Chapter 6 Wings (Part 1)

"In extraordinary times, lies always come to people faster than the truth." - Appian

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The most urgent task is to control the momentum of Pompey's army on the other side. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to compete with them with Caesar's military strength based on this small town.

What's more, with Rabinus's organization and efforts, not only the two frontline legions, but also Lelias's first and second legions moved south respectively, ready to join the battle at any time.

So what Caesar wanted was a peace negotiation to delay time, but secretly he and his chief lieutenant Lepidus jointly signed a request for the Italian legions to cross the sea as soon as possible. Caesar's words this time were very harsh, "You were at the Battle of Brindisi. I have heard about the act of expelling other officials and generals beyond their authority. Your punishment depends entirely on your performance in the next month. If you can transport three legions or even more to Apollonia, I will send Telulu Reas sent him back to Spain, and told Eurabella to return to Rome to serve as tribune. If you delay any longer, you will be executed by Dictado's axe, and you will be detained in Brindi. All legions in the West will be drawn one out of ten, maybe you can be ready to sign now.”

Lepidus also sent an urgent message to Lana's 15th and 13th legions, "Don't care about any cost. I am not interested in the number of ships or weather conditions. I just want you to come as soon as possible with all your soldiers, otherwise You are abandoning Dictado and the Archons."

Then, on the cold morning of the next day. Wearing an animal skin cloak. Lepidat's armor started to get frosty. As the chief lieutenant and also Caesar's representative, he led the barefoot Medici Guards to the protruding meander of the Apsus River. The Pompeian soldiers on the opposite side immediately began to commotion. When Alp stood with his shield on Lepidus When they were in front of the troops, he persuaded him to go back, "I understand your uneasiness, Arp. But we are here as representatives of peace this time. Even if the other party shoots arrows and stones, we cannot rashly fight back."

On the sandy soil of the river bank over there, under the scolding of the centurion, the soldiers of Pompey's army stood up and pressed their shields into the soil under their feet. This was a semi-alert posture, which showed that at least they had not yet received any warning. The order to attack, "Push the chief group of the Ten Legions over and stand behind Lepidus. Because in negotiations, the scene and momentum need to be equal." In the camp two furlongs behind. Caesar and his followers were riding horses. When they saw this scene, they ordered so. Then the first battalion of the Tenth Legion, carrying the skylark flag, immediately moved their formation forward, and then stood behind Lepidus' horse with a huff and aah.

The two sides were fully armed and faced off across the river. After a while, several senior commanders of Pompey's army came out. The leader, Gebinus, shouted to Lepidus, "I know you. You are the one who ordered the conquest of Egypt and Cyrene. It is a pity that you are now in the enemy camp, and you are the one who is about to perish. "

"If this continues, the entire republic will only perish. His Excellency Dictator, from Italy to Spain to Greece, just hopes to have an open and honest discussion with Gnaeus Pompey in front of all the soldiers and people. Let’s have a face-to-face peace talk about the future of the country.” Lepidus on the horse across the way shouted back, and then he saw Rabinus, who was also riding behind Gebinus, and there was no expression on the other person’s face.

Gabinus exchanged a few words with the generals around him, and then he said in an arrogant tone, "Peace talks, I'm sorry, do you have any qualifications for peace talks?"

"Even if bandits in the forest and pirates in the sea can negotiate with the Romans, why can't the armies and citizens of the two republics negotiate?"

"Then you mean to admit that you are just a group of bandits?" Gabinus was in a great mood, and everyone around him laughed, but Labienus still did not laugh, and then the former consul continued He shouted, "Then let Caesar remove the arrogant title of Dictator first. It is simply a treasonous crime."

Lepidus on the opposite side did not get angry. He was very calm. He just said, "Both parties have no choice but to use the title of dictator. This can be discussed in detail in the content of the peace talks. In addition, we can even reach a consensus, The two sides will unite at the Apsus River within a specified time, one day, two days, maybe three days, to disarm, stop fighting and return peace to the Republic."

Gabinus turned his head left and right and looked at the many elders around him. Everyone began to talk fiercely, but because they were too far apart, they could only hear shouting, but could not clearly hear what they were discussing. But Lepidus was sure, The other party's words tended to loosen up, because now not only the Romans, but also the Greek, Macedonian and Asia Minor regions that were involved in the civil war, the fleeing senators, kings of various states, and various cities were all in panic. These two If monsters can compromise with each other, it will be ten times better than war.

"Are you the representative of the peace talks?" Finally, Gabinus shouted.

Lepidus read the beginning, and then he understood. He shouted to his mounts and slowly led the guards through the water. A trumpeter of Pompey's army over there raised his bugle and blew a long sound, which was to ask everyone not to be careless. Launch an attack on the opponent's messenger.

The river water in October had begun to turn cold. Lepidus felt that the horse he was sitting on was shaking slightly. Thousands of eyes on the opposite side were staring at him intently. He couldn't help but feel a chill on his back. The black guards around him jumped into the river barefoot. Many of them had cramps, but they still endured it and followed the commander closely.

Then he crossed the river and stood on the river bank, ready to talk to Gabinus.

As a result, Labinus suddenly came out of the crowd and said to Lepidus, "I condemn your hypocritical peace. We are not barbarians who are deceived and slaughtered by others, just like Caesar did in Gaul."

"Labinus, I'm sorry. In Caesar's army, I replaced you, and now your army also has Sir Gabinus as the highest official, so I want to ask if you have the right to speak in this peace talk." Lepidus felt that the other party was here to disrupt the situation, so he wanted to drive him away as soon as possible.

"I am now appointed by Mr. Pompey and have the highest command over this army. Now I can state a very clear conclusion - that is, go back to the other side of the river with your hypocrisy from beginning to end!" Labinus shouted.

"I repeat again..." Lepidus also got angry and pointed at Labinus. Just as he was about to say something, Alp beside him suddenly pulled him off his horse, and then the black guards raised their shields one after another, because behind Labinus, many soldiers who had received instructions in advance suddenly took out bows and slings, and arrows and stones rained down from all directions. (To be continued...)