Four-Armed Divine Emperor

For example, a particularly important archmage who could rule a region suddenly received an "academic invitation" from the floating city, and was forced to put aside worldly affairs and return to the floating city to participate in academic research, causing the strength of an entire legion to plummet immediately...

194: A New War

Once you understand the special political structure of the Alan people under the influence of the extraordinary, you will understand why most of the territory is filled with local tyrants and self-proclaimed kings who "obey orders but not announcements" and "are arrogant and domineering and ignore the central government", but such a huge empire can still maintain its unity and become so big that it can't fall.

Because it has always been that way.

Those forces that claim to be "XX provinces, not facing the throne" are not really determined to challenge the master of the Iskhan Palace, to fight for the world, and to change the dynasty.

Instead, they use this as a pretext to establish their own independent regime, and do not bear or bear less of the pressure assigned by the empire, such as paying taxes and slaves. This situation is normal. As long as you are confident that you have the strength to make the central government take you seriously, and at the same time can successfully withstand the pressure from the Iskhanfa in open and secret struggles, then your autonomy will have substance even if it is not in name only.

This is not only the case with those who are “disobedient to the King of kings”, but also with those who are

Chapter 244

This is also very common among the loyal supporters of the throne. Just like in the separatist regimes of the late Tang Dynasty, some of the separatist regimes despised the Tang court and did not respect the central government, while others would respect the opinions of the court on many matters, be willing to accept orders, and be the vanguard for the king to send troops to suppress rebellion. However, if the court's decision affected their own interests, they would turn against the court.

Only when the authority of the central government has declined to the point of no return and the "first person to try something new" appears, such as when there is civil strife in the imperial capital and a foolish general listens to the advice of his subordinates from a noble family and leads border troops into the capital to kill the eunuchs...when this happens, these local powerful groups that are actually separatist and hidden princes will transform themselves and become one of the heroes vying for the world, until one or more (cooperative) winners emerge, establish a new empire, and redistribute interests.

......

During the long years of the empire, it was not uncommon for multiple provinces and regions to have problems, cause unrest, oppose the central government, and form alliances to split apart.

But the five northern provinces were silent, as if the flags on the city walls had changed overnight, catching the owner of the Iskhan Palace off guard. It was like playing a game and everything was going smoothly, but suddenly the system determined that the conditions were met and an event popped up, forcing you to be killed. It was so unexpected and shocking.

In particular, this is not simply a pursuit of "secession and autonomy".

There are two very critical factors involved:

First, the army sent by the Empire to the north to fight against the barbarians was isolated by the Five Provinces, and the intelligence sent back by Ashes clearly mentioned "provincial army rebellion...cutting off the retreat", which means that the Five Provinces are not only a hidden center of resistance seeking autonomy, but also a substantial rebellion that colludes with the barbarians to betray the Empire!

Second, the reason they were rebelling was that the current emperor, Artasis IX, had murdered his brother and seized power, claiming he had come to power illegitimately. They called him the "false emperor" and demanded an army be sent to smite him!

This is an act of treason that is absolutely unacceptable, both from a national perspective and from the emperor's personal point of view!

To collude with the barbarians and betray the expeditionary army is open treason; to slander the imperial power and defame the king is to covet the throne!

In short, in one sentence:

This is no longer a simple case of separatism!

They are clearly a group of traitors!

Must hit hard!

The hastily convened grand court meeting, chaired by the emperor, who was filled with anger, ultimately determined two approaches to deal with the situation in the northern border:

First, we need to quickly ascertain the details of what is happening in the north. What exactly is the rebellion? What is the current status of the Northern Legion? Which forces and individuals are driving the rebellion?

second.......

Immediately dispatch Changsheng (crossed out), and the Parthian Legion will march north!

Albert Khan Ralmin Khalid, a famous military family of Babylonia who performed outstandingly in the Battle of the Yellow Sands, was awarded the title of Emir of War and Pasha of the Legion, and was ordered to form legions in six provinces including Babylonia, Seleucia, and Ctesiphon, and prepare to march north to suppress the rebellion!

After a great victory in a political struggle, the emperor swept away his political enemies in Iskhanfa with ease. His thunder-like approach of combining kindness and power would surely greatly enhance the emperor's authority.

