Chapter 407
In order to prepare for this great war, Dionysius had not only raised taxes on the people of Syracuse and depleted his own treasury, but he had also borrowed money from the city-state of Cyrenaica in Afrika. He had even thought of robbing the Sanctuary of Delphi, because there were not just tens of thousands of gold and silver that had been donated to Delphi by the various Greek city-states for hundreds of years. In real history, Dionysius had sent mercenaries to pretend to be bandits in an attempt to rob Delphi during his occupation of Great Greece, but the plot failed in the end.
If he captured Lijim, not only could he directly obtain a large amount of wealth to make up for the deficit in the treasury, but he could also completely monopolize the Strait of Messina. Just the taxes from the passing merchant ships would be enough to sustain his long-term occupation of Great Greece. As for the purely military considerations of removing the "nail" behind him, Lijim, before the army attacked north, he really did not care too much.
Phoebidas was not in Dionysius's position. Of course, he could not consider this war from an economic perspective and thus understand Dionysius's hesitation. As a stubborn Sparta, although he had already stated his reasons for choosing Corunia before he set off, he still decided to say it again to strengthen Dionysius's determination. "Although Lijim is isolated by Locri and isolated from the Southern Alliance, it's not easy to attack it! I've seen the map you gave me. There are insurmountable mountains in the center of the north of Lijim, and the east coast can only be reached by narrow mountain roads. To go to the west coast, we have to pass through the Maro River and capture its sub-state, Taurina, before we can open the road to Lijim. The people of Lijim and Taurina will definitely defend the south bank of the Maro River with all their strength. The area there is narrow and not conducive for the deployment of the main forces of Syracuse. It will take some time to attack the territory of Lijim. But the Southern Italy Alliance will use this time to build an army and prepare for the defense of Corunna and Triene. They may even attack Locri when we attack Lijim. If we delay until the Consul of Diónia returns with the main force from Lucania Municipality, our war in Great Greece will not be easy! "
Phoebidas' last two sentences shocked Dionysius, even though he seemed to be unconcerned. "I'm afraid it won't be easy for the Dionysian Army led by the Devers to rush back from the Lucania Mountains. His troubles have just begun!"
"As long as we seize the moment and continue to attack the north before the Southern Alliance is ready for war, we will definitely be able to completely destroy their alliance. When that time comes, Lijim will be nothing more than a fish in a net. He won't be able to escape. Even if the main forces of Diónia can return from Lucania City, they won't be of much help to the entire battlefield. "
Dionysius didn't say anything, but Phoebidas's persuasion had already made him decide.
… …
At dusk, the door of the Southern Alliance's headquarters was suddenly pushed open. Ullipatos's entourage shouted, "Sir! Sir! The army of Diónia has arrived! "
Ullipatos, who was drowsy from exhaustion, couldn't believe his ears. They arrived so soon!
In the afternoon, at his urging, he saw with his own eyes that the Siletine City Hall had sent out cavalry to inform all the citizens of the city. According to the common practice of the Greek city-states, when the citizens of Siletine received the notice to join the war, they would need at least a day to settle their affairs at home. Only then would they pick up the weapons and equipment stored at home and rush to the square in Siletine. It was considered fast to be able to complete the assembly and roll call of the citizen soldiers the day after tomorrow. As for the formation of the troops, the preparation of the supplies … When everything was ready, the chief general of Siletine, Prethenis, promised him that he would try his best to lead the troops to set off in three days.
Ullipatos was quite satisfied with the performance of Siletine today compared to the previous preparations of his city-state. Hence, when Ancitanos said that, he only thought that the scholar wanted to show Diónia's positive attitude. In his heart, he didn't think that the Diónia could really do it. Therefore, when Diónia learned of the invasion of Syracuse, and they really arrived at Siletine, Ullipatos was pleasantly surprised.
"Sir Ancitanos, that's great! Thank you so much! " He hurriedly thanked Ancetanos who was equally exhausted.
Ancitanos wasn't arrogant. He waved his hand and said, "This has nothing to do with me. You should thank the soldiers of Diónia who rushed all the way here. You have to know that it's more than eighty kilometers from Asprustum to Siletine! It's really not easy to get here in a day! "
"You're right!" After receiving Ancitanos's reminder, Ullipatos hurried out of the city.
