Antioch III died, but this did not mean the end of the war.

After the death of the young emperor, the remaining ministers and soldiers surrendered to the Han army outside the city with his last letter as he told him during his lifetime.

After Zhao Kuo learned about this situation, Zhao Kuo soon came to the hall where Antioch III committed suicide.

Because everything happened quite in a hurry, when Zhao Kuo arrived, Antioch III's subordinates had only time to dig out a straw mat to cover his body.

Looking at the completely cold Antioch III, Zhao Kuo was silent for a long time and sighed: "Why bother, why bother?"

Zhao Kuo believed that Antioch III knew from beginning to end that the Seleucid Empire could not be an opponent of the Han Dynasty.

But even so, Antioch III still fought until the last day. Until he clearly understood that there would be no hope of turning the tables, he chose to commit suicide.

From any point of view, this young emperor who had not even been in power for three months was definitely a very outstanding emperor.

Unfortunately, he was born at the wrong time and met Zhao Kuo and the Han Kingdom, a super boss who was enough to sweep the world. Zhao Kuo unveiled the last letter of Antioch III. The content above is actually very simple, just a few words.

"Brother Zhao: I'm going, the glory of the Seleucid royal family is on my shoulders, and it does not allow me to surrender.

After my death, all the Seleucids will surrender to you, if they will still obey my orders.

The Seleucids were no different from the Chinese. They were both hardworking and willing to obey orders. I hope you can treat these subjects well and they will also be loyal to you."

After reading this letter, Zhao Kuo sighed: "What a pity..." Zhao Kuo did not say that he was a pity, but everyone knew that Zhao Kuo was a pity.

Antioch III was ordered to be buried with a grand ceremony by Zhao Kuo.

In order to ensure the specifications of this funeral, Zhao Kuo even stayed in Babylon for two more days.

Two days later, a new tomb rose from the ground outside the city of Babylon.

There is a sentence written on the tombstone.

"The tomb of the Seleucid Emperor Antioch III, who fought for the country until the last moment - Zhao Kuoli, the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty."

After doing this, Zhao Kuo continued to lead the army to advance westward.

The city of Babylon is located in the crescent area of ​​the Mesopotamia. Under the nourishment of the two rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris, it presents a green area, which is completely different from the scene where the Arabian Peninsula is almost deserted in the south.

Zhao Kuo's march route was to advance along the Crescent Belt and head towards Antioch City, the capital of the Seleucid Empire.

Along the way, many cities of the Seleucid Empire surrendered. Judging from the information obtained from these cities, Antioch surrendered to the Ptolemaic army about half a month ago, after learning about the defeat of Antioch III.

"A large army?

How big is this army?"

Zhao Kuo asked.

Li Mu thought about it and answered: "If they were right, this army should have about 80,000 to 100,000."

Zhao Kuo laughed: "That's just a few people?"

If it weren't for my army coming, Antioch III might have sent them casually, right?"

Li Mu nodded with a smile: "According to information, the Ptolemaic dynasty is actually the same as the Antico Empire in the north, and their advantages lie in the navy.

If we talk about the army, it is obvious that the Seleucid Empire is the most powerful country among these Alexander the Great successors."

Zhao Kuo nodded and smiled, "Actually, the strength of these countries is not weak. If I don't have musketeers, explosives, grenades, etc., it will be difficult to conquer this place with cold weapons alone."

What Zhao Kuo said was the truth, and it was also the laws and truths in history.

Why were the Mongols able to sweep across the Eurasian continent? In addition to the invincible cavalry that the Mongol Empire wanted, more importantly, the Mongols had the best siege cannons in the world at that time.

During the Mongols' siege, most of the cities were directly conquered, rather than being besieged and broken like in the previous era, which greatly saved the time of the Mongolian army and greatly reduced the preparation time for those countries that resisted Mongolia.

If it weren't for the death of the previous Khans of the Mongol Empire in just a few decades, the frequent return of various Western Expedition troops to Mongolia to compete for the throne, neither North Africa nor Western Europe would have been able to escape the conquest of the Mongol Empire.

