Chapter 510
"That's exactly what General Sykerian wants!" Vralios immediately agreed.
"The soldiers rested for an entire day yesterday, and stayed on the ships today. They're still full of energy and stamina. But look at us now … "Hilos pointed at the densely packed transport ships at the docks, and anxiously said," 6,000 soldiers have come ashore, and I don't know how long we'll have to wait! Besides, I've been the chief executive of Cosenza, and I know how big Kenapitia is. Just helping to settle down the refugees from Triene would probably fill up the entire city. "
"Don't worry about the accommodation. I'll do my best to arrange it! If there's really no place to stay, we can camp outside the city, "Asistes said confidently.
"I know that there are mountains outside Kenapitia. Instead of camping here, I might as well camp on the plains in front. The soldiers will sleep better there." Hilos was unmoved, and continued, "Besides, you've been monitoring Triene's movements, and I'm afraid the enemies of Triene are also keeping an eye on this place. Our fleet has been waiting outside the port for so long, how could the enemies not know? Now that they know we're here, even if Hibernian is attacked, they'll still strengthen their defense against Triene! If that's the case, why don't I lead the army to attack Triene first, and attract the Hibernian defenders to come to our rescue, while Sykerian leads the Lijim to attack the defenseless Hibernian? That way, the chances of success will be higher! "
After he said that, the others were a little moved. In fact, Asistes and Vralios knew that Sykerian had a selfish motive for coming up with that plan. He wanted the Diónia army to gain more achievements, but Hilos didn't care about achievements at the moment. He was more concerned about how to benefit the overall situation.
"Actually, whether it's attacking Triene or Hibernian, it's not the most important! The most important thing is … "Hilos looked at the Asistes, and said solemnly," His Majesty's army is now facing off against the army of Syracuse in Crotone. The earlier we attack the enemy's rear, the earlier we can put them in a passive position, and let His Majesty take the initiative. Only then can we defeat Syracuse's main force and obtain victory! I've already wasted a lot of time in Laos. We need to act now! "
Deeply moved by Xilos' heartfelt words, Asistes immediately said, "I understand, Xilos is the lord! I won't stop you from landing in Ophemia. I'll organize people to transport food and supplies for the troops. I'll also gather a thousand soldiers and set off by land to meet you in Ophemia! "
"Lord Hilos, I'll gather the Triene citizens now. They've been waiting for this day for a long time!" Blomalas said excitedly.
"Lord Hilos, my warship will go with you. I want General Syracuse to receive the news as soon as possible!" Flarios said immediately.
"Alright, let's meet in Triene!" Hilos solemnly saluted.
"Sigh, I've prepared a banquet tonight, and I wanted to invite you to my house as a guest. You can also meet my wife and children. It seems like there's no chance this time!" The Asistes sighed, and gave a few instructions to a port official beside him. The official hurriedly ran to the dock, and commanded the ships to clear the channel so that the transport ships could leave the port smoothly.
"Lord Hilos, may the Hades bless you on your journey!" After giving his sincere blessing, the Asistes asked, "Lord Henepolis, would you like to come to my house as a guest? I can also talk to you about how to be a good clerk to His Majesty."
Henepolis was a little tempted. He turned to look at Hilos.
Hilos suggested, "You should stay in Kenapitia. It won't be too late to meet His Majesty after he leads the army into the Ophelia Plains."
Henepolis hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "Lord Asistes, thank you for your invitation! I came with Lord Hilos, so I'll go with him. "
… …
After being attacked by Syracuse's rockets for half a day yesterday, Lysias and the others led the citizens to work until evening. They were tired and thirsty, so they directly fell on the square outside the temple and slept until dawn.
The rocket attack from Syracuse, which they were most worried about, did not come again. Looking down the mountain from the acropolis, they did not see a single enemy. After a discussion, the surprised Lysias, Myron, and the others decided to send people out to investigate.
In fact, the acropolis had sent many messengers to the Diónia camp yesterday, and each time they returned safely, they were already aware of the intentions of the Syracuse people. However, this only slightly reduced the resentment of Lysias and the other Crotone higher-ups towards Diónia for not lending a helping hand.
The scouts quickly returned to the acropolis and reported: not only were there no enemies in the city, even the Syracuse camp outside the city had disappeared!
