Chapter 83 Decision of the South Italian Alliance

Athesias coughed a few times and continued: "...Syracuse camp is about 24 miles east to the city of Xiliting. There are many hills in this direction, but the terrain is generally flat. Therefore, although the Syracuses are staying in the camp today, their mercenary cavalry is on the territory of Silitin, wantonly destroying farmland and orchards, burning down villages and houses, and killing and injuring dozens of our scouts..."

"How many soldiers are there in the Syracuse camp?" asked Askamas.

"According to the observations of the past two days, there are probably more than 50,000 people!" Assias replied.

50,000 people! Askamas thought for a while, then turned his head and asked, "Lord Felixius, how many enemies did you encounter in Corenia?"

"Not less than 40,000 people." Felixius answered truthfully.

"If you count the troops of Medema and Hibernian, this time the Syracuses attacked our South Italian Alliance's troops should exceed—" Askamas spit out a number with a serious expression: " 100,000 people!"

When everyone here heard this number, their expressions were solemn: This is the largest army that has appeared so far, not only in Greater Greece, but also in the Western Mediterranean, in the history of the entire Greek world! "

"And the number of coalition troops here, if you add Trina's civic soldiers, is only nearly 60,000." Pretinis sighed: "It's a pity that Lijim is separated to the south and cannot join us, Cullen. Nia is now under siege again, and most importantly—"

Pretinis looked at Felixius and Ancitanos, and said regretfully: "Lord Davos is leading Dionia's main force in the Lucania area. If they all gather in the Celestial Court, we won't be able to. Don't be afraid of the Syracuses, even if there are 100,000 of them!"

"We kept things simple before. When we made plans, we always thought too much about the good. Once we implemented it, we found that there were so many problems." It was also to relieve the high-level allies who participated in the discussion at the time: "Some things happened suddenly, which caught people off guard! For example, the invasion of the Samone people was unexpected! It can only be said that Dionysius was for this time. Invasion, I am afraid that preparations have already been made."

Ancitanos's remarks were obviously a bit of a taste of others' prestige and his own ambition. Askamas snorted lightly, and just wanted to speak.

Asopias asked first, "When will Lord Davos lead the army back?"

"I haven't received any news yet. But Lord Davos has never failed in the military. I believe he will soon be able to repel the savage and backward Samonais and quickly come to join us." Ancitano Sis comforted.

Felixus took the opportunity to take his words,

Continuing: "So we should now strengthen our camp outside the city of Siriding, forming an horn with the city, standing on the defense, dragging the army of Syracuse, waiting for Lord Davos to lead the army to return, and then with Syrah The Kuza will fight!"

Askamas sneered twice: "Listen, 'Lord Davos, Lord Davos,' without Davos, wouldn't all the generals of our Southern Italian Union not command the war?! "

When Felixius heard this, his face changed slightly. Ancitanos frowned. Acersias looked a little worried.

Askamas looked at Felixius with a look of contempt: "I ask you, how many days is it from Turii to Potentia?"

"It takes about five or six days to take the most convenient way." Although Felixius was angry with what he had just said, he answered truthfully.

"That is to say, in terms of days, it is possible that Davos has just led his army to Portentia. How many days will it take to get here from Portentia?"

"About nine or ten days."

"Well, ten days, that's not even counting the days it takes to defeat the Samonites. We Crotones haven't dealt with the Samonites, but since they are natives living in the mountains, they fight very differently. Like the Brutians, they rarely fight head-to-head in the mountains, but like wolves like to hide and attack, which means that it is difficult to repel them through a decisive battle, and if it is to end quickly War is simply impossible! General Felixius, I know that there are many Brutus in your team, you should know better than me in this regard!" Askamas's tone was more sarcastic: "Even if Davos' commanding ability is very strong, and he can return to the Celestial Court within 20 days... This is the shortest time I can give! But in these 20 days, do you think the more than 40,000 enemies who fought with you before? Is it possible to capture Corenia?! I heard that the Syracuses have a siege device called the ballista. In the previous war with Carthage, they used it to capture several Carthage City……"

Felixius' expression changed again. Syracuse's ballista had been captured before, after defeating the Syracuse battalion. The accuracy is not as good as that of Dionia, but its power is much higher. After all, its size is larger than that of Dionia's siege ballista, and the stone bullets used are naturally larger. Thinking of Verniris, who was confident in defending the city when he left, Felixius was upset and had to keep silent.

