Sparta: Many childrens, Many Blessings, Starting from the Gladiator Chapter 55 55

In the following days, Marcus was so busy he was practically kicking himself in the back of the head. During the day, he helped Leta settle down at Dock No. 7. That abandoned fishing house was indeed well-hidden. The underground warehouse was big enough to store quite a lot of things.

On Gracchus's side, Marcus used the reason of "stabilizing the dock and dividing the pirates" to apply for several trade permits and sailor certificates. Although Gracchus was suspicious, seeing how efficiently Marcus had been handling things lately, he still approved them.

At night, Marcus started visiting the ship market. Capua's ship market was in the south of the port and was as lively as a marketplace every day. Most were fishing boats and small cargo ships. Occasionally there were a few decent rchant ships, but their prices were frighteningly high.

Marcus took a liking to a two-masted sailing ship. It wasn't new, but it was well maintained. The owner was a bankrupt rchant in urgent need of money. He asked for two hundred denarii.

"Too expensive." Marcus shook his head. "One hundred and fifty."

"One hundred and eighty! Can't go any lower!"

"One hundred and sixty, cash."

"…Deal!"

Paynt made, ownership transferred, procedures completed — the ship now belonged to Marcus. He nad the ship — "Shadow."

Now that he had a ship, he needed sailors. Marcus picked six brothers from the training ground who could swim and had good builds, then hired three old sailors from the dock to form the initial crew.

Saxa volunteered to go on the ship — she said she had rowed small boats back in Thrace and knew a bit. Octavius also wanted to go, but he was too big and couldn't move freely on the ship, so Marcus had him stay on shore to hold down the fort.

The maiden voyage of "Shadow" was on a bright, sunny afternoon. Marcus personally took the helm.

The top-tier navigation skill from the system was no joke — adjusting sail angles, judging wind direction, controlling speed. All movents were as smooth as an old captain who had done it for half his life.

"Boss, when did you learn to sail?" Amir lay on the railing, his face full of amazent.

"Before… I just fiddled around with it." Marcus answered vaguely.

The ship sailed out of the port. The sea suddenly opened up wide. Sunlight, waves, salty sea breeze.

Standing at the bow, looking at the endless blue, Marcus suddenly felt the stuffiness in his chest ease up a lot. On land, he had to deal with Gracchus, deal with nobles, deal with all kinds of twists and turns. But at sea, there was only sky, sea, ship, and the rudder in his hand.

"How does it feel?" Saxa ca over and rested her arms on the railing.

"Not bad." Marcus took a deep breath. "Much freer than on land."

"That's because we haven't run into a storm yet." Saxa grinned. "The ti I was in Thrace, the ship almost capsized. I drank a bellyful of seawater. From then on I swore I'd never get on a ship again."

"Then why are you on one now?"

"Because being with you, I feel like I won't die." Saxa laughed carefree. "A person like you, even the King of Hell would find it troubleso to take you."

Marcus also smiled.

The trial run went smoothly. "Shadow" was fast enough, turned nimbly. Although it wasn't big, it was enough for now. By the ti they returned to port, the sky was almost dark.

At the dock, Leta was leaning against her black-sailed ship, arms crossed, watching "Shadow" dock.

"Bought a ship?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Had to have one." Marcus jumped off the ship.

"The ship's okay, but the crew is too green." Leta pouted. "Want to lend you a few old hands?"

"Not for now." Marcus brushed the dust off his hands. "My own people, I'll train them myself."

"Up to you." Leta shrugged. "By the way, tomorrow my people have a batch of goods coming ashore. Put them in the fishing house warehouse. Help keep an eye on them and don't let the port guards cause trouble."

"What goods?"

"Olive oil, wine, and so… specialties." Leta smiled ambiguously. "Don't worry, they're 'legal' on the surface — at least they look that way."

"Understood."

In the following days, Marcus managed the training ground, looked after the dock, and familiarized himself with the new ship. The days were busy, but extrely fulfilling. Gracchus was more and more satisfied with him and gave him greater and greater authority. Now, almost all the daily affairs of the entire dock area were under "Shadow"'s control. Patrols, tax collection, dispute diation… With more than twenty people under his command, Marcus had already beco a force that could not be ignored at the dock.

Lucretia was a big help with the accounts and intelligence. She understood the nobles' ways, could read the twisted account books, and could piece together useful information from fragnted ssages.

Mira occasionally slipped out from Gracchus's mansion and brought updates from his side. She said Gracchus had been planning big things with other senators lately, often talking late into the night, but she couldn't hear the specific content. Marcus kept all this in mind.

On the evening of the seventh day, Marcus was going over the accounts alone in the training ground office. The door creaked open. Lucretia walked in.

"I heard you're short of an accountant here?" (She asked softly.) Marcus raised his head and looked at her.

"Gracchus proposed in the Senate today to raise the dock tariffs." Lucretia lowered her voice. "The reason is 'strengthening port security and cracking down on smuggling', but you know the real reason."

"He wants to make more money." Marcus put down the account book.

"Not just making money." Lucretia shook her head. "I heard he has been winning over other senators lately, wanting to compete for the next provincial governor. To fight for the position, he needs a lot of money."

Marcus frowned. If the tariffs really increase, dock business will definitely be affected. rchants will complain, smuggling will beco more rampant, and his cooperation with Leta…

"Is the information reliable?"

"Reliable." Lucretia nodded. "Mira overheard it. The proposal has already been submitted, and the Senate will vote next month."

"Next month…" Marcus pondered. Ti is running out. If the tariffs are really raised, he has to think of a way in advance. Either persuade Gracchus to withdraw, or… find another way.

"Understood." Marcus said, "You go rest first."

After Lucretia left, Marcus walked to the window. Outside the window, the training ground was brightly lit with torches. The gladiators were practicing night combat. Shouts and the clash of weapons echoed far into the night.

He recalled the day he first transmigrated, the pain of the whip on his body, Batiatus's hypocritical smile, and the life-and-death battles in the arena. Step by step, he had reached today. He had his own force, a ship, and people he could work with. But it was not enough. With one word from Gracchus, everything he had worked so hard to build could be destroyed.

"Can't put my life in soone else's hands…" Marcus muttered in a low voice.

He turned and walked to the desk, spread out a piece of parchnt. And began to write a plan.

Step 1: Expand the intelligence network widely. Not just Capua, but surrounding cities and even Ro must have eyes. Step 2: Solidify strength. Continue recruiting in the training ground. Not just gladiators, but also spies, rchants, and even officials. Step 3: Broaden financial paths. Cannot rely only on the little money Gracchus allocates and dock managent fees. Must have his own businesses — legal and illegal. Step 4: Prepare escape routes. If Capua becos untenable, must be able to withdraw at any ti. The fleet must continue to expand, and overseas bases must be arranged in advance.

He wrote each one in detail. He wrote until deep into the night. After finishing the last stroke, Marcus put down the pen and let out a long breath.

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