The eleventh year of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The caravan slowly arrived at the gate of Chang'an City. Among them, a man with a curly brown beard looked up at the city wall and let out a loud exclamation.
"Oh, my God! There is such a magnificent city in the world? What a gift from God!"
Pedestrians passing by looked sideways, but few could understand his words.
"Come into the city, Marco." Another older Hu man said, "When I arrived last time, this was still the great Mongolian country, but now it has become a new country."
"I want to meet this new monarch so that I can learn more about this mysterious ancient Eastern country."
"Believe me, Marco, you must take back this damn idea. We don't know this monarch who may be cruel enough to break our necks. He may be a rebel, do you understand?"
"Dear uncle, I believe he will be a benevolent monarch. When I passed through his gates, I already felt the kindness."
"It's up to you, my reckless nephew. If we die here, there will be a man in faraway Venice who will thank you, because it was your suggestion that allowed your aunt to remarry."
"Look, that person must be a noble, maybe a prince..."
~~
A group of people came out of the city. It was a handsome young man traveling with his entourage.
"Move quickly, we have already arrived at the Weihe Pier."
The leading young man was fourteen or fifteen years old, and he couldn't wait to get on his horse as soon as he left the city gate.
As soon as the horse started running, suddenly, a bearded barbarian bumped into him on the side of the road.
"Hush!"
The young man's equestrian skills were extremely superb. With a pull of the reins, the horse raised its front hooves and stopped running.
This was actually a rather dangerous move, but fortunately the young man sat firmly on the horse and did not fall off.
His entourage hurriedly stepped forward and shouted: "Who are you and why did you attack my young husband?"
What they responded to was a series of gibbering words.
Afterwards, an interpreter came up and said, "Don't be surprised, Mr. Xiaolang. This is a businessman from a country far to the west. He doesn't understand the customs."
At this moment, the bearded man hurriedly talked a lot.
The interpreter then added: "He said his name was 'Marco Polo' and that he came from far away Venice. In his hometown, people travel by boat. He admires the culture of the great eastern country very much."
The young man on the horse was actually in a hurry and looked towards the official road from time to time, but he still listened patiently to these words.
"I hope you have a smooth journey in Chang'an. If you encounter any trouble, you can come to me and go to Chongren Academy to find 'Gao Yi'."
"Okay, I'm sorry for delaying you."
The interpreter was still bowing and saluting, but Marco Polo behind him was very enthusiastic and talked a lot more.
"He said that Lang Jun must be a noble prince. In his country, even the king does not have half the nobility of Lang Jun..."
Li Changyi smiled politely and drove away.
…
After finally arriving at the Weishui Pier, Li Changyi searched for it while walking around, and finally found the ship with the "Fujian Road" flag. He quickly got off his horse and hurried over.
Before anyone could reach the boat, they heard a loud voice speaking.
"Now that I'm back in Chang'an, I have to make a big bowl of noodles. I haven't tasted them for four years. It's really weird."
Li Changyi looked around and saw that the person speaking was tall and majestic, it was Liu Jinsuo.
He rushed over and stood in front of Liu Jinsuo with a smile.
Unexpectedly, Liu Jinsuo glanced at him and walked straight over. As he walked, he said to his attendant Digu: "What a handsome young man. He looks familiar."
"The emperor's feet are like this. There are many noble people."
"Hurry and find the carriage. My carriage is coming down soon."
"yes."
"Uncle Liu." Li Changyi could only call him with a smile.
Liu Jinsuo turned around and stared at him with those big eyes for a while, then turned around and looked around to confirm that he was calling him.
"You are...too..."
"Uncle Liu, it's me."
Liu Jinsuo stepped forward and almost hugged Li Changyi, but in the end he didn't dare. He rubbed his hands and couldn't help but said: "I'm so tall, I'm already so tall. I'm afraid that Da Lang won't recognize me after four years."
.”
"Obviously Uncle Liu didn't recognize me."
"Can it be the same? You grow up so fast."
"I have brought the carriage..."
As Li Changyi spoke, he suddenly realized something, turned around, and saw Liu Yao taking Liu Niang's arm and getting off the boat.
After not seeing her for four years, she grew into a graceful young girl. She raised her head and glanced here, then lowered her head shyly.
~~
On the way back.
Li Changyi and Liu Jinsuo rode side by side and chatted for a while about the customs and customs of Fuzhou. Looking back, they saw a little boy sticking his head out of a carriage, so they deliberately slowed down their horses and walked beside the carriage.
"Liu Pei? Do you still remember me?"
"Well... let me think about it, you are His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Then you don't remember playing with us before?"
