Mythic version of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 6583 Pig!
Sometimes it doesn't really matter whether it is the true destiny or not. What matters is whether other people believe in it or not. And what can we say about the opportunity that Ardashir seized this time? At least the Parthian descendants in Central Asia had to believe it even if they didn't want to, because they had no choice.

When people are in extremely difficult conditions, they always need some support, perhaps belief, faith, or some illusory hope. In short, they need these things to keep going.

Ardashir's attack at this time, if nothing else, at least gave the descendants of the Parthians in Central Asia a glimmer of hope when they had no other choice.

Human beings are completely different when they have hope and when they have no hope.

"For Ardashir who failed to capture Kandahar and is trapped in Kabul, talking about so-called hope is simply nonsense." Chen Xi said calmly. Back then, under the planning of Zhu Helai and Tawasdes, it was Ardashir's last chance to turn the tables.

It can be said that if Ardashir had really captured Kabul, Kandahar, and the mountain city of Bactria at that time, it could be said that the situation was already established. After all, these places were combined, relying on the dangers of mountains and rivers and backed by the Kushan Empire. Even the Han Dynasty would have found it difficult to conquer them. If they could seize one or two opportunities later, a turnaround would not be impossible.

However, that time, due to Chen Zhong's decisive backstab and Ma Chao's long journey to intercept Ardashir, the original strategy collapsed directly, and Ardashir only took Kabul. Although it was several times better than in the Caucasus, it was only a safe haven.

Again, even if Cao Cao's men were ambushed, as long as they defended Kandahar, no matter how much Ardashir won, it would not change the outcome.

The dangers of mountains and rivers are a benefit to Ardashir, but they also restrict Ardashir's expansion. Just like ancient China, after developing to a certain level, it would be restricted by the mountains and rivers that protected China.

"You all think so highly of Cao Sikong?" Jia Xu asked, glancing at Chen Xi.

"Although I don't like Cao Sikong's personality and style, the people under Cao Sikong are indeed capable. I have always believed that Cao Sikong can break through Kabul and Khyber." Chen Xi said calmly, "It's just a matter of time at most."

Why was Cao Cao placed in Beigui? Because among the major forces of the current Han Dynasty, only Liu Bei and Cao Cao could gain a foothold in Beigui in the early days, and the other forces could not hold on at all.

Just think about Zhuge Liang's expedition to Qishan and you will know that although the mountain roads in Qinling Mountains are difficult to travel, there is still a clear gap compared to the natural dangers of Beigui. Therefore, facing such dangerous mountains and rivers, without a tough opponent to hold them down, Beigui can only mobilize more forces.

"Do you all think so?" Jia Xu said with a sneer.

"I think you've gone too far. Cao Sikong's ability is trustworthy, but if you still trust him after so many things have happened, you're underestimating the world. Ardashir is also waiting for an opportunity." Jia Xu sneered and said, "Kandahar's mountains and rivers are indeed dangerous, but people's hearts are the last barrier. Cao Sikong has already lost people's hearts."

Chen Xi's face darkened when he heard this, but he did not deny Jia Xu's judgment. When it did not involve himself, all of Jia Xu's plans were perfect. When it involved himself, all of his self-protection plans were also perfect. He was such a perfect counselor.

"I'm worried that Cao Sikong won't be able to defend Kandahar, especially this time." Jia Xu said seriously, "It's not that Xun Yu and Xun You are not strong, but they have fallen into a dilemma of human nature. And as Ardashir shows some characteristics, Cao Sikong's weak foundation will naturally be exposed, which will be fatal."

Chen Xi looked solemn when he heard this. After listening to Jia Xu's words, he had to admit that what the other party said made sense. Indeed, if Ardashir showed his heroic side, it might indeed shake the foundation of Kandahar, especially when Cao Cao had indeed lost the support of the people.

"Master Jia, actually what you said is based on the existence of Ardashir's destiny." Zhuge Liang stopped the work in his hands, sat up straight and spoke to Jia Xu.

“But in the current situation, Ardashir seized the opportunity. Even if there is no destiny, after he stood up, the remnants of the Parthian Empire in Central Asia would recognize this destiny because they have no choice.” Jia Xu said very seriously. It doesn’t matter whether it is destiny or not. What matters is whether other people believe in it. If other people believe in it, then it is the Manifest Destiny. If other people don’t believe in it, then it is bullshit.

