Chapter 545: Chapter 413: The Anti-Roman Military Alliance is Ready to Launch
Maximus gave his reply: The civil war in Rome has just begun. If we launch an attack too early, it might cause Pompey and Caesar to reconcile and unite against us. We must wait until both sides have exhausted considerable strength through continuous fighting and become mortal enemies, then launch an attack when their main forces are far from Italy and far from the Gaul region. This way, we can increase the success of our assault and reduce the casualties of our troops.
Although Vercingetorix was somewhat unwilling, he had to admit that Maximus was right.
Since they had endured for such a long time and the Gaul tribes had paid a considerable price, waiting a little longer for the ultimate revenge against the Romans seemed acceptable. Vercingetorix had to suppress his excitement, especially since the successful fulfillment of the "Oracle of the Goddess Danu" made him trust Maximus a bit more.
Compared to Vercingetorix, Brebiusta was much more stable.
After the outbreak of the Roman civil war, he admired Maximus’s precise judgment of the Roman situation and, against his subordinates’ advice, personally traveled to Yeriboli, the capital of Nix, to meet Maximus and discuss the progress of the Roman civil war and the strategies the Danish Alliance should adopt in response.
He also suggested that "we should wait until Caesar and Pompey are both exhausted before choosing the right moment to declare war on Rome."
He subtly expressed his hope that Pompey would ultimately be defeated.
This surprised Maximus because he vaguely remembered that in previous historical records, Brebiusta had written to Pompey expressing support when Pompey and Caesar clashed in Greece, and even considered sending reinforcements to join the battle...but in this timeline, Brebiusta was showing a completely opposite attitude.
However, after pondering a bit, Maximus understood why the King of Dacia’s attitude differed in different timelines.
Because in the past, Brebiusta lacked the confidence to lead Dacia alone in challenging the mighty Rome. Compared to the aggressive Caesar, he preferred choosing Pompey, who liked being boss and made life easier for his subordinates; as long as Pompey was in power and Dacia remained submissive, the safety of the entire race was assured.
But in this timeline, with Nix’s assistance, Brebiusta had ambitions to occupy more territories and establish a more glorious Dacia Kingdom. As Pompey was the de facto leader of the Eastern powers, if Dacia advanced towards Thrace or attacked other city-states and kingdoms, Pompey would feel responsible and unite the Eastern powers to siege him.
And if Caesar emerged as the final victor in the Roman civil war, it would take time for him to inherit Pompey’s legacy and gain recognition from the Eastern powers. Brebiusta planned to utilize this chaotic period to expand his strength.
Moreover, Caesar’s main base was in the Gaul region and Italy, where Nix and the Gaul Tribe could handle their own. Caesar could hardly spare more energy to target Dacia.
Anyway, after this meeting, a more detailed military cooperation was discussed regarding Rome’s civil war and the upcoming attack both sides planned to initiate. They swore again to their respective Divine to reach a new agreement: when one party launches an attack against the Romans, the other party must promptly follow the agreement to attack; both parties will collaborate closely during the war against the Romans, and if one side encounters difficulties and seeks help from the other, the other side must do its utmost to provide support; after achieving victory against the Romans, the territories will be divided by the Adriatic Sea and Libya, with the east belonging to Dacia and the west to Nix...
In the eyes of some high-ranking figures in Nix, this agreement seemed like a loss for the Kingdom because the region east of the Mediterranean was populated, prosperous in commerce, advanced in technology, and wealthier, while the areas west, except for Italy and Sicily, were relatively backward.
Maximus convinced them: The primary enemy of the Nix Kingdom at present is Rome. To ensure Dacia devotes its full effort to fighting against Rome’s Eastern provinces and easing the pressure on Nix, it is reasonable to concede some benefits at this time. This also prevents any conflict of interest during the war that could lead to unexpected outcomes benefitting the enemies.
Moreover, the Eastern regions, although wealthier and more developed, also imply they are stronger and less easily conquered, especially against Parthia, which had once defeated Rome; comparatively, the western regions were weaker and more easily subdued, and being conquered earlier means sooner managed and reformed by Nix officials... Given these considerations, who the ultimate victor is, is quite apparent.
Based on such considerations, Brebiusta proposed in the final clause of the agreement: Dacia and Nix should establish permanent peace.
