Three Kingdoms

Everyone has a dream.

Some people dream of world peace, while others dream of world nuclear peace.

Taksa also had dreams. He had previously dreamed of one day joining the upper echelons of the Kushan nobility.

In fact, he usually scolds the nobles in front of other middle-level Kushan people for being stupid, corrupt, greedy, and domineering. But in his heart, he longs for it, longing that one day he can sit in the position of a nobleman, and then he doesn't care. Wherever he goes, he can hear others lowering their heads and calling him respectfully...

"master. 』

Oh, what a wonderful title!

Every night in the dead of night, he couldn't help but secretly think about it, imagining that when someone called him this, he couldn't help but tremble all over.

However, the aristocratic ladder in Kushan is very high, and it is not easy to climb up. He wanted to put some stones or bones under his feet so that he could hope to reach the steps.

And those old opponents before Guishang were not easy to deal with...

The meaning of being difficult is not only external, but also internal.

In some war zones in Kushan, merit has been secretly priced. Every head has its own value, and is controlled by a certain family or a combination of forces. Anyone who wants to enter to gain merit, You must get the approval of these people, otherwise even if you are beaten to death, you will not be able to get the seals of these people, and naturally it will not be counted as meritorious service.

If someone makes too much noise and disobeys management, there are plenty of opportunities to shut them up in a war zone anyway.

So I didn’t have a chance before…

But now, in the Western Region, it may be a brand new war zone, a unique opportunity for Taksa.

Although he also felt that the Han people were a bit scary and not that easy to fight, if he missed this opportunity, he would probably regret it in his life, so Taksa needed more people to follow him and let other people's flesh and blood fulfill his own merits.

Therefore, Busen's attitude is very important.

Taksa didn't want Busen to openly oppose the march at the next meeting, which would be very troublesome, so he deliberately came to Busen privately, hoping to unify his thoughts and work together, but unfortunately, Tucker now Sa found that Busen seemed to be difficult to deal with.

When Taksa was agitating, expressing that the people of the Western Regions were being persecuted by the Han people, and hoping that Busen could stand up and lead the people of the Western Regions, stand under the glory of the Buddha, and launch a just counterattack against the demonic Han people, Bu Sen's face There was some mocking smile on the face...

"General, you want me to encourage the people of the Western Regions to block the Han people's swords and guns?" Let all the old people, children, women and children here move forward with the army, fight hand-to-hand with the Han people, consume the Han people's arrows and physical strength, consume the Han people's numbers, and let them fall one by one, paving a path of flesh and blood. path of? 』

Taksa frowned and waved her hands, "How can you say that?" Master Busen! We are not forcing it, we are doing it voluntarily! Do you understand voluntary? Grandmaster. Voluntariness is important. You have high prestige among the people, and the leaders of various states will be willing to listen to your suggestions. As long as you nod a little, and there is no need for you to come forward in person, they will join in the glory of the Buddha and become Warriors with faith, fight so that the light of Buddha can be sown in this land again! This is an honor! Glory! What's more, we also have hope of defeating the Han people, and we will eventually win! And after the victory, Master Busen, you will have more fame... Ah, the Buddha will definitely praise you for your bravery at this moment! 』

Busen smiled, "That's not how you understand the glory of Buddha... General, have you ever been to a Han Chinese city or their capital?" 』

"No. ’ Taksa replied. Not only has he never been to a Han city, but this is his first time in the Western Regions.

"I've been there. Busen said, "I went there when I was young. Before the Han people came here, I went to the capital of the Han people. That was the first time I saw that Han Chinese cities were so big and there were so many people... There were really many Han people. If they really got serious, they would destroy this place and the heaven and earth here. Not even the Buddha... can resist..."

"Master Busen, you are too... too exaggerated..." Taksa changed the word to a more neutral word, "Even if the Han people are powerful, so what?" Look at us now, even if the Han people burn down Qiu Cicheng, what will happen? Haven't you been driven away by us? With our current meager military strength, we can defeat the Han army... So the Han people are not terrible, nor are they invincible. The key lies in our determination! 』

Taksa's words were sonorous and powerful, demonstrating his strong confidence. Before Busen could speak, he continued: "I am not from the Western Regions, but after I came here, I saw the pain of the people here, and also saw their bravery and tenacity." When facing the ferocious Han people, they did not choose to retreat or fear. They faced the Han people's swords and guns, showing their desire for freedom! But I'm sorry...for you, Master Busen, I don't see this kind of fearless courage in you..."

