Chapter 403
The Devers mounted his horse and held down the restless War Horse. He said confidently, "My lords, wait for the news of my victory!"
After he finished speaking, he turned his horse around and squeezed his legs hard. The restless warhorse carried him and galloped away, following the long line of people all the way to the north. Along the way, they were accompanied by the spontaneous cheers and expectations of the people. "Lord Dyvers, please bring them back safely!"
"May the Hades bless you with an easy victory!"
… …
There were two routes from Turií to Potentia. One was to cross the wooden bridge over the Krati River, head west to Abyssinia, then to Cosenza, then turn north to Vigo City, then to Laos, take a boat to Picossis, and finally reach Potentia. Alternatively, they could travel by land from Laos, pass through Neutum, Grumentum, and finally reach Potentia. The second route was to head west from Turií, trekking through the Tu-U Avenue to Neutum, then head north to Potentia.
Due to the completion of the Tu-U Avenue, it would only take three days for a large group of troops to travel from Turií to Neutum. For the Devers who understood the importance of speed in war, of course, they chose the latter route.
On the second day after they entered the western mountains, the Devers received an urgent battle report from Grumentum: the Samonians had taken down the city of Poseidonia.
The Devers fell into deep thought. He quickly found Antonius and Amyntas, the two commanders, to discuss the matter. In the end, they changed their initial plan and sent a messenger back to inform the Grumentum and Picossis to make preparations immediately.
Three days later, the Devers led the troops to Dara River Fortress, where he unexpectedly met Henepolis.
"Herney, why are you here?!" the Devers asked, slightly surprised.
"I haven't seen you for a long time! I heard that you were going to lead an army to Potentia, so I came to greet you. "Henepolis smiled happily as he greeted him.
Devers looked at Henepolis, who was about the same age as him. He couldn't help but feel touched, but he still cautiously asked, "How is the situation in Lars City right now?"
"Very stable!" Henepolis blurted out. Seeing the Devers' doubtful expression, he added, "It's really much better! Ever since Mr. Ancetanos advised me, I've been discussing things with Uncle and the rest. Uncle is also willing to implement some of the laws that I've promulgated … "
"That's good." Devers nodded and said no more. After all, Henepolis was already the head of a state, and he didn't want to interfere with Laos' internal affairs. He looked at Henepolis and said, "But you came at the right time. I was just about to look for you. I just heard the news that the Samonai have taken over Poseidonia. "
"I heard that too." Henepolis was a little confused. "How will this affect Laos?"
Devers said straightforwardly, "I plan to lead the army from Laos Port to Picossis. I calculated that a passenger ship can carry 50 people. To transport this army, we need at least 400 ships, and this doesn't include the cavalry and the supply camp … Herney, do you think Laos can provide so many ships? "Devers looked at Henepolis with concern.
"Of course!" Henepolis said cheerfully. "Laos can use merchant ships to transport the army for you … but I have a small request." At this point, Henepolis smiled proudly.
"What request?" Devers didn't have time to joke with him and asked directly.
"As a member of Diónia's alliance, Laos should send an army to battle with Diónia according to the treaty. I hope that I will lead Laos's army to go to Potentia with you!" Helipolis looked at Devers with anticipation. After the novelty of being the first Consul, he was tired of dealing with so many affairs and facing so many obstacles. He wanted to go out and relax. The arrival of Devers provided him with a good opportunity.
"Sure." Dyvers pondered for a while before agreeing to it. As an ally of Diónia, Laos was obligated to send troops. With Henepolis leading the army, it would also increase the prestige of this young man who had just become an Consul.
… …
Just as the Devers changed their marching route and turned towards Laos, the Port of Syracuse was already filled with thousands of ships, and there were still thousands of ships outside the port. Almost all the passenger ships and merchant ships of Sicily under Syracuse's control were concentrated on the waters of Syracuse, completely turning the port (the naturally formed circular bay outside the Port of Syracuse) into a land paved with ship planks. At the port and in the city, there were more than a hundred thousand people bustling about for the army's expedition across the sea …
Such a grand and spectacular scene left Phobidus, who came from Sparta, dumbfounded.
