During this short rest, Portitus also called his confidant slave: "Go home and get me some food." He said loudly, while holding a crutch with his hands.

"Great Master, what do you want to eat for your dinner?" the clever slave asked immediately.

"What a fool, have I forgotten all the food I like to eat? I want me to tell you again!" Portitus complained in dissatisfaction, and the slave nodded and bowed.

"I don't want the bread. I have bad teeth and can't bite. I bring me a big bowl of hot porridge, and..." Portitus said, as he seemed to be getting smaller and smaller because of his fatigue.

The slave could only get closer and closer, and then he heard the whisper of his master: "Immediately send someone to inform Camillus overnight about the invasion of the Dionys army in Latinum!"

Watching the slaves leave the venue, Portitus was a little confused: Even if there is only a little possibility, Rome cannot be harmed, and you can only be wronged, Camillus! But as long as I am here, no one dares to accuse you in the Senate!

Portitus glanced at the venue and found that no one seemed to notice his little movements, so he leaned against the back of the ivory chair and closed his eyes to rest.

At this time, the elders were discussing: Carthage had started a war with Dionysia, and there was a report of war coming back from Sicily. Why did the Dionys not concentrate on dealing with Carthage and dare to send a large army to Rome?!

"Is it because Carthage has been defeated by Diony, so Diony can free up his hands and send troops to attack us?"

"That was just a small defeat. Carthage is a powerful country in the Western Mediterranean. How could it be that he decided against Dionia in such a short time? I think it must be because the war has just begun. Carthage did not use all his strength to allow Dionia to deal with it easily, so they dared to send troops to attack us."

"We should send envoys to inform the Carthaginians, and let them increase their offensive against Dionia and fulfill their obligations as allies!"

"You said it easily, but how do you inform me? Now the coast of Latinum is completely controlled by the Deonia fleet."

"There is a way to do it. Although the fleet of Abinius Dionys blocked the coast of Latinum, they did not block the coast of Etruscans. In the south of Etruscans, there are many of our affiliated city-states. The messengers can take their ships to the north, follow the coast, and finally reach the coast of Iberia, which is the sphere of influence of the famous royal Margonid family in Carthage. Their patriarch was just appointed as the commander of the Carthaginian army, responsible for fighting against Dionys..."

"This is a good idea! As long as the Carthaginians know that Dionia actually sent a large army to Rome, they will definitely increase their attack on Sicily. Dionians will have to deal with wars on the south and north sides, and it will definitely be difficult to sustain. They will definitely retreat from Latinum to avoid being defeated by the Carthaginians."

"We cannot rely too much on Carthage. In fact, with the 100,000 civilians and allied troops we now have, and the leadership of Camillus, who is good at fighting, we can completely defeat the invading army of Dionia!..."

"Sepia Great is right! We fight on our own land, and there is no need to be afraid of the Dionians. We should take this opportunity to defeat them, establish our reputation as Rome, and then take complete control of Latinum!..."

During the fierce debate, the veterans passed the proposal of "Tomorrow, send envoys to Etrulia to take a boat to sea and ask for help from Carthage". At the same time, they also had the idea of ​​looking for opportunities to fight with the army of Dionys after Camillus led the team back.

In the evening, news finally came back: the army of 25,000 soldiers led by Paulus, Megius and Pantius were defeated by the nearly identical army of Dionians.

This bad news put the entire Senate into a long silence.

After a long time, some veterans began to yell guiltily: Dionia's army is so powerful, we should immediately let Camillus lead the army back to defend Rome!

There were even a very small number of people who proposed to simply negotiate peace with Dionia and return the occupied Wolsey territory...

This was of course strongly criticized by most elders, while Apuleus and Marugineensis, who supported him, were trying to comfort the panicked elders. Their greatest reliance was that there was no news from Ostia, which indicated that it had not yet fallen into the hands of the Dionians...

Portitus looked at the endless disputes in the venue coldly, without saying a word, and felt glad for the decision he had made before...

