Chapter 1939: Chapter 1764: Dividing National Destiny
Brack saw the imposing aura of the generals and soldiers, and his heart was much steadier. The Han Empire’s act of directly gambling the nation indeed intimidated the commander. Sometimes, the more you know, the more cautious you become. However, on the battlefield, there is often no room for hesitation.
Leiblalei and Sulapri exchanged a glance, each seeing hesitation in the other’s eyes. For a commander to be unsettled before the battle is a grave taboo.
"Everyone, follow the drill we practiced during this period and each position yourselves, advance to the battlefield first. This battle must let the Han Dynasty know our strength," Brack ordered the high-spirited generals, and the Kushan leaders were equally solemn.
After the military general departed, Sulapri finally inquired Hirilah, "Was the situation in that battle really as you described?"
"Yes, my ancestors specifically consulted many classic books about the Han Dynasty and finally concluded that the battle was, to some extent, a humiliation inflicted upon the Han Dynasty, leading them to retaliate," Hirilah was evidently more certain at this moment.
"This is quite troublesome, we have limited interactions with the Han, and we have responded to all their proposals. The only offense I can think of, haha, offense, I haven’t used that word in years," Sulapri said with a self-mocking tone.
It’s always been other small nations fearing they’ve offended the Kushan Empire, who would have thought one day the nobles of Kushan might reflect on whether they’ve inadvertently offended the Han Empire.
"Have we ever? In my impression, we responded positively to everything from them. Even the battle challenge was within the specified limits without any offense." Brack looked at Sulapri puzzled.
"Perhaps it’s about our promise in the challenge, ’If defeated, we will retreat a thousand miles.’ I can only think of that line," Hirilah said with a wry smile.
"..." Brack was taken aback when he heard this, "Is this their honor?"
"I’m afraid so. Only by acquiring things through one’s abilities is it real and worthy. When the Han Envoy came to our camp, we treated those words as jokes. Moreover, as we couldn’t quite control the subcontinent, we offered half to the Han court, who took it seriously..." Sulapri said with a slight shiver.
Hirilah and Leiblalei’s expressions darkened, recalling every word Li Xin had said back then, and the more they thought about it, the more they found Sulapri’s reasoning plausible.
"General, the intentions of the Han Empire might have been different from the very start," Leiblalei said, feeling a chill.
"What is it? Why do you have this expression?" Brack asked in confusion, looking at the three.
"The situation is grim because the statement in question didn’t include ’If the Han Army is defeated, everything east of the Baisheng Dynasty can be incorporated into vassals with martial force.’ We completely considered it a jest and forgot the implied condition," Sulapri said with a bittersweet smile.
"And what’s the issue here? I can’t decipher half-said words; I can’t understand what you are discussing," Brack said, looking speechless at the three.
"Because we overlooked the other phrase, ’If our army fails, Kushan will launch a full attack.’ Everyone understands that if the Han Army wins, they will attack with full force," Leiblalei said with repeated wry smiles.
"What’s the problem with that?" Brack asked again.
"We took it lightly while Han took it seriously. We certainly couldn’t attack, but Han surely would, and if our strength doesn’t meet a certain threshold of the Han Empire, they might actually attack all the way," Hirilah said, shaking his head slowly.
"The Han Empire explicitly sent us this letter, indicating that gambling the eight nations as stakes was a notice not to consider the words back then as mere jokes," Sulapri reluctantly stated. "The Han Empire is serious, and this letter solemnly informs us once more."
"Their earlier words, ’what we require, we can obtain,’ were not jokes, they meant they would take action. This final letter is more of a last notification considering our past comradeship," Leiblalei also said with a touch of helplessness.
Brack’s intellect didn’t match that of these three accompanying civil servants, but with the clear explanation of the three, how could Brack not understand?
"Are you saying that Han Envoy Li Xin’s statement wasn’t a joke?" Brack asked, pulling a difficult expression.
"Given these are the factual circumstances, and receiving an official letter, I dare not consider it a joke," Sulapri replied to Brack.
"Are they mad?" Brack asked the three, staring incredulously.
"Even for madmen, with such power, the world still needs to heed their command," Hirilah slowly said, with a hint of irony.
"These maniacs!" Brack roared in shame and annoyance.
"Prepare for battle, with every effort; we must not lose this fight, as the Han envoy’s message was crystal clear," Leiblalei spoke to Brack in a calm voice despite his shame and irritation.
"You all, go out!" Brack tried to keep calm, but there was an uncontrollable anger in his voice.
