Chapter 115 Defending Rome

During this short break, Portitus also called his confidant slave: "Come home and get me some food. Top" he said aloud, while he kept stroking his crutches with his hands. .

"Honorable master, what do you want for dinner?" the clever house slave immediately asked loudly.

"What an idiot, have I forgotten all the things I love to eat? I want to tell you again!"

"I don't want the bread, I have bad teeth, I can't bite, bring me a big bowl of hot porridge, and..." Portitus said, his voice getting smaller and smaller because of exhaustion .

The slave could only get closer, and then he heard the whisper of his master: "Send someone overnight to inform Camillous of the news of the Dionian army's invasion of Latium!"

Watching the slaves leave the venue, Portitus was in a trance: Even if there is only a slight possibility, Rome cannot be damaged, only you can be wronged, Camillous! But as long as I am here, no one dares to accuse you in the Senate!

Portitus glanced around the venue and found that no one seemed to notice his small movements, so he leaned back in the ivory chair and closed his eyes.

At this time, the elders were discussing: Carthage had already fought against Dionia, and a report of the battle was sent back from Sicily. Why did the Dionysians not concentrate on dealing with Carthage, and dare to send a large army to Rome? ? !

"Is it because Carthage has been defeated by Dionia, so Dionia can free up her hand and send an army to attack us?"

"It was just a small defeat. Carthage is a strong country in the Western Mediterranean. How could it be possible to decide the outcome with Dionia in such a short period of time! I think it must be because the war has just begun, and Carthage and They didn't do their best so that Dionysus could handle it easily, that's why they dared to send troops to attack us."

"We should send messengers to inform the Carthaginians that they should increase their attack on Dionia and fully fulfill their obligations as an ally!"

"You said it easily, but how can you tell?! The coast of Ladrum is now completely controlled by the Dionysian fleet."

"There is a way, as long as you use your brains, Abinius. Dionia's fleet blocked the coast of Ladium, but they did not block the coast of Etruria, and southern Etruria was With our many affiliated city-states, the messengers could travel north in their ships, along the coast, and eventually to the coast of Iberia, the sphere of influence of the famous Carthaginian royal family, the Margonides, whose The patriarch had just been appointed commander-in-chief of the Carthaginian army,

In charge of fighting against Dionia..."

"This is a good idea! As long as the Carthaginians know that Dionysus actually sent a large army to Rome, they will definitely increase their attack on Sicily. Dionysian has to deal with the war on both sides of the south and north, and it will definitely be difficult to continue. , they will surely retreat from Ladium to avoid being defeated by the Carthaginians."

"We can't rely too much on Carthage. In fact, with the 100,000 civic soldiers and allied troops we have now, and led by Camelus, who can fight well, we can completely defeat the incoming Dionysian army! …”

"Scipio the Great is right! We are fighting on our own land, and there is absolutely no need to fear the Dionysians. We should take this opportunity to defeat them, establish the prestige of our Rome, and then completely control the Latinum!"

In the fierce debate, the elders still passed the proposal to "send messengers tomorrow, go north to Etruria to go to sea by boat, and ask Carthage for help". The idea of ​​the battle of the Dionian army.

In the evening, word finally came back: the army of 25,000 soldiers led by Paulus, Megios, and Pantheus was crushed by a Dionysian army of almost the same number.

The bad news caused a long silence for the entire Senate.

After a long time, some of the elders began to shout in a guilty conscience: The Dionysian army is so strong, and Camelus should be sent back to defend Rome immediately!

There are even a very small number of people who propose: simply negotiate with Dionysus and return the occupied Volsey territory...

Of course, this was strongly criticized by most of the elders, while Apuleus and Marugenensis, who supported him, were trying to comfort those panicked elders. Their biggest reliance was that there was no news from Ostia. It came, indicating that it has not yet fallen into the hands of the Dionians...

Portitus stared coldly at the scene of the endless disputes in the venue, without saying a word, in his heart he was grateful for the decision he had made before...

……………………………………

On this night, not only the candles were brightly lit in the Senate, but also in the Roman Forum, and the crowd was full of people.

