I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1154 North African Protectorate

"Imperial edict has arrived! General Guan Yu, receive the edict."

Inside the governor's mansion, Jia Xu, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, suddenly became solemn, raised the imperial edict high, and spoke loudly.

It turned out that Su Yao had anticipated this situation and had secretly given Jia Xu an imperial edict when he sent him.

Upon seeing Jia Xu's actions, everyone in the hall, including Guan Yu, immediately bowed in salute.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

Jia Xu immediately read aloud: "General Guan Yu, the Conqueror of the Barbarians, is loyal as the sun and moon, and possesses both wisdom and courage. Since he followed me on my western expedition, he has defeated Parthia, pacified Egypt, spread the might of the emperor to foreign lands, and expanded our territory to the western shores. His merits are outstanding, and I am very pleased."

"Now that Egypt has just submitted, everything is in need of rebuilding. However, the remnants of Rome have not been eliminated, and the people's hearts are unsettled. We need a high-ranking official to oversee the overall situation and consolidate our foundation. Therefore, I hereby appoint Guan Yu as the 'Grand Protector-General of the Great Han North Africa Protectorate,' granting him control over all military and political affairs in Egypt, Cyrenaica, and other parts of North Africa. He is to establish his own headquarters and act as he sees fit! In all the territories under his jurisdiction, civil administration, taxation, governance, education, military campaigns, and pacification will all be handled by you at your discretion. You may act first and report later, and I will grant you all permission!"

"I beseech you to understand my earnest intentions, uphold your loyalty and integrity, maintain your humility and modesty, spread benevolence and virtue widely, and swiftly pacify the Western Ocean. This is my decree!"

After the imperial edict was read aloud, the tent fell silent, then erupted in enthusiastic congratulations: "Congratulations, Grand Protector! Congratulations, Grand Protector!"

Guan Yu took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, stepped forward, and respectfully accepted the heavy imperial edict with both hands, his voice firm and resolute:
"Your subject Guan Yu accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude! Your Majesty's trust is immense; even if I were to give my life, I could not repay even a fraction of your kindness! I will do my utmost to pacify North Africa and uphold the might of the Han Dynasty!"

A few days later, a mixed Han-Nu army of about five thousand men, bearing the banner of "Great Han North Africa Protectorate Border Patrol and Pacification," marched south along the Nile in a grand procession. The Han soldiers in the column were gleaming in armor and displayed impeccable discipline, while the Numidian cavalry roared past, kicking up clouds of dust. Towns along the way were shaken and began to reassess the situation.

Almost simultaneously, details of the new policies in Alexandria, especially the provisions such as "a 30% tax reduction" and "freedom from slavery after five years of military service," spread rapidly through various clandestine channels in the streets and countryside of Thebes.

At first, people just whispered among themselves, half believing and half doubting.

But soon, merchants from the Delta region confirmed the news with certainty, and some even produced copies of notices bearing the seal of General Guan Yu.

“It’s true! The Han general keeps his word! My cousin’s family lives in Butuo Town, and this year they really only paid 70% of their usual taxes!”

"The groom from Lord Apollodorus's household went to join the Han Chinese auxiliary troops, made good contributions, and I heard that he has been freed from slavery and even received a reward!"

"Why won't those gentlemen in the temple agree? Do they want us to continue suffering?"

A silent unease began to spread in Thebes. The tenant farmers at the temples no longer looked so docile when paying their rent, and the slaves in the workshops were more distracted while working. An unprecedented sense of anticipation and anxiety was brewing in the sweltering air of the Nile.

Inside the Temple of Amun, High Priest Amenhotep could no longer remain seated. The news of the Han army's southward advance and encampment at Heliopolis weighed heavily on his heart, while the unsettling undercurrents within the city sent chills down his spine. He realized that the conquerors from the east not only possessed terrifying military might but also knew how to undermine the very foundations of rule.

