Chapter 2324 - 2063: Unstoppable Ambition

After the Kushan’s boastful six Military Spirit Legions demonstrated a corresponding power in the Han Dynasty, Rome profoundly agreed that with just one reinforcement, the Han Dynasty could produce three Military Spirit Legions, and potentially more than six.

Although it was clear that only one of the three Military Spirit Legions was complete while the other two were obviously incomplete, doesn’t this precisely indicate the caution of the Han Dynasty?

As long as the Military Spirit Legion is not completely destroyed, it can recover quickly. This is one of the greatest advantages of the Military Spirit Legion. By deploying one fully integrated Military Spirit Legion and two fragments of Military Spirit Legions, not only did the Han Dynasty display its rightful power, but it also demonstrated a considerable deterrent. At least now, the Romans seemed to be somewhat intimidated by the Han Dynasty.

Similarly, after providing evidence of Han’s willfulness, Kushan also felt the same pressure as Rome. What was once considered boasting was finally proven true, and Kushan felt immense pressure, never expecting the Han Dynasty to be so powerful.

This is also why the Roman Parliament, even before Severus returned, began to spontaneously seek allies; the Han Dynasty was too insane.

However, by this time, Rome did not directly propose an alliance with Kushan but only hinted at it, and Dilip also did not give a clear response to the other party. Yet both sides understood each other’s objective, which was the incomprehensible Han Dynasty with its bizarre mindset.

"Since both you and I share the same target, then we don’t mind telling you a plan. The Han Dynasty is strong, but we Romans plan to fight back," Papinian said coldly, "We are not ones to be easily manipulated."

Though Severus has not yet returned, the Roman Parliament has unified its thoughts. Regardless of the dreadful power the Han Dynasty exhibits, this battle must be fought; the Romans, who dominate the Mediterranean Sea, are not accustomed to being attacked without retaliation.

As for Ganasis’s peace talks, they can understand. When weak, standing out strongly only leads to significant losses. Halting the war calmly, accumulating power, waiting for clarity in domestic affairs, and mobilizing the army to achieve a decisive victory is undoubtedly the best strategy from any standpoint.

No matter what, there needs to be an explanation for the destruction of the Thirteen Roses Legion. Regardless of the Han Empire’s might, Rome needs to fight, and Roman people, who view the Mediterranean as their own bath, will not lose their will to fight because of a temporary setback.

"Then let me wish you victory in advance." Dilip said after a moment of silence, "We will lend a hand if necessary."

Papinian didn’t harbor too much hope for Kushan. The Roman Parliament organized Rome’s sages for a large-scale future simulation, ultimately deciding they must take down Parthia, regardless of whether the Han Dynasty would supply Parthia or not; they needed to eliminate Parthia.

Because Romans clearly understood that no matter how weak Parthia seemed, it was still an empire. After hundreds of years of persistent struggle against Parthia, and yet not having defeated Parthia completely, they knew what sort of foundation Parthia had; it was a quite powerful country.

This country now seemed quite weak compared to Rome. After Severus quelled the internal rebellion of Rome, defeated the northern barbarians one by one, and incorporated them into the Roman territory, the troops stationed in the western, northern, and southern Mediterranean could be completely integrated.

This era is the best opportunity for Rome to annihilate Parthia. Similarly, because of Parthia’s weakness accumulated over a century, even if Vologases V rose briefly, it would be impossible to challenge the Romans in a short time.

Precisely speaking, without the Han Dynasty supplying blood, Vologases V would at most struggle for a short period and could be quickly defeated once the Romans focused on it.

This is no longer a question of whether the emperor is wise and talented but a matter of the vast difference in hard power between the two sides.

The hundred-person think tank organized by the Roman Parliament connected their thoughts and checked for omissions and deficiencies. Their judgment, in fact, almost mirrored a revised version of the Roman-Parthian war without Han intervention. Vologases V was indeed a capable emperor, but he had too many tasks to handle and too little time.

In the true history of the first Battle of the Two Rivers, Vologases V defeated the Romans, recaptured Mesopotamia, and swept away the atmosphere of loss that had pervaded the country for a century with no gains from Rome. Under Vologases V’s strong arm, the country began to integrate.

If Vologases V could be given another twenty years or even ten years, even if Parthia were to lose, it would not result in the scale of destruction of the nation.

Severus’s method was foolish, but his choice was undoubtedly the most correct. Under the rule of Vologases V, Parthia had clearly shown signs of national power rising. If it continued like this, even if Rome could win, it would be hard to gain the greatest benefits.

Severus was considered the curtain call after the Five Wise Emperors. His era was the time when the Roman military was at its peak strength, with thirty-three Eagle Banner Legions, the Severus Legion, the First Parthian Legion, the Second Parthian Legion, and other powerful frontline legions being calculated in tens of thousands.

The soldiers’ pay increased fivefold; being a soldier was no longer an obligation, a glory, but a profession, a glorious career that also accounted for personal interests.

This method, apart from the later Industrial Era, any other country, in the Feudal Era, had no way to maintain for a long time because there wasn’t enough money.