Chapter 113: Blockade in front, pursuit behind

Maximus put on a posture of understanding, but in fact he did not fully believe what Demorius said. The people of Picenum, who had suffered a defeat in the war and were severely controlled by the Romans, still had the courage to join the army. A rebel army that has not yet been fully tested by war? And this is based on the fact that the Roman army has already guarded this area!

"Tell me about the Roman army in front." Maximus prompted.

"A month ago, the consul Crotianus led this army from Rome along the Via Salaria to Ascoli Piceno, stationed it, and began to build a military camp at the port of Ascoli. I Knowing that they are here to deal with you, I tried my best to find out the details of this Roman army."

Demorius said very confidently: "This Roman army has a total of 50,000 people, but don't worry, there are only 4 real Roman legions, more than 24,000 Roman legionnaires who have undergone rigorous training for more than half a year, and the remaining 2 More than 10,000 soldiers were city guards recruited from various towns in Latium and Umbria. However, the Romans made them wear a full set of Roman legion equipment, but there was an obvious gap between them and the real Roman legion. The consul is conducting expedited training on these soldiers..."

Maximus and Quintus looked at each other for a few times, and then asked calmly: "Is that all?"

"Also, Ascoli Piceno was originally an easy-to-defend but difficult-to-attack city. The Roman army worked hard to build a military camp based on it. It had traps, trenches, earthen walls, and watchtowers... It was very well-defended. I’m afraid it will be difficult for you to break through it!”

Demorius reminded him solemnly: "I heard that the reason why you came here is to avoid the attack of the army led by Publicola, another consul. Now there are Romans blocking the front and Rome behind. If people are chasing you, you must quickly think of a way to defeat them, otherwise you will be surrounded and killed by them! "

"Thank you very much for your help to us!" Maximus expressed his gratitude with a smile, then turned around and said: "Margus, go and get 10 Orrs for him."

"Huh?...Okay...Okay, Chief."

"No, no, no, I don't want money! I want to join you! I want to fight the Romans!..." Demorius said eagerly.

Seeing that he was excited and not pretending, Maximus persuaded him again: "You just said that we are in danger now. If you join us at this time, you will probably die in battle soon!"

"It's better to die in battle than to live in embarrassment!" Demorius replied firmly.

"Okay then." Maximus was a little helpless, then he smiled, stretched out his right hand, and said in a deep voice: "Welcome to join us!"

Demorius excitedly grabbed Maximus's hand.

"Cassius, take this brother to see the commander of the Carminus Army and tell him that it was me who said it and let him become a member of our free Italy." Maximus glanced at his attendant.

After staying with Maximus for several months, the clever Cassius immediately understood what the leader had not said: let Carminus send someone to keep an eye on this guy to prevent him from being a spy.

"Leader, don't worry, I will take him to see the commander of the Carminus Army." Cassius winked at Maximus, and then politely said to Demorius: "Please follow me. Bar."

After the two left, Maximus stopped smiling. He looked at Quintus and said in a deep voice: "You were right. The Romans sent troops to block us in front. Another 50,000 people! It seems that the Romans want to surround us here!"

Quintus's face also became a little ugly, and he said with some regret: "According to Roman tradition, the two consuls have always commanded the troops separately. Since one troop is chasing behind, there must be another troop hiding. Elsewhere...I should have thought of this!

Moreover, these two consuls are also cheating. Not all of their armies are strictly trained Roman legions, and their combat effectiveness should not be too strong. I should have advised you to persuade other leaders to insist on staying in the Tarentum area. If we had faced off against the Roman army, we might not have encountered such a predicament today. "

Maximus was a little disapproving and said comfortingly: "Even if the Roman army cheated, given our situation at the time, we would not have the guts to fight them. Things have already happened, so don't think about it anymore. Think about what to do." Solve current problems."

There were pursuers behind, blockades in front, and the 100,000-strong army that was chasing and intercepting them made Quintus, who had decades of military experience, feel extremely nervous, but the young Maximus acted so calmly that Quintus was both Feeling ashamed, but also a little admired.

Of course he would not know that the reason why Maximus behaved this way was because this young man who was familiar with the history of his previous life firmly believed that no matter how difficult it was during this period, the rebel army led by Spartacus would be able to defeat the enemy. win.

Quintus calmed down and reminded in a deep voice: "The Roman army is stationed in the Port of Ascoli, which is not too far from us. If they march quickly along the seaside road, they can arrive in just two days. In front of us! So... Chief, you should stop the team immediately, camp on the spot, and wait until the large army catches up. After ensuring your own safety, you can discuss with other leaders how to break through the siege of the Roman army."

A trace of solemnity finally appeared on Maximus's face. He asked Akago to bring him a map and carefully looked at the location of Ascoli Port. Then he solemnly said: "Quintus, you are right. ! Akago, rush to the front immediately and tell Pheasalus and Toreligo to stop marching and find a place to camp. "

"yes!"

"Hacchus, you immediately send out your cavalry and tell Spartacus and other leaders respectively, 'There is a Roman army blocking the front, we will be here, this -'"

"Mattenum," Quintus reminded.

"Yes, we will stop at Mateninum and wait for their decision. Also, you have to send cavalry to inform Attumus that they should also have discovered the Roman army in front. Just say that I suggested to him Lead your troops to move closer to me as soon as possible."

"Understood." Hagux turned the horse's head and galloped away.

But after a while he ran back again, and riding with him turned out to be Oakmar, the cavalry captain of the rebel army.

"Okmar, why are you here?!" Maximus was a little surprised.

