The Long Whale. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info This was the first naval warship built by Bunodius for Commodus with a water compartment. It is also the new flagship of Commodus. After more than a dozen trials and trials, Commodus put a hundredfold trust in this huge battleship, which could hold out several Romans under enemy fire, unless two-thirds of the battleship was pierced by artillery, but if that was the case, the enemy would have paid a great price. Because around this large warship, there were countless large and small Roman siege ballistae. These devices are densely packed across the towers and decks of the hull and can smash approaching ships to pieces.

It can be said that the only thing the whale feared was the Raven Drawbridge of the Roman Navy. Commodus was convinced that Octavian's fleet would not be able to defeat him in a long-range attack, and that the only thing that could defeat the giant was the Roman navy's Raven Drawbridge.

And Bunodius also knew this. He told the pirate captain Commodus that the ship's towers were equipped with high-precision scorpion ballistae that could be used to smash the drawbridge if an enemy ship approached and lowered the Raven Drawbridge. The cavalry cannon on the deck can also be used as a mobile catapult weapon, firing stone projectiles and spears to inflict damage on enemy troops who are boarding the ship.

It can be said that the formation of the battleship made Cummedus extremely satisfied, with the support of Apis in terms of finance, and such a breakthrough in technology. Coupled with the fact that Octavian's energy may have been busy with the attack of Appis on land, Commodus at this moment can be said to be full of confidence, and even replenished the crew and sailors on the spot in Sicily. Cutting off the waterway from Sicily to Italy, all ships trying to enter Rome had to pay a protection fee to pass through, or they would be sunk if discovered. Commodus seems to have found the excitement and fulfillment of working under his father, Gnaeus Pompey.

However, the Romans could not have allowed piracy to run rampant. For hundreds of years, no NGO has been able to dominate the Mediterranean shipping lanes so arrogantly. Not before, and not now. Octavian had ordered Capua and the navy to be reinforced, and at this moment, Italy's most powerful naval force was sharpening its knives in the city's harbor, and they had to defeat Commodus and get food from Africa and Sicily to Rome. It was about the course of the war, about the fate and future of Rome.

……

"Brothers."

"Appis!"

After the defeat of Agrippa's Italian legions, Apis stood on a high platform in the barracks as a victor and delivered an impassioned speech. As soon as it opened, it received a fanatical response from the soldiers below. This legion, which was brought out by Appis, seemed to have become Appis's personal legion.

It's just that at this moment, looking at the cheering soldiers and officers in the audience, Appis suddenly felt a little sad, the Thirteenth Legion is no more, and Rabinus can't see this day. However, as a leader, there must be no pessimism and sentimentality that the soldiers can perceive. Soon, Apis adjusted his mentality and made a wave of his hand to signal the audience to calm down.

"Brothers, we won, we defeated opponents who were impossible to beat. Agrippa may be licking her wounds in some dark corner right now. And we, victorious. However, this was not a complete victory. Not far to the south, there is still a huge city - Rome. It was an eternal city, a sacred place. Now, however, it is still controlled by the forces of darkness and evil. That's right, the young Roman man who bears the name of Caesar's heir is still in the city. He ruled Rome and ruled the Senate. But it is not the rule of goodness, but the rule of cruelty and ruthlessness. For several months, news of the murder of the senators of the Senate continued to spread from the city of Rome. Why is that? Because its rulers have no faith and no mercy. He sacked the Senate, the most essential spirit of Rome - the republic! Brothers, Rome, this great city is ahead of us, waiting for us to liberate it. This war, not only for the sake of wealth, but also for the sake of our people, our power, follow me, continue to the south, conquer that city, the glory will be ours, the wealth will be ours, the Senate will be grateful to us, the people of Rome will be grateful to us! Follow me and conquer Rome, but this is not conquest, this is the liberation of Rome! ”

Standing in front of the legionnaires after a full meal and drink, Apis spoke passionately. Immediately, a deafening shout rang out from the audience, and even some excited soldiers drew their short swords, pointed their swords at the sky, and shouted the name of Appis. What was originally a terrible struggle for power was given the sacred name of the liberation of Rome by Apis. This is basically the usual trick used by all politicians.

"Tonight, we're going to have a lot of drinks and a lot of food. Tomorrow, we will pull out the camp, and the target is Rome! ”

Finally, Apis cried out. The audience boiled.

……

"Appis, after this series of ups and downs and adventures, Rome is finally in front of our eyes. However, Octavian rebuilt the city, and the walls became the last obstacle in front of us. ”

After the speech, Levius went into Appis's tent and began to mutter. Despite the defeat of Agrippa, Rome was still an impenetrable barrier for Appis. Octavian rebuilt the walls in two years. At this moment, the tall Roman towers hindered the further advance of the legions. And the siege of the city, the work that needs to be prepared is not something that can be completed in a month or two. That would require a lot of logistical support and financial investment. Moreover, it cannot be ruled out that Octavian mobilized reinforcements from Spain and Africa during this period.

"Yes, it is certainly not possible to storm the city, Rome is not Aletion, his defenders are almost the same number as our soldiers. So the siege? This is indeed a difficult problem. We can besiege them on land, but we can't cut them off on water. Now, it's only Commodus. ”

Appis replied wearily.

"Do you want Commodus to cut off the Tiber?"

Levius asked.

"Yes, if you want to besiege Rome, you have to do it. Otherwise, supplies and food will flow into the city from the waterways, and we will not be able to do anything even if we surround it for a year. The question was whether Commodus would be able to defeat Octavian's navy one more time. Capua's fleet was about to depart. ”

Appis replied calmly. Clearly, intelligence work has begun again.

"In fact, there is one more problem, and one that worries you the most, your wife, Tertilla......"

Levius did not shy away from it, and once again threw a sharp and sensitive conundrum.

"Yes, that's what worries me the most. But Octavian never put Tertila as a bargaining chip, and I suspect he was worried about the pressure of public opinion. After all, my wife, Tertilla, was a prominent nobleman in Rome, and Octavian's actions would only cause discontent and contempt among the people. In fact, I was not so worried about the safety of Tertila, but I was afraid that Octavian would use Tertila as a shield to come forward with me and lift the siege and prevent the people of Rome from suffering from war. In that case, what should I do? You know that in this case, Tertilla does not have the right to say 'no', and the people are waiting for her 'mercy'. Compared to the former, I believe that Octavian's real purpose in placing Tertilla under house arrest is here, and that is probably Octavian's last resort. ”

Appis pondered. Politically, Octavian Turinus has always been an outrageously formidable opponent......