Chapter 466: Chapter 334: Consolidate New Territory
Previously, some of the Segestica refugees fled to the Brochi Territory, while others remained in the Gonami Lake Region. Although the various tribes around the lake, out of regard for their fellow countrymen, were willing to offer some relief, they were not affluent. Consequently, food rations were scarce, causing these refugees to unconsciously disperse around the various tribes.
Glicus exploited the scattered distribution of the refugees by having his subordinates disguise themselves and infiltrate each of these refugee settlements. After gathering intelligence, they merely needed to pass the information to the nearest settlement. The subordinate stationed there would receive the intelligence and continue passing it to the next settlement... in such a methodical manner, the information was passed northward, eventually reaching the personnel stationed at the Nix Camp through settlements near the Yiborus Tribe...
Because the refugees in these settlements were already quite mobile, Glicus’s subordinates only needed to travel to nearby settlements, never exceeding two miles in distance. This approach was very prudent and safe, unlikely to arouse suspicion from the enemy.
This method of information transmission conceived by Glicus made Quintus realize that this subordinate of his was not only diligent but also resourceful, making every effort to minimize the risks to their subordinates. This was what he admired most.
"Quintus, don’t just speak well of your subordinate, don’t forget to record merits for your men!" Maximus rarely saw Quintus in this manner and couldn’t help but tease.
"Leader, recording merits is Flanitnus’s responsibility." Quintus’s face quickly returned to calmness, reminding in a cold voice.
Maximus forced a laugh and continued, "After today’s battle, the surprise attacks by the southern enemies completely failed, and their army was almost annihilated. Moreover, the leader of the Segestica exiled army, Pulikas, was beheaded by Hagux, and the most influential leader in the Gonami Lake Region, Iberus, was also injured and captured...
Although today’s battle wasn’t large, its significance was great. I believe that after suffering this blow, the southern enemies will find it difficult to organize an army to harass our villages for a while. Our tribesmen can safely cultivate the land. However, we can’t lower our guard! Glicus, your Military Intelligence Bureau must keep an eye on the Gonami Lake Region and Brochi, and report immediately if anything unusual is discovered!"
"Yes!"
"Also, tell those subordinates hidden within enemy territories to be cautious and protect themselves well! Have the tribes distributed the houses and fields to them?"
"They were already distributed."
"That’s good! Tell them to continue earning merits for the tribe. When they return, I will personally promote and reward them!"
"Yes, Leader! I believe that once they know what you’ve said, they will work even harder!" Glicus responded loudly with excitement.
Maximus nodded.
Encouraged by the praise, Glicus gathered the courage to softly ask, "Leader, now that the fleet in the Gonami Lake has been heavily damaged... should we take the opportunity to send the army south to occupy the Gonami Lake Region and intimidate the Brochi people?"
"There is no need for that at the moment." Maximus, looking at this Pannonian from Mazi, roughly guessed why he was asking and replied in a gentle tone, "If you have already had a hearty dinner and your stomach is full, would you eat again if more food was brought to you then?"
"No, I wouldn’t." Glicus answered truthfully.
"The tribe’s situation is just like that now."
Maximus patiently explained, "We conquered the core region of Segestica. Although there are many Scodisqi slaves and Segestica citizens joining the tribe, they haven’t been completely won over. If war breaks out, it is uncertain if they will fight for the tribe;
We acquired so much land, and these lands have been distributed to both new and old tribesmen, yet they haven’t yielded any benefits in these recent days, making the tribe’s food supply quite tight;
We defeated Segestica, but this also attracted more enemies, with Brochi, Mazi, Desitia all eyeing our new territories. Although they don’t currently have the capacity to launch an attack on us, should instability arise in our land, they won’t hesitate to take action...
Therefore, what we need most is to digest the piece of Segestica Territory we’ve swallowed now, just like how we often defeated Segestica’s armies before and once rendered them defenseless but didn’t lead our army into Segestica’s territory. Instead, we signed a ceasefire agreement with the Segestica and lived peacefully along the Kupa River for a year, acquiring more soldiers and resources, enabling us to defeat the large armies assembled by the Pannonian Tribe Alliance.
