In the ninth year of Jianning, in mid-October.
A vast fleet of ships sailed along the coastline in the Arabian Gulf.
On the deck, Han envoy Chu Qian looked at the calm sea, but his mood was not very good.
Six months have passed since they left Rome in April, and the caravan, which was originally scheduled to return to the Han Dynasty by the end of the year, has now sailed less than halfway.
The reason the fleet was sailing so slowly was that after entering the Arabian Gulf, it was constantly harassed by Parthian pirates.
Although the pirates' ships were small and dared not attack the Imperial Navy's ships head-on, the cunning Parthians set their sights on the merchant ships behind them. With their fast ships, the Parthians always managed to retreat after a single attack. Although the losses were not significant, they greatly delayed the journey of the fleet.
During this time, Chu Qian repeatedly ordered the fleet to dock, intending to send people to search for the pirates and wipe them out completely. However, during the search, the imperial forces were obstructed by the Parthians.
Moreover, the Parthians deployed heavy troops in several ports, no longer allowing the Han fleet to approach Parthian ports, directly cutting off the Han fleet's resupply along the way.
Therefore, Chu Qian deduced that the pirates must be Parthians in disguise, slowing down the fleet's journey and cutting off its supplies, hoping to trap the Han fleet in the Arabian Gulf.
The Parthians did this for a simple reason. As a country blocking the path between the Han Dynasty and Rome, their main source of income in the past was the collection of high taxes along the Silk Road. Furthermore, Parthia and Rome were sworn enemies, and they also had friction with the Han Dynasty. Naturally, they did not want the Han Dynasty and Rome to engage in maritime trade.
"Sir, a fleet has appeared ahead!"
Just as Chu Qian was deep in thought, Cheng Pu, who was beside him, suddenly reported loudly.
"It's a Parthian fleet!"
Looking at the flags of the fleet in the distance, Chu Qian frowned.
Cheng Pu said solemnly, "Your Excellency, the Parthians have seen that we haven't been able to dock for supplies for a month. They must think we can't hold on any longer and are planning to leave us here when they leave this sea area!"
"Hmph, a bunch of clowns!"
Upon hearing Cheng Pu's analysis, Chu Qian snorted coldly, a look of disdain on his face.
Although the team had not received any supplies for a month and was indeed short of food, it was only fresh food that was in short supply.
Before the fleet set sail, in case of emergency, a large amount of dried meat and various dried and compressed military rations were stockpiled. Although these rations did not taste very good, they were enough for 50,000 people for two months.
Therefore, the Parthians' plan to cut off supplies and starve the Han fleet was doomed to fail.
"Slow down the fleet and prepare for battle. Wipe out the Parthian forces!"
Even the usually gentle and refined Chu Qian swore.
"Where are the Parthians? Damn it, they made us eat jerky for a month! We'll kill them all..."
Just as Chu Qian finished speaking, a furious roar came from behind him.
Then, Jian Shuo, carrying a long sword, strode aggressively toward the deck.
Seeing Jian Shuo's appearance, Chu Qian, Cheng Pu, and the others couldn't help but smile, barely managing to suppress their laughter.
Although Jian Shuo's appearance was amusing, his words resonated with everyone.
Although those dried meats and military rations are rare delicacies for ordinary people, they are things that these naval officers and soldiers have no choice but to eat.
As the first naval force of the Han Dynasty, it was a treasure in Liu Hong's eyes, and he spared no expense in terms of equipment and food.
Especially in terms of diet, almost every hundred-man squad was equipped with five cooks to prepare various meat and vegetable dishes for the soldiers, in order to ensure that the soldiers ate and drank well and achieved a balanced diet.
After all, the navy is different from the army. Being well-fed is only the most basic requirement. If there are problems with food and water during long-term voyages at sea, causing acclimatization issues, it can be fatal.
Therefore, during the voyage, it was necessary to land at a port every once in a while to purchase a batch of fresh ingredients to ensure a balanced diet, which resulted in the naval soldiers having such discerning tastes.
To a bunch of foodies, the Parthians who made them eat jerky for a month were simply guilty of a heinous crime, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to grind their bones to dust.
As the fleet slowed down, the twenty naval warships at the front line took their positions, and the naval soldiers all rushed onto the deck. Even the burly merchants at the rear, with their necks stiff and long swords in hand, prepared for battle with their guards and sailors.
Although they were all merchants, they were prominent merchants of the Han Dynasty. Since they went to sea with the mission and the navy, they were respected wherever they went and no one dared to offend them.
However, these Parthians, oblivious to the danger, dared to disregard the might of the Han Dynasty and constantly harass them. Even a merchant could not tolerate such provocative behavior from the Parthians.
In an instant, almost everyone in the team who could move was ready for battle, and the naval soldiers also brought out various powerful crossbows and ballistae that the Research and Development Bureau had been storing in the ship's hold.
The Romans at the rear of the fleet stared blankly at the suddenly moving Han fleet ahead, not understanding what had happened.
Commodus, who was in charge of the team, also dispatched ships immediately to inquire about the situation.
When they learned that a Parthian fleet had appeared ahead and that the Han Dynasty was preparing to fight it, all the Romans cheered.
Long ago, the Romans attempted to bypass the Parthian blockade and develop sea routes. Many people followed the Roman navy and fought a naval battle against the Parthian navy in the Arabian Gulf.
Unfortunately, the Roman navy was relatively new and no match for the Parthians. Not only was the Roman navy nearly wiped out, but the merchants also suffered heavy losses.
Moreover, on their return voyage, without naval escort, Parthians disguised as pirates plundered them extensively, leaving many penniless.
This naturally made those profit-driven Roman merchants hate the damned Parthians to the core.
"Damn Parthians, may your greed be buried in this sea!!"
"Great Han Heavenly Army, slaughter those hateful bandits!"
"I'm willing to pay one hundred gold coins for ten Parthian heads!!"
Soon, shouts and curses from Roman merchants rose and fell from the Roman fleet behind them.
In their eyes, both the Han warships and the strong naval soldiers were capable of easily crushing the Parthians.
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