Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1060: Chapter 1016: Getting Further and Further Away

”Such a grand road, if it’s only us, it’s truly beyond our capacity. They are indeed our greatest backup. After all, they are opponents we’ve faced before.” Lub Su slowly nodded, agreeing with Jia Xu’s proposal.

Actually, the meaning in Lub Su’s words is almost as if to say we shouldn’t bother with how these people in the Central Plains are opposing us. However, their abilities are not bad; they are merely as constrained by the Central Plains as we are, unable to see the vastness of the world. But whether you admit it or not, these people are still quite formidable.

In addition to Jia Xu and others’ judgment, if the other side knows that a major enemy next to them has internal unrest, they will definitely step in. The fact that they haven’t yet is only because they haven’t received the news.

With Lub Su’s current judgment on global economics and logistics, if this were back when Han Wu attacked Dayuan, there wouldn’t be nearly as much loss as there was then. Reflecting on this, Lub Su thought if he were in the same situation, he would definitely take action.

As for the logistical difficulties, at worst it’s just transporting grain from Youzhou to Yizhou, which may not even be that difficult. Lub Su estimated that delivering it himself wouldn’t be too hard. Similarly, if Parthia wanted to take action, although troublesome, it’s not absurd. What if they receive the message and decide to act?

Nobody present would be so foolish as to place a nation’s hope on another country’s benevolence. Between countries, any action could be taken as long as the interest is substantial enough.

”Yes, we need to preserve those people as much as possible. Each one represents an opportunity for victory in imperial clashes.” Liu Ye also shook off his previous apprehension about unstable factors and nodded, agreeing with Jia Xu’s proposal.

”That’s why I say we should unify the Central Plains within two years. At least by then, even if Parthia and Kushan react, we would already be a unified empire.” Guo Jia tapped the table with a solemn expression, ”Although there would be substantial losses, it’s far better than getting caught in an empire war unprepared!”

”I second that.” Li Youu immediately echoed, ”Even if rapid unification leaves us with many hidden dangers, the issues we face would be minor compared to the destruction of that level of warfare—lesser of two evils!”

”I also think it should be so.” Lub Su said with a solemn expression.

”Rest assured, within ten years, those two countries will not have the energy to deal with us, so you can all be at ease.” Chen Xi saw that everyone once again reached a high level of ideological unity, and immediately introduced another fact to halt this increasingly off-track discussion.

For the first time, Chen Xi clearly saw everyone breathe a sigh of relief. Then they all noticed each other’s actions, were momentarily stunned, and then laughed.

”Oh, Chen Zichuan, you should have said so earlier!” The ever-uninhibited Guo Jia stood up with a laugh and scolded after realizing this fact.

”I just wanted to see your reactions. Didn’t you think, if they didn’t have issues of their own, wouldn’t they have taken advantage of us by now? They, like us, are currently in turmoil due to certain events.” Chen Xi explained with a smile, which was a very reasonable explanation.

”Previously, we got carried away by your momentum and overlooked this fact. After all, they are empires and maintain business relations with our country. If they wanted to act, they would’ve done so long ago.” Jia Xu said with a wry smile, Chen Xi’s previous news carried such weight that he had no time to verify its truth.

”But what I said about other aspects is true; Parthia is the weakest among the First Sequence empires, and Kushan ranks slightly below middle. Overall, the situation isn’t too bad.” Chen Xi smiled and said, ”After our unification, we will be much stronger than them, rest assured about that.”

”Kushan slightly below middle?” Li Youu frowned and asked Chen Xi, ”What kind of strength does a slightly below middle Kushan have?”

”Their comprehensive national power is more than twice that of Parthia.” Chen Xi estimated a bit, actually knowing well that Kushan’s population is one and a half times that of Parthia, but with too many Indian people. In terms of combat power, they’re probably just mixed troops, so Chen Xi deducted a considerable portion of their comprehensive national power.

The group’s expressions slightly changed, but then they each began their own calculations, and the more they calculated, the more cautious their expressions became.

”Slightly weaker than our national power after unification.” Since Chen Xi exaggerated Parthia, they self-illustrated a Parthia war scenario and subsequently enhanced Kushan in every other aspect. The conclusion was somewhat startling.

”Hmm, that’s about right. They’ve been strengthening over recent years, but they haven’t gone through major unrest as we have, so our national strength has diminished considerably.” Chen Xi estimated, providing a reasonable explanation.

”Actually, two hundred years ago they experienced the same situation as us, but unlike us, those two countries chose another method to avoid the chaos.” Chen Xi explained, shaking his head in ponder.

”What method!?” Li Youu and Liu Ye asked in unison, while others also looked at Chen Xi, eager to hear a method that could avoid the turmoil of dynastic change!

”Kushan and Parthia chose to attack small neighboring countries, then frantically plunder land resources, diverting all internal conflicts outward. Empires, knowing our own strength, realize that ordinary small countries can’t hold back an empire.” Chen Xi glanced at everyone, then sealed his lips, finally speaking slowly after piquing their interests.

”Only another empire can withstand an empire. Others face the fate of destruction, simple and easy. Just like the previous killing intent in Wen Ru’s voice, in actual fact, if we lift that veil, it’s very easy for us to destroy a nation.” Chen Xi said calmly, ”But unfortunately... ”

Everyone actually knew what Chen Xi regretted. The Han Dynasty indeed possessed the power to destroy nations, but it was shackled by morality. Standing at the pinnacle for too long, they truly believed in being invincible, thus hoping to appear to other nations under a guise of benevolence.

Consequently, the first transitioning emperor realized it was merely a facade, much like how Martial Emperor was well aware that exclusively respecting Confucian Arts was just a means to veil behind Confucianism. However, the later emperors misinterpreted it over time, and the greatest issue with a family-run empire is the inability to ensure saintly rule across generations.

”They succeeded...” Liu Ye said with a slight bitter smile.

”Yes, they succeeded. If the territories are insufficient, then go seize them. As long as the motherland is strong enough and the seized lands are ample, naturally it will suffice.” Chen Xi expressed an unexplainable peculiarity, feeling somewhat troubled about ingraining these ideas in their minds. Some frowned, while others had eyes shining brightly.

Chen Xi did not tell them that Parthia and Kushan could say they succeeded and failed by this policy. He merely provided another path, whether right or not, they would have to verify themselves. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote and give recommendations. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)