This is the Mongol, a man who sounds like only cavalry, but in fact military technology was the peak of the world at that time.

Today's Great Han Kingdom is undoubtedly as unparalleled as the military technology of the Mongol Empire at that time. Even when it comes to leading, the Great Han Kingdom is undoubtedly even greater.

Therefore, the roads that the Mongols have taken in history and conquered lands can be taken by the Han Dynasty, and it is even smoother than the Mongols.

At this moment, Li Mu raised a question.

"Your Majesty, the Ptolemys actually occupied the city of Antioch. What should I do when it comes?"

Zhao Kuo gave an answer without hesitation: "Of course, that's to let them get out of my city immediately!"

The Ptolemy people already knew the news that the Han army was about to arrive.

Sitting in the palace of the Seleucid Empire, Axelusis, the great prince of Ptolemy, had a very proud expression.

(This kind of foreign name is too long and it is difficult for everyone to remember. The following are all referred to as "Big Prince".

) The war between the Seleucid Empire and the Ptolemaic dynasty has lasted for decades. Overall, the Ptolemaic dynasty has more defeats than wins, which is a disadvantage.

But now, the Ptolemy people occupied the palace of the Seleucids, and the Seleucid Empire had been declared destroyed, which made the great Ptolemy prince extremely happy.

It seemed that the goal of unifying the foundation of Alexander the Great was right in front of him! But reality ruthlessly penetrated the idea of ​​the great prince. A Ptolemy general hurriedly said, reporting: "The great prince, according to our scout's inquiry, the great emperor of Han from the far east is less than ten days away from Antioch City."

After hearing this, the smile on the eldest prince's face disappeared.

He said to the many Ptolemy generals in front of him: "Tell me, can we fight a decisive battle with the Emperor of Han?"

For the great prince, it is obviously not enough to occupy an Antioch city alone. If Zhao Kuo can be defeated and the entire territory of the Seleucid Empire is truly comfortable.

However, the intention of the eldest prince was opposed by everyone.

A white-haired veteran Ptolemy immediately spoke, "Your Highness, the Han emperor defeated the entire 300,000 Seleucid army! Now we only have 100,000 soldiers in our hands."

The eldest prince raised his eyebrows and said with some displeasure: "Who said it is one hundred thousand?

I have 130,000 soldiers in my hands now!"

The reason why the extra 30,000 is of course because the 30,000 troops who were originally stationed in Antioch City surrendered.

The veteran general Ptolemy still shook his head: "One hundred thousand or thirteen thousand is no different from the entire battle situation.

What's more, the invincible musket soldier in the hands of the Emperor of Han is still there, so we cannot win the victory in the Emperor of Han who is as terrifying as the God of War Ares."

The old general's words were almost approved by all the Ptolemy generals, which made the eldest prince very unhappy, but helpless.

In the final analysis, the Great Prince is just the Great Prince, not the King of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

If these generals were dissatisfied with him and were exposed to his father, Ptolemy II, the eldest prince would not be able to take advantage of him.

After pondering for a while, the eldest prince could only say helplessly: "Okay, send an envoy to test the Han emperor. It would be best if he could keep Antioch City. If it doesn't work, then we will leave with all the spoils and give him an empty city!"

Ptolemy's messenger was still quite fast, and he arrived in front of Zhao Kuo four days later.

"On behalf of the great Han Dynasty, I would like to pay my highest respect to you on behalf of Ptolemy II, the king of the Ptolemy dynasty, and His Highness, the commander of the front line of the Ptolemy army."

Of course, Zhao Kuo could not understand the Ptolemy language, but now so many Seleucids surrendered to the Han Dynasty, it was not difficult to find a translator.

After listening to the words of the Ptolemaic envoy, Zhao Kuo expressed his expression calmly and said, "So, your master sent you here to tell me what is it?"

