Chapter 1 (Let Third Sister come and dance a Xiliang dance)

In the first year of Zaichu, at the behest of the Empress Dowager, Xue Huaiyi, Faming and others presented the "Commentary on the Great Cloud Sutra", which attached to the legend in the Great Cloud Sutra that the Heavenly Maiden of Pure Light became a king in the form of a woman. They used cryptic prophecies to claim that the Empress Dowager was the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha and would become the monarch of the East, with the mother of all nations.

The emperor, who was in name only, submitted a memorial requesting a new surname. The common people, officials, leaders of the four barbarian tribes, monks and Taoist priests asked the Empress Dowager to obey the mandate of heaven and ascend to the throne.

On September 9th, after years of careful planning and building momentum, the 67-year-old Empress Dowager Wu ascended the Zetian Gate Tower amidst petitions from officials and commoners across the land. She adopted the Tang dynasty as the Zhou dynasty, changed the era name to Tianshou, and bestowed upon herself the title of Holy and Divine Emperor.

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Under the scorching sun, the surrounding wilderness was silent. A gust of wind swept across the vast Gobi Desert, scattering sand and dust everywhere. The shifting sand dunes resembled slowly moving golden waves, undulating and surging towards the horizon.

A group of people trudged through the swirling sand.

Chai Yong was covered in sweat, his face smeared with layers of sand. He wiped it off, and streaks of white and black appeared, stinging like knife cuts. He shook the long-empty sheepskin water pouch at his waist, licked his chapped lips, and looked back into the distance.

Here, he could not see the Jade Gate Pass, a strategic pass guarding the throat of Guazhou City, nor could he see the gilded iron phoenix standing atop the highest palace in the Ziwei City in the northwest corner of Luoyang, shining with golden light and piercing the clouds.

As far as the eye could see, there was only yellow sand and rough stones, a desolate and barren landscape.

A coughing sound came from behind. His companion, Pei Jingyao, raised his water pouch high, tilted his head back, and vigorously patted the pouch. Before he could even take a sip of water, he choked on his mouth full of sand. After coughing for a while, he gave Chai Yong a bitter smile and said, "Sanlang, I never thought that this trip out of the capital would lead to us dying of thirst! Dying is one thing, but dying so pathetically will surely make us a laughingstock when the news gets back to the capital!"

"You can die if you want, I haven't lived enough. The ladies of the capital are all looking forward to my return!" Chai Yong smiled, wiped the sand off his face, and silently calculated the distance. "If I can hold on for another day or two, I should be able to get out of this Gobi Desert."

Pei Jingyao stuffed the shrunken water pouch back in, sighed, and said, "Everyone who has been to Xizhou says that this place is a barren land, a thousand miles of scorched earth, barren soil, and not a blade of grass grows. I didn't believe it before, and I was looking forward to coming to Xizhou to see for myself. Now I've learned my lesson! No wonder my mother cried and screamed when I left the capital, trying to stop me from leaving the mansion."

Hearing this, several of his companions turned their horses around and came over, complaining incessantly.

Like Chai Yong and Pei Jingyao, they were young masters from prestigious families, raised in the prosperous city of Luoyang. From childhood, they were pampered and indulged in luxury, living a carefree and extravagant life. After stepping out of the Jade Gate Pass, they were filled with excitement, their minds filled with images of the enchanting dancers of Kucha, the crystal-clear jade of Khotan, and the mellow and fragrant wine of Xizhou. Unexpectedly, after leaving the Jade Gate Pass, they spent seven or eight days eating sand. Forget about dancers, they didn't even see a single bird or beast. They were almost dried up by the sun, and they still couldn't see the end of the desert!

Just as they were sighing and lamenting, the procession suddenly stopped. A commotion arose from ahead, with shouts, screams, and pleas rising in all directions.

Pei Jingyao immediately spurred his horse forward, craned his neck to look around for a while, snorted softly, turned back and winked at his companions with a mocking expression.

The young men exchanged glances silently, their faces showing disdain.

In the very center of the procession, a man in a brocade robe with a broad face angrily brandished his horsewhip, lashing the faces of the guards dozens of times, leaving them with torn skin and bleeding profusely.

Those around couldn't bear to watch, but considering the man's identity, no one went to persuade him.

