Chapter 396
Ancetanos did not hold back in voicing his deduction. "Maybe in their eyes, Dionia's chances of winning aren't high. In fact, Carthage doesn't attach much importance to Diónia. Hanno, the ruler, didn't even meet me … "
Devers did not expect that Carthage, who was on par with Rome in his previous life, would be so cowardly. However, it was a hundred years later when Carthage and Rome fought for hegemony. Carthage's development in a hundred years was naturally incomparable to Carthage's. Devers was a little depressed when he recalled that Carthage, whom he had a good impression of in his previous life (mainly due to Hannibal's influence), actually looked down on Diónia. One day, you will regret your neglect of Diónia!
"Sir Ancitanos, do you think the Samonians' invasion of Potentia was instigated by Dionysius?" Devers wanted to reconfirm his judgment.
"I heard the news as soon as I came back." Ancitanos took a sip of the syrup and said, "Well … I think it's very likely. Syracuse and Campania had a close relationship since Dillon's era. The two sides traded frequently. Syracuse also sent troops several times to help the Greek city-states of Campania defend against the Samonians' attack … It is said that most of Dionysius's mercenaries came from Campania, so Dionysius should be more familiar with the Samonians in the mountains of Campania. As long as he is willing to pay the price, it is not impossible to persuade the Samonians. Besides, I'm afraid the Samonians have been worried about the strength of Diónia. "
After Ancitanos' reminder, Devers suddenly remembered that since Potentia joined the Diónia alliance, the Samonians had never attacked Lucania again. Obviously, they were very afraid of Diónia …
Devers secretly regretted that they had only focused on stabilizing the country in the past few years and invested too little energy in the surrounding situation and the situation of the entire Mediterranean Sea.
This was a lesson! He warned himself in his heart, and then humbly asked Ancitanos for advice, "Where else do you think Dionysius could have done something similar to the Samnites against Diónia?"
Upon hearing that, Ancetanos stroked his white beard and began to ponder. After a long time, he suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Tarantum! Tarantum is very likely! "
Devers were shocked. Yes, the possibility of Tarantum is very high! Although Syracuse had little contact with Tarantum, Syracuse's ally, Sparta, was the mother state of Tarantum. The two sides had a good relationship, and it was highly possible that they could be the middleman. Moreover, since Diónia had taken Heraclea and Metapontum from Tarantum (or so many people in Tarantum thought), the relationship between the two sides had become a bit strained. Although there was an alliance agreement, there were still small conflicts from time to time. This time, since Diónia declared war on Lockley, as an ally, Tarantum did not express support or opposition like in the past. There was no movement at all. It was too quiet. This was not normal!
… …
The next day, the Senate of Diónia immediately sent messengers to Tarantum at the request of Devers.
The Senate of Tarantum was extremely impatient when the Diónia messengers consulted their opinion on the "declaration of war on Lockley". They said that whoever Diónia went to war with had nothing to do with Tarantum. Tarantum needed to recuperate and recover from the wounds of the last war.
The messengers returned to Turií and reported in detail to the Senate about Tarantum's attitude. Most of the senators breathed a sigh of relief, but Devers still did not let down his guard. He sent someone to remind the consul of Metapontum and Heraclea to raise their guard against Tarantum. At the same time, he asked Aristiras to increase his attention on Tarantum. That was all he could do. After all, Tarantum had not made any unusual moves so far.
At this time, Devers focused more on Lucania Municipality in the north.
The next day, Legio III's urgent report arrived in Turií.
Compared to the scouts of Potentia, the scouts of Legio III were much more powerful. They had all undergone rigorous training in Y 'zam's reconnaissance brigade. Under the guidance of Devers, Y 'zam combined his years of reconnaissance combat experience to explore a more complete set of reconnaissance training methods. Climbing mountains, wading rivers, ambushing, camouflage, reconnaissance … and many other training programs. In particular, in terms of determining the enemy's strength, the reconnaissance brigade had many methods. For example, based on the size of the enemy's camp, the number of tents, the amount of supplies, the most direct method was to count the number of people. Therefore, most of the soldiers of the reconnaissance brigade were citizens engaged in accounting, banking, trading, and other industries that required strong computing ability.
