Huang Ting

Although Gao Gu came back with Zhang Qian, he did not go with Zhang Qian. Instead, he and Gao Yue mingled with the Yanqi caravan and entered Yancheng first in a low-key manner.

But Zhang Qian and others went through the market with great fanfare,

The group of people wore Han costumes that were completely different from those in the Western Regions, with long swords on their waists. There were several carriages in the team, with various gifts on them. The last few carriages also had many jars of fine wine.

The leader was handsome and heroic, riding a tall horse, and holding a pole inlaid with various precious furs in his hand. At the top stood a golden ax that wanted to spread its wings and fly to all directions.

The team entered Yancheng with great fanfare. King Zeluo of Kucha personally greeted them at the city gate and allowed the team to stay in the palace.

Soon, news spread in Yancheng,

The huge team that entered Yancheng today was a mission from the east, sent by the empire called Han who was said to be on par with the Huns. It seemed that they were going to Jingjue Kingdom to pay homage to Queen Jingjue.

Submit credentials and establish diplomatic relations.

······

Inside the Kucha Palace,

Zeluo said suspiciously: "You said you are willing to help us conquer the Jingjue Kingdom?"

Zeluo could even speak Chinese and was far more familiar with the Han Dynasty than other people in the Western Regions, so he was naturally dubious about Zhang Qian's words.

For no reason, if the Han Dynasty did not go to war with the Xiongnu, would he help the residents of the Western Regions who were thousands of miles away?

Zhang Qian said sternly: "Of course!"

"I, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, overthrew the tyrannical Qin and founded the country. I, the Han Dynasty, also founded the country based on filial piety and righteousness. As an envoy of the Han Dynasty, how could I, Zhang Qian, sit back and watch my friends suffer from tyranny?"

Zhang Qian held the staff in his hand and shook it to the left in obeisance. Then he said the above words with righteous indignation, and violently fluttered his sleeves, shaking them out with a strong wind:

"If there is any need, Qian will naturally be obliged to do so!"

Tang Yi's father stood aside expressionlessly and translated Zhang Qian's words to Zeluo.

What Zhang Qian said was sincere and sincere, which confused Zeluo. He didn't believe anything that the Han Dynasty would help the Western Regions unconditionally, but he racked his brains and never expected that thousands of miles away.

What benefits can the big man get from this matter?

Is it possible that he really misunderstood Zhang Qian? Is there really someone who just helps without expecting anything in return?

Gao Gu stood aside with a smile and said nothing. Hu Xiuwu watched Zhang Qian's performance quietly. When he couldn't bear it anymore, he turned around and rolled his eyes at Chen Duo.

I believe you, even if you look at your thick eyebrows and big eyes, you don’t say a word of truth in your mouth.

Only Chen Duo really thought that Zhang Qian was telling the truth and applauded Zhang Qian.

For a moment, there was no sound in the palace, only Chen Duo's applause echoed.

Hu Xiuwu pulled her back speechlessly: "What are you doing?"

Chen Duo said: "Uncle Liao said that if someone gives a speech, he must applaud to show respect."

What is this mess? This is Uncle Liao’s own experience?

Hu Xiuwu maliciously guessed: Isn’t Nadutong a ‘non-state-owned enterprise’? If not, there are various conferences and meetings going on every day?

The episode was dismissed by Hu Xiuwu, and Gao Gu then explained to Zeluo:

"With the participation of Envoy Zhang, the plan can be changed. Envoy Zhang can take Mr. Xiuwu to Jingjue. King Qiuci can just use the excuse of escorting Zhang Qian's envoy and transporting ordnance to stay in Jingjue.

In the city, block the elite troops rushing to help."

"King Yanqi has set off from Yanqi with gold and silver to the Kingdom of Jingjue to meet Queen Jingjue and apologize to her."

Zeluo Qi said: "Apologise?"

Gao Gu nodded: "Yes, last year Yanqi failed to hand over the sacrifices to the snake god on time and in quantity, as well as the taxes collected by Jingjue. Queen Jingjue once said that if he fails to pay in full this time

As a sacrifice, she will sacrifice half of the population of Yanqi Kingdom to the gods."

