Mythical Three Kingdoms

In fact, when Sheni Pei said these words, the Parthian Emperor had also set the tone for the Parthian generals, which was to treat the Han Army as an ally, but the Han Army is the Han Army, and Parthia is Parthia.

While relying on the Han Army for development, it is more important to strengthen one’s own strength. Vologases V is not foolish, he indeed regards the Han Army as an ally, but he is very clear that what belongs to the Han Army does not belong to himself.

As an ambitious and capable emperor, the greatest tolerance of Vologases V is for others to become an emperor just like him.

As for subservience, it is completely impossible for him, so although Vologases V values the support of the Han Dynasty, he cannot lower his status.

This is also why Vologases V requested Li Jue twice, but went to Armenia with his troops before Li Jue’s arrival.

Because if he did not do so, Vologases V would be waiting for a minister of the Han Dynasty, which would mean equating a minister of the Han Dynasty to the Parthian Emperor, naturally lowering the Han Dynasty by a level.

As for last time, when Li Jue saved Taysi Sealed, at that time Vologases V was humbly welcoming only because he had no other options, otherwise he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths, and now as the Parthian Empire gradually recovers, even if both parties are solid allies, attitudes must be maintained.

This is why Vologases V left first, leaving the Sassanid Fars to wait for the Han Army.

If the emperor of Parthia had to wait for the ministers of the Han Dynasty, where would the Parthian Empire’s dignity be? The Sassanid Fars welcoming them is sufficient in terms of status, and after all, Parthia is the host.

Even though the Parthian Emperor truly has no intention of harming the Han Army, being an empire, Parthia has its own interests and face. Ministers should courteously respond to the Han Army, treating them like honored guests, which is etiquette. But if it’s an emperor, Parthia cannot do that.

Back when the Han Dynasty was founded, the Huns gave the Han Dynasty a hard time, but even when the Huns sent envoys, they didn’t force the Han Dynasty to have the emperor greet them in person.

Moreover, in Vologases V’s view, they are allies. Although respect for the Han Army is needed, and the Han Army can maintain relative independence, as the Parthian Empire, it must be the leader. The Han Army comes as a support in the battlefield against Rome, to assist, and must understand this point, placing themselves correctly.

"Relying on another country for our nation’s future, in any case, is a mistake. The Parthian Empire must be strong not because of allies’ support, but by becoming strong itself. The Han Army is willing to help because they recognize us as allies, but the Han Dynasty is not our reliance." Vologases V stood up with both hands on the longsword, looking at everyone.

"Parthia’s reliance can only be its own power. Allies are allies, they can offer support, but remember, allies are not omnipotent. If we can’t stand on our own, even if the Han Dynasty can offer help, it would ultimately be of no real benefit!" Vologases V calmly looked at everyone present, and they all responded with serious expressions to his words.

"Remember, we have compensated the Han Dynasty, and undeniably, the army they sent far exceeded our expectations. But this is not our strength; it is the strength of the Han Dynasty. To speak bluntly, historically, we were once allies with Rome." Mehran Wald, after receiving Vologases V’s gaze, addressed everyone.

"They clearly regard us as allies, and these Han troops are indeed willing to put in effort. But as an empire, if we defeat Rome this way, can we still defeat Rome after they leave?" Wald spoke calmly, saying words that angered all the military generals present.

"I know you want to curse me now, but think about the two Military Spirit Legions of Rome, and the tens of thousands of Super Elites and those Demigods can we withstand them?" Wald saw the looks from the military generals as if they wanted to tear him apart, but he was fearless, continuing with a cold smile.

"Go ahead, Wald." Vologases V was very calm, looking at the sage from the Ragae Region’s branch of the Mehran Clan. Like the Han Dynasty, Parthia’s wisdom is also held by the nobility, and with Vologases V’s methods, some people eventually sided with him.

"No, we can’t. Although it’s hard to admit, realistically, we can’t defeat Rome. Our top level is not a match for Rome, though our middle and lower levels are not inferior to Rome, but our top level is no match for Rome!" Wald nodded and continued.

"Similarly, the Han Army is also clear about this, so the way they aid us is very practical. The soldiers they sent are all Super Elites, simply to make up for our disadvantages. They did not send tens of thousands of Miscellaneous Soldiers to fool us." Wald said slowly, "They know what we’re lacking and are willing to help us."

