Chapter 231 The Carthaginian Messenger

Originally, the Syracuse soldiers were informed by the officers in the morning that Lord Dionysius had contracted a fever and was resting in bed at the mansion, and was temporarily unable to come out for inspection.

But the Dionysians' shouts were eloquent. "Dionysius fled alone" had already upset them, and "Syracuse was attacked" shocked them even more. Not only the soldiers were terrified, but the officials could not sit still. Therefore, many Syracuse civic soldiers and freemen gathered in the Silitin Square to discuss these rumors nervously...

Eventually, they decided to meet Dionysius to confirm the rumors. A team of thousands of people blocked Dionysius' temporary residence in a mighty manner.

At this time, in the mansion, Facipesas, Leptines, Androstini, and several other generals were all in a hurry like ants on a hot pan.

When Facipesas heard these rumours, he was taken aback: the news of Dionysius' departure was known only to those who were sitting, and how could the Dionysians know? ! Does anyone have access to Dionia? ! Second, Dionysius says that he rushed back to Syracuse because the Dionysians landed at Meyaro. But now the Dionians say that they have occupied many Sicilian city-states and are attacking the city of Syracuse. Although the enemy's words cannot be trusted, but thinking about it now, even if the Dionysians landed in Sicily, Marcias could handle it, but Dionysius left in such a hurry, is it really possible... After all, the Dionysians are accurate of the fact that Dionysius left.

Faxi Pesas's thoughts turned a thousand times, and the rest of the people also had their own thoughts. The atmosphere in the room was condensed, but the outside was noisy.

"Everyone, the soldiers were incited by the rumors of the Dionysians and insisted on seeing Lord Dionysius. What should we do to quell this chaos?!" Facipesas asked anxiously, breaking the Silence.

"Of course they can't come in. If they know that Lord Dionysius has indeed left, it will definitely cause chaos!" A general said firmly.

"But how can we stop them from coming in?!" Fasipezas said worriedly: "There are thousands of soldiers outside. Once they lose patience, the guards can't stop them!"

"It's better to send people out and swear to them in the name of God, 'Master Dionysius didn't leave at all, but he was seriously ill. Their entry will affect the adults' treatment, and when the adults are cured, they will naturally meet with them. '" suggested Androstini, head of the secret probe.

"This is a good idea!" Fasipezas' eyes lit up, then looked around and asked, "Who wants to convince the soldiers?"

Everyone stopped talking, their eyes were either looking up or down, or not making eye contact with Huaxi Pesas.

"Lord Androstini?" Faxipezas asked urgently.

"I'm just a little guy who is in charge of collecting information for Lord Dionysius. How can the soldiers believe what I say." Androstini shrugged and declined politely.

Fasipes thought so, and turned his eyes to Dionysius' younger brother beside him: "Lord Leptines?"

The straightforward Leputines hurriedly shook his head and said directly, "I will never make such a false oath in the name of a god!"

Facipesas was immediately angry and thought to himself: As Dionysius's younger brother, you are not willing to do it, why would others be willing? This is blasphemous!

When Facipesas turned his attention to the other generals, some of them said impatiently: "General Facipesas, when Lord Dionysius left, he gave you the power to rule this army. , if you don't convince the soldiers, are you still letting us go?!"

"Yes! Yes! Now you have the most power in Xiliting City, and you have the highest prestige among the soldiers. There is no better candidate except you!"

Several generals were talking at length, and Fasipezas gave a "squeak" in his heart, and he felt a strong jealousy in the words of his colleagues.

At this time, Androstini and Leptines also expressed their approval. They agreed so quickly because they knew in their hearts: This is a dangerous job! Use lies to deceive tens of thousands of Syracuse citizens and free people. Once the matter is revealed one day, the executor will surely arouse the anger of the people of Syracuse. He will not only be rejected in the city of Syracuse, but even some The people may demand heavy punishments from those in power on the charge of "blasphemy"...

Of course, Faxi Pesas is also very aware of the benefits and interests. Seeing these people in front of him quickly unite and isolate himself, he has a sad feeling in his heart... Once a commoner in Syracuse As a citizen, he was able to become Dionysius' trusted general because of his vision, skill, and ability to adapt to changes. He did not just flatter Dionysius. for your own choice.

