I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1081 Advance to the Caspian Sea
Feeling flustered under Su Yao's intense gaze, Safia hesitated and spoke:
"Your Majesty, why are you looking at my daughter like that? What have I done?"

"No, you're fine."

Su Yao patted her head, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "I was thinking, since you and Griffin get along so well, why don't you officially become its full-time trainer?"

Safia's eyes widened in surprise, her amber pupils sparkling in the morning light: "I...can I really do it?"

“Of course.” Su Yao gently patted her shoulder. “However, to become a qualified animal trainer, you need to learn more. From today onwards, I will personally teach you the way of animal training.”

Safia blushed with excitement and quickly bowed on the griffin's back, saying, "This humble girl will certainly live up to the Holy Lord's expectations!"

Griffin seemed to sense her joy, letting out a cheerful cry and flapping its wings to soar into the higher clouds.

In the days that followed, Safia began her special training.

Su Yao not only ordered that the griffin training manual, which Vologasis V had spent a lot of manpower and sacrifice to study and record, be made available to her, but also ordered that the six trainers who had served the griffin take turns explaining it to her. Su Yao himself even took her riding a griffin to familiarize her with the griffin's habits.

Time flew by, and the girl's experience in taming beasts grew rapidly, along with her loyalty and affection levels.

Seeing the two being so intimate, many rumors spread throughout the palace. Princess Amina even personally inquired when Su Yao would take Safia into the palace.

"My esteemed Your Majesty, the supreme and holy sovereign."

In the garden, Amina nestled in Su Yao's arms, humming in a affected tone, "Do you know what the officials and the common people are talking about right now?"

"A scandal is detrimental to your prestige. If you truly like that girl, why not simply let her enter the palace and give her a proper status? This would also reassure the soldiers at the front."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao's fingertips traced the necklace around Amina's neck and her fair collarbone, while his gaze swept across the garden and through the window to the direction of the animal pen—Safia was tiptoeing to feed Griffin, sunlight shining through her hair like a layer of shattered gold.

"Heh, do you think rumors can shake my prestige?" He chuckled, his tone unwavering. "If those people can't even grasp this basic principle, they don't deserve to remain under my command."

Seeing his calm expression, Amina knew that her words had not angered the Holy Lord, but rather piqued his interest. She snuggled closer to Su Yao, her voice becoming even more charming: "The Holy Lord is naturally unafraid of rumors, but Sister Safia is still young and easily embarrassed. Besides, General Bahram has been fighting valiantly on the front lines recently. If he learns that his daughter has won the Holy Lord's favor, he will surely work even harder—this is an excellent opportunity to appease the surrendered generals."

“You’ve certainly weighed the pros and cons thoroughly.” Su Yao flicked her forehead with his finger, a smile playing in his eyes. “However, do you think I can’t see it? You’re afraid that girl will overshadow you in the harem by relying on Griffin’s influence, so you’ve taken the initiative to suggest it, which makes you, the principal wife, seem magnanimous.”

Amina blushed slightly, her thoughts exposed, but she remained defiant: "Your Majesty has wronged me! I only felt that Sister Safia is both intelligent and loyal, and is a perfect match for Your Majesty."

"Alright, stop pretending." Su Yao pulled her into his arms, the scent of roses from her hair lingering in his nostrils. "I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, as long as you behave yourself, I guarantee that at least in this place called Anxi, no one will threaten your position."

He paused, his gaze shifting southwest towards the city of Nisa, his tone growing increasingly somber: "As for Safia, she certainly deserves a title. But not now." A flicker of surprise crossed Amina's eyes: "What does the Holy Lord mean?"

“Bahram has only recently surrendered and, although he has achieved military merits, he has not yet fully established himself,” Su Yao said slowly. “Only after he takes Nisa and completely crushes the remnants of Ardaban’s forces can we grant him a proper marriage. This will not only demonstrate my favor towards surrendered generals, but also allow Safia’s status to benefit from her military achievements, thus silencing any gossips.”

He looked down at Amina, a playful smile playing on his lips: "Besides, that girl's heart is completely occupied by Griffin right now. If we suddenly bring her into the palace, she might be distracted. It's better to take it slow and steady."

Amina suddenly realized what was going on, and her admiration for Su Yao's shrewdness grew even stronger. What seemed like a simple marriage actually involved military morale, political maneuvering, and the cultivation of talent. With such a mindset, it was no wonder he was able to achieve such a great empire.

"Your Majesty is wise." She quickly knelt on Su Yao's lap. "Your Majesty, I understand. Then I will go and make the arrangements first, and then prepare for the wedding of Sister Safia after General Bahram's triumphant return."

"Hmm." Su Yao nodded, his fingertips gently stroking her hair. "Tell her to tame Griffin well, and when Nisa falls, I will give her a surprise."

Amina agreed, but in her heart she was already calculating what kind of gift she should prepare for Safia so that it would both show the Holy Lord's favor and not lose the dignity of her status as the principal wife.

Meanwhile, in front of the beast pen, Safia was intently feeding Griffin specially prepared spiritual herbs. The sacred beast affectionately nuzzled her cheek with its beak, its golden wings shimmering in the sunlight. Unbeknownst to her, an arrangement concerning her destiny had already been quietly finalized through Su Yao's machinations.

Meanwhile, just as the city of Mulu finally emerged from the shadow of war and began to prosper, good news kept pouring in from the front lines.

First, the Northern Route Army, led by Ma Chao, Yan Xing, and Zhao Yun, upon learning that Su Yao had captured the rebel king alive at Mulu, immediately launched attacks in all directions, sweeping across the entire Khwarazmian region and wiping out the remaining Parthian forces that had seized power amidst the chaos. They then marched south, crossed the Amu Darya River, and swept across the land.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao and Zhao Yun split up again, with Ma Chao and Yan Xing heading west, reaching the Caspian Sea coast.

In an instant, everyone was captivated by the vast ocean.

Gazing at the vast expanse of water before them, even the seasoned Xiliang cavalry couldn't help but gasp in astonishment. The water was a deep blue, and the horizon met the sky; had it not been for the map provided by Su Yao, none of them would have believed that this was actually just a large lake.

It is said that hundreds of years ago, a member of Ban Chao's mission arrived at this place and was amazed by its magnificence. He immediately named it Xihai, which had once been occupied by Qinghai Lake.

The surrounding grasslands are lush and fertile, dotted with numerous nomadic tribes that operate independently.

For centuries, they were both a headache for the Parthians and a valuable source of manpower, providing them with a large number of cavalry.

Now, faced with the arrival of the Han army's iron cavalry, these nomadic tribes quickly split into two factions—one chose to submit to the Han army's iron hooves, while the other fled westward in panic, migrating to the deeper grasslands.

The reason, of course, was that Ma Chao and his men gave those who disagreed a big beating.
(End of this chapter)