Augustus Road

"Nothing is more frequent than revolutions and improvements in the art of war. -Ding-dian-xiao-shuo-" - Ancient Greek orator Demosthenes

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When Labienus's military order was issued, many Pompeian soldiers were still lying down and drinking cattle greedily by the stream in the occupied camp. Over there, Laelias's tribe had already fled in the opposite direction, but Lepidus' three legions were advancing, and they were dead. Unable to relax, the rearguard units of Pompey's army were broken through one after another in the forest, seaside and riverside wilderness. Their casualties were more serious than the losses of Caesar's army in the previous northern position. Some people fled to the canoes left by Libo. On the top, some people were rushing into Caesar's camp, and some were running towards the city of Cocula, but more people were hiding on the spot. Whether it was Rabinus or any other general, they had no intention of attacking his subordinates. Lost control.

At the same time, Carenus also led his men to surprise out of the small camp, cooperating with Lepidus' offensive and flanking the enemy.

In the evening, two heads appeared in front of Lepidus, who was in command. They belonged to the traitor brothers Laogilus and Elgus. The former was beheaded by a black soldier of the Fifteenth Legion, and the latter was killed by a black soldier from the 15th Legion. He was hiding in a corner of the camp during the chaos and was discovered by Alp, the captain of Lepidus Guards, and was shot dead.

"Are these two people always following Labienus?" Lepidus asked, and after receiving the prisoner's approval, he said, "It seems that Labienus's staff and retinue have also been disbanded. Tell the legion commanders on the front line to continue the fierce pursuit and annihilate Pompey's elite troops in Greece. They have experienced a long battle and have no strength to resist. Come out and surrender, we will protect each other’s lives.”

Then, several military slaves brought Lepidah's mount over. He sighed, looked at the dusk surroundings and the battlefield with bones like sand, and then pedaled on one side. He climbed into the saddle and gave the order: All artillery detachments, baggage trains, and the commander's guard should advance six stadias with flags. In addition, he sent orders to the soldiers on the front line to re-occupy the water source and river as the limit, and move Pompey's side forward. After the remaining soldiers were driven out of this range, they used the original camp to rearrange the blockade.

About three thousand Pompeian soldiers were killed on the spot, plus the losses from previous attacks. That day can be said to be the worst day in Labienus' life, as five thousand of his elite men died. About the same number were captured or surrendered, most of whom had surrendered with Gaius and later fought in Pompey's legions, and now they swung back again to hand over their weapons and armor to Caesar's first lieutenant.

There are still more people fleeing. Neither Caesar's side nor Pompey's side can grasp their exact location. They are all over the mountains and valleys. However, Lepidus told his subordinates not to worry. They will automatically take over in two or three days. Those who came out were lured by water and food.

In the end, less than 10,000 troops followed Rabinus back to Cocula. He returned to the starting point in despair, and then sat blankly in the camp, holding his head, trying not to cry, but The soldiers didn't care. The torture of fear, disappointment and thirst made them cry as much as they wanted. This kind of blood-curdling cry could even be heard by the two legionnaires on Caesar's position.

On that day, Caesar and Antony were not idle. They each organized twelve brigades to attack the enemy's blockade. They also made considerable progress, destroying a section of the city wall, and then expelled and killed many people. There are few auxiliaries on Pompey's side.

The arrival of the "reserves" completely reversed the situation of the war. Now there were only two ways in front of Rabinus. One was to escape in a fleet as soon as possible, and the other was to be annihilated when the water was cut off.

The next day, Labienus stood on the city wall and sent his guards to deliver Antony's brother Gaius to the confrontation between the two armies, and then asked Caesar and Lepidus to come out to discuss.

After Lepidus got the news, he thought that the other party wanted to exchange for the Thracian prince Sarada, so he also invited the prince to accompany him. Under the "escort" of the Medici Guards, they came to Caesar's camp together, "I I don’t know what words to use to thank you for your meritorious service and timely arrival. This still proves that Anthony’s plan is perfect, but I overestimated myself during the execution process. If I want to pursue the reason for the loss of the northern front I think that as the supreme commander of the army, I must shoulder all the responsibilities." When Caesar saw Lepidus coming on horseback, he kept expressing his gratitude, but Lepidus replied humbly that he was just fulfilling his duty. It's just the responsibility of the chief lieutenant general.

But Caesar was still very persistent, "You will be rewarded, my dearest lieutenant and assistant." Then he squinted his eyes, looked at the frightened Thracian prince in front of him, and said with relief and joking, "You should know that we are actually unwilling to let you go because there is no water to drink there."

At this moment, all the guards turned their faces to the other side - the southern front commander Anthony shouted and galloped over on horseback. It seemed that he had definitely left his responsibility to Faobinas.

"I'm here to visit the process of my brother's redemption." Having said that, Li Bida obviously saw the other party's eyes shining brightly, so it was not so much a "visit" as a "surveillance". Today the other party is He must see his brother return to his own camp safe and sound.

Gaius was standing, still in shackles, with Labinus and the soldiers holding sharp blades behind him. It seemed that the atmosphere of the discussion was not so harmonious and relaxed. Seeing the former chief lieutenant, Caesar felt disgusted and hateful again. He had heard that Labinus had killed his own captured officers and soldiers, so he said to Lepidus with a sullen face, "You are responsible for negotiating with this villain. I don't want to say anything more to him."

At this time, Labinus spoke first, "I am willing to release Gaius, and the Thracian prince does not need to return, because the entire army is out of water, and all my subordinates are suffering. There is no need for him to come and suffer. Also, I owed you a huge favor, Lepidus, and you I have pardoned my hometown, so if you don't mind, please accept my apology. "

"You'd better surrender as soon as possible to avoid letting the remaining soldiers suffer." Seeing that the other party directly untied Gaius's shackles, Lepidus loudly advised, "Then you will just accept the punishment you deserve. Can't you bear this?"

"What a joke, I am a person who bears political responsibilities, and I will not give up easily. So, Mr. Julius, Mr. Lepidus, we will meet again on other battlefields. As a real soldier, you can only be strong over time." After saying this, Labinus licked his dry and cracked lips, turned his horse's head, and returned to his own fortress line.

"Tomorrow we will start the three-sided siege. Our army is also short of supplies. We must fight quickly and decisively. Now I have the advantage." Looking at Labinus's back as he left, Caesar said. (To be continued...)