Chapter 498
The adults' faces were filled with anxiety from losing their homes, and they discussed their resentment toward the people of Syracuse, the progress of the war, and their expectations and dissatisfaction toward their own troops. The children, on the other hand, treated the refuge as a playground, playing and fooling around together …
When the streets were too noisy, the people in the houses on both sides of the street would come out to express their dissatisfaction. Most of the time, the refugees on the street would listen to the advice and temporarily restore peace.
At this time, someone would sigh, "How great would it be if we had our own house in the city, then we wouldn't have to be afraid of enemy invasion!"
His words naturally incited another round of debate.
Although the streets were chaotic, they were relatively clean. However, when a breeze blew past, the pungent smell of urine assailed their noses. The Devers immediately covered their mouths and noses and looked at Protesilaus.
Protesilaus said helplessly, "Your Majesty, we've already followed the doctor's advice and arranged for the people to clean the streets every day. We've also warned them to go to the river to pee and defecate to prevent the outbreak of the disease, but those children …"
Since Protesilaus had already taken effective measures, the Devers naturally would not say anything else. As they approached, the bored refugees noticed the Devers and shouted excitedly, "It's Lord Devers!"
"Lord Devers is here!"
…
The news that the Devers had become the King of Diónia had been officially conveyed by the Senate to the various subordinate cities. However, the refugees in Crimissa were always worried about their homes being trampled by the enemy, so they were not too concerned about the news. Therefore, they still shouted the familiar name.
At this moment, they stopped complaining and arguing and rushed toward the Devers. The guards immediately prepared to protect him.
"Lord Devers, you're finally here. The people of Syracuse burned down our village, our homes are all gone!"
"Lord Devers, when will you lead the troops to drive away those ferocious foreign tribes?! When will we be able to return to our land?! "
"Lord Devers, my father died in the hands of those damned foreign tribes. You must kill them all to avenge us!"
…
The people were like wanderers who had finally seen their parents. They poured out their sufferings and anger to the Devers.
The guards and Olivers saw that more and more people were gathering. They were afraid that something bad might happen, so they wanted to drive them away. The Devers stopped them and listened to their pain with a heavy expression. They comforted them patiently and made a solemn promise that they would defeat the people of Syracuse and help them rebuild their homes …
… …
Henepolis led more than a thousand Laos soldiers loyal to him out of the mountain path and arrived at the Laos River Fortress. After rendezvousing with the 3,000 Lucanian reserve soldiers led by Bagoule, they traveled south along the Laos River and soon arrived outside the city of Laos.
Here, the military commander of the Bruti region, Hilos, who was temporarily appointed by the Devers, had already replaced Sarroux, the administrator of Vigo City. He led more than 3,000 Bruti reserve soldiers to arrive a day earlier and set up camp.
The rendezvous of the three troops increased the total strength of Diónia to nearly 8,000.
Arobuma, who was in the city, frowned when he heard the news. He regretted that he did not decisively lead his troops out of the city yesterday and defeat the enemies from Bruti first. At that time, he had his concerns. Although he had gathered 5,000 soldiers in the city of Laos, he knew the combat power of Diónia soldiers well because he had been dealing with Diónia for many years. Unless he led the majority of his troops to attack, he did not have the confidence to defeat them. If he really did that, he was worried that there would be chaos in the city.
In the past few days, rumors had spread in the city of Laos. The civilians and slaves were very resentful toward the officials and tribal leaders. There were even a few major conflicts. Moreover, the news of the "Syracuse's defeat" that was initially blocked had spread, which fueled their arrogance. Under such circumstances, how would Arobuma dare to move the main force of his troops out of the city? Therefore, the only thing he could do now was to defend the city of Laos and hope that Syracuse could defeat Diónia on land. Only then could he change the terrible situation in Laos.
To this day, he still could not figure out how the powerful navy of Syracuse could lose to the Dionysian fleet that was assembled together. Could it be that the Consul Devers of Diónia were really blessed by the gods?!
Due to Bagoule's humility, the command of the three troops was handed over to the former commander of Legio IV, the Senate Senator Hilos, who had more experience and was more trusted by the Devers.
