In Chang'an City, in the Hall of Wude, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were neatly arranged, and the three-day imperial meeting began. In the middle of the agenda, Abba said: "Dear dear friends, I sent news back to Qinzhou that Xue Ju sent envoys to Liang Shidu and the Turkic Mohedu headquarters, hoping to invite them to join forces to attack Chang'an. . I plan to repay the other person with his own treatment, and also send an envoy to the Turks' Mohe Dushe tribe, bringing heavy money to bribe Mohe Dushe and break up their alliance. I wonder which of your beloved ministers is willing to send an envoy to the Turks? "
After Abba finished speaking, all the ministers whispered, but no one answered. Abba's eyes wandered around everyone's faces, and he raised his voice and said: "My dear friends, who is willing to send an envoy to the Turks to set up a ministry in Mohedu?" As soon as he finished speaking, Li Zhiyun stood up, cupped his hands and said: " Abba, I am willing!"
Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials in the hall turned their attention to Li Zhiyun. The reason why Li Zhiyun recommended himself and asked to be sent as an envoy to the Turks was because he had sent someone to find out clearly that Zhang Changxun, the son of Zhang Shouyi whom he rescued on his way back to Chang'an last time, was indeed the general of Wuyuan Tongshou, and that the Turks had established a headquarters in Mohedu. Yazhang is just north of Wuyuan County. If he goes on a mission to Mohe Duo to set up a ministry, he can escort Zhang Shouyi to Wuyuan County.
In addition, due to the chaos in the Central Plains, Zhang Changxun surrendered the entire county to Mohe Du and set up a headquarters, and was granted the title of Celitler by Mohe Du. With Zhang Changxun's relationship and Li Zhiyun's mission to Mohedu to set up a ministry, many things would be much easier to handle.
Abba agreed and appointed Li Zhiyun as an envoy, carrying gold, silver and jewelry to set up a ministry in Mohe Duo. Because he is an envoy, he cannot bring new troops with him. Li Zhiyun asked the Marriage Office and Zhang Neifu to draw out a hundred guards to form his own guard of honor and bodyguards.
Li Zhiyun told Zhang Shouyi the news and asked him to prepare for departure. After everything was ready, Li Zhiyun took his entourage on horseback, Zhang Shouyi took Hu Yuan in a carriage, and the group left the Chu Palace. When they arrived at Guanghua Gate in the north of Chang'an, they saw dozens of people standing at the gate. They were all carrying luggage and holding horses. The leader was Yu Wenxin, the governor of the capital city. When Li Zhiyun saw it, he got off his horse. Yu Wenxin came over, clasped his fists and said, "His Royal Highness the King of Chu, the emperor has decreed that the general will accompany you on your mission to the Turks."
When Li Zhiyun was in Jinyang, he and Yu Wenxin inspected the defense of prefectures and counties together. The two also worked together to defeat Gao Tansheng's rebellion in Xia County, so they were old acquaintances. Li Zhiyun smiled and nodded: "I have seen the imperial edict. General Yuwen, we have become partners again."
"In the end, I am willing to look up to you with your Majesty's head."
"Okay, let's set off!"
Everyone got on their horses. The large group of troops left Guanghuamen and headed north towards Wuyuan County (now Uradqian Banner in Inner Mongolia).
The journey from Chang'an to Wuyuan County is long, requiring not only trekking through mountains and rivers, but also crossing deserts. Everyone marched hard for more than a month before arriving in Wuyuan County.
Wuyuan County is the eastern half of Jiuyuan County established by Zhao State and Qin Shihuang during the Warring States Period. The Jiuyuan County area is called Beijia and Henan in ancient books. After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, it was occupied by the Xiongnu. In the second year of Yuanzhao (127 BC), Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent General Wei Qing to expel the Huns, and established Wuyuan and Taofang counties in the former Jiuyuan County of the Qin Dynasty.