Bu Sen showed some anger on his face, "General!" This is completely different. If the Han people continue to advance and want to continue to insult the Buddha and violate the Buddha's will, we will resist regardless of our own safety! Resist at the risk of your life! 』

"By then, it will be too late!" ” Taksa waved his arms, “Master, I think you have violated the true meaning of the Buddha! If this is the embodiment of the Buddha's will, then maybe I should suspect that you have betrayed the Buddha and your faith! 』

This accusation was very serious. Busen couldn't help but said angrily, "You have no right to say that to me!" I have dedicated everything to the Buddha. I have been practicing for decades. In order to spread the Buddha's teachings, I have traveled all over the Western Region! I believe in Buddha and love all the people in the Western Region! And you just want to come to the Western Regions to gain merit! 』

Taksa coughed, and then said: "Oh, I'm sorry, my friend, maybe my wording is not very accurate... but I still want to say that your previous thoughts were indeed a betrayal." What is Buddha? It is beautiful and bright, but are the Han people here beautiful and bright? As a representative of the Buddha, you embody the true meaning of the Buddha. If it is because of cowardice, I'm sorry, maybe you shouldn't use this word, but really wait until the Han people come back, turn this place into a place of massacre, and capture and enslave all the people here. ...Or directly kill... Then when that time really comes, even if you want to resist again, will there be anyone? The people who believe in Buddha no longer exist! All gone! This is betrayal! Your betrayal of your Buddha! A betrayal of the people here! 』

Busen's face looked very ugly, but I have to say that Taksa's words seemed to make some sense.

Busen took a deep breath, and then said: "But the reality is that the Han people are very powerful. Even if I mobilize all the Buddhist people, I will not be able to compete with the Han people as a whole. If I really anger them The Han people... The former Han people's generals conquered the Western Regions in less than a year! No one or any city can stop him, no one! Including Chigu City, which was heavily guarded by your troops before! I believe you don’t need me to recount the tragedy before Chigu City? 』

This time it was Taksa's turn to look a little ugly.

"This..." Taksa pointed in the direction of Qiu Cicheng, "But the Han are not as powerful as you thought... Look, we also successfully drove away and defeated the Han!" What if we continue to be afraid and withdrawn? The Han people will only become more cruel and vicious! Patience and concession cannot buy respect, Master Busen! The Han people will oppress you step by step and test your bottom line. If you want to wait until the end to resist, it will be too late! You will not be able to stand up by then, your bones will be crushed! What's more, I don't mean for you to attack the Han people's land, but just to protect the Western Regions... What's more, you don't go alone, we can also cooperate... Do you understand? Let's work together, let's join hands and defeat the brutal Han Chinese! Drive them out of this land! 』

"cooperate? ’ Buson asked.

"That's right, cooperation. "Taksa said, "The Han people are actually not very interested in this land. It is suitable for cattle and sheep grazing, but not suitable for large-scale farming... But if the Han people take root in this land, the Han people will definitely Burn your pastures and turn them into farmland. Then the greedy Han people will be hungry for more farmable land, and will inevitably stretch their hands farther away... West, west, and westward. , this is what those damn Han people will definitely do! We can't wait until then to kick the Han people's butts! By that time, these Han people will definitely invade my country and massacre the people of my country just like they massacred the Kucha people here. They will knock down the Buddha statues, kill the monks, and burn these beautiful buildings that have been carefully built by generations of people. The city of…oh, damn! We can't let this happen! So we have a basis for cooperation. There is no doubt about this. 』

Taksa said, "As long as we show enough will to resist here and show corresponding strength, the Han people will realize that the people on this land are not cattle and sheep to be slaughtered!" Even if they want to kill us, they will have to pay a high price! Let the Han people know our strength! At that time, the Han people will also take stock of it, change their attitude, and put away their cruel faces! Only here can we truly gain respect and have the light of Buddha! 』

Bu Sen pondered, "The general has said so much...does he actually want to attack the Han people's Xihai City?" 』

"Uh...right!" ” Taksa did not hide his intention, “Attack! It’s also a counterattack! So I need more people! Only in this way can we launch a larger counterattack! As long as the Han people's Xihai City is defeated, the Han people will know our strength and reconsider their relationship with us! Don't worry, the great Kushan will not give up on you, but will spare no effort to support you, give you swords, guns and armor, give you war horses and food, and even send more people, all like me, sincere To help you..."

Busen shook his head slightly, "But what good does this do to us?" We escaped from the enslavement of the Han people and then became your enslavement. What is the difference? The end of lies can only be lies, the end of disappointment is still disappointment, the end of death is still death! 』

"No, no, my friend. Taksa waved her hands and said with a smile, "This is definitely different." At least I am different from those Kushan gentlemen. I'm on your side, it's us together, us! Think about it, we can take this opportunity to get rid of everything, whether it is the Han people or the Kushan people. We can bow to the Han people and the Kushan people on the surface. This is not a real surrender, but just to satisfy their self-esteem... …Then we can take advantage of this opportunity to establish a kingdom of our own between the Kushans and the Han people…huh? Well, yes, a real kingdom! 』

Taksa said, perhaps just to convince Busen at the beginning, but later on, even he himself felt that this plan was very possible!

Why do you want to lick Master Kushan’s back ditch?

Wasn't Guishuang also one of the Yueshi tribes back then?

Since the Kushan ancestors were able to get out of the cracks between the Xiongnu and the Anxi Han, why can't I become an ancestor now? The king of the Western Regions? Doesn't it sound more enjoyable than "Master"?

