After the capture of Capua, Macedonia was equivalent to opening up the Campania Corridor. The road to Rome from south to north was clear.

Antigone has been in good health lately, and he has started to take charge of the overall situation again.

Aloyous, on the other hand, did his best to assist the king. He obeyed the king's arrangement, reorganized his troops and horses, and prepared for attack.

Summer mornings, the sun is shining. Standing on a high place and looking down on the whole city, it is a peaceful and calm urban scene.

The Governor's Mansion in Capua is the tallest building in the city, and it is tall and magnificent. With its white walls, golden roofs, viaducts spanning fountains, and neatly cut green trees and grass in front of the hall, the official residence is like a heavenly palace.

"It seems that Scipio's ambitions are not small. Their governor's mansion and our royal palace also have a match. ”

Aloyos walked with the king and said casually.

"Well, the strength is indeed quite strong. The official residence of the Roman Senate must have been more extravagant. ”

"I think so. Otherwise, the treasurer of the Senate would have troubled the Scipio family. ”

"General Scipio has helped them in this way, and General Brutus will definitely cover for them. Besides, the Brutus family's own financial situation is not known to be much of a problem.

Speaking of them, the Brutus family no longer exists. The House of Scipio existed in name only, and we have taken their place in the entire southern part of the Apennines. The reason why we have been so far has been because we have defeated their main forces in a long and fierce battle for the Greek mainland.

In the next attack on Latin and Northern Italy, we must be cautious and not rash against the enemy. I think they're going to take the initiative to attack. ”

"Well, what Your Majesty said is very true. But they were traumatized, and I don't think it would be harder than the last war. ”

"So I wonder if we are divided into two sides, and the northern front is mainly defended to resist the Roman counteroffensive forces; The southern front passed through Bruthur and attacked Sicily, completely annihilating the remnants of Rome there. Although Juventus is not an authentic Roman faction, the Senate will certainly gather forces in Sicily in order to deal with us. ”

"Your Majesty is wise, I am willing to obey the arrangement."

"Hmm~ Do you have any other plans?"

"I began to think that I could storm the city of Rome in one go, defeat the Julius family in one go, and conquer Rome proper."

"I had the intention at first, but what if the Roman army in Sicily attacked us from the rear? It is necessary to rescue it, or it is inevitable to divide the troops and fight separately. ”

"I don't think Juventus is just a clown, he doesn't necessarily answer the call of the Roman Senate to risk attacking us. Even if they do fight, Rome's mainland roads are convenient, and it is completely possible to return to the aid and first aid. ”

"This issue should also be discussed and discussed at a military meeting to solicit everyone's opinions."

"Okay. However, I think your strategy is very correct and can achieve good results. Now marching to the region north of Latin must be a few battles further, because the Julius family retains a lot of strength, and the elite troops of the Senate are not casual titles. ”

At the military conference, there were those who advocated continuing to go north, and those who suggested attacking Sicily in the south. The two sides argued and expressed their opinions, but the king did not immediately take a stand. The people had been talking for a long time, but they had not yet reached a unified opinion, and asked the king to make a decision.

The king listened to the story and turned to ask Aloyous what he was going to do, and Aloyos thought that there was still some work to be done in the north, and that he expected to fight against the House of Julius in Rome. It is better to play defense in advance, so that the Romans can further consume the army.

Antigone agreed, saying:

"The expeditionary general said very well, and now rushing north may not have a significant effect. We are in a tug-of-war with the Roman army in the north, and both sides will find themselves in a state of containment.

At that time, there is a risk that the south will be threatened by a counterattack by enemy landing.

It is better for us to defend on the front line now, free up our hands, and divide part of our forces to relieve our worries and settle Sicily. ”

The generals strongly appreciated this plan.

Antigone sent his troops, and he personally led the First Legion to Brution. Phillips' fleet was rushing to the shore, and the advance fleet had already explored the terrain and approximate strength of the Sicilian coast, which played an important role in Antigones' next operation.

Aloyos was in charge of the defense of the Apennine Peninsula, and he still led the Fourth Army as the main force against the Roman army. After reorganization and replenishment, the combat effectiveness of the Fourth Army Corps was greatly strengthened. Aloyos renamed it the 2nd Roman Regiment of the 24th Expeditionary Force.

He will lead this legion against the elite army of the Roman Senate and the mighty forces of the House of Julius.

The Roman Senate strongly demanded that the Julius family give them full military protection.

Ordered Flavius Julius, the leader of the Julius camp, to advance the defense line to the southern border of the Latin region. According to the instructions of the Senate, Flavis successively sent the troops of two full legions to the south of the city of Rome in three routes, demarcating the border with the Macedonian army, and the two sides confronted the Latin plain.

Aloyos obeyed the old king's arrangement, held on to the enemy, and observed the enemy's situation.

On the other hand, recruits and trained recruits from various cities, and brought together Macedonian soldiers sent from the mainland.

Antigone approached Phillips to ask him about his preparations for landing in Sicily, and Phillips stated:

The Macedonian navy had already gained sea control over the islands, and the enemy's small fleet could not threaten Macedonia's military action to seize the islands. The main fleet assembled and sailed around the island, defeating two warship formations of the Juventus family. Now just wait for the navy ships in front of us to gather intelligence to return, and the landing can begin. Phillips asked if the fleet's home port should be in the port of Crotton.

The king agreed, saying:

"Even if we have military superiority on land and sea, we should not take it lightly. It is still necessary to ensure the suddenness of the landing operation, and at least when we land, we will not encounter the enemy waiting for us on the beachhead, because the casualty rate will increase. You also know that the landing force cares most about getting ashore and gaining a foothold.

This is very important for the actual conditions of the battle and the morale of the officers and men. ”

"Yes! His Majesty the King.

The general will act strictly according to your command schedule to ensure the concealment of the movement of the large force. ”

"Also, I will adjust the schedule of the army's march and let the soldiers rest a day earlier.

As soon as my troops reach the shores of Brution, your fleet will be on standby, ready to escort us across the sea and attack the island.

My legion will arrive in the morning, and your fleet will have to depart from the port of Croton in advance, and you must time it yourself.

If the vanguard ships do not come to meet at that time, we will not wait for them to set off directly. ”

"Yes! I will report the situation to His Majesty at any time and keep the communication open. ”

Antigone decisively led the First Legion from Campania to the southwest coast of Brution, where it met Phillips' fleet. I saw that thousands of ships were moored on the surface of the coastal waters, full of hope in the morning, shining on the shore, and then looking at the orderly march of the 100,000-strong army on the shore. The scene is spectacular and magnificent. The big war is imminent.