Chapter 71 – Preparations Before the Surprise Attack

“At sea, the people of Pompeii are far less vigilant than they are on land, because you, the rebels, don’t have a fleet or control any ports. The Pompeians do not consider you capable of threatening their safety from the sea. In fact, these coastal towns in Campania haven’t faced an attack from the sea for over a hundred years. Their harbor defenses are extremely weak.

“Take Pompeii, for example. Its port area has five harbors. The two built earlier were equipped with water gates, but later, as maritime trade flourished, the original harbors became insufficient, so two more were constructed. However, these were built for convenience in access and lacked water gates or chains for blocking entry. There isn’t even a patrol ship outside the port area, and the only early warning system is the lighthouse keeper. But if a ship is disguised beforehand, they might not immediately detect anything unusual.”

“What about the other port?” Maximus asked attentively.

“That one belongs to the Vettii family. It’s a private port, only allowing their family’s merchant ships and those they have trade agreements with to enter and exit,” Quintus replied coldly. “This private port has a long breakwater and water gates, with watchtowers on the breakwater. The defenses are quite complete, but unfortunately, protecting just this one port is of little use…”

The old man radiated resentment as soon as he mentioned the Vettii family of Pompeii, prompting Maximus to quickly change the subject: “We’ve solved the problem of entering the port, but there’s still one issue—we don’t have any ships.”

Quintus looked at him with a strange expression, as if saying, “Young man, are you joking?”

The middle-aged man, Aulus, interjected, “I heard earlier that a large number of sailors and dock workers joined your ranks, leaving the ports outside Naples almost deserted. Some sailors even stole ships from the ports as they fled, rowing them to beaches near your camp, where they became stranded. Later, you set up another camp near the coast, and the people of Naples didn’t dare to retrieve those stranded ships…”

As he spoke, Maximus suddenly recalled that the camp closer to the coast was that of the Fifth Battalion under Artemus. Artemus had even mentioned to him the idea of sending soldiers to sea to fish, to help increase the food reserves for the rebel army… but the suggestion was never followed through, and Maximus hadn’t asked why. But at least this indicated one thing—there were ships in Artemus’ camp.

Maximus stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and then smiled, “You are truly impressive! After learning that I have few troops, you’ve managed to devise such a thorough surprise attack plan so quickly. I must say, I am deeply impressed!”

Quintus, recognizing the meaning behind his words, kept his expression unchanged but spoke with a heavy tone, mixed with a hint of agitation, “For years, we have longed for revenge every moment of the day. We’ve envisioned numerous plans for breaking through the city and killing our enemies thousands of times in our minds, but out of fear of Rome’s power, and because we are few in number and worried about implicating our families and friends, we’ve lacked the courage to act… Until you appeared, giving us hope. Originally, I intended to reveal this plan for a naval surprise attack after you had decided to assault Pompeii. Unfortunately——”

Having said that, Quintus shifted the conversation: “But fortunately, Sir Maximus, though you are young and your forces are small, you dare to lead a lone army to attack Pompeii. Your courage is truly remarkable. If we implement this plan and successfully capture Pompeii, I believe everyone in your ranks will be in awe of your formidable reputation!”

Quintus’ words struck a chord with Maximus. The reason he had taken the risk of meeting with this group of Nucerians was to see if there was a chance to lead his army to capture Pompeii on his own. Although the city had high walls, its small garrison and weak combat ability were obvious, making it possible for the Logistics Battalion to have a chance.

Maximus was driven to this idea mainly because of the ridicule he faced from Crixus during the previous military meeting. It made him realize that even though he controlled the Logistics Battalion and was of great help to the rebel army, his lack of military accomplishments made it difficult for him to play a decisive role in the Military Commanders’ Council, especially on military matters. This is why he wanted to capture Pompeii by himself, to prove his military capabilities to Crixus and the others.

