The industrial engines of Chang'an were still roaring, but morning in Weiyang Palace was no longer peaceful thanks to a silk scroll stained with dried blood. It was a message from the first Han Dynasty caravan, which was carrying 'standardised cotton cloth' and 'refined kerosene' to the far west. At the edge of the Pamir Mountains, the border guard of the Kushan Empire, coveting the snow-white fabric and expensive steel bearings, openly broke the trade agreement.
'Your Majesty! Three hundred and twelve Han soldiers have been beheaded in the wilderness, their goods looted and their improved carriages dismantled for research!'
The Grand Herald knelt in the centre of the hall, holding the bloodstained scroll aloft. The entire court of civil and military officials gasped in shock; several senior ministers fainted on the spot.
Liu Xun slowly rose from his dragon throne and slammed his hand on the concrete handrail beside him, knocking off several pieces of mortar. Thus began his 'ultimate performance': the tyrannical protector of the people.
'The small kingdom of Kushan! How dare they bully me!' Liu Xun's voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying a metallic, murderous aura. 'They didn't kill merchants; they killed my pride. They didn't steal cotton cloth; they stole the Han Dynasty's fate!'
He drew his fine steel short sword and, in front of everyone, sliced a corner off a table. His bloodshot eyes made him appear crazed, and the civil and military officials were terrified by this imperial rage. They knelt and shouted for battle. However, under the deep monitoring of the 'System Vision', Liu Xun's heartbeat remained steady, carrying a hint of excitement.
[System Command]: Activate 'War Expansion – Kushan Strategy'.
Core Logic: Create 'Pearl Harbor'-style public opinion to establish the pretext of 'self-defence counterattack'.
Strategic bonus: war mobilisation capacity increased by 500%; military expenditure collection support rate reached 99%.
'Finally,' Liu Xun murmured to the system in his mind. He had waited a long time for this moment.
The Han Dynasty's factories were facing overcapacity and the roar of steam engines meant they needed a wider range of raw materials. The Kushan Empire's gold mines and the cotton-producing regions of the Indus River Valley, which they controlled, were the "lifeblood" of the Han Dynasty's industrial upgrade. Without this letter, he would have had to fabricate reasons in the Han Daily. Now, these foolish Kushan generals had handed over the ticket to the Han Dynasty's expansion on a silver platter.
'Issue my decree!' Liu Xun's initial rage had been replaced by a surgical precision in his eyes. 'First, order the Grand Marshal to immediately initiate the troop transport plan via the Jinghua Railway. Within three days, the First and Second Legions of the Gewu Imperial Guard must reach the border of the Western Regions."
'Secondly, order the Gewu Academy to urgently allocate the newly developed "high-pressure flamethrowers" and "standardised crossbow parts".'
Thirdly, the entire Red Cross is to be placed on wartime alert and deployed to set up field hospitals alongside the army. I will ensure that every inch of Kushan land bears the mark of 'Han'. From this day forward, wherever the caravans of the Great Han go, the bayonets of the Great Han will protect them!' That night, Chang'an, the city that never sleeps, was still brightly lit, but beneath every concrete utility pole was a special edition of the Great Han Daily: 'Blood Debts Paid in Blood — On the Inviolable Dignity of the Sons of the Great Han'.
The people were outraged, and young Gewu students abandoned their studies to join the army, taking with them their burning passion, as well as their standardised first-aid kits and high-strength steel armour.
From the top of the Zhenguo Tower, Liu Xun watched the long military train wind its way slowly westward. In the moonlight, the white smoke billowing from the steam locomotives resembled a dragon about to be unleashed.
'Gongshu Qi, inform the alchemists that the first batch of gunpowder bombs must be delivered to the front lines before the battle begins,' Liu Xun instructed softly, gazing westward.
This was the will of the Han dynasty. For the first time, industrial civilisation was bearing its cold fangs of gears and steel against the ancient empire.
"System, activate the global strategic simulation module and target the entire Kushan territory to the west of the Pamir Mountains."
[System command] Consuming 5,000 points of national fortune, the "God's-eye view — real-time simulation" is activated.
