Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1157: The Prince Sets Off

Fascinated by the story, Crotokatax asked, "If that scoundrel was so terrible at leading troops, how did he manage to win in the end?"

"He won for two main reasons," Davos said. He looked at his son, his words slowing but carrying heavier weight. "First, he knew how to use people. He assigned those with a talent for administration to govern his conquered territories, ensuring plenty of supplies and recruits. He made those who excelled at command his generals to lead his armies. He tasked the cunning with devising his strategies... Everyone who pledged loyalty to him was placed exactly where their talents could shine.

"Second, he listened. He absorbed the right ideas from his subordinates and readily corrected his own mistakes. Because of this, he maintained a clear grasp of the overall war and formulated the correct strategies... That is why he ultimately triumphed."

Hearing this, Crotokatax fell into thoughtful silence.

"A king does not need to master the art of leading troops," Davos continued softly, his tone earnest. "But he must master the art of leading generals. Give them tasks that suit their strengths and let them charge the enemy lines in your stead. You must focus your energy on analyzing and controlling the broader tides of the war. To that end, I am appointing Plintors as your Staff Officer and Callias as your military diplomat. They will be at your side to offer counsel.

"Daionia was built on martial prowess, and our citizens view battlefield merits as the highest glory. If your military record is a blank slate, you will lack prestige among the people. Furthermore, the Ministry of Military Affairs is the kingdom's most crucial institution, answering directly to the king. To command the absolute obedience of battle-hardened generals, you must prove yourself in military affairs. You spent time in the Army Staff when you came of age, so you should understand how the kingdom's military functions. You also managed military rations and supplies in Rome for the army's expedition into Gaul. By leading an army into battle now, you will complete your understanding of the kingdom's military operations. Once you do, no one will ever be able to fool you in these matters."

Stirred by his father's patient guidance, Crotokatax answered firmly, "Father, I am willing to go to Messenia!"

"Good! Good!" Davos nodded in deep satisfaction.

"But..." Crotokatax hesitated before his expression turned serious. "Our citizens cannot focus on their farms or businesses in peace. They spend most of their time on military training, always thinking about battle and earning glory. If this continues... I fear it will threaten the kingdom's stability."

Crotokatax breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried his father would not listen to his advice.

Davos sighed softly, then addressed him with grave sincerity. "But you must understand that the system of rewarding warfare has been enforced for many years. It is deeply rooted in the people. We cannot change it overnight. It will take generations of effort to slowly shift it little by little.

"Furthermore, you must understand that even if we defeat every powerful enemy in the Mediterranean Sea, we can never completely lay down our spears and shields. Doing so would cause the citizens to gradually surrender to comfort. They would grow cowardly and fear war, ultimately being wiped out by some newly rising power—just like Carthage! Therefore, controlling the balance between the two is a massive headache, yet it is a critically important issue for me, for you, and for all our descendants!"

...

Late that night, Crotokatax returned to his mansion on the mountainside. After bathing, he stepped into his bedroom.

Dido was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding their child and humming a soft lullaby.

Seeing her husband enter, Dido had the waiting slave girl carefully carry the sleeping infant into the outer room. She then lowered her voice. "You're back. What did your father call you over to discuss?"

Crotokatax didn't answer right away. He glanced around the room and asked softly, "Why don't I see Chris?"

"Your mother kept him up on the mountain again," Dido said coldly.

Hearing the resentment in his wife's voice, Crotokatax quickly tried to soothe her. "Mother adores Chris. She will take good care of him. Besides, it's close by, so you don't need to worry."

"As if I would dare to worry. Your mother is a queen deeply respected by the citizens of Daionia. Even your father has to listen to her."

Dido sneered, expressing her displeasure. Crotokatax remained silent. He was already accustomed to this and knew it was best not to speak at such times.

As expected, Dido merely vented for a moment before asking again, "What did your father say when he called you over?"

"Father wants me to serve as the commander of the expeditionary army to the Peloponnese," Crotokatax answered truthfully.

An ordinary woman would have first thought of her husband's safety, but Dido's mind worked differently. She immediately asked in surprise, "Isn't Prosous the commander of that army? He already led the troops to capture Messenia and earned battle merits, so how could you replace him? Is your father preparing to dispatch another army?"

