Chapter 37 Its Name Is The Crow

At the end of the Battle of Colossus, Agesilaus defeated the Argos, Thebes defeated the Phokis, and Xenophon led a mercenary attack on the Athenian army in the middle, which was not conducive to the anti-Spartan coalition. On one side, the coalition took the initiative to choose to retreat.

Agesilaus' troops were unable to pursue because of too many casualties.

The coalition forces successfully returned to the camp and continued to hold Corosso.

Although Agersilaus was victorious, he failed to pass Colosso, and as reinforcements from the other side continued to arrive, the anti-Spartan coalition continued to grow.

Agesilaus realized that he could not stay here for long, so he had to give up his plan to attack the territory of Thebes, and was forced to retreat westward with his army, and finally reached Delphi, crossed the Gulf of Corinth, and fought with Sri Lanka, who was still fighting in Corinth. The Bada army reunites.

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Cykrian, who is already the commander of the Admiral of Dionia, came to Davos' mansion again, and his respectful attitude towards Davos was still the same as before.

Davos came to him this time, in addition to congratulating him on his promotion, there were more important matters to discuss: "Sekelian, I have carefully thought about what you said to me before about dealing with the Syracuse Navy in the past two days. Strategy. I think there is a chance to win, but the risk is too great, and I have an idea that may greatly increase the chances of the Dionysian Navy winning.”

"Sir, what's your idea?" Sekelian asked hurriedly. His posture was not pretending. If others said that, he would definitely think it was whimsical. How could Firth's mouth not attract his attention.

"Look at this." Davos handed a parchment to Cykrian.

Sekelian quickly opened it up and saw: a three-tier oared battleship was drawn on it, but this battleship was a little special. Next to the mast of his bow, there was a wooden board with the same length as the mast. A low railing with a downward pointed corner below the top of the plank. There is also a special drawing and description of this small wooden bridge-like device. It is about 12 meters long and 1.2 meters wide. The sharp corner at the top is a thick iron nail, and the top of the wooden board is also drilled with holes. and tied to the mast.

Davos saw Sekelian's expression a little puzzled, so he asked first: "Sekelian, tell me honestly, how much difference is there between our sailors' skill in manipulating warships and Syracuse?"

Sekelian hesitated for a moment and said: "The Syracuse Navy has fought against the Carthaginians many times, and has more actual combat experience than us, and the ship handling skills are naturally better than ours... However, we are training hard, and brother Their fighting spirit is very high..."

"But—our sailors are still newcomers who haven't been on the battlefield,

including yourself. "Davers pointed out bluntly.

Sekelian blushed and tried to refute.

Davos waved his hand, indicating that he should not speak for the time being: "The navy does not have troops, and the battle on land has failed. As long as there are enough citizens in the city-state, another army can be formed at any time. When a naval battle occurs, it is usually a dozen or so. Ships, dozens of ships sank to the bottom of the sea, and thousands of sailors were sacrificed or captured. Once it fails, it is difficult to recover in a short period of time, because a three-deck oar warship takes at least half a year to build. Not to mention the enormous amount of resources and money it requires.

And during this time, Syracuse's warships can ravage any coast and port of Dionia at will, leaving our land deserted and trade stagnant... So Dio, who is weaker than Syracuse's navy The Nia Alliance doesn't give your fleet time to hone your experience, and our navy cannot fail once! "

Davos's words made Cykrian feel a lot of pressure.

He clenched his fists, pressed them on his thighs, and shouted in his heart: How is this possible? ! Even powerful naval states, such as Athens and Syracuse, have experienced fiasco...

At this time, his eyes swept over the blueprint on the table, and his heart moved: Could it be that the mystery of our naval victory is here?

"Secrian, since our fleet is inferior to Syracuse in terms of experience and technology, why do we have to compete with Syracuse in traditional collision tactics?! On the contrary, you see that we have the most Greek city-states. Excellent legionnaires, whether it is personal fighting skills or teamwork, are among the most powerful heavy infantry in Greece, why not move land warfare to naval warfare, use our strengths, avoid our weaknesses, and put the battle The initiative is in your own hands?!"

Davos's words "Take naval battles as land battles" were like a bolt of lightning running through Sekelian's brain. He picked up the blueprint on the table: "This wooden bridge... this wooden bridge..."

