Mythical Three Kingdoms

As for the remaining part of the military power, it’s entirely to give face to the Brahmins, otherwise, Vasu Deva I wouldn’t mind staining himself with the so-called Divine Blood.

Now, Vasu Deva I truly understands what it means to be a monarch equals the state. He is deeply immersed in this feeling, this sensation of commanding all under heaven, making him truly feel alive, unlike before when he was manipulated like a puppet by religious power.

And because of this, Vasu Deva I, having secured his position, actively consolidates Kushan’s territory, sending out armies to conquer, to intimidate, just so his commands can reach further.

Currently, Vasu Deva I has once again restored Kushan’s territory to its peak period, except for the Onion Ridge Region where Han Army still lurk without action, all other places Vasu Deva I has occupied as much as possible.

However, Vasu Deva I has already dispatched a diplomatic mission to the Han Dynasty, to observe and understand, see if there is an opportunity. Honestly, after Vasu Deva I reclaimed the lost land of Kushan, he truly wants to engage in a battle with the Han Army.

Fortunately, this guy is just a tyrant, not a foolish monarch. With the Han Dynasty still there, he merely harbors covetous thoughts, considering whether there’s an opportunity to prove himself.

Added to the continuous stream of victorious reports from the South Asian Subcontinent, Vasu Deva I’s desire to challenge the Han Dynasty grows ever more restless, yet without accurate news from the Han Dynasty, he can only suppress his restless heart.

While Vasu Deva I was suppressing his inner restlessness, news from Zhukashyapa and Qiu Lique arrived, this news for Vasu Deva I was like a strong stimulant, making his already suppressed emotions restless once again.

”Hahahaha, our army encountered the Han Army at sea and defeated them badly, only two ships escaped. Good, good, well done. Record merits for Zhukashyapa and Kasani!” Vasu Deva I laughed loudly upon seeing the content of the letter.

Truly whatever he wishes comes to him, as if since he became a tyrant, everything goes smoothly, as if even the heavens fear him.

”Hmph, Qiu Lique this guy is actually afraid of causing trouble, what’s there to be afraid of? You’ve already fought, what is there to fear? Diplomatic issues, what a joke. Our Kushan never engages in diplomacy with the weak. If the Han Empire has the ability, then row over and fight, what’s to fear?” Vasu Deva I coldly sneered at Qiu Lique’s anxious narrative at the end.

For Vasu Deva I, though he’s uncertain of how strong the Han Empire is, he is very clear that in circumstances somewhat akin to an accident, based on their demonstrated strength, nine out of ten times would return to the negotiation table.

[The Han Empire’s Marines seem quite ordinary, extinguished by Zhukashyapa, and Zhukashyapa also stated that if not for wanting to capture alive, they could easily annihilate the opponent, and the opponent has two valiant generals with ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation and both possess Legion Talent, which is a top-tier legion configuration.]

After reading, Vasu Deva I restrained his pride, then began careful reflection, soon realizing that the Han Dynasty’s Marines are absolutely no match for Kushan, just by this point, Kushan has nothing to fear from the Han Dynasty.

[It seems my previous response to the Han Dynasty was a bit too conservative, so should I attempt to reclaim Onion Ridge, or even move westward near the Caspian Sea.]

Vasu Deva I thought hesitantly for countries of this level, as long as they have one advantage in military aspects, then war becomes an optional plan.

[Let’s wait a little longer. I have a lot of time. In my impression, the Han Empire has always been renowned worldwide for its cavalry and infantry.] Vasu Deva I forcefully suppressed his inner restlessness, but it was evident that he no longer concealed his covetousness toward the Han Dynasty.

As a tyrant, and one capable of securing his position, the abilities required must surpass the vast majority of wise monarchs, and compared to so-called wise monarchs, a tyrant can disregard others’ opinions, thus a tyrant’s execution power is terrifying.

After sweeping away domestic rebellions one by one, resolving historical issues of Khwarezm and Khorasan, Vasu Deva I aimed to surpass Kushan’s Founding Monarch, not merely surpassing—Vasu Deva I seeks superiority.

The continuous victories reported from the Baisheng Dynasty didn’t particularly excite Vasu Deva I, because for an empire, any non-empire poses no insurmountable challenge.

For an empire, neighboring small countries are merely a matter of willingness and calculation, there is no possibility of being counterpushed by a kingdom.

Thus such almost predetermined victories are merely appetizers for Vasu Deva I before a meal.

Even for Vasu Deva I, if Brack were defeated by the Baisheng Dynasty or an alliance of ten or even more countries, Vasu Deva I would provide Brack with a second army to seek revenge, though the empire’s power may only rival local kingdoms in distant lands, the one thing the empire surpasses a kingdom is that if defeated, one can come again.

So what if we lose, so what if defeated; since ancient times, the always victorious are rare. The empire’s confidence is never being undefeated, but that if defeated, it can return, and if once won’t do, then twice, if twice won’t do, then thrice, until the opponent is thoroughly eliminated.

This is the empire’s confidence; for Vasu Deva I, the ants nearby do not warrant heart, only three countries are known to him as competitors: the distant Rome, the declining Parthia, and the unfathomable Han Empire.

For Kushan, naturally, the most suitable is the currently seemingly declining Parthia, yet for Vasu Deva I, the most suitable is only one, and that is the Han Empire.

To surpass Varian Gaozhen’s founding monarch stature, to expand territory, leaving a foundation for Kushan, Vasu Deva I has only one choice, which is to reclaim the Onion Ridge abandoned by Emperor Yano Gaozhen, re-incorporate lands east of the Caspian Sea into Kushan territory, then confront the Han Empire directly in the Western Regions, and once again request the Han Empire to marry a princess into Kushan.

Of course, the alternate path is also possible, to directly overthrow the Han Empire, though even Vasu Deva I knows this is seeking death.

Though desiring to do this, the reality must be considered; Vasu Deva I indeed wishes to compete with the Han Dynasty, but such competition must be limited to a tolerable scope, not truly provoking the Han Dynasty.

Back then, Dayuan was so presumptuous, the Han Dynasty considered their strength and felt it unwise to send armies far afield, even as Dayuan levied heavy taxes on the Silk Road, the Han Dynasty turned a blind eye, until ultimately Dayuan blindly provoked the Han Dynasty.

In the end, Emperor Wu of Han didn’t care if Dayuan State was thousands of miles away, dispatched troops directly, seized the capital, executed the king, and appointed a new king. Though this country is still called Dayuan afterward, in reality, except for the people, the core was entirely replaced.

Thinking further, the distance between Dayuan’s capital back then and Kushan Peshawar now is still thousands of miles, missing these few thousand miles, if truly provoked, such events can occur even relying on favorable terrain allowing Kushan to win, Vasu Deva I won’t swallow such a slight.

Therefore, Vasu Deva I’s thought is there will be a confrontation with the Han Dynasty; such a confrontation is inevitable. Southern Onion Ridge and lands east of the Caspian Sea must be reclaimed, but it can’t be a fight to the death with the Han Dynasty, so Vasu Deva I is mostly considering testing the waters.