Chapter 451 The inevitable decisive battle

Of course, if the Nicholas army still ignored it, the Roman army would continue to move eastward and would arrive at the city of Bologna. There were not many Nicholas soldiers stationed in Bologna. Once the Roman army captured it, Caesar would open up the Via Cania, and Rome's troops and supplies could be transported to Bologna through this avenue, allowing it to gain a foothold in the northern Italian province again.

This was a risky move, but also a strange one.

Many people in the Nicholas military department could not help but suggest that they should immediately send troops to attack the marching Roman army.

Pecot disagreed. He believed that the Roman army had been prepared for this. They marched along the foothills, more than ten miles away from Piacenza. When the army arrived, they might have already formed a battle array with their backs against the mountains and forests. At that time, they could only rely on infantry to fight head-on, and the cavalry had no room for detours, which was very unfavorable to the Nicholas army.

After thinking about it, Maximus made a decision: do not attack for the time being. If the Roman army ignores the existence of Piacenza and continues to move east tomorrow, then the Nix army must follow the whole army, look for opportunities, and force the Roman army to fight a decisive battle in an environment that is favorable to them.

After all, if the Roman army is allowed to enter the hinterland of the eastern part of the northern Italian province, not only will Bologna fall, but the new territory that the Nix Kingdom has spent manpower and material resources to manage for more than half a year will also be trampled.

Under the surveillance of Nix's scouts, the Roman army camped fifteen miles southeast of Piacenza in the afternoon.

At night, Maximus couldn't sleep at first. He kept thinking about the Roman army outside the city. Caesar, who was good at making strange plans and daring to take risks, was really a headache...

Finally, Maximus fell asleep in a daze, and it was dawn when he opened his eyes again.

After washing and eating breakfast, Pecot hurried in.

Before he could speak, Maximus asked, "Is there any new situation with the Roman army outside the city?"

Pecot responded in a deep voice, "My king, the Roman army is lining up outside the city again, but this time it is in the southeast."

"This Caesar is really a thief." Maximus put down the soup spoon in his hand and asked, "How far is it?"

"About eight miles."

"It seems that this Caesar has really learned the lesson of the Battle of Aquileia. He is lining up so far away from us because he doesn't want us to see his specific deployment on the top of the city!" Maximus smiled and asked, "How is the Roman army's formation?"

"Now the Romans have just started to line up, and it will take some time for us to know the deployment of the Roman army."

"Then we don't have to be too anxious, wait patiently, and make a decision after knowing the details." Maximus said, and calmly picked up the soup spoon and scooped a spoonful of hot porridge.

"Yes."

About an hour later, Maximus learned the general situation of the Roman army: the Roman army still used the traditional chessboard formation, with the various teams arranged in a staggered manner, forming a diagonal line from north to south, which continued for more than five miles. The westernmost right wing was next to the south bank of the Po River, and the easternmost left wing was deployed with two to three thousand cavalry.

"What do you think of this?" Maximus asked, his eyes swept across the people in the military department, lingered on his son Gandricus, and finally looked at the chief of staff.

"Your Majesty, this time the Roman formation has a wide enough area outside the left wing for our cavalry to gallop, but their camp is three miles behind their left wing, which needs to arouse our vigilance!"

Pecot looked back at his subordinates and said solemnly: "After discussion, we all feel that we cannot miss this opportunity to fight a decisive battle with the Roman army! Otherwise, Caesar will see that the battle is hopeless and will most likely lead his army eastward tomorrow. When the Romans approach Bologna, they may not want to fight with us again, but use the built camp to block our attack and attack Bologna at the same time. At that time, the battle situation will become more complicated..."

Maximus covered his chin, pondered for a while, and asked: "How many people are there in Caesar's army?"

Pecot immediately responded: "According to the reconnaissance of the scouts in the past two days, excluding the baggage train, the Roman army has a strength of about 30,000 to 40,000. Since Caesar took the initiative to attack so early and should not have extra time to form new troops, then this Roman army must be It was from the troops when Caesar fought against Pompey.

As early as when Caesar was trapped in Egypt, Onomabaitis's men had investigated his troops. In addition to the destroyed Antony's army, he still had seven elite legions and two to three thousand auxiliary cavalry.

