"I have prepared all the people you may need. The next step depends on how you go."
Lu Pheasant looked at this ignorant princess and was speechless, so he could only think silently in his heart.
Taking 10,000 steps back, even if Zhao Wang Zhang Ao himself had no objections, just considering the environment of Zhao State, it was already a dragon's pool and a tiger's den that was difficult to deal with for Lu Yuan.
Although the State of Zhao is also considered a territory in the middle of the country, it has been at war with the Xiongnu, Loufan and other nomadic tribes in the north for hundreds of years, with constant attacks. In addition, the territory spans greatly from north to south, and the land in the north is relatively barren and unsuitable for farming. But it is very conducive to business development.
The unique geographical environment and landscape, combined with the cultural integration of multiple ethnic groups, have shaped the folk customs of Zhao State since ancient times, which are completely different from those in the core hinterland of the Central Plains.
Borrowing from Tai Shigong's evaluation, during the Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties, the biggest tradition of the Zhao people was to "eat according to opportunities." They were fond of merchants and trade, and they valued clever and resourceful means of making a living rather than down-to-earth farming.
The national conditions of a vast land with mixed customs and a sparse population also determined that the rulers of Zhao State always paid equal attention to agriculture and commerce, and attached great importance to the development of handicrafts.
The social ethos of advocating business is reflected in the men of the Zhao state, who like to gather and have fun, often sing tragic songs generously, have a cheerful temperament, do not follow the law, and are willing to do evil.
The imprint on the women of Zhao State is that they are extremely pragmatic and utilitarian.
Local women are good at drums and harps, good at singing and dancing. They are proactive in marriage and never stick to the rules. They are charming and rich, and they are all over the palaces of princes and harems.
In Zhao, in order to make the family prosperous, it was common for husbands to send their wives, and fathers and brothers to send their daughters to harems in various countries.
The sister of Li Yuan, a native of Zhao, who was presented to the King of Chu by Chun Shenjun of Chu State, later became the Queen of Chu;
And the Handan Zhao Ji presented by Lu Buwei is even more precious as the mother of the First Emperor.
There are also legendary female heroes such as Queen Zhao Daoxiang and King Zhao Wuling. They are all ambitious women from Zhao. They either acquiesced in secret obedience or simply actively participated in planning the entire process of entering the harem and climbing to the pinnacle of power.
Just facing the many concubines in the Zhao Palace who were eyeing him, the mediocre Lu Yuan was already in a dilemma, dwarfed by them. What's more, the undercurrents involved were far more than the fight between the women in the inner harem.
However, for Lu Pheasant, since his daughter was willing to go into the tiger's den and the dragon's pond alone, no one else could do more than help her on the horse and give her a ride.
The many palace attendants sent to accompany her did not expect her to maneuver around the harem of Zhao State and strategize. They only hoped that she would be safe and try not to become a hostage in the hands of King Zhao at the critical moment.
Of course, I believe that everyone in the Zhao Kingdom knew it well, and trying to threaten Emperor Liu Ji with the lives of his children was tantamount to wishful thinking.
In Liu Ji's world, there is no such thing as the so-called fear of throwing a rat into a trap. To him, just a jade bottle or a jade bowl is nothing in order to get rid of the unsatisfactory rats.
"Speaking of a thousand words, I certainly hope that you and King Zhao Qinse will be harmonious, happy and happy.
But you must always remember where your real home is. "
The mother's parting words were still in my ears, and the storm was about to come. A marriage that should have been a joyous event seemed to be tinged with an unusual sense of solemnity.
Lu Yuan once again put his face close to the carved car window, then gently lifted the embroidered screen cover, and looked at the solemn procession accompanying him outside the car.
At this time, in her eyes, this was not like a wedding ceremony, but more like a team of soldiers on an expedition.
***
Lu Shizhi, who was sitting in another carriage, was also constantly observing the scenery along the way.
As the car continued to drive north, he saw the sky outside the window getting higher and wider, and the lush and dense jungle disappeared, replaced by endless plains.
Of course there are still trees, but they are all hidden in the mountains in the distance.
Those mountains stretch across the horizon, vast, endless, endless, thousands of miles long.
