Rome must fall.

Chapter 391 The troops are divided into two groups
Maximus reminded with a serious expression: "Andizeti has suffered a heavy blow now. You must occupy the entire Andizeti territory as quickly as possible before the Skodischi tribe takes action!"

The existence of the Scodischi tribe on the southern border of the Pannoni tribal alliance was something the top leaders of the Nix tribe had known for a long time. Maximus specifically mentioned this at this moment, which made Aulus and Pequot feel nervous.

Aulus immediately asked worriedly: "Chief, we will speed up the attack! But if the Skodischi tribe also decisively sends troops to attack Andizeti, what attitude should we adopt when our army encounters them?"

Maximus said decisively: "First of all, you must ensure that the land on both sides of the Sava River in the Andizeti territory and the land where it meets the Danube River must be under your control!
In addition, you should try to avoid conflicts with the Skodischi troops. Andy suggested that the corners of the southern border of the tribe can be occupied by the Skodischi troops who arrive there first, but if they are ignorant and insist on encroaching on our interests, then we should teach them a lesson and let them know how powerful we are. Then, negotiations with them may go more smoothly in the future."

Aulus thought seriously for a while, then nodded and said, "I understand."

"Chief, the common people in our tribe don't know that the Skodischi tribe is still alive. There are many Skodischi soldiers in the Third and Fourth Legions. Once the army enters Andizeti and encounters the Skodischi army, I am worried that some of the Skodischi soldiers will not obey orders or even defect!

Should we take more severe punishment to deter all the Skodishchi soldiers? Or should we take into account their excusable circumstances and give them a more lenient punishment? "Pequot asked the question with a serious look.

The Fifth Legion was a new legion, and nearly half of it was made up of Skodiuschi soldiers, so he had to worry about it.

Maximus replied calmly: "One of the important reasons why our Nix army can win battles again and again is the strict military discipline. The Military Law is clearly posted on the walls of every military exercise ground. Every officer and soldier knows that we will not deliberately impose additional punishment on anyone, nor will we be extra lenient to anyone. The way we enforced the military law in the past will be the same in the future, and there will be no change!
As for the issue you mentioned about Pequot, I think you are overly worried. Do you remember that at the beginning of the year, there were rumors in the tribe about the existence of the Skodishchi tribe south of the Pannoni tribal alliance? "

"Of course I remember." Pequot said solemnly, "At that time, a large amount of news about the existence of the Skodishchi tribe suddenly appeared in the Kupa River area, which caused a lot of commotion among the Skodishchi people in several towns such as Snotia and Westney. It lasted for a long time-"

Phesalus took over the conversation: "Not only in the Kupa River area, but also in the Ophidilla area and the upper reaches of the Sava River, there are such rumors. There is quite a stir. It may be the work of the Brochi people, who wanted to disrupt our tribe. Unfortunately, they failed. Not long after, the matter was naturally settled."

Pecot frowned and reminded in a deep voice: "That's because it's just a rumor after all. With Brochi, Andy and other hostile Pannoni tribes blocking the way, the people from the Scodischi tribe have no way to verify it. But they will see with their own eyes that the previous rumors are true. It's hard to predict what will happen then."

"It's predictable." Maximus smiled at Pequot and said, "I ordered the Intelligence Department to spread those rumors throughout the tribe. I gave orders to the chief executives of each town to have the city guards step up patrols and maintain order...

But in fact, I was too worried. There were no major disturbances in various regions, and it did not affect field cultivation and workshop manufacturing. The people of the Skodischi tribe were able to calm down quickly... What you just said, Pequot, is one reason, but there are other reasons.

Intelligence personnel collected a lot of conversations between the Skodishchi tribe members. Many Skodishchi tribe members believed that they were living well in the Nix tribe and would soon become official tribe members. Their lives would get better and better. They had been slaves for more than ten years and were tired of the precarious life. They were unwilling to give up their current stable and affluent life and run to join an unfamiliar Skodishchi tribe.

Some people also think that if the Skodishchi tribe really exists, they have not driven out the Pannoni people and taken back the land that once belonged to the Skodishchi people in the past ten years, which shows that the strength of this tribe is not good. Judging from the attitude of the Pannoni people towards the Skodishchi people, this tribe may have been under the attack and siege of the Pannoni people, and the lives of the tribesmen must be quite bad. Unless they are mentally ill, they will not give up such a good life now and go there to suffer...'

