Three Kingdoms

The early morning light is like a layer of light golden gauze, covering the land of Sanfu in Guanzhong.

As the light mist gradually dissipated in the sunlight, the crisp sound of copper bells floated in the air.

This kind of sound, if you have been in the Western Regions or stayed in the desert for a long time, you will understand that it is the sound of camel bells.

There are two types of camel bells, one is hung on the neck of the camel, and the other is hung on the goods carried by the camel. Experienced desert traders do not need to check at all, they can tell just by listening to the sound. Did the camel get lost, or did the goods on the camel fall?

After all, the desert may be invaded by wind and sand at any time. When the sky is full of flying sand and dust, vision is indeed not as useful as hearing.

Amid the tinkling of camel bells, a group of people walked slowly on the outskirts of Chang'an City.

This group of businessmen from the Western Regions are very much in the style of the Western Regions in their clothing and appearance.

It may be a mouthful to say this, but as long as you see these people, you will naturally know what the so-called "Western Region Customs" is. Anyway, it is definitely not like the Qiang people.

These people all have high noses and deep eyes, and wear pointed hats with front brim, which is convenient for sun protection and long-distance travel. The clothes have lapels, plackets, narrow sleeves, and even a large piece of silk as decoration...

What's even more remarkable is that most of them are leading camels, and then behind the camel's butt is leading a second camel. One person leads two to three camels on average, and they line up slowly in a long line. Team, move forward.

In the past, if a group of people like this had arrived at Sanfu, Chang'an, they would have been watched by some curious Han people, and they would have cast all kinds of curious looks from around them. However, as the number of people like this arriving in Chang'an increased, they would have been surrounded by curious Han people. More and more people came, and the people in Sanfu, Chang'an, were not surprised anymore.

On the contrary, these people from the Western Regions looked at the Han people's Chang'an City with curiosity and surprise.

Even though there was still a long distance, everything in front of them surprised them. .

Different from their impression of the city in Longyou and Longxi that was full of yellow dust and flying ash, the Chang'an City in front of them was completely beyond their imagination.

This is an open city. Compared with most small, dusty and deserted small cities, Chang'an City is like a muscular northwest man. Although there is no huge city wall, it shows strength everywhere. And beauty.

On the basis of the original city wall of Chang'an City, no additional city walls were built, and they were replaced by newly planned roads and lanes. In the shops on both sides of the street, a variety of goods are sold. In addition to utensils and items from the Han Dynasty, there are also other specialties from all over the world, such as bamboo products from Sichuan and Sichuan, and lacquer boxes from Shandong. wait.

In these shops, not only Han people are shopping, but there are also many people wearing other clothes.

Of course, you can also see some guys whose faces are very different from those of the Han people, but they wear Han robes with long sleeves and turbans. They don't care about their curly hair sticking out under the turbans, shaking their fans. , even when they meet, they greet each other with bowed hands, just like the Han people. The leather pants and boots occasionally exposed under their feet are somewhat eye-catching and unusual.

These people from the ethnic groups surrounding the Han people not only began to learn Chinese voluntarily and spontaneously. It is also better to wear Han attire, bow your hands when meeting, and wear your hair in a Chinese bun. Even when gathering with each other, you no longer eat Hu cakes. Instead, you should use chopsticks to be elegant and separate. Sit down and eat some rice.

At the beginning, these customs were only spread among the herdsmen and nobles and tribal leaders, and there were also many old-school conservative herdsmen and nobles who hated it and ridiculed it. However, as time went by, more and more people began to learn Han culture. The culture and customs of the family have also led more and more herdsmen to learn to wear Han clothes and perform Han rituals.

Following the instructions, this group of lustful people walked along the street, whispering to each other, "Sure enough, it is almost the same as what Jia Weide said. The Han people now are really...very different from what was recorded before..."

These color-eyed people come from the West even further than the Western Regions...

That is the land of Great Qin.

As people who have been doing business for a long time, they also pay special attention to one thing. After entering Longyou and Longxi, and in the land of Sanfu in Chang'an, the checkpoints are still there, but no tolls are collected!

This is extremely rare even in Great Qin.

As a Semu person who came to Chang'an for the first time, he had to have a sponsor to stay in Chang'an City, and he was not allowed to enter the core areas in the center. He could only stay and stay in some areas around the post station.

In these surrounding areas, a large number of buildings similar to dormitories were built to facilitate the residence of traveling merchants. And depending on where the merchants come from, they are also distributed in different areas.

For example, Hu merchants from the Western Regions were basically located in this area west of Chang'an City. There is a small elm forest in this area, which is called elm forest.

"look! Isn't that Javid? ! 』

Someone with sharp eyes recognized Javid, who was wearing Han Chinese clothing, and shouted loudly, which immediately caused a burst of discussion in the queue.

