Chapter 159 Dionia's March and Syracuse's Negotiation

When the Second Corps was about to arrive at the wooden bridge of the Lakoeli River, several scout cavalry sent out in a little panic and rushed back from the front: "Report the corps commander, the enemy's cavalry was found ahead, and the number is about-"

Before the reconnaissance was finished, the figure of the enemy cavalry had already appeared on the other side of the Lakoeli River. They were dark skinned, with black hair scattered, wearing only thin short-sleeved linen clothes, holding javelins in their hands, and bare feet. There wasn't even a cushion on the horses' backs, but the horses looked vigorous and agile in their movements. They have about a hundred cavalry, facing the huge army marching towards them, there is no fear, standing quietly by the river, looking at the other side... Amyntas can feel the eyes that they shoot. Some are cunning and sinister.

Is this the Numibian cavalry? ! Amyntas recalled the description in the previous battle report and looked at them curiously. What rose in his heart was not fear, but excitement: "Let the light infantry brigade send 200 archers to guard the river, and the enemy cavalry on the opposite bank. Drive away. The other light infantrymen are following the first group, waiting for my order to cross the bridge quickly!"

The Second Corps moved quickly, the archers rushed to the river, and before they could shoot their arrows, the Numibian cavalry on the opposite bank immediately ran away, and the Second Corps easily crossed the wooden bridge.

Just when Amintas was considering whether to deploy the Second Corps in detachment form, the two-line "two" formation with fish scales, cooperated with the Seventh Corps to push forward, and swam around like flies. When the enemy cavalry drove away, the messenger arrived with Davos' order: Leave those cavalry alone, continue marching on the road, and arrive at Crimea before dusk!

Amyntas had to give up the attempt and marched in columns again.

At first, the Numibian cavalry rushed over from time to time on both sides of the avenue, screamed a few times, and threw a round of javelins, but after being shot down by the light infantrymen with bows and arrows, they became much more cautious.

After lingering like this for a while, suddenly there were enemy cavalry ahead, shouting something, and then these cavalry began to retreat.

Soon, these "ugly-looking" Numibians were no longer in the sight of the soldiers of the Second Legion.

The soldiers did not know what happened, and Amyntas could vaguely guess the reason: it might be that the Dionysian fleet, which had gone on the expedition, won another naval battle, and these mercenaries were worried that the Dionysian fleet had taken control of Crotone. In the nearby sea, the pontoon bridge built on the Neto River will be broken by warships, and the Neto River will be blocked, then these mercenary cavalry raging in the Dionysian territory will not be able to return to the Syracuse camp and will be isolated outside. An abandoned son will surely be strangled by the anger of the soldiers.

………………………………

This is indeed the case. When the Numibian cavalry and the Celtic cavalry in the northern plains of Croton fled the Neto River in embarrassment, there were already Dionian warships at the mouth of the river.

The Numibians reported what they had found to Dionysius.

"Dionysian reinforcements are coming? So fast?!" Fasipesas was surprised. The troops had just broken through Crotone City yesterday, and today the Dionias came in a hurry.

"How many?" asked Astagras urgently.

Akirita stretched out three fingers: "About 30,000 people."

"30,000..." Astagras estimated earnestly: "There are about 10,000 Dionian soldiers in Aspurustum, and nearly 10,000 in Crimea... In this way, after Dionia arrives in Crotone's territory, more than 50,000 soldiers will be gathered, which is not a small number!"

"Don't forget to count the heavy infantry on the Dionysian warship." Fasipesas reminded Astagras: "Dionysian has at least 60,000 troops!"

"The soldiers on the Dionian warship fought with our soldiers for a long time, and there are not many of them left." Astagoras retorted.

"You have to admit that the Dionysians were able to capture so many of our warships, which means that the losses of their soldiers were not too great." Fasipesas insisted on his opinion.

Phoebe Das silently listened to the two Syracuse generals arguing about the number of troops, and a trace of envy rose in his heart: Syracuse and Dionia, the two powerful forces in the Western Mediterranean, were at war. The number of soldiers dispatched was often more than 50,000, which was beyond the reach of Sparta and its allies.

At this time, another Numibian beside Akirita said a few words aloud in Numibian.

Fasi Pesas immediately stopped arguing with his colleagues and asked curiously, "What did he say?"

Akirita replied: "My men said, 'Some of the enemy wear black armor, some wear the same armor as you, and some don't wear armor at all, and they don't have weapons."

