Then the sound of the military drums disappeared, followed by the long and powerful sound of the ox horn.
The blue team members also began to dance enthusiastically in a loose formation. Their movements were strange and unrestrained, and they even let out sharp "Ah! Ah!" screams when they were excited, full of a primitive wildness that made people's blood boil...…
When the horns stopped and the two teams lined up and bowed respectfully to the surrounding audience, the cheers in the arena lasted for a long time...…
Theos was completely attracted by this novel and unprecedented opening ceremony, so much so that he didn't hear Dick Polys's voice clearly.
"Theos, which team do you want to win?"
"The blue team!" Theos replied without thinking. The blue team's wild war dance had caught his eye.
"You actually want the Lucanians to win!" Dick Polys was a little surprised.
"The blue team is Niu Utum's team?!" Theos suddenly realized, no wonder the dance moves were so different.
"The competition information is posted at the entrance of the arena, didn't you see it?" Dick Polys emphasized: "I support Amendolara! Many of its citizens come from Crete, including my friends (referring to the soldiers of the Seventh Battalion of the First Legion)."
At this moment, the members of both teams turned around and faced the VIP seats. Amidst the extremely noisy sound waves, Theos saw a person standing up in the VIP seats.
"That is Davos, the only lifetime Archon of the Daonian League!" Dick Polys's tone was filled with awe and a hint of jealousy.
Theos was no different. He had a strong urge to see this legendary favored one of the gods with his own eyes.
Then Davos waved his right hand down.
The rapid and sharp copper horns sounded continuously, and the game began.
… … … … … … … …
"Lord Davos, there are more people watching the game this afternoon than this morning. According to the guards responsible for letting people in at the entrance, many are merchants from foreign countries," Mariji said excitedly: "It seems that the plan you mentioned to attract wealthy people from surrounding city-states to Thurii for consumption through exciting sports competitions is entirely possible!"
Melsis was equally excited: "I just took a walk outside the arena, and the beer, pulp, and dried fruits were almost sold out. Even the sun hats and linen cushions were sold a lot!"
"The main reason is that the rugby game is too attractive!" Kunogolata, as the chief executive of Thurii, is also one of the people in charge of this competition. He participated in the organization, publicity, security, competition, and other aspects of the preparation work according to Davos's instructions, and personally developed the planned rugby game into the current lively situation. His heart is also full of surprises: "Lord Davos, I think rugby games can be held regularly in the future, and a fee can be charged, just like watching a drama."
"Will the money from selling tickets go to the national treasury?" Melsis asked urgently.
"Of course, it will go to the national treasury, but salaries must be paid to the players and compensation for injured players, in order to encourage more people to actively participate in this sport. The rest of the money will be used to build more arenas, in Amendolara, in Niu Utum...… Kunogolata, Cornelius, Mariji, Alexis, Melsis, the five of you will form a rugby competition committee to discuss how to further promote rugby, attract more foreigners to watch, formulate more detailed and complete plans, and speed up the implementation. When this sport becomes popular in Greater Greece in the future, we can also hold the Greater Greece Rugby Games and invite city-states from Greater Greece to send teams to participate!… …"
Davos's words inspired Kunogolata and the others: In this era, there are four sports games that have a huge impact in the Greek city-states. The Olympic Games held in the city-state of Ellis in the Peloponnese Peninsula are the oldest and most sacred, mainly to sacrifice to Zeus. The Temple of Zeus in Olympia is a holy place for the Greeks (one of the Seven Ancient Wonders); the Isthmian Games held in Corinth mainly sacrifice to Poseidon; the Pythian Games held in the Boeotia region with the Temple of Delphi, famous throughout Greece, mainly celebrate Apollo, the sun god; and the Nemean Games, spearheaded by the Argives, who claim to have the noblest royal bloodline in the Archaic period, are also in memory of Zeus. In addition, the Panathenaic Games held by Athens in memory of Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, also have a huge impact, and it not only has sports competitions, but also music, poetry, drama and other competitions. Whenever these celebrations are held locally, celebrities from all over Greece gather there, and the eyes of all Greeks are focused there, winning great fame for the host city. If the rugby game develops well, a large-scale Pan-Greater Greece rugby game can be held in memory of Hades, the King of the Underworld, which can not only expand the influence of the Daonian League, but also allow Kunogolata and the others to be remembered in history and receive the favor of the gods.
Seeing that the few of them were dazed and breathing rapidly, Davos vaguely guessed what they were thinking, and his heart was also full of reverie: In the history of his previous life, the Roman gladiator games were famous in the Mediterranean, and his Daonian League did not need such bloody, cruel, and inhumane barbaric projects, and could still entertain the public and inspire the martial spirit of the citizens, and could do better! In addition to rugby, basketball can also be held in the future...… Basketball seems to be impossible. The requirements for the ball are too high. Can current craftsmanship do it?… … Football might be possible. I'll ask the leatherworker Torikas to try to make one when I get back...…
"Score! Touchdown! Tiger Tinos is great!" Amintas and Matonis, who were focused on watching the game, shouted excitedly, and they clinked glasses to celebrate.
"Go buy me another can of beer," Amintas said to the slave attendant.
"Master, the beer outside is sold out, there is none left."
"None left?!" Amintas immediately turned around and shouted dissatisfied: "Lord Davos, your beer is delicious, but the production is too small!"
Davos smiled wryly. It seemed that the brewery had to be expanded again. Thinking of this, he thought of another thing.
"Everyone!" he said loudly: "You should all know by now that my wife recently bought the land in the hot spring swamp north of Thurii."
Bulkos was the first to nod. As the agricultural officer, he personally handled the land sale procedures. At that time, he also advised Christoia: That place is infested with mosquitoes and insects. Except for a few hot springs, it can neither be used for farming nor for building houses. Don't waste money to buy it.
"I plan to build a large hot spring bath there to attract merchants from Greater Greece and the Daonian people to come and soak and relax. Because it involves draining and filling the swamp, storing water in the hot spring, diverting the Tino River, and building the bathhouse...… It requires a lot of capital investment. Are there any who would like to cooperate with me to invest in this hot spring bath?" Davos sincerely invited the senators.
Soaking in a bath?! The Greeks of this era do not have the good habit of soaking in a bath like the ancient Romans of his previous life. They live a simple life and do not like to bathe very much. If their bodies are too dirty, they will apply olive oil all over their bodies, scrape it clean with a special tool, and then rinse it off with water. Therefore, many senators are a little hesitant about this new thing.
Mariji, who had enjoyed the luxurious life of Persia, shouted first: "Me! I want to invest!" Mariji often discusses the alliance's trade development with Davos, and of course knows the young Archon's talent in business. Not to mention anything else, Christoia's bank, restaurant, and brewery are so popular, and Davos has made a great contribution to them.
"Me! And me!" Melsis is also a person who understands Davos's business talent.
"I'll also invest some money," Kunogolata and Cornelius said one after another. As the two chief executives who often discuss city-state management with Davos, they certainly know Davos's abilities.
"We'll also join," Hilos, Matonis, Amintas, Antonios, Alexis and other leaders of the original mercenaries blindly trust him even more.
Except for Bulkos, Ansitanos, and a few other Thurii senators who were willing to invest a small amount of money to show their support, other Thurii senators, such as Poluxis and Enanilous, clearly stated that they were not optimistic about this hot spring bath.
Originally, Skombras and Strongboli, the Amendolara senators who also did not believe that the hot spring bath could make money, instead supported Davos, whom they regarded as an Amendolara person, because of the disapproval of the Thurii people.
Vesba didn't understand these things at all, but he understood that he, who was in an absolutely weak position in the Senate, could only follow Davos closely.