After receiving an urgent notice from the Roman patrol, countless people came out of their houses one after another and gathered on the square.

These people fall into two main categories: teenagers aged 15 to 17 and seniors over 50. Because in addition to the 3,000 young and middle-aged civic soldiers stationed in the city of Rome, other Roman citizens suitable for military service have followed Camillous to expedition to Herniki. In addition, a small number of women wandered around the square, inquiring about the "Dionian attack" from the Roman soldiers who maintained order.

Compared with the panic-stricken women, most of the old people gathered in the square seemed calm. They had experienced many wars in their lives and had long since changed their minds. The teenagers were very excited, and they longed to grow up and serve in the military. , like his father and brother, he fought on the battlefield and won honor for himself. Therefore, although there are many people in the square, it is orderly and not chaotic.

People came to the recruiter in turn and reported their name, clan, Tribs to which they belonged, and a resume of their previous military career, and the recruiter then assigned the applicants to a certain squadron and to a certain army. middle job. Also, veterans mostly have their own armor and weapons, while teens have only a few, so they need to be equipped.

Ambostus stood on the platform of the square and looked at the dark crowd below. He felt some peace of mind, and his original worries were also eliminated a lot.

"Father!" A crisp voice sounded in his ear, and he turned his head to look with a kind smile on his face: "Konya, why are you here?"

Ambustus' young daughter said with a worried face: "Stolo heard the notice of the patrol and wanted to know if Rome is really in danger?"

"Don't worry, this is just a precaution, let Stolo recuperate at home." Ambustos waved his hand and said with a relaxed face.

After sending off his little daughter, the people in the square were gradually dispersing, but Ambustus' expression became more and more solemn. He couldn't help but ask the patrol captain Cassius: "The people in the Aventine area are Has the public really been notified?"

"I can swear to Jupiter, I really sent a patrol to the Aventine area to inform you along the street!" Cassius eagerly defended.

"Then why haven't they come yet?!" Ambostus was a little anxious. In his opinion, compared to these old people and children, the civilians and free people in the Aventine area should be the main force in defending the city of Rome.

Cassius said with a wry smile: "Sir, it's not like you don't know that the people there are either always fighting against our nobles and against the Senate, or they are refugees who have only joined Rome these years and are not loyal enough to Rome at all."

"Don't talk about this." Ambostus interrupted him and reminded softly: "Now before the great enemy, all Romans should be united..."

Ambestus suddenly stopped speaking because of the noisy voice of people in the distance. He finally showed a smile: "Look, here they come!"

……………………………………

Why didn't news of Ostia come back to Rome that night? This is because Davos sealed the city of Ostia by land and sea, and after the city was broken, no one or a ship escaped from Ostia. And during the siege, he ordered Midorades to send all the fast three-deck oars to block off the coastal waters of Ostia and not allow any ships to approach. At the same time on land, he also sent out the mountain reconnaissance brigade, blocking the surrounding area of ​​Ostia, so that the spies of Rome and the Latin allies could not understand the battle situation in Ostia. It was not until evening that he let Izah Mu will withdraw the reconnaissance brigade. Even if the Roman spies discovered something strange later, it was already the second day after returning to Rome.

When Amyntas' messengers arrived at Ostia, Daves was accompanied by Midorades to the port.

"Your Majesty, in fact, you don't need to go to the port at all. We have made several statements to the laborers in the port, and most of them have expressed their willingness to assist us..." Midorads persuaded Davos as he walked.

"Midorades, I believe in your ability to do things." Davos said seriously: "But you must know that this is the first time that our Dionysus has occupied the territory of the Latins. They are very unfamiliar to us. We are more afraid of our strength. With me, the king, appearing in person can convince them of our commitments and provide us with more help. Moreover, with their demonstrations, when we occupy other Latin towns, we will manage It's easier to get up."

Midorades nodded knowingly, knowing that Davos was determined, he did not dare to persuade him any more.

Davos certainly didn't expect an admiral to understand his approach from a global perspective. After all, he was thinking of a big game of chess, so he changed the subject and asked: "These laborers and sailors in the port Where did they all come from?"