Chapter 6 New Legion (Part 2)
"How should our fifteen legions be distributed in terms of military deployment now?" After the speech, in the Temple of the Earth Mother in Corduba City, all the generals and generals of Pompey's party sat around the map table. A discussion took place on this topic.
"Are you sure that Lepidus has sworn off to fight?" Under ancient communication conditions, especially those living in a corner of Spain, there would definitely be a lag in obtaining information, so Labienus asked several aides responsible for intelligence Ask this question.
After receiving a positive answer, Rabinus slowly made a mark on the top and bottom of the map table with his dagger, "Although I have been waiting for this day for a long time, I am a person who should have died long ago, and I have some kind of belief in revenge." Support me and continue to fight fiercely with the enemy. However, Spain itself is an extremely passive area strategically. The enemy can follow the passes of the Pyrenees Mountains or the southern coast of the African Sea, that is, Numidia. Asia, crossing the narrow Gulf of Ebro, ascending to the land of Sagantan or Lusitania, or directly crossing the Pillar of Hercules and invading our territory.”
"I am guarding the sea route in the Balearic Islands. The fleet under my command is well maintained and has good morale. It is like an invisible wall - all enemy plots to attack by sea will be foiled by me." Veteran Lieutenant Libo He patted his chest proudly and promised.
After hearing this assurance, Rabinus nodded, and then he said to a Taraco chief named Indo, "You are a loyal retainer of Pompey. Now the opportunity has come. I ask you to bring a light of cavalry, with a confederate legion, stationed at New Carthage, or at the northern gateway."
Then Labienus suggested to Rouse Pompey. "You lead a regular legion, with two local allied legions, to the pass of Castullo, and do not allow Lepidus's troops in Gaul and Aquitaine, either his own or his vassals, to Entering Far Spain, I and General Lelias, with four regular legions and seven allied legions, collectively crossed the strait and headed for Mauretania and Numidia, striving to capture Africa occupied by Caesar's party. The whole area was invaded and encroached, or in other words, Lepidus' attack was stopped with all its strength."
"Can you confirm that Lepidus will go to Africa?" Sextus Pompey asked.
"Of course, thanks to him, I also learned to use political tactics to analyze strategy - for Lepidus, Averni, Masseria and Liguria in Gaul were already forbidden to him. ——What's more, Lepidus has now usurped the positions of high priest and consul of the Republic, and is so arrogant that he must think that it is unnecessary to follow Caesar's plan through the province of Nebo. The control of Sicily, Africa and Numidia is not secure enough, so this time we must use marches and battles to fully control the cities and knights there. "
"Damn it, do you think we are nothing?" The one-eyed Lelias angrily beat the map table and made it roar. This general was originally victorious. Since he was in the city of Salona in Illyria, After encountering Lepidus, every battle with him was a tragedy, and I had been planning to avenge myself for a long time.
"So in this battle, we have to give him some color. Taking advantage of the leisure caused by the turmoil in Italy after Caesar's death in the past two years, we have the elite infantry and fleet trained hard in Spain to drag him into the battle. Go into the quagmire of the war. Even if he doesn't win a complete victory, as long as he can be trapped in Africa for a year, this foreigner's backyard will be on fire - he is a naturalized foreigner who relies on legionary force and knights. Only with the support of money and colluding with some scum of the senators can we gain a foothold in the city of Rome, but this is also unstable, so once Lepidus' backyard catches fire, he will be completely finished, and then we will force several of his core legions to surrender. "
"Yes, once his legions surrender, they will follow us wholeheartedly, because the Republic will never tolerate surrender and desertion. Out of fear, they will definitely serve as the vanguard of our counterattack on Sicily and Italy. ." Engineering Director Machius couldn't help but dream about the wonderful prospects of victory.
"Lord Machius, you also have an important task, which is to work with Sextus to gather the materials and money I allocated to you to build an extremely strong barrier in the hinterland town of Ursau as a Our second line of defense against Lepidus - if the war in Africa does not go well, we will retreat there, defend the hinterland of Spain, and hold on." It seems that Labienus also did the worst. Plan, "Immediately on the African battlefield, in addition to my resourcefulness and the bravery of General Lelias, I will also use political means, that is, to win over the native king Bokus of Getulia and the king of Mauritania. Saptaros.”
This statement surprised many people, because originally everyone thought that Rabinus was just a general and not a politician, but now he continued his analysis in a logical manner, "In all the previous struggles, regardless of the Both the Roman consuls and the kings of Numidia focused their attention on the eastern area from Kilta to the Masinissa Trench, because they believed that this area was close to the bustling Punic trading area and also It is closer to Magna Graecia and has better geographical features, but this group of people are wrong. In fact, the vast area from Western Numidia to Mauritania, although it lacks seaport cities, is an extremely fertile area that can completely become our army. The two kings, Bocchus and Zaptaros, had previously helped Caesar, but Caesar did not give them appropriate rewards. Instead, he raped several of their queens, so he was against Caesar's party. People still have hatred - so as long as we give appropriate promises, we can win the support of these two kings, and a large number of Mauritanians and Getulians will join the army as cavalry and light infantry, and we will defeat Lepidus. Caught off guard!"
Rabinus' plan won unanimous applause, and they decided to set off as soon as possible. They crossed the strait fifteen days later and landed in the eastern part of Port Tangis in Mauritania. Then they sent 2,500 light cavalry as the vanguard. , making the illusion of heading eastward to the port of Hippo in Numidia.
Stationed at the port of Hippo was Hittius, the monarch of the four quarters supported by Lepidus. This mercenary who traveled throughout the ocean was considered an "Africaton" and had incited Caesar and Lepidus in the previous war. The Getulians raided the backyard of the King of Juba and made great achievements, so they were rewarded with the territories of Kilta and Hippo. They had a mercenary army called the "Hitius Party" under them. After receiving the information about the enemy's attack, he immediately contacted Ma Ge, another quarter leader in Dio City on the edge of the southern desert, and asked him to bring reinforcements to reinforce him as soon as possible. (To be continued...)