"Not bad! But we have to get this done first!" Acton said with a smile.
"Yes, yes! I will try my best to do it!" Tenzin responded repeatedly. The Tang people did not torture or abuse him, but the hope of regaining freedom became more powerful, making his original stubbornness and dignity no longer exist.
"Very good!" Acton smiled: "Did you know? A few days ago, the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan army fought two battles!"
"I clean the stables every day, how can I know what's going on outside!" Tenzin said with a bitter smile.
"That's true! I forgot about it!" Acton smiled and suddenly became serious: "The Tang Dynasty won both battles and captured more than 2,000 people. The governor planned to use them to build roads, you know If you speak a little bit of Tang dialect, go and work as an interpreter. Also, if the people who were captured earlier with you are willing to work for the Tang Dynasty, they can also go. The food and accommodation will be much better, and there will be some pocket money every month!"
"Again, they won again? Could it be that they were lying? No, did they have to go to such great lengths to deceive themselves? And if they wanted to lie, where would they find so many Tibetan prisoners?"
Fear was like a sharp knife, penetrating through Tenzin. He looked at Acton in fear and looked at the other person's mouth, which was spitting out a series of cadenced words: "I'll give you two days, you can think about it and ask other people. Look how many people are willing to do it!”
Tenzin couldn't remember what happened next. He almost instinctively knelt down and saluted the people in the house, then exited the door and staggered towards his residence. The Tang people were always so generous. They even gave themselves two days to give themselves enough time to consider and make a choice, instead of giving direct and rude orders like the Tubo people. Tenzin thought in his heart, completely forgetting that he was also a Tibetan.
After returning to his residence, Tenzin lay on the bed of hay and fell into deep thoughts. He did not doubt the authenticity of Acton's promise - there was no need for the other party to lie. Even if he was asked to die, he could only do as he was told. The winner would do whatever he wanted. , the loser endures with all his strength, this is the prevailing law in the ancient world. But Tenzin still hesitated. He knew that if he took this step, he would never look back.
"Tenzin! Why did you come back so early today? Are you not feeling well?" The companion who came back from work asked hurriedly when he saw Tenzin lying on the bed.
"No, I'm fine!" Tenzin sat up from the bed: "Master Tang Ren asked me to tell something!"
"Master Tang Ren?" His companion was surprised and hurriedly came over: "What's the matter? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"
“There’s good things and there’s bad things!”
"Then let's talk about the good things first! We are already unlucky enough, let's be happy to hear some good things first!" said the companion with a bitter smile.
"This -" Tenzin scratched the back of his head: "I'm afraid I have to talk about the bad things first. The good things and the bad things are connected together. If I talk about the good things first, there will be no way to talk about it!"
"Okay, let's talk about the bad things first. Anyway, the way we are now, it can't be too bad!"
"The Tang Dynasty fought two battles with us and won both of them. We captured more than 2,000 prisoners!"
"What?" The companion jumped up from the ground: "Real or false, it's impossible, right? So many people were captured? The Tang people are not lying to you, are they?"
"Lie to me?" Tenzin smiled bitterly: "Do you think it is necessary? What are we now? We are prisoners, life and death belong to the Tang people. Besides, how can more than two thousand prisoners be disguised? If they are fake, we will recognize them at a glance!"
"That's true! The Tang people really can't lie to us!" The companion nodded: "Then what good thing are you talking about? Is it related to these prisoners?"
"The Tang Dynasty master said that these prisoners should go to build roads. They needed a few interpreters. He asked me if I wanted to go. If I went, the food and use would be much better, and I would also receive some pocket money every month! He also said that if I did Now that I’m done, you can let me go back and reunite with my family in the future!”
"Let you go back to reunite with your family? How is this possible!" The companion laughed: "This must be a lie to you by the Tang people. Anyway, whether you do well or not is because of their mouths. If you are good, it is good and if you are not, it is bad. . But the food and pocket money should be genuine, otherwise it would be hard to work hard, which is a good thing!"
"You are right!" Tenzin smiled: "But have you ever thought that if we do this, then we will be doing things for the Tang people, isn't that bad?"
