Because he had the sacred mandate, Su Shichang did not stay in Gaochang for long. He spent three days recovering and replenishing supplies for the road. Soon after, Su Shichang led the delegation to Yanqi.
In the Western Region, the mountains are high and the roads are far away, often accompanied by wind and sand. After another half-month journey, Su Shichang gradually entered the realm of Yanqi.
This country is recorded as Yanqi in the history books of the Central Plains. It is also known locally as the Agni Kingdom and the Wuqi Kingdom. It borders Gaochang to the east and Qiuci to the west. It is a transit city on the Silk Road. Because of this, Su Shichang's name
On the way, I also met many Tang merchants or merchants from the Western Regions.
When these people saw the flag of the Tang Army, they almost subconsciously moved closer to the envoys. They did nothing for other reasons except that they thought it was better to enjoy the shade under the big tree.
The wealth of merchants naturally led to rampant local bandits. The wars in the Western Regions were not as stable and prosperous as those in the Central Plains. Merchants who came and went were often in danger of losing their property and their lives. Following the Tang Dynasty's envoy team, I always felt more at ease.
Su Shichang did not put on airs and order people to drive away some merchants who deliberately came to please them. Instead, he chatted with them in his spare time to learn about the Western Regions. The exchange was a great benefit.
There are many things about Yanqi.
Outside the city of King Yanqi, the soldiers and horses of the Ashina Nishe tribe of the Western Turks quickly discovered this huge group of people and quickly sent a team of cavalry to intercept it.
When they asked about the reason, they learned that Su Shichang was an envoy from the Tang Dynasty. The Western Turkic cavalry did not dare to neglect and quickly reported it to their superiors.
Soon after, Ashina Nishu's younger brother, Ashina Tongeshe, personally welcomed the envoy of the Tang Dynasty.
"We can't help but be overjoyed that the envoy from the higher country has come from far away. If there is any slightness, please forgive me." Ashina and Ershe kept their posture very low, practicing the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty and speaking.
It’s a mouth-watering Chinese Mandarin.
Now in the Tang Dynasty, the Weijia Sea has conquered all the grassland tribes in the north and has become the first empire in the world. In the past, the Western Turks could not take advantage of the Eastern Turks, and they were often beaten violently by the brothers in the east.
After learning that the Tang army had destroyed the Eastern Turks, the awe in my heart was naturally transferred to the Tang Dynasty. In addition, the Western Turks were now divided, so they treated the Tang envoys with great respect.
In fact, the Western Turks really can't compare with the herds of Eastern Turks. I don't know if it's because the soil and water support the people. Since the Western Turks royal court moved to the Western Regions, they can no longer defeat the Eastern Turks. They seem to have succeeded.
The disease of small countries in the Western Regions is that they can only dominate the Western Regions. Once they go out and face the Tang army and the Eastern Turks, they have little chance of winning.
Historically, after the demise of the Eastern Turks, the remaining Yugushe, the younger brother of the Turli Khan Shibobi, led some soldiers and horses to flee to the Western Regions, where they violently beat up the distant brothers of the Western Turks.
Now, there is no such person as Yu Gushe.
"Easy to say, easy to say, no wonder." Su Shichang smiled and held his hands.
Don't reach out to hit the smiling person, Su Shichang will naturally not hold back when faced with Ashina and Eshe's low posture.
"Messenger please!"
"please."
Along with Ashina and Eshe, Su Shichang gradually approached the city of King Yanqi.
The Yanqi Kingdom is seventy miles south of Baishan Mountain and 5,800 miles east of Chang'an. It was an old state in the Han Dynasty. Its king's surname was Long and his name was Tuqi. The capital was two miles wide, and there were nine cities in the country. He had more than a thousand soldiers.
The people are small and poor, and the country has no laws and regulations. Their customs follow Buddhist scriptures, which are similar to those of Brahmins, and their marriage rituals are similar to those of China.
Su Shichang heard this record from his colleagues who had been to Yanqi. When he got close to Yanqi, he found that this record was not detailed.
For example, in the kingdom of Yanqi, the royal city spans six to seven miles, and is surrounded by mountains to the west. The roads are dangerous and easy to defend, and the springs are intertwined with them, which can be used as fields.
This is what he saw with his own eyes. The Yanqi country is not just a nomadic country. They also have land suitable for farming.