Now, as we have more land and tribesmen, with stable development for another one or two years, what will Gonami Lake count for? We could even defeat both Brochi and Mazi entirely! ...
Glicus, sincerely convinced, said, "Leader, I understand. I will patiently wait."
Maximus patted him on the shoulder and continued, "Your Military Intelligence Bureau should not only monitor the south but also keep a close watch on the north. A few days ago, I had a Scodisqi tribesman who once dealt with the Yabod people infiltrate the northern mountains and inform the Yabod people that ’the Segestica Tribe has suffered a great defeat and much of its territory has been occupied’. However, as reported by your Military Intelligence Bureau yesterday, although there were occasional small skirmishes on the northern Segestica Territory border, there was no sign of the Yabod people gathering massively or launching an invasion. What do you think is the reason?"
"Leader, after our tribe occupied this area, most of the Segestica people unwilling to join us fled south, but a few chose to flee north because the northern Segestica Territory is very close.
The northern Segestica tribes treat these refugees the same way as those in the Gonami Lake Region, so my subordinates found it easy to infiltrate them. These messages, passed back by responsible individuals, should be accurate."
Although Glicus appeared confident, he was somewhat apprehensive at heart. After pondering, he further explained, "I lived in the Segestica Tribe for several years and heard some things about the Yabod people. They reside in the Northwest Mountains, are few in number, their tribes are scattered, and they lack arable land, so they mainly subsist on hunting and plundering.
Previously, they invaded Segestica Territory mainly in autumn because they could seize a lot of grain during the harvest. A few years ago, they fought with the army led by Andres and suffered many deaths, and they probably haven’t fully recovered yet. To retaliate against the Segestica, they would probably need to gather warriors from all the Yabod tribes.
But it’s winter now, and the mountains are covered with snow, making passage very difficult. When the snow melts in spring, they will be more capable of military mobilization to attack the northern Segestica tribes..."
"Hmm, makes sense..." Maximus mused, "Spring... with another one or two months, our new territory will be more stable, and launching an expedition then would be more assured... Moreover, by then, Ophelia’s Iron Workshop should be nearly complete, and contacting the Noric for the purchase of iron ore would not delay matters too much..."
"Leader, how should we handle Iberus, the captured leader of the Gonami Lake Tribe?" Flanitnus’s words interrupted Maximus’s contemplation.
Traditionally, the Nix handled captured Pannonian leaders and nobles by either solving them with a single stroke or sending them to the Alde for mining. However, after pondering, Maximus seriously stated, "This Iberus is said to hold considerable influence in the Gonami Lake Region. Since he is seriously injured, let the Third Legion escort him over, and let the hospital treat him well. If he can recover, perhaps we can use him to make the Segestica people in Gonami Lake more compliant, causing fewer troubles for us."
............
The meticulously planned military operations by Bricks to harass the Segestica core territory controlled by the Nix people were quickly extinguished without causing much of a ripple within the Nix Tribe. Most of the Nix tribesmen were unaware of these events, being preoccupied with arranging and repairing their new homes, and planning and attending to their new fields...
Of course, the single tribesmen among the Nix were now focused on one thing—finding their companions!
This was not only a matter of personal need but also crucial for the tribe’s development.
For this reason, after the migration was completed, Maximus personally issued a decree, informing all single tribesmen in the tribe and encouraging them to actively solve the matter of marriage. Meanwhile, he instructed town administrators and village chiefs to exert all efforts to help tribesmen under their jurisdiction end their singledom, incorporating it as a performance review criterion for the Civil Affairs Department.
As a result, households with widows or marriageable women in the old territories along the Kupa River or the new territories along the Sava River found their doorsteps almost worn out, with marriage proposals coming by daily.
Moreover, the already busy Danu Temple became even busier as Emmerich, the chief priest of the temple, openly declared to the believers: In a dream, the Nix Chosen, Maximus, received a revelation from the Danu Goddess, the Earth Mother and source of all creation, who is pleased to see the Nix tribe, under her protection, thrive and prosper. Therefore, tribe couples who register their marriage at the Legal Department and then pray at the temple will receive her blessing for a harmonious marriage and a happy life!