Augustus Road

As a result, Vibrius's men formed a long and narrow column and continued to advance towards Corfinium.

The temperature seems to be on the rise these days, and the unique humidity and warmth of spring in the Apennines arrive early. As Pompeii's soldiers advanced rapidly, sweat gradually seeped out from under their armor, but they often just pursed their lips and endured. They felt unhappy and itchy all over their bodies, because as long as they marched for about three more days under the sun, the commander would naturally allow them to rest and drink water.

At the same time, Lepidus' men, under the guidance of Masi's guide, were also rushing towards the ambush position along the path. They were divided into several waves, carrying loads of equipment and weapons on their backs, leading their horses, and walking along the fine paths. , meandering one by one from the side of the hill, with a little sunshine shining through the dense forest. Sometimes, after the group of the same number separated and marched left and right along the hill, it was actually difficult to reunite at the end.

About fifteen Roman miles outside the city of Corfinium, in a hilly forest, two or three groups of Massi holding team flags were shouting slogans and alternating back and forth along the streets. Vibrius's cavalry The team came galloping towards them, loudly asking where they belonged from a distance. The other party replied in standard Masian dialect that he was a patrol sent by General Gabinus in the city and was responsible for guiding Dictado's reinforcements. Then the scout cavalry asked where Caesar was now, and they replied, "Caesar's army is still fighting with General Gebinus's for the bridge outside the city, and is trying to extend the siege and surround our city. Get sleepy."

Everything should be fine, so the Ala cavalry turned back and reported the details to Vibrius, who was leading the army.

"Ask them to lead the way." Vibrius, who was holding a kettle and drinking water with other soldiers, wiped his mouth with his wrist. Speaking to the cavalry, he then looked at the undulating and sheltered terrain around him, the streets passing through it, and the flag officer holding the eagle flag next to him, and suddenly changed his order temporarily. "The whole army was divided into two - I took the first cohort with the hares and followed the Massians, while Marcius took the three cohorts and protected the legions with the eagle. Divided into two wings towards the hill beside the street Move forward and search carefully.”

Vibius Machius was Pompey's most trusted engineering director. He was originally responsible for the construction of military camp fortifications, but now he could only split the three brigades at hand. He took the Seventh Brigade to protect the Eagle Flag in place. The Ninth Brigade and the Tenth Brigade divided into two wings and climbed up the hill beside the street. In this way, Pompey's army was actually instantly divided into three wings: left, center and right, with the rear team remaining behind the eagle flag, and these veterans were worthy of following Pompey in the war for many years. The formation changed in an extremely orderly and rapid manner. Within ten minutes, the column turned into a vigilant horizontal formation. Holding shields and swords, they began to trot, covering the entire streets and hills in one fell swoop.

"Look. The eagle flag and the hare flag are separated, and the distance is getting bigger and bigger!" Among the gravel on the left highland, Sabo Kaimus and several top soldiers were lying in between. Seeing the following situation, Sabo immediately judged Come out, this group of enemies will not take the bait so easily. At least they will fight to the death to protect the symbol of the Legion's spirit - the eagle.

Now, it seems that Lepidus's ambush is still not in place. If it is activated, it will be difficult to coordinate the steps. However, Pompey's soldiers are really well-trained, and their movements are extremely fast. They are indeed first-class elite soldiers, even if the terrain is undulating. It's uneven, but the footsteps of their military shoes are heard in the distance, and they are still as sonorous and powerful as flutes and drums, and they are uniform!

"It's too late. If we don't take action, we won't be able to achieve the effect of a surprise attack." After Sabo finished speaking, he released a red leather lantern floating in the air. In addition, a small wind wheel was installed below, and the lantern quickly followed the wind. While flying, a whining sound echoed throughout the area.

This was the signal for battle. Even Vibrius, who was stunned by this signal, quickly reacted, "We have entered the enemy's ambush zone!" At this time, just as Sabo estimated, the two sides were completely occupied. The ambush of the 15th Legion was not complete on the high ground and in the woods. However, after receiving the signal, they still blew the trumpets, shook the unique forked bells of the indigenous people of Egypt and North Africa, and after shooting arrows, they bravely Rushed out from the hiding place.

Vibrius also blew the whistle, and as a result, the soldiers of Pompey's army immediately changed into a strange formation - they no longer stuck to the unique battle lines of the Roman legions, but staggered and formed small fighting groups in twos and threes. , alternately cover each other, and fight with the ambush of the 15th Army Corps.

At this time, Lepidus and Anthony, who rushed to Gaofu as the core of the command, were surprised to see the fighting all over the mountains and plains. "Can this be called an ambush? It is simply an attack on the enemy's iron wall." Lepidus shouted angrily, letting Selha next to him was blushing. He hurriedly put up the flag of the skull of the god Amun. On the entire hillside, the golden fly team flags were raised one by one. The hundred-man archers specially assigned to the legion quickly followed the flag and pointed at the flag. From a position in the distance, a hail of arrows covered the sky.

This is almost killing without distinction between the enemy and ourselves. However, Selha's command was completely based on unstable emotions. The Pompey soldiers who saw the enemy shooting from the front raised their shields to cover them, while those with their backs turned When the Nubian soldiers of the 15th Legion heard the whistling sound of falling arrows, many of them failed to react. Their necks and backs were penetrated by the screams. As a result, after the second wave of arrows was fired, the entire Most of those who fell and groaned on the battlefield were ambushes from the 15th Army Corps!

"Stop shooting!" Seeing this scene, Lepidus was so distressed that his eyes were about to burst into fire. These were the soldiers he brought from Egypt and Cyrene. Even the black-skinned ones were not mules or horses, but black and shining gold. At this time, the hills on both sides were also filled with smoke and dust. Many ambushers were impulsively driven away by the wolf-like Spanish First Legion and escaped from the dense forest with injuries. "If we don't make a decision, we will be surrounded by the enemy." Anthony next to him shouted.

Lepidus gritted his teeth and looked back. On the other side of the hillside, many teams were still marching hard, preparing to enter the established ambush position, and the cavalry was only the Mattias, and the fist power could not be formed for the time being. "Anthony, all the cavalry is in your hands. Go and take back the hilltop on the left wing. I will organize the follow-up people here to fill in." After Lepidus finished speaking, the feathers on his helmet fluttered, and he immediately rushed down the hillside with his entourage and flags.

Anthony shouted loudly, raised his hands high, rode his black horse, faced the sunshine, and rushed straight in the opposite direction of Lepidus. Seeing this, the Matian people behind him also shouted, urged their horses, and followed Anthony, rushing towards the precarious hill opposite.