My father is Emperor Wu of Han, how can I be different from him?

Chapter 154: Western Region Version of 'Da Ming'

There were hundreds of people when they came, and the team expanded to thousands of people when they left. It was not because there were too many envoys sent by various countries, but because among the travelers there were also caravans from the Western Regions who heard the news.

Merchants are well aware of the principle that scarcity makes things valuable.

Moreover, the Western Regions countries have just established diplomatic relations with the Eastern countries for the first time, and the specialties of the two places are now rare, so it is worth taking a trip.

that's it.

The large group of people deliberately bypassed the northern route and headed east from south of the desert.

When passing through the Kingdom of Jingjue for rest, Zhang Qian stayed for one more day to attend the banquet hosted by the King of Jingjue.

This time, Marquis Bowang saw it clearly.

The Kingdom of Jingjue does not have a queen, only a queen who is around fifty years old!
Ok.

After returning to Chang'an, I must make it clear to the Crown Prince and not listen to rumors...

From the Kingdom of Jingjue to the east are Qiemo and Loulan.

Further east.

A pass that was clearly built in the Han style came into view. Looking at the city wall that was gradually rising from the ground, Zhang Qian rode forward and shouted loudly:
"I am Zhang Qian, Marquis of Bowang, the General of the Central Army of the Han Dynasty. I have the seal as proof. Which general is in front of me?"

Across the vast wasteland, a military officer slowly walked out from a group of border troops who were rushing over urgently. He stared at Zhang Qian for a long time with cold eyes.

"excuse me!"

"Forgive my poor eyesight, but I have never met Marquis Bowang. Please wait a moment. My general will be here soon. It won't be too late to verify the seal then!"

Zhang Qian understood the border troops' precautions and caution, and ordered the troops in the rear not to be restless. Then, he looked at the pass that had not been built when he left, and asked doubtfully:
"What is the name of this level?"

The Jiuquan County military officer sat on his horse and stared at Zhang Qian for a moment before he uttered three words in a deep voice:
"Yumen Pass!"

……

He left in the fourth year of Yuanshou and returned in the seventh year... No, everything and everyone had changed in the past three years. After entering the territory of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian realized that it was already the first year of Yuanding.

The first year of Yuanding, summer.

Marquis Bowang, who had been on a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions for three years, returned to Chang'an!

On that day, the streets of Chang'an were deserted.

The people rushed to see those foreigners with high noses and curly hair, and after hearing that Marquis Bowang had brought back a "foreigner" with green eyes and red hair.

The streets of Chang'an became increasingly bustling.

The Lieutenant's Office, which had been informed in advance, was well prepared and did not let the foreign envoys come into conflict, escorting them all the way to the Weiyang Palace.

The emperor and all the officials were sitting quietly in the front hall.

Front hall.

Located on the hill of Longshou Mountain, the entire palace complex is solemn and majestic.

Generally, important ceremonial court meetings are held here, such as the enthronement of a new emperor, the New Year's Day court meeting, etc. Today, all nations are coming to pay homage, which happens to meet this condition.

"Summon, Marquis of Bowang Zhang Qian to see you~"

The eunuch's solemn voice echoed in the hall, and then the eunuchs outside the hall conveyed it loudly one after another.

The music starts before people arrive.

The sound of heavy ceremonial music came from the hall, crossed the high and long steps, and reached the ears of the envoys from the Western Regions who were looking up at the grand hall.

The dragon head is sparsely spaced to support the palace, and its appearance is majestic and steep.

As they walked and looked along the way, the dense beacon towers and fortresses in the Hexi Corridor allowed them to witness the strength of the Han Dynasty's military.

After entering Chang'an City, I saw the prosperity of the Han Dynasty.

At last.

After entering the Weiyang Palace and standing in front of the palace, they finally understood what a small country is and what a mighty Han is...

When Xiao He was supervising the construction of the Weiyang Palace, he undoubtedly deliberately built the front hall to be tall and majestic. Today, it plays its due role.

According to etiquette, the envoys from various countries paid their respects to the emperor one by one and met the civil and military officials in the court. They were shocked on their faces and had complicated emotions in their hearts.

The envoys from small countries like Jingjue were surprised and fearful!
In order to intimidate the Western Regions, the Xiongnu people showed them an endless number of horse-riding warriors, although the Han people did not display their soldiers, horses, or swords.

