Chapter 228
After sending off Crotone's people, Diónia's army arrived. The citizens of Crimissa were stunned by this eye-catching army that entered the city.
However, the Dionysian Army disbanded immediately after they reached the square along the street. Under the leadership of their officers, the soldiers used the tools they brought along with them to clean up the streets full of rubbish, flatten the damaged roads, and even helped the citizens to repair their houses. They worked hard to clean up the devastated city after the war.
The citizens of Crimissa were surprised at first, then slowly tried to talk to these "conquerors". Finally, infected by the soldiers' passion for labor, they guiltily joined in the ranks of rebuilding their homes. The women brought food and water to express their sympathy to the soldiers, and at the same time told them about the difficulties in their homes, hoping to get help from them. The soldiers were, of course, happy to contribute their physical strength and enthusiasm.
In just one afternoon, Crimissa, the city that had experienced war and was somewhat lifeless, became full of life.
The members of the former council of Crimissa were surprised to see this scene. They whispered to each other and discussed non-stop.
As the former chief general of Crimissa, Antares admitted that he had been to many places and had seen many things, but he had never seen or heard of a city's militia helping the conquered citizens to restore their homes after the war after conquering another city! Like the others, the surprise and excitement in his heart made him speechless. "Sir Devers, this … this is really …"
"From today onwards, the people of Crimissa are citizens of the Diónia Alliance. We are all family! We are all family, of course we should help each other, right? "Devers said with a smile.
Looking at the shocked expressions of the people around him, he was very satisfied with the results of this operation. Before he came, he did order the soldiers to be "cleaners", but orders alone could not make the soldiers work willingly. At the same time, he also told them that because of the victory of the war, based on the soldiers' heroic performance, the citizen observation period of the freedmen who participated in the war would be greatly shortened, and it was even possible for the soldiers who performed well on the battlefield to become official citizens! And with the victory of this war, Dionia would obtain a large amount of land. All the soldiers who participated in the war would be rewarded with "land" for their achievements, and the land that would be distributed in the future would mainly be near Crimea. Therefore, Crimissa would become the new home of some of the soldiers. And because of the frequent wars in Crimissa within half a year, a large number of male citizens were killed or injured. Now, there were more women than men. Devers encouraged the single soldiers to use their actions to win the favor of the women of Crimissa! It was because of these reasons that the soldiers did not have the arrogance of victors, but used practical actions to win the favor of the people of Crimissa — their future neighbors.
"And you —" Devers continued, "protected the treasury, the granaries … very well. You were not robbed by the defeated Crotone soldiers, and handed them over to the Alliance. Isn't it because you have acknowledged the Alliance of Diónia and see yourselves as citizens of Diónia? That's why you are so considerate! I believe that the Senate of Diónia will recognize your efforts! "
Everyone thought that they had received a hint from Devers, and their faces lit up.
Devers saw it and smiled as well, but he knew very well that although the number of members of the Senate of Diónia was still far from being full, this time the Senate would definitely be cautious. They would send people to investigate secretly, to find out who had high prestige and influence among the people of Crimea. Among these people, only those who were truly willing to become citizens of Diónia and worked hard would be specially recruited into the Senate. The so-called voting and election was all a pretense. As a territory that had just been incorporated into the Alliance, he and the Senate naturally had to keep a tight grip on Crimissa to prevent any accidents.
"Sir Devers, please follow me to the port to count the supplies we intercepted from Crotone." It was rare that the former chief general of Crimissa could still remain calm.
This made Devers look at Antares with some admiration and said, "Very well!"
After inspecting the city of Crimissa, Devers immediately ordered that a portion of the food and supplies they obtained be distributed to the people of Crimissa to compensate them for the losses they suffered during the war.
This generous act won the favor of the people. At the same time, he also ordered Capus to lead 2,000 soldiers of the First Legion to station in the city. On one hand, they maintained and stabilized the order in the city, and on the other hand, they continued to help the people repair the damaged facilities. The rest of the army continued to station in the camp outside the city, and began to fill in the traps, pull out the iron spikes, and so on, to restore the environment around the camp to normal. On the other hand, Devers politely declined Antares' invitation to a banquet, and led Ledes's cavalry, accompanied by Hieronymus, to Asprusstom.
