Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 949: Cyprolus's Suggestion

"So you plan to have the Mountain Scout Corps launch a surprise attack on this section of the wall to open a gap in Syracuse's defenses?" Davos suddenly interjected.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I hope you will allow Izam to lead a detachment of the Mountain Scout Corps to assist in our siege!" Leotychides replied, pressing his request.

"It seems the Mountain Scout Corps is set to forge their reputation in Sicily just as they distinguished themselves in the Latium region! I agree. During the assault on Syracuse, five hundred soldiers of the Mountain Scout Corps will temporarily serve under your command." Davos nodded in ready agreement, finding Leotychides's battle plan feasible. He then added a warning: "Syracuse is a massive city. Even if the Mountain Scout Corps captures the western fortress of Euryalus, you mentioned yourself that the terrain there is narrow, rugged, and remote. Once the Syracusans receive word, they can use their abundant manpower to blockade that tight passage and retake it. Therefore, you must carefully consider and simulate how to exploit this opportunity, expand your gains, and ultimately seize the entire city. Perfect your plan."

Leotychides grew thoughtful.

"Is there any other assistance you require?" Davos asked earnestly.

At first, Leotychides shook his head, but then a thought struck him. "Your Majesty, I fear that when we breach Syracuse, the Syracusans will retreat to defend Ortygia Island. It is inherently easy to defend and incredibly hard to attack. I am afraid we won't be able to conquer it quickly."

Ortygia Island... Davos subconsciously stroked his chin. He vaguely remembered from the history of his previous life that the Romans had been stalled precisely at Ortygia Island, spending years before finally capturing Syracuse completely—largely due to Archimedes's efforts.

He waved his hand dismissively. "If matters devolve to that point, there will be no need to mount a forceful assault on Ortygia Island. We will simply lay siege to it. In fact, encircling it is rather simple; we only need to construct a wall across the Isthmus to isolate it entirely. By taking the main city of Syracuse and seizing its harbor, we will completely neutralize any potential threat from the Syracusan army and navy. Blockade Ortygia Island for a year or two, and it will eventually surrender."

"Your Majesty, if it truly comes to that, given the population and grain reserves on Ortygia Island, I highly doubt they could last even a year or two," Cyprolus chimed in with a laugh.

Cyprolus spoke at an unhurried pace. "Your Majesty, over the past twenty years, Syracuse has only been truly breached twice, and both times stemmed from internal strife." This referred to the riots during the War of Southern Italy that overthrew Dionysius's rule, and the subsequent uprising years later that expelled Herolis. "I am wondering if, for this upcoming assault on Syracuse, we might devise a strategy along those same lines?"

Davos's eyes lit up. The suggestion perfectly aligned with his own intentions. Smiling, he encouraged him, "Elaborate on your thoughts."

"Your Majesty, while Syracuse's strength has recovered somewhat over the past decade, it lacks a powerful political figure compared to the eras of Dionysius and Herolis. In times of peace, power rests with the Executive Committee of Generals and the Council. During wartime, the Executive Committee of Generals—composed of twenty generals—plays the pivotal role.

"According to the intelligence I've received, the committee consists of three major factions: the Democratic Faction led by the chief general Theagenes; the Centrist Faction, composed of Herolis's former comrades and key officials from his administration; and the Harbor Commoner Faction. Each represents the interests of a different segment of the Syracusan populace..."

Having served as the chief administrator of Catana for many years, Cyprolus possessed a deep understanding of his southern neighbor. He laid out the insights he had carefully cultivated over time: "Whether under Dionysius as tyrant or during Herolis's rule, the Democratic Faction has always been suppressed, making them the weakest group. But precisely because of this, Theagenes has managed to hold onto the position of chief general. The Centrist Faction is the strongest, but their internal dynamics are the most convoluted. They all reaped massive benefits during Herolis's reign. However, while some agreed with his methods, others harbored intense resentment and even incited rebellions—including some of Herolis's own close friends. Consequently, they rarely reach a consensus in the Council. As for the Harbor Commoner Faction—"

Cyprolus paused, his tone growing meaningful. "It was with our assistance that they united into a formidable power, playing a crucial role in the latter stages of the War of Southern Italy. Yet, as an independent political force, they are naturally marginalized by Syracuse's traditional establishment. This is evident in the composition of the Executive Committee of Generals: the Harbor Commoner Faction has never secured more than three general seats, a number entirely disproportionate to their actual strength.

