Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

These Phoenician towns were all terrified.

Soon, the towns near Sarros welcomed Dionyssia’s messengers and made a strong request: let them surrender immediately to Dionysian, otherwise the army will attack and the Saros will be their end!

The actual rulers of these towns, the Carthage judges, either died in battle or were blocked in St. Ibania due to road obstruction. The city hall officials who lost the command of the heads were at a loss, and the people were panic-stricken. .

…………………………………………

Although Morbal won a naval battle, he was not happy, but he became heavier, not because the casualties of the Carthage Merchant Marines who served as bait were too high, but that he discovered the strength of Dionysian Navy He was so strong, so after returning to the port of Carthage, when the people cheered the hard-won naval battle victory, he wrote a letter to the Senate.

In the letter, he outlined the entire process of the naval battle, and then emphasized: He believes that today the Dionysian Navy not only surpasses Carthage in terms of overall strength, but also leads the tactics of Carthage. The Dionysian crew experienced more training, fighting spirit, and ability than the Carthage navy. In a short period of time, the Carthage navy could not regain the dominance of the western Sicilian waters. The war continued, and may even be lost. The control of the coast of Africa puts Carthage directly under threat from the sea.For the safety of Carthage, we should temporarily negotiate with Dionysia, win time, rebuild the Canadian Taichi Navy, formulate new naval tactics against the Dionysia Navy, and strengthen training in order to regain the dominance at sea in the future...

When the content of this letter was read in the Senate, it immediately caused an uproar in the venue.

For the first time someone told the truth so bluntly, based on Morbar’s own reputation and status in the navy, what he said was more credible, but he has always claimed to be the Carthage of the “Western Mediterranean Sea Power” The shy cloth was ripped off, making many veterans very dissatisfied with this, especially when he also mentioned "peace with Dionysia", which even touched some people's counterscale.

The Margonides, led by Pretacouba, attacked it.They criticized Morbal for being too old and completely lacking the courage to be young. When both countries have expended huge resources, gathered such a large army, and are about to wage an unprecedented war to determine the fate of the country, he said Out of these words that shake the morale of the people, if it is not known that he has made a lot of contributions to Carthage in the past few decades, he will certainly be considered a traitor to Carthage and want to betray Carthage’s interests, so in In such an important war, Morbar, who was already timid, was no longer suitable to serve as the commander of the Carthage Navy.

The Hanno faction headed by Hanno is supporting Morbar.They commended Morbar for his great achievements for Carthage in the past, or now he knows that these words will undermine his prestige in the past, but he still said it bravely. He is a true patriot.Among the citizens of Carthage, there is no more experienced and knowledgeable naval general than Morbar. Even he thinks so, this shows that the Carthage navy is indeed at a disadvantage. Since it is so, it should be taken advantage of. Before the victory in a naval battle and before showing a clear decline, it is the most correct and unselfish approach to negotiate with Dionia.

The neutrals have shown some differences on this issue.The younger elders, led by El Accra, believed that Carthage had already spent a lot of money on this war. When a battle was about to be fought, a sudden peace was decided. Such a move would not only make The citizens of the city-state are puzzled and will welcome protests from the nobles. The Senate will not be able to explain to the citizens.And since Marco became the commander of the Carthage Army, he has not suffered a defeat in the battle with the Dionysian army (they obviously did not include the night attack of Serinus), maybe the Carthage Navy The Dionysian navy is worse, but the army commanded by Marco is still stronger than the Dionysian army, otherwise why would the Dionysian army not dare to attack us?As long as the army in Sicily can win the battle, the whole battle situation will be very different. At that time, it will be a battle, a peace, and we will have more initiative.

Old veterans headed by Essaluba have vague suggestions: You can send messengers to Dionysia’s camp in the name of reconciliation, first understand the attitude of the Dionysians to reconciliation and their suggestions. Conditions, and then back to the Senate for discussion.

In fact, Ethaluba feels that the Dionysian strength in diplomacy, under the current situation, the conditions they put forward will be more demanding, and the people of Carthage will not accept it, so it can Eliminate the attempts of the veterans headed by the Hanno faction in the senate to compromise, so that the entire senate can work together to face this war.