"Alright, now let me speak." Vologases V folded his hands, looking coldly at the crowd.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wald nodded and withdrew.

"The Han Dynasty truly wishes to lend us Parthians a hand, but opportunities like this won’t be frequent, perhaps even just this once. The strength of the Han Dynasty can be seen from this wave of dispatched troops. With their help, it’s almost impossible for us to lose to the Romans unless the Romans bring all their domestic elites!" Vologases V coldly informed all Parthians.

In fact, regardless of whether it is Sheni Pei, Chen Gong, or Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang, they all understand now why Jia Xu and others brought this group to Western Asia to assist Parthia.

Parthia has a vast middle and upper-middle-tier legion but lacks strong spearheads, while the Trap Formation, Xiliang Iron Cavalry, and Elite of Danyang make up for this disadvantage.

With mutual complement, under the joint efforts of Parthia and the Han Army, unless Rome dispatches its strongest elites from home, Parthians are virtually guaranteed to win.

Because of this near-certain winning situation, Parthians can continuously practice and develop their own spearheads modeled after the Han Army’s, allowing Parthians to grow stronger.

Essentially, Chen Xi, Jia Xu, and others at home indeed have the intention of aiding Parthia. Since they understand Rome’s strength, Chen Xi told Jia Xu, and others, thus aiding Parthia to hold on longer aligns with the Han Dynasty’s interests.

However, Zhuge Liang sincerely treats Parthians as their own people; though treating them as one’s own is not wrong, there must be a limit. Chen Xi aims to help and let Parthia strengthen itself, meaning we help you hold the line and withstand pressure, but you must fight the hard battles yourselves.

In reality, because neither Chen Xi nor Jia Xu personally went to Western Asia, now Zhuge Liang, Sheni Pei, and Chen Xi have shown clear bias in their considerations.

Precisely because Chen Xi allowed these people to act freely, resulting in Chen Gong and Sheni Pei, who have experienced the harsh northern environments, having no intention of aiding those of different cultures and ethnicities.

They are only willing to help Parthians due to obligations at the time, but to treat Parthians as their own? These two would never do it. Their basic thinking is to help if possible but calculate the losses first, or better yet, let us guard the scene instead.

Even with some malice, if Sheni Pei, Chen Gong, and that shamaness had the opportunity, they wouldn’t mind eliminating Parthia, of course, assuming the Han Dynasty could swallow it.

Zhuge Liang understands Chen Xi’s intention to assist the Parthians, but Zhuge Liang’s aid is essentially the Han Dynasty leading Parthians to fight Romans, offering little improvement to the Parthians themselves.

If the Han Dynasty helps Parthia take down the Roman Eastern Province, once the Han Army withdraws, the angry Romans would definitely flatten Parthia.

As for whether Zhuge Liang harbors any ulterior motives in doing so, it’s uncertain. But according to Sheni Pei’s previous words, whether it is genuine aid or trickery, leaving Parthia to fight its battles is not wrong.

At most, under genuine aid circumstances, they truly guard the formation, minimizing Parthia’s losses. But if it’s a trap for Parthia, when holding the line, if the Parthian Army collapses, they’ll pretend not to see.

Indeed, there is a strong suspicion that when Jia Wenhe suggested sending these people to the Western Regions, he harbored this malicious intent; whether we’re truly helping or setting traps, only this dangerous scenario reveals the truth.

As for other times, truthfully, no one can tell if the Han Army harbors malicious intent, as Jia Wenhe leaves no loopholes.

Even the most meticulous person cannot account for this scenario, especially without personal investigation, relying only on conjecture for conclusions about Roman and Parthian strengths.

After Vologases V clarified everything, all the military generals showed deep thought, understanding now that this wave of Han troops are genuine allies.

"The Han Army willing to help us to this extent is truly unexpected, probably largely because the Han Empire’s territory cannot connect with ours, but such aid may only come once." Vologases V looked at everyone.

"There will be only this one time. After this, if we are still unable to deal with Romans on our own, the next time the large army dispatched by the Han Army will likely just go through the motions. So-called allies, at least, must have the value of rescue, though it sounds harsh. In reality, the free deployment of the Han Army’s Military Spirit Legions grants them this privilege." Vologases V’s irritated expression even showed some understanding for this choice, because if it were him, he would choose the same.