Within half a month, Apalos advanced all the way, penetrating deep into the enemy's hinterland, and stuck the main traffic chokepoint. Seize the strategic initiative on the peninsula.

However, Apalos did not stop his advance, and in his exact words:

"Only by seizing the city and gaining a foothold is the phased endpoint of the attack."

So after being stationed by the Harus River for a while, he decided to march and storm the city of Masaka. The battle was soon fought......

Roman Palace

Military Chamber

"Oh? Conquered Masaka. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty. Our invincible Macedonian army has de facto taken control of the peninsula of Asia Minor. ”

"Good.

Progress further.

The first step of the Crusade was to be completed.

Hmm~, who scored into the main city of Cappadocia? ”

"It's Apalos, Your Majesty."

"Give me the battle report."

"Yes, please take a look."

"Storming? It's kind of interesting. This kid really dares to fight. ”

And he went on,

Military briefing on the Eastern Front:

Time: 198 BC, winter

Location: Cappadocia, Asia Minor

Fight:

Victors, Apalos, Leo Charis (Macedonia)

The Losers, Gomfi, Ariobazanes Ankara, Dionysus (Pontus)

The course of the battle

River crossing stage

Before departure, our troops were stationed in the lower reaches of the Harus River (south bank of the West Ferry); The enemy has a mobile force under the city to guard the upper reaches (the north bank of the East Ferry) to prevent smuggling to attack the city.

Notify the friendly 3rd Army to follow up and pick up the main points. Leo Charles arrived on time, and the two divisions concentrated on the crossbow and light cavalry to force the crossing of the Harus River.

More than a dozen crossbow planes fired artillery at the same time to expel the reconnaissance troops on the opposite bank, and the light cavalry took the opportunity to quickly cross the bridge and engage with the lightly armed troops in Pontus, successfully covering the main force to cross the river.

Battle of the Riverbank

The general, Ariobazanes Ankara, learned of Gomfi's mistake and immediately went to remedy it. His troops counterattacked the invincible army in two ways, bringing their own chariots and heavy infantry down the river. The other road was all cavalry, mostly Cappadocian heavy cavalry, which crossed the river directly and then went around from the west crossing to attack the back of our army.

Apalos made his way up the river and came into direct contact with the mobile legion of Ariobazanes. The phalanx of spears forced the Pontus chariot to stop, and the stone crossbow struck the enemy line. Without waiting for the Pontic cavalry to arrive, the Invincible Legion defeated this part of the main force after the division of the Pontus army. Ariobazanes was killed, and more than 1,000 of his surviving soldiers retreated into the city.

On the other hand, the Cappadocian cavalry marched to the western crossing and met the garrison of the Third Legion, and the cavalry was defeated in front of the phalanx. Leocharius sent cavalry to annihilate them all.

Apalos pursued the victory, reached the outside of Masaka, and surrounded him.

After a day of evaluation and preparation, Apalos decided to launch a strong attack on Masaka.

siege

Masaka, mega city, minor level. Defenders: Dionysus, Defenders: about 30,000.

In the face of the tall city walls, the siege team adopted the method of concentrating fire to break through the entrance of the city, but there were no extra stones to weaken the city's defensive arrow towers.

The process of approaching the walls was the time of the greatest losses, although the archers provided the suppression with all their might. However, our sergeants were extremely brave and rushed forward. Inflict heavy damage on the enemy as soon as you enter the city.

The siege team was led by heavily armed javelinmen, and advanced quickly with the cooperation of foot archers and phalanxes. The Macedonian warriors followed one after the other, and after the javelinmen retreated, the pikes continued to charge.

The whole battle went smoothly and smoothly. Our army killed more than 30,000 enemy soldiers with 20,000 sharp soldiers, and erected the Macedonian flag in the square.

In the suppression of the rebellion in the city, thousands of rebels were executed.

- 198, Winter, Apalos.

"The Invincible Legion deserves their title."

Podare Ríos

"Yes, Your Majesty.

Our troops are infinitely loyal to you and the Empire. ”

Military adjutant

"Oh?

I heard that Apalos's speech before the battle was very inspiring, and he promised to give all the soldiers who entered the city three chances to plunder. ”

"This is most likely a rumor, and in any case, so far we have not confirmed what the guilt of the front-line soldiers is."

"Needless to say.

It's not that I don't know, it's that I don't investigate.

Breaking into Cappadocia is very advantageous. He could have made a meritorious record, but his reckless behavior was hateful. The merits and demerits are offset only once. Therefore, no awards will be given. ”

Seeing that the emperor was displeased, the military officer hurriedly bowed his head and did not dare to say more. In the past, military meetings were quite comfortable, and everyone talked freely, just like idle buddies mingling together to get together and exchange opinions. In the past, when a city was laid, the brothers entered the city as it was customary to plunder the city first, money, women, and land.

Now the front line is the army of the Empire, here is the center of the Empire.

Podare Rios is in the midst of a new reform of the conquest. (Structural Reform of the New Governance Plan in the Conquest Zone, referred to as the New Governance Reform) to implement the separation of collection and management in order to weaken the power of the front-line generals.

Reform content:

1. Spoils of war

When a general captures a city, he can only collect up to 30% of the city's wealth and share it with the soldiers, and the rest goes to the empire.

In addition, those who have made meritorious contributions in the war, regardless of the size of their military positions, only ask about their merits, and those who have made meritorious contributions can add one percent to their salaries and enter the first rank.

2. Territory

In the past, the land conquered by the general was generally owned by him, so that with the basic land, the proud and influential general could divide one side.

In the future, the general's fiefdoms will be distributed by the state, and they will often be mutually restricted or disconnected lands.

3. Communication system

Military intelligence and war reports will be gathered in Rome as soon as possible. In this way, the emperor ensured the unimpeded flow of information on the front line and was able to make timely decisions and adjustments. This matter was entrusted to Eagle Eye.

Fourth, the secret police system

The "Matrix" further became a close confidant of the emperor, overseeing all corners of the empire. Placing the city security squad under the jurisdiction of the police force, the police force of the Macedonian Empire has always been subordinate to the "matrix".

The orientation of reform must strengthen the centralization of power and curb the rise of local forces.

From the perspective of political layout, the new policy will certainly greatly strengthen the power in the hands of the two major organizations of the emperor's personal guard, "Eagle Eye" and "Matrix".

Since the Crusades, discontent has been growing in Asia. Podaré Rios established the secret police system in order to create a harsh ruling technique and "smooth the thorn of the empire".

After the implementation of the new policy, it involved a wide range of areas, so turmoil and chaos inevitably occurred.

Podare Rios faced up to the problem and listened to the generals' opinions to make some policy compromises and adjustments. Soon it was back to normal.

In order to appease the soldiers at the front, Podare Rios went to the front line in person to reward the three armies. He held bonfires in Ankara, Triek, and Masaka to celebrate his achievements, which greatly boosted people's hearts.

The Macedonians were very happy to see their emperor come here to pay their respects. Everyone drank happily, and the officers and men enjoyed themselves.

After a field trip, they made a plan for their next move, entering the Middle East.

(End of chapter)