I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1086 Cheers to Tomorrow (5K)

Western Regions Development Company.

Indeed, the first half of tonight's banquet was a food promotion event organized by Su Yao, who used food as a way to make friends. Anmoti and Shapur worked together to promote the business of the Western Regions Development Company.

Guided by Anmoti, everyone's attention quickly shifted from the food to the behemoth that was the Western Regions Development Company. Anmoti took out a beautiful piece of silk from his robes, on which was drawn a map of the trade route from Luoyang to Nisa City, marking dozens of the Western Regions Development Company's post stations and trading posts along the way.

"As you can see, the Holy Lord has already made preparations for a rainy day." Anmoti pointed to the map and spoke eloquently, "The Western Regions Development Company is not only responsible for the transportation of military supplies, but also sets up trading posts in various places to purchase local specialties and transport goods."

"Along this trade route, not only can spices, gems, carpets, and other goods from my resting place be safely and conveniently transported to the East, but luxury goods such as silk, tea, porcelain, and paper from the Far East's Daqin, as well as rare seasonings such as soy sauce and monosodium glutamate, will also be continuously transported to Nisa."

"The Holy Lord said that as long as the trade routes are open, the caravans of the Western Regions Development Company will deliver the remaining supplies to Parthia in less than two months so that everyone can enjoy them. And within a year, these delicacies will be available in the markets of Nisa City, and the prices will gradually become more affordable."

"At that time, MSG, which is more expensive than gold, may still require some spending, but as for things like Sichuan peppercorn soy sauce, with the wealth of everyone here, as long as you faithfully follow the Holy Lord, you'll probably get tired of eating them."

"Is that really possible?" A nobleman's eyes widened. "Those trade routes are treacherous, rife with bandits, and countless caravans have perished along the way."

“Times have changed.” Anmoti pointed to the Han soldiers patrolling outside the palace. “The Holy Lord has ordered that all post stations be garrisoned and caravans escorted by cavalry. Who would dare to block the way? Besides, following the Holy Lord’s army, even birds in the sky would have to detour, let alone mere bandits.”

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up. Although they had lived in Parthia for a long time, they had heard of the beauty of Han silk and the exquisiteness of Han porcelain, but they had been unable to see them due to the poor trade routes.

Now, the Holy Lord has used his formidable military might to open up this vast trade route, allowing rare and precious goods to flow in continuously. The business opportunities here are enough to tempt anyone.

"Not only that," Anmoti changed the subject, "the Holy Lord also said that all nobles and merchants who submit to our Great Han can invest in the Western Regions Development Company and share in the profits from trade. From now on, they can make a fortune even while sitting at home!"

"Shareholding? Dividends?" These novel terms sparked a flurry of discussion among the Parthian nobles. Anmoti patiently explained, detailing the shareholding system and dividend system established by Su Yao. The more they listened, the more astonished they became. Such an ingenious system could gather scattered wealth, both strengthening the nation and benefiting the people—it was truly unheard of.

Just as everyone was discussing this, the sound of tinkling jade pendants came from outside the hall.

"The Holy Lord has arrived!"

As the announcement faded, Su Yao, dressed in a black brocade robe with dragon patterns, slowly entered the main hall. He was tall and handsome, his deep eyes sweeping over the crowd, exuding an air of domineering authority. Safia and Amina served him on either side. Safia wore a Persian-style long dress embroidered with gold, her black hair adorned with tiny gemstones that shimmered under the lamplight; Amina wore a Han-style palace dress, elegant yet luxurious. The two, one on each side, resembled two blooming exotic flowers.

Behind the three of them stood high-ranking Han and non-Han generals such as Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and Yufuluo, all dressed in military attire and exuding an imposing aura. Zhao Yun, in particular, with his silver armor and white robes, wielding the Dragon Gallant Silver Spear, looked like a god descended to earth, drawing frequent glances from many Parthian noblewomen in the hall.

"Greetings, Holy Lord!"

Inside the hall, everyone knelt and prostrated themselves, foreheads touching the ground, not daring to look directly at each other. Anmoti, in particular, prostrated himself completely, proclaiming loudly, "We, your subjects, respectfully welcome the Holy Lord! May the Holy Lord live as long as Heaven!"

Su Yao nodded slightly and walked straight to the main seat. When he sat down, the hall was completely silent; everyone held their breath, awaiting the conqueror's instructions.

