Chapter 901
Secorian was shocked. "You're giving up on Salinus?!"
"Of course we can't give up on Serinus City. Otherwise, the Carthaginian army of 100,000 can easily pass through here and march east. You will also lose your naval base in western Sicily, and the threat to the western coast of Sicily will be greatly reduced." Leotizides explained with rare patience, "However, our main forces have always remained within Serinus City, allowing the Carthaginians to boldly attack our defenceless areas without any worries. This is not good either. My plan is to leave a few thousand soldiers to defend Serinus while I lead the 8th Legion's main force of 10,000 soldiers to Gela. We'll join forces with our allies and defeat Carthage's army that's attacking Agrigento. We'll wipe out their threat to Diónia and our friendly city-states. "
"Leaving only a few thousand soldiers to defend Serinus can stop Carthage's army?" Seckerian was a little worried.
"We've been reinforcing the city's defenses. It shouldn't be a problem to defend it for more than a month. By then, the situation might change," Leotychides said calmly.
Seckerian pondered for a while before making up his mind. "Since you've decided to carry out this plan, as a military force protecting Sicily, the Sicilian Fleet can promise you two things.
First, our fleet will do our best to cooperate with the garrison of Serinus to defend this city. For example, we will intercept the Carthaginian grain transport ships, dispatch the infantrymen to harass the rear of the Carthaginian army, and even during the most dangerous times, we will dispatch the infantrymen to assist you in defending the city. Second, I can guarantee that if Serinus is breached, our navy will do our best to evacuate the remaining garrison safely and return to Catania. "
"Thank you very much!" Leotychides was moved. Even his voice wavered.
"If you want to thank me, hurry up and defeat Carthage's army that's attacking Agrigento," Seckerian replied with his head held high.
After sending off Sequerian, Leotychides stood at the entrance of the hall in a daze for a while. Beside him, Mukelu said with a smile, "It's said that Lord Sequerian is arrogant and not easy to talk to, but it seems that he is actually very understanding."
Leotychides did not continue the conversation. He returned to his seat and picked up the map to study it carefully.
Mulkelu snickered to himself. Compared to the famous Therian in the navy, this commander in front of him was even more difficult to approach.
Mukruger knew that Leotychides would only need to look at the map for half a day, so he quickly ordered the servants to send breakfast to the hall.
Leotychides quickly finished his breakfast and asked Mukelu to arrange for reinforcements to go to Agrigento.
Mukelu had just walked out of the hall when he bumped into Secorian, who was hurrying towards him.
"Lord Sekerian, what are you …"
"I just received a report from the clippers. Carthage's people have already occupied Agrigento!" Secorian said solemnly as he walked into the hall.
"Agrigento has fallen?!" Leotychides suddenly stood up.
"Not only did Carthage's people occupy Agrigento, but they also massacred the entire city. Only a small portion of Agrigento's people escaped to Econom by boat," Secorian said in a serious tone. "Your plan to transport reinforcements can no longer be carried out."
Although the sudden news disrupted Leotychides's plan, he did not panic. He thought for a while and said, "Please continue with the transport plan, but change the destination to Jela."
After the Carthaginian army occupied Agrigento, the city-state to the east was Econome, but this small city had no defense at all. Next to it was Gela, and to the west was Minoa. Why did they only reinforce Gela and not Minoa? Secorian understood. After Carthage's army besieged Serinus, Leotychides considered that Minoa was also facing a threat from Carthage's people (Germe between Serinus and Minoa was just a small town without walls, so there were no troops stationed there), so Leotychides did not ask for reinforcements. The city's defenses could at least hold out for a while.
Thinking of this, he asked solemnly, "After sending reinforcements to Jela, do you still want to continue with the plan?"
Leotychides did not hesitate. "As long as Carthage's army in Agrigento continues to attack Econom or Jela, we must go and fight it. This is our only chance!"
Secorian stared at the expressionless Leotizides and suddenly admired his decisiveness in the face of a difficult situation. He felt that he was somewhat similar to Leotizides in some aspects. He coughed, stood up, and said, "Alright, when you're about to lead your army to attack, please inform the Sicilian fleet to escort you."