Scan radius: 5,000 kilometers.
Data loading: Topography, troop deployment, climate, ocean currents, and resource distribution.
Core bonuses: War probability simulation and dynamic supply line prediction.
A holographic map emitting a ghostly blue light slowly unfolded before Liu Xun in an instant. Unlike existing Han Dynasty paper maps, this map was densely covered with flowing red patches, each representing a massive army or strategic stronghold. Liu Xun's gaze lingered on the vast territory west of the Pamir Mountains.
The Kushan Empire was in its glorious expansion period, stretching from the Pamir Mountains to the Indus River Valley and controlling the Silk Road's most crucial crossroads. "No wonder they dared to rob my caravans," Liu Xun sneered, swiping across the holographic screen.
[System Simulation Report] Enemy Status: In a period of expansionary frenzy. Possessing: 3,000 elite elephant cavalry, 50,000 heavy cavalry, and 200,000 slave infantry.
Strategic Intent: Blockade the Pamir Mountains to the east, establish "Transoxiana hegemony," and turn Han goods into vassals.
Greatest Obstacle: A relay station on the Silk Road. Without eliminating this obstacle, the Han dynasty's industrial capacity would be unable to trade for gold and silver from the far west.
Liu Xun activated his "Top Performance: A Far-Sighted Commander," and pointed to several golden lines on the map, which were Han's trade routes.
"Gentlemen," said Liu Xun, his eyes turning cold, "the Kushans are not only bandits, but also the most greedy middlemen. They buy our cotton cloth at low prices and sell it to Rome at ten times the price. They use the profits to expand their military." "At their current rate of expansion, the Kushans will completely sever the direct connection between the Han Dynasty and Rome in five years."
The system issued a bright red "collapse warning." Without intervention, the Han Dynasty's industrial growth rate would stagnate in three years due to market saturation.
"This isn't for the benefit of a few hundred merchants, but for the survival of the Han Dynasty for the next hundred years!" Liu Xun's words made the generals present feel a heavy weight on their shoulders.
"System, find the Kushans' strategic weaknesses."
[System Scan]: "Fronna Valley" and "Peshawar Fortress."
[Analysis Result]: The Kushans' logistics depend heavily on provisions from the Indus Plain. If the Han army advances rapidly to the border using steam trains and bombs the fortresses with "Flying Fire Meteors" (prototype mortars), the Kushans' elephant corps will collapse in the narrow river valley.
Liu Xun stared at the blue dots bobbing on the map—his Gewu Legion was deployed in the Western Regions. With the system's precise simulation, he could see the win rate curve for each battle.
"Gongshu Qi, forget about those slow-moving battering rams." Liu Xun turned around, his eyes burning with the flame of "conquest." "Send an order to the vanguard at the front. I want them to reach the Frona Valley within three days. Tell them not to fear the enemy's elephant herds. I have prepared 'divine punishment' for them."
[System Notification]:
[Global Hegemony Progress]: 15% (Target Locked).
[Unlocked Limited-Time Weapon]
White Phosphorus Incendiary Bomb Prototype
(1000% Will Destruction Effect on Biological Units)
Liu Xun stood before the holographic map of a vast world that the Han Dynasty had never touched before. To him, the Kushan Empire was no longer invincible, but rather, a juicy piece of meat ready to be cut on an industrial chopping board.
'Your Majesty, the land of Parthia is being trampled underfoot by the Kushans' iron hooves! Our oases have been turned to scorched earth!' Prince Orod knelt heavily on the cold concrete floor, striking his forehead against the ground. He pulled out a letter of appeal written in Persian script; its words were filled with grief and indignation. He claimed that the Kushans' ambush of Han merchants in the Pamir Mountains was merely a prelude to their true intention of first annexing Parthia and then completely severing trade ties between the Han dynasty and the Roman empire.
Liu Xun sat on his high seat, toying with a steel ball machined with precision. He did not rush to speak, but closed his eyes instead.
System Notification: Consuming 2,000 points of National Fortune, activating the Eye of Insight – Oracle-level psychological monitoring.
