Chapter 97 New Ways of Conquest

Then, Tiger Charles saw a group of people walking quickly towards the pier. The leader had a familiar face and walked with a limp.

"Pigres! Pigres!..." Tigerchamos shouted while waving his hands and hurriedly disembarked from the boat.

"Tiger Charles?! I didn't expect you to actually come!" Pigris looked at the businessman who got off the boat with some surprise.

"Although you only said one thing when you left Pompeii, 'If you are interested in continuing to do business with you, you can go to the east coast and have a look, maybe there will be some opportunities'... But I believe you!"

Tiger Charles said with a serious face: "In addition, my family has several shops in Hyde Utum (Hyduntum), and I have been staying there during this period. At the same time, I sent people to inquire about the news about you on the entire east coast. When I heard about the capture of Sarapia, I came without hesitation.”

"Thank you for your trust in us and welcome you to our new port!" Pygris opened his arms enthusiastically and gave the other party a strong hug, and then said as if talking to himself: "I don't know. Will Sibas and Daltimas be like you and come here in the future?"

"You know, Crosipasis is more eager for money than me. From what you said, he hasn't come yet. I think it may be because your other team occupied Thurii and continued southward. To attack, some towns in the south, including Hibernian, are gathering soldiers and forming armies to prepare for war with your companions.

Under such circumstances, the family of Crosipasis may not allow him to come here, so as not to damage the reputation of his family among the people of Hibernia... As for Daltimas, he is not like me to you. Have confidence. "Tiger Charles said with a hint of complacency.

"It's enough to have you here." Pygris smiled with a smile on his face and changed the subject: "Although we don't have good wine here, we have more supplies than Pompeii! Enter Garganum High-quality fine wool, high-quality marble with red and white stripes, large quantities of ship wood, high-quality pottery from Greece..."

"They are all good things." Tiger Charles was moved and asked directly: "I wonder what the price is?"

"For an old friend like you, the price is of course very cheap." Pygris promised without hesitation.

"Can you take me to see these goods?"

"Please follow me." Pygris led Tiger Charles to the warehouse next to the dock.

Seeing all kinds of goods piled up in the warehouse, Tiger Charles' eyes were sunk in and he couldn't pull them out.

At this time, Alacosia walked in and whispered in Pygris's ear: "A merchant ship that has been lingering outside the port finally came in!"

"This is a good thing!" Pigris glanced at Tiger Charles, who was bending over to inspect the goods, and whispered: "This guy has set a good example!"

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Pompos stood in front of the port management office building and had a clear view of the dock. Two merchant ships were already moored at the dock, and laborers were constantly carrying goods to the ships...

Thinking that he would soon be bargaining with these foreign merchants and handling the sale of huge amounts of supplies... Xiopang Bosi felt a burning sensation in his heart. This was what he had always hoped for after being a slave for his master for many years.

Forget it, we are rebels anyway... As long as Free Italy is still here, we have to obey, just agree... Xiopang Popos convinced himself in a low voice.

"Xio Pompos, what are you doing standing here stupidly! Why don't you hurry up to where you live and get all your things? You will live here with us from now on." Alacosia came over and said loudly.

"Okay, okay." Xiopang Bos responded repeatedly, not daring to delay any longer, and hurriedly followed Alakosia to the city.

When passing near the south city gate, there were thunderous cheers in front of them. Xiopang Bosi was curious to see what was going on, but Alacosia pulled him to the side of the road.

After a while, the sound of horse hooves came from the front, and soon hundreds of cavalry appeared in front of them. They were wearing light armor, holding round shields and spears, with their heads held high and their chests high, and they were very imposing.

Then a young general appeared. He was wearing a towering feather helmet, dazzling golden armor, and riding a majestic war horse. His expression was relaxed, and he smiled and talked to the people next to him. Just the glance that accidentally glanced at Xiopang Bos made his heart beat faster.

Surrounding the young general were a group of half-grown men. They were wearing fitted white tunics, their expressions were extremely serious, their bodies were straight, and they were lined up in a neat queue. They were walking and kicking loudly...but Xiou... Pompos felt that it was too artificial, far less than the majesty that the young general exuded naturally.

"That is our leader Maximus!" Alakosia whispered with admiration.

After the young general passed by, Xiopang Bos said softly "Oh".

Then came a large number of infantry teams. Their formations were uneven, their armors and weapons were messy, and their gaits were slow and tired. However, the bloodstains on their armors and the excitement in their eyes made Western Pompos realize that this was by no means the same thing. A troublesome army.

Then a huge convoy appeared. The carts pulled by oxen, horses, and donkeys were loaded with grain, gold, silver, bronze, various iron materials, cloth, wood, and even blood-stained weapons and armor. …

On both sides of the motorcade, there were many people in shabby clothes, including men and women, old and young. Most of them were thin and disheveled, but their expressions showed joy...

"It seems that we won a victory this time!" Alakosia said happily.

Pompos's heart moved, and he remembered Soricles' request to him quietly when he left after buying the clay pot: "Pompos, you have to learn more about the internal situation and military trends of the rebels, and try to find opportunities. Tell me. In the future, when the Roman army drives them away, I will intercede for you and forgive you for doing things for them during this time. Do you understand?"

Xiopang Bos shook his head and asked cautiously: "Where did we win the battle?"

"I don't know about this. We only focus on trade and don't ask too much about the army." Alakosia reminded: "Anyway, you just need to understand that our army is very powerful. No town in Apulia can be our opponent. Enough to keep us safe!”

