ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 886 Landing in Sicily ([-])

Therefore, when Servius came to Licinius, on the one hand, he wanted to make up for it, and on the other hand, he also wanted to get rid of the blame, but he didn't expect that Licinius would not spare any sympathy, and publicized his fault. Listing them out one by one made Servius very angry, but he couldn't find a reason to refute, his face was flushed, and he finally shouted: "You lowly civilian! Most of the civilians in the army fled and surrendered. Dionia, are you still here to be a spy! The dictator should have arrested you long ago! You civilians are not trustworthy at all!..."

As soon as this remark came out, the people around were in an uproar.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Servius immediately left quickly.

"Damn it!" Licinius stared at Servius's leaving figure, his expression gloomy and terrifying.

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The more than ten-mile stretch of coast from Carthage to Utica has now turned into a huge military camp. Thousands of citizens from Carthage and Phoenician city-states, and indigenous people from the Iberian Peninsula , nomads from Numbia, and even indigenous people from Mauritania and Gaul gradually gathered here. Races with different appearances wore various costumes and spoke completely different words. It was very lively, as if this place had become a the center of the entire Mediterranean world.

But for the senators of the Carthage Senate, this huge military camp next to the city of Carthage is a potentially terrible threat: multiple races gather here, and due to language barriers, poor communication, and customs and habits Different people have different interests and needs, and conflicts occur every day. Carthaginian and Phoenician people living outside the city also go to the Senate to complain from time to time and are harassed by the indigenous people.Fortunately, Mago led his generals around and settled many disputes.In addition, every day such a large army stays here will consume a lot of food and wages...

Therefore, the senators wished they could immediately send this terrible army to Sicily to harm the Dionysians, so they sent people every day to urge Mago to lead the army to land in Sicily as soon as possible.

For Mago, he didn't want to land in Sicily as soon as possible. After all, he was busy resolving these disputes every day, which also gave him a headache.In the long run, if these unruly mercenaries ruined the image of the Magonides family among the people of Carthage, it would be more than worth the loss.However, since the Carthage fleet was destroyed by the storm, new warships are still under construction, and Dionia's warships often cruise in the waters of western Sicily, attacking merchant ships from Carthage and its allies heading to Sicily, threatening The sea route between Carthage and Sicily was connected, so without the protection of the fleet, how could Mago dare to let the soldiers take cargo ships, cross the ocean, and land in Sicily.

The coast of Africa, which has always been sunny and hot, finally had a drizzle on this day, and there was a strong sea breeze. The temperature finally dropped, and the soldiers who had been enduring the scorching heat ran out of their tents one after another to enjoy this rare opportunity. Even those natives from Iberia took off their clothes one after another, washed their whole bodies with the help of rainwater, and at the same time yelled excitedly. Their sturdy body and ferocious appearance made no one dare to vote against them A look of contempt.

At this time, Mago also walked out of the Chinese army's tent, looking at the big flag standing in front of the tent, and was in a daze: blown by the sea breeze, the flag was fluttering toward the northeast.

At this time, Annobus came towards me.

During the battle with the Dionian fleet, the storm also destroyed the two-headed dragon ship on which the Carthaginian naval commander was riding. He was pushed to the coast of Mazara by the rough waves and was finally rescued.But he was soon ordered to return to Carthage to be questioned by the Senate, who wanted to hold him accountable for causing the annihilation of the Carthaginian fleet.

Fortunately, Hanno secretly instigated Taipan Laco, Okriton and other senators to excuse him, claiming that the Dionian fleet had more warships and was more powerful. Although Annobas caused heavy losses to his own warships, But he also used the storm to destroy the opponent's fleet and ensure the safety of Carthage and the western waters of Sicily. His merits outweighed his faults! ...

Therefore, not only was he not punished, but he continued to serve as the commander of the Carthaginian navy, but now he was in name only.

Of course, this resolution of the Carthage Senate occurred within a few days after the naval battle. If it were now, the senators would never easily spare Annobas. After all, the Dionian warships continued to attack Carthage. The show of force in the waters of western Sicily that Carthage once controlled caused heavy damage to Carthage's sea trade, making Annobas' previous statement that "the Dionian fleet was also completely destroyed" become a lie.

Therefore, the Senate and Mago later reached a consensus: Annobas and the Carthaginian fleet led by Mago would be under the direct command of Mago. This was originally in line with Hanno's "Army under Mago's command and the navy under Mago's command." The proposal of "Commander Nobas" is very different, which shows the anger of the Carthaginian people towards Annobas.

