Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 144: The hidden dangers of the Dionian army

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But Dionia did not sign an agreement with Tarantum at this time, which made Histiavis feel uneasy. He was unwilling to remind him: "So you have full confidence in defeating Syracuse. I heard that until now, the army of Dionysius still occupies an absolute advantage on land!"

"Isn't Syracuse defeating us exactly what you hoped for!" Kunogolata said ironically: "You will no longer worry about the safety of the city and the lives and deaths of captured citizens."

Histiavis was speechless for a while, and then he couldn’t help asking: “If this war continues for a long time, wouldn’t Tarantum continue to deliver food to Turei? We need to know that we Food reserves are not sufficient."

"If this is the case, you still dare to tear up the covenant and go to war with us!" Kunogolata sneered.

Ansitanos interjected: "A war of this scale has occurred several times throughout the history of Greece. It simply cannot last."

Histiavis hesitated for a moment, and finally said: "Well, I will convey Dionia's proposal to the Senate, but I hope you understand that Tarantum is a sub-state of Sparta. ."

Kunogorata and Ansitanos looked at each other, and Kunogorata said indifferently, "So what? Is Sparta also ready to go to war?"

Histiavis stopped speaking. He found that the Dionians at this time were not afraid of any threats. Perhaps, as the other party said, Tarantom could only hope in Syracuse. I won...

…………………………………

While Kunogolata, Ansitanos and Tarantum were negotiating post-war matters, Daves was also negotiating with Bacchilippi, Kapus, Mariji, and Merses Discussing food issues.

"Your Majesty, the grains in the Turri granary have been transported to the troops in the south for this period of time, and it is almost empty now. The Cosenza granary, I estimate that there is still half of the stock, but its transportation is a bit difficult, and The attack on Laos is about to begin again, and the food supply will still need to be provided from the Cosenza granary. As for the current situation of the Grumentum granary, I don’t know much about it..." Agricultural Officer Bajili Pi told Daves about the current food situation in Dionia.

"I know the situation of Grumentum's granary better. The previous war with Samona ended relatively quickly, and some seizures, so not much consumption. But Grumentum's grain output was originally Low, the reserves are not good, but the large number of livestock and the low price can barely support the Third Army’s counterattack against Samona. Therefore, the Lucania area must be squeezed out to supply Turri. The possibility is unlikely, and transportation is also a big problem, so we don’t want to hit Grumentum’s granary." Daves told everyone what he had learned about passing through Grumentum. Made an introduction.

"Your Majesty, it seems that if we want to target Syracuses and organize a battle with a scale of more than 50,000 people, food is a problem that we urgently need to solve!" Capus said worriedly during this period of time. He took over the munitions affairs in place of Hiros, and he also has a detailed understanding of this: "Three days ago, Asprostum and Crimea sent back news that their food was a little tight. These days. Fearing the harassment of the Syracuse fleet, the squadron has been busy adding guards to avoid being attacked by enemy sailors. Therefore, there has not been a large-scale transport of grain to the two cities where the army is stationed, and I don’t know how they are now. .

Moreover, now Turiyi has the first, second, and seventh legions, a total of three legions, as well as a heavy transport team, and the 6,000 newly gathered by you, your Majesty. There are nearly 32,000 people every day. The number of grains consumed is a huge number. If the food problem cannot be solved, even these troops in Turyi will have to disband because of the lack of food in a few days. "

"Don't forget, there are also the prisoners of Syracuse and Tarantum. I am afraid there are about 25,000 people!" Melses reminded everyone loudly: "Even if you only give them a little food every day, Maintaining their basic survival is also a lot of food consumption. I think it is better to treat them as slaves and sell them for money."

Daves looked at Merses's greedy look that he couldn't wait. He didn't feel disgusted. Because of the consumption of war and the shutdown of the port market, the treasury only had money out but not in, and it had already bottomed out. Therefore, Myers' eager mood, he can fully understand.

It’s just that he shook his head and said: "Tarantum’s captives cannot be sold. That is our most important tool for controlling Tarantum. With them, Tarantum will deliver food obediently and continuously. Coupled with the seizure in Heraclea yesterday, I think it can at least alleviate the shortage of food in Turei. As for the sailors of Syracuse... Mariji, now the Syracuse’s blockade of our port has been blocked. I believe that the trade will slowly recover. Can these Syracuse captives be sold?" Daves, who was a modern person in his previous life, always hated the slave trade, but for the sake of Dionia’s survival, he I can't take care of a lot.

