Shanyue old friend
The last sentence is: "But sometimes, even for the Hu people, it is unattainable."
Ah Qiu then knew that he must have also experienced something heartbreaking.
Because of the nomadic peoples of the grasslands, fighting and conquering each other was commonplace, and there was never a day of peace. For those who cherish peace and a quiet life, war is always a disaster.
When he answered them in this way, Gongyi Xiu and Xiao Chang'an seized the opportunity and, with a mix of soft and hard tactics, forced Hulü Guang to turn around and leave.
The dozen or so Northern Qiang soldiers had already been bound hand and foot and pushed away from the courtyard.
The remaining Divine Hound Battalion soldiers and Zhongzhou Army soldiers began to clean up the battlefield, move the corpses, and wash away the bloodstains on the ground.
Shangguan You bowed deeply to Fu Ning and said in a barely audible voice, "If it weren't for the prefect's willingness to help us, even though we were complete strangers, our delegation would have been in grave danger tonight."
For someone as powerful as the head of the Jiangzuo Shangguan clan and the Right Chancellor of Dayan, to bow to an elderly Hu man and a local prefect in this way would have been unimaginable in the past.
Fu Ning returned the courtesy and said in a low voice, "The journey ahead is long and arduous, but there should be no further trouble. However, once we reach Luoyang and enter the palace, we must be careful!"
A Qiu knew that this was because Luoyang, the capital, was now under the control of the Northern Qiang people, and also the territory of Hulü Guang. Even the deeply entrenched Xiao family in Luoyang had to be careful in dealing with the Five Barbarian forces. If Hulü Guang wanted to retaliate, it would inevitably be at that time.
Shangguan You nodded, reached out and shook hands with Fu Ning, then parted, the unspoken meaning conveyed without words.
As Fu Ning, dressed in the official robes of the Northern Qiang, left and disappeared into the darkness at the courtyard gate, something flashed at his waist.
With the help of the dim light, A-Qiu could already see the patterns on it.
It was a fine bronze token, with a few strokes depicting mountain shadows, flying cranes, and a moon suspended in the air.
The reason A-Qiu could recognize it at a glance was because she had an identical one herself.
The token was a gift from Gu Yi, who said that she could pass through the palace without hindrance if she held it.
This is the "Young Master's Token," the token held by the Young Master's Charioteer as Gu Yi travels the world.
Since the upheaval in Zhongzhou, although the journey has been arduous, the dancers are no longer filled with the fear and repression they once felt.
Although they still sat separately in the carriage while traveling, they were free to move around and take a walk whenever they got off to rest. Some musicians would even take out instruments like the pipa and play a couple of pieces to relieve the boredom of the journey.
They remained very cautious, avoiding showing themselves easily in the carriage while traveling, and never straying from the mission alone when they stopped. However, compared to their previous state of constant anxiety, the girls were much more cheerful and lively.
The dozen or so guards remaining under Hulü Guang's personal guards were now under strict surveillance by the Divine Hound Camp, treated like prisoners. They were not allowed to approach the dancers, and even their meals and water were not their own. They finally experienced the same treatment the dancers had faced.
Hulü Guang himself was very sensible. Apart from occasionally showing up during meals, he stayed in his own car almost the entire way. Except for Gongyi Xiu occasionally going in to talk to him, he ignored everyone else.
Ah Qiu thought to himself that this was a smart person who knew how to be sensible. His current status was equivalent to that of a prisoner; if things went wrong, Xiao Chang'an would want to take his head, and where would he go to seek justice?
But A Qiu also knew very well that once they reached Luoyang, the situation would turn around.
Even in remote prefectures and counties far from the emperor's reach, a Jie chieftain like Fu Ning could control Hulü Guang.
However, Hulü Guang's title as the second most powerful man in the Northern Qiang was not given lightly, nor was it earned through diplomatic eloquence or charming demeanor.
