Money and Equipment
Menicus didn't simply fold under everyone's pressure and accept the proposal.
But instead chose not to oppose it for the time being because coincidentally the proposed legion was around five thousand soldiers strong, almost equal to the total number of mercenaries and Cantagenans, and even he would agree that letting these men be farmers would be too much waste of talent.
In addition, given their likely numerical inferiority in near-future combats, they would almost undoubtedly have to depend on the quality of their troops to win battles.
But even then, though Menicus accepted it for the time being, he still disliked the idea of a standing army.
Menicus's vehement dislike for a standing army was related to his upbringing.
He was born in Exolas, and saw firsthand what the policy Alexander was suggesting had done for the city-state.