Before Artasis had time to revel in his victory, he was put in a very bad mood by the sudden changes in the northern border.

After he finished presiding over the court meeting, he did not want to get entangled with the viziers, pashas, ​​and bureaucrats who had their own thoughts, so he simply announced the adjournment of the court meeting and then returned to the palace to rest, surrounded by royal slaves.

But the anger in his heart still burned the emperor's heart and lungs. He couldn't help but feel resentful. He felt that Prince Ahmed was too incompetent. As a result, he led the army to the north and gave full power to the governor, but he couldn't even notice the stability of his starting point and retreat. He also thought that Huijin had failed in his duty this time. The five provinces joined together in rebellion and started an uprising at the same time. It must not have been achieved overnight. There must have been a lot of interests and secret connections involved. Otherwise, it is impossible that he woke up in the morning and saw a rebellion next door, so he joined in the fun.

However, the entire Iskhanfa and the entire core of the empire were completely unaware of this, which is simply unimaginable!

The northern territory has long been the base of the Zoroastrians. At that time, the territory of the Zoroastrian civilization was still very small, so the provincial divisions were relatively detailed. Later, the Zoroastrians continued to expand, and their territory expanded by more than ten times compared to the original tribal kingdom on the Alan Plateau. Therefore, the provinces that were later incorporated into the territory, even today, belong to the core cultural circle of the Zoroastrians. Their divided areas are much larger than the "ancient provinces" such as the five northern provinces, and they also face administrative pressure.

Because the northern territory expanded to Thurso, with mountains, barren demon lands, and extremely poor grasslands where only horse thieves, orcs, and green-skinned beasts bred, the Zoroastrians almost did not use military force against the north for a thousand years, and provincial separatism was also relatively rare, because the north was poor, and poverty meant that there were fewer extraordinary people willing to go there for "employment."

Chapter 127: Ardabil (42)

Local forces rarely have the strength to challenge the central government, so they tend to be more obedient.

But it’s also because of poverty.

Historically, the Iskandarians have not paid much attention to the territories in the north. After all, the core area means no value for united front work. Anyway, it will not become independent, and it does not have the strength to do so. In addition, because the output is average, it is better to spend more time and energy on the prosperous territory in the south.

As a result, the poorer the North became, the less Iskhanfa cared about it, and the less effort they put into development, the poorer it became.

Of course, this poverty is only relative.

Chapter 245

It is not as developed as the territories in the south, but as the core area of ​​the empire, people's lives are still not a problem.

The northern provinces were often used as frontiers and places of exile.

If many families that lost power in the struggle were more sensible, packed up their belongings, left Iskhanfa, and ran to these "remote and impoverished mountainous areas" and made a sufficient gesture, then the victorious enemy would not kill them all, but would tacitly allow them to preserve their strength in the mountains and wait for a comeback in the future.

After all, many of their ancestors also followed this process: "failure - running away - recuperation - finding the right opportunity to come back as a king!"

Fighting without destroying, killing without exterminating the family, like internal fighting, is also a fine tradition of Zoroastrians.......

The emperor tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and got up to read the various past intelligence about the northern region brought by the general manager. Among them, those forces that had failed in battles in other regions in recent decades and chose to move their families to the northern border to fight and recuperate were the ones he focused on observing.

Artasis intuitively guessed that the rebellion in the north might have a lot to do with this group of stray dogs.

They lost the fight, hid away to lick their wounds, and most likely huddled together for warmth. Maybe that's how they connected...

But why choose such a radical approach?

To betray the Empire's expeditionary forces abroad would inevitably lead to open mutual hostility, as it would be a clear act of treason.

They also slandered the legitimacy of his imperial power and openly challenged the throne...

Artasis seemed to have grasped something in his heart!

Where did this bunch of losers get such courage and determination?!

If they simply seek to secede from the north, it may not be impossible for them to do so by accumulating strength. Even if they fail, they will not be wiped out. However, if they act so radically, the end result will be the confiscation of property and the extermination of their entire family... unless someone provides them with support, or someone instigates and induces them to do so!

When Artasis thought of this, a chill rose in his heart.

Beneath that bright throne and outside this glorious palace, there are too many enemies who covet the throne and the position of King of Kings.