After Daves finished speaking, Melses also reversed his hatred of Mariji and looked at Mariji eagerly.

Marigi nodded and saluted Daves, and then slowly said: "Your Majesty, although we have defeated the Syracuse at sea, we have not completely wiped out their power at sea. Our most important thing is The trade route-the Strait of Messina is still under the control of the Syracuse Navy.

The situation in the east of the Mediterranean is better. Tarantum’s fleet was annihilated. Syracuse’s ally, Sparta’s combined fleet is now suppressed by our friendly Athenian fleet. So if the blockade of the Strait of Messina cannot be broken quickly, the future For a period of time, our only sea trade to the East Mediterranean Sea will slowly recover, but the original trade to the East does not occupy a major position in our Dionian market. "

Commercial officer Mariji did not talk about slavery first, but made a brief estimate of the situation in the port market.

Daves said immediately: "I understand what you mean, and I will urge Sekrian to lead the fleet to seize control of the Strait of Messina as soon as possible! But with the arrival of merchant ships, can our port ensure normal operation? ?"

Daves’s question came to the point. During the war, it was not just the arrival of merchant ships. The operation of the entire port required a lot of managers, a large number of porters and sailors, patrols to maintain law and order, etc., etc. The more prosperous the port, the more manpower is needed. And now, in order to cope with the war in Dionia, a large number of young and middle-aged laborers have been mobilized. Not only formal citizens, prospective citizens, free citizens, and even free citizens who have not yet been registered are also recruited. The previously bustling ports and markets are now very busy. In the depression, women, the elderly, and even children are more busy at the market stalls. The lack of labor is evident.

Maliji certainly knows sufficient labor—this is also an important issue. In this regard, he also had no better way, he could only reluctantly said: "Your Majesty, I will find a way to solve this problem... As for the large number of Syracuse prisoners, it is necessary to find them in a short period of time. There are indeed very few city-states that can afford the cost, and are not afraid of Syracuse, who dare to take over... Well, I have a goal." Mariji said in a heavy tone: "We can try Carthage. , You can even use these slaves to exchange food for Carthage."

As soon as the voice fell, Melses began to mumble: "Carthage, they have been beaten by the Syracuse people, but they refused to form an alliance with us before. I don't think they will agree to buy these prisoners. ."

Marigi ignored him, waiting for Daves' reply.

Carthage! After Mariji's reminder, Daves' eyes brightened: Before the war, Carthage opposed the alliance with Dionia. But the war has continued to the present. Whether the Carthaginians will maintain their previous attitude is not necessarily true. After all, Syracuse and Carthage have been mortal enemies for a long time. Although peace has been maintained during this period, it is not It means that the Carthaginians will watch Syracuse continue to expand their power in Great Greece, and even turn Great Greece into the backyard of Syracuse. Because that way, the more powerful Syracuse would only threaten Carthage's sphere of influence in Sicily.

Thinking of this, Daves made up his mind. He said: “It seems we need to send people to Carthage again immediately to find out the attitude of the Carthaginians towards this war. If they are willing to buy For this batch of slaves, we can make further demands on Carthage, such as the grain trade. We must know that this war is related to the survival of Dionia and the rise and fall of Syracuse. I don’t know it will How long does it last? Therefore, the food in Tarantum alone is not enough to guarantee the sufficient food supply of the Dionian army that is being formed! And Carthage is known for its abundance of food, not far from Dionian, can Satisfy our war needs, otherwise, where else can we go to buy food? Yoke Xinghai? Or Egypt? These places are too far away from us to guarantee timely, and accidents are prone to happen..."

"Your Majesty, there is still Cyrenaica to consider." Mariji added.

Cyrenaica? Daves was taken aback. He did not expect this Greek city-state located in Africa, next to Carthage and Egypt. Dionia had never been in contact with it before, but it is said that although Cyrenaica is Sparta has good relations (because it is a sub-state of the sub-state of Sparta, but it has always maintained neutrality in the Greek city-state, and it is a city-state dominated by agriculture and animal husbandry. A specialty product of, in addition, it also produces horses, cattle and sheep, wheat and flax.