But this is the problem now. In this kind of environment, we have to believe it!

Even once it becomes a major trend, even Cao Cao's subordinates may believe it.

"Don't worry. When Ardashir raised his banner, revealed his identity, and really began to absorb the remnants of Central Asia, his destiny exploded. I think Xun Wenruo and his people chose to retreat completely at this time in order to take advantage of the situation and completely destroy Ardashir's legitimacy." Zhuge Liang said calmly.

Originally, the strategy of sitting on the ground was very reliable, but due to the locust plague, Cao Cao had to retreat, and was then severely beaten by Ardashir who did not encounter the locust plague.

It is precisely because of this operation that Jia Xu’s statement that Ardashir has the destiny comes into being. Without this operation, Ardashir is basically nonsense.

"It exploded?" Jia Xu looked at Zhuge Liang in confusion. What was going on?
"Let me look for some information." Zhuge Liang flipped through the folder on his side for a long time before finding the information he wanted. He then handed it to Jia Xu. This was a recalculation of the approximate sunny and rainy zones around the world based on the planetary atmospheric circulation map after the Gan and Shi families were hammered by the locusts.

Jia Xu looked down at the information, his expression becoming more and more strange, but the sudden enlightenment of knowledge in his eyes and brows was still easy to see. The more he read the information, the more satisfied he became, because this information solved many of his doubts and gave him a more accurate understanding of the climate.

Jia Xu also has the ability to predict the weather by observing the clouds. After all, this is part of astronomical phenomena, and top counselors must have this ability. However, the long-term observation time of this ability is limited. Based on this information, the general direction can be seen very far in the long term.

"Although I can't say I like him very much, I still have to say that the destiny lies with Sikong Cao, not Ardashir. What Ardashir is doing now and the destiny he has shown are more like the civil officials under Cao's command relying on the other party's destiny to consolidate their own foundation. Maybe they will even use ghosts and gods to shock the people later." Zhuge Liang said indifferently.

After reading it, Jia Xu was amazed. With this information, a whole set of ways to manipulate destiny naturally emerged in Jia Xu's mind. What is Ardashir's destiny? This is the destiny of their Han Dynasty!
"With the advancement of various secret arts and technology, the gap between the empire and the non-empire is further widening. If the opponent is the Kushan Empire, we have to worry about the possibility that they can resist this future when necessary, but Ardashir can't do it." Zhuge Liang sorted out the information and said casually, "What's more, Cao's civil officials should have been prepared."

Jia Xu nodded when he heard this. Indeed, if it was Kushan, they would definitely be able to hold on for a while. When they fought with Guan Yu, the Han Dynasty and Kushan directly held on to the rainy season and prevented it from coming. This ability, not to mention how strong it is, is definitely enough to guard against the enemy's operations.

Ardashir did not have this ability. The materials left behind by the Parthian Empire might contain a lot of very good things, but it was still a question how effective these things could be in Ardashir's hands. And there was also a very important point: there were some things that Ardashir could not use even if he got them.

"But this seems quite dangerous." Fa Zheng said with a frown. He also looked at the climate distribution map when Jia Xu was looking at it, and roughly understood what Cao Cao was thinking now, but this plan was quite uncertain.

"Even if Sikong Cao has become Gongtai's toy, does he still like gambling so much?" Chen Xi was a little surprised, while Zhuge Liang had a blank expression.

"Take a gamble. If you win, you might turn the tables. But if you lose, let's just deal with it later. Anyway, you can't lose more miserably." Fa Zheng had a casual expression on his face, and Chen Xi was speechless after hearing what he said. Considering Cao Cao's current situation, it seemed to be true.

"As far as I'm concerned, although this matter with Cao Sikong has an element of gambling, I think the success rate is not low. Moreover, problems like human hearts can be mostly solved this time. As long as you don't do anything stupid in the future, many problems will no longer be problems." Jia Xu was very optimistic about this plan.

