Augustus Road

This is what Lepidus said to Petnaeus in advance, the "swordless" tactic, and it is also the secret strategy to completely trap Masseria, a commercial tactic.

With the support of huge financial resources, Lepidus adopted a regional chain-style unified supply method. After Caesar united his army first, the logistical supply of the nine legions was an urgent problem that needed to be solved. When Caesar arrived at Ilerda, the gateway to the Pyrenees, he took the lead in decisively launching a cavalry battle against Afranius' troops. , oppressing the opponent's military camp, and then not only the Oscars, but also other large tribes in Spain, such as Tarraco, Yaratani, Ossetani, and Irubonese all sent envoys to negotiate peace with Caesar, expressing their desire for peace. He formed an alliance and was willing to provide auxiliary soldiers and food. "The reason why these tribes turned away from Pompey, who had been running this place for many years, was entirely due to their admiration for our generous and benevolent policies. I had previously guaranteed the granting of citizenship to the surrendered areas in Gaul. , and Spain, which was incorporated into the Republic before Gaul, due to the prejudice of those in power, the power of the indigenous nobles has not been implemented for a long time. Marcellus, Pompey's crony, once beat the Gaul petition elders with a stick, but in fact he helped No matter what, the defection of these five major tribes will not only provide tens of thousands of servants for me, but also solve 70% of the logistics. "

It is really gratifying, as expected, it was the cause and effect. Caesar's political foresight gradually showed his advantages, while Pompey represented the conservative system of the Senate, which had an illusory halo on its back and was also tied up. Since supplies can be obtained locally, Lepidus only needs to deal with the remaining 30% of Caesar's legions - the wheat in the old Gaul (now southern France) is enough. Lepidus worked together to plan a detailed route. The funds are allocated among the various tribes in the area. The transportation assembly point is Elelda. According to the size of the apportionment and the distance traveled, generous rewards were given. When the tribes of Old Gaul saw that the supervisor was so fair and generous, they all participated enthusiastically. Of course, in addition to the miserable end of the Albissi people who had helped the rebels earlier, everyone also looked at it. In my eyes, in my heart.

The magic of carrots and sticks. It can be said that it has been since ancient times.

By analogy, Lepidus' "chain" is clearly formed. If Old Gaul supplies the Spanish battlefield, Aquinoa, Liguria and Transmontane Gaul supply the siege of Masseria. The land is Arport, and the logistics consumption of this kind of war is even greater! Sardinia and Etrunia supplied civilians from the city of Rome, and the assembly point was at the Ostia River port. The person in charge was Antony, who stayed in Rome.

As for Cyrene and Sicily, Lepidus's instructions were to remain stationary in preparation for new battlefields.

This strategy is unprecedented. Huge calculations and projects involving knights, chambers of commerce, and elders from all over the world. It is simply unimaginable to arrange the ships, packhorses, and journeys without extremely profound prestige. "Lepidus is the successor of Crassus. No, he can be said to be even better than Crassus!" Many times, his staff Cames publicly commented like this.

Cato the Younger of Masseria was also vaguely aware of Lepidus's intention, which was to plunder all the food around the city before the harvest, leaving nothing for his own use. He hurriedly found Dumitius and others to take away the food from the city. The fifteen nobles inside asked for a response plan, but everyone was at a loss. "With the fall of Simos Island, the failure of the naval battle, and the defeat of Triali, we are sitting on the defensive."

This kind of death was absolutely intolerable to Cato the Younger. He once again made an impassioned speech to everyone, demanding that from now on, all the grain in the city be collected and concentrated in the Temple of Hercules in the city, and a committee was urgently established to be responsible for grain distribution. , reducing everyone’s rations to a ratio of two to one for soldiers and civilians. All non-combatants, “including myself, will eat one meal a day, and all sacrifices and entertainment celebrations in the city will be cancelled.”…

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Triali cursed in a low voice on the sidelines. He was not convinced by Cato and his brother-in-law. He believed that he was from Pompeii and should have the peace and control of this city. power.

On the other hand, Legal Officer Malklus also looked pessimistic, "Don't we have a more proactive way to break out?"

"Where can we go if we break out! Outside are Lepidus' four legions, plus Caesar's nine legions in Spain. We won't be able to run far before we are wiped out. Lepidus behind the blockade is eager for me to do this. He is a despicable and treacherous foreigner. People want to completely destroy my reputation in this siege - everyone knows that in this kind of war, in order to survive, our side will take many cruel and extraordinary measures. This is exactly what Lepidah hopes. , 'Look, this is Cato's ugly face.' He not only wants to destroy this city, but he also wants to destroy me, the symbol of the republic!"

"Please ask the symbol of the Republic to point out a clear path for us. If the meaning of Rome is just high-minded talk, then I don't think the Republic will last for hundreds of years." Triali shouted directly with dissatisfaction.

"The only way is to persevere!" Cato said sternly and seriously, "Persevere no matter the cost. If you give up halfway, we will have neither power nor glory. General Pompey will start from the second half of this year. , we will definitely launch counterattacks on various battlefields next year. Aren't we here to bite Caesar's four legions? And I guarantee that the fleet from the Spanish province will come to our aid soon. As long as we fight again and break Lepidus' naval blockade, We can still get food from Spain and Africa."

In the end, Cato's plan was implemented, and soon the effect came: Marcellus, who originally belonged to Pompey's camp, went alone from the east wall of the city, bypassed the heavily guarded Acropolis, first went to the Ligurian Legion camp, and then found Lepidus to surrender.

"Why give up your position?" Lepidus teased the traitor.

"Not everyone is willing to stick to the end. The most changeable elements in this world are fire and water, but it is water and fire that give birth to all things." Marcellus defended himself.

"Then I need the truth about water and fire in Masseria. I mean you should understand that now your position has changed. If we attack, the casualties will be huge."

The other party hesitated and replied: "The city is completely dead, and Cato's remaining hope is that the Spanish fleet will come to break your blockade."

Lepidus laughed and said that even if Pompey's fleet came to help, what could it do? It seems that Masseria will fall into my hands like a ripe apple sooner or later. Then he called Sabo over and said, "Immediately prepare a plan for the second naval battle. I will use this victory to capture Tauroas Island, where the new port lighthouse of Masseria is located. If so, we will be able to complete the siege of the city!" (.)