Chapter 419 Preparation for War (Part 3)

"What specific method of addition and subtraction is it?" Maximus asked in a calm tone.

"Four hundred heavy crossbowmen and one hundred light crossbowmen."

"That means we need to add another 1,500 heavy crossbows." Maximus frowned slightly and looked at Arms Minister Carminus: "Are there so many heavy crossbows in the arsenal?"

Carminus shook his head: "During the spring training, the heavy crossbows in the arsenal were just enough to equip the heavy crossbowmen of each legion. In recent months, forty more heavy crossbows have been added to the arsenal. It is far from what the king said. This number is far from enough!”

"The reason why the Roman army was strong mainly relied on their heavy infantry. Since our double crossbows can restrain the Roman heavy infantry and increase our hope of winning the war, we must do our best to make more heavy crossbows before the war comes. Sixtus, what do you think?" Maximus looked at the weapons workshop manager.

"Your Majesty, you are right. After the meeting is over, I will lead the craftsmen in the workshop to work day and night to focus on manufacturing heavy crossbows. I will submit 1,500 heavy crossbows to the Ministry of Arms before the war comes!" Sistos responded enthusiastically.

"I said 1,500, but you will only make 1,500?" Maximus looked at Sistos with an embarrassed expression and said seriously: "I know that manufacturing a heavy crossbow is very difficult, especially the mechanical pulley of the crossbow arm. The power-assist device is very time-consuming to make. Time. But heavy crossbows are easy to break when used, and the war we have to fight with Rome is more than one or two battles, so the more heavy crossbows we need, the better. Of course, the more heavy crossbows your weapons workshop makes, the more the kingdom will give you. The rewards will also be greater!”

The inspired Sistos gritted his teeth and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty! Our weapons workshop will provide the Ministry of Arms with enough heavy crossbows to satisfy you!"

"Okay, I'm relieved with your words!" Maximus patted the arm of the chair to express his appreciation for Sixtus, and then asked: "Pecote, do you have any other questions?"

"There is one more question." Peckett was well prepared for this meeting, and he answered without hesitation: "Your Majesty, the new type of armored soldiers developed at your suggestion is indeed effective against heavy infantry in terms of offense. It has a great restraining effect, but the full-body armor they wear is too heavy, weighing fifty or sixty pounds. Most of the armored soldiers will be too tired to walk after fighting for more than ten minutes, and they will no longer be able to swing axes or hammers. Only the particularly tall and strong soldiers can continue to fight."

Maximus asked with interest: "How many are these tall and strong armored soldiers?"

"Only about one hundred and fifty people." Pecot said with some regret: "Although the life of most people in the kingdom is very good now. Not only do they have three meals a day, but they can also eat full rice and chew cheese. And they can eat a meal of meat every two or three days on average, but neither Illyrian nor Celtic are particularly tall and strong races, so there are not many men suitable to be armored soldiers.”

"Iron-armored soldiers are a rare type of soldier. To perform miraculously in battle, you don't need too many. However, one hundred and fifty people is indeed too few..."

Maximus pinched his chin, pondered for a moment, and had an idea in his mind, but before he could speak, Business Secretary Mainus said first: "Your Majesty, didn't you ask me to contact the Germans in the north a few days ago? Well, Germanic people are generally tall and strong, and have very good endurance. I think they can wear full-body armor that weighs fifty or sixty kilograms and continue fighting for a long time—"

"Your Majesty, I object to Lord Mainas' suggestion!" Frontinus retorted: "One of the main reasons why we were able to defeat the Germans was to have excellent weapons and armor. Now we are going to use the developed "I don't think it's a good idea to give the best weapons and equipment to the Germans who threaten us!"

"Lord Frontinus." Mainus first bowed politely to Frontinus, and then retorted: "Although the Germans have had wars with us, now we are with the German Quadi who are adjacent to the north. The relationship with the two major tribes of Russia and Xi has been greatly improved!

We set up markets on the border and sold them goods at cheaper prices. Our goods were very popular with them, especially the brewed ale. Almost as soon as they arrived at the market, they were robbed by their leaders and nobles. And light.

The people of the kingdom often hire Germans to work during busy farming periods and give them high wages. With our help, the lives of the Quadi and Ossi people are much better than before, and their relationship with us is getting better and better. , last year many leaders of the two tribes were invited by the king to come here to participate in the summer festival.

