“Father, I believe that we can first open Quanzhou, Yangzhou and Liujiagang in Nanyang as trading ports.”

"As for Loulan, we can open Bohai County and Taicang as trading ports," Yun Yizhong continued.

"Merchants from both countries can only trade in these places and not enter the capital city center, which can also ensure the stability of the capital."

"Yes, the Second Prince's idea is good."

"Quanzhou, Yangzhou, and Liujiagang have waterways, which are very suitable for transporting goods."

"Yes, I believe that this method can both prevent disruption to the security of our capital and promote commerce among the people."

"yes."

...

As the ministers were talking, the chief eunuch at the entrance of Anqing Palace shouted something loudly.

"Princess Loulan has arrived!"

Everyone looked towards the entrance of the main hall. Yun Duoduo also craned her neck to look at the entrance, very curious about what the princess of Loulan would be dressed like and whether she had brought any local specialties.

Five Loulan envoys and a Loulan princess dressed in a light purple palace gown walked in.

As Yun Duoduo observed the group's attire and gait, it was as if they had their own background music playing: [Lift your veil, let me see your face, your face...]

Your face is red and round, like an apple in autumn...

As Yun Duoduo looked at the group, her body involuntarily swayed to the music in her head, and she even moved her neck from side to side.

"Princess?" Ah Xiang patted Yun Duoduo's shoulder gently in surprise.

"Huh? Oh." Yun Duoduo realized what she meant, shook her head, and sat up straight.

The Loulan envoy walked to the center of the hall and bowed. "Your Majesty, your subject Ouyang Yizhou greets Your Majesty and wishes the Empress Dowager boundless happiness and longevity!"

Yun Duoduo looked at the envoy who called himself Ouyang Yizhou; his attire was indeed exotic.

The envoy wore a tiger-skin-trimmed top and black trousers, and looked very strong and powerful.

[In the dead of winter, with his arms exposed, doesn't he feel cold?]

Yun Duoduo looked back over the shoulder of the man who claimed to be Ouyang Yizhou's envoy.

Behind the Loulan envoy was the Loulan princess, Princess Guantao.

"Greetings, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty and Empress Dowager enjoy peace and good health year after year." Princess Guantao bowed slightly in greeting.

She spoke very softly, and Yun Duoduo thought she might have a Loulan accent, but she spoke very clearly and her pronunciation was very standard.

All eyes fell on Princess Guantao, who wore a white veil with colorful beads, a light purple silk skirt with silver threads, a water lily-colored gauze belt tied into a bow at her waist, and a white fur vest.

She wore a pair of silver butterfly earrings, and her long hair, which cascaded down to her waist like silk washed by the heavens, was combed into a long braid.

The gold beaded hair ornament and necklace are very characteristic of Loulan and have an exotic feel.

The ministers present stared wide-eyed.

[She's really beautiful. Even though I can't see her face, I can tell she's a beauty.]

Judging from her appearance, this princess is probably fifteen or sixteen years old.

Yun Duoduo thought to herself.

"Please take a seat!" Yun Beiye ordered.

A palace maid led Princess Guantao to her seat.

"Princess Guantao, you must be tired from your long journey, Zhao Zhongquan?!"

"This old servant is here!"

"Have the imperial kitchen send up some hot dishes and rice from Loulan!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Princess Guantao stood up and bowed to express her gratitude.

Before long, the imperial kitchen brought out the freshly prepared hot meal.

"Your Majesty, Qin'er has brought some specialties from Loulan. If the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, and the other officials do not mind, they may try some."

[Qin'er? So Princess Guantao's name was Qin'er?]

[The Loulan royal family's surname is Shangguan, so her name will be Shangguan Qin'er. It's a rather nice name.]

Yun Duoduo thought about her name and seemed to feel that it was not as graceful and pleasant as Shangguan Qin'er's name.

Just as she was thinking this, Yun Duoduo's attention was quickly drawn to the local specialties that the Loulan envoy had brought out.

Then, the Loulan envoy Ouyang Yizhou took out a few red dates from a large straw basket.

[What a huge egg, and it's red!]

Yun Duoduo heard Sun Huohuo's thoughts and looked at him with a smile, "Those are Hotan dates!"

Sun Huohuo stared at the big red dates, his mouth agape.

"Your Majesty, these are dates produced in Loulan. Please have a taste."

Yun Beiye nodded and waved his hand, and the palace maids distributed the basket of dates to everyone.

"Jujubes?"

"Don't these dates need to be washed?"

"Lord Liu, just eat it like this. It's not dirty, but it won't make you sick!"

"Shouldn't this skin be removed?"

"Ouch, there's a pit inside! It's stuck in my tooth, it hurts so much!"

"Mmm, so sweet!"

"It's delicious!"

In Nanyang, where sugar-making technology is still very backward, these sweet and sticky dates have undoubtedly become a favorite among sugar lovers.

Then, the Loulan envoy distributed some local specialties such as raisins and chickpeas to the ministers.

"Ouch, what kind of beans are these? They're so hard!"

"But these beans smell really good."

"Hmm, what are these called? Raisins?"

"It's also very sweet."

Yun Duoduo ate a few dates and then grabbed a handful of raisins from the plate.

It smells so good!

She stared longingly at the large basket beside Ouyang Yizhou, which seemed to be almost empty.

If Loulan were located in modern times, wouldn't that be Xinjiang?

She longed for Xinjiang-style roasted naan and Korla pears, but apparently, perhaps due to the long journey, these things would spoil easily, so the Loulan envoys did not bring them this time.

"Princess Guantao, Ouyang Yizhou, what are your thoughts on this opening of the port?" Yun Beiye asked, wiping his mouth after finishing his local specialty.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the unique plants and medicinal herbs of Loulan can be used in the diet and treatment of diseases in Nanyang."

Ouyang Yizhou walked to the center of the hall and continued, "For example, star anise and fennel are not found in Nanyang, but Loulan is rich in star anise and fennel."

"If we can open up towns that trade with foreign countries, that is, these trading ports, or open up ports that are close to each other between the two countries, both sides can get a lot of good things to use."

Princess Guantao then spoke up, "Your Majesty, Loulan has dates, raisins, and chickpeas. What I just offered you all to taste are some of Loulan's more distinctive foods."

"Loulan also has some spices, such as trichosanthes, perilla, mint, and coriander, which can enhance the flavor of dishes. I'm sure you've all tasted this dish today."

Princess Guantao spoke as she introduced the dishes on the table.

The ministers nodded subconsciously; the dish did indeed taste fresh, quite different from anything they had eaten before.