Of course, Christoia was very clear about this, so she pretended to be aggrieved and said, "I know you've been busy with the kingdom's affairs all day and are already very tired. But there's no choice, because as the head of the family, you still need to make decisions about major events that happen at home."
"What major event happened at home?…" Davos was a little dazed. Usually, Christoia handles everything at home in an orderly manner, and he rarely interferes.
"Your son, Adoris, is already 21 years old, and someone has come to propose marriage," Christoia said solemnly.
"Propose marriage?! Adoris is still very young!" Davos disapproved, but seeing Christoia's serious face, he suddenly realized something and asked, "Who is proposing marriage?"
"Alcibiades is proposing marriage for his daughter. He originally spoke to Agnese, but Agnese came to me for my opinion…" Christoia narrated calmly.
But Davos' sleepiness had completely disappeared at this moment, and he began to think seriously. Then, he said, "Agnese still respects you, her older sister, very much."
"Of course I know, and I've always treated Agnese as my own sister! There's nothing between us sisters, but I'm afraid some outsiders will overthink things…" Christoia reminded him.
Davos sighed lightly, feeling a bit of a headache. He would rather face an army of thousands than deal with these trivial family matters, but he knew that if he didn't handle them well, it might affect the harmony of the family. He thought for a moment and said, "It might not be good to directly reject Alcibiades. After all, Alcibiades played an important role in allowing Legium to fully merge into the kingdom this time, and he also organized Legium merchants to go to the Ionian Sea to buy grain for the kingdom. Plus, he's a relative of our family… How about this, tell Adoris and see if he's willing. After all, he's just my adopted son, and he even changed his name. If he doesn't agree, I can't force him to marry, right! At least let them meet, which can be considered a response to Alcibiades' request. I just don't know if Alcibiades can adapt to the marriage customs of our Daonian Kingdom? (Traditional Greek marriage customs do not allow the man to see the woman before marriage, but Daonia is much more open. Not only is there matchmaking, but the children of citizens in the same town mostly study in the same school from a young age. Although boys and girls are in separate classes, they see each other every day, and many couples are formed as a result after they grow up.)"
Speaking of this, Davos asked, "Have you met Alcibiades' daughter?"
"Agnese brought her to me for a meeting. She's a beautiful girl, and she seems to have received a traditional aristocratic education and is very polite!" Christoia emphasized.
"…With Adoris' personality, I'm afraid he won't like traditional Greek girls," Davos said thoughtfully.
"But what if he falls in love with her?" Christoia was still a little worried.
After all, Agnese was a gem, and that girl didn't seem bad either.
Davos was stunned and said hesitantly, "If that's the case, there's no way around it. We can't go back on our word, right?"
"Why not arrange a few more blind dates for Adoris? Actually, Alcibiades isn't the only one who's come to propose marriage during this time. Mrs. Milon, Mrs. Strongboli, Mrs. Burkos… have all mentioned it at gatherings. If Adoris still chooses Alcibiades' daughter, then that means it's truly a marriage bestowed by Hera, and we should bless them," Christoia suggested.
Davos knew that the "gathering" Christoia was talking about was a small banquet she had organized within the mansion a few years ago for her close friends. Initially, the participants were only Andrea, Asuna, and occasionally Agnese. Later, it grew larger and larger. At its peak, there were nearly 50 participants, mostly the wives of the elders, and it was jokingly called the "Senate of Ladies" by the curious Thurii citizens. Since it didn't hinder Davos' administration, but instead provided another channel to understand the elders' thoughts and movements, and Christoia could even help them resolve family disputes, Davos didn't stop it. On the contrary, to avoid suspicion, he built a banquet hall next to the mansion for their gatherings, and also sent guards to guard it, not allowing men to enter.
At this moment, Davos said with some complacency, "Even if Adoris is an adopted son, he's still my, Davos', adopted son. It's impossible for him to be unpopular. With so many good girls for him to choose from, I believe he'll find a good wife! I think when it's Clotho's turn, my door will probably be broken down by matchmakers!"
"Are you going to have Clotho go on blind dates too?" Christoia looked at him with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"It was just a joke," Davos quickly said solemnly. "Clotho is different from Adoris. His marriage cannot be decided by himself, but must be beneficial to the rule of our family and the stability of the kingdom!"
Christoia wasn't angry that Davos didn't give Clotho Catakes freedom in marriage. Instead, she smiled happily. She knew that Davos' words meant that he would always regard his own eldest son as his heir to the throne.
