Negotiation

"Lord Governor, are we really going to let the Greeks go just like this?" The adjutant asked unwillingly.

"Let them go?!" Tissaphernes glared at him, "This is the order of the king. I have followed his order and successfully drove the Greek barbarians into Duchya! Do you think they will have a good time next?!"

Tissaphernes pointed to the vast mountains in front of him and said fiercely, "The steep and narrow mountain road, the mountainous forests where snakes and insects run rampant, and the ferocious mountain people of Duchya will devour their courage! Even if they manage to pass through Duchya, there is still the army of Orontes waiting for them! Even if Orontes can't stop them, they will still encounter the Kalubians, the Cardanians, the Macronians… let these barbarians fight each other! I think that in the end, how many Greek barbarians can return to Greece?!"

He sneered and said, "We don't need to waste our time and energy here. There are still important things to do in Asia Minor. Withdraw the troops! Go back!" He simply shouted, then turned his horse around and unintentionally saw the expressionless face of Ariaeus not far away. He was slightly stunned and subconsciously looked back at the rolling mountains again. It turned out that capturing the leader of the Greek mercenaries was already a great achievement. With everything going smoothly, he had a new idea, which led to the death of Mithridates and Artaozus, and the casualties of more than 10,000 soldiers had greatly reduced his achievements. Next, he hopes that the Greeks will be wiped out in the mountains as he had thought, so that he can vent his hatred!

However, could it really be done?

…

The mercenaries and the second day arrived at the edge of the mountains of Duchya and began camping. The next action will depend on whether Mariji will succeed in sending the tribe of Duchya.

Davos and the other leaders sent Marigi to the mountain pass together, accompanied by dozens of soldiers led by Hielos, who were driving several carts loaded with armor, shields, and spears that the mercenaries had taken from the dead Persian soldiers. These are the weapons and equipment that the mountain people of Duchya lacked. In addition, there are more than a dozen Duchians, mainly the slaves that Davos had asked Mersis to intercept from the Persian village.

"Mariji, it's all up to you!" Davos gave him a strong hug and whispered in his ear, "If things don't go well, get out as soon as possible, and Hielos will help you escape. It doesn't matter if the negotiation doesn't work, we can still force our way in, and your safety is the most important."

Mariji was taken aback and looked at the other leaders behind Davos, and then said loudly, "Don't worry, with these weapons, our negotiation with the Carduchians has already been half successful! I have made many deals with the chieftain of this tribe, Comoros, and I know him better. He has always been ambitious and tried to make his tribe strong and monopolize the trade between the mountains, Armenia, Carduchia and Medea. Therefore, he has fought with the surrounding tribes, and I believe that our proposal will make him very interested!"

"I hope so." Timasion stepped forward and urged him in a stiff tone, "You better hurry up. Don't forget, we can only wait for you here for a day!"

Marigi looked at him and didn't speak anymore.

Davos ignored Timasion and went forward to give Hielos a more powerful hug. For Hielos, who had strongly asked to go and had tried to persuade him many times, Davos knew that his choice was right. Only this most capable confidant as his follower would make Mariji completely believe that no matter what happens, Davos will not easily give up on them.

Davos put his gratitude in his heart and said to Hielos, "Come back safely, brother!"

Hielos stepped back and gave a solemn salute.

Davos watched them walk into the forest until the dense trees completely covered their figure…

"It feels strange that we are driven here by the Persians, and we have to rely on a Persian to help us out of danger." Cleanor said with a strange tone.

"Don't think too much, Cleanor. We are all hoping that this Persian will succeed, aren't we?" Xanticles said lightly.

"Perhaps this is the arrangement of the gods, and they are happy with this wonderful collision of fate." Xenophon's eyes were full of expectation, "And now, we can only wait patiently."

"In addition to waiting, we also need to prepare for battle." Cheirisophus reminded everyone. With that, he turned around and went back to the camp.

…

On this day, the leaders of the mercenaries forbade all the soldiers from going out to prevent these idle mercenaries from having a conflict with the mountain people of Duchya, which would affect their plan. At the same time, they also made the whole army to increase their vigilance and defend against the attack of the people of Duchya or Persia.

However, nothing happened on this day. Occasionally, a few Duchians in short fur jackets with red stripes on their faces wandered around the camp with short axes and bows.

The soldiers looked and commented.

Compared with the relaxed writing of the soldiers, the leaders were nervous about whether their plan could be accepted by the Duchesians, especially Davos, who did not sleep well all night.

Until the next morning, Asistes broke into the tent and shook him awake, "Mariji is back!"

Davos became excited and his sleepiness disappeared.

"Leader, the chieftain of the Duchesne tribe, Comoro, has listened to my suggestion and is willing to form an alliance with us!" Marigi's excited shout came from behind Asistes.

"Great!" Davos jumped up and put his hands on Mariji's shoulders and said happily, "You have saved the whole mercenary, and all the Greek soldiers have to thank you!"

A smile appeared on Mariji's face, and then he put on a troubled expression, "Hielos and the others didn't come back, because Kangmoro had to treat them well."

Davos was taken aback. He heard the strange tone of Mariji and asked with an ugly expression, "Hostage?"

Mariji hurriedly explained, "Yes, for safety's sake, because Kangmoro wants to discuss the alliance with the leaders himself!"

Davos' face softened a bit and asked anxiously, "When? Where?"

"Originally, he wanted you to go to the mountain village to negotiate, but I refused. I tried my best to argue for it, and was threatened by him several times with a knife. In the end, after repeated debate, we decided to go to the foot of the mountain in front of us. The time is this afternoon." Mariji stressed the difficulties of his negotiation.

"This afternoon… at the foot of the mountain in front…" Davos pondered and then said, "It seems that this Comoros is eager to form an alliance!"

"Yes, leader!" Mariji looked pleased.

"Then what are we waiting for! Come with me to find Cheirisophus!" With that, the physician strode out.

…

In the afternoon, Cheirisophus, Cleanor and Davos, under the leadership of Marigi, led 50 Spartan warriors to the foot of the mountain. In order to prevent the same mistake as the leaders of Clearchus being captured in one fell swoop, the other mercenary leaders led their troops to the mountain pass a mile away from the foot of the mountain.

"It's over there." Mariji pointed to the front. On the grass not far away, there is a stump that is bigger than the round shield of the Greek soldiers. The broken surface is polished smooth and flat, and it is half the height of a man. There are several wooden blocks around it, and next to the stake is a curved path that extends to the depths of the mountain…

"This leader of the Duchy is a man with a heart." As the advocate of this plan, Davos must show his confidence in it, so he was the first to walk over, brushed away the dust and leaves on the wooden stump and sat down.

Cheirisophus also sat down calmly.

Cleanor looked around and then sat down slowly.

Mariji stood directly next to Davos.

At this time, it was already late autumn. When they were marching in the Tigris river, the climate was still warm. When they arrived at the mountains of Duchya, the weather turned cold and the grass began to wither and turn yellow. As the mountain wind blew, the leaves kept falling and the ground was covered with a thick layer.

Cheirisophus looked up at the bare branches and said worriedly, "We must pass through this mountain area as soon as possible, otherwise, when winter comes, the mountains will be colder, and the soldiers won't have thick clothes to keep them warm…"

Cheirisophus' words reminded Davos that he had never thought about this.

When Cheirisophus and the other two began to discuss how to deal with the arrival of winter, the people of Duchya came: dozens of strong men and an old man dressed strangely.