Chapter 32 Dionia vs Rome (1)

The next morning, in the Roman camp outside the city of Setia, Camelus got up as early as usual, took the sackcloth dipped in water from Nupu, washed his face, and ate it. A little breakfast.

At this time, his son Lucius, who was also the commander of the cavalry of this unit (according to the Roman military system, the commander of a cavalry was the second-in-command of an army), also entered the tent as usual, and greeted his father.

"Is there anything unusual?" Camelus asked immediately.

"It's still the same as before, nothing has changed." Lucius replied casually.

Seeing his son's accustomed expression, Camelus immediately reminded him cautiously: "Don't take it lightly! The Senate has informed us that they rejected the Dionian proposal a few days ago, and they will continue to fight this conflict. The Volsci war is going to end. So, the Dionians are likely to join the war, we need to be vigilant and always be prepared, because the Dionian reinforcements may appear at any time!"

"The Senate rejected the arrogant and unreasonable demands of the Dionians. How could the victory and occupied land that Roman citizens exchanged with their blood and lives give up because of the threat of the Dionians!" Lu Chius said indignantly that he was in his 40s and still had full blood, and did not inherit his father's gentle and steady character.

"Having said that, this undoubtedly adds a lot of potential difficulties to this war!" Camillous said slightly worried.

Lucius immediately said confidently: "Father, in the past ten years, our land in Rome has not only greatly expanded, but the number of our citizens has also increased rapidly. At the beginning of this year, the Senate counted the city of Rome and the established colonies of citizens of appropriate age. The number of soldiers is 400 squadrons, not including the Latin allies, not to mention we have the help of the Carthaginians. It is good that the Dionysians don't come, if they dare to come, they will know our Rome The army is awesome!"

Camelus didn't want to have a pointless argument with his son. He waved his hand and urged: "You should send the cavalry on a reconnaissance mission."

After Lucius left, Camelus, with the help of his servants, put on his armor and started his daily routine - patrolling the barracks. Wherever he went, the soldiers respectfully called him by his name.

But "Camelus" is not his real name, but a nickname he used as a child, derived from the name of a Roman god in the temple. But when he won many battles on the battlefield, his nickname was spread, because many citizens believed that he was invincible in battle as if he were possessed by a god. He took "Camilus" as his family name, and regarded it as an honor (he was the first among the Romans to adopt a nickname as his family name).

He often talked cordially with the soldiers in the camp,

Just like elders care about young people, they understand their mental state. In addition to encouraging them, they sometimes help them solve some small difficulties. Therefore, the soldiers love him very much, and he himself enjoys such a military camp atmosphere. To be honest, he was more tired of the complicated political environment of the Senate, afraid of seeing the fierce conflict between the commoners and the nobles, and he could only relax in the military camp.

Camelus had just finished his tour of the barracks when the commander of another legion, the military officer Frius, walked into the tent.

According to the rules of the Roman Senate: when two or more military officials command the army, they will take turns commanding the army.

And today it was Camillous' turn, and Frius could stay in his tent completely, and he didn't have to worry about anything. But out of respect for Camelus and his responsibility for the army, he still came to the tent to listen to Camelus' new military deployment as a lieutenant general.

When Frius saw Camelus walking into the tent with a peaceful expression, he immediately understood in his heart that Camelus' strategy today was still to stick to the camp, but he still asked, "Camilus, are we not going to attack today? Setia?"

Camillous comforted him and said: "According to the news brought by the messenger, Quintus and his army will launch a storm on the city of Satnecum today. If they can win it smoothly, in two or three days, they will It's time to join us, and then join forces to attack the Volseys, so don't worry now."

How can Frius not be in a hurry, Roman citizens have always been very eager for military exploits and honor, and Frius is even more so, because he urgently needs more military exploits to wash away the shame of his previous defeats, just because of previous defeats and Kami Luce's tolerance made him a little more cautious, and at the same time more respectful of Camillous.

"If only the Volsci could come out of the city and fight us! Even if they were reinforced by the Oronci and the Sidisthenes, who were not weaker than us in numbers, they would not have been able to defeat Camilus with what you have invented. Three-line tactics. And our soldiers who got the assistance of the Carthaginians are far stronger in weapons and armor. If we can defeat the last strength of the Volsci people in one fell swoop, we can completely destroy the Volsci people. Go to the mountains and occupy this fertile land!" Frius said confidently.