Lu Yuan, who grew up in the Yangtze River Basin, was constantly exclaimed by the unfamiliar beauty. However, Lu Shizhi did not have the mentality of a little daughter. What he saw in his eyes was a vast and unpredictable territory that he had never set foot on.
He knew that the other side of the mountains did not belong to the Han Empire, but the iron hooves of the Huns appeared from time to time.
In this way, the guard of honor walked slowly for an unknown number of days and finally arrived at Handan City.
***
The State of Zhao was located in the northern part of the Han Empire. During the conflict between Chu and Han, Liu Ji established Zhang Er as King of Zhao, and then merged Qin's Handan County and Julu County into the State of Zhao, and granted Zhang Er the jurisdiction.
At present, the State of Zhao has jurisdiction over five counties: Handan, Julu, Qinghe, Hejian, and Changshan. The people farm and herd, are brave and martial, and have strong folk customs.
Since the Spring and Autumn Period, Zhao State has been the throat of the Central Plains and a battleground for military strategists. After entering the Han Dynasty, Zhao State continued to use Handan as its capital.
Handan was an ancient capital during the Warring States Period, and was also a world-famous iron smelting, handicraft and commercial center. It had developed transportation and was extremely prosperous. Due to its long-term border with foreign ethnic groups, Handan was a mixed city with a large number of merchants.
The palace city of King Zhao is located at the highest point in Handan City.
This is a royal city that was expanded on the basis of the old city of the Warring States Period. It consists of three palaces, the West City, the East City and the North City. It is huge in shape and is not inferior to the North and South Palaces in Luoyang.
The towering majesty reflects the past glory of the powerful Zhao State in the golden age, which once contended with Qin alone.
And this group of people from Luoyang Imperial City felt the burning afterglow at the first banquet held in Zhaowang Palace.
In order to welcome the returning King Zhao, as well as the new queen who came from afar, Jianchou Lu Shizhi and others, a grand reception banquet was held in the main hall of Longtai, Xicheng, prepared by Zhao Cheng and Guan Gao.
Zhang Ao and Lu Yuan, who were dressed in fine clothes, were occupying the honorable seats. Sitting in the hall were the ministers and officials of Zhao Dynasty, including the prime minister who commanded all the officials, the tutor who assisted the king, the internal historian who governed the people, the lieutenant who was in charge of military affairs, and so on. Hanting is no different.
Lu Shizhi was the brother of the Queen, the uncle of Queen Zhao, and a Marquis of Jiancheng. The kings and ministers of Zhao did not dare to neglect him and invited him to the throne many times.
While he declined modestly, he looked around and finally found a face that was fairer than the others among the strangers.
Besides Zhang Cang, who else could be such a person?
He was already acquainted with Zhang Cang, Wang Ling and others. At this time, he met in Zhao. It felt like meeting an old friend in a foreign land, so he insisted on sitting next to him.
I saw Zhang Cang freely picking up a piece of tender lamb breast from the copper plate on the table that had been roasted until both sides turned yellow and sizzling with oil. He dipped it in a plate of white powder a few times before putting it into his mouth. Chew it with satisfaction.
Lu Shizhi looked at the plate of powder carefully and could vaguely tell that it was salt, with some small brown particles mixed in. It smelled spicy and pungent, but he didn't know what it was.
"This is called pepper, and it comes from the Western Regions.
It is very delicious when ground and eaten with mutton. "
Zhang Cang has lived in the border area for a long time, so he has a good family.
"Can businessmen from the Western Regions also come here?"
“It can be reached anywhere.
This was resold from the Huns through border merchants and after many twists and turns. "
Zhang Cang said, picking up a fatter piece of mutton chop.
"Where's Liu Jing? Liu Jing left so soon?"
Lu Shizhi inspected everyone in the hall and asked.
"yes.
We also found a way to buy silk for the Yan family and contacted the Xiongnu royal court.
They agreed to see him there, and he set off in a hurry two days ago. "
Zhang Cang chewed the mutton chops and said vaguely,
"By the way, Liu Jing kept talking before setting off, saying that if he was really taken by the queen, he still had to get away from the Yan family."
