Chapter 606: Standing in Line
Attila's army actually retreated, which surprised Theodoric and made him secretly relieved.
"It seems that everything is over, my child!" Looking at the dust raised by the Huns in the distance, Theoderic's stiff face finally relaxed.
That night, the Goths, who had let down their guard, finally gathered together for a revelry. All the stored wine and meat were taken out, and men and women drank and reveled all night long. Because in their eyes, as long as the Huns gave up the attack, it meant victory. Yes, just as they said, let them deal with the Romans, it is none of our business.
Just when everyone felt that peace was within reach, the messenger soldier squeezed through the bouncing crowd and handed a parchment letter to Theoderic.
"What the hell is this?" Theoderic held the wine glass in one hand. The wine in it was carefully prepared by the skilled Roman brewer he had captured. Yes, the brewer was absolutely loyal and reliable, and even mice would be fine after drinking it.
He was also slightly tipsy, with a pair of drunken eyes and a mouth full of obscene and rude words, but this did not make him feel uncomfortable, after all, the compatriots around him were so vulgar.
The Goths tried more than once to integrate into Roman society. Yes, they were fascinated by Roman culture, but they were also resentful of the Romans' contempt.
So they have a love-hate relationship with Rome. They try hard to learn Roman culture, but are also obsessed with behaviors that the Romans despise.
They deliberately use their hands instead of knives and forks, speak vulgar words, and fart with sour smells. Even as they are moving towards civilization, they cannot take off the cloak of barbarism.
Yes, this is how the Romans wanted to be seen, because they needed reasons to despise, and of course, this is how the Goths wanted to remain, because they needed reasons to hate.
After taking a quick look at the parchment letter in his hand, the smile on Theoderic I's face froze in an instant. Gradually, it was replaced by solemnity, and then anger. Under the influence of alcohol, uncontrollable rage burst out from his heart and was written on his face.
"These cunning, despicable, damned Romans!" Finally, Theoderic could no longer control his inner anger. He flew into a rage and jumped up from his seat, raising the wine glass in his hand high and smashing it hard on the ground.
“Boom!”
The wine glass fell out of his hand and hit the stone on the ground, bounced several meters away, and when it landed again, it was twisted beyond recognition. The wine in the glass was like a fairy scattering flowers, and it was all over the people nearby.
After the roar, all the laughter and joy at the scene came to an abrupt halt. Soldiers, officers, men and women at the banquet all froze in silence after the roar and all that was left was looking at each other in bewilderment at Theoderic I.
Cheering and facing surprised looks from all around, Theoderic gasped for breath, but the anger in his heart did not dissipate at all.
"What are you looking at? Damn you, you lazy bastards, save some food and get ready to leave tomorrow!"
"What's wrong, father?" Torismon hurriedly stood up and asked, "Did something unexpected happen?"
"The Romans have forced us onto their chariots, and now Attila thinks we are their friends."
"This must be a misunderstanding, father. Perhaps we can negotiate with Attila."
"It's impossible, my child." Theodoric stretched out his hand to signal Torismon to stop talking. "The Romans have already stood where they should be, or it should be said that they have already planned to stand, and our position just happened to be in a state of encirclement of Attila. Attila's retreat was because the Romans came but we didn't notice it." Theodoric was silent for a moment. It seemed that the venting just now made him feel much calmer. "I originally thought that being a docile sheep could escape the disaster, but the Romans forced us to show our fangs. Now we can't hide. We can only accompany the Romans to complete this grand war in the way they want. Then let them do as they wish. Anyway, we can't stay out of it."
The next day, when the army was about to set out, an uninvited guest suddenly arrived. He was a Hun, and one could tell from his appearance that he was a Hun. He brought a letter to Theoderic.
"What does this mean?" Theoderic pointed at the letter in his hand and asked the Hun in front of him.
"My king has no intention of becoming your enemy, so I hope the Visigoths will not interfere in the war with the Romans."
"What, what is this?" Theodoric was immediately confused. A series of questions surged in his mind: Attila should have known about their alliance with the Romans, but why did he send an envoy to say that he had no intention of being an enemy of the Goths? Theodoric turned around and looked at the map that he had not put away yet. Looking at the situation on it, he couldn't help but ask the Hun: "We don't know what kind of person Attila is, but we still remember clearly how you drove us out of our homes. Now, I need you to tell me why you didn't choose to bypass our land?"
"This is a military secret. My king Attila, the king of Visgot, has no intention of sharing his thoughts with you."
"So which path does he need to take, especially hoping that we can provide it, after all, we need to know the corresponding intentions."
"Well, a little corner of the northeast. That's all I can tell you, and that's all I know."
"Northeast." Theoderic looked at the map. At this time, he took a deep breath, turned around, and threw the parchment in his hand at the feet of the Hun envoy.
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"Tell me those lies and leave my land in shame, Hun!" Theodoric shouted angrily, "You are just like your master, there is no truth in your words. Leave, I reject your king's proposal. This is the land of the Goths, he can't expect to gain any benefits here!"
"In this case, I hope that Lord Theoderic can maintain such an attitude when facing divine punishment!" The Hun envoy was not afraid of Theoderic's scolding. He just sneered and left Theoderic's tent as if he had already seen this result.
Theoderic turned around at this time and looked at the map of Gaul in front of him. He held a wooden stick and poked it hard at Orleans, a major military town bordering his territory and located in central Gaul.
"Attila's ambition is not just this. He has long been unable to suppress his desire for conquest. We cannot let him succeed so easily." Theodoric muttered to himself, then turned around and looked at his son Torismon and said, "My child, I have decided to join the war against the barbarians."
"As you wish, my father!" Torismon's eyes were firm. At this moment, the father and son reached a very heavy consensus.
Attila was just as Theoderic had described. The conversation with Theoderic was just a formality. He led his army to the border, destroying the Gothic watchtowers along the way and heading south towards Orleans.
(End of this chapter)