"General Prosous is a prince of Sparta..." Crotokatax gave a brief rundown of the situation.

"I see." Joy bloomed on Dido's beautiful face. "Now my mind is at ease! You've been idle for so many days since you returned, and I was getting worried. It seems your father had this planned all along."

"This is my very first time leading an army into battle. Why aren't you worried about my safety? What if..." Crotokatax said, half-joking and half-serious.

"If your father dares to let you go, he has definitely made comprehensive preparations. How could you be in any danger?" Dido leaned forward slightly, the loose folds of her nightgown slipping to reveal a glimpse of pale, snowy cleavage. She flashed a radiant smile that brightened the bedroom. "Your Highness, let me be the first to wish you a triumphant return as the kingdom's hero!"

Crotokatax swallowed hard. "Then shouldn't you give me an advance reward?" With that, he pressed his wife down onto the bed...

...

Early the next morning, Mount Amendolara was shrouded in a thin mist. The houses on the mountain were faint silhouettes, barely visible through the haze.

Hundreds of young men in military gear stood in neat formations across the open plaza before the Temple of Zeus at the mountain's peak. (Years ago, some had proposed converting the Temple of Zeus into the Temple of Hades, the kingdom's patron deity, but the elders had opposed the idea. They believed it was precisely because of the protection of the Temple of Zeus that so many Amendolarans survived the Lucanian invasion. Because of their insistence, it remained the only Temple of Zeus in Magna Graecia, frequently drawing pilgrims from other towns to worship.)

Standing at the head of the formation was an old man with a stark white beard and hair. Though his face looked heavily weathered, his posture remained robust and agile. This was Ctesus.

His expression stern, he barked, "Arsinis, is everyone here?"

"Yes... wait, not yet... we are missing one," the young man at the head of the ranks replied hesitantly.

"Missing who?!" Ctesus roared, his voice booming with vigor.

"Um... well... Tepandes."

"Arsinis, even if you are only temporarily acting as the company commander for this military training," Ctesus reprimanded sharply, "since you have become an officer, you should strictly fulfill your duties instead of trying to cover for your friends. You must know that Military Law shows absolutely no mercy! The Theonia Legion is invincible precisely because we maintain strict discipline. Do you all understand?!"

"Understood, Military Training Officer!" the youths shouted in unison.

"Form a column immediately! Fifty laps around the plaza, double-time!"

One lap around the plaza of the Temple of Zeus was roughly 150 meters, so 50 laps meant 7,500 meters. Furthermore, the young men were clad in armor and carrying wooden clubs and shields (as it was only a drill, real spears and shields were not used). This was a massive amount of exertion. Yet, not a single youth voiced an objection as they immediately snapped into action.

Just then, a young man rushed frantically into the plaza. "Reporting!"

"Tepandes, you are quite early!" Ctesus glared at him.

Hearing this, Tepandes instinctively shuddered.

"Arsinis, according to Military Law, what is the punishment for arriving late to training?" Ctesus asked coldly. This time, Arsinis did not hesitate: "Ten strikes with the military cane!"

"Did you hear that, Tepandes?!"

Panic instantly seized Tepandes, and he desperately tried to defend himself: "Uncle Ctesus, it is because I—"

"On the training ground, there are only soldiers and instructors! Get down!" Ctesus marched over and gave Tepandes an unceremonious kick.

Not daring to dodge, Tepandes took the kick squarely and obediently dropped to his stomach on the damp ground.

While Tepandes looked utterly docile, his background was anything but ordinary: he was the second son of Legion Commander Trotidis. In truth, almost all the youths here hailed from prominent families. Matonis, Oliphus, Geogris, Agasias... the sons of countless kingdom generals and high ministers were mixed into these ranks. Even Arsinis, temporarily appointed as the acting company commander, was the adopted son of Legion Commander Melisander.

After all, Amendolara was the birthplace of the Sacred Kingdom of Daunia, making its situation unique. As a result, most retired legion soldiers avoided the position of Amendolara's Military Training Officer like the plague. But Ctesus was different. Originally hailing from the Persian Mercenaries, he had fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the fathers of these very boys. Having served as the first captain of the First Legion for years before his retirement, he carried more than enough prestige to strictly train these youths according to Military Law. Any youth he disciplined would not even dare run home to complain; doing so would have no effect and would only earn them another severe beating from their own father.