Chapter 162 - 116 Battle Opportunity_2
"Hmph, just a bunch of desperate scoundrels." Crodianus shot a glare at the staff member. Although the enemy’s performance was indeed beyond his expectations, he would never believe that this ragged rebel army could be stronger than his troops.
Then Crodianus noticed the sun, already sinking behind the western mountain peak, and his irritation grew. He turned his anger toward his most capable subordinate: "Antonius, what is he doing! He has led the army to the battlefield, yet he doesn’t attack immediately, instead becoming a hindrance to our allied forces!
Bubius, go to him right now and deliver my order. Command him to assault the enemy’s left flank at once to ease Curius’s pressure. Otherwise, I will personally take over command!"
"Yes, Governor."
...
Upon hearing Crodianus’s order, Antonius felt wronged. "Bubius, it’s not that I don’t want to attack, but the soldiers are too exhausted! Last night, they landed at Castellum City by ship and haven’t had proper rest. Early this morning, after hurriedly eating breakfast, they marched over ten miles and then crossed the river to fight courageously, defeating the rebels to the west...
Due to the Governor’s orders, they had no pause to rest and rushed straight here. Some soldiers are so drained they can’t even lift their swords and shields, collapsing directly onto the ground. The Roman Legion Soldiers are still performing relatively well, but the Citizen Soldiers from various towns have been falling behind during the march and haven’t yet arrived. If there isn’t a period to rest and recover their stamina, deploying them back into battle will be very difficult!
If it weren’t for Curius’s impatience to attack, engaging without consulting me and bringing his troops here, how would this confusion between his advancing army and mine, which was still in recovery, even occur!"
Antonius’s final sentence appeared to blame Curius’s recklessness, but covertly, it was a veiled criticism of Governor Crodianus’s impatience. Antonius knew clearly that while Legion Commander Curius may have mediocre military ability, if it weren’t for Crodianus’s eagerness for victory, even if Curius rigidly followed traditional Roman tactics, he wouldn’t have made such a major blunder.