Chapter 540: Chapter 408: Cultivating the Crown Prince
"Great King, since the last time you convened a military meeting, the Arms Department has taken the preparation seriously. The expansion of those camps in the mountains was the idea proposed to the engineering team by the Arms Department first. We hope they can quickly build granaries and warehouses in each camp because, in the coming period, the Arms Department will start organizing manpower to store food and materials in these camps so that the army can replenish supplies nearby during the march.
To ensure the safety of stored materials in the camps, Great King, I suggest sending more soldiers to garrison these camps."
"Hmm, you at the Military Department should discuss and come up with a plan for stationing troops at the camps. Then, I will hold a military meeting to decide," said Maximus.
"Yes, Great King," Camillus continued, "our Arms Department has also carefully examined the roads built by the engineering team in the mountains. Based on the characteristics of these roads, we have asked the carriage workshop to design special carriages specifically for mountain transport. These have been repeatedly tested and improved, and indeed, they work better in the mountains than usual carriages. We have already requested the carriage workshop to begin mass-producing these mountain carriages...
We also found that the animals pulling the carriages are best if they are Sava green mules. These mules have good endurance, are strong, and are not prone to illness, making them the most suitable pack animals for mountain transport. However, there aren’t many Sava green mules for sale at the market, and our Arms Department..." Camillus glanced at Seksepis, the Chief Officer of the Livestock Department, hesitating to continue.
Seksepis immediately understood his intent, hesitated for a moment, then said, "The Livestock Department can provide you with about two hundred Sava green mules, but we will need to send personnel to accompany and care for them. Also, after the war, you must return these mules to us."
"That is no problem at all!" said Camillus, visibly relieved, and continued, "Great King, our Arms Department plans to equip each temporary camp with two transport teams, using a relay system to move the food and materials out of the western mountains.
Although each transport won’t carry much, it can run continuously through rotation. Moreover, because the transport distance for each team is short, both the pack animals and the vehicles can rest and be maintained well, which significantly reduces consumption and, in turn, increases transport capabilities..."
Maximus nodded. "After the materials are transported out of the mountains, I hope we can establish a larger camp nearby, so the transported materials can be concentrated here, then continue to supply the army entering Italy."
Camillus paused for a moment and said seriously, "Great King, I hope that after the army enters Italy, it can try to collect the necessary food and materials locally, to ease the long-distance transportation pressure on our Arms Department."
Maximus pondered for a moment and said, "Camillus, your department has made meticulous preparations for this war. I think the new transport method you have devised is very good, and we can try it out. As for your suggestions, they are all within our consideration, so you don’t need to worry."
Maximus gently patted the back of his chair, looked around the people, and said loudly, "The Kingdom has begun making meticulous preparations for the war with Rome, but the subjects still know nothing about it. Although many sympathize with the tragic experiences of the Gallia tribesmen ransomed to the Kingdom and feel extreme anger at the Romans’ cruel invasion, this is not enough!
Before the war comes, we need to make all subjects deeply understand that the war with Rome is inevitable. Only by defeating the Romans can our Nix Kingdom continue to survive, and their happy lives can continue long! So—"
Maximus looked profoundly at the Scepter Priest, "Emmerich, the time has come for the temple and priests to exert their influence! You need to begin actively spreading the oracle of the Danu Goddess to the subjects coming to the temple to worship. Make them understand our war with the Romans is what the Goddess desires! This is not merely a mortal struggle over interests, but a holy war! It is to protect all believers of the Goddess and to proclaim the glory of the Goddess to the entire Mediterranean!"
Emmerich immediately bowed and respectfully said, "Noble High Priest, before this, I have already drafted the doctrine of this holy war with Hemijias. After returning, I will immediately gather all the priests in the Kingdom and have them, according to your will, actively preach to the followers about this holy battle with the Romans! On the day the army departs, we will ensure all subjects cheer for the war and all soldiers enter this holy war with fighting spirit!"
"Good! Good!..." Maximus saw all preparations for this war were proceeding smoothly, and he couldn’t help but feel delighted.
