Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1218: Conquering Thessaly

Right around this time, Acidamas was forced to purchase grain from abroad to ensure the Thessalian Army fighting on the Peloponnese had sufficient rations. Jason had originally planned a southern campaign to conquer the Greek Mainland and stockpiled a large amount of grain in advance. However, the Daionian Army's sudden invasion of the Peloponnese had disrupted those plans. Jason had been leading his army south for nearly two months, almost exhausting his reserves. With no end to the war in sight and August already upon them, the various city-states of Thessaly were running dangerously low on food. Since the September harvest was still a month away, they had to buy foreign grain to survive this difficult stretch. Consequently, grain from the Euxine Sea naturally became Pherae's top choice.

To that end, the Ministry of Military Affairs approached Sostratus, who had trade channels spanning the entire Mediterranean Sea. Sostratus eagerly agreed to cooperate. He had the fleet responsible for the Euxine Sea trade disguise themselves as merchant vessels from an Euxine city-state and sail to Pherae multiple times to sell grain. Furthermore, most of the sailors manning the fleet were actually soldiers from the Mountain Scout Corps. Over the course of these repeated trips, the administrators and patrol squads at Pherae Port grew quite familiar with this fleet from the Euxine Sea.

Thus, on the day before the Daionian Army landed in Thessaly, Sostratus's fleet deliberately arrived at Pherae Port in the afternoon. By the time they finished unloading their grain, dusk had already fallen. Since navigating the Aegean Sea at night was far too dangerous, the entire fleet was "forced" to remain at the docks. When the Daionian Fleet suddenly blockaded Pherae Port the following day, Sostratus's fleet naturally found itself unable to leave.

For the next few days, the Daionian Fleet continuously patrolled the nearby waters, ramming and destroying several merchant ships that attempted to flee Pherae. Citing safety concerns, Sostratus's fleet remained securely anchored inside the port. Naturally, many foreign merchant ships chose the same cautious approach, crowding Pherae Port with moored vessels and ensuring Sostratus's fleet did not stand out among them.

However, to Tegetus's surprise, Pherae suddenly tightened its control over the port. Foreign crews were forbidden from wandering the docks freely and barred entirely from entering the city itself. Furthermore, additional troops were deployed to reinforce the port.

In reality, these defensive measures were implemented by Acidamas. Seeing the sheer number of foreign ships and sailors crowding the port, he worried that unforeseen incidents might break out during wartime. Although Acidamas couldn't possibly know that the Daionian Army was already lurking within the port, his years of administrative experience had led him to make the right decision. What he never could have anticipated, however, was that Polyphron would murder Polydorus before turning his brutality upon Acidamas himself and several other ministers. Pherae's high-ranking officials were wiped out in a single sweep, throwing the remaining bureaucrats into a panic. When Polyphron then marched off with the majority of Pherae's Citizen Soldiers, the orders to monitor the port were completely abandoned. This gave the crew of Sostratus's fleet the perfect opportunity to slip into the city.

"Captain Cleomenes, did you manage to find out any good news?" Tegetus asked with a hint of urgency.

Cleomenes was a Daionian Citizen and one of Sostratus's fleet managers specializing in the Euxine Sea trade. After years of traveling, he had amassed a considerable fortune and earned a decent reputation within the Thurii Chamber of Commerce. Yet, standing before Tegetus, he didn't dare put on any airs. After all, the man before him was a renowned hero of the kingdom.

He rubbed his face vigorously with his hands, his drunken demeanor swiftly vanishing. With a serious expression, he said, "Remember how I went to invite a few port officials I know out for drinks? Well, guess what? I didn't even have to try and pry the information out of them. After just a few cups of wine, they voluntarily told me a few things. It turns out, the reason the port's lockdown was suddenly lifted over the past two days is because a massive upheaval occurred in Pherae!"

"After Tagus Jason of Thessaly led the army away, he temporarily handed over military command of all Thessaly to his younger brother Polydorus, while leaving administrative control to Acidamas and a few other ministers. But guess what happened next?"

Cleomenes enunciated every word clearly: "Polydorus suddenly died in the military camp outside Pherae. Rumor has it that he was killed by an assassin we sent, but they never caught the killer—"

"Impossible!" Tegetus shook his head. "The Ministry of Military Affairs never formulated an assassination plan against Polydorus. Furthermore, assassinating an enemy commander inside a heavily guarded military camp is something even highly trained men like us would struggle to pull off, let alone escape smoothly afterward."

"Those officials quietly told me that many people suspect Polyphron murdered his brother—" Seeing the astonishment on the faces of the three men, Cleomenes looked a bit smug as he continued revealing Pherae's secrets. "Because, according to them, right after Polyphron seized military command, he brutally murdered Acidamas and the other respected ministers. Then, he hastily drafted the vast majority of Pherae's Citizen Soldiers and personally led them out to attack our army at Larissa.