In the previous battle with the Gaul army, the Roman army could not have suffered no casualties, so I estimate that the strength of this Roman army should be about 40,000. "

"40,000... not much different from our strength." Maximus patted the arm of the chair with his hand, revealing a hint of sarcasm. "Caesar has made great efforts to lure our army into a decisive battle, and even made concessions (referring to the fact that he left enough space for the Nix cavalry outside the left wing of the army). We can't refuse his kindness again and again. Since he wants to fight, let's fight and see who will have the last laugh!

Pecot, send someone to notify the whole army and let the soldiers prepare immediately and go out of the city to line up to meet the enemy!"

"Yes, my king!" Pecot's voice suddenly increased, and everyone in the military department was also excited.

Less than half an hour later, the whole city of Piacenza was filled with cheers, which was deafening.

Maximus, who had already put on his armor and was about to leave the temporary residence, couldn't help but smile when he heard the voice, and murmured to himself: "The soldiers have been in the northern Italian province for several months. It seems that they have been eager to fight this battle for a long time. The morale of the army is available!"

…………………………………………………………………………

The sun hanging in the sky has begun to set in the west, and there is still no movement in front. Caesar, who has been waiting for news, has always remained calm. After all, in Greece, in order to have a decisive battle with Pompey, he had taken the initiative to invite battle for more than a dozen times, and now it has only been twice. He has the patience.

Wait for another hour. If the Nixes still don't move, withdraw the troops back to the camp and go to Bologna tomorrow... Caesar looked at the soldiers sitting and resting around him, thinking to himself.

It is a taboo for military strategists to leave the rear and go deep into the enemy's territory, but Caesar not only does not feel afraid, but is excited.

At this time, a scout cavalry galloped over: "Mr. Consul, the Nix army has left the city! They are marching in our direction!"

"Finally, the Nix barbarians have arrived! Dear Caesar, we have to inform the soldiers to be ready!" The legion commander Servius Sulpicius Galba reminded excitedly.

"Don't worry, let the soldiers rest for a while, and wait for the Nix people to come." Caesar shook his head and said slowly.

"Oh... okay."

No mistake, one post, one content, one book, one forum!

"Haha, I think the leader of the Nix barbarians is braver than Pompey. He dared to come out and fight us so quickly!" Another legion commander Quintus Petius said with a smile.

Caesar glanced at Petius. Although he had defined Pompey as a traitor for political purposes, he always regarded Pompey as a Roman hero second only to him in his heart. Petius's comparison of Pompey with the leader of the Nix barbarians made him a little unhappy, but considering that the battle would start soon, he resisted the urge to criticize Petius.

"The leader of the Nix barbarians is certainly bold, otherwise he would not have invaded the northern Italian province, but he will know that offending Rome will cost him a heavy price!" said another legion commander, Decimus Junius Brutus, hatefully.

Caesar ignored the noise of his subordinates. He shook the reins lightly, and the warhorse took him through the formation and came to the front.

Seeing this, Petius and others hurried to follow.

Today the weather is clear, the sun is soft, and there is a slight breeze. The horses' hooves stepped on the soft grass, and looking up, there was an endless expanse of green. The open fields made the sight unobstructed as if it could reach the sky... This was really a good weather and a good place for a battle!

Caesar took a deep breath of the fresh air mixed with the smell of soil and grass, and his excitement gradually calmed down. Although he could not see the trace of the enemy, he had the patience to continue waiting.

"Mr. Archon, the Nix army is lining up four miles away!" Another cavalry came to report.

The Nix people are quite cautious! ...Caesar was slightly surprised: Generally, before a battle, both sides would line up at a distance of more than a mile. The Nix army lined up at such a distance, either because they were afraid of being attacked by their own side before they finished lining up, or because they were afraid that they would see the process of their lining up and make targeted arrangements...

Caesar's thoughts turned a few times, and he turned back and said to his men: "Let the soldiers stop resting and start to reorganize the formation!"

"Yes, Caesar!"

About half an hour later, there were a few more wisps of gray gauze in the far distance, floating in the azure sky, gradually gathering and spreading, and spreading around like waves. , and moved towards Caesar...

As the distance got closer, the veil had turned into thick dust and fog, covering the sky and the sun, a gray area, and countless figures could be vaguely seen in it. The sun shone through the dust and fog onto these figures, reflecting a little light, as if the stars were twinkling...

When the distance got closer, the rumbling footsteps, the crisp sound of armor colliding, and the high-pitched shouts of the team officers kept hitting Caesar's eardrums, and the dust and fog were even more turbulent, as if they were about to sweep over...

Caesar was calm, squinting his eyes slightly, and concentrating on the Knicks team, which had stopped moving about a mile away...