"Now is a golden opportunity. If we go with you to meet Maximus, not only can we request his permission for your mountain tribe to migrate, we can also propose mobilizing our tribesmen to form an army to help the Nix people defeat the Pannonians."

"This way, once the Nix people occupy more of the Pannonian territory, they should allocate a larger expanse of land to us."

Elder Karsipempas eyed the two men suspiciously and suddenly sneered, "I wondered why you two were being so kind-hearted. Turns out you want to rope me into convincing Maximus so our tribesmen can fight and die!"

Xisaites retorted angrily, "Yes, we do have our own motives for coming to you, but isn't what we're saying true?! Aren't you unable to set sail anymore? Don't you have conflicts with Alistacas and his people? Isn't your mountain tribe currently facing difficulties? Isn't asking Maximus to allow migration of your tribesmen the best solution to these problems?"

"We've been here for years now. While everything else is fine, our tribesmen constantly compare themselves to the Nix people and complain that their land is too small. That's why we want to join forces with you to negotiate with Maximus so the three of us can form an army to participate in the war."

"This way, our numbers won't be insufficient. And after victory, the Nix Tribe will grant us more land. When your tribesmen move to the newly acquired land, they won't complain like ours do. You'll avoid a lot of trouble—won't that also be for your benefit!"

"As for concerns about casualties among the tribesmen… With the Nix people's current strength, they won't need us to fight to the death. Victory will come easily!"...

Xisaites' ardent speech left Elder Karsipempas momentarily speechless. After a moment, he shook his head and said, "It was difficult enough for you to leave the Aldean Territory back then, and now you want me to lead the mountain tribe to leave too? Do you think Alistacas would agree?!"

"I think Alistacas will agree!" Budocaribas said confidently. "We've already set a precedent. Alistacas was certainly furious at first, but by now he's used to it. He might even be glad about our departure, as it reduces the opposition against him during tribal meetings. Look, he hasn't sent anyone to notify us to join the tribal meetings for over a year."

"Moreover, our departure provided benefits to the southern tribes. They gained more land. If you leave, they stand to gain even more; they'll be able to fully control the iron mines and acquire more goods from the Nix Tribe. Even if Alistacas truly disagrees, those tribal leaders will pressure him into agreeing!"

Elder Karsipempas pondered for a long time before cautiously responding, "Give me some time; I need to think it through thoroughly."

The two men, disappointed by his hesitation, frowned.

Xisaites couldn't help but urge, "We estimate that the Nix people will begin their campaign against the Pannonians after the autumn harvest. Time is running out; you'd better give us your answer soon! Otherwise, we'll go to Maximus ourselves to discuss the matter of deploying troops!"

.....................

Early the next morning, Casius, head of intelligence at the Nix Tribe Secretariat, arrived at the main house's dining room and handed a confidential file to Maximus as he was having breakfast.

Maximus took the file into a side room, read through its contents carefully, and his lips curled into a faint smile. "Casius, do you think Elder Karsipempas will ultimately ask me to allow those Aldean tribesmen from the western mountains to migrate to our territory?"

"Leader, if Elder Karsipempas wants his tribesmen to live better lives, migration is the best choice. He's always worked hard to improve his tribe's impoverished situation, so I think he'll eventually agree to the persuasion of Budocaribas and Xisaites," Casius replied without hesitation.

"Hmm, Karsipempas is a bit stubborn, but once he comes around, he's easy to convince." Maximus chuckled. "If he's willing to bring his tribesmen to migrate to Nix, I'll certainly welcome them. But Budocaribas and Xisaites think that dragging Karsipempas into this will make me agree to their plan to lead troops into battle for more land. Hmph..."

"You don't plan to agree to their request?" Casius asked softly.

"With our tribe's current military strength, defeating Brochi and Mazi is relatively easy. We don't need extra help."

"If their army simply strolls onto the battlefield and they effortlessly acquire land comparable to that of our tribesmen, what would our people, who firmly believe in the Twenty Peerage System, think? Other outsiders might also try to imitate them!"

Maximus snorted coldly, "Budocaribas and Xisaites are too greedy, wanting to pocket one gain while eyeing another!"

