"These Lukaiya people are willing to assist us in attacking Pompeii, asking only to kill a few nobles in Pompeii, especially Vidius, whom they claim is the main culprit for seizing their lands..." Spartacus said, "As long as we agree to do so, these Lukaiya people are willing to join our ranks and fully help us fight against the Roman Army."
"How many of these Lukaiya people want to join us?" Cross asked.
"Over fifty people?!" Cross laughed heartily, "Every day now more than five hundred people are coming to ally with us. Do we really lack these fifty people!"
"Among these more than fifty people, most were previously team officers in the Roman Army. Leading them is a Chief Centurion of the legion, who told us that there are many comrades in Italy in a similar situation to his, and he is willing to mobilize them to join our ranks..." Hamilcar emphasized.
Another Centurion, and a Chief one at that... Maximus’s expression subtly changed.
"A few days ago, we just annihilated a Roman legion. Have we killed few of their officers? We have enough people wanting to join our ranks who harbor hatred against Rome. These Roman soldiers, who have been commanded by the Roman Elder to seize foreign lands and slaughter foreign people, are not worth recruiting!" Cross said excitedly.
"Although our troops now exceed ten thousand men, due to the influx of people these days, the ranks are somewhat chaotic and lack training, unsuitable for field combat." Antonix said cautiously, "Moreover, our troops have no experience in siege warfare, and lack siege equipment. Because of our presence, surrounding towns have strengthened their defenses. Although Pompeii is not large, the city walls are four or five meters high. If we lead the army to attack, casualties will be significant, and if we cannot capture it, it will not only affect morale but also damage our prestige..."
"I’m interested in attacking a city, but I don’t want to do it because the Romans want us to," Enomai said bluntly.
Attutmus immediately followed, "If it’s about arraying troops for battle, I have no objections, but for siege... let’s forget it."
"I actually think it’s possible to send troops to attack Pompeii," Maximus spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. He said calmly, "Not for those Lukaiya people, but for ourselves! Now, more and more people are joining us, and food isn’t a concern. After all, it’s harvest season. Soldiers go out to cut wheat every day, which is enough to sustain us for a while. But apart from food, we are desperately short of some supplies, such as pottery, linen, tents, copper pots... The farms in the Vesuvius region have been scoured by us, and there might be some farms beyond it, but not many, while our demand is large. Only by capturing a small seaside town like Pompeii, which has bustling trade, can we not only meet our needs but also gain more, like blacksmiths!"
"Do you think attacking a town is as easy as making dinner?" Cross looked at him contemptuously, "You speak lightly, but it will cost many lives!"
Maximus said earnestly, "We rose up against the Romans, risking our lives in the first place. If we don’t try, we’ll never know if we have the ability to capture a town, and aren’t the Lukaiya people there to help us?"
"Lukaiya people?" Cross sneered, "Who knows if they’re deliberately deceiving us, trying to send us to our deaths!"
"Enough, let’s not talk more, let’s vote and decide." Spartacus finished speaking, and Cross immediately stated firmly, "I disagree with attacking Pompeii!"
"I also disagree," Antonix followed closely.
"I cannot agree with the Lukaiya people’s request," Enomai shook his head.
Hamilcar glanced at Spartacus and then at Maximus, and said softly, "I think we can agree to the Lukaiya people’s request and try to attack Pompeii."
Maximus was invigorated, "I also agree to attack Pompeii."
It was now Cross’s turn to be anxious because in most previous voting meetings Spartacus and Hamilcar’s opinions were consistent, so this time might be no different. By then, a tie of three votes to three, would such a trivial matter even be temporarily shelved? Wouldn’t it be a joke to let Maximus laugh at it!... Cross was feeling frustrated, but then Spartacus said, "I also disagree with attacking Pompeii. The Lukaiya people’s request must be refused."
Cross was overjoyed upon hearing this, "It’s settled then, send those Lukaiya people away!"
After speaking, he glanced at Maximus, but Maximus’s expression was calm, betraying no disappointment.
Cross’s eyes glinted as he said, "Spartacus, I have a proposal."
"Since Attutmus became the Fifth Battalion Commander, he has been deeply loved by the soldiers, accumulating considerable prestige. Additionally, in the recent battle against the Roman legion, the Fifth Battalion that he led performed exceptionally well. I think it’s time to make him one of us, to become a genuinely military commander!"
Cross was not someone who naturally thought for others. The reason he proactively mentioned it this time was because he suddenly realized earlier: Spartacus has a close relationship with Hamilcar and Antonix, coupled with Maximus, who is at odds with him. In the military commander conference votes, Spartacus has too much of an advantage. The newly joined Attutmus, though having an ordinary relationship with him, is not very close to Spartacus either. Bringing him in could give Cross a better chance of getting his future suggestions approved.
Attutmus shot an appreciative look at Cross.
"I was actually planning to bring this up myself, didn’t expect you to mention it first, Cross. This just shows that Attutmus’s performance has won all our recognition. So now let’s vote on whether he should gain a vote in the military commander conference," Spartacus said seriously.
The result of the vote was naturally unanimous approval, thus increasing the number of rebel army leaders to seven.
While everyone was congratulating Attutmus, Cross spoke again, "I have another proposal—"
Cross looked at Maximus and said solemnly, "This time when we went to attack the Roman Army, we assigned all of our newly joined 500 slaves to the Supply Camp, which was only a temporary measure. It has resulted in the Supply Camp’s Guard having more than 700 soldiers. I think it’s a total waste to have so many soldiers in charge of providing us with food and treating our wounded since they don’t need to fight on the front lines. It’s better to transfer half of them to other battalions, what do you think?"
This remark by Cross abruptly made the originally relaxed meeting atmosphere tense.
Since its establishment, the rebel army has undergone reorganizations and reformation, but its structure remains relatively loose. Each battalion and the Supply Camp’s leaders are like feudal lords with significant power. No other leader, including Spartacus, could interfere with their internal affairs without consent. Cross wanting to pull people already assigned to the Supply Camp openly humiliates Maximus and undermines his prestige as the head of the Supply Camp.
This kind of matter had never happened in previous military commander meetings. Cross was likely still holding a grudge about the incident two months ago when his battalion soldiers were publicly punished for insulting the Medical Team’s women, seizing this victory to take revenge.
"During your expedition, Napolet sent multiple spies to approach our camp. If not for the sight of hundreds of Supply Camp Guard soldiers conducting military training in front of the camp, the Campagnians might have looted the camp’s supplies by the time you returned victorious. This is the role of having a guard team with sufficient soldiers. If Cross, you want to take away my people, then in future campaigns, let the Second Battalion always stay behind to guard the camp!"
Maximus coldly retorted and immediately went on, "I also have a proposal! The soldiers of the Second Battalion often say they don’t eat much, and the food distributed to them is a bit too much. I suggest that in the future, food rations for the Second Battalion should be halved!"