Chapter 3523
: There's Only One Possibility From Beginning to End
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Actively intervening in an empire, especially when its overt strength surpasses that of one's own, can lead to unexpected consequences with any such intervention.
Therefore, the fewer the number of interventions and the less noticeable the intervention, the safer the action would be for Xu Huang.
"Is there no way forward? Not necessarily." Sima Yi said with a calm and composed expression, "There is always a way out. What seems like a dead end often means a new beginning."
"Huh?" Xu Huang, who thought he could rest easy, looked at Sima Yi with some surprise.
"The birth of imperial will only occurs when a glorious chapter is written and a phoenix is reborn. A glorious chapter has nothing to do with Parthia at this time, but a phoenix is quite fitting..." Sima Yi said half-jokingly.
Of course, despite the talk and the jokes, Sima Yi didn't really believe that Vologius V could achieve his goals.
Even if it were possible, it would most likely be based on the military spirit legion of the officers themselves, which is a balanced legion that cannot be inherited.
After all, the resurgence of imperial will is truly difficult, so difficult that even now, Sima Yi still cannot think of any way to achieve it.
With vast resources, historical witness, and confidence in his own wisdom, Sima Yi knew very well that the idea of an imperial will rising from the ashes was essentially impossible.
"I see, no wonder Rome is so cautious." Xu Huang, who did not take this sentence as a joke, instantly understood why the intelligence information his scouts had gathered was so accurate.
Since they were able to obtain similar information, Rome must have been in much the same boat.
Based on this, Rome still dared to do this, which means they must have made corresponding preparations.
"It's almost time. They're ready, and we should go." Sima Yi, who had intended to continue the conversation, noticed the changing clouds in the sky and stopped himself from doing so, explaining the next steps.
"Understood. I will store the grain every fifty li to prepare for a quick retreat after receiving the supplies." Xu Huang, who understood the true situation, also took the grain reserves, which were not actually necessary to prepare, very seriously.
Only by making it convincing enough can you fool others.
Before you can deceive others, you must first deceive yourself in order to deceive them more effectively.
"The snow has finally stopped!" Sima Yi stretched out his hand and caught the last snowflake falling from the sky, while withdrawing his spiritual energy.
As snowflakes fell, the sky gradually brightened, and under the rising sun, the earth gradually became brighter.
Inside Ctesiphon, Vologus V, who had already agreed on the time and made the necessary preparations, looked at the Parthian army that had assembled, scanning the unfamiliar yet familiar faces, trying his best to remember them, even though most of them might not live to see tomorrow.
However, as a monarch, Vologus V believed that he had the ability and the obligation to bear the hopes and expectations of the people and lead Parthia toward a more glorious future.
Apart from the defensive forces maintaining the city walls, all mobile forces, including Vologus V's main force, had finished breakfast, replenished their strength, and assembled.
A quick glance revealed an army that stretched as far as the eye could see, numbering over 100,000, not even including the city's garrison troops—a truly massive force.
However, Vologius V was also aware that the Roman army outside Ctesiphon was larger and more manpower-rich than theirs.
However, the size of an army does not necessarily represent its combat effectiveness. Even if the Roman army was very strong, so what?
Having fought such a long and intense war, which of the Parthian elite troops still living in Ctesiphon today doesn't possess fierce fighting power? Which of them hasn't clashed with the Roman legions?
The Roman legions are strong, but they are not weak either. After preparing so meticulously for so long, they are bound to succeed in this battle.
Shapur, standing next to Vologius V, also scanned the soldiers at the assembly point, scrutinizing them carefully.
In order to complete the troop assembly and ensure the effectiveness of the troop attack, the corresponding troops should be deployed in the corresponding direction in the shortest possible time.
Inside the city walls of Taixi, a large number of buildings were directly demolished.
On the one hand, the demolished buildings were used as defensive equipment, and on the other hand, corresponding rallying points were expanded.
Having fought so many battles over the years, Shapur knew very well that the army before him was the most elite Parthian army to date, without exception.
He had never led such an elite force before, nor had he ever even dreamed of it.
This was a special war, so special that there could only be one person to command this army, and that person was Vologis V.
Even though Vologius V did not participate in actual command, his very existence meant that he was the sole commander.
Under the command of Vologius V, the morale and will of the army reached an unprecedented peak.
The seasoned battlefield general Shapur, even in the eyes of many soldiers, saw that the commander was recognized and fanatical, and could even feel that contempt for death.
No Parthian army had ever given Shapur such a feeling before.
Looking at this army, Shapur seemed to notice a corresponding hope.
Whether nobles or commoners, even ordinary people who once didn't care, now that they are soldiers, their mentality and thoughts are highly unified.
They gathered because of Vologis V, and they will exist because of Vologis V.
So what was V's purpose in this battle for Shapur?
it is not important.
The crucial point is that Vologius V must survive. Only if Vologius V survives can Parthia continue and have the possibility of regaining its glory.
In order for Vologius V to escape alive, Shapur knew that sacrifice was necessary.
It was also clear that most of the troops present were prepared to sacrifice themselves.
Even the city defense troops that did not arrive at the scene to assemble were prepared to sacrifice themselves.
Without a large number of elite troops to assist in the defense, Ctesiphon's remaining defensive forces were barely enough to withstand the Roman attack.
Whether the breakout succeeded or failed, Ctesiphon's choice to leave the city's defenses behind to disrupt Rome's plans ultimately boiled down to only one possibility. (End of Chapter)