Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 102: Crotone’s choice

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Dionysius not only released them, but also gave them some gifts.

These Bruti and Lucania fighters originally thought that the captives would end up miserably, but they didn't expect to be treated like this, and thanked the gods for their blessings.

With gratitude to Dionysius, most of the fighters still embarked on the way back to Asprostum. Only a few hesitated for a long time and decided to go west without passing through Krapetia. , But to cross the mountain path between the Eufemia Plain and the Bruti Mountains, and return to my hometown...

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On this day, the Dionian Fourth and Fifth Corps that had retreated to Asprostum had a total of more than 4,000 casualties, and most of them were losses incurred during the retreat.

Especially the first battalion of the Fifth Army was annihilated, and there was no news about Drax, the commander of the Fifth Army, whether it was for the soldiers of the whole army, or for the high-level military leaders such as Felicius and Epithenis. It was a huge blow.

After all, Felicius, who blamed himself very much, was a veteran who was accustomed to life and death and victory in the Persian campaign. After the defeat of the General Assembly, he immediately realized that the situation was extremely unfavorable for Dionia, and he had to cheer up. , To establish an effective defense as soon as possible to prevent the Syracuse army from invading the territory of Dionia, and to buy time for Daves to lead the main force to return. So, in Asprostum, he trained the Fourth and Fifth Army after the defeat, and personally served as the commander of the Fifth Army.

Epiteans also let go of his pride at this moment, actively cooperated with Felicius to train soldiers, and discussed with the chief executive Agarcia how to strengthen the city's defenses.

At the same time, Felicius also sent a ballista unit and engineering battalion to Crotone to strengthen Crotone’s defense, because Syracuse had no guns, if Crotone No, it will increase the difficulty of defending the city. According to the newly edited "Dionian Military Law", the chapter on defending the city specifically mentioned the principle of "using ballistas against ballistas". As an important ally on the southern border of Dionia, Crotone must not be occupied, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable, so Felicius no longer cared about the request of the Ministry of Military Affairs to not leak the ballista.

In addition, Felicius also sent a quick horse to recover the team that escorted more than 500 Lori prisoners to Turei. He hoped that these prisoners could be exchanged for the captives in the Syracuse army. Onia soldiers.

The failure of this battle also made him more cautious, and he also sent someone to send urgent letters to the Turiyi Senate. Because he was worried that the Syracuses would bypass Crotone and go straight to Crimea, where there are few people and relatively weak defenses. He hoped that the Senate could send a new legion to Crimea. In this way, the three cities of Asprostum, Crimea, and Crotone are horns to each other and can support each other, and their defenses are thicker, more layered, and safer.

The Trina defeat led by Cipros did not follow the Dionians into Asprostum, but into the inner city of Crotone. Because the city of Asprostum is small, it cannot accommodate so many people for long-term residence. Moreover, the addition of Trina soldiers will also enhance Crotone's defensive power. Crotone is too happy to be too late, and doesn't care about the rations consumed by Trina people.

Know that Crotone and Trila’s armies are brothers and sisters in this battle. They just separate the two wings of the coalition forces and are the direct targets of the enemy’s reinforcement attacks and interceptions. Under the joint pursuit of Campania mercenaries and Syracuse sailors, the Trina people escaped with less than 4,000 people. The Crotones were attacked by Siracku’s reinforcements and the mercenary cavalry continued to pursue them. , Part of the cavalry dragged the Dionians and waited for the infantry to come to encircle the encirclement, while the other part turned to the northeast to chase Siriting and Crotone routs), and finally reached the city with only more than 8,000 people.

Both sides have lost nearly half of their citizens.

In grief, Cipros secretly rejoiced that he had made the correct decision in advance, so that the people of Trina were evacuated to the Bruti area of ​​Dionia. He didn’t need to worry about their problems anymore. safety.

The people of Crotone who had experienced a fiasco a few years ago were once again in great grief. In addition to their grief, they were even more worried that the army of Syracuse would set foot on Crotone’s land. Whether Crotone can withstand the attack of this huge army.

The Crotone’s army plus Trina’s defeated troops, and the Silitians with less than 2,000 people, totaling more than 14,000 people, plus the council’s emergency mobilization of freedmen to participate in the war, it is estimated that there will be two Ten thousand people defended the city, so Crotone's generals had some confidence.