Davos smiled and took the conversation: "This wooden bridge, I asked Mattikoris, he can design pulleys on the warship, so that the wooden bridge can be easily pulled up, and at the same time create a circular track around the base of the mast, and the pulley can also be used. Push the wooden bridge around the mast, and when the enemy ship approaches the warship from the front or both sides, we can see the timing, put down the wooden bridge, and the iron nails at the top can plunge into the enemy ship with the force of the falling. the deck of the ship, making it impossible for enemy ships to escape, and at this time—"

"At this time, the heavy infantry on the ship can use the wooden bridge to step on the enemy ship and start a close fight with the enemy!" While listening to Davos' explanation just now, I have been rapidly deducing the new naval battle in my mind. Kelian couldn't help trembling with excitement: "Sir, you are a genius idea! Turn naval warfare into land warfare, and give full play to the advantages of our legion, not only can we attack the enemy, but also capture the enemy, capture enemy ships, and quickly grow our naval strength. !"

If it is a traditional naval commander, I am afraid it will be difficult to accept such an idea at the moment, but after all, Sekelian is young, and he has just assumed the position of the naval commander. He is full of thoughts on how to win the enemy and accept the new combat method quickly. Davos spoke up.

Davers asked with a smile, "Do you think this plan can be implemented?"

"It's completely feasible!" Sekelian's eyes stared at the blueprint: "But when the fleet is sailing, this wooden bridge will affect the speed of the ship, and it may increase the risk of capsizing in the event of a storm. I think if it can... um... I usually disassemble it, lay it on the deck, and put it back on before the battle... In addition, during the battle, this wooden bridge will also affect the maneuverability of the warship... Oh, I forgot, it's not a problem, With the wooden bridge on the ship, the fighting method of our fleet is no longer ramming but mainly pick-up battle, so how many infantry should be put on the warship?"

Sekelian lay on the wooden table and stared at the blueprint, muttering to himself while thinking hard.

Davos looked at her, feeling relieved and amused at the same time, so he patted him and said, "How to use this new warship device, you should think about it slowly after you go back. I suggest you find an engineer first, and then A wooden bridge is installed on a warship. If you encounter a problem, you can go to the Dean of the Math Institute and ask him to help design and solve it, but you can treat him with respect. After installation, lead the sailors to the first Rehearsing new tactics requires the cooperation of heavy infantry. You can ask Felixius, the military officer, and he will arrange it for you... Until you have thoroughly figured out this new tactic and used it skillfully, with my approval, it will be extended to the entire Fleet. It is important to note that it must be kept secret! Remember! We must not let the enemy know of our new tactics until we have engaged the enemy!"

"Understood!" Sekelian nodded heavily, carefully put the drawing in his arms, and couldn't wait to leave and go home.

Suddenly, he stopped: "Sir, this wooden bridge installation... did you name it?"

"Crow! Its name is Crow!" An unfathomable smile appeared on Davos' face.

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On this day, in the Gulf of Taranto, among the thousands of ships sailing to and from the port of Turii, a seemingly ordinary passenger ship, a 50-year-old man on board, looked out at the land that appeared in the distance, Unlimited emotion: "Turiyi, I'm finally back..."

"Mr. Lucias, this time, in order to fulfill the important task assigned by the council, I had to force you to come to Turii. I have always felt guilty in my heart..." A middle-aged man walked up to him and spoke to him in a hoarse voice. But apologized.

Lysias said emotionally: "Isocrates, you don't need to apologize. I have said it many times, I am voluntary, and I took the initiative to request Turii. I love Athens and am willing to do something for it. Turii is the place where I grew up. My respected teacher, Tysias, once rested here. I should have come to pay homage to him! General Thonet Lysias distinguishes, in this article takes the name Lysias)"

Isocrates did not really worship Lysias as a teacher, but he had devoted himself to studying the court speeches written by Lysias, so it is not an exaggeration to call him "teacher". At this time, he also looked into the distance, regretting He exclaimed: "Yeah, Turiyi was a Pan-Hellenic city-state advocated by General Pericles back then. How much material and money was spent on Athens! How many Athenians have worked hard for its establishment! And now it has become a city-state. One of the cities in the alliance, you must know that Turii is also a sub-state of Athens. We should have condemned Dionia's behavior and safeguarded Turii's interests... Now we have come to violate our interests. The Dionian League has asked for help. Alas, Athens! The Peloponnesian War has cost us so much..."

"Isocrates, you must understand that the city of Turii that we know has been burned by Crotone! The current Turii was rebuilt by the Dionysian Alliance..." Lycias looked slightly sentimental reminded.