Rome must fall.

Chapter 89 The first strategy target

"They came a little late!" Maximus complained softly, then stood up, took the lead out of the military tent, opened his arms towards Attumus, who was walking towards him, and said enthusiastically: "Attumus Welcome, Moose!"

When Attumus faced the young Maximus, he was not as arrogant as Cross and Enomui. Instead, he looked apologetic: "Maximus, I'm sorry! I have been busy setting up camp just now, so I came late. !”

"Your army is marching behind, and it must be setting up camp later than us. We all understand, so the meeting has just begun..." Maximus enthusiastically took Attumus's arm and walked side by side to the military tent, saying Li said: "Judging from today's march, it should be relatively smooth for us to pass through the Samonai Mountains. I have some new ideas. We need to discuss it again with our two teams to see if we can make the plan we made before Smoother implementation.”

"Great, Maximus, you have another better idea. I have to listen carefully!" Attumus's happy face was not a lie. The previous military plan was almost done by Maximus. It was drawn up by Si and Quintus. How could Attumus, who had been a sailor for decades, know about strategic planning? He was shocked after hearing such a complete Apulian strategy development plan. After that, the two armies left Campani. After moving south together, he took the initiative to lead his army to cooperate with the actions of Maximus' army.

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There are three main ethnic groups living in Apulia: the Dauni, the Pucheti and the Apuli.

Their ancestors were Illyrians from across the Adriatic Sea, so they all spoke the same language. After several generations of reproduction, they made this wild area prosperous.

Later, the Romans conquered this area by force and directly named this area Apulia, but the people here did not completely surrender to Rome. They supported Hannibal during the Second Punic War. In the Roman Alliance War that took place more than ten years ago, most of the region also joined the Samnites against Rome. After the failure, they were also criticized to a certain extent by the Roman Senate. Suppression has caused this area to become a bit declining.

And now the slave rebel army known as "Free Italy" has arrived, which makes the people of Apulia feel nervous, but the news that comes one after another makes them confused: this rebel army that has been looting in Campania is in the crossroads. I didn't make any mistakes when traveling through the Samnite Mountains. After entering the Apulian region, I passed through several towns such as Aecae on the Minucia Avenue, and I also walked around the city without stopping. , just propaganda all the way: they are a free Italian army formed by the poor to let the poor live a better life, and also to help the Italians get rid of the oppression of Rome and regain their independence...

Such propaganda soon had an effect. Some poor people in Apulia went to seek refuge in groups, while some wealthy citizens in Apulia adopted a wait-and-see attitude. The nobles and officials here scorned the rebel propaganda. But most of them were lucky: maybe these rebels were rushing south to plunder the wealthy Magna Greek city-states?

The Apulians were lucky, but in fact it was because they simply did not have the ability to expel more than 3 rebels (including Attumus's army).

The Apulian people's non-resistance led the rebels to successfully cross the Orfidus River, a large river in the Apulian region, along the Minucia Avenue. On the south bank of the river is the former Apu Canusium, one of the largest city-states in Asia.

This time the rebels did not go around the city again. Instead, they chose to camp nearby and sent cavalry to observe the city. In the early morning of the next day, they sent an envoy to see the administrator of Canossa.

Out of curiosity and fear of the rebels, the governor of Canosa received the envoy.

This envoy was none other than Maximus' commercial officer, Pygris. In fact, he was not the original candidate for the envoy. However, after receiving the news, Pygris volunteered. Maximus did not agree at first. After all, going to Canossa as an envoy was risky, and Pygris was a rare member of his staff. Talent, he was unwilling to risk it. But Pigris repeatedly requested, and he finally nodded in agreement.

As the army moved south, the sea trade that Pigres was doing in full swing at the Port of Pompeii had to be suspended. He was used to being busy and could not allow himself to do nothing during the entire march. It was not easy for him to find such a place where he could display his talents. , of course he couldn't miss it, not to mention that this was the first step for Maximus' army to reopen sea trade. As a commercial officer, of course he had to contribute.

With some anxiety, Pygris entered the city of Canossa under the escort of the city guards. As a result, he saw that the city was in chaos and the people looked at him with fear. This scene not only gradually relieved his nervousness , there are more calculations in my heart.

When he entered the city lord's palace and saw the administrator of Canossa and his men, Pigris was already looking down.

The administrator from Rome put on a majestic face, but he tried his best to keep his tone calm, but his voice was trembling slightly: "Rebel...rebel...well, that envoy, as a bastard, has no authority at all. See me, but considering that you have not violated the Apulian people since you entered Apulia, I made an exception to see you... Are you here this time to negotiate peace with Rome on behalf of your army? If That's right, I...I am willing to convey your request to Rome as soon as possible, and try my best to mediate for you, so that not only will you not be punished, but you will get a good arrangement...

Hmm... For example, if you become an auxiliary force of the Roman legion, your leaders can become senior officers of the auxiliary force. When their service is over, they will not only become Roman citizens, but also obtain land and property... However, during the negotiation, To show your sincerity, your troops are to be kept away from Canossa, clearly... understand? "

Pigris smiled and laughed without any scruples: "I think you are mistaken. Our army of Free Italy is not here to submit to Rome, but to help the Apulians and fight against Rome." Get independent!”

The chief executive suddenly turned pale and shouted bravely: "Damn rebel, you are so brave! This is the territory of the Romans. If you don't surrender quickly, you will all be hanged on crosses when the Roman army arrives!" Think about it carefully!”

