Chapter 732
After hearing Antonios' words, Plegulus stepped forward and saluted. He replied loudly, "When the 4th Cavalry Division arrived at Askurom, the Samnai were attacking the city with all their might. Therefore, it was relatively easy to defeat them. This is all thanks to Commander Alexis. He decisively ordered us to march towards Askurom. That's why we had such an opportunity!"
"Look, this is one of your good subordinates." Antonius turned around and smiled at Alexis.
Capus also saluted Plegulus. As an important member of the Ministry of Military Affairs, he of course knew Plegulus.
Plegulus hurriedly returned the salute.
"I don't think I need to introduce this one," Alexis said, pointing at Melisande.
"Melisande, I don't even want to see you." Antonios put on a pained expression and said something shocking. He then changed the topic. "As soon as I saw you, I realized that the kingdom is now the world of the young. The kingdom now belongs to the young, and we are all old! "
"Uncle Antonios, you can't be old. Antedoris still needs you to raise him!" Melisande immediately replied.
Antonios stared at him. "I'm just old. I'm not dead!"
Everyone laughed. The shadow of war created by the Samnai seemed to have been dispersed by their laughter.
The soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Division and the 4th Cavalry Division went directly to the Dawney Barracks. Alexis, Antonios, Capus, Plegulus, and Melisande went directly to the Lucenia City Hall for a military meeting.
After everyone sat down, Alexis asked directly, "Now, what's the situation of the 11th Cavalry Division?"
Capus didn't mind and replied seriously, "Because the Samnai's invasion was very sudden, the barracks were undergoing rotation training at that time. There were only about two thousand soldiers … These days, more and more soldiers have come to report. There are already more than six thousand soldiers. Because Askurom and Vibin-Rum are surrounded and Gruoum is occupied, some soldiers can't come. I've already replaced them with reserve soldiers from Lucenia.
Now, the 11th Cavalry Division has six heavy infantry battalions, one light infantry battalion, and one light armor battalion. There are a total of eight thousand soldiers. As for whether we should recruit more reserve soldiers from the Downey area, it's up to you, the commander, to decide. "
Alexis nodded to show that he understood. He then asked, "How many Samonai soldiers are invading right now?"
"Previously, the scouts made a rough survey of the three Samonite armies besieging Askrom, Vibin-Rum, and Geluum. Each of them has more than ten thousand men. Including some scattered tribal warriors, I estimate that they have more than thirty thousand men. But so far, we haven't found any of Kautini's warriors … "Antonius said.
"It seems that Legio III's victory in Campania has caused the Caudini tribe to suffer heavy losses …" Alexis said with a gratified expression. Then, he asked with concern, "How's the situation in Geluum?"
"According to the report of the scouts, the Samonai people there have already retreated to the mountains yesterday, but … the people in the city have been captured by them!" Antonius said angrily and painfully. These towns were now under his jurisdiction, and he had the responsibility to protect the lives of Downey's citizens.
"Retreated?" Alexis was a little surprised, and he fell into deep thought …
At this moment, Antonios said with a solemn expression, "Yesterday, when the Samonai people were retreating, they even sent a messenger, requesting to exchange the thousands of Downey captives they had captured for all the Cayutini people that they had captured!"
"The Samonai people are dreaming! We can't agree to their arrogant request. Let those Caudini people go back, command to strengthen the Samonai army, and continue to plunder and kill our people! "Melishanda interrupted angrily.
Antonius frowned.
"Melishanda, whether or not to agree to the request of the Samonai messenger is not up to you to decide." Alexis looked at him and said seriously, "This matter concerns the lives and freedom of thousands of Downey people. Only Her Majesty can make the final decision!"
"Yes! I'm sorry! " Melisande lowered his head and admitted his mistake. He had been too quick with his words. After Alexis's reminder, he realized that he had only been thinking about the impact on the war and had not considered the lives of the captives. Furthermore, the governor of the Downey region was sitting right in front of him.
Antonius nodded at him, forgiving his momentary impetuousness. He then said, "I have already sent a messenger to Turií to report this matter to Her Majesty. I believe we will receive a reply in two days."