The jurisdiction of Wuyuan County is equivalent to the area south of the Yinshan Mountains and Ujia River in Inner Mongolia today and north of the Kubuqi Desert. The five reasons are that it is located on the border, and it is also used as the name of the pass. For example, in "The Song of Going Out of the Fortress" written by Jia Zhi of the Tang Dynasty: "It is said that the war in Wuyuan is urgent, and Shanyu invaded Xinqin last night."
The team moved forward on the vast grassland. Li Zhiyun was riding on his horse and looking far into the distance, he saw a series of mountains stretching across the north, which was the Daqing Mountain in the middle of the Yinshan Mountains. He turned his head and looked northwest again, and saw a wide river flowing meandering like a shining jade belt, which was Shimen Water (today's Kundulun River).
On the grassland, herders in twos and threes are grazing. Unlike Shuofang County, Wuyuan County is located on the edge of the Hetao area, and the agricultural production conditions here are not very good. Therefore, in addition to doing business, most of the border residents here make a living by grazing.
The county seat of Wuyuan County is in Guanglu City. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the Great Wall and fortresses were built on a large scale in the border areas adjacent to the Xiongnu. Guanglu City was built by Guanglu Xun Xu Ziwei in the third year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (102 BC). On the northwest line of Guanglu City, there are several castles and fortresses such as Zhijiu, Touman, Huhe, and Sulu (Shoujiang City). Each castle is connected by the Great Wall in the middle and is called Leh City.
Everyone trekked on the grassland for a day. When the sun set in the west, a city outline appeared on the distant horizon. Yu Wenxin, who was walking side by side with Li Zhiyun, pointed with his hand and said: "Your Majesty, Guanglu City has arrived!"
After everyone entered the city, it was already time to light the lanterns. Little lights lit up on the streets, dimming this huge city. There are many pedestrians on the road, and some areas are quite lively. Most of the people wear Han clothing, which is no different from the people in the mainland. It can be seen that the people here live a peaceful and comfortable life. Li Zhiyun and Zhang Shouyi separated at the crossroads. Li Zhiyun and others went to find the post house, while Zhang Shouyi went to find his son.
Everyone found the post house, completed the check-in procedures, and had just settled down when a guard walked into Li Zhiyun's guest room and said: "Your Majesty, someone wants to see you."
"Please!"
After the guards went out, a man came in after a while. Li Zhiyun took a quick look. He was wearing a loose robe. He was about thirty years old. He was of medium height and had a rectangular face. The outline of his face was strong and powerful, with two thick black eyebrows, a pair of bright eyes, and a chin. A short beard.
When the visitor saw Li Zhiyun, he cupped his hands and said, "May I ask if you are the King of Chu of the Tang Dynasty?" Li Zhiyun nodded and said, "Excuse me, who are you?"
"In the Sui Dynasty, I was guarding Zhang Changxun at Wuyuan Pass."
"It turns out it's Mr. Zhang. Disrespect! Disrespect!" Li Zhiyun quickly returned the courtesy.
"Your Highness saved my father and traveled thousands of miles to escort him here. Such a great kindness and kindness will never be forgotten by me. Please accept my prayers." After Zhang Changxun said this, he lifted up his robe and was about to kneel down.
When Li Zhiyun saw him, he hurriedly stepped forward to stop him and said, "Master Zhang, you can't do it! You must not do it!" Seeing that the other party was sincerely trying to stop him, Zhang Changxun had no choice but to take a step back and bowed to Li Zhiyun. Li Zhiyun smiled and said: "Master Zhang, don't be so polite, please sit down." After that, he asked the guard to make tea. Zhang Changxun stopped and said, "Your Highness, that's no need. I'll prepare a little wine in my humble residence to dust you off, and I'd like to ask Your Highness to come."
"This..." The reason why Li Zhiyun hesitated was because he felt that it was getting late and it was inconvenient.
