Rome Must Perish-Chapter 255 - 163: Farming During War

After Cabdes vented with Andres, he softly reminded, "Great Chief, these recent battles with the enemy have cost our tribe most of its warriors. Even if we wish to fight again, we lack the manpower, and the enemy’s combat strength remains formidable!"

"You’re scared?!" Andres glared.

Cabdes quickly explained, "Great Chief, it’s not fear; rather, given our tribe’s current situation, we cannot muster enough warriors to fight the enemy in the short term."

"We don’t have enough, but other Pannonian tribes do!" Andres resolutely said. "You must return to the tribe with the warriors and first comfort our people. I must head to Mazi to ask the alliance for aid! I’ll swiftly bring back enough warriors from other tribes to form a new army, defeat this enemy, and rescue our captured tribesmen as soon as possible! If we’re delayed, many of our captured tribesmen might die from enemy abuse!"

Andres said this last sentence because they originally treated captured Skodisqi people in that manner. The reason he decided to head directly to the Pannonian Tribe Alliance instead of returning to the tribe was partly because he felt ashamed to face those left behind, whose complaints about losing husbands and fathers would be unbearable.

"Since the Great Chief has made a decision, I am willing to follow your arrangement." Cabdes respectfully responded.

"Good, let’s head out now." Andres said impatiently, "On the way, you must tell me in detail about what you saw in the enemy camp."

"Yes, Great Chief."

The two went out and began gathering the resting warriors in the fort.

Anrotas hurriedly arrived, "Great Chief, I heard you’re leaving now?! What will we do once you’re gone?!"

"Didn’t I say that the enemy has retreated? They didn’t even occupy those two empty forts to the east and won’t attack you."

Andres said impatiently, "If the enemy really attacks with their army and you can’t hold them back, you can first retreat with the tribesmen to the Sava River. It won’t take long before I lead an army to recapture your fort and completely eliminate the enemy!"

After speaking, Andres carefully sat into the saddled litter with the assistance of his guards.

Anrotas wanted to say more, but Cabdes gave him a glance, shook his head, and he swallowed his words, blankly watching Andres lead the army away...

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

The day Andres was waiting in the fort was a busy day for Maximus.

According to Flanitnus’s final battle results, the rebel army captured nearly 7,000 Segestica warriors, with over 2,000 Segestica warriors either killed or seriously injured on the battlefield, while the number of enemies who perished in the marsh was left uncounted by Flanitnus.

The results were glorious, yet post-battle affairs were even busier.

The treatment of the wounded rebel soldiers, the commemoration and cremation of those fallen, and the arrangement of the captured Segestica warriors — all these matters required Maximus’s personal involvement or approval.

Among these, the most crucial task was how to handle so many Segestica warrior captives.

Maximus quickly decided to execute the prisoner agreement made with the Alde Tribe, immediately transferring 6,000 Segestica warrior captives to Budocaribas for distribution to other Alde Tribes. This left the rebel army with only over 4,000 captives, making supervision much easier.

Faced with the formidable Pannonians, despite such a victory, Maximus felt a strong sense of urgency. Therefore, another equally important matter was quickly expanding and upgrading the temporary camp.

The Public Works Department head Capito had led his men in planning the camp’s expansion. The next step was assigning people to work.

Over 4,000 Segestica warrior captives, plus 4,000 rebel soldiers, a total of more than 8,000 people were involved in building the camp. Another 4,000 rebel soldiers were responsible for guarding the captives and protecting the camp. Under the diligent supervision and guidance of the Public Works Department, the project of expanding the camp and improving its defenses was expected to be completed in a short time.

During his inspection of the massive worksite, Maximus couldn’t resist jumping into the ditch to help the soldiers with sharpening wood sticks and driving pointed stakes with short swords...but soon after, Volenus came calling for him.

"Chief, have you really decided not to move to that fort in the east yet?!" Volenus asked with concern.

"Not yet," Maximus lifted the tent flap, walked into the military tent, patiently explaining, "Even though we’ve secured a victory, the Segestica people won’t easily give up, and their next assault will be more troublesome.

Should we move there hastily, and if the Segestica Army quickly assaults again, we’d have to withdraw back. Instead of making such back-and-forth moves and wasting time, it’s better to first strengthen our real encampment here, with support from our Aldean Alliance, to ensure our safety while observing the Segestica people, and then plan accordingly."

"How long will we be here?" Volenus pressed further.

"I can’t say for sure; it depends on the Segestica people’s actions," Maximus said just as Casius brought him a basin of clean water. Squatting down, washing the dirt off his hands, he added, "Do you think I don’t want everyone to move over as soon as possible?! This morning, I released a captured Segestica Chief to deliver a message to their Great Chief, hoping for a ceasefire. If so, we could farm in peace!"

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