There is another more important reason. Do you know Gervais? "

"Gorvis... the centurion of my Second Legion, the captain of the Snotia rugby team?" Toleruge said uncertainly. "That's him! This man has some influence among the Skodischi people, and in the beginning he was very persistent in reviving the Skodischi tribe, and even led a group of Skodischi slaves to plunder the territory of Segestica for a while... So after this rumor came out, I paid special attention to him."

Maximus recalled something and said in a gentle tone: "As a result, he told people many times, 'In fact, the Scodischi tribe really exists and has nothing to do with him, because his original tribe has been destroyed by Segestica, and the only blood of the chief is my wife, Follisliusia, so he will stay in Nix for the rest of his life... Many Scodischi people have similar statements to Govis.

As far as I know, the Scodischi in its heyday was very similar to the current Pannoni, with multiple large tribes. Although there was cooperation between the large tribes, there were also conflicts of interest. The people of a large tribe would usually never run to another large tribe...

Of course, these tribesmen probably said this to find an excuse for not wanting to go to the Skodischi tribe, but this just shows that our Nix tribe is much more attractive to them than the Skodischi tribe. Even if they really encounter the Skodischi tribe’s army this time, apart from being a little surprised and emotional, they should not have any abnormal behavior. On the contrary, seeing the other side’s simple equipment will make them feel sick and strengthen their determination to stay in the Nix tribe.”

Aulus and Pequot listened and their brows relaxed.

Maximus then reminded: "However, you two should be careful! If the Skodischi tribe really sends troops and infringes on our interests, forcing you two to fight with them, after defeating them, do not chase and kill the fleeing soldiers, and do not take the opportunity to enter the territory of the Skodischi tribe, so as not to hurt the feelings of the Skodischi soldiers in the army!

We must also avoid provoking the supporters behind the Skodischi tribe, the Deciyans. It is not appropriate for us to be an enemy of this powerful force now. We must try our best to show it our goodwill!"

Aulus and Pequot nodded thoughtfully.

"Toleruge, Carminus, you must also be careful when attacking Mazii. Do not continue to advance eastward after occupying the Mazii territory!

Occupying Brochi, Mazii and Andizeti was one of the plans we made before the war. We have been working hard in the past few years to accumulate a lot of reserve officials and supplies, but if we want to digest the territories of these three tribes at the same time, I am afraid it will be a bit too much. Therefore, we must stop at the right time and never expand the war, otherwise it will easily involve the Boyi people, which will cause great harm to our Nix tribe, and even all our current achievements will be in vain in the end!"

Maximus looked at the two men seriously, but he paid more attention to Toleruge. After all, he was the commander-in-chief who would soon lead the army, and his strong character made Maximus worried.

Originally, Tolergo was not the commander-in-chief chosen by Maximus, but Phesalus had a bad hand and was the one to be chosen in the first draw. Among the remaining four legion commanders, Tolergo had the longest seniority. If he was not allowed to be the commander-in-chief, it would undoubtedly be a public expression of distrust in him, and Maximus certainly could not do that.

Although Toleruge looked rough and sturdy and usually acted in a generous manner, he had been the commander of a legion for many years and managed thousands of soldiers, so he was of course also very thoughtful. He understood why Maximus said these words, so he met Maximus's gaze and said in a deep voice: "Chief, please rest assured!"

Maximus looked at him, calmed down a little, and then reminded: "Maziyi has many mountains, and many tribes live in the mountains and forests. After you take over the main village of Maziyi and the surrounding basins, it is best not to rashly attack the tribes in the mountains and forests! Our soldiers are all heavy infantry, which is not conducive to fighting in the mountains. In addition, we are not familiar with the terrain, which will be a disadvantage. I suggest that you stabilize the basin centered on the main village of Maziyi, and try your best to appease and surrender those tribes in the mountains!
I will send you a capable assistant, Gillicus, the chief of the Military Intelligence Department of the General Staff. He is originally from the Mazii tribe, and many of his subordinates were also from the Mazii tribe. This time he will bring them with him to the army. I will let him follow you to Mazii, and he can serve as a guide for you and help you persuade the various Mazii tribes to surrender."

(End of this chapter)