Chapter 863
Taking advantage of the Naconia incident, Gherni declared that he wanted to prevent the invasion of the Samonese Coalition Army. He gathered the people in his territory and imposed a military curfew. However, on the appointed day, he only left 1000 soldiers to guard the territory. He took 3000 soldiers and quietly entered the territory of Diónia, but he did not enter Kopsa. Because there were likely to be spies of the Samonese Coalition Army to the north of Kopsa, the Abenilum army hid in the territory of Potentia to the south of Kopsa. They met up with their troops and sent some people back to the Samonese Mountains to investigate the enemy.
Kopsa was located in the upper reaches of the Ofto River, south of Lake Consa. The topography of the upper reaches of the Ofto River was somewhat special. Other than the relatively flat terrain around Kopsa and Lake Consa, the north bank to the east was high and difficult to climb, while the south bank was relatively flat. This was why the Samonese Coalition Army had to meet up in the Kopsa area during the Southern Italian War and invade Potentia from there.
When Alexis led the army into the mountains and set up camp at the river bend, she sent a messenger to the west along the south bank of the Ofto River and finally entered the territory of Potentia. Zantiparis, who was in charge of coordinating and commanding the Abenilum and Potentia Coalition Army, was notified.
Zantiparis, Boret, and Gherni, who had been carefully observing the movements of the enemy, received a report from their spies early the next morning: there were six or seven thousand Samonese soldiers in the mountains to the north, marching southeast.
They immediately led the 15000 soldiers north into the upper reaches of the Ofto River and rushed east along the south bank.
Kopsa was more than 30 miles away from the river bend. After more than four hours, the army reached the west side of the river bend. The north bank here was relatively flat. Just as Zantiparis was about to order the army to cross the Ofto River and enter the north bank, Gherni made a suggestion.
Since he was very familiar with the terrain of Aquilonia, he thought that the Dionysian Army would lure the Samonese Coalition Army into the valley. However, if they rushed to Aquilonia together from the south, it would be too noisy and cause the Samonese Coalition Army to escape from the northwest side of the valley, which was easier to climb. So he suggested that the Abenilum army go north first, quietly make a big circle to the northwest of Aquilonia, launch an attack, and encircle the Samonese Coalition Army together with the army of Potentia.
In this regard, Boret expressed his objection, but he did not explain the reason. He only quietly winked at Zantiparis. In fact, he did not trust the Abenilum to act alone, fearing that they would tip off the Samonese Coalition Army.
However, after careful consideration, Zantiparis agreed to Gherni's suggestion. After all, it would be easy for such a large army to defeat the Samonese Coalition Army. However, the Ministry of Military Affairs hoped that if the Samonese really had troops in the mountains, it would be best to make full use of the large number of Potentia -Abenilum Coalition Army while they were unaware. They would try to encircle and annihilate the Samonese forces in the mountains as much as possible, which would be beneficial for the Dionysian Army's next attack. Although Zantiparis did not know Gherni well, Gherni's suggestion was most in line with the requirements of the Ministry of Military Affairs, so he decided to take the risk.
Half an hour after the Abenilum army left, the Potentia army began to cross the river …
Because of these reasons, the army arrived nearly an hour late.
After listening to the explanation of the three, Alexis's expression became slightly better. After all, the final result of the battle did prove that their actions were right. So he intentionally looked at the sky and said, "It's going to be dusk soon. We should immediately lead the army back to the barracks in the south and let the soldiers who have fought for a day have a good rest."
The three of them agreed with his suggestion. After all, the main force of the Samonese in the mountains had been completely destroyed. However, small groups of enemies and even beasts could still attack them. It would be safer for a few troops to camp together. However, it was impossible for such a large army to squeeze into the existing barracks when they arrived at River Bend. They had to build a simple new camp next to it. Therefore, they had to make the best use of their time.
At this time, Zantiparis looked at the mountains in the east and asked, "What's the plan for tomorrow? Do we take Aquilonia first? It looks like this city is not easy to attack. "
The corner of Alexis's mouth twitched slightly. Although his voice was not loud, his tone was full of confidence. "In my opinion, with today's victory, even if we don't take Aquilonia, it won't have much impact on the overall situation. My opinion is that all troops directly march into Benventum tomorrow! "
After observing Aquilonia today, it had not made any movements, especially when the Samonese Allied Army arrived and surrounded the Dionysian Army. Aquilonia's army did not come down from the mountains and took the opportunity to attack Diónia from both sides. Alexis judged that there were not many defenders in Aquilonia.