"Lord Margo!" Anobas walked up to him and saluted respectfully. The huge criticism and accusations he had suffered during this period made him cautious.

"What did the Tyrians say?" Mago asked directly.

"The Tyrians...refuse to provide escort for our landing fleet..." Annobas said softly: "They also said...they will not accept our command and will decide the timing and sea areas of their own attack..."

"We in Carthage have worked hard for decades to transport gold and silver to them so that they can live comfortably under Persian rule, but what we got in return was this answer! They brought warships to the Western Mediterranean just to Are you just trying to show off! What use does such a motherland have to us!..."

Mago got angry, and Annobas stood quietly and listened.

"Does Hanno know about this?" Mago suddenly asked.

"I have already informed the Senate, and the Senate has ordered Lord Hanno to send someone to negotiate with the Tyrians..." Annobas replied cautiously.

"It seems that Phoenicia's combined fleet is hopeless for the time being!" Ma Ge did not show any frustration on his face. He had obviously obtained the information in advance and expected such a result, so he glanced at An Nuo Bass glanced at him and said, "I called you here to tell you that I have decided to lead my army to land in Sicily tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow?!" Annobas was really startled, and he looked at Mago with wide eyes.

Mago also looked at Annobas, with an unusually determined expression. Then he raised his head and pointed at the big flag flying in front: "Did you see it, Southwest Wind! I asked many people in Carthage and Utica Experienced old sailors, they are all unanimously sure that the same wind will blow and the same rain will fall tomorrow! The clippers I sent out to detect the enemy's situation and the merchant ships returning to the port told me that no Dionysius was found on the route today. If there are traces of the Asian warships, then there is a high chance that they will not show up tomorrow!”

"But... if the weather is still like this tomorrow, the sea will be very windy and rough, which will cause great difficulties for landing! What's more, the weather at sea is unpredictable. If we encounter it again..." Annobas stopped talking. But the fear on his face made it clear what he was trying to say.

"Storm." Mago softly spat out the word Annobas wanted to say, and then said resolutely: "Since you think so, the Dionians must also have such fear, so they If no warships were sent today, they will definitely be huddled in the port tomorrow. This is a good opportunity for us to land! Without the help of the Tyrians, our army can also be more powerful without the threat of the Dionian fleet. Easily landed in Sicily...and then surprised the Dionians and launched a sudden attack! If we really encounter another storm, it means that Barr Harmon no longer protects Carthage. No matter how much we do, Our efforts are in vain... But this is impossible, because we in Carthage have been blessed by Bar Hamon and Tanit and have survived here for hundreds of years, and we will continue to survive here!"

"But -" Annobas still wanted to persuade, but Mago impatiently waved his hand to stop him: "I asked you to come, not to listen to your nagging, but to ask you to discuss and formulate a landing plan with me as soon as possible. , and then notify Carthage and Utica as soon as possible to make all preparations."

"Well, Lord Margo, I am against such a risk, but since you insist, I can only obey your orders." Anobas knew Margo well, and he knew that it would be useless to persuade him again. He said in such a tone What he said was actually the plan of "if the login fails, this can be used as an excuse."

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On the second day, there was indeed drizzle on the coast where Carthage was located, and a southwesterly wind blew, which also affected western Sicily.

Generally, in such a climate, the workers at Lilibi Port will be relatively leisurely, because few merchant ships will go to sea for trade in such weather, but due to the raging of the Dionian warships, only in such weather , the Carthaginian and Phoenician merchant ships would be safe.Yesterday, Lilibi Port was quite busy, and it seems that the situation will not be bad today, so the port managers rushed the workers to the dock early in the morning.

There are no Carthaginians among the laborers in Lilibi. After all, almost all Carthaginians are from wealthy families, and no one will be engaged in such a hard-working and humble job. More than half of them are Numibian slaves, but these have lived in the inland since childhood. The Numibians are only suitable for some hard work and heavy work. How to guide the ship to the pier, fix the ship, better load and unload goods... and some more demanding port jobs require other races with sailing experience to complete , so there are some Greek slaves, Phoenician and Greek mixed-race freemen, and even Greek freemen among the laborers in Lilibi. the result of.

　Thanks to the other side of remembrance for the reward!Your support is my motivation to write! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)