Chapter 214: Fickle and Changeable

The sun scorched Rome, and the air was filled with a dry heat.

Rome at that time was built of stone, rammed earth, and wood, rough yet remarkably grand.

Dong Zhongshu, led by Roman officials, wound through the twisting streets and arrived at Gaius Marius's residence.

Before the gate, a few guards lazily leaned on their spears, casting cold glances at the visitor.

Dong Zhongshu waited a long time before entering; inside he saw Gaius Marius, clad in blood‑stained armor, sitting sprawled in a chair with several battle reports tossed carelessly at his feet.

Seeing Dong Zhongshu enter, he merely lifted his eyelids, a faint sneer curling his lips, and did not rise to greet him.

"I heard you Han want to join Rome in attacking Parthia?" Gaius Marius said, his voice grating like a broken gong, his eyes like a poisonous snake fixed on Dong Zhongshu, making one uncomfortable.

Dong Zhongshu nodded slightly, and Marius continued: "With you weak scholars from the far East, do you really think you can join this war? While Rome's cavalry sweeps across the battlefield, you might still be fiddling with useless scriptures."

Dong Zhongshu suppressed his anger, clasped his hands, and said: "Consul Gaius Marius, though Han lies far in the East, we are equally strong in men and horses, having repeatedly earned merit in the wars against the Xiongnu. I have come hoping to join forces with Rome to strike Parthia and safeguard the Silk Road's peace, which would benefit both sides."

"Hmph!" Gaius Marius snorted contemptuously, rose, strode up to Dong Zhongshu, looked down on him, and said:

"What can Han give Rome? Nothing but silk and spices. Roman soldiers bleed and die on the battlefield—why should they share the fruits of victory with you?"

Dong Zhongshu could no longer tolerate Gaius Marius's arrogance and contempt, and said solemnly: "Consul Gaius Marius, Han and Rome are both great empires; this cooperation should be equal and mutually beneficial. We come in sincerity, hoping to forge a friendly alliance to resist Parthia together. Yet you despise Han so much—this is unbecoming of a Roman consul."

Gaius Marius flared up at Dong Zhongshu's words, his eyes wide, and he bellowed:

"Impudent! How dare you act insolently before me! This is Rome, not your Han!"

Saying this, he waved his hand, summoned the guards, and ordered: "Throw this ignorant Easterner out!"

A few guards rushed forward, not giving Dong Zhongshu a chance to speak, seized him, and dragged him outside.

Dong Zhongshu struggled, shouting angrily: "Gaius Marius, you will pay for your arrogance! If Rome misses this chance at cooperation, it will surely regret it bitterly!"

However, Gaius Marius turned a deaf ear, swiveled back to his chair, and went on flipping through the battle reports, as if nothing had just happened.

Dong Zhongshu was driven from the mansion, stood under the blazing sun, gazed at Gaius Marius's residence, and felt a dark displeasure.

Arrogant Romans!

Haughty Romans!

Conceited Romans!

But though his anger flared again, he could only suppress it, for he had come bearing the imperial edict of Emperor Wu of Han.

He must find a way to make Rome realize the importance of cooperating with Han, and not let this mission fail.

He clenched his fists, his heart full of resentment.

Returning to his lodgings, he began arranging the return journey, intending to truthfully report his ordeal to Emperor Wu of Han.

Several days later, Dong Zhongshu, with his entourage, boarded a carriage and slowly departed Rome.

Outside the city, yellow sand filled the sky, the wheels rolled, kicking up clouds of dust.

Just as they were about to vanish into the distance, a sudden clatter of hooves came from behind.

"Stop!"

The leading Roman officer shouted loudly, his voice echoing across the open plain.

Dong Zhongshu lifted the carriage curtain and saw a band of Roman cavalry surrounding them, their commander none other than Gaius Marius's trusted aide.

"Envoy Dong, Consul Gaius Marius requests your presence."

The officer spoke without expression, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

Dong Zhongshu frowned, doubts rising in his mind: "Didn't Consul Gaius Marius just expel me? Why is he now sending men to drag me back?"

The cavalrymen shook their heads slightly, signaling him to dismount.

Knowing resistance was futile, Dong Zhongshu calmly stepped down from the carriage and told his entourage, "Wait here; I'll be right back."

Afterward, Dong Zhongshu was placed on a warhorse and, escorted by the cavalry, returned to Rome.

Along the way, Dong Zhongshu secretly pondered what Gaius Marius could possibly be up to.

Was he having a change of heart, or was he conjuring another scheme to vex me?

Back at Gaius Marius's mansion, the atmosphere remained oppressive.

Gaius Marius sat in his chair, icy eyes fixed on Dong Zhongshu: "I heard you plan to leave Rome? Hmph, not so easy.

Dong Zhongshu met Gaius Marius's gaze without fear and asked: "Consul Gaius Marius, if you refuse to cooperate with Han, why have you dragged me back?"

Gaius Marius rose, paced the hall for a long while, then stopped and looked at Dong Zhongshu: "These past days I have carefully considered your proposal and must admit that joining forces with Han to attack Parthia would indeed benefit Rome. But you dared to oppose me earlier—I cannot simply let you off."

Dong Zhongshu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, sensing a turning point, and said: "Consul Gaius Marius, I apologize for my earlier offense; I hope you will overlook it. Yet this cooperation is vital for both Han and Rome—I urge you to put the greater good first."

Gaius Marius halted his pacing, pondered a moment, then said: "Very well, I will tentatively set aside my prejudices. But to truly win my agreement, you must present a more detailed plan."

After receiving Gaius Marius's reply, Dong Zhongshu was shown to a spacious but rather dim room.

The room contained only a long table piled with scrolls, a quill dipped in ink, and a few oil lamps shedding a faint glow.

Dong Zhongshu paced before the table, thinking deeply, then slowly sat down and unfolded a fresh scroll.

His eyes burned like torches; the quill skimmed swiftly across the scroll, making a soft rustle.

He began by detailing Parthia's military deployment: "The Parthian Empire prides itself on its ironclad cavalry and horse archers, with its main forces stationed at border fortresses, guarding key routes. Moreover, its cities are sturdy, its grain and fodder plentiful; a frontal assault would exact a heavy toll."

To solve this, he proposed: "The Roman army can employ its heavy infantry and advanced siege engines to pin down Parthia's main force, drawing its attention; meanwhile, Han will dispatch light cavalry to flank from the sides, using its mobility to strike Parthia's supply lines, cut off its grain and fodder, and plunge it into crisis."

In logistics, Dong Zhongshu's planning was exceptionally thorough.

He wrote: "Rome and Han are far apart, the supply lines long; we must set up many depots along the way. Rome will provide goods from the Mediterranean coast, Han will handle fodder for Central Asia, and both sides should send elite troops to guard the lines, ensuring supplies reach the front."

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of intelligence sharing: "Both sides need an efficient information‑relay mechanism, regularly exchanging updates on Parthia's military movements and political situation. By planting agents inside Parthia we can obtain timely, accurate data to adjust our tactics."

When he came to the post‑war division of spoils, he paused, reflected, then continued: "After the war, the cities along the Silk Road seized by Parthia will be divided by mutual agreement. Rome may take control of the western sector to expand its trade routes; Han will administer the eastern sector to safeguard its borders. Moreover, the two sides can jointly develop Parthia's resources, boosting prosperity for both."

As time passed, the oil in the lamps dwindled, and their light grew ever fainter.

Yet Dong Zhongshu remained oblivious, his mind wholly absorbed in writing.

At last he finished the final character, set down the quill, and exhaled a long breath.

He gazed upon the dense forest of scrolls before him.