Scanned subject: Prince Orod of Parthia.
Status analysis: Rapid heart rate (due to extreme excitement) and abnormal adrenaline levels (not fear, but gambler's euphoria).
Core intelligence revealed: A succession struggle is underway in Parthia. Rather than launching a full-scale invasion, the Kushans are allowing Orod to use the Han army to eliminate his political enemies on the border, in the hope of reaping the benefits.
'Using a borrowed knife to kill?' Liu Xun's lips curled into a playful smile. In the system's simulation, the Parthian cavalry were in a 'wait-and-see' state, showing no signs of a 'scorched earth' campaign. The prince was exploiting anger over the murder of Han merchants, hoping to use the Han's steam-powered cavalry to expand his territory while only needing to kowtow a few times in Chang'an.
Liu Xun abruptly stood up, instantly switching his act to that of an 'empathic and angry ally'. He helped Orod up, his eyes seeming to glisten with tears.
'Your Highness! Both Parthia and the Han are civilised nations. The Kushans' actions are an outrage against humanity!' Liu Xun patted the prince's shoulder so forcefully that it made Orod ache. 'Not only that, but I also have a grand gift to present to you in person.'
Overjoyed, Orod thought his scheme had succeeded, but he didn't notice the abyss-like coldness in Liu Xun's eyes.
'Gongshu Qi, take the prince to visit our "Experimental Field". Let him see the devastating weapon I've prepared to 'save' Parthia.' In the testing ground, the roar of a steam engine could be heard as a heavy crossbow equipped with white phosphorus incendiary bombs instantly reduced a distant wooden watchtower to ashes.
Orod watched, his face ashen and his teeth chattering. He had only wanted to borrow a 'quick knife', but he hadn't expected Liu Xun to unleash a 'dragon' capable of devouring everything.
[System Notification]:
[Diplomatic Interaction Successful]: Successfully conveyed the concept of 'technological fear' to the Parthian prince.
[Strategic Layout Correction]: Under the guise of military intervention and with the support of the ministers, a 'military supply depot' will be established on the Parthian border.
Unlock reward: [Basic Wired Telegraph Cable Manufacturing Method] (for cross-border real-time command).
'Your Highness, to ensure communication once my army enters Parthia, we will need to lay some "communication iron lines" along the way, which will be guarded by my guards. Do you have any objections?" Liu Xun smiled warmly.
Aurord nodded, trembling, finally realising that he had not just hired a bodyguard, but had personally opened a floodgate. The roaring torrent would not only submerge the Kushans, but also take over his Parthia. 'Go and prepare,' said Liu Xun coldly, watching the prince's departing figure. 'Trying to use me? On this planet, I'm the only one who reaps what others sow.'
The snow on the Pamir Mountains had not yet melted, but the fireplace in the side hall of Weiyang Palace burned fiercely. Prince Orod of Parthia was still reeling from the shock of the Han Dynasty's steam-powered crossbows when Liu Xun ordered a massive map of Eurasia, drawn on Emperor Xuan's finest paper, to be unfurled. Not only did this map mark mountains and rivers, it also densely outlined the future 'inner ring of the Han Dynasty's global trade' in red.
'Your Highness,' began Liu Xun, delivering his 'top-tier performance: the calculating merchant emperor'. He picked up a natural pearl from the Caspian Sea and casually tossed it into his teacup, making a soft clatter.
'I can help you quell the Kushan rebellion and secure your throne in Parthia. However, the Han Dynasty doesn't tolerate idlers, and my soldiers won't shed blood in vain. In exchange, I demand that Parthia cede all port operations on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea and allow the Han Dynasty to establish a bonded zone there.'
Prince Orod's expression changed drastically and he stood up abruptly. 'Your Majesty, the Caspian Sea is Parthia's inland lake. It is a vital passage for our trade routes with the northern nomadic tribes, as well as the northern trade routes of the Qin Dynasty (Rome). If we hand it over to the Han Dynasty, wouldn't Parthia become a house without doors?' Liu Xun sneered as he traced the blue area on the map labelled the 'Caspian Sea' with his fingertip.