"Your Highness, please calm down! These soldiers are all rough men, the most muddle-headed and stupid. Your Highness is a daughter of a noble family, why bother with them?" The officer in charge of miscellaneous tasks in the ranks rushed forward with a water bag, smiling obsequiously as he advised.

The man, panting heavily, cracked his whip, snatched the water pouch, gulped it down in a few mouthfuls, and tossed it onto the sand. His anger undiminished, he pointed to the sky and roared, “I, the Prince, am acting on the Emperor’s decree to escort the relic tablet, ritual implements, and the Great Cloud Sutra to the Buddhist pagoda in Xizhou for enshrinement. The imperial edict must have already been delivered. Why have the officials of Xizhou been so slow in sending anyone to welcome us? Once we leave this barren land, I will certainly impeach them for their negligence!”

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Pei Jingyao stared at the arrogant man's retreating figure in the distance, muttered a curse under his breath, and exchanged knowing glances with his companions.

Chai Yong glanced at Pei Jingyao, gave him a light kick, and whispered with a smile, "Pei Wu, loose lips sink ships."

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The caravan continued its journey into the desert. The arrogant man would occasionally stop to vent his anger on the guards and escorting officials. The guards dared not speak out and could only serve him even more diligently.

Just as Chai Yong had predicted, at dawn a day and a night later, the sky began to lighten, and faint, dark shadows appeared on the distant horizon. The bailiff, his face beaming with delight, pointed ahead and said to the crowd, "Gentlemen, seeing these mountains means we've left the Sand River! The mountains are fifty li ahead..."

There's a town at my feet.

Exhausted, the group cheered and jumped for joy, their eyes shining as they spurred their horses to gallop.

The chaotic yet crisp sound of horses' hooves echoed under the clear blue sky. As the sandstorm dissipated, the outlines of the mountains became clearer and clearer. Wild grasses gradually appeared on the vast Gobi Desert, along with small patches of golden poplar forests, swaying red willows, winding river channels, towering earthen buildings, and pagodas.

At the foot of the hillside, a gray, earthen city, hidden in the shadows of the trees, came into view.

The cavalry galloped into the city, raising clouds of dust. Birds in the riverside bushes were startled and took flight, cawing and circling above the oasis.

The earthen city was built along the river, and most of the houses were made of earth. The city was crisscrossed by paths, and large trees were planted along the roads. Rows of grape trellises stood in front of and behind the houses, providing dense shade. A river flowed through the city, its waters gurgling and clear as a mirror.

The group chatted and laughed, then dismounted and galloped to the riverbank. The official left a few guards behind to go into the city and settle the paperwork.

Chai Yong filled his sheepskin water bag, slumped down under the shady green trees, clutched the bag, and drank contentedly.

The river water was clear and cold, and as it slid down my parched throat, it felt like drinking icy nectar, exceptionally sweet.

Suddenly, several splashes were heard from the riverbank, and water sprayed everywhere. A man on horseback arrived at the riverbank, but instead of dismounting, he cracked his whip and spurred his horse to leap into the river.

Caught off guard, the crowd squatting on the riverbank pouring water were drenched. They stared in disbelief as the man stripped off his clothes in the river, leaving only his short underwear, and burst into laughter.

Pei Jingyao was the first to react, vomiting up the river water he had just swallowed. "Wu Yanxing! You like to drink horse urine, nobody cares about you, but don't drag us into it!"

Wu Yanxing glanced arrogantly at Pei Jingyao, snorted, rolled up his outer robe to wash his body, and lingered on the shore.

The crowd felt nauseous and cursed Wu Yanxing for his shamelessness. They emptied the water bag and moved it upstream to refill it.

Pei Jingyao, furious, walked over to Chai Yong and sat down next to him, spitting out insults and gritting his teeth.

"Alright." Chai Yong chuckled, kicking Pei Jingyao with the tip of his boot. "Once we deliver the scriptures to Xizhou, we'll have accomplished a great feat. When we return to the capital, we'll be promoted, rich, and bring glory to our ancestors. We'll no longer be the idle, laughable playboys we once were. At that point, all the young ladies in the capital will look at you with new respect and fight to marry you. What's a little horse piss compared to that!"

Pei Jingyao calmed down, took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and laughed as he scolded, "You're the one who drinks horse piss!"