When Zhang Changxun saw it, he hurriedly explained: "The humble house is only a stone's throw away from the post house. It is very convenient to reach it with just a few steps." After hearing this, Li Zhiyun thought about it. This time he went on a mission to Mohe Duo to set up a ministry, and it was inevitable that he would have to go there. Turn to Zhang Changxun for help, so sooner or later, you have to make friends with him. Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "Then don't bother Mr. Zhang."
Li Zhiyun called Yu Wenxin, Zhang Zheng and Cai Hu, and they followed Zhang Changxun on foot to Zhang Mansion. They were led to the back flower hall, where Zhang Shouyi was already waiting. When he saw Li Zhiyun, he said another word of thanks.
Everyone sat around the table, and the servants served the dishes and filled the glasses with wine. Everyone drank and chatted while eating. After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Zhang Changxun said to Li Zhiyun: "Your Highness, I heard from my father that you are here to see Mohe Dushe?"
Li Zhiyun nodded and said: "On my father's order, I am sent to Mohe Duo as an envoy to set up a ministry, and I have to trouble Lord Zhang to help with the introduction." Upon hearing this, Zhang Changxun waved his hand and said: "Why bother with such a trivial matter? Your Highness has been tired all the way, so please rest for two days, and then I will accompany Your Highness to Mohe Duo’s dental tent.”
Li Zhiyun smiled and said: "There is no need to rest. I have a mission and want to see Mohe Dushe as soon as possible. Mr. Zhang, let's set out early tomorrow morning, how about it?" After hearing this, Zhang Changxun nodded and said: "That's good. , just listen to His Highness."
After the banquet ended, Li Zhiyun and others said goodbye and left. The father and son sent the guest outside the gate, and Zhang Changxun ordered two servants to carry the lantern to send the guest back to the post house.
The father and son returned to the mansion, and Zhang Changxun invited his father to drink tea in the study. Zhang Shouyi came to the study and sat down. He took a sip of the fragrant tea offered by the maid, put down the tea cup, looked at his son sitting opposite and said, "Xun'er, my father heard that you surrendered to the Turks and were raped. What kind of official title did the Turks have? What’s going on?”
Zhang Changxun put down the tea cup and explained: "Father, there is civil strife in the Central Plains and thieves are on the rise. This is also a way for my son to protect himself." Zhang Shouyi said with doubts on his face: "Turkish people don't know etiquette and justice, they are barbarians. We are descendants of China. It’s hard to get along with them, so you can’t forget your roots!”
"Don't worry, father. My son's surrender to the Turks is just a temporary measure. When destiny returns and the country is unified, my son will naturally lead his soldiers and civilians back to the Central Plains."
Zhang Shouyi listened, nodded, and said: "Although there are frequent wars in the Central Plains and heroes vying for the throne, according to my father's observation, the Tang Dynasty seems to have the upper hand. Li Yuan was originally a noble honor of the Sui Dynasty, and there have been rumors in the world that Li should be the Son of Heaven. My father has lived in Chang'an for a while this time. I saw that Chang'an's city is prosperous, businesses are flourishing, and it looks like a new dynasty. Why don't my son switch to the Tang Dynasty?"
After hearing this, Zhang Changxun pondered for a moment and said, "Father, let me think about it again." Zhang Shouyi urged, "You have to make up your mind earlier."
Early the next morning, Li Zhiyun led his entourage to leave the post house and followed Zhang Changxun to the tent set up by Mohe Duo. Zhang Changxun did not bring an army, but only a dozen followers. It seemed that he and Mohe Dushe got along quite well.
The tooth tent set up by Mohe Duo was located in the north of Yinshan Mountain. The team walked for two days before arriving at the ranch where the tooth tent was located. Sitting on horseback, Li Zhiyun looked around and saw that under the blue sky and white clouds, the prairie was vast, magnificent and rich. He suddenly remembered the famous song "Celechuan": "Celechuan, under the Yin Mountain, the sky is like a dome, covering the surrounding fields. The sky is blue, the fields are vast, and the grass is blown by the wind, and cattle and sheep can be seen."