Fascipedas was silent for a while under the expectant gaze of the crowd. He pondered in his heart, and finally made up his mind, but his face remained calm, and he stood up and said, "Okay, I'll go out and persuade the soldiers. them."

Everyone looked happy and watched Faxi Pesas walk out of the mansion with heavy steps.

"Will it be bad to do this?" Leptines said with some reluctance.

The others ignored him.

Suddenly, a louder roar broke out outside the mansion, so that they could hear it clearly.

"We're going home!! We're going back to Syracuse!!!..."

What's going on outside? ! Androstini felt uneasy.

At this time, the guards broke in and said in a panic: "My lords, Facipesas... General Facipesas announced to the soldiers, 'Sir Dionysius has left Sirius, and he will lead the way. Sicilian reinforcements will be back soon!'"

"what?!"

"Damn Fasipezas! How can he tell the truth!"

………………………………

"Lord Okriton, round this headland, Crotone is almost there!" shouted the captain.

Okriton nodded, understanding. As the elder of the Carthaginian senate, Okriton was Hanno's confidant, and this time he came to negotiate with Dionia on Hanno's order.

Dionia, the Greek city-state alliance that was not originally in the eyes of the Carthaginians, was unexpectedly unexpected by the Carthaginians in this South Italian War. Not only was it defeated at sea and on land. Dionysius, the first emperor, also sent troops to land in Sicily... The news continued to spread to Carthage, and the people were in an uproar, especially when they saw that the merchant ships of Carthage transported hundreds of tons of grain and then returned thousands of them. The name Syracuse prisoner made them rejoice.

Compared with the sudden increase in the Carthaginian people's favorable impression of the Dionysian Alliance, the elders were talking endlessly because of the sudden change in the situation in Great Greece and Sicily. Hanno sent Okriton to envoy Dionia in the hope that he could explore the tone of the city-state alliance that had just reached a friendly agreement, and see if a covenant could be reached to protect Carthage's interests in Sicily, and at the same time It is convenient for Hanno to propose in the Senate to "remove the post of Governor of Sicily".

Okleton learned from the Carthaginian messenger who had accompanied the grain ship to Turii before, that Dionysian's army was besieging Cilidia, and their new king who could really make the decision was also in the army, so Okriton also canceled his plan to go to Turii and planned to go directly to the Dionysian camp in Sirius. However, the port of Siriting is in the hands of the Syracuses. If he forcibly landed on a nearby beach and the precious Bolton was soaked by the sea, Okriton thought that this would really damage the image of a great city-state messenger, so he decided to Let the ship dock in the port of Crotone and see how the famous city-state of Crotone in Greater Greece is now after the bloodbath of the Syracuses.

As he sailed around the headland, Okriton saw seven or eight three-deck oars lined up in double columns on the sea ahead, sometimes charging, sometimes retreating, sometimes circling, and the columns cooperated with each other, often in parallel. It becomes staggered... Apparently, this is the Dionysian fleet training.

Okleton looked for a while, but did not find the "raven" warship that was rumored to have defeated the Syracuse fleet, so he was not interested.

When the boat was about to turn into the port, a fast boat approached and stopped them.

Okriton noticed that the Dionysian Union logo with "black hair twisted with double forks" was also drawn on the other side's sails, and he was slightly shocked: Crotone was so reliant on Dionia, Is the Dionysian Fleet in charge of even port patrolling? !

The patrol boat took the initiative to navigate ahead after asking Mingo Crichton's purpose.

After entering the port, he knew why the Dionysian fleet was patrolling the Crotone Sea. I saw that most of the trestle bridges at the pier were burnt down, the wreckage of ships was everywhere on the beach, there were still many charred shipboards floating on the sea, and the land was full of ruins, and it was pitch black...

Okleton witnessed all this, and couldn't help but recall the tragedy caused by the Syracuses after they conquered Moriah, and couldn't help cursing: "Damn Dionysius! Such tyranny, goddess He will be punished!"

There are not many ships in the port, mostly merchant ships from Dionia, transporting some of the necessities of life that the Crotones desperately need: olive oil, tar, clay pots, furniture, iron...

Okleton's boat docked at a relatively intact pier, and the Carthaginian envoys came ashore and followed the captain of the patrol boat.

Although the houses were in ruins, there was little rubble on the streets. From time to time, old people and women can be seen cleaning up the garbage in the city, and at the same time picking up some useful items from the ruins of the house...