After Camelus heard this, he said seriously: "Unfortunately, the Volsi people have become cautious now. They are all hiding in the city for defense. Even in the small town of Setia, there are thousands of Volsi warriors. We It can't be captured in a short time. Once the city is attacked with all its strength, it is still worried about the attack of the army in the city of Bolefnum..."

"If only we had the ballistas given by the Carthaginians!" Frius sighed regretfully, and suddenly he thought of something and suggested loudly: "Camelus, why don't we do as you did last time? As you did, give up the siege of Setia and go to raid the city of Selshe!"

Camillous was stunned for a moment, thought for a moment, and then shook his head: "After a raid like that, the Volsci people are probably already prepared. The incoming enemies will surround us in groups, and we will be exhausted and exhausted, and we will not have enough time to build a camp, I am afraid..."

Camelus looked at Frius and reassured him seriously: "We already have an absolute advantage, there is absolutely no need to take risks, wait patiently for two or three days, then I will let you personally lead the army to capture Serscher. !"

Frius pushed his thigh with his right hand, and then smiled helplessly: "Okay, Camelus, I listen to you, we will wait for Quintus and the others to come, and hope they can come sooner! "

After hearing what Camelus said, Frius no longer wanted to stay in the tent. He got up to leave, and just as he was about to leave the tent, a man suddenly broke in, staggering, and almost fell.

"Lucius!" Frius looked at the team officer who was half-kneeling on the ground and covered in dust in surprise.

"What happened?" Camelus, who had always been calm, was surprised when he saw his son's tragic appearance.

Lucius put his hands on the ground and stood up staggeringly.

Frius hurriedly brought a wooden chair and let him sit down.

Lucius nodded his thanks, then panted and said, "Father, I led two centurion cavalry...bypassing Bolefnum, preparing to continue south...reconnaissance of Rive in the area around Sercher. The situation of the Ersi... Who knew that a group of cavalry in black attire suddenly appeared from the south, and they... they attacked us immediately--"

When Lucius said this, a flash of fear flashed in his eyes: "Their riding skills are very good, they are more numerous than us, and they are good at throwing javelins on horses. Our cavalry will be scattered quickly... If not around The cavalry... cover me, I'm afraid I won't see you..."

After Lucius finished speaking, the thrilling scene of being chased by the enemy and the javelin whizzing past from time to time still appeared in his mind, and he always recalled the screams of his cavalry... He didn't have much blood on his face. become paler.

Black cavalry? ! Frius moved in his heart and looked at Camillous nervously.

Camelos also looked solemn at the moment, and he said in an uncertain deep voice: "It seems that the Dionysian is here?!"

Lucius had fled all the way before, and didn't have time to think about it. At this time, he was surprised when he heard what his father said: "Is it a Dionian?!"

"I don't recall that there were cavalry in black attire among the forces around here, and there were as many as you said. I just heard from the Carthaginians that Dionysian's army was both infantry and cavalry. It's a uniform black." Camelus looked at his son and said in a deep voice, "So they can only be the Dionians that you threatened to defeat before."

Lucius lowered his head in shame.

"How much have our cavalry lost?" asked Camillous again.

"Because...because they retreated in a scattered manner, some cavalrymen have not returned, and the statistics of casualties cannot be made for the time being..." Lucius said in a low voice.

Seeing Camelus' uneasy expression, Frius said worriedly, "I'm afraid the cavalry of the legion I led was also attacked by the Dionian cavalry!"

After Frius's reminder, Camillous was no longer in the mood to criticize Lucius.

There were ten cavalry squadrons in the Roman army led by Camillous and the others. Every morning, two military and political officers sent out most of the cavalry, some to scout the enemy, and some to cooperate with the infantry to collect food in nearby areas. The Volsci's cavalry was not strong, and had suffered consecutive defeats before, so Camelus was not worried about the safety of the scattered cavalry, but now he became nervous and immediately gave an order: "Lucius, You immediately send reconnaissance cavalry, rush to the north, and urgently inform the infantry and cavalry squadrons who are collecting food in the village of Wolsey to return to the barracks immediately! And remind them to be careful of the attack of the Dionysian cavalry on the way back!"

( = )