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Chapter 24 Little Thor (1)

"When the harmony is ineffective, violence can be used." - Gonaiyi

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When Libida supplied the army in Corduba and advanced towards the Eporo River further north, Avranius on the battlefield of Elaerda was also experiencing extreme hesitation. His concern was the same as those of Varo and others, that was, he could not see the hope of victory: after all, no one could replace Pompei, five legions, dozens of teams of allies, and five thousand cavalrymen, with a total of about 60,000 people. He had previously won the brilliant victory of annihilation of the three legions of Caesar, but

Caesar on the opposite side did not panic, but fought with him and nature without hesitation. He seemed to be a man who enjoyed this kind of struggle. He actually reopened the supply route, and his blood replenishment ability was terrifying. The subsequent legions continued to flow, which was the most incredible thing for Aphranius, "Why, why did Caesar conquering Gaul, fighting while being gentle, but he could get such great support. But we have been managing Spain for so many years, but the tribes have rebelled one after another?"

But Aphranius didn't have much time to consider, especially when he learned that there was a Caesar's silence army in the rear, which had swept the province of Lusitania and began to approach his rear, he vaguely felt that the idea that "the five legions run by Pompey" was "invincible in the world". Don't say that the enemy attacking behind was Caesar who confronted him through the shallows of the river. Who knew where three or five legions would emerge from immediately to join Caesar's camp and oppress himself?

At the same time, Caesar's tactic of Huaru began to become violently violent. The other party comforted the prisoners in previous battles, distributed travel expenses one after another, and released them back to their own barracks, with many detailed works mixed in between. Then the plot and unstable movements spread like a virus. The barbarian allies had begun to flee, and many centurions of regular legions were also shaken. "We have families in Spain, so who can give us retirement money and land, not Pompei's private team."

So, when several senior centurions found him personally, Aphranius understood what the intention meant, "What do you mean is to ask me to negotiate with Caesar?"

"This is natural. After all, you have served as a consul before, with qualifications and prestige to ensure the safety of our team. Now Caesar's cavalry cut off the road between our barracks and the city of Elaerda. So you, we only have three choices left. One is to sit in place, wait for Caesar's men to advance north and south, and eventually annihilate our army; instead, break through Caesar's blockade, go to Elaerda, and defend with the city defense, which is just a little longer and delayed. The last one is to follow the Eporo River to Taraco. Although this road is far and rugged, as long as we act decisively and win time, we can take the ships of the provincial fleet and go to Afilica to meet Pompeii, so it is the best way." A chief centurion suggested.

"But Caesar will send powerful cavalry to pursue us, and maybe we will collapse halfway."

"This is the purpose of our coming and asking you to negotiate with him, to calm him down and deceive him, and to give us plenty of time to organize guards."

Aphranius laughed and retorted, "Do you think Caesar is so stupid and will be fooled by such a childish thing!" "What I am afraid of is that fake peace talks will become true, and under the manipulation of a person like Caesar."

Seeing the general's reaction, the centurions showed dissatisfaction and then handed them to Aphranius's block. When he took it, he was shocked. This was the signature seal of the officers and soldiers in the battalion, including the military guardians and the centurion. He asked the army to surrender to Caesar if they had no choice. The name of his own son was actually on it. The young man was probably inspired by a warm atmosphere. Not only did he agree on it, he also volunteered to act as a secret envoy to contact Caesar's army, and even became hostages.

"Who else knows this?" Aphranius asked in a deep voice, pressing the board and holding it down.

The centurion, who led the lead, deliberately said generously, "There is only one signature board. If the general thinks that it hurts his reputation, he can burn it in front of us. Only the gods can clarify what happened tonight."

"No, don't act rashly for the time being. This kind of thing is too serious and you have to make a long-term plan. Do you understand what I mean?" Aphranius certainly would not be so naive that he thought the words in the centurion were sincere. He returned the words, but he only pointed out the meaning, that is, the real power of the army was still controlled by Pompei's confidant Peletaus, and his problems must be solved first.

The centurions were also concerned, so they nodded and went out.

In the following days, Caesar's side began a fierce offensive, and a large number of cavalry under his subordinates began to attack Aphranius's water-drawing route, often fighting with Syketus. However, because Caesar was the attacking party and always had more choices on the route than the defensive party, the soldiers began to yell and complain, "Getting a can of water may cost a life."

Now, Pompei's youngest son, Seyktus, nicknamed "Little Thor", got angry. He is a man with red skin, curly hair, and acne on his face. When he gets angry, he is red to the tip of his nose and blends with the small Carthage red horse under his crotch. Although he is now a cavalry captain and a military civilian guardian, because of his father, neither commander can take his anger lightly.

So, Avranius and Peletaus led the Spanish barbarian leather shield soldiers, known for their light and fast courage, and about four brigades, to observe the situation on the entire battlefield. Finally, after consultation with Syketus's father-in-law, Lipo, to find a way to solve the problem: immediately turn the soldiers of the two legions into engineers, and build a wall between the river and the camp, so that they can form a safe corridor with the parallel rivers, and set up guard posts and wooden towers, so that they will no longer have to worry about Caesar's cavalry attacks.

Just as the two commanders went to supervise the work, the most unstable legions and auxiliary soldiers who were left behind in the camp began to connect. Under the instigation of Caesar's spy, they began to consciously take up weapons and rebel. The crazy words were transmitted from one camp to another. Finally, they rushed out intentionally and blindly, imprisoned the centurion who came to carry out discipline. Then they imitated the Roman political tradition and elected ten representatives to negotiate with the commanders, discuss the matter of stop the war, or immediately took them out of this ghost place, to Taraco, or New Carthage.

Siktus, who was commanding soldiers to build a camp, was naked with a strong upper body, suddenly his whole body was as red as a torch on the Joker's Day in Roman City. He inserted his pickaxe to the ground, shouting at the two commanders standing beside the fortifications, "How do you two lead the army and why are mutiny such an unhonest act?" (To be continued...)
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