After all, it is winter. Even in Chengdu, the temperature is inevitably a bit colder. There are no clouds in the sky. It is white and almost colorless, as if it is covered by a huge curtain. Only the occasional winter flies by. Birds can leave some sound and shadow.
A team of more than twenty people drove slowly along the official road from north to south. More than a dozen knights were guarding the surroundings, and their armor was obviously different from that of the Shu army. Due to the successive defeats of Qin Feng and Hanzhong, there was some chaos in the Shu Kingdom. However, the number of pedestrians and merchants traveling to and from Chengdu increased. They noticed this team and subconsciously cast curious glances.
"Looking at their costumes, these knights are the Northern Han horse army!"
A businessman with some knowledge revealed his identity, which caused some fluctuations and some confusion: "Who is sitting in the carriage?"
"It should be the envoy from the Northern Han Dynasty! I heard that the imperial court is planning to negotiate peace!"
"The imperial court intends to negotiate peace. It should send an envoy east to Kaifeng. How could it be that the envoy from the Northern Han Dynasty came?" Someone raised an objection.
"Maybe the Northern Han Dynasty also wants to negotiate peace?"
"..."
The two pack horses, spurred by the coachman, walked towards Chengdu city with four hooves and no hurry. There was plenty of space in the carriage, and the Han envoy Zhao Pu was sitting in it. In addition, there was a beautiful woman with a petite figure and a beautiful face. She was given to him by a Shu official when he was passing the customs. Zhao Pu naturally accepted it with a smile. , It's quite hard, and I'm in need of a lovely person to take care of me. Even this carriage was given by Shu ministers along the way.
This trip to Shu took a full month from Tokyo to Chengdu. Winter had a great impact on traffic, especially the Sichuan-Shaanxi Post Road. Along the way, Zhao Pu could personally experience the dangers and difficulties of walking on the mountain road. He knew it was difficult before, but after experiencing it, he knew what was going on. One of the attendants fell off a cliff and died on the way.
The reason for walking very slowly was not only due to the weather and the road, but also because Zhao Pu deliberately stayed at important points to observe and record them carefully in the name of sightseeing.
After entering the basin, it was much more comfortable, the road was easier to walk, there were more opportunities to stop and replenish, and the Shu generals gave us favorable treatment along the way.
The escorting officer turned his horse's head, galloped to the front of the carriage, and said in a low voice: "Shilang Zhao, there are still ten miles to go before we reach Chengdu! An official from Shu has come to report that Meng Xuanzhe, King of Qin in Shu, is waiting at the post in front to greet him. !”
When Zhao Pu was on an envoy this time, Liu Chengyou specially gave him the title of Minister of Rites. On a month-long journey, physical and mental exhaustion is inevitable. When I opened the curtain and looked forward, I saw a vast wilderness, surrounded by fields, ditches and villages. A flat road extended to the south. At the far end of my line of sight, I could vaguely see the large southwestern city in the mist: "Finally we're here!"
Looking on both sides, Zhao Pu couldn't help but laugh when he noticed the Shu people talking about it: "Even though their faces are full of worry, these Shu people still have the leisure to talk!"
"Don't be anxious, just keep going at this speed!" Zhao Pu thought for a moment and said to the escorting officer: "General He, please go down and the attendants should cheer up and show the magnanimity of my great country!"
"yes!"
The escorting officer was named He Jiyun. He was the son of the late commander He Fujin. He was transferred from Long Jie's army and became an envoy military attaché.
"Have you ever been to Chengdu City?" Zhao Pu asked curiously as he lowered the curtain and looked at the beautiful maid waiting beside him.
He shook his head obediently, with a hint of expectation in his charming eyes, and responded softly: "Your servant has only heard of it."
"That's just right. I will take you to see Jinguan City this time, and you can also see your King Qin!" After saying that, Zhao Pu laughed twice: "Zu'er is a small country, but it is safe and narrow. I don't know how thick the sky is and how high it is. Dare to claim the throne!"
In front of Chengdu City North Post, hundreds of Shu Palace guards stood on guard, and several officials waited respectfully on the left side of the road. In the open space, several expensive carpets were laid out, with emerald screens erected on the sides, and small gilt cases with melons, fruits, snacks, and imperial wine warmed. Meng Xuanzhe, the King of Qin in Houshu, was sitting there, with his arms in his arms. He hugged two beauties on the left and right, and laughed a few times from time to time.
