Chapter 54 - 53 Rome Attacks Again
"We arrived suddenly, and the only ones who could muster an army to attack within a day nearby... I’m afraid only Pompey and Lucania. Flanitnus, is it possible for them to send an army?"
"How dare the Pompeians come out to provoke us? As for Lucania—" Flanitnus showed a complex expression: "As far as I know, this is a colonial town built by that dictator to settle his soldiers. If they have not lost their fighting spirit after more than a decade, they might indeed send troops to attack..."
"If Lucania were to dispatch troops, how many would they send?"
"I have no idea." Flanitnus shrugged: "After Sula attacked Rome, I became a slave. It was while we were repairing the Roman Road that we heard about the establishment of Lucania’s colonial town in southern Campania. As for how many soldiers are stationed in the city? How many residents are there now?... How could I possibly know? However, when you caused a stir in the Vesuvius Region earlier, Lucania made no movement at all, so if we don’t provoke them, they likely won’t provoke us."
"According to the interrogation just now, the owner of this farm is an elder from Rome with no relation to the Lucania people..." Maximus mused and said solemnly: "We’ve marched this far, managing to capture such a large farm. If we simply return, it will not only affect morale, but I fear other groups might mock us when they learn of this. Moreover, leaving such a vast wheat field behind would be too much of a waste... I have decided we will harvest these wheat fields before heading back!"
Maximus paused, then proceeded with the deployment: "I will have Hagux lead a reconnaissance team toward the southeast to investigate Lucania City’s movements, while also sending someone to report our situation to the camp. Three platoons’ worth of soldiers will lead these slaves to swiftly harvest the wheat fields. Vorenus, you’ll be in charge of the specific arrangements."
"Uh..." Vorenus was taken aback for a moment, then responded, "Okay."
"Flanitnus, do you see anything else that needs attention?"
"I don’t think you should have everyone go to harvest the wheat, at least leave one platoon to guard the farm in case of any accidents."