An alliance based on blood is the most rigorous and solemn form of alliance between two countries.
Ying Zheng originally wanted to just sign an alliance with the Xiqiang regarding the Hexi Corridor, but under Qiang Fu's push, he unconsciously drank blood wine with the Xiqiang king and made an oath of alliance.
But no matter this, the alliance will be stronger and the relationship with the Qiang people will definitely be more harmonious.
But Ying Zheng always felt weird, as if he was being tricked step by step by the Xiqiang king and his son.
Perhaps, if the Qin army had not easily defeated the Rong Di army in Longxi, the attitude of the Western Qiang king would not have been like this.
Who cares, everyone gets what they need.
At this time, the elders of the Qiang tribe completed the two covenants and handed them to Ying Zheng to read again.
Ying Zheng read the two identical covenants carefully, and then pressed two bloody fingerprints with the goat's blood.
"When you come, if you don't bring the royal seal, just press your fingerprints." Ying Zheng handed the two covenants to the King of Xiqiang.
King Xiqiang laughed and pressed his own fingerprints.
The alliance between the two countries was officially concluded.
"Let's go have a drink." King Xiqiang seemed to be in a very happy mood.
Forming an alliance with a powerful neighbor is a big deal for any king.
"I drank the goat's milk wine of the Qiang people the day before yesterday. How about drinking the old wine of the Qin Dynasty today?" Ying Zheng said.
"Okay, hahaha."
The sergeants set up a bonfire, and there was another round of drinking in both camps.
However, no one mentioned the drinking fight.
During the banquet, Ying Zheng offered King Xiqiang a glass of wine, and then said: "Now that the Qin Dynasty and Xiqiang have formed an alliance, I feel that this city gate should be built as soon as possible. Otherwise, the people of Qin will not be able to live in peace when they come here."
"What is King Qin's plan?" King Xiqiang asked.
Ying Zheng thought for a while and said, "Why don't I send someone back now to deliver a message to Mengwu, asking him to come here immediately with his army and craftsmen, and start construction immediately to rebuild Jiayuguan."
"Well, that's a good idea." King Xiqiang nodded and said, "Even if we go to the Western Regions, we won't have to worry about being attacked by the Huns here."
"The man immediately wrote a letter."
The guard beside him brought a pen and ink, and Ying Zheng quickly wrote a letter, handed it to the guard, and ordered him to hand it over to Meng Wu.
The next day, after everything was prepared, King Xiqiang ordered three thousand soldiers and horses, leading Qiang Fu in front, while Ying Zheng led the team still disguised as a business traveler and walked behind, heading towards Yumen Pass.
Because King Xiqiang had already informed Loulan and Yuezhi, he did not encounter any obstacles along the way.
From time to time, there were people who looked like scouts appearing in sight, but presumably they were all monitoring the movements of the Qiang army.
For this neglected area, there are definitely no permanent residents. Most of them are nomadic tribes who come here. They use up the water and grass here and move to other places. Before leaving, they may loot some.
It was midsummer at this time, and the grass was growing vigorously, so there were no robbers.
The scenery here is also quite exotic, giving people a different sense of beauty.
"Brother Wang, a hundred miles to the north is where Yiqu's remaining troops live." Solin pointed to the north and said to Ying Zheng.
"Well, it's indeed far away." Ying Zheng looked in the direction Solin pointed, and saw a high yellow slope in the farthest distance.
"Thanks to the area under our feet, after the Yueshi lost Jiayuguan, they seemed to have abandoned this plain and retreated to the north with the mountains as the boundary. They only sent some troops to investigate from time to time." Suo. Lin said.
"Who are those Tanma we met?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Not just the Yueshi, but also the Xiongnu and Loulan." Thorin explained.
Ying Zheng sighed softly and said, "You have been living in such a fearful environment, and it's really hard on you. But why not just take over this place and make it your own?"
Thorin shook his head and said, "Brother Wang, you
I also know that the surrounding passes are all blocked by this
It is occupied by four major countries. If you live here, you will be in danger of being attacked at any time. "
"That's true. This place is only suitable for grazing, but not for living." Ying Zheng said, "However, if we have the foundation of Jiayuguan in the future, then this area may belong to Da Qin in the future."
"Hehe, I hope so." Thorin said with a smile.
The marching speed is controlled by the Qiang army. Sometimes they gallop for a while, and sometimes they enjoy the scenery leisurely.
After walking for three days, a city gate slightly larger than Jiayuguan appeared in front of us.
It’s Yumen Pass!
According to the rules, the Qiang army and the Qin army camped ten miles outside the pass.
King Xiqiang and Ying Zheng brought their respective tribes to the front of Yumen Pass to pay their respects.
Not long after, the city gate opened and a group of people came out.
The knight on the horse was dressed a little strangely. Although it was similar to the style of Hufu, the pants were slightly fluffy. There was also a leather-like belt around his waist, and the hat on his head also had a feather stuck at an angle.
Looking at the faces of these Loulan sergeants, they are darker, slightly reddish, with sharp edges and corners, a pointed chin, deep eye sockets, and pupils with a bit of blue light.
The leading officer urged his horse to come to the King of Xiqiang, mumbling something unknown.
King Xiqiang said a few words to him in the same language, and then got out of the way.
King Xiqiang looked back at Ying Zheng and said, "Let's go, they have allowed us to enter the customs."
Ying Zheng nodded: "Then King Xiqiang please come first."
"Okay, you follow." King Xiqiang asked Qiang Yu to stay with Ying Zheng, and then led the Qiang army to the gate of Yumen Pass first.
Ying Zheng came closer to Qiang Yu and asked, "Is what they spoke just now Loulan dialect?"
"Yes, it is Loulan language, which is also a more common language in the Western Region." Qiang Yu replied.
