ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 35 Mithradat's Strategy
After a long time, the adjutant Felicius came over and reported: "The entire army is ready."

Davos announced expressionlessly: "Let's go."

Before, he didn't feel it clearly in the team, but now as the leader, overlooking the overall situation, he discovered the problem.In his previous life, although he was not a soldier, he knew to some extent from watching movies and visiting forums that one of the foundations for an army to win a war is strict discipline and quick maneuverability. During military training at the university, emergency gatherings were done in minutes.Fortunately, it took more than an hour from the blowing of the trumpet to the completion of the formation. This procrastination extinguished half of his excitement of becoming the leader.

Now, with no prestige in the military, he can only observe quietly, write down all the shortcomings, and think about solutions. When the time is right, he can talk about rectifying the army and reforming the military system. I am afraid it will be a long journey. path of.

After the team was nearly halfway out of the camp, Felicius said: "Leader Davos, it's time for us to leave."

Davos nodded, Xiros had already brought his horse.Yesterday, Davos was quite nervous when he learned that the leader was riding a horse. He could not ride a horse in his previous life.Unexpectedly, after riding on it, he could control it freely.It turned out that one of the most powerful horse riding races in the Mediterranean world at that time was the Thessalians. The original owner of this body had been herding sheep and horses since he was a child. The remaining memory and instinctive body memory were enough for Davos to control it freely. horses.

He grabbed the horse's reins and jumped onto the horse. With his legs slightly clamped, the horse raised its head and neighed lightly, moved its four hooves, and trotted forward.

Davos sat on it with his head held high.Yesterday, Tormid's words made him no longer consider sharing the joys and sorrows with the soldiers and giving up the horses to the old, weak and disabled soldiers.Now he needs to stand high on the horse and remind the soldiers at all times: He, Davos, is the leader of the entire army!As for those methods of winning people's hearts, let's wait until he becomes a world-famous general.

Riding on the horse and looking at the mighty marching team, Davos naturally felt a sense of pride in his heart: This is how a man should be!
Davos controlled the horse and walked slowly, followed by Felicius and Asistes, followed by the escort of Hieros on foot.After leaving the military camp and walking a little further, we arrived at the place where the entire army met.

Davos originally thought that his team was moving slowly, but he didn't expect that there were other teams that hadn't arrived. It seemed that procrastination in action was a common problem among mercenaries, and everyone was used to it.

The Spartan team of Chrysops had already stood in front. When Davos rode over to say hello, there was quite a commotion in the passing team. The other soldiers in the military camp recognized him as the leader who gave a wonderful speech yesterday. But there are still some people who are jealous and dissatisfied that a young man who is still in his infancy is actually superior, saying bad things about questioning his commanding ability, which makes Asistes, who is following behind, blush and look angry.Davos seemed oblivious and just moved forward.

Only the team of Chrysops was so quiet that they seemed not to have seen his arrival, which made Davos take a serious look at these real Spartan warriors: he saw them wearing full sets of weapons and arranged neatly. The phalanx, each with a strong body shape, stands silently, like tall and straight green pines, becoming a unique scenery in this noisy meeting place.And in their sharp and murderous eyes, Davos felt how powerful power would be released once this silence broke out!Body, skills, tactics, and discipline, all integrated into one, this is the Spartan Warrior!
Davos looked over and over with envy: When will he be able to command such elite soldiers!Only later did he learn that only about one-third of Chrysops's troops were real Spartans, and the rest were Piliasians.

On both sides of the Spartan army were teams composed of small mercenaries such as Sossis and Pasion. After the army meeting, most of them joined the team of Chrysops. Several other leaders also joined the team. Only No one was interested in Davos's barracks.Davers also felt helpless about this.

