Chapter 22
After walking for a few days, the Devers saw a huge wall more than 20 meters high standing in front of them, extending infinitely to the southeast …
"Oh! The Median Wall! No matter how many times I see it, it's still shocking!! "Xenophon exclaimed loudly. During the march these days, he would run to the ranks of Menon's mercenaries and walk with the Devers. In his words, 'Talking to the Devers is good for stimulating their thinking about knowledge.' Dyphus, on the other hand, thought it boring to march in the ranks of Proxinus, and because he had nothing in common with any one but Proxinus, he came to show off his learning to Dyphus.
"It is said that this Median Wall is more than 100 miles long and was built by the former Babylonian Kingdom to defend against the Medes in the north. But the Babylonian Kingdom was still destroyed by the Medes … "Xenophon looked up at the tall wall and sighed," The Medes were later destroyed by the Persia. Herodotus has a wonderful description in his History. Just like people have birth, old age, illness, and death, even the most powerful kingdom will perish. So don't look at how vast Persia is now, who knows who will destroy it in the future! I hope I can see that day in my lifetime! "
The Devers certainly remembered that in the history of his previous life, Persia was destroyed by Alexander the Great, the King of Macedon, who had been admired by the Westerners for more than 2,000 years. He could not remember the specific time, but it was probably decades later. In his memory, the current Macedonia was not yet a unified kingdom, and it was still his' enemy '.
Looking at the huge wall made of baked bricks and asphalt, the Devers were also filled with emotion. It seemed that building the Great Wall to defend against the barbarians was not the exclusive right of the Chinese people. The current China should be in the Spring and Autumn Warring States Period …
He turned his head and looked east for a long time, with indescribable nostalgia and regret in his eyes. As a Greek in this life, he was thousands of miles away from his homeland, and it was impossible for him to return …
"Devers! Devers! " Hearing Hilos's shout, the Devers came back to his senses and found that his stay had affected the progress of the column. He quickened his pace, but he couldn't help but say, "Do you know? Perhaps there was a country in the far east whose territory was vaster than that of Persia, and whose people were more numerous than that of Persia. Its customs and habits were completely different from those of Greek Persia, and its political system was completely different from that of Greek Persia, but it was strict and efficient! It had gorgeous clothing, elegant etiquette, magnificent mountains and rivers, and delicious and rich food! Its army is strong, its people are rich … "
"Devers, you must be dreaming. How can there be such a powerful kingdom in the East? " Xenophon interrupted the Devers' endless narration and said seriously, "According to the records of Herodotus, to the east of Persia is India, to the southeast is Arabia, and to the northeast are the Scythians and the one-eyed man … There shouldn't be this kingdom you mentioned! Could it be that Hades gave you a hint? "
"And what lies to the east beyond these races you have named?" asked Devers.
"It should be the ocean," Xenophon said with uncertainty.
"This is what Herodotus said again, right? Did he go and confirm it himself? "Dyvers asked again.
"He … should have heard it from others … and recorded it down." Xenophon began to stammer.
"Since it's just hearsay, we can't be sure it's true, and we can't deny that there isn't such a country in the far east!" retorted the Devers.
Xenophon was speechless for a moment and looked strangely at the Devers. "Look at how serious you are, as if there really is such a country."
The Devers chuckled and did not speak.
"How great would it be if I could go to the far east to have a look one day!" Olivers, who was at the side, was attracted by the scenery described by the Devers, and suddenly said with a sigh.
"Then, you will first have to go through the kingdom of Persia, and then there are the Magsatyrs, who come and go like the wind on horseback. It is said that they once cut off the head of the great king of Persia, Cyrus … Hmm, there is also the terrifying one-eyed man, and the mysterious India … If you are lucky enough not to be killed or captured as a slave, you will be able to see the ocean in the far east, and there is also a powerful country …" Xenophon said half-jokingly and half-seriously.
Olivers shrunk his neck and did not speak again.
Matonis was a little annoyed. Although he did not like Olivers, he hated this Athens man who liked to show off his knowledge even more. "What are you afraid of? If I had a powerful army, I would dare to go anywhere, not just to the far east! "
"A powerful army?" Xenophon pointed at the loose marching formation in front with slight contempt. "Like this?"
"Of course it has to be more powerful than this!" Matonis said loudly.
The Devers listened to their bickering and narrowed their eyes. A more powerful army?
… …
Passing through the Median Wall meant that the Greek army had left the Babylonian region. In the next few days, what appeared in the Devers' field of vision were: crisscrossed plains, endless golden wheat fields, and artificially dug rivers … These artificial rivers led the water from the big river into more small canals and ditches, and finally into the farmland …
Seeing this, the Devers could not help but sigh. This should be the oldest irrigation project in the Middle East! The fertile land and abundant water gave birth to a large number of people, creating one brilliant ancient civilization after another! …
Further ahead was the source of the artificial rivers: the Tigris River. As the other mother river of the Mesopotamian plains, the Tigris River was equally wide. At a glance, it was difficult to see the other side. Countless sails swayed on the river, the ones with oars beating against the water should be merchant ships, while the ones with sails lowered were fishing boats. The singing of the fishermen and the shouts of the sailors could be heard on both sides of the river. Countless water birds chirped and soared above the river, and from time to time, large fish would leap in the water. It was a beautiful and peaceful scene of the river.
Near the river was a large, densely populated city — Sitas. The Greek mercenaries were close to the city and set up camp. The Persia army and Alreus' troops crossed the bridge and set up camp on the other side of the river. That night, because the Persia army was on the other side, the psychological pressure on the Greek soldiers was greatly reduced. The Devers and the others had a rare good night's sleep.
The next day, the atmosphere suddenly became a little different. When the Devers crossed the river, they saw heavily armed soldiers on both sides of the bridge on guard. After crossing the pontoon bridge, they saw soldiers on guard on the other side.
What had happened?
When Xenophon came over, the Devers finally understood the reason.
"Last night, a man came from the other side of the river. He said he was a trusted aide of Alreus and had a message for Cleilkus and Proxinus. So a few leaders received him, and I followed Proxinus in the military tent. I heard the man say, 'Alreus warned Cleilkus to be vigilant because the Persia army might attack the Greek mercenaries at night and destroy the pontoon bridge, trapping you between the Tigris River and the man-made waterway.' The leaders were a little nervous when they heard this, and I — "
Xenophon said with a slightly smug tone, "After thinking about it, I think this news is unreliable!"
"Oh, what do you think?" the Devers asked, pretending to be curious.
"Because if the Persia attack us, it's either a victory or a defeat. If they lose and the bridge is destroyed, there's nowhere to run. If they win, we're already on Persia's land and have nowhere to run. Why would they destroy a bridge that took so much effort to build? Cleilkus and the others listened to my suggestion! "Xenophon said with a slight smugness.
"Hmm, that makes sense!" the Devers thought for a moment and praised.
"Even you can think of this. Tisafonis isn't a fool. Why would she make up such a lie?" Olivers said sarcastically.
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