But I don’t know why.

After visiting the Han royal palace, they still felt an invisible deterrent, calm, solemn, and unstoppable... Small countries have their own worries, and big clans have their own joys.

After witnessing the power of the Han Dynasty, the Wusun people wanted to meet the Han king and have some private exchanges before they even left the Weiyang Palace.

but.

The emperor did not approve it, and only told them to experience the customs and practices of the Han Dynasty first, and to discuss the real matter later. In fact, he just wanted to get the bottom of the matter first.

In Chengming Hall, eunuchs helped the emperor take off his heavy crown and robes, while the emperor listened to Zhang Qian's report with his hands outstretched.

"After most of the Xiongnu's right wing troops withdrew, the Western Regions became more and more relaxed, and many kingdoms showed goodwill to the Han Dynasty."

"I have made an agreement with several rulers without authorization. We can send envoys to visit each other frequently in the future."

At this time.

The emperor had already changed into his regular clothes. He waved his hand and asked the palace attendant to leave. "You did a good job. There was nothing unauthorized or not."

Liu Che sat down on the dragon couch and motioned Zhang Qian to sit down as well. "The right wing of the Xiongnu went north to the Chanyu's court. This should be related to the struggle for the throne."

"You can go find the general later and talk to him in detail about this matter."

Wei Qing is now responsible for dealing with the separatist issues of the Xiongnu. Regardless of whether there is an opportunity to take advantage of, Liu Che must let the other party know. It would naturally be better to have a plan.

After discussing the major and minor forces in the Western Regions, he changed the subject and asked about the issue he was most concerned about, "What is the situation of the Wusun people?"

On the dragon couch.

The emperor twisted his beard and frowned, saying, "With the Xiongnu facing a powerful enemy, how can they still have time to fight among themselves?"

Zhang Qian also smiled bitterly, cupped his hands, and told the emperor the whole situation of Wusun. After the emperor finished listening, his brows relaxed and his face became bright.

"You mean..."

"The crown prince of Wusun died. The king of Wusun was grieving the death of his eldest son, so he appointed his eldest grandson as the heir. His other son was dissatisfied and raised the flag of rebellion?"

Good guy.

Although Liu Che did not know about the Jingnan Campaign, he knew about the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms. If the royal family members rose up in rebellion, the whole world would be in chaos!

"Are you sure the Wusun people can still spare some time to deal with the Xiongnu?"

Facing His Majesty's question, Zhang Qian thought for a while and replied in a serious tone: "As long as the current Wusun King Lie Jiaomi is still alive, he can still suppress his son."

"The envoys who came to the court this time were sent by Liejiaomi. His eldest grandson Junxumi also has troops under his command. According to my observation, it is very likely that he will succeed to the throne smoothly!"

"and……"

Having said this, Zhang Qian suddenly stopped talking.

The emperor raised an eyebrow and said, "Speak!"

"Yes." Zhang Qian bowed and said calmly, "Moreover, Liejiaomi sent an envoy to the Han Dynasty this time with the intention of marrying a Han princess."

"They want to use the Han Dynasty to intimidate the country, and they also want to use it to counter the Xiongnu."

Listen.

The emperor narrowed his eyes and looked outside the palace. After thinking about something, he waved his hand and said, "You have been exhausted all the way. Go down and rest first."

"I'll think about this matter again."

In fact, there was no need to think about it any further, because the emperor had already made up his mind and it was not possible to ask for the princess' hand in marriage, at least not now.

He must first see the value of the Wusun people, and the Wusun people must first gain a firm foothold.

If the civil unrest continued or intensified, they would no longer be qualified to form an alliance with the Han Dynasty, let alone ask for the princess' hand in marriage...

The other end.

Zhang Qian withdrew as ordered, but he did not return home immediately. Instead, he went to the residence of the Grand Marshal and the General first.

After just three years of not seeing each other, everything has really changed.

The general has now become the Grand Marshal General, who ranks above the Three Dukes. On par with him, there is actually a Grand Marshal General of the Cavalry.

'Ah. '

"I have been in the Western Regions for three years. People who don't know would think I have been gone for thirty years." Standing outside the general's mansion and sighing for a while, Zhang Qian shook his head and walked inside.

(End of this chapter)