Mythical Three Kingdoms

At present, Kushan, just having been heavily beaten down, how could they have the audacity to show disgrace to the Han Dynasty?

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded repeatedly, acknowledging this logic, with no fear at all.

Over the next two days, Ling Bao and others vigorously dealt with those disobedient vassal states nearby, pacifying each of the particularly rebellious small nations as identified by Zhang Su, emptying their national treasury and temporarily placing the population in adjacent vassal states.

Recently, Ling Bao and Deng Xian were said to have stirred chaos across the Indochina Peninsula, yet none of the small states dared to accuse the Han Dynasty of tyranny, all silently awaiting the conclusion of the Han Dynasty’s judgment, because they had failed to pay tribute to the suzerain state as members of the clan system.

”That’s all for today; tomorrow we’ll hit the road together as planned, De’ang, you and a few others will stay behind,” Zhang Su instructed Li Hui and others, ”As for Ling Bao and the others, send word to them telling them not to dawdle; any vassal state not resolved by the day after tomorrow will be considered settled; next time there’s time we’ll continue the reckoning.”

”Understood!” the civil and military officials all nodded and then dispersed to handle their own affairs.

Early the next morning, General Yan led Zhang Ren, King Mulu, Wutugu, Wu Yi, Meng Da, and most of the civil servants to the agreed location, which was relatively distant.

As for Meng Huo and others, they were left behind to guard the camp; it was necessary to leave a reliable person to watch over the army camp; a thorough move was something cautious General Yan couldn’t afford to do.

Meanwhile, Yang Huai’s 3,000 troops and Amir’s main forces from Kushan had already reached the alliance location.

Upon the arrival of Zhang Su and others, they found the place to be essentially a desolate plain, with no signs of the permanent structures they wanted, whether Buddha Pagoda or Heavenly Altar, not even foundational bases existed.

Incidentally, the Buddha Pagoda was manageable; however, with regards to the architectural material needed for the Heavenly Altar, Han Baiyu, Kushan had no clue how to procure it; the only foreseeable solution was mining near the upstream of Yarlung Zangbo River, then transporting them, though the distance was cumbersome.

Locally near the Wenga Dynasty, high-quality materials were indeed scarce, making it challenging for Kushan to explain to the Han Dynasty; they were truly preparing to venture to the upstream of the Yarlung Zangbo River, near the Qingzang Plateau, for mining.

Of course, besides this point, Kushan did manage the rest reasonably well.

”Welcome, esteemed General Yan,” Brack, possibly due to having been defeated by General Yan and relative admiration for his opponent, always showed exceptional politeness whenever sending someone to meet General Yan or meeting him personally.

”No need for formality, Commander Brack,” General Yan was quite satisfied with such respect and gestured an invitation, yet Brack still signaled for General Yan to lead first, clearly indicating the earlier defeat genuinely earning his sincere admiration.

”Please, after you,” after two courteous exchanges, General Yan proceeded first, followed closely by Brack, and only then did General Yan and others notice Brack leading six military generals manifesting Inner Qi.

After both parties were seated, Kushan showed no intention of usurping the primary seat of the Han Dynasty; once General Yan took the seat, he commenced the introductions to Kushan.

”This is Han Jianwei Colonel Zhang Ren,” General Yan began introducing his people one by one, noting Zhang Ren was previously Sima of Separate Division and only promoted due to impending deployments, otherwise would suffer under a worse official position.

All civil and military officials from Kushan duly greeted, recalling Zhang Ren’s performance that day, acknowledging the undeniable competence of the generals with Legion Talent.

Amid the complements, a Kushan General named Carano, previously exchanging names with Zhang Ren, noticeably discontented, prompting Zhang Ren to inquire, ”Carano, in our previous encounter amidst national service, I’ve come to respect your loyalty, yet why do your eyes hold disdain for me?”

Hearing this, Carano appeared more displeased but, given the alliance, chose to speak openly, ”That day, after you shattered my formation, you asked if I would surrender; with defeat looming, I consented, so why did you still shoot me down?”

Numerous Kushan military figures also glanced at Zhang Ren, as Carano’s tale had made rounds amongst Kushan generals, many sharing the dissatisfaction, having agreed to surrender, yet Zhang Ren’s unnecessary action remained resentful.

Both Kushan and Han had no basis for fake surrender in that fight; your action bruised camaraderie, don’t you understand?

”Uh, weren’t you shaking your head then? Isn’t shaking your head an agreement?” Zhang Ren perplexedly asked, turning toward others, both Han and Kushan members glaring with dissatisfaction.

”I wasn’t shaking my head, I was nodding…” Carano’s cheeks twitched, ”Forget it, I’ve understood; in that situation, your actions were justified, my defeat wasn’t undeserved.”

Some Kushan generals still unclear about the situation inquired among themselves, resigned to the cultural misunderstanding, where their nod signified agreement, contrastingly in Han custom, nodding denoted refusal, non-agreement.

”Hahaha, let’s drink to celebrate resolving the misunderstanding between us!” General Yan, indifferent to decorum, raised his bowl, having strong distilled liquor poured for the generals, purportedly knocking down anyone with Inner Qi Manifestation after three bowls without using Inner Qi to offset the alcohol.

Hearing this, Kushan generals also raised their bowls, contrary to Qin Mi’s assumption, Kushan military officers never refused alcohol, quite the opposite; emerging from Yuezhi, like all Northeners, they held a profound obsession for liquor.

Even interfacing with Buddhism, one deep-rooted custom remained, indulging in alcohol, even restructuring Buddhist norms to accommodate this practice.

This is why oppression or Inner Qi Manifestation in Kushan diverged in two forms: some through Visualization, absorbing external Qi to achieve Inner Qi Manifestation; others reinstating themselves post-total Qi absorption, embodying Extinction and Emptiness.

Of course, the latter often wasn’t genuine rebirth after extinction, largely emerging with intense determination, intellect, manifesting as virtuoso creatures.

Truly abstaining from alcohol were the rare monks; otherwise, there was minimal difference between Kushan’s Inner Qi Manifestation and Han’s side—drinking remains, meat sustains; abstaining from meat, wine, and relying solely on vegetables couldn’t sustain or replenish vitality.

Maudgalyayana, achieving great prowess, whilst Gan Ning resided with him, frequently consuming venison and bear meat; no fantasy of Maudgalyayana observing Gan Ning’s meat feast yet sticking to leaves and fruit—a joke, indeed feasting on pure meat.

Engaging martial arts purely reliant on vegetarian diet guarantees ruin, nutrition deficiency spells disaster!

With a bowl of wine, among Kushan, two military officers instantly flushed, yet unabatedly praised the potency of the liquor; akin to Northeners, Kushan embraced robust spirits.

Following that bowl of liquor, both sides considerably warmed up; Brack promptly clapped hands, ushering dancing girls to commence their performance.

Contrasting Central Plains’ Han formal dances, Kushan overlooked such proprieties embracing passion; in Han parlance, this typified decadent melodies, ruinous merriment, yet inherently any mature men showcased such inclinations.

Often expressing righteous refusal verbally yet fixating intensely during actual performances, particularly Kushan where conquering several nations meant gathering divinely beautiful dancers for such occasions, even General Yan felt stirred.