Cao Mao lay on his bed, with many documents still spread out beside him.
Sima Yue gently massaged his shoulders at his side.
Cao Mao held a book in his hands, reading intently.
These were the accounts of what the ministers who had traveled to the Kushan Empire had seen and heard.
Strangely, although they had visited the same places, the things different officials recorded were utterly different. Each seemed to have his own understanding.
Cao Mao was not particular about it and brought their records together to read.
By now, Cao Mao had finished three people's accounts. Although all three had recorded rather different things, he had roughly worked out the situation there.
The Kushan Empire probably could not hold on.
Things had reached a point where, even if Cao Mao wanted to save it, he feared it would be difficult.
Its internal troubles and external threats were even worse than those the Later Han had faced. Not only did it have princes carving out their own domains, but it also faced a newly risen powerful enemy, suffering defeat after defeat.
Nor could Cao Mao's trade with them be guaranteed. The princes simply refused to obey their king's commands. No matter how many assurances the king gave Cao Mao, what use were they if they could not be implemented locally?
It seemed that, when it came to trade, he would still have to trade with the Persians.
Of course, he could not abandon the Kushan Empire either.
After all, its ruler had brought him tribute and been formally invested as the Pro-Wei King of Greater Yuezhi.
Watching Cao Mao lost in thought, Sima Yue said softly, "Your Majesty, the Empress came to see me again today, about that same matter."
Cao Mao paused, set down his book, and gave