Chapter 2320 2059: The Plot Revealed, the Dagger Drawn

Cao Cao's voice carried a chilling authority that even the Kushan envoy could feel without telepathy. This disdainful firmness made the Kushan envoy take notice, even curious about Cao Cao's identity. After all, the way he stepped forward to stop them suggested he was the one in charge!

"Your Highness, I am the Kushan envoy, presenting state documents and paying respects to the Han Dynasty. What qualifications does this man have to chastise me before you? I have heard the Han Empire is a land of etiquette, but what I see today is laughable!" said a previously silent Kushan envoy coldly, stepping forward.

Matters concerning the dignity of Kushan cannot tolerate insults from the Han Dynasty, not even if it means bloodshed here today. To enfeoff an Inner Chamber maid as a princess and offer her to Kushan as a consort is quite audacious. If you are unrighteous, do not blame me for being unjust. My Kushan commands an army of a million, though not versed in Han etiquette, haven't you heard? The wrath of the Emperor causes the downfall of millions.

Your Han Son of Heaven is an emperor, and likewise, my Kushan Emperor is also an emperor. The matter today has reached such a point; if you do not accord me face, why should I respect you? The dignity of Kushan is not one the Han Dynasty can lightly insult. If we lose in war, it is due to insufficient strength. But if we do not dare to face humiliation from the Han Dynasty, then our vast Kushan Empire does not deserve the title of empire!

"Ha!" Liu Tong, who initially wore a gentle expression with a consoling tone, now also collected her composure. Her wide sleeves, adorned with golden patterns on a red background, gave a gentle shake as she rose from her main seat.

"The etiquette of Han is prepared for friends, not for Kushan, hmph!" Liu Tong shot a wrathful glance at the Kushan envoy, then slowly turned to Cao Cao. "As for Cao Sikong, I find no fault with him. I am willing to explain to you because I consider you allies. But since you do not believe, let it be said here, whether you believe it or not!"

"Has Your Highness considered thoroughly?" inquired the forward-stepping Kushan envoy, who, unlike the previous speakers, displayed no humility. After he stepped forward, all Kushan envoys followed him as a leader.

"The last nation to speak to the Han Empire in such a way had its spirit and bloodline eradicated. I did not expect anyone still dared such!" Liu Tong clearly sensed the threat in the Kushan envoy's words and her voice turned several degrees colder.

"What I am does not matter to Your Highness, but in my view, Your Highness's position is unstable. On the contrary, this Cao Sikong seems more like the master. Since the Han Dynasty has no other princesses, why not let Your Highness marry my lord?" the Kushan envoy scoffed coldly.

With words uttered to this extent, what is there to fear? Your Han Dynasty is tough, isn't it? But we Kushan are not afraid either. If we cannot marry a princess, then marry your empress!

"Arrest them all!" Liu Tong said with a somber expression. Although she did not care about these things, she would never let others speak in such a way.

As soon as Liu Tong's words fell, two people from the Kushan diplomatic mission quickly retreated, preparing to fly away to inform Vasu Deva I of what had transpired in Weiyang Palace.

The situation had reached a point where no reconciliation was possible. Both Kushan and the Han Dynasty were considering their pride.

The Han Dynasty could not explain to outsiders why there were no princesses, and they disdained to concoct a falsehood to deceive Kushan.

Because the Han Dynasty now was no longer the Han Dynasty suppressed by the Huns. Those previous actions were inherently humiliating.

Whether enthroning maids as princesses or enthroning guilty members of the imperial clan as princesses, in the eyes of the Huns, they obtained a true princess, and even if the Han Dynasty knew it was false, they dared not speak, resorting instead to self-consolation.

After the Martial Emperor defeated the Huns at great cost, the Han Dynasty no longer stooped to such measures. Even when sending off a princess, they clearly stated, this is who we enthroned, be it a clan lady or a maid.

More crucially, whether a clan lady or a maid, by enthroning her as a princess and marrying her off, it was giving you face. You were to accept it as being granted face.

Thus, even facing Kushan, the Han Dynasty disdained disguise. A princess was not to be sent abroad, only enthroned. Now, there were no commandery princesses to offer; if a maid is presented to you and refused, then leave, what we don't have, we just don't have.

This was under Liu Tong's softened temperament. Had it been those previous warlike emperors, their response would likely have been simply, "No."

The Kushan envoy was equally aggrieved. They did not intend to genuinely marry a princess upon coming, fully understanding the situation that the Han princesses were not likely to marry out, so Kushan had prepared to settle for less from the start.

Under these circumstances, the Kushan envoy felt they gave Han considerable face and cared for Han's sentiments. Thus, finding a blood-related commandery princess to be enthroned as a princess, accommodating our feelings, seemed only appropriate, right?

