Now, throughout Rome, the people of the Apennine Peninsula are immersed in a festive and celebratory atmosphere. Whether it is the local people or the Macedonian soldiers, everyone is very happy and happy, because there will be no more wars in this land. Who can benefit from the competition between the two powers?

The feud lasted almost half a century, three generations of war.

King Aloyos of Macedon said that he would personally travel to Rome to participate in a feast of celebration at the kingdom level.

At this time, Podare Rios must have been happy to hug his princess. No. To say that the conquest has been accomplished is only to complete the task of land occupation. Because, at this time, there was still a Roman legion of 10,000 people resisting stubbornly. They have no reinforcements, no strongholds, and have become rebels.

Podore Rios asked his generals to get rid of this legion as soon as possible, and he went out of his way to say:

"The law of the husband and the soldier, the whole country is the first, and the country is second; The whole army is the first, and the broken army is second; The whole brigade is the first, and the broken brigade is second.

I hope that all of you will find a way to make these 10,000 Roman warriors lay down their arms in peace, and tell them to go home and farm well.

Kill 10,000 enemies and lose 3,000 yourself. Therefore, the army is attacked, the second is the enemy, the second is the army, and the next is to attack the city. ”

The general responded: "What the general said is very true, this shows your mercy. Some people also said, "Since they have been surrounded, they can just be beaten directly." ”

He replied, "A hundred battles are won, and the good is not good; The soldiers who surrender without a fight, and the good ones are also good. ”

Rubicon River

At dusk, the sky is getting dark. Decius received a letter of war, the content of which was simple, and agreed to a duel on the plain by the river bank the next morning. He read this short text and thought: Now that the enemy is outnumbered and surrounded again, it is nothing more than a fight to the death. He mustered up the courage to go to the battle.

The next day, when both armies reached the plain as promised, the Romans realized that the situation was dire, and that the enemy seemed to have multiplied several times overnight. It seemed that the battle was certain to death, there were no reinforcements in the direction of the capital, and the Roman warriors had only despair.

Their general, Decius, who was still proud, appeared before the soldiers for the last time as a Roman general, stood still, and said only one word to the soldiers:

"Romans, if you don't succeed, you will become benevolent."

The warriors shook their weapons and looked at each other. It looked like they were going to fight a futile battle, the last one.

The two armies were arranged in a neat battle formation, and they were still the most elaborate and beautiful legion phalanx in the world at that time. Every member of them is the best warrior.

The Macedonian army converged from three directions, and the three groups of soldiers and horses were compressed centripetally in three large phalanxes, and combined to attack the Roman legions trapped in the core.

The Roman Legion of Reinforcement was attacked on its back, but its ranks were still tightly organized, and the infantry squares were arranged in an orderly manner. There were no loud voices on the battlefield, and there were no speeches before the battle, and the armies of the two sides were facing each other.

At this time, two officers of the Macedonian army came with two Roman eagle flags. Decius understood that this was to negotiate. So, he ordered everyone to stay where they were and not to fire arrows. He rode up to meet him, followed by three guards.

The Roman soldiers behind him were talking:

"Who are those two?"

"Could it be an assassin!" "Huh? General, danger, come back quickly! ”

"Don't make any noise, this is just a pre-battle negotiation."

When the Macedonian riders got closer, some officers and veterans recognized the banner and told their comrades:

"Look, that's our city eagle banner in Aretion and Arimiron."

"Isn't this flag a sign of the city's right to attack and defend."

"The capital has fallen!"

"Huh? The home is gone. ”

"The Roman Republic is finished."

Decius secretly understood, his heart was heavy, and the negotiators on both sides stopped at a suitable distance.

"Listen to the other side! We would like to invite you, General Decius, the commander of the Roman legions, to talk. ”

"I am."

"General, the Roman Republic no longer exists! The Macedonian army had conquered all the Roman cities, as evidenced by this eagle banner.

You no longer have any loyalty, lay down your arms and go back to your homes to be reunited with your loved ones. The Macedonians have done nothing to harm your homes and families, so put an end to the useless fighting.

Your former adversary, our noble military commander and heir to the Macedonian throne, Prince Podarerios, appreciates your loyalty and accountability. I hope to be friends with you, everyone has been their own masters before, and there is no blame. It's time to turn enemies into friends. The Kingdom of Macedonia welcomes you, loyal people.

Of course, we are not lobbyists. If you insist on going your own way, then the mighty Macedonian army will wipe you out completely. While I cannot assure my superiors that I am here to persuade you to reach a settlement, I know that I can assure him that none of you, as enemies, will leave here alive.

I beg your pardon for speaking bluntly, General. Please think carefully about your own life and the lives of your subordinates, and think about the family and loved ones behind each of you. Don't break them up when you don't have to.

Will the General consider my suggestion? ”

"No need, honor to the Romans..."

"General, the Roman Republic has fallen, and you are now rebels. Single-mindedness is simply infidelity or betrayal to each of your families.

To show the sincerity of our conversation, as well

There are some people, I don't think you will shy away from it. ”

Seeing Decius' wavering, the Macedonian officer waved his flag behind him as he spoke. I saw a road open in the Macedonian army, and a group of civilians came over, and no one escorted them. There were only two or three leading the way.

Soon, some soldiers in the army recognized their relatives, ran out of the queue regardless of discipline, and stepped forward to recognize their families. For a while, the cold battlefield and the lonely barracks became warm. Father and son, mother and son, lovers, brothers, the warmth of the world was suddenly presented to the side of the Roman warriors, which was a joy that everyone had not seen for a long time.

Although only a small number of people saw their families, the mood quickly spread throughout the army. Of course, Decius was taken care of, and he also saw his wife and children. At this time, who still wants to touch the cold iron and shed warm blood? Without. Even the Macedonian soldiers felt a warm feeling in their hearts, remembering the scene of their reunion with their loved ones. They are iron warriors, but they are also tender men, flesh and blood. Now everyone sincerely hopes that the enemy will lay down his arms and shake hands and make peace.

How is it possible for a loved one to see himself struggling to die in despair. How could it be possible to see a family member being killed in the midst of hostile thousands of horses. Surrender is the best way out. Decius knew that the soldiers had no intention of fighting. He entrusted the generals around him to tell everyone to surrender and go home to live a down-to-earth life. And the family who took care of him. As he spoke, he drew his sword and killed himself to thank the country for its trust. But being held by his subordinates, the two armies finally reached a reconciliation.

The Roman legions laid down their arms and surrendered to the Kingdom of Macedonia. Decius thought that his opponent was a young man, and his admiration came naturally. Podare Rios really wrote and directed this human drama behind the scenes, but his purpose was sincere and kind, and everyone didn't shed a single drop of blood for meaningless things.

The kingdom was merciful to them and did not immediately ask them to join the Macedonian army. Instead, they were properly arranged to go home in batches and settle down silently. Is it not lovely and unworthy of respect to those who do their duty? The citizens of Rome saw these soldiers returning from the streets, and it was understandable that they were just people returning home.

Podarre Rios used this incident as a stepping stone, combined with some temporary policies to benefit the people, and soon won the hearts and minds of the people of northern Italy, and Rome settled down.

(End of chapter)