Maximus listened intently, his iron pen writing continuously on the wax tablet. After finishing, he did not immediately respond but looked at Pigeris: "What difficulties do you have on your side?"
"Captain Maximus, like Uncle Gaius, I also have three problems here." Pigeris, imitating Gaius's manner, extended three fingers and solemnly replied, "The first problem, I lead the convoy daily to follow the main force out, intending to bring all the spoils back here. However, after the manor was captured, our convoy is the last to be allowed entry; as a result, many things inside are already taken by other units. They even repeatedly say in front of me that we're just picking up what they have left behind—"
At this point, Pigeris appeared somewhat angry, but he immediately realized the impropriety and quickly composed himself, easing up before continuing: "The second problem is the convoy lacks carpenters who can repair the carts. Initially, the team had twenty carts, but now only thirteen are usable, carrying so much every day, and still having to go up this slope, the road is uneven, almost every two to three days a cart is damaged. Although we can continue to maintain with captured carts, it's a shame to abandon these broken carts in the courtyard. If they could be repaired, our convoy could transport more in one go, avoiding multiple trips each day;
The third problem is initially Leader Hamilcar assigned me to manage those sheep, which were only in their teens back then. I still had the energy to let them feed with the horses. Now they've increased to over two hundred forty sheep and six cows. There was originally no sheep pen in the manor, and now the nearby areas are occupied by other units. We can only build a makeshift large sheep pen about two miles north of the manor for the sheep to rest and graze during the day, but this makes it difficult to manage. We lack shepherds, and others often come to steal sheep, with losses daily. Seksepis has complained to me many times, but I can't help it; my focus is mainly on the convoy, and the sheep pen is too far to manage..."
After hearing this, Maximus did not immediately respond but looked at the three: "Does anyone have any more questions?"
"No more, just these." Acronis replied promptly, and Pigeris and Gaius also shook their heads.
Maximus, looking at the wax tablet full of Latin, pondered for a moment before saying to them, "The problems you raised can be summarized as a lack of people and resources. This lack isn't just for ordinary labor; Acronis, you need more people familiar with kitchen tasks, Gaius, you want someone good with numbers to help organize stored resources, Pigeris, you want carpenters for cart repair and some knowledgeable in livestock to tend the sheep and cattle... But even more importantly, you've all mentioned that our supply team lacks security and relies too much on external forces—"
Maximus looked at the three, emphasizing his tone: "In other words, our supply team lacks a patrol team directly under our command that can ensure our safety and prevent others from causing trouble!"
"Captain, you're absolutely right!" Acronis said loudly, no longer concealing her feelings: "We used to bring up these issues with Leader Hamilcar, but he didn't care like you do! Old man, Pigeris, don't you agree?"
Gaius nodded vigorously, while Pigeris just rubbed his chin without responding.
Seeing this, Maximus coughed heavily and said, "Leader Hamilcar doesn't lack concern but knows it's hard to provide you with enough manpower, and it's even harder to have our own patrol for the supply team. Now, each unit is busy expanding its manpower to counter any Roman Army attacks, so naturally, they wouldn't agree to give us strong youth. But don't worry; I remember these issues and will find a way to solve them. It just takes some time."
Maximus's sincere attitude made the three feel that the new captain genuinely wanted to solve these problems, so instead of feeling frustrated, they expressed understanding and urged Maximus not to worry too much.
"As for lacking kitchen utensils, warehouses, tents... I think this is relatively easier to solve—" Maximus paused and said gravely, "Since the manor no longer has enough space to store supplies, we can use other manors as another base for the supply team. I remember a large olive oil-producing manor not far from the hillside—"
"But... although our army previously captured that manor, there are no stationed soldiers around it now. If our supply team sends people there, what if the Roman Army suddenly attacks? That would be dangerous!" Gaius expressed his concern.
"Of course, we can't move in alone; we need other units to garrison nearby for security assurance." Maximus had already considered this and said, "Our army is now crowded on this hillside, too dense! It would be better to spread out, occupy more manors, and expand our territory... I'll propose this to Spartacus and other leaders and try to persuade them."
"If what you propose can be implemented, it could indeed solve the lack of kitchen utensils, but we're already short on people, and this would make it worse!" Acronis reminded.
"Don't worry about this; as long as Leader Spartacus agrees to designate other manors as supply bases, they'll have to provide us with more manpower." Maximus confidently replied.
"But if other manors also have kitchens, warehouses, and transport units, wouldn't there need to be new leaders?" Acronis quickly asked.
Upon hearing this, Maximus looked at the anxious Acronis, then at the still calm Pigeris, who had his hands firmly on his thighs, and finally at the indifferent Gaius, nodding: "That's certain; for better management, I propose establishing chief positions for the kitchen, warehouse, and transport to oversee them, to prevent chaos." As he said this, Maximus smiled at the three.
The implication was obvious, and Acronis immediately became excited, while Pigeris sat up straight. Only Gaius remained with his indifferent look.
After painting a promising picture for the three, Maximus continued, "Pigeris, as you mentioned earlier, do you no longer want to manage the sheep?"
"Captain, I lead the convoy transporting supplies from morning till evening every day, and I simply have no time to manage the sheep and cattle!" Pigeris hurriedly explained.
"If that's the case..." Maximus pretended to ponder, "then let's establish a separate shepherd team and appoint someone else in charge. Do you have any recommendations?"
"Seksepis." Pigeris blurted out: "He can do it; he was originally a slave herding sheep and cattle for the Romans, and he's been overseeing the sheep now."
Seksepis... Maximus tried hard to recall, and finally, a vague face appeared in his mind.
Maximus, having stayed in the supply team, was familiar with most people, but Seksepis seemed unfamiliar, for a simple reason: this person shepherded the flock outside during the day, and Maximus rarely interacted with him. So, he responded, "Call him over later, and I'll talk to him first."