Extra: Travel Notes
The third year of Kaiyuan, Cold Food Festival.
Bringing offerings, I joined my junior fellow apprentice in paying respects to Princess Taiping and Shangguan Wan'er. Upon arriving, I discovered the tomb had been damaged and no longer resembled its original state. It was a place rarely visited, and I saw no signs of other people offering respects there.
In the summer of the fifth year of Kaiyuan, Huihe.
Starting in the 20th year of the Zhenguan reign, the Xueyantuo were destroyed and the Uighurs came under the jurisdiction of the Tang Dynasty. Although they were part of the Tang territory, the Uighur tribes continued to live as nomads, relying on the imperial court and trade for any needs.
After arriving here, I stayed with a Uighur family. I tried Uighur clothing and food, which were different from those in China. I borrowed horses to graze, which was quite amazing, different from the speed of spiritual energy.
In the autumn of the fifth year of Kaiyuan, the Western Regions.
I traveled through dozens of cities, seeing many merchants coming and going, and found abundant silk, ceramics, and spices. It was autumn, and the fruits were ripe and very delicious.
I met my elder brother and nephew by chance in Shule. We had a very pleasant conversation and stayed with them for three days.
In the summer of the seventh year of Kaiyuan, Tubo.
Even in midsummer, the high altitude and cold regions still felt chilly. After the two marriages, Tibet and Han areas had close ties, and on this trip, I encountered Tang people quite often. There were also Tibetan nobles wearing Chinese clothing and speaking the Chang'an Mandarin.
The princess was known for her high position, but if the two sides fought, she would be powerless to stop it. If Tubo wanted to make peace, the princess would have to worry about it.
In the autumn of the seventh year of Kaiyuan, Mengshe issued an edict.
There must be a Peach Blossom Spring in the world as described by Tao Yuanming! There are also monks here, which is very different from China.
I came across a secret method, and a sudden inspiration struck me: it must be meant for me. However, this method is not something I can practice, so I kept it for the future.
In the summer of the 12th year of Kaiyuan, Bohai.
The land was fertile, with abundant grass and water, and the cattle and horses were strong and healthy. The area was rich in products and traded frequently with neighboring countries. Shangjing Longquan Prefecture resembled Chang'an and contained dozens of Buddhist temples. Many of the city's nobles were Buddhists, while the common people were shamanists.
Before they saw the Taoist temple, Mingyin felt a little angry and murmured her dissatisfaction. I felt the same way and did not stop her.
In the autumn of the 12th year of Kaiyuan, Heishui.
This area belongs to the Heishui tribe of the Mohe people. Many people in the tribe braid their hair, adorn their crowns with wild boar tusks and pheasant tails to distinguish themselves from other tribes.
Heishui Chen had only been in Tang for two years, yet he had seen several wanted notices, all for cultivators, including me and my junior fellow apprentice. So he hid himself and quietly left.
In the winter of the 12th year of Kaiyuan, Shiwei.
This place is very different from the Tang Dynasty. Men wear their hair loose, women wear it in a bun, and they ride in ox carts. While I had difficulty communicating with the elders, I learned a lot and realized a way to improve my magic.
The weather was freezing cold, snow was falling, and the great trees in the forest were all covered in white. I lived in the elders' house, wearing mink fur, and did not go out for a leisurely stroll.
In the summer of the 13th year of Kaiyuan, there were wandering ghosts.
After passing Qudumei, we arrived at Liugui. This place is surrounded by the sea on three sides. It takes fifteen days to sail south by boat. There are no cities, and people live scattered on islands, digging several feet deep into the ground and slanting trees on either side to form their homes. Everyone wears fur: pig or deer skin in winter, fish skin in summer.
In this bitterly cold land, there is no sign of summer. There are no rituals of mutual respect, no bureaucratic rules, and no seasonal calendar. The common people still use tools made of bone and stone.
"Senior Sister, it's time to go!" Liu Mingyin was already dressed and ready to go. Seeing what Xiao Wan'er was reading, she quietly came over and asked, "Senior Sister, are you reading a travelogue?"
"Well, yes, I came across it by chance and took it out to have a look."
After Xiao Wan'er finished speaking, Liu Mingyin also leaned over to look.
"Senior Sister, isn't this the time when you and I just became Taoist companions and started traveling together? The places we visited were all quite remote." He pointed to the "Twelfth Year of Kaiyuan" in the travel notes and said.
"Yes." Xiao Wan'er said as she sorted out the travel notes and put them on the bookshelf.
"Hey, what are you two doing? It's better not to be late for the invitation to Lingxiao Temple." Ming Shu couldn't wait outside the two people's house and shouted to remind them.
Xiao Wan'er's lips curled up in pleasure.
"Let's go."
The two walked out of the house and headed straight to Lingxiao Temple with Mingshu.
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