Among the reinforcements led by Davos: the soldiers of the Second Legion were full citizens, wearing standard black helmets, black armor, lances, long shields, short swords, and javelins; most of the soldiers of the Seventh Legion were reserve citizens and The registered freemen did not have enough money to buy Dionian standard equipment, so the weapons and equipment they carried were very messy. It was not until the soldiers of Tarantum were annihilated and captured that all the soldiers of the Seventh Legion were able to change to the slave tower. Heavy infantry equipment plucked from the Lantum soldiers, Corinthian helmets, linen breastplates, round shields, greaves, lances, sabers, and thousands of pairs also from Tarantum prisoners in the rear baggage train. Heavy infantry equipment, which is going to be replaced by the Sixth Legion stationed in Crimesa; and for the spear brigade, in order not to reveal the secret, let the Syracuse know in advance and take precautions, after all, it is four meters long The spears are too dazzling, so let them march empty-handed, and transport the spears to the port of Crimesa by cargo ships, so that the Nummibians will be given such an illusion.

"I'll just say, how can Dionia have so many civic soldiers! It turns out that they recruited all the free people, but they are unable to equip them with all weapons, even if there are more people, it is useless!" Tagores glanced at Fasipesas and laughed.

Fasipesas didn't quarrel with him anymore, and the expression on his face was much more relaxed. As an opponent, of course he also hoped that the Dionysian army was as weak as possible.

"Bless Apollo, Dionysian's reinforcements came just in time!" At this time, Dionysius, who had been thinking about it, spoke. Since witnessing the navy's fiasco, he has been sullen. His men thought he was angry at the navy's defeat, but he was worried about the fate of this huge army, because he thought of a key issue.

Even if the Syracuse army continued to go north to conquer Crimissa, Castellon, and even the city of Turinan, the strong offensive pressure made the Dionians not dare to divide their troops into their fleet for the time being. The weak rear of the Zara army landed, but as long as the Dionysians burned the wooden bridge over the wide Krati River, the Syracuse army, which had lost its naval superiority, could not cross the Krati River and attack the Dionys. The heart of the Asian Union - the northern city of Turiyi, and once the army stops at the Krati River, Dionia, who has slowed down, may send a fleet to attack the rear of the Syracuse army while sticking to the Great River Defense Line. It will inevitably make the Syracuse army exhausted and even defeated in the end.

Thinking of this possibility, Dionysius broke out in a cold sweat, and he started to retreat in his heart: simply... let Phoebe Das go to Turii to make peace?

In the tent, Dionysius had glanced at the straight-backed, taciturn Spartan several times. For Sparta, he hoped that Syracuse would quickly end the war and help them vigorously. , to help them quickly defeat the anti-Spartan alliance, he was very clear in his heart, but he would never do it.

If the Spartans were still needed to support him when he first became a tyrant, now he is fully fledged and does not need a powerful ally to dictate his actions. Conversely, the war-torn Spartans would lower their arrogant heads to benefit Syracuse.

At this moment, Dionysius didn't mind taking advantage of Sparta's eagerness to achieve his goals. What kind of negotiation conditions are proposed? Will the young man of Dionia accept the truce in the area currently occupied as the sphere of influence of both sides? Or go back to Sirius and give Crotone to Dionia?

Although the treasury was exhausted, Dionysius was really unwilling to lead such a huge army and failed to occupy a city in Dionia. But as a ruler who is very good at weighing interests and losses, he could not completely drive out the forces of Carthage in Sicily when Carthage was defeated and Syracuse had an absolute advantage in Sicily. Naturally It is also possible to temporarily swallow this unwillingness.

And this expedition, occupied so many great Greek city-states, almost controlled the southern part of Great Greece, prevented the expansion of Dionysian forces to the south, and the strength of Syracuse has been greatly increased, In fact, the purpose of Dionysius' expedition has been realized halfway. As long as you go back, strengthen the navy, and after the treasury is full, attack Great Greece again, I believe that Dionia will be destroyed!

However, just when he wanted to retreat and wanted to stop the war with Dionia through the Spartans, he heard the news that the Dionysian army was coming to help. After listening to the comments of his men, he changed again. Got an idea: Although the Syracuse navy failed, the staggering number of the army was victorious and morale was high, and they were all experienced civic soldiers and mercenaries. By comparison, if you can completely defeat the Dionysians in a battle, you can turn the tide of the battle and make Dionia pay a greater price!