"Yasi, you have collected information about Crotone's commander-in-chief Melantheus, and you have done a good job!" Davos praised after listening.
"Mainly because he is so famous in Crotone. As soon as our people arrive at the port, we can find out about his deeds everywhere..." Asistes said truthfully.
Davos nodded: "I can see that this Melantheus is a proud person. In such a war that affects the life and death of the city-state, why should he be appointed as the commander of the army?"
Asisters replied: "It may be because Melantheus has never failed in the battles he has participated in. Besides, he fights bravely and likes to attack quickly. Crotone must also hope to resolve the dispute with Turii as soon as possible. The battle between them, and they also sent Timas, who is old and prudent, as their adjutant, I believe it can make Melantheus more prudent..."
"Well... Your analysis makes sense!" Davers thought, and asked again, "What are the characteristics of Crotone civic warfare?"
"Crotone's citizens are keen on physical exercise, and there are many famous athletes. In each of the four major sports games, Crotone athletes always win the championship, especially in wrestling, boxing and discus. .So the citizens of several city-states responded that their citizens were powerful, aggressive and agile in combat...”
Davers rubbed his chin: "In other words, their individual combat effectiveness is very strong, what about the group? Do they often conduct military training?"
Asisters smiled: "My lord, not every city-state trains as frequently as Amendolara, and the training is so intense. Crotones spend more time on the training ground than on competition. Much less time on the field!"
"It seems that you are dissatisfied with our training." Davos also smiled.
"How come, I like training the most! Especially rugby!" Asisters immediately defended himself.
"Isn't rugby a sport?!" Davers continued to chase after him.
After a burst of laughter, Asisters asked, "My lord, will the war between Crotone and Turii affect us?"
"It's impossible to not affect it!" Davos sighed: "A weak neighbor is always much safer than a new strong neighbor. At the critical moment, Amendolara had no choice but to pull Turiyi. Stupid Turii is doing stupid things, and it looks like the plan to attack Lucania is going to be delayed again... Hey, it's unpredictable!"
… … … …
Bulcos rushed to Amendolara and asked Davos for reinforcements.
In the senate assembly, the elders argued fiercely. In general, the old citizens and elders such as Cornerus and Raphias did not approve of sending reinforcements. They believed that they had brought the Crotone army in Turii, not to mention Amendolara. It is nominally an alliance with Turiyi, but in fact it is in a state of breaking. Strong, even if Turiyi unites with Amendolara, the possibility of being able to defeat Crotone is extremely small.
Capps, Hiros and other new citizen elders believe that: the current situation in Crotone is very strong, and Amendolara should wait and make a decision according to the changes in the situation.
And Alexis, Antonios and other new citizens and elders have other opinions. They feel that Turii must be protected to ensure the safety of the surrounding environment of Amendolara. The walls of the city of Turui were thick and thick, so Amendolara could not have to fight at all, just assist Turiel in defending the city in the city. As long as Crotone's attack is blocked, Crotone will probably have to retreat in less than a month. After all, the daily food consumption of tens of thousands of soldiers is not a small amount.
The words of Alexis and Antonios were still subtle, and Epithenes said loudly without any scruples: "We would rather our neighbor be the weak Turii than the mighty Crotone, that would make us Day and night, unless Amendolara joins Crotone's alliance, but will you?"
If Burkes, the envoy of Turii, heard this, he would probably be ashamed. But at this time, Burkes was arranged in the side room of the Senate, waiting for the final decision of the meeting.
The words of Epithenis touched the elders present, but after so long discussions, the final decision must be made by Davos.
Davos looked around everyone and said solemnly: "Just now, you have all analyzed the situation very clearly, so I don't need to go into details. What I want to say is that we signed an alliance treaty with Turui, which is Under the watchful eyes of the gods, the sacred treaty signed by swearing in the name of the gods! Before, we laughed at Turiyi for treason, but now when a greater danger strikes, can we keep our promises?!"
Davos paused, seeing that everyone was ashamed and contemplative, he raised his voice again and said: "Of course we can! We have to prove to all the city-states in Greater Greece that, as an ancient city-state with a long history, Amendolara is no matter where it is. In any difficult situation, we will stick to our promises and uphold the glory and traditions inherited from ancient heroes such as Hercules, Theseus, and Agres!"