"Remember, Wu Lang, Liu Lang, Qi Lang, and Eighth Lang, I had the best time playing with them." Liu Pei then remembered and asked, "Where are they?"
"You can go to Taiping Academy to find them in the evening. Except for Chang Sui, they are all still studying."
"Okay, I have written letters to them."
Li Changyi smiled and said: "I also wrote to you, have you received it?"
Liu Pei was stunned for a moment and said, "You and your sister obviously write letters to each other, several times a month."
"I want you to talk more." Liu Yao finally couldn't help but pulled her brother away from the car window and sat over herself.
She straightened her hair that was blown by the wind around her ears, looked at Li Changyi for a while, and said, "It's only been a few years, and you're suddenly taller than me. Why didn't you mention it in the letter?"
"The paper is short, but there are many things to mention."
"I heard that many people want to choose a princess for you."
Li Changyi smiled and shook his head.
Liu Yao glared at him dissatisfied and said angrily: "What's so funny?"
"I laugh that some people rushed because of this..."
"Say it again!"
"Okay, don't say anything. Anyway, the candidate for the Crown Princess has been decided."
"who?"
"The emperor said that as long as the conditions are right, the prince can like it, but he has to ask whether the other lady agrees."
~~
Half a month later, Chongren Academy.
Li Changyi handed in today's homework and was about to leave when a classmate suddenly arrived and said, "Gao Yi, someone is looking for you. He is a foreigner with a curly beard."
"Marco Polo?" Li Changyi thought for a moment and then remembered who it was.
Although that day was delayed a little, he didn't hate the other party.
After all, it is a pleasure in itself to listen to foreigners enthusiastically praising their own country.
After not seeing each other for half a month, Marco Polo had already learned a few simple Chinese sentences.
"Your Excellency Gao Yi, I know you must be a noble, and I want to be friends with you."
Li Changyi smiled and said: "Okay, how are you enjoying your stay in Chang'an?"
For the subsequent dialogue, Marco Polo still needed an interpreter.
But it can be seen that his admiration for this ancient eastern country has increased countless times.
"It's so amazing! Everything is so incredible, the great skills, the wonderful operas, the gorgeous cloth, the rich life, oh! It's simply heaven... Please forgive my rashness, I can't help but feel sorry for you
I am amazed by this great country.”
Li Changyi was a humble man, but he accepted such praise calmly and said: "China, China, has a vast land and abundant resources. It is true."
"Oh, I have become a fan of Guan Hanqing's plays! Mr. Gao Yi, have you ever seen his plays? I watched the entire "Single Sword Club" in the Grand Liyuan in the south of the city last night. It was really great..."
Marco Polo talked for a long time and finally said: "Oh God, I'm afraid I won't be able to understand all these miracles in my lifetime."
Li Changyi listened patiently, raised his hand gracefully, and said, "I'll show you our culture, this way."
Chongren Academy was newly built in recent years. It is different from many other official schools in Chang'an in that its admission threshold is quite high. It teaches students aged fifteen to twenty, and the teaching content is quite profound.
As Marco Polo walked, he praised and said: "I can see that this must be the cradle of imperial talents."
"It's just an ordinary academy."
"Dear Lord Gao Yi, I have one more request. I want to see the emperor of the empire, but I don't know how to do so..."
For a moment, Li Changyi's eyes narrowed, showing a look of vigilance.
But that day, he still told Li Xia about it.
"Marco Polo?"
"Yes, I suspect that he wants to get close to my father so much, and does he want to be disadvantageous to his father?"
When Li Changyi said this, Li Xia waved his hand and said: "No, I have heard of his name. He is not an assassin, but a business traveler and explorer. You can bring him to see him tomorrow afternoon."
"My son, I obey your orders."
~~
The next day.
"Declaration of Marco Polo's audience!"
Marco Polo followed Li Changyi, followed his example, and entered the main hall.
He originally thought that the emperor of this great empire must be an old man, but when he saw the handsome and majestic oriental man in his thirties sitting on the dragon throne, he was shocked.
"Your Majesty the Great Emperor, your servant Marco Polo from Venice pays you the most solemn courtesy."
After following the example of others, he bowed and spoke in Chinese, and the enthusiastic Marco Polo became nervous.
He felt that he was completely suffocated by the emperor's aura.
"No gift."
However, the next moment, the man on the dragon throne spoke, but he said something in the language of his hometown.
"You are welcome to come from afar."
Marco Polo's eyes widened in disbelief and he couldn't help but said: "Oh, my God."
He never dreamed that the great Eastern Emperor could speak his language.
