A week later, Certolius, with two large Afrika Korps, arrived in the Corbado region and laid out fortifications along the Baetis River. www.biquge.info then the commander of the Afrika Korps sent two emissaries, one of whom went to Appis's military camp to negotiate with Apris. Another emissary traveled to the local barbarian tribes of Spain to try to persuade the tribes who had submitted to Appis to change their position and join Octavian's side.

But as soon as the messenger to the barbarian camp walked forward, the local barbarians in Spain reported the situation to Appis. The messenger who went to the camp of Apis was mercilessly teased.

"You say that Settorius came with the sincerity of peace, so how do I see the legions arranged around the perimeter of the city? And he has built fortifications and trenches, will he show me his sincerity with his sword and fortifications? ”

Apis sat on a wooden chair in the tent, squinting at the well-dressed diplomatic envoy.

"These are only temporary tasks, and once Your Excellency has agreed to our general's request, all bloodshed and military conflict will be avoided. Our general came on behalf of Caesar's sincerity, and he only wanted to see the Romans live in peace. ”

The legionary who had been sent by Testonius to the camp of Apis bowed his head and replied respectfully.

"Certolius' demands are meaningless and useless. If I withdraw my troops, will he be able to guarantee long-term peace and stability in the Spanish region? If my legions withdraw from the cities, villages, can he guarantee that as soon as I go on the front foot, the barbarians will come and plunder the towns of the Romans? He can't guarantee it. I brought with me two Roman legions that could fight well, and a lot of money, so that the situation in the region could be stabilized temporarily. I have built aqueducts and walls, and bought clothing and food for the Roman citizens here, and I ask you, will you and your generals be able to maintain this status quo when I am gone? Can Octavian do it again? If not, it will not be a peace negotiation. You will deprive the Romans of their right to liberty and security. ”

Apis sat behind his desk and said calmly.

Unprovoked aggression sounds plausible...... The messenger in front of him was momentarily surrounded by Appis, and Leng was there. Then, the speechless legion messenger came up with another sentence that was not up to the level -

"But Far Spain has always belonged to Caesar."

"No, you are wrong again, young man, Spain belongs to the Roman people, to the Senate, to the Republic, he does not belong to anyone. The inhabitants of Rome in Spain had the right to choose a better life, a more stable life. ”

Appis almost finished the next sentence, and the inhabitants of Rome in Spain had the right to choose a better government. But it's better not to say it than to say it.

The legion envoy who was blocked and had nothing to say was furious, but he had no choice but to win the commander of the northern legion in front of him.

"Your Excellency, just say it directly, what do you want to do before you are willing to withdraw from the army?"

The messenger was helpless and asked directly.

"Don't say it so badly, young man. You know, I'm here for the people of Rome, I don't really want to start a war, and of course, if you want me to quit, that's fine. However, a certain amount of settlement fees must be paid first. ”

Apis said with a smirk.

"What placement fee?"

The messenger panicked, not knowing what the bandit-like leader was thinking about.

"Shouldn't Octavian be ashamed of the fact that you have displaced countless Roman citizens, Roman citizens, who fled to my town, and I have settled them with my own money? He would have to pay me at least a large sum of money to ensure the lives of these refugees. Friends, my regiment can guarantee the lives of these refugees, but it cannot guarantee their livelihood and food rations. Don't let the hungry outcasts flee in all directions, and tell more Romans that Octavian Turinus had abandoned them and could not provide even a meal of chaff. That would be extremely detrimental to the reputation of your generals, including Octavian. ”

Appis said, picking up the wine glass on the table and sipping slowly.

And now, the messenger was in a hurry, not only did he not finish anything, but he also got into trouble. If you go back and tell your general these words, then it is undoubtedly better not to come here. The Roman general, who sat on the throne of the military tent, was as cunning as a poisonous snake, and he had already laid out his mouth and waited for himself to burrow into his pocket.

"Don't hesitate, go back quickly, tell your generals the information here, time is pressing, every moment you stay, more Roman civilians need my protection, don't let the people down, my friend."

The messenger hesitated, but was directly separated by Apis.

……

"Placement fees? How much does he want? ”

Inside the camp, Saytorius angrily questioned.

"One million dinars ......"

The legion messenger who was sent out for peace talks replied tremblingly.

"This is naked coercion and intimidation. For a million dinars, Turinus could form five more legions to crusade against him, and let Apis be a fool. Damn, this peace talk is meaningless. You shit! ”

Certolius lashed out, taking out his anger on the poor young negotiator.

The young negotiator was then dragged out of his tent by the guards, tied to an ox cart, and subjected to a brutal flogging. Outside the tent, there were bursts of heart-rending shouts......

"The robber bears the name of mercy, Apis, and if he wants war, come. Here I will be, killing the Germanic legion of which he is so proud. ”

Saytorius said, thrusting his dagger into the table.

Two days later, on the other side of the Baetis River, the yellow sand was rolling, and none of the defenders of Settorius on the fortifications knew what Apis was doing on the other side. It's like trying to cross a river, and it's like digging some kind of fortification.

Are they going to dig a canal to divert the water away?

Settorius put a big question mark in his mind, but his eyes were always fixed on the camp of Apis on the other side of the river, where the yellow sand was rolling all day.

……

"Brother, order the soldiers to go to the bank of the river every day and run in a circle, push the raft to the bank of the river, set up half of the pontoon bridge, do not cross the river, and stay out of the range of the enemy's catapults and ballistas. I have asked little Crassus to take the elite veterans of the Seventh Legion downstream, where there is a shoal, from which the current will not be very fast, from which ships can be built to cross the river. But in order to cover them, we have to do the work of building momentum right now. ”

In the camp of the Eighth Legion, Appis commanded solemnly.

"I understand, Appis."

Klein gave a standard military salute and went down to get back to work. Appis, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes at the stretches of Settorius' fortifications on the other side. In a few days, the high wall will be planted with the flag of the Seventh Legion.