ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 987 Davos’ strategic adjustment
"Yes, Hadrumentum." Sekerian said loudly: "Although it is far away from us, because of the long distance, the Carthaginians must have neglected to take precautions. More importantly, the Sicilian fleet had We were attacked and suffered heavy losses, even Miltias was killed in the battle. Later, after interrogating the prisoners, we learned that the fleet that attacked us came from the Phoenicians from the eastern continent, and their fleet was stationed here!"

Sekerian tapped the icon of Hadrumentum with his finger, and said with hatred: "Since these East Phoenicians who have never been to the Western Mediterranean in the past can successfully attack from Hadrumentum. With our fleet, of course we can successfully attack Hadrumentum, destroy their remaining warships, capture them all, and avenge our dead brothers!”

The three of them listened and nodded solemnly.

As a result, the three of them made active preparations in accordance with Sekerian's requirements.

......................................................

On the second day, in Minoa Dionia camp, Davos read Sekelian's letter and couldn't help sighing: "This Sekelian is going to take risks again!"

Thormid took the letter, read it with Printors, and said with relief: "Your Majesty, isn't Cykerian's idea consistent with your next plan?"

"If the Sicilian Fleet successfully attacked Hadrumentum, maybe...the Carthaginian Senate will really force the Carthaginian army in Sicily to attack us." Plinthors also said after deliberation.

"Since Cykrian is willing to take risks, let him attack. When the Third Fleet arrives, let Midorades take on more cruise tasks." Davers thought for a while and said solemnly: "But be reminded He should not underestimate the fleet commander of Carthage. When raiding the coast of Africa, he needs to fully consider various unexpected situations and be fully prepared..."

"I'll reply to him right away," Tormid said.

At this time, Martius walked into the big tent: "Your Majesty, a letter from the Third Fleet."

Did Midorades receive our order so quickly? ! ...Davos was subconsciously surprised, but he immediately understood: This is impossible. It takes at least three days to sail from Minoa to Alenia, and even to Trina Naval Base, it takes at least two days. God, it was impossible for Midorades to receive the order and respond in such a short period of time.

So he opened the letter curiously, and then exclaimed: "Medorades and Tagetinos actually raided Saint Ibinia on the island of Sardinia, and also captured Saros!"

Upon hearing this, Tormid and Printors hurriedly came over to read the battle report.

"This Midorades is quite a surprise!" Davos sighed again.

"Your Majesty, the navy has a senior general who can win battles. This is the blessing of Hades, and it also increases the kingdom's chances of defeating Carthage!" Printors was still pondering the battle report carefully. Tormid immediately congratulated Davos.

"This is really a happy trouble!" Davos looked at the two of them and asked: "Now that the Third Fleet and the Ninth Army have achieved such a great victory in Sardinia, let them continue to fight in Sardinia." Will Niya expand the results of the war? Or will the Third Fleet be transferred back as planned?"

"Your Majesty." Printors said after careful consideration: "... Judging from the battle report, the Third Fleet and the Ninth Legion severely damaged the only Phoenician army on Sardinia, and also occupied Sardinia. The important towns of Sardinia and the ports of Saint Ibinia can be said to have successfully completed the task you gave them to 'destroy the transportation of precious metals from Sardinia to Carthage'. Saint Ibinia on the island and Facing the threat of the Ninth Legion, other Phoenician city-states can no longer risk metal smelting and transportation, and there is no force on the island that can compete with the Ninth Legion, which has a relatively complete lineup. Tagetilos is stable. After defeating the order of Saros, we can continue to attack the nearby weak Phoenician towns..."

"You mean... the plan of the Third Fleet to mobilize to Sicily remains unchanged, and the Ninth Army will be independently responsible for the task of conquering Sardinia." Daves tapped his fingers on the back of the chair and asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Davos pondered for a while, and then whispered: "Carthage needs the precious metals of Sardinia to support their war, and our treasury is also in urgent need of gold and silver! But Tagetinos only understands Fighting wars, not knowing how to govern towns..."

He thought again, turned to look at Henipolis who was sitting quietly recording, and said loudly: "Heni, you should immediately write a letter to the Senate and ask them to immediately elect a senator with strong political ability to serve as the administrator of Saros. Sir, his main task is to manage the Phoenician towns conquered by the Ninth Legion, restore the production of precious metals there, and provide the kingdom with sufficient Sardinian precious metals."

