Rome Must Perish
Chapter 110 - 89: Assault on Canosa_2

Chapter 110: Chapter 89: Assault on Canosa_2

Of course, the defending soldiers did not go unscathed. The javelins thrown by the rebel army’s javelin throwers positioned by the moat inflicted casualties upon them, but compared to the rebel soldiers’ losses, theirs were significantly fewer.

Siege warfare was, by its very nature, a bloody and brutal affair. Although Maximus had already experienced it once (not counting the surprise attack on Pompeii), he still struggled to fully adapt. He forced himself not to avert his gaze and to scrutinize the soldiers in combat, trying his best to remain calm. Yet his lack of experience made it difficult for him to discern any key points, and instead, he found his mood becoming increasingly restless.

"Quintus, how is the situation now?" he couldn’t help but ask.

"Leader, judging from the current battle situation, what Pigeris had previously reported turned out to be true. The Canossa people were deceived by our earlier actions and have not fully prepared for city defense," Quintus said seriously, gesturing toward the battlefield ahead. "Look, our soldiers are clustered under the city walls. If the enemy were to throw javelins now, they could cause us significant casualties, but they haven’t. What does this indicate? The Canossa people may have already run out of javelins.

Not only that, but they haven’t even set up cauldrons to boil water along the city walls. Pouring boiling water is far more cost-effective than using oil, and it can be used continuously. Although fire attacks are formidable, judging by the current state, their oil reserves likely aren’t substantial.

Furthermore, you see, the wood and stones they’re dropping are primarily focused on the few dozen wooden ladders we’re using to attack. There’s very little action on the other parts of the wall. This suggests that their defensive forces are inadequate, forcing them to focus on key areas of defense..."

Upon hearing this, Maximus’s expression slightly relaxed. "So, does that mean we’re likely to take this city today?"

"The Canossa people are ill-prepared and lack sufficient forces. Facing our all-out assault, it will be difficult for them to hold their ground. However—" Quintus added cautiously, "the Canossa soldiers aren’t as weak as we initially assumed. Their defensive organization is rather decent; we haven’t managed to reach the top of the city walls yet."

"Perhaps that’s because we haven’t gone all out just yet." Maximus thought for a moment and shouted, "Akegu! Immediately head west and inform Leader Attutmus to have the southern feinting forces begin their attack on the city as well, to disperse the enemy’s forces."

"Yes!" Akegu immediately rode off on horseback.

"Since Canosa City belongs to them, they should put in their full effort to hold it," Maximus muttered under his breath, refraining from issuing an order for an all-out attack from his own forces.

Just then, Casius reported loudly, "Leader, Flanitnus has just sent word that the engineering team has completed manufacturing a siege carriage and that it’s being urgently transported here."

"This is fantastic news!" Maximus exclaimed excitedly. "Tell Flanitnus to transport the siege carriage to the southern side of Canosa City and have Attutmus’s soldiers use it to attack the city gate!"

"Understood!"

Maximus’s main forces were attacking the eastern city walls. Why, then, would the siege carriage be directed to the southern wall? Because Canosa City had three exits. The Minucia Avenue runs north to south, so there were city gates on both the northern and southern walls, connected by stone bridges over the moat. The other exit was the river port, situated on the northern side of the city and surrounded by walls.

Why, then, did the rebel army not concentrate its forces on attacking the southern part of Canosa?

Because the southern wall was located on a major avenue frequented by merchants daily. Out of vanity, the Canossa people had allocated resources to maintain it, leaving the southern wall in better condition compared to the eastern and western walls. Additionally, a watchtower stood atop the southern gate, flanked by turrets on both sides. If the rebel soldiers crossed the stone bridge, they would undoubtedly be subjected to concentrated attacks by the defenders, leading to severe casualties. After extensive deliberation, this current attack strategy was chosen.

"Now that the Canossa people have exhausted their javelins and likely have little fuel left, the deployment of the siege carriage at this moment should prove effective," Quintus remarked from nearby.

Maximus nodded and said with a hint of expectation, "I just wonder how our soldiers who infiltrated the city are faring. If they can play their part, taking this city will be no problem at all."

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Back when the rebel army was still marching through the Samnium Mountain Area, Maximus and Attutmus had already agreed after discussions that their first target upon entering the Apulia Region would be Canosa. Based on intelligence gathered from various sources, Quintus had led the staff to draft an initial attack plan. However, Maximus later proposed a "small" suggestion: while the Canossa people were unaware of the rebel army’s threat and remained complacent, a small team would be sent ahead to infiltrate the city and coordinate with the outside forces at the crucial moment to secure the city.

Quintus, Flanitnus, and others—with years of experience in the Roman Army and expertise in direct frontal assaults—had their eyes light up at this proposal. They found Maximus’s approach to be a brilliant application of their earlier tactics from the surprise attack on Pompeii. However, what they didn’t know was that Maximus had simply recalled the strategies employed by Nu’er Hachi during the late Ming era. His success in capturing numerous Ming strongholds in the Northeast had contributed to the rise of the Qing dynasty.

After careful deliberation, the leaders of Maximus’s army decided that Albazus—who had long made a living as a street performer in towns and was known for his eloquence—would lead a team of thirty soldiers disguised as a caravan selling wheat. They would quietly advance ahead, while the rebel forces deliberately slowed their march.

According to reports from scouts, this caravan had successfully entered the city three days prior...

At this very moment, the secret detachment on Maximus’s mind had just endured a false alarm.

After entering Canosa City, Albazus and his group lodged at a trade inn, presenting themselves as the steward of a Roman Noble who had come to the Samnium Mountain Area to buy grain. They claimed that the invasion by the rebel army had blocked their route, forcing them to come here. To avoid further losses, they stated that they were willing to sell their wheat at a reduced price.

Though the prices were lowered, the Apulia Region’s agricultural and pastoral conditions were already favorable. Canosa City had a relatively small population and no real shortage of grain. Moreover, with news of the rebel invasion spreading, panic among the people deterred any buyers. This allowed Albazus and his men to linger in the city without suspicion.

It wasn’t until today, when the rebel army began its assault, that Albazus gathered his soldiers and prepared to retrieve the short swords hidden in their wagons, awaiting the right moment to launch a surprise attack. However, just then, a City Guard Officer arrived at the inn, startling Albazus and making him think their cover had been blown.

Once the leaders of the various trade caravans staying at the inn had gathered, the City Guard Officer announced that due to insufficient defensive forces, the Canosa Governor hoped the merchants remaining in the city could provide manpower to assist in its defense.

Why was it a "hope" and not a "demand"? Because the Canosa Governor knew that merchant caravans capable of long-distance trade were either wealthy elites from other cities or had some connections to the Roman Nobles. He was wary of creating unnecessary trouble for himself.

Some caravan leaders outright refused, reasoning that since the rebel army had not entirely surrounded the city, they could easily escape via the river port with minimal losses.

To everyone’s surprise, Albazus gave an impassioned speech about how "as Roman citizens, it is our duty to contribute to our country in times of crisis," leaving the others with no room to decline.

The City Guard Officer was overjoyed and promptly equipped Albazus and his caravan members with shields and long spears. They were soon sent, along with other recruited individuals, to the western city wall.