Chapter 126 Roman Reinforcement
"Not anymore?! They went to attack Ostia?!" Paulus asked in surprise.
"The specific situation is not clear, I have sent a scout to Ostia to investigate." Mejus said with a worried look.
"I hope Ostia can withstand the enemy's attack! I hope that the dictator Camillous can lead his troops back as soon as possible!" Paulus now regrets the easy battle with the Dionians yesterday, which led to the current army Suffering heavy losses, the morale of the soldiers was low, and he could no longer lead the army to fight. He sighed and turned to ask: "How is the situation of the Lavinim?"
"The Dionians just rounded up the Raviniums and took their food, but they didn't hurt them. Our cavalry had released them, but they didn't know where the Dionians were going. where?"
Megios was talking when he saw the guards hurriedly push the door and enter: "Two generals, a messenger has come from Rome City, saying that there is a very urgent request to see you!"
"Invite him in!" The two looked at each other, feeling a little uneasy.
"The Roman Senate ordered, 'In view of the fact that the Dionysians took Ostia yesterday, and are now marching on the city of Rome, Rome is in danger! Paulus, Megios, Pantheus three The general should immediately lead his troops and rush back to rescue the city of Rome!"
Ostia lost? ! Did the Dionians go straight to Rome? ! These words were like five thunders, and they were completely shocked. They never imagined that the military action of the Dionians would be so fast and bold. At this moment, they regretted even more rashly with the Dionians yesterday. battle. But no matter how difficult the current situation of the army is, they must return to help immediately, or if Rome falls, everything will be over.
The two quickly reached an agreement, and then explained the situation to Panthius, who was in bed, and asked him to temporarily sit in Antium. Then, the two began to recruit soldiers, but they soon encountered a problem: Antium, as a newly occupied town by Rome, was used by the Senate as a colonial city, and tens of thousands of people in and around Rome had no land. The civilians who migrated to the town were allocated land here, and they were the main component of Antium's 10,000 garrison. Due to the short time, the city had not yet formed its own council, and the main town affairs had to be decided by Paulus, the military commander of Antium appointed by the Senate. However, it was impossible for Paulus to take away the vast majority of the citizens of Antium, because under the pressure of the army, the Roman civilians who had been allocated land must first protect themselves in Antium. Umm's newly allocated property.
Therefore, Megios persuaded the citizens nicely, while Paulus threatened them with Roman law and power. One of them scolded the red face and the other scolded the black face. It took a lot of effort to finally recruit them. More than 5,000 Roman civilian soldiers had been terrified by the Dionysian army.
When they leave the city,
It was already afternoon, but Paulus and the others did not lead the team to Rome immediately, but first passed through Satnicum and Villitre, because after the defeat yesterday, many rout soldiers fled to these two new buildings. In addition to the soldiers left behind in the colonial city, Paulus and Megios could still recruit a lot of soldiers to strengthen their rescue team.
……………………………………
Paulus hurriedly led his army to leave Antium, not knowing that a huge fleet appeared again on the sea near the port of Antium, and their destination was the port of Ostia.
The crow ships of the Third Fleet all went to Rome along the Tiber, leaving behind fast three-deck oars and other small and medium-sized warships, a total of more than 80 ships, which were pulled in the sea north of the port of Ostia. Open the cordon to escort the arrival of the entire fleet.
"This is the port of Ostia in Rome? It's too small." The merchant ship approached the port, and Theos, the great iron merchant from the Kingdom of Dionia, who was standing on the bow, looked at the approaching pier, and couldn't help showing disappointment. color.
"Now what you see is a port that has been expanded many times. Ten years ago, the port was even smaller." Said Sostatus, president of the Turii Chamber of Commerce. As a big seller in the kingdom, he has a wide range of sales channels. He has been to Ostia many times.
"It doesn't matter if the port is big or small, but why are there so few laborers in the port?" The pottery merchant Dick Boris, who had just stepped out of the cabin, looked surprised, and he said anxiously, "The fleet that came with us is fully loaded. All kinds of materials, just so many people to unload the goods, when will the goods be unloaded?!"
As he was talking, he saw thousands of strong men lined up in the distance and came to the dock.
"Look, His Majesty has long thought of this issue and sent troops to unload the goods for us." Sostatus laughed.
