Chapter 539: Chapter 407: Preparations for War (Part 3)
"What exactly are the adjustments?" Maximus asked calmly.
"Four hundred Heavy Crossbow Soldiers, one hundred Light Crossbow Soldiers."
"In other words, we need to add another fifteen hundred Heavy Crossbow Soldiers," Maximus slightly furrowed his brow and looked at Arms Minister Camillus. "Does the arsenal have enough heavy crossbows for this?"
Camillus shook his head. "During the spring training, the arsenal’s heavy crossbows were barely enough to equip the legion’s Heavy Crossbow Soldiers. Over the past few months, the arsenal has only added forty more heavy crossbows, which is far from the number you mentioned, Great King."
"The Roman Army’s strength lies mainly in their Heavy Infantry. Since our Double Crossbows can counter their Heavy Infantry and increase our chances of victory in war, we must exhaust all efforts to produce more heavy crossbows before the war begins. Sistos, what do you think?!" Maximus turned to the overseer of the weapons workshop.
"Great King, you’re absolutely right. Once the meeting ends, I will lead the craftsmen in the workshop to work day and night, focusing on manufacturing heavy crossbows. We will make sure to submit 1,500 crossbows to the Arms Department before the war begins!" Sistos responded resolutely.
"I mentioned 1,500 crossbows, and you’re only going to make 1,500?" Maximus looked at the embarrassed Sistos and sternly said, "I understand that crafting heavy crossbows is no easy task, especially the time-consuming production of the mechanical pulley system for the crossbow arm. But heavy crossbows are also prone to wear during usage, and we won’t be fighting only one or two battles against Rome. Thus, the need for heavy crossbows is—more is better. Additionally, the more heavy crossbows your weapons workshop produces, the greater the rewards from the kingdom will be!"
Encouraged, Sistos gritted his teeth and said, "Rest assured, Great King! Our weapons workshop will provide the Arms Department with heavy crossbows that exceed your expectations!"
"Good. With your words, I can rest easy!" Maximus lightly tapped the armrest of his chair, expressing his commendation for Sistos. He then turned to another matter: "Pequot, do you have any other questions?"
"I do have one more question." Pequot, well-prepared for the meeting, answered without hesitation. "Great King, the new type of Ironclad Soldiers trained under your suggestion indeed has a significant advantage against Heavy Infantry in terms of offense. However, their full-body armor is too heavy—approximately fifty to sixty pounds. Most Ironclad Soldiers are exhausted after just over ten minutes of combat and can barely move, let alone swing their axes or hammers. Only a select few exceptionally tall and strong soldiers can continue fighting."
"How many of these tall and strong Ironclad Soldiers are there?" Maximus asked with interest.
"About a hundred and fifty or so," Pequot replied with some regret. "Although the lives of most citizens in the kingdom are quite good nowadays—three full meals a day, plenty of cheese to eat, and even a meat dish every two or three days—neither the Illyrian nor Celtic lineage produces particularly tall and strong individuals, so there aren’t many men suitable for Ironclad Soldiers."
"Ironclad Soldiers are meant to be a rare elite unit that exerts extraordinary effects in combat; they don’t need to be numerous. However, a hundred and fifty is indeed too few."
Maximus stroked his chin thoughtfully, an idea forming in his mind. Before he could speak, Commerce Minister Manas interjected, "Great King, didn’t you instruct me a few days ago to contact the Germanic people from the north? The Germanic are generally tall, strong, and endurance-capable. I believe they could wear the full-body armor weighing fifty to sixty pounds and sustain prolonged battles—"
"Great King, I oppose Minister Manas’ suggestion!" Flanitnus voiced his objection. "The reason we’ve managed to defeat the Germanic is largely due to our superior weapons and equipment. Now we’re planning to give our best-crafted weapons and armor to people who could pose a threat to us? I don’t think that’s wise!"
"Minister Flanitnus," Manas first bowed courteously to him before continuing his argument. "Although the Germanic have clashed with us before, our relations with the northern Germanic Quadi and Oxi Tribes have greatly improved in recent years.
We’ve established markets at the border, where we sell goods to them at reasonably low prices. Our goods, especially the brewed beer, are very popular among their leaders and nobles—often snapped up the moment they arrive at our markets.
During peak farming seasons, our citizens frequently hire Germanic people for labor, paying them generous wages. With our assistance, the Quadi and Oxi’s quality of life is far better than before, and their relations with us continue to improve. Last year, multiple leaders from the two tribes even attended our Summer Festival on your invitation.
