Under Yang Ci's arrangement, Kang Maode and his entourage stayed at the largest inn, while the five thousand Roman warriors who accompanied them were placed in the Imperial Guard camp.
The Roman merchants also arrived at the West Market, which was exclusively for foreign merchants, with great excitement.
Inside the hotel.
Yang Ci also led Kang Maode to the most luxurious room.
Upon entering the room, Commodus was stunned, staring in shock at the furnishings.
There, a screen painted with a magnificent landscape painting stood directly opposite the door.
The screen's frame is made of the finest huanghuali wood, the painting is on the highest grade Xuan paper improved by the Imperial Workshop, and the artwork is by the master Zheng Xuan.
With just one glance, Commodus knew that this screen was quite valuable, worth at least ten thousand gold coins.
After passing the screen, Kang Maode immediately saw a table made of pure mahogany, on which was placed a set of blue and white porcelain tea set, and on both sides were several wooden chairs.
Near the wall is a wooden shelf displaying ornaments, filled with various exquisite porcelain, jade, and handicrafts.
Commodus was certain that any one of the items on the wooden shelf was worth a fortune.
At first glance, the layout and furnishings of the entire living room were simple yet luxurious, far superior to his father's room.
While shocked, Commodus was also very happy. Being arranged to have such a room showed how much the big man valued him.
"Your Highness Kang Maode, please rest well here. I will go and report to His Majesty first!"
Just as Kang Maode was in shock, Yang Ci's voice drifted into his ears.
"Ah, Grand Secretary Yang, please take care. I'll see you off!"
Coming to his senses, Kang Maode quickly clasped his hands in greeting and accompanied Yang Ci as they walked out of the room.
Stepping out of the room, Yang Ci turned to Kang Maode and said with a smile, "Your Highness Kang Maode, His Majesty will summon you in three days at the latest. I will arrange for people from the Ministry of Rites to teach you the etiquette of court audiences. You must study it carefully!"
"Thank you for your guidance, Elder Yang. I will certainly study diligently!"
Upon hearing Yang Ci's instructions, Kang Maode respectfully agreed.
Yang Ci smiled and nodded, then led his men away from the inn and headed towards the palace.
Commodus returned to his room and once again admired the furnishings with fascination.
"In the future, I will definitely make my room look like this too!"
After muttering something softly, Commodus then walked toward the bedroom.
...
Inside Deyang Palace.
Liu Hong sat behind his desk, holding the secret letter sent back by Chu Qian, engrossed in reading it.
On both sides of the main hall, in addition to members of the cabinet and the Privy Council such as Cao Song, Xun Shuang, Yang Qiu, Duan Jiong, Zhang Huan, and Huangfu Gui, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Zhang Zhao, Zhou Yi, Chen Qun, and Sima Fang were also prominently present.
Seeing the emperor's solemn expression, everyone couldn't help but speculate about the contents of the letter.
After reading the plan reported in Chu Qian's letter, Liu Hong was deeply moved and unable to calm down for a long time.
Even he hadn't expected that Chu Qian would have such courage and ambition, starting his plan to overthrow Parthia with only 10,000 naval soldiers and 30,000 sailors as escorts.
Before this, Liu Hong had considered launching a military campaign against Parthia in the future, but in his mind, that would be something that happened a decade or even decades later, and he might not even be able to do it in his lifetime.
However, the plan that Chu Qian sent back made Liu Hong reject his previous idea.
According to Chu Qian's plan, the Han Dynasty should first incorporate the waters and coastal areas of Parthia into its territory, and then use this as a base to vigorously develop maritime trade and accumulate strength.
During this period, the Han Dynasty also used various means to plunge Parthia into turmoil, while simultaneously accumulating strength and winning over the hearts of the people.
After the Han Dynasty has accumulated enough strength in Parthia, it will send troops to organize the Parthian people to overthrow the Parthian rule. Finally, the Han Dynasty will act as the savior and organizer, control all affairs in Parthia, and achieve rule over Parthia.
Although this plan to overthrow Anxi will take a long time, it is nothing to Liu Hong.
In any case, the Han Dynasty is currently focusing all its energy on the Western Regions and the Kushan Empire. Dealing with Parthia is just a side matter. Even if it takes ten, twenty, or even thirty years, it doesn't matter.
Putting down the secret letter, Liu Hong breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on his face.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong...?"
Seeing the emperor's changing expressions, Cao Song, who had succeeded Chen Fan as chief minister, couldn't help but ask curiously.
Liu Hong smiled, then handed the secret letter in his hand to Zhang Rang, who was standing to the side, and said, "Read it to all of you!"
"Here you go!"
Zhang Rang respectfully accepted the secret letter and then loudly proclaimed, "Your subject, Chu Qian, pays homage to Your Majesty. During my return voyage, I was repeatedly harassed by the Parthian navy, which caused our fleet to be in trouble several times."
Therefore, I believe that there must be a military port belonging to the Han Dynasty in this Parthian Sea.
Then, using the power granted to me by Your Majesty, I led the navy to declare war on the Parthian navy and seized Parthian waters and all its ports.
Then, as the Parthian army arrived, I discovered that the Parthians treated their people like livestock, showing them no compassion whatsoever. I believed there was much that could be done, so I discussed a plan with the generals..."
Next, Chu Qian and the others discussed the general outline of the entire plan.
After hearing the contents of the letter, everyone in the hall felt a surge of overwhelming emotion.
Crazy, this is absolutely insane!
This is the shared sentiment of everyone in the hall.
Everyone knows that Han envoys are not to be trifled with. In the past, there have been Han envoys who destroyed countries, but those were just some insignificant small countries.
Now, Chu Qian, this Han envoy, is actually attempting to destroy a country with tens of millions of people and hundreds of thousands of soldiers, which truly shocked everyone present.
Just as everyone was in shock, Liu Hong asked, "What do you all think of Chu Qing's plan? Is it feasible?"
Upon hearing the emperor's question, everyone couldn't help but ponder it silently.
Before long, Cheng Yu stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I believe that although Chu Ling's plan seems somewhat impractical, it is not impossible if arranged properly."
After all, Parthia was bordered by the Kushan Empire to the east and Rome to the west, and it also had millions of Persians with ulterior motives and starving people who could erupt at any moment.
At this time of internal and external troubles, our great Han Dynasty can actually profit from it!
"Your Majesty, I also believe this plan is feasible, but the manpower and financial resources required for its follow-up are too great!"
The speaker was Cao Song. Faced with this massive plan, his first thought was still about the investment required.
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