Chapter 1156
"Are you saying that the Black Rovers in our territory will be affected by it and will rebel?!" Archidamus' expression became solemn: the Black Rovers' rebellion was not unprecedented. The second and third Messerian Wars happened like this.
"Father, after you go back, you have to propose to the council to strengthen the control of the Black Rovers. If necessary, you have to carry out a few more hunts to achieve the purpose of deterrence."
Archidamus said casually about slaughtering the Black Rovers as if it was slaughtering cattle and sheep. Agesilaus did not feel strange and nodded in agreement.
Agesilaus continued, "On the way to the dock, I also saw the Diónia people transporting supplies to the camp. Not only were there a large number of carts and laborers transporting the supplies, but there were also some soldiers, team officers, and craftsmen. They were mainly responsible for guarding, commanding, and maintaining. Although the entire transport team was relatively large, it was very orderly, and there was no chaos at all … I've long heard that the Dionysian Army also has a special transport team. This time, I've seen it with my own eyes —"
"Father, it's not a big deal for the Dionysian Army to have a special transport team. Don't the Persia have it too? They were defeated by us many times! (The Greeks usually brought their own rations when they fought. During the battle, if the rations were running out, they would either plunder the local food, or the commander would open a market near the camp. Merchants from all over would bring food and supplies to the camp for the soldiers to buy.) "
Archidamus said disapprovingly, "Look at what you said, father. There's a hospital and a transport team. I think the Diónia people have such good logistical support for the army. Can their soldiers still bear hardships? You have to know that the victory of the war is ultimately determined on the battlefield. Only an army that has gone through tough training and is not afraid of death can win the final victory! "
Archidamus was obviously full of confidence in the combat effectiveness of the Sparta warriors. Agesilaus had to say in a deep voice, "I'm saying all this to tell you that the Dionysian Army is different from the other Greek city-state armies we have encountered before. We must be careful. The current Sparta can't afford another defeat … cough … cough …"
"You're right, I know. You've just been injured, so take a good rest. Don't talk anymore, "Archidamus said a few words and turned to the bow.
Agesilaus sighed helplessly. He could tell that his son was being perfunctory. That was why he was still leading the army to battle even though he was already in his sixties. He was worried about Archidamus!
He looked at the coast in the distance and thought about what he saw in the Diónia barracks. The worry on his face deepened, and the thought that if Leotychides could really return to Sparta …
… …
Mukelu returned to the camp and entered the tent. He found that Leotychides was still sitting on the main seat, motionless, as if deep in thought.
He stepped forward and said softly, "Commander, that … the Sparta emissary has been treated by the medical camp and is now fine. He has left by ship …"
Leotychides seemed to come back to his senses. He looked up at him and asked, "What did you say?"
Mukelu coughed softly and said, "The Sparta emissary has been sent away."
Leotychides nodded and did not say anything. He was immersed in his thoughts again.
Although Leotychides often had the habit of falling into deep thought during the war, Mukelu, who had worked with him for many years, still felt that there was something wrong with him at this moment. He did not have the uncomfortable feeling that he used to have. He remembered that he had joked with Leotychides about this once, saying that Leotychides was always thinking about how to defeat the enemy, and that this kind of aura affected the people around him.
Could it be that he was thinking about … that uncle of his … Just as Mukelu was thinking about it, he heard Leotychides's voice, "Bring me a pen and paper."
Mukelu hurriedly brought it over and asked, "What order do you want to give?"
Leotychides looked at him and said in a calm tone, "There is no order. I want to write a letter to His Majesty."
The slightly uneasy Mukelu did not ask any questions and walked out of the tent.
The papyrus was spread on the table and the pen was dipped in ink, but Leotychides did not start writing. In his mind, the scene of his mother's suicide and Agesilaus kneeling in front of him alternated. It could be said that Agesilaus's visit this time had caused him a lot of trouble. It was not because he completely believed in Agesilaus's words, but because Agesilaus's apology and the sword that he used to cut Agesilaus had made the hatred that had been building up over the years disappear a lot. At this moment, his heart was empty, and the memories of his life in Sparta were churning out from the depths of his heart …
In fact, after so many years in Diónia, Leotychides had always maintained the pride of being a Sparta warrior. Now, this pride had suddenly turned into a complicated attachment to his homeland, causing him to lose the desire to fight here. He was also very clear that after this incident, the other generals and soldiers would be even more suspicious of him. If he led such an army into battle in such a state, the result would probably be terrible!
