Rome Must Fall

Velaius had already discovered that this rebel army had a huge baggage, and had already made a plan in advance, preparing to wait for the rebels to bypass the city of Aquileia (he did not think that the rebels would dare to attack Aquileia, a city with strong walls and thick walls). Ya), after relaxing your vigilance, first send the Gallic cavalry to raid the rear, because this is often where the enemy's baggage train is, which will cause great confusion. Then the following infantry team will continue to attack, and you should be able to win a big victory. .

However, from the moment he saw the rebels, their performance constantly broke his accustomed understanding of these rabble: the rebels were well-equipped, had strong morale, and were able to fight skillfully in front of the enemy. Complete the formation change and maintain the formation for a long time while marching. This is definitely not something an ordinary army can do! This shows that the rebels have undergone formal and strict training and have relatively rich combat experience, because after they were far away from the city of Aquileia, they still protected the baggage train in the center and had relatively dense columns to defend their back roads. .

This rebel army was so cautious that Velaius could not see the opportunity for a surprise attack.

"General, give the order quickly. If you wait any longer, these traitors will run away! By then we will have lost the opportunity to avenge our brothers!" the cavalry general urged.

Yes, if I missed this time, the rebels escaped from Italy and got into the mountains. That was the territory of the barbarians and a restricted area of ​​the Roman army. They completely escaped! ...Velaius looked at the outline of the distant mountains, and he didn't want the rebels to escape. But when he saw the anxious expressions of his men, he suddenly realized that as long as he nodded, this guy would lead the rebels regardless. The Lu Cavalry charged directly at the rebel rearguard. Once they were unable to overwhelm it in a short period of time, they would be surrounded by the rebels. Then they would rely on their superiority in numbers to counterattack and defeat the subsequent troops they sent. During the pursuit, Aquileia's safety was threatened!

With the current performance of the rebels, this terrible fantasy is very likely to happen! My task is to protect the safety of Aquileia, and Aquileia is related to the safety of the entire northern Italian province and even Rome! Don't get into big trouble just because of impulse, like Governor Cassius did! ...Velaius shook his head vigorously and said in a deep voice: "We can't attack, we just need to defend Aquileia!"

In the angry eyes of his men, he once again looked at the rebels who were retreating, thinking fiercely in his heart: Don't think that if you escape from Italy, you will be free! Those fierce barbarians will tear you apart and capture you. Maybe one day, you will be sold back to Italy as slaves!

Maximus's army passed Aquileia and continued eastward. The flat terrain was soon replaced by rolling mountains, but the Roman road did not stop there. It followed the coastline of the Adriatic Gulf and headed south. Extended into the Istrian Peninsula.

From a geographical point of view, the Istria Peninsula already belongs to the east coast of the Adriatic Sea. The Istrians living on the island belong to one of the tribes of northern Illyria. It should have been Added to the province of Illyria.

However, in the eyes of Rome, the province of Illyria was too barren, and Rome had not had much confidence in governing it well. However, the Istria Peninsula was different. Most of the land on the island was flat, and there was another island at the southern end of the island. A town with an excellent port - Pula.

The Roman Senate included the Istria Peninsula into the province of North Italy that they valued most. Firstly, it could make up for the lack of good ports on the east coast of the northern Italian province. Secondly, it could make use of the strength of the northern Italian province nearby. Stabilization and assimilation of this peninsula belongs to the barbarians, so the end of the road is in Pula.

However, Maximus's army did not proceed to Pula, but before entering the peninsula, they left the road and crossed southward across the base of the peninsula.

This is a relatively flat area among the mountains, where the Romans built a road leading to the coast of Illyria.

It's just that the rebels who were accustomed to taking the main road undoubtedly slowed down their marching speed after setting foot on this road. At the same time, the rebels also stepped up their alert, because Maximus learned from the Illyrian soldiers who were familiar with this area that there were Yabods living in the high mountains to the east of this road. It is said to be a branch of the Noriki, but unlike the friendship between the Noriki and Rome, they are restless Gauls who will go down the mountain from time to time to rob passers-by.

From time to time, spies sent by Maximus found people wearing trousers and tattoos hiding in the mountains and forests to spy on the army. Perhaps it was because of the strong strength of Maximus's army, or perhaps because of the caution of marching and camping. Any accident happens.

A few days later, Maxim's army left the Roman province of North Italy and entered the province of Illyria.

They came to the southernmost point at the bottom of the Istria Peninsula. There was a rare lowland here. At the southern end of the lowland, there was a small seaside town called Talosafia.

Maximus ordered: camp just north of the town.

After the order was issued, all the personnel immediately began to take action. The long march made the army very familiar with the camping procedures. What each department and each legion should do did not need to be directed by the leader, everyone was skilled and tacitly understood. Roll up your sleeves and get started.

Maximus was sitting on a large dry rock. He looked calm on the surface, but in fact he was a little anxious and uneasy inside. The lively labor scene in front of him could make him feel some peace of mind.

At this moment, Frontinus came over.

"Look, bad news is here again. Tell me, how many people ran away today?" Maximus said jokingly, as if he was used to it.

"It's not bad this time. Only three escaped, all from the Third Army." The military officer who had just arrived at each unit to count the number of people replied.

"Not bad, there are only three, and there are fewer and fewer every day." Maximus pulled a handful of grass, rubbed it in his hands, and said in a deep voice: "It seems that those who want to leave have almost gone, stay here Those are brothers who are determined and willing to work with us!”

Frontinus said nothing, thinking: If you treated the baggage camp as you did the soldiers and allowed them to leave freely, I'm afraid it wouldn't be as easy as it is now.

