Chapter 82
"Please speak!" Burcos said hurriedly.
"I will be on the left flank, Tarantum on the right, and Turií in the middle. This order will not change. However, send the 2,000 mercenaries and 200 cavalrymen under Adrianx, Adelas, and Sesta to the left flank under my command. I will lead over 4,000 infantrymen and 200 cavalrymen to defeat the enemy's right flank in the shortest time possible. Then, we will coordinate with the middle to attack the enemy's middle. Obtaining victory is only a matter of time! "Devers said confidently.
"Are you sure you can defeat the enemy in the shortest time possible with these 2,000 mercenaries and 200 cavalrymen under your command?!" Burcos asked, slightly tempted.
"There are too many unexpected factors in the battle. I can't be sure before the battle is officially started. However, in my opinion, this plan has a much higher chance of winning than the one you gave us! "Devers tried his best to convince Burcos.
Burcos was silent for a long time before saying in a low voice, "But in the hearts of the generals, their plan has a higher chance of succeeding … In any case, I will report your suggestion to General Felix and let the general's executive committee decide whether to adopt it or not."
Devers understood the hidden meaning in Burcos' words, and a trace of disappointment appeared on his face. However, he quickly pulled himself together. "If you can't give me 2,000 mercenaries, you can at least give me 200 cavalrymen, right?"
Burcos shook his head. "It's a military tradition to divide the cavalry into two flanks. You should know this better than me. Furthermore, 100 of them are from Tarantum. They won't abandon their compatriots and run to your left flank. "
Devers had no other choice. He thought for a moment and said, "How strong are the reinforcements from Tarantum?"
"They should be very strong. Archita has led them to defeat the Mesapi twice. The Mesapi are a race as strong as the Lucanian people, "Burcos said with certainty.
"Archita …" Devers repeated the name and said resolutely, "In that case, send these 200 cavalrymen to the right flank."
"Are you sure you aren't just saying that out of anger?" Burcos asked in surprise.
"To me, war is the most important matter that determines the rise and fall of a city and the fate of countless people! Thus, even though I wasn't closely related to this war, I was fully immersed in it, without a shred of selfishness or carelessness! However, the same could not be said for the Turín generals. Did they understand the composition of the Lucanian coalition forces in detail? Had they trained all the troops in advance so that they could cooperate well in battle? … "
The Devers' dissatisfaction was finally vented through each and every question, making Burcos blush with shame. He felt that the Devers had really put their heart and soul into this battle. He wanted to speak a few times but stopped himself. Finally, he resolutely said, "Devers, don't worry. After I go to Dracos's camp, I'll rush back immediately to pass on your suggestion to Felix and ask him to consider it seriously! "
After Burcos left, the Devers immediately called for Asistes. "How's the practice of climbing the stone wall with rope hooks?"
"They can climb stone walls with ease. The hook you designed is really a good tool for climbing! "
"That's great!" The Devers finally had a smile on his face. "Go to the market immediately and tell Marigi that I want to order another 20 sets of rope hooks. Ask him to urge the blacksmith shop to finish them in two days!"
"Alright, I'll go immediately."
… …
One morning at the end of April 399 AD, the weather was warm, the sun was bright, and flowers were blooming all over the mountains. It was a good day for an outing.
However, there were scouts everywhere on the Xubari Plains, and the air was filled with a tense atmosphere of killing.
The mercenary leader's tent was filled with officers. The Devers looked around: among them were old comrades who had always followed him, such as Hilos, Antonios, and Capus. There were also acquaintances who had just joined, such as Hieronymus, Agathia, and so on. Now, all of them had solemn expressions, as if they were facing a formidable enemy, waiting for his instructions.
"The Lucanian army has already advanced towards Turín. The Turín have already sent someone to inform us to meet up with them immediately. Brothers! " The Devers was full of confidence. He smiled and said, "It's time for these ignorant and arrogant Turín to see the true power of the Greek Expeditionary Army!"
"Ha!!!" The officers were full of fighting spirit.
"According to the previous arrangement, the 5th Heavy Infantry Company led by Hilos and the 3rd Light Infantry Company led by Alpines (this is made up of mercenaries who joined the Byzantine Empire. There are archers and stone-throwers, and there are more than 200 of them) will stay in the camp to prevent the enemy from sneaking up on them. The rest of the troops will leave the camp in order. "
"Yes!!!"
… …
When the Turín army left the city, they saw the Devers' mercenaries waiting outside the city.
"This is the Greek Expeditionary Army?! I think it's an exaggeration. Look at these soldiers, they are either squatting or lying on the ground. Their spears and shields are thrown to the side. They don't look like soldiers at all! "Cunogorata said with a pained expression, as if he had spent a lot of money on low-quality goods.
Felix was worried about the upcoming battle, and he didn't have the mood to argue with Cunogorata about such common military knowledge.
At this time, a young man next to him said without hesitation, "The messenger we sent out to inform them should have just returned, and this army is already standing here waiting for us. It can be seen that this army's ability to mobilize and execute orders is very strong! As for squatting and lying on the ground, that's to conserve energy before the battle starts. It also shows that they are experienced, and they can still be so relaxed when the battle is about to begin! I'm starting to believe that they have the ability to support the left wing by themselves! "
Cunogorata snorted. After all, this young man was an important guest of the Turín, so he could only keep his mouth shut.
At this moment, the Devers galloped towards them under the lead of Burcos.
"General Felix, the leader of the mercenaries, the Devers, salute you!" The Devers saluted solemnly on their horses.
"Although Burcos told me about you before, I'm still surprised by your youth! Young leader, thank you for your help to the Turín. Let us fight the enemy together today! "Felix also saluted solemnly in response.
"As you wish, General Felix," the Devers agreed, then turned to Cunogorata. Daves agreed, then turned to Kunogorata. Because of Burcos' guidance, of course, he could accurately call out his name, "I salute you, General Kunogorata!"
"Chief Devers, your proposal is very bold. To be honest, I was very tempted by it, but the generals felt that it was too risky after some discussion, so they didn't accept it. I hope you don't mind!" Cunogorata was slightly apologetic as he specially explained. He even urged his horse forward and patted Devers' shoulder to show his closeness.
"The discussion before the battle is for the benefit of the masses. Once a decision is made, we must resolutely carry it out. Don't worry, I'm a soldier, and it's my natural duty to carry out orders! "
"Well said, 'it's my natural duty to carry out orders'!" The young man praised loudly and took the initiative to introduce himself. "Hello, Chief Devers! I'm Archita of Tarantum. I've always heard of the legendary stories of the Greek expeditionary force. Meeting you today, I'm not disappointed! "
The Devers fixed their eyes on the young man in front of them. Although he was wearing a military uniform, he looked gentle and refined. He had a sincere smile on his face and a pair of bright eyes that were slightly deep. "General Archita (Tarantum has a dual governor system, so there's no title of 'general'. It's just an honorific title), the mathematical and military genius of Tarantum. It's my honor to fight alongside you!"
The Devers returned the salute in a friendly manner and continued. "I believe that mathematics and military affairs are inevitably related. Every soldier in a formation is a point, and countless points form straight lines and squares. The basic condition for victory is how to make every point play its role to the fullest …"
"You're absolutely right!" Archita was happy and asked amiably, "Chief Devers, you've also studied mathematics?"
"I don't know much about mathematics, but I'm full of respect for the Pythagorean school of thought!" The Devers said seriously.
Archita saw that he was sincere and immediately had a good impression of him. He was about to speak again.
"The leaders of the other mercenaries are rushing over. Now, let us clarify our respective duties together and unify our orders."
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