Chapter 951
"So, you plan to have the Mountain Reconnaissance Brigade attack this section of the wall and open up a gap in the defense of Syracuse?" Devers suddenly interrupted.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I hope that you can let Izam lead a portion of the Mountain Reconnaissance Brigade to assist us in attacking the city! "Leotychides took over the conversation and made a request.
"It seems that after the Mountain Reconnaissance Brigade's numerous military achievements in the Latin region, they are going to make a name for themselves in Sicily! I agree to have 500 soldiers of the Mountain Reconnaissance Brigade temporarily listen to your orders during the attack on Syracuse. " Devers readily nodded in agreement because he felt that Leotychides' battle plan was feasible. He also reminded, "Syracuse is a large city. Even if the Mountain Reconnaissance Brigade occupies the fort on the west side of Urialus, you just said that this area is narrow and difficult to pass through. It is also remote. When the people of Syracuse receive the news, they can also use their sufficient manpower to seal off this narrow area and recapture it again … Therefore, you need to repeatedly think and deduce how to make use of this opportunity to achieve victory and ultimately occupy the entire city. You need to repeatedly think and deduce carefully to perfect your plan."
Leotychides listened and fell into deep thought.
"Is there anything else that I can help with?" Devers asked again in a serious manner.
Leotychides shook his head at first, then suddenly thought of something and said, "Your Majesty, I am very worried that when we break through the city of Syracuse, the Greek Cuzas will firmly defend Ortygia Island. Ortygia Island is easy to defend and difficult to attack. I am afraid that it will not be able to be conquered in a short period of time. "
Ortygia Island … Devers subconsciously touched his chin. He vaguely remembered that in the history of his previous life, the people of Rome were obstructed by Ortygia Island. It took them a few years to finally completely conquer the city of Syracuse. Archimedes played a big role in this.
He waved his hand and said, "If this really happens, there is no need to forcefully attack Ortygia Island and besiege it. In fact, it was also relatively easy to besiege. As long as a wall was built on the isthmus, it could be isolated. By occupying the main city of Syracuse and its port, we have completely eliminated the potential threat that Syracuse's army and navy poses to us. By sealing off Ortygia Island for a year or two, it will eventually surrender. "
"Your Majesty, when that time comes, I'm afraid that they won't be able to hold on for a year or two with the current population and food situation on Ortygia," Cypross interrupted with a smile.
"By the way, Cypross, do you have any suggestions for attacking Syracuse?" Devers looked at him.
Cypross said unhurriedly, "Your Majesty, in the past 20 years, Syracuse has truly been conquered twice, both due to internal strife (referring to the riots that occurred in the city during the Southern Italian War that overthrew the rule of Dionysius, and a few years later, the riots that occurred in the city again drove Harolis away). I was wondering if we can think of a way to attack Syracuse in this aspect?"
Devers' eyes lit up. This was exactly what he wanted, so he smiled and encouraged him, "Can you tell me more specifically what you think?"
"Your Majesty, although Syracuse's strength has recovered over the past decade or so, compared to the time when Dionysius and Harolis ruled, Syracuse today lacks a powerful political figure. During peacetime, the General Executive Committee and the Council of Councils hold power in Syracuse. During times of war, the General Executive Committee plays an important role, and this committee is made up of 20 generals.
According to the information I have received, it is made up of three major forces: the democrats led by Chief General Teagenis, the centrist faction made up of former comrades of Harolis and important officials during his rule, and the port commoners. They each represent the interests of a portion of the people in Syracuse … "
Cypross, who had been the governor of Katarnae for many years, had also done a lot of research on this neighbor to the south. He laid out his thoughts that he had carefully considered. "Whether it was during Dionysius's reign or during Harolis's rule, the democrats were always suppressed and were the weakest, but it was also because of this that Teagenis was able to remain as the chief general. The centrist faction is the strongest, but the situation is also the most complicated. They are all people who have benefited greatly from Harolis's rule, but some agree with Harolis's way of ruling, and some are against it, even inciting rebellions. This includes former close friends of Harolis, so they often fail to reach a consensus in the council.
The port commoners, on the other hand, "Cypross paused for a moment before continuing." It was with our help that they united and formed a powerful force that played an important role in the later stages of the Southern War. But as an independent political force, they were naturally ostracized by the traditional forces in Syracuse. From the composition of the General Executive Committee, it can be seen that the port commoners have never elected more than three generals, which is not commensurate with their strength.
