ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 67 Questioning and Explanation
"...I pretended to be the envoy of Thurii, and after several efforts I finally arrived in Sparta. I told the Spartan elders about the disaster that Thurii had suffered at the Elders' Council and asked them for reinforcements. Sparta The elders expressed sympathy for what happened to us in Turui, but there was no reinforcements to send, but a certificate of recruitment permission..."

"Clever!" When Bulkos said this, Ferris couldn't help but praise loudly, and several other generals also breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Sparta didn't pay too much attention to Thurii's help to Athens.

"Thanks to the timely measures we took, Sparta was able to treat us with such an attitude." Kunogorata said on the sidelines, and several generals agreed.Regardless of whether Sparta changed its attitude because of Thurii's expulsion of the descendants of Athens, or whether it did not take Thurii to heart at all, these generals who had expressed support and approval for the expulsion of the descendants of Athens They all need this false recognition to dispel their inner guilt.

Burkos glanced at the generals and continued: "When I arrived in Miletus, during the period when I recruited Drax, Sesta and other mercenaries, I heard a lot about the Greek mercenaries led by Cyrus the Younger. News of an attack on Persia and an attempt to usurp the throne.”

Several generals nodded. Even though Turiyi was thousands of miles away from Asia Minor, they knew the news. Not to mention the frequent merchant ships traveling between the east and west of the Mediterranean, even though the first group of mercenaries who arrived could only be stationed outside the city. , but small businessmen, hawkers, and even prostitutes continued to go to the military camp to do business, thus spreading some news and stories to the city.

"The Greek mercenaries defeated the Persian king's army. Although Cyrus the Younger died in the battle, they also repeatedly defeated the Persian governor of Asia Minor, Tissaphernes, and the troops of the Armenian governor, Orontas, on their way back to Greece. It is said that they also killed Several famous Persian generals died! They marched thousands of miles and constantly fought with the local indigenous people. Among them were many mountain races that gave the Persians a headache. Generals, what do you think of such a Greek mercenary? Isn’t it rich in combat experience? Isn’t it amazing in combat power? Can it be compared with the Spartans?”

"Could it be that this army you hired is--" Some of the generals couldn't help but exclaimed: "It's the Greek mercenary who went on an expedition to Persia?!"

"Yes, generals." Burkos saw everyone's expressions of surprise and excitement, and a stone finally fell in his heart: "The reason why our last battle with the Lucanians failed was not only because of Asikullodo Yax’s negligence is also due to the fact that the citizens have lived in peace for a long time and lack combat experience.”

In fact, after the Turiii repelled the Lucanian invasion, they took the initiative to invade the Lucanian territory. It was not the will of Asikulodoiax alone. All the citizens of Turii, including the generals, They were all pushing, and this strong desire to take revenge on the Lucanians prompted the entire army to underestimate the enemy and advance rashly on the enemy's land. As a result, almost the entire army was annihilated.

At this time, Burcos pushed the blame on Asikulodoakes against his will (this was also the scapegoat found by the Thurii Citizens' Assembly after the disastrous defeat). Seeing the generals nodding in agreement, he couldn't help but secretly despise him, but he said Still said seriously: "I think if such an army can be hired, not only can the danger faced by Tulii be eliminated, but it can also deal a huge blow to the Lucanians. So I arranged for my men to be stationed in the tavern and Inn, and inquire about the whereabouts and movements of the Greek expeditionary force at any time. Soon after, I learned that they had arrived at the city of Heraclea on the coast of the Euphoric Star Sea, but I also learned another bad news, "Sparta and Persia are about to At the beginning of the war, the Spartan general Tiburon was even appointed governor of Asia Minor, and rushed to Miletus to start recruiting troops. 'I was afraid that this Greek expeditionary force would be recruited by Sparta, so I took a fast boat overnight to rush to the Hellespont. , and found them in Byzantium.

However, most of the mercenaries were tired of fighting and did not want to leave their hometowns to fight in the distant and unfamiliar Turui. Only after agreeing to accept some of their demands did he agree to accept employment.And just after I led them to leave Byzantium by boat, I was intercepted by the Spartan fleet. It turned out that Tiburon, the governor of Sparta Asia Minor, sent an envoy to want the entire Greek expeditionary force to fight for him. This army was the best in the expeditionary force, and several Persian generals actually died in their hands.It was only because I had the signed employment agreement in my hand, and the recruitment permit issued by the Spartan Council of Elders, and at the same time, I paid half a Talent to bribe the Spartan envoy, that I was able to let the fleet go..."

"Everyone, after accepting the task we entrusted to him, Burkos went through hardships and obstacles, and even his life was in danger. He did not fear or give up, but used his intelligence and tenacity to finally complete the recruitment. It should be said that it was completed. The recruitment task exceeded our expectations! Not only did it attract strong support for Turui, but it also let us understand Sparta's attitude towards Turui. We should thank him! The citizens of Turui should thank him! !" Ferris finished speaking excitedly and was the first to applaud.

Other generals also applauded, and the applause lasted for a while.

Burkos didn't know what to say at this time.

Kunogorata stepped forward and said with a sincere face: "Burkos, you are the hero of Turiyi! Please forgive me for what I just said. I shouldn't be so suspicious of you. It's just that Turiyi's recent Financial problems are causing us a lot of headaches. Will you accept my apology?!"

Burkos nodded in acceptance.

Then, Neonsis also expressed his apology.

Another general, Ancitanos, said: "Should we visit the leader of the Greek mercenary expedition to Persia to show Turui's welcome to them?"

"Ansitanos, I know you want to learn more about Persia from their mouths in order to complete the continuation of your teacher Herodotus's great "History"." Kunogorata said seriously: " But now is not a good time. I admit that the troops mentioned by Burkos are indeed amazing in combat effectiveness, but they are mercenaries and foreigners after all! And we represent Thurii! Everyone must know that those who are used to bloody killings Soldiers, while frightening the enemy, may also threaten themselves. Such examples are not uncommon. We cannot pamper them and let them have unnecessary fantasies. And if we pay too much attention to them, what will another mercenary think?! What will Tarantum's reinforcements think?!"

"That's right! They are just some free people, we paid to hire them to fight for us!" Neonsis shouted.

Kunogorata took the opportunity to take over and continued: "Neonsis is right! No matter how powerful the mercenaries are, they are still mercenaries. We pay, and we are the employers. Don't turn this relationship upside down. !”

Although there were some differences in governance concepts with Kunogorata, Ferris had to nod and said: "Kunoglata is right. We will treat them as mercenaries before. There is no need to take them too seriously."

At this time, Neonsis said: "Since we have strong reinforcements and the Lucanians are about to launch an attack, should we re-discuss the response plan?"

Kunogolata said immediately: "The villages and farms outside the city have been renovated, and wheat seeds have been sown. We must repel the Lucarians before they destroy citizens' property again!"

"The last time we suffered a disastrous defeat was because we were too aggressive and more than 1 citizens were killed, so we must be cautious! You must know that according to the news, the number of Lucanian troops may exceed tens of thousands." Ferres He said cautiously: "And the number of our soldiers, including mercenaries and reinforcements from Tarantum, is only 9000 at most, including many citizens over 40 years old."

(End of this chapter)