He thought he had defeated a group of opponents and would not face such a threat again in the short term, but he did not expect that at the same time, the lurking enemies had already set a trap for the throne, and now was the time for them to launch a challenge!

who can that be?

Those grand viziers? The disobedient pashas, ​​the local separatist governors...

After thinking about it, the emperor became a little excited. It was the same thing not long ago. The enemy was aggressive and seemed to be trampling the palace and approaching the throne with swords at their backs, but he finally threw them into the fire, leaving behind a group of women, children, the elderly and the weak, who were saved by his mercy.

Judging by normal standards, Artasis was definitely a "wise ruler". When he realized that he was facing a new challenge that had been lurking for a long time, he temporarily suppressed his anger and prepared to devote himself to this new "war".

Because he was already somewhat exhausted and emotionally excited, Shafasha ordered the palace servants to get some medicine from the King of France so that he could fall asleep quickly and recover faster.

And at the same time.

The far northern border.

On the territory of the former Kingdom of Xerxes.

A team of knights carrying a four-armed double-headed eagle banner was galloping across the plains, and the outline of a city appeared not far ahead of them.

After the double-headed eagle flag appeared, the soldiers responsible for the defense of the city opened the city gates without any hesitation when the flag hanging on the city wall was still the Eternal Sun of the Alan Empire, and welcomed in these "Roman barbarians" who were supposed to be their enemies.

ask for leave

This month, the book is used for the last time.

Chapter 195: Fast forward to the time when the world was in chaos and the ethnic groups were expanding.

Five provinces rose up simultaneously, launching a rebellion and openly challenging the authority of the King of kings.

Cutting off their supply routes, the 300,000-strong Prince's army, which was heading north on a northern expedition, was trapped in the foreign lands. Their situation remains unknown to this day...

The worst possible scenario is that the Northern Expedition Corps is completely wiped out due to betrayal by a traitor, but whether out of the usual confidence of the empire or more concerns, no one is discussing this issue for the time being.

The rebellion of the five provinces could lead to the destruction of an army of 300,000 men, which would be no small matter for the entire Zoroastrian Alan Empire.

But for Ai'er in "Constantinople", the King of Kings, Artasis IX, was furious and furious. He had already suspected that a group of opposition rebels who were plotting to seize power and depose the king were instigating this rebellion, which might become the beginning of a "great purge". He only needed to move his lips and give orders to his descendants. He could do it by directly communicating with them through psychic communication without even having to meet them in person.

The five northern provinces, from local nobles and gentry, to city governors, mayors, tribunes... and even ordinary soldiers in the local provincial army, are such a large group with different thoughts. It would be a hassle to even connect them to reach a basic consensus, such as engaging in some development and construction, let alone a rebellion that could cost one's life?

There must have been a premeditated plan behind this!

The outline of a conspiracy group that has been planned for many years, is hidden, powerful, and has members whose tentacles have spread to all aspects of the empire has vaguely appeared in the minds of the emperor and knowledgeable people.

Because that's the only explanation.

Otherwise, no one can understand why the North has not produced any eggs in the past hundred years.

Chapter 246

Live a carefree life, without natural disasters or man-made disasters - the military and political bureaucracy in the northern provinces has become highly localized due to the neglect of the Iskhanfa. Local nobles basically monopolize the bureaucratic positions. Of course, in name, they will still submit the list of "replacements" and "candidates" to the Iskhanfa for approval by the emperor or the grand vizier.

The locals are in charge, so if there's trouble, won't it be solved by themselves?

If we say that the north has been neglected in development, and has long-standing grievances and chosen to rebel... then Prince Ahmed is leading a large army to conquer the barbarians and expand the territory. As the northern province responsible for "supporting the front" and also a logistics base, if he makes an effort now, he will definitely benefit the most after the war.

To be honest, the nobles of Iskhanfa were too lazy to look at the remote and poor places like the Serso Mountains. Perhaps only the northerners would not despise them. Anyway, they were relatively poor, and not everyone could be bathed in supernatural powers and the glory of the White Tower.