"Before leaving, he appointed one of his loyal cronies as the new castellan of Pherae. Over the past two days, this new castellan has been doing just one thing: busy arresting officials who are dissatisfied with Polyphron. The city's order is in complete chaos. Not only are officials like my drinking companions unwilling to continue their duties, but some of the commoners have also started fleeing, fearing for their own safety..."

Tegetus and the others found the entire situation utterly bizarre. The series of events that had occurred in Pherae was practically a massive boon to the Daionian Army. Were it not for the fact that the Ministry of Military Affairs had given the Mountain Scout Corps no special briefing before their landing, Tegetus would have honestly suspected this Thessalian general named Polyphron was a spy sent by the kingdom.

"Did you ask them how many soldiers are currently in the city?" Tegetus asked.

"Such a crucial question, of course I didn't forget," Cleomenes said confidently. "Before leaving, Polyphron left this crony of his with 500 soldiers. They're loyal to Polyphron, which is why the citizens of Pherae don't dare resist the new castellan. As for how many Citizen Soldiers are left in the city? They weren't entirely sure. However, it shouldn't be many. They did leak one piece of news to me, though: word has it that, if necessary, this new castellan plans to head down to the port and forcibly conscript foreign sailors like us to participate in the defense."

"Conscript us? That's a good thing! We could take the opportunity to slip into Pherae's army and assist our siege forces in capturing the city!" one of the officers said excitedly.

"Commander, Pherae is in chaos right now, and the people are panicking. This is a great opportunity! Why don't we launch a surprise attack in the dead of night and take Pherae ourselves?" another officer suggested.

Tegetus pondered for a moment, then spoke with a grave expression: "We have fewer than 200 brothers infiltrated into Pherae right now. Our forces are too small. On top of that, we aren't completely familiar with the terrain inside the city. Launching a night raid under these conditions is far too dangerous! If we fail, not only will all our previous efforts go to waste, but the brothers will lose their lives for nothing. We cannot take that risk!"

Tegetus paused for a moment. Looking at his two capable captains, he continued with encouragement: "There is no need for you to be anxious. We all know that our army has not only landed successfully but has already advanced into the plains of Thessaly. For the Thessalian Army to march out of the city and engage them now will only result in their defeat. Following the traditions of our kingdom's army, and considering Pherae is a primary focus for our landing forces, they will undoubtedly pursue the fleeing routed soldiers continuously to see if they can seize Pherae. That—will be our opportunity!"

"Understood, Commander! I'll immediately send a few soldiers to sneak into the city and closely monitor the movements at the gates."

As one officer finished, the other chimed in, "I'll have the brothers stand ready. The moment our army reaches the gates, we'll immediately rush over to assist."

Tegetus nodded in satisfaction. "We'll do just that!"

The soldiers of the Mountain Scout Corps lurking at Pherae Port didn't have to wait long. By dusk, numerous routed Thessalian soldiers came surging to the walls of Pherae, driven forward by the First Cavalry Legion.

Spotting the Daionian Army close behind them, the defenders on the walls were forced to carry out the new castellan's orders. Amidst the desperate pleas and angry curses of the routed troops, they refused to open the gates.

Right at that moment, upon receiving the news, the soldiers of the Mountain Scout Corps retrieved the short swords and leather shields hidden beneath the floorboards of their ships. They charged into the city of Pherae, fighting their way up the southern wall—the gate closest to them and manned by the fewest defenders.

After routing the defenders atop the wall, they swiftly threw the gates open. The routed soldiers flooded inside, with the Daionian cavalry, light-armored troops, and light infantry charging into Pherae right behind them...

On that very same day, the powerful northern and southern city-states of Thessaly both fell—one through surrender, the other by force...

...

"Wooo!... Wooo!..." The high-pitched blare of military bugles echoed continuously from the rear of the battlefield. The Greek soldiers, who had been fiercely engaged in combat before the various defensive encampments, hastily retreated.

Before long, the battlefield that had roared with chaos for the better part of the day fell silent. Only the countless corpses and wounded soldiers scattered on both sides of the trenches and wooden palisades stood as a testament to the sheer brutality of the day's battle.

The evening sun had already vanished behind the mountains, leaving only a few dismal streaks of blood-red light clinging to the horizon.

Iphicrates gazed at the Daionian encampments ahead, each spaced apart yet mutually supporting the others. His eyes held a mixture of reluctance and helplessness. He stood there for a long time before finally letting out a heavy sigh: "Just like before. Send someone to the Theonians to request permission to clear the battlefield."

According to Greek tradition, after a battle, the defeated side could send men to clear the battlefield and recover their fallen countrymen so they could receive a dignified burial.