I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1022 Su Yao's True Intentions

Anmoti's face turned deathly pale instantly; he hadn't expected the Han army commander to be so firm. He quickly bowed again, his tone pleading:

"My lord, please allow me to add one more word. Although the Kushan Empire has suffered heavy losses, its foundation is deep and it is by no means easy to conquer. Only if our two countries join forces, coordinate as one, and attack from both the east and the west, can we achieve a swift victory."

"If you advance alone, sir, you will likely be bogged down in a protracted stalemate."

"Then you don't need to worry about it."

Su Yao chuckled and said:
"The envoy should hurry back and report to your king. Tell him that if he truly wants to be seated at the table, he should demonstrate sincerity and strength—for example, how about conquering a few Kushan cities as a welcoming gift?"

Anmoti broke out in a cold sweat; he knew that this mission was unlikely to achieve its intended goals.

But as an experienced diplomat, he immediately changed his strategy:
"Your Majesty is wise; His Majesty's sincerity is truly evident. In addition to the alliance, he has also prepared generous gifts—"

With a wave of his hand, his attendants immediately brought over several exquisite chests. Inside, upon opening, were dazzling jewels, fine Persian carpets, and several jewel-encrusted scimitars.

"These are just small gifts. If you are willing to form an alliance, there will be more treasures to be offered later."

Su Yao glanced at the gifts, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "The Parthians are certainly generous. However," he changed the subject, "do you think I need these?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a commotion arose outside the palace. A troop of soldiers escorted dozens of fully loaded wagons into the courtyard, the wagons piled high with gold and silver treasures seized from all over Kushania, glittering in the sunlight.

Anmoti was speechless. He then realized that the Han army commander in front of him already controlled the most prosperous Kushan Nya region in northern Kushan, and certainly did not need his "small gift".

"The envoy need not be made to feel awkward."

Guo Jia interjected at the opportune moment, waving his feather fan and laughing:

"My lord is not unwilling to form an alliance, but he wishes to see your country's sincerity. How about this—your country first sends troops to attack the western border of the Kushan Empire, and after achieving victory, we can discuss the details of cooperation?"

Anmoti knew this was a way out offered by the other party, and quickly replied, "What you say is absolutely right, sir. I will return and report immediately, and I believe you will receive news of victory from the front soon."

After the Parthian envoy left, Zhang Fei couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, are we really going to cooperate with the Parthians? Are we just going to give them that fertile land south of the mountains?"

“Yide,” Su Yao smiled meaningfully, “who said Shannan was going to be given to them?”

Guo Jia, understanding the implication, replied, "The Parthians want to use us, so why can't we use them? Let them weaken the Kushan forces first, and when both sides are exhausted..."

"Brilliant!" Zhang Fei slapped his thigh. "Then we can ambush them from behind and take over the Parthian territory as well!"

"."

Guo Jia was speechless.

He originally intended to say that this would allow him to easily control the Kushan Empire, but he didn't expect that General Zhang had been completely led astray by Su Yao and now had a much bigger appetite.

Guan Yu stroked his beard and pondered, "Parthia is, after all, a great power. If we really want to go to war, we need to plan carefully. For now, we should focus on the Kushan Empire."

"Rest assured, Yun Chang," Su Yao said confidently. "I have already made arrangements for them. As for the Kushan..."

Su Yao looked at Guo Jia: "Shouldn't we arrange a little chance encounter for the envoys from these two families?"

Guo Jia smiled and said, "Your Highness is wise. I will make the arrangements immediately."

This chance encounter was part of a pre-arranged plan between Su Yao and Guo Jia.

To subdue the governor of the north, and even the entire Kushan Empire, some external force would be needed.

The Parthians were this external force.

Several days later, in Gaofu City.

"what?!"

"You said you saw Parthian messengers in Kapisa?!"

The acting governor left behind by Moroko, Palvaz, was greatly surprised when he heard the messenger's report.

"Yes, my lord."

The messenger reported nervously:

"I saw with my own eyes that the Parthian envoy entered the governor's mansion with generous gifts and chatted for a long time, seemingly having a very pleasant conversation with the Han army commander."

Parvaz's face was ashen, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table. "The Parthians are trying to take advantage of our misfortune!" He immediately realized the gravity of the situation—their governor was currently leading his army back to the capital; if the Parthians allied with the Han army, they could attack from both the east and west.
"Bastard!"