"Tenzin, we are doing things for the Tang people every day now! Moving things, cleaning stables, repairing city walls, wake up, we are prisoners of the Tang people, do you understand? Do you remember how we treated the prisoners? If you refuse, I'll give you a whipping, and let you do it after the beating. If you don't go, I'll cut off your head and replace you with someone else. Don't be stupid. It tastes so good and you can't wear it. After you get whipped, it's like toasting in Chinese terms. If you don’t eat, you’ll be fined with alcohol!”
"You're right, I think too much!" Tenzin nodded. His companion's words revealed the cruel truth, which made him a little frustrated. He was silent for a moment and whispered: "By the way, the Tang Dynasty people also said that if there are others who are willing to contribute to them, they will also want to do it. Are you willing to go?"
"Me?" The companion was stunned, then laughed: "The Tang people want an interpreter, and I can't speak Tang dialect, so what's the use of going there?"
"I didn't know how to do it at the beginning. I didn't learn it all later! The Tang Dynasty gave me two days. In these two days, I can teach you. Just learn the simplest few sentences. You can learn the rest slowly later!" Tenzin laughed.
"This -" my companion hesitated: "What can you learn in two days? Would the Tang Dynasty want a dabbler like me?"
"Anyway, there is nothing to lose even if I don't want you. If I do, at least life here will be much better!" Tenzin said with a smile: "Do you want to move bricks with mud and chop wood and burn charcoal here all your life?"
"Okay!" Tenzin's last words had an effect, and his companion laughed: "Then everything is counting on you!"
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The hall was dimly lit and filled with smoke. The pine torches on the walls were burning. Above the head were wooden citrons blackened by smoke. The vaults were hidden in the shadows. There was some kind of strange smell in the air, which made Wang Ence feel uncomfortable all over. .
He followed Wang Pu and passed by long tables. This somewhat dim long room had been used as a restaurant where the guards were on duty in front of the government office. Wang Ence realized that everyone was staring at him, and he straightened his back subconsciously. There were all kinds of people around, including Mohe people, Japanese people, and Baekje people. He could recognize a few of them by name, but most of them were just vaguely familiar. Most people lowered their heads when he passed by, while a few people straightened their necks, looked at each other proudly, and talked in low voices when Wang Ence passed by. These bastards, Wang Wenzuo has spoiled them rotten, and they don’t understand the difference between superior and inferior. One day I will tie these guys to a tree and give them a good whip until they understand who to bow to. Bow.
Wang Wenzuo lived in a small courtyard only fifty steps away from the longhouse. When Wang Ence came in, he was behind a wooden table, talking in a low voice with the Japanese attendant. Seeing Wang Ence come in, the Japanese stood up. , smiled and nodded to Wang Ence.
"Without courtesy, sit down and talk!" Wang Wenzuo's face showed no expression. He pointed to the chair below: "I won't beat around the bush. Ence, you have been following me for some time, I guess. I also learned a lot. There is something to be done this time, so you should follow Igilian Bod. Ijilian Bod, tell him about the matter!"
"Yes!" Yiji Lianbode bowed to Wang Wenzuo, turned to Wang Ence and said, "Little Langjun, the Governor wants us to go to Chengdu to raise funds this time!"
"Fundraising?" Wang Ence was a little unfamiliar with this term. He glanced at Wang Wenzuo blankly and found that the other person's expression was silent, like a stone statue.
"Yes, the governor has captured thousands of Tibetan soldiers this time, and he plans to use these Tibetan prisoners to repair the Songmao Road, which is the road from Dujiangyan to Songzhou. This matter is not enough for people, and some funds are needed, because this road It is also a common route for merchants, so the governor plans to ask the merchants in Chengdu to contribute a sum of money to build the road. When the road is repaired and business travel flourishes, those merchants who contribute the money will also benefit!"
"Oh!" Wang Ence's eyes lit up when he heard that he was going to Chengdu. He looked at Yiji Lianbod and said: "This matter is related to road construction. It is very important. Who is the leader and who is the deputy? Let’s make it clear first!”
Igilian Bode was about to speak, but he heard Wang Wenzuo say: "Ence, I asked you to go here to learn more about how to treat people and treat people with Yijilian Bode. You were in the village before and didn't know anything. You have to be humble, understand?"
