Rome Must Fall

By the end of August, the number of rebel troops had reached nearly 10,000, and they had to be divided into camps, thus strengthening their complete control over the northern part of Vesuvius. Naples and other towns were miserable and continued to send envoys to Rome asked for help.

"Chief, after the people here saw us coming, the foremen drove the slaves to hide in the farm over there, but a few slaves escaped in time, and I brought them all here."

"Well done!" Maximus praised Hagux loudly on the horse.

Hagux burst out laughing. He was thin and young. His parents were both Gauls. They were defeated and captured and became a slave on the farm. He was responsible for raising cattle and horses. He was born on the farm and was considered a domestic slave. He worked with his parents since he was a child. One time, the owner invited his friends to the farm as guests. After the banquet, he was going to ride a horse. Unexpectedly, the drunk friend fell off the horse as soon as he got on the horse and broke his leg. Its owner blamed Hagux's father and beat him to death on the spot to calm his friends. When Hagux's mother heard the bad news, she became depressed and soon died of illness. Hagux buried his hatred in his heart.

In May, when the rebel army captured his farm, he took the initiative to join in. As a result, he was assigned to the baggage camp and belonged to the transportation team. By the end of July, Maximus decided to form a riding team in the baggage camp, which could be used to deliver messages during peacetime and detect the enemy's situation during war. As an old man from the transport camp, with good riding skills and a fairly clever personality, he was promoted to the leader of this horse riding team of only four people.

Maximus's eyes turned to the three slaves behind Hagux: these three people had dark and red skin, rough skin, tight muscles, thick joints in their hands and feet, a slightly stooped figure, and an old look on their faces...

Maximus now had some experience in seeing slaves and knew that they must have been engaged in field labor for a long time, so he asked in a kind tone: "Do you know the situation of this farm? Can you tell me how many people are there in this farm? Yes. How many guards are equipped with weapons and capable of fighting?”

The three of them glanced nervously at the heavily armed team in front of them, and finally focused on Maximus, who was in bright armor and dressed as a Roman officer. The younger one asked carefully: "Are you really the one? That...slave team led by Spartacus?"

"That's right, we are! We took these armors from the defeated Roman soldiers, and today we came here from the other side of the mountain to rescue you on the orders of leader Spartacus." Maximus said with a smile. , obviously his team's equipment was so good that these slaves were not sure.

The slave relieved his suspicion and said excitedly: "I have long heard that you were killing those brutal Roman nobles and farm stewards over the mountain (referring to northern Vesuvius) and rescuing many slaves. We have long I wanted to go to you, but recently the farm stewards and guards were too strict with us, and the journey was too far. A few brothers escaped, but they were still able to catch us and beat us in front of us. He was rotten...and finally hanged at the gate of the hospital——"

"Don't worry, now that we are here, we must make these noble lackeys pay with blood!" Hagux said angrily on the side.

"Oh, there are more than 300 slaves in this farm. Originally there was one steward and 30 guards, but the number increased to 50 a few days ago." The younger slave's eyes were red, and he raised his right hand above his head and stepped on his feet. He gestured: "That farm is very big, and the courtyard wall is about this high..."

Maximus was not surprised when he heard that there were many people in the farm. This large wheat-growing farm had at least a thousand acres of land and required many slaves, so naturally there were many people to control them.

"Now we can finally have a good fight!" Hagux said excitedly.

Maximus was also excited. They had gone out to rob several times in the past few days, and all they encountered were grape farms, only a few enemies, and only a few slaves. Therefore, they had crossed the southern edge of the Vesuvius region and were almost there. As he approached the towns of Pompeii and Lucenia, he finally met a target who could train his team. However, he tried to keep the expression on his face calm, pointed in the direction of the farm, and said loudly: "Guards are reduced." Slow down the march and move towards the farm!"

The officers headed by Pheasalus immediately passed on the order, and the two columns of more than 300 soldiers quickly slowed down their advance.

Seeing that more than two months of military training had produced results, Frontinus was satisfied. At the same time, he also praised: "Maximus, the decision you just made is right. Slow down before the battle. It will help." It helps the soldiers restore their physical strength and boost their morale.”

"Frontinus, you still have to provide more criticism so that I can improve faster." Maximus said jokingly. In the past two months, he has been training hard in military training, and at the same time, he often humbly asked Frantinus Lantinus asked for advice, and the two developed a good friendship.

"According to the prior agreement, our military advisory group will not intervene this time. After the battle is over, we will make criticisms based on the situation." Frontinus said seriously.

"Don't worry, I won't let you down." Maximus said confidently.

Amidst the golden and heavy waves of wheat stood a large white mansion, with many people holding weapons standing behind the approximately three-meter-high wall.

"The whole army stops advancing!" Maximus raised his right arm and shouted loudly: "Get ready to form array!"

After the order was given, the soldiers of the guard team quickly stopped advancing, and then the officers shouted: "First team! First team, stand here!... Brothers of the second team, come here!... Third team, change the original column to a horizontal formation!..."

After a noisy sound, three hundred soldiers formed three small squares of one hundred people side by side.

"Report to the leader, the first guard squadron has completed the formation!" Phesalus, wearing a Roman centurion armor with a horizontal crest, saluted Maximus solemnly and said.

He used to be the captain of the guard team. As the number of guards increased, he still commanded a hundred people, but his position became the captain of the first guard squadron. The reason why he accepted it calmly was, on the one hand, because of Maximus's patient persuasion, and on the other hand, because of the captain of the second squadron, Toleruge.

After two months of careful care by the medical team, Toleruge, who was once seriously injured, gradually recovered, and out of his heartfelt gratitude to the medical team, he decided to stay in the baggage camp. In addition to him, dozens of recovered wounded soldiers chose to stay. It can be said that Maximus achieved an important purpose of creating the medical team. He formed a second century with these people and some new recruits assigned to the baggage camp, with Toleruge as the captain of the second guard squadron.

Toleruge was originally famous in the gladiator school, and later had a considerable prestige in the second brigade. Then he fought bloody battles with the Romans and survived. After defending the nurses of the medical camp at the soldiers' rally that day, he became more well-known to the whole army. Such a warrior was willing to be in the baggage camp guard. How could Phesalus, who is still unknown, dare to ask for more.

"Report to the leader, the third squadron has also been lined up!" The next to come to report was Carminus, the captain of the third guard squadron.

This man was born as a slave sailor in Naples, an Illyrian. Inspired by the deeds of Attumus, he organized ninety port slaves in mid-July and fled Naples. He happened to be met by Maximus in the process of joining the rebels. Knowing that most of his team were Illyrians, Maximus, who was half Illyrian, quickly asked Hamilcar for consent and assigned these people to the baggage camp to form the third escort squadron. The leader Carminus was appointed as the captain.

After a while, Toleruge limped to Maximus. Unlike the other two squadron leaders, he was not wearing armor because his injuries had not yet healed. He only wore a red waist lining. He did not salute, but shouted directly: "Maximus, my brothers are ready, give the order to attack!"