Chapter 282
"If the Maypu Alliance dares to retreat, we will destroy Brindisi! I don't believe that these indigenous people will ignore us! "Diomiras shouted fiercely.
The Devers looked at him in surprise. This was indeed a good idea!
He noticed that Diomiras used the word "destroy." Obviously, this seemingly ill-tempered Consul of Tarantum was wise to realize that even if Tarantum recaptured Brindisi, with the current strength of Tarantum, it would not be able to defend it. Instead, it would increase the number of casualties. Brindisi, which had experienced many battles, should not have a strong defense. If the Maypu Alliance did not stop them, they believed that they could easily destroy it. But could the Messapians, who had worked so hard to recapture Brindisi, accept it? Diomiras' idea had undoubtedly hit the Messapians' weak spot.
For the Devers, the strength of Tarantum had been severely damaged. If the Messapians and Puchetti were allowed to continue to wreak havoc and expand, the Greek area in the east of Southern Italy would be in great trouble. With the strength of Diónia, the Devers, who had regarded Southern Italy as Diónia's backyard, certainly did not want to see such a bad situation happen. Therefore, he led 14000 soldiers to Tarantum not for a vacation, but for the same purpose as the Tarantum Senate – to defeat the Maypu Alliance! Moreover, both sides had equal numbers. The Devers firmly believed that with the ability of the Legion of Dionysia, the final victory would belong to Diónia! Therefore, he finally said, "I agree with Sir Diomiras' proposal. Diónia is willing to reinforce Manduria."
This time, it was Diomiras' turn to look at the Devers in surprise.
"That's great! Since everyone has reached an agreement, we will attack together while we are in the Sun Formation! "Yumacas took the opportunity to speak.
"Time is tight," Trifias complained.
"Wait a minute!" Diomiras stood up, looked at everyone, and said loudly, "There is a saying in the port of Tarantum, 'No matter how many sailors there are, they must listen to the helmsman's command in order to reach the destination smoothly.' By the same logic, we need a commander for such a huge army. Everyone has to listen to his commands so that there won't be any chaos during battle. "
"Diomiras is right. The Maypu Alliance is very strong. We have to unite and follow orders to fight. Only then can we win. Therefore, it is necessary to elect a commander-in-chief to command all of our troops! " Umarcas immediately added, "Of course, all the plans and orders are not decided by this commander-in-chief alone. They still require everyone to discuss and agree before they can be carried out unless it's an emergency."
Umarcas looked at Dyvers. These words were clearly meant for him. "Everyone here is a commander from your respective city-state armies. I suggest that everyone vote for the person you think is the most suitable, including yourself. The person with the most votes will be the commander-in-chief."
"Who is the commander of Tarantum's expedition?" Devers asked.
"It's Archon Diomiras of Tarantum." Umarcas took the opportunity to praise his colleague. "His military ability is stronger than Archita's. He has led troops to fight against the Mesapi many times in the past, so he was elected as an Archon by the citizens of Tarantum this year. Previously, he had captured Manduria and Brindisi with Archita. He is very familiar with the area where we are about to fight. I believe he can lead the alliance to victory!" After praising Diomiras, he certainly understood that there was another meaning in the Devers' question, so he quickly explained, "I won't participate in the voting. I will be the arbitrator of this election."
The two Archons of Tarantum answered in unison. It sounded fair, but it had already shown their determination to win the commander-in-chief. Voting to decide?! The Devers sneered in his heart. Heraclea and Metapontum are all subordinate city-states of Tarantum. It is impossible for me to win other than my own vote!
The Devers had already made up his mind. Even if Tarantum obtained the command of the entire army, no one else could command his army except himself. Reasonable orders could be considered and unreasonable orders could be ignored. However, this way, the army, which was originally a combination of multiple city-states, would be even more scattered. It would be very difficult to win in such a large-scale battle. Therefore, he decided to fight. "I don't think it's appropriate to use this method to decide the commander-in-chief. War is a very cruel thing. After a battle, thousands of people are killed or injured. A good general can reduce the casualties of his soldiers as much as possible and obtain the greatest victory with the smallest price. Therefore, the choice of commander-in-chief depends on the ability and past achievements of the selected person.