Christoia stretched out her snow-white, slender hands and proactively massaged Davos' entire body.
After being awakened, Davos couldn't fall back asleep. He narrowed his eyes, enjoying his wife's gentle service, thinking about things in his heart, and muttered, "It's time to find a wife for Adoris, so that he can settle down sooner, lest he keeps clamoring to go to the Latinum region to fight…"
"You're not planning to send him to the battlefield again?" Christoia asked casually.
"That's impossible! When the Second Legion needs to be sent to war, of course he has to go with them, otherwise what will the other soldiers think!" Davos said without hesitation.
"What about Clotho? He's not even nineteen years old yet, and he's still a reserve soldier," Christoia asked casually again.
"Of course he has to go too—" Davos had just finished saying this when the hands massaging him immediately stopped moving.
He turned to look at Christoia, who had a worried expression and was about to speak, and said solemnly, "He's just following by my side. He's already an adult and should understand what real war is like! In this era, it's difficult to… become a good king without understanding military affairs and war!… Hey, don't stop, my left back is a little sore, give me a good massage."
Christoia dispelled her worries and massaged her husband again with a smile, while asking, "Are you going to the battlefield again this time?"
"…It hasn't been decided yet, it depends on how the battle situation develops…" Davos closed his eyes slightly and said quietly, immersing himself in thought again.
Over the years, Christoia had become accustomed to the victories that her husband had achieved one after another, so she wasn't too worried about his safety.
"Your Majesty, are you still awake?" After a while, Christoia asked softly.
"Hmm?" Davos responded.
"I want to open up a new industry, can you help me think about what would be better to do?"
Davos was stunned and turned to look at Christoia, who was leaning over him and massaging his back, and asked suspiciously, "Is there a problem?"
"Now the kingdom's commerce is becoming more and more prosperous, and there are more and more merchants. Whether it's restaurants, school supplies for students, or sports equipment, there are many new shops and restaurants competing with us. Although, as you said, the commercial… brand we established is already well-known and loved by the kingdom's people, the income has still been slowly declining month by month for the past two years… Therefore, we need a new industry to rapidly increase our profits!" Christoia complained to Davos.
"Don't you still have the bank monopolizing all the deposits and loans in the kingdom!" Davos said dismissively.
"Just having a bank isn't enough. We have so many children, we have to prepare more for them in the future!" Christoia said firmly. In fact, this was a whim. She was stimulated by Davos' previous mention of "Agnese's brother, Alcibiades, organizing Legium merchants to buy grain." She needed to be more wealthy and have more influence in the kingdom's commerce.
Christoia's words about thinking for the future of her children touched Davos. At the same time, this drought also made him feel the financial constraints. Creating new sources of wealth for Christoia would naturally drive a new industry in the kingdom. He tried hard to search his mind for some of the ideas from his previous life that were suitable for the kingdom's trade, but his eyes couldn't help but be attracted by the two snow-white mounds under Christoia's loose robe as she leaned towards him, swaying like water droplets as her delicate body moved. A flash of inspiration flashed through his mind, and he blurted out, "Christoia, you can make women's underwear!"
"Underwear?…" Christoia muttered the new word that Davos had put together, and said with slight disappointment, "Are you referring to the inner lining worn inside? We all make our own at home and wear it ourselves, no one would go to the market to buy it."
"No! I'm not referring to the inner lining!" Davos shook his head and said, "Do you remember that you all wore Aphrodite's breastband when you got married?"
"I didn't wear it when I married you," Christoia didn't forget to complain coquettishly at this time.
Davos was a little dumbfounded and said, "This underwear is a bit like the breastband, but it's more complicated to make than the breastband, more comfortable to wear, and can better accentuate the beauty of a woman's figure and increase the temptation to men…"
Christoia immediately became interested and hurriedly asked, "What does this underwear look like?"
"It is—" Davos wanted to describe it but didn't know how to start. He simply let Christoia lie down and took off her light negligee.
Christoia was almost 40 years old. As a mother of three, although her skin was no longer as tight and elastic as it was when she was younger, it was still white and smooth, and she maintained her figure very well.
Davos could even smell the faint scent of roses emanating from her body, which was very pleasant. He knew that in recent years, Christoia had learned from the Egyptians, adding a little milk and rose petals to the hot water every time she bathed, stirring it before using it. Now it seemed that the effect was obvious.
