Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Anyone under six feet seven inches isn’t even considered an adult, just a farmer,” Mi Fang said awkwardly.

In terms of height, the average height during the Qin and Han periods is more reliable, because the Terracotta Warriors are life-sized. Although there are indeed some as tall as 1.9 meters or 1.8 meters, the mainstream height was just over 1.7 meters.

During the Qin and Han periods, Persia called China the land of giants. At the same time, both China and Rome looked down on the height of nomadic people, yet neither ever looked down on each other.

Generally speaking, the height of Central Plains people during this period was fairly reliable. This is also why Cao Cao, who was recorded as being seven feet tall, equivalent to 1.62 meters, felt quite embarrassed. Because this height was considered below average at that time, equivalent to a man who is 1.65 meters tall in later generations...

”How about I lead a team to stop them first and find out what’s going on?” Xu Sheng said slightly awkwardly.

Honestly, when looking at a group of people around 1.5 meters tall with no formation, their weapons a mess, and basically without armor, not to mention their shields were made of bamboo, weapons consisting of sharpened bamboo sticks, Xu Sheng was really at a loss for what expression to make at their pitiful state.

”Are you sure these are soldiers of the Wa Kingdom and not just a local brawl?” Cai Mao gave Mi Fang a sidelong glance. If these were really soldiers of the Wa Kingdom, then the meaning behind their plans all along would be questioned, as these beggar soldiers could be easily routed by any random group.

”Although I don’t want to believe it either, if Marquis Chen wasn’t joking when he told me this before, then these really are soldiers of this country.” Mi Fang finally understood what Chen Xi meant when he mentioned Yingzhou and said, ”You’ll know when you get there.”

”Luckily, we’re all infantry,” Cai He said, bemused.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their heads towards Cai He, but saw him leaning on the ship’s rail, saying mysteriously, ”At this height, if cavalry really came, our tall horses carefully selected from the North wouldn’t even be able to reach them.”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions froze, turning to look at the other side, all letting out a sigh; there are times when cavalry power falls short. With this height, against the tall horses in Xiliang with shoulder heights of 1.6 meters, getting cavalry to cut down people would indeed be difficult.

”We’re not here to wage war; our main purpose is to talk to the king of the Wa Kingdom.” Taishi Ci said without much of a smile, but the upward curve of his mouth clearly betrayed his current mood.

The two feudal lords fighting desperately in the Wa Kingdom were not blind. Taishi Ci’s battleship was simply too massive. After getting within five li, even the ordinary eyesight of both sides could clearly see Taishi Ci’s terrifying warship.

As Taishi Ci’s battleship got increasingly closer to the shore, the parts visible to the Wa people became even clearer. Many of the previously brave soldiers turned and fled in collapse, some even lying down directly, awaiting the judgment of this giant ship.

”Zifango, use the telescope to see if there are any ambushes nearby.” Although Taishi Ci had already thoroughly examined the area with his extraordinary vision, and the lookout had also reported back, he still cautiously requested Mi Fang to observe once more.

”None,” Mi Fang nodded after carefully surveying the area.

”Looking at this situation akin to a Dwarf Country, even if there are ambushes, what could they do to us?” Cai Zhong scoffed.

”War is no small matter, caution is paramount,” Taishi Ci said slowly, causing Cai Mao to cast a harsh glare at his brother.

”Zifango, you stay on the ship with two thousand men while I lead the landing party,” Taishi Ci ordered Mi Fang.

With Taishi Ci’s command, the small boats previously hung on the large ship were lowered one by one, quickly heading toward the beach. As the bottoms of these boats were about to touch the water, the well-trained soldiers eagerly leaped out.

When the soldiers, already near the beach, leaped into the water, the seawater was only able to reach halfway up their calves. In a few quick movements, they were out of the water and surrounded the remaining Wa people with Heavy Crossbows at the ready.

However, Taishi Ci soon found himself in a predicament as they couldn’t communicate at all. While the Wa soldiers, and what seemed to be a few leaders amongst them, were particularly docile, there was still no exchange between the two sides.

Fortunately, Taishi Ci could discern the simplest form of submission. But their subsequent level of respect was a bit unnerving for Taishi Ci. Cai Mao even explicitly informed him later that these people, to show submission, didn’t care for their own subordinates, or even their own lives. Such apparent loyalty must conceal other intentions.

Taishi Ci considered this briefly and concurred, yet did not deal with these so-called city lords, because he was confident that his combat power here was nation-destroying level. Incidentally, Taishi Ci had already located open silver mines.

”Degui, weren’t you supposed to be training the navy?” Taishi Ci asked Cai Mao, puzzled, when he saw someone suddenly bringing a small old man to him.

”Yizhima greets the Han Dynasty General.” As soon as the small old man saw Taishi Ci, he performed a solemn kneeling salute and spoke to him respectfully in a very awkward and error-prone manner.

”Are there people here who can speak Chinese?” Taishi Ci was incredulous. Although half of the pronunciation was wrong, he still understood what Yizhima meant.

”A hundred years ago, our ancestors traveled to China to pay tribute. Our ancestors were fortunate to meet the Son of Heaven of Han and were granted this item from the Emperor, which we’ve worshipped day and night, learning the writings bestowed by the Emperor generation after generation.” Yizhima said very respectfully, holding up a gold seal with both hands. Even though half of this long string of words was mispronounced, Taishi Ci understood.

”Please sit, please sit,” Taishi Ci instantly brightened and invited them to sit. Regardless of Yizhima’s intentions, Taishi Ci was very pleased as being able to speak Chinese meant they could communicate.

Taishi Ci took out reserve wine and meat from the battleship to entertain them. While eating, Yizhima began to cry, and Taishi Ci, rolling his eyes, instantly understood that an opportunity had come.

”Why is the elder crying?” Taishi Ci feigned ignorance.

”Today’s meal, I don’t know when my family will ever have such again,” Yizhima cried out.

”That’s simple. I’ll send you another serving then,” Taishi Ci said casually. ”This simple food, as long as the elder enjoys it, you can have it anytime.”

”Thank you, thank you,” the old man said, half sobbing, half cheerful.

For several days thereafter, Yizhima frequently came to Taishi Ci’s place for meals until one day, Yizhima invited Taishi Ci to his place for a meal. Looking at the coarse rice and crude pottery, Taishi Ci angrily asked, ”Why has it come to this?”

Yizhima fell to his knees in front of Taishi Ci crying on the spot. He told Taishi Ci in detail how over the last hundred years, under the system Emperor Guangwu had granted them, they had gradually declined to this state.

Taishi Ci was enraged upon hearing this and said that the things our country granted you were being seized by others and questioned why this wasn’t reported to us.

Yizhima cried, saying that with the difficult journey, there was no way to reach them.

Taishi Ci decisively took charge, saying he would help resolve the domestic issues and support Yizhima’s family to power. He only requested that when the time came, they should remember to pay tribute to them.

Although Yizhima did have such intentions, when the opportunity actually presented itself, he was genuinely taken aback.

Despite his surprise, such a favorable deal with no drawbacks was not something Yizhima would refuse; after all, the entire Japan was not his, and Taishi Ci could still conquer it. Giving his word was just superficial, so Yizhima straightforwardly reciprocated.

With Yizhima’s promise secured, Taishi Ci set forth decisively, demonstrating to all of Wa Kingdom what nation-destroying level power truly was.

For small countries of a few hundred to a few thousand people, such as Sunu Country, Ghost Country, Wunu Country, Yamatai, Gongchen Country, Bali Country, Zhiwei Country, Wunu Country, etc., Taishi Ci conquered them at an average of three per day, sweeping from south to north.