After entering the city, Su Shichang saw the people of Yanqi, who were wearing felt robes, with broken hair and no scarves. They were different from the people of the Tang Dynasty.
The streets are chaotic and disorderly, with people coming and going. Although it is lively, it is very chaotic. Looking at the things for sale, there are many fresh fruits, such as grapes, pears, and dates.
Although it is poor, it is still acceptable in this wild and wild land.
Along the way, Ashina and Ershe arranged for Su Shichang to stay in a luxurious courtyard, and then they entered the palace without stopping and reported to his brother Ashina Nishu.
When he saw Ashina Nishu, Yanqi King Long Tuqi was reporting the battle ahead. Although Long Tuqi was the king of Yanqi, in front of Nishu, he was just a minister of the state. Although there were few soldiers and horses in Yanqi, Long Tuqi
He can also control it, but when the mud comes, he becomes a foil.
"Why are you here?" Ashina Nishu asked, "But Zheli called?"
Ashina shook his head with Eshe, "No, he is an envoy from the Tang Dynasty."
"Tang Envoy?" Ashina Nishu suddenly stood up, with a look of surprise and a hint of joy on his face.
"Yes, it's the Tang envoy." Ashina confirmed with Eshel.
"What are they here for?"
Ashina said awkwardly to Eshel, "The envoy said that he only wanted to make it clear to you."
Hearing this, Ashina couldn't help laughing, "That's right. That's it. Go and take him into the palace quickly. I'll see him now."
"Khan is inappropriate." Long Tuqi interrupted.
"What's wrong?" Nishu asked.
Long Tuqi explained: "Khan, it must be hard for the Tang envoy to come all the way. We might as well see you the next day."
After hearing this, Ni Shu thought about it and thought it was right, so he said: "Tong'er, take good care of the Tang envoy for me. I will see him tomorrow."
"Yes." Ashina and Osher retreated.
Ashina Nishu looked at Long Tuqi, "Why don't you let me see Tang Envoy now?"
Although Longtuqi's explanation was correct, Ashina Nishu still felt that this answer was not Longtuqi's original intention.
Long Tuqi did not hide anything, and said directly: "Khan, you sent someone to Chang'an to ask for the marriage of the Tang Dynasty clan princess, but the Tang Dynasty emperor refused on the grounds of civil strife in the Western Turks. After that, there were only a handful of contacts between the two countries, and the Tang Dynasty even more
I have never specially sent an envoy here, so this time the Tang envoy came here, I'm afraid it's not simple, or he may have something to ask for."
Hearing this, Ashina Nishu fell into deep thought.
Since the war between him and Yeli, both sides have sent envoys to Chang'an to ask for the marriage of the Tang Dynasty clan princess, hoping to form an alliance with the Tang Dynasty. However, they were all rejected by the Tang Dynasty emperor.
The reason is very simple: Western Turks are in civil strife and do not marry clan daughters.
"What you said makes sense." Ashina turned confused and said, "But, what can they ask of me?"
Long Tuqi said awkwardly: "I mean, I'm afraid the Tang Dynasty has requirements for us."
Hearing this, Ashina paused, pursed her lips, turned around and sat down.
"Let's talk about Yeli."
"yes."
Compared to Tang Shi, who was helpless and depressing, Ashina Nishu still felt that Ye Li who wanted to kill him was easier to deal with.
Although the Tang Dynasty was far away, it was not something he could offend.
The distant brothers in the East Turks all died at the hands of the Tang people. He didn't think he could defeat the Tang people.
Even if Tong Yehu Khan is here, it won't work.
After listening to Long Tuqi's guess, Ni Zhe really didn't have the time to think about Zheli's affairs, so he started a full-scale brainstorming to think about the reason why Tang Envoy came to see him.
But after thinking about it, he couldn't figure out why.
Long Tuqi saw Ni She's distress and explained: "Khan, no matter what the Tang people ask for, don't worry too much. We are far away from the Tang Dynasty, so he can't threaten us."
"I hope so." Nishu sighed.
He did not dare to offend the Tang Dynasty at this time.
Longtuqi looked at Nishu who looked worried, and felt very melancholy in his heart. The Western Turks were already the kings of these small countries in the Western Regions, but the Tang Dynasty far in the east was the real overlord.
The arrival of just one envoy filled the Khan with unexplainable sorrow.