The letter of credence was delivered early. When they learned that the Northern Han Dynasty had come to envoy on their own initiative, the kings and ministers of Shu were relieved. Meng Chang paid even more attention to it and ordered the generals and ministers along the way to treat him with courtesy. Today, Prince Meng Xuanzhe and Prime Minister Wu Zhao Yi went out of the city to greet him.
However, looking at Meng Xuanzhe's appearance, he seemed to be out for an outing, but the Shu ministers who received him did not dare to say anything. Even so, Meng Xuanzhe was a little impatient. He looked at the official road and complained: "Didn't I say it's coming soon? After waiting for so long, it hasn't arrived yet. This Han envoy is too trusting! Don't wait. Now, I am going back to the city..."
After hearing what he said, Wu Zhaoyi's old face couldn't help but twitch, he stepped forward, bowed his hands, and consoled him: "Your Highness, please hold on for a moment, the Han envoy is coming!"
"In the middle of winter, in the twelfth lunar month of winter, eating in the wind and drinking frost outside in this hotel, can you bear it and my body is frozen to death?" Meng Xuanzhe raised his eyebrows and asked.
Wu Zhaoyi was a little helpless and could only stay respectful and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, please be patient and don't let down His Majesty's instructions."
When Meng Chang was mentioned, Meng Xuanzhe finally became more honest. He murmured something, looked at Wu Zhaoyi, and pointed to a soft cushion next to the jade case: "Ms. Wu, you are not young anymore. You have been standing for so long. How can you sit down?" Let’s take a rest!”
Wu Zhaoyi shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, your highness. I am still strong and strong, but I can still persevere!"
Meng Xuanzhe pursed his lips, which seemed to mean that he didn't know what was good or bad. Meng Xuanzhe is the eldest son of Meng Chang. He is not yet eighteen years old. Although he is young, he is famous in Chengdu for his extravagant and extravagant life and love of fun.
Just as Wu Zhaoyi advised, after a while, Zhao Pu and his party finally arrived late. After getting off the car, he looked around and his eyes fell on Meng Xuanzhe and Wu Zhaoyi. Without saying a word, he just stood there with his hands behind his back, waiting for someone to greet them, showing off the style of a large country in the Central Plains.
Seeing this, many Shu ministers were unhappy, but Wu Zhaoyi stepped forward and saluted: "I, Wu Zhaoyi, and His Highness the King of Qin, are here to welcome the noble envoy by order of the Emperor of Shu!"
After tugging off Meng Xuanzhe's sleeve a little, Meng Xuanzhe made a salute reluctantly and glared at Zhao Pu: "Coming here will really make it easier for the rest of us to wait!"
"I've been waiting for you for a long time, please forgive me!" Zhao Pu finally reacted. He smiled and said without any embarrassment: "The road to Shu is rugged and difficult to walk..."
As he said that, he paid attention to Meng Xuanzhe's appearance, and the impatience and anger on his eyebrows. He understood in his heart, and there was a little joy in his eyes. Since entering Shu, what he has seen and heard is all amazing. Things that please people. In front of me is Meng Xuanzhe's arrogance and arrogance...
After communicating for a while in front of the post, Wu Zhaoyi led Zhao Pu and his entourage into the city to rest, arranged to stay in a hotel, accompanied them personally, and entertained them with a sumptuous banquet before returning to the Shu Palace to resume their duties.
In this arrangement, firstly, the Han Dynasty envoys are tired from the journey and need to rest. The second is that since the Han envoys have arrived, the monarchs and ministers of Shu need to discuss carefully how to deal with them.
At night, in the hotel, a bit of cold wind penetrated through the cracks in the doors and windows, causing the candlelight to flicker. Zhao Pu sat on the couch, drinking tea and soaking his feet in the steaming basin. The beauty lowered herself and massaged him gently.
There was a comfortable expression on his face, and he couldn't help but sigh: "The tea is good, the water is good, and the people are good. Chengdu is a great place. This winter, it is much more comfortable than Tokyo!"
As the hot water ran out, the pedicure service came to an end. The maid wiped her feet carefully, put on her shoes and socks, and covered her with a mattress to keep warm. Her delicate face always had a gentle smile. To be honest, Zhao Pu has never enjoyed such tenderness in Tokyo.
After the maid went out with the water, Zhao Pu's expression gradually became serious, and he thought seriously about this mission. Again, negotiating for peace is secondary, and exploring the truth is primary. As far as the Han Dynasty was concerned, what he had experienced on his journey to the south was gratifying.