Originally, Davos was only raising funds from the senators for commercial purposes while tying their interests together, which further promoted harmony in the Senate, but it became a demonstration of the senators' attitude towards him.
… … … … … … … … …
Theos stared intently at the field. The game was indeed very exciting and exceeded his imagination.
Originally, he also thought: Is this kind of ball game similar to a kind of stone ball throwing game in Sparta? Now it seems that it cannot be compared at all.
Dick Polys supported the Amendolara team, but he didn't know why, from the depths of his heart, he hoped that the Niu Utum team could win. However, the score was already 3:0, and Niu Utum was behind.
Theos was a little anxious and secretly cheered for Niu Utum.
Now it was the Niu Utum Blue team's turn to attack. The Amendolara Red team obviously cooperated tacitly and knew how to use tactics. They cut off the passing route of the Blue team's ball-carrying players and forced him to the sideline. Two Red team players rushed up. The Blue team's ball-carrying player had no space to dodge, so he had to pass the ball from under his crotch to the back before being knocked down. The Blue team's quarterback reacted quickly, quickly met him and caught the ball, and two more Red team players immediately formed a double team on him...…
Just as Theos shouted "Terrible!" The Blue team's quarterback took a step, used his strong body to knock away the Red team player who rushed up and was not standing firmly, and threw the rugby out with all his might.
That was a long pass of nearly forty meters! The football flew high and floaty, with great speed. The supporters watched its flight path and lamented: this pass is sure to go out of bounds, and the possession will change again!
At this moment, a blue streak flashed past the red team's interception on the right sideline, rushing forward and leaping high.
"My God, he jumped so high!" In the audience's exclamation, he stretched out his long arm, blocking the rapidly approaching football in mid-air. As it fell downwards, he tightly hugged the football with both hands, with the end zone just a few meters ahead.
"Stop him!" The red team players shouted anxiously, loud enough for even the spectators on the sidelines to hear.
The red team player closest to the blue team player suddenly lunged forward. The blue team player did not dodge, and using the powerful inertia of his previous sprint, he leaped forward with all his might, throwing his entire body out, along with the red team player who grabbed his legs, landing heavily in the end zone, the ball still firmly in his hands.
Touchdown!
Theos, like other Nium supporters, was stimulated by the blue team's wonderful performance. Unable to suppress the excitement in his heart, he suddenly stood up, gesticulating wildly, and shouting loudly. He even took a big gulp of beer, the cool foam washing away his previous irritability, making him feel refreshed all over.
After sitting down, he realized that his palms were full of sweat from the tension. This was indeed a more tense and exciting game than traditional sports!
Dick Porres looked at him and said suddenly, "So you support Nium!"
Theos embarrassedly defended, "Someone has to support these aliens, so the game will be more intense and exciting!"
Dick Porres nodded in agreement with his opinion.
At this moment, several referees ran towards the end zone, because the blue team player who had just scored had not yet stood up.
What happened? Theos's heart began to tighten again.
The referee waved to the doctor on the sidelines, and soon a stretcher was also carried over. The blue team player shook his head, refusing to lie on the stretcher. He drooped his left arm and struggled to stand up...
"It looks like his arm is dislocated," Dick Porres said.
The injured player walked off the field, waving to the surrounding audience with his right hand to apologize. His wonderful and heroic performance earlier touched the entire audience, and they gave him a heroic tribute with warm applause and cheers.
"Football is truly a warrior's sport!" Theos said with emotion.
At this moment, the spectator who had asked him questions earlier also couldn't wait to say, "Tonight I will go back and call on the citizens of Castron to learn football. When the next competition is held, we Castron will also have a wonderful performance!"
… … … … … … … …
Just as the eyes of the people of the Dionian League and most foreigners were attracted by the football game, in a house in the cheap residential area under the city of Amendolara, Timason, Cliniano, and Torikos were gathering together for a secret conversation.
"Two leaders, I have already contacted all the brothers, and about 1,700 people are willing to go with us." Torax, originally a squad leader of the mercenaries and Timason's confidant, said.
"Seventeen hundred people…" Cliniano said with some dissatisfaction, "The number is still a bit small."
"It's enough to attack Krimisa!" Timason said calmly and firmly, "I have investigated Krimisa in detail. After the last war, this small city has only a little over a thousand citizens who can participate in the battle. Defeating them is not a problem at all. The problem is how to quickly take Krimisa!"
"So we must carefully prepare the siege equipment, and at the same time strictly keep it secret, and not leak it out, so that Davos and them know. They will not only stop us, but also make Krimisa aware!" Cliniano reminded.
"I didn't tell anyone the truth. I just followed what Leader Cliniano taught me last time and told them, 'You will take them to Syracuse to be hired by Dionysius to attack the Carthaginians. After the war is won, Syracuse will make us citizens,'" Torax said.
"As for Zantiparis and Tolmid, we don't need to tell them about leaving. I have tested them several times, and I feel that they are very satisfied with their lives here…" Cliniano said contemptuously, "Zantiparis and them would rather be dock porters than pick up weapons and fight on the battlefield again. They have changed from warriors to a group of cowards!"
"When we control Krimisa, they will regret it!" Timason comforted Cliniano with bright eyes.
"What if we take Krimisa and Croton sends a large army to attack?" Torax said worriedly.
"Isn't that simple!" Cliniano squeezed out a few sneers: "As soon as we take Krimisa, we will immediately send someone to Davos to say, 'Krimisa is willing to join the Dionian League.' Davos will not fail to help us! Even if he really forgets our previous comradeship, Phellixius, Agasia, Hieronimus… other expeditionary army officers—now Dionian senators, and those soldiers who once fought together—now Dionian citizens will also speak for us. Davos will not fail to consider the opinions of so many people. Doesn't he claim that he was elected by the people! Would he go against the wishes of so many people! You're right, Timason?!"
"That's right, how did Davos and them get Amendolara in the first place, and become the rulers of the Greater Greek city-state! We can also learn from their experience and use their help to obtain Krimisa! We are no worse than them, why should they be high above, and we should be so downcast!" After arriving in the Dionian League, Timason, who had always been taciturn, revealed his inner thoughts at this moment, his face full of fighting spirit.
… … … … … … …
A few days later, when Davos received Aristilas's report and learned that the mercenaries led by Timason and Cliniano were acting strangely, Timason had already taken the initiative to come to see Davos.
"You are leaving the League?!" Davos was slightly surprised when he heard Timason's request.
"We are going to Syracuse to help Dionysius attack the Carthaginians. I heard that he promised, 'After the war is won, we can immediately become citizens of Syracuse and own fertile land,'" Timason said sternly.
Davos was silent. Because of Aristilas (Syracuse had a feud with him), he knew a lot about Syracuse. Dionysius did have such a promise to the mercenaries.
Seeing Davos not speaking, Timason continued seriously: "Davos, we are very grateful to you during this time, as well as Agasia and them for their help and care, but we are all used to freedom and cannot adapt to the strict legal control here, and we cannot immediately become League citizens, the brothers all have some opinions. I think it is good for you and us if we leave!"
Davos stared at Timason, seeing his determined face, and nodded slowly: "Okay, you are going to Sicily, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Please return the weapons and equipment that we originally stored in your armory to us, and… can you help us guarantee a batch of ships to transport us to Syracuse… um, if you can send us some tents, so that we can camp in the wild after we arrive in Syracuse, before we get hired… of course, if you can give us some food…"
… … … … … … … …
The news that Timason and Cliniano led more than 1,700 mercenaries to leave the Dionian League caused a small sensation among the senators in the Senate.
For senators such as Cunogolata, Cornelius, and Protessilaus, who held important positions and had been deeply troubled by these often troublemaking mercenaries in recent months, it was a great thing.
For former mercenary senators such as Phellixius, Agasia, and Hieronimus, it was a deep regret.
