Indeed, when Plessinas entered the great port of Tarantum, he did not see the several detachments of Tarantum warships that were usually patrolling the offshore waters. Nonetheless, he continued to shamelessly plead with the Senate of Tarantum: even if only a few ships were sent to Turii.
He has a small calculation in his mind: Crotone will never dare to provoke Tarantum again when he is at war with Dionia, so even if there are only a few Tarantum warships patrolling the east coast of Dionia As a facade, it can also act as a deterrent, thereby ensuring the basic security of Dionia's coastline.
However, the Tarantum Senate still insisted that Plessinas resolutely refused, so that the cheeky he returned without success.
As soon as Plessinas returned to the port of Turii, Crotone's fleet arrived, and the sea trade route of Turii was immediately cut off, and the port was in panic.
Olivers arrived with a large patrol to help Marigi maintain order.
After learning of Tarantum's decision, Davos pondered for a while, and said to the clerk Aristocrates beside him, "I seem to remember that the Spartan messenger once went to Tarantum?"
"Yes, Aristillas reported at the time, 'The Spartans wanted Tarantum to abolish their alliance with us and to take the lead against us, but Tarantum's senate refused.'"
"But it still works." Davos sighed, and then sneered: Tarantum, this is trying to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight! Well, this war is ultimately up to us!
"Go and tell Aristiras that you can close the net for that Crotone spy."
"Yes!"
…
The Dionians closed the port, and Tratus, as expected, had already negotiated with the corresponding Crotone Clippers in advance: to obtain it every night on a specific beach at the mouth of the Krati River. his intelligence.
Just when he started to write the secret letter again, the door was suddenly knocked open, and four or five people poured in.
In a panic, he subconsciously grabbed the papyrus scroll in his hand, and as soon as he shouted, "Who are you—", he was pushed to the ground by the person who rushed in, and his clenched hand was also torn apart. The shredded papyrus was also taken away, and his expression suddenly changed.
"This afternoon, about 10,000 people in Turii were stationed in the military camp in full armor, and a thousand heavy infantry were also stationed in the port. It is said that the citizens of Amendolara are already on their way to Turui. Niutum—" A clear voice sounded above his head: "Tratos, I have to admit that your observation and arithmetic skills are really good. The information you wrote to Crotone is very consistent with the facts. No wonder the Crotone people. I will send you to Turii and stay here for half a year, what is your impression of this place?"
Hearing this, Tratus' heart sank, and he already understood that his whereabouts were already in the hands of the Dionians.
When he was put up, he saw a tall and thin middle-aged man standing in front of him, looking at him with interest.
"What do you want to do to me?" Tratus asked in a low, dry voice.
The tall and thin man didn't say a word. He took something from someone else and brought it to Tratus: it was a crudely carved wooden knife.
But Tratus suddenly widened his eyes, looked impressive, struggled and shouted: "What did you do to my child?! You caught my child, didn't you?!! He is only seven years old! Hera is there Come on, please forgive him!! Forgive him!! Let me do anything!!..." He begged bitterly, and finally broke down in tears.
The tall and thin man said sternly: "Your wife and children are still in Crotone City, but under the surveillance of our people, let me introduce myself, my name is Aristillas, the consul Davos. (Although Davos promised him this position, he is still a free man, not an official), give you an option to do things for Dionia. If you refuse, not only will you die, you will suffer A sick wife will die of illness for lack of money, and her son will be a slave; and if you agree, you will become a Dionysian reserve citizen, and we will try to rescue your wife and children, and let the doctors of the Alliance treat your wife. Ill, you know that our alliance's medical skills are stronger than Crotone!" Aristillas paused, and saw that Tratus lowered his head and his face was gloomy, so he said in a deep voice: "It is a life Death is your choice."
… … … …
At dusk, the chief general of Crotone, Miron, received a tip from Turui: This afternoon, Turui began to assemble the civic soldiers. It is reported that about 4,000 citizens in the city gathered in the Victory Square, and the villages outside the city were still mobilizing. However, no large numbers of citizens have yet entered the city of Turii. Turii has dispatched about 1,000 soldiers to the port, and sent a lot of cavalry to patrol the coast. Amendolara and Niutum have not yet seen the arrival of the army.
