"Damn it, Greygas, this is my slave, don't force me to do it to you, ****!"

"When Lao Zi fought against the Germans in Gaul, you were still a milky hairy child, and you dared to compete with me here for the spoils of war!"

In the camp of the Roman Field Legion in Capua, two legionary soldiers of Apis were arguing and even fighting over a beautiful Eastern slave. The reason is simple, two GIs took a fancy to this Eastern slave at the same time. Because she is young and beautiful, and she still looks clean. They were all willing to give their share of the two slaves in exchange for this beauty, however, none of them were willing to give it up. Thus, a vicious fight broke out in the barracks.

The young and vigorous young soldier made the first move, and he smashed the veteran in front of him with a punch. The veteran then got up and "swept the hall" and overturned the young soldier. The two pounced on the "hand-to-hand fight". You punch me and I punch, all kinds of grappling, wrestling. Gradually, it attracted the attention of others in the barracks, and many people came to watch, but they did not persuade the fight, and even watched the fight with great interest, which was like a wonderful "gladiatorial match".

In the end, the veteran Greges even drew the short sword he carried with him, knocked down the young soldier, and pressed the tip of the sword against the young soldier's throat.

Then, a figure that was not tall, but full of majesty, appeared, and kicked away the short sword in the old soldier's hand. Everyone held their breath, and the two fighting soldiers looked up to see that this person was none other than the supreme commander of the Roman legions, Appis.

"Have you had enough? Two bastards, for the sake of an Egyptian slave girl, beat their comrades-in-arms. Are you going to be the next Anthony? If you have the ability to go to the battlefield, you will continue to fight with the allied forces of the eastern countries, and you will take ten more prisoners and a hundred slaves. And not here for a lowly female slave, a big fight. Aren't Roman women bad? To go on an Egyptian slave? Your booty is rich enough for you to live happily for a month in the courtyard of Rome. Damn waste, but here to fight for an exotic girl. ”

The bruised soldier fell to his knees and waited for Appis's punishment. Appis took the opportunity to reprimand and scold them in front of everyone, and of course, he lost no time in mocking Antonica.

The onlookers were silent.

"A girl, yes, a pretty girl. That's all for you. Maximus, tell me what kind of punishment should be for beating up my comrades and fighting for the spoils of war. ”

Appis stood in place, deliberately raising his voice, and asked Maximus, the cavalry commander beside him.

"He shall be punished with twelve lashes and a month's and-a half months' hard labor, General."

Maximus replied solemnly, standing up straight.

"Then deal with it according to military law."

"Brothers, you have always been concerned about when I plan to attack Brindisi and drive Antony out of Italy once and for all. Now, I'm here, to tell you clearly, that in two weeks, in two weeks, we're going to set foot on Brindisi soil and lay siege to that city. Before Anthony's reinforcements arrive, we will once again have a great victory. When the time comes, your booty will be multiplied, and slaves like Egyptian women will be not one or two, but hundreds and thousands. Cleopatra alone, I don't know how many palace maids I brought over. Of course, the siege of the city requires our sincere unity, and if today's events come to pass, my punishment will not be as simple as twelve lashes. ”

While punishing the soldiers who were fighting and causing trouble, the deadline for the siege was announced. Apis deliberately described the rich and fragrant scene of Cleopatra in the palace of Brindis, which caused the eyes of all the soldiers present.

…………

"Appis! That damn Appis was like a sticky bug that he couldn't shake off. How long has it been since that big war? One month? His soldiers have just finished dividing the spoils of war and are thinking about attacking my territory again? What a madman! ”

As the Roman and Gallic armies marched toward Brindisi at the southern tip of Italy, Antony sat in his mansion and kicked his feet in anger. Falling into the well, Anthony imagined Appis laughing at his face. I want to tear him apart. He knew that he should have attacked Octavian directly, drove Apis away, drove him out of Italy, and let him stay in the land of the barbarians forever. But now, there is no regret pill to take.

"Tell me, how long will it take for Greek reinforcements to arrive?"

Anthony stood up and asked Cleopatra, who was still a little weak, in an unfriendly manner.

"Half a month? Or a month. It's hard to say, Anthony. It's autumn now, and it's hard to say what the sea is like, the wind direction is not easy to grasp, and there is even a danger of storms. Although Corinth is not very far from here. ”

Cleopatra replied sensibly.

"It takes half a month across the strait, and I don't have time to wait for them to arrive. Yes, I have more than 40,000 men under my command, including 30,000 in the heavy infantry regiment, but this does not guarantee the safety of the city. Apis took all his forces with him on every expedition. This madman, if he loses the first battle, he will never be able to get up again. ”

Antony complained about the speed of the Greek navy and scolded Apis's madness. Cleopatra was tempted to say that it was Appis's madness that could defeat you, but she swallowed it back when it came to her lips, after all, Antony was now angry. What Appis could do, Anthony may not be able to. After all, fighting in Italy is Appis's home battlefield, and he can do his best, but Anthony can't, first of all, material support is a problem, and the rear also needs a permanent army to maintain law and order and regional stability.

"We can recruit civilians in the city to defend the city for us."

Cleopatra suggested.

"Do you still have to say that? I have sent people to set up temporary recruitment stations and put up notices asking civilians to join the army. I will give them a good salary. Damn, I hope these people are useful. ”

Anthony said, recalling the defeat of the Egyptian and Syrian allies in the previous battle outside Rome. They are numerous, but they are useless. Even fear of the wound of the sword, fear of bloodshed and sacrifice. A single howl from the Germanic people can scare them away.

Although the Roman citizen soldiers would have been much better than the militias of the eastern tribes, how many people would dare to stand on the front lines and at the head of the city without the baptism of battle? Anthony didn't have a bottom in his heart.