I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1153 Strategizing in Egypt
Thebes, Temple of Amun.

The one revered as the High Priest was an old man with white hair and beard, wearing a magnificent leopard-skin robe. He was Amenhotep, the supreme representative of the god Amun on earth.

He closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice aged and hoarse:
"The Roman eagle standard fell in Alexandria. It is said that two entire legions of elite troops were routed like sandcastles in open battle... These Easterners possess a power that we cannot comprehend."

“But High Priest!” another, younger priest said urgently, “The Han people’s policies are clearly biased towards the lowly and the slaves! They even want to reduce the temple’s offerings and privileges! If we submit to them, what will become of the glory of the god Ammon? Are we to hand over the wealth and land we have accumulated over thousands of years?”

"Fool!" The High Priest of Ammon opened his eyes abruptly, a glint of cunning flashing in them. "The Romans ruled us for over two hundred years, but did they ever truly worship our gods? They only took, endlessly took! Grain, gold, and our dignity! Now, a more powerful conqueror has arrived, and at least they have brought a 'promise'!"

He paused, then gently tapped the ground with his scepter inlaid with a scarab beetle gem: "Besides... haven't you heard? That Su Yao, the king of the East, made a miraculous declaration in Jerusalem... in the Jewish sanctuary. Even those stubborn Jewish rabbis venerate him as the 'Messiah.' Perhaps... perhaps he truly carries some kind of divine mandate, or even... the incarnation of Ra from the East?" His voice was extremely low at the last sentence, filled with mysterious implications.

The other priests in the secret chamber exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with astonishment and uncertainty. Linking an Eastern conqueror with the sun god Ra was a far-fetched idea, yet… it wasn't entirely impossible. In ancient Egyptian mythology, gods had many incarnations and legends originating from other lands.

"So... what does the High Priest mean?"

“Be cautious in your contact,” High Priest Memnon said slowly. “Treat the Han envoys with courtesy, accept their gifts, and express our… goodwill. But do not explicitly declare our allegiance for the time being. We must observe and see if Flavius ​​of Cyrenaica can make a comeback, and when the Roman Emperor Severus’s reinforcements will arrive. At the same time… send someone to Alexandria to carefully observe General Guan and see what kind of person he really is.”

Similar hesitation and uncertainty were observed in almost all Hellenistic cities and regions in Egypt with a tradition of autonomy. They feared the might of the Han army, were unwilling to lose their current status, and harbored a sliver of hope that Rome might be able to retaliate.

After all, the strength of the Romans had become a deeply ingrained consensus over the past two centuries. Even with the news of the fall of Alexandria and the annihilation of the legions, many stubbornly believed that this was merely a temporary setback. Great Rome, the Eternal City, would never easily relinquish her most prosperous province. Emperor Severus's army would sooner or later arrive by sea, crushing any challenger as it had done countless times before.

Therefore, when Guan Yu's messenger arrived in Thebes with silk, porcelain, and Su Yao's edict, which was both authoritative and strangely alluring, the priests of the Temple of Amun displayed the tact and caution of ancient tradition.

They received the Han envoys with the most solemn ancient Egyptian rites, accepted the dazzling and priceless gifts, and the high priest Amenhotep personally presided over a grand blessing ceremony in the magnificent hypostyle hall of the Karnak Temple, praying that the Nile River would nourish all things, and also vaguely wishing "all the distinguished guests from afar good fortune."

However, when the Han envoy requested that Thebes clearly express its allegiance and adjust taxes and register households in accordance with the newly promulgated "Proclamation for the People," Amenhotep looked troubled.

“Your Excellency, the esteemed messenger,” the old priest’s voice was as slow and steady as the weathered sandstone along the Nile, “Thebes is the holy city of Upper and Lower Egypt, the abode of the god Amun.”

"For thousands of years, we have served the gods and followed the ancient Ma'at order. Taxes and corvée labor are related to the covenant between gods and men. A change in one thing can affect the whole situation. How can they be changed suddenly? We must wait for the gods to bathe and fast, and ask for their guidance before we can make a decision."