The capital city of Luoyang had tens of thousands of royal soldiers who were subordinate to him and loyal only to him. This is why Hulü Jinqi valued him highly and why his status was far higher than that of other leaders of the Five Barbarian tribes.
Once inside the city, if their delegation were taken to his palace or military camp, they would be left with no one to turn to for help, and even Emperor Huli Jin would likely find it difficult to get them out safely.
This is probably why Hulü Guang didn't bother arguing anymore along the way.
As long as the destination is Luoyang, the capital, the delegation will not be able to fly into the sky, and he will have no shortage of opportunities for revenge.
The further north you go, the more desolate the scenery and people become. Many villages are deserted and the fields are sparsely overgrown with weeds.
The cities and counties they passed through mostly had only a few scattered shops. Not only were they not as densely populated, prosperous, and bustling with trade as Jianzhang, the capital of the Southern Dynasty, according to Shangguan You and his group, they were also far less developed than Guangling and Wuxian, according to them.
The further north they traveled, the more desolate the lives of the people became. As the chief envoy, Shangguan You's brow furrowed more and more, and his words revealed deep-seated worries.
A Qiu surmised that now that the Southern Dynasty had surrendered, the world would nominally be unified. However, since the North and South were now part of one country, everything had to be balanced. But how could the tyrannical Northern Qiang people possibly balance the current desolation and ruin of the North with the prosperity and wealth of the Southern Dynasty?
Based on past experience, the approach was naturally to use methods such as whipping, heavy taxes, near-plunder and devastation, and exhausting resources to achieve equality.
What is most hateful is that the Central Plains were originally far more prosperous than the South. As the capital of several dynasties, it was economically developed and culturally flourishing, and was once a center of civilization that all countries in the world aspired to be.
I still remember when the Jiangzuo refuge regime was first established, the ancestors of the Shangguan family, as important ministers, crossed the river and came to Jianzhang, a small town in Jiangnan. Everyone couldn't help but sigh, feeling that this place was by the water, with heavy miasma and dampness, and the houses were small and cramped. How could it compare to Luoyang and Chang'an, the two capitals where all countries paid tribute and thousands of houses stood side by side, the imperial city with its grandeur and imperial atmosphere?
But times have changed. After the chaos of the Five Barbarian Invasions and repeated bloodshed, the Central Plains had gradually become a barren land. The tragic scenes of "nine out of ten houses empty" and "not a rooster crowing for a thousand miles" were right before our eyes. The agricultural civilization that was once a vast and fertile land was almost completely destroyed.
The Shangguan family has been pillars of the nation for generations. Seeing this scene and thinking about the fate that the people of the Southern Dynasty are about to face, how could they not be worried!
Xiao Chang'an was not surprised, as he grew up in the Northern Dynasties and had witnessed the living conditions of Han people under the tyranny of the Hu people since childhood.
As Shangguan You sighed, Gongyi Xiu, standing behind him, remained silent, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.
Xiao Chang'an was young and impetuous, and had always looked down on the powerful and wealthy. Shangguan You had known this for some time. It was normal for him not to respond.
However, Gongyi Xiu, who was usually eloquent and good at flattering his superiors, did not respond. Shangguan You was somewhat surprised and turned around to ask, "Seeing the bleak state of the Central Plains, does the Left Prime Minister, as a member of the gentry, not feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders? How can our country be integrated into their system when the Northern Qiang people govern the country and care for their people in such a way?"
Gongyi Xiu remained silent for a moment, then said, "Is this Lord Shangguan's first time visiting the Central Plains?"
Shangguan You was speechless for a moment, then realized and said, "I remember now, the Left Prime Minister originally came from the prominent Xun family of Hejian, but later crossed the Yangtze River to the south. Therefore, this is not the first time he has seen such a scene. No wonder!"
There was a hint of apology in his voice.
Because compared to Gongyi Xiu, who was born under the rule of the Northern Qiang, the Shangguan family had been a prominent family for three generations since crossing the river, and they were unaware of the situation in the north.