"Gentlemen, please rise and disregard formalities." Su Yao's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "This banquet is to celebrate the victories of our soldiers; there's no need for such formalities."

Su Yao's gaze fell on the whole roasted lamb in the center of the banquet table, which had not yet been touched. He glanced at the way everyone was devouring the food at their tables, and a smile appeared on his lips.
"It seems you all enjoyed the meal quite a bit?"

Anmoti quickly bowed and smiled, "We are extremely fortunate to receive such delicacies from Your Majesty! Just now, everyone was discussing the grand plan of the Western Regions Development Company. They all admired Your Majesty for not only being a brilliant strategist but also understanding the ways of the people. You have managed to connect thousands of miles of trade routes, allowing the wealth of the world to gather here."

Su Yao tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, his gaze sweeping across the hall: "The merchants are the lifeblood of the nation. My conquests are not only to assert my authority, but also to usher in a golden age, to unite all races into one family, and to ensure that all peoples under heaven can share in peace."

"In the past, Parthia and the Han Dynasty were separated by mountains, making trade difficult and hindering the exchange of fine goods. Now, I have opened this road so that the treasures of the East and West can travel freely and people can travel without obstacles. This will allow the people of Parthia to use Han Dynasty porcelain, allow Han farmers to grow Parthian grapes, allow Kushan physicians to exchange medical skills with Han doctors, and allow grassland herders to use exquisite silk. In this way, we can eliminate barriers and achieve common prosperity."

As soon as Su Yao finished speaking, a murmur of astonishment rippled through the hall. These Parthian nobles had never imagined that this holy ruler, who had conquered the world by force, harbored such a grand plan. They had thought that submitting would merely mean changing masters, paying taxes, and serving in the military, but they never expected to have the opportunity to come into contact with the legendary Eastern wonders and ingenuity, and even to connect their own businesses with the Han Dynasty thousands of miles away.

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"Is this really possible?"

An elderly Parthian nobleman couldn't help but murmur his doubts. He had traveled to Ferghana with a caravan in his youth and knew all too well the perils of traversing snow-capped mountains and deserts. Even now, with the Holy Lord's military might at large and trade routes open, how easy would it be to truly facilitate the exchange of goods between the two regions?
Su Yao seemed to see through his thoughts and suddenly clapped his hands. Immediately, servants filed in from outside the hall, each carrying an exquisite wooden box.

"Please take a look, everyone." Su Yao gestured to his attendant to open the wooden box. "This is a sample of the first batch of goods delivered to Nisa City by the Western Regions Development Company."

The first wooden box contained bolts of shimmering silk, their surfaces glowing softly under the lamplight, and their texture as smooth as flowing water. The Parthian nobles stared in disbelief—they had seen silk before, but never such exquisite fabrics. The patterns on them were dazzlingly intricate, and the colors were so vibrant they seemed to leap off the fabric.

“This is Shu brocade,” Su Yao explained. “It is produced in Yizhou of the Han Dynasty. It takes a hundred weavers working day and night for three months to produce just one bolt. In Luoyang, this item is worth a thousand gold pieces.”

The second wooden box contained a set of blue and white porcelain teaware. The porcelain body was as thin as paper, and the glaze was as warm and lustrous as jade. The blue patterns depicted landscapes, flowers, and birds on a white glaze, all rendered with lifelike detail. The Parthian nobles carefully picked up the teacups, as if afraid that they might crush these exquisite objects with the slightest force.

“This was made in the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln.” Su Yao gently stroked the teapot. “Using it to brew tea can keep the aroma for three days.”

The third wooden box contained a stack of snow-white Xuan paper, its texture delicate and as thin as a cicada's wing. Su Yao ordered someone to bring him brush and ink, and on the spot, he wrote the four large characters "万国来朝" (All Nations Pay Homage). The ink spread across the paper without bleeding, drawing gasps of amazement from everyone present.

“This thing may seem ordinary, but it is the foundation of civilization.” Su Yao passed the Xuan paper around. “With it, knowledge can transcend time and space and be passed down for generations.”

As each wooden box was opened, gasps of amazement echoed throughout the hall. There were crystal-clear glasswares, fragrant premium teas, incredibly sharp steel knives, and even a small bottle of the legendary "MSG"—the crystalline granules shimmered with an eerie light under the lamp, drawing crowds to gather around and admire them.