Although Davos also showed regret on the surface, he felt much relaxed in his heart. After all, many people in the League now know that Timason and them were Davos's comrades-in-arms in Persia, so as long as they have any major bad deeds in the League, not only will someone in the Senate (as long as it is the Turi senator headed by Poluxis) give him opinions, but the people will also complain. Over time, it will definitely damage Davos's prestige.
On the day Timason led the mercenaries away, the former mercenary senators and many former expeditionary soldiers went to the port to see them off.
Facing Agasia's apology, Timason gave him a strong hug: "Among these comrades, I am most grateful to you, because you sincerely want to help us! Zeus is above, we will repay your kindness!"
Cliniano said smugly to Zantiparis, Tolmid, and others: "One day, you will find that you were wrong not to leave. Then you will come to beg us!"
… …
Watching the freighters full of mercenaries leave the dock, Agasia was lost in thought. He said to Davos in frustration: "Did I do something wrong? I shouldn't have let them come to the League before?"
Davos patted him on the shoulder and pointed to the side and said: "You didn't do anything wrong. Not every mercenary likes the life of constant fighting. Didn't they choose the League with your help!"
Following the direction of his finger, Zantiparis, Tolmid and other mercenaries dispersed after seeing off their companions and continued their day's work…
"During this time, in contact with them, I believe you have also discovered it." Davos said in a deep voice to Agasia, who was in low spirits: "Today's us are no longer the us in Persia, but they are still the them at that time. We accept those who are willing to accept new changes. For those like Timason who are unwilling to change themselves to adapt to the new environment, leaving is the best choice!"
After listening to Davos's words, Agasia looked at the departing fleet and, recalling the complaints of Crianor and the others during this period, nodded and said, "You are right!"
...
Half an hour later, this troop transport fleet had already moved away from Thurii and was heading south on the route to Syracuse.
Sitting on the lead ship, Timason gave an order, and the soldiers on the ship immediately took action, subdued the captain and sailors, and shouted, "We will not harm you, we just want you to change course!"
While appeasing the terrified captain and sailors, they raised a red flag on the main mast. The officers, scattered on various ships, who had received Timason's secret notice a day before, saw the signal flag flying on the lead ship and immediately took action, quickly controlling the forty ships.
"Go to the beach between Crimisa and Castron!" Timason ordered the captain.
"What do you want to do?!" The captain, though flustered, still mustered his courage to shout.
The soldier escorting him immediately kicked him: "Hurry up and do as the leader says!"
The sailors, seeing the captain humiliated, began to riot, but after two of them were stabbed by mercenaries, they finally retreated.
"We are all free men registered with the Daonian League. Are you not afraid of incurring the League's wrath?!" The captain shouted sadly, looking at the injured sailors struggling on the deck.
This was indeed a problem! Timason had been in the League for more than two months and understood Daonian law: even for sailors who were only registered and had not yet become reserve citizens, if they were treated unfairly in a foreign country, the Daonian League was obliged to negotiate with the city-state concerned, let alone protect formal citizens. If they were really killed, the senators in the Daonian Senate, who used to be comrades-in-arms, might be okay, but it would probably anger that guy who 'only speaks of the law and not of personal feelings'. His desire to use the power of Daonia to protect Crimisa would probably fail.
He had people bandage the wounds of the two injured sailors and said to the captain as kindly as possible: "I swear in the name of Zeus that I, Timason, have no intention of infringing on the League in any way. As long as you take us ashore, you can sail away!"
The captain, half believing him, had the helmsman change course.
Timason whispered urgently to his subordinates: "Find a way to notify the comrades on the other ships to try not to hurt anyone!"
Why say 'try'? Because this was a temporary team, and they were mercenaries. Only because they were unwilling to be bound by the League and because Timason and Crianor, the two leaders, were highly respected, were they willing to follow their command. But as for being able to control them, Timason asked himself if he had that ability.
Another half an hour later, under the guidance of two heavily bribed guides, the fleet, in order to prevent being discovered by the people of Crimisa and obstructed, chose to land on a sparsely populated beach closer to Castron.
While the captain was still worried about whether the bottom of the ship would be damaged, the soldiers pushed them off the ship.
"You said you would let us go!" the captain shouted in panic at Timason.
"I did say that. But not now. To prevent you from rushing back to report, you'd better stay here for a while!" Timason said coldly. He ordered the soldiers to drag the ships onto the beach, then tied up the captain and sailors and threw them into the bushes on the shore. Of course, some sailors would resist during the process, and naturally there would be casualties, but at this time, he no longer had the mind to worry about these things. He and Crianor and other officers quickly gathered the mercenaries, and then took out some wood hidden under the tents given by Davos and his former comrades. Everyone worked together to quickly make long ladders.
Timason knew that Davos was thoughtful. His initial request for tents and food was not only to hide some siege equipment, but also to paralyze Davos. At this moment, after each soldier carried two days' worth of rations, he once again said to the captain lying in the bushes: "The supplies on your ship belong to your magistrate, Davos. Don't forget to return them to him when you go back."
Then, ignoring the sailors' loud pleas, he led the mercenaries south at a rapid pace.
It was difficult to hide any trace of a team of 1,700 people moving across the plains during the sunny season of spring planting. Timason and his men initially envisioned landing at night, but that would mean that this fleet of more than forty ships would only be able to wander at sea during the day. Being too close to the coast would easily arouse the vigilance and suspicion of patrol boats from Croton and Crimia, as well as passing merchant ships; being too far from the coast would make it difficult to identify directions and make accurate landings in the dark, and accidents could easily occur.
Therefore, Timason and his men prepared to launch a surprise attack, catching Crimisa off guard. The key was to act quickly! So that even if Crimisa received the news, they would not be able to react quickly.
There was a relatively large swamp area between Castron and Crimisa, caused by the long-term flooding of the Lacoe Eli River and its tributaries. At the beginning of December last year, Timason had quietly come to check the terrain. The side near the coast was completely easy to pass through, and docks and pontoon bridges had also been built to facilitate land traffic and trade between Crimisa and Castron.
However, what Timason did not expect was that by the end of December, with the arrival of spring, the snow melted, and coupled with the heavy rains in January this year, the river rose far more than in previous years, and the swamp area was of course also significantly larger than in previous years, which brought greater difficulties to the mercenaries' rapid march.
Just as Timason and his men were trudging through the swamp, sometimes stepping deep and sometimes shallow, at first, on the south side of the swamp, farmers or slaves could occasionally be seen driving livestock, chickens, and ducks to the edge of the swamp to graze and forage. When they discovered the mercenaries moving in the distance, they all ran away in panic. Later, scattered cavalry began to appear in Timason's field of vision, letting them know that the surprise attack was probably a bust.
Timason immediately summoned Crianor, Torikos, and some other officers to conduct an emergency discussion in the swamp: Should they cancel the plan to attack Crimisa?
Crianor, Torikos, and most others insisted on continuing to advance. They all believed that they had waited for so long and carefully prepared to get such a good opportunity. If they gave up easily and returned to Daonia, being ridiculed would be secondary. More importantly, their intentions would be exposed. Davos would definitely be wary of them, and the Thuriians would not give them a good look. At that time, they would only be forced to leave Greater Greece, and they would never encounter such a good opportunity again!
Seeing that everyone's ideas were the same, Timason immediately stated his revised plan after careful consideration: speed up the march and rush to the city and launch a strong attack before the Crimisans could prepare their defenses, occupy Crimisa in the shortest possible time, defend against possible Crimisan reinforcements, and as soon as possible obtain the Daonian League's recognition of their ownership of Crimisa and their request to join the Daonian Alliance. With the protection of Daonia, this great power, their safety would be guaranteed!