Galloping on the slightly undulating and vast Croton Plains, all that came into view were farms, villages, and crisscrossing canals. Even though there were no signs of human activity, some of the villages were even emitting thick smoke. Aside from the occasional hounds that had lost their homes, casting hateful glances at them and barking incessantly, everything was eerily quiet. This did not affect the mood of the Devers and the others. They walked with great interest as they looked at the newly acquired land of Diónia.
Ledes said excitedly, "Although the terrain is not as flat as the Xubari Plains, it doesn't feel any less fertile than the Xubari Plains!"
"Looks like you want to trade your land here," said the Devers jokingly.
"Sir, I don't plan to do that. The people of Crotone are right next to us, and I feel a little uncomfortable doing anything." Ledes shook his head.
"Such fertile land, and you're still being picky. The rich really don't know the pain of the poor." The Devers continued to tease him.
The cavalry also took the opportunity to make fun of their captain.
At this time, Hieronymus said, "No matter how good the land is, you can't protect it without power."
The Devers was stunned for a moment, and said, "That's right, we can't learn from Crotone. We need to continue training and protect our home! Especially your cavalry. You've made a great contribution this time, but you can't be too proud. Continue to improve your horsemanship with your captain, and learn new cavalry tactics. I hope you can become an important attacking force in the Dionysian Army, and decide the outcome of the battle! Are you confident? "
"Yes!" The cavalry raised their spears and shouted excitedly.
… …
Standing on top of the city wall of Asprustum, one could see the endless mountains covered in snow to the west, and the rushing torrents, steep cliffs, and the green and fertile fields of the Crotone Plains to the east. On a good day, one could even look southeast, and vaguely see the bustling traffic outside Ciudad Crotone …
"This is a great place! I can't believe the people of Crotone gave it to us! "exclaimed the Devers as they caressed the thick battlements.
"Of course, it's not that the people of Crotone wanted to give it to us, but they simply can't take it back!" Bagoule said confidently, "Asprustum has a good terrain, and the city is high and deep. I only need two thousand men to stop the attack of the enemy of twenty thousand!"
The Devers, who had already carefully inspected the city's defenses, nodded in agreement.
"Y 'zam's Mountain Reconnaissance Team has been a great help in taking down this city!" Hieronymus' words reminded the Devers, and he found the young Dukean among the accompanying troops. "Y 'zam, this time your company has made a great contribution. All the soldiers who participated in the capture of the city will be recorded at least once!"
"I thank the commander on behalf of our brothers!" Y 'zam said excitedly, and he said, "Sir, my Reconnaissance Team can still play a greater role, as long as you can expand it to a thousand men!"
Hieronymus and the Asistes looked at each other. This Dukean's request was so direct.
The Devers did not mind, and he smiled, "The role of the Mountain Reconnaissance Team is to investigate, disturb and destroy the enemy, not to fight the enemy head-on. With so many men, it's not convenient for you to command, and it's easy for the enemy to find out … "The Devers did not immediately refuse, and instead seriously thought about it, and said," It's not impossible to expand the team, but I want to see you first come up with an expansion and training plan, how to organize and train the expanded Mountain Reconnaissance Team, so that the new team can adapt faster and strengthen its special role in battle … If your plan is feasible, I can discuss with Felicius to expand the Mountain Reconnaissance Team, and appoint you as the captain. "
"That's great, thank you, sir!" Y 'zam shouted with undisguised joy.
"So you want to be a captain, why didn't you say so earlier!" The Asistes took the opportunity to ridicule him.
"You've all become a captain, of course I can't fall behind," Y 'zam said confidently.
Everyone burst into laughter.
"Have the original residents of the city left?" The Devers turned around and looked down at the city, and asked.
"The Crotone people came to the city, and they read the newly signed treaty to the people, and strongly urged them to leave. They cried and made a fuss, but in the end, they all left, and no one stayed. We also allowed them to take their belongings, but they also wanted to take the public property, and we refused. Those are our spoils of war!" The Asistes said.
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