"Chief Maximus, I have important military information to inform you!" Oakmar looked serious and glanced around Maximus.

Maximus took the initiative to greet him knowingly, and walked with him to a deserted place next to him.

"Cross is dead," Oakmar said with a heavy tone.

Maximus was stunned for a moment and asked: "How did you die?"

Oakmar saw that Maximus was neither surprised nor sad. Remembering that he and Cross had always been at odds, he sighed secretly and whispered: "He led his army to quietly hide in the mountain col of Galganum. He originally wanted to avoid the Roman army and return to the south, but he didn't expect the Romans to come to him for a decisive battle first...

He led his team in a tenacious battle, but in the end the Romans defeated him due to their large numbers. He died on the battlefield, and the entire team also suffered heavy casualties. Only a handful of people escaped the Roman pursuit and headed north, finally catching up. Fucked us..."

"Cross didn't listen to our advice and insisted on leading the team to stay in the south alone. He died alone and had so many brothers buried with him. What a bastard!" Maximus suddenly changed his face and cursed sternly. road. Although Cross's defeat was not unexpected, he still felt a little uncomfortable when he thought that so many soldiers died as a result.

Although Oakmar and Cross were compatriots and had a good relationship in the past, he actually agreed with Maximus' words at this moment. He was silent for a moment and said: "These soldiers from Cross joined our team, which caused this news to be spread. It caused panic in the team, and several leaders are busy calming the soldiers, so Leader Spartacus asked me to tell you that after learning the news, you must keep it secret for the time being to ensure the stability of the team. "

Maximus nodded: "I understand."

"And -" Okmar hesitated for a moment, then said: "In the past two days, we have discovered that the marching speed of the Roman army following us is constantly accelerating. According to the calculations of several leaders, we will continue to march at our current speed. If we go down, the Roman army may catch up with us in less than three or four days, so leader Spartacus suggested that each team should speed up their march...

But just now Hagux told me that there are tens of thousands of Roman troops blocking the road ahead. You are ready to stop marching and camp on the spot, waiting for us to come over and join you... I will rush back immediately to inform Spartacus of your decision. Si, let’s see what their leaders decided after deliberation. "

"There is a Roman army blocking the road in front, and a Roman army chasing behind us, but we have suffered successive defeats. The current situation is very dangerous!" Maximus said with both a sigh and a reminder.

"I understand. I will urge Spartacus and the others to make a decision as soon as possible, and then rush over to inform you." Oakmar responded solemnly.

After saying that, he jumped on the horse and was about to leave. Suddenly he turned around and said in a deep voice: "Maximus, in the past year, Enomui, Cross, and many other veterans who came out of the gladiator school have My brothers have all died in the battle, you must be careful!"

"You should also take care." Maximus was stunned for a moment and responded casually.

to be honest. He was reborn in this era. Perhaps because he was an otaku in the past, his emotions were a little indifferent. Except for some respect for Spartacus, a historical hero, and some feelings for Hamilka who took care of him, he had not been with other people for many years. The young gladiators were just like ordinary acquaintances, but at this moment, Oakmar's words aroused some emotions in his heart, making him look at Oakmar riding away with sadness...

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When Maximus gave the order to camp, it was still noon, the sun was shining high, and the weather was hot.

Fortunately, the terrain around Atninum where they were located was flat and there were rivers nearby, so there was no need to search for a more suitable campsite.

The Vomanus River carries silt and flows from west to east in the Apennine Mountains for many years, carving out a narrow riverside plain among the mountains on the southern edge of Piscenium. Maximus' The army is at the easternmost and widest place of this small plain, enough to accommodate more than 20,000 of his men.

The originally long and winding queue began to leave the avenue in an orderly manner and entered the selected camping spot.

Casaridoa was also in the team. When he and his companions wanted to join the rebel army, Bubius, the captain who was patrolling the city of Sarapia, did not dare to make the decision and asked the legion commander Pheasalus for instructions.

When Pheasalus saw that several of them were tall and round-waisted, and that they were good soldiers, he immediately wanted to agree. However, he had a dispute with the military judge Sidonius, and finally adopted a compromise method and sent several of them to the army. They are organized into six brigades in the name of reserve soldiers. If they perform well under the constant attention of the team officers, they can become official rebel soldiers (actually, the military judge is worried that they are spies and must be under the supervision of the army) ).

After the long march and the scorching sun, not to mention carrying dozens of kilograms of luggage on his back, Casaridoa was already sweating profusely. When he saw the sparkling river not far away, he immediately felt the urge to jump into the river. The urge to take a dip. But he did not take action because he had done something similar on the first day of his march. As a result, he was punished by the team officer and almost kicked out of the team. This taught him a lesson and he became much more obedient.

The Centurion to which Casaridoa belonged was the team that inspected the city of Sarapia. They followed everyone to the gathering point of the brigade. Captain Bubius gave the task of completing the camp. Centurion Stagg Si led the team to the area they were responsible for.

Without waiting for his order, everyone put down their bags, took out their digging tools, and started working directly. After all, apart from marching and building camps every day, everyone has become accustomed to it.

"Usually we don't start camping until dusk, why is it so early today?"

"You don't know, so how can I know? You should ask the captain."

"I don't think the captain knows that he is with us. When we were gathering just now, I saw the captain standing in front wanted to ask the captain a question several times, but due to discipline, he didn't say it in the end."

"The reason why we camped early is actually very simple. The leader must have received the news that the Roman army was intercepting the front, so he issued such an order. Otherwise, we would have been rushed since the march, and we have never rested as early as today. of."