The Ptolemaic envoy said respectfully: "It is true that our Ptolemaic army has occupied the entire Syrian region. To show respect and sincerity for you, all the territory of the Seleucid Empire except Syria will belong to your territory."

This sentence sounds quite humble, but there is also a hidden line inside, that is, the Syrian region, including the city of Antioch, must belong to the Ptolemaic dynasty.

When Zhao Kuo heard this, he immediately laughed: "You Ptolemy people can really dream."

Not only Zhao Kuo, but all the other generals of the Han Kingdom present laughed. Their eyes looked at the Ptolemy envoy were very sarcastic, as if they were looking at an idiot! Zhao Kuo said lightly: "The big prince you go back and tell you that he has only one choice now, that is, get out of Antioch City immediately.

If he had not left when I arrived at Antioch, then all the Ptolemy troops would be buried with him, do you understand?"

For Zhao Kuo, the territory of the entire Seleucid Empire, including the city of Antioch, was Zhao Kuo's spoils.

At this time, the Ptolemy people actually wanted to stand up and take the richest piece from Zhao Kuo's spoils. What is this a delusion?

After listening to Zhao Kuo's words, the face of the Ptolemy's messenger also changed significantly, with the formation being blue and white, which was quite ugly.

There is no way, Zhao Kuo’s words are too sharp, and it can be said that they don’t give him any face.

After thinking about it, the Ptolemy's messenger said, "Since your Majesty, you are so persistent, we will withdraw from Antioch and all the lands of the Seleucid Empire as you wish."

This is actually a negotiation skill. The Ptolemys pretended to want Antioch first, and then quickly spit it out after hearing Zhao Kuo's words. In this case, the Ptolemys actually lost nothing, but it made Zhao Kuo feel like he was making money, so Zhao Kuo could easily agree to this condition.

Unfortunately, Zhao Kuo is obviously not so easy to be fooled.

Zhao Kuo said lightly: "It is natural and unquestionable to withdraw from Antioch City.

But besides that, I have another condition.

All the troops, population and wealth in Antioch are my spoils.

I heard that you Ptolemy took the opportunity to rob me of my spoils, which is a very stupid act.

When the Ptolemy left Antioch, they could not carry any Seleucid population, army, or wealth, otherwise you would be regarded as stealing my spoils, and my army would make good sense to you at that time."

After hearing Zhao Kuo's words, the face of the Ptolemy's messenger was really ugly.

After a while, the Ptolemy envoy said, "Dear Emperor of Han, Antioch City was a city that was built by us Ptolemy people with blood. How could you be so domineering and think that it was your spoils?

Although our Ptolemaic dynasty does respect you very much, we as a dynasty also have our own dignity, so please respect our rights as well.”

Zhao Kuo laughed and stared at Ptolemy's envoy: "Don't give me this! If I hadn't defeated the main force of the Seleucid Empire, I would have wanted to break the city of Antioch with just one hundred thousand people?

It's simply a delusion! Okay, go back and tell your master immediately and let him remember that if he doesn't obey, then the demise of Ptolemy in the future will be his own fault!"

After saying this, Zhao Kuo waved his hand directly and signaled the messenger to leave.

Seeing this, the messenger had no choice but to leave helplessly.

After the messenger left, Li Mu was the first to sneer: "These Ptolemy Hu people are not very capable and have great ambitions. They actually want the resources in Antioch City, so they deserve it?"

Other generals of the Han Dynasty expressed great agreement with Li Mu's remarks.

For these generals of the Han Kingdom, they marched thousands of miles and fought for several months, and finally reached the capital of the Seleucid Empire. At this time, the Ptolemy people actually ran out to pick peaches. Who could accept it?

Zhao Kuo smiled slightly and issued an order calmly: "Don't pay attention to these Ptolemy people, we will advance faster. If they really dare to disagree with my conditions, then hit them hard!"

For Zhao Kuo, all countries in the world will be conquered sooner or later, so there is no difference between fighting Europe or Africa first, it depends on Zhao Kuo's mood.
Chapter completed!