Taksa trembled a little, "The Han people need trade, and the Kushan people also need it, so we can act as a bridge in the middle... The decline of the Western Region was not caused by you and me today, but you and I can Through hard work, let the Western Region move towards glory! The point is, you and I must unite, and all the countries in the Western Region must unite! The poverty and suffering in the Western Region today were caused by the incompetent fighting and fighting between the previous states! This is their sin, but it is our turn to bear it! We have such a large land, gold mines, silver mines, cattle and sheep, and thousands of believers. As long as we can survive the first few years, we can grow and expand, like growing into Like a young and strong warrior, we gain the glory we should have in this land! By then, neither the Han nor the Kushan people will dare to invade this place easily! We will become the masters of this land and become a powerful country with the same status as the Kushans and the Han people! 』

Busen looked at Taksa blankly.

Taksa also gasped and puffed up her chest proudly.

Both men fell silent.

After a long time, the howling wind blew outside the tent, raising fine dust like tiny bits of hope.

Busen exhaled a long, difficult breath, "I'm sorry, General, your suggestion is very good, but... I'm sorry..."

"Why? ! ” Taksa was very surprised, because after talking about it, even he himself believed that this matter was true and feasible, and even he himself was thinking about the future, when he really became the great king of the United Western States. How wonderful it was afterwards. I even thought about how I would marry two wives, one with darker skin, but tender enough, and the other with fairer skin, with big enough eyes and breasts...

And Taksa could feel that Busen was actually very interested in this proposal. "Why? Don't you think this is a perfect opportunity? 』

Busen lowered his head, was silent for a while, and then said in a very low voice: "In the secret volume, it is recorded...more than three hundred years ago, a Han man named Zhang came here and told you something What I just said is similar... But at that time, the Han people said that in order to overthrow the enslavement of the Huns to us... He also promised a lot... For those promises, we fought side by side with the Han people, obeyed the Han people's commands, and sacrificed our lives. Death... We cooperated with the Han people and fought against the Huns for more than a hundred years... Many of our sons died, and their souls... still cannot sleep peacefully in this sky and earth... But what is the result? ? 』

Bu Sen chuckled, "The Huns are back again, and we can't stop them... We went to the Han people to make them fulfill their previous promises, but the Han emperor rejected us... We have eighteen states The envoy of the country prostrated himself at the foot of the red and black steps of the Han emperor, begging the Han emperor to abide by the agreement of the year and help us for the sake of the blood shed by our dead son... As a result, the Han emperor coldly refused... Haha, what's funny is, Later, the Han people were beaten by the Huns again, and then they remembered us again and sent another man named Ban over, saying the same words to you again..."

Taksa swallowed, "That's different!" Those Han people are born liars! fraud! I am a Kushan native, and my ancestors came from the Western Regions! I am different from the Han people! 』

"Same..." Bu Sen shook his head, "The Xiongnu fell, and you Kushans rose up. You sent people to marry a Han princess, but the Han refused, and then you used this as an excuse to launch a war... In the end, we lost... So you also learned this method, and also sent people over to get us out of Han control. The man's surname was Cadfitz... You should know who he is... He said that he would let us borrow it first. Give him some men, and after he conquers some of the surrounding small tribes, he will come back to help us..."

Busen looked at Taksa, "Yes, later we waited for the Kushan people to come, but at that time, you were not here to help us, but to enslave us... You are no different from the Han people. You all treated us Treating us as fools and idiots, playing tricks, using various verbal traps, deceiving and insulting us... We were deceived and betrayed by the Han people, we were deceived by the Kushan people, betrayed by the Kushan people, you can say We are stupid and we are called stupid, but we have never betrayed anyone! No! Only you! You, like the Han people, have betrayed us! 』

When narrating these tragic histories, Busen's voice did not show any improvement or excitement, but remained so calm and calm. It seems that these lessons learned from the secret scroll are just some stories, but the pain shown in his eyes and these betrayals are never a cup of sweet wine.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe the Han people..." Busen said slowly, "Similarly, I don't believe you either... General, have you ever seen two wolves fighting each other for prey?" 』

Taksa somewhat understood what Busen wanted to say, but still nodded silently.

"Two wolves were fighting each other and they were killed or injured. Is it the fault of the prey?" Bu Sen said slowly, "Do you know why more people here believe in Buddha?" Because they no longer see hope in this life and can only hope for the next life. I will not sacrifice our sons and daughters for your dreams or anyone else's words. They have suffered enough... It's getting late, General, please come back. 』

Taksa had no choice but to stand up, say goodbye and leave. However, he was unwilling to give in halfway, so he walked back, stood in front of Busen, pondered for a while and said: "Pain can bring growth... a seed To sprout, the first thing you have to take off is your own shell... No freedom comes without a price... Master, isn't this the true meaning of the Buddha? You may not trust the Han people or the Kushan people, but...can you trust me? 』

After saying that, Taksa nodded, said goodbye again and left.

Bu Sen was left standing silently at the door of the tent.

The wind blew Busen's robe, which seemed to be telling something.

Busen raised his head and looked at the sky, his lips trembling slightly, as if he was communicating with the winds, clouds, and souls who had died on this land...

If this land in the Western Region had her dream, what would it be?