Generals Huang Gai and Ling Cao led an army of 130,000, advancing with unstoppable momentum, and cities along the way surrendered without resistance.
In just half a month, the 130,000-strong army successively captured ten cities in Parthia, and was only about 300 miles away from the Parthian capital.
When the news spread, the entire nation of Pardita was in uproar.
"Damn it, what's going on with this Sakqi? Where are his 200,000 troops? Why are 130,000 Han soldiers marching into the heart of Parthia?"
The Parthian king's angry roar, tinged with fear, echoed through the hall, shaking the dust off the beams.
The ministers inside the hall also lowered their heads and dared not speak.
They had supported the dispatch of troops, but instead of the triumphant return of the main force, they were met with 130,000 Han soldiers. A bad feeling arose in everyone's hearts.
The Left Chancellor, Ardasi, standing at the head of the left side of the main hall, chuckled inwardly, then stepped forward:
"Your Majesty, if I am not mistaken, the Right Chancellor has been defeated and his entire army has been wiped out...!!"
"Could it be that my 200,000-strong army is truly gone?"
Although he had his own suspicions, the Parthian king couldn't help but show a hint of dejection upon hearing what Ardasi said.
Ardas quickly said, "Your Majesty, the Han army has captured ten cities in succession and is heading straight for Taixi City. I hope Your Majesty will make preparations as soon as possible and mobilize a large army to defend the capital!"
The Parthian king was taken aback: "Mobilize a large army? Where are there any troops left to mobilize?"
Within Parthia, there were originally only 500,000 soldiers. Of these, 400,000 were stationed on the western border to defend against Roman invasions; of the remaining 100,000, 10,000 were stationed in the capital, 50,000 were used to defend against the Kushans, and the other 40,000 were in the north to monitor the Persians.
Half of the 400,000 border troops used to defend against the Romans were lost in an instant, and it was uncertain whether the remaining 200,000 could hold off the Romans; they certainly could not be mobilized again.
The 50,000 soldiers guarding against the Kushans frequently clashed with them. If they were to be transferred away, the Kushans would surely seize the opportunity to launch an attack.
As for the 40,000 soldiers monitoring the Persians, if they were to move, it might cause trouble in their own backyard.
Therefore, the only ones capable of defending the city right now are the 10,000 soldiers stationed in the capital.
How could a mere 10,000 men withstand the attack of an army of 130,000?
"That damned Sakqi! If it weren't for him who destroyed my 200,000-strong army, things wouldn't have come to this."
In the end, even the Parthian king couldn't help but curse Sakhon, the culprit.
Ardas stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the Han Dynasty is thousands of miles away from Parthia. It is basically impossible for them to occupy and rule Parthia.”
Therefore, I believe that what the Han Dynasty wants is nothing more than money or something else. We can negotiate with them and try to persuade them to withdraw their troops!
"Your Majesty, I believe the Left Chancellor's words are reasonable!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, let's get the Han army to withdraw first!"
Upon hearing Ardas's words, the other ministers in the hall echoed his sentiments.
The Parthian king glanced at his ministers and asked, "In that case, who among you is willing to go as an envoy to negotiate?"
Upon hearing this, all the ministers lowered their heads in unison.
In the current situation, the Han army has an absolute advantage. If they fail to reach an agreement or if the conditions they propose cannot be met by the other side, they may lose their lives.
Seeing the ministers all cowering in fear, the Parthian king was furious.
"Report!!"
Just as the Parthian king was about to lash out, a palace guard rushed in.
"Your Majesty, the Right Chancellor has returned and is outside the palace, requesting an audience!"
Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent, and everyone's faces showed a hint of astonishment.
Upon hearing this, the Parthian king gritted his teeth and said, "Bring this scoundrel in here. I want to see how he can face anyone when he returns!"
"yes!"
The guard agreed and quickly ran outside, while all the officials inside the hall looked out expectantly.
Before long, Sarachi, who was bound hand and foot, was brought in.
As soon as he entered the hall, Sa Keqi knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, this sinful subject is incompetent. Not only did I fail to reclaim the cities of Linhai, but I also caused the annihilation of an entire army of 200,000. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!!"
"Hmph~, you have committed such a heinous crime that even hanging you would not be too much of a punishment!"
The Parthian king snorted coldly, his eyes blazing as he stared at Sakki: "What I want to know is, what exactly happened during the campaign? How did you manage to destroy that army of two hundred thousand?"
The Parthian king did not rush to punish Sakqi because he wanted to learn about the Han army's actual combat capabilities from him, so as to prepare for what was to come.
"In response to Your Majesty, in order to reclaim the southern seas as soon as possible, I led my troops out before the army's provisions were fully prepared, intending to resupply in the cities along the way."
The march was initially going smoothly, but when I led my army to Ansu City, we were refused entry. Not only were we not provided with provisions, but the army was also forbidden from continuing its advance…
The Parthian king frowned: "Where did this Lord of Ansu City get the audacity to obstruct the army's march?"
"Your Majesty, at first I did not understand either. After several unsuccessful attempts to communicate, I ordered an attack on the city because I was worried about delaying military operations."
After the city fell, I arrested several officials. After questioning them, I learned that the city lord of Ansu, Kemolai, was a Persian.
His reason for obstructing the march was to deplete our army's supplies, force us to retreat, and then collude with the Han Dynasty to seize control of the southern cities, taking the opportunity to launch an uprising..."
"Um?"
Upon hearing this, the Parthian king's expression shifted, and he turned to look at Ardasi beside him.
Ardas steadied himself and said in a solemn voice, "Your Majesty, I know nothing about this matter. Moreover, this is only the Right Chancellor's side of the story. I hope Your Majesty will investigate thoroughly!"
The Parthian king nodded, then turned to look at Sakki: "Since you say that Nakmolai harbors evil intentions, do you have any evidence?"
"Your Majesty, Kemolai has organized over 30,000 able-bodied men to join the Han army and has been appointed as the commander of the Han vassal army. They are currently among the 130,000-strong army. We can easily find out more by sending someone to inquire about them!"
"Hmph, Prime Minister, what do you have to say?"
After hearing Sakhozi's explanation, the Parthian king no longer doubted him, but instead snorted and turned to look at Ardas.
Ardas also knelt down with a distressed expression: "Your Majesty, I truly do not know!"
"Hmph~, guards, take the Left Prime Minister back to his residence to rest. He is not allowed to go out unless necessary!"
The Parthian king snorted and then ordered his men to take Ardasi away.
The Parthian king continued, "Even if Kmorai betrayed us and defected to the enemy, he couldn't possibly bring down an army of 200,000, could he?"
"Alas, this is all my fault for not keeping a close watch on things. After the city fell, some soldiers took the opportunity to burn, kill, and loot. Nakmolai also took the opportunity to spread rumors about our army's bad reputation, which left our army without supplies..."
Sakqi sighed, taking all the blame upon himself with a look of self-reproach.
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