Chapter 18 Scipio Abandons the City (Part 2)

Apis was sitting in front of the sacred grove at the corner of the steps outside the temple. After hearing Scipio's question, he said absently, "Let's gather the team first and count how much fighting power we have left! "So, Scipio temporarily gave up the idea of ​​looting the temple of Diana and ran to the city camp to do some digging. As a result, Apis was right to worry. The previous seven legions had defected, and now Cassius originally brought All the officers and soldiers of the Ninth Legion, the original Syrian First Legion, stayed in the camp and refused to accept Scipio's arrangements.

"Our superior commanders are only Cassius and Brutus. We will not accept the orders of the other generals." After saying this, the flag officer of the ninth legion thrust the eagle toward the center of the camp. Don't even think about going out or coming in.

"Asshole, when I distributed the rewards earlier, I treated them equally. They handed over all their luggage and backpacks." But this was just Scipio's simple anger. The soldiers of the Ninth Legion were all holding weapons and crowded in the wooden fence and In front of the camp gate, Scipio's Sixth Army and Eighth Army were quarreling with each other in the distance, which meant that if they dared to collect our luggage, then everyone would have to fight to the death in the city of Ephesus.

Throughout the "Vertex" novel, the city of Ephesus suddenly became lively, and the danger of internal strife suddenly increased to infinite, while Caesar's march continued every second.

"Abandon the city of Ephesus." Scipio made this determination five minutes after "thoughtful consideration." In fact, it is difficult to say how wrong his decision was. Now Caesar, with the power of victory over Cocula, It was simply overwhelming. Rhodesians, Cretans, and Cypriots all threw themselves at him to provide him with ships; Greeks and Macedonians. Provide him with money and provisions; he takes with him four thousand men. and some punts. He captured Cassillo, who had the entire elite fleet, and then as soon as he landed ashore, he easily made the entire Seventh Legion change his mind.

So, now that even the Nine Legions are unable to command, Scipio, who has just returned from the Greek crossing and was defeated, how can he use his military power to confront Caesar with his prestige?

So this plan is not only good, it is simply smart. Scipio did what he said, and was about to give the order to the centurion on duty. As a result, Apis arrived and hurriedly asked, "If you abandon Ephesus, where should you go?" Only then did Scipio realize this problem.

After a short discussion, there are two routes, one is to go north to the southern coast of the Black Sea to join the ally Menander, and the other is to go along Lydia and Lydia and run to Cilicia to check the situation again. I heard that Gebinus He and Marcelas also fled there.

result. Scipio advocated the former route, while Apis advocated the latter.

"The road to Sinope is cut off by the strong city of Taktun owned by the Kingdom of Eubotia, and Lepidus' legions in Byzantium can threaten us at any time." This is Apis' view.

But Scipio obviously had a different opinion, "Now that the Seventh Legion has surrendered, and the Nineth Legion is no longer willing to follow me, we only have two legions left at hand. If we cross the Lydian wilderness, supplies and soldiers will be a problem." , and I heard that all the cities in Cilicia and Syria were waiting for the wind to fall, so I thought it would be better to join Menander. He had fifteen thousand bronze shields at hand and a fleet, and our forces were combined. Get up and have the capital to compete with Caesar."

Seeing that there was some truth in what Scipio said, Lieutenant General Apis also agreed with the plan to advance north. Then the two divided the work. Apis commanded the Sixth Army to advance vigilantly from the front, trying to bypass Taktun and pass through Apis. The Masia Valley entered Sinope; while Scipio commanded the Eighth Legion, the "Twin Legions", escorting the baggage in the rear.

"If the main force of Lepidus has arrived at Taktun, then we will bravely break through." This is the worst plan, but Apis has already lost confidence. He secretly thought that in this environment where the situation is over , just two legions marching with enemies on all sides, whether they are marching eastward or northward, they are like rats in a bag. From one knotted bag to another, "the only difference is that they become Caesar's prey." , or Lepidus’ meal.”

That night, Scipio's troops lined up the deer and pickets along the streets of Ephesus and along the boundary with the Nine Legions' camp. This was an attitude of distrust - indicating that Scipio was afraid of the Nine Legions. Betrayal, or betrayal by the citizens of Ephesus, he then asked the hired lightly-armed archers to line up behind the deer village to guard, and he and Apis quietly left the city with two legions.

At this time, Caesar had already camped eight miles outside Ephesus, and Lepidus' twelve legions and five thousand cavalry also marched to the gates of Taktun.

On the archway bridge connecting the Twin Towers, Adiana was fiddling with her hair a little excitedly and uneasily. She had already washed and dressed herself up repeatedly before, and repeated her clothes, accessories, and buns four or five times before finally finally It was finalized, and seven maids were whipped and punished by her. Finally, she was perfect. In the firelight on the other side of the covered bridge, she saw the Roman cavalry commander wearing a robe and leading twelve followers with clubs. His changes and superiority It was even bigger when they first met. If Roman men still shaved and kept their hair short and their faces clean at the age of forty, Lepidus began to grow a thick beard, which made his appearance similar to that of thirty-four. Although her actual age is more mature, her eyes are still pure black, which is also the color that interests Adiana the most.

"Where's my son Yauigit?" Unexpectedly, this was the first question that the other party blurted out without shame.

Adiana was already a little unhappy, but Lepidus glanced around and estimated that his children would not be behind Taktun, so he asked even more carelessly, "Quickly provide food and drinking water for my team, and then send your The whole team will be left to my command as a servant army."

"As expected, you came back with the idea of ​​harvesting wheat fields, you narrow-minded devil, this cruel bastard. You have completely turned into a Roman slave farmer, only caring about the slaves working in the fields. Even the tapestry hanging on the plaster wall exceeds ten drachmas!" Adiana was completely sad and angry.

Then, she was pulled into Li Bida's arms, and the other person's beard gently rubbed her cheeks, "Okay, we don't have time to do these things now. I promised you that I will give you your mother's little crown." , and your father's sword 'Autolicus', as well as the Pontus Empire that you longed for day and night, were snatched back from Pompey and other enemies of all kinds, so the road is still very difficult and long, and there is no time to fight against each other. ." After saying that, Lepida put his face against Adiana's and said with a smile, "Is the ugly plaster wall now covered with a beautiful embroidered tapestry?"

Adiana snorted and laughed. (To be continued...)