Davers' army formed very quickly this time, because it basically followed the order when leaving the camp: the outermost column was the heavy infantry column, divided into four columns, with the first column arranged backwards; the inner column was the light infantry column, divided into four columns. Two columns, so the length of the columns of light and heavy infantry is the same, about half a mile in front and back.When the enemy attacks from the outside of the left wing, the marching column soldiers can immediately turn to the right, with the heavy infantry in front and the light infantry in the rear, quickly forming a regular battle formation.The baggage camp is located inside the light infantry, on the left side of this huge central open space.Davos and his escort were between the light infantry and the baggage battalion.

After about half an hour, all the battalions were lined up, the brass bugle sounded again, and it was finally time to set off.

The march was not fast, mainly due to the burden of the various supply camps. Tents, food, medicine, items and other supplies that could not be carried by humans had to be carried by oxen and horses.Horses cannot carry carriages that are too heavy, otherwise the harness will squeeze their necks and trachea, causing suffocation. Bulls are stronger than horses, but have poor endurance and unreliable temperament.

Davos saw Merses in the baggage camp, shuttling back and forth, dealing with unexpected situations, and calling for help from the soldiers from time to time.Davos was secretly glad that he followed Melses's suggestion and sent him a squadron in advance to assist the supply camp.Finally, Davos's eyes fell on Kristoya among the women. Although they were all dressed the same, her figure and temperament stood out from the crowd, making her easily identifiable.

Kristoya seemed to have sensed it, and turned her head to look this way.

Davos quickly looked away.

"At this marching speed, we can't cover ten miles in an hour," he said.

"It's good that there is no intrusion from the Persians." Felicius was thankful and just finished speaking when a commotion came from behind.

"What happened?" Davos' heart tightened and he asked quickly.

Asistes immediately sent messengers to check the rear.

After a while, the messenger came back on horseback: "It's the Persian general Mithridates! He brought about thirty cavalry, and loudly persuaded him to surrender not far from the right wing of the army!"

A heart attack!Davos frowned.

"Mithridates is the general of Cyrus the Younger, but his trick doesn't work. We have already been fooled by the Persians once, and only fools will be fooled a second time." Felicius said calmly said.

Davos nodded and said: "Monitor Mithridates and continue to inquire!" At the same time, he asked Asistes to send another messenger so that the news could be sent back alternately.

……

"More than 20 soldiers abandoned their weapons and ran towards the Persians!... They... they surrendered to Mithridates!"

Davos was shocked. Apparently Felicius overestimated the wisdom of the mercenaries.What's more, Hieronymus's troops had been arguing over the selection of leaders yesterday, and now Mithridates easily used lies to tear apart Hieronymus' troops who were not united. Is it possible? Causing a snowball effect across the army?Davos began to worry.

"Mithridates went around to the rear of the army and shouted to Crisano's troops! ... About ten more soldiers dropped their weapons and ran towards the Persians!"

Damn it!Davers' concerns are being fulfilled.

Felicius also looked nervous.

It seemed that Mithridates was preparing to circle around the huge formation of mercenaries, constantly destroying the fighting spirit of the soldiers.Moreover, he will soon be in front of Davos's troops!

"It would be nice if we could get rid of him." Asistes said bitterly.But he also knew that this was impossible. The opponent was a light cavalry, coming and going like the wind, and the mercenaries had no cavalry at all.

"Just shoot him with a javelin!" Matonis drew the javelin on his back and shouted loudly in the escort.

"How to shoot?! By the time you go out with the javelin, the Persians will be far away! What's more, the javelin can't shoot as far as the Persian horse bow!" Asistes retorted.

A flash of inspiration flashed through Davos's mind, and he eagerly asked the messenger: "How far away was Mithridates from our array when he shouted?"

"About a hundred meters away."

"Did the Persians retreat when the surrendered soldiers ran past?"

"No."

……

Davos asked several questions in succession. After receiving the answers, he pondered for a moment while facing the puzzled looks of Felicius and the others, and then said to Felicius: "Now, I have an idea, do you think it will work? "

　Davers' first battle is about to begin...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)