Lysias looked at Myron in surprise and joy, and said in disbelief, "Could it be that Syracuse has retreated?!"
"It's very possible." Myron pondered and said, "If the Syracuse army is attacking the Diónia camp on the north bank of the Neto River, they won't tear down their own camp."
"Then we can leave the acropolis!" Sisprotis said excitedly, licking his dry lips.
His words received enthusiastic responses from the others. They had not drunk water for half a day, and everyone's throats were smoking.
Lysias could not make up his mind, and asked hesitantly, "Myron, what do you think?"
"As far as I know, Dionysius is an extremely cunning person. He might have deliberately lured us out of the city, and then let his thousands of cavalry return quickly. More than half of us are women, children, and elderly. Once we leave the acropolis, it'll be very difficult to escape their pursuit!" Myron said worriedly.
"Are we going to stay in the acropolis and die of thirst just because we're worried that it's a trick by the Syracuse people?!" Sisprotis asked loudly.
"Of course not." Myron said seriously, "We can continue to send people to the south to investigate the movements of the Syracuse people. At the same time, we can send messengers to the Diónia on the north bank of the Neto River to ask for protection. We can also ask them to send a fleet to transport water to the port, and while there are no enemies in the city, we can transport the water to the acropolis …"
"Good idea, let's do that!" Lysias immediately made the decision, and the others agreed.
At this moment, the messengers sent by the Devers arrived at the acropolis.
The news that the Diónia army had crossed the river excited the higher-ups of Crotone, but the Devers' speculation that there might be a battle with the Syracuse people made them nervous.
"Although I was a little dissatisfied with the 'indifference' of the Diónia people, I don't want them to come over if they really cross the river …" Lysias said with a serious expression.
"That's right." Myron felt the same way. He said with mixed feelings, "According to the messenger's description, the Dionysian Army has about 55000 people, and according to the situation of the Syracuse army attacking the city, they probably have no less than 70,000 soldiers. That's a difference of more than 10,000 people! If Diónia and Syracuse really fight here today, we must support Diónia with all our strength! Otherwise … "
"That's a must! If Diónia loses, we'll all become the slaves of that Sicilian tyrant! " Syprotis had arrived at the meeting hall of Crotone's higher-ups. He said in a loud voice, "We, the Triene people, have decided to immediately rendezvous with the Diónia army!"
The councilors of Crotone looked at each other and started discussing among themselves.
Finally, Lysias said loudly, "We, the Crotone, will also send General Myron and half of the Crotone militia to join the Diónia army!"
Myron squeezed out a smile. "I'll be bringing the citizen soldiers to ask for a glass of water!"
He wanted to lighten up the atmosphere in the meeting hall, but everyone looked nervous. No one laughed.
… …
Just as Crotone gathered more than 4,000 soldiers, and Syprotis led nearly 900 Triene people down the mountain, the Diónia army had arrived at the front of the former camp of Syracuse.
Dionysius relied on his strong military strength. Other than building a more rigorous defense on the side facing Aspuztum, he only set up earth ramparts and wooden fences on the side of the camp located in the heart of Crotone. He did not even dig a trench. He even hoped that the Crotone people would come out of the city to attack the camp, so that they could deal a heavy blow to them. Therefore, when they retreated, they just needed to push down the earth ramparts, and it would not hinder the advance of the Dionysian Army.
At this moment, the Devers received a report from the scouts: the Syracuse army had stopped retreating and quickly turned around, approaching them. The enemy cavalry had also begun to attack, driving away the Diónia cavalry.
As expected, Dionysius had come! As they had guessed and prepared for this beforehand, the Devers were not too surprised. The more he thought about it, the more he ordered, "Everyone, retreat slowly, and at the same time, be wary of the enemy cavalry's attack! Inform Ledes not to clash with the enemy's cavalry. Retreat first! "
Although puzzled, Tormid still hurried to issue the military order.
As the Dionysian Army did not march in the usual way after crossing the river, they lined up and marched south together in a wide front. The army of more than 50,000 people stretched for seven to eight miles from west to east. In order to ensure the speedy delivery of military orders, the Devers and Tormid discussed a plan, which was to set up two messengers a thousand meters behind the entire army, to ensure that the Devers could deliver orders to and fro the army quickly and conveniently.
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