Henipolis thought about it but had not answered yet.

Davers said in a deep voice: "No, I don't think so, because we, Dionia, have no foundation in Africa, those Phoenician city-states will secretly be dissatisfied with us, and the East and West Numibians will pursue their own interests because Carthage is destroyed and without the shackles on their heads. If we want to replace Carthage, we may have conflicts with them...

There are also Mauritania and Libyans on the land of Afilica. These are all races with a large number of people. Once Carthage no longer exists, Afilica will likely be quarrels everywhere. We will be involved and consume a lot of our energy and material resources. Is it worth it? After all, the focus of the Kingdom of Dionia is on Italy. We must not only consolidate our rule in Italy, but also continue to implement the strategy of development to the north, and we cannot lose our roots and ends..."

After listening carefully, Henipolis pondered for a while, and suddenly said: "We want to take away Sicily, Sardinia, and southern Iberia to eliminate the threat of Carthage to the kingdom, but we must also allow Carthage to continue to exist as a major force on the land of Afilica to ensure that the Numibians continue to rely on us. And we, Dionia, can mediate among various forces in a transcendent identity, mediate disputes, and continue to increase our influence in Afilica..."

Davers nodded and said, "Herney, you understand well, so you must grasp this degree well in future negotiations. Of course, our army will continue to put pressure on it. I think Carthage will eventually agree to all our requests..."

When Davers said this, he couldn't help but think of Carthage in his previous life. After experiencing the Second Punic War, they had lost all their colonies, but after decades of development, they recovered their prosperity, which made the Romans nervous and eventually destroyed them.

In Davers's view, the Romans were scared by Hannibal, and there was always a paranoia of persecution. In fact, Carthage could no longer pose any threat to Rome at that time. It can be seen from the fact that when the Romans got angry, Carthage immediately sent a large number of hostages. Today, Dionia did not have the fear of the Romans, and in one battle he wiped out Rome, defeated Carthage, and became more confident and powerful.

Even if he only competes in trade, Dionia was not afraid of Carthage. Even after the victory of the Punic War, Rome became the overlord of the Western Mediterranean, it was still a city-state dominated by agriculture and underdeveloped trade. Today, Dionia has long been a priority for both agriculture and commerce under his guidance. Moreover, after obtaining these colonies in Carthage, the trade of the entire kingdom will only develop faster.

…………………………………………

Two days after the great victory of Selinus, the Dionyan army mainly stayed in Selinus City and the former Carthage camp to hurry up and rest. Davers did not send troops to siege the remaining troops, but ordered the two fleets to no longer cruise to the Carthage waters, but instead focused on blocking the ports of Mazara and Elex, and sent the Dionyan cavalry to patrol around the two towns. Anomalies were found and they could be rewarded at any time.

Davers believed that the Carthage remnants who had hid in these two towns had more than tens of thousands of people. Without food and supplies, it was difficult for the people of these two towns to support them. Moreover, because the army led by Prosous had destroyed farmland in the western region before, resulting in a sharp decline in wheat harvest in these towns. It is hard to say whether they can survive this winter, and how could they have surplus grain to support the remnants? I am afraid that it will not take long before these two city-states will be confused due to food problems.

In these two short days, Mazara and Segesta had no big noise, but the leaders of the Sikan people came to Selinus City together.

The Sikans, who were adjacent to Segesta, were the first to receive the news that the Carthage army was defeated. When they saw the once arrogant Carthaginian soldiers fleeing into Segesta in panic, they were shocked. In addition, hundreds of Dionysian cavalry and Numibian cavalry appeared on the edge of the Sikage territory from time to time in the past two days, frightening the weak Sicilian mountain race. They quickly decided to surrender to Dionys and captured Aconis, the leader of the Sikeltanic tribe who hid in their territory, and their confidants, in order to get the forgiveness of the Dionys.

Davers accepted their surrender and comforted her with warm words, so that the leader of the Sikay could feel relieved.

