Chapter 373
"Help me sit down!" Aristophanes sat on the side of the mountain path, looking at the cheering crowd. He was equally excited. Although he knew that Konon of Athens was now a naval general hired by Persia and led the Persia fleet, this victory had greatly reduced the threat that Athens faced from the sea.
Although the citizens' assembly had agreed to join the Thebes and declare war on Sparta, the shadow of the Peloponnesus's defeat ten years ago and the ferocity of the Sparta army were like nightmares in the hearts of every citizen of Athens. Especially now, although the war was in a stalemate at the isthmus, the allies still had more losses than victories. Recently, there was news that another Sparta army from Asia Minor led by Agesilaus, the king of Sparta, had landed from Northern Greece and was heading towards the Pioscia region. How could the citizens of Athens not be nervous and afraid? The victory of this naval battle was like a timely rain, relieving the burden on their hearts. They cheered loudly to vent the fear that had been suppressed for a long time.
Aristophanes was pleased to see that the city of Athens had become a little livelier. Then, he showed a surprised expression. At the corner of the street, there was a man in tattered clothes sitting on a dusty step, leaning against the rough stone wall, looking attentively at something.
This quiet scene was a stark contrast to the joy around him, and the man's back was familiar to Aristophanes.
He walked over and called out uncertainly, "Antistene?"
The man turned around and looked at Aristophanes. He had no intention of standing up. "Aristophanes, if you are here to ask me about Plato's whereabouts, don't disturb my reading."
Aristophanes knew that although Antistene and Plato were both students of Socrates, the two had different ideologies. He said with a hint of mockery, "I just want to tell you that the fleet led by Konon defeated the Sparta navy. Now the whole city is celebrating this victory."
"So what?" Antistene said disapprovingly, "Victory will only encourage the people to blindly throw themselves into the war. Athens has only been peaceful for a short time, and this will be a long war … "He then shook his head and glanced at Aristophanes." You just came back from the theater, right? The new play you wrote, Diónia, seems to be very popular among the people. "
Aristophanes was not satisfied with Antistene's negative attitude towards the news of their victory. "Oh! Antistani, who has always rejected theatrical entertainment, actually knows about my new play. I'm so honored! "
"That's because people have been talking about it every day for the past few days. I say, you're being too nosy. It's up to Diónia to send their citizens to participate in the Games. What's the point of writing a play to satirize them? "
Aristophanes was instantly enraged. Just as he was about to retort, Antistene tilted his head and picked his ear with his finger. "Did you know that after the news of Diónia's public trial of traitors and the public exposure of Syracuse's ambitions, Serasybulus and the other generals in the executive committee were discussing whether to send messengers to Diónia to discuss an alliance with them so that Diónia can contain Sparta's ally, Syracuse. It's better if you don't put on a show to avoid provoking Diónia and causing the alliance to fail."
"Serasybulus and the others can do whatever they want, but they have no right to interfere with the legitimate freedom of a citizen of Athens!" Aristophanes shouted angrily.
"That's what I wanted to say too." Antistene pointed at the cheering crowd. "What does their victory have to do with me?"
Aristophanes was so angry that he simply turned around and left. Once again, he confirmed his own understanding: the reason why he could be good friends with Plato but always estranged from Antistene was because of his sense of responsibility.
Antistene, on the other hand, did not care about Aristophanes's departure. He gently brushed away the dust that had fallen from his book and focused on reading again.
… …..
Agesilaus led his army through Thrace and Macedonia and arrived in Central Greece. In Amphipolis, he heard the news of Sparta's victory at Corinth, but this did not cheer him up because the Sparta army was still blocked at the Isthmus and could not advance an inch.
He was worried about the war, so he hastened his march, but when he reached Calonia, he encountered a solar eclipse. The soldiers panicked and thought that it was a bad omen.
Then, Agesilaus received news that the Sparta navy had been defeated at Knydos. He was shocked and secretly glad that he had chosen to rush to Pioscia by land instead of by sea. Otherwise, he might still be blocked in Asia Minor.
He immediately blocked the news to prevent the morale of his army from wavering. At the same time, he felt that he had to start a war soon and use victory to wash away this bad news.
