Just as Chu Qian was directing everyone to prepare for the attack on the city, a staff officer came closer.

"The Chu envoy, Prince Commodus of Rome, requests an audience!"

"Oh? What's he doing here?"

Chu Qian's brow furrowed, and he put down what he was doing and asked.

The advisor smiled and said, "Prince Commodus said he wants to lead his five thousand Roman soldiers to join us in attacking the Parthian city!"

Chu Qian waved his hand: "That won't do. This is a matter between our Han Dynasty and Parthia. The Romans shouldn't get involved..."

In Chu Qian's view, whoever puts in the effort gets the reward. This sea area of ​​Parthia is very important to the future maritime hegemony of the Han Dynasty. This piece of fat meat can only be swallowed by the Han Dynasty alone. Naturally, he will not allow the Romans to participate.

"I understand!!"

Seeing Chu Qian's solemn expression, the staff officer nodded respectfully and then withdrew.

"Officer Li, how did it go? Did Commander Chu agree?"

Upon seeing the staff officer emerge, Kang Maode eagerly went to greet him.

Staff Officer Li smiled and said, "Prince Kang Maode, the Chu envoy said that you and your soldiers are guests of the Great Han. It is not appropriate for us to trouble our guests with matters concerning the Parthians!"

"Officer Li, please convey to Commander Chu that we harbor a deep hatred for those damned Parthians. We simply want to cut off their heads. As for the spoils of war and the land we have captured, we can forgo them all. All we ask for is to be allowed to fight alongside the Han army!"

Commodus looked at Staff Officer Li with a sincere expression. If he wanted to inherit his father's position as the Roman emperor and become a supreme monarch like the Emperor of Han, the primary condition was to possess unparalleled prestige.

Only with prestige can one have an army and followers who are loyal to them, and only then can they realize their ambitions.

The best way to gain prestige is to achieve military merit, especially by fighting against the Parthians.

Once news of his victory over the Parthians spreads, he will surely gain unimaginable prestige in Rome.

After two naval battles, Commodus also realized the strength of the Han army.

In Kang Maode's view, since the Han army was preparing to attack the Parthian city, they would surely be able to win. This was a chance for him to gain military merit for free, and he was naturally unwilling to give it up.

Seeing Kang Maode's appearance, Staff Officer Li's expression also changed.

"Your Highness, I am deeply moved by your sincerity. Rest assured, I will go and speak with Envoy Chu again immediately!"

"Thank you very much, Staff Officer Li!"

Seeing that the other party had agreed, Kang Maode couldn't help but show his joy and quickly clasped his hands in thanks.

"Your Highness, please wait a moment!"

Staff Officer Li nodded slightly in return, then turned and walked into the tent.

Seeing Staff Officer Li return, Chu Qian frowned: "What? Doesn't he want to leave?"

"In reply to the messenger, Prince Commodus said that they simply want to fight the Parthians; as for spoils and land, they don't care!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Upon hearing Staff Officer Li's words, Chu Qian raised an eyebrow: "Even if Rome and Parthia have a deep-seated hatred, they wouldn't do such things without ulterior motives, would they?"

Staff Officer Li smiled slightly: "In response to your question, I believe that Commodus definitely has something in mind, but it's not what's in front of him."

Chu Qian raised an eyelid: "Heh~, you mean he wants to use this to build up his prestige?"

"Indeed, ever since your envoy visited Rome, the Roman emperor and this Commodus have inquired about His Majesty's situation and the court's system more than once."

They, father and son, surely wanted to establish a system like the Han Dynasty, and gaining military merit was their shortcut to that goal!

"Hmph, trying to imitate others blindly, who do they think they are? They dare to compare themselves to His Majesty?"

Upon hearing Staff Officer Li's words, Chu Qian couldn't help but snort, his words full of disdain.

Although he held Kang Maode and his son in utter contempt, Chu Qian still revealed a thoughtful expression.

The Roman republican system was deeply ingrained in people's minds, and Marcus Aurelius's desire to establish a centralized system similar to that of the Han Dynasty would inevitably cause internal strife in Rome.

After all, in the past in Rome, the emperor's throne was rotated, and everyone had a chance to rise to power.

Now that Marcus Aurelius and his son want to take it for themselves, other families with a chance to rise to power will certainly not let it go.

At that time, Rome would inevitably fall into civil war, or even be torn apart. In this way, the Han Dynasty would be able to gain more benefits from Rome.

Thinking of this, Chu Qian couldn't help but smile and decided to help Kang Maode and his son.

"Go and tell Commodus that I agree to his request for assistance in the war!"

"yes!"

Staff Officer Li agreed and then turned to walk outside.

"Well? Has Commander Chu agreed?"

Upon seeing Staff Officer Li emerge, Kang Maode, who had been waiting outside, hurriedly stepped forward and asked.

Staff Officer Li said with a smile, "The Chu envoy has agreed to Your Highness's request to participate in the war. However, Your Highness must remember one thing: the way our Han army marches is to advance when the drums sound and retreat when the gongs are sounded."

"Upon hearing the drumbeat, even knowing certain death, press forward; upon hearing the gong, even with victory ahead, retreat immediately!"

"Please rest assured, we will abide by the rules of the Han army and obey your orders!"

Upon hearing Staff Officer Li's request, Kang Maode immediately patted his chest and assured him.

Staff Officer Li nodded: "Alright! In that case, Your Highness, please make the preparations. Tomorrow you will depart with Envoy Chu!"

"Alright, I'll go prepare right away!"

Commodus bowed to Staff Officer Li and then walked toward the Roman settlement.

When the Roman merchants learned that Commodus was preparing to lead Roman warriors to join the Han Chinese in attacking the Parthians, they cheered.

"Your Highness, please go ahead. We will cover the expenses of the campaign!"

"As long as those damned Parthians can be killed, Your Highness, whatever you desire, we will give you!"

"Yes, we must let those Parthians know how powerful we are!"

The Roman merchants, who were known for their love of money, generously offered to cover the military expenses to Commodus.

Five thousand Roman warriors who had followed Commodus to sea were also excitedly sharpening their swords.

In the eyes of these Roman warriors, being able to fight alongside the powerful Han army and achieve victory was a foregone conclusion; no one did not yearn for the glory that followed.

Early the next morning, the five groups of troops, along with five thousand Roman soldiers, were ready to set off. The ballistae on the warships were disassembled and loaded onto wagons.

As the sun rose fully, Daruk led 30,000 Parthian sailors to the camp and surrendered all their weapons, formally surrendering to the Han army.