Maximus did not let Quintus’ flattery go to his head. He restrained his smile, sat back in the wooden chair, and solemnly said, “I have one last question about this surprise attack plan—how can you convince me that this isn’t a trap you’ve devised to destroy my army?”

“Nonsense! We’d rather die than collaborate with those Pompeii scum to betray you!” the middle-aged man Aulus shouted loudly.

Another middle-aged man, Scaepula, answered earnestly, “It’s easy to prove we’re not lying. You only need to ask any Nucerians. They can all tell you about our history of enmity with the Pompeians.”

“Sir Maximus, I’ve brought 54 people with me, and with our families, we total 115. We’ll all stay in your camp. If you find out in the end that this is a trap, you can kill us and avenge your soldiers!” Quintus declared firmly, his words shocking everyone.

Scaepula immediately exclaimed, “Quintus, what if——”

Quintus interrupted him sternly, “Scaepula, since we’ve decided to join their ranks after getting our revenge, wouldn’t it be better to come here early and start adapting?”

Scaepula and Aulus exchanged glances, then reluctantly agreed, “Alright, we’ll do as you say.”

Maximus observed this and made up his mind. He said, “There’s no need to rush. I need to discuss this with my subordinates first. Once everyone agrees, we can carry out the plan.”

“When can you give us a clear answer?” Aulus asked anxiously.

“Tomorrow.”

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After Quintus and his two companions left, Maximus immediately summoned his three senior centurions—Phaselus, Tolerugo, and Carminus—to a meeting (these three had been assigned to command at least two centuries each after the number of soldiers in the guard team had suddenly increased from over 300 to 700. Technically, their positions should have been upgraded to battalion commanders, but since the leaders of the rebel army, who commanded far more than a thousand troops, were still using the title of battalion commander, Maximus temporarily adopted this designation to avoid criticism). He also included the head of the Military Advisory Group, Frontinus, in the discussion.

When Maximus mentioned his intention to lead the Logistics Battalion’s guard team in an independent assault on Pompeii, the four men were somewhat surprised. However, after hearing about the plan for a surprise attack by sea, they all fell into deep thought.

Carminus, who had spent years at the port of Naples and had taken ships to Pompeii’s harbor many times, confirmed the accuracy of Quintus’ description of the Pompeii port area. This further reinforced the feasibility of the plan.

Frontinus, on the other hand, was surprised that the Nucerians had chosen to join the rebel army. Amid his schadenfreude, he also reflected deeply on how soldiers from two armies that had once fought each other as mortal enemies, following different Roman generals, had ended up working together in the rebel army.

After a brief period of consideration, the three senior centurions unanimously agreed to proceed with the surprise attack plan. This outcome was not surprising. Recently, they had watched soldiers from other battalions boast about their victories over Roman legions, while they had been training their own men even more rigorously, only to be confined to the camp most of the time. This had left them feeling stifled. They were eager to prove themselves.

Once they reached a consensus, the next crucial task was to secure the ships.

Maximus sent Vorenus to the Fifth Battalion’s camp to ask Artemus about the ships, under the pretext that the Logistics Battalion wanted to try fishing at sea to diversify the soldiers’ diet.

Artemus didn’t doubt this explanation. He had considered the idea before and had even had the soldiers maintain the ships stranded on the beach. However, being a competitive man, he had been so focused on training his troops to keep up with the other battalions that the ships had never actually been used. This, incidentally, had also led the nearby coastal towns to lower their guard.

Vorenus borrowed five single-masted cargo ships from the Fifth Battalion. Maximus then discreetly sent soldiers who were former sailors, along with carpenters, to the beach to inspect and repair the ships, ensuring they were seaworthy. He also had the construction team build five-meter-long wooden ladders.

The next day, when Maximus informed Quintus that the Logistics Battalion was ready to carry out the surprise attack plan he had proposed, Quintus and his companions were visibly pleased. On the morning of the third day, they arrived at the Logistics Battalion’s camp with their families, fulfilling their promise.

