Chapter 238
Protesilaus shrugged and did not speak.
"The technology of draining and filling swamps, depressions, and tidal flats is a mature technology that is often used by us Greeks. The Turís used to build dams on the banks of the upper reaches of the Koseni River during the rainy season. We can do what Sir Scombras suggested." Cunogorata asked seriously, "But to fill such a large swamp area into farmland, we will need to invest a lot of manpower and resources. Have you considered all these?"
"Didn't you just say that there will be a large influx of free people in Diónia in the future? We can recruit a large number of them to work on this project. For these free people who have made great contributions to the Diónia Alliance, not only should we shorten their citizen probation period as an incentive, we can also consider giving them land in the swamp area to encourage them to work harder! Also, we have to consider the breeding grounds of mosquitoes. I hope that Herpes can send doctors to help the sick at any time to prevent epidemics from happening … "Scombras said incessantly. Although he had never been a governor of a city, he had put his heart and soul into his role as the governor of Crimissa. He used his long life experience to carefully consider the problem, so he was more thoughtful.
"Of course, that's not a problem," Herpes said immediately. "We can provide help at any time!"
"Mercies, don't feel bad about the money!" Scombras turned to the financial officer and said loudly, "As long as the swamp area is successfully transformed, how much farmland can we provide? How much land tax can you collect? And these are available every year! Use your brain and think about it! "
Mercies raised his hand helplessly. "Sir, don't think about it, I agree."
"Does anyone have any objections?" Cornelos asked.
Everyone, including the Devers, shook their heads. Scombras had settled this matter by himself.
Wesba was the next to stand up. "My lords, I have received news from Neutum. 'Potentia's army is approaching the Grumentum. Sinsinag may be worried about the tribes of the Grumentum that he annexed by force, so he did not come out to fight. He defended the city of Grumentum and sent people to Neutum, hoping to ally with us against Potentia. "
"Sinsinag has a good idea." Devers smiled faintly. "What do you think of this?"
Wesba hesitated for a moment, then said, "I don't think there's a need to form an alliance with Picossis. The previous events have already proven that Sinsinag is completely untrustworthy. Moreover, no matter who wins the battle between Potentia and Picossis, the strength of both sides will be weakened, which is very beneficial to Diónia! "
Devers was happy to see that Wesba could think this way. It meant that he was used to life in the alliance, which was why he would consider the interests of the alliance. Thus, he said, "Lord Wesba is right! Of course, we will not forcefully reject him. We will just say that Diónia has just gone through a war and needs to rest and reorganize, so we cannot start another war. "
Wesba nodded in understanding.
At this time, Hemont said, "Not only Sinsinag has expressed goodwill to us, but the tribes of the Grumentum have also secretly sent people to contact us, hoping to get our help in driving away the Pixie and Potentia people."
"What are they prepared to pay?" Devers asked.
"They said, 'We are willing to let the Grumentum become a subsidiary of Diónia,'" Hemont replied.
"This condition seems to be worth considering," Protesilaus said, a little tempted.
Devers looked at him, then at the other senators who expressed their agreement, then sneered and said, "These tribes once betrayed their great leader, Lusau, and later had a conflict with Pixie. The Grumentum wants to use this statement to make Diónia start a war with the two major forces of Lucaria, Potentia and Pixie. Is this even possible? Now that Crimissa and Aspuztum need a large number of citizens and prospective citizens to settle down, the army of Diónia will need to reorganize and divide up the areas for a period of time, so there is no way they can send enough soldiers to Lucaria. Besides, Bagoule, how effective do you think our heavy infantry can be in the Lucaria Mountains? "
Bagoule thought for a moment, then said frankly, "We were able to seize Neutum because of a sneak attack, not a direct confrontation with the Lucanian warriors. However, if the heavy infantry were to fight with the Lucanian warriors in the mountains, I'm afraid it would be difficult for them to gain the upper hand. Just walking on the mountain roads will consume a lot of the soldiers' energy, not to mention that we are not familiar with the terrain. On the narrow mountain roads, the enemy does not need to fight us head-on at all. They only need to push a few stones to make us suffer heavy losses, not to mention the difficulty of transporting food … "
"Bagoule is right! When we had to pass through the mountains to Armenia in Persia, we often encountered similar difficulties. No matter how brave the heavy infantry is, they would not be able to play a role at all. " Alexis immediately said, and then the former mercenary senators also expressed their agreement with Bagoule's words.