The officers had no objection to his new plan, so everyone took active action.
"Brothers, speed up! Speed up!! As long as we get out of here, Crimisa is like a delicious olive waiting for us to pick!!" Timason loudly encouraged the somewhat frustrated mercenaries.
Crianor, Torikos, and other officers were also urging repeatedly.
The soldiers, who had been through battles for a long time, also knew that the situation was urgent and allowed no hesitation. While cursing this terrible environment, they struggled to move forward... Finally, the main force came out of the swamp.
At this time, the cavalry who had been watching all along came forward and shouted loudly: "I am Timayatites, the patrol captain of Crimisa! Strangers, you have invaded the territory of Crimia. Please immediately—" His voice stopped abruptly as a javelin pierced his chest and he fell off his horse, scaring the nearby cavalry into fleeing.
"Damn it, who threw the javelin?!!!" Timason, who was rushing forward, cursed loudly when he saw this scene. He originally wanted to trick the Crimisans to buy them some time for their attack, but he didn't expect these bloodthirsty mercenaries, who also liked to do things their own way, to destroy it first.
"Now that it has happened, don't blame them anymore, lest it affect the morale of the brothers!" Crianor reminded in a low voice.
Since landing, encountering a series of setbacks had made Timason very depressed, but he had to forcibly endure it: Crianor was right, he had to seize the time!
He spat hard and turned to ask the guide: "How far is Crimisa?"
The guide, seeing his twisted and ferocious expression, swallowed secretly and said in a trembling voice: "...About...about ten miles away..."
Timason looked at the sky and said to the messenger: "Let the brothers put in more effort and continue to hurry on. We will rest when we reach Crimisa!"
...
Along the way, they didn't see anyone. The farmers and slaves who were originally working in the fields had obviously received the news and fled into the city.
Half an hour later, Timason vaguely saw the city of Crimisa in the distance. He immediately ordered the troops to stop their rapid march and advance slowly.
The city of Crimisa is located south of Cape Aliche and on the north bank of the Wimbris River. More than two hundred years ago, it was originally a settlement of indigenous people, but later it was occupied by the Sybarites and built into the city of Crimisa, which had always been a sub-state subordinate to Sybaris, until Sybaris was defeated a hundred years ago. The weak Crimisa had no choice but to rely on its powerful neighbor, Croton. Decades later, due to the establishment of Thurii, Athens and Croton reached an agreement, and Crimisa and Castron, these two unfortunate brothers, gained independence. However, the war between Thurii and Croton last year broke Crimia's neutrality. It originally wanted to join the powerful Croton, at least to share some of the spoils of victory, but it never expected that Croton would actually be defeated by the weak Amendolara, and Crimisa also paid a heavy price of nearly two thousand casualties.
Although the Greater Greek Alliance ultimately did not impose any major punishment on Crimisa, and Crimisa returned to a neutral state, the generals and council members of Crimisa were not at ease. Croton, despite its defeat, had not suffered any significant loss of strength; and the merchants who had visited Thurii marveled at the rapid development of the Daonian League. One had suffered the humiliation of defeat for the first time in many years, and the other had endured the pain of a city being burned. These two major powers were bound to clash again. This was the unanimous understanding of Crimisa's leadership. However, for Crimisa, caught between Croton and Daonia, it would be another disaster.
After Castrum joined the Daonian League, Daonia built a highway connecting it to Castrum and granted it trade preferences, resulting in rapid trade growth for Castrum in just over half a year. Although the people of Crimisa envied this, most would not secretly flirt with Daonia. After all, Crimisa was closer to Croton and had long been influenced by Croton's power. Whether from emotion or self-interest, the people of Crimisa were more inclined towards Croton.
When the Crimisa Council received an urgent report from a cavalryman that countless soldiers had been spotted crossing the swampy area to the north, everyone was shocked, though some thought they should clarify the situation first.
However, Chief General Antaolis overruled the objections and insisted that scouts be sent out to ascertain the situation while messengers were sent to Croton for assistance.
He exclaimed, "Everyone, these people are fully armed and coming from the north. Regardless of whether they are Daonian troops or from elsewhere, they are trespassing on our territory without permission, and there is no need to doubt their malice! Crimisa has not yet recovered from its previous defeat. We have no more than a thousand citizens capable of fighting. By the time we have fully clarified the situation, the enemy will probably be at our gates. By then, it will be too late to seek assistance! I would rather seek assistance first, even if it means apologizing to the Crotonians for being mistaken in the future, than lose the homeland passed down from our ancestors because of hesitation!"
Antaolis's words convinced most of the people.
Just half an hour after they sent a messenger to Croton, the scouts brought back worrying news: approximately two thousand fully armed soldiers, mostly heavy infantry, carrying ladders, were rushing towards Crimisa, and had killed a Crimisa cavalryman who had gone to inquire.
This was the enemy! The members of the Crimisa Council no longer needed to doubt. They had no time to thank Antaolis for his foresight. They had already notified the citizens to don armor and prepare shields and spears, and now they issued a war emergency mobilization order: ordering all those capable of fighting to go to the city walls.
Crimisa, as a small town, had no special products, and its port trade was not developed. Even so, Antaolis and the other generals learned from the experience of Old Thurii and rushed to the port, immediately granting citizenship to nearly five hundred young and strong freemen, requiring them to participate in the battle.
Just as the people of Crimisa were preparing for battle, the mercenaries had advanced to within two hundred meters of Crimisa's north city gate. Timason and the others could already see the shadowy figures of the guards on the city walls.
"It seems the people of Crimisa are prepared!" Clianno said with some disappointment, the last trace of hope in his heart disappearing.
Timason's expression remained unchanged as he said in a deep voice, "Since the surprise attack plan cannot be used, then we will attack by force!"
He then ordered, "Brothers, rest here for now!"
He, Clianno, Torikos, and the other officers quickly gathered together to discuss how to forcefully attack the city of Crimisa.
The city walls of Crimisa were only four meters high, with only a three-meter-wide moat outside. There were no palisades, and there seemed to be no traps. Such a simple city defense was not even worth mentioning compared to the cities they had captured in Asia Minor with Thibron. Even though the city walls were now full of citizen-soldiers, Timason and the officers did not believe they could withstand the mercenaries' assault. According to Timason's understanding, the people of Crimisa had been at peace for decades and had not experienced war. When they faced the League's surprise attack alongside the Crotonian army half a year ago,
the people of Crimisa were completely massacred.
Timason, Clianno, and the officers were convinced that no matter how many inexperienced and demoralized Crimisa citizen-soldiers there were, they would be useless!
After quickly completing the deployment, Timason came to the front of the formation and shouted loudly to the mercenaries, "Brothers, in the Daonian League for more than two months, I believe you will never forget it! You were able to leave there and follow us here because you are not satisfied! Why is it that we have nothing while Davos and the others have everything, even though we are all mercenaries?!" Timason turned to the side, pointing to the city of Crimisa in front of him, and roared, "Now the opportunity is before us. Take this city and let us become nobles too! Let us be masters!!!"
The mercenaries used their spears to strike their round shields with all their might, roaring and venting their frustration and resentment from the past two months, while also expressing their desire for victory and their expectations for a better life in the future!
The roar they emitted clearly reached the city walls, causing the people of Crimisa to pale in fear.
General Eurypus, who was in charge of military affairs, became anxious when he saw this situation. In order to boost morale, he shouted loudly, "Citizens, the enemy's numbers are the same as ours! We still have the protection of the city walls and the moat. They cannot harm us! What's more, Croton's reinforcements are already on their way!"
The people of Crimisa felt slightly relieved when they heard that there were reinforcements.
"Attack!" Timason ordered without hesitation, seeing that morale was high.