"You can also say it?"
"certainly."
"Then what were they talking about?" Ying Zheng asked curiously.
Qiang Yu came closer to Ying Zheng and whispered: "The leader is the general from Yumen Pass. He is very familiar with his father. He asked his father if he was going to Loulan City to send gifts this time. My father said yes, He then asked if the caravans behind him were all together, and my father said that they were all the caravans he sent to King Loulan."
"Congratulatory gift?" Ying Zheng asked doubtfully, "What congratulatory gift?"
"It is said that a princess from Loulan will get married in a while. The date has been set, so all the countries in the Western Regions have sent congratulatory gifts." Qiang Yu said, "Originally, my father did not have to come in person this time, but he wanted to send gifts to the king. Now that I have passed this Yumen Pass, I will naturally visit you in person."
"Marrying a princess?" Ying Zheng joked, "Isn't it beautiful? Why don't you think about it?"
Qiang Xu chuckled and said, "Here, marriage is not popular."
Ying Zheng: "..."
All the Qiang army troops entered Yumen Pass, and Ying Zheng followed closely behind. Looking at the calm and self-confident Sergeant Loulan on both sides, he felt a little embarrassed.
Looking at this gatehouse again, it is built differently from the Chinese ones and lacks a bit of power and domineering.
After passing through the city gate, Ying Zheng looked around and saw the city towers on both sides extending diagonally outwards. Rows of Loulan soldiers lined up on both sides, holding weapons similar to hooks and sickles.
Rather than saying this is a pass, it is better to say it is a small town, and the function of this small town is just a military camp, because there are basically no ordinary people in sight.
King Xiqiang led the Qiang army through the inner gate of Yumen Pass, but did not stop and continued to move forward.
Ying Zheng and his team followed him until everyone walked out of the inner gate of Yumen Pass, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
After a few miles away from Yumen Pass, the road gradually widened and the scenery seemed to be much greener. I don't know if it was a psychological effect, but Ying Zheng felt that the air here was very dry and it was particularly comfortable to breathe.
Going forward further, there is a hill on the right side.
On the hillside, there are fragrant flowers and green trees, and there are herdsmen driving their sheep to graze.
What a beautiful and peaceful painting
noodle.
However, a trace of melancholy suddenly flashed through Ying Zheng's heart, because he suddenly remembered that Ji Fa once said that if the last dragon vein in China is repaired, the underground river course will inevitably be changed, and the subsequent negative impact will be in the Western Region. Large areas will become deserts.
After so many years, will this colorful and beautiful picture still appear in front of me?
No one knows...
While he was thinking, the Qiang army in front stopped.
Ying Zheng urged his horse forward and came to the side of King Xiqiang.
"King Qin, this is the Western Region, how do you feel?" King Xiqiang asked.
"Haha, not bad, it feels similar to the Central Plains." Ying Zheng said with a smile.
"Unlike the Central Plains, people here are not very good at cultivating food. All they grow are fruits." King Xiqiang said.
Ying Zheng nodded and asked, "I wonder how many cities there are in Loulan?"
King Xiqiang smiled and stretched out a finger.
"One?" Ying Zheng asked in surprise.
"Yes, there is only one, and that is Loulan City." King Xiqiang said.
"Haha, this is really interesting." Ying Zheng said.
"Actually, this is not surprising." King Xiqiang said, "King Qin should know that people who make a living by herding cattle and sheep do not actually need a city at all. It's just that here in the Western Regions, they don't live in groups and herd like Beidi. Each family has its own pasture, and this only city was gradually developed when palaces were built for the royal family."
"What's more, there are many countries in the Western Region, and each country's territory is not large. In terms of population, it cannot be compared with the countries in China."
Ying Zheng nodded and said, "It seems like this has saved a lot of trouble. I was still worried just now. If I were to travel through one city after another, it would be a bit troublesome."
"Haha, even if there is a city, we don't necessarily have to pass through it." King Xiqiang said.
"I still want to do business, right?" Ying Zheng said with a grin.
"Hahaha..." King Xiqiang laughed and said, "The King of Qin is doing big business, so let's get through the royal family first. If the two countries reach a trade agreement, is the King of Qin still afraid that there will be no business?"
Different cultures and systems naturally lead to different ways of doing business.
The development of the Western Regions can only start from the royal families of various countries. Only with the approval of the royal families can the people of the Western Regions accept it.
"That's right, then let's go straight to the royal city." Ying Zheng said.
"Let's go."
"How many days will it take?" Ying Zheng asked.
"According to the speed at which it came, it should take three days." King Xiqiang made a calculation and said.
"Can you speed it up?" Ying Zheng asked.
"No problem at all."
"Okay, let's go then. I'll follow you." Ying Zheng said.
In this way, after successfully passing the Yumen Pass, the entire team accelerated their march and rushed directly to the Loulan Royal City.
After walking for nearly a day and a half, a sizable city appeared in Ying Zheng's field of vision.
In front of the royal city, with flags fluttering, more than ten thousand Loulan warriors rode on war horses and lined up on both sides.
There is a high platform in the middle, which seems to be used to welcome guests.
On the high platform, stood a group of people who seemed to be dressed like royalty. The leader was a fat man with a beard and a hat with rather gorgeous feathers on his head.
"That is King Loulan, Anze." King Xiqiang said.
"Is he as easy to get along with as you, King Xiqiang?" Ying Zheng asked.
This question makes people feel comfortable.
"Haha, what you hear is never as good as what you see. King Qin should experience it for himself." King Xiqiang said.
"That person will know him."
Having said that, the two of them urged each other at the same time
The war horse walked towards the direction of the royal city.
"King of Xiqiang, you are well." King Loulan on the high platform said loudly, "I heard that you brought a friend here. Could it be that the person next to you is the current King of Qin?"