There is another point that must be taken into account. We are a joint army of multiple city-states. Although everyone said that they have to listen to the command, when it comes to battle, they will more or less consider more for their city-state army. This is inevitable. Therefore, the more soldiers who can completely listen to the commander-in-chief's command, the more smoothly they can lead the battle! " The Devers glanced at the crowd and said in a serious tone, "Based on the above considerations, I think I am the most suitable commander-in-chief!"
As soon as the Devers finished speaking, Diomiras jumped up and shouted, "How much battle experience do you, a kid who hasn't even grown a beard, have?! Hmm! You actually want to be the supreme commander! This is impossible! The soldiers of the Dionysian Army are as young and stupid as you. How can they be compared to the Tarantum militia who have been fighting the ferocious Mesapi all year round! "
Faced with Diomiras' insults, Dyvers calmly spat out a sentence, "As a commander, you must have a calm mind in order to deal with complicated battlefield situations. Just based on this point alone, you are not qualified!"
Diomiras was enraged again and wanted to curse.
At this time, Umarcas stood up to stop him. From the bottom of his heart, he also felt that the Devers were the most suitable candidate for the supreme commander, but the Tarantum Senate elders asked him to try his best to fight for this position out of political considerations. This was because the war with Mesapi had already caused great damage to Tarantum's vitality. If he lost the command in the next battle, what would Heraclea and Metapontum think? What would the other Greek city-states think? Would they think that Tarantum was not strong enough and could only rely on Diónia?! The arrogant Tarantum people could not afford to lose face like this.
"Sir Devers has made another suggestion. Since we are a coalition army, the armies of the city-states should be equal. In order to save time, I think we should let the sirs vote to decide whether to adopt Sir Devers's suggestion or my previous suggestion. Let's vote now! "Umarcas had a smile on his face, but his words were quite decisive and cunning. He used words to hold back the Devers.
At this time, the conference room fell into a brief silence.
"I agree with Umarcas's suggestion!" Diomiras spoke first.
The Devers opened his mouth, but in the end, he did not speak.
Umarcas was secretly delighted. The Devers did not object. Diomiras becoming the supreme commander was finally done.
"I agree with Sir Devers's suggestion!" A voice suddenly broke the silence in the room and also shattered Umarcas' fantasy.
The two Tarantum commanders and the Devers looked at the person who spoke almost at the same time.
Trifias?! How could it be Trifias?!! Umarcas had a look of disbelief.
"Trifias, say it again! Who do you support?!! " Diomiras was willing to believe that he had heard wrongly. He asked Trifias to make a choice again, but his tone was quite impolite.
Trifias was also quite nervous. He avoided Diomiras's aggressive gaze and turned to look at the equally surprised Devers. He forced a smile.
The Devers's heart skipped a beat. Tarantum is beginning to decline. Is Heraclea starting to cling to Diónia for its own safety?
In fact, the Devers only guessed one of the reasons. More importantly, Heraclea's Consul Trifias had already felt that the alliance of the two fierce races, Mesapi and Puchetti, would make it more difficult for the weakened Tarantum to defend his territory. Previously, the people in the city of Heraclea had complained about the casualties of the Heraclea militia that followed the Tarantum army, and such situations would only increase in the future. To change this situation, the only way was to find a way to jump away from the dilapidated old ship of Tarantum. Diónia, which was closer to Heraclea, was undoubtedly a better shelter.
Of course, the Devers could not think so much at the moment, but he was overjoyed that Heraclea took the initiative to seek refuge. No matter how long the friendship and alliance was, it was not as reliable as interests and strength! The Devers sighed in his heart. He smiled and nodded to Trifias.
"The Consul Devers of Diónia has never failed in the battles that he has participated in. He is a famous general whose name shakes the South! I firmly support him to be the commander-in-chief! "Trifias's tone was even more determined.
"I recommend myself to be the commander-in-chief!" The Devers followed up. Originally, he did not have any hope for this kind of voting, but he did not expect Trifias to give him a big surprise.
The current situation was 1: 2.
Umarcas did not expect the situation to become like this. What was worse than being the commander-in-chief was Heraclea's attitude towards the Tarantum Alliance. His heart was in a mess, and he could no longer hide his inner emotions. He looked at Trifias with the same resentment.
On the other hand, Diomiras was more concerned about the election this time. He turned his eyes to Tudepres. With his vote, the young man's vote is 2: 2. Umarcas, as the arbitrator, will find a way to help me get the command of the army.
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