"The Campanias are not in a hurry to urge the Third Legion to leave, and they even want the Third Legion to stay for a while longer to prevent the Samonai from retaliating in the future, so we don't need to rush, they will supply the rations anyway, and we will leave after the negotiations are over and our citizens have settled in the new territory," said Davers. ”

"But in this way, the defenses of the Lucania region are empty, and in case the Samonai people risk an invasion, even with Abenirum in the way, I am still worried about the safety of Kopsa and Potentia! Your Majesty, now that there is a shortage of food in the country, and it is impossible to mobilize the legions from other regions to garrison them, can a senior officer be sent to the Lucania region to be responsible for organizing the reserve soldiers in the region and the coastal towns for precaution. Shilos continued.

In the military system of the Dionian Kingdom with the legion as the main body, the third legion is the largest in terms of the division of the legions to gather soldiers and the scope of training in peacetime, which includes not only the Lucania region, but also a part of the southern part of Campania and some coastal towns, and the young and middle-aged citizens of Elia, Poseidonia, and Enona are also subject to the training of the Third Legion and wartime conscription.

Davers agreed with Shilos's caution and said, "Yes, it's up to your military department to decide who to send to Lucania. ”

"Your Majesty, I recommend that Zantiparis carry out the task of forming a new legion in Lucania." Shilos had already considered his candidate.

"Zantiparis?" Davers looked at Shiros.

Shiloh said sincerely: "Zantiparis has been in the legion and the military department for many years, not only has rich combat experience, but also is familiar with military affairs, and now he is at home, he is the best person to prepare for the legion and command the legion. ”

It seems that Shilos is not just a Zantiparis recommended out of his past affection! After listening to the explanation, Davers also felt that this person was a good candidate, and he was relieved, and asked, "How is his body?" ”

"He's exercising every day, and he's tough." Shilos replied.

In fact, there are daily reports from the intelligence services, and Davers certainly knows something about Zantiparris's physical condition, and he asks this only so that the others present will know, lest anyone have an opinion.

"Then him." Davos immediately made a decision: the removal of Zantiparis from his post as prosecutor in the Ministry of Military Affairs can be regarded as compensation.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Now let's talk about Rome." Davers looked around at the crowd and said in an accentuated tone: "The cunning Romans, under the pretext of 'waiting for their two military officers to return, will discuss our demands', in fact intensified their attack on the Wolsey town of Satnikum, and at the same time sent additional troops to attack the coastal town of Antium, which of the Wolseys, and invaded the heart of the Wolseys. Our emissaries protested to the Romans, only to be once again perfunctory by the Roman Senate, whose dignity did not allow the Romans to tease in this way, and the precarious Wolsy continued our aid! Ladies and gentlemen, what should we do in Dionya in such a situation?! ”

"Of course, to fulfill the covenant with the Wolsey, send reinforcements to repel the Romans, and regain the territory lost by the Wolsey!" Antaoris said loudly.

Cornerus and Lucias glanced at each other, and Cornerus did not hesitate this time: "Your Majesty, we must not allow the Volsi to be conquered by Rome, otherwise our Dionysian prestige among the various forces in central Italy will be seriously damaged, and we must send troops!" It's just that the Wolsey will be able to fully guarantee the food supply of our troops? ”

"I asked the messenger of the Wolsey, and he promised to guarantee at least two months' food supply for one of our legions. In addition, they could ask for food aid from their neighbors, the enemies of Rome, the Helnikians, so that in a short time we would not have to worry about military rations. ”

Davers's answer stopped Cornerus from questioning.

"Your Majesty, can we only send one legion?" Mersis asked, there was free food from the Gentiles, and he hated to send all the legions there to relieve the pressure of food in the country.

"Wolsey is only a small force in the Latium region of central Italy, and it has done its best to ensure the food supply of more than 9,000 people in a legion for several months."

Davers's answer disappointed Mersis slightly.

"Your Majesty, as far as I know, Rome is no better than Cautini, the strength of this city-state, I am afraid that it will be difficult to completely repel the Roman army with a single legion!" Shilos was a little worried, and because of the influence of Davers, he still knew the situation in Rome relatively well.