Go to the barbarian land and become a superior person, enclose land, and own slaves. Normally, you whip the barbarian slaves to work, and take female slaves when you have nothing to do. Give birth to a bunch of lowly children to use as tools, and continue to expand the family. Even if you cannot get the official status of an imperial noble, it is enough for the common people in the countryside to respect you as "Master So-and-so" or "Your Excellency".

Therefore, conquering the barbarians should only benefit the northerners, but they launched a rebellion at this critical moment, which is the worst and most shameful thing, colluding with the barbarians... Come to think of it, they should not have the level and courage to do so.

The only reasonable reason, apart from the fact that the ruling classes of the five rebellious provinces collectively wanted to organize a grand and ridiculous self-destruction, is naturally:

There is someone supporting you behind the scenes!

The portion is particularly heavy.

Otherwise, the five provinces would never dare to do so, and there would be no such opportunity.

And for Rome, what they want is for the Alans to think so.

Long before the outbreak of this war of conquest, Ai'er had made plans on how to conquer the Alan people. At that time, he thought of using internal explosions to disrupt the enemy, causing chaos in the Alan world, and then having Rome "support" the forces that were actually secretly integrated with each other to take advantage of the chaos to expand and seize the world.

For the Four-Armed Ones, who were imitating a nation with their tribe, it would be no problem even if they chose a person in the north to be a "holy lord", let him lead the northern army to "conquer" Rome, and bring Serso under their command.

It's nothing more than a trick of transferring money from one hand to the other and going public through a backdoor listing.

The descendants of Ai'er are connected by a "bloodline" that transcends everything. Secular national, cultural identity, and loyalty ties are not worth mentioning in the face of the "original instinct" that corrects everything from the source.

In the early days of the Norman conquest of the Threshold, countless heroes, loyal ministers, and righteous men rushed around, leading the charge. Some fought to the death to defend their honor, some sacrificed their lives to serve their king and their country... and some remained loyal to their cause, foreshadowing the legendary drama of "The Orphan of Zhao"...

Who among them did not, after receiving the grace of the respected father, immediately devote himself wholeheartedly to the cause of the great clan and the embrace of the most holy and wise teacher?

Those who would rather abandon their own families than flee with their lord's bloodline, and soon after being captured, they took the initiative to capture the monarch's descendants and bring them to justice; the generals who were defeated and captured, who remained steadfast and unyielding, and only wanted to die quickly, turned around and led the Norman iron hoofs to personally attack the royal city, and captured all the dignitaries and royal family members...

As long as Ai'er allows it, the descendants don't care whether their power is called "Rome", "Alan" or "Five Rebellious Provinces".

As long as the ruling class has blood in all four arms, it will be fine.

It is even said that if they could infiltrate the Iskandarian court, it would be easy for them to transform themselves into the country's most loyal and strong "defenders" under the banner of "imperial reform."

The rebellion in the north came into being from nothing, and preparations for it actually only began to be "brewed" in the past two years.

When all classes in a region, from top to bottom, have quietly completed the true unity of "will", and have undergone a transformation at the ideological level, and will continue to assimilate the surrounding and passing things like a big dye vat, then it will be easy for them to do something without telling the central government or the upper level.

Even in modern society, the state apparatus has far more control over local areas than anything else except extraordinary powers. The whole thing is like a Tartarus of "magical ancient times" and "fantasy medieval times". If El wants to do it, he can definitely do it, not to mention the Alan people's loose "self-reliant" system.

The nobles maintained the superficial materialism and extravagant enjoyment, the corrupt governor, the derelict military officers... they were still at ease with both civil and military affairs, and the air was filled with decadent music.

Chapter 127: Ardabil (43)

But all this is just a disguise.

When they accepted the blood transformation and embraced the great new life, they had essentially completely transcended the mediocre body of the past in this world.

When the command of the Father comes, no matter can compare to this most supreme and sacred significance.

After growing arms, everything they did was for the benefit of the tribe and to fight for the will of their father. One moment they were indulging in a peaceful and prosperous world, and the next moment they could draw their swords, transforming into the most ferocious and loyal warriors, turning their swords against the Alan people, who were once their "compatriots", and killing them.

After "witnessing" some of the strength of an old Tartarus empire and its "elite".

Al does not want to rely on slow erosion and infiltration to control Ah

Chapter 247