Chapter 636
These were not words that went against his heart. The military training department's strict military training ensured that the soldiers of the Eighth Legion could march quickly and attack a city quickly. The military logistics department's preparation of food and materials before the war allowed the Eighth Legion to have no worries. The General Staff Department's intelligence on the various tribes and towns of Sikaer allowed Prososus to know himself and the enemy well.
With Tormid acting as a lubricant, the Devers did not have to worry about the disappointment of the ministers from the Ministry of Military Affairs. He turned his gaze to Enna and asked, "How many days do you think the Eighth Legion will need to take Enna?"
Felicius thought for a moment and said, "Even though Enna is located in the Sicilian Mountains and is considered a large city among the Sikaer people, it is not built on a mountain. Instead, it is built in a flat valley. Its walls are not made of stone but wood. Hence, the Eighth Legion's engineering department only needs to build a dozen ballistae and siege towers to take down the city. I estimate that it will take no more than six days."
"Six days!" The Devers turned to Capus and said, "If that is the case, the war in Sicily will end within a month. The military logistics department will not need to organize more people to transport supplies."
"Your Majesty, this is only the estimated time. I am afraid that the Eighth Legion will need to stay in these conquered towns for a while to stabilize the situation. We will wait for the Senate to elect a governor and the committee to appoint an official to take over. Hence, the Eighth Legion will need to stay in the Sikaer region for a long time. The food provided now will not be enough," Capus reminded him in a roundabout way.
"Capus, you are wrong. After the Eighth Legion and its subordinates annihilated the Taninian tribe and the other tribes that were at odds with Dionia, we ordered them to give up their occupation of Kafaroidion, Enna, and the other cities, and support the friendly Sikaer tribe. " The Devers slowly revealed his plan. "We will only occupy Hera and Hebita so that we can directly influence and strengthen our relationship with the Sikaer tribe."
In this way, Hera and Herbita were close to Katanai and Naxos, so the 8th Legion did not have to deploy too many soldiers to guard them. Thus, they did not have to consume as much food.
After listening, Capus heaved a sigh of relief.
Hilos, however, asked, "Did His Majesty order the Eighth Legion to abandon Kaefaloid and Enna because he was worried about Carthage?"
Devers applauded Hilos's keen political sense in his heart. An excellent military minister not only had to be proficient in military affairs, but he also had to have a good political view in order to control the development of the war. Therefore, he explained seriously, "Yes, I am indeed worried about Carthage. Although the envoy of Carthage came to Turií yesterday and expressed to us that 'Carthage is willing to renew the alliance', we should not be too careless. Although the attention of the people of Carthage is currently focused on Numibia and Iberia, our rapid expansion in Sicily will also arouse their disgust and vigilance, which will affect the relationship between the two countries! At this stage, maintaining a friendly relationship with Carthage will be beneficial to the stability of the southern part of the kingdom. It will also be beneficial to our maritime trade. Once our relationship with Carthage deteriorates, I'm afraid that the first ones to protest will be Mersis and Marigi. "
When Dyvers said this, the few of them smiled to varying degrees.
"Moreover, the Sikaer people are different from the fierce Samonians. They are deeply influenced by Greek culture and are willing to interact with the Greeks. Therefore, as long as we continue to exert more influence on them, the Sikaer people will eventually become a member of the kingdom, so there is no need for us to be anxious."
"His Majesty is right! Becoming enemies with Carthage will only affect our 'northern expansion' strategy, "Tormid immediately agreed.
"Yes, the northern part of the kingdom is our main focus," Devers took over and changed the topic, "How is the war in Downey progressing? Do you think we can end this war before the end of the year? "
"Your Majesty." Military Minister Hilos had already considered this question. He replied, "Commander Alexis has already led the second, fourth, and fifth legions to surround the central city of Downey, Lucenia. Originally, he planned to use the siege to attract the troops of the surrounding Downey towns to send out reinforcements, and then defeat the remaining forces of the Downey people in the field. However, the Downey people did not come to help, so Alexis has decided to focus all his forces on attacking Lucenia City. Once Lucenia City is breached, I'm afraid the Downey people will lose all their fighting spirit, and there may even be a situation where they will surrender … "At this point, Hilos hesitated," But … "
"But Lucenia City's walls are high and thick. If Alexis wants to breach it, he will have to use all his strength to achieve his goal. If Downey's reinforcements arrive at a critical moment, not only will it disrupt the siege, but it may also cause the entire army to collapse, "Devers said calmly," So Alexis needs reinforcements. "
"Yes, Your Majesty. Everything is under your control, "Hilos replied sincerely.
