Augustus Road

"My husband, please don't think that in Thebes, everything can be solved by force." After Beneniki said this, he was silent for a moment, and then looked thoughtfully at the rows of draped clothes. Priests and prophets with bare heads and bare feet in simple robes were walking in front of their ceremonial guards, dipping rosin branches in the water of the holy lake and gently swaying them left and right. In the dust, secular believers moved aside left and right, knelt down gently, and some Some hold lotus leaves in their hands, and some shake bells in their hands.

"Do you know what these people you are looking down at are doing?" Beneniki, who was following the priest and sitting on a chariot, lazily asked the man next to him.

Archilaus shrugged and shook his head. Even though he was a Pontic general before, this kind of people who seemed to be intoxicated in the incense smoke were difficult to see in the Black Sea world. "These people are trying to use the sobriety of the lotus leaves and the Rhythmic bells were used to appease the emotions of the gods of Thebes, fearing that they would be angry. Of course, in normal times, they were more afraid of the anger of the spokesmen of the gods, which were the priests, so they prevented Serapis from entering the valley to celebrate. The festival is very simple. Just stand on the altar of the temple and announce to the believers that gods such as Amun are angry with Serapis, so they let lions, pythons, floods, and hail become messengers of the gods to punish the world - - Ridiculous, as if the world would lack these things in any year, but there is no way, half of the country's income and power belongs to this clergy group. "

Beneniki seemed to be talking a lot more today. Perhaps it was difficult to find the right person to talk to on weekdays. She smiled bitterly and said: "In addition, you have to know that these were the masterminds behind so many indigenous rebellions before. Priest. Since I came to the throne, they have instinctively disliked me. They said that I did not understand the Egyptian language, that I could not get the favor of the gods, and slandered me in front of all the fools. The oracle must collapse.”

Archelaus grabbed Benenice's hand and said, "I will defeat the Romans for you. I understand that their army this time is just a ragtag group of mercenaries. The Hormarch Legion will definitely defeat these people."

At this time, beside the black waves and yellow-red gravel tidal flats, the fleet assembled by Lepidus finally brought them to the coast of Levant. During this period, the commander-in-chief of the Restoration Army was so angry that these shipowners from the classical era were angry. Qing, before setting sail, they have to spend a day to divine various sea gods. After sailing close to the coast for less than two days, these ship owners will have to dock, either to dry out the cabin or to have the rowers rest and eat. , it is simply a waste of a lot of money, but there are also inherent shortcomings of ships in the classical era - many civilian ships use cheap and thin fir as the main material for quick construction, and they cannot afford the cost of cladding copper plates and lead blocks. , it is easy to get damp, leak, or be infested by insects, so these boat owners have no choice but to do so.

Therefore, being able to deliver the six thousand combatants under Lepidus across the sea is considered a high honor.

Then Lepidus issued a very strange order, and the fleet continued to move along the coast, carrying various baggage and supplies. A small number of military slaves were kept on the deck to guard it, while all the legionnaires accompanied the fleet and landed on the coastline. On the march, Lepidus requested the march line as follows: the scout cavalry advanced inland, and the first river they detected was located at the midline between the coast and the river. All troops strictly followed this route and passed through the Kingdom of Herod, a vassal of Rome. Territory, heading in the direction of Perusium Fortress.

In the marching sequence, the elite main forces of the two legions, namely the two thousand-man brigades, walked at the front of the team, the attached cavalry brigades and the remaining infantry brigades, escorting the cavalry artillery, walked in the middle, while the light archer brigades walked at the end of the team. noodle.

This kind of journey is extremely clumsy and slow, but it is extremely safe. Almost every day along the way, we encounter attacks by various unknown herdsmen or horse bandits. They are covered in loose robes and masks, brandishing crude weapons, and do not know where to go. They appeared from any corner of the Gobi desert and emboldened themselves to attack this strange army. However, when they rushed closer, these brave and reckless people found that there was no baggage and valuables to plunder. All the soldiers of the opponent were carrying armor and equipment, forming a horizontal shield. The archers behind the wall put their weapons on the shoulders of the soldiers in the front line and shot out bursts of whistling arrows. Those who finally came to try their luck met with bad luck. The route taken by the restoration army was sparsely covered with corpses of bandits 200 meters away. , taking away the horses and camels that had lost their owners and were running around.

When they arrived at the border of a region called Edom, which was only a hundred Roman miles away from the fortress of Pelusium, King Herod sent local officials to send a large amount of military rations to the restoration army, plus 500 strong animals. Camel, because this is the hometown of King Herod the Great, he sent a letter to greet Lepidus, saying that he would fulfill his friendship as a landlord.

Leaving aside the military rations, camels were of great use and were converted into mobile fire supply points. The bags were filled with specially made arrows and stone bullets, and they moved along with the middle team.

"Marco Antony, Dusonville, took over the banner of the statue of King Numa, led the attached cavalry group to attack thirty kilometers forward, tore out the enemy's warning camps along the way, and took the fortress of Perusium The terrain survey has been completed, and Saab Kemus will go with you." At the eastern border, Lepidus rode on his horse, took the flag, and handed it into Antony's hands.

"It's terrible, it seems like it's all fucking sand here." Anthony licked his dry and cracked lips. You must know that at this time, Italy is full of birds and flowers, but here, except for the layers of folds in the desert and the pale animal bones, there is nothing to see. You can't see anything.

"That's why I asked you to go and find out clearly whether there is an oasis with water from Edom to Pelusium, how long the desert area is, and how much food and water the soldiers need to carry to pass through quickly. Listen, Marco, today I turned all the wine in your bag into water, because you are now the eyes of the entire legion. I don't care how others slander you, but until entering Alexandria, the legion's vanguard will always be you, unless you die in battle." Lepidus said, and saluted Anthony.

Then wait for me to come back! Anthony held the flag, followed by the Vipicinus riders who were not used to the hot climate, and rushed towards the south, raising a lot of dust.

"Sabo, follow him carefully and see if there is a wine bag hanging under his saddle." Lepidus then winked at Sabo.

Afterwards, Lepidus said to the chief lieutenant, Petreneus, "The fleet can only accompany us so far. We have only one battle plan. After obtaining supplies and completing reconnaissance, we will cross this desert all at once and capture Pelusium."

"I will command the camp here. During the battle, I will be responsible for the logistics supply. We cannot completely rely on capturing this strong fortress in a short time." Petreneus said, "Your Excellency, the commander-in-chief, you must believe in my ability!" (To be continued.)