However, reality unfolded contrary to the Kushan envoy's expectations. There were no commandery princesses, only maids, and the Kushan envoy's feeling at that moment was pure astonishment, as if saying "What, are we Kushan in the eyes of your Han Empire inferior even to a trash country like Wusun?"

Since you Han Dynasty do not regard us, why should we respect you? Indeed, as the scribe officer suggested, between nations, martial force is the only means of communication. You Han have no princess, alright then, our Kushan shall demand one by force.

The Kushan Empire, which can no longer expand, will inevitably clash with the Han Dynasty. Since you are unwilling to give, we will force our way until you do. With a million troops at the border, we will make you feel the pressure and see if a princess is worth all this effort.

As for whether you appoint a commandery princess or a palace maid, it doesn't matter. Bringing them to Kushan as spoils of war will already showcase the glory of Vasu Deva I and further reduce internal losses within Kushan.

This is the plan of his scribe, Zhuu Helai. If he can marry a princess of the Han Dynasty, all the better. If not, other methods are viable, for Vasu Deva I has no illusions of love for a princess of the Han Dynasty he has never seen.

To Vasu Deva I, a princess of the Han Dynasty is more a tool to showcase his own achievements and consolidate the strength of the nation.

Whatever the means, whether by seeking it or by coercion, once achieved, it is a success.

Even if it's a palace maid appointed by the Han Dynasty, as long as they are pressured into silence about the truth, it suffices.

So, if the formal means cannot secure an orthodox princess with Han bloodline, then using martial force is also an option.

Zhuu Helai and Vasu Deva I agreed on this when they dispatched the envoy. It's a strategy that, whether successful or not, can significantly stabilize the internal situation in Kushan.

If successful, there's no need to say more. With the prestige of Vasu Deva I's achievements, he can forcibly unite Kushan, making it a strong empire on par with the Han Dynasty and Rome.

If it fails, it mirrors the historical scenario of Yano Gaozhen. Such a historical re-enactment would make the Kushan nobility feel internal indignation again, sparking the desire to challenge the Han Dynasty. After all, Kushan has indeed become much stronger compared to a hundred years ago.

With such immense power yet unmatched status, their emperor of Kushan cannot even marry a commandery princess of the Han Imperial Clan. This clearly makes every Kushan noble aware of their standing in the eyes of the Han Empire.

As a result, nearly everyone in Kushan would fall into a state of distress and anger. United under a common goal, they would still possess the power to unify the entire nation.

In such a scenario, whether seizing the opportunity to consolidate the country, resolving internal conflicts, or deploying a million troops to force the Han Dynasty to send a princess outside as a bride, all are viable options.

Of course, after Vasu Deva I ordered the organization of a diplomatic mission to the Han Dynasty and Rome, Zhuu Helai prepared for the deployment of a million troops.

After all, deploying a million troops to shift internal conflicts externally and consolidate the overall strength of Kushan is inherently a dual benefit.

By then, if they win, they would avenge past humiliations, acquire a princess of the Han Dynasty, and greatly advance the spirit of the entire nation. Moreover, against the Han Dynasty, there would be no need for servile humility. As for domestic conflicts at that time—ridiculous! If even the Han Dynasty can be toppled, even if domestic tensions cannot be eliminated, the Kushan Empire would still be a top-tier empire!

Should they lose, it wouldn't be surprising. Even Yano Gaozhen, the founding emperor of Kushan, lost. It wouldn't be undeserved if they failed, given the overwhelming prowess of the Han Dynasty. At that point, acknowledging defeat and surrendering Zhuu Helai might suffice.

However, even if they lose, Zhuu Helai estimates that the Han Dynasty can't possibly eliminate their Kushan from the Western Regions and the Indochina Peninsula entirely, and logistical constraints make it nearly impossible for the Han Dynasty to destroy them completely.

Instead, after such a failure, the Central Asian and South Asian parts of Kushan will have a clearer understanding of themselves. There won't be as many conflicts as before between Kushan's Central Asia and South Asia.

This potent external force would be enough to hammer out all the dross within the cast iron of Kushan, turning this internally strife-ridden empire into a lump of refined iron or even a divine sword under the hammer blows of the Han Empire.

At that point, they might lose many territories and many lower-class people, but to Zhuu Helai, these are merely numbers. For the Kushan Empire to become an empire comparable to Rome or the Han Dynasty, this trial is absolutely essential.

Therefore, from the beginning, Kushan was prepared, and likewise, what Zhuu Helai's wisdom sought from the start was the empire's imperial ambition.

With such an endeavor, regardless of the Han Dynasty's response, whether granting a princess or fighting a bitter war, and whether Kushan wins or loses, as long as they don't face national destruction, there will be a reborn Kushan Empire among the ranks of top-tier empires after rebirth from fire.

As for Zhuu Helai's death, ha, the road forward for the empire is never short of sages willing to pave the way with their remains, nor heroes willing to become milestones.