But Hanno's idea was: Okreton also mentioned peace before, but everyone thought he was a joke.And this time, if you make a reconciliation, even if you don’t succeed in the end, you can leave a mark in the hearts of the elders.When the situation changes again next time, let him talk about it again, then there is a great possibility of success.

Since "peace with Dionysia" is a very important issue, the veterans have been arguing fiercely for several days and cannot make a decision at all.

However, they did not forget the business, and sent someone to remind Mobart in a gentle way: the letters he had written were already known to the elders, and they discussed it.As naval commander, he should devote more energy to how to lead the fleet to protect the route between Sicily and the west, and destroy more Dionysian warships.

Morbal displeased the emissary of the Senate from the Carthage military port.

…………………………………………

As one of the founders of the Dionysian Navy, Seckrian has not lost in more than 10 years, and he is quite prestigious among the people, and he is also supported by the crew in the navy, although Daveus intentionally carried out on him Some suppressed, built four fleets without commanders, but could not suppress his inner confidence and pride, but this time in the naval battle, he was led by the Carthaginians all the way to the end, and finally the Carthaginians Reached the real goal, he was still in the drum, and one can imagine how aggrieved and regretful he was in his heart.

After returning from Miloah, he shut himself in the bedroom and stayed alone for most of the day.

At dusk, he walked out of the room and asked the guards to immediately inform the Sicilian Fleet Commanders to come to the meeting.

Stefacas and the other three hurriedly arrived.

After seeing them, Sectrian immediately told them what he knew from King Davis.

The three looked at each other with surprise that couldn't be said on their faces, especially Stefakas. He never thought that: when he led the squadron to pursue the Carthage merchant ship in the sea of ​​the island, On the north side not far from him, the Carthage people boldly used thousands of merchant ships to transport the Sicilian army, but they didn't even realize it!

Seckrian looked at the battered trio and said with a deep voice: "This time we suffered a failure, but this does not blame you. The responsibility lies mainly with me. I am too stiff to carry out the task given by His Majesty Davis, obviously. The strength of the Sicilian Fleet occupies a great advantage, but only patrolling the Sicilian waters is equivalent to turning the original offensive into a defense. However, it is undoubtedly very difficult to defend in the vast sea, and then encounter a cunning enemy, Let us be very passive!

Since the establishment of our Dionysian navy, even at the weakest point, we have won by bold offensive rather than conservative defense. Offensive is the nature of our Dionysian navy, so I decided to change my previous approach , Proactively launched an attack on Carthage and its Phoenician allies, attacking their territory in Africa, changing our passive situation and boosting the morale of the entire fleet!"

The three of them listened and were refreshed, but they were also a little worried: "Adult, Your Majesty let us concentrate on blocking the Sicilian waters. If we attack, we will not be able to cruise again. Your Majesty knows that we have not carried out his orders, that is-- "

"Don't worry!" Seckrian said confidently: "I remember His Majesty once said,'Offense is the best defense.' As long as we engage in several successful raids, the Carthaginians will worry about the security of their homeland, No longer dare to allow their fleet to stay away from the coast of Africa at will, it will also make it difficult for the leaders of the Carthage fleet to judge whether our Sicilian fleet's actions are offensive or cruising, which is more conducive to our blockade of the Sicilian waters!

In addition, as far as I know, Carthage’s territory and allies in Africa have never been attacked. If we succeed, it will be a great honor, and the Carthaginians will be greatly shaken. Maybe it will change the current stalemate in Sicily and have a more beneficial effect on us!"

After being criticized by Daphes, Seckrian thought for a long time in closed door, and considered it more comprehensively. He finished his thoughts with confidence, and emphasized again: "I have sent a messenger, rushed to Minoa, will me The new plan tells His Majesty that he will definitely approve it."

The three squadron leaders were immediately persuaded by him, and Stefakas eagerly asked, "Master, where are you going to attack?"

Seckrian points his hand to the map already prepared in the table case.

The three of them looked together and exclaimed, "Hadrumentum?!"