While the rolling sand dunes were still shrouded in mist, the sun struggled to peek above the horizon in the distant east.
The morning sun shone like gold dust on the vast, misty Puchang Sea.
The shimmering water surface, as clear and bright as pearls, resembled the white belly of a goldfish.
The misty water vapor on the lake made the majestic city of Loulan appear like a dreamlike mirage.
The mooing of cattle and sheep broke the tranquility of the early morning.
The sound of camel bells echoed as caravans traveled east and west, setting off for distant lands.
It seems that all the forces in the Western Regions have reached a tacit understanding with the Han Dynasty.
No matter how intense the war was, it did not affect the comings and goings of merchants in the slightest.
Thus, caravans from Chang'an and Luoyang traveled thousands of miles, traversing the Hexi Corridor, passing through Yumenguan and Yangguan, and arrived at Loulan, the first stop in the Western Regions on the Silk Road.
They brought goods such as tea, silk, and ceramics from the great Eastern country.
Following the Silk Road, they left the Western Regions, crossed the Pamir Mountains, arrived at the Central Asian transit station of Samaran, and then went to the Kushan Empire, Parthia, and Daqin (the Roman Empire), all the way to the Persian Gulf.
They also brought back Western ivory, jewelry, spices, and other items to the Han Dynasty.
Now that Liu Wei controls the three prefectures of Hexi and is about to take control of the Western Regions, he has grasped the most important trading corridor of the Silk Road.
Loulan gradually awoke from its slumber, and the streets gradually filled with people; in the market, merchants from both the Hu and Han ethnic groups began their busy day.
Meanwhile, the officials of Loulan went to the market to collect transaction taxes.
Liu Wei did not interfere much in Loulan's internal affairs, continuing to follow the old ways and maintain the status quo.
His focus was on the potash fertilizer in Puchanghai and the production and construction corps in Kongquehe.
Perhaps only after Xue Rengui drove the Xianbei people to Shule from both the north and south, and reorganized the small states along the north and south, will Liu Wei implement the prefecture-county system in the Western Regions according to the Han Dynasty.
The Protectorate of the Western Regions was elevated to the same status as Liangzhou and Bingzhou, instead of being under the jurisdiction of Dunhuang.
The same applies to the Northern Protectorate.
As Loulan City gradually became lively and bustling, Liu Wei had already finished getting ready and, with Shen Lian and a hundred guards cavalry, walked out of Loulan City.
Chen Ji of the Western Regions Protectorate, along with his assistants, the captains of the Peacock River Construction Corps, and their subordinates, along with Wei Liao, Princess Sharde, Bai Shi, Manji, and other Loulan officials, all came out of the city to see them off.
The Protectorate of the Western Regions was located in Luntai, but Zhou Qing and Jiang Xingba's forces on the northern front had just arrived at the Western Sea in pursuit of Yuchi Jiong.
Therefore, Chen Ji and other civil officials temporarily worked in Loulan.
The Peacock River Production and Construction Corps was established after Liu Wei inspected Puchanghai and the Peacock River. He took 20,000 people and stationed them on the north bank of the Peacock River, echoing the city of Loulan.
They carried enough food and set up camp, cultivating the land while also beginning to prevent and control desertification, preparing to plant protective forests.
They were just waiting for Yao Guangxiao to deliver the sweet potato and corn seeds he had cultivated, so that they could begin sowing the following spring.
"We wish Your Highness a safe journey."
The group escorted Liu Wei to the farewell pavilion five miles outside the city, and bowed to say goodbye.
Wei Liao and Man Ji were beaming with joy, their faces full of smiles.
Last night, Liu Wei and Sharde worked hard and must have already left behind royal blood.
It seems their efforts were not in vain.
Once Sharde becomes pregnant with Liu Wei's child, he will become Liu Wei's father-in-law, and his status will rise accordingly.
In the Western Regions, they will naturally be superior to others.
But Shard was reluctant to leave, her eyes filled with longing.
Last night, Liu Wei cultivated a deep seed in her, and she has already tasted the happiness of being a woman.
The thought of Liu Wei leaving and not knowing when he would return immediately made me feel sad.
Liu Wei first called her over alone.
"Your Highness, Shard will miss you dearly!"
Sharde took out a sachet. "This sachet is something I keep close to my body. I hope that Your Highness, though far away, will remember me when you see it!"
Liu Wei solemnly accepted it, smelled it, and it seemed to have a woman's natural fragrance.
He tied it to the jade belt around his waist in front of Shard.
It's fair to say that the two were newlyweds last night, and it's truly heartbreaking to have to part ways today.
Seeing Shard almost in tears, Liu Wei felt a surge of pity:
"If the matter of Loulan is resolved smoothly, you can also have General Xue send someone to escort you to my fiefdom in the Hetao region."
“Your three sisters are there; you can get to know them beforehand.”
“No, I will guard Loulan for the Prince and wait for the Prince to come again one day!” Shard said stubbornly.
"My silly princess, how could I abandon you!"
Liu Wei gently rubbed her cheek, saying, "If love between two people is meant to last, why should they be together every day?"
Upon hearing Liu Wei's words, Shard trembled, his eyes widened, and he seemed deeply moved, repeating the words over and over again.
"King Wei, Prime Minister of Man, please come here for a moment. I have something to say to you both privately!"
If they continued their lingering, it would never end. Liu Wei ignored the dazed Sharde and waved to Wei Liao and Manji.
Upon seeing each other, the two exchanged a glance and then quickly came over.
"You went to great lengths last night, how should I reward you!"
Liu Wei said with a smile.
Wei Liao and Man Ji seemed oblivious to the hidden meaning in Liu Wei's words, assuming he genuinely wanted to praise them, and immediately replied with ingratiating smiles:
"I hope Your Highness was satisfied last night. The women of Loulan are unfamiliar with the etiquette and royal manners of the Central Plains, so please forgive any shortcomings in their conduct."
"The women of Loulan, I must admit, are indeed captivating."
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