In late spring and early summer, the morning sun shines on the city walls and brings warmth.
Ten miles west of Chang'an, the Han-Hu trade was bustling with people. On the road, Western Hu merchants led camels and squeezed through the bustling crowds of pedestrians, with the camel bells tinkling softly.
The sound of Hu music was in the air, the Western musicians were playing the huobusi, the beautiful Hu girl was dancing barefoot in an exotic dance, shaking her sexy belly button, and throwing seductive glances at passers-by, causing the spectators below to shout loudly and throw copper coins to fall under her flying skirt.
"Xiao's wontons are stuffed with May fat mutton. They are delicious, refreshing and tender!"
"The spring fragrant soup is made from the best tea leaves and almonds. You can boil it and take a look at it even if you don't want to drink it. It looks golden and pleasing."
“… Over there, I want a portion with goose fat!!”
"Hey, come out quickly, there's something exciting to watch—"
Someone roared, and on the noisy and bustling long street, officers carrying water and fire sticks drove away people and animals, and crossed the sticks to separate passers-by on both sides of the road. At the end of the road, several different flags were held high, and several teams of Western Regions with different costumes were coming this way. Most of them were Western Regions Hu people with high noses and deep eyes, and there were also Turks wearing fur hats and fur coats. They rode on horseback, looking at the Chang'an Han and Hu people on both sides of the road, with their heads slightly raised.
This team was none other than the envoys sent by the four countries of Tuyuhun, Gaochang, Yiwulu and Turkic, who had come from afar to Chang'an to pay tribute. The news had spread a few days ago. It had been a long time since we had seen such a grand ceremony between foreign barbarians and the Celestial Empire. When they entered the city, the people who came to watch the excitement almost crowded the several neighborhoods west of Chang'an.
"This group of barbarians are really sensible. They finally came to pay homage to the Emperor of the Sui Dynasty."
"… Humph, you're not coming? Do you want to be like that ruthless Khan of the Turks? One hundred thousand Turks were annihilated overnight. In terms of martial arts, how can the soldiers of the Great Sui Dynasty compare to these barbarians?"
"Brother, what you said makes sense. Aren't these barbarians coming right now? Hey, why are there some weird guys in the barbarian group below? They are wearing hoods in broad daylight. Aren't they too hot?"
In the eyes of the people watching the excitement on the second floor, there were a few figures in the middle of the team passing by on the street. They were wearing cloaks or strange clothes. They were completely oblivious to the chattering market talk around them. They sat on horseback and followed the team all the way to the inn where they were staying.
"Prince of Tuyuhun, King of Gaochang, Yiwu, and Turkic envoys, please come this way."
The team stopped, and the officials of the Honglu Temple invited the envoys of the four countries into the post station. On the way, they also explained the matters of tribute. It was probably that the four of them would rest in the post station for two days first, and only after being summoned by His Majesty could they enter the court to meet the emperor.
Afterwards, the specific matters of food and lodging were arranged, and they checked into the rooms of the hotel one by one. By the time they were done, it was already evening, and the officials from the Honglu Temple finally left tiredly.
The night is getting darker.
In the small courtyard of the east house, Tuyuhun guards were guarding everywhere. There were faint voices coming from the lighted window frames. Soon, the door creaked open, and a hooded figure in a dusty robe came out with his upper body half bent.
"Prince, please take a rest and leave the rest to us."
With his hands tucked into his sleeves and hunched over, he slowly walked past the guards' sight, turned the corner of the corridor, and entered one of the rooms. The candlestick on the table flickered with a slight bang, and the flame illuminated the furnishings in the room.
The man took off his hood, revealing a thin and narrow face, long beard, white eyebrows, a slightly hooked nose, and sat quietly on the stool with his hands folded, looking at the flickering candlelight, and slowly closed his eyes.
The bean-sized candle flame instantly turned dark green.
"Everyone, how do you think we should proceed when we meet the Emperor of Sui the next morning?"
There was no sound from the slightly opened lips, but words were transmitted from the room to the other courtyards of the inn. The night wind blew across the courtyard, and there was silence for a while. Then a voice with magic power slowly opened.
"If Gaochang refuses to follow, then we will ignore it. The day after tomorrow morning, we will show off and make the Emperor of Sui bewildered. Then we can kill him! To avenge the division of the Turkic people!"
"Humph, you killed someone else's emperor in court. You can seek revenge, but death doesn't matter. How can Fo Lianzun and I escape? The people who practice Taoism in the Central Plains are not for show."
The voice was that of a woman. The words spoken under the influence of magic power had no regional distinction and were almost understandable to everyone. The old man from Tuyuhun here also agreed with her words.