In the past six months, Crotone has learned about the situation from Tratus' intelligence and from the released soldiers. Chief General Miron has some knowledge of Dioria and is also very vigilant in dealing with Dionia. Therefore, With preparations in advance, after helping Crimesa eliminate the mercenaries, war mobilization was carried out immediately. This time, in order to completely defeat Dionia, Crotone and its subsidiary Asprostum assembled all the troops they could muster: twenty thousand Crotone, Asprostum Three thousand; Crotone's ally, Siritin, was originally a large city, but it suffered the most losses in the last raid by the Dionian Alliance, but for revenge, it still squeezed out two thousand troops; Trina of the Brutians also sent a thousand men, and this time Crotone did not refuse; only Cologne, Crotone refused its reinforcements, for Coulonia was south of Crotone Tone's enemy, the Locley Alliance, although it has not changed much in recent years, Crotone knows that Locley has always been eyeing the north. If he is at war with Dionia, Locley will suddenly attack and be captured by it. If Corenia is the case, then it will be able to successfully take down the Cilidian, which is short of major generals, and approach the empty Crotone at the rear... Therefore, the vigilance and defense of Locle must not be relaxed.
At the same time, the battle with Dionia must start as soon as possible, and it cannot wait for Dionia's army to arrive before attacking. Therefore, Crotone's anti-Greek city-state's always protracted pre-war preparations were particularly efficient this time. Not only did they complete the assembly in one day, but the reinforcements of the allies also stepped up under his urging.
In fact, Locley was overjoyed at the news of the outbreak of war between Crotone and Dionia. After deliberation in its council, it sent messengers to Dionia. Who knew that Crotone was not only on the road The road to the north was blocked, and there were always Crotonian war ships cruising on the sea from the east coast of Great Greece from Cape Aliche to the north, forcing the envoy of Locri to change course and plan to turn the passenger ship to Sicily in the southwest, and then Turn to the northeast of Tarantum to disembark and make a big circle by land.
…
Davos was analyzing Crotone's military information with the generals of the legion and discussing countermeasures. Aristocrates came in and whispered a few words with him. Davos nodded and said, "Let them come in. ."
He turned to the generals and said, "Brothers, here comes Zantiparis and Thormid."
There was a sudden silence in the living room where they were still arguing.
Zantiparis and Thormid hurried in with worried faces. They didn't expect that there would be so many people in the living room, and they were stunned at the time.
At this time, Davos smiled and said, "I was going to call you two, but I didn't expect you to come first. We are just about to start discussing how to deal with the Crotones. Come in and talk about your views."
Zantiparis and Thormid looked at each other, then knelt down on one knee and said apologetically, "Lord Davos... and... fellow soldiers, we are... sorry for you! To Dionia It has brought war and trouble to you! Timasson and Crianno have been in frequent contact with mercenaries some time ago, and they have repeatedly asked us for our opinion. We always thought that they just wanted to leave here. Thought... we—"
"Tima Song and the others have nothing to do with you!" Davos interrupted them, and said with a serious and serious expression: "Everyone has their own ideas and a life they like to live, you and other mercenaries have chosen Staying and not leaving shows that you agree with the system of Dioria, you like to live here, and you are willing to be citizens of Dionia. Then come and fight with us! Test you before the army of Crotone The time has come! Use your heroic performance to fight back against other people's doubts, prove to the Dionysian people that we were not wrong at the beginning, and at the same time prove your determination to defend Dionia to the death, and let the people of Dionysian voluntarily Open your arms to welcome you!"
"Davos is right! Zantiparis, Thormid, let's fight together and defeat the Crotones! Avenge Timasson and the others!"
"Great, we can finally fight together again!"
…
Amyntas, Antonios and the others expressed their warm welcome to Zantiparis and Thormid, which made them feel relieved.
Note: The fourth volume of this book is coming to an end when the Crotones gather their armies to attack the Dionysian Confederacy. Wondering if Dionia can survive the Crotone onslaught? Can it be reversed and won? Please see the next volume: Southern Italian Overlord
I remember that I stopped writing the last novel "From a City to an Empire" when I was about to start writing the volume of "The Overlord of Southern Italy". After so many years, it has always been a pity in my heart. This time it is rewritten here. But a long-cherished wish.
Thanks to the book friends a$ "swastika" sand boat "Xiankong" and kite 2001 for the reward! Your support is the greatest support for my writing!
The fourth volume is over, didn't the brothers celebrate and reward!
Volume 1 before the battle