"What? The Han army launched a surprise attack on Linhai City? Where is Daruk? How could that damned guy let the Han army pass through?"
In the Parthian palace, the furious roar of Emperor Tamogina echoed through the vast hall.
The officer kneeling on the ground, who was guarding the city, trembled with fear and hurriedly explained:
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, Nadaruk has already surrendered to the Han army. It was they who led the Han army in a surprise attack, which is why we were unable to react in time..."
"Damn it, this Daruk, I treated him well, even entrusting him with the responsibility of five ports, 30,000 naval personnel, and the entire sea area. Why did he betray me?"
Upon hearing the explanation from the garrison officer, Tamoji immediately stood up and roared angrily through gritted teeth.
"Your Majesty, I received a message yesterday that Daruk fled without a fight in order to preserve his strength when he intercepted the Han army fleet."
He must have been afraid of His Majesty's punishment, which is why he betrayed Parthia.
"Your Majesty, I have also received a message. Eleven days ago, Nadaruk blocked the passages from the southwest and coastal cities to the capital, and raised the banner of 'purging the emperor's inner circle.' It seems that he has been plotting something for a long time!"
"In my opinion, this Daruk is holding onto his military power and is definitely colluding with the Han army, wanting to establish a separatist regime!"
Inside the hall, several ministers also stepped forward one after another to condemn Darulak's crimes.
"Hmph, that scoundrel! I trusted him implicitly, and he actually plotted a rebellion?"
Hearing the ministers' words, Tamoji was filled with hatred, his face turning as black as the bottom of a pot.
Parthian Right Chancellor Sakqi stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, all the coastal cities and ports have now fallen into the hands of Daruk and the Han army. They should be taken back as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Those cities and ports can provide at least 500,000 gold coins in tax revenue every year. That sea area is rich in resources and has a thriving trade. We must not let it fall into the hands of others!"
"Your Majesty, please immediately dispatch troops to quell the rebellion, expel the Han army, and reclaim the sea territory!"
As soon as Sakqi finished speaking, several ministers stood up and advocated sending troops immediately.
It should be noted that, including the Right Chancellor Sa Keqi, these people had placed many of their own people in the coastal cities to help them amass wealth in those places.
Although they claimed that those cities could earn 500,000 gold coins a year, the actual income was as high as 2 million, most of which ended up in their own pockets.
Now that this huge income has vanished, they are naturally not going to let it go.
"You are right, that sea area is our Parthian territory, and it cannot be lost. We must send troops to take it back!"
Upon hearing the ministers' proposal, Tamoji nodded in agreement.
Just then, the Left Chancellor Voegelin, who had remained silent until now, spoke up: "Your Majesty, it is only right to reclaim our territory. However, the Romans are currently amassing a large army and could invade at any moment. I hope Your Majesty can make proper arrangements for the military campaign to prevent the Romans from taking advantage of the situation!"
Upon hearing this, Tamogi nodded solemnly: "The Left Prime Minister is right. Reclaiming the territory is important, but we must also be wary of the Romans in the west!"
With that, Tamoji looked at the assembled ministers in the hall and asked, "What do you all think is the proper course of action for sending troops?"
Right Chancellor Sacchi spoke up: "Your Majesty, according to reports, the Han army numbers about 40,000, and when you add Daruc's rebels and those Romans, their strength is at least 75,000."
To reclaim those cities, we would need at least twice the number of troops. To be on the safe side, I believe it would be wise to deploy 200,000 troops!
"What? They need to mobilize 200,000 people?"
Upon hearing Sarkozy's words, Left Prime Minister Voegelin exclaimed in surprise.
Sakqi said in a deep voice, "That's right, at least 200,000 are needed. After all, attacking a city is not like fighting in the field; only when you have a numerical advantage can you succeed!"
Even Tamogi, sitting above, couldn't help but frown: "Currently, our country only has 400,000 troops available, and they have all been deployed to the western border. If we were to withdraw half of these troops now, what would we do if the Romans attacked?"
While the southern seas were important, guarding against the Romans to the west was equally important.
"Your Majesty need not worry. After all, Rome also needs a large number of troops to defend against the Germanic and Gaulish barbarians in the north. The number of troops they can mobilize is at most 100,000."
Although the Romans were recruiting a large number of new soldiers, anyone with a little military knowledge knows that it takes at least six months for an army to go from recruitment to training to deployment.
With 100,000 troops plus those new soldiers, their combat effectiveness certainly wouldn't be very high.
Therefore, I believe that leaving only 200,000 men to defend the border is sufficient to repel the Roman invasion…!
"Yes, the Left Prime Minister is right. If the Romans attack hastily, our army might be able to win!"
After hearing Sakhozzi's analysis, Tamoji's worry disappeared and was replaced by a smile.
However, what they didn't know was that the new army the Romans had formed was not composed of the commoners of the past, but rather of gladiators hired to fight at any time.
After some discussion, Tamoji sent an emergency order to transfer 200,000 troops from the western border to the south to reclaim the sea area.
The responsibility of commanding the army was taken over by Right Chancellor Saqqchi and several other ministers.
After all, the southern seas have always been regarded as their cash cow, and this expedition is a great opportunity for them to completely control them. Naturally, they will not hand it over to others.
Soon, Saksi and several ministers left the capital and traveled day and night toward the border.
In just five days, Sakoqi and his men arrived at the border army camp, which was 300 miles away.
Upon arriving at the camp, Sakqi immediately pulled out Tamoji's order and demanded that the troops set off immediately.
Upon hearing Sakqi's request to immediately send troops, the border army commander Morak solemnly said, "Lord Sakqi, sending troops is easy, but the allocation of the army's provisions and corresponding supplies will take time."
If the army marches too quickly and loses contact with the supply trains, there is a risk of running out of food!
Sakqi frowned: "How long will it take to allocate supplies?"
Mokra thought for a moment, "This place is about 500 li away from Linhai City. It will take at least ten days to gather the food and supplies needed for 200,000 troops!"
"Ten days?"
Sakqi frowned: "No, speed is of the essence in war. The longer we delay, the more fully the Han army will prepare. If we suffer losses, will you take responsibility?"
Mokra said urgently, "But how can the army fight without food and supplies?"
Sakqi thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "There are many towns along the way, and the army can enter the cities to resupply on the spot!"
"Resupply on the spot?"
Upon hearing this, Mokra's expression changed, and he looked at Sakqi in disbelief.
The treasuries of the towns along the way simply could not meet the needs of an army of 200,000.
It was said to be a local supply operation, but in reality, it was a plan to forcibly requisition the surplus grain from the homes of people along the way.
Mokra had already imagined the scenes of countless people being torn apart, killed, and slaughtered.
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