The Mad Tycoon of Rome Chapter 277:

The Indian Expedition.

This was a dream-like and glorious achievent for the rulers of the West since Alexander the Great.

No great power or brave general of the West had ever accomplished this feat.

The great empires that followed the Macedonian Empire never even dread of reaching India.

Even Alexander the Great, who never knew defeat in his life, had a hard ti fighting against the Indian states.

It was well-known among the ancient strategists that the 130,000 troops of Macedonia had a difficult ti against the 22,000 army of the Gangaridai Empire.

It was also shocking to learn that there was a huge army of more than ten tis that size waiting on the Indian mainland.

Thats why Alexander must have dread of seeing the end of the world beyond India.

Alexander died without fulfilling his dream, but his legacy was realized by the hands of Ro.

The impact of Marcuss report on Ro and the East was trendous, more than the Parthian Expedition.

In fact, it was an exaggeration to say that India was completely subdued unlike in Parthia.

Satavahana only kneeled down to a surprise attack, but still had enough strength left.

Although the hastily gathered defensive forces were annihilated, the main force that attacked the Camba Kingdom was intact.

Moreover, India had a trendous population that could squeeze out additional troops if needed.

So it was more accurate to say that they achieved a local victory rather than completely subduing India.

But even so, it was an unprecedented feat in the history of the West.

Especially in the East, rather than Ro, the response was more intense.

Perhaps it was because the East had a different impression of India under the influence of Alexander the Great in the past.

Marcuss triumphal ceremony in Ctesiphon was more magnificent and luxurious than ever before.

It was too far to hold a triumph in Ro, and it was a hard journey to go back and forth, so there was no choice.

Of course, since it was customary to hold a triumph in Ro, they did not use the term triumph.

Instead, they decided to hold a thanksgiving festival for 20 days in Ro to commorate Marcuss victory and a triumphal event in the East.

The place where the triumphal event was held was Marco Polis, a new city being built in the Baghdad area.

It was not yet an environnt where people could move and live on a large scale, but at least the frawork was established by years of massive construction.

This triumphal event and the launch of the new city were a kind of propaganda that announced a new era.

Its amazing.

Surenas licked his tongue as he looked down at the street where many people were gathered.

I didnt think so many people would co to a city that just took shape. Im glad I told them to prepare enough housing and food in case of any trouble.

I guess more people ca than I expected. But its not bad to have such a splendid debut for a city that will be the center of the East in the future.

Marco Polis was a planned city that was perfectly designed from the beginning, unlike the existing tropolises.

In history, Baghdad was a place that could not help but prosper until it entered modern tis.

When it was the capital of the Abbasid dynasty, its population reached 2 million.

So they designed it with the idea that the city could grow bigger than Ro from laying roads and arranging streets.

This place will be the center of the world soday. In fact, just because it is nad after Marcuss na, people will flock here like clouds.

Is that so?

Of course. The na is always the most important symbol in any era. It ans a blessing in itself that a living god made a city after his na. In my opinion, even if you sell residency rights for a lot of money, you wont be able to sell them because there wont be enough supply.

In fact, nobles and rchants living in Antioch or Ctesiphon were waiting for the city to be completed to move their bases.

Its so smooth that Im afraid sothing might go wrong. Is there anything else I havent heard about?

Are you thinking about work-related things on a day like this?

Marcus shook his head with a bitter smile at Surenass annoyed reaction.

Im not thinking about it, its just beco part of my life. Sadly. And I have to pay attention to our pharaohs now. I havent taken care of them enough.

Julia and Danae are staying in Ro, so Im sure theyll think this is a good opportunity.

Opportunity Im scared now that I feel my stamina is running out.

Ah I know how you feel. Im afraid to go ho these days. So sotis I just use the excuse that Marcus gave work and dont go ho.

Then your wife will bla for nothing. Im not at the point where I dont go ho at all. Do you have any problems with your wife?

Surenass current wife was the daughter of a Roman noble family belonging to Marcuss faction.

They were a prestigious family that had produced successive magistrates and jurists, and they had a lot of wealth, so they could be considered quite important people.

If their relationship was not smooth, Marcus would have to intervene and diate.

Surenass eyes wrinkled slightly as he understood his intention.

No, I have no complaints about my wife. She is young, beautiful, and devoted, so I can say she is an ideal wife. But

But?

It was more of a feeling of embarrassnt than a real problem.

Surenas hesitated for a mont and looked around to see if anyone was there.

Even after confirming that there was no eavesdropper, he whispered in a very low voice.