"As for Rome... although they have temporarily retreated, their navy still controls the sea, and their emperor Severus, a man of great talent and ambition, will certainly not give up easily. If Thebes rashly changes its flag, the Holy City may be devastated when the Roman army returns. We urge Your Excellency to understand our predicament and grant us some time to... observe the situation and consider it carefully."

These words were perfectly crafted, expressing both reverence and goodwill towards the powerful Han army while simultaneously using the pretext of divine intervention and the potential threat of Rome as a pretext for delay. This perfectly exemplified the survival wisdom honed by the Egyptian priestly class under millennia of foreign rule. Although the Han envoy knew this was a pretext, seeing the other party's impeccable manners and the fact that Thebes' defenses had not been strengthened and there were no obvious signs of hostility, he could not press the matter further. He could only leave with the words, "I hope the High Priest will make a decision quickly, lest the opportune moment be missed," and return to Alexandria to report.

Upon hearing the report, Guan Yu slightly opened his phoenix eyes and snorted coldly: "Wait and see? Trying to sell at a higher price and play both sides? There's no such thing as a free lunch!"

Jia Xu, standing to the side, gently waved his feather fan and smiled, saying, "General, please calm down. The Egyptian priests are cunning foxes, having lived for a thousand years. If they want to observe the wind's movement, I will show them wind and thunder."

What does Wenhe mean?

"The land of Egypt has been newly pacified, and the spoils of war are plentiful, with many soldiers surrendering. General, you may select a contingent of elite troops, together with the newly surrendered Numidian cavalry, to make a grand display and patrol south along the Nile, under the pretext of 'pacifying the region and wiping out the remaining Roman bandits.'"

“Our forces need not march directly toward Thebes; we can station ourselves at Heliopolis (another center of sun worship), a day’s journey to the north. At that time, those in Thebes who harbor any illusions will be able to sense the direction of the wind.”

Guan Yu stroked his beard and pondered, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "Excellent. Add one more thing: have my spies widely spread the news of my tax reduction and the release of slaves who volunteered for military service in Alexandria. In particular, inform the tenant farmers and slaves who are attached to the temple that if their masters do not submit to the king's rule, they will not be able to enjoy the emperor's favor."

Jia Xu nodded: "Winning hearts and minds is the best strategy, and General's plan is even more brilliant. The foundation of the temple lies in the land and slavery. If the hearts of the lower classes are unsettled, the priests will no longer be able to sit still."

A slightly smug expression appeared on Guan Yu's face, his phoenix eyes narrowed, and he was about to give the order when a younger military officer beside him looked worried, stepped forward, and bowed, saying:

"General Guan, this plan is brilliant, but..." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Egypt is a newly annexed territory with a complex situation. Such a large-scale troop mobilization, coupled with this strategy of psychological warfare and division, involves far-reaching implications. It is no longer a simple military matter; it may involve decisions regarding local governance and even a full-scale war with Rome. In my humble opinion, I'm afraid... we should first consult His Majesty's decision."

These words caused a slight tension in the tent. Guan Yu paused, stroking his beard, a hint of displeasure flashing in his phoenix eyes, but he quickly fell into deep thought. The civil official's words were not without merit. Although he had been ordered to manage Egypt, Su Yao had primarily granted him the authority to wage war. To now use military intimidation and internal subjugation against the ancient temple forces in the heart of Egypt went beyond simple battlefield command; it concerned the future strategy for ruling the entire North African region. Acting without authorization, potentially triggering unpredictable chain reactions or deviating from His Majesty's overall strategy, was a responsibility he could not afford to bear.

Zhang Fei, who was listening nearby, glared at the civil official and was about to reprimand him for being so talkative, but Guan Yu stopped him with a look.

Just as the tent fell into a brief silence, Jia Xu, who had been smiling and silent, coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention. He slowly took out a roll of bright yellow silk from his wide sleeves. The silk was of extraordinary quality, embroidered with exquisite dragon patterns and clouds, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary silk.

"Minister Jia, this is..."

(End of this chapter)