"Tsk..." Spoulis, who was leading the camel queue, looked at Javid's proud look. He tutted softly at first, not sure if it was to express disgust or contempt, but then he put on a smile and said loudly. Gao De waved his arm, revealing the yellow hair on his hand, "Hi!" my friend! it's here! 』

Da Qin itself has language and writing, and language and writing are basically the foundation of a civilization. When most of its people abandon the writing of this civilization, it means that this civilization is about to collapse...

Looking at Jarvis, Spoulis already felt that Jarvis was like a guy infected by a virus, especially when he saw Jarvis using awkward Chinese and Chinese rituals to communicate with other Han people. It was like swallowing a fly, an indescribable reaction.

Many countries or tribes around Da Qin had no language or writing at all. Spoulis was once proud that Da Qin had such a culture, but now he suddenly found that his pride had been challenged.

Daqin people are a culture formed by letters...

The Han people are a culture formed by strokes...

Writing is subtle and has a great influence on a nation's civilization and thinking.

In the Western Regions, Chinese culture is like getting up early in the morning and catching up with a late gathering. Although this is related to the huge difference between the languages ​​​​of the Western Regions and Chinese, the Han Dynasty court was extremely careless in exporting ideology. It also matters.

But now everything is different...

Is the position for promoting ideological and cultural propaganda just waiting for others to bring it to you? If you don't take the initiative to occupy it, others will take the initiative!

As a result, under Fei Qian's promotion, the cultural diffusion of the Han Dynasty to the outside world was advanced. In the process of educating the surrounding nomadic peoples, the Southern Huns, Qiang people, etc., who benefited, became the latest spokespersons of Han culture. . The tolerant attitude displayed by the Han people, at least on the surface, attracts more people...

If Fei Qian had chosen to raise the butcher's knife at all times and kill those who dissatisfied, perhaps the current situation would not have happened.

Every peck and drink has its own cause and effect.

After being registered and explained the precautions and various rules, the newly arrived Daqin people in Chang'an were guaranteed by Jarvis. They gathered together and were allowed to enter a house in the west of the city.

"You don't need to hand over your sword or gun?" Spoulis muttered, taking off the pointed hat on his head, revealing a head of cut tawny hair.

Jarvis nodded and said: "No need...you guys will rest here this year...the goods can be piled over there first...take the camels to the backyard...the fodder is all in the backyard..."

Spolis couldn't help but screamed when he saw someone moving a little louder while carrying the goods. After all, these goods were all transported from Daqin with great difficulty. In other words, they were not the producers of the goods, they were just silk Porters on the road...

The reason for working so hard is, of course, more to gain profits.

Jarvis smiled slightly and said nothing. His smile seemed to be no different from before, but there was also an indescribable taste.

Spolis's rank was higher than Jarvis's in Great Qin.

In his early years during the Caesar period, Spolis's family was already a wealthy businessman, and he was once a distinguished guest of the Parthian nobles and the Yuezhi, but now...

In the Great Qin State, class suppression was very strong, and ordinary people had no chance to climb to the top in their lives. After all, Caesar's period of expansion in conquests had passed, and expansion eventually turned into involution.

Although the people of the Qin Dynasty could also make profits by trading gems, spices, livestock and other businesses with the Western Regions, for hundreds of years, in their family history, they still remember that the biggest profit from trade was still based on reselling silk... …

Han silk!

So when he heard that this golden road was reopened, not only Jarvis was moved, but the old Qin nobles like Spolis were also moved. Entering the Han Dynasty to buy silk was to allow the Spolis family to continue The top priority is to expand the business, especially to regain the monopoly of Han silk into the hands of his family...

But Spoulis's idea was frustrated.

Spolis originally thought that as long as he had a good relationship with the Han people in the Western Regions, he could continuously obtain special silk supply rights from there...

After all, according to his family's records, his grandfather's grandfather's grandfather had done this before.

But now, Spoulis discovered that the general in the Western Regions could not decide the exclusive right to sell silk...

The one who really has the power should be this general in Chang'an.

General Hussars, oh, now General Hussars.

Jarvis glanced at Spolis, and then said lightly, "The Han general hasn't had time to see you yet..."

"Why? ! Spoulis subconsciously began to wonder if Jarvis had made a mistake.

After all, colleagues are enemies. Although Jarvis is mainly engaged in the despicable trade of smuggling slaves, it does not mean that Jarvis will not smuggle some silk by the way.

Jarvis's smile remained the same, "The Han general has been quite busy these two days..."

Spolis was holding his breath. Isn't this nonsense? But now that he was unfamiliar with Chang'an, he could only endure it and asked again: "What are you busy with?" 』

Jarvis tilted his head, "This...how could I know?" I am not a Han general..."

"Then how do you know he won't see me?" ” Spolis frowned. If this was the land of Great Qin, he would definitely let Jarvis know what the dignity of a superior citizen should not be violated!

