The accommodation arranged by Honglu Temple for various countries is very particular. It is not on a first-come, first-served basis, nor is it based on distance, but is strictly allocated according to the strength of each country.
The largest of these countries is the Western Turks, but it is not the strongest. The strongest is Goguryeo. It's not because Goguryeo is really stronger than the Western Turks, it's because Goguryeo has fought head-on with the Tang Dynasty, and even failed to win the three conquests of Goguryeo before the Sui Dynasty. In terms of reputation, Goguryeo is a big country that can be on par with the Tang Dynasty.
But why did the Goguryeo prince Lu Yuan Gaisu Wen be so humble in front of the emperor? Call yourself a subordinate? Is it because of humility and courtesy?
Of course not, in one word - shameless! Crying children will have milk to feed. Only by lowering your posture can you get more benefits.
After Goguryeo came the Western Turks, and then it was neither Gaochang nor Baekje, but Tubo in the southwest, then Gaochang, and finally Baekje.
After everyone settled in the hotel arranged by Honglu Temple, Baekje was responsible for running errands for Goguryeo and contacting various countries to discuss it together. We all came to marry the princess and get married, so we should not support each other. It is best to help each other. Each will marry a princess and go back.
But when I walked to the Western Turks, I found that people were transporting things, one truck after another. How could it look like they were moving?
"What? Are you going back now?" Baekje's deputy envoy grabbed a person from the Western Turks and asked.
"Go back? No, no, no, our Great Khan is going to Chang'an to visit friends. This is a gift."
Gift?
The Baekje people's eyes widened. There were so many?
"It's not like you're visiting friends, it's more like you're giving a gift to the emperor."
"No, no, the ones given to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty have been taken away directly by Honglu Temple. There are as many as this. This is for the Champion of the Tang Dynasty."
who? Champion? how? Do you know each other?
"Haha, everyone knows the champion of the Tang Dynasty, but you can imagine that it is not easy to meet him. Will your trip be in vain with such a big fanfare?" The Baekje people also have good intentions.
The man glanced at the other person and asked, "Which country are you from?"
"I am the deputy envoy of Baekje."
"Haha, no wonder, you are in a remote place, so it's normal not to know." The Western Turks were chatting with each other while directing the gifts.
The Baekje people became even more curious, "Please enlighten me."
The Western Turkic man said proudly: "My Khan has known the champion of the Tang Dynasty since he was not yet the champion. Who in the world doesn't know that our Western Turks Khan is the life and death friend of the champion?"
Forehead……
The champion's best friend in life and death? Will it be Western Turks? Did the Emperor of Tang Dynasty know?
Seeing the gift-giving team from the Western Turks leaving in a mighty manner, the Baekje people didn't know whether they were envious or suspicious for a moment. They didn't even bother to deliver the letter and quickly returned to report to the prince.
The people from the Western Turks still did their job. They knew that the champion Hou Xiaorui lived in Xiaojiazhuang outside the city all year round, and was now banned, so they went straight to Xiaojiazhuang outside the city.
It's a pity that they were targeted when they were twenty miles away. They were stopped ten miles away. A fully armed cavalry team of 100 people shocked them. If the other party was hijacking, then we push the cart. I'm afraid those who give gifts will have to answer here.
Mo Heduo drove his horse forward in person, "Everyone, I am the Khan of the Western Turks. I went to visit the champion of the Tang Dynasty. I am not a bad person. May I ask who you are?"
The centurion of the cavalry on the opposite side came out and said with cupped hands: "It turns out to be Mohe Duo Khan, sorry! We are the guards responsible for protecting the champion marquis. This Xiaojiazhuang is the marquis's private territory within a ten-mile radius. You can't get here." Let's go forward. If you want to pay a visit to the Marquis, you can send someone to deliver the greeting card three days in advance."
this? ? ?
"Khan, it's not easy for us to come out. We can't wait another three days, right?" the deputy whispered.