Ever since Maximus' army separated from Torquevaldo's men and marched northeast, soldiers had fled from the team every day. Most of them were the main army of Spartacus when Maximus' army marched north alone. The Chinese who joined in had no feelings for this army. They mainly wanted to use its strength to escape back to Gaul. When they saw that the march route was wrong, they had other ideas in mind.

At first, Frontinus also asked the legions to strengthen control and punish deserters, but Maximus stopped this practice and asked the team officers to spread the word among the soldiers: If you are not willing to follow the team to a new place, Home, you can leave on your own on the way, but you must not incite others to disrupt the team, and you must leave the assigned armor and weapons, and the army will also give you a dry food supply...

Maximus's relaxation of restrictions on deserters was an encouragement to recruits who just wanted to hitch a ride with the army, especially as the army marched around the Adriatic Gulf, leaving as many as hundreds every day because of that It was very close to the Alps.

But this does not have much impact on the veterans of the army. They are either Illyrians or slaves from other places. There are also a few poor people and Roman veterans who are determined to escape Italy. They have a special interest in this army. He has deep feelings and respects leader Maximus, and always marches in the direction guided by the team officers.

Frontinus was about to continue reporting to Maximus on other situations in the army when he saw the cavalry captain Haggucs running towards him on horseback: "Chief, there is a group of Illyrians asking to see you. The leader is Carl Sipon. Paz, I promised to meet you again."

"Quick! Invite them over quickly!" Maximus was ecstatic and kept saying.

Haggucs turned his horse and galloped away.

Maximus jumped up, punched Frontinus in the chest, and then danced and shouted: "Great! They really came as promised. There is hope for our new home!"

For the first time, Frontinus saw the rare childish side of this steady young leader. Of course, he also understood why Maximus was so excited. Even he himself breathed a sigh of relief with a smile on his face. He smiled.

"Argo, go to Arconis and ask for some wine and food. Cassius, go and call Pygris and his men Arracosia, as well as Quintus and Vo Renus called, and..." Maximus turned around and said, "Pheasalus and Pecot also called, both of them are Illyrians."

"yes!"

"yes!"

When all the people called by Maxmus arrived, the envoys from the Ardie tribe also appeared not far away.

Maximus strode forward to meet him, and the person who came to meet him first was Calsipempas.

Maximus smiled, opened his arms, and gave the other party a strong hug.

"Karsipimpas, I really didn't expect you to come so soon!" Maximus said gratefully.

"Of course I will try my best to do what I promised you." Carlsipempas patted his chest and said with emotion: "But I really didn't expect that you actually defeated the Roman army. It came so smoothly." Here we are!”

The two looked at each other and laughed.

"Who are these?" Maximus looked behind Kalsipempas.

"Let me introduce to you. This is Cleobrotus, the elder of my Ardei tribe." Carlsipempas emphasized his tone and reminded: "He was also appointed by our chief to discuss selling land with you. The main person in charge!”

"Elder Calsipempas, it's a pleasure to meet you! My brothers and I welcome your arrival, and we hope that our discussions will go smoothly soon!" Maximus looked at the thin old man in front of him. , while extending his right hand in a friendly manner.

Cleobrotus was also observing Maximus. Indeed, as Carlsippus said, he was "young and strong, but calm and courteous." He held the other person's hand and said: "Chief Maximus." , what will you do next if we never show up here?

Maximus was stunned for a moment, and then said: "I have considered this situation beforehand, because buying and selling land is a big deal. Not every tribe has the courage to make such a bold decision. If you don't show up, then I will Lead the army over these mountains—"

Maximus pointed to the rolling mountains not far away and said in a deep voice: "I heard that the other side of the mountain is the territory of the Pannoni. I will drive them away and build our own homeland."

"Young man, the Panroni people are not easy to mess with. They are afraid that if you cannot drive them away, they will destroy them instead." A middle-aged man said in a nonchalant manner.

"Who is this?"

"He is also the elder of our Ardei tribe, Budokaribas." Kalsipampas took a step forward and whispered: "The land that his village had to give up because of the Pannoni is ours this time. I would like to recommend it to you.”

"I understand..." Maximus replied seriously: "Of course I know that the Panronians are not easy to deal with, but if they continue to invade south, they will take away much fertile land from our Illyrian tribes. Someone must stand by. Come out and knock off their arrogance! Besides, if I don’t seize their land, why should I seize the land of our Illyrian compatriots?”

As soon as he said this, the expressions of some people in the envoy group changed slightly.

Maximus said sincerely: "Since the Romans took away the coastal land of our Illyrians, each tribe was forced to retreat into the mountains, and their strength has been greatly weakened. If they continue to fight each other, they will encounter each other again. If a foreign enemy invades, I'm afraid the only way is to perish!

So I will never do such a thing, so the only way is to ask for land from the Panroni people! Even if I fail in the end, I can at least bite off a piece of Pannonian flesh so that they will never again dare to easily invade our Illyrian land! "

"Well said!" A strong man in his 30s said loudly: "Our tribes in Illyria should unite and speak to the outside world as one! Instead of quietly stabbing our allies for the sake of immediate small interests!"

"He is also the elder of our tribe, Ciceliotus, and his village is close to the Budokaribas tribe." Kalsipempas whispered to Maximus.

All the people here are tribal elders! It seems that the Ardei tribe takes land sales very seriously! ...Maximus breathed a sigh of relief, feeling even more excited.

"Chief Maximus, if you have bought land in our tribe and settled down with your men, will you still avenge us Illyrians against the Pannoni?"