In fact, Maximus knew full well: these two leaders of the Aldean Tribe were making such proposals out of dire necessity.

Since their migration to the Sava River, their tribesmen were no longer plagued by hunger and cold, nor were their lives at risk. But happiness is a matter of comparison. As they looked around, they saw that the Nix people lived far better lives and that the Nix Tribe's system was much more advantageous for ordinary tribesmen's development, which naturally bred dissatisfaction toward their own leaders and nobles.

Although Budocaribas maintained relatively decent relationships with his tribesmen due to shared hardships, with little wealth disparity, this discontent would grow over time and ultimately erupt. But this was exactly what Maximus wanted—he wouldn't tolerate a group of outsiders within his territory who were exempt from tribal decrees. Now that Budocaribas saw trouble looming and hoped to use this method to resolve it, how could Maximus let them succeed?

Casius instinctively understood the implications of his leader's words but hesitated slightly.

Maximus noticed. "What's on your mind? Speak."

Casius hesitated briefly, then asked carefully, "Leader, yesterday Lord Xie Pangbo sent an urgent message suggesting the tribe recruit pirates in the Adriatic Sea and other seas who are being hunted by Rome, as a way to compensate for the labor shortage in the tribe. Do you agree with this suggestion?"

Maximus responded with an encouraging question, "What's your take on it?"

"I think..." Casius mustered his courage, "Lord Xie Pangbo's suggestion is overly risky. Rome is currently focused on eradicating pirates, and if we recruit them now, it will undoubtedly draw attention. If we alarm Rome, it may bring significant trouble to the tribe."

Maximus nodded, "Xie Pangbo is diligent, and his abilities are commendable. Snowdonia wouldn't be as prosperous as it is today without him. But sometimes he focuses too much on immediate benefits and neglects potential dangers—a dangerous approach indeed! He should know we'll soon be at war with the Pannonians; won't there be an abundance of labor then?"

Casius detected a trace of dissatisfaction in Maximus's tone and opted to stay quiet.

"Casius." Maximus looked at his protégé with approval. "You're doing well! But as the intelligence chief, you must not only gather information but also learn to discern its accuracy and value, voicing your insights when necessary like you did just now."

"Understood."

"You worked late into the night yesterday and came so early today. Have you eaten breakfast yet? Come eat with us." Maximus patted Casius lightly in a friendly gesture.

"Thank you, Leader."

Around the dining table sat Maximus's family. His three wives—Nexia, Florist Luscia, and Geniandafra—were present along with two young boys: nearly three-year-old Gandlicusi (born to Florist Luscia) and eighteen-month-old Flermisde (born to Geniandafra).

Maximus entered the dining room and arranged for Casius to take a seat. A servant from the Ministry of Internal Affairs quickly brought over breakfast.

Having dined with Maximus often, Casius showed no discomfort, simply said "Thank you," and tucked into his meal. He was indeed starving.

"Daddy." Gandlicusi set down his spoon and piped up, "Can I sit beside you when we watch the match today?"

Maximus looked at his eldest son. His delicate little face was smeared with porridge, his mouth slightly open to reveal two tiny tiger teeth, and his big, shiny eyes glimmered with anticipation...

Maximus gently asked, "Last year, you sat with Mom. Why do you want to sit with me this time?"

"Because... because if I sit with Dad, I won't get scolded."

Maximus chuckled silently. Children are so straightforward in their thoughts.

"Alright." Maximus agreed readily.

"Thank you, Daddy!" Gandlicusi beamed, his crescent-shaped smile radiating pure joy.

"Me too! Me too! I want to sit with Daddy too!" chubby little Flermisde chimed in excitedly, his words still slightly muddled due to his young age.

"Alright. Little Flermis can sit with Daddy too." Maximus smiled, deciding to indulge them both.

"Yay! We can sit with Daddy and watch the match!" Gandlicusi cheered, pulling his younger brother into the celebration. He even began to strategize, "I'll sit on Daddy's left, and you can sit on his right—"

"No, I want to sit in Daddy's lap!" Flermisde declared, lifting his chin defiantly.

"No!" An authoritative female voice interrupted, and both boys immediately clammed up, glancing in slight fear at Nexia, seated beside Maximus.

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