The mysterious bird of destiny, the beginning of China

Chapter 155 Bowang Hou

"From now on, go north, and there is a salt marsh blocking the road. However, among the vast salt marsh, there is a large island. There are people on the island. According to legend, there are two..."

Bai Zhi, who had just returned from Chang'an City, heard this sentence. Looking at Zhang Qian who was listening so seriously, he couldn't help but think:
"Listen, it sounds like "The Classic of Mountains and Seas"..."

But Zhang Qian believed it so deeply that he recorded and described it in detail on the sheepskin.

Since returning from Dayuezhi, Zhang Qian was no longer in a hurry on his way back, and was rather enjoying the scenery.

It seemed like this, but in fact he was carefully observing the mountains, rivers and vegetation during the journey and recording them.

After listening to the herdsmen's stories, the sky turned dark, and the cold wind blew into the tent, biting the bones.

Zhang Qian lay down on the bed, and a light was like the sun in the darkness, shining in the small room.

In my mind, I was thinking about what would happen after I go back.

"Sacred Bird, this time I returned without success, will Your Majesty blame me?"

Even Zhang Qian couldn't help but feel worried.

"will not!"

Bai Zhi said without hesitation.After all, with his divine bird here, the emperor would not look at the monk's face or the Buddha's face, and would not embarrass Zhang Qian.

However, Bai Zhi added: "You haven't been collecting the terrain of the Western Region recently, so this can be considered a great achievement!"

The soldiers of the Han Dynasty will eventually set foot in the Western Regions. Having a map will save a lot of things.

Zhang Qian naturally knew what the divine bird meant. In fact, it was also because of this that he planned the map along the way.

Not to mention that this mission to Dayuezhi returned without success. This was the only way to redeem himself.

In Zhang Qian's opinion, it was his fault to return without success!
"Qian once promised Your Majesty that he would successfully send an envoy to the Great Yuezhi and make the Great Yuezhi agree to form an alliance with the Han Dynasty. But now that it has not happened, it is Qian's fault!"

"This is no one's fault, you don't have to worry too much!"

Bai Zhi persuaded.

Next, Zhang Qian did not return along the original route, but chose to pass through the south of the Western Regions. However, the south is a plateau and the land of the Qiang people, which is more difficult and dangerous.

The Qiang people, like the Xiongnu, were both hostile to the Han and often plundered the Han's borders, but they were just not as good as the Xiongnu!

This time Zhang Qian chose to pass through the land of the Qiang people not only to draw maps, but also to inquire about the dynamics of the Qiang people.

"Who are you?!"

After walking on the plateau for nearly a month, Zhang Qian was out of breath and had difficulty breathing.

At this moment, a rider suddenly appeared in front of him. He was dressed in costumes that were different from those of the Han and the Huns. He was looking at Zhang Qian and the two of them warily.

Zhang Qian and Tang Yi's father looked at each other and said directly: "We are from the Western Regions!"

"People from the Western Regions?"

The Qiang man looked at Zhang Qian and the two of them with suspicion, but he was young and obviously inexperienced. After hearing what Zhang Qian and the two said, he believed them.

However, he saw Ta Xue beside Zhang Qian, and his eyes suddenly lit up. Then he pointed at Zhang Qian and ordered: "Bring up the white horse behind you!"

The people of the Western Regions were weak and often oppressed by the Xiongnu and Qiang people. Therefore, the Qiang people in front of them looked down upon Zhang Qian and the two men.

It can be regarded as truly believing that Zhang Qian is indeed from the Western Regions.

Hearing this, the two of them were stunned, but Zhang Qian did not move. He was walking in the snow behind him. It was given by the divine bird, how could it be given to the Qiang people? !
However, at this moment, under the confused gazes of Zhang Qian and the other two, Texue stepped forward and slowly walked towards the Qiang man in front.

Seeing this, the Qiang people burst out laughing, staring at Ta Xue who was getting closer, with a look of greed on their faces.

"What a good horse!"

"People from the Western Region are not worthy of owning this BMW!"

The Qiang man admired, and then wanted to ride his horse forward, but what surprised him was that the horse under his crotch did not dare to move forward, as if it was afraid of the white horse in front of him.

This made the young Qiang man even more excited. He immediately dismounted his horse and walked quickly towards the white horse, regardless of Zhang Qian and the two men being in front of him.

There was excitement on his face. He never thought that he would meet a BMW just when he went out for a stroll!
What a lucky day!
The young Qiang man was excited, thinking this, and strode towards the white horse. However, just when he was about to approach Ta Xue, Ta Xue in front of him suddenly turned around, and his two hind legs suddenly jumped up.

Under the gazes of Zhang Qian and Zhang Qian, Ta Xue suddenly turned around and kicked his horse's hoof hard on the chest of the young Qiang man. The young Qiang man flew out quickly like a flying stone, and then fell heavily to the ground.

