Chapter 44: Medical Benevolence

Now, Tissaphernes was in a dilemma. For this offensive, he also specially prepared many large shield, but his recklessness on having too much light infantry on his army made not even half of them be protected. There were too many soldiers and the formation was too dense, which made most of the stones and arrows of the mercenary troops hit. Because of his coercion, the soldiers could barely maintain their morale, but the horses of the cavalry were wounded and wildly run around throwing a tantrum, which end up colliding with some soldiers and made the formation chaotic. By now, most of the cavalry had retreated to the rear.

Tissaphernes looked at the formation on his side that is thinning and the groans that he could hear. He look at the opposite Greek shield wall that wasn’t as tightly close as before, although the protection of the Greek hoplite is tight, but they cannot completely avoid the arrows at close range. Will he continue? He hesitated, after paying the price, but not getting the result he wanted, and such miserable retreat will not only affect the morale, but will also attract the dissatisfaction and contempt of the other generals. But if they continue the archery battle, the casualties will only increase and before the Greeks collapse, his own troops will first be in turmoil…

Just then, a herald came, “Lord Satrap, lord Siste said that he had too many casualties and had suggested to either immediately attack? or retreat?”

Tissaphernes became relieve and answered without hesitation, “Retreat!”

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Greek soldiers who had been struggling could not believe their eyes when they saw the Persians receding like the tides. They waited for a while and when they saw that the Persians did not appear again, they then began to cheer…

In this battle, the Persian army suffered more than 4,000 casualties, and the mercenaries also have more than 900 casualties. However, most of the wounded were arrow wounds in their hands and feet.

After the battle, the soldiers were exhausted and hurriedly cleaned up the battlefield. The troops went north for a while and before noon, they began to camp and rest…

In his quarter, Davos and the officers urgently discussed how to treat the wounded. Due to this battle, the troops under the jurisdiction of Davos had incurred 19 death and 185 wounded, which was totally beyond the capacity of the medical camp, they must mobilize the whole troops for treatment.

Amintas disagreed and said, “There is no need for such troubles. When we went out to fight as soldiers, we have long been aware of dying in battle! It’s just an arrow wound, just do a few casual treatment, that was how we have handled it before.”

When Davos looked around the crowd, he felt that Amintas is not the only one who had such an idea. Therefore, he said with earnestness, “You guys, we are far away from our families, our hometown and going out to fight, we aren’t only united in battle! In fact, we regard our friends as our relatives, and the camp as our home. Can we watch our comrades struggled with their wounds and remain indifferent! If so, when we are wounded, there won’t be anyone willing to help us! You-” Davos said it with a determination, “Remember, it used to be before! But now, as long as you are my troops, we have to make a belief that we will never let go of an enemy, nor will we give up on our comrades, we will live and die together!”

“Good Point!!” Philesius could not help shout with praise. The other officers fervently applauded.

Davos’ words touched them and the whole camp immediately went into action.

First, a large area was opened in the center of the camp to be the location of the medical camp. Davos then divided the wounded into 3 categories, minor, moderate, and severe. The soldiers were also divided into four groups, the hardworking are responsible for the medical camp, to clean up the blood and dirt at any time, and to expel the flies, mosquitoes, and flying insects. Those with strong bodies were responsible for carrying and supporting the wounded. The skillful one are responsible for helping the doctors and nurses to pull out the arrows, debride the wounds and bandaging. Another group that had worked as a carpenter in their hometown were responsible for cutting down branches and making stretchers. The one with severe wounds were directly sent to Herpus, because he is the only one who could handle it. While most of those with minor wounds can return to the camp after getting the arrows pulled out, debrided and bandaged. And the others remained in the medical camp for observation and consider whether to suture them for further treatment depending on the situation.

Under the command of Davos, the entire rescue operation was carried out in an orderly and highly efficient manner. By afternoon, the wounded at Davos camp had been treated.

At this moment, the words that Davos had said in his quarter were advertise into the ears of the soldiers by Antonios and the others. Davos got his authority due to relying on the name of “God’s Favored”, which was an instinctive act of the soldiers in resorting to gods when they are helpless. Later, Davos killed Mithridates and Artaozus, he gradually won the soldier’s recognition of his commanding ability with his courage and feats. This time, his touching words and practical actions finally conquered the hearts of all soldiers in his camp. Everyone gave him another nickname, “The Benevolent”, and even began to call the young leader, “Our Davos”.

This large-scale rescue operation also shocked the other camps, it started when an individual soldier helped a wounded and came here to ask for help. Davos agreed. But soon, the news spread and more and more wounded came, and the staff of the medical camp is obviously insufficient. The soldiers in Davos camp were somewhat dissatisfied and they began to quarrel with the outsiders due to them occupying the resources of their own camp.

At this time, Cleanor and Timasion came after hearing about it. After a quick visit to the medical camp and facing Davos, the 2 leaders(including Timasion, who doesn’t get along with Davos) have became slightly more respectful, since they also thought that such an unusual and efficient medical camp was obviously not an average man can do. Even though they used to disdain at the rumor that Davos is “God’s Favored”.

Davos agreed in treating their wounded soldiers without any hesitation, but because there are too many wounded soldiers(As the 2 rearguards, they suffered the most and more than 500 people were wounded) they will need to send people to help, and they will need more supplies, such as linen, earthen pots, wood, tents, and so on. They even agreed in sending their physician to study and help. Davos was so generous, of course with some selfishness, because he believed that the medical knowledge he had learned in his previous life was enough to attract the physicians to stay and expand his medical camp.

Cleanor and Timasion gratefully left. Later, the other leaders also came, and Davos made the same commitment and request to them.

On the way back, the adjutant of Cheirisophus praised the ability and generosity of Davos.

This made the adjutant felt strange. Cheirisophus frankly then said, “I admit that I was biased against him previously. Davos is indeed an excellent talented man! Especially what he founded…the medi…the medical camp is very helpful in battle. Sparta need this in order to deal with the upcoming war.”

“War? What war?!” asked the adjutant in surprise.

“The Persian war against Sparta.” Cheirisophus grave appearance, “Cyrus the Younger, who was friendly with us, is dead and we were involved in the rebellion against the new Persian king. And the person in charge of Asia Minor has now been replaced by Tissaphernes, who oppose Sparta. You must know, in our agreement with Persia, there are some in Asia Minor that have objection, and the new Persian king is likely to launch an attack…all indications are unfavorable to us.”

The adjutant listened and was silent. Sparta and Athens have been at war for more than 2 decades, and even though Sparta finally won, but their losses were also huge. Now, they will face Persia, who is much more powerful than Athens, even though he is a brave and fearless Spartan, he still felt a great pressure.

Cheirisophus looked at him and change the subject, “Do you think Davos will join us?”

“Of course! We are Sparta – the hegemon of Greece!” the adjutant said proudly.

“I hope so.” Cheirisophus nodded.