Maximus gently reminded: This proposal might not be practical; we can keep peace between our two countries as long as we are in power because of our mutual understanding. However, we cannot foresee or prevent future generations or leaders from tearing up this peace agreement due to some reason...
Brebiusta remained silent for a while and then expressed his agreement.
Thus, the last clause of the agreement was modified: As long as Maximus and Brebiusta are in power, Nix and Dacia will remain military allies.
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Caesar easily occupied Brindisi, but since Pompey’s army had already gathered most of the commercial ships in the area and taken them away, collecting and mobilizing enough vessels from other regions to transport his army would take considerable time.
Caesar has always enjoyed taking the initiative and was reluctant to waste time waiting in place.
Taking advantage of spring, which is an ideal season for combat, he decided to leave some troops here to gather ships while keeping an eye on Pompey across the sea. He himself would lead parts of the army to Spain to attack Pompey’s finest troops there, aiming to weaken his power.
He joked to his subordinates that he would first deal with an army without a general, then go to Greece to confront Pompey and sweep away a general without an army.
Meanwhile, he dispatched Little Curio to lead Amityus’s forces, which had previously surrendered to him, to guard Sicily, ensuring Italy’s grain supply and sent another force to occupy Sardinia.
Now Caesar militarily controlled the entire Italy, but before going to Spain, he decided to politically clear his name as a traitor, to show his enemies, all Roman citizens, and the other Roman provinces that the state apparatus was still functioning in Rome, and the Rome under his control remained the center of the Roman World.
Thus, he first headed to Rome, planning to convene a Senate meeting on March 1st, hoping for as many Elders as possible to attend.
Caesar also wrote to Cicero, hoping he could attend this meeting as well.
This period was quite tough for Cicero.
When Cicero returned from exile, his relationship with Caesar quickly warmed up, with his brother Quintus becoming Caesar’s Legion Commander, he was invited to participate in Caesar’s architectural projects, and even Caesar lent him a substantial sum of money, maintaining friendly correspondence over the long term.
Therefore, when tensions escalated between the Senate and Caesar, he was on pins and needles, not wishing others to believe he had been bought by Caesar and become a supporter of his rebellion, nor wanting people to think he opposed Caesar just to evade his debt.
When Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his troops, Cicero deemed it a shocking, heinous crime. Later, upon hearing Caesar’s leniency towards the captured Amityus’s troops, his attitude softened, and he wrote to Caesar, praising his mercy.
On the other hand, while he did not entirely agree with the stance and behavior of Pompey, Cato, and other Elders, neither did he oppose them and even accepted recruiting duties assigned by the Senate.
However, learning that the Pompey he had always trusted abandoned Rome to head south severed his connections with him. Later, upon hearing he had retreated from Italy, his loathing grew, opting to wait in the solitude of his countryside villa, observing how events unfolded.
Despite Caesar’s invitation, Cicero, not wishing to be used by him, steadfastly refused to travel to Rome.
Even without Cicero’s participation, the Senate still convened on the designated date, but attendance was sparse, with notable figures absent.
The meeting was held outside the official boundaries of Rome, as Caesar, being a Provincial Governor, was not permitted to enter Rome.
Caesar did his best to ensure that this meeting’s process adhered to legal procedures, demonstrating that he was not a rebel, but a defender of Roman order.
During the meeting, Caesar publicly reiterated his grievances and proposed that the Senate dispatch an envoy to negotiate and reconcile with Pompey.
Ironically, while his proposal was approved, no one was willing to volunteer as this envoy.
Caesar then had People’s Guardian Anthony call a public assembly where he again explained his actions to the Roman people, blaming his political opponents for instigating the war.
Despite assuring that Rome’s grain supply would remain unaffected and generously gifting each Roman citizen 300 sesterces, most of the populace remained cautious.
After all, with the civil war just beginning, without knowing who would ultimately prevail, no one dared hastily choose sides for fear of future retribution.
Another critical move Caesar made during his stay in Rome was accessing the treasury.
Given he commanded 10 legions and some independent detachments and auxiliary troops, and after entering Italy, had assembled several new legions, these forces required pay, equipment, and provisions. Despite his considerable wealth, maintaining such a vast army was unsustainable on his own, and to win the war, he set aside reservations.
The treasury provided him with 15,000 gold bars, 30,000 silver bars, and 30 million sesterces.