Chapter 711
Everyone's heart skipped a beat.
"Syracuse is indeed worthy of our vigilance!" Cypross said solemnly. Everyone else's expression also changed. Carthage was already too much for them to handle, and now Syracuse, who was not weak at all … The agreement with Sparta and Carthage allowed Syracuse to survive the defeat of the Southern Italian War, but now it had become a fishbone stuck in the throat of the Kingdom of Diónia in Sicily.
"As long as Syracuse dares to declare war on us, then we will destroy it!" Creyroux said with hatred.
"But we have to wait until we defeat Carthage's army." Leotychides said in a low voice, "With our current forces in Sicily, we can't fight against two enemies at the same time!"
Myron stared at the map and asked thoughtfully, "General Prososus … It seems that you have already regarded Syracuse as an enemy. If we have to face the allied forces of Carthage and Syracuse in the future, what is your plan?"
Carthage and Syracuse were arch-enemies. Would they form an alliance?! Some people were shocked.
Leotychides did not pay attention to the people's expressions, but focused on the map as well. He then said his idea, "My plan is … to gather most of the soldiers to camp near Lake Galermo (north of Leontini, south of Catania Plain), and to …"
Leotychides pointed his wooden stick at a small village on the southwest edge of Catania Plain and continued, "The area to the south of Catania Plain is mostly mountains four to five hundred meters above sea level. The trees are lush and lush, so it is not easy for a large army to pass through. The only way is to march diagonally south from Paragonia to Gela.
I have decided to transform Paragonia into a strong defensive camp and station enough soldiers there to prevent Carthage's army from breaking into Catania Plain. "
"General Prososus." "If Syracuse and Carthage form an alliance, Carthage's army might pass through Syracuse and attack Taunis from the coastline, then attack Katanai!" Tirias, the chief general of Taunis, interrupted worriedly.
"That's very likely." Leotychides nodded and said, "That's why I've set up camp to the north of Leotini, less than 40 miles from Taunis and Paragoria. Once we find the enemy, our reinforcements will arrive in a few hours. At the same time, if Carthage's men want to cross the mountain ridge and launch a sneak attack on Leontini, I can also reinforce them nearby. "
Leotychides's words put Leontini and Taunis's generals at ease.
However, Myron was not satisfied. He reminded loudly, "Relying on defense alone won't be able to repel Carthage's army. There might be a big problem in the end!" Myron had learned his lesson. During the Second Crotone War, he wanted to rely on Crimissa to stop Diónia's army, but he did not expect the Devers to bypass Crimissa and seize Asprusstom, then attack Ciudad Crotone.
"Lord Myron, don't forget about the Sikells." Leotychides took a wooden stick and drew a circle in the center of the map of Sicily. He said unhurriedly, "The Sikells live in this mountainous area. They're experts in harassment and sneak attacks. More than ten years ago, when Dionysius led his army to attack the northern coast of Sicily, the Sikells were in charge of harassing the rear of Carthage's army, causing a lot of trouble for Carthage's army. Now that the Sikells are under our control, we can organize thousands or even tens of thousands of Sikells warriors, divide them into several teams, and ambush the Carthage's army in the mountains not far from the coastline. We can also attack their logistics.
The further east Carthage's army attacks, the longer their battle line will be. The entire rear will be under attack by the Sikells. As long as we can hold on to Palagoria, Leontini, and Taunis for a long time, the Carthage's army will not be able to take them down, and the rear will be constantly attacked. That will be an opportunity for us. When that time comes, it will be the best time for my troops to attack! "
The confidence on Leotychides's face diluted the worry of the chief executives.
However, Myron still persisted in asking, "What if the Carthage's army doesn't travel by land but by sea, and directly disembark at the port of Syracuse?"
Obviously, in this regard, Leotizides also thought about it in advance, he said meaningfully: "This question should be answered by the Marine."
