"Me!" two young slave boys immediately shouted excitedly.
"You two have answered the most questions in the past, so let's give this opportunity to others today," Maximus said, looking around.
"Quite a few people want to answer the questions!" Spartacus, watching from outside the courtyard gate, whispered in surprise.
"That's because Maximus set a rule: as long as you study seriously and can correctly answer his questions, you get extra meat or an extra cup of wine for the next day's dinner, so these guys are quite diligent in learning what Maximus teaches," Hamilcar quietly explained beside him.
"Your Supply Team shouldn't use your position to give yourselves extra meals," Spartacus reminded with a mock sternness.
"We have no choice," Hamilcar immediately lamented. "The supplies we're getting are increasing, and the people you assigned to us are okay for work, but most are illiterate and don't know arithmetic. Maximus and I have to check the supplies late into the night every day. Maximus said to me, 'Our team isn't that big yet, and we're already this busy. When we have thousands of people in the future, we might work ourselves to death...' So he suggested using our spare time in the evening to teach everyone arithmetic and literacy. That way, when they learn it, we won't be so busy.'
I agreed with his idea, but implementing it has not been easy. Many people are unwilling to exert effort to learn, so Maximus came up with the idea of using food as an incentive. He even added storytelling, and devised simple symbols to represent numbers. So the brothers are eager to gather around the fire and study seriously after dinner. You see, they've even attracted brothers from other teams..."
"Why have the new brothers share their experiences in public?" Spartacus asked curiously.
"As you know, these slaves joining our team come from all over: Little Asia, Northern Greece, Iberia, Greece, Egypt, Nubia, Gaul, Germanic lands, Italy, Illyria..." Hamilcar counted them on his fingers: "Different customs, personalities, languages—it's unavoidable that conflicts will arise when they're all together. Here, with fewer people, it's manageable, but I've heard there are frequent fights in other teams, which must be a headache for you and Cross?"
Spartacus nodded, signaling Hamilcar to continue.
"Maximus found a way to solve this issue! He told me, 'Our brothers, though from different backgrounds, are all lowly slaves oppressed by wealthy nobles and Romans. They have all endured tragedies. If they share their pasts publicly, it'll easily resonate with everyone, fostering mutual acceptance and making them close comrades in arms...' I followed his suggestion and had him start implementing this method. It's been very effective so far! You've seen it too—our Supply Team is the most united, and there haven't been any fights or brawls.
"...This method seems good—it can be promoted in other teams. Once you take over military affairs, you can handle this matter," Spartacus said thoughtfully. "Regarding the person to replace you as the Supply Team Captain..."
Hamilcar said anxiously, "Spartacus, I've brought you to observe secretly for so long—are you still not reassured? Maximus, though young, is capable, knowledgeable, and eager to learn. After being with me for so many days, he not only learned how to manage the Supply Team and meet the team's needs, but also made many improvements. These past few days, I've been able to help you with military affairs because Maximus has been handling everything in the Supply Team alone. To be honest, right now, Maximus's influence in the Supply Team is higher than mine. Everyone is willing to listen to him, so if you assign someone else to be the captain, it might cause trouble!"
Listening to Hamilcar's reminder, Spartacus looked towards the center of the courtyard: Maximus was busily writing and drawing with chalk on a wooden board while explaining loudly. The slaves around him were watching intently, listening carefully...
Hamilcar, seeing Spartacus silent, couldn't help but add, "Spartacus, could you still be uneasy about the past incident where Maximus was forced to inform on others?"
Spartacus first shook his head, then nodded, "Maximus's behavior during this period has been enough to earn everyone's trust! However... the informing incident still bothers Cross deeply, and some of the Gladiators have opinions about him, including Enomai."
"So what? As long as you and I support him in the meeting, and Antonix also supports him, even if Cross and Enomai oppose, the minority will yield to the majority, and Maximus will become the new captain of the Supply Team."
Spartacus was about to speak when suddenly there was a unified shout from the courtyard: "Maximus, tell a story! Tell a story!! Tell a story!!!..."
"Okay! Okay!" Maximus smiled, pressing his hands downward to signal for everyone to quiet down, and the shouting immediately stopped: "You've all been very diligent in your studies tonight, so how about I continue telling the story of Troy?"
"Yes!!!"
Spartacus watched the joyous scene in the courtyard and finally made up his mind, saying to Hamilcar: "Let's do as you suggested. Tomorrow, we'll discuss letting Maximus take over as the Supply Team Captain, and you come manage the military affairs. Although we have more people now, most are untrained. You must quickly focus on military training, or else we may have trouble when facing the Roman Army!"
"Alright, I'll get to it as soon as possible," Hamilcar replied solemnly, fully aware of the urgency of the matter.
.....................
"Please come in, Maximus, we're all waiting for you." Hearing Spartacus's words, Maximus entered the room.
Spartacus said directly, "After our discussion, we unanimously decided to appoint you as the captain of the Supply Team."
Hearing this, Maximus felt a surge of joy in his heart: all his efforts over the past month had not been in vain!
Maximus scanned the room: Spartacus looked at him expectantly, Antonix was full of enthusiasm, Cross appeared indifferent, Enomai's brow was slightly furrowed...
Finally, his gaze fell on Hamilcar, the Gladiator he was closest to, who was smiling at him...
He quickly suppressed his excitement, feigning concern as he asked, "What about Hamilcar?"
"He will manage military affairs and assist us in organizing the ever-growing team," Spartacus said, looking at him seriously, "So, do you have confidence in managing the Supply Team by yourself?"
"Of course, no problem!" Maximus replied confidently and loudly, knowing he couldn't show weakness at this moment.
"Hmph, let's see if that's true after some time passes," Cross interjected coldly.
Maximus pretended not to hear Cross's sarcastic remark.
"Food and other supplies are critical to us, so from now on, when we discuss matters concerning the whole team, you must participate, providing us with updates on the supply reserves. You can also offer suggestions, and we'll discuss them together, understand?"
"Understood!" Maximus couldn't contain his joy any longer, smiling broadly: he had now become one of the leaders of this rebel army! Although he managed the fewest people, he was still one of the Six Giants of the rebel army!
During this period, under the proposals of Spartacus and Hamilcar, a Military Commander Conference was established to manage the growing team and handle various complex matters. The Military Commander Conference was headed by Spartacus, Cross, Hamilcar, Enomai, and Antonix, the original leaders of the Gladiator revolt. Additionally, when vital matters concerning the entire army arose, a Soldier Conference had to be held for decision-making.