In a few days, I will follow your orders to negotiate alliances with these two tribes. By early next year, you plan to invite them to send troops to fight alongside us against Rome. By then, recruiting some of their warriors to serve as Ironclad Soldiers will be an effortless endeavor!"
Maximus noticed surprised expressions on the faces of some in the hall who were hearing this for the first time. Maintaining his composed demeanor, he explained, "In recent years, Roman Governor Caesar has not only been waging war with the Gauls but also clashing with Germanic tribes. He’s inflicted several crushing defeats on them and even conducted armed marches into Germanic territory. The Germanic people fear and resent him greatly. I believe they’d be very willing to join us in avenging themselves against the Romans."
"Of course, Flanitnus’ concerns are valid. In the long run, the battle-hardened and formidable Germanic warriors remain a potential threat to our kingdom. Rather than forcibly subjugate them and face fierce resistance, it would be better to assimilate them gradually through trade and other friendly means—a process we’ve already begun, though we’re still in the early stages.
This time, if we can invite the Germanic people to participate in our campaign against Rome, it will not only neutralize their threat to our territory while our main forces are away but also expedite their integration into our kingdom as citizens through closer cooperation in combat. What do you all think?"
"The Great King is wise! Inviting the Germanic to declare war on Rome alongside us strengthens our forces, secures our territory, and prepares them for eventual assimilation into the kingdom—a truly flawless plan!" Manas proclaimed emphatically.
The others refrained from raising further objections.
"Great King, how many troops are you planning to lead in the campaign against Rome?" Capito asked with concern.
"I plan to lead the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Legions, as well as the cavalry corps. Adding the auxiliary units such as the Medical Camp and Engineering Camp, it will be approximately forty thousand combat troops heading into Italy," Maximus replied without hesitation, as he had already made plans in advance.
"Great King, only forty thousand troops to attack the mighty Rome? This seems far too few!" Spukala, Minujus, Sistos, and others exclaimed.
"Forty thousand is not too few," Maximus explained earnestly. "The troops I will lead have all undergone extended campaigns and achieved numerous battle merits. The team officers and soldiers alike possess rich combat experience and high morale. Regardless of how dire the battlefield conditions, they will unleash formidable strength!
While Rome is indeed powerful, amidst their internal conflicts, they won’t be able to assemble far larger forces to confront us on short notice. In fact, during our entry into Italy, it’s highly likely that we’ll face engagements where our troops outnumber theirs.
Of course, as the war progresses and casualties mount, I will dispatch additional legions to Italy as reinforcements as needed.
However, I won’t conscript an excessive number of soldiers for the campaign; after all, our kingdom remains the foundation of everything. Agriculture, production, and other essential activities require sufficient manpower. Even though our relations with neighboring tribes are amicable for now, we must ensure enough military strength remains to safeguard our territory... In short, we cannot allow the war to severely disrupt the kingdom’s regular operations."
Manas added, "While our expeditionary force numbers only forty thousand, we will invite the Germanic people to join the campaign. Additionally, we plan to enlist the aid of the Yapodes and Aldeans—"
Maximus interjected sternly, "It’s not just these three tribes. In fact, I have already persuaded the Gauls and Dacians to declare war on Rome when we launch our attack. They will simultaneously strike Roman provinces and troops!
All in all, we are not fighting alone. Once war erupts, various forces dissatisfied with Rome will join the fray, igniting flames of rebellion in every Roman-controlled region!"
Maximus’ words uplifted the spirits of those present, significantly alleviating any lingering anxiety among those new to the plan.
Curious, Karina of Gaul asked, "Great King, how did you connect with the Gauls and convince them to declare war on Rome?"
Maximus smiled, "It’s a long story. I’ll explain in detail once the meeting concludes."
He then surveyed the room and declared earnestly, "Beyond everything I’ve mentioned, remember that we possess one of the most potent weapons against the Romans: liberating slaves in Italy and granting land to the poor. They will become an endless source of soldiers who will join us in overthrowing the Roman aristocracy that oppresses and enslaves them!"
"The Great King speaks the truth!" Fesaros loudly affirmed. "When we originally rose up against the Romans, it was this exact strategy that helped us form a massive force and repeatedly defeat Roman armies!"
His words triggered reflective expressions and nostalgic emotions among many present.
Maintaining his composed demeanor, Maximus continued, "Another reason I’m leading only forty thousand troops is logistics and supply. Although we’re geographically close to Italy, the towering mountain ranges to the west pose significant challenges not only for our march but also for transporting supplies! Provide for forty thousand troops is already a tremendous undertaking! Camillus, can your Arms Department accomplish the task of logistical support?"