Everyone casually discussed the embarrassing situation of Cao Sikong Kandahar after being surrounded by Ardashir, and analyzed the subsequent situation based on their own understanding of Cao Cao. Generally speaking, they were still optimistic about Cao Cao. There was no other way. Unless Ardashir could quickly defeat Cao Cao and directly enter Kandahar, all the early victories would have to be returned to Cao Cao, and even his own destiny would have to be returned to Cao Cao.

"Emergency tip." Just as Chen Xi and others were happily discussing Cao Sikong's subsequent counterattack, the guards from the intelligence outlet arrived at the State Council with urgent intelligence.

Guo Jia frowned slightly when he heard this, and had a bad feeling in his heart. He took the urgent intelligence report and opened it. After a quick glance, Guo Jia's expression became gloomier, and his eyes could not hide the coldness.

"What happened?" Chen Xi looked at Guo Jia and asked. He was the only one present who could ask directly. For others, the secret reports from the intelligence department needed to be copied depending on the circumstances.

"Media has fallen." Guo Jia said coldly. Chen Xi was puzzled when he heard this. What? What? How could Media have fallen? This was the largest trading city between the Han Dynasty and Rome in Central Asia. There was an entire imperial guard stationed there...

Ah, fuck! Ma Chao fled to Northern Europe before, and now there is no one stationed in Media. Before the locust plague, because of the deterrence of Rome and the Han Dynasty, the city could continue to be maintained even without troops stationed there, and no one in the local area dared to provoke it. But now the second round of locust plague has swept across Central Asia, and the local people have no food to eat. No matter how great the deterrence of the Han Dynasty and Rome is, it is not greater than starving to death.

After robbing the Media trading city, the most that Rome and the Han Dynasty could do was to send people to hunt down and kill all those involved in this matter. The problem was that if they didn't do that, they would starve to death now. It would be better to just rob them directly. At least if they robbed them directly, they wouldn't die now. If they were lucky later, they could find a corner to hide and they might not die.

In that case, what other choice is there? Of course, rob it.

"What is the Zhen family doing!" Chen Xi was furious, because the Zhen family had been doing some democratic voting instead of working on any fiefdoms. In the end, they relied on Liu Bei and Chen Xi to get the area near Media Trading City as a fiefdom. It could be said that they had been clinging to the big guys until the end and got their support.

The other families were actually very envious of this. After all, the prosperity of Media was no joke. It had once been the capital of the Parthian Empire and was considered the core area. Even if it had been looted by Rome, it would be a treasure land again if it was properly developed in the future.

Relying on their own strength, experience in controlling business, and the support of Liu Bei and Chen Xi, the Zhen family successfully took over the Media trading city. They were considered to be the people sent by the Han Dynasty to exercise mutual restraint with Rome.

Considering that Ma Chao basically didn't care about anything, the Zhen family only needed to develop, and it could be said that they were the most comfortable family among all the noble families. As a result, now the Media Trading City was taken down by bandits. Fuck, where is the face of the Han Empire and the Roman Empire? They were dragged to the ground and trampled by bandits!
"There is no very detailed information yet, but the Media Trading City fell yesterday. A large number of bandits broke into the Media Trading City and killed, burned and looted." Guo Jia replied expressionlessly.

"That was a city at the level of a secondary capital, and it fell just like that?" Li Youren was dumbfounded. What the hell was the Zhen family doing? How did a mere bandit take it down?

To be frank, let alone bandits, even if it was Ardashir who attacked the Media Trading City, they could at least hold out for a month or two. How come it fell just after we received the news? Are the Zhen family pigs?

"It's probably a collaboration between inside and outside. After all, Mediah Trading City is a mixed bag, and there are some people with bad intentions inside." Zhuge Liang tried his best to comfort Chen Xi and Li You. Both of them now looked a little gloomy.

"Let the head of the Zhen family come over. I remember he seems to be still in his hometown." Chen Xi closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was no trace of warmth in his eyes.

This is not a matter of losing territory anymore, this is a matter of pigs, okay? For this capsize, the Han Dynasty needs to give an explanation to Rome, because this was a trading city jointly managed by the two countries, with the Han Dynasty and Rome each holding half. After Ma Chao attacked, he handed it over to the Han Dynasty for trusteeship, but the Han Dynasty turned around and let the Media trading city fall into the hands of bandits!

(End of this chapter)