Thus, the horns sounded, and Clianno led his troops to attack the west side of Crimisa, while Timason led his troops to attack the north side.
The heavy infantry advanced in front, carrying long ladders in groups of five or six, advancing slowly in a very loose formation, with the light infantry trailing far behind. When they were about to enter the range of the Crimisa archers on the city walls, they took down their round shields, angled them upwards to protect their heads and chests, and moved forward with their bodies lowered.
Arrows rained down from the city walls, but the mercenaries were fearless. They calmly came to the moat, and several people helped to place the six-meter-long wooden ladders onto the moat. While stepping on the ladders to cross the river, the damage caused by the arrows to the heavy infantry was not as great as the casualties caused by accidentally breaking the wooden ladders and falling into the moat.
Eurypus became nervous as he watched the enemy's skilled tactical movements and calm demeanor under the city walls: these were a group of enemies with rich combat experience, and they would probably be difficult to deal with!
"Quick! Quickly prepare more stones, wood, and linseed oil, and send them up to the city immediately!" he shouted anxiously.
After the heavy infantry had basically crossed the river, they re-carried the ladders and quickly rushed to the base of the city walls, placing the ladders against the city walls. Some of the ladders were still set up over the river, not being retrieved, as they were for the light infantry to cross the river later.
The people of Crimisa hurriedly threw wood and stones down with all their might, pouring down cans of linseed oil. As the torches were thrown down, flames rose up, and the mercenaries' casualties suddenly increased...
...
Just as Crimisa and the mercenaries were engaged in a fierce battle, Davos had received the shocking news that Timason had not gone to Syracuse, but had gone to Crimisa.
After all, the east coast of Greater Greece had frequent ship traffic. When more than forty empty ships were stranded on the beach, curious merchant ships would stop to investigate, and then they would discover the captains and sailors who had been tied up and thrown into the wilderness.
After being rescued, they immediately sailed back to the port of Thurii and complained to the patrol team about their experiences.
Davos was furious after receiving the news. As the guarantor of Timason and the others, the hijacking of the cargo ship and the casualties of fifteen sailors had already made him angry, but what made him even more angry was what Timason was planning to do by leading more than a thousand mercenaries to land on the coast between Castrum and Crimisa without authorization?!
With a little thought, he could guess: Crimisa! These audacious mercenaries were actually eyeing Crimisa! I even felt a little guilty about their departure, but that damned Timason tricked us all! While Davos was blaming his carelessness, he was also thinking about the consequences of the mercenaries' actions: regardless of whether they could take Crimisa, they would break the delicate balance between Daonia and Croton. The League probably had to prepare early!
However, when he thought about convening a Senate meeting, Davos felt a slight headache: because someone would definitely take the opportunity to make things difficult for him at the meeting, although it would not have any real impact on him, it was indeed a mistake he had made! Sure enough, those in power cannot be easily swayed by personal feelings. If he had not been so concerned about saving face and agreeing to Agasia's request in the first place, how could there have been so many subsequent events! This is a profound lesson to be remembered!...
"Aristocrates, immediately send someone to invite Phelisius, Agasia, Hieronymus, Capys, Antonios... bring them here!" Davos instructed Aristocrates. He needed to get in touch with these former mercenary elders first.
......
"Leader, our men are about to climb up!" a subordinate shouted excitedly.
Timason perked up and peeked upwards from under his round shield, seeing a soldier not far away who had already stepped onto the battlements.
At this time, seven or eight spears stabbed straight at him. The soldier hurriedly used his round shield to block them, but lost his balance as a result and was pushed off the city wall. However, the city wall was only four meters high, and there were corpses piled up on the ground, so falling down would not cause too much damage. The soldier staggered to his feet, not fully conscious, and forgot to defend himself. A stone hit him right on the head (because the Corinthian helmet was too bulky and had a narrow field of vision, it was not suitable for siege warfare). He fell again, but could not get up again.
Seeing this situation, Timason shouted, "Let Aikesekias and the others get closer to the city walls and give greater support to the heavy infantry attacking the city!"
"Leader..." The messenger showed a look of embarrassment: "They are light infantry and lack protection. Doing so will cause them to suffer casualties from the arrows!"
"We are besieging the city, do you understand?! Besieging!!" Timason shouted angrily: "If the hoplites can't get up there and take this city, what good is it that they saved their lives! Hurry! Hurry!!"
Timason watched the messenger cross the moat and run towards the light infantry. Only then did he turn his gaze and scan the ground below the city, where corpses lay scattered in disorder, and soldiers struggled and wailed, mercenaries and Crimissans alike...
Timason had seen too many scenes like this. Before coming to Greater Greece, they had just conducted a months-long siege of Larissa in Asia Minor under the command of Thibron. He deeply understood the difficulty of sieges. But other than this forced attack, he had no other choice. Time was the key to his success.
"Careful, Chief!" His subordinate's shout made him instinctively duck his head quickly under his round shield. He heard a "clang" and felt a jolt on the back of his hand. An arrow struck the shield and bounced off.
He had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard screams of "Ah! Ah!" followed by a loud "Boom!"
Without looking, he knew that a siege ladder must have been pushed over by the enemy, and a sense of frustration began to grow in his heart.
… … … … … … …
"General, the enemy's light infantry is pressing up!" The panicked shout of the citizen soldier made Eurypylus's heart clench.
The light infantry, who had been in front of the moat, had quickly moved close to the city walls. Compared to the extremely poor accuracy of the untrained Crimissan citizen soldiers, the enemy's arrows were accurate and ruthless. Soon, they were responsible for most of the casualties among the citizen soldiers on the wall.
"Don't worry about the enemies on the ladders, concentrate your fire on those light infantry!" He ran along the battlement walkway, giving orders to the archers.
"The enemy is coming up again!" The soldiers' panicked shouts made him stop. Not far away, a mercenary had already stood on the crenellation. Facing the thrusting spears, he used his shield to protect his upper body and jumped forward with all his might. Not only did the spears fail to hit him, but they were also pressed under his body. He did not get up immediately, but quickly waved his saber wildly with his right hand, hacking at the unprotected thighs of several nearby citizen soldiers, who screamed and fell. He took the opportunity to get up, but did not press the attack in the chaos. Instead, he retreated towards the ladder entrance, squatted down with his back against the crenellation, and protected his whole body with his round shield.
The soldiers' spear thrusts did little damage to him. Instead, they were afraid that his saber would reach out from under the shield and slash at their feet, so they dared not approach. In the time they hesitated, another mercenary climbed onto the crenellation.
"Press them back! Block them!" Eurypylus led the reserve team to the scene, and a dense barrage of spear thrusts forced the enemies into a corner.
"Pry open their shields!" As soon as Eurypylus finished speaking, the soldier next to him let out a shrill scream. A javelin pierced his ribs.
The light infantry below the city did their best to support their besieging comrades, concentrating their arrows and javelins on this section of the city wall. The hoplites also accelerated their ascent of the city.
Eurypylus urgently mobilized all the remaining troops to block the breach. After a fierce battle and struggle, the mercenaries were driven back, but this section of the walkway was littered with wounded and dead Crimissan citizen soldiers.
Facing such a group of enemies who were clearly experienced in combat and bloodthirsty, each intrusion caused considerable casualties to the defending soldiers. Eurypylus felt somewhat powerless. His manpower was beginning to run thin: "Quickly notify General Antaolis that the enemy has committed all their forces to the north side of the city! It's almost impossible to hold out here. Have him send reinforcements!"
Antaolis had no troops to spare. However, since the enemy was constantly attacking the north and west sides, the troops responsible for the east side's defense had been idle during this crisis.
Antaolis immediately made a decision: send someone to notify General Pleiades to immediately lead the troops stationed in the east city to reinforce Eurypylus.