Wang Ence's face was slightly red, and he felt his face was slightly hot. He was indescribably embarrassed. Yijilianbode on the side quickly smiled and said: "Don't worry, young man. Are you afraid that you will not have any errands to do under the governor? There will be more time in the future." You see, this time it’s your turn to be in charge, and next time it’s your turn to be in charge!”
Wang Ence responded and lowered his head. He didn't hear clearly what Wang Wenzuo said next. He only felt that his whole body was like a bulging skin, bulging and swollen. After a while, he heard Wang Wenzuo say He said "That's it!" before bowing and going out.
"Ijilenbode, thank you for taking this good-for-nothing brother like me this time!" Wang Wenzuo sighed as Wang Ence's back disappeared behind the door.
"Why did the Governor say that? No one is born with it. Xiaolangjun will understand it if he sees it a few times!" Ijilenbode said with a smile.
"Do you think I dislike him for being stupid?" Wang Wenzuo sneered: "You are right, no one is born with it, but in order to fill the barrel with water, it must be empty first. If a person is complacent, Then you won’t learn anything. Ence will definitely cause some trouble if he looks like this. You must not care about his identity and deal with him as you want, do you understand?"
"Yes Yes!"
Wang Wenzuo saw that although Yijilianbode kept saying yes, his face was full of embarrassment. He knew that although the other party agreed, he would definitely not treat Wang Ence as an ordinary person. After all, as long as he did not reveal his special relationship with him, his subordinates would not dare to disrespect him. Everyone knew the principle of not being intimate with him. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Forget it, I also know that you are in a difficult situation. Let's do this. If you feel that he is hindering important things, just send someone to notify me. I will send someone to take him back then. There is no need for you to be embarrassed!"
"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief!" Yiji Lianbode was obviously relieved. He also saw that the relationship between the "brothers" Wang Wenzuo and Wang Ence was a bit strange, but it was not his turn as an outsider to intervene in the matters between the superiors and brothers. The best policy is to stay away.
After Ijilianbode left, Wang Wenzuo returned to his desk, looked at the map, and fell into deep thought. Even today, the Ancient Tea Horse Road is famous for its steepness. In many places, it can only accommodate a mule and horse. However, this does not mean that these long and dangerous trade routes are not important to the southwest. On the contrary, it is These long and narrow trade roads connected this vast area of Zamia. Deep down in his heart, he actually didn't care that much about the outcome of the war with Tubo. The reason was very simple. For a person, thirty years is a long time, but for a nation or a country, thirty years is just one year. moment. No matter whether you win or lose, this vast plateau will become a part of the motherland thousands of years later, but the built trade routes will have a long-lasting influence. A common economy and a common culture create a common understanding and a common nation, common country. Killing a few more Tibetans and breaking through a few more fortresses will only make you famous in the world. Opening up trade routes and opening up trade exchanges will be a lasting achievement.
Of course, compared to the hundreds of miles of Songmao Road, a mere two thousand Tibetan prisoners are certainly not enough, but this is just an introduction and a gesture. Wang Wenzuo believes that those businessmen need a convenient and smooth road more urgently than himself. All he has to do is to bring their strength in and work together for this cause. There are also Tubo generals. Wang Wenzuo believes that there must be sharp conflicts between the Tubo Zampu and the nobles. The reason is very simple. Under the model of dividing the spoils of external expansion, there must be an uneven distribution of spoils. Those who work hard will eat the chaff. The clamoring to eat meat has existed at all times and in all countries.
As long as the Tibetan generals find that they are facing a tough guy, truce and engaging in smuggling trade will be a very tempting option. Of course, exchanging prisoners is a good start. Besides, if I remember correctly, after the Battle of Dafeichuan, fighting continued in Longyou and Anxi. The main forces of the Tubo people must have been on the northern front, and the southern front was If both sides can maintain a certain balance of power, both Chang'an and the Tubo Center will be able to accept it.
"You are really dancing on three eggs!" Wang Wenzuo exhaled a long breath and said with a wry smile: "I accidentally stepped on all the eggs and made my feet full of yellow slurry! However, the Tang-Tubo war was enough to kill two young men. A hundred years, I don’t believe that we have been fighting every day for the past two hundred years and not doing any business at all!”
