The Persians were prepared to defend against the attack of the mercenaries. Later, they gradually discovered that the route the mercenaries were running was the mountain next to them. They were immediately shocked and realized that they had made a mistake. …
At this time, the army of Tisafonis was approaching the mountain pass, and the mercenaries were lined up near the pass. The baggage battalion and the wounded were concentrated in the rear, which was very close to the mountain occupied by the Persians. If the Persians had fired their arrows with all their might on the hills, they could have reached the edge of their line. But at this moment, these Persians and Xenophon's troops are rushing towards the top of the mountain from both directions at the same time...
… … … … … …
"Put up the shield!"
"Slingers get ready!"
"Archer ready!"
The leaders looked solemn and gave orders to their troops loudly. In front of the mercenary formation, the Persians slowly spread out the formation as they approached like a tide...
… … … … … …
"Hurry up! Hurry up! Brothers hold on, you are racing for your survival! With a little more effort at this moment, we can make our march easier in the future and save us a lot of troublesome battles!" Xenophon took the lead while leading the way. The troops climbed the mountain while cheering them on.
When they got to the mountainside, the soldiers obviously felt sore muscles, shortness of breath, and slowing down. When they saw the Persians on the side of the mountain doing the same thing, a sense of urgency made them dare not relax.
Although the Persians are closer to the top of the mountain, the side of the mountain they are on is steep, unlike the mercenaries who walk on the gentle slope of the back mountain.
In the "climbing competition" between the two armies, the Greeks had the last laugh. They reached the top of the mountain first, and, despite their fatigue, immediately threw javelins and stones at the Persians who were climbing.
The Persians turned and fled, even abandoning their former positions, running to the foot of the mountain...
… … … … … …
Tisafonis's long-range attacks continued, and despite the increasing casualties of his troops, he still did not give orders to retreat, which made the mercenaries feel a lot of pressure, just when they were struggling, the scout cavalry came. The report said: Xenophon has sent a message that they have occupied the mountains and driven out the Persians!
"Retreat!" Kerethorpes breathed a sigh of relief.
So, the mercenaries began to retreat in an orderly manner...
The Persian army is closing in...
When the mercenaries all retreated into the mountain road, and the Persians who were still following entered the attack range of Xenophon's troops, they were hit by the falling stones and javelins from the top of the mountain, and the horn of retreat was sounded...
… … … … …
After the mercenaries walked the mountain path, they entered a plain. There are many villages here, and mercenaries began to camp, treat the wounded, and replenish a lot of supplies, because the guides all said: The Dukiya Mountains are in front. To this end, the chiefs called an important meeting.
"We Greeks rebelled against Persia, and the Duqueahs also rebelled against Persia. According to the guides, the Persians sent about 100,000 troops to attack Duquea, but they were defeated. Since we and the Duqueas are both If we have a grudge against Persia, then we and the Duqa people should be able to get along well, and we just go to Armenia through the road, and we won't do anything to the Duqa people, as long as we send envoys to express our peaceful will to them, I believe They will definitely accept it!..." Xenophon said eloquently, and after this period of training, he became more and more confident.
"Get along well? It's easy to say!" Tima Song sneered. He was a little disliked by Xenophon's publicity. Whether it was Davos or Xenophon, both young and capable, too sharp, attracted some like Kerry The jealousy and dissatisfaction of the old mercenaries such as Anno and Timason: "An army of tens of thousands of people has entered their territory, and they have defeated the Persian army many times. Will the Duqiya people be nervous?! Will they be afraid? ?! I don't believe it! Oh... You said that you just passed through the Dukeya, but if you launch an attack when you pass through the cottages and settlements, the price will be too high. Do the Dukeya people dare to take this risk? The Hakkas are fierce and savage, and they are even afraid of Persia, which has a vast territory and is surrounded by it, how can they agree to our demands from thousands of miles away?!"
As soon as Timasson finished speaking, Crianno continued: "A few days ago, my soldiers captured several Persian Durkiya slaves. After inquiring, I learned that the 'Dukiya' is only the Persian's opponent. A name for the mountain people who live in this mountainous area. In fact, there are many tribes and different races in the Dukeya Mountains. They often fight and kill each other for the interests of the tribes, and some tribes even have a deadly revenge. The problem now is— Even if we can get the consent of one tribe, we may be attacked by another tribe after just climbing a few hills, and if we ask one tribe, one tribe to negotiate, and it takes too long, we will starve .Be aware that the Duqya Mountains are a barren and food-poor region!"
"It seems that there is only a hard way!" Hieronymus, who rarely speaks, said in a strong tone at the moment: "After we enter Dukeya, we will not take the initiative to violate others, but if someone dares to invade us, then we will give him a sharp!"
"When the time comes, I still don't know who will show whom!" Zantiparis said helplessly: "Before the Persians occupied the mountains, it caused us a lot of trouble, and it was just a few mountains! Enter Du There are mountains behind Keya. Most of us are heavy infantry and have a lot of baggage. It is difficult to march, let alone fight. The Dukeya people are familiar with the terrain, and climbing mountains is a skill they have cultivated since childhood, but we can only Relying on a guide. The mountain road is narrow, and our team may only be able to line up a long way. The Durkians can come out from anywhere to attack us, but we have nothing to do with them..." A remark from Zantiparis Silence the crowd.
Xenophon took the opportunity to say, "So you still have to negotiate with the Durkeys?"
Everyone ignored him and looked at Kerethorpes.
But Kerethorpes looked at Davos who had been silent in the corner and asked, "Boss Davos, what do you think?"
Davos smiled slightly and said slowly: "I heard everyone's words just now. In fact, it can be summed up into two opinions. One is to negotiate with the Dukeyas. The advantage is safety, and the disadvantage is that it takes too much time. I would disagree; the second is to push hard. The advantage is time saving, but the disadvantage is heavy casualties. Then, why don’t we combine these two opinions into one solution?”
become a way? Everyone looked at each other, and Kerethorpes was also stunned.
Felixius next to him saw their expressions and secretly laughed in his heart: In fact, the officers of Davos Barracks discussed this matter last night. When Davos said his way, everyone was shocked by what he thought. At the same time, it is peculiar to admit that this method is very likely to be realized. Now that he is facing the leaders, a sense of superiority arises in his heart.
Everyone asked in unison: "How did it change?"
"Find a tribe, cooperate with them, and let them open the way for us!" Davos said amazingly.
Everyone was stunned.
Xenophon was the first to react: "Davos, what do you mean... let the Durkians fight the Durkians?! Is this possible?"
"Benefits, as long as there are interests, everything is possible!" Davers said affirmatively.
… … … … … …
During the three days that the mercenaries were camped, the Persian cavalry appeared several times, attacking individual soldiers who had disengaged from the army, kidnapping livestock and attempting to set fire to the village.
After deliberation, the chiefs believed that Tisafonis was doing everything in his power to prevent the mercenary troops from entering Duquea, even at the cost of burning the Persian king's territory and people. In order to prevent him from doing more demented things, the army had to enter Duqueya in advance.
So on the morning of the fourth day, the mercenaries pulled out their camp and marched north.
Tisafonis watched from a distance the long-like formation of Greek mercenaries, gradually shrouded in the shadows of the mountains...