Author: Gongsun Wujiu

"Is this a good opportunity for the Han Dynasty to expand westward?"

Zhang Yue couldn't help but start thinking about this issue.

Zhang Yue carefully recalled the records of the Parthian Empire in later generations.

The predecessor of the Parthian Empire was just one of the territories of the Seleucid Dynasty.

In the third century BC, a nomadic people came to the northern part of the Iranian plateau. The Persians called them the Panais (Parthia).

In fact, this nation used to live on very vast grasslands.

To put it simply, the living habits of the Huns are very close, and because of this, their people are also very strong and powerful, and their folk customs are sturdy.

Not long after they moved here, they joined forces with the locals to prepare to jointly resist the rule of the Seleucid dynasty.

At this time, the Seleucid dynasty was still busy fighting for hegemony with the Ptolemaic dynasty.

The Seleucid dynasty had no intention of taking care of the problems on the Iranian plateau, so they soon established the independent Parthian Kingdom.

If this were the case, the Kingdom of Parthia would actually be similar to the Kingdom of Dawan.

But they were lucky, as Rome was also expanding externally at this time.

After the Romans successfully conquered Italy and the west coast of the Mediterranean, they immediately set their next target at the Seleucid Empire on the east coast of the Mediterranean.

Due to being attacked by the powerful Rome for a long time, Seleucid's dominance declined day by day.

The Seleucid Empire soon fell apart, and many regions became independent small kingdoms.

Faced with such a favorable situation, the Parthian Kingdom began the process of external expansion after a short period of consolidation.

Their first goal was to lead a powerful cavalry force to capture Media, a particularly important transportation hub city at the time.

Since then, the Parthian Kingdom has entered the prosperous Mesopotamia.

Fifty years ago, they successively captured Seleucia and Babylonia, two of the richest cities in Central Asia.

Then they expanded further eastward until they encountered Kangju and Dayuezhi.

If the Kangju people had not been defeated by the Han because of their eastward march, the Parthians would have actually given up their plan to march eastward.

After being defeated by the Kangju and Yuezhi people, the Parthian Empire turned to the Armenian region in the northwest.

Judging from the intelligence collected so far, the Parthians' expansion in the west should be quite smooth, and they have now annexed Armenia.

Not only that, they also moved their capital to Ctesiphon in the western border area.

Judging from the series of actions of the Parthians, it is obvious that the goals of the Parthian Empire have not changed compared to another time and space.

Their goal is still to expand westward.

The Parthian Empire at this time should be at its peak. According to historical records, they should have a population of 8-10 million at this time.

However, the Romans also continued to expand eastward, and the two empires would soon clash head-on.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yue judged in his mind that it might be better to move westward later.

In addition, Zhang Yue also thought about the situation in the Western Region at this time, which is still under full construction.

Whether it is Chidao or local construction, huge manpower and material resources are needed.

He made some calculations in his mind and roughly calculated that the maximum number of troops that the Han army in the Western Regions could dispatch could not exceed 30,000, and it could only last for half a year.

Zhang Yue sighed, "It seems that this is not the time to advance westward!"

Since the Han army is temporarily unable to advance westward, what should be done in the interests of the Han Dynasty?

…

While Zhang Yue was thinking about the future development, Du Ling also officially began to give lectures to the emperor in Weiyang Palace.

"Does your Majesty understand the responsibilities of the emperor?"

Du Ling was different from other doctors in that he did not focus on teaching Confucian classics, but instead discussed the emperor's responsibilities.

The sutra feast, which was completely different from the past, suddenly aroused the emperor's interest.

The little emperor thought for a moment and said,

"As an emperor, you should ensure the peace of the country, select talents, appease the people, select officials, punish evil and evil, and reward good..."

Du Ling said, "Good, your Majesty is wise..."

The little emperor was not very happy when he heard this, but asked instead, "What do you think, Duke Du?"

Du Ling said, "I believe that the emperor is the hope of the world... When your majesty becomes the emperor, he will have the responsibility to govern the world..."

The emperor asked, "What does Duke Du think I should do to govern the world well?"

Du Ling shook his head and said, "I don't know either!"

When the emperor heard this, not only was he not disappointed, but he became even more interested.

He felt that this Du Ling was completely different from the doctoral literature he had taught in the past.

Doctors in literature always tell themselves what they should do when they are having a banquet, but Du Ling is the only one who doesn't know what to say.

The emperor asked, "Why did Duke Du say this?"

Du Ling said, "I am just a minister... I am not standing high enough to see the whole picture clearly... How can I dare to govern the world..."

The little emperor did not give up, "In this case, who does Duke Du think I should ask for advice?"

Du Ling thought for a moment and said, "I'm afraid there are only two people in the world who can provide advice to His Majesty!"

The little emperor suddenly became interested when he heard this, "What Duke Du said is that one person should be a general, but I don't know who the other person is?"

Du Ling said, "It's none other than the Great Protector of the Western Regions, Weiyuan General Yunyang Houyue!"

The little emperor suddenly recalled the scene of meeting Zhang Yue, "It turned out to be Marquis Yunyang!"

The emperor suddenly asked, "What do you think, sir, of the words of the doctors?"

Du Ling did not answer this question directly, but began to talk about what he knew about the civilization of the Dharabids (ancient India).

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

The emperor said thoughtfully, "Although the country is large and forgets to fight, it will be in danger... The Han Dynasty must maintain a strong army!"

Du Ling shook his head and sighed, "How can your Majesty ensure that the army does not lose its combat effectiveness?"

The little emperor suddenly realized that he had no good solution, so he had to reluctantly say, "Follow the emperor's method!"

Du Ling said, "The method of Emperor Gao is indeed brilliant...but times have changed, and there will come a time when it cannot be implemented..."

The emperor actually stood up and bowed, "Please also ask Duke Du to teach me..."

…

Du Ling was increasingly valued by the emperor, and at the beginning, virtuous writers even celebrated it.

But when they found out what Du Ling and the emperor had said, they all hated Du Ling.

"This son Du Ling is not a son of a human being..."

In just half a month, Du Ling has become the target of beatings among virtuous literature.

All of a sudden, various literary doctors wrote letters to impeach Du Ling and demanded that Du Ling be punished.

Some people who claimed to be virtuous and upright even wrote to the Yiduling Tribe.

However, contrary to virtuous literature, people in Kansai highly respected Du Ling.

The heroes and princes sent their children to Du's house one after another, asking to be their sons.

Du Ling also refused to accept anyone who came, whether he was a descendant of a noble prince or a son of a good family in various counties and counties.

As long as they come to study, they are all willing to accept it, which is quite the style of "teaching without discrimination"...
Chapter completed!