Mo Heduo admired him even more in his heart. The secret channel champion Hou was indeed extraordinary. He was so honored and favored in the Tang Dynasty. A territory within ten miles of Chang'an? And there are private cavalry guards? Tsk tsk...
"General, my Khan has had a personal relationship with your Marquis for many years. Please inform me that the Khan of Western Turks, Mohe Duo, wants to see you. The Marquis will definitely meet you." The deputy envoy persuaded.
But the other party shook his head and said: "This is impossible. My Marquis has always been clean and self-sufficient. It is impossible for him to have personal relations with foreign countries. Everyone, please go back. If word spreads, it will be detrimental to our Marquis's reputation."
Mo Hedu smiled and explained: "The general is a member of the army. He should have heard about the champion Hou Wanli's attack on the grassland that year. It was the year we met in the Western Turks. This is not a lie. General, please go and inform me. If you don’t see us, we’ll just wait here.”
As he said this, he winked at his subordinate, who understood and quickly gave him a gift.
The other party was silent for a moment, nodded and said, "Okay, everyone, please wait where you are, we will send someone to report."
"There is no need for gifts. The soldiers of the Marquis are all brave and they dare not embarrass the Marquis."
As soon as these words came out, the Turkic people were in awe, and Mohe Duo was even more satisfied.
In Xiao's Manor, Xiao Rui was reading a book. He quickly smiled after receiving Li Junxian's report, "I was still thinking about when to find him, but he came to the door on his own initiative. It seems that this Mo Heduo is sensible." .”
Li Junxian nodded and said: "After the Western Turks unified and developed over the past few years, their strength has become very strong. It is inevitable for ordinary people to be arrogant. If he can take the initiative to visit the young master, he is either really sensible or has a request. For you."
Xiao Rui put down the book in his hand, stood up and said, "Let's go, Fifth Brother, to meet the Khan of the Western Turks for a while."
Not long after, Li Junxian came quickly with a team of people, "Who is Mohe Duo Khan?"
The cavalry centurion blocking the road saluted, and then led the way and introduced him, this is him.
"I've been waiting for a long time, Khan. My Lord Marquis invites you."
"Who is the general?"
"My Excellency, Li Junxian, is the deputy general of the Xuanjia Army. He is the Marquis' personal bodyguard and is in charge of all the defense of Xiaojiazhuang."
Xuanjia Army? The famous Xuanjia Army? The most powerful army in the world?
"What about them? Are they all Xuanjia Army?"
Li Junxian smiled and said: "With His Majesty's favor, the Xuanjia Army is now responsible for protecting the Marquis. Great Khan, please come down with me."
"Come here, let the brothers from the Western Turks rest for a while, and you can take over the cart."
Xiao Rui stood politely at the entrance of the village, saw Mo Heduo's cavalry from a distance, and walked slowly over.
"That is? Lord Marquis?" Mo Hedu panicked, got off his horse, and ran up, taking three steps at a time.
"Hahahaha, Lao Mo, I haven't seen you for so many years. I miss you so much."
"Master Hou, Master Hou! I can finally see you."
The two of them hugged each other tightly like a pair of old friends.
Xiao Rui directly took Mo Hedu's hand and said, "Let's go, let's talk at home. You've become a sweat. I'm afraid it's not easy to go out. It's rare for you to come and stay at home for a few more days. I've asked people to arranged."
"No, no, no, it's too disturbing. Honglu Temple has already arranged a place to stay..."
"What are you afraid of? You made the arrangements for me in the grassland. When we get to Chang'an, of course I will make the arrangements. You're welcome."
Walking to the entrance of the village, Mo Heduo sighed: "Master Hou, you have beautiful mountains and clear waters here. It is really the abode of gods, which makes others envious! Eh? Is the old man fishing over there your father-in-law? Then I have to pay a visit. You and my brother are your father-in-law. My uncle, Lao Mo..."
Um...that's not my father, but you really should pay him a visit.
Xiao Rui led him over.
