Rome Must Perish
Chapter 146 - 108: Internal Strife and Division_2

Chapter 146: Chapter 108: Internal Strife and Division_2

"Hmm." Maximus replied vaguely.

"We really overestimated ourselves." From behind came the voice of Antonix, who said seriously, "Actually, we don’t need to discuss this any further. According to our previous rules, major decisions are made by the soldier conference. Now that so many soldiers demand to ’abandon the battle and retreat north’, we should heed their opinion."

As Antonix spoke, the tent flap lifted and Spartacus and Hamilcar, with grim faces, walked in heavily, suggesting their attempt to persuade Cross had failed.

Upon entering, Spartacus directly said, "Leaders, the Roman Army is approaching the Turi Plain. They are only about three or four days away from us. Initially, we decided to confront the Romans here, but the majority of our brothers... oppose fighting them. Hence, we must reconvene to decide whether to abandon our previous plan and choose to retreat northward..."

As Spartacus spoke, his gaze fixed on Maximus, since the stances of the other leaders were already clear; his words were actually directed at Maximus.

Maximus sensed a hint of reluctance and helplessness in his eyes and didn’t respond immediately but instead asked, "Even if we leave here, the Romans will relentlessly pursue us. Are we to keep marching north indefinitely?"

"Uh, yes." Hamilcar picked up, "A few of us discussed it privately before. If the situation worsens, we’ll keep marching north into the mountains, which are inhabited by Gaul. The Romans surely won’t dare pursue us there, and we will gain freedom;

but if circumstances change, for instance, if there are Roman forces blocking us north, or—"

"Or perhaps if the brothers regain their fighting spirit and the Roman Army exposes a flaw in their pursuit, then we can seize the opportunity to defeat them, restore the prestige of Free Italy, and reinstate everyone’s confidence in defeating the Romans!" Spartacus said in a deep voice, his words filled with strength.

Maximus promptly replied, "I agree to a temporary northern retreat."

Spartacus then looked toward the others and announced loudly, "Since we all agree to withdraw from this place, to ensure smooth marching north for the main force, we must quickly devise a retreat plan—"

"Spartacus, is Cross truly intent on staying here and not joining us in the north?" Antonix couldn’t help but ask.

Spartacus paused, then said with a complex expression, "Yes, he has decided to lead his force to stay, not to leave with us. The Roman Army is closing in, and we have no extra time to persuade him slowly. We can only wish him well..."

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

Turi Plain, the camp left by the Cross Uprising Army is now occupied by the Roman Army. In the central army tent, Governor Lucius Gaius Publicola is receiving a briefing from the Metapontum administrator Sedulius Tullius on the slave rebel army.

"Respected Governor, these damned rebels mainly split into three parts: one part was here, about forty thousand. Their leaders are named Cross and Enomai, both former gladiators from Capua.

This Enomai once led an attack on Metapontum, and I risked using cavalry to launch a surprise attack, killing him, but unfortunately, I couldn’t acquire his head. Cross was intimidated by the army you led, escaping with thirty thousand to Tarentum.

The main segment of the rebels is causing havoc in northern Calabria, around Uriya, and other areas... They have approximately one hundred and ten or twenty thousand people," Tullius explained earnestly while pointing at the map before them.

"One hundred and ten or twenty thousand?!" Publicola seemed astonished at the figure.

"To the best of my knowledge, this group includes many elderly, infirm, and even women. The ones who can actually fight, I estimate, amount to at most eighty or ninety thousand—"

"Eighty or ninety thousand is still significant!" Publicola still frowned.

Tullius immediately reassured, "But most of them are without armor, without weapons, only able to fight with crude wooden shields and sticks. Even those with armor and weapons were once peasants and slaves who laid down their hoes and whips; they can’t effectively use sword and shield..."

Publicola looked at Tullius and asked, "Are these insights from your two encounters with the rebels?"

"The rebels have attacked Metapontum twice, so I have some understanding of them. Moreover, I even had men disguised as poor folks infiltrate their factions; despite their numbers, they lack military discipline and are disorganized, making intelligence gathering rather effortless, indicating they’re nothing more than a rabble... However, they do fight desperately in battle—"

Publicola nodded, coldly remarking, "Those who have nothing would not treasure their worthless lives."

"Sagacious words, Governor!"

"Who is the leader of this faction of rebels?"

"The main leader is Spartacus, and he’s the head of the entire rebellion. His rebels still maintain some military discipline, set up camps, patrol diligently, and possess some fighting capability..."

Publicola showed a look of recollection, "Spartacus... I heard the name in Campania; Valerius, that fool, was defeated by him. According to Batiatus, the lanista of the Gladiator School, he once served in the Roman Army, later became a deserter, which is why he was sentenced to become a gladiator."

"Oh, it seems Spartacus has always been devious and untrustworthy; no wonder he incited a revolt! But even if he served in the Roman Army, what he learned is only superficial, certainly not a match for you, Governor."

"You mentioned there are three parts of rebels, what about the last one?"

"The last faction is here," Tullius pointed to the Apulia region on the map, "There are two rebel leaders: one named Attutmus with about 25,000 men, gathered at Canosa; the other named Maximus hiding in Sarabia, having roughly... about over 20,000 more people..."

Publicola noticed Tullius’s hesitation and immediately asked, "It seems you are not very clear about this rebel Maximus and the condition of his forces?"

"Uh... Esteemed Governor, the situation is like this," Tullius explained, "The rebel named Maximus is very cunning. After he took Sarabia, he sealed off the entire town, preventing any outsiders from entering. He also has a camp near Bari, similarly prohibiting outsiders. He even captured two of my men sent to gather information..."

"It appears that this rebel leader Maximus runs a very strict operation."

"However, this rebel leader allows merchant ships to enter the port and trades the looted supplies for food and weapons. I have previously sent a merchant ship in. The shipowners say that foreign merchant vessels dock every day in Sarabia Port, but the rebels strictly control the port, not allowing entry into the town, so it’s impossible to understand the specifics of this rebel army—"