Xiopang Bosi looked at the advancing army and felt that what Alakosia said made sense, but this made him even more confused...

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Maximus led the army and the loot and did not go straight to the military camp in the wealthy area. Instead, he made a large circle in the city and held an armed parade.

The reason why he made such a big show of force was to show off his force in front of the people of Sarapia, so as to deter these people who could move freely in the city from having other thoughts...

Maximus returned with the chiefs of the army to the palace of the governor of Sarapia.

"Chief, after we attack Barduli, shall we continue southward and attack Turnum or even Bari?" Tolerugo asked impatiently.

"Brother Toleru, it seems you have forgotten what I said before leading the troops out of the city!" Maximus said seriously: "I will say it again now, I hope you all remember it! What we want is this The surrounding towns surrendered instead of destroying them all! If it weren't for the Baduli people who refused to surrender, I would not have ordered the siege. I believe that after Baduli's painful lesson, other towns will face our army. I’m afraid you have to think carefully when you’re threatening——”

"But even if those towns surrender, they will not sincerely surrender, and I am afraid they will secretly oppose us." Fesalus reminded.

"I don't care whether they are sincere or not, as long as they follow my requirements and deliver the prescribed amount of supplies on time every month, we will not destroy their land and farms outside the city, launch a war against them, or kill and torture their people. So simple!"

Maximus looked at these captains and explained earnestly: "By attacking the town, you can indeed get more wealth at once, but what happens after that? The place has become a ruin, and it is impossible to generate any more wealth. And we In other words, ask for something within what they can afford, and promise not to invade their land, and believe that they will eventually accept it.

In this way, although the wealth we obtain is less than the plunder, it is constant every month, enough to support our increasingly large army and develop our maritime trade. This also gives us enough time to train our soldiers properly. Those newly joined soldiers do not lack the courage to kill the enemy, but what they lack is effective military training. They cannot be allowed to rush into battle and die in vain! Don’t forget, our enemy is not the Apulians, but the Roman army that may arrive at any time! "

What Maxim said silenced the captains.

"Baduli is a small city with low walls and a small population. We attacked with all our strength, but more than 300 people were killed or injured in this way. The city of Turum is much larger than Baduli. If we want to capture it, we have to How many people were killed or injured? As for Barry, with the current strength of our army, I don’t think we can capture it.” Frontinus told his thoughts truthfully.

Then, Quintus said confidently: "The supplies we ask for from each town are based on their actual situation and after repeated estimates. They are not higher than the direct taxes they paid before they became Roman citizens. I believe they will Agree to our terms.”

Maximus said thoughtfully: "Let the soldiers have a good rest tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, we will lead the army south, surround Turum, and force it to surrender. Frontinus, how many recruits do we have now?"

Frontinus replied: "There were nearly 4,000 recruits before. Today we captured Baduli, and more than 300 poor people are willing to join our team and fight against Rome."

"Bring them all together, treat it as a marching training, which can strengthen our momentum and force the people of Tullum to surrender." Maximus glanced at Quintus and said.

"Chief, this is a good idea, I will arrange it." Quintus responded immediately.

Carminus couldn't help but said: "Chief, our third brigade has been stationed at the port for almost half a month and has not moved. If we send troops south the day after tomorrow, shouldn't we be considered? Otherwise, it would be too unfair!"

As soon as he complained, Aulus expressed his dissatisfaction: "The Third Brigade at least participated in the siege of Canossa. Our Guards Brigade has not participated in the battle since the expansion of the army. Once we entered this city, we They have been responsible for guarding the city gate and the administrative residence. Shouldn't it be time for these soldiers of the Guard Brigade to go out and see the world and gain some combat experience? "

Maximus did not speak immediately, but frowned and looked at the military officer.

Frontinus hurriedly explained: "Chief, I originally chose the Third Brigade to guard the port and the Guards Brigade to guard the city because they had experience in this area, and this was also approved by you. And they have not always been If you take on this task, you will be rotated after one month.

The reason for the one-month rotation is because we have just occupied this town, things have not been smoothed out yet, and the order is not yet stable, so we cannot mobilize the team too frequently..."

"Frontinus did the right thing, and this was also approved by me." Maximus took over and said loudly, while looking at Carminus and Aulus sternly: "Our army's Article 1 of the Military Law is to obey orders and obey commands!

Frontinus assigned tasks to each brigade with my consent. As captains, you should set an example for the soldiers and perform the tasks conscientiously. However, you two are here complaining and shirk, do you think military law is child's play, I dare not punish you two! "

The expressions of the two people changed greatly, especially Carminus, who quickly lowered his head and clasped his fists: "Chief, it's me...that's wrong, I shouldn't make such a request."

Faced with Maximus's sharp gaze, Aulus finally said reluctantly: "I didn't know that Frontinus had any arrangements for changing posts. I shouldn't... complain like this. I won't do it next time."

"If there is another time, it means that you two are unqualified as captains, and I'm afraid we will have to change someone else!" Maximus reprimanded rather rudely.

Since Maximus independently led the army, there have been few such fierce criticisms of his subordinates. Now he got angry with an alarming momentum. Not only Carminus and Aulus were very nervous, but several other captains were also secretly alert.

The hall was extremely quiet.

After a while, Maximus said in a gentle voice: "If you want the recruits to gain battlefield experience, why rush now? There will be plenty of opportunities to participate in battles in the future.

Let your team guard the city. Don't let them sit idle, but seize the time to train so that when you encounter the Roman army in the future, you will have the courage and ability to fight them in a bloody battle! "