Chapter 255: The Cracks of the Heavenly Order

Chapter 255: The Cracks of the Heavenly Order

< 255. The Cracks of the Heavenly Order >

On the surface, Han had suffered no losses in this war against the Huns.

Although the Western Protectorate had been reduced to ashes, the Huns army that occupied it had only taken what they could and left for Rome.VịSit no(v)3lb/!n(.)com for new novels

When the unified Huns first appeared, Han had recalled the nightmare they had experienced in the past and hastily gathered their troops.

But it was a sensitive time when Emperor Xiaoxuan had died and his eldest son Liu Shi had ascended to the throne, so they could not make a proper response.

Fortunately, the Huns army had gone elsewhere, which was a relief. If they had attacked Han, they would have inflicted irreparable damage.

But it was not all good news.

In fact, Han had already shown signs of financial collapse before.

Emperor Xiaoxuan of the previous generation was a competent emperor, so it was not so obvious, but his use of eunuchs was also a factor that had a negative impact on the future.

Liu Shi, who was a follower of Confucianism, tried to appoint young scholars after he took the throne, but it was too difficult to overcome the influence of the entrenched eunuchs.

Naturally, he was pushed back by the eunuchs and the scholars fell from power, and the political system became firmly centered on the eunuchs.

Liu Shi tried to secure some finances by reducing excessive taxes and banning lavish banquets and luxury goods, but nothing improved.

The fundamental problem was that too much money was leaking out in all directions, and he failed to properly address it.

On the contrary, he abolished the monopoly system and caused more adverse effects on the financial situation.

In this situation, he hastily formed a defense force to prepare for the invasion of the Huns, so it was inevitable that the country would falter.

The problem was that the Huns left for Rome as if mocking Hans defense.

As a result, they wasted a lot of money, but at least they did not get attacked by the Huns, so they could breathe a sigh of relief.

What will happen if the Huns fight Rome?

Liu Shi was not an incompetent person, even though he was overly sentimental and Confucian.

He was trying to face the current situation properly.

We need to consider three scenarios: if the Huns lose to Rome, if Rome loses to the Huns, or if neither happens. We need to prepare countermeasures accordingly.

Your judgment is wise, Your Majesty.

Hong Gong, who had been serving as the emperors closest aide since the previous reign, bowed his head and spoke.

I have already ordered all our resources to monitor the movements of the Huns.

Then what do our generals expect from the outcome of the war?

Well there are more arguments that the Huns will win, but opinions are not easily unified.

Liu Shi frowned at Hong Gongs high-pitched voice and turned his gaze to the officials standing in front of him.

Those who have plausible opinions should speak up. I will listen and decide on our future policy.

Shi Xian, another eunuch who dominated the power of the palace with Hong Gong, stepped forward and bowed his head.

Your Majesty. According to General Yi Qings words, the power of the Huns cavalry is beyond imagination. Their strength was barely stopped by Emperor Gao and Emperor Xiaowu had to mobilize all his national power to defeat them. They are barbarians, but they are always hungry for slaughter and struggle. Their momentum is truly terrifying. This is a common opinion among generals who command cavalry.

Emperor Gaos humiliating treaty with the Huns was an inconvenient truth that Han tried to ignore.

But no matter how much they tried to justify themselves, everyone knew that Han could not stop them when they were at their peak in the past.

So General Yi Qing thinks that the Huns can easily crush Rome?

The general who was pointed out by Liu Shi politely bowed his head and nodded.

My opinion is as Seokdaegong said. Even when the Huns were weaker than before, we did not underestimate them.

But now that they have united again, they must have regained their old power that was notorious in the past. They also integrated many barbarian tribes as they advanced westward and formed a powerful force beyond imagination. Objectively speaking, no country can resist their attack.

Does that mean we are also in danger if they turn their direction and come this way?

Im sorry to say so. But even if they do come, we will not fight them head-on. We will use our excellent fortification skills and face them from behind our walls. Please dont worry too much.

Hong Gong immediately received an imperial order to mobilize all his resources and find out the exact course of the war with Yi Qing.

Hong Gong was too old, so Yi Qing mostly took charge of this matter.

From Hans point of view, it was best for the Huns and Rome to fight each other and ruin each other, but the reports they heard were incomprehensible.

The war ended with Romes victory for sure. The ruler of the Huns, Mukdol (Bayatur), was executed by Marcus, the Eastern Emperor of Rome himself. According to the information we barely collected, Romes cavalry completely overwhelmed and smashed the Hunnic cavalry.

When this final report came up at a meeting where all the key officials were gathered, there was only silence in Imperial Palace.

Liu Shi looked around at his officials with disbelief and asked.

Didnt you say that the Hunnic cavalry was stronger than we imagined?

General Guo Do, General Yi Qing. Speak up. Your predictions were completely off.

We apologize.

They had no choice but to discard all the policies and strategies they had established based on their previous predictions.

Liu Shi began to doubt the abilities of his generals who had confidently assured him.

Didnt you say that there was no answer but to fight inside the walls if the Hunnic cavalry invaded? But Rome completely crushed them in a frontal battle on the plain. Is there such a difference in strength between us and Rome?

In the past, Emperor Wu also sent an expeditionary force and expelled the Huns.

Werent you guys saying that the Huns now are much stronger than they were then?

We heard that Marcus, the Eastern Emperor of Rome, has been waging wars of conquest and expanding his territory until recently. Maybe he made a lot of progress in combat because he kept fighting until recently.

Liu Shi frowned at his officials groveling voices.

So basically they were saying that Romes current strength was far superior to Hans.

No matter how powerful they were, Rome was still fundamentally barbarians from the west.

He didnt want to admit that they had more power than Han Empire, which was the center of heaven and earth.

Moreover, recently Hans power elite had been completely addicted to sugar and wine imported from Rome.

Not only that, but recently a mysterious black liquid called coffee had also come in, and even Liu Shi couldnt let go of this black liquid.

The mere fact that there were people who could keep making these new things was damaging to the dignity of the emperor.

Shi Xian, sensing that Liu Shi was not in a good mood, quickly stepped forward.

Your Majesty, no matter how excellent Rome in the west is, it cannot be compared to the Han Empire, which has a long history. The upper class of Rome are nothing but barbarians who cant even wear decent clothes without the silk we give them.

Hong Gong also agreed with Shi Xian and came forward.

Thats right. As much as we import goods from Rome, they also take our superior culture. It is certain that the trade balance will tilt to our side over time.

It was a rosy prediction without any basis, but Liu Shis mind was slightly relieved.

But just then, an official rushed into Imperial Palace and knelt down, hitting his forehead on the floor and shouted.

Your Majesty! The envoy from Rome has notified us that they will reduce the amount of silk they take by one-tenth.

A moment of silence enveloped Imperial Palace.

Shi Xian, who had just been trying to soothe Liu Shis mind with the profits from silk exports, shouted with his eyes wide open.

They said they would reduce the silk imports by one-tenth, not increase them by one-tenth? How can that be?

Well, thats maybe they decided to produce silk themselves in Rome.

The people who were gathered in the place couldnt understand what they had heard for a moment.

Hong Gongs mouth opened wide and his lips trembled as he realized the situation belatedly.

Ho, how did the silkworms leak out? When did that happen?

< 255. Cracks in the Heavenly Order > End