Chapter 450: Risky Advance

Caesar led his army into the deserted city of Turin. After dinner, the soldiers soon fell asleep. Only Caesar was still waiting for his subordinates who were responsible for chasing the defeated enemy to report good news, but the result was regrettable: Vercingetorix was not captured or his body was obtained.

After a night's rest, on the second day, Caesar did not stop again. Except for leaving a few troops to take care of the wounded, he led all the soldiers to march southeast and return to Tortona.

Before arriving, he received an urgent report from Tortona: the cavalry discovered that the Nix army of tens of thousands of people was marching rapidly from the east along the Emilia Avenue toward Tortona.

All the subordinates admired Caesar's foresight.

The Roman army hurried back to the Tortona camp and prepared to meet the enemy.

The first to come was Nix's scouts, and a Roman cavalry centurion rushed over to drive them away.

The Nix scouts, who were outnumbered by the enemy, did not flee out of fear. Instead, they fanned out, holding cavalry crossbows and firing arrows at the Roman cavalry that entered the range.

After more than a dozen Roman cavalry were shot off their horses, the remaining Roman cavalry dared not move forward.

The Nix scouts drew their sabers and pressed forward aggressively.

The Roman cavalry retreated in a hurry.

The Nix scouts began to patrol around many temporary military camps in Tortona unscrupulously until Caesar sent more cavalry, and they drifted away.

Later, Caesar received a report: the Nix army did not continue to march westward, but turned north and stationed in Piacenza, more than a hundred miles away from Tortona.

Caesar frowned. The performance of the Nix scouts partially confirmed his analysis of the important reason for the last defeat of Antony's army - that was the powerful cavalry of the Nix, and the caution shown by the Nix army made him look more solemn.

Although he could have first defended Tortona, ensured the smooth passage of the Via Sculli, and then transferred more new troops from Rome, and then launched an attack on the Nicholas army after the troops were sufficient, that would undoubtedly be safer.

But in this way, the Gallic rebels who had just been defeated would have enough time to recover, and might even recruit more tribal troops from the neighboring Gaul region, so his risky raid would lose its meaning.

Moreover, waiting has never been Caesar's military style. In his past military career, he was able to win battles again and again by daring to take risks.

So after careful consideration, Caesar decided to lead the main force to Piacenza the next day to force the Nicholas army to fight as soon as possible.

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Since meeting with Vercingetorix, dividing the areas of control of the northern Italian province, and setting a plan for a decisive battle with Caesar's army in the northern Italian province, Maximus built a camp near Hostilia and concentrated the main force there, only stationing a small number of troops in Cesena, which is close to the enemy territory in the southeast, and Bologna, which is in the enemy territory in the south-central part.

The reason for such a deployment of troops is that although there are no continuous mountains covering the long coastline as a barrier in the eastern part of the northern Italian province, there is no port town except Pula on the Istria Peninsula. In the nearly half a year after defeating Antony's army, Maximus transferred a reserve legion from the kingdom to garrison Pula, which was commanded by veteran Rufus to strengthen the defense of Pula and Tarsatica and ensure the safety of the army's rear.

Maximus also formed several cavalry patrols to patrol the eastern coastline of the northern Italian province continuously so as to detect the Roman army's beaching by boat in time (although there are few ports on the eastern coast, there are many tidal flats).

In addition, Maximus asked officials from various departments to place as many liberated slaves and poor people as possible in coastal towns. While organizing them to farm, he also sent many officers to organize them for military training during the slack season. The warehouses of these towns were filled with weapons shipped from the Kingdom of Nix. Once an emergency occurred, these officers would arm the slaves and poor people and defend the towns where they were located to buy time for the arrival of reinforcements.

Hostilia was located on the south bank of the lower reaches of the Po River, on the Via Carnia that crossed the northern foothills of the Apennines and led to Aquileia. Whether Caesar's army raided from the sea or attacked from the south, the middle, or the east along the land route, the main force of the Nix army could provide timely reinforcements.

Maximus had been following Caesar's movements. He knew everything about Caesar's return to Rome to suppress the riots, the promulgation of a series of new decrees, the formation of new legions, etc. through intelligence.

Although Maximus thought that Caesar's declaration at the Roman assembly that "he would personally lead the army to pacify the north in three months" was just a smokescreen, he did not think that Caesar could attack him in a short time. After all, Caesar needed time to stabilize the turbulent Rome and to gather a sufficient number of troops, otherwise Caesar would not stay in the barracks for a long time to train new recruits.