"I agree with General Alexis's plan!" Pollett, who had some understanding of the Samonai people, loudly expressed his support. "We have to use this victory to expand our advantage and not give the Samonai people a chance to breathe. As long as we take over Beneventum, the Hilpini people will be finished! Through Beneventum, we can also directly threaten the central town of the Kautini, Kautym! "
Zantiparis, of course, also expressed his agreement. Only Gherni was deep in thought.
"Chief Gherni, are you regretting that you should not have left the Samonese Alliance?!" Pollett saw this and said sarcastically.
Gherni came back to his senses and hurriedly explained, "I'm thinking if I can persuade Aquilonia to surrender. Aquilonia has many tribesmen among the captured Hilpini warriors (because it is close to Downey and Puchetti, it naturally contributed the most in the battle against Downey). Now they have witnessed the defeat of the Samonese Allied Army … I know the leader of Aquilonia. He is an old fellow who does not care about friendship and only values strength —"
Speaking of this, Gherni gritted his teeth. Before the Southern Italian War, the leader of Aquilonia was his father's most loyal supporter. After the Southern Italian War, he immediately sided with Lescok and fully supported the issue of Abenilum.
"Under such circumstances, the possibility of Aquilonia choosing to surrender is very high," Gherni finally said.
Being able to persuade Aquilonia to surrender would save a lot of trouble. Of course, Alexis would not object. She immediately made a promise. "If Aquilonia is willing to surrender, Diónia can allow it to become a free city of the kingdom."
This was not Alexis's idea. When the Ministry of Military Affairs briefly informed the five chairmen of the attack plan, everyone had seriously considered the problem of "under the coercion of force, if there are Samonese towns that request to surrender". Given that most of the towns in the Samonese Mountains had poor environmental conditions and very limited output, directly annexing them to the kingdom would instead waste administrative resources. It was better to let them take care of themselves. For example, Aquilonia was located on such a high mountain. Transportation was very inconvenient, and they could only rely on herding for a living. Most of the elders and officials of Diónia would probably refuse to come here to serve as the chief executive and public office.
"I will now send someone up the mountain to persuade them to surrender. When we reach River Bend, we will know the result." Gherni finished speaking and prepared to make the arrangements.
"Wait!" Boret stopped him and said, "I suggest that it is best to bring him along. It will be better to convince the Aquilonians!"
He waved his hand, and his men carried over a corpse.
Gherni took a closer look and could not help but gasp. He knew this dead man. It was Usibik, the chief of the Kaoutim tribe. He had a high reputation in the Kaoutim tribe and was once a strong candidate for the position of chief of the Kaoutim tribe. However, he voluntarily gave up the competition with Segovani.
"I heard from the prisoners that he was the commander of this Samonese coalition army. When they broke out of the encirclement, he rushed to the front and was finally stabbed to death by my warriors! I think the emissary that I will send will bring him along. This will let the Aquilonians understand their current situation better! " Pollett said loudly. Not only was he promoting his own achievements, but he was also secretly warning Gairne.
Just as Gherni was silent, Alexis said, "I think this is a good idea."
Gherni immediately wiped away the trace of sadness in his heart and said simply, "I will immediately let my men carry him up the mountain!"
… …
In the evening, the soldiers of the Diónia coalition army were still resting at the river bend. The emissary that Gherni sent brought back more than ten hostages offered by Aquilonia, including one of the sons of their chief. Aquilonia had surrendered.
Alexis was overjoyed. She immediately comforted the people of Aquilonia and promised that after they went to Turií, Diónia would quickly release the previously captured Aquilonian warriors.
Although the surrender of Aquilonia made the entire southern territory of Hilpini a safe area, Alexis did not let down her guard. She still ordered the sentries in the camp to strengthen the patrols.
The night was uneventful.
The next day, the 20,000 people of the Diónia coalition army broke camp and headed west. They went along the south bank of the Orfanto River and first arrived at Kopsa.
Here, Alexis assigned 2000 soldiers to escort the prisoners and the Aquilonian hostages back to Turií. She also discussed with the governor of Kopsa, Csima, about the supply of food and transportation.
Zantiparis also left the coalition army at this time and continued to head west towards Enona. He once again led half of the reserve army stationed there, ready to show his skills in the upcoming battle.
In the afternoon, the Diónia coalition army left Kopsa, went around Lake Consa, and marched northwest. At dusk, they entered the territory of the Abenilum.
… …
At this time, outside of Naples, in the camp of the Samonese coalition army, the chiefs of the four major tribes sat in a large tent. All of them looked solemn because they had just received the news that "the army stationed in the mountains had suffered a crushing defeat".
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