In the Weiyang Palace, in the face of Yuan Zhao's questioning, Liu Quyak, the Marquis of Zhongshan, was very angry. When is it the turn of a young junior to question him in such a tone! Even if he is a prime minister with a higher status than himself, their family's loyalty to the royal family is absolutely unquestionable! Rise up at the moment and fight back.

"Yuan Zhao, what do you mean by that? It seems that our old ministers have been loyal to Your Majesty for generations, and have been loyal and diligent in the king's affairs for decades. The contribution you have made to the Han Dynasty is not comparable to that of you, a lucky and backward minister? Hum! ”

For such self-selling boasting, many people secretly pouted their lips. If you want to say that you are loyal, what Liu Quyak said is not an exaggeration. But when it comes to contributing to the country, everyone has a scale in their hearts. No one is a fool, and the Han Dynasty has been the fastest prosperous and developing in the past ten years, and whose credit is it, has its own judgment.

Yuan Zhao smiled. Looking at the competitive appearance of this red-faced and thick-necked imperial uncle, he shook his head gently.

"Marquis Zhongshan, I didn't say you were disloyal. But do you think you are doing the right thing to do today when you come to condemn your fellow ministers for the sake of foreigners? ”

"The Persian mission was the honored guests of the Han Dynasty, who had come from afar with sincerity, but were innocently wounded. If it is preached, will it not alienate those who come from afar? Yuan Zhao, if you really cause such consequences, you are a sinner through the ages! ”

"Oh...... Do you people know anything about the Persian Empire?"

"Well...... Although I haven't had an in-depth understanding, I am full of sincerity ...... befriending a big man. ”

"Sincerity? Hahaha! The Persian Empire is thousands of miles away, and you don't even know what kind of country it is, but what sincerity is there here! Saying it will make people laugh out of their big teeth. ”

"Yuan Zhao! You......! ”

"Alright! Don't get into a war of words here. The grandson of the Spring and Autumn Festival said that knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent will not be defeated in a hundred battles...... Let me tell you what kind of country of jackals this Persian Empire is! ”

Yuan Zhao categorically stopped Liu Quyak's entanglement. He turned to face everyone, his expression serious again. At the beckon, two guards who had already been ordered to wait at the entrance of the hall brought in a roll of things.

Everyone looked surprised, not understanding what Yuan Zhao was going to do. The prince had already walked over quickly, and with some excitement he stretched out his hand and pointed to the picture scroll that the two guards were gradually unfolding. The tone was both surprised and delighted.

"Brother Yuan...... Oh, Prime Minister! Have you finally painted it? ”

Yuan Zhao smiled and nodded. Looking at the mountains and rivers that gradually flashed out, the vast territory...... There was also a lot of pride and relief in his eyes.

"Yes! Finally finished. Ten years of work, living up to expectations...... Your Royal Highness the Prince, ladies and gentlemen, please see! This is the whole map of the territory of my Han Empire......! ”

As he spoke, the two guards had already unfolded the huge picture, which was more than five feet high and three feet long, between the two pillars of the main hall. The silk cloth used in the scroll has been specially treated, and the various terrain distributions on it are painted with brightly colored ink, which looks clear at a glance.

Although the weather outside was gloomy, there was some lack of light. But this huge topographic map fell under everyone's eyes, as if it had its own halo, and those stunning and realistic colors seemed to really see the land of the Han Empire, the mountains, the rivers, the plains, and the growth of all things...... Everything at your fingertips!

"Great! Great! This is what the Han Dynasty used to look like! Today's eye-opening and no regrets...... This prime minister's work is also! ”

A white-haired old minister stretched out his hand and touched every inch of the land on it, prostrate in front of the steps, and couldn't help but burst into tears.

"The country is picturesque, magnificent! Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune, long live the Han Empire! Hooray......! ”

Although the emperor was not in front of him, many courtiers still couldn't hide the stirring emotions in their hearts, and the sound of the mountain was spread outside the hall.

No matter what kind of political views are different, no matter what kind of personal grudges and grievances, in the face of such family and country feelings, no one will not be shaken and moved.

Regardless of his identity, the crown prince Liu Ju excitedly looked left and right around this territory map over and over again. Yuan Zhao roughly explained a few words, the 36 counties of the Han Dynasty, the Qinling Mountains in the south of the Yangtze River, the southwest border, the Vietnam in the east, the overseas Goryeo counties, the Shuofang border inside and outside the Great Wall, the vast grassland, and the yellow sand in the Western Regions...... All areas are clear and vivid.

"Prime Minister, why is there so much blank space left in this large area of land further west from the countries of the Western Regions?"

