Beginning.
[
Pa-ti-yen. The Walled City in Which the King Resides. Capital of the Hephthalite Kingdom.]
[The territorial control exercised by Hephthal was extensive. The king of the Hephthalites, Khingila I, could make no mistake about that.]
[However, though his conquests to create such an expanse and ensuring his influence over the Khwarezmites to the west were not enough for Khingila. Of course, he was aware of the possibilities for expansion to sate his desire for greater power. There were the Persians to the west, who were unfortunately sandwiched between the Hephthalites and the Christian powers to the west. To the south lay the Gupta Empire, with its rich Indian holdings. Finally, to the east there were the small nations of the Tarim basin, ripe for the picking.]
Khingila: Choices...
Khingila's Wife: It is a shame that we lack the allies to make those choices easier.
Khingila: You speak of Khwarezm.
Khingila's Wife: I do not think our alliance with them would hold up in the face of war with stronger neighbors.
[Relation with Khwarezm: -200. Though they are the vassal and military ally of the Hephthalites.]
Khingila: I would go so far as to say they hate us. Not that we need their help, they would be capable of doing little. Regardless, the point stands... We need better allies.
Khingila's Wife: Perhaps to the north...
Khingila: I shall call for my advisors.
[Three men enter. They had the favor of the king's ear, having come close to him through their marriage to the sister of the king's wife. The king of the Hephthalites smiles upon their entry.]
Khingila: First things first. One of you shall travel north, to the Rouran, and tell them that I offer one of my children's hand in marriage to one of Shou-Lo-Pu Chen's own. I'm sure the gesture would cause them to look to us more favorably.
[One man leaves.]
Khingila: Now, for the rest of you. I must begin my warpath once again. To where do you believe our troops should march?
Advisor: If I may so, my lord. According to our merchants in the Tian Shan, we already control the Silk Road trade so we may leave the lords of the Tarim basin for a more appropriate time. Persia should also be left alone, but only because they are not busy with a serious war that directs enough of their forces west to leave us with an opening. Therefore, that leaves us with fighting Kumaragupta to the south. I am sure that you will emerge victorious from a conflict with him.
Khingila: This is sound advice. Inform the men that we are to move. If we are not to enter a war with Gupta immediately, at least the positioning of the troops should be adjusted.
[Another advisor leaves.]
Khingila: Have you more to tell me?
Advisor: Yes, my lord. If I may discuss domestic issues?
Khingila: You may.
Advisor: We need a better system with which to tax those under our dominion. Look to improving the infrastructure.
Khingila: Hmmm...
Advisor: At the risk of endangering local customs, perhaps we should create more ordinances to emphasize the strength of your kingship. This would improve our efficiency, I think.
Khingila: Right...
Advisor: We also need to know more of our world. Therefore, we should look to gain maps from other lords. I believe that attempting to become friendlier with the Rouran is a step in the right direction for that.
Khingila: I see. You shall handle this and report back to me.
[The third advisor leaves.]
[
+1 Centralization. -1 Stability.]
[
Set Technology Sliders to Infrastructure, improving it to Classical, which allows all bailiffs in the country to be promoted to Tax collectors.]
[
Entered a royal marriage with the Rouran/Juan-Juan on February 21, 477.]
[
Shared explorations with the Rouran/Juan-Juan on May 8, 477, allowing us to know more of lands farther east.]