"this……"
Upon hearing Li Ru's conditions, the Roman envoy was taken aback.
For Rome, a nation founded on military might, it was always about having others submit to them, pay tribute, and cede territory.
Now, the tables have turned, and the Roman envoys are naturally finding it hard to accept.
Seeing the Roman envoy's reluctant expression, Li Ru's face turned cold: "It seems that your envoy has no sincerity. In that case, my department will fetch those things ourselves. See the guest out!"
As soon as Li Ru finished speaking, the two warriors guarding outside the tent came in and tried to pull the Roman envoy out.
"Wait...we can agree..."
Seeing that he was about to be dragged out, the Roman envoy immediately shouted.
Before setting off, Kang Maode had instructed him that he would accept any condition as long as the Xianbei and Xiongnu did not want his city of Rome. Li Ru's condition was just on the edge of Kang Maode's bottom line.
Although ceding all the passes would expose the Roman heartland to the iron hooves of the Xianbei and Xiongnu, Commodus did not have the extra troops to defend those passes even if he did not cede them.
After some discussion, the Roman envoy agreed to all of Li Ru's conditions and signed the corresponding agreement.
During this matter, He Lian and Xie Zhiyu, who were standing to the side, did not say a word. They listened to whatever Li Ru said.
After the Roman envoy left, Li Ru immediately began to mobilize troops.
"Sir, are you planning to personally lead the troops again this time?"
Seeing Li Ru begin to gather his generals, He Lian couldn't help but ask with a worried expression.
Li Ru smiled and nodded: "That's right. This battle is not only related to our future development, but it may also be our last battle. I don't trust anyone else to handle it!"
"Does the gentleman really intend to help that Commodus? I've heard that those who oppose Commodus are Liu Bei and Sun Jian, who came from the Han Dynasty!"
He Lian still feels lingering fear when Liu Bei, Sun Jian, and others are mentioned.
"Your Majesty is overthinking it. We are sending troops for ourselves, not for Kang Maode."
My real target is not Rome, but Gaul, Germania and other northwestern lands.
"As long as my tribe occupies those places, future generations will be able to enjoy peace forever..."
Thinking of the several places of turmoil mentioned in the emperor's message, a cold look appeared on Li Ru's face.
"In that case, we'll leave it to you to arrange things, sir!"
Hearing that Li Ru had his own plans, neither He Lian nor Xie Zhiyu said much.
The reason for this, besides their complete trust in Li Ru, is mainly that all of Li Ru's plans are for the benefit of the two tribes, so they have nothing to say about it.
Five days later, a total of 60,000 elite cavalrymen from the Xianbei and Xiongnu tribes gathered together and, led by Li Ru, headed towards the border of the Germanic province.
At the beginning of the army's departure, Li Ru sent a messenger ahead to the German province to explain the matter of borrowing passage.
Because of their previous cooperation, the German king immediately agreed to Li Ru's request after receiving Li Ru's message.
...
December 30th.
Snowflakes drifted down from the gloomy sky.
Li Ru patted his warhorse and subconsciously held his breath.
"Winter in the western lands is much colder than in the Han Dynasty!"
Feeling the biting cold wind, Li Ru couldn't help but sigh, turning his head to look at the eastern horizon, his eyes filled with longing.
One of Li Ru's trusted confidants stepped forward and said, "Sir, after today, it will be the thirtieth year of the Kaiyuan era. It shouldn't be long before you can return!"
"Um!"
Li Ru nodded without saying a word, but the promise he made to the emperor when he left Yangguan in the west couldn't help but come to mind.
Just then, a scout came galloping from the front of the column.
Upon seeing this, Li Ru's confidant immediately stepped forward, asked a few questions, and then rode back to Li Ru's side.
"Sir, the scouts report that the pass of the German province is about twenty miles away. They have already opened the pass and are waiting for our army after learning of our arrival!"
Li Ru nodded, his face grave, and said, "While I, Li Ru, am ruthless in my actions, I never break my promises. Yet, in order to return to the Han Dynasty as soon as possible, I have no choice but to commit this act of betrayal!"
“Sir, you once said that whether countries cooperate or become enemies, it is all driven by interests. For the sake of one’s own people, anything can be forgiven…” Hearing Li Ru’s sentiments, his confidant also spoke up to advise him.
"Sigh, I'm getting old after all, and I can't help but feel compassion. Alright, let's go!"
Hearing the advice of his trusted subordinates, Li Ru couldn't help but chuckle to himself before leading his team to continue onward.
As dusk fell, Li Ru led 60,000 cavalrymen to the pass of the German province.
This pass was originally built by the Roman Empire to defend against northern barbarians. It was the gateway to the entire northwest region. Once this pass was breached, the entire northwest region, including the Germanic and Gaulish areas, would be within the range of barbarian attacks.
However, those barbarian tribes had already been destroyed by the Xianbei and Xiongnu, and the Germanic tribes had cooperated with both tribes. In addition, the influence of the Taiping Religion had kept the relationship between the two sides very harmonious, so they did not pay much attention to this place.
Furthermore, with all the independent provinces now eager to attack Rome, the entire garrison at the pass numbered only a little over three thousand.
When Li Ru's army arrived at the pass, the garrison inside the pass showed great enthusiasm and came out to welcome them.
In their view, the Xianbei and Xiongnu must have come as reinforcements to join them in attacking Rome.
After entering the city, Li Ru found the guard of the pass and said with a smile, "According to our Eastern customs, today is New Year's Eve. Our army will be holding a banquet. We hope that you will all do us the honor of coming. We will drink until we drop!"
"Yes, sir, rest assured, we will definitely participate!"
The general guarding the pass readily accepted Li Ru's invitation.
The 60,000 cavalrymen stationed at the pass also began to decorate their camp with lanterns and hold a grand banquet, celebrating the upcoming New Year with the invited garrison troops.
This year's Lunar New Year's Eve is different from usual.
After tonight, it will be the thirtieth year since the emperor ascended the throne.
For thirty years, people have witnessed the Han Dynasty, under the leadership of the emperor, gradually rise from decline to prosperity and finally dominate the world.
The people have gone from being unable to feed themselves thirty years ago to having enough to eat and wear today.
All of this was brought about by the Emperor, therefore, this year was also a year of extraordinary significance for the people of the entire Han Dynasty.
While enjoying their New Year's Eve dinner, everyone was also praying that the Han Dynasty would remain so prosperous and powerful in the next thirty, three hundred, or even three thousand years.
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