Devers smiled and looked around. "The war in Downey cannot be dragged on for too long. Which legion do you think is suitable?"
"The second legion. Most of the soldiers of this legion are in Turín, so it will be easier to gather them, and they will be closer to the battlefield," Capus suggested.
"Right now, the finals of the football tournament are taking place. Some of the soldiers and officers of the second legion are participating in the tournament. If we send them to the battlefield now, it will be too much of a commotion. I'm afraid it will cause unnecessary panic among the citizens …" Hilos expressed his concern.
"The legion closest to the battlefield should be the tenth legion. We can send this legion to support Downey's troops," Hieronymus said.
"But the tenth legion is the last legion to be formed. Almost all of its soldiers are Puchetti. I'm afraid …" Tormid objected.
"Downey is now a citizen of Diónia," Devers reminded him. Dyvers reminded him, before turning to Hieronymus. "How's the training of the Tenth Legion going? Can they fight the enemy? "
"No problem, they can!" Military Training Officer Hieronymus said concisely.
"If that's the case …" Devers rubbed his chin and thought for a while. He said decisively, "Send the ninth and tenth legions over. It's the easiest way to create a sense of belonging in a war. If Bagoule could do it back then, the ninth and tenth legions should be able to do it too! With these two legions, Alexis will have enough troops to carry out his plan. However, this will greatly increase the demand for food. "
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. The military department will take care of this problem," Capus said.
"Good!" Devers nodded and said to Felicius, "I remember the commander of the tenth legion is Melisande, right?"
"Yes," Felicius replied softly.
"Your son has great military talent. I look forward to his performance on the battlefield in Downey," Devers said with a smile.
Felicius had kept quiet to avoid suspicion, but now he could only agree.
"We were still mercenaries in Asia Minor when Melisande was the commander. In order to fill our stomachs, we had to accept the employer's request and participate in some dangerous battles … If it wasn't for Your Majesty, we wouldn't have such a life today!" Tormid's words resonated with the other military leaders.
Devers smiled and did not participate in this topic. He looked back at the wooden model of Lucenia in the center of Downey's territory and reached out to touch it. He said, "Let's end today's military meeting here. It's still early, so I won't keep you for lunch."
After Devers finished speaking, he realized that the war room had suddenly become quiet. The few of them looked at each other with strange expressions.
"Is there anything else?" Devers asked hurriedly.
Finally, Hilos said, "Your Majesty, about Lord Antonios … we would like to plead for him!"
"Your Majesty, Laodisian is a daring fellow. He often goes to Antonios for help. You know that Antonios is a person who values friendship. Laodisian did his best to help him in the Southern Italian war, but he is also his father-in-law. Sometimes, he really can't refuse. This time, he has already been punished … I hope Your Majesty can give him a chance to change! "With Hilos speaking first, Felicius also took the opportunity to speak earnestly.
Devers finally understood. He glanced at the expectant faces and asked calmly, "Did Antonios ask you to say this?"
"How is that possible!" Tormid quickly shouted. "With Antonios's arrogant personality, how could he come to us one by one! It's because we felt that he was a good comrade who fought alongside us in Persia, that's why — "
"I understand," Devers said calmly.
Having been in a high position for more than ten years, the Devers's aura had changed and their bodies had been nourished. Even though they were calm, Felicius and the others still felt a lot of pressure. They tactfully stopped talking.
At this moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Devers said. Hilos and the others who felt the pressure secretly let out a sigh of relief.
The royal herald, Aristiras, walked into the room and handed a papyrus scroll to Devers.
After the Devers finished reading it, he saw that the people beside him deliberately looked away to avoid arousing suspicion. He smiled and said, "Sparta has sent Eudamidas to lead a vanguard to the Calgedic Half Island."
"Who is Eudamidas?" Felicius asked curiously.
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