"Can all of these really be bought in Nisa City?" a nobleman asked in a trembling voice.

"Of course." Su Yao smiled slightly. "The Western Regions Development Company will establish a branch in Nisa City starting tomorrow, and will officially open for business in seven days. The first batch of goods is limited, and the highest bidder wins. From now on, caravans will bring new products from the East every month. As long as you all have enough gold and silver, or..."

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "Or there could be an exchange of goods of equal value. Parthian gems, carpets, and spices are equally valuable in Han China."

These words were like a spark falling into dry tinder, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of everyone in the hall. They whispered among themselves, discussing what treasures they could trade for, and some even began planning to form a caravan to travel to the far west to purchase rare goods.

“Your Majesty!” A young Parthian nobleman suddenly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said, “Your subject is willing to offer all of my family’s merchant ships in the Persian Gulf, only asking to invest in the Western Regions Development Company, and serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty!”

This move was like opening a floodgate, and soon several nobles volunteered, some offering mines, some offering camel caravans, and some even offering their daughters to serve as maids in the palace, just to get a share of the spoils.

Su Yao raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet: "The Western Regions Development Company welcomes all those who sincerely submit. Specific details regarding shareholding can be discussed with Lu Su tomorrow. Tonight..." He raised his golden goblet and swirled the golden wine within.

"Tonight, let us celebrate the victory of our soldiers, pay tribute to General Bahram, to all the warriors who fought and bled to open this trade route, to the sincerity of your surrender, and to our bright future—let us drink until we drop!"

"Honor the Holy Lord!"

"Long live the Holy Lord!"

Long live the King of Kings!

"We will follow you to the death!"

"I regret not having met the Holy Lord sooner!"

Inside the Nisa Palace, cheers erupted as everyone raised their glasses in toasts, the atmosphere reaching a fever pitch. Fine wine flowed freely, and the atmosphere was filled with song and dance. Musicians from both East and West played wondrous melodies, while Han Chinese dancers and Persian dancers vied for attention on stage, leaving the audience breathless with delight.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere in the hall became increasingly lively. The initial restraint of the Parthian nobles had long since vanished, and many, emboldened by the alcohol, began to fraternize with the Han generals. Some even danced the traditional Persian whirling dervish dance, drawing cheers from the entire hall.

Su Yao held his wine glass, smiling as he watched the harmonious scene. Amina nestled beside him and whispered, "The Holy Lord truly has excellent methods; a single banquet has won over the hearts of these people."

Su Yao took a sip of wine, his gaze falling on Bahram, who was talking to Zhao Yun through an interpreter not far away: "People's hearts are like flowing water; it's better to guide than to block. Since they are greedy for wealth, give them business opportunities; since they yearn for glory, promise them a future. As long as they understand that following me is more promising than guarding that corrupt Parthian royal family, why worry that they won't sincerely submit?"

As they were talking, Safia came over with a plate of exquisite desserts, her cheeks flushed from the wine: "Holy Lord, this is a honey cake I made myself, using the finest honey from Parthia. Would you like to try it?"

Su Yao took the jade plate, picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. The sweet but not cloying taste melted on his tongue, with a faint floral fragrance: "Not bad, it suits my taste even better than what the imperial chef makes."

Upon hearing this, Safia's eyes lit up instantly, and she smiled like a child who had been praised: "Then I'll make it for you again tomorrow."

Watching Safia's cheerful figure disappear into the distance, Su Yao felt a warmth in his heart.

This little girl made rapid progress. In less than a month, her animal taming skills had leveled up by 2, her intelligence had increased significantly under his tutelage, and her competence had improved from qualified to good.

It seems it's time to move on to the next step.

"Summon General Bahram."

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Bahram hurriedly left his seat, knelt before Su Yao on one knee, and bowed: "This humble general Bahram greets the Holy Lord."

Su Yao raised his hand to gesture for him to stand up, and pointed to the empty seat beside him: "General, please sit. I just saw you and Zilong talking very happily. Were you discussing the strategy for the Western Regions?"

“Indeed.” Bahram sat down, his back still ramrod straight. “General Zhao’s marksmanship is superb, and his insights into battle are also quite admirable. After the Holy Lord begins to pacify Parthia in the spring, I thought I would take this opportunity to learn more from him, so as to be fully prepared for the battle to come.”

