Augustus Road

"He who controls his anger can have the paradise of heaven." - Quran

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So all the generals rushed up the hillside, looking at the surroundings of the Reinus River. Diviaci pointed to the front and said: "If we go in a straight line, we will have to pass through swamps and forests. I advocate choosing a flat road for the army to move forward, but it will take about 70 to 80 Roman miles, about 120 Roman miles in total, to reach the border fortress of Besancon on the Reinus River."

"Well, first send a messenger to rush there, asking the Gallic tribes in Besancon to assist in the city defense, and to prepare supplies for the arrival of our army. In addition, according to Diviaci's statement, we will not take risks easily, so we will take a detour, but because the distance has increased, I require the whole army to maintain a forced march posture, that's all." After Caesar finished speaking, he waved his whip and rushed down the hillside.

The Roman Legion's military code required that the normal marching posture required marching 25 to 30 Roman miles within five diurnal minutes, and then resting; the forced march posture required marching 35 to 40 Roman miles within seven diurnal minutes, and then resting; and the forced march required by Caesar required marching day and night, without camping, carrying 40 to 50 kilograms of equipment, and running towards the set goal day and night.

At this time, the elders of the Secchiani tribe in the Besançon area were gathering in the square of the city, enthusiastically discussing the important issue of whether their tribe should be subordinate to the Roman side or the German side in the upcoming war. A messenger ran over and shouted at them. "Here it comes. Here it comes."

"What's coming?" The elders remained calm and composed.

"The governor of Gaul led six legions to Besançon."

The elders stayed for a while, then nodded to each other with firm expressions, put on white robes, and came to the outside of the city in a group. They hugged and kissed Caesar who had dismounted with a smile on their faces, "We have endured Areovistus for a long time, and now the sword that breaks the tyranny has finally come!"

Caesar's forced march achieved very good results. The Secnia tribe was "occupied" by the Romans before they even had time to waver, so their elders could only obediently issue a resolution to request that the wheat that had just been harvested around the entire city of Besançon be paid to the warehouse that the Roman legion had just built.

In the city of Besançon, the Renus River is like a semicircle, surrounding the high ground where it is located with an astonishing golden ratio, and also provides it with a natural barrier. This side is the fertile land of Gaul. That side is the wild Germania. Caesar walked around the city wall and said to the officer next to him with great appreciation: "Set up a joint camp outside Besançon. Four places, two legions each, twenty stadia apart. We will not return to Milan this winter, and directly use this city as the location of the winter camp."

Lepidus made a slight calculation. No, it was not that he miscalculated, but that Caesar was wrong. Four joint camps, two in each place, that would be eight legions, but now the maximum is only six legions?

But soon, Lepidus made it clear what Caesar meant. He would recruit two new legions north of the Po River and in central Gaul. If nothing unexpected happened, it would be during this winter camp period, namely the 13th and 14th Illyrian Legions. This was also "extra-staff recruitment", and the money was paid by Caesar himself, so he had to continue to fight with the Helvetii and the Germans to obtain more and more spoils and capital for the establishment of a war machine.

"Well, by the way, Lepidus, you will return to the old winter camp in Milan after the battle. You don't have to worry about this place in the next year. Your task is to recruit the 13th Legion and search for veterans from Etruria, Campania and even Rome. Of course, the main force is still Gauls or Dalmatians. I will let Peddis supervise the finances." This is what Caesar told Lepidus immediately. Obviously, he acquiesced to Lepidus's "leaving his job to start a business" for a period of one year, which means that after you get the new recruits, if the expedition to Egypt is approved, you can take people to Egypt to assist Ptolemy, "but you must return to Gaul before the Falcon Festival next year." This is Caesar's request.

"Can I withdraw part of the recruitment finances?" Lepidus asked in a low voice beside Caesar's mount. His capital chain is really missing a link now.

"At most 500,000 Sestris." Caesar's tone left no room for negotiation, and then a messenger came riding in, saying that Areovistus' army had camped in a flat river valley more than 30 Roman miles away.

"How many people are there on the other side?" Labinus asked immediately.

"It is said that there are 120,000 people." After the messenger finished speaking, he saluted and left.

120,000 people? That means that Areovistus's Seveph tribe came out in full force, and as expected, the purpose of convening the Gallic Congress was indeed achieved.

"Sir, this strongest Germanic tribe must be annihilated as soon as possible, because if nothing unexpected happens, since the Seveph has crossed the Reinus River, the rest of the Germanic tribes must also be ready to move east of the river." Lepidus suggested.

"Yes, but according to convention, we still have to go through diplomatic means first, which is a necessary procedure. Otherwise, those old men in the Temple of Concorde will have something to talk about." Caesar's meaning was quickly understood by the clerk next to him, and he began to write furiously to convey the governor's intention to Areovistus.

Unexpectedly, Areovistus quickly sent an envoy to the Besançon military camp and responded to Rome: "I led my tribe to hunt in Gaul fourteen years ago. I can speak Gaul fluently. If the governor does not mind, we can take a few followers and talk in an open area between the two armies. We can be frank and honest to eliminate the war."

This should be the clumsy conspiracy of the German king. Labienus immediately persuaded Caesar not to take risks, but Caesar coughed twice and told the clerk to write back: "I agree to the request of the respected king. The location is in the middle of the two camps. Each person will bring ten cavalrymen, and infantrymen are not allowed."

"But!" Labinus was anxious. He knew that the Germans were always known for their fierce cavalry, while Rome was known for its heavy infantry. This difference was obvious even among twenty people. If Areovistus took the opportunity to attack Caesar during the peace talks, we would be at a disadvantage.

"Don't insist, dear Labinus. I will choose the most reliable generals and cavalrymen. Because although I temporarily restored the soldiers' confidence in fighting through my speech to 430 centurions, it was not enough. I want to use this peace talk to verify that I am not afraid of those barbarians from the Black Forest at all." Caesar stood up with a relaxed look and began to call the roll. . )