At the urgently-convened and expanded Council of Thousands, when someone mentioned: Crotone has suffered heavy losses now, should he consider a truce with the Syracuse, just like the previous truce with Dionia In order to restore strength.

This proposal was opposed by most people. Even Lycias, who has always been accustomed to complying with the situation and compromising, refuted it sternly. He said loudly: "Everyone, Syracuse and Dionia Different, the tyrant Dionysius will never sign a relatively equal armistice agreement with us when he has such a big advantage. He will definitely want our great Crotone to become his servant and let us pay. The high amount of tribute has allowed our citizens to shed their blood for him to fight everywhere, and even change our democracy to a dictatorship like Syracuse, just like what he did in other Greek city-states in Sicily! ...

Furthermore, after Crotone became the so-called ally city-state of Syracuse, we would also face bullying by our mortal enemy Lockley, because Rodionius married the chief general Demodocus of Lockley. The younger sister is his wife, and Lokri is Syracuse’s accomplice in the invasion of Great Greece. His position in Dionysius’ eyes is naturally much higher than Crotone’s. In this way, Lokri can use the power of Dionysius to humiliate us, and even make use of Crotone's benefits! Citizens, in the face of such a very likely future, are you willing to surrender to Syracuse? ! "

"Fight to the death with Syracuse! Even if Crotone perishes, don't become a slave of Dionysius!..." The citizens shouted angrily, and finally reached an agreement on the issue of war and peace.

At this moment, the messenger sent by Felicius came to the inner city of Crotone. He not only brought the ballista unit, but also brought Felicius to represent the Dionian Senate. The promise: Dionia will fight side by side with Crotone to resist the Syracuse! Crotone can raise any difficulties to Dionia, and Dionia will do his best to help resolve them! "

Dionia’s promise and its actual actions (bringing the Nou Cannon Team) moved the citizens of Crotone and greatly eliminated the Crotone’s guard against Dionia. For the first time, the people of Crotone felt an unprecedented sense of security backed by a powerful ally.

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The messenger of Felicius drove on the avenue without stopping, passing through the roadside station three times to change horses, and it took only half a day to bring the important report of the "failed battle of the coalition forces" to the Turiyi Senate. , And quickly spread throughout the city.

Although the people of Turei are not as sad as the people of Asprostum and Dionians in Crimea, after all, most of the soldiers of the Fourth and Fifth Corps who participated in the war came from the Bruti area and Aspen. Pustum and Crimea, but their shock is far greater than these three regions. Since the establishment of Turiyi New City, they have received news of victory in every war. They have been accustomed to victory and they have heard of the defeat for the first time, and panic has spread among the people...

On the same day, many people went to the Temple of Hades to pray, hoping that Hades would protect the alliance. In the afternoon, even the people of Amendorara and Bisignia came to the temple one after another...

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While the Senate was holding an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures, in the Davers Mansion, Christoya was discussing the impact of the failure of the Allied Forces on the industry that she owned with several of her business executives. .

"Madam, Syracuse should soon march towards Crotone, and Asprostum will also become a battlefield to ensure the safety of the bank. Should we...should store it in Where is the gold and silver in Asprostum Bank temporarily evacuated from there?" the bank supervisor cautiously suggested.

"The bank of Asprostum must not be withdrawn!" Christoya said firmly, "You must understand that in the eyes of the people, Christoya Bank is not my personal property. , It represents my husband, the Archon Daves! In this critical situation, even the Archon’s property has to be withdrawn, so do the citizens of Asprestum still have the confidence to stick to it! Hmm! Not only can the banks there not withdraw, but they must open on time every day!

In addition, you must also ask the bank employees in that city to face every customer with a more confident smile. If the Asprostum City Hall is financially tight and needs to spend money, even if there is no Interest must also be lent to them! "

The director of the bank was taken aback when he heard these last words, and then said helplessly: "Madam, I understand."

"How's the restaurant going?" Kristia turned to another supervisor.

"Because of this war, there are now many more customers in restaurants than before, especially the restaurants in the port of Turii. After the sea trade route was cut off by the Syracuse fleet, those idle sailors and laborers loved it. Except for the arena, there are restaurants, so the restaurants there are full every day and there are not enough seats. Therefore, some small conflicts often occur. I have discussed with the captain of the port patrol, and he will send more people to strengthen the situation. Area patrol.