In a few days, I will also go to these two tribes to conclude an alliance on the order of the king. At the beginning of the next year, the king will also invite them to send troops to attack Rome with us. Wouldn't it be easy to recruit some of their warriors to serve as our armored soldiers? "

Maximus saw the surprised expressions of some people in the hall who had never heard of this matter, and explained calmly: "In the past few years, Caesar, the governor of Rome, was not only engaged in war with the Gauls, but also He had wars with the Germans, defeated the German tribes several times, and even led an army to conduct armed marches in the German territories. The Germans were both afraid and resentful of him. I think they were very willing to join us in marching against the Romans. Revengeful!

Of course, Frontinus's worries were also correct. In the long run, the brave and fierce Germanic people in the north will always be a threat to the kingdom. Instead of forcibly conquering them and causing their fierce resistance, it is better to slowly absorb and assimilate them through friendly means such as trade. We have already started doing this, but the time is still short.

If we can invite the Germanic people to join the expedition to Rome this time, it will not only eliminate the threat of the Germanic people to the territory after the main force of the kingdom leaves, but also absorb the Germanic warriors into the kingdom more quickly through more intimate ways such as fighting together. What do you think? "

"Your Majesty is wise! Inviting the Germanic people to declare war on Rome together will not only enhance our strength, but also ensure the safety of the territory, and can also prepare for the kingdom to assimilate the Germanic people in the future. It is really a good plan!" Minas took the opportunity to praise loudly.

Others no longer raised any objections.

"Your Majesty, I wonder how many troops you plan to lead to attack Rome? "Capito asked with concern.

"I plan to lead the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth Legions and the Cavalry Legion, plus auxiliary forces such as the Medical Battalion and the Engineering Battalion, about 40,000 combat troops into Italy." Because he had already planned in advance, Maximus said without hesitation.

"Your Majesty, you only brought 40,000 people to attack the powerful Rome, which is too few!" Spukara, Mingjunus, Sistos and others exclaimed.

"40,000 people are not few!" Maximus explained earnestly: "The troops I will lead this time are all legions that have experienced long-term battles and made countless military exploits. Both the officers and soldiers have rich combat experience and high morale. Even in the worst combat environment, they will burst out with strong combat effectiveness!

Rome is indeed strong, but they are facing our sudden attack in the case of civil war. It is impossible to summon many more soldiers than our army to fight us in a short time. Every battle encountered by our army after entering Italy is likely to be outnumbered.

Of course, as the war progresses and the number of casualties increases, I will also recruit other legions to Italy at any time to supplement the army.

However, I will not withdraw too many people to participate in the war. After all, the kingdom is our foundation. Whether it is farming or producing various goods, we need enough manpower. Although we have a good relationship with the surrounding tribes, we must have enough troops to stay behind to ensure the safety of the territory... In short, the normal operation of the kingdom cannot be seriously affected by the war. "

Minas also continued: "Although we have only 40,000 troops to go to war, we will invite the Germans to join the war, and then we will also invite the Japodes and the Ardi people to join the war-"

Maximus said in a deep voice: "Not only these three tribes, in fact, I have convinced the Gauls and Dacians. Once we launch an attack on Rome, they will also declare war on Rome and attack Rome's provinces and armies!

In short, we are not fighting alone. Once the war starts, some forces that are dissatisfied with Rome will join in. At that time, the various regions conquered by Rome will be ignited with war everywhere! "

Maximus' words lifted everyone's spirits and greatly reduced the uneasiness of those who just learned about this.

Carina from Gaul asked curiously: "Your Majesty, how did you contact the Gauls? And get them to agree to declare war on Rome?"

Maximus smiled slightly: "This is a long story. I will tell you in detail after the meeting."

Then, he looked around at everyone and said seriously: "In addition to what I said above, don't forget that we have another most powerful weapon against the Romans, that is, to liberate slaves and give land to the poor in Italy. They will become our continuous source of soldiers and work with us to overthrow the Roman nobles who oppressed and enslaved them!"

"Your Majesty is right!" Phesalus responded loudly: "When we rose up against the Romans, we relied on this trick to form a huge team and defeated the Roman army many times! "

His words immediately made many people sigh and fall into memories.

Maximus remained calm and continued: "There is another reason why I only brought 40,000 people - that is logistics! Although we are very close to Italy, the high mountains in the west will not only make our march difficult, but also a big problem for our logistics transportation! But the food and supplies needed by 40,000 people are huge! Carminus, can your armament department complete the task of logistics transportation? "