Just as the Mountain Clique monopolized the mines, the Plain Clique controlled agriculture and agricultural products, and the Coast Clique monopolized the trade routes. This group of people gave birth to politicians like Pericles, and their status in Athens was still very high. What Alcibiades said was indeed true. If the Coast Clique was not properly dealt with, it would not only become a hidden danger, but also a situation would arise. That is, as citizens of the Greek Empire, the Coast Clique would likely use the huge wealth in their hands to become famous merchants in the Greek Empire.
They now monopolized Athenian trade.
In the future, it may also be possible to monopolize the trade of the entire Greek Empire.
Hilde had thought about this problem before, but had never come up with a solution.
"Alcibiades."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What do you think should be done with these people from the Coast Faction?"
"In my opinion, the empire has just been established, and Athens has only been occupied for a few days. If we start to attack the Coast Faction at this time, there may be some problems. Moreover, we have already offended the Mountain Faction and the Plain Faction today. If we continue to suppress the Coast Faction at this time, it may only cause the three factions to support each other in order to protect themselves, which will be very detrimental to our rule in Athens. Therefore, why don't we let go and support the merchants of the Coast Faction now, let them do business throughout the Greek Empire, give them preferential conditions, win them over, and then..."
"Then?"
Hilde raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Since it is a business, there will naturally be some black spots. In fact, there is no need for black spots, and many reasons can be found..."
"I see."
Alcibiades had this idea.
Hilde was very satisfied.
It's nothing more than fattening them up and then killing them.
Hilde did not allow the emergence of wealthy merchants in the Greek Empire. Although the Byzantine Chamber of Commerce existed, it was a semi-official institution that swore allegiance to King Hilde at the time. Merchants had to rely on the Chamber of Commerce, and the largest merchant was the country behind the Chamber of Commerce. However, the Byzantine Chamber of Commerce has also exposed many of its own problems recently. For example, as an institution, it is too bloated and not flexible enough. It can only trade according to government instructions. It is very useful in trade wars, but it is not flexible enough for free trade.
Therefore, liberalized businessmen are the guarantee for stimulating economic operations.
But over-expanded businessmen are a threat to national stability.
So, Hilde had his own plan in mind.
"If that's the case, let them continue to make money. We'll have to see how they perform. If they behave themselves and are honest businessmen, it's not impossible to spare them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hilde actually said this to Alcibiades.
The first tune, the eighth section, the rather tired queen
Alcibiades' own family was a fairly large merchant family.
And, Hilde always knew.
It was during the great evacuation of Athens.
Alcibiades' family also followed Alcibiades to Byzantium and started doing business in Byzantium. Through Alcibiades' power and reputation in Byzantium, their family's status in Byzantium continued to rise, and they also made a lot of profit from trade. Now, after the fall of Athens, this family that originally belonged to Athens will inevitably return to Athens from Byzantium. At that time, they will have more funds and will become the leaders of the Coast Faction.
However, Alcibiades had also contributed a lot to the empire. If he took direct action, it would be like adding insult to injury and would also make people feel cold. However, if he left it alone, he would be inviting a wolf into the house. Therefore, Hilde first warned Alcibiades to see if he understood Hilde's meaning. If he understood Hilde's meaning, then Alcibiades' family would not return to Athens, but would continue to do business and trade under the framework of the Byzantine Chamber of Commerce. Of course, this is the best outcome.
If, if you can't figure it out.
Then Hilde will take some action.
But you can't blame her.
Alcibiades nodded in understanding.
"My subordinate understands."
"Okay, then, I'll leave it to you. I'm going to rest first."
"Yes."
After completing this part of the work, Hilde returned to his room.
In fact, Hilde originally planned to return to Pericles' mansion, after all, that was where Hilde had lived for fifteen years. However, Hilde knew that once she went back, she would miss Sophia uncontrollably, because that place was also full of memories of Sophia and Hilde. Hilde didn't want such memories to affect her ability to deal with the mess in Athens, so she now lived directly in the Parthenon, which she was not allowed to enter before, even though it was deserted and unfamiliar.
The bedrooms in the temple were originally for clergy to live in.
After Hilde came here.
It became Basileus's temporary bedroom.
When Hilde returned to the room, she heard Xerxes' worried voice behind her.
"Sissi."
"Ah, little Xuexue, are you still awake?"
"No, I went to help Rhodes deal with the Athenian fleet today. I was busy in Piraeus Port for a whole day and came back after dark." Xerxes looked at Hilde and said worriedly, "You look very tired now. I rarely see you like this. I, I... I don't know how I can help you."
"fine."
Hilde walked up to Xerxes.
Then he reached out and took Xerxes' hand.
"I might just be a little tired."
"Then take a good rest."
"But you know, I can't sleep..." Hilde smiled helplessly. "I used to think that not having sleep is a very good thing. After all, I can do things that others can't do and spend a lot of time on work. But now I feel that this may be a kind of torture. I feel tired physically and mentally. The best way is to lie in bed and have a good sleep, but I can't sleep."
Hilde missed sleep so much.
Before, in the modern world.
For her, who stays up late to work overtime every day, the happiest time is when she lies in bed and sleeps, and wakes up naturally the next day.
