Augustus Road

Seeing the dense black corpses lying under the city, the citizens and Italian immigrants in Vaga were frightened to death. They were confused and surrounded in front of the Presbyterian Church and the City Hall, demanding that the entire city surrender to Labienus as soon as possible. △,

Because the enemy's military strength is now extremely strong, with two regular legions, two Spanish legions, and nearly 10,000 hired Mauritanian cavalry and Getulians, but there are only 2,000 fighting men in the city, and the envoy has also died. At least he died in the enemy's mouth, and all the materials and money stored in Suyato City fell into the hands of the enemy. Now there is simply no hope of resistance.

But Hitius firmly disagreed. He ran to the gates of the temple and the city hall and shouted to everyone earnestly, "Vaga is the capital of the entire newly established province, even without the city of Suiato." The wealth, water and food are enough to sustain us." However, many citizens, especially those of Numidian origin, threw debris at the general to express their opposition. This group of Numidians always expressed their opposition. They held in their hearts the stupid reasons of "there are many mercenaries in the enemy army who are similar to us in blood and race" and believed that their private property and houses would not be damaged after the city was opened.

However, Hitius was not a vegetarian. He first avoided the indignant people, then went around to the military camp, then selected 300 elite soldiers, rushed all the way to the city hall, and killed the top 15 nobles and elders. They were all robbed in public, and the citizens fled everywhere, crying, as if the city had fallen.

Then, in the temple of the Bored Brothers (similar to the twin temples in Greece and Rome) built by the Phoenicians, Hitius threw fifteen "hostages" inside. And all the priests and pilgrims were driven out. "Don't beg the gods to protect this city. The only one who can protect it is I, Hittius - the high priest Lepidus has already delivered the letter. He asked the entire city of Wagga to defend it to the death. If there is any attempt to surrender to the enemy, He will never be merciful." Hitius threatened the noble elders who were tied to the pillars in a military uniform, "You should know what it means, that is, the entire city will be razed to the ground. Pile rubble, kill all the nobles, and sell all the people into slavery. You must know that the previous high priest actually did this when he was fighting in Epirus. He was not joking. "

"Yes, we are willing to listen to the ideas of your Majesty and the High Priest. No one will attempt to escape, let alone resist. Whatever requests you have, just tell us." The elders stretched their necks to express their opinions.

Seeing that the other party is so cooperative, Hitius has nothing to hide: gather all the things in the warehouses and treasury in the city to the temple, bring all your slaves and family members, demolish the surrounding residences, and Materials piled up. Turn the temple into the core fortress of the entire city; along the northwest block where the temple is located, order the women and children of the citizens. A new city wall and ditch were built diagonally as a second line of defense after the city was broken; all the Numidian men in the city were executed, the women and children were thrown into the military camp, and the Italians were organized. immigrants, armed them all, issued broad-bladed swords and hurled stones, and climbed to the top of the city to defend in shifts.

Then, Hitius played a trick. He asked his followers and subordinates to line up wooden palisades on both sides of the eastern city gate to form a narrow passage, and then announced in the square in the name of the Presbyterian Council, "The city is in danger, but the request of the Roman high priest is that it must resist for a period of time, but food and supplies are very difficult, so we decided to let the Italian immigrants and the Hittian party stay to resist, while all the Numidians and the Moors Let all the people out, the enemy will not make things difficult for you, and your private property can be loaded on the mule cart and walked out from the east gate. Because the enemy's siege position over there is far away, we can also rest assured that the enemy will not take advantage of the chaos. Raid."

Just when Akuta was sending it to be posted, a wailing woman in mourning clothes appeared in front of the temple. The attendant next to him told Hitius that this was Celeste's wife Renchart. Previously married to Cicero, but later divorced.

"I also want to go out with all the Numidians. This is not because I am timid, but because I want to take care of my husband's body." Lenchart covered his chest and broke his heart to Hittius. He cried and begged with his lungs broken, "Be pitiful! If you still recognize the status and glory of my husband, if you also think that you are from a republic and not a mercenary who was born to wander around, then you should understand that all Rome People's feelings, after death, they should be cared for and buried by their relatives. Everyone, rich or poor, needs a grave. "

"I sympathize with your wife, but as you just said, you and your husband are both Roman citizens in Italy. It is inappropriate for you to follow the foreigners out now. As the wife of an envoy who died bravely on the battlefield, You should set an example - offer your jewelry and dowry to encourage the soldiers, and then take your combing maid to join in the work of repairing the city wall." Hitius replied expressionlessly while leaning on the hilt of his sword. .

"Devil, a heartless devil!" Lenchart's spirit almost collapsed. She rushed forward, but was stopped by the guards of Hitius. At this time, a wailing sound came from the city gate. "This is why I won't let you go out, madam." Hitius stood high on the stairs and pointed to the east city gate. Lenchart looked back with wide eyes in horror. All the Numidians were caught between two wooden fences and were slaughtered by Hitius's party with swords and spears on both sides. At this time, the gates of the city wall had also fallen. The Numidians howled miserably. They originally thought happily that they would not have to perish with this unfortunate city, but they did not expect to be met with such a Luo.

Blood and flesh flew everywhere, and the pile of corpses piled up higher and higher. Some survivors got out from under the mule cart, stepped on the corpses and blood, and struggled to dig the cracks in the city wall with their hands, slowly climbing up, hoping to get out, but the soldiers standing on the top of the city were all fully armed, constantly killing the people who climbed up and kicking the corpses down again.

"You are targeting innocent people for massacre. You also did not save my husband in the previous battle. If the city of Vaga falls, it will be better. If it does not fall, I will also accuse you in front of the high priest, and I must accuse you!" Renshat's words, Sitius did not pay any attention to it, he quickly came to the west tower - where Labinus commanded the siege.

"I am the current commander-in-chief of this city. I want to discuss the terms of surrender with His Excellency Labinus!" (To be continued...)

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