Chapter 525
"Messenger of Diónia, I don't think you're here to study and study God Carthage, am I right?" Hanno smiled and said meaningfully, "Unfortunately, our answer is the same as last time. Carthage will always abide by the agreement with Syracuse, so I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed."
"Sir Hanno, Diónia won't put Carthage in a difficult position, nor do we have any intention of forming an alliance with you," Angitaros said solemnly. "I'm here on behalf of the Senate of Diónia this time, hoping to trade with Carthage."
"What kind of trade?" Hanno's heart skipped a beat.
"Grains!" Angitaros said straightforwardly, "The people of Diónia are trying their best to resist the invasion of Syracuse. Due to Syracuse's wanton destruction of our territory, the food supply of the entire alliance is very tight. If we can't purchase a large amount of grains from outside, our army won't be able to hold on for long and won't be able to fight due to the lack of food! By then, Syracuse will be able to easily defeat our soldiers and occupy Diónia, thus achieving their goal of controlling Greece completely. "
Hanno's right eyelid twitched. He pondered for a moment before saying, "If it's just to purchase grains, we can consider it. This year, Afrika has plenty of rain and crops. Carthage does have a lot of surplus food, but I heard that the population of Dionysia is not small. I'm afraid the amount of grain you need is not a small amount. The war between you and Carthage has lasted for so long, do you still have the money to buy grain? "
"I heard that Carthage is also in urgent need of funds recently, so it's impossible for him to give us a preferential price for grains. Our treasury is indeed running low, but the people of Diónia have donated their treasured silver coins in order to defeat Syracuse and restore peace to Greece. Therefore, we can afford to purchase grains!" Angitaros said passionately.
His words shocked Hanno, not only because the people of Diónia were determined to fight Syracuse to the death, but also because the words "Carthage is also in urgent need of funds" touched his sensitive nerves.
Why would a wealthy city-state like Carthage be in urgent need of funds?! That was because the several wars with Syracuse had consumed a lot of Carthage's treasury. Although the wars were over, the consumption of Carthage's treasury was still continuing. In order to guard against the powerful Syracuse, the Senate of Carthage decided to rebuild a defensive circle in the western part of Sicily to ensure the safety of the city. For this reason, they appointed Margo as the commander of the army in Sicily and gave him some autonomy.
After Margo took office, he not only recruited labor and purchased a large number of materials to build a defensive fortress, but also recruited tens of thousands of mercenaries from Celtic, Numibia, Iberia, and other regions to make up for the lack of troops due to the heavy casualties of the militia of Carthage in the war. For this reason, the mint of Carthage had to produce a large number of amber gold and silver coins with high purchasing power every month to pay the mercenaries. Carthage's monthly business income, as well as the mineral income from Iberia and Sardinia, were spent on this.
But this was not Hanno's main concern. What he was most worried about was that the Syracuse army's rampage in Greece had made the people of Carthage increasingly nervous. Thus, with the support of the allies of the Magonid family, Margo's power in Sicily was constantly expanding. But this was not Hanno's main concern. What he was most worried about was that the Syracuse army's rampage in Greece had made the people of Carthage increasingly nervous. With the support of the allies of the Magonid family, Margo's power in Sicily was constantly expanding.
During this time, Hanno had been feeling uneasy. Margo's expanding power in Sicily had threatened his political dominance in the Carthage Senate. He had finally taken the leadership of Carthage from the Magonid family, and he would never allow Margo to take it back!
Ancitanos saw Hanno frowning and was deep in thought, so he added, "Of course, if you allow it, we hope to use the captives of Syracuse to replace part of the cost of buying grain."
"Captives of Syracuse?" Hanno was a little puzzled. Although he had received news of the victory of the navy of Diónia, he was not very clear about the specific situation of the war.
"Our fleet defeated the Syracuse people on the sea of Turií and captured tens of thousands of Syracuse sailors. The two times I came to Carthage, I deeply felt the hatred of the people of Carthage against the people of Syracuse. I think if we can make the captives of Syracuse their slaves, it may help them vent their hatred … "Ancitanos said slowly.
Hanno's eyes lit up. Exchanging grain for Syracuse slaves might win the favor of the people of Carthage.
