The revival of Shu Han

Chapter 354 Heading All the Way Westward ([-])

"What, the envoy is about to leave? Why is it so fast? But is there anything we didn't entertain well?"

"Where, the foreign minister has other tasks on this trip. It is because of your Majesty Sha Zhongsha's hospitality. That's why we are reluctant to go. But no matter what, we can't delay any longer. Otherwise, the return date will be delayed. Da Sima will punish us severely."

"Well, okay. It's a pity that I can't communicate more with the sages and warriors of the big man. Well, the envoy just said that you have other tasks?"

"Yes, Your Majesty Sha Zhongsha, under the order of our country's chief minister, the foreign ministers need to continue westward to visit the Roman Empire."

As soon as this remark came out, the atmosphere in the main hall of the Persian royal palace, which was still very lively just now, became cold all of a sudden.The faces of Shapur and many princes and ministers who were smiling at the beginning, as if controlled by a powerful will, unexpectedly changed their expressions uniformly.

This situation is really normal.Just like 400 years ago, when Zhang Qian was on a mission to the Western Regions for the first time, the Huns were unwilling to allow Zhang Qian to contact the Da Yuezhi through their own territory.Today, if Persia wants to surpass Ji Han and make friends with Jin and Wu, Guan Yi is probably not too happy.

"Why does Your Majesty need to go to Rome? It is a barbaric, shameless, licentious, and evil country. And to go to Rome, you have to cross the sea. There are all kinds of giant beasts on the sea, and there are often hurricanes. If you lose your way, Then we don’t know when we will be able to return to land.”

"Hehe..." Old man, you can't lie to me about this. Before this mission, I was urgently summoned to Chang'an by my chief Sima, where I learned about the geography of West Asia for half a month.Where do I need to cross the sea to go to Rome?It's not that I'm going to Rome, the most I can do on this trip is Byzantium.Besides, it is more convenient to go by sea.My Da Sima said that you can get there directly by boarding a boat in Palestine and walking along the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea.The Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by land, even if there are winds and waves, how big is it?
"Hehe... Your Majesty Sha Zhongsha, the foreign ministers are the subordinates of Guan Da Sima. The chief has an order, and the subordinates must resolutely carry it out even if they must die. As a monarch, don't you demand the same from your ministers?"

"This……"

"So that His Majesty Sha Zhongsha knows that there are still two huge rebels in the east of my big man who need to be crusaded. This war has lasted for nearly 50 years, and it is estimated that we will not see this in a hundred years." The end of the war. And the foreign minister set off from Chang'an, the capital of my great man, and came to your country after walking for nine full months... Therefore, our country has no intention of participating in the war between your country and Rome. The foreign minister just based on My Da Sima’s order is to go all the way west to see the main countries in the world with my big man. Then do business with each other and strengthen exchanges. That’s all. Besides, if Rome wants to do business with my big man, the trade route is still Didn't you come from your country's territory?"

"Well, the envoy insists on going to Rome, and we in Persia will not stop it. But we have a blood feud with Rome, so this escort..."

"We have bothered you for too long in your country and caused you a lot of trouble. So I dare not bother Sha Zhongsha and you anymore."

"Hey, well, set up a banquet and send off our distinguished guests!"

……

In the Persian Empire, both farming and nomadism were emphasized.So this country, whether it is the former Achaemenid Dynasty, the Parthian Empire, or the Sasanian Empire today.The residence of the monarch is mobile.Therefore, the Persian Empire has an inherent system of two or more capitals.

As far as Sassan is concerned, Susa, Ctesiphon, Persis, Babylon, etc. have all been the capital of Sassan in the country's more than 400 years of history.

It was late December in AD 269, the coldest time of the year.So at this time, Shapur was stationed in Taisifeng, the winter capital of Sasanian.The city is also located in Mesopotamia.It is only [-] kilometers away from Baghdad today.

From Ctesiphon, it headed northwestward, crossed the Mesopotamian plain, the Syrian plateau, and reached Antioch on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.Only when you get there can you truly enter the effective scope of the Romans' rule.

"Huh~~~" Walking out of the city gate, Long Yu breathed a sigh of relief: "Uncle Ling, this old boy Shapur is still very happy. He let us out so readily. I thought we should be twitchy." How many days?"

"Well. It's not a good thing to be so refreshing."

"What? He dared to send troops to chase after him? Hehe, that's not good. Just now, the old boy himself gave us all the things he promised us. Hey, three thousand horses! I just now I checked them carefully. There are indeed more than 1000 stallions, all of which have never been gelded. If he sends someone to hunt us down at this time, it will be a good thing. There are so many good horses. When the time comes, I will lead the army to stay behind. , you just escape on horseback.”