For a moment, the scene was extremely quiet, with only the howling cold wind blowing through their hair.

Zhang Qian and Tang Yi's father looked at Ta Xue in shock. They had never thought that Ta Xue was so... smart and strong!
In an instant, Zhang Qian thought of what the divine bird said, walking on snow is magical!
At this moment, he truly realized the magic of Tuxue!
"..."

Lying Tangyi's father also stared at Texue dumbfounded, unable to react for a moment.

"Leave now!"

Zhang Qian reacted to this, and then quickly stepped forward and pulled Tuxue's reins.

Zhang Qian and Tang Yi's father got on the back of Tuxue together, then galloped their horses and left the place quickly.

However, not long after Zhang Qian and the two left, they saw a large number of Qiang cavalry approaching quickly, and they immediately found the young Qiang man lying on the ground, dead.

"not good!"

When one of the generals saw this, his expression suddenly changed, and he couldn't help shouting: "Your Majesty just formed an alliance with the Xiongnu Chanyu, and the Xiongnu actually dared to kill my people?!"

"The Huns must have done it!"

When the Qiang general saw this, he was furious. However, the soldier who went down to check the body suddenly reported, "General, it seems that he... was kicked to death by a horse!"

"Damn Huns... Huh? What?!"

When the Qiang leader heard this, his words suddenly stopped. He quickly looked at the soldiers below and said, "Can you see clearly that he was really kicked to death by a horse?"

"Back to the general, he has the mark of a horse's hoof on his body. He was indeed kicked to death by a war horse, but..."

"Just what?"

Seeing the soldier hesitating, the Qiang general shouted: "It's just that his chest and ribs are broken, and his internal organs are broken. I don't know what kind of war horse can be so powerful!"

No matter how powerful the war horse is, it will not kick the ribs to pieces. Obviously, this is beyond their imagination.

On the other side, a few soldiers also shouted: "General, there are traces of other horses and human footprints here!"

"Human footprints?"

Hearing this, the Qiang general continued to be angry, "It must be the Huns! The Huns do not keep covenants and have no integrity!"

"Hurry up and chase after me!"

After that, more than a dozen Qiang people quickly ran towards the direction Zhang Qian left.

……

"This is the land of the Qiang people. The discord between the Qiang people and the Huns is mostly due to the affairs of the countries in the Western Regions."

Zhang Qian and Tang Yi's father were sitting on the snow together. At this moment, Tang Yi's father was still explaining to Zhang Qian the relationship between the Huns and the Qiang people.

"All the countries in the Western Regions were once the land of the Qiang people, and they contributed their wealth to the Qiang people. However, the Huns came and robbed the countries in the Western Regions. The countries surrendered and instead contributed their wealth to the Xiongnu!"

"So, the Huns and Qiang people have a lot of enmity!"

"I see!"

When Zhang Qian heard this, he couldn't help but feel worried, "Fortunately, the Qiang people have enmity with the Xiongnu. Otherwise, if they were to form an alliance, it would be a big disaster for the Han!"

At this time, the two of them sat on the snow and fled eastward for dozens of miles. The speed of the snow could only last for a moment.

"It's so far, it should be enough..." Zhang Qian and the two breathed a sigh of relief, then got down from the snow and looked around, finding that they were surrounded by wasteland and no human habitation.

"The land of the Qiang people is indeed bitter and cold."

Zhang Qian sighed, then carefully put away the sheepskin in his arms, and then said to Tang Yi's father: "This place should not be far from the border of the Han Dynasty. It's time to go back..."

This mission to the Western Regions took nearly eight years. During these eight years, I experienced so much pain. When I think about it again, it feels like yesterday.

"I'm finally going back..."

Tang Yifu on the side also expressed sighs, and at the same time, he also expressed hope.

…………

Chang'an Palace.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che, was sitting on the emperor's throne and was listening to the ministers' performance. However, at this moment, a messenger from Hongling suddenly arrived, saying that Zhang Qian, the minister who was envoy to the Western Regions, had returned.

Hearing this, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che was shocked and immediately beamed with joy. He quickly sent an order to send Zhang Qian to the palace.

In the magnificent palace, all the ministers were shocked. They did not expect that Zhang Qian, who had been on a mission to the Western Regions for eight years, had returned.

They who were in Chang'an had long forgotten about Zhang Qian.

I even thought that Zhang Qian had died on the way to the Western Regions, but at this moment, he was able to return safely.

"The message was sent to Zhang Qian to enter the palace..."

"The message was sent to Zhang Qian to enter the palace..."

"..."

As the visitors sang loudly, many ministers also looked outside the palace.

