Chapter 239

Inside the big tent, everyone received the good news that Jin Fu was delivering supplies.

Everyone was overjoyed.

Dong Zhongshu nodded slightly, his eyes full of praise: "The Son of Heaven's move not only steadied the troops' hearts, but also showcased our Han imperial family's spirit of wholeheartedly serving the nation, with upper and lower united. With the Crown Prince's talented support in the rear for this expedition, what is there to fear from defeat?"

Li Guang stroked his beard and nodded with a smile: "Yes, with these supplies our army can proceed as originally planned, no need to worry about logistics, and will be able to fully focus on facing the Roman enemy."

Zhang Qian stepped forward and respectfully said: "Your Majesty, the Son of Heaven's measure also lets the allied nations see our Han cohesion. When I go on missions to those countries, I will surely use this as an opportunity to further strengthen the alliance, making the nations more resolute in fighting side by side with our Han."

As this good news spread, the atmosphere in the great hall instantly shifted from gloomy to uplifting and exhilarating.

In everyone's eyes, confidence and fighting spirit for the campaign against Rome reignited.

On the drill field outside the royal city, battle flags fluttered and war drums thundered.

Emperor Wu of Han Liuche wore golden battle armor, a brilliant crown on his head, and stood imposingly on the platform for appointing generals.

Below, the three generals Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, and Li Guang, dressed in military attire, stood tall and straight; behind them was the allied army formed by Magadha Kingdom, Ptolemaic Dynasty, Greater Yuezhi, and Hasmonian Dynasty, with soldiers' armor gleaming and weapons arrayed, their spirit like a rainbow.

Liuche's gaze was like a torch as he loudly ordered: "Today, I command you three beloved ministers to each lead an army and campaign against the Roman Empire! Wei Qing, hear my command!"

Wei Qing stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and loudly replied: "I am here!"

"I command you to lead the central army, unite the elite of Magadha Kingdom and Ptolemaic Dynasty, advance straight against Rome from the front, and must pin down the enemy's main force!"

Wei Qing firmly replied: "I will obey the order! I will surely not disgrace the mission!"

"Huo Qubing, hear my command!"

Liuche continued to shout.

Huo Qubing stepped out with heroic vigor, knelt to receive the order: "Your Majesty!"

"You will lead the light cavalry, together with the Greater Yuezhi warriors form the vanguard army, strike from the flank to assault Rome, disrupt the enemy's deployment at the greatest speed, and strike directly at their rear vital point!"

Huo Qubing's eyes flashed with excitement and fighting spirit as he loudly declared: "As the subordinate, I will surely advance courageously and let Rome witness the might of our Han iron cavalry!"

"Li Guang, hear my command!"

"The old minister is here!"

Li Guang stood up spiritedly.

"You will lead the rear army, cooperating with the Hasmonian Dynasty's troops as the reserve, to support all armies at any time, while also being responsible for ensuring the safety of grain and supply transport."

Li Guang clasped his fists in salute and said: "Your Majesty, rest assured, the old minister will surely devote himself to protecting our army's logistics supply."

As the three generals received their orders and departed, the three great armies set forth on their campaign in mighty procession.

The central army led by Wei Qing marched with orderly steps, banners fluttering, advancing forward like a steel torrent;

Huo Qubing's vanguard army, cavalry riding swift steeds, rushed like wind and lightning, raising clouds of dust;

Li Guang's rear army transported grain and supplies in an orderly manner, proceeding steadily.

And in the distant Roman Empire, Consul Ma Lue and the Senate also received the news of the Han allied army's expedition.

Inside the Senate chamber, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

Consul Ma Lue furrowed his brow, pacing back and forth in the chamber: "The Han this time comes with mighty force, having united multiple nations into an allied army; we must swiftly devise a response."

An elder anxiously said: "They are advancing in three routes; how should we arrange our defenses?"

Ma Lue stopped his steps, his gaze firm: "Issue the order, gather the Roman legions, and construct defenses at key border points. On the front battlefield, I will personally lead the main force to meet the Han army; on the flanks, station elite troops to strictly guard against surprise attacks; at the same time, send scouts to closely monitor the Han's movements, ensuring we know in advance their march routes and battle plans."

Within Roman territory, troops began emergency mobilization, soldiers picking up their weapons and rushing to their respective defensive lines.

An unprecedented great war is about to erupt between the Han allied army and the Roman Empire.

In the streets and alleys of Rome, everywhere was filled with an atmosphere of anger and unease.

Consul Ma Lue, in order to counter the mighty Han allied army, issued the order to forcibly conscript citizens into military service.

Even children as young as ten or so, and even women, were all conscripted into the army.

Even elderly people in their seventies or eighties all volunteered to enlist, some even being assigned to the front lines as horse's foot soldiers, the aim being merely to delay the Han army a little, buying time for the main forces to construct fortifications.

The Han army's sudden offensive and its efficient logistics supply caught Ma Lue off guard.

This was also the strongest enemy he, and indeed the entire Roman Empire since its founding, had ever faced.

For a time, everyone fell into panic.

For a time, the people's peaceful lives were completely shattered.

In the market, the originally bustling crowd now gathered together, all complaining.

A middle-aged artisan, face full of anger, waved his hammer: "How are we supposed to live like this? My whole family depends on my labor for survival, yet now they want to drag me into the army—is this not trying to kill people?"

Those around echoed in agreement: "Yeah, we're not professional soldiers; going to the battlefield is just sending ourselves to death!"

And in the nobles' mansions, those pampered nobles also secretly furrowed their brows.

Their servants were massively conscripted, causing the estate's labor to come to a halt. A noble elder sat in the luxurious drawing room, anxiously telling his steward: "Ma Lue's measure is too radical; such forcible conscription will not only breed resentment among the populace, but may also affect our businesses."

But Ma Lue paid no heed to this, his mind solely focused on how to build a force strong enough to oppose the Han allied army.

He erected a platform in the square and personally addressed the populace: "Roman citizens! Now the Han and its allies dare to invade our homeland and plunder our wealth. If we do not rise in resistance, we shall all become slaves of a fallen nation! Take up arms and fight for Rome's glory!"

Despite the boos from below, the conscription process did not cease.

Ma Lue sent soldiers to search house to house, forcibly taking away those citizens who met the criteria.

Many families were thus torn apart, with weeping and curses filling every corner of the city.

But relying on harsh measures, Ma Lue ultimately managed to organize a million-strong army.

This makeshift army was uneven in quality.

It included civilians who had never handled weapons, as well as slaves who had been forcibly conscripted.

On the training ground, the soldiers' steps were disordered, and they only half-understood various tactical orders.

But Ma Lue had no time to slowly polish this army; he could only hope that they would rapidly improve in battle.

As the Han allied forces advanced step by step, this Roman million-strong army, riddled with internal contradictions, was about to meet its first clash with a powerful enemy.