ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 564 Carthage Envoy

Originally, the Syracuse soldiers were informed by their officers in the morning that Lord Dionysius had contracted a fever and was resting in bed at the mansion and was temporarily unable to go out for inspections.

But the Dionysians' shouting was clear-cut. "Dionysius escaped alone" had already confused them, and "Syracuse was attacked" shocked them even more.Not only the soldiers were frightened, but also the opposing officers could not sit still.Therefore, many Syracuse citizen soldiers and freedmen gathered in Siritin Square to discuss these rumors nervously...

Finally, they decided to meet Dionysius to confirm the truth of the rumors.A team of several thousand people blocked Dionysius' temporary residence.

At this time, in the mansion, Fasipesus, Leptinius, Androsthenes, and several other generals were anxiously circling around like ants on a hot pot.

When Fasipesus heard these rumors, he was shocked: Only those sitting here knew the news of Dionysius' departure. How could the Dionysians know? !Does anyone know about Dionia? !Secondly, Dionysius said that he rushed back to Syracuse because the Dionians landed in Mearo.But now the Dionysians say that they have occupied many Sicilian city-states and are attacking the city of Syracuse.Although the words of the enemy should not be taken lightly, but now I think about it, even if the Dionians landed in Sicily, Mathias could completely handle it, but Dionysius left in such a hurry, is it really possible... After all, the Dionians are accurate told the fact that Dionysius left.

Fascipezas had a thousand thoughts, and the others also had their own thoughts. The atmosphere in the room was calm, but outside it was noisy.

"Everyone, the soldiers are incited by the rumors of the Dionysians and insist on seeing Lord Dionysius. What should we do to quell this chaos?!" Fasipesas asked anxiously, first breaking Silence.

"Of course we can't let them in. If they know that Lord Dionysius has indeed left, it will definitely cause chaos!" A general said firmly.

"But how can we stop them from coming in?!" Fascipesas said worriedly: "There are thousands of soldiers outside. Once they lose their patience, it is impossible for the escort to stop them!"

"Why don't you send someone out and swear to them in the name of God, 'Master Dionysius has not left at all, but is seriously ill. Their entry will affect the treatment of the master. After the master recovers, he will naturally meet them." '" Androsthenes, the spy chief, suggested.

"This is a good idea!" Fascipesas's eyes lit up, then he looked around the crowd and asked, "Who is willing to convince the soldiers?"

Everyone was silent, looking either upward or downward, or not making eye contact with Vasipesas.

"Lord Androsthenes?" Fascipesas asked in a hurry as he was ill and sought medical treatment.

"I am just a small person responsible for collecting intelligence for Lord Dionysius. How can I make the soldiers believe what I say?" Androsthenes shrugged and declined politely.

Fasipesas thought the same thing, and turned his eyes to Dionysius's younger brother beside him: "Lord Leptinius?"

The honest Leptinius shook his head hurriedly and said directly: "I will never make such a false oath in the name of a god!"

Fasipesus immediately became angry and thought: As Dionysius's brother, you are not willing to do it, how can others be willing to do it?This is blasphemous!
When Fasipesas turned his attention to other generals, one general said impatiently: "General Fasipesas, when Lord Dionysius left, he gave you the power to control this army. , if you don’t convince the soldiers, why don’t you let us go?!”

"Yes! Yes! Now you have the most power in Xiliting City and the highest prestige among the soldiers. There is no better candidate besides you!"

Several generals were chattering away, and Fasipesas felt a thump in his heart. He felt a strong sense of jealousy in the words of his colleagues.

At this time, Androsthenes and Leptinius also expressed their agreement.They reached an agreement so quickly because they knew very well: this was a dangerous job!Use lies to deceive tens of thousands of Syracuse citizens and freedmen. Once the matter is exposed one day, the executor will definitely arouse the anger of the people of Syracuse. Not only will he be ostracized in the city of Syracuse, he will even be attacked. The people may demand severe punishment from those in power on the charge of "blasphemy"...

Of course, Fasipesas is also very aware of the pros and cons of this. Seeing these people quickly unite and isolate himself, he felt a sense of sadness... Once an ordinary man from Syracuse As a citizen, he was able to become Dionysius' trusted general because of his vision, skill, and ability to adapt to changes. beneficial to their own choice.

Under the expectant gaze of everyone, Fascipesas was silent for a long time. He considered it over and over in his mind, and finally made up his mind. However, his face remained calm. He stood up and said, "Okay, I'll go out and convince the soldiers." them."

