"It's over! Our port is going to be blocked, Li Jim is over!!"

"Atily Cruise, you must immediately let Dionia send a fleet to drive away the Messinas!!"

"Send an envoy immediately to discuss peace with Dionysius! Dionysius's enemy is Dionyya, not us! As long as we offer gold and silver to him, he will accept Li Jim's!"

...

"Enough! All of you are quiet!!" Atelicruis roared, shocking everyone.

"The Syracuses are still on the sea, so you are so panicked! If they land, wouldn't you surrender immediately! Look at you, you are not even as good as an ordinary citizen! Dionysios had long wanted to occupy Lijim so that he could monopolize the Strait of Messina and obtain huge wealth. He would not agree to our peace talks! Whoever said that if he betrayed the interests of the city-state, I will let the guards send him to the sea to feed the fish!..." Atelicruis scolded angrily, not only scaring the person who said he wanted to "consolidate peace talks" quickly lowered his head, but also made everyone else look ashamed.

Then, he turned his eyes to the only man in the city hall who was not yelling or panic, and asked with a serious expression: "Feedun, what advice do you have in the face of this bad situation now?"

Feidun, known as the Likim citizen who is the least like Likim people, has a tough personality, serious work, and is very decisive. When he was elected as a general for the first time, he did not listen to anyone's dissuasion or slander, and strictly investigated tax evasion at the port, and ended up offending a large number of Likim merchants. Likim was originally a city-state with developed trade, and many members of the Council composed of rich people interfered. After that, Feidun was not selected for the general and the Council. Until last year, when the front of Syracuse's troops had reached the other side of the strait, the panicked Likim people remembered this courageous citizen again, so he was elected as a general again.

At this moment, he said with a serious expression: "Syracuse's army landed in Locre. Although it is not too far from Lijim, it is difficult to cross the Montalto Mountains (the southernmost end of the Apennines, with a peak of nearly 2,000 meters). If Syracuse wants to attack us, it can only go through the rugged mountain road along the coast to reach Locre. Therefore, we only need to send troops to guard the pass, and no matter how many soldiers in Syracuse cannot play a role..."

Atili Cruise said excitedly: "You are the same as I think!"

Feidun did not care about the chief general's idea of ​​giving his face, but continued, "Of course, we must be careful that the Syracuses go west from Locre, pass through the famous ancient road connecting the east and west coasts, arrive at Medmar, and then head south to attack Taorina, thereby opening up the passage to attack Lijim!"

"This is indeed a very worrying issue!" After Feidun's statement, Atili Cruise's chaotic thoughts were cleared. His eyebrows were frowned tightly, he pondered for a while, and said loudly: "We must remind Tao Ruina to strengthen its defense and beware of enemies that may attack from the north! And we must also send troops to reinforce Tao Ruina, otherwise with its strength, even with the Maro River as a barrier, it will be difficult to resist the attack of the Syracuse army!"

Everyone who was panicked before was nodded in agreement.

Atili Cruise ignored them, but asked in a hurry and humble tone: "Fidun, what else should we consider?"

"It is inevitable that our trade channel will be cut off when this war breaks out. Sir, don't worry about our own trade anymore." Feidun said seriously: "Even if our original warships are left here, they are not opponents of the Syracuse fleet. It's better to hand them over to Dionia. At least they can form a relatively powerful fleet and cause some trouble for the Syracuse people..."

Feidun's words made some people look ashamed.

"You're right! That's why I handed over the warship to the Dionians!" Atili Cruise immediately took over the conversation.

Someone retorted dissatisfiedly: "The Syracuse people are not fools. They may use their fleet to bypass the coastal trails and land near Lijim!"

Feidun shook his head and said, "We all know that most of the coastlines near the Strait of Messina are cliffs and rocky, with few excellent beaches and bays. The two best places are occupied by us (referring to Lijim City and the port, which are separated by two). Therefore, we just went to garrison the remaining beaches. I believe that no matter how powerful the troops in Syracuse are, they dare not land at great sacrifices in the face of our defensive battle formation."

Feidun's words dissipated a lot of panic in everyone's hearts. Atili Cruise took advantage of the situation and said: "Now I propose that Feidun serve as the commander of Lijim's army."

Almost no one expressed objection.