"This time, there are no exceptions in the Yanqi Kingdom. Even if King Yanqi is drawn, he will still come!"

Zeluo snorted coldly: "No wonder that old bastard King Yanqi agreed to send troops."

"In that case, it's time for us to set off. Everything happens to be ready."

Gao Gu said: "Your Majesty, it will take three days to prepare the envoy."

Zeluo made a decision immediately: "Then we will set off in three days to avoid further trouble."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

······

Zeluo went to the blacksmith's workshop and supervised his craftsmen and the soldiers of the mission to sink the thin clay pots containing the fire dragon oil from the Western Regions into the wine jar.

Gao Gu returned to Hadili's house and met up with the Gao family, seemingly wanting to give them some final instructions.

Only Hu Xiuwu and Chen Duo stayed with Zhang Qian. This time, Zhang Qian stopped pretending to be a cultural person like Hu Xiuwu and lay down directly on the high stool in the Qiuci Palace. Tang Yifu had long been used to it.

Hu Xiuwu stared at Zhang Qian in the hall speechlessly, and curiosity suddenly emerged in his heart. In real history, if he and Chen Duo had not fought off the Huns cavalry, would Zhang Qian have escaped the pursuit of the Huns cavalry?

If not, what will happen to him? Will he still be able to complete his mission?

Hu Xiuwu shook his head, threw away this unreasonable thought, and said to Zhang Qian: "I really didn't expect that brother, you would get into this muddy water. What good would it do to you."

"Even if you help the people of the Western Regions overthrow Jingjue's rule, the Huns still occupy the Hexi Corridor. The Western Regions are just an enclave thousands of miles away, beyond the reach of the Han Dynasty. The Huns will still take advantage of it."

Zhang Qian laughed loudly: "Brother Xiuwu, although you have inherited Liuhou's Qi training talent, you still haven't understood Liuhou's strategizing methods."

Hu Xiuwu cupped his hands and said, "Would you like to hear the details?"

Zhang Qian stopped smiling: "Even if I don't do anything, what will happen if things change? Will Qiuci and Gumo stop their actions against Jingjue?"

Hu Xiuwu shook his head. He knew very well the determination of Prince Gumo Hadili to resist Jing Jue. He would never back down. Even without him, Hadili would still find a way to resist Jing Jue. Gao Gu would never back down.

I will let this useful chess piece go.

The arrow is already on the string, how can it be released empty?

"So, since it's irreversible, I naturally want to join in and get some benefits for the big man."

Hu Xiuwu still didn't understand: "What benefits can you get for the big man?"

Because he mistakenly believed that Hu Xiuwu was a descendant of Liuhou, Zhang Qian loved Wujiwu and did not directly give the answer. Instead, he induced Hu Xiuwu to think about it:

"What do you think will happen if they succeed?"

"After success?" Hu Xiuwu said confusedly,

"Then naturally we all go back to our own homes, what else can we do?"

"What happens next? Do you think the Huns will let this opportunity pass? Especially since they have already prepared Wusun, the nail in the Western Regions."

Hu Xiuwu said solemnly: "Of course not. Without Jingjue, there will be no force in the Western Regions that can compete with the Xiongnu. They will not let go of this piece of fat. When the time comes..."

Zhang Qian continued what he said: "When the time comes, the people of the Western Regions will know that there is no difference between the Xiongnu's Chanyu and Queen Jingjue. They are just another cruel monarch ruling them. Then they will naturally miss that friendly, powerful, and beautiful queen.

An ally who wants nothing."

The Huns are not kind to the small subordinate countries, and they prefer to recruit the cannon fodder who are at the forefront of the small subordinate countries.

Whenever there is a fear of comparison, the brutality of the Xiongnu will bring out the advantages of the big man. The countries in the Western Regions will naturally miss the big man who helped them unconditionally.

"If the Huns have always controlled the Hexi Corridor, it will be fine."

Zhang Qian held up his wine glass and looked into the distance, as if he was peering into the future.

"But if one day, His Majesty's horse tramples on the Xiongnu, and our great Han regains control of the Hexi Corridor, then all the countries in the Western Region will eat pots of pulp to welcome the king's army!"

"This is what I earned for the big man."

"Great justice!"