Chapter 34: Maximus Request
Why? Artorix was puzzled. This place is so good. Its easy for us to defend, and when we cant hold on anymore, we can retreat to the plateau behind. It was this unique terrain that helped us defeat the Romans! This place is blessed by the war god Ares! Why should we give it up? Besides, if we move to the farm in the north, the terrain there is flat and vulnerable to sudden attacks from the Roman army. Once were defeated, it wont be easy to retreat. Our legs cant outrun the Roman cavalry.
Crixus immediately spoke out loudly, I agree with Spartacus suggestion. We shouldnt stay on this mountain anymore! Yesterdays battle has already shown us that relying solely on defense and waiting wont win against the Romans. And the method we used to defeat the Romans this time cannot be repeated. The Romans will learn about the entire battle from the mouths of the fleeing soldiers, and the next time they attack us, they wont make the same mistakes again.
Defense requires skill, which the new recruits cannot learn in a short time. On the other hand, courage is crucial for an attack, and our brothers do not lack hatred for the Romans. Hatred will fill them with strength, so taking the initiative to attack is our best choice. Establishing a camp on flat ground leaves us vulnerable without natural defenses. We can only ensure our safety by defeating the enemy, while on this mountain, our fighting spirit can easily be weakened!
I also agree with Spartacus plan. Hamilcar nodded towards Artorix, speaking in a gentle tone. Aside from other factors, the farm in the north is surrounded by Roman ditches and earthworks, which actually provide better defense than our camp here. Moreover, training our soldiers on flat ground would be more advantageous. Once our forces expand, it will be easier for us to expand the camp outward. Additionally, on flat ground, the logistics team can transport supplies more easily
Lets move the camp quickly. Theres nothing good about staying here! Oenomaus complained. The camp surrounds us with a burnt smell, and theres that pool of bodies. Even though theyve been cremated, its still unpleasant to think about. We better find a new place quickly.
The suggestion to move the camp was approved, and it was decided to take action the next day.
After making this decision, the leaders had little else to say. As usual, Spartacus asked the final question, Does anyone have any other suggestions?Follow current novels at novelhall.com)
I do. Maximus, who had been quiet in the corner, spoke up. From yesterday to today, over 240 of our people have been injured to varying degrees. Based on the recovery of previous wounded soldiers, Im afraid that more than half of them will die due to infected wounds and high fever. When I was young, I learned some medical skills. I believe that as long as we regularly change the bandages on their wounds, keep the wounds clean, provide them with sufficient rest, and give them enough good food as long as its not a severely critical injury, the majority of them will eventually recover.
But we havent taken care of them enough! Maximus said with great sorrow. Many of our brothers who fought alongside us before (referring to the gladiators injured during the escape from the school) died due to lack of proper treatment. We cant continue like this! I suggest that we entrust all these wounded soldiers to our logistics team. I will personally ensure that they are well taken care of and do everything in my power to help them recover and return to duty.
They have to join even if they dont want to! Crixus said coldly, and surprisingly, no one opposed, including Spartacus.
I thought you all upheld the principle of voluntary participation for everyone as you were with those farm slaves. It turns out, that when it comes to truly needed talents, you dont hesitate to use any means! Maximus glanced at the four of them and felt like he had learned a new trick.
I also agree with the idea of the logistics team taking care of the wounded. However, the logistics team is responsible for providing food, transporting supplies, and managing warehouses, so manpower is already stretched thin. Now you have to take care of the wounded as well. Do you have enough people? Hamilcar raised his question with a serious expression.
Maximus inwardly rejoiced, thinking, Teacher is giving me a timely help! He immediately spoke up, Indeed, we are a bit short on manpower! There are currently over 240 wounded soldiers, and we need at least thirty to forty people to take care of them around the clock. And as you all should know, most of the logistics team members are physically weak. They cant even carry the injured, so how can they take care of them properly? So, we not only need people, but we need strong and robust men!
Spartacus looked troubled and said, But the major teams are also short on manpower How about this, once we have new recruits, well try to allocate more to the logistics team.
Maximus, with a hint of complaint, suggested, Thats all well and good, but it should have been done a long time ago. However, right now, we cant delay any longer. The wounded soldiers urgently need care. I suggest we allocate the batch of slaves captured from the prisoners to our logistics team.
That wont work! These slaves are different from the new recruits who only know how to farm. They have already undergone military training and have some combat experience. It would be a waste to assign them to the logistics team! Crixus immediately expressed his opposition.
The batch of slaves they mentioned came from the recently defeated Roman army. According to the current Roman military system, the smallest unit of a Roman legion was a contubernium, consisting of ten individuals, two of whom were slaves. They did not participate in combat but were responsible for miscellaneous tasks such as carrying items for the other eight soldiers, cooking, setting up tents, repairing weapons, and taking care of the wounded.
The Roman army that came to Mount Vesuvius this time had a total of 560 such slaves. The rebel army launched a surprise attack on the Roman camp and captured over 200 of them. They are all publicly owned slaves of Rome, many of whom are war prisoners. After years of hard labor for Rome, they have the chance to be freed and become free citizens. Therefore, not all slaves were willing to join the rebellion, but the act of the rebel army slaughtering all Roman prisoners frightened them, so they all reluctantly expressed their agreement.