Chapter 190 - 130: Meeting with the Aldean Envoy_2
Maximus sat on a dry, large stone. On the surface, he seemed calm, but in reality, he was somewhat anxious and uneasy. However, the bustling scene of labor before him allowed him to feel some peace of mind.
At this moment, Flanitnus walked over.
"Look, bad news has come again. Go on, how many people have run away today?" Maximus said jokingly, seemingly accustomed to it.
"This time, it’s not too bad. Only three, all from the Third Legion," reported the military officer who had just finished counting the troops of each unit.
"Not bad, only three. Fewer by the day." Maximus pulled a handful of grass, rubbed it in his hand, and said gravely, "It seems those who wanted to leave have mostly left. Those who remain are brothers with firm resolve, willing to follow us!"
Flanitnus said nothing, but thought: If you allowed the supply camp like the soldiers to leave freely, perhaps it wouldn’t be as relaxed as it is now.
Since Maximus’ army separated from Torquato’s men and changed course to march northeast, soldiers had been deserting each day. Most were those who joined the Maximus Army independently en route north from Spartacus’ main forces. They had little attachment to this army and mainly wanted to use its strength to escape back to Gaul. Seeing the route was off course, they had other plans.
Initially, Flanitnus demanded that the legions strengthen control and punish deserters, but Maximus stopped this approach. He even had team officers declare among the soldiers that if anyone didn’t want to follow the army to a new homeland, they could leave along the way. However, they must not incite others to disrupt the troops and must leave behind their allotted armor and weapons, while the army would also give them some dry rations in return.
Maximus’ relaxation of restrictions on deserters was an encouragement to those who only wanted to hitch a ride with the troops, especially when the army was marching around the Adriatic Bay. The number of people leaving each day often reached over a hundred, as at that time they were very close to the Alps.