Chapter 181 - 126: Openly Repairing the Pathway
After Rome became powerful, they began to address the threat from the north. They repeatedly sent troops to advance towards the Po River Plain, successively eliminating the largest Gaul Tribes, such as the Insulbrians and Senones, and drove the Boyi people to Pannonia, subjugating the Veneti and Ligurians... Meanwhile, they also began immigrating in large numbers to the Po River Plain, not only Romans but also Ladimans, Umbrians... and even Great Greeks from the south.
After a hundred years of governance, this area has completely submitted to Roman rule. Even during the Roman Alliance War more than twenty years ago, when the Italian political situation was turbulent, the Northern Italy Province still maintained stable order and did not participate in the war.
Even in recent years, when land annexation and large farm plantations became increasingly rampant in Italy, it rarely affected the Northern Italy Province, which has become the most stable and affluent region on the peninsula.
This worked to the advantage of the Maximus Army, as fields stretched endlessly everywhere, filled with herds of cattle and sheep. Being midsummer now, the wheat crops were almost ripe, and the rebel soldiers directly harvested wheat from the fields or rode horses to catch cattle and sheep, making wheat cakes, porridge, or stew, essentially without needing to consume the stored grain of the Supply Camp.
However, Maximus had ordered: Do not harm the citizens of the Northern Italy Province unless necessary, or face Military Law punishment!
Many soldiers did not understand this, but Military Law is ruthless, so they could only comply.
The Po River Plain is crisscrossed with rivers and numerous swamps. Even though the terrain is flat, it is not very favorable for military marches. However, due to the presence of the Romans, many roads and bridges have been built over the past century, greatly facilitating the rebel army.
Five days later, the Maximus Army arrived in Bologna (Bononia).
"Maximus, why did you call me here?" Torquato rode up to Maximus, speaking with an unfriendly tone.
After all, yesterday Torquato had just had an argument with Maximus because his soldiers violated Maximus’s military orders, killing two farmers while looting supplies. They were caught by Military Judge Sidonius and were about to be punished by Military Law, which led him to cause a big scene after rushing over.