Governing the Phoenician towns conquered by the Ninth Legion?If the Ninth Legion conquered all the Phoenician towns on Sardinia, wouldn't the administrator of Saros become the governor of Sardinia? ... As soon as Henepolis heard this, he wanted to remind Davos, but he changed his mind and gave up the idea.

After all, as a half-scholar, Henepolis had read information about the island of Sardinia. During this period of following Davos, he learned some secrets: "...Carthage wanted to better control Sardinia. Asia does not allow the towns of Sardinia to be too strong, so they consciously control the population of various Phoenician towns. The most common methods are two: reducing the import of food and encouraging, or even forcing overpopulation. Colonial cities were built in towns, and new towns were built on the African continent within the control of Carthage. Therefore, except for Salos and Kalaris, which had a population of tens of thousands, the other Phoenician towns in Sardinia The population is less than 5000, and even many towns have a population of less than [-].

The reason why Saros has a large population is not because they have a fertile plain along the river, but because Carthage needs Saros to have enough people to provide labor for the smelting and transportation of precious metals in St. In the event of sudden danger, Saros could provide swift force protection at the nearest location. Of course, the power to send troops was in the hands of the Carthaginian judges.

As for Calaris, it was because Carthage used it as the main port for trade in Sardinia. Of course, it needed enough manpower to load and unload goods, transport goods to other towns, and provide accommodation for Carthage merchants. , entertainment and other services...

Therefore, according to the estimates of the Dionian Intelligence Department, the Phoenician population on the entire island of Sardinia is far less than the population of Thurii City, which is similar to Crotone, Catanai, and Tarantum. The population of the big city is about the same...perhaps because of this, His Majesty feels that the position of chief executive is enough. "

Henipolis looked at Davos, but his mind was filled with thoughts.

Of course Davos didn't know that Hernipolis had thought about so many things at this moment, and he continued: "Tormid, you write a letter to the Military Affairs Department and ask Hiros to find a way to give Tagetinos sent 3 to 4 brigades of reserve soldiers to ensure that the Ninth Legion had enough troops to complete the conquest of Sardinia."

Tormid did not respond immediately, but hesitated to speak.

"Is there any problem?" Davos asked.

"Your Majesty, there should be no problem with the Ministry of Military Affairs sending another 4000 reserve soldiers to Sardinia. But according to your Majesty's idea, the more than 1 soldiers headed by the Ninth Legion may stay in Sardinia for a long time. For a period of time, this will be a huge consumption of military rations. Now the kingdom has done its best to supply military rations to the Sicilian army..."

Davos showed a smile and said calmly: "It is precisely because I know that the kingdom has done its best to support this war that I asked Tagetinos to conquer Sardinia and wait until The administrator of Saros is in place, preparing for the arrival of the soldiers. The first target of Tagetinos' attack should be Saint Ibinia. After capturing it, the administrator will reorganize the manpower, dig ore, smelt metal, and then By transporting the precious metals back to Thurii, the kingdom's treasury will be replenished. This new money can be used to buy food in Cyrenaica, Egypt, and the Uk Star Sea. Not only can it satisfy Tagetinos' 1 The supply of military rations for many people can greatly ease the financial burden of the kingdom... Therefore, this issue should be emphasized in the letter to the Senate and the Ministry of Military Affairs."

Henipolis had already guessed what Davos was thinking, so his expression was relatively calm, while Thormid and Printors suddenly realized it, and Thormid repeatedly expressed his admiration for Davos' decision.

"Any war launched must serve the interests of the kingdom. If we fight just for the sake of war, even if we can win, it will not benefit us, then there is no need to start this war." Davos couldn't help but say more. Seeing that the two of them were deep in thought, he paused for a moment, and then changed the topic: "Our original plan was to transfer the Third Fleet and station it on the north coast of Sicily, obeying Sekerian's command, and work together Blockade the western sea area of ​​​​Sicily. But now that Midorades has made new achievements, I will transfer the third fleet to Sicily at this time to obey the command of Seclian, will he be a little dissatisfied? "

"Your Majesty, as far as I know, Midolades is not a flamboyant person. He has never made any excessive demands on the Military Affairs Department. He should not be dissatisfied. Besides, Sekerian is his The former commander..." Tormid said with relief.

(End of this chapter)