ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 1018 The Naval Battle of Carthage ([-])
For a time, many people in Carthage turned from spectators to participants in the war, which attracted the attention of all the people along the coast to this war.

The third fleet pursued the Carthaginian fleet very closely, which satisfied Midorades. He knew something about the Carthage port. Its military port was located inside the commercial port. The two ports were combined, with the middle It is separated by water gates, and the commercial port outside also has water gates. Its width cannot allow so many warships to pour in at the same time. The Carthaginian fleet must slow down in order to enter the port, which leaves a gap for the third party. A great opportunity for the fleet to hit them hard.

"General, the Carthaginian fleet has not turned, they are continuing to retreat eastward!" The lookout's shout did not surprise Midorades, because he had already turned his head and saw his ship passing through the port of Carthage. , which shows that the commander of the Carthage fleet also realized that there was a huge risk in retreating into the Carthage port at this time, so he gave up entering and continued to escape.

Midorades' face darkened, and he suddenly thought: If the Carthaginian fleet continues to retreat like this, the previous efforts of the Third Fleet are likely to be in vain, because the coast of Africa to the east is mostly Carthage's allies. The Taiji fleet may find an opportunity to hide in the allied ports at any time, and the third fleet cannot pursue it to the end. At dusk, it must return to the base, because the exhausted crew needs to replenish a large amount of food and water...

"Damn Sekerian, what are you doing now!!" Midorades became more and more angry as he thought about it, and couldn't help but cursed.

At this moment, the lookout above his head exclaimed: "Carthaginian warships! Dozens of Carthaginian warships rushed out of the port!"

Midorades was suddenly startled, and instantly understood that the Carthaginian fleet was not retreating at all, but was trying to lure the Third Fleet to the port and in turn attack the Third Fleet.

At this critical moment, he had no time to regret that he had lost his vigilance because of his eagerness to perform meritorious deeds, nor did he have time to think about how the Carthaginian fleet had so many extra warships (the fact was that the battle near Elyx After the surprise naval battle, the shipyards of the Carthage and Phoenician allies worked hard to process and add dozens of new warships.) He decisively issued an order: "Blow the bugle immediately and form a defensive circle. !”

At this time, many Dionysian warships already knew that enemy ships were attacking from behind, and the crew did not panic too much. After seeing the flag signal from the flagship, they immediately began to arrange their formations in an orderly manner, because whether it was against Mido As for Rades and the Third Fleet, they had not encountered such a similar situation before in the Battle of Sardinia. The situation at that time was even more dangerous. Both the captain and the crew had experience. Fortunately, Midorades was cautious and kept the entire fleet basically in formation, so it was easier to convert into a circular formation.

When the Carthaginian warships in the port attacked, Morbar then ordered the Carthaginian fleet to attack.

The retreating Carthaginian warships turned their bows and charged towards the Dionysian warship.

The Dionia Third Fleet is in a dangerous situation of two-sided attack.

Since this time the battle took place in front of the port, the Carthaginian elders on the breakwater city could see it more clearly. They could see that the Dionysian fleet was trying hard to shrink back, trying to shrink into a ball, and they had already planned it. The Carthaginian fleet attacked quickly and fiercely, like maggots attached to bones, which made the Dionysian warships unable to cope. Even some enemy ships that were at the end were overtaken by Carthaginian warships, quickly entangled together, and then were Another Carthaginian warship that arrived later collided (in fact, these Dionysian crow warships voluntarily sacrificed themselves and took on the task of blocking in order to ensure that the entire fleet could be arrayed smoothly)...

Now, the Carthaginian fleet not only had the upper hand in terms of the number of warships, but also took the initiative on the battlefield. Since they were fighting at home, the morale of the crew was not weaker than that of the opponent.

Although the Dionian fleet resisted tenaciously, it was completely surrounded.

The elders' worries disappeared and their faces beamed with smiles. Even Aisyaruba praised loudly: "As expected of Morbar, it seems that he will win another naval battle! And the result will be far better than the last time!"

"Yes, with this victory, the Dionians will no longer dare to be so arrogant during peace talks." Taipanlaco responded immediately.

"With this victory, we still need peace talks?! We can definitely increase our support for Morbar and let the Carthage Navy regain its advantage at sea!" Preta Kuba retorted excitedly.

"We have to face reality. Even if we destroy the fleet of Dionia, Dionia still has many more warships than us. Peace talks are the best choice!" Okriton followed. retorted.

……

The two sides started a verbal debate on the city wall again.