…………………………………………

That night, not only was the candlelight in the Senate, but the same was true in the Roman Forum, but also the crowds of people.

After receiving the urgent notice from the Roman patrol, countless people came out of their residences and gathered in the square.

These people are mainly divided into two categories: teenagers aged 15 to 17 and elderly people over 50. In addition to the 3,000 young and middle-aged civilians stationed in Rome, other Roman citizens who are suitable for military service have followed Camillus to fight against Helniki. In addition, a small number of women wandered around the square and asked the Roman soldiers who maintained order about the "Dionian attack."

Compared with those who showed panic, most of the old people gathered in the square seemed calm. They had experienced many war baptisms in their lives and were not surprised by changes. The teenagers seemed very excited. They had long been eager to grow up and serve in the military, like their fathers and brothers, fight on the battlefield and win honor for themselves. Therefore, although there are many people in the square, they are orderly and not chaotic.

People came to the recruiters in turn, and reported their names, clans, Tribus, and their resumes in the army before. Then the recruiters organized the applicants into a squadron and gave them a military position. In addition, most of the veterans had their own armor and weapons, while only a small number of the young people had them, so they needed to be equipped.

Ambustus stood on the platform of the square, looking at the dark crowd below, feeling a little relieved, and the original worries were eliminated a lot.

"Father!" A crisp voice sounded in his ears. He turned his head and saw a kind smile on his face: "Konya, why are you here?"

Ambustus's youngest daughter said with a worried look on her face: "Storlo heard the patrol notice and wanted to know if Rome is really in danger?"

"Don't worry, this is just a precaution. Let Storo recover from his injuries at home." Ambstos waved his hand and said with a relaxed look on his face.

After seeing off his little daughter, the people in the square were gradually dissipating, but Ambustus's expression became more and more serious. He couldn't help but ask the patrol captain Cassius: "Have the people in the Aventing area really informed me?"

"I can swear to Jupiter, I really sent a patrol to the Aventing area to inform the streets!" Cassius explained anxiously.

"Then why haven't they come yet?!" Ambustus was a little anxious. In his opinion, compared to these old people and children, the civilians and free people in the Aventing area should be the main force in defending Rome.

Cassius smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, you don't know that the people there either have been confronting our nobles and opposing the Senate; or they are refugees who have only joined Rome over the years and are not loyal to Rome at all--"

"Don't say anything about this." Ambustus interrupted and reminded softly: "Now the enemy is in front of you, all Romans should be united..."

Ambustus suddenly stopped talking because there were noisy voices coming from afar. He finally smiled: "Look, they are here!"

…………………………………………

Why did there be no news of Ostia that night come back to Rome? This is because Davers tightly blocked the city of Ostia by land and sea. After breaking the city, no one escaped from Ostia. Moreover, during the siege, he ordered Midolades to send all fast three-layer oar warships to block the coast of Ostia and not allow any ships to approach. At the same time, on land, he also sent out all the mountain reconnaissance brigades and blocked the surrounding areas of Ostia, making it impossible for the spies from Rome and Latin allies to understand the situation of Ostia. It was not until the evening that he asked Izam to withdraw the reconnaissance brigade. Even if the Roman spies discovered something strange later, it was the second day that they rushed back to Rome.

When Amintas's messenger arrived at Ostia City, Daves was accompanying Midorades to the port.

"Your Majesty, you don't have to go to the port anymore. We have made many statements to the laborers at the port, and most of them have expressed their willingness to assist us..." Midorades persuaded Davers as he walked.

"Midoradez, I believe in your ability to do things," said Davers seriously. "But you know, this is the first time that we, Dionia, have occupied Latin territories. They are strangers to us and are more afraid of our strength. With me, the king, personally, they can make them believe in the promises we make, and provide us with more help. And with them to demonstrate, it will be much easier to manage when we occupy other Latin towns."

Midolades nodded as if he understood it. Knowing that Davers had made up his mind, he did not dare to persuade him again.
Chapter completed!