Chapter 836
Outside of Ostia, Camillus repeatedly proclaimed that as long as they recaptured this port city, they could negotiate with the Diónia and eventually return to Rome peacefully …
The Roman soldiers who were eager to return home were encouraged by this. They attacked Ostia for two consecutive days, but were repelled by the Dionysian Army. However, corpses were strewn all over the city, and the ground was dyed red. Many parts of the city walls had also collapsed. It was obvious how fierce the battle was.
On the third day, the Roman Army continued to attack.
… …
Meanwhile, in the Senate of Rome, the Devers held a meeting. Other than all the senators in Rome, the Legio III commander Lizaru, the staff officers Printos, Tormid, and the diplomat Tapirus also attended the meeting.
"Everyone, Tapirus has been appointed by me to go to the Etruscan cities on the north bank of the Tiber River, Kezrella, Volci, Tarciona, and Fufluna. I had hoped that these Etruscan city-states that were forced to submit to Rome due to the strong military pressure from Rome would break their alliance with Rome and join forces with us to attack the Colony City of Rome on the north bank of the Tiber River …" The Devers sighed softly when they said this.
"Your Majesty, could it be that these Etruscans do not agree?" Lizaru asked hurriedly. As the commander of the legion responsible for guarding the bridge of Rome and the new river port on the north bank, if the Etruscan city-states on the north bank could turn to Diónia and attack the Colony City of Rome, the enemy's pressure on the north of Rome would no longer exist. The Legio III could then be deployed to other battlefields. This was the reason why Lizaru was so concerned and the first to interrupt.
The Devers did not answer directly but looked at Tapirus.
Everyone's gaze immediately shifted to the diplomat. He gulped nervously and said, "I … After I received the order from Your Majesty, I took a boat to Kezrella first. Not only because it was the closest to us, but also because … as far as I know, it was the Etruscan city-state that was the friendliest to the Greeks. As a matter of fact, they did receive me very warmly.
But … when I mentioned that Diónia was willing to ally with them to fight against Rome, the Kezrella people politely refused. They said, 'Kezrella has been friendly with Rome for decades. They will not easily abandon this friendship, but they will not participate in this war and become the enemy of Diónia.'
They also defended the Rome, saying, 'We have already seized Rome and gained the upper hand. It is best if we can negotiate with Rome at this time. This way, we can gain more benefits and ensure that the trade order in this land will not be greatly damaged …'
"They said they will not become our enemy, but the Kezrella people are defending the people of Rome," the governor of Rome, Asistes, said with a frown.
"The Kezrella people made it very clear that they have been friendly with the people of Rome for decades, but we have never had any contact before. If I were a Kezrella person, of course I would help the people of Rome!" Matonis said straightforwardly.
Nicomacus looked at Tapirus and asked worriedly, "Since Kezrella, who is the friendliest to the Greeks, is also siding with the people of Rome, I'm afraid the other Etruscan city-states won't support us, right?"
Tapirus nodded slightly and continued, "Then, I went to Volci and Tarchona. These two city-states were attacked by Rome and were eventually forced to surrender to Rome. The people of Rome even built a colony in their territory. They expressed interest in His Majesty's proposal, but in the end, they had no choice but to say, 'Most of their young and strong citizens are fighting with the army of Rome, so they dare not take any hostile action against Rome, lest they anger the people of Rome and put their citizens in danger …' "
"It seems that the people of Rome are still very wary of these Etruscan allies!" Andrapolis, who came from the intelligence department, sighed when he heard this.
"Then, I went to Fauferuna. A few months ago, Rome had sent an army to conquer this city-state, but we happened to be at war with Rome at that time. The people of Rome withdrew the army that attacked Fauferuna. It was equivalent to us saving Fauferuna." Tapirus continued, "But when the council of Fauferuna met me, they did not seem very enthusiastic. They did not seem to be very interested in our proposal. They told me, 'If you want to ally with us and declare war on Rome, Fauferuna cannot make the decision alone. They must discuss with the Etruscan City-State Alliance and reach an agreement before they can make the final decision. But before that, they are very willing to establish a friendly relationship with us … '
But as far as I know, the Etruscan City-State Alliance is a loose alliance. It is not very united. In the past few years, when Rome attacked the Etruscan city-states, this alliance did not play a role in uniting all the Etruscan city-states to resist the invasion of Rome. That is why Rome was able to conquer Volci and Tarchona relatively easily … "
"You mean … the Fauferuna are just brushing us off, and they have no intention of forming an alliance with us?" Asistes interrupted.
