After returning to Ansu City, Chu Qian also began to arrange the resettlement of the Parthian refugees.
Just as Chu Qian and others had predicted, this war resulted in nearly five million refugees in western Parthia.
These refugees might have been an unbearable burden for Anxi before, but for Chu Qian and his group, they were a rare source of labor.
Fortunately, Chu Qian and his group had made preparations in advance and purchased a large amount of grain from Rome and other places through the port, which was enough to ensure the resettlement of these refugees.
Because the Roman army was influenced by the Taiping Religion during the war, it did not harm these refugees too much. Therefore, these refugees had a good impression of the Han Dynasty and were very compliant with the arrangements made by Chu Qian and others.
Chu Qian selected 700,000 able-bodied men from among these refugees and arranged for them to work in factories and workshops under construction, engaging in agricultural tools, iron smelting, shipbuilding, and arms manufacturing. The remaining people were dispersed to more than 50 cities in the south, where they were allocated land and grain.
After two months of hard work, these refugees were finally settled in a preliminary manner.
December 20th.
Inside the council hall of the Ansu City Lord's Mansion.
Chu Qian was holding three lists in his hand, carefully checking them.
Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and several other generals, along with the heads of several ordnance factories, were not far away.
The three lists in Chu Qian's hands were the details of the first batch of military equipment that needed to be sent to Rome.
After carefully reviewing the list, Chu Qian looked at Cheng Pu and asked in a deep voice, "Has this batch of weaponry been tested?"
Cheng Pu nodded: "Envoy Chu, rest assured, everything has been tested. Although this batch of weapons is superficially far superior to the Roman equipment..."
However, their swords, spears, and arrows could not damage our armor, and our armor could not stop our swords, spears, and arrows.
Moreover, they were given inferior steel, far less durable, which would render the steel unusable after one or two battles, ensuring our army a long-term, stable source of income from them!
"very good!"
After listening to Cheng Pu's introduction, Chu Qian nodded in satisfaction.
"Since Commander Chu thinks there's no problem, then I'll arrange for someone to send this batch of weapons over right away?" Cheng Pu asked.
"No rush!"
Chu Qian waved his hand, then picked up the three lists and handed them to Cheng Pu: "Reduce the amount of military equipment to be sent to Marcus Aurelius to 30%, and reduce the amount to the provinces and the Senate to 10%!"
"this……"
Cheng Pu was slightly taken aback. "Why is that?"
Chu Qian explained with a smile, "Things are valued for their rarity. We need to let them know that the reason our army's weapons and equipment are so powerful is because they are not easy to manufacture, so they won't have any wild ideas."
Furthermore, Marcus Aurelius is now practically one of us, so it's only right that we support him a bit more!
"I see!"
Cheng Pu nodded with a look of realization, then asked, "What about the extra weapons? What should we do with them?"
Chu Qian thought for a moment, then said, "We can sell the extras to the Parthians and Persians, or at the very least, to the Kushans in the east."
"Isn't His Majesty and the court plotting against the Kushans? Let's use these scraps of metal to bleed them dry!"
"That's for the best!"
Upon hearing Chu Qian's words, Cheng Pu and the others smiled knowingly.
"Report!"
Just then, a guard rushed into the council chamber with a messenger.
"Reporting to the messenger and generals, His Majesty has issued an edict of bestowal of titles and rewards!"
"Oh? Where is it?"
Upon hearing the guard's report, Chu Qian immediately stood up with a "whoosh," completely losing the composure he had displayed as a Han envoy.
The messenger stepped forward and said, "His Majesty has dispatched three vice ministers, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and Zhang Zhao, with an imperial edict, leading a large number of officials, scholars, and artisans. They are on their way by ship and are still four days' sea voyage from the port of Linhai!"
No sooner had the messenger finished speaking than Cheng Pu said impatiently, "Envoy Chu, time is of the essence, let's hurry over to greet him!"
The faces of the other generals in the hall were also filled with excitement and anticipation.
These people had been at sea for more than two years, and on the land of Parthia, they devoted themselves so wholeheartedly, apart from their faith, all for the sake of gaining the emperor's recognition and reward.
It's understandable that people would lose their composure now that the imperial edict is about to arrive.
Chu Qian immediately came to the group and said, "Everyone, go back and prepare yourselves. We'll set off right away!"
"good!"
After everyone agreed, they quickly walked outside.
Soon, the group was ready, and then rode their fast horses towards the port.
After two days and nights of continuous travel, Chu Qian and his group finally arrived at the port before the fleet arrived.
Upon receiving the news, Jian Shuo also rode a fast horse and rushed over in a great hurry.
After resting for two days and undergoing a period of bathing and fasting, the group changed into Han Dynasty official robes on the morning of the fourth day and arrived at the port's dock together.
Around noon, a massive fleet appeared on the horizon, much larger than the one Chu Qian had previously used on his mission.
This fleet, in addition to the officials, students, craftsmen and merchants led by Tian Feng and others, also included 10,000 newly dispatched naval personnel from Liu Hong and people sent by various families.
Soon, the ship carrying Tian Feng and his group entered the port and docked at the pier.
After disembarking from the deck, Tian Feng, holding the imperial edict, walked ahead of the others towards Chu Qian and the others.
Chu Qian immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I am Chu Qian, and I respectfully welcome the angel's arrival!"
"Welcome, angels!"
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