After his slightly excited emotions calmed down, he said again, "Next, we need to discuss what administrative adjustments need to be made to the various departments in the Kingdom to ensure that after I leave with the army, the country can still maintain stability."
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The meeting ended, and the Kingdom’s ministers and nobles gradually left, only Maximus remained on the throne, pondering something when a clear voice rang in his ear, "Father, Father!..."
The speaker was Maximus’s eldest son, Gandlicusi, now seventeen years old, serving as the King’s Attendant. This arrangement, starting from last year, was Maximus’s way of grooming his heir by having him accompany and learn about governance.
"What’s the matter, child?" Maximus came back to his senses and looked at his son standing before him.
"Father, I don’t want to stay in the country; I want to go with you to Italy!"
Gandlicusi said passionately, "The war with Rome concerns the life and death of the Kingdom. In such an important war, leaving me in the country would make everyone think I am a coward! Every time the people talk about this war in the future, it would make me feel ashamed! Therefore, I must not stay; I want to personally experience this great war with the army!"
Maximus gazed at Gandlicusi. His delicate features closely resembled Florist Luscia. His previously frail body had become sturdy and upright after years of consistent military training, and the youthful features held an unyielding spirit. A bright flame flickered in his clear eyes.
The child has grown up!... Maximus sighed inwardly.
In previous governmental arrangements, Maximus planned for his wife, Nexia, to sit in Yeriboli, coordinating departments to manage state affairs and maintaining order and stability. In his past military campaigns, this was his usual arrangement. However, this time, he wanted Gandlicusi to listen and participate with Nexia, considering the worst-case scenario: if he fell in battle, Gandlicusi could immediately ascend the throne, ensuring the Kingdom does not fall into chaos.
But Gandlicusi’s words made him realize that although his son was young, he possessed a good political intuition: How can a new king with no personal experience in a national war command the heartfelt allegiance of those officers and soldiers who have rendered countless distinctions!
As for the previous consideration that both the King and Crown Prince should not be in a war simultaneously, fearing a simultaneous demise would be a fatal blow to the Kingdom... Maximus shook his head and smiled wryly: if the war he meticulously prepared for twenty years ultimately failed, Roman retaliation would come swiftly and fiercely. Nix, severely damaged, would not hold out long and inevitably fall under Roman rule. Gandlicusi staying would be of little significance...
"Alright, I promise you." Maximus said in a solemn voice as he looked at his son, "However, you can no longer serve as my Attendant, and instead join the army staff as a junior staff member. You must completely obey Lord Pequot’s orders and do whatever he asks, whether it is memorizing maps, pitching tents, or taking out the trash. Can you do that?"
"I am not afraid of hardship, I can do it!" Gandlicusi immediately responded loudly, with excitement evident in his expression.
"Don’t get too excited yet," Maximus reminded, "Now, the two of us must think of a way to persuade your two mothers!"
Gandlicusi, as if doused with cold water, immediately deflated and said with a bitter face, "This... this... father, you must help me; every time when Nexia’s mother gets angry, you always have a way to make her happy again."
"You brat, you were so brave when talking to me, but when it comes to your mother, you lose your nerve? Let me tell you, this is your matter; if you hide behind me, I might go back on my word!"
"...Alright... alright, I’ll talk to her myself, but you must stay by my side, Father."
"Fine!"
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The long-standing Roman law stipulates that there must be a ten-year interval between any individual’s two terms as Governor.
Sula re-established this law during his dictatorship.
Of course, when Pompey was elected Governor in 52 BC, this law was temporarily set aside, in line with his reputation as a ’destroyer of Roman traditional politics,’ and was not surprising. But this law still applies to many who are involved in Roman politics.
Caesar, however, did not intend, nor does he need, to receive special privileges in this regard. He planned to participate in the election in 49 BC and then serve as the Governor the following year, by which time it would be ten years since his first term as Governor ended.
Once he becomes Governor, he will enact new laws, granting land to the veterans who followed him. He will formally establish his arrangements in Gaul with decrees, allowing him to introduce other acts that can win over various societal strata, thereby strengthening his political power and deterring his political adversaries from attacking him in court.