“I am very pleased that the general has this intention.” Su Yao took a sip of his drink and turned his gaze to the bright moon outside the hall. “However, we will not discuss military affairs tonight. I have called you here to discuss a private matter.”

Bahram's heart skipped a beat. Seeing Su Yao's gentle smile and Amina's meaningful gaze beside him, he immediately understood seven or eight parts of the meaning, and his palms involuntarily became slightly sweaty.

"Please speak, Your Majesty. I will gladly die for you."

Amina spoke first, taking a sip of her wine glass and asking knowingly, "As far as I know, your Aishafia has just turned sixteen and is not yet betrothed?"

Bahram's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Although he had a premonition, he hadn't expected the princess to bring it up so bluntly. His Adam's apple bobbed as he replied, "Your Highness, my daughter is indeed of marriageable age. However, with our country shattered and war raging, I have long since put this matter out of my mind."

Amina chuckled softly, "General, you are mistaken. Your daughter is in the prime of her life and so beautiful; how could she waste her youth?" Her eyes flickered, and she looked meaningfully at Su Yao, "Moreover, the more unstable the times, the more important it is for future generations to seek a stable future. Don't you agree, General?"

Bahram swallowed hard. He knew all too well the deeper meaning behind the Queen's words. In recent days, Safia and the Holy Lord had been inseparable. Rumors had spread not only within the palace but even while he was away on campaign. Although he deliberately avoided the topic, he knew that this day would eventually come. Yet, when the moment finally arrived, he still felt a mix of emotions.

"What the princess says is true. If His Majesty wishes, I will follow his arrangements."

Bahram lowered his eyes, clenched his fists, and his voice carried an indescribable bitterness. He had spent half his life on the battlefield and only had this one daughter, so he had never thought of sacrificing her happiness to maintain his family's status.

But now, it's clear that everything is beyond our control.

“General, there’s no need for that,” Su Yao finally said slowly.

“I know you are reluctant, but I am by no means forcing you,” Su Yao put down his wine glass, his gaze sincere. “Safia is intelligent and quick-witted, and I like her very much. What’s even more precious is that she and Griffin are of one mind. This talent is rare in the world.”

"Therefore, if the general has no objection, I have decided to hold a grand wedding ceremony in Nisa City three days from now, and officially confer upon her the title of concubine."

Bahram looked up abruptly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, followed by an indescribable complex emotion. He had thought that the Holy Lord would use his power to suppress him or downplay the matter, but he never expected that it would be taken so seriously—a grand wedding ceremony and the position of a concubine. This was an extremely high standard in the Han Chinese system of etiquette, far beyond the ordinary acceptance of concubines.

"Your Majesty... you're actually willing to treat my daughter so generously?" His voice trembled slightly, and cold sweat silently trickled down his palms. Although a concubine is below the principal wife, she is still a legitimate member of the royal family, protected by etiquette and law, which would allow Safia to gain a firm foothold in the harem. This level of respect far exceeded his expectations.

Su Yao's gaze swept across the bright moonlight outside the palace: "I have said before, Safia is worthy. She is not only your daughter, but also someone I have chosen. Since I am going to take her into my household, I will naturally give her the proper respect, so that the whole world knows that I am never ambiguous with those around me."

Amina raised her glass at the opportune moment, her smile gentle: "General, you can rest assured. Now that the Holy Lord has granted her the position of concubine, from now on, Sister Safia will be my sister, on equal footing with me. I will definitely discuss all matters in the palace with her and will never let her suffer the slightest grievance."

Looking into Su Yao's open eyes and listening to Amina's promise, Bahram's last shred of doubt finally vanished. He abruptly stood up, knelt on one knee, and slammed his forehead heavily against the cold stone slab.
"This humble general... thanks Your Majesty for your great favor! It is my daughter's great fortune to have received Your Majesty's favor, and we will forever remember Your Majesty's kindness!"

"General, please rise." Su Yao personally helped him up and handed him a cup of wine. "Tonight is both a victory celebration and a banquet for our father-in-law and son-in-law. Let's drink a big toast."

Bahram held the wine glass with both hands, gently clinked it against Su Yao's golden goblet, and tilted his head back to drink it all. The wine was spicy as it went down his throat, but it warmed up in his stomach—he knew that from this moment on, the fate of his family was inextricably linked with that of the King of Kings, and his daughter's future had the strongest support.

(End of this chapter)