"High Priest!" The young priest burst in again, his expression panicked. "Something terrible has happened! The bricklayers' guild in the west of the city has petitioned, demanding that the temple follow Alexandria's example and reduce their taxes! And... there's a group of tenant farmers gathered in the temple square. Although they dare not make a sound, they just stand there, and their eyes... their eyes are very strange!"

Amenhotep walked to the window and looked out at the massive pylons of the Karnak Temple and the faintly visible crowds in the square. The last rays of the setting sun shone on the thousand-year-old stone pillars, yet they seemed tinged with a hint of blood.

He remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh, his voice filled with weariness and a hint of relief: "Go, go and ask the Han envoy to come again."

"It is said that... God Amun has already issued a divine decree."

"Thebes, we honor His Majesty Su Yao, the Eastern Emperor, as the newest incarnation of Ra on earth, the guardian of the Nile and Upper and Lower Egypt." "We pledge allegiance to General Guan of the Great Han African Protectorate and will immediately implement the terms of the Proclamation for the Peace and Prosperity."

Having said that, he seemed to have all his strength drained away, slumping into the leopard-skin chair. He knew that an era had truly ended. The eagle of Rome might still try to fly back, but at least for this moment, the fate of the Nile was inextricably linked to the rising sun in the east.

Meanwhile, Guan Yu, far away in Heliopolis, upon receiving the news of Thebes' surrender, simply said to Jia Xu, "It seems that the 'wind' of Thebes has ultimately blown towards us."

"Order the border patrol to turn towards Memphis tomorrow. The heart of Egypt is about to receive the Emperor's full favor."

Meanwhile, in Cyrenaica, the capital city.

While the Han army was using a two-pronged approach to pacify Egypt, Governor Flavius, who was still in shock, finally gained a foothold.

He quickly assembled a force of nearly ten thousand men, combining the remnants of the defeated army who had fled from Alexandria with the local garrison in Cyrenaica (about two understrength auxiliary legions). Meanwhile, his fast ships had arrived in Italy, delivering detailed reports of the disastrous defeat in Egypt to Emperor Severus.

"Trash! A bunch of trash!"

Rome, Italy.

Emperor Severus, trembling, finished reading the battle report at the port and immediately slammed it to the ground: "Two legions! Plus auxiliary troops and the fleet! They couldn't even hold Egypt! They even lost Alexandria! Flavius ​​should commit suicide to atone for Rome's sins!"

The emperor's roar echoed in the sea breeze, frightening the surrounding attendants and officials into silence. They all lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the emperor's rage.

The loss of Egypt was of paramount importance, as it provided a third of the empire's food supply! Without Egypt's granary, Rome itself could have faced famine and turmoil!

Of all these people, only his closest comrade-in-arms, the commander of the Imperial Guard, Protinas, offered advice:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The most urgent task is to find a solution as soon as possible."

"Flavius ​​was indeed incompetent, but he also mentioned in his letter that the Han army was not truly the demon incarnate as rumored. Their weapons, though terrifying, were not incomprehensible. Those explosive 'thunderbolts' seemed to require specific mechanisms to launch or throw, and their range was sometimes even less than our heavy ballistae. Their heavy cavalry charges, though terrifying, also depended on terrain, timing, and the protection of their auxiliary troops."

"Even their 'water ghosts' are just soldiers skilled in water, not monsters."

"you're right."

Emperor Severus took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "We must admit that this time our opponent is different."

“They are no longer the ignorant barbarians we used to deal with, but a powerful civilization with a systematic approach, mature tactics and advanced equipment. They are even no less disciplined and trained than us.”

"What's even more terrifying is that they are also very adept at exploiting the resentment of conquered peoples towards Rome, combining various means to attack and undermine us."

"This is a huge crisis! If not handled properly, the entire empire is in danger of falling apart."

"But this is also an opportunity! We can learn from their techniques, use their pressure to unite everyone—and make Rome great again!"

(End of this chapter)