Davers smiled: "Although the strength of a legion is a little less, there are strong Wolsey people as allies. In addition, the Wolsy are ready to unite the Helnihians, the Masi, the Ekücers...... Together, these races fought against Rome. Therefore, although we only have one legion, we are not alone. Moreover, we only need to repel the Romans, and not annihilate them, so I feel that one legion is enough for the time being. ”

Speaking of this, Davers asked, "Shiros, which legion do you think is more appropriate?" ”

Shilos thought about it seriously and said, "Your Majesty, the last time it was the second, fourth, and fifth legions that participated in the Dauni War, the Eighth Legion also waged war against the Sichaels in Sicily, and the Third Legion had just finished fighting against the Kautini...... It stands to reason that this time it should be the turn of the 1st, 6th, and 7th legions, the 9th and 10th legions were too short to be formed, did not participate in major battles, lacked combat experience, and did not yet have the ability to fight on expeditions alone. I think it would be best to send the First Legion on the expedition, for Commander Amintas, who is experienced and the most combat-ready of the First Legion, is a sign of the importance we attach to the Wolsey. ”

After listening to Shiros's words, Davers was a little hesitant. More than ten years have passed, and the older batch of senior generals have not been promoted to the Ministry of Military Affairs, such as Shiros, Kaps, Pherisius, Sylonimus, etc.; that is, to serve as a commander of a higher rank, such as Alexis, formerly Antonios; or transferred to local government affairs, such as Epitenis, Agacia, Adrianx, etc.; Others are too old or tired of fighting and are at home, such as Zantiparis, Alpuns, etc. Only Amintas, who has always insisted on being the commander of the legion, is reluctant to leave, just like Dracos back then.

Davers believes that Dracos is indeed experienced and brave in battle, and the First Army led by him is also amazingly combative, and it is an extremely sharp knife. But Amintas was impatient and careless, and he was a little apprehensive about leading his troops alone, especially if he had to stay away from Dionia and fight Rome, which had a good general like Camillus.

But Davers could not give this reason, after all, Amintas was a veteran of the army and a veteran of the Senate, and he was quite famous, so he said: "I remember that the commander of the Sixth Legion was Trotilas, and I was very impressed by the outstanding performance of the Sixth Legion under his command during the decisive battle with the Mapp coalition army. It's the first time to help the Wolsey, there's no need to send our strongest legion, it's not good to be overzealous......"

Shilos understood the meaning of Davos's words, he hesitated for a moment, and said, "Your Majesty, if you send the Sixth Legion, Lord Amintas knows about it, I'm afraid there will be an opinion. ”

Davers comforted him and said, "If Amintas has an opinion, you let him come to me." ”

Shilos couldn't say anything more, so he designated the Sixth Army as the force to go to Wolsey.

At this time, Lycias reminded with a little worry: "Your Majesty, if we have a war with Rome, I'm afraid Carthage will react!" ”

This is indeed a question to consider! Davers even knew through the intelligence services that the Carthaginian Senate had even been discussing the matter for several days, but he did not hesitate to say: "We are here to protect our allies and help them defend against a strong enemy, and this is an irreproachable and legitimate action!" If we had to consider what the Carthaginians would think in everything, it would not only tie our hands and feet, but also make the people think that we are too weak and undermine the prestige of the overlord of Southern Italy! ”

"Your Majesty is right! The Carthaginians have not had a very good relationship with us in the past two years, and this action is a good way to test Carthage's attitude towards us. Sedorum replied.

Davers nodded and said to Shiros: "Inform Prosious, the commander of the Eighth Legion, to be vigilant, strengthen the defense, and always keep an eye on the movements of the Carthaginians in the west of Sicily. ”

At this moment, the court herald Aristilas hurried in and knocked on the door of the office.

After obtaining Davers' permission, he went inside and handed Davers the papyrus scroll in his hand.

After reading it, Davers's face became a little ugly, and in the face of everyone's curious eyes, he said in a deep voice: "The Carthaginians responded, they killed our merchants and sailors without our permission!" ”

………………………………

In the afternoon after Davers received the news, the Carthaginian messengers arrived in Turiy.

At the meeting of the Dionian Senate that was urgently convened at his request, the head of the Magonian faction of the Carthaginian Senate said loudly with an angry and puzzled face in the face of the annoyed and puzzled eyes of hundreds of Dionian senators: "Dionians, we have been very friendly to you since we in Carthage signed a friendship agreement with you more than ten years ago, when you were struggling to resist the army of Syracuse, Carthage has selflessly provided you with a lot of supplies! When you occupied the Sicilian possessions of Syracuse, the situation was very turbulent, and it was Carthage who took the initiative to divide the territory of their respective jurisdictions with you, which helped you stabilize the trend in Sicily! Most of the credit for the prosperity of your Dionian domestic trade over the years should be attributed to us Carthaginian merchants! And yet you-"