Of course, this was not what Hanno was most interested in. He leaned forward slightly, looked at Ancitanos, and asked in a deep voice, "It's amazing that your fleet can defeat the people of Syracuse! But can your army defeat the powerful army of Syracuse?! "
The people of Carthage had always thought that their navy was the strongest in the western Mediterranean Sea. In the previous war with Syracuse, the reason why the navy suffered two crushing defeats was not because they were defeated on the sea, but because they were trapped in the port and bay. They were either attacked by ballistae or ambushed, which prevented the sailors from boarding the ships. The people of Carthage were not convinced. Therefore, although the victory of the navy of Diónia was surprising, it did not shock Hanno much. However, the huge army of Syracuse did strike fear into the hearts of the people of Carthage.
"Lord Hanno, if you understand Diónia, you'll know that our King Devers has never suffered a defeat since the establishment of the Alliance of Diónia. In fact, he has won many battles with fewer troops. Previously, Diónia suffered some setbacks because King Devers was leading his army to fight against the Samonians in the north. Now, he has led his army back to Turií. The victory of the naval war was achieved under his plan.
Before I left Turií, he had led his army to Crotone to defend against the army of Syracuse. Although the number of our soldiers is smaller than the army of Syracuse, all the soldiers and generals are full of confidence in King Devers. They are willing to obey his orders and fight to the death with the people of Syracuse! As long as we have enough food, I believe that we will be able to defeat the army of Syracuse! "It was rare for Ancetanos to speak so excitedly.
Hanno stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming. Although he had never led an army before, he had discussed the war in Greece with his subordinates who were familiar with military affairs and the senators affiliated to him. If the people of Diónia could really defeat the army of Syracuse, coupled with the defeat of the navy of Syracuse, the soldiers of Syracuse who invaded Greece might not be able to return to Sicily. In that case, would Carthage still need to worry about the greatly weakened Syracuse? Carthage's safety in the north was guaranteed, and there was no need to guard against Syracuse in Sicily. There was also no need to spend money to maintain a large number of mercenaries. Margo's position as the governor of Sicily could also be revoked! …
Countless thoughts flashed through Hanno's mind. Then, he smiled and said, "Tomorrow morning, go to the Senate. I will invite you in and tell the senators about the request of Diónia."
Ancetanos was overjoyed. With Hanno's words, the purchase of grains would definitely be approved by the Senate of Carthage.
"Thank you, Sir Hanno!" Ancetanos said loudly with gratitude.
… …
The news of the defeat of the army of Syracuse spread to Triene that night, causing panic among the defenders in the city. It was only because it was too late that they did not dare to retreat to Syracuse in the dark for fear of an accident.
Early the next morning, more than 3,000 defenders of Triene began to prepare to retreat.
However, not long after they left the city, there was an accident. More than 1,000 Hibernians were unwilling to go to Syracuse and only wanted to go south to their own city.
After some negotiations and arguments, the general of the garrison of Syracuse reluctantly agreed. By the time they began to retreat to the east, more than an hour had passed. Unfortunately, they were carrying a lot of looted goods from Triene, causing their movement to be slow. After crossing the Ramato River, they were discovered by the cavalry of Diónia.
Ledes, who received the news, sent someone to report to the Devers at the rear. At the same time, he urgently led more than 1,000 cavalrymen to attack to delay the enemy's escape to Syracuse.
After receiving the news, the First and Second Legions, who were at the forefront of the marching column, also sent light armor and light infantry to stop them.
More than 2,000 defenders of Triene had a bad feeling when they discovered the cavalry of Diónia. Under the strict orders of their general, they put on their armor, picked up their shields and spears, abandoned the extra baggage, and hastened their march.
However, the uneven hills were not easy to walk on. After about half an hour, the defenders of Triene were still ten miles away from Syracuse, but the cavalry of Diónia had already arrived.
Before the cavalry could throw their javelins, a thousand Corunnian soldiers suddenly knelt down and surrendered. This caused the already panicked defenders of Triene to panic and fall out of formation.
Seeing this, Ledes decisively ordered the cavalry to directly attack the enemy.
The defenders of Syracuse of Triene were immediately routed. Under the pursuit of the cavalry, they were either killed or captured. More than a thousand of them, only a hundred managed to escape back to Syracuse.
The Hibernians who retreated to the south were also unlucky. They encountered the Lyjim army who had boarded the Syklian fleet and landed on the coast north of Hibernian.
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