"Well..."
Upon hearing Marcus Aurelius's request, Li Boming hesitated and pondered.
Marcus Aurelius added, "As for the price, we can set it according to the Han army's demands, as long as it's not too high!"
Li Boming said slowly, "Your Majesty, I can try to talk to the Chu envoy. As for whether it will be successful, that's hard to say. After all, brand-new weapons are also the foundation for the Han army's survival!"
Marcus Aurelius nodded: "Alright, if all else fails, we can buy a batch of older ones, at least they'll be better than the Parthian army's!"
"I understand!"
Subsequently, Marcus Aurelius dispatched several trusted men to escort Li Boming, who disguised himself as a caravan and headed towards Ansu City.
In the following days, the Roman army launched several attacks on the Parthian capital, but unfortunately, they failed to make any progress.
Just as Chu Qian, Cheng Pu and others predicted, the Parthian army, relying on the equipment of the Han army, held off the Romans, leading to a stalemate between the two sides.
The Roman army was also in a very difficult situation, unable to advance or retreat.
Marcus Aurelius then ordered the Parthian capital to be surrounded and sent men to search for supplies needed by the army.
October 20th.
After a long journey, entrusted by Marcus Aurelius, Li Boming and his party finally arrived in Ansu City.
Upon learning that Li Boming was representing Marcus Aurelius, Chu Qian put aside his own affairs and personally received him.
"Envoy of Chu, I am acting on the orders of Augustus, and I hope to purchase a batch of military equipment from our Han army!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Boming got straight to the point and stated the purpose of his visit.
"That might be a bit difficult!"
In front of Marcus Aurelius's men, Chu Qian shook his head with a troubled expression.
Li Boming frowned slightly: "Oh? Why is that?"
Chu Qian smiled and said, "There's no other reason. It's just that all the weapons that our army has phased out have been sold to the Parthians, and new weapons are being manufactured."
If Augustus wants it, he'll probably have to wait quite some time!
"How long will that take?" Li Boming asked again.
"That depends on how many people Augustus wants the equipment for. If it's less than 20,000, it will take two months. If it's 50,000, it will take five months."
"So long?"
Li Boming frowned and then whispered a few words to the confidants sent by Marcus Aurelius.
Then, Li Boming said, "The two months that Envoy Chu mentioned earlier should be the current construction speed, right?"
Chu Qian: "That's right, our army is small, and at this speed, we've reached our limit!"
"So, as long as there are people, you can build it faster?" one of Marcus Aurelius's confidants couldn't help but ask.
Chu Qian smiled and nodded: "That's one way to understand it!"
The trusted aide said, "That's easy. There are plenty of people in Parthia. We can send them over soon. As for the price, we can set it at your army's highest price!"
Chu Qian smiled and said, "If that's the case, then that would be for the best!"
"Then let's sign an agreement!" Li Boming suggested immediately.
"good!"
Subsequently, Li Boming, on behalf of Marcus Aurelius, signed an arms purchase agreement with the Han army.
The agreement was rather simple, stipulating only the prices of various arms, without specifying the purchase quantity or delivery date.
In short, the only value of this agreement is that it provides both parties with proof of the transaction, and either party can unilaterally tear it up at will.
After the agreement was signed, Chu Qian pulled Li Boming aside and chatted about everyday matters.
They are truly one family overseas. Although their status and position are different, it does not affect their pleasant conversation.
While chatting, Chu Qian casually asked, "By the way, how's the battle going over there? Will Augustus be able to conquer the Parthian capital soon?"
Li Boming shook his head: "Sigh, the situation is not good. I'm afraid the Roman army will not be able to break through the city in a short time!"
"How is that possible?"
Chu Qian frowned: "As far as I know, the Parthian garrison has no more than 60,000 men, and they are all new recruits, right?"
Li Boming gave a wry smile: "To be honest, Envoy Chu, the main reason is still because of the batch of equipment you sold to the Parthians!"
"No way?"
Chu Qian asked in surprise, "Those are all outdated equipment, and they can only equip about 30,000 people. How could they possibly withstand the attack of an army of 400,000?"
"Although those were outdated equipment, they were top-of-the-line for Parthia and Rome."
Li Boming said helplessly, "Moreover, I have also analyzed it. The main reason is that the Parthian army relied on the equipment advantage of the Han army, and they had no fear in their hearts. Their morale was high, which is why they were able to withstand the Roman army's attacks time and time again!"
This is also why Augustus sent me here to purchase military equipment.
"I see!"
Chu Qian nodded, then looked apologetically at Marcus Aurelius's confidant: "It was all my oversight. I thought that batch of weapons was useless, so I sold it to the Parthians. I never expected it would cause such a big problem for your army!"
Upon hearing this, the confidant hurriedly replied, "Envoy Chu, you are too kind. His Majesty has no opinion on this matter, but merely laments that he is inferior to the Han Dynasty."
Your Majesty knows that the Han Dynasty desires peace and tranquility more than anyone else, so how could we possibly aid the enemy?
"It's good that Augustus doesn't blame me!"
With that, Chu Qian said solemnly, "Please rest assured, esteemed army, we will definitely manufacture a batch of brand-new military equipment and send it to your army as soon as possible."
Our army still possesses fifty ballistae, enough to reach the walls of the Parthian capital. To express my apology, I have decided to send these ballistae to your army to lend you a helping hand!
"Thank you for your kind offer, Commander Chu, but crossbows are not easy to manufacture, and our army absolutely cannot accept them for free. We will pay whatever the price is due, Commander Chu, please do not be polite!"
Upon hearing Chu Qian's offer to donate crossbows, Marcus Aurelius's confidant solemnly proposed to purchase them.
He also knew that allies are allies, and formalities are formalities.
Ultimately, the two sides are still in an alliance of interests, and their relationship is not that good.
"Haha, since that's the case, then I'll sell it to you at cost price!"
Seeing that the other party was so sensible, Chu Qian's face was full of smiles.
Subsequently, Chu Qian ordered his men to bring out the crossbows and taught the people sent by Marcus Aurelius how to disassemble, assemble, and use them.
After Li Boming and his group left, Chu Qian began to order people to allocate food and various supplies in preparation for receiving the refugees.
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