When Davos found Burkes, he announced to him the decision of the Senate: "Amendolara decided to obey the previous covenant and send reinforcements."
Burkos burst into tears.
… … … …
Due to the flooding of rivers and swamps and tidal flats in the area north of Crimesa, Crotone's army slowed down, and it took them a day to reach Castellon, which used to be in Sybaris. After being destroyed, the city that once depended on the Crotone Alliance did not resist, but opened the city gate and welcomed Melantheus into the city.
In Castellon City, he saw the envoys of Turii and Tarantum who were waiting here.
In the face of the plea of the Turii messenger, he didn't even have the patience to listen to it, and said impatiently: "Crotone's saber has been drawn out of its sheath, and it will never be withdrawn without blood."
For the messenger of Tarantum, Melantheus showed a little respect, but he asked: "If a city-state violates the agreement and kills the messenger of Tarantum at the same time, what will happen to you Tarantum? Do?! Can you get back the dignity that Tarantum has lost just by paying for some property?!”
The emissary of Tarantum was at a loss for words.
Melantheus looked at him with disdain, and said with a firm expression: "So Turiyi will definitely be punished!"
When the night fell, the general of Tarantum was about to go to bed, and the guards hurried to report: "General, there are two people outside who want to see you, saying that there is important information about Tulii to trade with you..."
Important information about Turii? ! Melantheus came to be interested: "Bring it in!"
Under the guard's watch, two men dressed as sailors cowered into Melantheus' bedroom.
"Tell me, is there any important information to trade with me?" Melantheus rested his head on the bed with one hand, and looked at the two with disdain: "If it is really valuable, I will consider you both. request."
The two looked at each other, and one of them made up his mind and whispered: "Honorable general, I am a free citizen of Turii..."
Following the sailor's words, Melantheus' eyes brightened, he turned over and sat up with excitement on his face...
… … … …
Although Davos agreed to send reinforcements, he did not call the troops to set off immediately. After all, it was Turii who asked for help. If Amendolara hurried to help immediately, the world would only laugh at him as Davos being naive.
He agreed first, in order to stabilize the morale of the army and the people of Turii, so that the people of Turii could inspire the fighting spirit to fight Crotone, but he wanted to wait and see: First, to observe the battle between the two sides The situation, understand the Crotone army; the second is that reinforcements only appear when Turii needs it most, in order to reduce the casualties of Amendolara soldiers, gain the gratitude of the Turui people, and increase the chance of defeating Crotone. . Anyway, Amendolara is not far from Turiyi, and it is only half a day's walk.
Amendolara's response made Neonsis temporarily relieved. At this time, he was full of gratitude to Amendolara, and he also felt a little regret for his extreme actions. And after the news was made known to the people of Turiyi, the low morale began to pick up, and they all praised Amendolara. But the news that kept coming from the south made their hearts tighten again: Crotone's army arrived in Castellon in only two days, and neither Cremisa nor Castellon resisted. , took the initiative to open the door to welcome, but also strengthened Crotone's troops, and more importantly, Crotone refused the sum of Turii and Tarantum...
The bad news that followed made Neonsis terrified, and while he cursed Crotone, Crimissa and Castellon in his heart, he asked Brooks to go to Amendolara again, urging them to send reinforcements quickly. , and at the same time let the citizens reorganize their armaments, strengthen their defenses, and even begin to consider whether to implement Ancitanos's advice at such a time of crisis and mobilize the freedmen to fight.
But on the second day, the Crotone army stationed outside the city of Castellon did not continue to advance, and they even sent people to recover the messenger of Turii, saying that the matter of seeking peace could be negotiated.
When the news reached Turiyi, the generals and the people were relieved of their nervousness, and then they looked forward to the good news of the truce brought back by the messenger.
In the afternoon, Melantheus announced that the negotiation had broken down and expelled him on the grounds that the envoy of Turii did not agree to Crotone's request and was insincere (in fact, the price of Melantheus was too high and he refused to give in). The Turii messenger, and then immediately ordered the army that had been prepared to march on Turii.
When Neonsis got the news, Crotone's army was already at the gate of Turiinan.
Today, my wife is helping me design the relevant map for this volume, which is expected to be released tomorrow and the day after.