At this moment, in the newly built tent, Hilos, Bagoule, and Henepolis, as well as Henepolis's most trusted general, Eliandos, were having a discussion.
In addition, there was also a special person in the tent. He was the head of the Devers' intelligence department, Tratus. He was previously appointed by Chief Aristiras to be in charge of Laos's spy activities on the West Coast.
After Tratus introduced the actual situation in Laos, it greatly boosted Hilos and Bagoule's confidence in taking down Laos. After all, if Arobuma were to focus on defense, it would be impossible for 8,000 men to take down a stone city guarded by 5,000 men. As a mixed force that was hastily assembled, they did not even have an engineering battalion, let alone a ballista.
At this moment, Henepolis said something that shocked everyone in the tent.
"Sir Henepolis." Hilos composed himself and asked, "Are you really going to do this?"
"Of course!" Henepolis raised his head, his eyes filled with hatred. "When I became the Consul of Laos, I wanted to do this, but those greedy wolves would not give me the chance to do so! But now — "Henepolis sneered." Since they have betrayed me, I will let them have a taste of being betrayed by the people! "
For the rest of the day, the Dionysian Army began to build siege equipment, and Tratus contacted his subordinates in the city through a special method.
… …
The next day, while the Devers led the army from Crimissa to the Netto River, Hilos also led the army to line up outside the city of Laos.
Looking at the enemies below the city, with their war flags fluttering in the wind, the soldiers and generals of Laos on the city walls could not help but feel nervous. After all, they had been under the wing of Diónia for many years, and were used to seeing and hearing about the bravery and continuous victories of the Diónia soldiers.
Seeing this, Arbutus laughed and said, "The Diónia are just trying to scare us. They will not dare to attack the city! The lives of more than a thousand soldiers and their families under Henepolis are in our hands, and they have no fighting spirit at all. Apart from them, the number of Diónia soldiers is not much more than ours, and we still have the high walls, moats, abatis, and traps. Unless the Diónia are crazy, they will not dare to come and die with their meager forces! "
"Sir Consul is absolutely right! The warriors of Laos are not afraid of any threats! I hope that the Diónia will attack the city, so that we can take the opportunity to defeat them! "
"Asinu above, it's time to let the Diónia see the power of the Laos warriors!"
…
His subordinates showed their courage to Arbutus.
At this moment, more than 20 riders ran out of the Diónia army and stopped less than a hundred meters away from the city. The leader shouted, "Warriors of Laos, I am the son of Avinogis, your Consul Henepolis!"
As soon as his voice fell, more than 20 people repeated his words at the same time, so that the people on the city walls could hear him clearly.
"Sir, it's that kid! Let's shoot him! "The subordinate's expression changed, and he suggested to Arbutus.
Arbutus waved his hand. He had mixed feelings about this nephew of his. He felt guilty for taking away his power, the pain of breaking his brother's promise, the heartache for not living up to his expectations, and the worry that he would act recklessly.
Arbutus knew that he had to face this young man bravely and cut off the negative emotions in his heart in order to truly become a qualified ruler of Laos! So he wanted to hear what his nephew had to say first, and then refute him.
"Warriors of Laos, we are the descendants of the noble Sebaris people, but for decades, we have been slaves of the mutated people. Under the leadership of my father, you who did not want to be slaves rose up and fought back bravely. You drove away the mutated people, and became the masters of Laos! "
Henepolis waited for his subordinates to finish speaking, and then he shouted again, "But have you really become the masters of this city?! Most of you don't have land, and you can't take up positions in the city-state. You can't participate in the planning of the city-state, and you don't have any political power. Because of your poverty, you have to belong to various clans and tribes to survive. You have to work hard for the officials and leaders, and you have to work hard to graze and grow crops in exchange for a little bit of food.
The officials and leaders who don't have to do any work enjoy delicious food, and they occupy positions in the city-state of Laos. They occupy all the land in Laos, and they pass all kinds of laws that help them rule over you. Look at those fat generals and leaders around you. Do you really think that you are the masters of this city?! Have you really gained your freedom?! … "
"Shoot! Shoot now! " Arbutus ordered angrily. He did not expect his reckless nephew to expose the secret of their rule over Laos in public. Damn it, that damn Henepolis! Does he not want our family to rule over this city anymore?!
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