I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1088 Temporary Return to the Capital
The fact that Su Yao would travel back and forth in three months was not an exaggeration.

After Nasafia became his concubine, Su Yao discovered that the little girl's loyalty had jumped to 100. With the ability correction brought by the high loyalty, his griffin finally met the requirements for long-distance flight.

Of course, this long-distance flight doesn't mean that griffins can generate electricity through photosynthesis without eating or drinking. Rather, it means that as long as their current physical exertion allows it, and as long as they plan their transit points along the way and utilize local livestock for supplies, they can achieve transcontinental flights.

Along the westward expedition, the Western Regions Development Company followed the army. Except for the trading post in Nisa, which had not yet been opened, they had already established trading posts in places such as Mulu, Gaofu, Fulousha, Jiabishi, and Pengjikent.

These outposts were well-stocked with supplies and resources, and the surrounding areas were mostly large cities, sufficient to support Griffin's supply needs.

So Su Yao planned to start from Nisa, travel eastward along the Silk Road, passing through Mulu, Kushan, and the Western Regions, and finally arrive in Luoyang.

With Griffin's current base speed, plus his own beast taming skills and Safia's tamer bonus, the system's estimated flight time is now only twenty-seven days—even less than the time it took him to return to Luoyang after fighting the Xiongnu in Bingzhou!
Therefore, when Su Yao made the bold statement that he would return in three months, he was still leaving himself plenty of room for maneuver.

"A sacred beast... it can actually do that so fast?"

Immediately, everyone present was stunned by this outrageous speed.

Inside the main hall of Nisa, it was so quiet that the crackling of the candlelight could be heard.

Anmoti opened his mouth, his throat feeling like it was stuffed with a ball of hot wool—a round trip of tens of thousands of miles in three months? Such speed was beyond the reach of even the flying carpet of Persian mythology! He subconsciously glanced at the sky outside the palace; the golden griffin was folded up and perched on the roof of the front hall, licking its paws twice and lazily basking in the sun.
Indeed, these days, seeing the griffins so docile under Su Yao's mount, almost everyone has forgotten that this beast soaring through the sky is a true mythical creature!

"So that's it."

Su Yao immediately made a decision: "The original strategy remains unchanged. I will definitely return within three months!"

Soon, Su Yao issued a series of appointments and assigned tasks, appointing Queen Amina to oversee the Parthian military and political affairs, and Zhang Liao, Lu Su, Bahram, and Anmoti as regents.

"After I leave, the four of you must work together to help the Queen stabilize the situation."

Su Yao's eyes were sharp as he scanned Zhang Liao, Lu Su, Bahram, and Anmoti, giving them instructions one by one:

"Wen Yuan, you are in charge of the entire army, stationed in Nisa City, and while preparing for the spring offensive, you must ensure the safety of the Kopet Mountain defense line."

Su Yao traced the Kopet Dag Mountains on the map with his fingertip and solemnly instructed, "The new Parthian ruler will be eager to reclaim his homeland and boost morale. If he learns of my return to Han territory, he is very likely to launch a full-scale attack after spring. You must coordinate well with General Bahram and begin preparing defenses in advance. Build forward outposts near the mountain passes, and set up arrow towers and trenches to prepare for the enemy and teach them a lesson."

Zhang Liao knelt on one knee, patting his chest repeatedly: "This humble general will obey Your Majesty's decree! If that Parthian false king doesn't come by spring, fine; but if he dares to invade, we will make sure he doesn't return!"

Su Yao laughed heartily: "It's probably not easy for us to come and never return, but I can give you the authority to act as you see fit. Before I return, you can decide for yourself when to start the war, to beat the enemy when they're down, and to advance into the heart of Parthia, paving the way for my army to advance into Taixi!"

"This..." Zhang Liao's eyes lit up immediately. This authority to act expediently freed them, the generals in command, from the constraints of not having to ask for permission for everything, and allowing them to deploy troops at their leisure. This was an immense favor and honor, and a testament to the deep trust placed in him: "This humble general will certainly not fail the Holy Lord's trust!"

In the memory of the Holy Lord Su Yao, this was the first time Zhang Liao had addressed him in this way.

He nodded slightly, turned his gaze to Bahram, and said with a hint of expectation in his voice, "General Bahram, the Parthian Guard you lead consists mostly of old troops who are most familiar with the Parthian terrain and the morale of the army. This time, we will rely on your Green Standard Army to garrison the eastern Parthian territory."