"Uh… First, let me talk about the bra…" Davos swallowed and stretched out his hands, forming a bowl shape, gently covering Christoia's full and soft breasts, and said, "…First, depending on the size of each woman's breasts, use fabric to make cloth covers in the shape of my hands, and then connect them with thin strips of cloth… extending to the armpits and behind the shoulders, and then fasten them on the back with small buckles…" Davos said as he gently stroked Christoia's skin with his fingers.
Although a numb and itchy sensation made Christoia couldn't help but smile, she tried her best to concentrate on listening.
Davos was also controlling the desire that was slowly rising in his heart. He swallowed again and reached between Christoia's legs.
Christoia couldn't help but tremble slightly, but she heard Davos softly say, "…and underwear for the lower body…" Davos' fingers went from the front to the buttocks, outlining the shape of the panties in this mysterious forbidden area…
Christoia's eyes sparkled with shrewdness, temporarily forgetting the burning lust in her body. She said excitedly: "This is truly a divine object bestowed upon us women by Aphrodite! I can't wait to make them all and promote them to my friends at my parties. I believe they will soon become popular in the kingdom!…"
Davos secretly praised: Christoia's business acumen is very keen after these years of experience, and the kingdom's noble ladies are indeed very likely to become fashion benchmarks.
He added: "You can try to modify the shape, color, and fabric of these underwear to meet the needs of different groups of people…"
"I will have people try it slowly." Christoia's eyes sparkled, her cheeks flushed, and she said Sweet Voice: "Your Majesty, when the trial production is complete, I want to be the first to wear it for you to see…"
Davos stared at her slender Delicate Body, imagining the beautiful scene of her wearing underwear, and his heart was filled with desire.
Just as he was about to press down on his wife, Christoia stretched out her white jade-like arms and pressed him down on the bed, breathing softly in his ear: "Your Majesty, you have given me such a good idea, tonight I will serve you well…"
.....................…
Alexis received Davos' appointment,
After receiving Davos' instructions and reminders, he hurried to the military affairs department and once again selected Eumatheus as his adjutant.
Due to the urgency of time, he did not go home to say goodbye, and no colleagues came to see him off. Only his son-in-law, Stiphilus, rushed to the pier of Thurii port after hearing the news, wanting to see him off, but he had already boarded the fast ship to the great port of Taranto.
More than an hour later, the fast ship docked in the military port of Taranto. This military port, which is stationed by the main force of the Daonian First Fleet, is usually very lively and is completely a prosperous small city, but the start of the Sicilian War caused the fleet to leave, which also made it a bit deserted.
Alexis had no intention of paying attention to these things. With the order from the military affairs department, he exchanged two war horses in the military port, and then galloped with Eumatheus towards Brindisi in the east. His destination was the garrison of the Fourth Cavalry Corps.
Since the soldiers of the Fourth Cavalry Corps came from the Peucetians and Messapians, the military camp of the Fourth Cavalry Corps was set up in the city of Brindisi, which is located between the two regions, in order to facilitate the soldiers to come for training at ordinary times. At the same time, the stationing of the cavalry corps is also conducive to the defense of Brindisi, a military stronghold.
In the afternoon, Alexis arrived in the city of Brindisi.
Brindisi is the only town in the Daonian kingdom designated as a military port, which means that the entire city is serving the military port. The people in the city are mainly sailors and their families from the Fourth Fleet, and a small number are soldiers and their families from the Fourth Cavalry Corps. Of course, it also has an administrative officer, but this administrative officer is not held by a senator, but is appointed by the Senate from among the intermediate administrative officials. When encountering some important or tricky issues in the city, he must discuss and resolve them with the commander of the Fourth Fleet and the commander of the Fourth Cavalry Corps.
Brindisi Port is an excellent deep-water port, and the port area is vast, capable of accommodating thousands of ships at the same time. Davos designated it for military use, in fact, he has his own strategic considerations, but now the kingdom's strategic center is in the north and south, Brindisi Port has not received the kingdom's key support, so the Fourth Fleet is also the weakest of the four major fleets of Daonia, with only 60 triremes, and the total number of warships has just reached a hundred, which is to patrol the Adriatic Sea every day, and the main task is to combat pirates. However, although Brindisi Military Port is small, it has all the necessary facilities.
Alexis went straight to the garrison of the Fourth Cavalry Corps.
