I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1039 The Han'an War
The fourth year of the Kaiyuan era, at the end of November.

Now, more than eight months have passed since Su Yao set off from Luoyang.

The message brought by this envoy from the Han court actually dates back to about half a year ago.

That's right, at that time Su Yao had just entered the Kushan Empire and hadn't yet conquered Kushan.

This imperial edict of investiture was nothing more than a blank document bearing an official seal; Su Yao simply filled in the contents himself.

Su Yao had many such blank edicts in his possession. They were prepared in advance, taking into account the long distances involved, and were intended for use in bestowing titles upon the western countries.

Although he drafted the imperial edict himself, the envoy was a genuine visitor from Luoyang.

He brought with him the Empress's concern, greetings from his family, and long-awaited intelligence from the court.

"What are they saying in the court these days?"

The envoy paused, then lowered his voice and said, "Some people in the court are saying that His Highness is away on a long expedition and has not returned to the country for a long time, and they fear that he may have the ambition to establish his own independent regime."

The message brought by the messenger was actually quite unremarkable.

The ministers, led by Liu Yu and other former royalists, continued to recite the prescribed texts as always.

Su Yao was actually indifferent to this.

It's impossible for someone to be supported by everyone. Having a bunch of troublemaking opposition figures jumping around in the government is actually beneficial to him.

His real concern came from his empress wife.

What was originally a war to defend Dayuan and Kangju suddenly turned into a major battle deep into the Kushan territory.

Considering the long journey that would take half a year, Wan Nian frequently sent envoys to remind him to stop while he was ahead and that it was about time to go home and visit his family.

Therefore, this is the envoy's primary task.

However, when the envoy arrived in Kushan, he was immediately stunned by what he saw.

In a short period of time, the Kushan Empire collapsed, and His Highness the Tang King was not only worshipped as a god by the locals, but also took a local woman as his concubine.

This guy didn't know how to report back when he got back, so he tried his best to get Su Yao to go back to the capital with him so that he could have something to report.

However, the situation is now chaotic, and he has heard many stories of clashes between Parthia and the Han Dynasty on Kushan territory.

It seems that persuading the Tang emperor to return is as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

"The envoy need not worry."

Su Yao stood up and said confidently:

"Go back to your country and tell them the truth about the situation here. You may also take the tribute from the Kushan Empire with you."

"As for me, I will return to my post as soon as possible after resolving the issue of my rest."

Upon hearing this, the envoy looked troubled: "Your Highness, Parthia is a powerful western nation. If we were to go to war with them, it would likely be a conflict that cannot be resolved overnight."

Su Yao laughed and patted the envoy on the shoulder: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I have now fully ascertained the strengths and weaknesses of the Parthians. In a few months to half a year, I will surely capture their king and bring him back."

Seeing Su Yao's confidence, the envoy dared not say anything more and could only respectfully accept the order.

The following morning, Su Yao personally saw the envoy off.

A long camel caravan, laden with Kushan specialties and tributes, slowly drove out of the gates of Fulousha.

Samira stood beside Su Yao, watching the camel caravan disappear into the distance, and asked softly, "Holy Lord, are you really leaving?" Su Yao turned to look at her and saw that the young queen's eyes were slightly red, clearly indicating that she had not slept all night.

"What, you can't bear to part with me?" Su Yao chuckled.

Samira bit her lip and whispered, "I...I was just worried."

"What are you worried about?"

"I'm worried that once you leave, you'll never come back," Samira's voice trailed off.

Su Yao reached out and lifted her chin, looking directly into her eyes: "Don't worry, I said I'd come back, and I definitely will. Besides..."

"Given the Parthians' behavior, they probably won't let us return home so soon."

Su Yao glanced meaningfully at Samira's flat stomach as he spoke, "Perhaps after I settle things at the funeral, I can bring back some gifts for you and the baby."

Samira's face flushed instantly, and she lightly punched Su Yao's chest: "How...how did you know?"

"My woman, how could I not know?" Su Yao laughed, pulling her into his arms. "Take good care of yourself during your pregnancy; you and the baby must be safe and sound."

Samira nestled against Su Yao's chest, feeling his strong heartbeat as she gently touched her lower abdomen, and whispered, "I will make sure this child is born safely and becomes the greatest king in Kushan history."

Just as the two were enjoying their tender moment, Dina rushed over: "Holy Lord, urgent report from the front!"

Su Yao released Samira, took the parchment scroll, and quickly scanned it, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "They really came."

Samira asked anxiously, "What happened?"

Su Yao sneered: "The Parthians have finally stopped pretending."

The letter stated that Parthian King Vologasis V had assembled an army of 100,000 at Merv and, in the name of avenging the Kushan ruler, formally declared war on the Han Dynasty.

Mulu City.

This was the capital of the Marghian region of the Parthian Empire, located near present-day Bairam Ali in Turkmenistan, Central Asia. Relying on the oasis of the Margos River, it became a vital route connecting West Asia and South Asia. During the ancient Bronze Age, the city of Merv became a core node for cross-regional trade.

During the Hellenistic period following Alexander the Great's conquests, a wall was built here to defend against the nomadic regions to the north.

Under Parthian rule, the region experienced a fusion of cultures and the coexistence of multiple religions. Coupled with its role as a trade hub on the Silk Road, it reached the pinnacle of prosperity.

However, this period of prosperity was short-lived. Soon after, the Kushan Empire rose to power and took control of Merv.

Now, taking advantage of the Kushan civil war and the opportunity to fight against the Han Dynasty, the Parthians finally got their wish and recovered their homeland, which became the greatest achievement of Vologasis V since he ascended the throne.

"Great King of Kings! Your deeds will surely be recorded in history."

In the magnificent governor's mansion in Merv, the high-ranking officials of the Parthian Empire showered Vologasis V with praise.

The young monarch sat on his throne, stroking his beard, exuding confidence and with ambition gleaming in his eyes.

"The Han Chinese are far too arrogant, daring to depose and install Kushan monarchs without authorization," Vologasis V said in a deep voice. "Now that their battle lines are stretched too thin, it is the perfect opportunity for us to reclaim our lost territories."

Prime Minister Sulun stepped forward: "Your Majesty is wise. According to our scouts, the Han army stationed in Kushan is only about ten thousand strong. It is merely a detachment of an expeditionary force that has achieved this remarkable feat by taking advantage of the situation. If we can win this battle quickly, we can not only recover the territory that Kushan has encroached upon, but also extend our sphere of influence to the north and south of the Hindu Kush Mountains, completely eliminating the Kushan threat."

"very good!"

Vologasis V rose abruptly and ordered: "My army will launch a three-pronged attack. One force, led by General Mihran, will march north to recapture Khwarazm; another force, led by General Bahado, will advance east to seize Herat, a key town in western Kushan territory; and the main force, led by General Bahram, will take Gaofu directly to completely cut off the route for those Han Chinese to return north."

"Since these arrogant Han people refuse our cooperation and try to monopolize everything, then we must teach them a lesson, let them know the consequences of greed, and make them understand that this is not the Great Qin, not a place where they can run wild!"

(End of this chapter)