At that time, I felt that sleeping was the most comfortable thing, without any exception. However, now I am completely deprived of sleep. Every day I seem to have unlimited motivation. I don’t need sleep at all and can do everything well. But when I really feel tired, I can’t relieve it through sleep.
Xerxes asked worriedly:
"Then how about lying down for a while, closing your eyes, and emptying your mind?"
"No."
Hilde shook her head.
"Why?"
"Because, that would remind me of Sophia."
Hilde released his hand and walked into the room.
In the center of the room, there was a bed, but it was only covered with sheepskin, not with soft padding and quilts like in the palace. Hilde sat on the bed, then took off the cloak draped over her shoulders and put it aside. Xerxes now felt a strong sense of helplessness. She looked at her beloved, who was now in such a state of confusion and pain, but she had no way to help her. She felt very sad, but she could do nothing.
So Xerxes had to muster up his courage.
Sat next to Hilde.
"Sissi..."
"what happened?"
"Although, although I can't help you, I will accompany you."
"……Thanks."
Accompany me...
Looking at the faintly glowing pattern on Xerxes' arm, Hilde knew that this was just a lie to comfort herself. Accompany her? Xerxes himself knew his own fate. The reason why Hilde worked so hard was actually to fulfill her wish when Xerxes met his end. This was the only thing Hilde could do for Xerxes. For this purpose, Hilde even became an enemy of the gods on Mount Olympus. Even now that Sophia was captured, in fact...
Hilde has no regrets.
She reached out and gently touched Xerxes' head.
"You, don't worry too much about me."
"But……"
"I've experienced things that are even more stressful than this. Besides, Artemis has also gone to the divine realm. I believe in her. If she can rescue Sophia, then that would be a great thing. But if she can't, then I can only blame my incompetence." Hilde looked at her hands. "My ability is not strong enough to protect everyone I want to protect. This is really a pity."
"Sissi, you are already very strong."
Xerxes hugged Hilde.
"Don't forget what I told you before."
"Well, don't be unconfident."
"Yes, you have to be more confident."
"Don't worry, I have confidence. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so busy these days preparing to declare war on all the city-states in Greece. I originally thought that our mission would be over after taking Athens, and we just need to maintain close contact with the city-states. However, I changed my mind. Since we have taken Athens, why can't I become the king of all Greece?"
The first tune, the ninth section, the pressure-filled Hera
"I know."
Xerxes looked at Hilde's smile.
However, she also knew in her heart that Hilde was just being stubborn.
However, if you want to expose Hilde's stubbornness at this time, there is no need. So Xerxes just patted Hilde lightly and said to her, "Then you should have a good rest first."
"What about you?"
"I'm going to go outside for a walk."
Xerxes had said this.
In fact, it is just to give Hield some free space.
Hilde also understood what he meant, so he warned, "Be careful, don't get captured by the gods."
"Don't worry, they are not interested in me."
After Xerxes left.
Hilde lay on the bed, looking at the dim ceiling above her head.
She couldn't sleep, and she didn't feel sleepy at all, but the tiredness in her body seemed to pull Hilde back to that time in the past. Normally, Hilde was full of energy and motivation no matter what she did, but today, Hilde felt an indescribable tiredness, as if she had worked overtime for many days in the company and had not produced any results. The feeling of frustration, fatigue, and helplessness was exactly the same as her at that time. And Hilde remembered very clearly that it was in that feeling that Hilde died suddenly at work.
Ha, I am afraid that I will also die suddenly now?
Hilde couldn't help but think so.
But soon, the joking spirit disappeared.
"Sophia..."
Hilde prayed in her heart.
Hope everything goes well for Sophia.
——————————Dividing line——————————
And in the divine realm.
The fall of Athens did not bring any changes to the divine realm. After all, for the gods, even if Athens was destroyed, they would not care much. Living in isolation from the human world for such a long time, they had long lost their concern for humans. Of course, they themselves had no interest in humans.
The gods who participated in this action, including Hera, kept silent about the incident after returning to the God's Domain. Zeus still locked himself in the temple, and no one knew what he was trying to do. And Hera was also uncharacteristically so when Zeus locked himself in, Hera also chose to do the same. As soon as she returned to the God's Domain, she completely closed her temple.
And the reason is naturally.
To hide Sophia's existence.
For Hera, Sophia is an important clue.
She didn't want other gods to know about this for the time being.
After returning to her temple, Sophia was thrown into an empty room by Hera. There was nothing here. Although it was located high in the sky and was the most sacred place in the eyes of humans, Sophia, who was thrown here, only felt an indescribable oppression and coldness. She now had no strength to resist Hera, and just curled up her body and sat on the cold ground.
"It's no use even if you catch me."
Sophia looked at Hera who was standing in front of her.
He said helplessly:
"That's all I know."
"I know, but I need more than just what you know..."
Hera came over and leaned over to look at Sophia, who was very weak.
"You did surprise me a little. You have great resilience. It makes sense that Nyx would choose you as her oracle. However, Nyx should not be alive. Or rather, if she were still alive, it would bring us a lot of trouble. Do you understand what I mean?"
"So what?"
