Mythical Three Kingdoms

Although the relationship between the Chen Family and the Sima Family has always been good, even the Chen Family often feels that the Sima Family is truly sinister. This family is like the avatar of shadows, with a feeling that it will inevitably devour people.

As for the position of Zoroastrian Archbishop in the Chen Family, it was wholly acquired through martial force and deception, through trickery and deceit—something in which the Chen Family is very experienced.

First, Chen Zhong brought a group of people from the Western Regions. Upon arriving in the Central Asian Region, he reported to the Zoroastrian Archbishop there that he had opened new territory in the Thirty-Six States of the Western Regions.

Because it is a religion, the Archbishop couldn’t possibly know everyone. At most, he could rely on others to confirm whether the silk manuscript presented by this person was genuine.

Of course, the Chen Family would not foolishly falsify in this regard. The documents were certainly genuine, and the recommendation letter for Chen Zhong was compiled by a small leader from the Zoroastrian sect extending into the Western Regions.

Naturally, all checks confirmed there were no issues, which meant that Chen Zhong himself was indeed a member of their Zoroastrian sect. However, this process was originally very slow, but the Chen Family had ways to speed it up.

Naturally, for preaching, Chen Zhong walked thousands of miles across deserts and experienced much hardship, earning him accolades and the position of a small leader. As for the previous talk of opening new territory in the Thirty-Six States of the Western Regions, basically, no one believed him.

Such baseless claims, without evidence, of course, no one believed. But who is Chen Zhong? A descendant of a Great Aristocratic Family of the Han Empire, a presence that demands to hold onto the thighs throughout the Thirty-Six States. You want evidence? I have it, and as much as you need.

At this moment, relying on the Chen Family’s connections and the fact of crossing the desert for the purpose of preaching for the Zoroastrian sect, the novice Chen Zhong in the Central Asian Region had the opportunity to present a large heap of evidence in front of the archbishop. Afterward, the Zoroastrian sect in the Central Asian Region was thoroughly shaken.

The documents from the Thirty-Six States of the Western Regions were certainly genuine. The Chen Family declared that they never fake; if they do, they fake genuinely. You can take these documents to the local king, and the local king can verify when these things happened.

Achievements so large, there’s nothing to say. Upon verifying the truth, the archbishop of Zoroastrian faith decisively appointed Chen Zhong as an archbishop. Then all archbishops from the Central Asian Region gathered to congratulate him.

As for those diplomatic maneuverings behind the scenes, there’s no need to speak. In short, the archbishop ascended to the heaven, along with quite a few dead archbishops. The new archbishop was inherited by the young Achara.

Are there problems in there? Of course, there are, myriad problems that are difficult to look at. The problem is, this is the situation in Central Asia, a few deaths don’t count for much. As long as you’re a local force, able to stabilize the situation, then internal conflicts with a few deaths don’t matter to anyone.

After having this identity, Chen Zhong easily blended into the upper echelons. Even the current transformation of Kushan’s Central and South Asia was largely due to interventions from his family and the Sima Family behind the scenes.

This is also the main reason Chen Family estimates that the Sima Family possibly reaches into South Asia. This wave was too smooth, always feeling that the other side was cooperating with them. This familiar sensation, the other side is likely from their main family.

Of course, this time it went down smoothly largely due to the Xun Family’s support.

This is also why Chen Zhong estimates the Xun Family has already infiltrated the Royal Clan of Great Yuezhi, and relying on the current special situation, they can already use rhetoric to influence the decision-making of the Royal Clan of Great Yuezhi.

This wave was too smooth; the Royal Clan of Great Yuezhi, in reciprocation, allowed Chen Zhong not only to postpone the outbreak period of the civil war but also unexpectedly gained the chance to meet Vasu Deva I.

Such an obvious situation already indicates that the Xun Family over there has enough influence within the Royal Clan of Great Yuezhi.

Now, what Chen Zhong needs is to rely on this meeting to gain Vasu Deva I’s approval so as to obtain deserved benefits for the Central Asians and to make the South Asians feel disadvantaged as much as possible, planting the seeds for the next civil war outbreak.

After all, both the Chen Family and Xun Family currently lack significant influence in Kushan’s native powers. Triggering conflicts on this scale has no necessity. Simply put, the foundation is too weak, and even if they fight, the Chen-Xun-Sima alliance won’t acquire the things they desire.

Of course, another part of the reason is that this incident was not led by this group. Their time spent in Kushan was too short; they don’t have a deep understanding of this country. Creating such a large incident, if exposed, the future impact would be too profound. It would be better to suppress it and ensure the leadership of the next event!

Seizing a nation, the Chen Family has extensive experience. The first step is gaining local trust, second gaining central trust, third eliminating opponents. Moreover, compared to the past, when the Chen Family had nothing at all, now the Chen Family truly possesses power.

