Rome must fall.

Chapter 127: Open Plank Road

After Rome became strong, it began to deal with the threat from the north. They continuously sent troops to attack the Po River plain, and successively eliminated the largest Gallic tribes, such as the Insubrians and Senon, and drove the Pois to Pan. Nonnia surrendered the Veneti and Ligurians... At the same time, they were also immigrating to the Po River plain in large numbers, not only Romans, but also Latiums, Umbrians... and even This also included the Magna Graecia in the south.

After a hundred years of governance, this area has completely submitted to the rule of Rome. Even when the political situation in Italy was turbulent during the Roman League War more than 20 years ago, the North Italian province still maintained a stable order and did not participate in the war.

Even the land annexation and large-scale plantation that have become increasingly rampant in Italy over the years have rarely affected the North Italian province, which has become the most stable and wealthy region on the peninsula.

This was an advantage for Maximus's army, because there were endless farmland and groups of cattle and sheep everywhere. It was already midsummer, and the wheat seedlings were almost mature. The rebel soldiers went directly to the fields to harvest wheat or drive horses to capture cattle. Sheep can be made into wheat cakes, porridge or stew, which can form a food reserve that does not require the consumption of heavy supplies.

However, Maximus issued an order: Do not harm the people of the Northern Italian Province unless necessary, otherwise you will be punished by military law!

Many soldiers did not understand this, but military law was ruthless and they could only obey.

The Po Plain is crisscrossed by rivers and has numerous swamps. Even if the terrain is flat, it is not very conducive to the march of the army. However, due to the presence of the Romans, many roads and bridges were built here over the past hundred years, which greatly facilitated the rebels.

Five days later, Maximus' army reached Bologna.

"Maximus, why did you call me here?" Torquevaldo rode up to Maximus and spoke in a not too polite tone.

After all, Torquevaldo had just had a quarrel with Maximus yesterday because his soldiers violated Maximus's military orders and killed two farmers while robbing supplies. Nios captured him and was about to impose military law, but he made a big fuss when he arrived.

Maximus looked calm at this moment, as if what happened yesterday had never happened, and said softly: "Torquevaldo, I have to tell you with regret, we have to go separately. .”

"What do you mean?" Torquevaldo asked, glaring.

"That's what I meant." Maximus said unhurriedly: "My people will no longer follow this road to cross the river in Piacenza and then to the mountain pass north of Milan. Over the Alps. They'll be here—"

Maximus pointed to another avenue that ran through the city of Bologna ahead: "Turn northeast and cross the Po River... So we will not take the same road next, and we will have to separate again."

Torquevaldo was stunned: "Aren't you going to lead the team to leave Italy and go to Gaul? Are you suddenly changing the march direction because you are still angry with me?"

Maximus laughed loudly: "Torquevaldo, you and I are both soldiers with heavy responsibilities on our shoulders. How could we recklessly change our schedule just because of a little grudge, and treat the lives of all the soldiers as child's play?" ! In fact, before the army set off from Rimininum, we had already planned that we would leave Italy, but we would not go to Gaul through the Milan Pass."

"Where are you going?" Torquevaldo blurted out subconsciously.

Maximus said with a smile: "In order to ensure safety during the trip and prevent accidents, my soldiers don't know where our destination is yet, so I won't tell you. As long as you understand, there will be nothing to do next. No one will bother you anymore, no one will quarrel with you anymore, and you can lead the team to move forward easily, isn't this a good thing!"

Moving forward easily? ...Tolquevaldo looked at Maximus' fake smile and really wanted to punch him in the face.

Torquevado had only more than 2000 soldiers under his command, most of whom were Cross's old troops. They were unwilling to join Maximus' team, but were led by Cross's confidant Cotorquevado. They returned to Gaul.

However, it is not that easy for just over 2000 people to march thousands of miles alone and then cross the Alps! Not to mention anything else, the march, camping, and logistical supplies were not an easy task. Although he had some conflicts with Maximus's team these days, Torquevaldo knew very well that he had taken advantage of him, because Maximus's army was extremely regular, with complete departments and each performing its duties. Every aspect of the march was carefully considered, and their team was also included. This was the first time he enjoyed such a relaxed march!

What's more, this is the province of North Italy. In order to defend against the Gauls in the north, this area has a regular Roman army, and its combat effectiveness has never been weak. The one that fought hard in the Battle of Salaria Avenue The army of the North Italian Province is proof. Without the support of the more than 2000 soldiers of Maximus's army, could he alone lead more than people to break through the Roman army's obstruction, cross the river, and return to Gaul? ...Tolquevaldo has no confidence in this.

Just when he was struggling, he heard Maximus say again: "I have already understood that there are only two permanent legions in the Roman province of North Italy, which are used to defend against the northern barbarians. The governor here previously led These two legions went south to help their consuls destroy us, but they were surrounded and eliminated by us on the Salaria Avenue...

In other words, there are no regular Roman military pairs in the North Italian province now, and it is impossible for them to rebuild those two legions in such a short period of time. Now on this plain, there are only city guards in various towns. We all know how effective these city guards are in combat, and as long as our marching speed is fast enough, the governor here will not have enough time to move these cities. The guards gathered together..."

Maximus said with a smile: "The current situation is extremely beneficial to us. Under such circumstances, Torquevaldo, don't you have the confidence to take those Gaul brothers home alone? ?”

Torquevaldo felt that the smile on Maximus's face was like a silent taunt, and immediately a rush of blood rushed to his forehead, and shouted loudly: "Maximus, even if I, Torquevaldo, don't follow you, Together, we will definitely be able to bring all the brothers back to Gaul!"