But then in front of them, Davers ordered his men to take Aconis and others into custody, and announced that he would be escorted to the Sikel Mountains, so that all tribes that had suffered attacks from Carthaginian troops and lost their territory and a large number of people would be tried and executed publicly.

In Davers' words, any allies who betray Dionyha should be severely punished. This made the Sike leaders present nervous and secretly alert.

……………………………………

Marco refused to obey the orders of the Senate and insisted on attacking the city of Selinus, which aroused the indignation of other senators except the Margonides. The Senate held a meeting for several days, fiercely debating "whether to impose the most severe punishment for this bold military commander." In fact, many senators also secretly hoped that the Carthaginian army could capture the city of Selinus, so that Carthaginian could regain some disadvantages in the subsequent negotiations.

On the night when the Carthage army was defeated, Mazara City sent several cargo ships and took huge risks to sail towards Carthage quietly in the dark, and only one was left to successfully reach its destination.

When the elders learned the news, they were so shocked that they didn't come back to their senses for a long time.

The navy was almost wiped out, but now the army was defeated again. The Carthage Navy and Army defeated the elders and completely destroyed the remaining arrogance in their hearts. In order to save the remaining army trapped on Sicily and a large number of soldiers captured by Diony, the Senate held an emergency meeting.

Unlike the venues in the past, Margonid sent the veterans to hear the Mazara messenger say, "Although Hasdruba was lucky enough to escape to Mazara City, Mago has no news yet." Therefore, he actively asked to restart the negotiations immediately, try to agree to the conditions proposed by the Dionians, and reach a ceasefire as soon as possible.

But under such difficult conditions, negotiating with Dionia will definitely face more difficulties, so the veterans actively discussed: where to make concessions, where to insist, and what new demands the Dionians may put forward...

It took two days to finally formulate a relatively complete diplomatic negotiation plan. It was the first time for Carthage to pass such a major issue in such a short time.

During the meeting, the Senate also spent some time to appease the Carthaginian people who were angry and weeping because of the news.

Ocreton once again took a boat to Sicily as an envoy of Carthage, and this time he felt a great responsibility.

After taking a boat to enter the western waters of Sicily, Ocreton prepared to enter Mazara City first to meet Hasdruba, learn more about the situation, and be prepared for any eventuality.

Unexpectedly, when the ship approached Mazara, it was intercepted by the Dionys warship. After learning that Ocreton was the Carthage negotiator, he did not allow him to enter the port of Mazara, but suggested that he go directly to the city of Selinus.

On the ship, Ocreton saw the many Dionian warships patrolling the port of Mazara. He felt the urgency of the situation and immediately ordered the ship to accelerate to Selinus.

The King of Dionys had moved from Minoa to Selinus, which was a step to victory for Dionys' army; but for Carthage, this change meant Carthage's complete failure in this war.

After Ocreton arrived in Selinus City, he asked to meet King Davers, but was rejected. He asked for negotiations again, and this time he obtained consent.

Negotiations took place in a vacant house in the port area.

Ocreton entered the living room early and waited. Henipolis delayed for a long time before Shi Shi arrived.

Ocreton suppressed his dissatisfaction and said straight to the point: "In the past few days, our Senate has reconsidered the negotiation conditions you proposed and decided to hand over Corsica to Dionia. Sardinia, except for San Ibinia and Cararis, the rest of Sardinia is under the jurisdiction of Dionia. Regarding Sicily, we hope that Dionia can return Lilibi, and we Carthage give up... The responsibility for other city-states and territories in western Sicily, Eriques, Mazara, Segesta, Palermos, etc. are independent city-states. Whether Dionia wants to annex or make it an affiliate, negotiate with them on its own, Carthage will not interfere with it."

After saying that, Ocreton looked at Henipolis, but felt a little nervous: In fact, the bottom line of negotiation given to him by the Senate was to agree to all the conditions proposed by Dionia before, but since it was a negotiation, it was impossible for him to give all the trump cards as soon as he met, and he had to bargain.

What Ocreton is most worried about now is that Dionia will take advantage of this victory and once again opens her mouth and puts forward new conditions.
Chapter completed!