Chapter 3599
One of the Few Choices
...
For Shen Pei, whether it was the older Farssasan or the young and talented Ardashir, they were both excellent allies, partners, or even outstanding subordinates to the Yuan family at this time.
Because Farssasan and Ardashir possessed the ability and strength to have the capital to talk and the confidence to communicate with each other.
Whether it's becoming an ally, a partner against Rome, or joining the Yuan family and becoming a member, all are acceptable choices for Shen Pei.
Each choice represents a different way of dealing with the situation, and also indicates the magnitude of the trouble.
If both sides choose to become allies, there will be basically no loss for either side, but it will not be of much help either.
The two sides' nominal superiors, whether it was the Parthian Empire or the Han Empire, maintained an alliance. They used this relationship as a shell to accommodate the next level and thus maintain their friendship.
However, this kind of friendship essentially imposes no constraints on either party.
However, if the choice to cooperate is only for cooperation with the Roman legions afterward, then it can only be a two-faced affair, and it will depend on whose wisdom and calculation are more shrewd.
The option that yields the greatest benefits, but also comes at the highest cost, is for Ardashir to join the Yuan family.
Mature and steady elderly generals, young and ambitious Ardashir with outstanding potential, and the Ardashir Legion and Parthian cavalry that have demonstrated their strength can all enhance the power of the Yuan family in a very short time.
However, as a price to pay, the Yuan family's willingness to openly accept the remaining Parthian soldiers, especially those soldiers worthy of being called a miracle legion, would inevitably arouse Rome's vigilance, thus creating deeper hostility in Rome and even the possibility of being attacked again.
However, this threat is only the one that is on the surface. In reality, the most deadly threat comes from within.
Absorbing the Ardashir Legion and its soldiers will inevitably cause internal turmoil, and this action will become increasingly terrifying as time goes on.
Different cultures, different civilizations, different belief systems, and different religious affiliations can all be causes of chaos and opportunities for disorder.
Moreover, the state that Ardashir is currently displaying can be described as extremely strong, so strong that it is unforgettable.
But it is precisely because of this power that it has created even more terrifying internal hidden dangers.
If one is willing, by leveraging this force and taking advantage of the fact that the location is not far from the core area, the effect will be extremely obvious.
Especially among the younger generation, the abilities demonstrated by the Yuan family members are not particularly outstanding.
Ardashir might not have any objections while his lord is still alive, but what if his lord passes away?
Who else can take on this great responsibility?
Recalling Yuan Shao's sons, Shen Pei couldn't help but shake his head.
Their own monarch is wise and powerful, with extraordinary aura, so why are there so few reliable sons born to him?
Even if his son is barely considered reliable, how long can he hold off a genius like Ardashir?
Therefore, from the perspective of practical interests, the entire Yuan family's view on Farssasan and others is extremely complex.
It has many advantages, but also quite a few disadvantages. The potential risks are foreseeable, but also extremely difficult to eliminate.
"Alright, let's proceed according to the established plan. As long as Farssasan makes his choice, we'll carry out the corresponding arrangements based on our initial communication and exchange." Shen Pei thought it over carefully and ultimately decided to trust his lord.
His own wise and mighty Yuan Shao was absolutely capable of subduing these two foreigners from a foreign land.
Perhaps after years of influence, accumulation, and teaching, things might improve, and the situation of a subject deceiving his ruler might not occur.
But these are all things for the future; whether it will happen or not, nobody knows for sure.
Unaware of the significant hidden dangers inherent in this behavior, and only knowing that this scheme and discussion could greatly strengthen the Yuan family's power and give them the ability and strength to control their interests, Ju Yi would resolutely choose to carry it out.
All the efforts made were for Yuan Shao.
"Sigh!" Farssasan, who was still directing operations on the battlefield, sighed heavily as he looked at Atlatomé, who was still fighting bravely in the heart of the battlefield.
Given the current battlefield situation, Farssasan, standing on the edge of the battlefield, was able to see things more clearly and comprehensively.
It was this clarity and comprehensiveness that allowed Farssasan to know that Parthia's chances were slim.
If the breakthroughs of one army after another brought Parthia to the top, then the strength and resilience shown by Rome meant that when Parthia crossed this peak, it did not climb to an even higher one, but instead began its decline.
The fact that Rome was growing stronger while the Parthian army was growing weaker foreshadowed the eventual outcome.
Farssasan had long anticipated this outcome and was mentally prepared for it.
As a veteran, he has fought on the battlefield for many years, participated in countless wars, and fought against extremely powerful forces.
However, aside from certain smaller factions, Farssasan knew quite a few major factions.
If they choose to leave, given their current abilities and combat prowess, finding a place to survive will definitely not be a problem.
However, there aren't many places that are truly suitable for their development, places where they can truly compete with their abilities.
An empire's only rival is another empire; if it wants to truly develop, it can only rely on other empires.
The Roman Empire could be abandoned outright; the hatred between the two sides meant that only one nation could survive.
The only other options available were the Kushan Empire and the Han Empire.
However, Farssasan did not make much contact or preparation with either the Kushan or the Han Empire. In fact, Farssasan did not even know the key figures of the two empires, and did not even have time to make any preparations.
This means that even if one were to pledge allegiance to these two empires, the most likely outcome would be to spend the rest of one's life like a wealthy old man.
However, if we abandon these two empires and continue making choices, we are left with only the Yuan family of the Han Empire, Sima Yi, the commander of the Han Empire's Central Asian army, and the Northern Kushan Empire... (End of this chapter)