Chapter 871
"Father, is it because the situation in the south has changed?" Patroclus asked hurriedly.
Dyvers was very satisfied with his sharp battle instincts. An outstanding senior officer should be like this. His eyes should not be focused on a single battle, but should be able to see the entire situation. He looked at the other two. Adoris and Crotocatax also looked at him with concern. They had been fighting in Latin and had little access to the outside world. Devers felt that it was necessary to let them know about the situation in other battlefields.
"Ever since Alexis defeated the Sammonean army in Asculum and Venosa twice, the Sammonean people no longer attacked the Kingdom's territory. Instead, they launched a large-scale attack on the Campanian Alliance, capturing Pompeii, Herculaneum, Tesara, and other cities. Finally, they besieged Naples."
"Isn't the Campania Alliance in danger of being destroyed? Did we send troops to rescue them? "Cloto Catax asked in shock.
Devers smiled and said, "Before attacking the Campania Alliance, something else happened. Great Leader Cayutini lured Quinduc, the leader of Naconia, who had always been neutral, to death and occupied the territory of Naconia. His actions obviously provoked Gherni of Abenilum. Not only did he decide to make Abenilum a free city of Diónia, but he also helped us to attack the Samonai Tribal Alliance. Therefore, the Ministry of Military Affairs made a new battle plan and let Alexis lead the army to attack the Samonai Mountains from the east. "
"Father, I remember that you have repeatedly reminded the Ministry of Military Affairs not to let the army attack the Samonai Mountains!" Cloto Catax exclaimed. He was a little worried that Hilos and Felicius of the Ministry of Military Affairs would be reprimanded by his father for making the decision without authorization.
"Yes, I have given such an order before." Dyvers, on the other hand, looked calm. He said, "But now the situation has changed. The Ministry of Military Affairs has secretly ordered Potentia to gather soldiers and quietly rendezvous with the army of Abenilum. They are familiar with the Samonese mountains and are good at mountain warfare. The Samonese wanted to lure us to attack the mountains, but we set up an ambush in Aquilonia and completely defeated their main force hidden in the mountains!
Now, Alexis was leading a coalition army of nearly 20,000 to attack Beneventum. The Sammonet coalition army that was besieging Naples had to retreat. In this way, we will be able to take the lead in the battle against the Sammonae people. Whether it is confronting the Sammonae coalition in Beneventum, or joining forces with the Campania Alliance to attack the Sammonae towns on the eastern plains, or our remaining troops in the Downey area, taking advantage of the great opportunity that the enemy's main force is pinned down to continue to attack other towns in the Sammonae Mountains … "
"So, they don't need our help in the war with the Samonai." Adoris's tone was a little disappointed. He then asked, "Father, what about the situation in Sicily?"
Dyvers put on a serious expression and said slowly, "Ever since Plesous defeated the Carthaginian army in Minoa, not long after, our Sicilian fleet and the Carthaginian fleet had a huge battle on the sea near Serinus. In the end … a storm on the sea destroyed almost all the warships of both sides. Flarios drowned, and there's still no news of Sequerian. More than 10,000 sailors died …"
"What?!" The three of them showed a shocked expression. They never thought that while they were fighting in the north, there would be such a terrible loss in the south!
Devers continued, "The Fourth Fleet has been transferred to Sicily, and we still have the advantage in the sea. Carthage led his troops to capture Serinus, and the remaining troops of the Carthage army were entrenched in a few important towns, not daring to attack. So Alexis sent his troops to plunder and destroy the areas ruled by the Carthage people in Sicily, in order to achieve the goal of taking the initiative to defend.
However, the crushing defeat of the Carthage army caused Carthage's governor of Iberia, Margo, to become the new commander of the Carthage army. Now, the entire coast of Africa and Iberia are gathering soldiers and forming armies, preparing to land in Sicily. A new war is about to begin! We must get rid of the Rome and the Samonai as soon as possible and rush to the south to fight our greatest enemy, the Carthage, to the death! "
Devers' words made the three young people feel the urgency of the situation, but at the same time, it also made them feel excited.
… …
On the day when Devers held a banquet in the city of Rome, held a competition, and rewarded the soldiers, the port of Utica welcomed a large fleet of Iberian troops.
Utica, a city on the mainland of Africa, was second only to the Phoenician city of Carthage. It was located on the coast about 110 miles west of the city of Carthage.