"Venice is a beautiful place."
"Your Majesty the Great Emperor, I am deeply moved by your wisdom."
Li Xia, however, only knew a few words. He was taught by his opponent in the previous life, so he just showed off. After that, he continued to speak in Chinese and chatted with Marco Polo about the customs and customs of Italy.
"..."
Li Changyi stood aside and watched this scene silently, shocked by his father's erudition.
But that day, when Marco Polo resigned, Li Xia told Li Changyi to stay.
"My father actually knows about that small country far away in the horizon."
"Have you seen the Illustrated Book of Objects I wrote? I believe that the advancement of technology will make transportation in the world more and more convenient, and places far away will soon be accessible."
Li Changyi had no doubts and said: "I believe there will be a day."
"I once read a story." Li Xia said: "It said that hundreds of years later, a huge country like ours was eventually bullied by small countries and accused of being backward. The people worshiped foreign countries, just like Marco Polo today. Worship me, the Tang Dynasty."
"How could this happen?" Li Changyi shook his head and said, "It can't be like this?"
"Sit down." Li Xia said patiently, "I can tell you how it became like that step by step. Starting from being complacent and losing ambition..."
~~
Thirteen years after the founding of the Tong Dynasty.
Marco Polo could already speak Chinese fluently.
In the past two years, he met twice more and was extremely surprised by the omniscient wisdom of the great Eastern Emperor.
"Dear uncle, I don't understand why, apart from God's gift, there is any other reason why His Majesty the Emperor is so great and perfect."
"That is God's gift. I have never doubted this. For this reason, I even began to doubt God and turned to the Eastern Qingming Sect. Oh, God forgive me."
"Oh, that terrible religion that believes that all the gods in the East and the West are subordinate to the gods, I have to ask God for forgiveness even for mentioning its name." Marco Polo prayed quickly.
"Maybe God is really a subordinate of the gods? Oh, damn, my faith is beginning to waver. It is looser than a prostitute's belt. Mark, we have to go back, I have purchased enough goods."
Marco Polo shook his head and said: "I want to stay and learn as much as possible about this place."
"I won't wait for you."
"Dear uncle, I have to say goodbye to you. I am willing to die here." Marco Polo said: "You should bring Guan Hanqing's opera back. People will definitely fall in love with Guan Yu..."
A few days later, Marco Polo sent his uncle away.
Returning to the city from the outskirts of Chang'an, he suddenly saw a church outside the city. It was not a Christian church, but the site of Qingming Church.
The Qingming Sect rarely preaches among the people, and its teachings are more often passed on to people who already have faith, especially believers from far away.
Marco Polo waited for a long time and finally walked in.
~~
The fourteenth year of the founding of the Qing Dynasty.
During the Lantern Festival this year, apart from the lanterns, the most exciting thing for the people in Chang'an City was the various new dramas that sprung up like mushrooms after a rain.
In addition to works by famous artists, such as Guan Hanqing's "Female Prime Minister Dou E" and Bai Pu's "Tang Taizong's Snowy Night Breaking the Formation Music", there is also a young man named Ma Zhiyuan who performed "Han Gong Fu: Horses Trampling Qilian" 》.
More than ten years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the literary and music circles finally swept away the downturn and mourning since the Song and Jin Dynasties, and regained a high-spirited chapter.
Li Changyi was extremely busy.
Because the war with Haidu is bound to break out within the next two years.
Now that the emperor has visited the west, Li Changyi, as the prince, will temporarily move the court to Peking with all the officials after the spring.
This is his first experience.
He has been busy with official duties in the palace, but his younger brothers and sisters come over from time to time.
"Brother, don't you go see the lanterns?"
"I'm not going, you can go."
"Brother, the person who plays Dou E tonight at the Chengdong Theater is the famous Zhu Lianxiu Boss Zhu. He really plays Dou E's proud and talented person perfectly. Aren't you going?"
"Not going."
"Then I will bring delicious food to my brother later..."
Those roaring shouts finally died down.
Li Changyi was busy alone in the palace, feeling a little deserted. When he looked up, he saw Liu Yao looking outside the door with a food box.
"How did you get in?"
"Huh, I'm going to be the crown princess soon."
"Come here and sit with me for a while."
"Okay, I've brought you some food. I've brought a bottle of wine myself. I'll drink it while you're approving the papers."
"What's so good about wine? Let me tell you something. When I get to Peking, I will be in the military hall for three years and then join the army for three years."
"so what?"
"After we get married, it will be harder to spend time with you."
