Augustus Road

“An emperor in need will rush to bite the rich like a torrent.” - Macrinus, historian of the Roman Empire

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"The defense in the north seems to be weaker." Laugilus blurted out.

"Why, I want the number, the deployment, and all the details!" Rabinus chased after him.

The other party could only continue to answer, "That side is the Ninth Army and the Eleventh Army. Although Caesar's nephew Dichias is the commander, the Ninth Army was actually just formed, and it was previously thought that the rebellion was 'drawn out of ten' But in addition, the Eleventh Army's combat strength was mediocre, and it lost nearly half of its troops in the Illyrian War, and was never replenished." After finishing these words in one breath, Laugilus felt that his head was sweating.

Rabinus walked to the sand table map and looked at him and then at the sand table. His meaning was very straightforward. Laugilus slowly stepped forward and pointed to the position above with some trembling, "Here, here, and here. There is here..." Most of his words used vague pronouns, but the shrewd Rabinus quickly understood the defense plans of the two legions in his mind, and said - "In front It’s a swamp, and each camp is guarded by wooden fences, with a gentle seaside sandy land behind it.”

Saying this, Labienus sat down with a smile and thanked the two brothers repeatedly, "When Pompey returns to Rome, your tribes will still be allies of the Republic, your father will still be the king, and you will still be the Senate. members." Then he waved his hand and motioned for both brothers to go out. Then he called Lailias, Machius and other subordinates. asked in a deep voice. "Is it true that Scipio fought in the Andabucians?"

"It's true. It is said that nearly a quarter of the troops were killed or wounded, and nearly half of the luggage was lost. There is also reliable news that Metra Scipio even begged Lepidus for surrender before the battle. "Marchius said cautiously. Of course he knew that these words could only be communicated internally. After all, Scipio was Pompey's father-in-law. If his "glorious deeds" were to be spread. This is not a good thing for the entire camp.

"Well, let's analyze it. Now that Scipio has begged for surrender, Lepidus still gave up the opportunity to encircle and annihilate the opponent's three legions. I think there is only one reason, and that is that Lepidus has more urgent things to deal with, that is, It is to reinforce Caesar. Just like in a gambling game, gamblers often sacrifice small chips to induce the other party to bet all their assets. For Caesar and Lepidus, they are keenly aware that the city of Cocula is. The place of destiny. “Then. Rabinus let out a long cry and covered his mouth. He was obviously very excited and uneasy, "Gentlemen, the same is true for us. The reason why we gave up the idea of ​​​​confrontation at the beginning was to deceive Caesar into besieging the city. Although there was little success in the previous battle, It's a setback, but I think there is no problem in defeating Caesar. His supplies can't last for a few days, and we are holding him back. As soon as he collapses, he will be killed and captured by our army. "

"Then how do we open up the situation in the north? I believe that as long as what those two Gallic brats said is correct and they can successfully defeat Caesar's 9th and 11th legions, Caesar's other siege teams will also be finished one after another." Lelia Si said confidently.

"Don't worry about this. My trump card is the Three Legions. Originally, I assigned the Three and Five Legions to Aetolia. Now the Five Legions have returned to build Corcula, but the Three Legions are the back-up. Caesar always believes that I will use this legion in the landing battle against Olikoum City. However, with the transportation capabilities of the Libo fleet, I can-" After speaking, Rabinus pointed his finger at the sand table. , the position behind the Eleventh Army, that is, the narrow sandy land just mentioned, "Here, it is easy to use the fleet to send an army behind the enemy. Then General Lelias, you will lead a group of Two or two legions will attack across the swamp in front, and the three landing legions will attack behind them. The timing must be perfect!"

"Leave it all to me, now give the general order to Libo and Sextus!" Lelias said with confidence, waving his fist immediately.

Later, Marcius reminded Rabinus very cautiously, "Your Excellency, since Scipio has failed, you must also consider the positions of Lepidus' three legions and whether he was really diverted by our fleet. Did you go to the northern seaport?"

Rabinus thought for a while and said that of course this was also on my mind. Lepidus was the most important figure in the entire battle. Maybe other people in Pompey's camp didn't think so, but I think he was regarded as the most important figure in the whole battle. A person more dangerous than Caesar. Hearing this, Machius, who had been cheated by that man before, felt sad and hurriedly shed tears and nodded in agreement.

So Rabinus wrote a letter to Lepidus and gave it to a person acceptable to both sides of the war to deliver. The content of the letter was very simple: I heard that you captured Sarada, the prince of Thracia, and I have There is Antony's brother Gaius. I hope to discuss the exchange of hostages with you in writing. Of course, I don't think this letter will bring you any trouble. I hope you can understand my impulse during the peace negotiation. So I must give this letter first to Caesar, and then Caesar will deliver it to you.

The letter was held by Marcius, who waved his arms in the confrontation area between the two armies, explained his purpose, and handed it to Caesar. After reading it, Caesar smiled and said that he would not interfere in such matters, which were between Labinus and Lepidus. Then he winked at a young staff member beside him, and then invited Marcius to stay as a guest, but the other party refused, saying that since His Excellency Caesar agreed to the exchange, he must deliver the letter to General Lepidus.

Caesar said regretfully that he could only invite you at the banquet to celebrate the victory, and then he personally rode a horse to see Marcius off.

Machias was a little surprised, because Caesar rode with him, from this side of the camp to the other side of the main gate. In other words, this was to give him a clear view of the military secrets in the camp, whether it was the transformation of the barrier, the layout of the battle line, or the situation of the soldiers. Moreover, he was the director of engineering and an expert. This subconscious habit made him look a few more times and delayed a little more time.

In the wilderness outside Jimmons, Sabo rode his horse, gritted his teeth, and galloped desperately. He was so tired that he almost fainted, but he was still insisting. General Lepidus' camp was still thirty Roman miles away. He had to work harder and report this news to him before Machias arrived!

In this way, Sabo and Machias were separated by two days, and arrived at the camp of the Jimmons River first. When Lepidus heard Sabo's words, he stepped on the horse's back, whipped the whip hard, and galloped towards the Dickhaqiang area. (To be continued...)