Alexis nodded. This matter was not something he could worry about. He looked at the map of the Downey region on the wooden table in the middle of the conference room and said slowly, "Our reinforcements have just arrived, and the Samonai people have begun to retreat. It seems like they are afraid of us, but I don't think they will stop attacking Diónia just because of this …"
"I agree with you. The Samonai people have been with us for so many years. They should be very clear that they have broken the alliance and started a war against us. Even if they want to stop the war now, Her Majesty will not let them off easily! However, from the current situation, it seems like the Samonai people do not want to have a direct battle with us. "Capus also expressed his opinion.
"Right now, the Tenth Legion, the Eleventh Legion, and the Fourth Cavalry Legion have gathered in the Downey region. In a day or two, the Ninth Legion will also arrive. At that time, we will have a strong military force of more than thirty thousand people. Even if the Samonai people and the Cayutini tribe have more than forty thousand people, we can completely defeat them in a direct battle. So, for the time being, there is no need to recruit reserve soldiers. However, most of the Samonai army is light infantry, and they move quickly. It is very likely that they will avoid us and attack the east of the Downey region. So — Antonius. " Alexis pondered for a while and said, "I plan to gather the reserve soldiers of the towns in the Downey region. They will temporarily be under the command of the governor of the town to strengthen the town's defense. If they are attacked by the Samonai people, they will be able to hold on until our reinforcements arrive. So, this may affect the spring sowing in the Downey region! "
"Don't worry about the spring sowing. I will make the appropriate arrangements." Antonius waved his hand and made a confident promise.
"Pleclus, send out your cavalry to closely monitor the border of the Downey region. If there is any movement of the enemy, report immediately."
"Yes, Lord Commander."
"Now, let us wait for the arrival of the Ninth Legion. At the same time, observe the movements of the Samonai people and determine what they will do next …"
Just as Alexis finished speaking, Melishanda continued, "Lord Commander, I think that the reserve soldiers of the towns in Pucheti should also gather and strengthen the defense of the towns, because … because the Samonai people are very likely to be worried that they will be surrounded by our heavy troops in the Downey region, so they will turn to attack the Pucheti region which has no military strength …" Melishanda actually had his own selfish reasons for saying this. Because his Tenth Legion's camp was in Pucheti, most of his soldiers also came from there. Of course, he did not want Pucheti to be attacked and affect the morale of his soldiers.
Melishanda's words woke Alexis up. Just as he was about to reply, he heard this young commander who had been stationed in the Pucheti region for many years and was very familiar with the terrain there continue to say, "… Especially the territory of Verosa, which needs to be heavily defended, because it is adjacent to the Samonai Mountains. In the past, it has a history of being attacked by the Samonai people …"
Alexis quickly moved closer to the map, her eyes fixed on the northwest corner of the Pucheti region, the area that broke into the mountains.
… …
Two days later, the Ninth Legion led by Tegetilos arrived at the city of Lucenia and met with the main force.
At the same time, the Foreign Minister Ancitanos also arrived. He brought the decree of the King of Devers and quickly held a meeting with the Samonai emissary in Lucenia.
Ancitanos said to the Samonai emissary solemnly, "His Majesty the Devers is very concerned about the captured people of Downey. He once said, 'The life of every person of Diónia is incomparably precious, and cannot be compared to the people of other Mediterranean city-states and countries.' Therefore, he did not hesitate to agree to exchange all the Cayutini captives for all the people of Downey who have been plundered by the Samonai people. If the Samonai people believe in the promise of His Majesty the Devers, please immediately release all the people of Downey who have been plundered, and Diónia will also release all the Cayutini captives in Campania! "
The reputation of the Devers of Diónia for keeping their promises was well-known throughout the whole of Southern Italy. How could the Samonai emissary not agree to his promise?
However, Ancitanos, who had received a clear response from the emissary, looked at him again and said solemnly, "Since the agreement has been reached, Diónia will guarantee that all the released Cayutini captives will be healthy. I hope the Samonai people will make the same promise and guarantee that the people of Downey who have been captured will not be harmed in any way!"
The Samonai emissary hesitated. He knew very well that these ferocious and uncontrollable warriors would scold and beat the captives, and they would not suppress their exuberant energy towards the women …
Therefore, he said reluctantly, "We … will do our best to ensure the safety of the captives …"
Ancitanos stared at him with bright eyes and said sharply, "Before we came, His Majesty the Devers once said, 'The lives of the people of Diónia are much more precious than the lives of the Samonai people! If one person is injured, and we capture the Samonai captives in the future, one life will be needed to repay! If one person dies, three lives will be needed to repay! '
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