After an urgent consultation with the council, the terrified generals decided to send envoys to Crotone to plead guilty, and were willing to make all reparations.
When the news reached Amendolara, Davos and the elders were shocked: after all, the envoy of the city-state represented the city-state itself, and killing the envoy was a taboo, because it might mean war.
Amendolara immediately canceled plans to participate in the Isthmus Games, and began to closely monitor the development of the situation.
"Father, it's all right! The Turians are about to be punished by the gods!" Sostatus ran into the backyard excitedly.
Kunogolata, who was lying on the couch, basking in the sun, was not as excited as the eldest son. The former chief general of Turui lamented, "I said it before! I said it long ago. Going through Neonsis will kill Turii! …”
… … … …
When the envoy of Turii rushed to Crotone, in fact, the generals of Crotone had already received the news through the merchant ships. "The words were dismissive, and he just said: "We can go to Turiyi to take it ourselves, and we can take as much as we want!"
Crotone has tolerated Turii for a long time. Since the defeat of Sybaris a hundred years ago, Crotone's strength has flourished, becoming a pivotal power in Greater Greece. However, due to the great strength of Athens, Turii had to be allowed to build a city, which was undoubtedly a great shame for Crotone, who was used to being domineering on the "foot" in southern Italy. And after this incident, it happened that the new accounts and the old accounts were calculated together, which could also make up for the emptiness of the national treasury, killing two birds with one stone.
On the same day, the Crotone National Assembly successfully passed the resolution to declare war on Turii, and launched a war mobilization to the citizens. On the morning of the third day, seven thousand elite civic soldiers were called up. Asprustum and Sirita also sent 3,000 civic soldiers to join them. Trina only sent thirty cavalry because he had just gone through the war and faced the Brutians directly. Coulonia also expressed his willingness to join the war, but was politely refused by Crotone, because Coulonia was south of the Locle Union, Locri and Crotone had long been at odds, and Coulonia was important to the south of Crotone. Barrier, there can be no mistakes.
Four days later, sacrifices were made at the Temple of Apollo in Crotone. After the fortune-telling was obtained, Melantheus, one of the ten generals, led a mighty army of 10,000 to march towards the enemy.
The war finally broke out between Crotone and Turii.
Hearing the news of Crotone's army marching towards Turii, Neonsis was very anxious, and after being reminded by his colleagues, he proposed to the council to convene an emergency citizens' assembly.
At the meeting, he made a generous speech, first of all, he described the failure of the peaceful attempt made by the Council of Turii, and reiterated the theory of the Crotone people's answer, which immediately aroused the indignation of many citizens. But when they heard Crotone's army of 10,000 attacking, there was a long silence in the venue. You must know that although the number of troops in Crotone's attack was smaller than that of the Lucanian tribal coalition, it was the real Greek heavy infantry, and the citizens of Crotone had always been strong in combat in Greater Greece. famous.
At this time, the vineyard owner Orifes shouted: "We should send messengers again, to ask Crotone for peace, and to grant them whatever they want."
"Their demand is nothing more than for more money and supplies, but the point is that our treasury has bottomed out!" The general Polyxis stood up and said, "We can't get more money unless we ask the citizens An additional special war tax is levied."
As soon as they heard that the tax was to be collected, the venue fell into silence again.
In the end, war-torn and war-fearing citizens made a compromise, reluctantly saying that in order to avoid another war in Turii, they agreed to the city hall's tax collection request, but they were afraid that even this would not satisfy Crow. Toner's appetite.
"We always have to try first." Plessinas shouted, "If you lose money, you can make it back, but it's too late to regret losing your loved ones!"
The proposal was passed, and Neonsis was temporarily relieved.
"Why don't you go to Tarantum and ask it to help us make peace with Crotone?! Since Tarantum advocated the establishment of the Great Greek Defense League, it must not want war between city-states!" Someone else stood He got up and said: "And with the powerful strength of Tarantum, Crotone will definitely have some scruples, and a truce is more likely!"
"This is a good idea, Enanilus!" Neonsis praised. As the owner of the largest shipyard in Turii, Enanilus is someone who cannot be easily offended, so Neonsis nodded again and again. : "Thank you for reminding me, we will immediately send someone to ask Tarantum for help!"
"Even if there is a possibility of a truce, we have to plan to lose! What should we do if Crotone insists on fighting?!" Another man stood up and said.
