Chapter 10 The Siege of Paphos (Part 1)

"I will not have my victory stolen." - Alexander before the Battle of Gaugamela

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++

"Anthony!" Let me go, this is not bad, is Marco Anthony really hanging up here? The deck was littered with debris. Lepidus, who was almost thrown off the bridge, held on to the simple railing. He untied the rope around his neck in disgrace, and then he and Kaxi held the railing on the side of the ship, which was tilted at 45 degrees. , looking down intently, the beach was full of soldiers who had been thrown out. Some adjusted their postures, grabbed the shields around them, and crawled to look for the officers. Some of the severely injured ones held the bloody injured parts. Hiding somewhere and moaning.

"Is it possible that your tribune was killed in the first battle? This is not a good sign." Over there, Casio wiped the blood on his forehead and leaned against the railing and laughed.

Damn it, just when Lepidus was looking around for Anthony's body, suddenly this guy popped up from the shallow water full of floating wooden boards, grabbed the lion flag of the Thirteenth Legion with two swings of his hand, and then took the unfortunate palm next to him. The flag officer was also pulled up, "Oh my God, your Excellency the tribune, please don't drag me anymore, my leg bones are cracked, please!" The flag officer shouted after being dragged to the beach. When he shouted, Anthony's head seemed to be awakened by the stimulation of the sea water. He took a small buckler and a dagger from the flag officer, held up the lion flag and shouted to the officers and soldiers waiting in twos and threes on the beach: "Don't hesitate. , all the soldiers followed the captain of ten, all the captain of ten followed the centurion, and then everyone rushed with my banner. For Fulivia, for the god of love in Paphos!" After that, the tribune said Holding the legion flag, they rushed towards the high platform where the Cyprus army was located.

This was simply a miracle. Anthony, the general who volunteered to follow him, led the troops of the Thirteenth Legion to fight on the high platform, only to find that there were only one or two hundred archers resisting here. When they saw the Romans coming up, they all Surrendered under the leadership of the officer.

Then the 1000-man brigade of the Twelve Legions arrived. In the evening, Lepidus was already standing on a high platform in the northeast corner of the island. He used a gold-plated baton and said to Pethenius, "You and Antony will lead the legions on the coming day." Then we will advance inland, and I will allocate Dusonville's attached cavalry brigade to you. I will lead a thousand-man brigade to serve as the rear guard, and the entire army will advance directly to Salamis in the south without any hesitation. "

"Yes, don't worry, I will defeat all resistance in front of me. In about ten days, you will enter Salamis on a white horse, I promise." Petheneus stretched out his hand to salute and replied cheerfully.

The Romans' raid was extremely effective. Ptolemy of Cyprus always thought that Cato was still in peace talks with him, so he did not organize effective resistance at all. The mercenaries stationed in the towns along the way were not easily defeated by Petheneus. To be defeated means to surrender on the spot. They didn't even have time to burn down the bridges and inns along the way. Many supplies fell into the hands of Lepidus' army. "Hey, join the Thirteenth Army. Join the Thirteenth Army. Just come in and learn simple Latin." The command is, don’t disobey the officer’s orders. Those who can pick up swords and spears will be given fifty silver drachmas immediately.” The scale officer who followed behind just stuffed it into the hands of the surrendered Cypriot soldiers. Money was used to induce them to join, and the officers were all retained. After receiving the money, many Egyptian and Syrian mercenaries casually changed their Latin names and followed the Thirteenth Legion towards Salamis.

"Dear Sabo, can you tell me what specialties are available on this beautiful island?"

"Your Excellency, the noble commander of nature, there are fine wood, olives, and the cultivation of grain and grapes. The sunshine is very abundant. Of course, there are also rich copper mines. You must know that this island means the land of copper. In addition, The Temple of Love in Paphos is a miracle in the whole world!" Sabo, who was riding next to Lepidah, was surprised to see the battle progressing so smoothly, and he felt extremely relaxed.

"Tell me, can I ask the Pharaoh to be the governor of Cyprus immediately?" Lepidus was obviously greedy and went beyond his reach.

"It's absolutely fine, but after we enter Alexandria, you have to know that the real Egyptian army is not as vulnerable as the ones on this island... I sincerely recommend you..." Just as Sabo was about to open the door While chatting, Lepidus raised his hand behind him and said that the bugler was playing an exciting and joyful Etruscan tune. Then the cheerful music sounded, and the soldiers involuntarily quickened their pace. Sabo shook his head helplessly at the sound of the trumpet, It was decided to put forward my own suggestions at the joint meeting in the evening.

On the seventh day, the two legions arrived at the outskirts of the beautiful city of Salamis. Then Lepidus rode his horse to the camp under the city of the Thirteenth legion when he heard that "Your Excellency Anthony, chief centurion and tribune, With a small number of soldiers, they saw that the city gate was open and they rushed in. Generals Petnaeus and Dusonville followed behind. "

"Aren't you afraid of fraud?" At this time, Lepidus handed the baton to Tagus and told him, "Bring the Spanish swordsman guards and rush in as soon as possible and tell them to advance cautiously. After I took a rest with the thousand-man brigade, Just arrived.”

By the time the flag of Lepidus's thousand-man army appeared at the city gate, half of Salamis was already in flames and there were looting soldiers everywhere. Lepidus covered his face, probably already knowing something - Toler of Cyprus. Mi had already escaped, the whole city had been handed over to him, and the jackpot of the spoils belonged to Hebrida and Antony.

But when the promise was fulfilled, Lepidus wisely allowed all the soldiers to escape for three days, but the prerequisite was that no human trafficking was allowed, no more houses were burned, and green pine branches were hung on the houses that had been looted to prevent Robbed a second time.

"Now more than seventy talents have been paid into the legion's treasury, and the rest has been put into the pockets of the soldiers or auctioned off. In addition, there are about two hundred ships and more than a thousand draft horses that belong to the legion, because the soldiers feel that It was troublesome to carry, but they still knocked off the bronze bow and anchor and sold them for cash.”

"Uh-oh, right? Where's the Brutus? Isn't he going to follow me to count the seized supplies? Also, has Salamis found any huge royal treasury, otherwise it would be just such a small amount of looting What are you doing with enough income?" Lepida suddenly remembered while drinking bean paste, and politely asked Saab who was reporting from the other side.

"Brutus Pavilion is accompanied by many people copying account books, and there is a lot of luggage on horseback. They are probably still working hard in the north." Sabo's tone was a little sarcastic, "You want to keep up with us, don't you? It's very possible. I will arrange the manpower immediately to give him the thirty-five talents he deserves - as for what the soldiers looted privately, neither we nor he have the right to interfere. "

"Well, the treasury must be in the city in Cyprus where Ptolemy fled, Paphos. Set up camp tomorrow and rush the entire army to Paphos!" (To be continued.)