Margo's ship was the first to dock. Dressed in military uniform, he walked onto the dock. The elders, led by Pretacuba, immediately came forward to greet him. "Lord Margo, welcome back!"
Margo gave Pretacuba a warm hug and said emotionally, "You've worked hard, Pretacuba! It's all thanks to you that I've been away for the past few years! It's all thanks to you! … "
Pretacuba patted his thick shoulder and said excitedly, "It's good that you're back. Now that you're back, we have hope! … "
Then Margo warmly greeted the other elders of the Magonid faction.
"Lord Margo, welcome! You've finally led the army here! "An old man with white hair and beard greeted him.
"Dear Lord Esyaruba!" Facing the leader of the neutral faction, Esyaruba, whose reputation in the Senate was second only to Hanno, Margo still bowed and said solemnly, "Carthage is in danger. As the descendant of the city's founder, how can I sit back and do nothing!"
"I'm glad that you can think this way and do this. This is what all the citizens of Carthage expect from you!" Esyaruba said seriously.
"All?!" Margo sneered and pointed to the elders who came to greet him. "That's not right. At least, some people who haven't been here don't think so."
"These elders who haven't come have gathered more than 60,000 soldiers for you, and are also gathering a huge amount of food to supply this army for you. They are also urging the shipyards and other allies to speed up the construction of warships … So don't be overly suspicious of your compatriots. They are also making their own efforts for the future of Carthage!" Esyaruba said earnestly.
This made Margo hesitate. He thought for a moment and his tone became gentler. "Unlike the natives of Syracuse, Numibia, and Iberia, the Diónia are our real strong enemies. We need to do our best to defeat them! Therefore, I will do my best to maintain the unity of Carthage, and I hope that Lord Esyaruba can play a greater role in this regard! "
"Don't worry, the previous fiasco has taught us a lesson. Whether it's Hanno, me, or the other elders, we all hope that you can win, because if you fail, it will mean disaster for Carthage! We will do our best to support you until the Diónia are driven out of Sicily and their king is forced to choose humiliating peace talks! "Esyaruba promised.
Margo expressed his gratitude, then turned to look at the port, waiting for his generals to gather the soldiers ashore and lead them out of Utica.
Among the more than 20,000 soldiers led by Margo, there were not many Carthage and Phoenicians. Like the army led by Hasdrubal, most of them were mercenaries. Their different appearance and attire not only attracted the curious onlookers of the people of Utica, but also caused the elders who came to greet them to comment on them.
At this time, a few more ships docked, and a group of strong men in striped trousers disembarked from the ships. They were all abnormally burly, muscular, and hairy. Their bodies were embroidered with strange tattoos, messy short hair, unkempt beards, and ferocious faces. As soon as they came ashore, the people at the port cried out in alarm.
This seemed to agitate them. One by one, they used the long swords in their left hands to hit the long shields in their right hands, and they roared, looking even more ferocious. Most of the onlookers of Utica turned around and fled, and for a moment, the scene was a little chaotic. Fortunately, their leader stopped them in time. However, this did not guarantee that they would be able to line up at the port obediently.
"A group of terrifying barbarians! Are they also from Iberia? "Esyaruba asked in surprise.
"The Celts of the northern mountains of Iberia. They do not fear death when they fight, and the other natives of Iberia fear them. It just so happened that there was a flash flood in their area, and their livestock and food were washed away. Facing a famine, I used thousands of cattle and sheep to exchange for their help. I believe that with them, our war against Diónia will be smoother! "Margo said confidently.
"I hope so. However, this is also the reason why the Senate did not allow your troops to land at the port of Carthage. I hope you can manage your troops well and not cause any trouble here, which will leave a bad impression on the people, "Esyaruba reminded him solemnly.
Margo once again expressed his gratitude for Esyaruba's kind reminder.
After all the soldiers came ashore, Margo's subordinates gathered them and took them away from the city of Utica. They began to set up camp outside the city, while Margo followed the senators to the city of Carthage.
In the past decade or so, although Margo had lived in southern Iberia for a long time, he had returned to the city of Carthage many times. However, he never expected to encounter such a situation today. Almost all the people of the city ran out and crowded on both sides of the road. As soon as he entered the city, thunderous cheers sounded around him. The people shouted his name and threw petals at him …
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