Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

The elders all felt nervous, especially the elders of the Margonid faction who were trembling.

Let's go back to the venue first, and quickly send someone to notify General Summers, and let him bring the army to disperse the crowd. At this time, Hanno could still maintain his composure and whispered to the elders who were at a loss for a while. own advice.

The elders returned to the meeting place, and while waiting for the arrival of the army, they also restarted the meeting with trepidation. This time, the resistance was much smaller, and passed the resumption of peace talks as soon as possible on the basis of most of Dionia's negotiating conditions. It was decided to send envoys to reach a truce with Dionia as soon as possible.

When Hanno, under the protection of the arriving army, walked out of the Senate venue, and announced the new resolution of the Senate to the people who were still gathered outside the door and still refused to leave, the people cheered.

But Hanno also reminded them that even if the peace talks are resumed, they should not let their guard down. If the Dionysian army who invaded Africa cannot be repelled, the possibility of the peace talks being successful will be very small, and Carthage will lose more. Benefit.

Therefore, he encouraged the people present to prepare actively to defend Carthage.

The people responded enthusiastically.

But things didn't end so smoothly. On this night, several Margonid elders were beaten by the people on their way home, and one even fell into a coma.

While the entire city was preparing for the battle, the Senate condemned this violent act and sent someone to investigate, but it was still inconclusive.

At the same time, some Margonidian elders felt the danger and began to flee from Carthage quietly.

When the envoys of Carthage saw Alexis, the Dionian army had already begun a siege at Ruspina.

After learning the intention of the envoy from Carthage, Alexis made it clear that the order given to him by His Majesty King Davos was to attack Carthage. He will not stop attacking until he has received His Majesty's order to stop the fighting.

When the frustrated Carthaginian messenger left Ruspina, he was surprised to find that many Numibians also appeared here, and got along well with the Dionian soldiers.

The troop transport ships that had encountered the storm had already returned to Hadrummentum one after another. Alexis allowed the Eastern Numibians to return to their hometowns first, and then reunite with their families to assist Dionia. Army, attack Carthage together.

The reason why Alexis did not let these East Numibians go to war immediately,

It is because the Eastern Numibians are basically infantry, their combat effectiveness is not strong, and they all return to their hearts. They are worried that if they join the army, they will not only consume a large amount of military food supplies, but also drag the legion during the battle. However, he tried his best to retain the West Numibian cavalry. Except for those who drowned in the sea and insisted on leaving, about 2,000 Numibian cavalry remained to fight.

After the messenger of Carthage left, Alexis began to order the army to launch a storm on Ruspina. The engineering battalions of several legions have stepped up to produce some siege equipment, and Alexis has a basic understanding of the entire city.

In this area, Ruspina, like Hadrummentum, is one of the few larger Phoenician city-states, but in the eyes of Alexis, it is still a small city, and it has not been carefully constructed. Set up defensive facilities. Based on what he observed, he carefully adjusted the siege deployment, and he firmly believed that the city-state could be captured within a few days.

There are several reasons why Alexis is so anxious to attack Ruspina: First, although he has ordered his soldiers to step up the repair of Hadrummentum's port, in the absence of sufficient labor and lack of construction Materials, and in an unfamiliar environment surrounded by enemies, the port cannot be built in a short time. The experience of the second fleet made him know that in the late winter season, this sea area is windy, and he needs to provide a safe harbor for the fleet that is constantly transporting supplies to him as soon as possible, and it can also greatly improve the The efficiency of unloading, so capturing a seaside city-state as soon as possible is the best choice.

Secondly, the Dionysian army had just arrived, and if they wanted to gain a firm foothold, they had to establish a solid rear so that they could attack Carthage with confidence and boldness. Therefore, city-states such as Ruspina that are very close to Hadrummentum must be conquered first.

Besides, Alexis had another idea in mind. On the second day after the army landed, he received the report of the scout: the Phoenician city-state of Addis in the west was heavily guarded (the road from Hadrummentum to Carthage on land is indeed smooth, but This road is specific. There is a series of mountains between Carthage and Hadrummentum, and it extends eastward to form the Carbon Peninsula. Although the flat valley in the middle is not narrow, Atdis is located. To the west of it, Carthage sent reinforcements to Addis as soon as they learned that the Dionysian army had landed at Hadrum.) Alexis hoped that by attacking Hadrum The Phoenician city-state near Toum could attract the Carthaginian army to rescue, thus destroying the living force of Carthage through field battles.