Over the past two years, there have been some changes. Originally, the people of Syracuse elected Teagenis as the chief general to maintain the political stability of Syracuse, but they underestimated Teagenis' ability to stir up trouble. On one hand, he took advantage of the fact that the people of Syracuse despised the port commoners to win over the middle faction and ostracize the port commoners. Not only did he reduce the number of generals elected by the port commoners to only one, he also had people propose and pass several bills in the council that were unfavorable to the port commoners. Some of the benefits originally given to the port commoners in Harolis were retaken back and given back to the citizens of the city, making his reputation in Syracuse even higher.
On the other hand, he took advantage of the conflict between the middle faction to divide and win over some of the middle faction, making some of them reach an agreement with him on certain interests. So his influence in the General Executive Committee and the council grew, and he was even able to convince them to form an alliance between Syracuse and Carthage, and declare war on Diónia … "
Of course, Devers knew about the situation in Syracuse. He said in a light tone, "It seems that General Teagenis is very ambitious! He wants to use this war to win more reputation for himself. Maybe he wants to become the second Harolis, or even the second Dionysius. "
"This is also the tradition of Syracuse. They always walk a fine line between democracy and dictatorship. In times of peace, they choose a democratic government, but in times of crisis, there will be people who want to be a dictatorship, "Sypross added.
"To be a dictatorship in Syracuse, one must have strong willpower and courage, and this Teagenis …" Devers's lips curled up slightly. "Although he is shrewd and cunning, which allowed him to achieve some of his goals, it is all petty tricks. At least, I do not see him as having the strategic vision and courage of Dionysius and Harolis. I am afraid he never thought that Carthage's army would retreat so quickly, leaving Syracuse to face our wrath alone."
"Your Majesty, the political scene in Syracuse is indeed divided, squeezed, and complicated. There is also a strong opposition among the people, and there is a lack of a strong person to lead and unite them. But based on the tradition of Syracuse, we do not know if the war will lead to more internal conflict, or if it will lead them to unite?" Sypross reminded solemnly.
"Just because the war may lead to more unity among the people of Syracuse, should we stop attacking them?!" Leotychides listened for a long time, and could not help but refute. "As long as we have a complete battle plan and well-trained soldiers, we do not need to think too much about these things. Syracuse City will be conquered by us."
"Don't get worked up, Prosous." "Cypross just wants to cause chaos in Syracuse, weaken their defense, and let us take over the city as soon as possible," explained Dyves, "Cypross just wants to cause chaos in Syracuse, weaken their defense, and let us take over the city as soon as possible."
He paused and looked at Sypross. "Are you planning to rope in the civilians of Port Syracuse, and destroy the friendly relationship between the democrats and the middle parties?"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Sypross flattered, and then said, "The civilians of Port Syracuse have been oppressed all these years, and there must be a lot of resentment. Most of them are poor and freedmen, and they do not cherish the glory of Syracuse in the past, and are more easily moved by benefits. We have a good relationship with them in the past, and now as long as we give them enough promises, I believe they will make the right choice.
Some of the methods that Teagenis has used against the middle parties in the past have probably caused some dissatisfaction, and now that his plan has failed, and Syracuse is being attacked by the kingdom alone, as long as Your Majesty allows Xenophanes to secretly send people to incite the people in Syracuse City, there will naturally be people who will seize the opportunity to attack Teagenis … "Sypross' plan needed to rely on Xenophanes, the head of the Intelligence Department in Sicily, to carry it out, but the Intelligence Department was directly under the command of King Devers, and he had no right to command them, so he could only ask for instructions from Devers.
Devers listened, thought for a moment, and said, "Both of your suggestions are good. We will use political means to break the unity of the people of Syracuse, and a military attack will successfully promote us to rope in and divide the enemy, thus speeding up the conquest of Syracuse … Therefore, I have decided that the two of you and Xenophanes will form a team to target Syracuse, and Sypross will be in charge. You will discuss a perfect plan together, and coordinate with each other during the implementation until Syracuse is conquered. What do you think, Prososus? "
Leotychides was a little conflicted. He did not want his military command to be interrupted, but he also knew that if this plan was successful, the time to conquer Syracuse would be greatly advanced, and he would be able to participate in the attack on Carthage's army earlier, and his wish to avenge the deaths of Paragonia's soldiers as soon as possible. He subconsciously looked at Sypross.
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