Rome Must Fall

"No wait." Maximus shook his head: "Spartacus did not agree to convene a military meeting today. It has already given me buffer time. I took the initiative to lead the team to leave. It is better than waiting for the soldiers after the military meeting. It would be much better to leave with their insults..."

"Hey...since you have made your decision, I won't say anything more." Hamilka sighed: "Don't blame us. When we first started the uprising, everyone really wanted to escape Italy. , but now most of the soldiers want to stay—"

"I understand. Attumus has already discussed this matter with me just now." Maximus did not want to dwell on this issue any more. He looked at Hamilcar with bright eyes and asked in a low voice: " I have always thought that you and Spartacus are the most intelligent and capable military leaders among us leaders. Moreover, you have both served in the Roman army and know Rome’s military capabilities best!

I don’t think you don’t know that even with our recent victories, the situation in Italy is still very dangerous. But these days, the soldiers' voices for staying in Italy are getting louder and louder. Spartacus and you never took any action to remind them, and basically did not express opinions at the meeting of military commanders, allowing Cleonis to follow me. Quarreling, this is nothing like what you two did before, why? ! "

Hamilka was silent for a moment and said: "Most of the soldiers refused to leave. Is Spartacus going to leave them all behind? He is the leader of free Italy, and he has the responsibility to lead those who are willing to follow him to Live well! Of course, Spartacus and I both feel that the team's combat effectiveness is getting stronger now. If we continue to fight like this, we have a good chance of defeating Rome..."

Maximus looked directly at him without blinking, and said in a faint tone: "Teacher, even if I am about to lead the team to leave, aren't you willing to tell the truth?"

Hamilcar looked up at him.

The two looked at each other for a while, then Hamilcar turned his head and said again: "What I just said is the truth, but... well, do you know how my name Hamilcar came from?"

Maximus shook his head. The original owner had never heard anyone mention it when he was in gladiator school.

"This is the name I gave myself in the gladiator school." Hamilcar said leisurely: "When I was a soldier in the Roman army, I heard someone said that Rome once had a powerful enemy named Carthage, and one named Han Nibal's Carthaginian general once led his army to fight in Italy for more than ten years and killed many Romans. He was a nightmare for the Romans...

I originally wanted to choose this name, but this name was too special for the Romans and easily angered them. I also heard someone say that Hannibal’s father was also an excellent general who also fought some victorious battles and caused a lot of trouble for the Romans, so he gave himself this name..."

Hamilcar turned his head again and looked directly at Maximus with piercing eyes. His voice became deep and powerful: "The Romans killed all my relatives and Spartacus's, destroyed our tribe, and I and Spartacus wanted to take revenge, but he became a prisoner and was forced to become a gladiator. Apart from choosing a name to express his resentment against the Romans, I couldn't do anything...

But it’s different now. We both have the ability to take revenge on Rome. So what if Spartacus and I leave Italy and gain freedom? Our home... is gone a long time ago. It’s better to stay here and fight against the Romans! We can get back a hundred times a thousand times the blood shed by the entire tribe of my tribe! "

Maximus vaguely remembered that countless historians and experts in previous lives had been arguing endlessly about why Spartacus gave up leaving Italy and instead led his army southward when facing the Alps just around the corner...

Now he finally understood: the coercion of the rebel soldiers was only a secondary reason, and Spartacus' desire for revenge was the real main reason. As a gladiator, death was not what he was afraid of. What he was most worried about was that other leaders and soldiers disagreed with him and were unwilling to fight the Romans to the end. Therefore, he has always shown an attitude of leading everyone to achieve true freedom. , until now the wishes of other leaders and the vast majority of soldiers have been agreed upon, and he finally got what he wanted...

Thinking of this, Maximus couldn't help but shuddered: thanks to him having made a decision before, otherwise, how disappointed he would be when he learned the truth now!

"Originally, Spartacus was planning to come to see you in person, but he felt a little guilty, so he asked me to bring you a few words." Hamilka's voice continued to ring in Maximus's ears: " He is very grateful for everything you have done for Free Italy over the past year. Without your help, this team would not have grown to the size it is today and won so many victories!

He feels very sorry that you insist on leaving. He thinks this is a great loss for free Italy, but everyone has their own choice. He respects your choice. If you have any request, he will do it as long as he can do it. Fully satisfied! "

After hearing this, Maximus felt something in his heart. He thought about it seriously and said, "If I want all the troops to stay here for two more days, they will not rush south, but will make a posture of continuing north along the seaside road." , can it be done?”

"I will go back to discuss with Spartacus. I think it should be possible." Hamilka replied without hesitation, and asked with concern: "It's just such a request, are there anything else? Food, weapons , horses, money... As long as you ask for it, Spartacus and I will do our best to satisfy it. "

"I have no other requirements." Maximus shook his head. After hearing what Hamilcar had just said, his resentment that had just arisen dissipated a lot. After hesitating for a moment, he said in an extremely serious manner: "Even if we have to separate, I sincerely hope that you can continue to win here, so that your and Spartacus's wishes can finally come true! To this end, I would like to make a few suggestions, and I hope you two can seriously think about it. , and finally adopted!

Hamilka was infected by the other party's attitude, and his expression became solemn: "You say it."