She is great and all, but she demands too much sotis. I could satisfy her when I was in my pri, but as you know, we are not as energetic as we used to be. Last ti, she wore out so much that I couldnt do anything for almost two days.

Ah thats what you ant.

It turned out to be a similar complaint to what Marcus had said before.

It was different from the modern duty defense, but the fact that it was hard was unchanged.

But if he only avoided it, it would only bring discord to the marital relationship.

Ro was patriarchal, but in this situation, they often sided with the won.

It was one of the most common cases cited for divorce that the man was impotent and useless.

Try to talk to her and find a reasonable compromise. If rumors spread that you divorced for this reason, it will damage not only your face but mine as well.

Ha I didnt have to worry about this when I was young. Ti is rciless.

Thats what life is like. You have to adapt.

Well Oh, by the way, I forgot. A letter arrived from Han.

Surenas suddenly brought up a different topic with a sigh of relief.

It was an obvious topic change that showed his displeasure, but Marcus decided to play along.

A letter from Han? Why didnt you tell sooner?

It was such a trivial content that I thought it would be fine to report it after this event. But since we have so ti left, I think you can review it now.

Let see the full text later. For now, just summarize what they wrote.

Yes. So the emperor of Han expresses his concern about Ros attack on Satavahana. He is wary of Ros territory expanding further east. He also shows his displeasure at Ro claiming their own unique products that Han developed.

Marcus chuckled as he imagined the reaction of the other side running wild.

What can they do if they are displeased? It was such a pointless content.

Yes. They cant do anything even if they get angry. Our technicians have concluded that there is not much technology left to extract from them. But I think its a bit too much to say that silk and tea are originally Ros.

They deserve it for being so stubborn. This is just right for them.

Do you have any personal feelings for Han, Shahanshah? You seem to have a slightly different atmosphere when dealing with other countries.

Personal feelings It could be or it could not be.

Marcuss vague answer deepened Surenass doubt.

Marcus always pursued rationality thoroughly when attacking other countries.

But his attitude towards Han was different.

Of course, he did not ignore rationality.

But it was not only that.

He seed to have an intention to make the other side angry sohow.

It was obvious from the way he insisted on unreasonable reasons.

The way he wrote letters to the emperor was also very irritating, beating around the bush and scratching softly.

You must know that objectively speaking, although we are much stronger than Han, it is impossible to subjugate them. Its different from Satavahana. There we had control over the nearby waters, so we could send troops and supplies by ship endlessly, but the way to Han is all land.

I know. The supply line will be endless. Even if we invade, the best we can do is attack the westernmost part. Its not worth raising an army for that.

It would be too much of a gamble to push into Han even if the Roman army was strong enough, unless they were nomads like the Huns.

Since they are also like that, Han will not pose any threat to Ro in reality. Thats why I dont understand why you are putting so much effort into weakening Han.

Thats a natural reaction. But if things go well, I might be able to see so results before I d*e or at least by the next generation.

Marcus turned his gaze to the far east and continued.

Alexander the Great thought he would see the end of the world beyond India. But the reality was different. You know by now, right? There are still many countries left even further east than India. Even Han is not the end of the world. There are still many lands that Ro has not reached.

I cant even guess.

Yeah. I havent shown you the whole world map yet. Ill show you the true face of this world later. Then youll be able to see how narrow-minded people have been about this world.

The ambitious triumphal event and the launch of the new city were all successfully carried out.

Marcus returned to his bedroom with a proud heart and was greeted by Cleopatra and Arsinoe.

Well done.

Welco back. Now we can finally enjoy so quality ti with our family.

Seeing the bright smiles of the two won, Marcus suddenly rembered Surenass face that he saw during the day.

He had given him so advice as if he was doing well, but when he thought about it, he was in the sa situation.

Uh Its late, but you didnt go to sleep and waited for ?

Of course. How could we fall asleep without waiting for you to return with such a great glory?

No, you can sleep if youre sleepy. Its bad for your health to force yourself to stay awake

Ignoring Marcuss awkward excuses, Arsinoe blew out half of the candles with a puff.

Youd better take a bath first, right? Well serve you.

How can I ask such a thing from the noble pharaohs? Ill wash by myself

Hey, you know were not really trying to serve you.

Ha Hahaha.

Realizing that there was no way out, Marcus gave up everything and headed to the bathroom.

He could have backed off by saying it was hard, but then he could easily predict what kind of words would co from behind.

I wont be able to get out of bed tomorrow. Lets resu work in three days.

He was a sad middle-aged man, Marcus, who felt his back ache already.

End