Jarvis chuckled twice, "Two days ago, someone said that someone sent a beautiful woman to the Han general... I think if I were the Han general, I must be very busy now... How can I have time to see you? And you? 』

"..." Spolis rolled his eyes, "Beauty?" Did you give it as a gift? 』

Jarvis made two gestures on his chest and said in a rather ambiguous tone: "Where can I find beautiful women?" Don’t you think that just grabbing a young person on the roadside can act as a noble lady? The difference between a real noble lady and an ordinary peasant woman is not just the front and back of the figure..."

Of course, Spoulis knew this, well, maybe two things, but he had just casually sent a beautiful woman who was known as a "Noble of the Qin Dynasty" to the Han general in the Western Regions, but in fact it was him who randomly caught her in the countryside. It’s just a young farmer girl who came here. It’s the same when the lights are turned off, right?

"If you don't tell...who will know?" Spoulis almost suspected that Jarvis would tell the truth.

Jarvis was not afraid at all when facing Spolis's aggressive gaze, "Don't you think that the current Han general is still the same as the Han generals who lived a hundred or two hundred years ago?" Haha, if that's the case...then it's really...hahaha, hahaha..."

Amidst Jarvis's laughter, Spolis also echoed with a smile, "In that case...it doesn't matter, I'm not in a hurry...I'm not in a hurry..."

Jarvis nodded. He did not expose Spoulis's rhetoric.

There was nothing wrong with Spoulis being a wealthy businessman and aristocrat a hundred or two hundred years ago, but now...

Changes and disputes in the power of the Qin Dynasty, and the ups and downs among the nobles are also common things, just like among the Han Dynasty. Who can know what the future will be like?

Not urgent?

If you were really not in a hurry, you wouldn't have come all the way here.

But Jarvis was right about one thing. Fei Qian really didn't expect to meet Spolis so soon.

In future business negotiations, it is also a strategy to show off your opponent appropriately.

Of course, what Fei Qian was waiting for at the moment was not just Sbollis alone, but also a caravan from the snowy area, said to be Tianzhu's caravan...

Of course, there is also the daughter of a Tibetan nobleman who is said to have come by the way...

Hussar General's Mansion.

In the festival hall, Pang Tong narrowed his eyes and smiled, saying: "Okay, I admit, this was my idea...and then Brother Wenhe and...actually all agreed..."

Fei Qian was a little dumbfounded and said, "How could you think of this?" 』

Pang Tong sighed and said: "My lord, although you and your wife are in harmony with each other...but we must also consider our worries as ministers... At present, the lord's family affairs are also business affairs..."

Fei Qian frowned slightly.

To Fei Qian, who came from later generations, two or three children were already a lot, but in the eyes of the Han people, what did two or three children count?

This is why the heirs are so few!

For the people of the Han Dynasty, if they didn't give birth to a football team or something, it simply couldn't be considered to have many children and grandchildren. Only by giving birth to a football team that could attack and defend both sides, could it be called one with many heirs and no worries about inheritance.

This worry has actually been going on for a long time for Pang Tong and others.

Being able to tolerate not arguing with Fei Qian until now actually gives Fei Qian a lot of space...

In fact, Pang Tong, Xun You, and even Jia Xu had vaguely raised this issue with Fei Qian before, but Fei Qian ignored them.

But as the years go by and the age increases, such worries gradually accumulate. After all, in the Han Dynasty, too many people died at the age of forty.

Speaking of the average life span, Fei Qian still remembers that it seems to be a reincarnation. In the Neolithic period, the average life span was only about thirty-one, and the height was also the shortest, less than one meter six. Then in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the life span reached thirty-five, and the height also reached one meter sixty-three. The Han Dynasty continued to extend and increase , average more than forty...

And the most interesting thing is that in the prosperous Qing Dynasty, the average life expectancy was ten years shorter than that in the Ming Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, the average life span was still in the forties. By the Qing Dynasty, it was only thirty-one or two years old. It was almost the same as in the Neolithic Age, and the height was also It has dropped significantly, which means that in the early Republic of China, anyone with a height of over 1.6 meters was considered extraordinary.

Fei Qian didn't dare to say how long he could live in the Han Dynasty at the moment, but he was certain that he should be a person who would not be held back. But for the ministers under Fei Qian, now Fei Qian The political group continues to increase, and it can even be said that it is almost a national system. As the most important core figure among them, it is of course impossible for Fei Qian to sit back and watch Fei Qian fall into the dilemma of "few heirs".

This is the worry of Pang Tong and others, and now in order to solve this worry, Pang Tong and others discussed and "collected" some different "flavor" meals for Fei Qian...

"What's more..." Pang Tong looked at Fei Qian's expression and said, "This... is also beneficial... on the one hand, it can appease the hearts of the Longyou Qiang people and the Tubo people in the snowy area. After all, with these noble ladies paying tribute, They will feel closer... On the other hand, isn't this "marriage" strategy something you mentioned before, my lord? 』

"ah? Fei Qian's eyes widened and he couldn't help blurting out, "When did I say this?" 』