Therefore, when Vercingetorix's messenger arrived at Hostilia and informed him of the news of "Roman army attack", Maximus and his ministers were surprised.

Where did the Roman army that entered the northern Italian province come from? ... After the review and analysis of the Nix Military Department, it was finally determined that it was most likely from Sardinia.

Because the spies in the port of Ostia once sent back news, he heard that many Roman troops were stationed in Sardinia. However, because the port of Sardinia was blocked by warships and foreign merchant ships were prohibited from docking, he was unable to proceed. confirmed. The Ministry of War is also concerned about this.

Obviously, Caesar used a stratagem to conceal the truth. Only a dozen days after returning to Rome, he made a lightning-fast raid on the western part of the northern Italian province, catching everyone by surprise.

However, Maximus did not panic, but was a little happy: it was a good thing that Caesar's army came early, and they did not need to spend more time waiting.

Maximus immediately gathered all the Hostilian troops and marched south along the Via Carlia to Bologna, then westward through the Via Emilia.

At the same time, he asked the Gallic messenger to return and tell Vercingetorius that he must hold on to Piacenza and wait for their arrival before joining forces to attack Caesar's army.

Halfway through the journey, another Gallic messenger arrived and informed him that the Roman army had divided its forces to attack Turin, and Vercingetorius rushed to rescue him.

Maximus immediately realized that the Gallic army was in danger.

After a brief discussion with Pequot, the Nix army turned towards Tortona.

Maximus's purpose was: it was definitely too late to rescue the Gallic army, but the main force of the Roman army was fighting in Turin, and the number of troops stationed in Tortona was definitely insufficient. If he could take the opportunity to capture it and cut off its supply line, then in The Roman army fighting in Turin became a turtle in a urn.

However, the timely return of the Roman army frustrated Maximus's attempt.

At this point, Maximus couldn't help but sigh: This Caesar really attacks like fire and moves like wind, making himself passive everywhere.

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However, Maximus was still in a calm mood and did not continue to advance the troops towards Tortona. Instead, he turned into Piacenza, which had almost become an empty city.

After entering the city of Piacenza, Maximus immediately convened a military meeting. After discussion, he made a decision: first send scouting horses to Turin to find out the current situation of the Gallic army as soon as possible, especially to know the situation of Vercingetorius. Life or death (if the Roman army could return in full force, the Gallic army would definitely be defeated). Prior to this, the entire army was stationed in Piacenza to closely monitor the enemy's movements in Tortona.

The next day, the detective sent back news that the main force of the Roman army had left Tortona and was marching towards Piacenza.

Maximus was stunned: He had not yet decided whether to attack Tortona, but the Romans attacked first. As expected of Caesar, who advocated attack and liked to take the initiative!

Maximus decided to wait and see.

In the afternoon, the Roman army camped fifteen miles west of Piacenza.

The next morning, the Roman army formed a formation five miles west of Piacenza.

Maximus remained motionless.

Because of the formation of the Roman army, the left wing was close to the Po River, and the right wing was also next to a river that flowed from the Apennine Mountains, passed west of Piacenza, and merged into the Po River. Although it was neither wide nor deep, the infantry and cavalry They can easily cross on foot, but fighting on such terrain is obviously detrimental to the Knicks' army, especially since it is difficult to take advantage of the Knicks' cavalry.

The Roman army lined up in the field until the afternoon. Seeing that there was no movement from the Nix army in Piacenza, they had to withdraw their troops and return to camp.

At this time, Maximus received a report from the cavalry team: they found a remnant army of Gaul tribes near Turin, and learned from their mouth that they had suffered more than 10,000 casualties in the battle with Rome. Fortunately, most of the army leaders escaped, including the commander Vercingetorio. After the Roman army left Turin, Vercingeli finally reunited them. However, because the Romans burned the food and supplies in Turin, they were starving and had to disperse to nearby small villages to eat and wait for donations. After getting enough food and fodder, we regrouped and rushed back to Piacenza.

After hearing the news, Maximus understood: Don't count on the Gallic army in a short time.

Another day later, the movements of the Roman army surprised Maximus again: they actually continued eastward, along the northern foot of the Apennine Mountains, crossed the river, and naturally bypassed Piacenza.

No wonder Maximus was surprised, because this action of the Roman army was tantamount to abandoning Tortona and did not want to break into the territory controlled by the Nyx army from the rear. Although its team was followed by a large number of baggage team, but this is undoubtedly very risky.