[System Command]: Activate 'Geoeconomic Deduction – Caspian Hub Version'.
Core Logic: The Caspian Sea is a source of fish and salt, and is also the best transit point for the Han Dynasty to acquire 'Caucasian oil' and 'Central Asian iron ore'.
Strategic Suppression: Controlling the Caspian Sea would enable a northern encirclement of the Kushan Empire's rear while simultaneously severing Parthia's secret ties with Rome.
Threat Level Assessment: Parthia is currently embroiled in a power struggle between three princes. Without the support of the Han army, Orodes would inevitably perish on the border within three days.
'Your Highness, you've made a mistake.' Liu Xun narrowed his eyes, activating his 'top-tier performance: ruthless judge' mode. 'It's not me begging you to cooperate now; it's you begging me to save your life. The Kushan elephant cavalry are only three hundred li from your royal camp, and my ironclad warships are just an order away from your Caspian Sea port.'
Seeing Orod sweating profusely, Liu Xun's tone softened suddenly, switching back to his 'gentle ally' mode.
'Of course, I won't do it for free. The Great Han will assist Parthia in building a telegraph line connecting the Caspian Sea and Chang'an. Afterwards, Parthian jewels and spices will be delivered to Chang'an in just ten days via the Great Han's standardised logistics system. This way, you will not only retain your throne, but also become the richest man in the West.'
Liu Xun produced a pre-drafted 'Great Han–Parthia Caspian Sea Development Treaty', which was full of terms that Orod had never heard before, but which sounded impressive, such as 'joint development', 'ninety-nine-year lease', and 'military protection for trade'. [System Notification]
[Diplomatic Interaction Progress]: Orod's psychological defences have completely collapsed.
[Geopolitical Interest Lock-in]: Substantial control of the Caspian Sea (an energy reserve outpost) has been successfully gained.
Unlock reward: Primary Oil Refining – Kerosene Fractionation Upgrade (allowing the direct utilisation of shallow crude oil around the Caspian Sea).With trembling hands, Orod pressed his fingerprint onto the anti-counterfeiting contract from the Han Dynasty, which had been specially made with ink. Although he had saved his life, he felt that he had seemingly mortgaged the backbone of his entire nation.
'Gongshu Qi, pass down the order.' Liu Xun put away the agreement, his eyes instantly regaining their fervour reminiscent of a war god. He walked to the window, facing the cold moon in the night sky, and issued the loudest war declaration of this phase. 'First Legion, advance! Target: Peshawar, the capital of the Kushan Empire. As for the Caspian Sea, send our engineering corps there with cement and wires to help our allies build an impregnable fortress.'
That night, the rumble of locomotives could be heard once more at Chang'an's train station. Amidst the billowing black smoke, the burly man's gaze, for the first time, crossed the Pamir Mountains and fixed on that distant inland sea.
In the Gobi Desert near Peshawar, the scorching heat and sandstorms merged as the Kushan scouts delivered unbelievable news: the Han army, which had crossed the Pamir Mountains from the east, had not disintegrated as anticipated due to altitude sickness and supply shortages. Instead, they were advancing towards the capital at an astonishing rate of fifty li per day, like a finely tuned steel millstone.
Liu Xun stood in the centre of the marching camp, the golden dots in his mind now forming a continuous mass. He picked up a breastplate that gleamed with a dark blue light, hung it on a wooden stake and said to a Kushan prisoner of immense strength, 'Gongshu Qi, distribute these armour plates. Take this fine steel spear and thrust with all your might."
'Clang!' A crisp metallic clang rang out as the spear shattered into pieces, leaving only a shallow white mark on the armour.
[System Reward]
[Metalworking Side Quest: Cold Forging Process]
Core technology: without heating, repeatedly forge to alter the metal's crystal structure, significantly increasing hardness and toughness.
Battlefield bonus: arrow immunity increased by 90%; melee armour penetration resistance increased by 200%.
Supporting facilities: Standardised stamping machine (driven by a steam engine).