So, he led his army again and finally entered the Pioscia region. He encountered the anti-Sparta coalition army stationed at Corso, guarding the passage to the Thebes. A war was inevitable.
Before the war, he summoned the famous leader of the ten thousand Persia expedition, Xenophon.
This 35-year-old man from Athens had fought with Sparta for five years in Asia Minor and was already a veteran general. Standing in front of Agesilaus, he was like a tall cedar tree, exuding an imposing aura.
Agesilaus looked at him with admiration and said, "Xenophon, my friend. The enemies of Sparta are in formation in front of us. We can only advance to the city of Thebes if we defeat them. But … in the enemy's army, there are reinforcements from Athens. Among them may be your family, your friends, your classmates. Fighting with them face-to-face will undoubtedly be an extremely painful thing for you … Sigh, although I am a little reluctant, but … "
Agesilaus showed an unusually regretful expression and said emotionally, "I … I allow you to lead your army and leave, you can even join the other party. I am very grateful for your selfless help to Sparta over the years! Even if you and I will become enemies in the upcoming war, I will still see you as my close friend! "
Xenophon was furious after hearing this. "King of Sparta, you are questioning my integrity! Before leading the mercenaries to follow you out of Asia Minor, I have already said that ever since the Athens Assembly executed my teacher Socrates and judged me guilty in absentia, I have already regarded Athens as my enemy! Moreover, I agree with Sparta's political philosophy and am willing to fight for it. I have also sworn to Zeus! Now that you insist on me leaving here, I … I will leave. "With that, he turned around and walked out of the tent without any reluctance.
"Xenophon, please forgive my rudeness just now!" Agesilaus hurriedly pulled him back and apologized profusely. "I originally did not want you to fight with your compatriots to prevent you from feeling uneasy. However, I now realize that you have a great belief that far exceeds the feelings of an ordinary motherland. For this, I want to apologize to you!" With that, he bowed sincerely to Xenophon.
Xenophon hurriedly stopped him. The anger in his heart had mostly dissipated.
"I have decided to appoint you as the commander of the middle army in tomorrow's battle." Agesilaus decisively made a decision.
Xenophon was a little surprised, but he did not decline and accepted the order gladly. This was because he knew that there had been some rumors about him circulating in the army recently. He secretly swore that in this battle, he would use practical actions to shut up those who doubted him!
Xenophon left the tent. Agesilaus' adjutant, who was also his son, Archidamus, came in. After learning of his father's decision, he could not help but be surprised. "Father, you really want a person from Athens to be the commander of our middle army?"
"What's wrong with a person from Athens?!" Agesilaus raised his eyebrows and said loudly at a volume that even the guards outside the tent could hear, "Xenophon is a true friend of mine! I have always been trustworthy towards my friends. What's more, Xenophon is a very talented person. He deserves my trust! "
At this point, Agesilaus suddenly thought of something. He sighed and said to his son in a deep voice, "You have to understand that Sparta has already missed the Devers that Kelethorpes strongly recommended. And the City-States Alliance of Diónia, which the young man established in just a few years, has already become a big problem for Dionysius. We cannot push Xenophon to the enemy anymore … "
… …
The next day, both sides lined up in Corozo.
Agesilaus led the main force of Sparta and lined up on the left. The side facing the Allied Forces was their old enemy, the Agossians. Xenophon led the remnants of the 10,000 expeditionary army and other Asia Minor mercenaries in the middle, facing his mother state, Athens. On the right flank of the middle was Sparta's ally, the Phocis (the most important city in the region where the Phocis were located was Delphi), facing the instigators of the war, the Thebes.
At the moment, at the front of the Thebes' formation, the 26-year-old Perópidas and Ipaminonda were in the formation as heavy infantry.
"Why hasn't the bugle sounded yet?! I can't wait! "Perópidas said eagerly.
Ipaminonda did not speak. He looked ahead with a gloomy expression.
"Ipaminonda, what are you worried about? Are you afraid that we can't beat the Phocis? "Perópidas noticed his good friend's strange expression and asked.
"I'm not worried about the Phocis. They've never been our match. What I'm worried about is the Agossians. I'm worried if they can block Sparta's' left-handed attack ', "Ipaminonda said worriedly.
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