After Secorian left, Leotychides turned to Mukruder and said in a low voice, "Send a messenger to Katanai immediately. Tell Cypross to apply to the Ministry of Military Affairs to transfer the 7th Legion to Sicily."
"Ah?" Mukruder was a little surprised. Through this period of contact, he knew that Leotychides was a proud commander. If it was not a critical moment, he would not ask for help from the 7th Legion. Was it already a critical moment?
Leotychides did not seem to realize that his words had stirred up waves in the adjutant's heart. He continued to explain expressionlessly, "After occupying Agrigento, Carthage's army does not only have two options: attacking Econom or Minoa. They can also directly enter the mountains in the north again, meet up with the army there, seize Enna, and then advance eastward, break through the defense of Hena and Hebita, and invade the Catania Plains …"
After hearing Leotychides's analysis, Mukruder felt nervous. He thought for a moment and said, "Isn't it too risky for Carthage's army to directly attack the central mountains instead of the south coast?"
"It is a little risky, but we still have to be on guard." Leotychides pointed at the map and said, "Right now, our main force is in Serinus, and there are only a few thousand soldiers in the Catania Plains. They also have to guard against Syracuse in the south, so they have no spare forces to support the Sikells. To be honest, the Sikells are far more important to me than the Greek cities on the south coast. Once Carthage's army occupies this area, a large area from Naxos to Leontini will be under the threat of Carthage's army, and it will be difficult for us to stop them from invading. Therefore, to ensure the safety of Sicily, to ensure that the people can harvest their crops smoothly during the autumn harvest, and to allow the 8th Legion to fight Carthage's army without fear, we can only send the 7th Legion south to guard the Catania Plains. "
"I understand. I will make the arrangements immediately!" Mukruder replied.
… …..
In the central tent of Carthage's encampment, Margo frowned and said, "We can exchange the sailors, but not the soldiers."
"My lord, but the Diónia captured nearly 10,000 Phoenician sailors, far more than the Diónia sailors we captured. That's why they want us to exchange the Greek soldiers as well …"
"Are you my messenger or the Diónia's messenger? Do you think I'm an idiot to let these soldiers go and increase the strength of the Dionysian Army? I don't agree to this condition. Go back and talk to them. "
Seeing that Margo was angry, the messenger could only agree.
Margo sat on a chair and panted heavily as he watched the messenger leave the tent. After he calmed down a little, he said to the adjutant beside him, "Tell him that I agree to this condition. Arrange for the prisoners to be exchanged immediately."
"My lord, didn't you just say …"
"Just do it. It's just 2,000 Greek soldiers. Give them to them! I'd like to see how the Diónia can resist the attack of my 100,000-strong army! "
"Lord Margo, what made you so angry?" Pomilka opened the tent and walked in.
"Of course it's the Phoenicians from our mother country!" Margo glared at him and said sarcastically, "Even when they had the upper hand, they were still defeated by the Dionysian fleet. They wasted such a great opportunity for nothing. These people are really idiots!"
"This naval battle is indeed very regrettable. The mother country's fleet obviously underestimated the Diónia, but after this battle, I'm afraid the Dionysian fleet will not be able to harass the western seas for the time being. We, Carthage and the surrounding allies can all breathe a sigh of relief! For this reason alone, we should thank the mother country's fleet that came all the way here to help us! " Pomilka reminded him with a smile, "Besides, our mother country did not only bring a fleet. They also promised to continue providing us with gold, silver, and supplies to help us defeat the Diónia in the end!"
Margo snorted. It was precisely because he thought of this that he changed his mind. Otherwise, if these people protested to the Carthage Senate every day, it would only affect his prestige.
"Why did you call me here?" Pomilka asked again with a smile.
"Oh, I see." Margo suddenly remembered and gestured for Pomilka to sit first. He then said solemnly, "Although the Phoenician fleet was defeated by the Dionysian fleet, they still succeeded in stopping the Diónia's plan to reinforce Agrigento in time … Although I haven't received any news yet, I believe that Hasdrubal, with more than 20,000 soldiers, will be able to take down the city of Agrigento in no time. Now that the situation is in our favor, our large army should not be gathered under Salinus. Instead, we should seize this favorable opportunity and continue to expand our victory. So, I hope that you will lead the army to attack Minoa! "
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