Askamas saw it in his eyes and continued: "If the mixed army of Syracuse and Locri captures Corenia with ballistas and then rushes to Siriting to meet, they only need to separate A small number of troops are going to besiege Trina, and we have no way to stop it, so how many days can Trina resist?"

Asopia Aston turned pale.

"When Lord Davos really leads the army here, I am afraid that even the city of Sirius will be in ruins." Sias couldn't sit still.

After Pretinis and Assias looked at each other and reached an agreement, Assias slapped the wooden table hard, stood up, and said loudly, "My lords, we can't wait any longer! We should take advantage of the fact that the two armies of Syracuse have not converged, and we should attack the Syracuse army here first! "

Felixius frowned and asked: "Attack? How to attack?! Do you want to storm the camp of Syracuse?!"

"Follow the gauntlet! According to the soldiers who had retreated from the Corta River, 'they saw the Syracuses crossing the river and there was a big Syracuse flag erected behind them.' Tyrant of Syracuse , That Dionysius should be in this army. We gave him a gauntlet according to ancient tradition and invited him to fight between the two armies. This tyrannical and arrogant dictator claimed to be the 'master of Sicily'... He should not... should not allow himself to show fear in front of his men and not dare to fight. Then, the Greek people under his tyrannical rule will see through his cowardice and weakness!" Sethias said not very confidently.

"This is a good way! We Trina will also do our best to send more soldiers to join you. In this way, the number of our coalition soldiers will greatly exceed the number of Syracuse soldiers here!" At this moment , Axopias also took the initiative to make a commitment.

"But Dionysius is very likely to refuse to fight when there is a gap in the strength of his troops." Felixius reminded cautiously.

"The Syracuses dare not come out to fight, then we will storm their camps!" Askamas took the conversation and added: "I have observed the camps of the Syracuses, and the camps they built are far from the same. You Dionians are strong, aren't you also equipped with ballistas in your ranks! Then, throw stone bombs at the camp of Syracuse until you force these timid Syracuses to fight !" As Dionia's neighbor, Crotone is still more concerned about Dionia's army.

"That's right, Lord Askamas, we'll do it like this!" Accias responded excitedly.

"Lord Felixius, what do you think?" Pretinis' question made everyone's eyes focus on Felixius.

Facing everyone's expectant gaze, Felixius was on pins and needles, but he was unable to answer.

Seeing that everyone's expressions gradually became impatient, Ancitanos stood up and said, "Masters, please let me and Master Felixius have a few words alone."

The two walked out of the venue.

Ancitanos brushed off the dust on the steps, and after he sat down, he asked Felixius to sit down too.

Felixius was a little flattered. He has been in a high position in the Dionian League for several years, but facing a great scholar like Ancitanos alone, Felixius, who was a mercenary, could not help but feel inferior.

"Lord Felixius." Ancitanos did not notice his expression, looked at the square in front of his eyes, and asked in a calm tone: "Are you going to stick to the defensive tactics formulated by Lord Davos?"

Felixius hesitated for a moment, then replied: "Yes. Askamas, Ashesias and their battle plans are too risky, if they fail, the consequences are unimaginable! As long as we stick to the camp and wait for the day to come. Lord Firth led his army back to Greater Greece, and then fought the Syracuses decisively. Whether it is the number and ability of the soldiers, or the commanding ability of the generals, they will definitely win the Syracuses. This is the most secure tactic!"

"The safest tactic? I'm afraid no one in the room thinks this way." Ancitanos sighed: "People, when danger comes, you always want to eliminate the danger as soon as possible, rather than calm down. Thinking of a longer-term plan... Now that the war is on the lands of the Allies and their homeland is in great danger, our delaying tactics will only make them suspicious and angry, and they will think that we Dionians are selfish and laissez-faire Their homes were taken and their people were killed without taking any action!  … If this continues, the image that Dionia has worked so hard to build in the South-Italian confederation over the years will be destroyed, and we will lose these city-states. trust, this is very detrimental to Dionia's future development!"

"Are we putting our soldiers in danger in order to win their trust?!" Felixius asked rhetorically.

"Could it be that according to their plan, there is no possibility of victory?" Ancitanos looked at him.