"Going to the Central Plains Dynasty is just a way to reduce their prestige. Moreover, the Emperor of Sui has only been on the throne for two years. We don't know whether he is a wise ruler or a foolish ruler. If we kill a wise ruler, it would be fine. But if we kill a foolish ruler, wouldn't we be doing a great favor to Sui? What if the next emperor to ascend the throne is a wise ruler? Wouldn't we be embarrassed?"
In the Turkic courtyard, Fa Yin was silent for a moment, stopped talking to the two national masters, and walked out.
Both Yiwulu and Tuyuhun did not care about the withdrawal of the Turkic envoys and continued to talk about some details of the day after tomorrow. Suddenly, the woman from Yiwulu interrupted them.
"Folianzun, you seem to have forgotten that the Sui Kingdom also has a national teacher."
"I've heard some rumors. It seems his surname is Lu, and he's from the south of Sui... I don't know much else. I think he's about the same age as me. When the time comes, I'll come fight him, and you can just play with the Emperor of Sui. It would be best if you can charm him so much that he can't help himself."
"Hehe... The art of illusion is what I am best at, Fo Lianzun, just watch."
The night wind whimpered over the eaves, and the sounds of law from the two courts gradually disappeared. As time passed, the night passed, the sky in the east began to turn pale, and the morning light shone through the gaps in the clouds and fell on the imperial city. In the Xuanzheng Hall, the usual dialogue was over, and the story of the envoys from the four countries coming to the court to meet the emperor began.
"… Tuyuhun has long occupied the main route of the Southern Silk Road. They are nominally friendly with the Sui Dynasty, but they have always sent spies to spy on the situation of the Sui Dynasty. They have ulterior motives."
"Your Majesty, what Minister Su said is absolutely right." Among the ministers, Min Changwen, with white hair and beard, walked out with his hands clasped, and bowed down to the golden steps: "The late emperor used lightning-fast means to unite the entire Sui Dynasty, severely injuring the Turks and intimidating the small countries in the four directions. The four countries must have other intentions in inviting us to pay homage this time. The imperial masters of foreign countries should not be allowed to enter the palace when paying tribute tomorrow."
At the head of the civil and military ranks in the hall, Yang Su closed his eyes, listened, hummed, and without waiting for the emperor on the dragon throne to speak, he opened his eyes and walked out.
"If Minister Min does this, wouldn't it show that our Great Sui Dynasty has no one? And make these foreign small countries laugh at us."
The old man looked stern and bowed to Yang Guang, then glanced at the civil and military officials behind him.
"If these barbarians really want to bring down the prestige of our Great Sui tomorrow, they can just come and do it. I have fought in many battles, so why should I be afraid of anything?"
As he said this, he turned to face the golden steps and bowed to the emperor above him: "Your Majesty, let me serve you tomorrow!"
The hall was quiet, with lights whirring and flickering.
Yang Guang, sitting on the dragon throne, with his beard unfurled, smiled, and waved his hand to one side: "Everyone, you should learn more from the Duke of Yue. An old minister who refuses to admit old age is what our Great Sui should look like."
Bang!
The dragon's sleeves were spread out, and the palm of the hand slapped heavily on the armrest of the dragon throne, causing the crown and pearl curtain above the head to shake.
"I feel that a great country cannot allow scoundrels to run wild. The ministers have expressed their opinions. Very good... I have my own way to deal with them. I dismiss the court!"
Yang Guang rolled up his sleeves, and strode down the golden steps with the eunuchs and attendants, and went to the back hall. There was a grim look on his face. He grabbed the branch that stretched into the eaves of the corridor, broke it with a "snap", and pulled out the eaves column.
…This Yang Su.
While he was mumbling, the eunuch who was following closely behind him took small steps forward and reminded him in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Master's disciple is still waiting."
"Where?"
"Xianjuyuan."
Xianju Courtyard was built by Yang Jian during his lifetime. For a period of time, he was quite envious of Lu Liangsheng, a Taoist monk, so he built this courtyard on a whim. There are no common rockery and water pavilions, but mostly ancient cypresses and camphor trees. Among the flower garden paths, there is a seven-story wooden building hung with wind chimes and colorful ribbons.
When Yang Guang came over, he saw an old man in a white robe and white beard sitting in a pavilion in the distance, holding a cup of tea. He seemed to hear footsteps approaching, put down the teacup in his hand, and stroked his white beard with a smile.
"Your Majesty, you summoned a free-spirited person like me to the palace. Is it about the envoys from the four countries? I have already figured it out."
He nodded slightly, his pair of lifeless eyes half-closed, but looking at the blooming flowers and plants, showing mystery.