"Chief Timason! Chief Timason!…" The messenger ran hurriedly towards Timason, dodging arrows as he went: "The enemies on the east wall have left!"
"I've already seen it!" Timason's tone revealed a hint of excitement: "Go tell Torikos to take action immediately!"
"Yes!"
Watching the messenger leave, Timason immediately raised his arms and shouted: "Brothers, put in some more effort! Attack with me! The enemy is about to collapse!" After speaking, he held up his round shield and took a few strides to the ladder. He grabbed the wooden ladder with his right hand, and the shield-bearer held his buttocks, pushing him upwards with force. He took advantage of the momentum to jump up several rungs, and the soldiers in front had already entered the city wall. He used both hands and feet, and soon reached the top of the ladder. He quickly drew his saber, stepped on the crenellation, protected his chest with his shield, ignored the thrusting spears and swords, and leaped forward with all his might, using the force to knock the enemy away. At the same time, the saber in his hand slashed forward fiercely.
"Back to back! Back to back!" He shouted as he slashed.
The mercenaries who had been huddled in the corner immediately gathered around.
Inspired by Timason's leading example, the mercenaries launched another fierce attack. They broke through the north wall in several places. If Pleiades had not led troops to support them, Eurypylus's defending troops would have been unable to hold out.
The two sides fought fiercely on the walkway. Seeing that the morale of the Crimissans had greatly increased due to the large influx of reinforcements, they prepared to drive the mercenaries off the city wall again.
At this moment, a huge commotion came from the east.
"The enemy is coming up! The enemy is coming up!…" The citizen soldiers shouted in panic.
Eurypylus hurriedly turned his head to look east. He saw many enemy light shield soldiers holding leather shields and reverse-bladed swords rushing straight along the walkway of the east wall.
Eurypylus had no time to think about how these people had climbed the city wall. He hurriedly asked Pleiades to lead the reinforcements back to intercept them, but the two sides were fighting fiercely on the walkway, making it difficult to transfer troops.
The attack of these Thracian light shield soldiers was quite swift. They broke into the crowd, and in the narrow space, the long-handled reverse-bladed swords exerted their terrifying killing power. If their hands and feet were caught by the sharp blade, their tendons and bones would be severed; if their necks were caught by the blade, their blood vessels would be cut… The Crimean citizen soldiers instantly fell one after another, scaring them into a hasty retreat, while the light shield soldiers chased closely like maggots on bones. The nearby mercenaries also took advantage of the chaos to climb onto the city wall…
The easternmost end of the entire Crimean north city wall defense line had been breached. The experienced mercenary soldiers drove the defeated Crimean citizen soldiers westward…
On the crowded walkway, the panicked Crimissans pushed each other in order to escape, and some people fell directly from the inner side of the city wall…
Eurypylus and Pleiades, seeing this tragic scene, were also panicked. Fearing that they would suffer the same fate, they fled from the tower in a hurry, causing the mercenaries to easily climb the city wall, occupy the walkway near the city gate, and block countless Crimissans on the walkway…
The mercenaries ruthlessly launched a massacre, forcing more Crimissans to jump off the city wall…
Antaolis, who had been organizing and coordinating the defense under the city, saw this tragic scene and listened to the continuous screams of the citizens, feeling heartbroken. But in this critical moment, he had to endure the pain and arrange for the withdrawn citizen soldiers and civilians to retreat to the citadel in the south of the city for the final defense.
The mercenaries occupied the north city and opened the city gate, and the soldiers outside the city poured in…
"Chief, we have won! We have captured this city!" His subordinate supported Timason and shouted happily.
Timason's thigh was stabbed, and there was also a knife wound on his right arm. If the enemy had not collapsed on their own, he would have died under the chaotic spears. At this moment, he was also very excited: "It should be said that we also own a city!" he said smugly. The mercenaries were able to capture the city walls thanks to the success of his plan: in the Daonian League, under his intentional questioning, his former comrades had told him in detail the detailed process of capturing Amendolara in the past, letting him know about the special siege equipment of rope hooks, and obtaining its sketch. He successively sent people to the blacksmith shops in Heraclea to secretly make dozens of them. During the siege, he deliberately launched a strong attack on the west and north sides. Once he forced the Crimissans defending the east side to come to support (the south side was the Umbria River), he would have Torikos lead dozens of trained light shield soldiers to sneak under the east wall with rope hooks. Even if they were discovered, they would not attract the enemy's attention because they were not carrying siege ladders. In this way, the light shield soldiers climbed the city wall with rope hooks, giving the Crimissans a fatal blow.
After Timason descended the city, he happened to meet Klianthes, who had captured the west gate, and directed the mercenaries to continue pursuing the defeated soldiers.
At first, everything went smoothly, but gradually the mercenaries broke free from control. They began to break into houses, plunder property, and even capture women…
Timason was furious, not because he opposed looting, but because the battle was not over yet. It was reported that the remaining forces of Crimissa were hiding in the citadel, and it was necessary to take it in one go and completely occupy the entire city before celebrating the victory.
But the mercenaries, who were in a state of excitement, acted on instinct and refused to obey his orders. Timason now had Daevus's feelings at the time. Knowing that it was useless, he still cursed and vented his resentment.
"Chief, anyway, they are all in the citadel and can't run away. We will block the citadel, and after the soldiers have finished their rampage, we will regroup them and take the citadel, won't that be fine?" Torikos persuaded.
"I'm not worried about the Crimissans, I'm worried about Croton!" Timason said anxiously.
"Even if the Crimissans requested reinforcements from Croton during our siege, it would take time for the messenger to reach Croton, then go through discussions in the council, make a decision, mobilize the army, and come here… So many processes, it would take them until the evening at the earliest to get here. I don't believe the Crotonians have the courage of Daevus and the others to attack the city at night! And we have already taken the entire city of Crimissa, and the envoy we sent has probably already arrived at the Daonian Senate. By the time Croton attacks tomorrow, Daevus and the others should have already made a decision," Klianthes analyzed to him seriously.
"So, we don't need to worry about Croton. What we should be most concerned about is whether Daonia will accept our occupation of Crimisa and become their ally?" This was the question that Cliano was most concerned about.
"I don't know…" Timason thought for a moment, still unsure. "Other city-states probably wouldn't accept this kind of forceful occupation of a city. After all, we are all Great Greeks, and they are full of vigilance towards us foreign mercenaries. But Daonia is different. Davos and the others achieved their current status through this method. If we want to succeed, we can only take the risk and gamble! If we want safety, we might as well stay in the Daonian League!"
At this moment, Timason cheered himself up, but Cliano, seeing success within reach, became a little apprehensive. "I hope Agasia and the others can persuade Davos!"
"If Croton really sends reinforcements, tomorrow we can impersonate Daonian soldiers to delay them for a while!" Timason gnashed his teeth. Anyway, they had already deceived Daonia once, so they wouldn't mind doing it a second time. He pointed to the chaotic scene on the street ahead and said anxiously, "Regardless of what decision Daonia makes, or whether Croton sends reinforcements, we must first do our own thing well. We must occupy the entire city as soon as possible, imprison the people of Crimisa, send out scouts to scout the movements to the south, and prepare the brothers for defense! This kind of scene must end as soon as possible, otherwise, it will always be worrying!"
"Forcibly issuing orders, prohibiting robbery and murder, otherwise, military law will be enforced…" Cliano smiled wryly. "That's what Davos did. He did this in Persia. We can't learn it… Moreover, more than two hundred brothers died during the siege, and many were injured. We have to let them vent. Timason, don't anger them. We have to take it slowly…"
"To be honest, in Persia, we laughed at Davos's approach, calling him a fool… Only today do I realize that the real fools are us!… I… have to admire Davos. He always considers things more long-term… Once we settle down, we must rectify military discipline properly!!" Timason sighed and made up his mind.