Even the elders with the most combat experience were not optimistic about fighting in the mountains, which made Protesilaus feel a little ashamed. However, he was able to recognize his mistake and said embarrassedly, "It seems that the consecutive victories recently have made me a little proud."
The senators who agreed to accept the Grumentum tribe's conditions also lowered their heads in shame. In the past, in Turií and Amendola, war was a painful thing. However, ever since the Devers came, it seemed that victory was easy, giving everyone the illusion that the soldiers of Diónia were invincible! Thus, everyone began to become a little arrogant.
However, the Devers did not lose their vigilance. He clearly remembered that when Rome began to conquer the Italian mainland, the biggest obstacle they encountered was not the coastal Greek city-states, nor was it the tough Gaul tribes in the north, but the Samonians in the central mountains. When the Roman heavy infantry, who dominated the plains, attacked the Samonians in the mountains, it was almost impossible for them to advance. The battle lasted for decades, during which the Roman people suffered several defeats and were forced to beg for peace in humiliation. Of course, the Devers did not want to repeat the mistakes of Rome.
"Are we not going to attack Lucania? Your Excellency Consul, don't forget that you promised us to occupy Lucania Municipality! "At this time, someone stood up and questioned the Devers.
It was Polyxis! Cunogorata, Burcos, and the others all frowned. Capus, Amyntas, and the others were even more hesitant, but the Devers looked calm. "We are not attacking Lucania Municipality, but it does not mean that we will give it up. The war between Potentia and Pixie will undoubtedly affect the small tribes scattered in the land near the Grumentum and the ordinary people in the city. Hemont told me that the Lucanians who escaped to Neutum said that Pixie and Potentia are plundering their cattle, sheep, and belongings, and forcibly recruiting them as vanguards … "
"Yes, Your Excellency Consul. When these people arrived in Neutum and saw that the Lucanians who had become citizens of Diónia were living a prosperous life, they were very envious! Now, they all hope that peace can be restored in the Grumentum, so that they can continue to live a quiet life under the protection of a powerful force. " Hemont said solemnly, "And the only one who can help them realize this beautiful wish is us, Diónia!"
"So, please send more people around the Grumentum, it would be best if they can sneak into the city, so that these Lucanians who have been hurt by the war can understand this!" The Devers instructed.
Hemont nodded in agreement.
"Bagoule, after you go back, tell Sesta to gather all the young Lucanians in Neutum, and you will train them according to the original Lucanian way of fighting. However, it is best to follow the current way of organizing the troops, because it will be more disciplined. Also, make sure to keep it a secret, don't let the enemy in the north know. "
The Devers' words made Bagoule excited, and he asked, "When do we attack?"
"Wait for the right time." The Devers spat out a sentence, then looked around at everyone, and said in a firm tone, "I would rather let Potentia and Galaguso become Diónia's vassals than let the Grumentum be out of our control! The location of the Grumentum City is very important. It controls the land routes to the north, east, and west of Italy, so it must be controlled by Diónia personally! "
… …
The Crotone troops had just arrived at Siletina, and after meeting up with a small number of reinforcements sent by Triene and Siletina, they continued south. The Crotone fleet had been sailing south, and had long passed Siletina, and was about to reach the sea near Corunna.
At this time, the scout ship at the front sent back a message: Lockley's fleet was spotted in the sea ahead, about 40 ships!
The commander of the Crotone Navy, Ascamas, immediately ordered the fleet to slow down, lower the sails, line up, and prepare for battle!
Soon, the warships that received the order gathered together, forming a formation with the three-tier oar warship in the center, and the other warships of different sizes on both sides, sailing as close to the coast as possible. Because it was the east wind, even though the sails were lowered, the sailors could still use the wind to save some energy, so the fleet tried to seize the upper hand.
Before the formation was completed, Lockley's fleet had already appeared less than a nautical mile away from them.
Ascamas decisively ordered: Speed up and prepare to attack!
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