Leotychides took a deep breath and resolutely picked up the pen.
… …
After the envoy of the Arcadia Union asked Athens for help but was rejected, they had no choice but to turn to the Thebes. At this time, the news of the Dionysian Army conquering Messenia spread throughout Peloponnesus and quickly spread to Central and Northern Greece.
Iazon, who had been closely monitoring the situation in the South, soon heard the news and was very surprised. In the past, he had heard about this new rising power in the Western Mediterranean, but he did not think much about it. After all, this country had little influence on Greece. But this time, it dared to directly declare war on Sparta, and even gained the upper hand. This made him realize that the strength of Diónia was probably not just for show. So he suspended the military operations that he was preparing to carry out and decided to observe the development of the situation in the South first.
He sent a lot of spies to the Peloponnesus Peninsula to gather information, and he tried his best to collect information about the Kingdom of Diónia. Most of the time, he analyzed the situation in the South with his men in his mansion in Phyllis. Therefore, he reduced the number of visits to the barracks outside the city. Thus, he safely passed the day when he was assassinated in his previous life in the city.
For the government of the Thebes, the request of the envoy of the Arcadia Union put them in a dilemma. Whether it was following the principle of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" or from a strategic point of view, the establishment of the Arcadia Union was a great thing for the Thebes. It greatly weakened the power of Sparta. As long as the Thebes and the Arcadia Union could unite, they could completely suppress Sparta in Peloponnesus.
However, the Thessaly in the North was preparing for war. The news that "Iazon was going to lead the army to the South" was spreading like wildfire. Even the Thebes, who had once formed an alliance with Iazon, felt great pressure. They had sent messengers to Phyllis to find out what was going on. However, Iazon had always been perfunctory and did not give a clear answer. This made the Thebes even more vigilant.
Even though Perópidas and Ipamilonda insisted on sending reinforcements to the Arcadia Union, they were strongly opposed by the other members of the council. Their reason was very good. In the case that the safety of the Thebes could not be guaranteed, the citizens of the Thebes, who had already experienced the pain of losing their city, would never agree to join the army and leave the Pioscia region. Moreover, the other city-states of Pioscia that had formed an alliance with the Thebes would also not agree to send reinforcements for the same reason.
In the previous life, the Thebes also hesitated about this for a long time. It was not until Iazon was assassinated and Thessaly was in civil strife that the Thebes decided to send reinforcements to the Arcadia Union. In this life, Iazon had been safe and sound. Although the military mobilization in Thessaly had stopped, the pressure was still there. How could the Thebes dare to be careless?
However, when the news of "Diónia conquering Mersenia" came, the Thebes were overjoyed. They deeply felt that compared to the alliance in the north that could turn against them at any time, the newly formed kingdom in the west was undoubtedly more reliable.
After the battle of Leuctra, the Thebes led by Ipamilonda wanted to take advantage of this victory to expand their victory. However, due to Iazon's obstruction and other reasons, they had no choice but to sign a truce with Sparta. In fact, they were very unwilling. Now that Diónia had directly dealt a heavy blow to Sparta's nest, Sparta would inevitably shift their focus to the Dionysian Army. The military pressure that the Thebes suddenly faced from the south and the north was suddenly greatly alleviated. The excited Thebes decided to send messengers to Mersenia to comfort the Dionysian Army.
Ipamilonda volunteered himself.
At the same time, Perópidas solemnly told the messengers of the Arcadia Union that although the Thebes could not support the Arcadia Union for the time being, the Thebes sympathized with the situation of the Arcadians and were willing to recognize the Arcadia Union and form an alliance with it. They would also send messengers to Mersenia to persuade their ally, Diónia, to help the Arcadia Union repel the upcoming invasion of Sparta.
The Arcadia Emissary Delegation was excited when they heard this. The entire delegation immediately split into two groups: one group stayed in the Thebes to discuss the alliance, and the other group followed the Thebes Emissary Delegation south to Mersenia.
… …
"I can't believe that this Prosous is actually the Prince of Sparta!" In the palace's meeting hall, the Devers patted a stack of letters. These letters were from the armies in Mersenia. There were secret reports from the intelligence department, letters from Olivers and other commanders, letters from military judges … The letter at the top was written by Leotychides himself.
Comments