Dionysius glanced at him and pointed at the sea of people gathered at the port, waiting to board the ships, and said with a sigh, "A few decades ago, Athens sent more than 40,000 troops to Sicily in an attempt to conquer Syracuse. At that time, although the people of Syracuse did not surrender, we were panicking all day long, thinking that the disaster of Syracuse was coming … If today —" Dionysius swung his fist forward with force, and his voice was filled with pride and heroism, "If the people of Athens dare to come again, I only need to send half of the army to make sure they never return!"
Phoebidas still said bluntly, "Dionysius, other things aside, isn't it because of the existence of your enemy, Diónia, that you sent such a huge army?!"
Dionysius's mouth twitched a few times, then he laughed and said, "I'm afraid the people of Diónia are now having a headache about how to defeat the Samonians … Phoebidas, the reason why I sent a powerful army of nearly 80,000 people is mainly to deal with the Southern Italian coalition. Although each of these Greek city-states is not very strong, it's still a little troublesome when they come together. Besides, after we defeat those city-states, we must station some troops in the cities to make them obey us, don't you think so? "
Listening to Dionysius's complacent laughter, Phoebidas felt that it was very harsh to his ears.
The last time he came to Syracuse, Dionysius was not so arrogant, and he was still respectful to him as the messenger of Sparta. But now, Sparta was deeply involved in the war, and Syracuse's strength was growing rapidly. Sparta's need for Syracuse was far greater than Syracuse's need for Sparta. Time has changed … Phoebidas thought of this, forcibly suppressing the dissatisfaction in his heart and said no more.
Of course, Dionysius also stopped provoking the young and arrogant general of Sparta. After all, he still needed him in the battle against Diónia.
There was a cold silence between the two, and they both looked at the port under the watchtower.
After a while, Leptinis, the commander of the navy, boarded the watchtower built at the west end of Ortygia Island. He said respectfully to the helpless Dionysius, "Brother, the soldiers have boarded the ships. They are waiting for you to give the order, and then lead them to Greece."
"Got it." Dionysius nodded, then said to Phoebidas, "We should go down too, don't let the army wait too long."
After saying that, he turned around and went down the tower, and Phoebidas followed him.
A magnificent chariot with four horses was already waiting under the tower. Dionysius directly stepped onto the chariot, with no intention of inviting Phoebidas to ride with him.
A guard next to them brought the War Horse, and Phoebidas and Leptinis got on it one after another.
"Let's go," Dionysius said. The hundred cavalrymen in front of them galloped back the way they came. The driver shook the reins, and the horses neighed as they began to pull the chariot.
The hundred cavalrymen at the back also followed the chariot, and Dionysius was tightly surrounded in the center. The whole team passed through the tall city wall that separated Ortygia Island from Syracuse, and drove through the city center. There were already many people waiting on both sides of the street.
When the cavalrymen passed, they cheered, and Dionysius kept waving in response from the chariot. This made Phoebidas, who was riding behind him, confused. Didn't the people of Syracuse hate Dionysius's dictatorship? Why did it seem like Dionysius was loved by the people?
In fact, the people of Syracuse had mixed feelings about Dionysius. On one hand, they hated Dionysius's oppressive rule and excessive taxation; on the other hand, they also enjoyed the security, strength, glory, and pride that Dionysius brought to Syracuse. If they could conquer Greece, there would definitely be a large amount of wealth and land flowing back to Syracuse, which was what the people longed for.
At this moment, Dionysius, who was standing on the chariot, was enjoying the feeling of waving to the people. Due to the fear of assassination and riots, he had not held a public gathering for seven or eight years. He even thought, I heard that Diónia has a "triumphal" victory celebration, which can bestow great glory to the returning generals. This time, after conquering Greece, when I return, I will definitely hold a triumphal ceremony of my own in Syracuse City!
The team entered the port, and the ministers were already waiting in front of the dock.
"Lord Dionysius!"
"Lord General!"
"General Quan!"
…
Everyone saluted.
Dionysius, who was dressed in golden armor, walked out of the chariot and waved goodbye to everyone.
Finally, he walked up to Philistos and held his hands tightly. "Fili, after I leave, I entrust Syracuse to you!"
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