The surprise attack on Pompeii was a bold gamble for Maximus and a matter of life and death for the Logistics Battalion’s guard team. Naturally, he was extremely cautious. He convened another meeting with Frontinus, Quintus, and the three senior centurions, discussing the plan in detail for most of the day. They finalized every aspect of the operation, deciding that the attack would take place late at night when there was moonlight and a north wind. This timing would likely catch the Pompeians off guard, and even if they discovered the invasion, they would be slow to gather their forces. Additionally, the north wind would help the troop transports swiftly reach Pompeii’s port along the coast.

The seaborne assault force was to consist mainly of soldiers from the Third and Sixth Centuries, led by Carminus. These men had once been experienced sailors at the port of Naples and would have no trouble navigating the waters at night.

In addition, 30 Nucerians led by Aulus were to participate in the seaborne raid. Although they were somewhat older, they were experienced Roman veterans who could effectively compensate for the inexperience of the new recruits under Carminus’ command.

The total number of soldiers involved in the seaborne raid on the harbor was 200, with an average of 40 men per ship, well below the carrying capacity of a single-masted merchant vessel, ensuring a faster sailing speed.

Maximus, being meticulous, outlined several key points once the plan was finalized and required the soldiers participating in the raid to undergo simulated training until they were thoroughly familiar with the process.

Simulated training? Even Quintus, with his twenty years of military experience, had never heard of this term, let alone the others, who were curious.

Maximus called in the construction team to carefully set up the training ground, which took most of the day. When Carminus led the soldiers selected for the raid to the training ground, Maximus unexpectedly ordered them to sit fully armed on the ground and repeatedly practice rowing movements. After some time, they stopped, and the six soldiers at the front of the line had to lift a battering ram together, run several dozen meters, and smash it into a tall wooden board firmly planted in the muddy ground. The entire unit then had to sprint over a hundred meters along a designated route, smash through another wooden board with the battering ram, and reach two earthen mounds about three meters high and four meters apart. They had to climb one mound, lay the long wooden ladder they were carrying across to the other mound, walk across it, and then run nearly two hundred meters to engage in combat with soldiers waiting there. Only after emerging victorious would the drill end.

After completing one round, the soldiers were all gasping for breath. Some, not understanding the purpose of the exercise, even resented Maximus, thinking their leader was deliberately wearing them out.

However, Quintus, observing from the side, quickly understood: This is a simulation of the entire process of raiding Pompeii.

“What’s the point of this training? It’s like child’s play. When the actual raid comes, the pressure of facing death will make them too scared to even move!” Aulus scoffed.

“No, I think it’s useful,” Quintus replied seriously. “Look at how they don’t know how to effectively use the battering ram to break down the door. They’re nervous and falling off the suspended ladder, and by the end, they can’t even lift their swords and shields… Even though this isn’t a real battlefield, if they keep training this way, they should be able to perform better when the actual raid happens.”

At this moment, they saw Maximus step in front of the troops and shouted, “Brothers, I’ve heard that every one of you from the Third and Sixth Centuries eagerly volunteered for this raid, and not a single one of you backed out. Some of you even pestered Carminus when you weren’t selected. This makes me very proud—you are truly men who dare to battle the sea!”

Despite being drenched in sweat, the soldiers lifted their heads with pride.

Maximus then changed his tone, “However, I’m disappointed by your performance just now. This training isn’t meant to torment you but to simulate the entire process of raiding Pompeii. When the time comes, you’ll set out fully armed, rowing for over 5 kilometers with the help of sails, and storm the Pompeii harbor. Your actions will undoubtedly alert the harbor guards. While they sound the alarm and summon their forces, you must quickly disembark, use the battering ram to break through the harbor gate, charge into the port area, swiftly navigate the narrow alleys, reach the designated building, break down the door, and race to the rooftop. There, you’ll set up a wooden ladder spanning a ten-meter drop into a ravine below, and you must quickly cross it to enter the city…”