"The stability of the polity is not a sign of a nation's health, but a sign of impending disease." -- Monson

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After saying this, Machius was let go. Next, Caesar asked Li Bida what the results and perceptions of the war were.

As a result, Li Bida was silent, and Caesar laughed, "Do you know why Pompey's subordinates have such strange tactics?" In fact, like your legion, almost all of them are from Taraco, Spain, and their tactics have long been on par with the Spanish barbarians, especially proficient in squad tactics, so they have special advantages in hill melee and flexibility, plus Pompey's first-class chief brigade, in terms of armor and drills, they are all first-class elites, and it is normal for you to gnaw and not move. But in this battle, you still made a few mistakes that a senior commander could not make. ”

"I understand that the enemy's combat strength cannot be estimated clearly, and if he did not personally do a good job of reconnaissance during the planning, the troops could not be assembled in time, and a good encirclement and annihilation operation was turned into a chase battle." Li Bida said it in one breath, and he also felt that his simple chagrin was resolved, "But now the advantage is still on our side, the fourteenth legion has sent three new legions, plus local recruitment, we can still get two legions, so now we are nine legions, and Pompey is shrinking towards Brindisi, even if two legions are transferred to Sardinia immediately, but there are still seven legions left, it can completely form an absolute advantage against him." ”

"So, I'm here. It is to send you to Sardinia. Caesar smiled and took over.

What the!

Why not me with the legion. Going to the siege of Brindisi? Why. A heavy exclamation mark suddenly appeared in Li Bida's heart, why was I sent to lead the partial division again!

Of course, the expression on Libida's face was captured by Caesar, and he began to recount the truth that "revolutionary work does not distinguish between high and low": the war that began on the New Year, both sides used the professional legions of the Republic, and in the same way, both requisitioned a large number of men and money from all over Italy. Strict zhòng destroyed the agricultural production of that year, and if nothing else, a great famine would inevitably break out by the end of the year at the latest, and since I would undoubtedly soon occupy all of Italy (for Pompey would surely die in battle, or slip away, Brindisi's narrow ankle, he could not hold on), and then take over the power of the city of Rome, I would not allow this to happen.

And Sardinia is rich in wheat and timber production areas, so it's your task. It was to expel Sulpitius from Pompey's party and firmly occupy the place. On the one hand, it was to transport the city of Rome with sufficient food, and on the other hand, it was used as a fleet base to train sailors, because the sea was an extremely important part of the future battle.

"Also, this is the latest northern intelligence." After Caesar had said this, he raised the tablet in his hand, "Now that the storm of the civil war has fully spread, and it is good that the many cities of Liguria near Milan have collectively sworn allegiance to me—but Massella, their Council of Six Hundred Presbyterians, has resolved to join Pompey's side, and in view of the power and position of this ancient city of the seaport, you may, after taking Sardinia, join my other legions left in Gaul and remove it as much as possible!" Remember, because it's a vassal state, there's no need to be as constrained as you were in Italy. ”

Caesar's subtext is that he can attack Marcella without any scruples, and if it insists on resisting, he can plunder and destroy it, which is also a disguised repayment of Li Bida's military funds for him.

Even so, Li Bida still had words of dissatisfaction to pour out, but Caesar quickly made a gesture to block, it seemed that he had thought deeply about this plan, "I have made appropriate personnel arrangements, and I will go through the procedure after I return to Rome, you will be the governor of Sardinia, and you will be automatically promoted from the official to the senator, and will be appointed as the construction official, which is a high-ranking official of the state." In addition, although Sardinia is only a small province, it is a necessary springboard, and I have high hopes for your future. As he spoke, Caesar put his gentle hand on Lipida's shoulder and said, "If nothing else, you will be consuls earlier than Curio and Antony - don't worry, there is no law in Rome that prohibits foreigners from running for election, and besides, you are a naturalized citizen, and you will be with Bassatus, who is also a native Spanish nobleman and has no Roman blood, and when the time comes, he will be the chief, and you will be perfectly fine in the second seat, no problem." ”

Since the other party deliberately repeated "no problem" twice, Li Bida had nothing to say, at this time he suddenly saw the corner of Curio's mouth beside Caesar, and an imperceptible smile appeared, and when Caesar made the next specific arrangement, he finally understood, "General Li Bida led the fifteenth and sixteenth legions, with all the accompanying cavalry, to cross the sea to attack Sardinia, and look for an opportunity to attack the city of Massella; Antony was responsible for staying in the city of Rome with the Thirteenth Legion, and pacifying the order; Curio and Quintus led the Fourteenth Legion, and the future Seventeenth and Eighteenth Legions, along the Latina Boulevard, in the direction of Sicily; I led the rest of the legions and laid siege to Brindisi. ”

That's right, it seems that Caesar did this intentionally, if I guessed correctly, Curio is the future governor of the province of Sicily, and will be in charge of the war against Africa, so once he succeeds, will he really take the seat of consul first by virtue of his age and seniority? I'm afraid it's dangerous, you must know that Curio's hole cards are much better than him. As for Antony, Caesar was clearly intent on cultivating him, trying to separate him from himself—in short, it would not make sense to say that Caesar was not at all wary of himself.

But Li Bida quickly forbeared, he just asked Caesar to appoint a deputy for himself, Caesar said that this is natural, your centurion is intact, Paulus and Angandinus are transferred to you, and you have complete right to recruit and command Sardinia.

In the next few days, a somewhat depressed Li Bida left the camp to be guarded by Tagus, while he rode around the pleasant seaside village with Sabo, Paulus, and others, and at the mouth of a small river that entered the sea somewhere, he suddenly saw two soldiers of the hundreds, carrying sticks and axes, heading towards some beautiful little city on the other side of the river.

The curious Li Bida asked, and the answer he received was, "On the orders of His Excellency Caesar, go and destroy the city of Jingulum and sell all the inhabitants into slavery." ”

Li Bida's heart sank, and he immediately stopped the centurion who took the lead, and the two centurions saw that it was the future governor of Sardinia who asked for this, so they could only tell their subordinates to stop, "Why did Your Excellency Caesar do this?" Is there a reason? Li Bida continued to ask.

"Because what His Excellency Caesar said was simple, he wanted to take revenge on General Rabinus who betrayed him." (To be continued......)