He immediately sent messengers to find the squad leaders and ask them to try their best to gather their troops. He and Cliano led the Praetorian Guards to the Crimisa Acropolis and sent people to loudly call for surrender in front of the city.
The Crimians' reply was: "Never!!!"
So, the two sides confronted each other until the afternoon.
Seeing more and more enemies surrounding the city, and starting to prepare siege equipment, the Crimisans trapped in the Acropolis became more and more desperate. They realized that the enemy's attack was imminent, and many people began to wail. Antaolis and the others looked tragic, ready to coexist and die with the Acropolis.
At this time, a commotion occurred in the relatively quiet enemy camp.
… … … … … … … …
"Croton's army has approached the North Gate?! How is this possible?!" Cliano was struck by lightning, panicking and unwilling to believe that this news was true.
Tolicos was both flustered and suspicious. "Our scouts are in the south… There are indeed no traces of Crotonians in the south?!"
"Chief, it's… it's true!! The Crotonians are forming ranks outside the city, and they are about to… about to attack the city!!" The captain of Timason's guard, who was responsible for guarding the North City, shouted anxiously.
Timason barely maintained his composure. He wouldn't disbelieve his confidant's words. After a little thought, his expression changed. "Damn it! We overlooked it. They may have come by boat like us!"
"How… how many people?" Cliano asked nervously, hoping that the number uttered from the guard captain's mouth would be a reassuring one.
"Probably four or five thousand…" The guard captain's words shattered everyone's luck, and everyone's eyes focused on Timason.
At this critical moment, Timason asked a question: "Brothers, are we going to retreat?"
"I… I…" Cliano looked at the Acropolis in front of him, struggling in his heart for only a moment, and then roared unwillingly: "We are not Crimisans! We can use the city walls to block them! As long as we hold on until tomorrow! As long as we hold on until tomorrow… Timason,
you said that if we want to become the masters of Crimisa, we can only take the risk and gamble! Gamble with our lives! Even if we die in battle, I don't want to go back to the Daonian League and be laughed at by them!!"
"Me too. It's just death, what's there to be afraid of! We can use the city walls to block the Crotonians!" Tolicos looked ferocious. He spoke the minds of most of the squad leaders and soldiers.
"Yes, we'll fight the Crotonians!" Everyone immediately echoed loudly.
Timason no longer hesitated, stared at the soldiers present, and issued an order in a powerful voice: "Cliano! Tolicos! And you, quickly gather the soldiers who are still scattered in the city and quickly take them to the city wall!"
"Yes!"
"Pasax! You lead two hundred people and watch the Acropolis! As long as the Crimisans dare to come out, kill them all!"
"Chief, leave it to me, don't worry!"
"Everyone else, follow me to the North Gate and let the Crotonians taste our power! Never let them take our city!" Timason clenched his fists and roared.
"Roar!!!" The mercenaries howled, regaining their morale.
… … … … … … … …
Timason was an excellent commander. Even when the initial surprise attack failed, he could calmly command the army and skillfully mobilize the enemy, breaking through the city of Crimisa in the shortest possible time. However, as a low-level soldier, his eyes, blinded by jealousy and competitiveness, only saw that a weak and neutral city-state like Crimisa in Magna Graecia was something they could seize with their strength. He lacked the qualities of a politician to consider the relationship between the city-states of Magna Graecia as a whole, especially Croton's attitude towards its neighbor, Crimisa.
Before Daonia, Croton didn't pay much attention to Crimisa. On the one hand, it was because of the agreement with Athens, and on the other hand, Thuri did not pose a threat to Croton. However, after they were defeated by the Daonian League, the situation changed dramatically. Daonia seized Niotum, Laos joined the Daonian League, Daonia opened up the land trade route between the east and west coasts… and so on. Daonia was rapidly becoming stronger and more prosperous, making Croton uneasy. They began to feel the threat of this emerging force in the north, and the strategic position of Crimisa as a buffer became extremely important. Therefore, Croton had been stepping up its efforts to win over Crimisa in the past six months.
This was the reason why Crimisa first thought of asking Croton for help when they heard that an enemy was attacking. At the same time, it was also Croton's first reaction when they heard that Crimisa was attacked by enemies from the north: "The Daonians are finally starting to attack!" Therefore, the Crotonian Council almost immediately passed the proposal to send reinforcements. At the same time, considering that it might be the Daonians, even though the envoy said "only two thousand enemies," they cautiously sent ten thousand citizen soldiers.
Just when Timason thought that Croton's reinforcements were all in the north, because usually five thousand people would be quite a lot for city-states to send reinforcements, he sent almost all of his troops to defend the north city while taking care of the east and west sides. He never expected that another fleet would enter the mouth of the Umbri River, break into the almost empty port, and force a landing. Five thousand Crotonian soldiers quickly occupied the South Gate and easily defeated Pasax's two hundred men. After joining forces with the Crimians in the Acropolis, they continued to attack north.
The mercenaries were not only outnumbered, but also in danger of being attacked from the north and south, and failure was inevitable. After learning the news that "a large number of Crotonian soldiers broke into the city from the south," the mercenaries lost their fighting spirit, and Timason and Cliano were at a loss at this moment.
When the Crotonians came from the south, the mercenaries only resisted slightly before fleeing in all directions.
Timason was on the city wall. Seeing the fleeing mercenaries below the city being driven and slaughtered by the Crotonians like cattle and sheep, just like what they had done to the Crimisans before, the fury of the goddess of revenge descended on the mercenaries so quickly, filling his heart with desolation.
"Timason, let's go! Let's break out to the north!" Cliano shouted anxiously.
Timason shook his head. He looked up to the north, revealing a relieved smile: Davos, I lost this contest in the end…
He drew his saber without hesitation and cut his own neck.
Cliano had no time to grieve. He led a few people out of the city with rope hooks, trying to escape in the chaos.
But the Crimisans hated them for burning, killing, and looting in the city and pursued them relentlessly. The Crotonians did a good deed to the end and also launched a pursuit. The mercenaries were already surrounded, so except for a few who escaped, most of them were either killed or captured. Cliano, Tolicos, and others eventually surrendered because they were surrounded, but they were beheaded by the angry Crimisans…
Through interrogation of the surrendered soldiers, the Crotonians and Crimisans learned that this group of vicious enemies were mercenaries from Asia Minor and Ionia who had fought in Persia with Daonian Archon Davos. They had lived in Daonia for more than two months, and this attack on Crimisa was a premeditated independent action by these mercenaries.
Although it seemed unrelated to Daonia, the Crotonian generals and council members believed that they had found the best excuse: unless Croton was willing to maintain long-term peace with Daonia, allowing Daonia to develop so rapidly would undoubtedly be a huge threat to Croton. The only way was to launch a war and destroy this emerging alliance before Daonia's wings were fully formed!
The passage of this resolution in the council, where the hawks were in the majority, was very smooth. Even the moderate Lysias did not strongly oppose it, and he was clearly aware of the threat from Daonia.
Croton mobilized its army to reinforce Krimisa, and such a large movement was quickly discovered by Aristilas's spies stationed at the Croton docks.
The next morning, when the mercenary's envoy arrived at Davos's residence, Davos had already received news of Croton's reinforcement from Aristilas, and he immediately judged that Timason's mercenaries were in dire straits this time.
Therefore, when the mercenary's envoy, Picoles, requested Davos: "Lord Davos, the mercenaries led by Chief Timason have already seized Krimisa. We hope to join the Daonian League and receive Daonia's reinforcements immediately!"