"First of all, don't go to Sicily. It is just an island, surrounded by the sea, with a small area and a small population. Even if the people there are willing to follow you to resist Rome, you do not have a strong navy. Once blocked by the Roman fleet, you will Being trapped on the island, Rome can slowly raise an army to encircle and suppress you, but you don't even have room to maneuver in small Sicily. The final result can be imagined. "

Maximus tried hard to recall several main reasons for the failure of the Spartacus uprising in the previous life, and said after consideration: "Secondly, the land of Italy is not vast enough, and the land south of Thurii and Tarantum is even more so. It is narrow, and it is best not to lead the army beyond them to march further south, otherwise it will be easier to be blocked by the Roman army, and thus forced to fight head-on with the Roman army that has already prepared a defense;

And...if you are forced to leave Italy in the future, don't blindly believe in the promises of those big pirates and waste time waiting for the ship, because they are more or less connected with the nobles of various Italian city-states, and they accept your money but do not accept it. Providing you with ships and secretly informing the Roman army will not only delay your precious time, but also cause you big trouble, so it is best to proceed with caution! ——”

In fact, Maximus really wanted to say: "By then, maybe I can provide them with a fleet to help them escape from Italy..."

But he thought about it and finally did not say it: after all, according to the history of the previous life, Spartacus's rebel army would be wiped out in a year. Even if they listened to his advice now, it would only extend the time of destruction. , and I am not sure that I can establish a solid base in such a short period of time and own a fleet. It is possible to do it with one or two ships, but Spartacus and Hamilka will abandon the team. , Fleeing alone? impossible! …

Maximus retracted his thoughts and spoke in a more forceful tone: "In addition, although your army is large, the pressure on logistical supply is also great. You can barely meet the needs by looting alone. This will not work for a long time. If you If you can capture a few towns, distribute the land to the Italian poor, and manage the occupied towns and land well, then you will obtain a steady stream of food and wealth.

Moreover, the reason why there are so many poor people in Italy is because their land was taken away by the nobles and rich people. If you do this, you will definitely get their enthusiastic support, and then the power of the rebel army will be even greater. But in this way, the Roman army has a clear attack target, and in order to protect your land and towns, you cannot conduct mobile operations as before and must hold on... There are pros and cons to this, for your reference only.

Oh...and one last point, if the new commander of the Roman army is Crassus, then you must be more vigilant! This man is a Roman senator and extremely wealthy. He followed the Roman dictator Sulla in his early years and has rich war experience. Moreover, he is very cunning and cruel and is not easy to deal with..."

Hamilka thought that Maximus's suggestions were just some parting words. He didn't take it too seriously at first. He didn't expect that Maximus would say so much in one breath. The more he listened, the more frightened he became. Waiting until Mark After Sims finished speaking, he stood there thinking for a long time, and finally sighed: "Maximus, I really should suggest to Spartacus that you send someone to imprison you so that you can no longer go north. , because our team really needs a leader with a clear mind and unique vision like you!"

Maximus didn't answer.

Hamilka paused for a moment and continued: "I don't know much about the barbarians north of the Alps, so I can't give you any advice. I think that with your talents, you can lead the team to gain a firm foothold on the other side of the mountain. You shouted like this Teacher Jiu, I think I have to do something for you..."

With an expression of melancholy and aftertaste, Hamilcar thought for a while, and then said seriously: "Well, after I go back, I suggest to Spartacus that he inform each team if there are soldiers who want to leave Italy. , you can continue heading north with your team.”

"Thank you, teacher!" Maximus said gratefully.

"When are you ready to leave?"

"We still have to prepare today and set off early tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow...Spartacus and I won't say goodbye to you. You take care of yourself!" Hamilka said in a low voice and stretched out his right hand.

"You too, take care of yourself, hope we can meet again!" Maximus also extended his right hand.

The two shook hands hard.

Hamilcar turned around and strode away.

Maximus stood there for a long time: He originally thought that Spartacus could send him one more journey to the foothills of the Alps, but he didn't expect that the crutch was gone before he entered the northern province of Italy. He could only rely on himself for the future. A person left.

…………………………………………………………………………

The military tent was full of people.

The leaders of the army were: Frontinus, the military officer, Quintus, the staff officer, Sidonius, the military judge, Phissarus, the commander of the first legion, Toreligo, the commander of the second legion, and Karl, the commander of the third legion. Minus, Aulus, the lieutenant, Pecot, the captain of the guard, and Hagochus, the captain of the cavalry.

The administrative leaders include: Administrator Volenus, Temporary Superintendent of the Baggage Camp Capito, Kitchen Supervisor Aconis, Commercial Officer Pygris, Superintendent of the Medical Camp Horace, Head Nurse Nesia, and Chief Physician Minjunus, the captain of the female battalion Karina, the captain of the engineering team Gaius, the engineer and deputy captain Scarpulla, the captain of the transportation team Sexippus, the former warehouse supervisor Cornelius...

In addition, there are also treasurers Marcus, Akgo, and Cassius waiting for them.

Maximus was sitting in the middle, looking around at the room full of people, and suddenly felt a little worried about gains and losses: These are the talents he has discovered and cultivated in the rebel army over the past year after his rebirth! At this time, will they stand with themselves and accompany them firmly to go on? …

Maximus calmed down and said: "Everyone, today our leaders once again discussed the issue of the army's continued march north. Except for me, they were all firmly opposed to going north. Just now I spoke with Sparta in private. After discussing it with Hamilka sent by kes, I finally decided——"

Maximus' eyes swept across everyone's faces. Perhaps they had realized that today's meeting was unusual, so everyone looked solemn and no one was distracted.

"I finally decided that our team would break away from the main force and go north alone!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a commotion in the tent.

Some people, like Arconis, looked like they would do whatever the leader said, without any surprise; some people, like Quintus and Frontinus, looked relieved and looked like they should have done it a long time ago. The look on his face; others, like Volenus, looked completely surprised, as if they could not understand the decision...