"I'll accompany you." Liu Yao took out the wine bottle and smelled it nonchalantly, and said, "I also want to take the military martial arts exam. I have talent..."
~~
That night, on the stage in the south of the city, the last episode of "Han Gong Fu: Horses Trampling Qilian" came to an end.
Everyone in Chang'an sang along with Huo Qubing's last song.
"The country is peaceful and happy."
"Being protected by heaven, we will never have any boundaries."
"Kiss each other for hundreds of years, and we will extend each other..."
Marco Polo was also among the cheering crowd, waving his arms and singing along with the crowd.
Admiration kept rising in his heart, and he made a decision.
"Brother Zhiyuan, I want a Chinese name!"
A young man who was hugged by him pushed him away and shouted in the crowd: "My name is Dongli. I am younger than you. You can just call me Dongli."
"Dongli, I'm thinking of a Chinese name, please help me think of it!"
"Sorry, what is your real name?"
"Marco Polo!"
"Ma Boru?"
"Hahaha, my name is Ma Boru. I want to study and travel. I want to take the official position in the Tang Dynasty!"
"Do you like spicy food?" Ma Zhiyuan said: "Would you like to have a celebration banquet with me? Eat a new dish from Sichuan, the spicy rabbit head banquet."
"Have I eaten? I have eaten, but I am willing to go to the celebration banquet..."
~~
Thirty-three years after the founding of the Han Dynasty.
Taicang Port.
With a huge rumbling sound, a large merchant ship slowly docked on the shore.
Someone got off the boat.
Marco Polo immediately went up to him and said enthusiastically: "May I ask if it's Chief Engineer Zhu in person? I'm going to dismount Boru, I have long admired the name of Chief Engineer Zhu."
"What's the matter, Mr. Ma?"
"I traveled to the south of the Yangtze River and heard that Mr. Zhu is one of the most outstanding scholars of ancient times today. I came here specifically to visit him and gain more knowledge."
Someone came forward and introduced Zhu Shijie. He said, "Mr. Ma is a famous explorer in the world."
"Explorer?"
"That's what His Majesty calls him..."
After Zhu Shijie heard this, he raised his hands to Marco Polo and asked: "Mr. Ma is from Venice?"
"General Manager Zhu also knows my hometown."
"People from our trading company have been there, and there is a fixed route to the Mediterranean, which goes back and forth once a year..."
Marco Polo was shocked.
It should be noted that twenty years ago, when he first came to the Tang Dynasty, he waited for two months in Hormuz but did not encounter a ship coming from the East.
The journey that year took him four years.
"Mr. Ma? Mr. Ma?"
"What did Mr. Zhu say?"
"I just said that if we take our newly built Huihang, we can arrive in Venice in half a year if everything goes well. Mr. Ma, please let me know if you need it."
"No."
Marco Polo felt inexplicably afraid, took two steps back and said, "I won't leave."
He lost his composure, glanced at the Huihang moored at the harbor for the last time, held his hand to Zhu Shijie, and ran away in a hurry.
~~
The first year of Taihe, Beijing.
"Xuanyou Sanqi often serves as a servant, Boru, to come to the audience!"
With loud shouts, Marco Polo entered the palace and paid homage to the new emperor.
"Ma Qing is in peace."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"After all, I have known Ma Qing for thirty years. Time flies by and we are not forgiving."
"I have the honor to witness with my own eyes the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty for thirty years and the wisdom of two generations of emperors. I only wish that your majesty and the Supreme Emperor will live forever and that the Tang Dynasty will be strong and prosperous forever."
"With Ma Qing's auspicious words, I would like to send Ma Qing as an envoy to the Mediterranean to convey my edicts to Western countries and spread the culture and education of the Central Plains. You are willing to share my worries."
Marco Polo was stunned for a while and opened his mouth several times.
Finally, he bowed solemnly.
"My lord, I obey the order!"
~~
The ship cuts through the waves.
A bearded Tang Dynasty official was sitting in the cabin, holding a pen in his hand and writing something solemnly.
"It will be difficult for me to describe the great achievements of His Majesty the Emperor throughout my life, but I have decided to do my best to spread some of his deeds to the West."
"His Majesty's royal name is Li, and his royal title is Emperor. In our language, this word means the king of kings. He deserves this title."
"Because in terms of the people he rules, the vast territory, and the huge taxes, he has surpassed all the past and present monarchs in the world. Moreover, there has never been a monarch with as much authority as him and the absolute worship of the people under his rule.
"
"But the first thing I want to mention, the first thing I want to marvel at, is the great contribution he made to the country and even the world during the thirty years he governed the Tang Dynasty..."