After a long time, the satisfied prince finally looked in the direction of Yuan Zhao's fingers, and he asked with some curiosity. Yuan Zhao's palm stayed in the blank space for a moment, and a smile flashed at the corner of his mouth, as if there were countless secrets hidden in that void.

"Your Highness, please see, the westernmost country among the countries of the Western Regions is called Great Eclipse. And further west from there is the sphere of influence of the Western world. In other words, the country that intimidated them by absolute force was the Persian Empire! ”

Everyone stared intently in the direction of his finger. Only then was I surprised to find that even if it was a fusion of the southeast Vietnam, the southwest Yi, the sea in the east, the grassland and desert in the north, and the subjugated countries in the Western Regions, the sphere of influence of the Han Dynasty was four or five times the size of the large blank area in the western world!

"Prime Minister, do you mean ...... All these blank spaces were under the rule of the Persian Empire? With such a vast territory, the power of the Persian king is too terrifying! ”

"Yes, this is where the Persian Empire lies! Although the Persian Empire, centered on the city of Babylon, was not so large, the countries that were intimidated by its power united and this was the case. Hehe! What do you think? When I say this, do you have an intuitive understanding? ”

Hearing Yuan Zhao ask, the faces with shocked expressions nodded one after another. Indeed, including Liu Quyak, now they know that the original Persian Empire is such a terrifying existence.

"Yuan Zhao, what do you want to express after talking about it for a long time? You might as well say it clearly. ”

Liu Quyak frowned and withdrew his gaze from looking at the territory map for a long time. Although his heart was also shocked, he did not forget his main purpose today. If Yuan Zhao wants to use this to fool around, it's a fantasy!

"The purpose of saying this is very simple, that is, I want His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and all the ministers in the court to truly understand that the Kingdom of Persia, which has expanded to such an extent, is the real country of jackals! The mission sent by the king of Persia to explore the eastern world will definitely not be a messenger of friendship, but a bloodthirsty wolf, insect, tiger and leopard! The prosperity and wealth of the Han Dynasty have opened their greedy eyes...... The war between the Han and Persia had actually begun from the moment these people set foot on the land of the Han Dynasty! ”

Yuan Zhao said to the end, accentuating his tone. He did not need to be reminded or warned, but he wanted to unify his understanding, and act now inside and outside the court, ready for war against Persia.

The crown prince Liu Ju and many ministers looked at Yuan Zhao's determined face in surprise. He attached much more importance to this distant country than he had in previous years when he had fought against neighboring enemy countries. Could it be that relations with Persia have really reached such a critical level? didn't wait for someone to cross-examine, and the next moment, Yuan Zhao answered their doubts in an extremely affirmative tone.

"Doubt it no more! Persia is not a great man, and human life there is not valuable. The slaves of the whole nation and all the creatures in that great territory belonged to only one life, and that was the king of Persia. Unfortunately, the king of Persia, who is now reigning, is a madman with greater ambitions than anyone else! …… Hehe! Does anyone still think that what I have done to the prince of Persia has gone too far? ”

There was silence throughout the hall, and the expressions on everyone's faces were no longer calm when they refocused on the large blank space on the territory map. It seems that there are already many wolves, insects, tigers and leopards showing their fangs, and they are beginning to roar towards the rich and beautiful mountains and rivers of Dahan......!

"Prime Minister, is it ...... Will we really go to war with the Persian Empire shortly after we have pacified the Xiongnu and pacified the four seas? ”

"Your Highness, although we don't want to fight, I'm afraid it's hard to avoid it!"

"A few days ago, I also saw the Persian warriors led by Prince Antony, and they all looked very strong...... Then, will we be victorious in the battle against such an enemy? ”

The crown prince Liu Ju asked his worries with some trepidation. The Persians, who were tall and strong, and had a fierce face, left a deep impression on him. And this is also a common concern of many people.

Yuan Zhao stood in front of the map of the territory of the Han Dynasty, his tall body was like a green pine, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light. He answered this last question in a tone of great firmness and confidence.

"In the history of human development, barbarism has never triumphed over civilization. Although the Persian Empire had a vast territory and fierce cavalry, these were never the decisive factors in the outcome of a war...... The big man will win! There is no doubt about it...... The territory of the Han Empire is still too narrow, and our Chinese nation has the ability and qualification to dominate the entire world...... In the near future, all the sun and the moon will be Han land, and all rivers and seas will be Han Stream...... This is a mission that history has entrusted to all of us! ”

The first rain in Chang'an did not wet these generous promises. Remembered in history, the strongest voice in history has already been engraved! At that time, those who were present and heard, regardless of hatred, were deafening and excited.

It was in this atmosphere that a guard came to report, and Antony, Prince of Persia, led all the members of the mission, came to ask for the guilt with great momentum.

"Oh, it came at the right time...... His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, please come with me outside the palace and meet them for a while! ”