After hearing Nadir Shah's words, the people kneeling on the ground dared to raise their heads.
"In reply to the great King of Kings, our dealings with the Greeks are limited to trade."
The tribal leader answered cautiously, his pupils trembling slightly as he spoke.
Of course, that's because anyone with a discerning eye can see what this huge force is used for.
"King of Kings! We have never been involved in any conspiracy against you!"
"On the contrary, we have repeatedly thwarted Greek infiltration attempts into the interior!"
"And recently, it seems that because of the hostility between Athens and Sparta, Greeks rarely come to our place."
"So, when we heard you were here, we immediately sent someone to greet you and offer you a small gift."
Nadir Shah nodded, and this was the best outcome for the leader who had just spoken.
"very good."
"You have chosen the broader path."
"I will treat the subjects loyal to Persia well."
"You will continue to retain your lands and titles, provided you pay tribute on time and provide necessary support to our army."
After receiving such a promise, everyone kneeling on the ground was ecstatic and immediately bowed their heads in submission.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
"Great King of Kings! We will offer our humble efforts to your army!"
Not far from the meeting, a group of businessmen from Greece were watching all this silently, with the worry on their faces growing deeper and deeper.
"What is this?!"
"The Persians actually gathered such a large army!"
“No, no!”
"I must report this news immediately to..."
Just as he was stunned for a few seconds and was about to turn around and leave, he suddenly realized that the light around him seemed to dim a little.
He raised his head and saw only dense black dots.
"Oh, gods—"
Before he could finish his words, countless arrows completely submerged his body like a tide.
On the other side, on the plain not far away, people saw a very terrifying and shocking scene.
Thousands of farmers put down their farm tools, went to the fields, and looked at the endless military camp from afar.
Persian military camp.
The tents were like an ocean, and even the campfires were connected into bright lines.
"Yes, it's the Persians!"
"Father, will they kill us?"
A girl tugged at the tattered corner of her father's clothes and asked timidly.
My father shook his head and lowered his voice.
“I don’t know… I don’t know…”
Not far away, an elderly priest was preaching to the villagers.
"Everyone, listen to me!"
"The gods have foretold the coming of the Persians!"
"A great fire will eventually devour our homes!"
"We must escape, the sooner the better!"
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar.
Because leaving here means leaving the habitat of their ancestors.
Simply put, many people here have nowhere to go except to stay here.
Therefore, even after hearing the priest's words just now, most people still chose to stay.
"Where can we escape to?"
"Athens? Sparta? Will they accept us?"
Simply put, if they were not Greek citizens, the final fate of the refugees in the many Greek city-states would probably be to become slaves.
So, they don't want to go there either.
"Besides, what can we take away?"
"These lands passed down from our ancestors, these vineyards and olive groves we worked so hard on, we can't take anything with us!"
"We want to stay!"
......
On the other side, the nobles of the village's jurisdiction immediately organized a grand welcoming ceremony.
They brought fat cattle and sheep, offered the best wine and beautiful girls.
At a lavish banquet, a Persian general arrogantly declared to them: "The mercy of the God-King, the King of Kings, is as vast as the sky!"
"As long as you are willing to obey the rule of the empire, no harm will come to you!"
The nobles were filled with gratitude, and some even offered to send troops to assist the Persians.
In this way, without losing a single soldier, the Persians gained this important strategic stronghold, as well as a large amount of food and supplies.
A young man named witnessed all this.
He had been a devout patriot, but now, watching his homeland surrender so easily, he had mixed feelings.
Soon after, he met a Persian officer.
The officer was leisurely enjoying the fresh fruit that had just been delivered, while not far away, two disheveled women were squatting on the ground crying.
Seeing the young man come in, he just waved in a friendly manner.
"Young man, come and taste this pomegranate."
"We brought them from Persia. They are much sweeter than the fruits here."
The young man looked at the woman crying not far away and took the pomegranate stiffly.
"thank you......"
"My lord, I have a question for you."
"Why did so many city-states surrender so easily?"
The officer just chuckled at his silly look.
"Do you think it was the strength of the Persian army that forced them to surrender?"
The young man bowed slightly at this time: "Isn't it?"
The officer slowly explained, "That's only part of the reason."
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