Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

It wasn't until no more Carthaginian ships were seen on the sea that the ships of the Sicilian fleet stopped this exhausting rampage and began to rescue the drowning Dionian crew and place them where they were captured by the fleet's infantry. The Carthaginian battleship...

During the whole process, the Carthaginian people on the shore went from excitement at the beginning, to panic, to choking, and finally to the silence of the crowded beach of thousands of people...

They had heard about the fiasco of the army in Sicily, the allies of Carthage had been attacked and destroyed... Although they were worried, it was not as good as seeing the Dionysian navy defeat their fleet in the waters they depended on today. The raging rage in the city, the strength of the enemy makes each of them shudder...

It was not only the people of Carthage who were hit hard, but also the elders who were watching the battle on the wall of the breakwater. Because they stood closer, saw more clearly, and thought more, the impact was even stronger.

Fortunately, they were all Carthaginian aristocratic elites who had been tempered in politics for many years. After a period of silence, Hanno first let out a long sigh and said with a heavy expression: We should immediately start a truce with Dionia. Negotiations, in order to achieve peace as soon as possible, for those conditions put forward by Dionia... I think it is still necessary to make some appropriate concessions.

This time Hanno's proposal was immediately responded by many elders: Lord Hanno is right! Now that our navy is over and the army is trapped in Sicily again, for the safety of Carthage, even if we pay some price, we will A truce with the Dionians must be done ASAP!

Pay some price?! I'm afraid let the people know, they will never agree, and they will come to the Senate to protest!

You are too high to see those lowly people. I believe that after watching today's naval battle, they will definitely demand that this war be stopped more urgently than us!

...

In response to the voices of the elders, the Margonides led by Pretakuba remained silent. After all, the failure of this naval battle made them deeply aware that the army led by Marco in Sicily would inevitably fall into In a larger predicament, negotiation is the only way to help them out of danger.

At this time, Taipanlacco was not ready to let them go, and he said sadly: My lords, we have all witnessed the defeat of the navy today. It can be said that this war...our Carthage...is thorough. Failed... We will pay a painful price for the peace! Should we reflect on this, Lord Hanno, Lord Okriton... and many other elders repeatedly emphasized that 'Dio' Nia has a strong military, and it is not good for Carthage to start a war. I hope that I can try my best to maintain the peace!' Why do some people insist on going to war, resulting in such a bad situation today! Shouldn't we hold them accountable?!

As soon as this word comes out,

Everyone was shocked and looked at Pretakuba subconsciously.

Declaring war on Dionia is a unanimous resolution passed by the Senate. Pretakuba replied coldly.

If it weren't for your frequent incitement of the people to put pressure on the Senate, that resolution would never have passed, and... the case of a Dionysian merchant ship stealing and selling Iberian silver mines is also very suspicious. I suggest that the decision should be revisited. We will investigate this matter in detail, and we must not allow some people to escape punishment for their own interests and crimes against the interests of the city-state, and let those of us who truly love Carthage suffer innocently from the wrath of the people!

Taipanlacco's words reminded the surrounding elders and made their eyes shine: the failure of this war and the heavy price that may be paid afterwards will inevitably cause the anger of the Carthaginian people, and the Senate really needs a scapegoat to bear this huge The responsibility of Margo, who actively launched this war, is undoubtedly the best target, not to mention the Margonid family, whose strength and prestige were severely hit in the war, also made them a lot less awe-inspiring.

As a result, many elders expressed their approval one after another, hoping that the Senate would re-investigate in detail the matter of inciting the people to launch a war against Dionia, and the theft and sale of Iberian silver mines by Dionia's merchant ships. Conspiracy should be severely punished.

When more and more elders agreed with Taipanlacco's proposal, Pretakuba saw Hanno's cold gaze, and he suddenly understood: since the outbreak of the war, this Magni has The biggest enemy of the De family did not hinder Mr. Marco too much, but was waiting for the most vicious stab at this most critical moment.

He was a little panicked, and loudly defended: Have you all forgotten! The reason why Carthage started war was because Dionysus declared war on Rome, and Rome is our ally, we must fulfill the covenant! Lord Ace Yaruba, do you think so?!