………………………………

Just as the Carthaginian messenger Okritten sailed to Sicily again to renegotiate with Henepolis, several Margonidite elders had fled to sexi in southern Iberia, Out of resentment and fear, members of the Margonides family and local officials who were resident in the city were shocked to learn of the hype that added fuel to what had happened in Carthage.

In the governor's mansion, Dido urgently called Haka, and asked him anxiously as soon as they met: I heard that our army in Sicily was either destroyed or captured. Now my father and brother are alive and dead, so many The clansmen don't know what's going on! But at this time, the cursed Hanno has ruthlessly attacked our forces in Carthage, sent someone to assassinate Uncle Pretakuba, and drove the others out. Carthage... what should we do now?!

While Dido was speaking, Haka was already supported by the servants and lay down on the wooden chair. Since Marco led the army to land in Sicily, Haka has been responsible for all Iberian affairs. In addition, he is also responsible for the logistics and transportation of the Iberian army. He always pays attention to the dynamics of the indigenous people inside and outside the territory. Working day and night has made his physical condition worse, his body has lost weight rapidly, and even walking is a little difficult.

It's not just what you said, I also got a piece of news... Haka touched his forehead with his hand, and said softly, The important leader of the Hanno faction, Taipanlako, has proposed to the Senate that he should punish my uncle and my brother. Trial in absentia, said to be severe punishment, for causing such a great defeat, putting Carthage in danger, and to appease the Carthaginian people—

To appease the people of Carthage?! Who will appease us?! For the sake of Carthage, most of our adult men of the Margonid family have gone on an expedition to Sicily, and there is still no news! Dido had tears in his eyes, But the anger distorted her beautiful face, looking a little hideous: Also, we have stayed in this backward, barbaric and dangerous place for so many years, how much effort we have put in, and how many family members have died to get these Isn't the land also for the benefit of Carthage?! Otherwise, after Carthage and Dionia declared war, Iberia could send so many soldiers! But the Carthaginian senate ignored our capture and did not pass through us We agreed to give the Dionysian land our hard-earned land! Father and brother fought bravely for Carthage, and now their life and death are unknown. To be judged, and their honor to be humiliated, the Carthaginian Senate is going to force our Margonides family to death!

Dido gritted his teeth and said sternly: Haka, since the Carthage Senate wants to ruthlessly kill us, why should we be manipulated by them? Let's just leave Carthage and stop obeying the Carthage Senate. The command!

Haka listened quietly and was not surprised by what Dido said. In fact, she had vented similar anger to him many times in the past two days, but this time she was so determined because she heard Carthage. According to the military tradition of Carthage, the generals who have suffered major war defeats were severely judged by the Senate, and basically they were crucified. At the cross, the only one who escaped punishment was Margo's brother Himilko, and although he eventually committed suicide, the citizens of the time still complained to the senate that they were too indulgent. And now Marco has suffered a greater military defeat than Himilko back then, and the Margonid family's power in the Senate has run out. Hanno and others are making trouble, Marco and Hasdru I am afraid that Ba is really in danger of being executed, and it is no wonder that Dido is emotional.

Aren't you serious? Haka asked softly.

Of course I'm serious! Dido walked over, looked down at Haka, and said with a stern look in his eyes: Carthage regards us as enemies, then we are no longer Carthaginians! Haka, your general The officials in the land convened and announced to them that the Iberian colony was independent and had nothing to do with Carthage!

Haka rubbed his forehead and sighed softly: Now the main officials in the territory are all of our Margonid clansmen. They may not have much objections when they declare independence, but they will inevitably not cause trouble in the territory. The panic of those Carthaginians and Phoenicians.

And you should know that the biggest danger we face directly is the Iberian natives inside and outside the territory. Because we blocked the news of the defeat, they still seem to be relatively quiet for a while, but they will know after a long time, and then they will definitely Attacking our territory on the grounds of 'requiring compensation', but there are not enough troops in our territory, and once we break away from Carthage, we will not get reinforcements. At that time, we will not be able to resist these fierce indigenous people. attack, the land will be occupied by them, and the people will be slaughtered by them!

What's more important is that we have declared independence. Carthage may not be able to do anything about us for the time being, but Dionia has regarded our territory as a possession, but it has failed. Will they be angry? Will this kill my uncle and my brother? And then send the army to take the land? ...have you ever thought about this?