The first to dock at the pier was not a merchant ship, but several large passenger ships, and the elders from the Senate took the lead in disembarking.
The court secretary Henipolis was already standing on the pier and greeted them with a smile: "Lord Asistes! Lord Antrapolis! Lord Telis! Lord Nicomachus! ... Welcome Come to Ostia in Latium!"
The elders also greeted each other.
"Is Your Majesty in the city?" Asistes asked.
"Your Majesty has already led a large army to attack the city of Rome, so I didn't come to meet you." Henipolist explained.
"Starting to attack the city of Rome now?!" The elders were all surprised. They were not senior generals of the Dionian army, and it was impossible to know the battle plan made by Davos, but after they decided to come to Latium, they They have all had a special understanding of the situation here. Of course, they know the position of the city of Rome in the Latinum area. It is a large city with a population of more than 100,000 people. Will it be captured so easily? ! Moreover, Rome went deep inland and was far from the coast. After His Majesty Davos took Ostia, he directly led his army into the heartland of the Latinum region. Wouldn't it be too dangerous? !
Henipolis could see the surprise and worry in their hearts, but he didn't elaborate. Instead, he raised a papyrus scroll bound with black cloth strips and said, "Lord Telis, Your Majesty has appointed you as Oss. The interim administrator of Tia is responsible for governing the most important port city in the Latium region, ensuring the port of Ostia’s foreign trade, material transshipment, and the smoothness and prosperity of the sea and river passages to the city of Rome…”
With that, he handed the appointment letter to Telis.
Tellis hurriedly took a closer look.
Henipolis said to the others: "When you are in Ostia, you can help Lord Tellis to govern this city, and this can also help you understand the situation in the Latium area in advance, until your majesty captures Rome. After the city, you go to the city of Rome."
Listening to the tone of Henepolis's words, His Majesty is very confident in capturing the city of Rome! Asisters and the other elders looked at each other calmly, and then they all expressed their understanding.
At this time, Telis, who had read Davos' warrant, asked suspiciously, "Your Majesty asked me to manage Ostia, but there seems to be no one in this port except our army!"
"There were originally about 3,000 laborers and slaves in the port, but today most of them are sent to move the ships of the Third Fleet. They have already gone to Rome, and they will return soon. Your Majesty has made a promise to give The slaves were freed, and laborers and slaves were allowed to join Dionia and become our citizens. In addition, thousands of Ostians were imprisoned in the city..."
When Henipolis said this, he suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly said: "By the way, Lord Telis, Your Majesty asked me to remind you that although Ostia has few small people, its location is very important for our It is very important to go to the army! After the Romans have slowed down, they will definitely come to fight with all their strength! Therefore, although there are 3,000 defenders in the city, it is still a little short, but now the army has to attack the city of Rome with all its strength. It is impossible to add more troops here. Therefore, Lord Telis, you must take ensuring the safety of Ostia as your first priority, which is the key to our Dionysian conquest of Ladium!"
After listening to Telis, his face became a little more solemn, and he fell into contemplation.
The reason why Davos chose Thelis as the chief executive of Ostia was because he was different from other non-military system elders. He had received military training in Turii for a long time and eventually became a reserve team. Therefore, he not only has a very good understanding of Dionia's military system, but also has rich command experience. In the position of the chief executive of Ostia, he can play his two specialties.
Of course, Asisters is also a political talent with both civil and military skills, but Davos has other uses for him.
"Okay, my lords, my task has been completed." Henipolis' tone became lighter, and he pointed to the entourage beside him and said, "He will take you to the city hall in the city, where there are several subordinates. I'm waiting for you to give orders, Lord Telis. The accommodation of the adults and officials, the arrival of the caravan, the transportation of goods... and so on have to be handled by you. In order to wait for you, I have already delayed for a long time. I don’t have much time, now I’m going to Rome to fight such an important battle against the city of Rome. If I can’t witness it with my own eyes, how can I write the next biography of His Majesty!” Henipolis said, salutes everyone , then jumped on the warhorse brought by his followers, and flew away with a group of cavalry.
The rest of the group stood on the pier, looking at each other for a while.
Telis came back to his senses and saluted the crowd and said, "My lords, I have to ask you to help me take over this new town of Dionia together."