'This isn't armour, it's a divinely bestowed skin!' The soldiers stroked the cold, light and icy cold-forged armour, their eyes blazing with a near-fanatical fighting spirit. If the cold-forged armour was the ultimate shield, then the 'miniature monster' issued by Liu Xun to every vanguard warrior was a spear capable of tearing everything apart.
This was an improved, fully automatic recoil crossbow. Abandoning the cumbersome drawstring action, it utilises leverage and high-elasticity spring steel to achieve a terrifying firing rate of five shots in three seconds. Each bolt's tip was dipped in alcohol and coated in a potent toxin, making it even more lethal.
'Your Majesty, doesn't this crossbow require arm strength?' The recruit pulled the trigger and the distant straw man was instantly shattered by a hail of arrows. Liu Xun activated 'Top-Tier Performance: Iron-Blooded Instructor', and stated coldly, 'I don't need you to be superhumanly strong. I only need you to empty your quivers of arrows before the enemy gets close.'
Supply was the only Achilles' heel of an industrialised army of ten thousand in the desolate Western Regions. Liu Xun used the system's 'Biological Adaptability Simulation' function to create the world's first 'Camel Supply Brigade'.
The wooden frames on the camels' backs were meticulously designed with mechanical precision and were capable of carrying large quantities of dry rations and water. They were also equipped with miniaturised, modular steam pumps and simple repair machines.
System Prompt: Activating 'Logistics Support Module – Oasis Search.'
Effect bonus: utilising infrared thermal imaging technology (system-assisted) to detect underground water sources.
Tactical mobility: Supply radius expanded from 200 li to 800 li.
'Prince of Parthia, watch closely,' said Liu Xun to Orod with a smile, pointing to the silent yet efficient camel caravan. 'The Kushans thought the desert was their barrier, but to me, it's nothing more than a natural conveyor belt.'
When this heavily armed 'monster' appeared beneath the walls of Peshawar, the Kushan generals were utterly disoriented: the Han army wore strange armour capable of deflecting arrows, wielded 'magical weapons' that could fire in rapid succession and were followed by continuous streams of 'miraculous' camel caravans that could breathe steam and search for water in the desert.
'This isn't war,' said Kushan General Saga, staring at the perfectly aligned steel defences, his golden sword falling unconsciously to the ground. 'This is God punishing our greed.'
'Your Majesty, doesn't this crossbow require arm strength?' The recruit pulled the trigger and the distant straw man was instantly shattered by a hail of arrows. Liu Xun activated 'Top-Tier Performance: Iron-Blooded Instructor', and stated coldly, 'I don't need you to be superhumanly strong. I only need you to empty your quivers of arrows before the enemy gets close.'
Supply was the only Achilles' heel of an industrialised army of ten thousand in the desolate Western Regions. Liu Xun used the system's 'Biological Adaptability Simulation' function to create the world's first 'Camel Supply Brigade'.
The wooden frames on the camels' backs were meticulously designed with mechanical precision and were capable of carrying large quantities of dry rations and water. They were also equipped with miniaturised, modular steam pumps and simple repair machines.
System Prompt: Activating 'Logistics Support Module – Oasis Search.'
Effect bonus: utilising infrared thermal imaging technology (system-assisted) to detect underground water sources.
Tactical mobility: Supply radius expanded from 200 li to 800 li.
'Prince of Parthia, watch closely,' said Liu Xun to Orod with a smile, pointing to the silent yet efficient camel caravan. 'The Kushans thought the desert was their barrier, but to me, it's nothing more than a natural conveyor belt.'
When this heavily armed 'monster' appeared beneath the walls of Peshawar, the Kushan generals were utterly disoriented: the Han army wore strange armour capable of deflecting arrows, wielded 'magical weapons' that could fire in rapid succession and were followed by continuous streams of 'miraculous' camel caravans that could breathe steam and search for water in the desert.
'This isn't war,' said Kushan General Saga, staring at the perfectly aligned steel defences, his golden sword falling unconsciously to the ground. 'This is God punishing our greed.'
Liu Xun, standing on the command ve