In the military commander's mansion, he met Plegures, the commander of the Fourth Cavalry Corps, and Miltiades, the naval commander of the Fourth Fleet, who had already rushed over after hearing the news. Before Alexis arrived, the military affairs department had already sent messengers to quickly inform the commanders of these legions and the commander of the fleet in the east of the kingdom about Alexis' appointment, so the two looked respectful when they saw Alexis.
"Commander Alexis!" Miltiades, the naval commander of the Fourth Fleet, and Plegures, the commander of the Fourth Cavalry Corps, stood up and saluted him.
Alexis returned the salute and said directly without further ado: "Commander Plegures, the military situation is urgent, are your cavalry corps all assembled?!"
Plegures' original name was Plegu, and he was a Messapian. Ten years ago, in the decisive battle between Davos and the Messapian-Apulian coalition forces, he led the Messapian cavalry to cause considerable trouble to the Daonian army. After the Messapian region was conquered and the Fourth Cavalry Corps was formed, he took the lead in leading his people to respond to the recruitment. Due to his prestige, the Peucetians and Messapians enthusiastically signed up, and soon the quota for the cavalry corps was full, and there was even a surplus, which attracted the attention of the military affairs department and Davos, so that Plegu—an alien who had just joined the Daonian army—was just put on the Daonian corps' battle robe and was appointed as the captain of the Fourth Cavalry Corps. A few years later, he took over the position of commander of the Fourth Cavalry Corps. His speed of promotion was unprecedented in the Daonian army.
On the one hand, because the Fourth Cavalry Corps was entirely composed of Messapians and Peucetians, it was more conducive to command by a Messapian as the commander; on the other hand, he was also a benchmark for the Messapians and Peucetians in the Daonian army, thereby demonstrating the Daonian kingdom's equality for all races.
Davos personally announced the appointment to Plegu and warmly entertained him in the palace, holding high expectations for him.
And Plegu did not disappoint Davos' trust. Soon after returning to Brindisi, he changed his name to Plegures, which is similar to a Greek name, thereby showing his loyalty to the kingdom.
"It has already been assembled and is waiting for your order!" Plegures replied confidently. As soon as the Samnites invaded, he received the news. Because in the previous military affairs department's plan, the Tenth Legion and the Fourth Cavalry Corps stationed in the Peucetian region also had the task of assisting in the defense of the Daunian region, so he immediately began to summon the cavalry under his command.
"Very good!" Alexis praised and then gave the order: "Commander Plegures, immediately assemble your cavalry and prepare to go north. In addition, send your cavalry guard to deliver my order to the Udine military camp and give it to Commander Tegetilos."
Saying that, Alexis handed the written order that he had prepared before departure to Plegures. The content of this written order was to ask Tegetilos to assemble the Ninth Legion to go north, and also to assemble its reserve soldiers to garrison the military camp and ensure the safety of the Messapian region.
Before Plegures left the hall, Miltiades couldn't wait to ask: "Commander, what is the mission of our Fourth Fleet?"
Two years ago, when Alexis led his troops to attack Daonia, he had close cooperation with the Fourth Fleet. He had a good relationship with Miltiades, so he smiled and said: "The war has just begun, you don't need to be so anxious."
"How can I not be anxious! The First and Second Fleets are fighting the Carthaginians in the south, and the Third Fleet is assisting the First Legion in the north. Our Fourth Corps can't just sit idly by and watch!" Miltiades said eagerly.
"This time, it is impossible for your Fourth Fleet to sit idly by and watch." Alexis said with a smile and handed him an order from the military affairs department.
Miltiades took it and looked at it, his face showing surprise: "The military affairs department wants our Fourth Fleet to patrol the entire coastline from Messapia to Frentani, intercept any suspicious ships, and sink them if necessary!… I originally thought that the Fourth Fleet would only be responsible for transporting supplies and troops, and protecting the coast of the Daunian region… I didn't expect that the military affairs department would let the Fourth Fleet control such a long coastline!"
"Isn't this what you expected? We Daonia don't only have the Samnites as enemies. I have taken away the Ninth and Tenth Legions, and the Messapian and Peucetian regions are empty of troops. We have to rely on your Fourth Fleet to ensure the maritime safety of my rear!" Alexis said solemnly.
Miltiades listened, seemingly lost in thought.
"Also, it would be best if you arranged a few fast ships at the port of West Pentum City. That way, if I need the assistance of the Fourth Fleet, you can be notified quickly."
Miltiades, upon hearing this, exclaimed with dissatisfaction, "Our Fourth Fleet only has a hundred warships in total! We have to patrol such a long coastline, intercept any hostile forces coming from the sea, and also assist you in battle… My warships and sailors are completely insufficient!"
