Chapter 16 The Little Queen's Plot (Part 1)

‘If you can maneuver quickly, especially if your scouts and intelligence officers are safe and reliable, then you can defeat a battalion of enemies with the strength of a squad. .“——A Byzantine general

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

Ships, all kinds of ships, flat-top cargo ships, square-rigged longboats, two-row warships, oarsmen, pharmacists, and military merchants, all gathered towards Salamis from various islands and several directions. Lepidus specifically asked the service in the camp to change the password to "Alexandria".

Alexandria, Alexandria, now the soldiers of the full legion and the low-level centurions are all aiming at this, and they are training enthusiastically. Many lightly armed soldiers directly put on the Knubai with armor plates, and use stick throwers and bows and arrows to shoot targets. The merchants in the camp market also began to buy some scarce goods, "prepare to store them, so that they can be sold at a good price in Alexandria. "

Since it was a deception, he had to deceive his subordinates as well. Now, except for senior officers and core personnel, the real plan to attack the Pelusium Fortress was cleverly hidden.

Several spies were in the magnificent Alexandria Harbor, close to the submerged city wall, carefully sitting on a small three-masted ship. After docking, they entered the back alley of the Ptolemy Palace. After several tired eunuchs opened the door, the spies claimed that they had important intelligence to report to the king and the pharaoh, but the eunuchs' answer was that the most sacred couple in Upper and Lower Egypt had already sat in a sedan chair and went to the southern city of Thebes with their entourage. On the one hand, they wanted to ask the priests of the major temples in the ancient city to bless their marriage, and on the other hand, they were preparing to celebrate the festival with all the Egyptian natives in the valley feast three months later to show the world peace.

In addition, another factor is that the monarchs and upper classes of the Ptolemaic Dynasty have always been dominated by Macedonians, which also caused Egypt to The dissatisfaction of the traditional people and clergy, whose power center is in Upper Egypt, especially the sister of the little queen, Beneneki, who was spoiled in the palace since she was a child and could not speak Egyptian at all, only Greek. When she rebelled, only officers, merchants and some dignitaries supported her, and the people and priests were indifferent to her. So Beneneki and Archelaus, the new couple, rushed there to spend several months, and they also wanted to appease the lower classes of all Egyptians.

So these hard-working spies, after a busy circle, did not meet the female pharaoh. Instead, a senior officer named Shebekhu, who was titled "Head of the Capital Guard", summoned several low-level clerks and small leaders after listening to the report of the spies, and formulated a defense plan casually and smoothly:

"Alexandria's fleet is divided into two parts, one stationed in the harbor, and the other cruising in the Delta River Island area, striving to annihilate most of the enemy's restoration army in the offshore area after it approaches. The Libyan mercenaries were stationed at the Idaui Castle to protect the oasis and trade routes in the south of Alexandria. The remaining troops of the Hormasi Legion were all on standby in Alexandria. Ten phalanx companies (each phalanx company was 250 men) of Nubian mercenaries were stationed at the eastern gate of Pelusium Castle. Our defense line was safe and sound. When the sacred Pharaoh and his wife returned from Thebes, the enemy's salted heads had probably been hanging on the big tower of the city gate for a long time. "

In the small town of Nicosia in the north of Cyprus, in the Governor's Mansion, Lepidus was basking in the gentle sunshine in the courtyard, eating local olive oil dipped in coriander. The coriander was so fragrant, crispy and sweet. Since Cato the Younger left, this place has been completely his territory. Cannaidis is equivalent to his subordinate. He issues orders here, collects various ships and supplies, and often receives visits from the Paphos High Priest Defomokes. He is like the emperor of Cyprus.

At this time, Dillingmer, covered in blood, made a fuss at the gate, requesting to see the respected commander-in-chief, "He promised me that I have avoided the pursuit of horse bandits all the way, and I hope to be taken care of and rewarded. "

Li Bi Da said to the doorman servant, let this person in, and then the curtains of the hall behind him flickered, and the little queen came out, curiously looking at the wretched-looking guy standing in front of Li Bi Da, "I promised you a reward before, not a single ass will be less, and I will fulfill it tonight. However, Di Linmo, oh sorry, now you should call Diotusos, you poor coolie short shirt, and this dirty beard, take care of things! Take this person to the back, clean the face, remove the hair, cut the hair, bathe and incense. "After giving the order, Li Bi Da handed two pieces of coriander to Diotusos and asked him if he wanted to eat it. The other party hesitated, nodded and took it, and then walked between the commander-in-chief and the little queen and walked into the backyard.

"I didn't expect my friend that you also like betrayers. "The little queen leaned on Lepidus's armchair and asked.

"This is not a traitor, but a poor man who had brainwashed Cato. If he follows me, he will at least be able to rise to prominence and not worry about money."

"What is the value of such a low-class person?" Cleopatra snatched a piece of coriander from Lepidus's hand, chewed it gently, and asked.

"It is of great value to you."

This really aroused the curiosity of Queen Elizabeth, and she began to pester Lepidus to find out more about it, but Lepidus just shook his head and smiled and said nothing. After Diotusus got dressed and stood up again, Lepidus took a look at this He has a clean beard, a white scholar's robe, leather leggings, and a green leaf laurel wreath on his head. Apart from his eyes that are full of avoidance and twinkling, he really looks like that.

At this time, Cleopatra, who was looking at this person up and down, was dumbfounded, and then said angrily, "I guessed it, Lepidus, you asked this fake to enter the royal court, are you going to pretend to be me?" Are you a teacher? Are you so lacking in spies to control our kingdom? Be it Petnaeus, Antony, or your in-laws who only know how to rob people, but your thin little advisor is so cute. , I have endured it, and now I want this low-minded guy to transform into a servant in the palace! "

Lepidus stood up because he was afraid of the handrail, and then walked to the uneasy Diotusus and adjusted his figure, "Raise your chin higher, narrow your shoulders, make your eyes more arrogant, and look at people with your eyes. Do this." Look down on anyone. Then I will find someone to tutor you in other aspects."

"Hey, Lepidus, you haven't answered my question yet." Little Queen called from behind.

After sending Diotusos away, Lepidus turned to Queen Elizabeth, who only reached up to her shoulders, and said, "Do you want to be the Pharaoh of Egypt?"

These words suddenly frightened Xiao Yanhou, and she began to hesitate, neither confirming nor denying.

"But didn't you tell me easily in the palace in Naples that your wish was to replace your sister, the female pharaoh at that time? Well, now I can help you realize this wish." Lepida said. (To be continued.)