Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1325: Chapter 1278: Changes in the Extreme West

As disputes reemerged in the Central Plains, disturbances also arose in the Western Regions. The Roman diplomatic mission finally arrived in the Western Regions, while the translation group that Li Jue assembled from places like Wusun and Cheshi, led by Anyue and Wux Xi, started traveling the Silk Road towards the Han Dynasty.

At this time, Li Jue was under great pressure, with less than three thousand troops at his disposal. Although Li Youu had urgently sent a reply to Li Jue, without enough troops Li Jue was merely an empty shell.

If back then he didn’t feel it, now recalling the battle, Li Jue could only break into a cold sweat. That battle was exceedingly perilous. Even with Li Jue’s experience, recalling all those legions from the Central Plains he had once combated, he felt that very few could withstand the ten waves of arrow rains in the face of battle!

If it weren’t for the Xiliang Iron Cavalry’s renown for its defensive power and impact force, those ten waves of arrow rains would have been enough to kill the vast majority of soldiers.

Therefore, Li Jue harbored a faint dread towards Great Qin. The quality and organizational power of Qin’s troops might surpass those of the Great Han. If they sent miscellaneous soldiers, it would essentially be sending them to their deaths. To confront such a caliber of opponent, elite troops were a minimum requirement!

Similarly, after returning to his own territory, Ganasis found himself weighed down with heavy thoughts, realizing he couldn’t convey his concerns through a letter. Thus, he departed with his deputy for Rome. As a Duke of a Border Commandery, though he wasn’t the most powerful, his political stance as a duke could influence many people!

If previously, without an enemy, the upper echelons of Rome could still mess around because of the deaths of Commodus and Petinax followed by Severus’ ascension, leading to division, now Rome absolutely could not continue such petty squabbles.

The world did not only consist of Parthia, which had been clashing with the Romans for over a hundred years; behind Parthia was an even more expansive empire, one that had previously only existed in tales, unknown in strength or otherwise, but after engaging in battle was enough to instill awe!

This significant news had to be made known to all upper echelons. The empire’s military prowess and combat power alone provoked caution among all Romans.

Of course, the Romans hadn’t been without prior exchanges with the Han Dynasty. Ganasis found records of Marcus Aurelius, the emperor from thirty years ago, sending an envoy to the Han Dynasty in classic books.

However, it was to no avail. Although the envoy returned successfully, no one from top to bottom took it seriously; after all, the Han Dynasty was too far away, and the envoy hadn’t brought back any significant news, just some gifts.

Thus, no one paid it any heed. But this time is different. He, Duke Ganasis of a Roman Border County, led his grand army in a campaign against Parthia and had direct engagement with the cavalry led by Li Jue, Marquis of Han Chiyang, excluding the hired archers, with a three-to-one casualty ratio!

Such a level of engagement was already enough to make Rome’s upper echelon realize that the distant empire that had always existed in myth and legend had descended. Their opponent was no longer just Parthia, which they’d almost worn down to death, but the legendary Silk and Gold Nation!

”Duke Ganasis, how have you returned to Rome from the Mesopotamian region?” Upon seeing the Duke of Border Commandery, the Tribune of the Plebs in the Roman capital was immediately astonished.

”I have important matters to discuss with the Parliament,” Ganasis said coldly. If previously he thought that the parliament’s division and infighting were beneficial for expanding his influence, now, as a Duke of a Border Commandery and commander safeguarding the empire’s frontline, he had to discuss matters with the Parliament.

Then, ignoring the Tribune of the Plebs, Ganasis galloped straight to the Senate. Before discussing with the Parliament, he needed to meet someone, the current Roman Emperor, Severus. If before he was somewhat dissatisfied with Severus as the emperor, now, Rome needed an emperor!

Needless to say, the pressure on Li Jue was immense; Ganasis, who had fought Li Jue, was also under tremendous pressure. If Rome fragmented at this juncture, he’d be the first to take the fall. Rome needed to unite!

”Duke Ganasis?” Severus frowned upon seeing Ganasis enter unannounced. He never had a favorable opinion of these Border Commandery dukes, as they rarely supported him.

”I greet Your Majesty,” Ganasis slightly bowed.

”No need for formalities. Coming back from Mesopotamia, Duke must be weary from travel,” Severus nodded and inquired.

”The Romans need a strong monarch. In my view, the current chaotic parliament needs Your Majesty to integrate it,” Ganasis got straight to the point, directly presenting his purpose. Since he was the first Border Commandery Duke to explicitly support the new Roman Emperor, there was no need to play coy.

Severus’ pupils constricted sharply. Initially, he planned to deal with Ganasis, who was neither particularly strong nor weak among the dukes. Then he would personally lead an army to flatten Parthia (that’s how he intended to do it), consolidating his position. Unexpectedly, Ganasis was so straightforward!

”Does the Duke have something to report to me?” After a moment of silence, Severus asked. For whatever reason, the first Border Commandery Duke to side with him was extremely important. Currently, there were five Border Commandery Dukes in total, each with troops, grain, and land.

Ganasis recounted everything that had occurred in Parthia to Severus, whose eyes grew brighter as he listened. For Rome at that moment, the problem wasn’t the enemy; the problem was the absence of an enemy!

For a nation, there’s nothing more terrifying than being invincible. Once invincible, there are no other options but internal conflict. If in a past life, Romans were toppled partly due to lead, then for present Romans, infighting was the greatest issue.

Like the Han Dynasty, they had essentially become invincible. As long as no nation exceeded the Empire’s Ultimate Wall, they had all been defeated by them, making them the strongest within this radiation range and granting them unparalleled authority.

It was this very strength and environment devoid of worries that led to the eruption of human’s inherent flaws, making the Roman Parliament a place of endless bickering.

”Summon the Senate for a preliminary decision,” Severus instructed the Scribe Officer beside him.

For such a significant matter, even as the Roman Emperor, Severus couldn’t decide alone. He needed to consult with all members of the Senate and might even have to convene a popular assembly that hadn’t been held for many years. Of course, this was merely procedural; the assembly would affirm his authority.

Moreover, if a popular assembly were convened, the other four Border Commandery Dukes would also have to return, providing an absolute advantage for his rule. Thus, after figuring everything out, the look in Severus’ eyes towards Ganasis became much more approving.