Chapter 1151: Hard at Work Translating
The three of Li Jue immediately felt awkward. Li Youu had instructed them at the time to maintain good relations with allied nations and eliminate disobedient ones. So, the three dismounted and saluted Vologases V, then spoke words that the Parthian King couldn't understand at all.
Vologases V didn't understand what Li Jue and the others were saying, but from their expressions, he understood that they were expressing apologies and paying their respects. This made him develop a good impression of them; the legend that the Han Court is a nation of grand etiquette was indeed true.
This was also because Li Jue and others had previously showcased astonishing combat power to relieve the Parthian King from encirclement. Due to language differences and Li Youu's reminders, they demonstrated respect towards the Parthian King; otherwise, such rough men would have certainly made trouble.
Vologases V laughed heartily and said, able to laugh in such a situation was a sign of a real character, "Thank you, General, for relieving me!"
"Thank you," Fravitta struggled to explain in rigid Han language.
Li Jue thought this wouldn't do. Even though he understood the King's gratitude, what if there was a loss of etiquette? It's better to bring in the translator; the translation used before was quite fluent.
Li Jue first made an apologetic gesture, then looked left and right to find the translator. In this place, people who understood Parthian and Han languages were rare talents.
Vologases V also understood Li Jue's gesture and knew that without translation, their communication was like a chicken talking to a duck.
Soon, an amateur translator from Wusun came over. He had nearly cried out of fear when Li Jue and the others charged, but refocusing saw Li Jue easily overrun the Romans; the translator instantly realized he had clung onto a strong backer.
"Great Parthian King." Even though the amateur translator was excited, he was frightened upon meeting the Parthian King. As a Wusun person, how could he not have heard of the great empire next door, but never imagined meeting the Parthian King himself one day.
"Tell them Parthia thanks the Han Empire for its assistance. We are willing to offer treasures to enlist these warriors!" The Parthian King knew from the other's oral language that this was the translator, and immediately spoke with majesty to the amateur translator.
"General, the Parthian King says he wants to reward each knight." The amateur translator trembled as he told Li Jue.
"So generous, express my gratitude for His Majesty's kind intentions." Li Jue instantly gave the Parthian King a thumbs-up, indicating that His Majesty was indeed impressive.
"Your Majesty, the General says you did beautifully!" The translator ventured a guess and conveyed.
Vologases V thought Li Jue praised him for swiftly deploying the Imperial Guard to flank the Romans, which was indeed one of the few highlights of this battle.
"Hahaha, ask him if he is willing to help me defeat Rome!" The Parthian King laughed aloud. He had only ascended the throne for a few years, different from previous kings, he was diligent, young, and vigorous, believing he could govern Parthia well and wash away the shame of having the capital repeatedly breached by Rome.
"General, His Majesty is very pleased and asks if you can defeat Rome." The translator was trembling with fear, realizing he had made an error in the previous translation, but dared not explain, and once again erred due to nerves.
"Rome, huh, this surprise victory was indeed a win for us." Li Jue pondered for a moment, he also noticed the Roman spear and shield infantry, quite sharp, "To say we can defeat, under similar conditions we definitely wouldn't lose."
The translator was dumbfounded, such assumptions and idioms were incomprehensible, inherently his Han and Parthian languages were both amateurish, after all, he was Wusun…
However, sometimes you have to say what you can't say, haven't you seen the Parthian King watching you? Embracing the thought of impending doom, the translator pieced together what he could comprehend.
"Your Majesty, the General says they can defeat; they are invincible (won't lose)!" The translator resolutely translated to the Parthian King.
Vologases V laughed loudly. In his view, an excellent commander must possess such confidence; to state that one's army is invincible before another nation's king required immense courage!
"Worthy warriors of the Great Han Empire, worthy of defeating the Huns, we Parthians are willing to form an alliance charter with you again!" The Parthian King spoke enthusiastically, not even glancing at the panicked translator, who was realizing he had mistranslated a bunch of things.
By then, the translator was almost in tears, realizing if both parties comprehended what each other said, he'd be doomed.
"His Majesty says, General, that you and your subordinates are very capable fighters; they are willing to ally with you." The translator blundered again…
Li Jue was somewhat bewildered, wondering what it meant for a nation to ally with them; the three of them were all a bit dumbfounded.
However, these three were quite devious; a mere exchange of glances sufficed for mutual understanding. Since the Parthian King was being so gracious, even in decline now, didn't they give Chang'an a good beating a few years ago, but didn't the great Han Dynasty spring back in defiance? The deep roots of empires aren't just for show; don't judge based on current downturns, they might rise again at any moment.
"We are willing to ally with your nation." Li Jue and the others removed their seal ribbons from their waists and said.
Li Jue's Marquis of Chiyang, Guo Si's Marquis of Meiyang, and Fan Chou's Marquis of Wannian titles hadn't been stripped away. When Emperor Xiann was rescued by Cao Cao, this matter was directly ignored; Li Jue left while still under faked rank and took it without returning.
Li Jue never expected he would actually use this thing; he hurriedly commanded his trusted aide to bring the Commander's Baton, seizing the opportunity to flaunt.
When Li Jue and the others took out the seal ribbons, Florett, being well-learned, quickly spoke to Vologases V, "Your Majesty, this seems to be something representing rank from their nation; the three of them are high-ranking marquises."
Florett was very grateful that his grandfather worked in envoys and had even met Ban Chao, hence having an impression of such things. These were marquises indeed, in his impression belonging to the echelon of the Seven Great Nobles, though in reality, it was not so…
When Li Jue's trusted aide brought over the Commander's Baton, Florett's eyes went round. He had seen this thing before; he also knew what it represented. Allegedly, possessing this item granted full authority on behalf of the emperor. He seemed to have caught a big fish.
"Your Majesty, this is a symbol of Han Emperor's authority. Holding this item permits executing His Majesty's powers, allowing them to directly ally with us." Florett quickly told Vologases V what the item implied.
"A grand noble?" Vologases V contemplated slightly, considering Parthia's current state was due to their noble class repeatedly courting disaster. As long as royal power could suppress the nobility, Rome could only battle painful wars in Mesopotamia.
However, royal authority in Parthia was often sabotaged by nobles, leading to Rome breaching Ctesiphon, their Winter Capital, multiple times, so Vologases V was cautious about grand nobles.
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