Augustus Road

"You guy with no education and integrity, this is how you treat the benefactor who protects your hometown? You are the ones who destroy the peace!" Li Bida, who was retreating under the protection of layers of shields of the guards, pointed his finger at everyone on the opposite side. The man yelled angrily.

At this time, soldiers from both camps booed loudly, and Rabinus also shouted, "Go back and get Caesar's head, so that the republic can have real peace!"

When they returned to the other side, Lepidus' horses were shot to death and many of his guards were wounded. All the soldiers and centurions on Caesar's side were furious and expressed their intention to fight to the death with this irrational enemy. , but only Caesar looked solemn: because he knew that the negotiation had broken down unilaterally, then Rabinus was actually holding everyone hostage, and would soon forcefully cross the Apsus River and attack him.

"We must hold on to the situation before Antony comes!" These were Caesar's words.

When the general asked if he wanted to draw more people from the siege forces of Olicum, Caesar refused, "Gentlemen, I am focusing on the war situation of the entire world, not on personal one-time safety gains and losses. Even if this is We failed in this battle, but we must also hit the enemy hard to make it difficult for them to get close to our bottom line defense."

At this time, Lepidus made a suggestion in the camp. He took the opportunity to say to Caesar: "It would be great if Curio, the governor of Sicily, could provide us with enough wood."

This sentence was said in a low voice, but it was loud and clear. Suddenly, Caesar's heart was filled with dissatisfaction and resentment towards Curio. In fact, Caesar was a tolerant man. Back then, Claudius seduced his wife. Lepidus repeatedly waged war in private against goals that he had not set in advance. Including events such as Anthony's expulsion of his colleagues in the port of Brindisi to take charge of the army. He laughed it off, and even if Cicero or Varro publicly criticized him in speeches and letters in Rome, he would make a big deal out of it. But Caesar has a rule, there is a kind of fault that he cannot forgive in any case, that is, because of selfish desire or stupidity, it ruins his entire strategic plan.

And Lepidus' words were also very clever. The word "we" obviously means that Coolio is not only selfish in fighting for power. Rejecting him to go to Sicily to command the military also hindered the current sea crossing plan, because everyone knows that Caesar's most urgent need is ships.

The effect was immediate. The corner of Caesar's mouth twitched twice, and then he looked at Lepidus. The other person seemed to have said it unintentionally, and quickly changed the topic to how to get to Bugarotum on the Apsus River right away. Went up to intercept the enemy's offensive. However, the listener definitely meant it. The thoughts that had been buried in his heart grew crazily, and Caesar suddenly interrupted everyone's discussion. Then he said, "Tell me. Now in the Greek area, since I am here personally and the enemy has a huge advantage, will Pompey later personally cross the sea and come here to gain the glory of killing or capturing me?"

After these words, everyone was speechless, and then they had to admit in their hearts: According to the character of Gnaeus Pompey, the possibility of doing this is very high.

But the lieutenant Carlenus persuaded the dictator, saying, "Perhaps Pompey would think so, but Lord Curio is training his legion and fleet in Sicily and is guarding it to the death. Pompey does not dare to cross the sea from Africa rashly and come here."

"Tightly defended? How I wish that all the forests in Sicily would be cut down by him to build a huge fleet. But before, the ships of Pompey's youngest son came to Apollonia from Utica to participate in the war and captured us. A large number of ships - in this case, can I still count on Curio? You know, he only joined our camp before I crossed the Rubicon River." Caesar's last words seemed to make a decision. What, then he called his personal slave and dictated a message, "Curio also has four legions in Sicily, but it has no effect on the entire battle. Yes, just write this what I mean. , express clearly. Of course I understand Curio’s loyalty, but I also ask Curio to understand my anxiety.”

The meaning of this message is very clear, that is, to ask Curio to send troops to Africa as soon as possible to reduce the pressure here, or to contain Pompey.

But whether Curio does it or not is another matter. Now that the information has been told, Caesar will rely on force to gamble, that is, in front of the city of Bugarotum, and Gungun come, Decisive battle between Pompey's army trying to rescue Olicum!

In the early morning of the next day, Caesar divided all the troops, about 8,000 men, mainly the 10th, 11th and part of the Tenth Legion brought by Lepidus into three wings. This time he did not leave a reserve because he had There were no extra troops, and the Apsus River that ran between the battlefield and the streets was too long, and the current was very gentle. Soldiers from both sides could greet each other across the river bank every day when patrolling. There was really nothing Caesar could do. Re-read the defense, and it happens to be an ideal area where the opponent can exert numerical superiority.

At the same time, Lailias led the "Legion of Pan" and rushed up from the dusty streets. In this case, Gabinus and Labienus had the power of four entire legions. Even though Pan's army suffered considerable losses in the previous battle of Sarona, even so, Labienus could command nearly 25,000 men, and with the support of Pompey's youngest son, he In terms of frontline dispatch, there is no need to be constrained by Gabinus.

Caesar's three wings, together with the veterans of the Tenth Legion, occupied the central position of the street and the castle. Lepidus was in charge of the left wing, which was close to the rolling mountains and could provide cover from the high ground. The 11th Legion led by the deputy Celeste was on the plain behind the river at the edge of the city, forming a horn with Caesar.

Over there, the Pompey army also mobilized quickly, "It's Labinus, it's my former chief deputy general, his command skills are completely impeccable, even though he has just accepted this strange army." Caesar couldn't help but sigh when watching the enemy's formations alternately. Of course, according to his own deployment, what he hoped most was that Labinus would put the main force on his left wing, because Lepidus, who was fighting there, could take advantage of the terrain and better block the enemy.

"That's right, that's right!" Then Caesar rode on his horse and shouted excitedly, because Labienus had put his troops on his right wing, because that side seemed to have the deepest depth, and it seemed that they would suffer in front of Lepidus's formation!

Pompey's legions in Greece and Macedonia used the flute that the Spartans liked the most, instead of the copper trumpet commonly used by the Roman army. So in a rhythmic flute sound, Pompey's army, which was also divided into three wings, marched in neat steps, waded through the cold river, and attacked the city of Bugalotum in a mighty and orderly manner. (To be continued...)