In the military reform the year before last, Devers transferred personnel from Y 'zam's reconnaissance brigade and equipped each legion with a hundred-man reconnaissance team. Thus, the "eyes and ears" of each legion were more complete. After all, Italy was a mountainous area, and scouts were often not useful.
The military report of Legio III had a much more detailed description of the Samonai people: … Based on the intelligence of the reconnaissance soldiers, the Samonai army gathered in Kopsa may be composed of the entire Hilpini, Pentoni, and some Cayutini warriors. The current strength has reached more than 40,000 people. Given that the Samonai camp has not continued to expand these days, and at the same time, the number of Samonai people entering Kopsa from the north has decreased significantly, it is very likely that the Samonai attack will be in the next two or three days! The situation is urgent, and Legio III requested to exercise "emergency command" (that is, in a state of emergency, the battle situation is complex and ever-changing. Every major military operation must be repeatedly requested by the Diónia Senate, which will only delay the opportunity and even put the legion in danger. Therefore, after the expansion of Diónia's territory, Devers realized that he could not take care of the entire territory of the Diónia Alliance at all times. Therefore, this important military rule was formulated to give the legion commander on the battlefield autonomy in military operations, to avoid slow and rigid command, and to stifle the desire and enthusiasm of the legion commander and the soldiers to fight! I plead the Senate to send more reinforcements! Signed: Alexis, Legion Commander of Legio III.
Forty thousand people?! The senators of the Senate were shocked by the strength of the Samonai people, but they were still arguing about whether to send more reinforcements. However, Devers finally made up his mind. He stood up and said in a firm tone, "Sirs, the military situation in Potentia is urgent and does not allow us to delay any longer! The Samonai people have a huge force of more than 40,000 people. It is not something that the army of Legio III and Puamote can resist! In order to prevent the Samonai people from defeating them, occupying Potentia, and taking advantage of the situation to enter our Lucania territory, I have decided to lead the First and Second Legions to reinforce Potentia and try to defeat the enemy in the shortest time possible! "
"I support the decision of the Consul!" As soon as the Devers finished speaking, Vesba jumped in joy. Hemont also expressed his support loudly, but the others fell into silence for the time being.
Of course, the identity of the Devers did not allow the senators to remain silent for too long. Soon, Cornelus stood up and asked, "Is the attack on Rockley still going on?"
"Temporarily stop! The Fourth and Fifth Legions return to the station and wait for orders. At the same time, send messengers to the allied city-states such as Crotone and Siletina to explain. I believe they will understand our situation, but — "Before the Devers could finish, Cunogorata hurriedly interrupted," But Syracuse may take advantage of the time when our main forces are heading north to attack Greece! "
Cunogorata's words set off a discussion among the senators.
Amyntas shouted, "It's best if Syracuse comes. We don't have to go to Sicily anymore. We can directly attack them in Greece!"
"But when they come, Lord Amyntas, you and the bravest and strongest citizens of Diónia will probably still be playing hide-and-seek with the Samonai people in the mountains of Lucania!" Scombras immediately retorted.
"We will defeat the Samonai people soon and return soon!" Amyntas argued loudly.
"That's hard to say. In the mountains, we Greeks can't catch up with the Samonai people who are good at climbing mountains. If you can't even catch up with them, how are you going to defeat them?! "Scombras retorted, unwilling to be outdone.
"Old man, you have to understand that it is the Samonai people who are attacking us. We don't need to chase them at all. They will take the initiative to fight us!" Amyntas was so anxious that he did not choose his words carefully.
"Alright, everyone, please be quiet!" Devers said loudly, "The situation now is very clear. If we don't take action, I'm afraid Syracuse will only be watching in Sicily and waiting for an opportunity. In that case, we will still be the ones to suffer because the threat of the Samonai people is right in front of us. If we sit back and do nothing, I'm afraid the situation in Lucania will be unimaginable …" Devers paused for a moment to give the senators time to think. He then continued, "So, we can only seize every minute and second and concentrate our forces to attack the enemy that we can hit first! No matter which direction the enemy comes from, we have to concentrate our forces to attack in one direction. This is the only way to ensure the greatest victory! "
The elders discussed in low voices again.
Cunogorata once again asked what the senators were thinking, "Lord Consul, if Syracuse really attacks Greece after you leave, what should we do?!"
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