Chapter 48 Slavery
Besides the change in faith
Dixtis immediately issued a second, even more significant, and arguably extremely radical, decree—
"From this day forward, Argos will regard the slave trade as an illegal activity."
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This decree immediately caused a huge uproar...
Below, the masses were protesting loudly, raising a cacophony of questions:
"Without slaves, who will manage my orchard? Who will feed my cattle and sheep? Will you come?"
"If I spend so many gold coins to order a batch of slaves and they won't let me sell them, then all my money will be wasted?"
Some people were even more radical, hurling insults with their necks red:
"Are you out of your mind? Do you even know how to be a king?"
"I've seen him before. His name is Dicttis. Not long ago, he was just a fisherman who became king by sheer luck following the Messiah. He's utterly incapable of governing a country! Go back to fishing!"
Of course, apart from some merchants who held large numbers of slaves, the most vocal critics were some wealthy people who owned slaves, while for those truly at the bottom of society... nothing changed.
As for the nobles... they were kneeling behind Dicttis, their legs trembling from the slaughter... at least for the time being, they dared not entertain any further thoughts of resistance...
Standing on the high platform in the square.
Dicttis was wearing an ill-fitting royal robe, and his face looked rather unpleasant.
He glanced at Yara from time to time.
He pinned his hopes on the Messiah to give him a sense of security...
It is true that Dicttis was once a prince.
But this was his first time as king... and he seemed somewhat afraid in the face of the overwhelming, almost irresistible public opinion.
"Brother... what should we do?"
"These troublemakers don't seem to support us..."
Standing before the crowd, Dicttis felt somewhat uneasy and whispered to Yara beside him.
Yara didn't have any ideas either...
He used to be a farmer who couldn't even read properly.
What does he know about governing a country? Governing a village the size of Canaan is already his entire management ability.
Yara was about to say something.
Old Tyr, however, spoke first:
"Perhaps... it will take some time..."
"Many people in this city made their fortunes through the slave trade... and doing this now is tantamount to cutting off their source of income."
"Abolishing the slave trade right from the start will inevitably be met with their resistance."
"When I was young, I traveled to many countries...and met many ambitious and idealistic rulers..."
"Some of them also want to try to change the system."
"But even Athens, known for its democracy and progressiveness, could not do this."
Old Tyr looked at the impassioned crowd in the square, paused, and said:
"If we want to achieve these things..."
"It may take a long time."
"Perhaps... it will last a lifetime..."
Dickis listened, and seemed to understand something.
He then looked at Yara, who was behind him and nodded in support with her eyes.
So Dicttis opened the scroll in his hand, pondered for a moment, and then announced to the crowd once more:
"Argos will cease all support for the slave trade, and will no longer provide security or escort... Slave trading areas will be completely abolished... and legally, no further disputes related to the slave trade will be accepted..."
"All slaves must be registered and their basic human rights guaranteed. They must not be tortured or abused; otherwise, they will be punished for murder... Any act of smuggling or harboring slaves will be considered as possessing private armed forces and will be punished as treason..."
"...Children under the age of 14 are not considered slaves, and the kingdom will conduct regular reviews. Any acts of smuggling or harboring children will be punished with the most severe penalties..."
"..."
This amendment to the law is clearly more acceptable to the public.
It's like originally tearing down the roof, but now it's just opening a window.
Meanwhile, the merchants were smug, believing it to be a victory for the common people...
...
A few days later.
While Dixtis was extremely busy.
But he received news that he hadn't expected...
Upon hearing this news, even though the kingdom was in dire need of rebuilding and even though he had to put aside all his work, Dicttis had to go there in person.
Because Yara is leaving.
Argos, inside the royal palace.
Dicttis did not summon his ministers.
Only Yara, Pan, and old Tyr were inside the temple.
These three brothers have faced numerous life-or-death trials.
"Yara brothers".
"I'm severely short-handed right now. The reconstruction of the temple... the spread of Catholic faith... the reorganization of the army... the reform of slavery... I have far too few capable people at my disposal..."
"Therefore, I would like to ask you to stay in Argos."
"After the temple is rebuilt, we will worship God... No one is more suitable to be the high priest than the Messiah."
"And Pan himself came from a military background, so he was the perfect candidate to be a commander..."
"And Master Tyr, with his vast knowledge and exceptional swordsmanship, is most suited to be the kingdom's prime minister..."
"So... I think, Brother Yara, you shouldn't go back to Canaan. Why don't you just settle down here?"
"We all know that the throne was given to me by you."
"You are the true master of this city..."
The group listened to Dicttis's almost pleading words, their expressions shifting, but they remained silent.
Pan was a little stunned. He glanced at the two silent people beside him, scratched his head, and then said frankly:
"I didn't want to leave. Argos is my home."
Dick was delighted to hear this.
However, he still looked at the two most crucial figures, Yara and old Tyr...
Yara thought for a long time, then walked to the window, leaned against it, and looked down at the entire city of Argos. The ruined capital was reflected in his eyes... and finally let out a sigh.
He still spoke up:
"I can't stay here..."
"My wife should give birth next spring..."
"My child should be born in Canaan and become a Canaanite..."
Dicttis remained silent, his mind drifting back to the homeland of Seriphos...
He knew very well that a man could never forget his family.
He was about to say something, but was interrupted by Yara's sudden words.
"And... I only have ten years left to live."
"As the messiah... I have done enough."
"Therefore, I want to dedicate the rest of my time to Canaan and my children..."
"Of course, if you encounter any problems you can't solve, you can also come to me..."
"Come to Canaan to find me..."
Dicttis did not understand what Yara meant.
He was shocked, worried, and anxious, and quickly asked:
"No...wait..."
What do you mean by having only ten years to live?
"You're only in your early twenties, right? Ten years from now you'll be in your thirties at most, in the prime of your life..."
"How could he have such a short life?"
....