"Over the past two years, the situation has shifted again. The Syracusans originally elected Theagenes as chief general to maintain political stability, but they grossly underestimated his talent for disruption. On one hand, he exploited the Inner City of Syracuse's disdain for the harbor commoners to court the Centrist Faction and ostracize the Harbor Commoner Faction. Not only did this reduce the number of harbor commoner generals to a single seat these past two years, but he also repeatedly had proxies propose and pass legislation in the Council detrimental to their interests. He stripped away benefits Herolis had previously granted the harbor commoners and redistributed them to the citizens of the Inner City of Syracuse, steadily driving up his own prestige among the urban populace.

"On the other hand, he exploited the internal contradictions within the Centrist Faction, dividing and wooing them until a segment aligned with him on certain interests. Because of this, his voice carries increasing weight in both the Executive Committee of Generals and the Council. He even managed to persuade them to ally Syracuse with Carthage and declare war on our kingdom of Daionia..."

Davos was naturally aware of the situation in Syracuse. "It seems this General Theagenes is exceedingly ambitious," he remarked lightly. "He hopes to use this war to earn even greater renown for himself. Perhaps he fancies becoming a second Herolis, or even a second Dionysius."

"That is simply Syracuse's tradition. They are forever caught between democracy and dictatorship. In times of peace, they choose a democratic system; when a crisis strikes, someone inevitably hungers for absolute rule," Cyprolus added.

"To seize absolute power in Syracuse requires tenacious will and extraordinary audacity. As for this Theagenes—" The corners of Davos's mouth curled upward. "Though he is shrewd and deceitful, and has managed to achieve some of his goals, those are merely petty tricks. At least from what I have seen, he lacks the strategic vision and sheer nerve of Dionysius or Herolis. I wager he never imagined the Carthaginian army would retreat so quickly, leaving Syracuse to face our fury entirely on its own."

"Your Majesty, the Syracusan political arena is currently fractured into factions that constantly undermine each other. The relationships are complicated, and there is fierce antagonism among the populace. They lack a strong figure to lead and unify them. However, given their history, we cannot be certain whether the onset of war will exacerbate their internal contradictions or force them to stand united," Cyprolus cautioned gravely.

"Are we to halt our assault just because the war might make the Syracusans more united?!" Leotychides, having listened in silence for some time, finally snapped. "With a flawless battle plan and highly trained soldiers, we have no need to overthink such matters. We will breach the city of Syracuse regardless."

"Do not be agitated, Prosous," Davos said, raising a hand in a calming, downward motion. "Cyprolus merely wishes to incite chaos within Syracuse and sap their defensive strength, allowing us to capture the city as swiftly as possible."

With that, he looked back at Cyprolus. "Are you planning to win over the commoners at the Syracusan harbor and fracture the alliance between the Democratic Faction and the Centrist Faction?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Cyprolus offered a quick flattery before elaborating. "The commoners at the Syracusan harbor have been oppressed for years. They are undoubtedly harboring a great deal of resentment. Moreover, since most of them come from impoverished backgrounds or are registered freemen, they hold no nostalgia for the past glory of Syracuse; they are much more easily swayed by practical benefits. We have maintained good relations with them in the past. Now, if we simply offer them sufficient promises, I am confident they will make the right choice.

"Furthermore, the tactics Theagenes previously employed against the Centrist Faction have likely bred dissatisfaction among certain individuals. Now that his grand plan has failed, leaving Syracuse to face our kingdom's assault alone, you need only order Xenophanes to dispatch agents to quietly incite the citizens inside the city. Naturally, someone will seize the opportunity to attack Theagenes..." Cyprolus's plan relied on Xenophanes, the head of the Intelligence Department in Sicily. Because the Intelligence Department answered directly to King Davos, Cyprolus had no authority to command them and could only petition the king.

Davos pondered the proposal for a moment. "Both of your suggestions are excellent. We will use political means to shatter the Syracusans' unity, while our military assault will successfully drive our efforts to woo and fracture the enemy, thereby accelerating the conquest of Syracuse. Therefore, I decree that the two of you, along with Xenophanes, form a joint operations team specifically targeting Syracuse. Cyprolus will lead it. Together, you will draft a comprehensive plan and coordinate closely throughout its execution until Syracuse is entirely conquered. Prosous, what do you think?"

Leotychides felt somewhat conflicted. He loathed any interference with his military command. Yet, he also knew that if this plan succeeded, the timeline for capturing Syracuse would be drastically shortened. That would allow him to pivot earlier to the offensive against the Carthaginian army, fulfilling his burning desire to avenge the soldiers who had perished in Palagonia. Subconsciously, he cast a glance at Cyprolus.