Pigris ignored him, glanced at the Canossa officials and local council members in the hall, and said loudly: "We Free Italy are fighting for the independence of Apulia, and of course you Canossa people will also participate. We, our leader, hope you can provide 1000 tons of wheat and kilograms of bacon... Send these supplies to the military camp outside the city within two days. At that time, we will continue to go south to fight the Romans, otherwise - "Pigeris snorted coldly, and the threat was obvious.

The expressions of everyone present changed drastically. A member of the Canossa Council, who was dressed in gorgeous clothes, said with a sad face: "We can't prepare so many supplies. Can we go any less-"

"Canossa will never compromise with the enemy! We will never agree to your unreasonable demands!" The chief executive responded resolutely this time, because he understood that if he did this, when he left office and returned to Rome, he would never What good fruit is there to eat? It's just that his response did not arouse the same hatred and hatred among others. On the contrary, everyone ignored him and instead whispered and discussed.

Pigris saw this in his eyes and his smile became even brighter: "In two hours, my leader will lead his army and wait outside the city. I hope the envoy you sent can give him a satisfactory answer."

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Pigris left the city, let out a long breath, and rode straight to the military camp three miles away.

Maximus was looking forward to it in front of the Chinese army's tent in the military camp. When he saw the figure of Pygris, he immediately strode up to meet him: "God bless you, Pygris, you are finally back safely! If it happens again, Later, we will send out an army to ask for people from Canossa!"

Pigris felt his heart warm when he heard this, and he quickly said: "Let the leader worry, I am not in any danger, because the Canossa people have been frightened by our military might, and they are afraid that we will attack the city, so how can they dare to let us go?" I'm not hurt at all."

Maximus laughed and said: "Come, follow me to the big tent and tell everyone about what you saw in Canossa."

There were two groups of people huddled together in the big tent, looking at the sketch of the city of Canossa and discussing something. Among them were several captains such as Pheasalus and Toreligo under Maximus, as well as several main leaders in Attumus's army.

Maximus walked into the big tent and said loudly: "Everyone, the brave Pygris has returned successfully. Now let's ask him to tell us about what he saw in the city of Canossa."

Silence immediately returned to the big tent, and everyone's eyes were focused.

"Our previous actions should have confused the Canossa people." Pigris then said loudly: "Although Canossa City is relatively large, it seems that there are not many people in the city. I saw them urgently on the street. Among the city guards recruited, there were actually some old men with gray hair and robes. This shows that they lacked enough young citizens to serve as soldiers, and they also lacked enough armor to equip them. They had no time to ask for reinforcements from other towns, and regardless of whether they were from other towns. I saw fear on the faces of their soldiers and officials. The Canossa people lack fighting spirit. I think we can successfully capture this city!"

"Leontias, who has just joined us, is right. The Apulia region has indeed been in decline over the years." Maximus said with emotion.

Marching from Benevento, Maximus could feel that the Samonei Mountains were sparsely populated. However, Samonei was a famous barren area in Italy, but the same was true for the Apulian region, which was famous for its agriculture and animal husbandry. Not to mention that the Roman Senate was careful to guard against this area that resisted Rome in the Marsi War.

According to Leontias: After the Romans won the Marsi War, they set aside a large area of ​​fertile land as Roman public land on the grounds of punishing the Apulians. At the same time, they also repeatedly used generous salaries to recruit a large number of young and middle-aged Apulian laborers, incorporated them into the Roman legions, and sent them to fight in Asia Minor... These practices indeed weakened the strength of the Apulian region and were conducive to Roman rule. , but now it is also convenient for the rebels.

"Maximus, since the situation is very favorable to us, let's attack the city quickly!" Attumus said with burning eyes.

"Don't be anxious yet. Whether we want to start a war or not depends on whether the people of Canossa agree to our request." Maximus said calmly.

"We deliberately asked for so much supplies that there was no way the Canossa people could get them."

"That's what we say, but since we have given a time limit, it is best to wait for the other party's reply before talking. If the Apulians think that our rebel army is cunning and unfaithful, it may have a negative impact on our next war. There are obstacles,” Maximus advised.

"Okay, it's up to you." Attumus agreed readily.

Although Attumus was a rough man and had never read a day, his decades of sailing career made him deeply understand the truth: let the capable captain lead the ship and make correct judgments, and let the experienced helmsman take control. As the boatswain, he led the sailors to cooperate fully...Only in this way can the safety of the whole ship be ensured and the destination be reached smoothly.

Even now that he has become a leader of the rebel army, this concept is still deeply affecting him. He knows that he lacks the brains to analyze the current situation and the experience to command operations. After several months of careful observation, he felt that among the leaders of the rebel army, Spartacus did have strong leadership skills, while Maximus was the youngest, but the most special and courageous (the sea raid on Pompeii). , became the first leader of the rebel army to capture a town), capable of command (the soldiers of Maximus' army rarely abused the people of Campania, and could insist on military training every day), good at management (their camp was in order , and can also ensure that there is no shortage of supplies through trade)... It is precisely because of these that when he divided his troops to go south, he took the initiative to choose to act with Maximus, and he followed Maximus's suggestions during the march.

"Actually, we also need more time to prepare for the siege. Although we cut down some wood before leaving the Sammonai Mountains, yesterday I asked the engineering team to make wooden ladders and planks in the camp, but the attack The structure of a city car is relatively complicated, and one has not been manufactured yet." Maximus reminded again.

Before Attumus could speak, one of his men said first: "It doesn't matter if there are no siege engines. Anyway, Canossa has few people and lacks defenses. If we swarm up and attack in an all-out way, we will definitely be able to do it easily." They will take the city down."

(End of this chapter)