Neonsis saw that it was Ancitanos who was speaking. Although the relationship between the two was strained because of the Kunogolata incident, he had to admit that his suggestion made sense. So Neonsis asked, "Dear Ancitanos, do you have any good advice?"
"First of all, let our citizens be armed. Crotone is so large that we can't fight it directly outside the city. Then the tall city wall will help us resist their attack and kill their morale..."
Ancitanos's words were recognized by many citizens: "Yes, the city of Turii is fortified, and the Lucanians have taken us under the city twice, and the same is true of Crotone!"
Ancitanos continued: "Secondly... Amendolara is our ally. Everyone knows the combat effectiveness of their soldiers. We should ask them for assistance!"
When it came to Amendolara, Neonsis felt as uncomfortable as eating flies, but all the participants agreed: "Ancitanos is right! You should go to them for help, they are here, We can rest assured!"
"I've already said that for the sake of a few slaves, it's not worth it to have a relationship with Amendolara. I'm afraid it's not so easy to ask someone now!"
…
Neonsis listened to such words, and his face was blue and white for a while, and he was embarrassed. He forced himself and said: "This proposal is very good. Burkes, you can run."
Burkes, who has always been mild-tempered, immediately refused: "I'm not capable, so let the capable Plessinas go."
When Plessinas heard it, he lowered his head and did not speak. He knew that if he went, not only would he fail to ask for help, but he might even be severely beaten.
It's no wonder that Burkes did not cooperate. At the beginning, he urged the city hall to fulfill its promise to give slaves freedom. His proposal was ignored by the city hall, which eventually led to slave riots, with some slaves fleeing to Amendolara. At this time, as a general, Burkes, with his understanding of Davos, believed that Amendolara would definitely reject Turui's request, so it would be better to fulfill the promise readily, to give slaves freedom, and to befriend Amendo. Lara's purpose.
Neonsis and the other generals not only rejected his suggestion, but also believed that because of his relationship with Davos, it was difficult to get down and ask Amendolara for slaves, so they sent the tough-minded Plessina. s. What Bulcos said just now is one of the original words that Neonsis said when he refused his mission to Amendolara. Now, Bulcos has returned it as it is. You can imagine the face of Neonsis. What a wonderful expression.
At this moment, even if Neonsis secretly hated Burkes, he could not help but politely ask: "Burks, this is a major matter related to the life and death of Turii! No one else can complete this task except you! I hope you can go. Go to Amendolara and ask Davos to send troops to help!"
Burkes let out a bad breath, and simply nodded in agreement amid the petitions of the citizens.
"Amendolara is a small city, and there shouldn't be too many reinforcements that can be sent. The key is up to us." Ancitanos continued: "I propose to mobilize the free people to join the war and promise to give them citizenship. Of course we A promise has been made before, but it has not been fulfilled. This time, in order to win their trust, as long as they agree to participate in the war, they will be granted citizenship immediately!"
One of Ancitanos's suggestions made Neonsis feel uncomfortable. Don't say it was him. The citizens participating in the meeting were based on personal interests and almost did not agree. In the end, Ancitanos got the answer: " Reconsideration… "
… … … … …
At the time of the citizens' assembly in Turii, Crotone's army arrived outside the city of Crimea after most of the day's march.
Crimissa, the town was originally a colonial city of Sybaris, and after the demise of Sybaris, it turned to the Crotone League. After the reconstruction of Turii in Athens, the content of the agreement with Crotone specifically mentioned that Castellon and Crimea must remain neutral.
Now in front of Crotone's army, Crimesa opened the door without hesitation to greet him, and took the initiative to send a thousand people to join Crotone's army.
… … … … …
"Melantheus of Crotone, forty-five years old, was a two-time Olympian wrestling champion and one isthmus wrestling champion in his youth. In the battle, he had two independent command operations and won... He fought bravely and often took the lead and took the lead in charging, but he was not liked by the soldiers, because after victory he always liked to attribute the victory to himself... I heard that he is tall and handsome , and lived a luxurious life, which was very popular with the women of Crotone. For this reason, men were jealous of him and deliberately did not vote for him, which made him lose the election of generals many times. His friends often advised him not to pay too much attention to dressing. , to keep a low profile', but he said, 'Apollo gave him a fit body and a wise brain, if no one is jealous, he will not be able to set off his excellence!'
The war begins, and the support of the brothers is needed, so that Davos can muster the courage and fight to the end!