Davos told this former comrade-in-arms, who had once served as a translator in Menon's camp and later under his command, but chose to leave in Byzantium, with a heavy expression: "Picoles, you are late. I just received news that 'yesterday at noon, nearly 10,000 troops from Croton set sail from the port.' They should be able to reach Krimisa in the afternoon. I don't think Timason and his men can hold Krimisa..."
"Ten thousand people?!" Picoles was stunned upon hearing this news.
"I have already sent people to scout for information, and I believe I will be able to obtain the specific situation of Krimisa by noon," Davos continued.
"Maybe...maybe Timason and his men are still holding on..." Picoles came back to his senses and pleaded with a glimmer of hope: "Lord Davos...Chief, for the sake of our past comradeship, please...please send troops to Krimisa immediately to rescue them!! Otherwise, it will be too late when you get the news!!..."
Picoles's address of "Chief" caused a slight ripple in Davos's heart, but he still shook his head and said: "Alas...it's not like I can send troops immediately just because I want to. This requires the consent of most senators in the Senate, and without definite news, they will not agree! Because if the Krimisa people retake the city, the Daonian army entering Krimisa territory would violate the agreement, which means war! War with Croton!!"
Davos's patient explanation was obviously not heeded by the anxious Picoles, who shouted almost frantically: "Anyway, going to rescue the brothers will definitely lead to a battle with Croton! What are you afraid of! You are Daonia's only lifetime Archon, you have the final say here! Send troops, I beg you, Chief Davos! The lives of Timason, Krianor, and all our mercenary brothers are waiting for your rescue!!..."
Davos shook his head, feeling unable to reason with him: "You go down and rest first, and I will notify you when I have news." After speaking, he signaled the servant to take him away.
Picoles pushed him away forcefully and roared: "Davos, if it weren't for Timason and the brothers' help, you would have died in Persia long ago! But look at how you treat your former comrades! We came here, not only did we not receive any help, but we also suffered a lot of grievances. Now that Timason's life is threatened, and we ask you for help, you actually don't lend a hand, and you make excuses, saying something about 'needing the Senate's approval'…"
Picoles cursed Davos's ingratitude. Davos was very angry when he heard this, thinking: You falsely claimed to go to Syracuse, but actually went to capture Krimisa. When have you ever talked to me sincerely! You just wanted to use me and Agasia and the others to let Daonia take the blame for you, but you never thought about how much passivity this would put Daonia and myself in! Now that you have failed, you come to ask for help, but you don't even have a bit of apology. Who is being ungrateful? Do you really think I'm so easy to talk to!
With his current status, he didn't need to argue with a simple-minded mercenary, so he simply had the guards drive Picoles out of the residence.
The noise in the living room was loud, and Christoia, supported by Asuna, came down from the second floor with a big belly and asked with concern: "I heard a quarrel downstairs, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Davos squeezed out a smile and gently chided: "You're about to give birth, don't you rest properly and run around."
Christoia wisely stopped asking and said, covering her bulging belly: "The baby has been kicking me just now and woke me up."
"Baby, be good and let your mother rest well!" Davos put his face on Christoia's belly and said softly.
"Oh, he kicked me again!" Christoia said in surprise.
"Madam, he's so naughty, he must be a boy!" Asuna said with a smile.
"Naughty little fellow!" Davos patted his belly gently and said softly: "Christoia, I'll accompany you for a walk in the yard."
At this moment, he and Christoia both had happy smiles on their faces.
… … … … … … … …
Picoles was driven out of Davos's residence and immediately felt regret. Davos's door was tightly closed, and no matter how he knocked, it wouldn't open. He had no choice but to go to Philius and the others.
Who knew that Philius, Capus, Antonios, and the others either hid and refused to see him, or when they did see him, they all apologized to Picoles, saying they couldn't provide him with any help.
In the end, it was Agasia who told him: "Because mercenaries have been causing trouble in the League recently, Lord Davos and they have been under a lot of pressure in the Senate. Especially this time, Timason and his men rashly attacked Krimisa without Daonia's knowledge, causing Polyxis and several other Thurii senators to directly criticize Davos by name at the meeting, saying that he was using the Daonian League to seek private interests for the mercenaries! This is the first time Lord Davos has faced such severe criticism and humiliation since he became Archon! Under such circumstances, it is impossible for Davos to use troops without authorization!"
Picoles listened with some understanding and realized that they had thought things were too simple.
… … … … … … … …
At noon, news of Krimisa was sent back: the mercenaries were completely annihilated.
Davos sat alone in silence, and after a long time, let out a soft sigh.
This matter seemed to have come to an end, but Davos realized that things were far from over.
Sure enough, in the afternoon, a passenger ship from Croton sailed into the harbor of Thurii, and two people disembarked from the ship: Croton General Lysias and Krimisa's Chief General Antaoris.
What did this mean? The senators in charge of the reception all had a slight change in expression.
Two corpses were also carried off the ship: Timason and Krianor.
This made Philius, Agasia, and other mercenary senators feel sad.
Therefore, today's Senate meeting began with unusual tension and solemnity.
Krimisa's Chief General Antaoris spoke first, tearfully recounting the various evil deeds committed by the mercenaries in Krimisa yesterday and the suffering of the Krimisa people. Then he cried out: "Why have the Krimisa people, who have lived peacefully for decades, been repeatedly ravaged by war recently?! Could it be that we have inadvertently offended Ares, causing him to vent his anger on the Krimisa people?!…"
Lysias glanced around the venue and found that some Daonian senators looked unnatural, while Archon Davos in the front row listened attentively, nodding occasionally, with an expression of empathy. He sneered in his heart, stood up, walked to the center of the venue, embraced Antaoris, and then bowed to the Daonian senators and said: "Honorable Archon and distinguished senators of the Daonian League, as the envoy of Croton, what I want to say is that Croton sent timely reinforcements yesterday, saving Krimisa from being destroyed by a group of robbers! During the post-war interrogation of the prisoners, we learned that this group of robbers were mercenaries from Asia Minor, who had fought together with Lord Davos and some of the senators present in Persia for more than a year. They were invited by you to come to Greater Greece and registered their household registration in your league, preparing to become Daonian citizens. Is this true?!"
"That's right," Davos nodded in acknowledgement without hesitation.
Lysias did not expect him to answer so simply, and was slightly stunned. Then he raised his voice and said loudly: "According to the prisoners' confession, 'they were instructed by the Daonian League to raid Krimisa, preparing to turn Krimisa into an ally of Daonia—'"
"Nonsense!"
"Bullshit!"
"This is slander!"
… …
Amintas, Dracos, Agasia, and others stood up and cursed one after another.
"Whether you admit it or not, the fact is the fact! The corpses of the two robber leaders are still lying on the dock, and some of you just shed tears for them." Lysias pointed forward, his expression solemn, and shouted: "Daonians, you have broken the truce agreement with Croton, and you still want to deny it!"
Antaoris glared and pointed at Davos and the others, angrily cursing: "Since you foreigners came to Greater Greece, Greater Greece has not had a single day of peace! No, it's not that Krimisa angered Ares, it's that you are expanding everywhere, addicted to aggression, bringing war to the various city-states of Greater Greece! The grievances of the thousands of dead people in Krimisa must be appealed, and Daonia must be punished!"
The venue was in an uproar.
Davos stood up, walked to Antaoris, sneered, and said: "I originally wanted to express Daonia's apology to Krimisa, and even wanted to make some compensation, although Daonia has nothing to do with this matter."
Antaoris opened his mouth to retort, but Davos looked at him and roared: "You shut up!"
He was startled.
"But I can see now that the generals of your two city-states came here together, not to find out the truth, but to join forces to suppress our Daonia! Speak, tell us the conditions you have prepared long ago, let us hear how harsh it is!" Davos saw through their intentions, and his preemptive words stunned Lysias, and also reminded the senators who were still confused.