Slowly, an embarrassed figure walked into the hall. He was tall and tall. Although the once gorgeous Hanfu he wore was now like a beggar's clothes, he still had high fighting spirit!
When the ministers in the palace saw this, they were immediately shocked and couldn't help but carefully look at the person in front of them.

"This person... is really Zhang Qian!"

"It's so embarrassing. The road to the Western Region must be difficult..."

"I admire Zhang Qian's will..."

"..."

From Zhang Qian's embarrassed appearance, the ministers and officials also guessed what Zhang Qian had gone through, and at this time, they couldn't help but sigh.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che immediately stepped down from the emperor's throne, then came to Qian Qian and personally reached out to help Zhang Qian who was about to kneel down.

"Your Majesty..., I am back..."

"Just come back!"

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che looked at Zhang Qian and thought of Zhang Qian who had sent back the map of Kantu during the Battle of Mayi. Now, it plays a huge role in the army!
When he came back this time, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che did not ask about the results of Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions. Seeing Zhang Qian's embarrassed appearance, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che immediately asked about his experience with concern.

And Zhang Qian just chose simple, non-dangerous things to tell everyone.

For a time, the officials also listened to it as an interesting story.

……

The court meeting is over.

In a palace, Zhang Qian had also put on gorgeous Hanfu and trimmed his messy beard. At this time, he was sitting opposite Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, waiting for Liu Che's inquiry.

"On this mission, I have disappointed Your Majesty. The Yuezhi did not agree to the request of the Han Alliance..."

Zhang Qian took the initiative to plead guilty.

"It's okay!"

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che didn't care at all. Instead, he took the initiative to ask Zhang Qian about simple customs and habits in the Western Regions.

In particular, when Zhang Qian talked about the Dayuan Kingdom, he immediately said: "The Dayuan Kingdom is to the east of the Dayue clan and to the west of the countries in the Western Regions. Although it is not a fertile land, it has many BMWs. Every time I run, I sweat. At that time, the sweat is like blood, so you should be a horse that sweats blood!"

"Sweaty BMW!"

When Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, heard this, he immediately became interested.

After all, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che had intended to conquer the Xiongnu for a long time, but there was no horse source in the country, and the Han Dynasty had no BMW.

"Can I buy a bloody BMW from Dawan?"

"This……"

When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Chezhi asked, Zhang Qian looked troubled and said: "The Kingdom of Dayuan is thousands of miles away from the Han Dynasty, and it is separated by the countries of the Western Regions, not to mention that the countries of the Western Regions serve as the eyes and ears of the Huns. This long journey alone is probably full of difficulties!”

"Ugh……"

Hearing Zhang Qian's words, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che was a little disappointed.

Later, Zhang Qian presented the map of the Western Regions that he had drawn along the way, which immediately aroused the excitement of Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

Afterwards, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che named Zhang Qian the Marquis of Bowang to show his contribution to the Western Regions.It also shows that Zhang Qian is very proficient in matters in the Western Regions.

Looking at Zhang Qian's leaving figure, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che had been hesitating whether to directly ask Zhang Qian if he knew about the sacred bird.

But he knew that with Zhang Qian's trust, he would not hide anything and would tell him about the divine bird. However, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che was a little afraid that the divine bird would not like it and would stay away from him.

Therefore, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che wanted to wait for Zhang Qian to take the initiative to tell about the sacred bird.

Zhang Qian, who walked out of the palace, came to Chang'an City under the leadership of the waiter, and came to the Bowang Hou Mansion given to him by the emperor. At the same time, Zhang Qian was not very happy when he saw the many belongings given by the emperor.

He thought of his brother Erti who was still in the Huns, and felt worried in his heart.

He couldn't help but ask the divine bird in his body, "Godly bird, I wonder if my brother Erti is still safe now?"

"Don't worry, I will protect him!"

Bai Zhi flew out of Zhang Qian's body and hovered in the gorgeous house for a moment before stopping on the table, looking at Zhang Qian and promising.

"How is Narti doing now?"

"I love him..."

Bai Zhi thought of the last time he visited Erti, so he said: "At this time, Erti should be in a high position among the Xiongnu and have certain rights, soldiers and horses..."

"That's good!"

Zhang Qian looked relieved.

……

……

Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions and his return did not cause much disturbance, but there was an undercurrent surging behind the scenes.

After all, when the divine bird first appeared, it was because of Zhang Qian who was on an envoy to the Western Regions!

At this time, Zhang Qian returned without attracting attention.

However, the smart man did not make any move, but acted as if he didn't care.

At the same time, he sent people to Bowang Hou's residence to deliver gifts, and everything he said was to praise Zhang Qian for his joy in becoming a marquis.

On the other side, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che was thinking about Zhang Qian and was happy that the sacred bird would stay in Chang'an City for a long time. He returned to the palace with joy. However, there was a piece of news that made Liu Che's joy disappear without a trace. trace.

(End of this chapter)