Their conversation was overheard by Aki, who was in a geisha carriage nearby.
A Qiu also thought with a sense of loss, what would Shangguan You think if he knew that Gongyi Xiu was not only from the Northern Qiang, but also that his family was destroyed in the battle that nearly annihilated the city when Luoyang was conquered.
Xiao Chang'an snorted coldly and mocked, "The Right Prime Minister must have been living a life of luxury for too long and can't bear to see the suffering of the common people. What a kind heart!"
Shangguan You was not annoyed by Xiao Chang'an's rebuttal, but simply sighed, "Seeing the state of the country, I only feel that I am old and useless!"
As the three were discussing, A-Qiu quietly lifted the carriage curtain to survey the surrounding terrain and the route they had taken. This was a habit she had developed over many years as a spy; she always made sure to examine the terrain whenever she arrived at a new place.
Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a white eagle soaring through the air in the distance. After circling once, it came straight towards her and finally landed on the second carriage shaft at the front.
Looking at the banners and flags in front of the carriage, it was indeed the carriage that Hulü Guang was riding in.
This unusual situation immediately caught the attention of Shangguan You and his two companions.
Before Shangguan You and Gongyi Xiu could react, Xiao Chang'an had already walked towards Hulü Guang's carriage, wanting to see what Hulü Guang was up to.
Before he could question him, Huli Guang had already gotten out of the carriage with a happy face, holding a letter that he had just opened.
This was the first time A-Qiu had seen Hulü Guang show such a relaxed and happy smile since they had been in Zhongzhou.
But seeing that smile only made Ah Qiu feel extremely uncomfortable.
Hulü Guang said with a smile, "This is the falcon in the Prince's residence. My steward used it to deliver a message to inform the Prince that they have received news that the envoy from the Southern Dynasty has arrived near Luoyang and have sent an army to welcome us into the city. If nothing unexpected happens, the Prince's guard, called the 'Wolf Guard,' will arrive here tomorrow."
A Qiu's heart sank instantly, and the slight sense of freedom and joy she had felt along the way vanished without a trace.
Hulü Guang appears to be sharing the contents of the letters without any defenses, but in reality, he is giving them a warning.
His army will arrive tomorrow. Let's see if the Southern Dynasty envoys dare to continue treating him and his guards as prisoners under house arrest.
Faced with the fierce and menacing Northern Qiang army, how could the Shen'ao Camp of over three hundred men, along with Shangguan You, Gongyi Xiu, and Xiao Chang'an, possibly protect this troupe of dancers and musicians?
This was truly the greatest test they had faced on their journey north so far. Even A-Qiu couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
Xiao Chang'an, who had already walked towards him, stopped and turned around to look at Shangguan You and Gongyi Xiu.
The three looked at each other and exchanged glances.
Gongyi Xiuxian chimed in with a smile, "That's wonderful! Congratulations to Your Highness on regaining your freedom soon, and on your great achievement of persuading the Southern Dynasty to surrender without firing a single shot. I also hope that Your Highness will not forget the promise you made to us Han people."
He was referring to the oath Hulü Guang swore to Heaven at the post station in Zhongzhou, under duress, that he would never make things difficult for the Han people in his lifetime and would regard them as his most important political allies.
With victory in sight, Hulü Guang was in high spirits. In addition, Gongyi Xiu's tactful words made him almost forget the humiliation he had suffered along the way. He said happily, "Of course." He then said with a sense of pride, "Now that we are about to enter the city, could you release my men first? Otherwise, if the Wolf Guard sees my brothers bound, they might misunderstand in anger, which would be bad."
His words were both a veiled warning and an overt threat.
He had just finished speaking when he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder, which startled him so much that he broke out in a cold sweat.
Xiao Chang'an said with a forced smile, "Even if victory is near, it depends on whether Your Highness is alive to see it. Please be patient for now."
After he finished speaking, he pressed down hard on Hulü Guang's shoulder, almost knocking him to the ground.
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