"At the same time, you also need to intensify your training, combining the Han army's formations with the advantages of the Parthian cavalry, and work with Wen Yuan to prepare for battle. By next spring, you must ensure that there is a fighting force that can cooperate with the main force of our Han army to launch a swift counterattack across the mountains."

Upon hearing this, Bahram also knelt down on one knee and shouted, "This humble general dares to guarantee with his own head that within three months, the Parthian Guard will be transformed into the sharpest blade of the western frontier under the Holy Lord's command! If the false king Ardaban dares to come, this humble general is willing to be the vanguard, slaying generals and seizing flags, and marching straight to the old territory of Ctesiphon!"

Su Yao helped him up and said earnestly, "What I want is not your head, but a real victory. The passes of the Kopet Dag Mountains are the barrier of the Parthian heartland. You are familiar with the passes and dangerous roads there. You must work together with Wen Yuan and not give the enemy any opportunity."

“There is another problem,” Su Yao changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the several Parthian officials who looked uneasy in the hall, “Now that I am leaving, some people may have other ideas.”

Su Yao said to Bahram, “You are a member of the Suren family, and it’s hard to guarantee that no one will try to take advantage of your status. But now you are a Marquis within the Pass of the Great Han, and you should prioritize the affairs of the state. If your old subordinates waver, I grant you the right to act first and report later—what I want is a unified and iron-willed Han army, not a bunch of timid and indecisive good-for-nothings.”

Bahram shuddered upon hearing this, abruptly raising his head, his eyes blazing with fury: "The Holy Lord trusts me so much, even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I could not repay even a fraction of his kindness! From this day forward, in the land of Anxi, anyone who dares to cause trouble will be judged without the Holy Lord's command, for the scimitar in my hand will be their sole determinant!"

Su Yao pulled Bahram up with satisfaction, patted him on the shoulder, and then turned his gaze to Lu Su:

"An army marches on its stomach. The reason this ceasefire is so frankly is that our army is scattered deep into enemy territory, making it difficult to keep up with the supply lines. This winter, Zijing, you and Governor Anmoti must shoulder your responsibilities."

"Governor Anmoti's first task is to assist the Queen in appeasing the surrendered officials and local people, stabilizing the region while requisitioning sufficient grain and fodder as much as possible."

As he spoke, Su Yao pointed to the city of Mulu on the map, along with the distinct Silk Road line connecting it: "At the same time, the trading post of the Western Regions Development Company in Nisa needs to be completed as soon as possible, forming a linkage with the strongholds in Mulu, Gaofu, and Fulousha. The grain and fodder promised by the Kushan court cannot just be dumped in Gaofu and then ignored. The transportation capacity at the front line must be guaranteed."

Lu Su quickly bowed and replied, "I have already instructed the caravans of the Western Regions Development Company to take an urgent route, and the inns along the way have prepared enough camels and guides. However, before, the situation at our front was unclear, and the merchants were hesitant due to concerns about losses. Now that Your Majesty's reputation has spread far and wide, and the new commercial center in Nisa City is about to be completed, I have ordered that anyone transporting provisions for the army will have their transportation fees doubled and will be rewarded with a bolt of silk. I believe that it will not be long before the sound of camel bells fills the trade routes."

“Indeed, Zijing has always been adaptable. I am at ease entrusting this matter to you.” Su Yao nodded. “In addition, the taxes in the Parthian territory should also be re-evaluated. Vologasis V’s tyrannical taxation has long lost the hearts of the people. You and Anmoti should discuss and draft a new tax law as soon as possible, which should ensure military supplies without causing resentment among the people.”

Anmoti quickly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I obey! In fact, Lord Lu and I had already drafted a set of regulations, intending to levy taxes according to land area and workshop scale, treating nobles and commoners equally. However..." He hesitated for a moment, "The newly annexed territories are not like Mulu and Nisa. Those noble chieftains have surrendered at the first sign of trouble and their power is deeply entrenched. If we rashly reform, we may touch their interests, and there may inevitably be some who outwardly comply but inwardly resist."

“Then let’s make an example of him.” Su Yao said calmly, as if he were talking about breakfast. “There is a famous saying in our Great Han: ‘The prince is subject to the same law as the commoner.’ Anmoti, as the governor of Khorasan appointed by my father and with the strong support of the Iron Army of my Great Han, if you can’t even handle this small matter, then I think you should give up your position as governor.”

(End of this chapter)