Chapter 231: The Empire's Collapse

Inside the Han Army's tent.

Mithridates II, the once invincible King of Parthia, was now bound with ropes and knelt on the ground in a sorry state.

How arrogant he once was, now how miserable he is.

Though a trace of defiance still lingered in his eyes, what dominated was the dejection and panic after defeat.

Emperor Wu of Han, Liuche, wearing a splendid dragon robe, stood sternly at the center of the tent, his face full of the joy of victory, but in an instant his expression changed; he glared angrily at Mithridates II and his voice boomed like a great bell:

"Mithridates II, do you know your crimes?"

Mithridates II slightly raised his head, but dared not meet Liuche's eyes.

Liuche took a step forward and continued his tirade: "As a ruler of a nation, you did not think to protect your borders and pacify the people, but instead imposed tyranny at home, causing the populace to be unable to endure, suffering beyond words. This is your first major crime!"

Wei Qing stood to the side, fists clenched, and said angrily: "Your Majesty is absolutely right! Wherever our army went, the people complained bitterly, all saying they suffered under his harsh rule."

Liuche paused, his anger flaring higher: "Not only that, you actually colluded with the Roman Empire, plotting to oppose my Han Empire. Do you know that my Han has always taken benevolence and righteousness as its foundation, bestowing grace upon all directions, yet you repay kindness with enmity and openly provoke! This is your second major crime!"

Huo Qubing stepped forward and said loudly: "Your Majesty, such faithless and treacherous wretches deserve severe punishment to serve as a warning to others!"

Mithridates II gritted his teeth and whispered in defense: "I merely wanted to protect Parthia's independence, to avoid being bullied by other nations..."

Dong Zhongshu snorted coldly and said: "Absurd! You allied with Rome, inviting wolves into the house, bringing only endless war and disaster to the Parthian people—what protection is there to speak of?"

Li Guang also stepped forward, his eyes blazing, and said: "Your Majesty, this villain's crimes are enormous and wicked; he must be severely punished to manifest the majesty of our Han Empire!"

Liuche looked at the crowd, nodded, then turned his gaze back to Mithridates II and said coldly: "Today you have been reduced to a prisoner, and it is all your own doing. Do you have anything you wish to say?"

Mithridates II lowered his head, remaining silent.

Liuche pondered for a moment and said: "Out of consideration for the slight remorse you still harbor, I will not kill you. But you must repent to the Parthian people and henceforth atone for the crimes you have committed."

Upon hearing this, Mithridates II's body trembled slightly, and he soon slumped to the ground; his once noble crown had vanished somewhere, his disheveled hair hung over his face, and he looked utterly disheveled.

After a long while he finally raised his head, gazing up at the lofty Liuche, his eyes full of remorse, his lips trembling, his voice hoarse as he said: "Your Majesty, I was wrong. I was bewitched by Gaius Marius and committed unforgivable sins. I am sorry to the Parthian people, and even more sorry to this land."

Liuche stood with his hands behind his back, his expression stern, silently listening to Mithridates II's repentance. Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, Dong Zhongshu, Li Guang and the others stood to the side, their eyes blazing, fixed intently on the former King of Parthia.

Mithridates II recalled his past collusion with Marius, his emotions growing ever more agitated; he slammed a fist onto the ground and snarled: "That Marius is nothing but a sly, deceitful petty man! He solemnly promised that joining forces with me could resist the Han and even make Parthia stronger, but in truth he merely wanted to use me, dragging my country into endless war to serve as cannon fodder for his opposition to the Han."

Huo Qubing heard this and gave a cold snort: "Hmph, now you know regret? When you were in cahoots with Rome, how could you not have foreseen today?"

Mithridates II lowered his head, tears spilling forth: "I was blinded by power and ambition, and believed Marius's slander. Now my nation lies in ruins, I have become a prisoner—this is the just retribution I deserve."

Dong Zhongshu stepped forward, his gaze scrutinizing Mithridates II, and said slowly: "To know one's fault and amend it is the greatest virtue. But the harm you have caused—can it really be made up by a few words of repentance?"

Mithridates II kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead striking the hard floor with a dull thud: "I am willing to give everything to make up for my mistakes. I only beg Your Majesty to spare the Parthian people, so they may suffer no further hardship."

Liuche fell into contemplation for a moment, then said: "I have noted your repentance. As for how to deal with you and Parthia, I will consider it myself. But you must understand: in this world, cause and effect turn, and good and evil will eventually be repaid."

Mithridates II sat slumped on the ground, his eyes vacant, as if savoring Liuche's words, or as if reflecting on his own life.

Liuche pondered for a long while, then slowly stepped forward, his voice loud and dignified, echoing within the tent:

"Mithridates II, you have committed numerous crimes, plunging the Parthian people into fire and water. Now, considering the peoples of both nations, I hereby render judgment."

Mithridates II's body trembled slightly; he lifted his head, his eyes full of fear and unease, staring fixedly at Liuche, as if awaiting the final verdict of fate.

"Effective today, the Parthian Empire shall fall, its territory incorporated into my Han realm, becoming a vassal state of Han. I will dispatch officials to assist Parthia in restoring order, so that its people may return to peace."

Liuche's words rang like metal striking stone; Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, Dong Zhongshu, Li Guang and the others grew solemn, nodding slightly in agreement with this decision.

The Han Army soldiers inside the tent heard this; though they made no sound, their eyes brimmed with pride and exhilaration, deeply aware that this was another testament to Han's glory.

Liuche's gaze then turned to the slumped Mithridates II, his expression stern, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "As for you, Mithridates II, you are no longer fit to be a ruler of a nation. I demote you to commoner and escort you to Chang'an. On Han soil you shall reflect on your faults, and spend the rest of your life atoning for your past misdeeds."

As soon as these words were spoken, Mithridates II felt as if struck by lightning; his already wretched frame swayed a few steps, nearly collapsing.

His lips quivered, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he merely let out a feeble sigh.

Two Han Army soldiers stepped forward, lifted Mithridates II from the ground, and half-carried him out of the tent.

Mithridates II's steps were unsteady; each footfall felt incredibly heavy. He glanced back once at the stern Liuche and the others inside the tent, his eyes filled with regret and despair.

As Mithridates II was led out of the tent, the interior fell into a brief silence.

Liuche turned around, looked at Wei Qing and the others, and said slowly: "Now that Parthia has become a vassal state, the subsequent task of governance is arduous; do any of you, my beloved ministers, have sound plans?"

The crowd fell into thought, and a discussion concerning Parthia's future development thus unfolded within the tent.