Maximus said seriously, "It’s always good to be more prepared, to minimize the casualties of our brothers."
"Maximus, you’re right. We aren’t short on time; waiting a bit longer is completely fine," Attutmus quickly interjected.
Maximus looked at him and then at his several subordinates, his expression becoming solemn. "Leader Attutmus, I hope that after we capture Canosa, you will keep your promise and restrain your men from harassing and looting the city’s residents."
As soon as these words were spoken, Attutmus knew things could get bad. Sure enough, before he could respond, several of his subordinates started shouting, "Leader Maximus, your request is too much! Ever since we entered the Samnium Mountain Area, you’ve been repeatedly asking us what not to do, we’ve complied with each request, but our brothers’ patience is limited. After breaking through the city, we can’t make them do nothing, and we can’t restrain them!"
"That’s right! Leader Maximus, you need to understand that our boss is Brother Attutmus, not you! These days, we’ve given you a lot of face, don’t demand too much, or else—hmph!"
"How dare you speak to our leader like that? Just shut up!" Torrelugo immediately yelled discontentedly, "This is something the two leaders have discussed. What right do you have to object here?"
"If it weren’t for following Leader Maximus’s advice, would you have passed through the Samnium Mountain Area so smoothly to get here?!" Fesaros chimed in sarcastically, "You’d probably still be getting dizzy in the mountains playing hide and seek with the Samnites. It’s like drinking milk and forgetting your mother!"
"Everyone, stop arguing!" Maximus and Attutmus shouted almost in unison.
The military tent returned to quiet, but the leaders of both armies glared at each other, and the atmosphere was tense.
Maximus looked gravely at Attutmus and asked softly, "You didn’t discuss this matter with your subordinates?"
Attutmus replied with some shame, "I discussed it with them most of last night, but most of them feel that the soldiers’ patience has reached its limit. It’s impossible to stop them from feasting when the prey is already at their mouths. I... I originally planned to tell you about this today, but I hadn’t had the chance... just..."
Attutmus knew very well in his heart: it wasn’t that he didn’t have time, but he was worried Maximus might change his mind, so he didn’t plan to say anything, intending to wait until after the city was captured to see the situation...
Maximus quietly looked at Attutmus until his face turned red, then sighed softly, "So that’s how it is. It seems my request was too high... Since you can’t do it, I won’t force you..."
Hearing this, Attutmus became anxious and was about to argue when Maximus continued, "We are all poor brothers, Rome is our common enemy, we shouldn’t argue over such trivial matters! Leader Attutmus, our prior agreement remains unchanged, after capturing Canosa, the city will be yours—"
"Leader!—" Fesaros, Torrelugo, and several Great Captains were about to voice their opposition when Maximus raised his hand, and they all fell silent.
Seeing this, Attutmus was somewhat envious: despite being young, Maximus was able to command the obedience of his subordinates, while his few companions, despite sharing hardships for over a decade, started giving him headaches within just a few months of becoming leaders of hundreds of soldiers...
In a moment’s thought, Attutmus displayed a grateful expression, "Leader Maximus, this really is... Look, how about this, after we capture the city, we split the weapons and food in half—"
"Leader, you can’t—" Several subordinates tried to stop him again, but Attutmus yelled angrily, "Shut up!"
Their startled looks made Fesaros burst into laughter.
Maximus coughed twice, speaking earnestly, "Leader Attutmus, your army lacks supplies and urgently needs replenishments, while we are not lacking for now, so I appreciate your gesture, but it’s truly unnecessary!"
Maximus’s sincere words left Attutmus so touched that he didn’t know what to say, and even his few subordinates stopped clamoring, staring at the ground.
Maximus continued, "Leader Attutmus, why don’t you return to camp to make siege preparations? Once the Envoy from Canosa arrives, I will send someone to notify you."
Taking the easy way out, Attutmus quickly agreed, "Maximus, you’re right, we do need to prepare further."
He hurriedly left with his men, and only then did Torrelugo complain, "Attutmus’s people can’t keep their promise and still get so many benefits. Leader, aren’t you being too generous!"
If it had been when Torrelugo first joined Maximus’s group, his criticism would have been harsh, but now, it was a more polite expression of his discontent, indicating that Maximus’s leadership had earned his full respect.
Looking at the dissatisfied Great Captains, Maximus explained with a smile, "I’m not being generous. You all know that Sarabia is our real target; the reason for the agreement with Attutmus is that after capturing Canosa, if Attutmus’s army treats the city’s residents well, perhaps when word spreads to other towns about our attack, they might not resist so stubbornly...