When they arrived, the soldiers of Diónia's Legio IV had already started to set up a simple camp by the road south of Siletine City. Ullipatos couldn't help but feel apologetic when he saw them half-naked and drenched in sweat.
They followed the soldiers' directions and found Commander Felicius who was sitting on the grass discussing some matters with Epitenis.
"Lord Ancitanos, why are you here?" Epicthenis shouted before him with his sharp eyes.
"Since you've worked so hard to get here, of course I have to come and visit you," Ancitanos said seriously. Ancitanos said seriously. The rapid arrival of the 4th Legion shocked the Xiletine and the other city-states of the Southern Alliance. It could be said to be a very good example, and it also made Ancitanos's words carry more weight in the alliance. He felt honored as well.
"Who comes empty-handed!" Epitenis said in a half-joking, half-serious tone.
"Epitenis!" Felicius quickly gave him a look, signaling him not to go overboard.
Ancitanos didn't mind it too much. After all, they often met in the Senate, and he knew what kind of person Epitenis was. He smiled and said, "What do you want me to bring?"
"Not me, it's the soldiers who have been working hard for the whole day. They don't even have time to find water when they're thirsty, and now they have to set up camp …" Epitenis pointed at the soldiers who were still working, and then at his dry lips. "Look, we're dying of thirst!"
"Aiya, you're really too …" Ulypatos was so excited that he didn't know what to say. He turned to his follower and said, "Go back to the Alliance's encampment immediately and gather everyone. Go to the restaurants in the city to buy water and have them send it here …"
"Hey, we have almost ten thousand people here. I estimate that another ten thousand people from the Fifth Legion will arrive at night. It's not just the water problem. We came too fast, and the supply camp is still behind us. They'll probably only arrive tomorrow. These cold hard bread aren't enough to replenish the soldiers' energy after such a long journey." Epicthenis took out his rations and waved them in front of Ullipatos, reminding him bluntly.
"He's joking with you!" Felicius glared at Epitenis. "We have bread and meat. It's enough to fill our stomachs. You don't have to worry."
"I can't solve the problem of food supply for so many soldiers in Siritium, but as long as you come to Corrennia, I promise the people of Corrennia will make sure you're well fed!" While Ullipatos expressed his apologies, he also subtly urged the Dionians. At the same time, he issued an order to his followers. "If the eateries in the city don't have enough pulp, send word to the citizens of Sirium. As long as they send us their homemade pulp, we'll pay double the price for each bottle they send …"
The follower responded and left.
"Thank you so much!" Felicius quickly stepped forward to express his gratitude.
"This is the messenger of Corrennia, Ulypatos." Ancetanos quickly introduced him.
"Oh." Epitenis pursed his lips and thought, So you're from Corrennia. You should pay for the water.
"I didn't expect you to come so soon. I didn't prepare anything. Otherwise, I would have invited you to a banquet to express my gratitude!"
"There's no need for a banquet. Our military law doesn't allow generals and soldiers to eat and drink to their heart's content during a war. We've brought our own rations for a few days, but I'm afraid that the supply camp won't be able to supply them. If that happens, we'll really have to consider asking Corrennia to provide us with food first." Now that he was a commander, Felicius had to consider every detail.
"Of course not. I'll send someone back tomorrow to inform the city hall to prepare the rations. I've just said that the people of Corrennia will make sure that the people of Diónia are well fed! "Ulypatos promised without hesitation.
Looking at the countless soldiers in front of him lifting their pickaxes and digging trenches, sweating profusely, Yulipatos could not help but ask curiously, "You guys are already very tired after arriving here. You can just set up tents and rest. Why are you still digging trenches?"
"This is a regulation of the Military Law of Diónia. It's mainly to provide a safer and more comfortable camp for the soldiers," Ancetanos explained. Ancitanos explained conveniently. Since Dionia had been established for a long time, the 'veterans' like them had learned some of the rules of the army.
"Your army is really strict!" As a citizen, Ulypatos had served in the army many times. Comparing himself to the soldiers of Diónia in front of him, he couldn't help but sigh.
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