Feidun accepted the appointment with a solemn expression, and then said to the chief general: "Mr. Atili Cruz, while we strengthen our defense, we must also ask Dionia for help immediately! If Syracuse and Locre are all in attacking Taorena, even if the soldiers of our two cities are together, it will be difficult to resist!"

"Don't worry." Atili Cruz had already figured out the joints at this moment. He forced a smile and said, "The news that the Syracuse people landed in Locre is believed to be Dionia, Crotone, and Silit... These city-states will soon know that the army of the Southern Italian League will be formed soon. How dare the Syracuse people deal with us with all their strength when facing a war?!"

"That's right! That's right!..." The others also responded repeatedly.

"Of course, we must also quickly contact Dionia, tell them our current situation, and discuss the next step with them... Considering that there are already enemy fleets cruising in the eastern waters of Greater Greece, we must immediately send an envoy to take a fast ship, go to the port of Knapetia on the west coast, and head to Turiy..." Atelicruz made the decision.

……………………………

The amazing news of "the army of Syracuse landed in Lokri" quickly spread throughout Great Greece. The reactions of the people of Dionia were much calmer than those of other city-states. They had not suffered any failure and believed in their legions, their senate, and especially their magical consuls.

Kunogorata and Cornerus met on the way to the Senate.

"The worst thing finally happened. The Syracuse people came indeed. I heard that the army led by Dionysius was less than 100,000!" Cornerus said as he walked with a melancholy expression.

"So we must immediately let Hironimus form two new legions!" Kunogorata's mood was not much better than Cornerus: "Felicus and Ansitanos should have known the news. I hope they can urge Crotone, Silitun... these allies quickly organize the Allies!"

"A great storm is coming, everyone is on the same boat, and no one can escape it. I believe that this time Crotone, Cilicent will probably not hesitate anymore." Cornerus was quite convinced of this.

"Yes, I can only rely on them for the time being!" Kunogorata sighed. When it was time for the crisis, he realized that both the people of the Dionians, the Senate and himself were quite dependent on the young consul: "Where has Lord Davers been? Did he already know the news of the attack of the Syracuse army?"

"Yesterday, there was an urgent report from the north. Lord Davers led his army to the Dara River Fortress, preparing to go to Laus and take a boat to Picoses... From Laus to Turiyi, the messenger will rush to Matsu for a day. I believe that he has arrived at Picoses and is with Anta Oris, and will soon know the news of the 'Syracuse invasion of Great Greece'." Cornerus said.

The elders of the Senate were closely following Davers' movements. Kunogorata was so busy that he forgot to inquire about Davers' news because he had been assisting Seclian in the past few days to build a military port.

"I hope he can repel the Samones as soon as possible! Come back soon!" Kunogorata said expectantly.

At this time, they were about to pass through Victory Square, and a group of children were playing in the square. Some young people were practicing running around the square (mainly, the arena and other venues in Tuliyi were occupied by the people to play ball games, resulting in the rapidly expanding venues in Tuliyi city area not enough for fitness and sports training). Some elderly people leaned on steps or memorial columns, lying on the ground to bask in the sun, and some people slowly read books they had just copied from the library...

There is a temporary wooden platform in the center of the square. The teachers of the Mathematics Academy are popularizing simple arithmetic knowledge to the public, so they attract many people to come and listen and learn (this approach was a good habit developed by the two Pythagoras disciples when they were in Amendorara, and they have been persisting because the dean of the Mathematics Academy Mentotic Els always believed that this was the best way to expand their college’s influence and attract good students).

Since Lucias became the dean of the School of Literature, he has not been willing to be outdone. He sent teachers to Piazza Victory every day, standing in front of the bill billboard under the steps of the Senate, reading the content of the newly promulgated bill announcement to the public, explaining some common grammar applications, pointing out some rhetorical errors in the announcement (which made the Senate scribes all cautiously, afraid of making mistakes). By the way, talk about the legal provisions of Dionia and the debate skills, which naturally attracted many people to listen and learn.

Such a lively square is naturally indispensable. Although the Turiyi City Hall has regulations: vendors are not allowed to set up stalls in the square. But this is not a problem for the shrewd Greek merchants. They carried wooden blue and pushed wooden carts, containing snacks, fruits, pulp, etc., and kept wandering around the square, making a lot of profits in one day... Even today, when the army of Syracuse was attacking, the liveliness of the square has not been reduced by half.
Chapter completed!