Augustus Road

Inside the fortress, although it was just a formality, all the soldiers put all their weapons in the warehouse. Then Lepidus appointed several clerks to stand beside the Pharaoh with clay tablets and pens. In addition to those who had necessary duties, there were about 5,000 officers and soldiers standing on the review field in front of the temple. Then they came forward one by one to report their names and affiliations to the Pharaoh sitting on the lion-leg chair, and then went around to the warehouse to receive various weapons from the weighing officer.

This time, Ptolemy XII not only gave the cobra flag to Lepidus, but also personally gave the two flags of his personal guard team - the sheep head representing the god Amon and the calf representing the god Serapis, to the Medje Guard. "I hope your bows and arrows can help the regent defeat the enemy and hang the chief rebel upside down at the stern of the royal flagship and show him to the whole Nile!" Alp and another man named Selha took the flags and stood, and then the eunuch Motanmenis beside the Pharaoh took a plate and took out the so-called brave gold.

Many Roman soldiers secretly laughed at the true face of this gold, but when they heard that each piece of gold was made of one pound of pure gold, they became envious - a long gold pendant with a pure gold fly on it, made into the shape of wings. In the minds of Jews or Latins, flies are a symbol of plague and filth, but for Egyptians, flies are also a totem of bravery. They can pass through layers of guards and eunuchs and lay eggs in the eyelids of the pharaoh or the pharaoh's wife (of course, this is limited to the hairy flies of the Nile River), so that the Egyptians have to use eye shadow to fight these little monsters.

The winners of the five brave golds were: Chief Deputy General Peteneus, "for his outstanding support to the front line.". The other was the military tribune Antony. "He bravely passed through the nostrils of Typhon. It was the key to victory in the battle." One was Hebrida, the chief centurion of the Thirteenth Legion. "The elite troops he led shook the solid defense of the fortress of Pelusium." One was an ordinary legion soldier named Polo. "His sword was as strong as ten people, and he perfectly covered the shooting of the archers." The last one was Alp promised by Lepidus. "This gold is awarded for his future performance."

The Alp was prepared by the Pharaoh for Lepidus, but was declined. Lepidus also specifically requested that the legion commanders, military tribunes, and ordinary soldiers should all be commended. In addition, the soldiers' committee also had a commendation ceremony, but no gold chain was given. Only additional salary was given, and everyone publicly evaluated and voted. It was also considered convincing.

In short, in short, after the awarding ceremony, Lepidus went out to the army.

Sepi Island became a new fleet anchorage and transit station. The "Serapis" Legion led the way, holding spears and bows and arrows and walking at the front of the team, with trumpeters in the middle, followed by the Roman legion. Commander-in-Chief Lepidus, under the protection of parasols and the dark-skinned Medete Guards, walked in the wilderness with the flag bearers and infantry battalions, sweating all over his face. It took a long and difficult journey to reach the oasis of the Nile River, and there was no big river in such a large desert. All fresh water and food were carried by ships along the coast: Lepidus divided the fleet into two rounds, using Sepi Island to supply the marching army, and required the legions on land to resolutely not leave the coast more than ten Roman miles away.

As for pack horses, Lepidus did not bring them, but left most of them in the Pelusium Oasis for military dependents or farmers to farm, because it was too expensive to transport these animals, and the cost-effectiveness was too poor.

Ship transportation is still the most economical.

But the imminent situation appeared again. Lepidus' army was extremely short of warships, which was his biggest concern for the safety of the march, because most of his fleet was light three-masted ships, with some flat-bottomed boats and light single-row warships. The result of encountering Alexandria's elite fleet was obvious. That's why Lepidus strictly required the legions and fleets to advance adjacent to land and water, and sent a considerable number of scouts (cavalry or light ships) to guard the surroundings. His marching speed was almost the same as that of a turtle - after walking six days a day, about thirty Roman miles, he immediately dug trenches and built camps. Oh, no, it was difficult to dig trenches in the desert, so he used wooden fences and shields instead. No matter how hot or tired he was, he lined up the cavalry guns and aimed at the coastline where the fleet was located. The land and water were close together, and there was a desperate spirit of using cavalry guns to burn jade and stone together when the enemy fleet attacked.

But this was not a feasible solution after all. As a result, on the fourth day, a scout ship with a flag appeared in sight. This was a signal of an enemy attack. The entire legion was busy and hurriedly stopped to set up cavalry artillery positions. The fleet also quickly approached the shore, hoping to get defense assistance from the army.

Soon, the sea level rose a few sailboats. On the temporary platform, Sabo muttered something strange, "It seems that there is a golden cobra logo on the cross sail."

Golden cobra? Could it be that the Benedictine fleet was also using the flag of the goddess of the Nile?

"No, this is obviously a Roman ship. If you guessed correctly, it belongs to Gabinus or Cassius." Lepidus would rather hope that it is the former. He understands that the latter is a difficult character. But he was still disappointed. Ships with a plank bridge erected on the bow (this was the basis of Lepidus' judgment. This movable plank bridge that can be lowered and pulled up is the famous "Crow") came intensively and used shields on the sides of the ships. Reflecting the light and sending a peace signal to the shore, the man standing on the bridge of the flagship was obviously Longinus Casillo.

The sails were lowered and the ship landed. Cassius opened his arms enthusiastically and walked towards Lepidus' tent. He also said in a scolding tone, "You have made this big circle in vain. Look at the Levant and then to Edom." , and then to Perusium, and then to this wilderness, all because you don't trust me. If you had waited for my fleet, you could have camped here a month ago. "

Arp and several Medje guards immediately stepped forward, holding the Habaishi sword, and blocked Casillo and the other two lieutenants outside the tent.

"Even a month ago, it was still so hot here, and my march was forced by Pharaoh with a token. He was always urging, 'Hurry up, I want to spend the Valley Festival in Alexandria' - —Dear Casio, the Governor of Cyprus, no, the former Governor, are you okay? "Lepider raised his hand to signal the Medje guards to move aside, and then he hugged Casio in a false way and asked.

"His family had a little trouble, which has been resolved. In addition, Cato is determined to win the position of consul in the future." Casillo replied. (To be continued...)