Seeing all the generals offering their strategies for seizing Parthia, Chu Qian, seated at the head of the table, nodded in satisfaction.
"Gentlemen, those are matters for later. Let's deal with the immediate problem first!"
Upon hearing Chu Qian speak, everyone stopped their discussion and began to discuss the next steps.
Looking at the map, Admiral Cheng Pu spoke first: "Commander Chu, I believe that if we want to gather the people along the way and implement a scorched-earth policy, we should first send people to occupy a city on the enemy's inevitable route to block their advance and buy time for the Parthian people to evacuate!"
Chu Qian nodded, then focused his gaze on the map and said in a deep voice, "Judging from the enemy's speed of advance, they may have already reached Kenan City."
The enemy needs three days for resupply and travel; therefore, our army must reach Linshan City, a hundred li south of Kenan City, within three days!
Looking at the location of Linshan City on the map, Cheng Pu frowned: "Linshan City is about four hundred li away from our army. It will be very difficult for our army to reach it within three days!"
Chu Qian glanced at Cheng Pu indifferently and said in a deep voice, "Back then, His Majesty dispatched Generals Huang Zhong and Gongsun Zan to Liaozhou to attack the Northern Wuhuan."
Even in the freezing cold, those Imperial Guard soldiers could traverse two hundred miles of dense forest within three days to bypass the enemy's rear.
How come they can't even manage a 400-li march in three days on this flat plain?
Chu Qian then looked around at everyone with a serious expression and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, this place is tens of thousands of miles away from the Han Dynasty. No matter what we do, it will be ten times or even dozens of times more difficult than within the Han Dynasty."
If you all feel you can't even manage a 400-li march in three days, then we shouldn't even think about seeking peace. Let's just stay here, hold our ground, and establish our own territory!
Upon hearing Chu Qian's stern words, Cheng Pu immediately felt embarrassed.
As one of the first batch of trainees in the Imperial Guard, although his achievements were not as great as those of Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Sun Jian, and others, he was still considered one of the more outstanding young people. Otherwise, His Majesty would not have entrusted him with command of the navy.
As the emperor's student, even if it meant death, he could never back down from a difficult task. To do so would be to tarnish the emperor's reputation, a crime deserving of death!
Cheng Pu looked at Chu Qian with a resolute expression and said in a deep voice, "Please rest assured, Commander Chu, it's only four hundred li. It won't take three days. My soldiers and I can arrive in two days!"
Chu Qian raised an eyelid: "General Cheng, please don't push yourself. If you are too hasty and the soldiers become exhausted and unable to hold their ground, it will be a loss!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Pu exclaimed excitedly, "I am willing to sign a military pledge: if I cannot defend Linshan City, I will commit suicide to repay Your Majesty!"
"Good!" Upon hearing this, Chu Qian immediately stood up, took a token from the table, and handed it to Cheng Pu: "General Cheng can lead 10,000 naval soldiers to set off immediately. After arriving at Linshan City, you only need to hold out for three days!"
"Here you go!"
Cheng Pu took the token, then turned and walked quickly outside.
Chu Qian then picked up another token and looked at Huang Gai, Ling Cao and the others: "Huang Gai, lead 30,000 sailors and guards carrying provisions and supplies, follow behind General Cheng Pu, and be sure to arrive to provide support within three days of his defense!"
Ling Cao and his generals led Daruk's 30,000 troops to pacify and pacify the Parthian people!
"Here you go!"
The generals responded in unison, and then turned and left.
"Brother Chu, what should we do?"
Seeing that all the generals had accepted their duties and left, Jian Shuo, who was standing to the side, also stepped forward anxiously and asked.
"Attendant Jian, you can select a group of Parthians from the city, have them disguise themselves as merchants, and send them to other cities to spread the word about the atrocities committed by the Sakhqi army, thus preparing for our next move!"
"no problem!"
Jian Shuo agreed and then turned and walked away quickly.
After everyone had left, Chu Qian took out paper and pen and wrote a secret letter about his plan to secure peace with his generals.
Subsequently, Chu Qian summoned one of his trusted subordinates and handed him the secret letter.
"Keep this letter close to your body. Once you return to the Han Dynasty, immediately go to Luoyang and hand it over to His Majesty!"
"Here you go!"
The confidant took the secret letter and carefully placed it on his chest.
"Alright, go and fetch Commodus, the Prince of Rome!"
"Here you go!"
The confidant agreed and then turned and quickly left.
Before long, Cornwallis, beaming with joy, entered the hall.
Since Commodus led five thousand Roman warriors to capture Linhai City with Chu Qian, although they did not kill many enemies, they still achieved a victory.
The Roman merchants accompanying the fleet showered him with praise and admiration, which greatly pleased Commodus.
As soon as he entered the hall, Kang Maode bowed to Chu Qian behind the table and asked, "What are your orders, Commander Chu?"
Chu Qian looked up at Kang Maode and smiled: "Your Highness Kang Maode, our army has just occupied this place and there are many things to deal with. Therefore, I need to stay here temporarily and cannot return. Your Highness can go to the Great Han with the rest of the delegation!"
Kang Maode immediately replied, "Envoy Chu, rest assured, I have no problem!"
"That's good!" Chu Qian smiled and continued, "Your Highness, as you can see, our army has just occupied this place and taken in a large number of people. We are already facing a shortage of food supplies..."
Before Chu Qian could finish speaking, Commodus immediately said, "Envoy Chu, rest assured, I will send someone back to Rome to inform them to gather provisions. This will ensure that your army's needs are met!"
Chu Qian smiled and said, "In that case, thank you very much, Your Highness. But please rest assured, Your Highness, our army will not take the grain for nothing. We will buy it at a price of ten copper coins per pound!"
Furthermore, we need a huge amount of food; we need as much as you can get!
"I understand!"
Commodus nodded with a pleased expression, then took his leave.
After bidding farewell to Chu Qian, Commodus returned to the camp, gathered all the Roman merchants together, and told them about the Han army's plan to purchase grain.
When they learned that the Han army was going to buy grain at a price of ten copper coins per pound, the Roman merchants present became excited.
In recent years, Rome has enjoyed relatively good weather and abundant harvests. Although the lives of ordinary people are not particularly easy, there is still a sufficient supply of food. Moreover, the price of food in Rome is not high, only three to five copper coins per pound, so one can earn at least five copper coins per pound.
Add to that the Han envoy's statement: "We'll take as much as you can get," and you can imagine the enormous profits involved.
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