our past!" Chief General Teagenis obviously supports cooperation with Carthage and jointly fight against Dionya.

"But, can Carthage defeat Dionia?" Kuchias expressed concern. More than ten years ago, he experienced the war that decided to rule the Greek overlord of the Western Mediterranean. He heard and witnessed a Legion of Dionia landing in Sicily and finally defeated the army of tens of thousands of people led by Masias.

"Yes, the army of Dionia is so powerful! Two years ago, they easily defeated the Sikels and occupied many of their towns. Now the Sikels revolve around the Dionians like dogs." Falekus took the conversation and, as a comrade who once fought side by side with the Dionian army and overthrew Dionis' rule, knew that Dionia's strength also did not support opposing Dionia: "Our Syracuse's strength is no longer the same as before. It is surrounded by the city of Dionia and its friendly allies. Once we declare war on Dionia, their army can immediately reach our city. The Dionians may be looking forward to us breaking the agreement so that they can break the city of Sikia and achieve the goal of unifying the eastern part of Sicily!"

The conference room fell silent. Over the years, as time went by, the generals knew that the reason why Syracuse could exist independently was because of the agreement reached between Carthage, Sparta and Dionia.

At this time, Stacikos said in a deep voice: "Everyone, if we don't provoke Dionia, will Dionia let Syracuse go? Once Carthage is defeated, will Syracuse still be able to remain independent? No! We will be forced to integrate into the Kingdom of Dionia like Katanai, Crotone, and Locre, and become an ordinary city, and lose the long history and glory that we are proud of! So, I think helping Carthage is to help ourselves!"

Stacikos's words moved the other generals.

"Everyone, you only see the power of Dionia, but Carthage is also very powerful. In recent years, the Carthaginians conquered Numibia in the inland of Aphilica and the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. The land they owned was even wider than that of the Kingdom of Dionia. More than ten years ago, when Carthagin was fighting with us, they could organize an army of 100,000 people, and now it can be easily reached!"

Teagenis waved his arms excitedly, trying to convince other generals: "In addition, don't forget Carthage's allies, Rome, which is about to fight against Dionia, is also very powerful. It is the overlord of central Italy and has a strong heavy infantry, which is definitely not so easy to deal with. Carthage and Rome join hands, which has made Dionia difficult to resist, not to mention that they have other helpers just now... Dionia has been trapped in the siege arranged by Carthage. If we don't join at this time, what are we waiting for!"

The Syracuses have had close military and trade exchanges with the west coast of Italy for decades, especially the Campania Alliance. Although the Campania Alliance has turned to Dionia in recent years, the unwilling Syracuses have not reduced their attention there, so they are more aware of the situation in Rome.

"More than ten years ago, Dionysius also put Dionysia in a siege. What was the result? We all know very well." Hiktas said lightly.

"But this time is different!" Teagenis glared at him, and wanted to continue persuading him.

Hiktas said coldly: "It is true that this time is different, because compared with more than ten years ago, the territory of Dionia has increased several times and its strength has also increased several times."

When Teagenis heard this, he was suffocated and didn't know what to say for a moment.

At this time, Falekus pondered and said, "I think this is done. Let's not agree to the Carthaginians, so that we will not blindly put Syracuse in a dangerous situation. If Carthagin did declare war on Dionia and had a great advantage, then it would not be too late for us to join it."

"I agree." Kuchias immediately agreed: "This is the steady approach!"

Soon, several other generals expressed their agreement, including Stacikos.

Teagenis nodded helplessly, but was very angry in his heart: he could be said to be the most powerless chief general in Syracuse for so many years. Some of the other generals participated in the riots against Dionysius, had a deep fighting friendship and gained a lot of supporters; or some were representatives of some special people's groups. After he escaped from Syracuse, his foundation in the city had long been swept away. Because he first provoked a rebellion against Gloris, he was suppressed again after Gloris's successful return. After Gloris finally gathered, the people who supported him left him again.

The reason why Teagenis, who had no strong support, was able to serve as the chief general in the past two years was because the citizens of Syracuse needed a person like him who had no strength but was famous to balance a group of powerful Herolis' former friends to avoid dictatorship.
Chapter completed!