Chapter 52: Ctesiphon, Capital of Parthia

Chapter 52: Ctesiphon, Capital of the Parthian Empire

Half a month later.

"Your Majesty, it is reported that an unknown army has appeared outside the city of Ctesiphon," reported a minister to Arsaces I.

"Which country are they from? The Yuezhi, Kangju, or Dayuan?" Arsaces I asked in a foul mood, still deeply worried about the disappearance of his favorite youngest daughter.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, none of them. The troop numbers only about a hundred. They have yellow skin and black eyes, though there are also people with blond hair and blue eyes among them," the minister replied.

"Yet they are powerfully built, clearly elite warriors, and their armor and weapons are of exceptionally fine quality. They do not look like people from the neighboring states."

"Oh?" Arsaces’ interest was instantly piqued. The sudden arrival of these people with unclear intentions meant he had to handle the situation with caution.

"Keep them under close surveillance, and send someone to make contact," Arsaces ordered.

"As you command, Your Majesty!" The minister slowly withdrew with his subordinates.

After the minister left, Arsaces sat upon his throne, lowering his head in deep thought. "Things have not been normal in Parthia lately. My daughter's sudden disappearance, followed by an army I have never seen before. O Gods, grant some guidance to your subjects!"

"Centurion, we have finally reached the capital of Parthia," a voice rang out among the hundred-man detachment.

"Have the soldiers settle down and maintain strict vigilance!" commanded the centurion at the head.

"Understood!"

"Take our soldiers into the city to buy some food," the squad leader instructed the captured Parthian soldier who was acting as their guide.

"Skinny Monkey!"

"Here!" a soldier behind the centurion responded.

"Take the translator and go into the city to gather intelligence," the centurion said, pointing to the translator who had accompanied them on the journey.

"Understood!"

This hundred-man detachment was none other than the force dispatched by the Great Qin Empire to Parthia in search of sweet potatoes. After enduring numerous hardships and guided by a Parthian captive, they had finally arrived in Parthia. Had the detachment not consisted of strictly selected elite soldiers and carried the imperial credentials of the Great Qin Empire, they likely would have perished long ago at the hands of bandits and horse raiders. Even so, the troop had lost eleven soldiers along the way.

To fulfill the empire's mission, they had no choice but to cremate their fallen comrades and continue onward carrying their ashes. Only three of the Parthian captives who started the journey remained; the other seventeen had all died during battles against bandits along the road. The centurion had memorized the appearances and locations of those raiders and bandits, intending to deal with them later.

The night passed uneventfully. The next morning, the city of Ctesiphon welcomed its first rays of sunlight.

Unlike the architecture of Great Qin, Parthian building styles were influenced by Persian and Greek cultures, forming a distinct school of their own that offered a unique visual experience.

Unlike the grand and imposing grandeur of Great Qin, Parthian architecture leaned more toward delicate refinement. Overall, Ctesiphon gave the impression of being less than half the size of a Great Qin commandery city. Its narrow streets were littered with garbage and excrement, and only the areas close to the royal palace were kept clean.

The common people of Parthia were no different from those of Great Qin five years prior—sallow and emaciated. The entire nation was struggling to survive under the heavy burden of merely staying alive.

The centurion led his detachment out of their temporary camp and marched in neat formation toward the city gates of Ctesiphon.

"Unfurl the banner!" At the centurion's command, a large black banner edged in gold, embroidered with the mysterious bird emblem and the character for "Qin," fluttered in the wind above the skies of Ctesiphon.

This sudden spectacle caught the Parthian townspeople entering and leaving the gates completely off guard; they initially feared their city was under attack. Just as they were about to react, the centurion called out loudly:

"Envoys of the Great Qin Empire! We bear the imperial credentials!"

The secret watchers rushed to transmit the news back to the royal palace, throwing the Parthian ministers into a flurry of panicked confusion. Great Qin's maneuver provoked a stream of angry curses from the ministers—couldn't they have given advance notice so they could make proper preparations?

Orders from the royal palace quickly reached the city gates, granting the delegation entry. As the troops marched into the city, every commoner in Parthia learned that a distant country had sent envoys to deliver credentials. This filled everyone with immense joy, leading them to believe that Parthia had already grown so powerful that unknown nations were now paying court out of admiration.

"Their armor looks so cool!"

"These are true warriors; I must marry one of them!"

"I want to spar with them and see who is stronger!"

"Their soldiers' clothes are all so fine. Their country must be very wealthy! If only..."

All kinds of discussions broke out near the streets where the detachment marched.

The soldiers arriving this time wore the latest armor of Great Qin and carried its sharpest blades. In their left hands, they held single infantry shields, with longbows slung across their backs—completely equipped as a Great Qin infantry legion.

Initially, Great Qin had considered sending agents to secretly locate the sweet potatoes and bring them back. However, after discussion, they decided to send a formal diplomatic mission instead. With the assistance of the Parthian Empire, they believed the goal could be achieved much faster.

As for safety, anyone with a brain at the head of a nation would know what these soldiers' equipment represented upon seeing them. Even if someone wanted to take hostile action, utterly annihilating them with local capabilities was impossible. As long as a single person escaped, the consequences would be beyond what those nations could imagine.

There were many greedy people in this world, but even more smart ones; one should not assume that ancients were fools.

Led by the centurion, the impeccably orderly detachment soon marched deep into Ctesiphon. Rushing to make hasty preparations, a Parthian reception minister came before the detachment and announced, "Welcome to Parthia, noble guests! On behalf of His Majesty the King, I welcome you all! His Majesty has prepared a banquet in the royal palace. Please follow me, noble envoys."

"Many thanks, Your Excellency!"

Noticing the soldiers in the ranks who clearly belonged to a princess's personal knightly escort, the minister suppressed his inner doubts and led the detachment toward the royal palace.

With slaves bustling about to help him tidy his appearance, Arsaces I straightened his attire and led the members of the royal family into the grand hall of the palace.

The empire's senior ministers and nobles, having received word early on, had also rushed to the royal palace, eager to catch a glimpse of the contingent from this unfamiliar country.

The Parthian royal palace was a massive fortress. Arsaces, accompanied by the queen, stood upon a huge platform before the fortress, commanding a panoramic view of the palace square below.

"Your Majesty, I hear this detachment is quite extraordinary, entirely clad in iron armor. Could they be the elite guard of some powerful nation escorting a person of great importance?" someone remarked.

"Indeed. Matters of state between two nations are of grave importance, so surely a VIP has come, requiring the escort of the finest elite troops," the imperial minister agreed.

"Your Majesty, I am filled with anticipation."

"Do not be impatient, My Queen; they will be here momentarily," Arsaces said, clasping the queen's hand to comfort her while keeping his own eyes fixed rigidly on the main gate.

By now, the square was already packed with crowds, all eager to witness this mysterious army.

*Tramp, tramp, tramp!* The sudden sound of footsteps drew everyone's attention. The uniform cadence echoed across the palace square, causing the noisy crowd to gradually quiet down.

A formation of five columns and eighteen rows appeared in the people's field of vision. A massive banner fluttered in the wind, bearing unfamiliar yet profoundly mysterious characters that left the onlookers endlessly guessing at their meaning.