The long-awaited Battle of Messina finally broke out on a sunny morning. Octavian www.biquge.info the last naval force in Italy had set out from Capua three days earlier and had reached the southern tip of Italy with a tailwind, where they were confronted by the main pirate force of Comerdes. A "close match" naval rivalry also broke out.

"Naval warfare, total war, my fleet, the seas I rule!"

The summer sea breeze blew strongly on Cummed and the King of Pirates warship at his feet, in front of him was a dense group of Octavian's main naval warships, and behind him, five hundred Roman warships that had been expanded after squandering all his possessions, densely distributed on the sea.

At this moment, the waves crashed against the side of the ship, making a passionate sound, just like the mood of Cummedus at this moment, he stood in the bow of the ship, feeling the turbulence of the sea, as if behind him was no longer a pirate fleet composed of robbers and ruffians, but a regular Roman navy. Yes, there were, some of these crew members were veterans of their father, Pompey. They were all once Roman warriors of great military prominence, holy Roman citizens.

And their opponents, even unchanged, are still Caesar, Caesar's heirs, Caesar's army.

"Full speed ahead!"

"Artillery heavy javelin ready!"

Looking at the black dot-like Roman navy approaching on the other side, Thermders shouted. All the pirate ships, large and small, began to rush towards Octavian's navy against the waves.

The Strait of Messina, the narrow strait connecting the southern tip of Italy to Sicily, ushered in the largest naval battle since the outbreak of the Civil War.

Octavian did not guess wrong, Compedus was not an ordinary pirate, he had a kingdom behind him, but he originally thought it was Antony, but now it seems that this person is not Antony, but Appis. Under Anthony's rule, Commerdes has been cautious like a street rat, but on the west coast of the Mediterranean, this otherwise weak pirate fleet has grown at an unprecedented speed.

At this moment, all the pirate ships ride the wind and waves and move forward at high speed. Octavian's Capua navy also sailed in the direction of the enemy.

When the distance was close enough, the commanders of both sides gave the order to fire a salvo almost at the same time, and in an instant, countless rockets and stone rain flew in the air, sweeping the sky with fiery stones, leaving behind black smoke tails, like a hellish scene on the calm sea, setting off a bloody tide of war.

Seagulls flew across the sky, and beneath it, countless Roman naval warships staggered by, and shells rained down on the hulls of the opposing ships like meteors.

……

The Battle of Messina was in full swing, but in Rome, the capital of Italy, was a different story, where there was no war, but it was more panicked and unsettling than it was during the war.

Young Octavian stood under the porch of the Senate, his face pale and melancholy, and the afternoon sun shone on Octavian as if he were an immovable statue.

Agrippa was defeated, an outcome that no one expected, and now, Appis, who had only three legions, began to prepare for the siege of Rome. All political superiority was shattered by a single war. However, Octavian knew he still had a chance, and there were two more legions in Afria and Far Spain. It is also a legion of veterans left behind by Caesar. Yes, the only living force is overseas. But how to get them to return to Rome in a short time became Octavian's most difficult problem at the moment. The naval battle between Cummedus and Tibiah was still going on, and no one could predict the outcome of the naval battle. If the Capua navy were again defeated, then the whole of Rome would undoubtedly face a real crisis.

"We should negotiate with Apis, who is also a Roman, and he should know the cost of besieging the city! The Holy Capital will not tolerate such treatment! ”

"Do you think it's necessary to talk about the law and glory with a beast?! Don't be a fool of dreams, Appis spent four years in Gaul and four years in war against the Germans, he has long since turned into a real beast, and you still expect him to carry the mercy of the Romans? ”

Octavian turned and walked into the hall of the Senate, but as soon as he entered, he heard all kinds of quarrels and doubts. The senators of the Senate held their own opinions and were filled with righteous indignation. Seeing Octavian enter the door, he immediately fell silent, waiting for the "host" to speak and give a speech.

"Do you have a solution and a way?"

Octavian asked in a low voice.

"Army! Caesar. We also have corps that can bring back the fifteenth legion in Africa and the third legion in Spain. Believing that the Capua navy could defeat Commodus, Rome did not need to bow to anyone! ”

Decoris stood up and said with a righteous look on his face. Then, after he finished speaking, there was no response on the field. Everyone sat there in silence, looking at each other. Including Octavian, he also looked at him calmly.

Decoris, who felt that the atmosphere was slightly awkward, sat down in amusement in the silence of everyone.

"Send the Assassins, Caesar! We can send the Assassins and kill Apis in the barracks, and without a commander, the Germanic legions will naturally collapse. ”

Another Roman official then stood up and proposed.

"How much hope? Lord Onekos? The great Assassin needed to get out of the city under siege by Apis, infiltrate the heavily guarded legionary camp, and then find Apis, and succeed. You tell me, if there are such people, do we still need to sacrifice so many good soldiers and officers to resist the great armies of the North? ”

Before Octavian could speak, Masinus got up and retorted. The official was speechless.

"What about you? Cicero. I'd like to hear your opinion. ”

Then, in the midst of the whispered discussion of the crowd, Octavian fixed his eyes on the plain and leisurely senator Cicero. And asked loudly. The atmosphere on the field suddenly tended to be suffocating, almost everyone knew that Cicero had not been involved in political affairs for a long time, and that he was actually a fellow party of Appis, not Octavian's people, and Octavian suddenly asked him by name at this time, what was his purpose? This is unknown to the people. Even Cicero himself was slightly shocked, but his rich experience in speaking and sufficient psychological quality made him quickly calm down.

"Problems that can be solved between tongues are best solved without the sword."

Cicero replied calmly.

"You mean to make peace with Appis?"

Octavian asked, looking respectful.

"This war is a matter of survival for millions of Roman civilians, and the Romans do not want to see the sword and bloodshed."

Cicero continued.

"Maybe that's a good idea. I guess I should negotiate with Appis. Yes, the Romans did not want to shed blood and starve because of this war. Then, during the negotiations, I can try to bring food and grass from outside the city into the city. Guarantee the food supply of the city. Moreover, I can delay the peace talks a little longer, and I think that the people of Rome would prefer peace to blood and swords. There is no reason for Apis to continue to besiege the city during the peace talks, that would be against the will of the people, would it? It's a really good idea, thank you, Cicero, for buying time for the people of Rome and for the hope of peace. ”

Octavian said with a smile. And Cicero in front of him pretended to be happy, but he cursed in his heart.