Chapter 578 Strategy The news

that Valentinian had lost the right to negotiate with Attila soon reached Constantinople.

Being offended was no small matter. I believe that the court officials who had just experienced Attila's power naturally knew what it meant.

From these few words, everyone could understand that the war between Attila and the Western Roman Empire was imminent, but Luca seemed to be unconcerned. Perhaps he had already prepared himself to deal with this matter in his heart.

"Caesar, this is a letter for help from the Western Roman Empire." The courtier held the letter in both hands and handed it to Luca.

When Luca received the letter, the first thing he did was not to open the envelope impatiently to see what was inside. Instead, he raised his eyes and looked at the deacon Jovian (originally the chief steward who assisted Theodosius, and was later promoted to deacon by Luca for helping Hermanus' army open the gate of the palace) and Count Andrew of the palace guard standing beside him. The expressions of the two of them were unique and different from each other.

"How do we respond to Attila's decision-making and deployment regarding the possible military actions of our brothers in Western Rome, Mr. Jovian? What do you think?"

"Being at odds with Attila is no small matter, Caesar." Jovian said, blinking his eyes constantly. He had such a problem that compared with his peers, the wrinkles around his eyes were like ravines in mountains.

Privy Councilor Demisius was recording hurriedly, but he was probably disappointed by the current scene because Jovian was stuck. He didn't know how to say what the attitude of the Eastern Roman Empire should be towards the actions of the Huns.

After all, the old man is very clear about the interests involved. Precisely because he knows so much, he is now very cautious in what he says, for fear that he might make a mistake accidentally and cause very bad consequences.

"Since war between the Western Roman Empire and the Huns is inevitable, can we come forward with a new look and take the initiative to communicate with Attila to see if we can offer reasonable conditions to make Attila feel that we are friendly, and then sit down and talk calmly to see if we can make them change their minds."

"Oh, that's a good idea indeed." Luca nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then asked Jovian: "Oh, my God, if my memory serves me well, how long did it take the last delegation to find Attila?"

Having said that, Luca turned his head and looked at the Privy Councilor Demisius. He signaled to Demisius with his eyes that Luca needed him right now.

"More than three months. Strictly speaking, it's four months, Caesar." Demisius always maintained an amazing memory, and whenever Augustus asked a question, he was always able to answer fluently.

"That's four months, and that's when Attila stayed in his palace. But now it's different. Attila could take action at any time. When our envoys finally find him, he might be standing on the ruins of Ravenna, thinking about how to negotiate with us." Luca couldn't help laughing as he spoke. "Our compatriots in Western Rome don't have that much time to wait. We need to react now, and the sooner the better."

Jovian was completely speechless. He took a deep breath and looked at Luca, his tone revealing his worry and uneasiness. "So, Caesar, what do you mean?"

"Who is the commander of the Dalmatian army?" Luca asked.

"It's Count Megarian, Caesar." Demisius never lets Luca feel disappointed. He is like a living encyclopedia and always answers Luca's questions fluently.

"Mechorian, oh, an ambitious guy. Dalmatia and the provinces south of Pannonia are all under his control. Yes, I have an impression of him." Luca said while thinking, "I have been to Dalmatia several times, and I was received by him every time. What a fence-sitter. At that time, he kept telling me that he would always be a loyal defender of my father, but in the blink of an eye, he became an aide to Aetius."

"So, Caesar, what are you going to do about Megarian?"

"Mechorian, ha, just tell him to keep a close eye on Attila. As long as he doesn't go south from Pannonia, we have every reason to defend him in Gaul, because apart from Gaul, he has no other way to go!"

"Caesar, if we go to Gaul, that is the Rhine Defense Line under your command." Andrew added, "You know they will not be able to resist."

"Oh, yes, yes, Andrew, the Rhine Line, my territory, it's really weird, when I became Augustus, Valentinian didn't even announce that I had lost my position as captain of soldiers, which means that I am not only Augustus of Constantinople, but also the captain of soldiers of Ravenna."

"So Caesar, do you mean that there is no more negotiation between us and Attila?" Jovian asked.

"Yes, after all, what Attila wanted was the entire Western Rome, not just one or half a province."

Luca kept playing with the golden cross in his hand, thinking calmly. Then, he raised his head and said, "Demisiu, I know that you are always the first to understand the meaning of my words, just like you listened to my father's words in the past."

"Caesar, I have to interrupt you for something." Jovian carefully interrupted Luca's words at this time, and then he continued: "Caesar, you have to understand that our Macedonia and Magna Graecia are now in the recovery period and cannot withstand a new war."

"So, what about the province of Egypt?" Luca continued, "Who is the stimulating treasurer?"

"Ledanis Alexander."

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"Then issue an edict and tell Ledanis Alexander that I need Egypt's financial support to help us get through this difficult time."

Hearing this, Jovian quickly stood up and said, "Wait, Caesar, do you mean that we should also invest troops and financial resources to join this war? You should discuss it with the Senate and see how the elders view this issue!"

"Yes, Jovian, please forgive me for being dictatorial for once, because this time we really need to join forces to face Attila, not only for Valentinian, but also for me."

After Luca finished speaking, he let out a long sigh, as if the matter was over. "Okay, okay, now I have to pick up Augustus's work and see what interesting questions my subjects have written in their replies to me."

Just as Jovian was about to say something, the waiter behind Luca began to sing "So it is, so it is, so it is."

Jovian wanted to say something, but after hearing these words, he understood what Luca meant, so he simply pursed his lips, saluted slightly towards Luca, and then stepped out.

(End of this chapter)