Especially compared to the past circumstances, this time the situation is so favorable. Chen Zhong estimates that, barring any accident, he will complete the first and second steps of the plan within the year. The Dual Talent Legion, only when controlled by oneself, is true power.

It must be said that the Xun Family is truly a divine help. Gachakri’s compliant words have saved Chen Zhong from many troubles, to directly meet Vasu Deva at this time and bring him the good news of Central Asian concessions. Basically, after this, Chen Zhong’s position is solidified.

As for the Xun Family, although they didn’t appear this time, in the upcoming process of Chen Zhong meeting Vasu Deva I, as long as casually speaking a few good words about the Royal Clan of Great Yuezhi, the Xun Family, which has mixed into the Royal Clan of Great Yuezhi and has influenced decision-making, will equally stabilize their position.

Thus, the Chen Family has basically surfaced; the Xun Family, though hidden behind the scenes, due to their previous wise actions and the identity within the Royal Clan of Great Yuezhi they currently possess, they essentially already have the ability to manipulate the chessboard from the shadows.

However, the sinister Sima Family indeed disappeared again. This is simply a nuisance!

Riding a white elephant, Achara passed by a familiar face without expression. He saw a familiar person from the Sima Family, sitting together with a group of monks in Peshawar, discussing Buddhist scriptures.

At this moment, Chen Zhong’s heart was filled with countless desires to complain, but ultimately, he chose to act as if he saw nothing, silently walking past the other party.

[It seems the Chen Family has completed the first step and entered the second. I think they will soon be able to prove their noble status, and then carry out diplomatic maneuvering in Central Asia. Our progress in South Asia is a bit slow.] A Sima monk exchanged with those monks with a light smile.

The Sima Family originally wanted to blend into Hinduism, but this was somewhat difficult. They had no foundation here, so they could only turn to Buddhism. Fortunately, Buddhism from the Central Plains had some shadow at this time. Although figures like Ze Rong, a major figure in Buddhism during the Late Han period, were eliminated early, traces of Buddhist teachings had already appeared in Central Plains.

Adding the differences between the Central Plains and India, the Sima Family determined that Buddhism does not emphasize identity, only teachings, does not pursue martial force, and those with profound teachings can enter elite families like the Brahmin and Kshatriya.

No question, it was Buddhism. The Sima Family worked overnight to create Buddhist teachings. After all, at this time, Buddhism still belonged to philosophical thoughts, spiritual liberation, Mahayana salvation, Hinayana pursuit of liberation. Even though profound, after experiencing the burst of thoughts during Spring and Autumn and Warring States, China had similar ideas.

Speaking of Buddhist teachings, there are many sects. Although not to the extent of burning heretics like certain sects, considering the rumor that Shakyamuni preached Mahayana Buddhism leading incomprehensible disciples to leave, multiple Buddhist sects don’t seem like much.

Memorizing Buddhist scriptures, finding a few who have photographic memory. This month, memorize all mainstream scriptures. Don’t be unable to recall when others speak of them.

Then start annotating the Six Classics! The Sima Family has plenty of such masters, Daoist thoughts, Mohist thoughts, Yang Zhu thoughts. Like the Chen Family, the Sima Family had plenty to borrow from everywhere, piecing together a somewhat incoherent thought.

But it’s unimportant. Self-coherence in the scriptures doesn’t matter; what’s important is the interpretation. So, holding the new scriptures, Kushan acquired a batch of foreign monks. Their thoughts were profound, already gradually stirring ripples on India’s surface.

Of course, compared to the methods of the Chen Family and the Xun Family, the Sima Family was completely working on civilized thoughts. The Sima Family wasn’t dissatisfied with their slow progress; on the contrary, according to their assessment, reaching this point already proves the shape Buddhism was in during this period.

According to the Sima Family, during this period, Buddhism seemed like it was without leaders. In fact, the Sima Family wasn’t mistaken. If Buddhism hadn’t lacked leaders, the upcoming competition between Hinduism and Buddhism, despite myriad reasons, wouldn’t have lost so decisively.

Recognizing this point, the Sima Family now isn’t interested in other forces, only wants to absorb and merge into Buddhism, become the leaders of Buddhism during this generation.

Religion and all, especially when national concepts haven’t sunk deep, is soulless compared to the importance of religion.

Thus, the Sima Family has already prepared for becoming sacrificial figures. The Chen Family and Xun Family like to create chaos, let them. Anyway, the Sima Family intends to steadily become the leader of Buddhism step by step.

Speaking of the Sima Family’s capability to think this way, a significant reason is that the Sima Family knows the situation of the Chen Family. Once the Chen Family completes the first and second steps, the next step is simply steady integration into Buddhism. Such things were completed despite how complicated last time was.

This time, externally there’s the Chen Family’s direct lineage supplying aid, the Han Dynasty providing ample support, internally there’s the Xun Family occasionally assisting. The Sima Family’s intervention, compared to the past, became much easier.