"This Majesty is a hero, although he is a bit dope at an old age. But I can see that this is a person who values ​​face very much. Therefore, he will not directly send the country's army to hunt us down. "

"So, are you going to send officers and soldiers to pretend to be horse bandits? No, it's not good to blame horse bandits. How can there be horse bandits in this country who dare to attack such a large mission like ours? As long as one of our team escapes, He is going to bear the boundless anger of my eldest Sima. Also, does he still want to make paper? He is not interested in soap, porcelain, and silk, but those princes and ministers are very fond of it. So... "

"So most likely, he will incite some stupid prince to rob us. Well, he doesn't necessarily have to kill us all. In a critical moment, he can also send an army to rescue us. Then, we go to If we don’t succeed in Rome, we have to be grateful to him. As for him, he used the fame of giving us a chance to destroy that prince. In this way, the territory and population directly under the central government will be more..."

"Oh, it's so complicated. Hey, I'm too lazy to think about it. In short, if there is a war, I will come. Well, don't say it, the Persian dates are really good. After living for more than ten days, I fell in love with them This is the thing."

This time, Ji Han's gift to Persia was nothing to Guan Yi.But in the eyes of Persia, it is extremely valuable.Therefore, Shapur, who claims to be the ruler of a great country in the world and loves face very much, is also very generous when giving gifts to Li Mi and others: Persian carpets, saffron, turquoise, dates, caviar, etc. Bundle.As for snacks like pistachios, every member of the Ji Han Mission has a pack on them.

So many things, plus three thousand tall horses.The entire Li Mi mission suddenly became extremely bloated, and its speed had to slow down.And the mission that slowed down, in the eyes of some people, was the prey.

Shortly after Li Mi's mission set off, Tessiphon, the Persian royal palace.

"Shamir, send light cavalry, bypass the Han mission, go to Palmyra, and send a letter to that slut in Zanubia, um, don't say this is the Han mission. Just say it's a Han mission There is a caravan with countless silks and porcelains, and three thousand war horses."

The so-called Palmyra is a bustling oasis city in the Syrian desert.Due to its extremely critical location, this is a must pass on the commercial road from Persia to Rome.So the business here is very prosperous.

The city was originally a vassal of Rome.In 260 AD, Shapur defeated the Roman legions, and Palmyra took the opportunity to become independent.Usina, the leader of the country, took advantage of Shapur's triumphant return to the army, took the opportunity to attack and defeat Shapur, and forced Shapur to recognize the independence of Palmyra.

Shortly thereafter, Usinna was killed by an assassin.His queen, Zanubia, who is known as beautiful in the history of the Middle East as Cleopatra VII, is in charge of the power of this city-state.And pushed it to the pinnacle of history.

(This city-state survived until AD 273. After recovering its vitality, Rome once again marched eastward, and first attacked this country. How could a small country in such a key geographical passageway survive independently among the two big countries? )
"Father, are you going to use that slut's hand to kill this mission?"

"Hehehe, Hormuz, you are wrong. Han has a lot of things we need. In the past few days, I read their history books, and I know that this is a great country. Therefore, the word "kill" is not accurate. .It may be more accurate to use blocking."

"Ah, I see. Father, that slut has been desperately building city defenses in recent years to prepare for future attacks from us or Rome, so she is short of money. I am surprised to hear such a large caravan from her ground If we pass by, we will definitely reach out. If we help when some of the Han Chinese missions are intercepted and killed, but not completely wiped out..."

"Yes, in this case, the Han Chinese mission must turn around. And it has no complaints against us. Hmph! Although the Han Chinese envoys said that their main goal in the near future is to crusade against the two rebels further east, but we are so far apart, how can I Do you know if those two rebellious countries really exist? Besides, although Rome needs the goods of the Han people more than we do, after the two countries reach a business agreement, there should be more businessmen passing through our country. But I know there is an old saying in Rome: 'All roads lead to Rome'. If Rome and Han need it, they can open up a new trade route that completely bypasses our territory... Therefore, we must not take chances. We must not let Han people and Romans happen contact directly."

"I understand, father. Please send me a cavalry, and I will complete this mission perfectly."

"Okay, Hormuz, you are the heir to this empire. This time, let everyone see your skills!"

　Palmyra is a Greek transliteration, and the Semitic transliteration is called Taidmur.Interested friends can Baidu "Tidemoor".Her Majesty has a very high status in today's Syria.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)