Parvaz slammed his fist on the table and said angrily:
"Didn't that Han Chinese king who claims to be a god say he would support us?"

"To turn around and start flirting with the Parthians? That's outrageous!"

"you!"

Parvaz pointed at the envoy's nose and shouted angrily, "And you? You just slunk back like that? Watching them plot? As an envoy, don't you have any opinions of your own?!"

The messenger hurriedly shook his head and explained, "My lord, please calm your anger. Of course, I went to lodge a protest. But..."

The envoy said bitterly, "But those Han people insist that Prince Bo Diao is not dead, that the head is fake, and that we broke the alliance first, unless... unless..."

“Unless what?” Parvaz asked hastily.

The messenger, trembling, said, "Unless the governor personally goes to Kapisa to explain, or accepts their request to send someone to the capital to verify the matter..."

"What did you say?!"

Parvaz suddenly stood up, never expecting the Han people to make such harsh demands.

Not to mention that it is outrageous and excessive for the dignified Governor-General of the North to act like a lowly subject and go to the enemy, who has not yet formally ceased hostilities.

At this crucial moment in the struggle for the throne, Morok was busy heading south to the capital, and he didn't have time to go to Kapisa in the north to offer any explanation.

As for sending someone to the capital to verify, that is absolutely out of the question.

With the change of the throne imminent, any slight movement could trigger a chain reaction. How can we allow Han envoys to come and go as they please?
Parvaz paced back and forth in the hall, his face extremely grim. He realized that the Han people's trick was truly insidious—if he refused their demands, he would be guilty of "betraying the alliance"; but if he agreed, it would be tantamount to inviting wolves into the house.

"My lord, there is one more thing." The messenger hesitated before speaking.

"Speak!" Parvaz waved his hand impatiently.

"The Han commander said that if he did not receive a satisfactory answer within three days, he would lead his troops south to join forces with the Parthians at Gaofu, and then personally go to the capital to 'demand an explanation'."

"What?!" Parvaz's face turned deathly pale instantly, and the teacup in his hand crashed to the ground with a "smash." He roared, "They dare!"

The envoy lowered his head, not daring to look at him, and continued, "The Han people also said... they also said that since the Governor-General has broken his promise, they wouldn't mind finding another partner."

Parvaz was covered in sweat. He understood the threat in the Han Chinese’s words—if Moroko did not cooperate, the Han army could completely switch its support to Prince Bodiao, or even join forces with the Parthians to divide up the Kushan Empire!

"Damn it, damn it!" Parvaz was so angry he almost fainted.

That's the downside of losing your boundaries.

In the past, when the Kushan Empire was powerful and it controlled vassal states such as Khwarazm, how could it have allowed the Parthians to travel east to contact the Han Dynasty?
Now that the western vassal states have all declared independence and the Han dynasty has invaded the north, these two major enemies, if they join forces, could indeed bring down the Kushan Empire.

"Quickly!" Parvaz turned around abruptly and roared at his guards, "Send a fast horse to catch up with the Governor immediately and report this matter in detail!"

He then turned to the messenger: "Return to Kapisa immediately and tell the Han commander that the governor-general has urgent business to attend to, and that I will personally go to explain to him. Ask them to grant me a few more days."

After the messenger hurriedly left with his orders, Parvaz slumped into a chair, muttering to himself, "This is a huge problem."

He knew very well that, given the current fighting strength of the Han army, they probably didn't have many options.

As expected, when the northern governor, who had not yet left the mountain road, heard the news, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and temporarily agree to the Han army's condition of sending people into the capital.

However, he had one condition: under no circumstances should the Han people reveal their identity as Han envoys before the eldest prince ascends the throne; instead, they should accompany him back to the capital as private advisors.

Moroko knew that once the Han envoy appeared openly in the capital, his political enemies would seize the opportunity to attack him for colluding with foreign enemies. But given the current critical situation, he could only wait and see.

Su Yao did not make things difficult for them on this point, but readily agreed.

But the Kushans were unaware that Su Yao's true intention was...
"what?!"

"Your Highness, so you're going there in person?!"

Inside the Governor's Mansion of Kapisa, everyone was astonished upon hearing Su Yao's arrangements.

(End of this chapter)