Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 987: Davos's Strategic Adjustment

"Yes, Hadrumetum," Secilian declared. "It may be far, but that distance is exactly why the Carthaginians are surely lax in their defenses. More importantly, the Sicilian Fleet suffered heavy losses in a previous attack, and even Miltias was killed in battle. We later learned from interrogating captives that the fleet that ambushed us belonged to the Eastern Phoenicians, and they are stationed right there!"

Secilian jabbed his finger forcefully at the marker for Hadrumetum, his voice full of resentment. "If these Eastern Phoenicians, who have never sailed into the western Mediterranean before, can successfully ambush our fleet from Hadrumetum, then we can certainly launch a successful attack on Hadrumetum! We will destroy their remaining Warships, capture every last one of them, and avenge our fallen brothers!"

The three men listened and nodded solemnly.

Thus, they began their active preparations according to Secilian's demands.

...

The next day, in the Daionian camp at Minoa, Davos finished reading Secilian's letter and could not help but sigh. "This Secilian... he is gearing up to take another risk!"

Tolmides took the letter. After reading it alongside Plintors, he offered reassuringly, "Your Majesty, does Secilian's idea not align perfectly with your upcoming plans?"

"If the Sicilian Fleet successfully raids Hadrumetum, perhaps... the Carthaginian Senate really will force the Carthaginian army in Sicily to launch an attack against us," Plintors said thoughtfully.

"Since Secilian is willing to take the risk, let him attack. When the Third Fleet arrives, we will have Midorades shoulder more of the patrol duties." Davos considered it for a moment before speaking solemnly. "However, remind him not to underestimate the Carthaginian fleet commander. When launching a surprise attack on the coast of Africa, he must fully account for all sorts of unexpected situations and make ample preparations..."

At that moment, Martius entered the main tent. "Your Majesty, a letter from the Third Fleet."

Davos felt a flash of surprise, but instantly realized it was impossible. The voyage from Minoa to Alalia took at least three days, and even reaching the Terina Naval Base required no less than two. There was no way Midorades could have received the orders and responded in such a short timeframe.

Piqued with curiosity, he opened the letter, immediately letting out a gasp of amazement. "Midorades and Tagetinos actually launched a surprise attack on Sant'Ibinia on Sardinia Island, and even captured Tharros!"

Hearing this, Tolmides and Plintors quickly leaned in to read the battle report.

"This Midorades certainly knows how to deliver a surprise!" Davos marveled.

"Your Majesty, gaining another high-ranking naval officer capable of winning battles is a blessing from Hades, and it further increases the kingdom's chances of defeating Carthage!" While Plintors was still carefully mulling over the report, Tolmides had already offered his congratulations to Davos.

"This really is a happy dilemma." Davos looked between the two men. "Now that the Third Fleet and the Ninth Legion have achieved such a massive victory in Sardinia, should we let them continue expanding their gains there? Or should we recall the Third Fleet as originally planned?"

"Your Majesty," Plintors began deliberately. "...Judging from the battle report, the Third Fleet and the Ninth Legion heavily crippled the only Phoenician Army on Sardinia Island. They also occupied the vital town of Tharros and the port of Sant'Ibinia. It is safe to say they have perfectly executed your task to disrupt the transport of precious metals from Sardinia to Carthage. With the threat of the Ninth Legion looming over them, Sant'Ibinia and the other Phoenician City-States on the island will not dare risk smelting and transporting metals anymore. Furthermore, there is no longer any force on the island capable of contending with the relatively intact Ninth Legion. Once Tagetinos stabilizes order in Tharros, he can absolutely continue pressing the attack against the weaker nearby Phoenician towns..."

"You mean to say... our plan to transfer the Third Fleet to Sicily remains unchanged, but we leave the Ninth Legion to independently shoulder the conquest of Sardinia?" Davos asked, his fingers lightly tapping the back of his chair.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Davos pondered for a moment before murmuring, "Carthage needs Sardinia's precious metals to sustain this war of theirs, but our treasury is also in desperate need of gold and silver! It is just that Tagetinos only knows how to fight; he does not know how to govern a town..."

He thought for another moment, then turned to Henipolis, who was quietly taking notes to the side. "Heni, write a letter to the Senate immediately," he instructed loudly. "Have them elect a Senator with strong administrative abilities to serve as the chief magistrate of Tharros. His primary task will be to properly govern the Phoenician towns conquered by the Ninth Legion, restore precious metal production there, and supply the kingdom with ample Sardinian metals."

Upon hearing the order, Henipolis wanted to voice this warning to Davos, but on second thought, he dispelled the idea.

After all, as something of a scholar, Henipolis had read texts concerning Sardinia Island. Following Davos recently had also made him privy to deeper secrets.

Henipolis gazed at Davos, his mind racing with interconnected thoughts.

Davos, of course, had no idea that Henipolis had pondered so much in that brief instant. He continued, "Tolmides, write a letter to the Ministry of Military Affairs. Have Hylos and the others find a way to dispatch three to four cohorts of reserve soldiers to Tagetinos, to ensure the Ninth Legion has enough manpower to complete the conquest of Sardinia."

Tolmides did not reply right away, visibly hesitating to speak.

"Is there a problem?" Davos asked.

"Your Majesty, having the Ministry of Military Affairs dispatch another four thousand reserve troops to Sardinia should not be an issue. But according to your vision, this force of over ten thousand soldiers led by the Ninth Legion will likely remain in Sardinia for a very long time. That will incur a massive expenditure of military rations, and right now, the kingdom is already stretching itself to the limit just to supply the armies in Sicily..."

A faint smile touched Davos's lips as he spoke unhurriedly. "It is precisely because I know the kingdom is pouring all its strength into sustaining this war that I need Tagetinos to conquer Sardinia. Once the magistrate of Tharros is in place and the reserve soldiers arrive, Tagetinos's first target for attack must be Sant'Ibinia. After capturing it, the magistrate will reorganize the workforce to mine ore, smelt the metal, and ship the precious metals back to Thurii. The kingdom's treasury will be replenished, and we can use this new wealth to purchase grain from Cyrenaica, Egypt, and the Euxine Sea. Not only will that easily satisfy the rations for Tagetinos's force of over ten thousand, but it will also vastly alleviate the kingdom's financial burdens... Therefore, be sure to emphasize this issue in the letters to the Senate and the Ministry of Military Affairs."

Henipolis had already guessed Davos's intentions, so his expression remained relatively calm, but realization dawned on Tolmides and Plintors. Tolmides repeatedly voiced his deep admiration for Davos's decision.

"Waging any war must serve the kingdom's interests. If we fight merely for the sake of fighting, then even if we win, it brings us no benefit, and the war is unnecessary." Davos could not help but impart this extra point. Seeing the thoughtful looks on their faces, he paused briefly before shifting the topic. "Our original plan was to transfer the Third Fleet and station them along the northern coast of Sicily. They were to follow Secilian's commands and jointly blockade the waters of Western Sicily. But now that Midorades has achieved another great merit, if I bring the Third Fleet to Sicily to serve under Secilian at a time like this, will he harbor any resentment?"

"Your Majesty, from what I know, Midorades is not a boastful man, and he has never made any excessive demands to the Ministry of Military Affairs. He should not have any complaints. Besides, Secilian used to be his commanding officer..." Tolmides reassured him.