"My lords, don't be too happy too early. This Dionysian fleet is not so easily defeated!" Annobas suddenly said with a sneer.

"Maybe the person who almost defeated our fleet was jealous of Morbar's achievements and didn't want to see the navy win." A Magonid senator sneered loudly, which aroused the anger of many people.

"It seems that the punishment given to you last time was too light. The Senate should restart your interrogation!" Another senator looked at him fiercely and suggested loudly. Many people responded, which scared Annuoba. Si didn't dare to speak any more.

"When did the Senate become so timid and unable to listen to different opinions?!" At this time, Hanno stood up and expressed his support for Annobas: "This war against Dionia is going on. Now, we are completely at a disadvantage. Isn't it because some of us are arrogant and think that we can easily defeat Dionia? We also arrogantly declared, 'Within one year, the Dionia will be removed from Sicily Drive away!' What's the result?! We lost Corsica, Sardinia, and even Sicily can't be saved, and now the Dionians are attacking at our doorstep! It's time to listen to different opinions and let Some of us hotheads have woken up! Annobas, tell me, what's wrong with the situation?!"

Hanno looked around at everyone with a majestic expression. Out of awe for this powerful man, no one spoke to refute. Even Preeta Kuba fell into silence because of his aggrievement.

Annobas coughed lightly and said softly: "Although Lord Morbar used a trick to deceive the Dionia fleet, he failed to make it chaotic through the rapid attack from the front and rear. This is because the Daionian fleet on the periphery The Onian warships fought desperately to block them, regardless of the fact that they would be sunk. Their fighting spirit was very tenacious!" Annobas couldn't help but sigh, he couldn't help but think of the naval battle in Sardinia. , in fact, his strategy was relatively successful at the time. Faced with the dilemma of being attacked from both front and rear and with a small number of warships, the fleets of other city-states had long been defeated, but the Dionia fleet managed to find a way. A bloody road, turning defeat into victory, and his tenacity in fighting is heart-stopping.

"Look - now our warships do not continue to charge forward, but circle to both sides. This shows that the Dionia fleet has formed a circular formation, so that our warships dare not rush to attack its formation - —”

"So what? The Dionian fleet has been surrounded by us. We don't attack to reduce casualties. If the Dionians don't attack, is it because they can wait until night to escape more easily?" What Preeta Kuba said The words caused a few elders to laugh.

"Everyone knows that the crews of the warships are exhausted due to long-term oar fighting. They need to be replenished in time, but the battlefield is in Carthage, and it is impossible for the Dionian fleet to get food replenishment and rest. The base is even more than a hundred miles away. At night, surrounded by the Carthage fleet, will the exhausted Dionysian crew still have the ability to row the warship back? I'm afraid they can only capture it without mercy." Another A Magonid senator further added.

"We all know that for the Dionian fleet, staying here can only mean waiting for death. It is impossible for the Dionians not to know! I remember... in the Sardinian naval battle I commanded , it seems that this fleet was also surrounded by us, and as a result, they attacked bravely regardless of everything, and finally... not only broke out of the encirclement... but also defeated us..." When Annobas said this section was the most unpleasant When wishing to tell the story of the past, he looked painful and worried: "But this time, they put up a defensive posture without any hurry, as if they had something to rely on. This can't help but arouse our vigilance!"

What to be wary of?Reinforcements from the Dionysian fleet? ! ... Hanno's heart skipped a beat.

Before Annobas had time to answer, the bell of "Dang! Dang! Dang!" suddenly rang again from the port lighthouse not far in front of them.

"Why is this lighthouse bell still ringing?!" Some senators complained loudly subconsciously, because it kept ringing when the Dionian fleet appeared on the sea near the port.

"I'm afraid there are new enemies!" Annobas was the first to react and looked nervously at the sea ahead.

Everyone was shocked.

At this time, the tower guard leaned out of the stone window on the top of the lighthouse and shouted down: "Another fleet has appeared in front, with many black warships!"

Another Dionian fleet! ! ...When the elders heard the news, their faces suddenly changed, and they shouted in horror: "Quick! Go and notify Morbar! Let him withdraw the fleet to the port!..."

The soldiers at the top of the city quickly gathered together and shouted in unison outside the port: "Get back quickly, the enemy's reinforcements are coming!! The enemy's reinforcements are coming!!!..."

The two warring parties were right in front of the port, and the crew of the nearby warship could vaguely hear the bell of the lighthouse and the shouts of the sentries.

(End of this chapter)