"If the Fourth Fleet performs exceptionally in this war, I believe the Department of Military Affairs will definitely consider increasing the size of the Fourth Fleet," Alexis could only encourage him in this way.
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
Praegules quickly assembled the Fourth Cavalry Legion, and Alexis immediately led these two thousand cavalrymen out of Brundisium, heading swiftly north into the Puchetii region.
By evening, they finally arrived at the military camp near Silvium City.
After the Fourth Legion Commander, Melisanda, personally welcomed Alexis into the camp, Alexis, who had been traveling all day with hardly any rest, was so tired that he was swaying as he walked. After all, at over 50 years old, he didn't have the vigorous energy of a young man, but he was still concerned and asked, "Has the Tenth Legion been assembled yet?"
"The brothers are all in the military camp," the youngest legion commander said in a loud voice. "We are just waiting for your command, Commander, and we will immediately rush to the battlefield."
"Arrange accommodation for the cavalry legion, and also arrange a place for me to sleep, so I can get a good night's rest." Overwhelmed by sleepiness, Alexis couldn't help but yawn. "Tomorrow… first thing in the morning, we'll set off!"
The soldiers around who heard this were all excited.
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
Early the next morning, the bugle call sounded in the camp.
The soldiers of the Tenth Legion and the Fourth Cavalry Legion, as required, did not pack their armor and weapons into bundles to be carried on their shoulders, but hurriedly put them on, walked out of the barracks, and headed towards the training ground.
Meanwhile, in the camp's conference room, Alexis, Melisanda, and Praegules urgently convened a brief military meeting.
"What is the enemy situation in the Daonia region now?" Alexis asked.
As the Tenth Legion, which was adjacent to the Daonia region,
Melisanda naturally had the most and most timely understanding of the situation. He immediately replied, "According to the reports from the scouts yesterday, the main force of the Samnites is still besieging Asculum and Vibinum, and the enemies occupying Grumum have not left either, but a small number of Samnites have rushed into the hinterland of Daonia to plunder…"
In fact, only a little over two days had passed since the Samnites invaded, and it was impossible for the Samnites to move so quickly to attack new targets.
Alexis then asked, "Where is the Eleventh Legion?"
"Still stationed at the military camp," Melisanda replied.
Alexis was already familiar with the terrain there when he occupied the Daonia region two years ago.
The central town of Daonia, Luceria, is not located in the center of the Daonia region, but is more towards the northwest, closer to the Samnite mountains, and there are no large towns on its west side as a barrier. If the Samnites launched a surprise attack from the mountains, they could reach the city in just over half a day. Therefore, after the Daonia region was conquered and Antonios took office as the chief administrator of Luceria, this chief administrator, who came from the military, wrote to Davos suggesting that the military camp in the Daonia region be located on the west side of Luceria as a fortress to protect the security of Luceria.
This suggestion was approved by Davos.
Therefore, with Asculum, Vibinum, and Grumum all under attack, and Luceria possibly facing a three-pronged attack, it was a prudent approach for the newly built Eleventh Legion to garrison the military camp and await reinforcements.
Alexis pondered for a while and then made a decision: "The Tenth Legion and the Fourth Cavalry Legion will cross the Ofanto River upstream and go directly to rescue Asculum!"
"Yes!" Both Praegules and Melisanda were excited.
Adjutant Eumathes then reminded, "Commander, we don't know how many enemies there are in Asculum? Are there any ambushes? … Isn't it too risky to attack with just one legion and cavalry? We must be wary of the First Legion's lesson!"
"I believe in the combat power of the Tenth Legion and the Fourth Cavalry Legion! I also believe that the Samnites will not expect our reinforcements to launch an attack on them so quickly, which will leave them unprepared!" Alexis raised his head slightly and said confidently, "Even if there really is a large Samnite force in Asculum that can surround us, as long as we can hold on, I believe Capus, Antonios, and even Tigetillos will definitely rush to our rescue with all their might. This is a perfect opportunity to defeat the main force of the Samnites in one fell swoop!"
Alexis had read the First Legion's battle report, and he was very clear that although the strength and type of troops he now led were very similar to those of Amyntas, who had recently rescued Volsci, unlike Amyntas's isolated operation, he was fighting within the national border!
He firmly believed that once an abnormality occurred, Capus, Antonios… these old comrades-in-arms would definitely come to the rescue with all their might, even if he and Antonios had had some minor conflicts before.