Tapirus nodded and said, "After meeting with the council of Fauferuna, I asked my translator to bribe the councilor Fauferuna with money. From them, I learned that although Fauferuna hates Rome, they are also very wary of outsiders like us. They are more worried about the strength of Diónia. Back then, the Etruscans united with the people of Rome to chase the Celts away, but in the end, the people of Rome led their army to conquer them after a few years. They do not want to make the same mistake again. I'm afraid that they would rather see us and Rome suffer a great loss. That is the best way for them … "
"These Etruscans want the best! Too bad, I think they will only regret it in the future! "Matonis said loudly.
"I'm afraid the Fauferuna are not the only ones who think this way. The other Etruscan city-states have the same idea. Compared to us, they are more willing to trust the people of Rome who have been with them for hundreds of years." Alcibidus, the brother-in-law of the King of Devers, said with a serious expression, "Since yesterday, many of the trailers and sailors on the cargo ships that were traveling up the Shuo River saw a small group of Etruscan soldiers in the distance at the north bank. Fortunately, we have the protection of the cavalry, so they did not dare to come close."
"I've also received reports from the cavalry, but I think they are only scouting. They do not dare to have a direct confrontation with us." Ledes confirmed the news.
"Although they haven't fought with us yet, they've already shown their hostility. We have to retaliate, or else these Etruscans will think that we're weak and easy to bully!" Mattonis said hatefully.
"Your Majesty." The Asistes looked at the Devers and said worriedly, "Since the army of Rome is attacking Ostia, the cargo ships from the kingdom can only be hauled by trailers from the north bank of the Tiber River to Rome. If the north bank is also attacked by the Etruscans, the water route to Rome will be cut off. The movement of people, the replenishment of soldiers, the transportation of resources, the supply of military rations … All of these will become more difficult. This is not good for us to govern Rome!"
The Devers began to tap the table with his fingers as his eyes gradually sharpened. He said in a low voice, "It seems that I have misjudged these Etruscan city-states. I thought that they would be happy to ally with us because of the threat of Rome, but I did not expect them to have other ideas! Since they do not accept our goodwill, then we will deal with them in a different way. We will show them our power, and let them know the terrible consequences of going against Diónia! I have decided — "
The Devers glanced at the people and said in a serious tone, "Send troops to seize Kestrera!"
When the people heard this, some of them were excited, and some of them looked troubled.
"Your Majesty, will attacking Kestrera make the Etruscan city-states completely lean towards Rome?" The Asistes expressed his concern.
"Don't worry, Sir Asistes. Just like what Your Majesty has said, these Etruscan city-states have their own ideas. Volci and Tarchona were defeated by Rome, and their territories were divided. They have a grudge against the people of Rome. It is only because most of their citizens are in the Roman army that they do not dare to cooperate with us. As for city-states like Fofruna that are further away from Rome, I am afraid that most of them will take a bystander attitude. Only Kestrera has a close relationship with Rome, and its location is too close to the banks of the Tiber River. Seizing it will not only protect our shipping routes, but also intimidate the other Etruscan city-states, and it will be beneficial to persuade them to ally with us again! "Tapirus analyzed with confidence.
"But Kestrera is a mountain city, and the mountain it is located on is much higher than the Capitoline Mountain here. It will not be easy to take it. The current situation does not allow us to bring too many soldiers to attack. If we fail to take it for a long time, our army will fall into the predicament of fighting on two sides! "Tormid reminded solemnly.
"Although Kestrera is a mountain city, many of its citizens are in the army of Rome's expedition to Helniki. A few days ago, Legio III even captured some of their citizens. In fact, there are not many soldiers in Kestrera who can fight now. Your Majesty, I will lead four brigades and we will be able to take Kestrera in no time! "Epthenis asked loudly.
As soon as he finished speaking, Matonis immediately rebuked him, "Epthenis, your troops haven't even taken Capitoline Mountain in the past few days, and you still want to attack Kestrera? Forget it! Your Majesty, let the Second Legion carry out this mission! "
。 Literature Hall.
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