Chapter 54
"Governor, are we really going to let the Greeks go just like that?" the adjutant asked unwillingly.
"Let them go?!" Tisafniss glared at him fiercely. "This is the King's order. I have followed his orders and successfully driven the Greek barbarians into Dukea! Do you think they will have an easy time after this?! "
Tisafniss pointed to the vast mountains in front of him and said fiercely, "The steep and narrow mountain roads, the forest infested with snakes and insects, and the ferocious Dukea people will devour their courage! Even if they manage to get past Dukea, there is still the army of Orontas waiting for them in front! Even if Orontas can't stop them, they will still encounter the Kalubians, the Kaldanians, the Marronians … Let these barbarians fight amongst themselves! I want to see how many Greek barbarians will be able to return to Greece in the end! "
He sneered and said, "We don't have to waste all our time and energy here. There are still important things to do in Asia Minor. Retreat! Go back! " He simply shouted and turned his horse around. He inadvertently saw the expressionless face of Alreus not far away and was slightly stunned. He subconsciously looked back at the rolling mountains again. It turned out that capturing the leader of the Greek mercenaries was already a great achievement. When everything was going well, he had a new idea, which resulted in the deaths of Mitradat and Altauzus, and more than 10,000 casualties, which greatly reduced his achievements. Next, he hoped that the Greeks would be wiped out in the mountains as he thought it would be to vent his hatred!
But, would it really be as he wished?
… …
The mercenaries arrived at the edge of the Dukea Mountains the next day and began to set up camp. The next action would depend on whether Marigi's envoy to the Dukea tribe would be successful.
The Devers and other leaders sent Marigi to the mountain pass together, accompanied by dozens of soldiers led by Hilos. They drove a few carts full of armor, shields, and spears that the mercenaries had looted from the dead Persia soldiers. These were the weapons and equipment that the Dukea people lacked. In addition, there were more than a dozen Dukea people, mainly slaves that the Devers had previously seized from the Persia villages.
"Marigi, everything depends on you!" Devers gave him a strong hug and then whispered in his ear, "If things go wrong, escape as soon as possible. Hilos will help you escape. It doesn't matter if we can't negotiate, we can still barge in. Your safety is the most important thing. "
Maliji stared blankly for a moment. He looked at the other leaders behind the Devers, and immediately said in a loud voice, "Don't worry, with these weapons and those Dukaya people, our negotiation is already half successful! I've made many deals with this tribe's leader, Kang Moluo, so I know him quite well. He has always been very ambitious and has tried his best to strengthen his tribe, monopolizing the trade route between the mountains of Armenia, Dugea, and Media. Therefore, he has fought with the surrounding tribes. I believe that our proposal will make him very interested! "
"I hope so." Ma Song stepped forward and said stiffly, "You better hurry up. Don't forget, we can only wait for you here for one day!"
Marigi glanced at him and said nothing more.
The Devers also ignored Ma Song and stepped forward to give Hilos a stronger hug. Hilos strongly requested to go, but his repeated attempts to persuade him to no avail. The Devers knew that his choice was right. Only by having his most powerful confidant as a follower could Marigi completely believe that no matter what happens, the Devers would not easily give up on them.
The Devers kept their gratitude in their hearts and said to Hilos, "Come back safely, brother!"
Hilos took a step back and solemnly saluted.
Dyvers watched as they walked into the forest until they were completely obscured by the dense foliage …
"It feels really strange. We were driven here by the Persia people, but we still have to rely on a Persia to help us get out of danger," Creano said in a strange tone.
"Don't think so much, Creano. We are now all hoping that this Persia person can succeed, aren't we? "Zantiparis said lightly.
"Perhaps this is the arrangement of the gods. They are happy to see such a wonderful collision of fate." Xenophon's eyes were full of expectation. "And now, we can only wait patiently."
"Apart from waiting, we also have to prepare for battle," Kelissops reminded everyone. After saying that, he turned around and returned to the camp.
… …
On this day, the mercenary leaders prohibited all soldiers from going out to prevent these mercenaries, who were fond of plundering and idling, from clashing with the mountain people of Dukeya, which would affect their plans. At the same time, the entire army was on high alert to guard against attacks from Dukeya or Persia.
But nothing happened on this day. Only a few Dukeya mountain people wearing short fur coats with red patterns on their faces wandered around the camp with short axes in their hands and bows on their backs.
The soldiers looked on one after another and commented.
Compared to the relaxed soldiers, the leaders had been nervously worried about whether the plan would be accepted by the Dukeya people, especially the Devers, who did not sleep well the whole night.
It was not until the next morning that Asistes broke into the big tent and shook him awake. "Marigi is back!"
The Devers was so excited that he was no longer sleepy.
"Leader, Camolus, the leader of the Dukeya tribe, listened to my suggestion and is willing to form an alliance with us!" Marigi's excited shout came from behind the Asistes.
"That's great!" The Devers jumped up and put his hands on Marigi's shoulders. He said happily, "You have saved the entire mercenary army. All the Greek soldiers have to thank you!"
A smile appeared on Marigi's face. Then, he showed an awkward expression. "Hilos and the others could not come back because Camolus wanted to entertain them well."
The Devers was stunned. He could hear the strangeness in Marigi's voice. He asked with an ugly expression, "Hostage?"
Marigi hurriedly explained, "Yes, for safety, because Camolus wanted to personally discuss the alliance with the leaders!"
The Devers' expression softened a little, and he hurriedly asked, "When? Where? "
"Originally, he wanted you to go to the stronghold to negotiate, but I refused. I argued strongly and was threatened several times by him with a knife. Finally, after repeated arguments, it was decided to be at the foot of the mountain in front of us. The time is this afternoon. "Marigi emphasized the difficulty of his negotiation.
"This afternoon … at the foot of the mountain in front …" The Devers pondered, and then said with a frown, "It seems that Camolus is eager to form an alliance!"
"Yes, leader!" Marigi looked proud.
"Then what are you waiting for! Come with me to find Kelissops and the others! "After saying that, the doctor strode out.
… …
In the afternoon, Kelissops, Cleano, and the Devers led fifty Sparta warriors to the foot of the mountain under the leadership of Marigi. In order to prevent a repeat of the mistakes of Kleikus and the other leaders, the rest of the mercenary leaders led the army to the mountain pass a mile away from the foot of the mountain.
"It's there." Marigi pointed to the front. On the grass not far away, there was a tree stump larger than the round shield of a Greek soldier. The cross-section was polished smooth and flat, and it was half the height of a person. There were several wooden stumps around it, and beside the wooden stumps was a curved path that extended up into the depths of the mountain …
"This leader of Dukaya is a conscientious person." As the initiator of this plan, the Devers had to show confidence in it, so he was the first to walk over, push aside the dust and fallen leaves on the wooden stumps, and sat down.
Kelissops also sat down calmly.
Cleano looked around, and then slowly sat down.
Marigi stood directly next to the Devers.
It was already late autumn at this time. When the army was marching in the Tigris River Basin, the weather was still warm. When they reached the Dukaya Mountains, the weather turned cold, and the grass began to wither. The mountain wind blew, and the leaves kept falling, covering the ground with a thick layer.
Kelissops looked up at the bare branches and said worriedly, "We must pass through this mountain area as soon as possible. Otherwise, when winter comes, the mountains will be even colder, and the soldiers don't have thick clothes to keep them warm …"
Kelissops' words reminded the Devers that, to be honest, he had never thought in this direction.
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