By late July, after more than two months of marching, Marcus Aurelius's Roman army finally arrived at the border between Rome and Parthia and stationed itself at the foot of a mountain ten miles west of the important Parthian border town of Syrin.

The camp of the more than 400,000-strong army was built against the mountains and forests, stretching for nearly 30 miles.

The 30,000 Parthian soldiers responsible for guarding Xilin Pass were quite frightened when they saw such a large Roman army, and hurriedly sent someone to inform the border camp in the rear.

Upon receiving the military intelligence from Xilin Pass, Mokra, the commander of the Parthian border army, immediately dispatched messengers to relay the intelligence to the capital while also mobilizing his troops, gathering an army of 70,000 and heading towards Xilin Pass.

Inside the central command tent of the Roman camp.

Compared to the extreme tension before the war, Marcus Aurelius was now calm and composed, leisurely enjoying tea with Li Boming, Zhang Bao, and others in the military tent.

Marcus Aurelius handed a cup of tea he had personally brewed to Zhang Bao across from him and said with a smile, "Master Zhang, it is thanks to the physicians of the Taiping Sect that our army was spared many diseases on the road!"

"Your Majesty is too kind. This is what our Taiping Church should do. These Parthians have blocked communication between the Han Dynasty and Rome. They are a common enemy of both sides. It is only right and proper for us to assist your army!"

As he spoke, Zhang Bao politely accepted the teacup, brought it to his lips, and took a small sip.

"Haha, well said!"

Upon hearing Zhang Bao's words, Marcus Aurelius also showed a hearty smile, and then asked, "I heard that the Chu envoy, because of Parthia's offense, not only led your country's navy to seize Parthia's sea ports, but also annihilated Parthia's army of 200,000?"

Upon hearing Marcus Aurelius's question, Zhang Bao's brow twitched, and he instantly sensed a hint of apprehension in the question.

It should be noted that those Parthian border troops who were annihilated had been guarding the border for many years and were one of the most troublesome Parthian main forces for the Roman army.

Now that this main force has been annihilated by 10,000 Han naval soldiers, doesn't that mean that the Roman legions, which are of almost equal strength, would suffer the same fate when facing the Han army?

If something unpleasant happens in the future, wouldn't those Han soldiers turn Rome upside down?

Zhang Bao put down his teacup and looked at Marcus Aurelius with a smile: "Your Majesty is wrong. Those 200,000 Parthian troops were not annihilated by our army, but by themselves...!"

"They were wiped out by their own attacks?"

Marcus Aurelius frowned: "Can you explain what Zhang Tianshi is saying?"

"Your Majesty, there is a saying in our Great Han Dynasty: The will of the people cannot be defied!"

Zhang Bao's expression turned solemn, and he said in a serious voice: "The Parthian army feeds on the people and treats their own people as livestock, which naturally arouses the people's resentment. Wherever they go, the people regard them as floods and beasts and avoid them at all costs. There are even many who fight to the death, which makes the Parthian army not only lose supplies, but also unable to advance or retreat."

Therefore, although the Parthian army numbered 200,000, in the face of countless civilians, it was like a small boat on a vast ocean, destined only for destruction...

Therefore, the Parthian army's annihilation was entirely their own fault; our army merely benefited from it!

"I see!"

After hearing Zhang Bao's explanation, Marcus Aurelius nodded in realization and turned to look at Li Boming beside him: "Is this the power of popular support that you often talk about?"

Li Boming did not answer directly, but looked outside the tent and asked in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, of the 400,000 troops who have set out on this expedition, how many are of noble birth and how many are of commoner birth?"

Marcus Aurelius frowned slightly: "If we don't count the commanders and officers, there are fewer than ten thousand soldiers of noble birth in the army; the rest are all of humble origin!"

Li Boming smiled slightly: "So, the stability of a monarch's rule depends entirely on whether the people support him. As long as the people stand on the monarch's side, no matter what the monarch wants to do, he will have inexhaustible money, food and military resources. What are mere nobles compared to these people...?"

"Sir, you're right. As long as we have soldiers, nothing else matters!"

Upon hearing Li Boming's straightforward guidance and explanation, Marcus Aurelius immediately grasped the key point.

Previously, he had been thinking about how to use this war to suppress the power of the nobles in the country. But now, through his conversation with Zhang Bao and Li Boming, he discovered that there was another, faster and more stable path to take.

Thinking of this, Marcus Aurelius looked at Li Boming with hesitation and asked in a low voice, "Sir, in that case, what about our previous plan...?"

Li Boming's expression hardened: "The plan will proceed as scheduled. Although the soldiers under those nobles are also of commoner origin, those commoners support those nobles, so there is no need to show mercy!"

"If Your Majesty wishes to win the hearts of the people, everything should wait until after you have defeated Parthia and returned home!"

Marcus Aurelius nodded: "Then let it be as you say, sir..."

"Report!!"

Just then, a guard's shout came from outside the tent, interrupting Marcus Aurelius's conversation.

"Is there something you need?"

Looking at the guards who had entered, Marcus Aurelius asked with a displeased expression.

The guard replied, "Your Majesty, the leaders of the various legions request an audience to discuss the next course of action!"

Marcus Aurelius frowned: "Didn't I say that the army is tired from its long journey and should not move rashly? I told them to rest and await orders. What are they doing here?"

"Your Majesty, all the leaders say that our army is currently at its peak, and the garrison at Xilin Pass is less than one-tenth of our forces. This is the perfect time for a major offensive, which is why they refuse to obey orders!"

"These bastards have really gone too far!"

Upon hearing the guard's report, Marcus Aurelius couldn't help but curse angrily.

Li Boming stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, since the leaders of the various armies are so eager to make merit, let's grant their wish. It will also allow them to scout out the situation of the Parthian garrison for us!"

Marcus Aurelius paused, startled. "But sir, what if they really do break through?"

Li Boming smiled and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, those legions belong to different provinces and nobles. They are not of one mind at all, and none of them will allow themselves to suffer too many casualties."

Therefore, unless the Parthian army abandons the city and flees, it is virtually impossible for them to capture Xilin Pass on their own!

"That's right, that rabble is only good at robbing ordinary people!"

With that, Marcus Aurelius looked at the guards and ordered, "Go, bring those guys in!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The guard agreed and then turned and ran outside.