After Hamilcar returned, he detailed his encounter with Maximus to Spartacus.
Spartacus pondered for a while before asking, "What do you think of Maximus’s suggestions?"
"I’ve thought carefully about it on the way back..." Hamilcar said seriously, "Maximus suggests that after we capture a few towns, we should distribute the land to the soldiers and then govern well... This suggestion is unworkable.
Let’s not even consider if we have the ability to manage a town. Once we stop moving and defend one place, it’s exactly what the Romans hope for, as they will have ample time for attack preparation. Even if we, Free Italy, put all our effort into defense, it would be hard to stop their attack for long."
Spartacus sighed: "Indeed, the Romans have strong siege capabilities. I remember when we first saw those giant siege machines made by the Romans, everyone was stunned..."
"As for some of Maximus’s other suggestions, I think there is some sense to them." Hamilcar looked at Spartacus and gently reminded him, "Besides having more people than the Roman Army, our advantage is our flexibility. The narrow terrain south of Turi does indeed not favor us showcasing our strengths.
Moreover, we know nothing about seafaring. To go to Sicily, we must take a ship. Regardless of who we find, placing our lives in others’ hands is indeed dangerous. We need to think it over carefully!"
Back in Tarentum, Spartacus had heard that decades ago there was a revolt in Sicily no less significant than theirs against Rome. At the time, he had thought about rekindling the flames of the Sicilian uprising and had privately discussed with Hamilcar several times.
So when Maximus mentioned the suggestion regarding Sicily, Hamilcar was startled; he did not know how the other party had learned of this secret matter.
Spartacus was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head, "Maybe Maximus is right, but things on the battlefield change too much for anyone to predict accurately. It’s best not to limit ourselves before the battle. Sometimes, disadvantages can turn into advantages...
Hamilcar, don’t forget, our goal is to destroy as much of the Roman Army as possible and cause them as much trouble as we can. For life and death... they mean nothing to us, so why worry about ships and Sicily? If successful, it troubles the Romans; if we fail, it’s just death."
"... You’re right." Hamilcar was relieved.
"But Maximus did have one good point; we once made a promise to grant everyone freedom..." Spartacus said in a leisurely tone, "Call in the other leaders in a bit, and let’s have another meeting. Hopefully, they can inform their soldiers that those willing to leave Italy can follow Maximus’s group."
"Honestly, I truly do not wish for Maximus to leave. He is a very capable person and has greatly helped Free Italy!" Spartacus looked toward Maximus’s camp with a somewhat regretful expression, "But since he insists on leaving, I can’t force him to stay. I think with his abilities, even if he goes north, he will manage well... This way, if one day we fail, at least someone will remember us... remember what we once did!..."
The three left Spartacus’s tent, and after walking a short distance, Cleonis couldn’t help but say resentfully, "Damn! This Maximus is indeed cunning, seeing the situation is bad and wants to slip away alone. If he stayed another day or two, our plan could have been executed, and by then, we could have detained him; his troops would have had to obediently go south with us!"
"Things aren’t that simple." Depeitimas reminded, "Spartacus, Hamilcar, and Antonix all came out of the Gladiator School with Maximus and have always had a good relationship with him. Even though they don’t support continuing north, they definitely won’t allow us to humiliate Maximus . Plus, his troops aren’t easy to handle. If we lose control and things get out of hand, it wouldn’t be good for our whole group!"
"That’s true, let him go north alone in disgrace; then we, Free Italy, won’t have disputes and can stay in Italy to fully deal with the Romans," Phitodorus interjected, "But Spartacus and his group are quite biased, even specially asking us to notify the soldiers that those wanting to leave can go!"
"That doesn’t affect us much." Cleonis said meaningfully, "Our soldiers are either from Calabria or Pisenum, and they won’t leave Italy. But in the forces of Spartacus, Antonix, and Attutmus, there are quite a few slaves and barbarians; some might choose to leave, but that’s actually good for us, isn’t it?"
Phitodorus and Depeitimas exchanged a knowing glance but said nothing.
"Even if these people join Maximus’s ranks, his strength won’t increase." Cleonis continued with a sneer, "In his troop, there are also many newcomers, poor people from Pisenum, who will absolutely not go north with him. Also, once he leads his team out of Italy, without the threat of the Romans, will those barbarian soldiers and slaves still want to follow him? I doubt it, though I can’t witness the tragic scene of him being surrounded by Gauls."