"Yes!!!..." Everyone shouted confidently.
"When we reach Validosi, at first, we might still live in tents in the camp for a while. Once we start cultivating the land and measuring it, each of you will be given a plot. Then you can build your own houses, farm your own land, and herd your cattle and sheep..."
Maximus’s words once again triggered a wave of enthusiastic cheers.
"Leader, will us women get land too?!" Acronis, sitting in the front, stood up and voiced the heartfelt question of all the women present.
"Of course, women will also be given land!" Maximus answered loudly without hesitation: "Our soldiers fight the Romans at the front, while our women tirelessly cook food, sew clothes, and tend to the wounded at the back... Our success in arriving here is not only due to the soldiers but also thanks to the hard work of the women and the elderly! So, I said earlier that everyone will get an equal share of land!"
"Long live Leader Maximus!!!..." Amid the women’s cheers, someone suddenly shouted: "Leader Maximus, I love you!"
The hall was immediately filled with laughter.
Maximus rubbed his nose a bit awkwardly.
"Leader, how much land will each of us get?!" someone asked eagerly.
"The specific amount of land each person will receive will only be determined after we reach Validosi and finish measuring the land. But here, I can clearly tell you it will be no less than what a regular Roman citizen owns!" Maximus declared emphatically.
"Moreover, if we defeat the Pannonians and seize their more fertile and vast lands, then the amount of land each of you owns will multiply several times!
Brothers and sisters, you were once deprived of land, lost your homes, burdened with huge debts, reduced to slaves or refugees, oppressed by nobles and rich men, with relatives dying tragically, and yourselves driven like cattle and sheep... Your first half of life was full of suffering!..."
Tears glistened in Maximus’s eyes as his voice dropped, then suddenly rose again: "But starting today, I hope each of you will live in a luxurious house, with vast lands, granaries piled high with wheat, pens full of cattle and sheep, fine horses to ride when going out, respected in the countryside, and welcomed home by family... You will have many children, who are smart and filial, taught by teachers... This is not only my hope, but I will do my utmost to make these hopes a reality!
Brothers and sisters, I once led you to raid the fortified Pompey, capture the populous Sarabia, our troops have eaten, dressed, and been armed better than any other, we’ve performed better in battle, suffered fewer deaths... I have led you to create so many miracles, so are you willing to continue following me, and with me, together achieve the beautiful future I just described?!"
"Leader Maximus, we are willing to follow you till death!!!..." The whole venue erupted with loud cheers, everyone with teary eyes, excited beyond belief, crying and shouting, seemingly mad.
Even the people in the town of Tarsatica to the south heard the thunderous shouting and thought the rebel army was about to attack, scaring them into hiding indoors and locking windows and doors tightly.
Maximus had no idea how much his final speech affected everyone present. By deep night, when everyone was supposed to be asleep, many were too excited to sleep.
"Samoras, are bugs biting your ass? You’re tossing and turning, keeping me awake!" Tini Bazus watched the dark silhouette beside him and cursed in a low voice.
But Samoras didn’t quiet down and instead moved closer, whispering: "Tini Bazus, I was just thinking, like Leader Maximus said, when I have plenty of money, should I buy sheep or cows?"
Tini Bazus was speechless and said irritably: "Isn’t that a minor thing to think about? Just buy some of each!"
"But I know how to raise cows, not sheep."
"Then just buy cows, don’t buy sheep."
"But I want to buy them, just afraid I might not raise them well."
"If you don’t know how to raise sheep, you can learn. Aren’t there people in our team who used to be shepherds?"
"Yeah, you reminded me, I’ve decided, I’ll buy some of both cows and sheep."
"If you’ve figured it out, then quickly sleep and stop talking!"
"But how many cows and sheep should I buy?"
Tini Bazus rolled his eyes in annoyance, just about to scold when another soldier sat up excitedly and said: "Captain, once Leader Maximus gives me land and I have money, I’m not buying cows or sheep, I’ll first find a wife and have children. I think the nurse Arela from the Medical Camp is really nice—"
"Arela is certainly nice, but she’s not interested in you. However, last time when I was injured, she was particularly good to me!" another soldier suddenly interrupted: "I think I might actually marry her—"
"Stop dreaming! She’s a nurse and treats all injured soldiers like that—"
"Enough, both of you shut up!" Tini Bazus exclaimed, annoyed: "If you two keep fooling around and let others laugh at our team, I’ll make you two carry everyone’s gear tomorrow!"
Tini Bazus’s anger didn’t quiet the tent down, as another soldier came over and asked: "Captain, once you have land and money, what do you want to do?"