The commander of Diónia's Third Fleet, Flarios, who was in the meeting room, immediately declared, "My lords, please rest assured. As long as the Carthage's army dares to disembark at the port of Syracuse or any other coast of Sicily, our fleet will send all their soldiers into the sea to feed the fishes! In addition, according to His Majesty's orders, when the First Legion heads to Wolsey, the First Fleet led by Sir Cecilian will be ready to head south to rendezvous with our Third Fleet. In a few days, they will arrive at Catanai. At that time, we will have more than 500 warships of various sizes. We can even force the Carthage's fleet to not dare to cruise along the south coast of Sicily! "
"Since our navy is so powerful, why don't we directly stop the Carthage's army from disembarking in Sicily?" Apirosia, the chief executive of Sicily, asked expectantly.
Apirosia used to be the patriarch of a large clan in the city of Udié in the Mesapi region. When the Diónia army was preparing to attack Udié, he was the first to lead the people to surrender. Thus, he was valued by the Devers and eventually entered the Senate. As Udié was not a coastal city, he was not very familiar with naval warfare.
"First of all, we don't know when and when Carthage's army will land in Sicily. It will take at least six or seven hours to sail from Catanai to the western end of Sicily. By the time our fleet arrives, the landing of Carthage's army may already be over," Flarios explained patiently. "In addition, Carthage's navy is also very powerful. They have at least four hundred three-tiered warships, and it is said that they have also built five-tiered warships … Also, rashly going to the western end of Sicily to stop the landing of Carthage's army is too close to the city of Carthage, and the warships at the port can arrive in time for reinforcements. By then, our fleet will be surrounded …"
Flarios' words made Apirosia touch his mouth a little awkwardly, and also made several other governors who had the same idea give up.
At this time, Cypross interjected, "I think … we should not make our relationship so stiff with these friendly city-states on the south coast. When they come to ask for help, sincerely tell them of the difficulties we are facing and sincerely apologize to them. Also, you may allow them to evacuate their people into our territory when the Carthaginian army presses on their borders. When their towns are surrounded by Carthage's army and can't resist, we can also send fleets to rescue the people there … "
Felicius' eyes lit up. "That's a good idea, we can do that! With a way out, I believe these Greek city-states will not easily surrender to Carthage's people, and it will also buy us more time! "
Leotychides did not say anything, obviously acquiescing.
Amicles protested loudly. "You only have your eyes on the south coast, and Carthage's people are likely to attack from the north coast. Don't forget the lesson of the destruction of the old city of Messina! Now there are only a few people in Messina, and they can't stop the attack of Carthage's people! "
"Of course I won't forget the north coast." Leotychides glanced at him proudly and pointed at the map with a wooden stick. "Remember the small city that Syracuse destroyed on the Milae Peninsula when Lijim helped the exiles of Katanai and Naxos build? I have decided to use the abandoned stones and wood there to rebuild a small fortress, garrisoned with a few thousand soldiers. Once Carthage sends troops to attack the north coast, this fortress will take advantage of the narrow terrain to stop Carthage's army for at least six or seven days, and reinforcements will arrive by then. "
At this point, he looked at Felicius. "If the military forces in Sicily are tight, I hope that the Ministry of Military Affairs can send the Seventh Legion to Messina (the Seventh Legion is stationed near Lockeri)."
"I think that's not a problem at all." Felicius immediately promised. "His Majesty has already discussed with the Ministry of Military Affairs. As long as the situation requires it, not only the Seventh Legion, but also the Legio VI and the Fifth Legion may be sent to Sicily urgently."
"What about the unified command of these legions?" Leotychides immediately asked.
"When the army reaches Sicily, of course they will be under your command," Felicius answered without hesitation, obviously having obtained the consent of the Devers in advance.
Leotychides was satisfied. He looked at Vlahos again. "I think the navy will definitely not allow Carthage's fleet to bypass the Milae Peninsula and land near Messina."
"Of course! The southern and northern coastlines of Sicily near the east will be under the protection of our warships! They will definitely be safe! "Vlahos said firmly.
"Then I can rest assured!" Armicles breathed a sigh of relief. He was a person who liked stability, which was why he had led the people of Castellón to follow the powerful Diónia. When Diónia defeated Syracuse and occupied most of the land in Southern Italy, Laos and Triene took the initiative to merge with the Kingdom of Diónia one after another, he had quickly convinced the members of the council to hold a citizens' meeting and request for a referendum to join the Kingdom of Diónia. He had been able to stay in the position of Chief Executive of Messina for four years, which was a reward from the Devers and the Senate for his past contributions.
The meeting hall regained its calm.
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