… … … … … … … … … … … …
The siege of Asculum was mainly carried out by the Pentri tribe. It should be said that their attack was very sudden. When they invaded Asculum, the Asculum people were still grazing cattle and sheep or planting fields, completely unprepared.
Upon learning of the Samnite invasion, many civilians panicked and ran towards the city, with Samnite warriors closely following behind, attempting to take the opportunity to rush into the city.
However, the chief administrator of Asculum was Hegesias, the former leader of the Silenti tribe who had bravely resisted the oppression of the Bruttian League, sparking the Daonian conquest of Bruttium. Later, he assisted Hiero in participating in the South Italian War, and for more than ten years after that, he served as the city chief administrator of the Bruttian region, Messapian region, and Puchetii region. It can be said that his administrative experience was not only rich, but he was also no stranger to military affairs.
A few months ago, he received a warning from the Department of Military Affairs, requesting that all towns in Daonia strengthen their vigilance and be careful of Samnite attacks!
He did not treat it as a child's play. He not only mobilized the people to strengthen the city defenses and increased the number of patrols to strengthen the patrols on the city walls, but also gathered citizens who had participated in military training in the city square every few days to practice formations and fighting for one or two hours. He also organized citizens with horses into a squad, taking turns patrolling the foothills to the west every day…
After dozens of days, everything in the Samnite mountains was as usual, with no signs of war. Due to repeated persuasion from his subordinates (after all, frequent military training was not conducive to the upcoming spring plowing), he slightly relaxed his vigilance and reduced training. Unexpectedly, at this time, the Samnites attacked.
The Asculum scouts patrolling outside the city quickly discovered the enemy situation, shouting, "The Samnites are attacking!" to notify the villagers along the way to evacuate, while rushing back to the city.
After receiving the news, Hegesias did not panic too much. He ordered the city gates to be closed, the drawbridge to be raised, and the alarm bells to be rung at the same time, so that the young and middle-aged citizens still in the city could take up shields and spears to defend the city.
At the same time, he also asked the soldiers on the city walls to shout to the fleeing civilians outside the city, advising them to flee to Herdonia further east, and that the gates of Asculum would never be opened while the enemy was attacking!
It was precisely because of the implementation of these measures that when the Samnite army, mainly composed of Pentri warriors, arrived at the city, they saw that Asculum had already been prepared.
Although the number of citizens who could fight in the city at this time was not very large due to the Samnite surprise attack, Asculum was also a large city in the Daonia region with eight-meter-high city walls.
The Samnites rushed over without carrying siege equipment. Badani could only order tens of thousands of warriors to form a formation under the city and roar in unison, trying to intimidate the Asculum people into opening the city and surrendering.
How could Hegesias be intimidated by such a formation?
Badani had no choice but to set up camp outside the city.
In the next day or so, Badani ordered the warriors to cut down trees and make a large number of ladders and rolling logs to launch an offensive against Asculum, trying to take advantage of their superior numbers to capture this important town in the southwestern part of the Daonia region and revitalize the prestige of the Pentri tribe and himself as the great chieftain.
Therefore, from the beginning, Badani ordered the troops to launch a fierce attack.
The Samnite warriors carried ladders and rolling logs, risking being hit by javelins and arrows, and swiftly attacked the city from the north, west, and south.
Hegesias, as the chief administrator, personally led the citizen soldiers to bravely resist on the city walls.
The Samnite offensive was like a tide. One wave was defeated, and another wave attacked again. The continuous attacks gradually made the outnumbered Asculum citizen soldiers unable to resist.
By the afternoon, the Samnites had climbed the west city wall several times. Hegesias hurriedly gathered the few remaining reserve soldiers and managed to drive them off the city again with great difficulty. Then, soldiers rushed from the south city wall: "Lord Hegesias, the enemy has climbed the city wall. Patrol Officer Kopkas is requesting reinforcements from you!"
"Where do I have any reinforcements here?!" Hegesias gave a wry smile, reaching out to wipe the blood splattered on his face that was obscuring his vision. Looking at the citizen soldiers around him who were exhausted and collapsing, the deafening roars of the Samnite warriors came from under the city. A moment of fear flashed through his heart, but he resolutely turned back and said to the administrative adjutant: "You immediately rush into the city and gather the old men to reinforce the south city! Hold on! Tell Kopkas to hold on! As long as we hold on today! Reinforcements will arrive tomorrow!"