Augustus Road

Under such circumstances, the city of Masseria still sent an envoy to Liguria, presumably to inquire about the strength of Lepidus' army, but judging from their unruly tone, they were not here to negotiate peace at all.

The meeting took place in Genoa, and Lepidus had no hope of Masseria surrendering. Rather than saying that he was negotiating peace with Masseria, it would be better to say that he was deliberately showing his position to the Ligurian Chamber of Commerce and the city-state. See, so the stronger the attitude of Masseria's envoys, the greater benefits he can extract from Liguria.

On the podium in front of the city hall, Lepidus, who was holding a mask and wearing the chief executive's robe, engaged in a heated question and answer session with the envoys from the other side, constantly arousing the roars and shouts of the Ligurian businessmen who were watching.

"I'm here to ask you, does the city-state of Masseria promise that the entire state is collectively regarded as Creon of Pompey?" This was Lepidus' first question.

The other party hesitated for a moment, then collectively admitted, "Ever since General Pompey wiped out the pirates across the ocean, our city-state has sworn to be as loyal to Creon as he was to his patron."

As a result, these words immediately aroused dissatisfied boos from the Ligurian citizens, and Lepidus continued to ask, "Immediately after ending the war at Brindisi, Caesar will command the army to pass through the city of Doyle and go to Spain to fight Pompey's army. , will you open the city gates and make way for Caesar?" Masseria's envoys once again collectively responded clearly, "No, but in principle we are not siding with any side in the civil war of the Republic, whether it is Pompey or not. It's still Caesar, we are just in a crisis, and we don't know who the whole country should listen to, so the resolution of the Presbyterian Council has once again risen to the highest authority - after careful discussion, the fifteen nobles came to the conclusion that we must use force Protect yourself.”

"What, fifteen nobles? But doesn't your Council of Presbyterians have six hundred people? Or these nobles are inextricably linked with Pompey and the escaped Senate. In addition, Pompey was conquering the pirates that year. Later, I specially handed over Salus Island to you as a warehouse and granary. It is probably because of these petty profits that you are willing to act as Pompey's lackeys. Why do you say it so noblely? arrive.

"Liars, dirty liars, guys full of philistine atmosphere." The citizens of Liguria began to gesture downwards, expressing all kinds of disdain and dissatisfaction to the envoys of the hostile cities, with great momentum. Seeing that the order at the scene had been completely mobilized, Lepidus took the opportunity to extend his hand to the people of Liguria. He asked loudly, "Respected and courageous Ligurians, you are the best at doing business in the republic. You are all very loud and honest when signing contracts. So if I ask you now about the war between Pompey and Caesar, Who will you support, and how will everyone respond? ""Even if it is the last Asi, we are willing to support Caesar's cause, whether it is money, manpower, or access, we are willing to provide it to Caesar and Caesar for free. The army! "The Chamber of Commerce of Liguria started first. Then the people all shouted together as if they were swearing an oath. Sure enough, they realized that these words had just come out. Compared with the coy pretentiousness of the Masseria City envoys just now, they suddenly felt much prouder, and the enthusiasm of the whole scene reached its peak.

In this fanatical atmosphere, Masseria's envoys felt panicked, fearing that thousands of Ligurians would tear them apart with a wave of the Caesarian administrator on the pulpit. Cut it into pieces and sacrifice it directly, but Lepidus just needs a clear answer. "This is an ultimatum on behalf of the Republic. Masseria must be here. Promise me, Lepidus, the administrator of Sardinia. Immediately hand over all the war-worthy ships in the city-state and make way for us. The legions use it and hand over the keys to the city gates and the city fortifications to provide funds and auxiliary troops for the counter-rebellion war of Caesar, the consul of the Republic. Then, after this war is over, you can naturally regain your identity as an ancient free city. , if you choose to take up arms to fight against us, then I will answer you in my personal name first - that is, Marcelicus will become my name."...

Marcellicus, what he meant was that Lepidus would trample Masseria into pieces and ruins just like Scipio did to the city of Carthage, and then enjoy the glory of this conquest in Rome. During the triumphal ceremony, the envoys who were greatly insulted all turned pale with anger and threw down their "ball belts" (the woolen bundles originally used to worship gods in Greece and Rome, which could be tied to clothes or foreheads), and Lepidus also Putting on the mask, the whole scene could no longer be contained, that is, the war between his legion and Masseria broke out!

Soon, Lepidus' front line, the Sixteenth Legion, took the lead in arriving at the port town of Ar, on the other side of Masseria, and then anchored the fleet here. Then the Fifteenth Legion and the Ligurian local legion escorted the pack horses. The baggage was set up in the Asshai camp, and not long after, the young soldiers of the Sixth Legion arrived with a large amount of wood, bricks, and fuel - Lepidus liked to ask the new legion to do these things, just like Caesar, thinking that in this kind of effort, In the work, the team can hone and cultivate the spirit of hard work and the idea of ​​cooperation and obedience as soon as possible.

Later, in the port of Arles, Lepidus convened the first joint meeting on the war. At the meeting, the centurion who served as a scout clearly reported that "the city of Masseria went back on its word. When they came to negotiate with us, they searched all the wood, nails and ropes in the rural towns around the city, including food from everywhere, and stored them all in the warehouses in the city. They also began to build warships in the docks in the fortress in the city. In addition, it is said that Cato the Younger's brother-in-law, Domitius, suddenly took a detour and entered the city by boat, and was elected as the supreme commander by the Masseria people."

"What about Cato the Younger?" Lepidus asked.

The centurions shook their heads and said they didn't know.

"How is the organization of the other team?"

"Most of the defenders are Masseria citizens. They control the key towers and docks, and the main fighters hired by them are the barbarians living in the dense forests and mountains north of Masseria, the Albisi. It is said that this city has hired nearly 10,000 Albisi warriors to resist us."

"Albisi?" Lepidus turned his head and asked the Arverni noble Vercingetorix, "How are their tactics?"

"They are one of the few nations that are very good at fighting on both land and water. I don't know if you understand what I mean, that is, they can use cavalry on the battlefield, and they can also fight on canoes and warships. This is why Masseria is willing to form an alliance with them." Vercingetorix said excitedly. He was looking forward to weighing the details of Lepidus and his army as a participant and a bystander.