"In that case, let's separate here." Maximus immediately took over the conversation and said quickly: "After all, we are comrades in arms. I will give you ten pack cars, full of bread and bacon." Meat, and tents needed for camping..."

Just as he was speaking, the baggage camp directly pulled the pack car over.

By this time, Torquevaldo had fully understood that Maximus had been prepared for a long time. Although he was angry in his heart, the Gauls' stubbornness prevented him from doing anything dishonest. With a "poof", he went to He spat thick phlegm on the ground, then turned the horse's head and walked back to the road.

Not long after, he led more than 2000 soldiers in scattered formations and passed by Maximus, but he held his head high and did not look at him again.

"Chief, it seems that he is very angry with you." Quintus said in a low voice.

"So what, we won't meet again in the future anyway." Maximus said in a low voice with an indifferent expression: "Let's camp here for a day. With Torquevaldo's previous methods, there will definitely be a lot of robberies along the way. We will plunder and attract the attention of the Roman army. At that time, we will speed up our march and cross the Po River."

………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The atmosphere in the Roman Senate was solemn. The senators did not interfere with each other as in the past, but acted individually. They sat in their seats with serious expressions, eager for the meeting to start as soon as possible.

After all the senators arrived, Catullus, the chief senator, stood up and walked to the center of the venue.

Facing many senators, he said with a heavy expression: "My colleagues, I believe you all already know that the battle report came from Picenum, and Crotianus was defeated again. Not only did his army suffer heavy losses, but also Compensate for two Northern Italian regiments...

So far, the two consuls' encirclement and suppression of the rebels can be said to have been a complete failure! What should Rome do next? I hope that after discussion, everyone can come up with a good solution as soon as possible to solve the current predicament. "

Catullus' words were like pouring water into a pot of oil that was about to boil, and the venue exploded in an instant.

"Crodianus is stupid and incompetent, he should be held accountable!"

"The same goes for Publicola! The two of them commanded eight rigorously trained legions and so many urban citizen soldiers, but they were defeated by a group of cheap slaves who didn't even have enough to eat. This is simply Roman. shame!"

"This is not only a shame for the Romans, but also a shame for our senators! Now people are talking all over the city. They are questioning why two idiots were elected as consuls!"

……

"Quiet! Quiet!..." Catullus waved his hands repeatedly. Although he was old, his voice was quite loud. Coupled with his high prestige, the senators soon stopped making noise.

Catullus frowned and criticized: "You are all Roman elites, not stupid traffickers, but you are making noise like shrews in this sacred place! Have you forgotten the order of the Senate! From now on First of all, if anyone yells randomly again, I have to tell him to get out!"

He glanced at the meeting place with stern eyes until everyone was completely quiet, and then said: "Now everyone can put forward their own suggestions according to the meeting procedures."

The first person to stand up was Kitagus, who was seated second from the left in the first row of the venue. He bowed slightly and said, "My colleagues, Rome has transformed from a small city-state in Italy to one that controls the entire Mediterranean today. A powerful country, there have been countless wars over hundreds of years. We have won many glorious victories, but at the same time we have suffered many tragic defeats. Have the consuls and senators who lost these battles been severely punished? I think everyone It’s very clear, no!

Rome has never had a history of punishing defeated generals in the past, so we should not be the first to do so today, otherwise we will all be remembered by future generations. This is the real shame! "

There were murmurs in the venue, but no one raised any objection.

Cythegus changed his tone and continued: "We must pay attention! News of the army's defeat will soon spread in Rome. Maybe tomorrow the people of Rome will gather outside and protest against us! We must Take steps as quickly as possible to quell public anger before something happens.

Although we will not punish Clotianus and Publicola, the fact that the two consuls suffered successive defeats and put Rome in danger is sufficient to illustrate their lack of military talent. Therefore, I suggest - cancel their military command rights, let people with stronger military capabilities serve as commanders, wipe out the rebels as soon as possible, and restore peace to Italy! "

"I agree with Cythegus's suggestion to remove Clodianus and Publicola from their military command!"

"I agree!"

"This order should have been issued a long time ago!"

"They must also be allowed to return to Rome as soon as possible. We can no longer bear the infamy of defeat!"

……

The senators almost unanimously agreed with Cythegus's proposal, which is enough to show how much the Roman army's defeat had dealt them a huge blow.

"The proposal to cancel the military command of Clodianus and Publicola was approved!" Catullus made the final decision, and then asked: "Then who will serve as the new commander-in-chief to form an army and destroy the rebels? If you have suitable candidates to recommend, you can also recommend yourself.”

As soon as Catullus said this, the Senate became very quiet. The senators looked at me and I looked at you. Most of them looked cautious, and some even flinched.

Although everyone still verbally despised the rebels, in the past year of suppressing bandits, the Roman army suffered consecutive defeats. One praetor was killed, another praetor escaped, and two consuls were destroyed. 10 Tens of thousands of troops and 11 Roman legions suffered a tragic defeat... This is not a bandit suppression, this is a war on a grand scale! Moreover, the enemy is extremely powerful and does not have strong enough military talent. It is best not to go into this muddy water, otherwise it will be easy to lose your reputation, just like Crotianus and Publicola.

The Roman senators, who were very self-aware, hid in their seats and said nothing. Catullus, who stood in the center of the venue, was a little anxious: "Why, there are so many of us and no one dares to lead an army?! Do we still need us? We cannot recall Pompey who is fighting in Spain and Lucullus who is still fighting in Asia Minor!"

After Catullus said these words, someone finally stood up. It was Sulla Sulla, the nephew of the late dictator Sulla.

(End of this chapter)