Facing the look of help from Pretakuba, the white-haired neutral leader coughed a few times, turned his head to look at the others, and said, Everyone, we should immediately send people to rescue the drowning crew members, Repairing damaged ships, burying fallen warriors and pacifying bereaved people...and negotiating what concessions might be made in the armistice negotiations with Dionia, and dispatching messengers to negotiate...so much Things need to be done right away... uh... what you just talked about can be discussed after these things are done...

Pretakuba's heart sank to the bottom. Although Ace Yaruba said it perfunctory, he could hear his support for Taipanlako's proposal.

Hanno stroked his beard with his hand, a mocking smile on his face.

As the sun sets and night falls, countless ships are still busy on the sea near Carthage, and the cries and cries can be heard resounding in the once largest city-state in the Western Mediterranean, which lasts for a long time...

In this naval battle, about 180 warships on the Carthaginian side, 390 warships in the two fleets of Dionia, and a total of 570 warships participated in the battle. During the fierce battle, the Carthaginian fleet lost 135 warships, its naval commander was killed, and the Dionysian Third Fleet also lost 76 warships. It was cold and shivering at the start. In the history of the previous Mediterranean naval battle, the battle loss rate of both sides was so high, which had never been seen before.

However, the Dionysian Third Fleet exchanged for the near destruction of the Carthaginian fleet at a heavy price of more than half of the casualties. It is difficult to recover in a short period of time, and it cannot pose a threat to the Dionysian navy, which makes Dionysian navy. The Nia Navy can safely and boldly sail in the waters of Africa, and can directly oppress and block the city of Carthage, which is a great strategic victory.

Therefore, Davos was very excited after receiving the news of this naval battle, and publicly commended the two fleets for their seamless unity and cooperation, fearless sacrifice, and won this important victory for the kingdom, and called on the whole army to fight for them. He studied and promised that all the crew members who participated in the war would make a great contribution. At the same time, he would urge the Ministry of Military Affairs to make up for the battle-damaged ships of the Third Fleet as soon as possible to make it complete.

Two days later, Okridon, the negotiator for Carthage, arrived in Minoa in hopes of restarting the peace talks.

Davos graciously agreed in person, but secretly instructed Henepolis to delay the negotiation as much as possible.

After learning that King Dionia still welcomed the peace talks, the Carthaginian Senate immediately passed a resolution and sent an envoy to the Carthaginian camp of Serinus to inform Marco to suspend the negotiations. Serinus' attack to ensure the smooth progress of the peace talks.

I don't know that Marco got more news. Pretakuba has sent someone to remind him that the people of Carthage City have not only strongly called for the end of the war and the restoration of peace in the past few days. The war in Asia expressed extreme dissatisfaction; the Senate was also turbulent, saying that it was responding to the demands of the people and preparing to launch an investigation into a series of events that occurred before the war, and its goal was obviously aimed at the leadership of Marco The Magnid family.

After getting this news, Marco realized the danger. After consulting with the generals of his family, he made a resolute decision: he would never obey the decision of the Senate, and stop the rectification of the Numibians in the camp. Linus City attacked.

He decided to use a victory to restore the Margonides' prestige in Carthage.

After Davos got the news that Margo led the army to restart the attack on Serinus City, he learned about the general reason through other channels, and immediately asked Henipolis to question Okriton: Since Jia Taiki is already negotiating a truce with Dionia, why is he still ordering the Sicilian army to attack Serinus! Dionia doubted its sincerity in the negotiations and decided to suspend the negotiations until the Carthaginian army in Sicily really eliminated the hostility to Dionia.

Okriton wanted to refute Henepolis: while Dionysus was negotiating, it was not the same to let the fleet continue to cruise in the Sicilian waters, and even go deep into the waters of Carthage, posing a great threat to the entry and exit of ships in the port !

However, the current war situation is extremely unfavorable for Carthage. Okriton shoulders a heavy responsibility and urgently needs to reach an agreement as soon as possible to maintain the security of Carthage soil. Therefore, he dare not say such hard words, but earnestly guarantee: The attack on Serinus was definitely not at the behest of the senate, it must have been Marco's own actions, he would immediately rush to Serinus to stop Marco's hostile actions, and the elder Yuan would punish Marco. , I hope the negotiation can continue after this matter is dealt with.

Henepolis, who had been instructed by Davos, of course welcomed it.

Regardless of his swearing in Minoa, he had no confidence that he could persuade the noble and stubborn Magonid family patriarch to stop his attack on Serinus.