Maximus heard this, looked at Cleobrotas, and saw that the old man was still observing him with a probing gaze.
So, he smiled slightly: "Elder Cleobrotas, I will answer your question in a while. You’ve come from afar, how can we let you stand here and talk? Come, come, follow me over there, have some wine to quench your thirst, eat a bit to fill your stomachs, and then we can talk in detail."
"That’s wonderful!" Karsipengpas, pulling at his sweat-soaked clothes, complained: "This damned weather, it’s unbearably hot!"
"I wonder if it’s as hot in your tribe as it is here?" Maximus asked casually as he led them back.
"It’s much cooler there, though winters are colder, especially in the mountains. However, these past few winters have been particularly cold, sigh... it’s difficult," Karsipengpas shook his head and sighed.
Maximus was slightly moved.
The attendants had already laid out tent cloths on the grass and set out wine and various foods.
Maximus arranged for everyone to sit on the ground and had the attendants pour wine for everyone, then the two sides continued to introduce themselves.
Previously, Maximus had been speaking Illyrian with Karsipengpas and his group, but Volenus, Pigeris, Quintus, and Flanitnus couldn’t understand it at all. When they switched to Latin, only Karsipengpas and Cleobrotas could understand.
When living in Illyria in the future, the language communication will be a problem... Maximus realized this.
Naturally, Fesaros, Pequot, and Alakosia, the three Illyrians, caught the attention of the Aldean envoy; they actively inquired about which tribe the three came from and why they became slaves, and so on.
After some pleasantries, Maximus lifted a wine jug with a solemn expression and said: "Elders of the Alde Tribe, I represent all of us in welcoming your arrival, and I toast to you first!" After saying this, he tilted his head back and took a large gulp.
The others present also took a sip of their wine.
"Delicious!" Ciciliotes’ eyes lit up, and he took another large sip.
Some envoys, though silent, continued to drink as well.
"This is wine we confiscated in Rome’s Northern Italy Province; it’s said to be the best wine from that province. It seems to suit your tastes well. We have many barrels in our carriages. When you leave, each of you can take two barrels with you." Maximus said heartily.
Cleobrotas thought it inappropriate and was about to refuse when Ciciliotes loudly said: "That’s great, the wine is really good, but two barrels aren’t enough!"
"Then add two more barrels for each person!" Maximus waved his hand and turned to the administrative officer: "Volenus, make sure that when the elders leave, some carriages help them carry the wine away."
"Understood, leader, I’ll speak with Capito shortly," Volenus replied.
Karsipengpas was not wrong; this army listens to this young man’s orders... Cleobrotas thought to himself as he watched this scene.
"Thank you, Leader Maximus, for your generosity!" Ciciliotes said happily.
"You’ve traveled over mountains and ridges; it’s been very tough. It’s only right for me to offer some gifts in return. Come, let me toast to you again!" Maximus lifted the wine jug once more.
"No, no, since you gave us such fine wine, we should be the ones to toast to you!" Ciciliotes responded graciously.
The two sides went back and forth, drinking for several rounds, and everyone gradually became more acquainted.
Maximus, seeing the atmosphere was just right, let out a wine-stifled hiccup and said loudly: "About Elder Cleobrotas’ question earlier, I can now answer. Yes, even if we settle down, as long as there’s a chance, I will still attack the Panloni people. Why, you ask?"
Maximus, with bleary eyes, scanned the crowd and said solemnly: "Gentlemen, do you know that we Illyrians are already on the edge of life and death!"
Maximus was satisfied to see everyone showing surprised expressions, then he picked up a ceramic pot that was on the tent cloth with food, and began to arrange it: "I’m not trying to scare you. Look here... Let’s assume this is us Illyrians, this is Italy, already completely belonging to Rome, and in between is the narrow Adriatic Sea. On the upper left of the Illyria region is Rome’s Northern Italy Province; the coastal areas of Illyria have already been taken over by Rome, becoming their Illyria Province. To the south of the Illyria region is Rome’s Macedonia Province...
Aside from the Pannonians to the north and the Thracians to the east, Illyria is almost surrounded by Roman forces, but unlike the Thracians and Pannonians, we Illyrians are too close to Rome. Our pirate ships even threaten their navigation in the Adriatic Sea...
So, in the eyes of the Romans, we Illyrians are a big problem! To solve this problem, making the world Rome rules over more orderly, means turning the entire Illyria region into a Roman province!"
"This..." Even though Cleobrotas is called the "think tank of the Alde Tribe" by Great Chief Acoupaigos, he is actually quite ignorant about the world, being trapped in the mountains.