The Three Kingdoms began with island farming

Chapter 705 Brotherhood
News of the Parthian envoy quickly spread throughout the seven kingdoms.

Despite the intense internal struggles, with Tianze in charge and considering the interests among the various nations, the seven nations quickly began to secretly gather and discuss the matter.

The seven nations had anticipated such a situation and had chosen their public representatives.

This person is no one else.

Liu Fan was the successor of the Han Dynasty and the man destined by Heaven to rule.

Many things happen by chance.

The title fell to Liu Fan, not Yuan Shao, after careful consideration by the Seven Kingdoms.

Regardless of how they deal with Parthia and Rome in the future, there is one thing they must always do: conceal their strength.

Whether it was Tianze seizing power or them conquering the Kushan Empire, this move played a crucial role.

When the enemy is too powerful to be easily conquered, the best approach is to feign weakness, causing them to lower their guard and reveal a fatal flaw.

In any case, during the actual battles, the seven kings fought their own battles, with Yuan Shao acting as the leader of the alliance to coordinate things.

On the surface, it's all about practicality.

Liu Fan, the seemingly most legitimate and powerful King of Han, was actually... well, the most suitable candidate for the position, according to the other six kings.

Although Liu Fan was resentful, he still accepted the task.

Even if he's the nominal leader, he's still the leader.

Things change every thirty years, but I won't even need thirty years. Just wait and see!
Liu Fan's recent frenzy, fueled by pent-up anger, was largely due to the pressure exerted by the other six states.

Don't be such a bully.

To show his sincerity, Arsak, the chief of the Parthian noble council, personally visited Liu Fan.

This chief did not make a public announcement, but instead disguised himself as a merchant and spent some time investigating the seven kingdoms.

His supposedly profound concealment had actually been exposed to the Seven Kings long ago.

To this end, the Seven Kings further refined their original plan and arranged for actors to allow Arsak to gain a deeper understanding of the "insider information" between the Seven Kingdoms.

After conquering the Kushan Empire, the seven kingdoms maintained a superficial peace, but in reality... that was also true.

However, since they had nothing else to do, and with the idea that to deceive the enemy, they must first deceive themselves, and to be prepared for any eventuality, the seven kingdoms began to station troops on their borders.

It's nothing more than spending more money and supplies, but to those with ulterior motives, it's seen as proof of an impending confrontation.

If the relationship between them weren't tense, why would they frequently mobilize troops?

At the same time, the seven kings began to exchange territories from time to time.

To put it bluntly, when dividing the spoils, they only considered the size of the territory and didn't divide it in detail enough.

In order to develop as quickly as possible, the seven kingdoms first operated according to the territories they had originally been allocated.

During the operation, they exchanged small portions of their territory to gain a complete regional advantage.

This is something that benefits both sides.

However, with a little packaging, it becomes clear evidence of the two countries vying for territory.

At this time, Tian Ze's army also set off in a grand procession, occupying the territories of the original seven kings, including the southeast, India, and the Northern Xiongnu.

This confirms the news that the Seven Kings and the Great Qi have become mortal enemies.

As for the possibility that it might be an act, Arsak hadn't even considered it. Who would willingly spit out the meat they'd already eaten? How could the Seven Kings be so generous?

After figuring everything out, Arsak confidently met Liu Fan as an envoy.

Although in Arsace's eyes, the Parthian Empire he represented was a vast empire, which, even after being defeated by Rome, still retained its strength.

However, the might of the Han Dynasty banner that Liu Fan held high still remained.

Moreover, Liu Fan currently commands over seven million troops, so raising hundreds of thousands of soldiers would not be a problem at all.

This level of strength is enough to put us on equal footing with them.

Even though Liu Fan's position was not yet secure, Arsak, fearing that Liu Fan might suffer from the arrogance of the Han Dynasty, still maintained sufficient respect for him.

When you ask someone for a favor, you must have the right attitude.

Although they both need each other's help now, it is clear that they are more in urgent need of it.

Wearing a Parthian lion-patterned brocade robe and holding an envoy's scepter, Arsak entered the hall with neither arrogance nor servility. Looking at Liu Fan, who sat high on the throne, he bowed and said, "Arsak, the Parthian envoy, pays his respects to His Majesty the King of Han!"

As he bowed in accordance with the etiquette of the Central Plains, Arsak glanced at both sides out of the corner of his eye.

On the left, the head of the civil officials is Huang Quan, whose face is gentle and refined; on the right, among the military generals, Wu Yi exudes an imposing aura without anger, his armor gleaming coldly in the candlelight.

Liu Fan, seated at the head of the table, exuded imperial majesty, his crown tassels obscuring half his face.

A glint of light flashed in Arsak's eyes when he saw the crown.

really!

Of the seven kings, Liu Fan was the one who truly inherited the name of the Han dynasty and was the absolute legitimate successor of the Han imperial family.

Arsak always felt that, given the temperament of the Han dynasty, even if it outwardly aligned itself with the other six states and outwardly submitted to the Great Qi, it would still harbor its own pride and be ready to reclaim Han territory at any time.

Now it seems that it was indeed true.

Despite being the King of Han, he still wore the nine-beaded crown that only emperors could wear, his intentions were self-evident.

"The envoy has come from afar with great difficulty." Liu Fan's voice was devoid of emotion.

"You've traveled a thousand miles to my great Han, but what brings you here?"

Arsak slowly rose to his feet, and said with a kind expression and a strong voice, "Our sovereign has come to offer his congratulations upon hearing of the Han Dynasty's defeat of the Kushan Empire."

"Oh?" Liu Fan's words inevitably revealed a hint of surprise.

"After I destroyed the Kushan Empire, I thought your country would be worried. I originally planned to send an envoy to your country to establish diplomatic relations after the situation stabilized, but I never expected that your country would take the initiative to come and congratulate me."

Arsak's smile deepened, his hands resting on the lapis lazuli-inlaid belt buckle at his waist. He leaned forward slightly and said, "Your Majesty, you may not know this, but the Kushans and our Parthians have a long-standing feud and have clashed many times."

"Now that the Kushan Empire has been defeated by the King of Han, it is as if a thorn in our side has been removed. How could our monarch not celebrate such a joyous occasion?"

"Moreover, the Great Han is a land of etiquette and has maintained diplomatic relations with our Parthian Empire for hundreds of years. We are brother countries, and it would be a great blessing if we could become neighbors and help each other in the future."

Liu Fan twirled the mutton-fat jade thumb ring, a slight smile playing on his lips: "The envoy is indeed frank and open-minded."

Whether it's a human or a ghost, they're all putting on an act. When Arsak uttered the term "Brotherly Country," Liu Fan felt nothing but disgust.

When has the Han dynasty ever recognized such relatives?
When the Han Dynasty's envoys visited Parthia, their assessment of Parthia was simply: "A large country with many exotic objects, its indigenous people are quite similar to those in China, but its army is weak."

In the eyes of the Han Dynasty, this kind of country was no different from other small countries in the Western Regions, and was not worth considering at all, even though it was a brother country.

(End of this chapter)