He came from a distinguished family, and although he was unruly and young, he knew his limits.

The next day, Wu Yanxing slowly regained consciousness and had the energy to curse again. The doctor said he was out of danger.

The officials dared not delay, sending a fast horse to Liucheng to deliver the message while preparing to set off.

When he set off from Luoyang, Wu Yanxing was just an insignificant relative of the emperor. Before he even reached his destination, Xizhou, the nearly seventy-year-old Empress Dowager ascended the throne in Luoyang, changed the era name and became emperor. All members of the Wu clan rose to prominence, and Wu Yanxing, being a descendant of the Empress's uncle, was also granted the title of Prince.

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The atmosphere was heavy. Wu Yanxing felt that he had publicly humiliated Chai Yong. Feeling smug, he squeezed Hu Ji's snow-white breasts and impatiently urged the magistrate of Liucheng County, "Can't Liucheng find a single dancer who knows the Xiliang dance?"

The bailiff thought that once he got out of Shahe safely, he would be free from all worries. Little did he expect that Wu Yanxing would jump into the river where everyone was pouring water to take a bath.

Seeing that they ignored him, Wu Yanxing, feeling indignant due to the alcohol, glanced at Chai Yong, then turned to the magistrate and said, "I'm already tired of the Zhezhi dance, the Huxuan dance, the Damozhi dance... If you ask me, the Xiliang dance is much more charming! Do you have any Xiliang female slaves here? Have her come out and perform a Xiliang dance!"

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From that day on, Wu Yanxing's arrogance grew more and more outrageous.

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Xizhou is arid and receives little rain. For half the year, the riverbeds are dry. The rivers in the city are ditches dug by people for irrigation, not natural waterways. The water in the ditches is glacial meltwater, which is icy cold underwater. It is very easy to get cramps if you go into the river in hot weather.

Officials lived in constant fear, not daring to close their eyes. Some secretly sent trusted confidants home, instructing their families to quickly pack up their valuables and seek refuge with relatives.

He walked to the riverbank, observed the water's surface before jumping in, and the guards in the shallows shouted in unison, "Your Highness, the Prince is to your left and in front!"

Wu Yanxing's sudden illness came on quickly and went away quickly. By the time the team entered Liucheng on the third day, he was already able to move freely and was full of energy.

They were drawn from the military government stationed in Xizhou and were not good swimmers.

The magistrate of Liucheng County was nearing the end of his term and hoped to be transferred back to the Central Plains as soon as possible. If Wu Yanxing were to impeach him now, he would never be able to return to the Central Plains for the rest of his life. His future depended on Wu Yanxing's decision, and he dared not offend him.

The revered Buddha rose from his seat and instructed the registrar:

"Sanlang, look, has something happened to Wu Yanxing?"

After a flurry of activity, Wu Yanxing vomited a large puddle of mud and sewage. Seeing the mocking, half-smiling looks on his companions' faces, he flew into a rage, pointing at the officials and roaring, "You want to harm this prince! This prince will impeach you!"

After washing off the sand and treating the wound on his neck, Chai Yong lay down and fell asleep.

In his despair, the drowning man possessed the strength of an ox. Chai Yong felt a sharp pain in his neck, and several streaks of blood floated in the water. He quickly pushed Wu Yanxing aside, circled behind Wu Yanxing, and with a swift chop, knocked Wu Yanxing unconscious.

In the afternoon, Wu Yanxing developed a high fever, vomiting and diarrhea, his eyes rolled back, and he convulsed uncontrollably. The doctor shook his head, saying that his medical skills were insufficient and he was powerless to help; Wu Yanxing must be sent to the nearest city, Liucheng, for treatment as soon as possible. Liucheng was one of the five counties under the jurisdiction of Xizhou.

The bailiff, leading the officials who had been waiting in the city to welcome the angel of the capital, was terrified and rushed forward to help, taking the man to the only doctor in the city for treatment.

After Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi passed away, the Empress Dowager assumed regency and promoted a group of cruel officials. These officials were cunning, treacherous, cruel, and ruthless. They instigated numerous criminal punishments, invented all sorts of horrific tortures, persecuted and slaughtered members of the Li Tang imperial family, and fabricated charges against ministers. Under their persecution, the homes of thousands were confiscated and their records destroyed within a few years, and civil and military officials were terrified.