Everyone looked happy, and watched Fasipesas walk out of the mansion with heavy steps.

"Wouldn't it be good to do this?" Leptines said with some embarrassment.

Everyone else ignored him.

Suddenly, a louder roar erupted outside the mansion, allowing them inside the house to hear it clearly.

"We're going home!! We're going back to Syracuse!!!..."

What's going on outside? !Androsthenes felt uneasy.

At this time, the guard broke in and said in panic: "My lords, Fasipesas... General Fasipesas announced to the soldiers, 'Lord Dionysius has left Siliting, and he will lead Sicilian reinforcements will be back soon!'"

"what?!"

"Damn Fascipezas! How could he tell the truth!"

..........................................

"Lord Okriton, round this headland, Crotone is almost here!" the captain shouted.

Okriton nodded to express his understanding.As a senator of the Carthage Senate, Okriton was Hanno's confidant. This time he came to negotiate with Dionia on Hanno's order.

Dionia, this alliance of Greek city-states that was not originally taken seriously by the Carthaginians, unexpectedly surprised the Carthaginians in this war in South Italy. It was defeated not only at sea but also on land. Dionysius I also sent troops to land in Sicily... The news continued to spread to Carthage, and the people were in an uproar, especially when they saw that Carthage's merchant ships transported hundreds of tons of grain and then shipped back thousands more. The name Syracuse prisoner made them even more happy.

Compared with the sudden increase in the Carthaginian people's favor towards the Dionysian Alliance, the senators were discussing endlessly because of the sudden change in the situation in Magna Graecia and Sicily.Hanno sent Okriton as an envoy to Dionia in the hope of testing the tone of this alliance of city-states that had just reached a friendly agreement to see if a covenant could be reached to protect Carthage's interests in Sicily, and at the same time It was convenient for Hanno to propose "removing the post of Governor of Sicily" in the Senate.

Okriton learned from the Carthaginian envoy who had accompanied the grain ship to Thurii that the Dionian army was besieging Siliting, and their new king who could really make the decision was also in the army, so Okriton also canceled his plan to go to Thurii and prepared to go directly to the Dionia camp in Xiliting.However, the port of Silitium was in the hands of the people of Syracuse. If they were to force a landing on a nearby beach and let the precious Bolton be soaked by the sea water, Okriton believed that this would really damage the image of a great city-state envoy, so he decided Let the boat dock at the port of Crotone and take a look at the current situation of Crotone, a famous city-state in Magna Graecia, after suffering the bloodbath of the Syracuseans.

Taking a boat around the headland, Okriton saw seven or eight triremes on the sea ahead, forming a double column, sometimes charging, sometimes retreating, and sometimes circling. The columns cooperated with each other, often running in parallel. It becomes staggered... Obviously, this is the Dionia fleet training.

Okri looked at it for a while, but did not find the "Raven" warship that was rumored to have defeated the Syracuse fleet, so he was no longer interested.

When the boat was about to turn into the port, a speed boat came towards them and stopped them.

Okriton noticed that the Dionian alliance logo of "black hair entwined with double forks" was also painted on the opponent's sail. He was slightly shocked: Crotone relied on Dionia to such an extent. Is the Dionia fleet responsible for even port patrols? !
After the patrol boat asked Minokliton the purpose of his visit, he took the initiative to navigate ahead.

After entering the port, he realized why the Dionia fleet was patrolling the sea surface of Crotone.I saw that most of the piers at the pier were burned down, the beach was full of shipwrecks, there were many charred shipboards floating on the sea, and the land was full of ruins and pitch black...

Occleton witnessed all this and couldn't help but recall the tragedy caused by the Syracusans after they conquered Mortia. He couldn't help cursing: "Damn Dionysius! Such cruelty, the gods He will be punished!"

There are not many ships in the port. Most of them are merchant ships from Dionia, transporting some urgently needed daily necessities for the Crotone people: olive oil, tar, clay pots, furniture, ironware...

Okriton's ship docked at a relatively intact dock, and the Carthaginian envoys went ashore and followed the captain of the patrol ship forward.

Although the houses were in ruins, there was little visible rubble on the streets.From time to time, you can see old people and women cleaning up the garbage in the city, and at the same time picking up some useful items among the ruins of houses...

　Thanks to Yijian68 for the reward!Your support is my biggest motivation for writing! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)