The lively banquet fell silent instantly. The young masters exchanged awkward glances, while Pei Jingyao put down his wine cup, glaring angrily at Wu Yanxing with a gloomy look in his eyes.

The guards set up tents on the spot, and the healer immediately treated Wu Yanxing, pouring out pills, talisman water, and medicinal soup all at once, while several monks chanted sutras and prayed for his well-being on the side.

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Chai Yong also stood up and raised his hand to stop Pei Jingyao.

Pei Jingyao turned to look at him in confusion, a mischievous smile flashing across his face, and asked in a low voice, "Don't we care about him?"

After traveling thirty li, they saw flickering flames ahead and the sound of horses' hooves like rain. The magistrate of Liucheng County, having received the news, fearing that Wu Yanxing might die on the way, personally led the city's best physicians to meet him.

Chai Yong shook his head, slowly untied his belt, bent down to take off his boots, and took off his arm guards, sword, and scimitar. He was unhurried and calm. "Drowning people are strong. Wu Yanxing is a big guy. If he struggles, even three of you will be dragged down. You are too bad at swimming. I will go."

Pei Jingyao and his men were also afraid that something might happen, so they sent guards to inquire about the situation from time to time. Only Chai Yong found a corner and fell fast asleep.

Chai Yong put his long legs on the mound of earth, rested his head on his arms, closed his eyes and took a nap. Just as he fell asleep, Pei Jingyao suddenly patted his shoulder.

The officials were terrified that Prince Wu would impeach them, so they racked their brains to serve and curry favor with him. The magistrate of Liucheng County put aside his official duties and personally served him medicine day and night, never taking off his clothes. Once Wu Yanxing recovered, he immediately organized a grand banquet to welcome him back.

As night fell, the sounds of horses' hooves and shouting filled the air outside the window. The bailiff came and knocked on the door, smiling wryly as he urged the young noblemen to pack their bags and hurry on their way.

Pei Jingyao knew in his heart that no matter how much he disliked Wu Yanxing, he could only endure it to avoid being caught with a handle and falsely accused of harboring disloyalty towards the Empress. If he fell into the hands of those cruel officials in the court, not only would he suffer a fate worse than death, but his family would also be implicated, resulting in his death and the extermination of his clan!

Wu Yanxing took the main seat, with the magistrate of Liucheng County and his subordinates sitting in attendance, flattering and fawning over him. Wu Yanxing was very pleased with himself, and after a few cups of wine, he became increasingly conceited, embracing the Hu woman and boasting about his experiences in the capital, speaking arrogantly.

Felt tents were pitched in the spacious courtyard, illuminated by several lanterns, their light dazzling. A dazzling array of delicacies graced the table. Two groups of Kucha musicians sat on the ground, playing the pipa, bili, qiang flute, konghou, guqin, panpipes, and jiegu drum. Under the lanterns, beautiful women with blue eyes and fair skin, dressed in flowing colorful robes, sang and danced gracefully, their charm captivating and alluring.

The guards on the bank also noticed something was wrong. They rushed to the shallow water, pointed to a spot in the middle of the river, and shouted in alarm, "The Prince is drowning!"

Wu Yanxing was unable to get out of bed, so the rest of the cavalry had to stay overnight in Tucheng.

The two men surfaced, and the guards rushed over to help drag Wu Yanxing ashore.

The officials, who hadn't slept a wink all night, breathed a sigh of relief.

The other young noblemen, feeling slighted by the magistrate's indifference, sneered inwardly and crowded around Chai Yong, exchanging toasts and discussing fine wine and beautiful women, paying little attention to Wu Yanxing.

Pei Jingyao and the others under the shade of the tree stood up and quickly took off their outer robes. If Wu Yanxing drowned in front of them, no one could escape responsibility!

Chai Yong found his direction, took a deep breath, and dived into the water, swimming to Wu Yanxing, who had already sunk. Wu Yanxing, struggling underwater, touched his arm, grabbed it tightly, and pulled him down, trying to use the force to float to the surface.

Inside the main courtyard, officials were going in and out, their expressions anxious and fearful.

Chai Yong opened his eyes and looked into the river. The clear water had become murky, and a black horse was floating in the water, but its master had suddenly disappeared.

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