Standalone Northern and Southern Dynasties

Chapter 63: Eagle Soars into the Sky (4k)

Su Ze couldn't help but sigh, the Northern Wei Dynasty had indeed reached the "end of its version".

Once a dynasty reaches the "end of its version", rare talents will appear like they are pouring down from the sky for free.

These concentrated talents will lead to even greater wars. The so-called "dragons and snakes rise together, and heroes compete for supremacy" refers to this period. The influence of these powerful men in the late Northern Wei Dynasty will continue until the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It can even be said that without the Northern Wei Dynasty, this super breeding ground for poisonous insects, there would be no prosperous Sui and Tang Dynasties in the future.

Li Daoyuan's ox cart moved very slowly, and Su Ze couldn't understand why the ministers of the Northern Wei Dynasty were so keen on riding in ox carts. The court even regarded riding in ox carts as a special honor and specifically rewarded important ministers of the third rank and above.

Su Chao quickly followed Su Ze and asked:

"Brother Su, it's your turn to speak."

Su Ze whispered his plan to Su Chuo, who widened his eyes and asked, "Is it that simple?"

Su Ze nodded and said, "It's that simple."

"Will the court accept this statement?"

Su Ze said: "The attitude of the court is not important, as long as the Rourou King is 'satisfied', the case is closed."

Su Chuo suddenly realized, "So that's it!"

During the conversation, the ox cart, which was moving as slowly as a snail, finally arrived in front of the Siyi Pavilion.

Su Ze looked at the Siyi Pavilion. He had been wandering around the Pavilion every day these days, but he had never been to the main entrance of the Pavilion.

Because of the murder in the hall, the entire Siyi Hall was surrounded by the Yulin Guards. When Su Ze and others arrived, the postmaster in the Siyi Hall immediately led the office officials out to greet them.

"Meet Ling Yin!"

Su Ze raised his head and saw the vigorous and powerful inscription "Siyi Pavilion" on the door.

[Siyi Pavilion, Dangerous Area, Challenge Level:? ? ]

Su Ze had opened the map of Siyi Pavilion before. Seeing the tight security and challenging level, he decisively gave up the idea of ​​sending Su Bai to infiltrate Siyi Pavilion.

Li Daoyuan nodded in response, then led everyone into the Siyi Pavilion.

Although the Siyi Pavilion occupies a large area, it is a guesthouse in terms of its functions. The postmaster of the Siyi Pavilion is a minor official of the seventh rank under the Grand Herald, and his official rank and authority are far inferior to Li Daoyuan, the Left Minister of Henan Prefecture.

After Li Daoyuan asked him to leave, the old postmaster was afraid of being summoned by Li Daoyuan again, so he followed from a distance.

Siyi Pavilion is a huge wooden building complex that occupies the size of an entire lifang.

Only after walking in did Su Ze feel the grandeur and majesty of this building.

For some unknown reason, the upper class of the Northern Wei Dynasty loved all kinds of magnificent giant buildings. For example, the Yungang Grottoes, which were built during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen and are still being excavated today, are full of huge Buddha statues.

There is also the burned-down Yongning Temple Pagoda and this huge Siyi Pavilion.

It is called a building complex because within the Siyi Hall, the Northern Wei Dynasty was regarded as the orthodox Central Plains, and the southeast, northwest, and northeast directions of the Northern Wei Dynasty were regarded as the Four Barbarians. Different wooden buildings were set up to house these "barbarians", and each wooden building of the "barbarians" was connected by corridors.

Li Daoyuan said as he walked, "This Siyi Pavilion was built by Jiang Shaoyou, the then Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Household, after Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang. At that time, I was still serving as a Palace Attendant. Emperor Xiaowen wanted to name this place and ordered his ministers to come up with ideas. I pondered over it for three days at home, but was eventually defeated by Lord Chang."

Su Chao asked, "Mr. Chang, is it Mr. Chang Jingchang who is now the Doctor of the Imperial Academy?"

Li Daoyuan nodded and said, "Mr. Chang submitted the title 'Four Barbarians' Hall', which means 'the four barbarians are submissive', which won the favor of Emperor Xiaowen. The plaque at the entrance was inscribed by Emperor Xiaowen himself."

Su Ze always felt like he had a lot to complain about. Aren't you from the Northern Wei Dynasty also from the Dai tribe of Xianbei? It's only been a short time since you were sinicized, and you're calling people barbarians every day.

But both Li Daoyuan and Su Cho looked as if it was a matter of course. It was obvious that in their eyes, all those outside the Great Wei were barbarians.

After walking through the corridor, they finally arrived at the Rouran Hall where the Rouran people lived. Looking at the sign on the wooden building, Su Ze once again felt the Northern Wei Dynasty's contemptuous attitude towards the northern nomadic peoples.

"Wowo" means insects.

Even the Han Dynasty, which hated the northern nomadic peoples so much, conferred the title of Guiyi Marquis on the surrendering Southern Xiongnu to commend them for their submission.

The Northern Wei Dynasty, on the other hand, openly conferred the title of Rouran King, or "Insect King", on the Rouran Khan who surrendered.

Li Daoyuan straightened his clothes, Su Ze and Su Cho also straightened their backs. After they climbed up to the Rourou Pavilion, they finally met the Rourou King.

Surprisingly, the Rouran King did not look rough. If it were not for his curly hair woven with pearls and his long robe full of grassland style, Su Ze would have thought he had seen a Northern Wei official.

When he met Li Daoyuan, the Rouran King Anagui was drinking Liruo, a low-alcohol sweet wine that was very popular throughout the north. Su Ze would also buy it for Su Yuyao during the Cold Food Festival.

Seeing Li Daoyuan, the Rouran King was not in a good mood. He sat on the Hu bed and asked in a questioning tone:
"Two of my brave men were killed, and my beloved falcon was stolen. The Henan government has been investigating for so many days, but they still haven't been able to give me an explanation?"

The Rouran King spoke the Luoyang elegant dialect in a standard and melodious voice without any grassland accent. Since the rise of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Rouran had been entangled with the Northern Wei Dynasty. In fact, the Rouran high-level officials also learned from the Northern Wei high-level officials and became Han-ized grassland aristocrats.

Li Daoyuan said calmly: "My lord, we are here today to investigate the murder of your Yongjian."

"Humph."

King Rourou turned around and said to his attendants, "Call over everyone who was present that day, and ask Li Zuoling to investigate!"

After saying this, the Rurun King Anagui stood up and was about to leave.

At this time, Su Ze suddenly stepped forward, saluted with his arms crossed and said, "Khan, please wait a moment. Henan Prefecture will give you an explanation right away and help you find your lost falcon."

The Ruru King Anagui had already turned around and was about to leave, but when he heard Su Ze's words, he turned his head 90 degrees and stared at Su Ze with a cold face at a strange angle.

The eagle looks at the wolf!

Su Ze felt as if he was on the grassland, being stared at by some ferocious beast, and a chill ran down his back.

Su Cho’s evaluation is good. This Rourun King Anagui is indeed a hero!
As Anagui showed his furious expression, the Rouran warriors present put their hands on the hilts of their swords, as if as long as Anagui gave the order, they would rush up and chop Su Ze into meat paste.

Su Chao also walked behind Su Ze, put his right hand on the sword at his waist, and stared at Anagui's face together with Su Ze.

Li Daoyuan coughed, breaking the tense atmosphere.

He said, "My king, you have waited so long for the answer, why don't you wait a little longer?"

After saying this, Li Daoyuan simply sat down on the ground, took out the bamboo slips from his arms, took out his brush and pen knife, and continued to write "Annotations to the Classic of Waterways".

Anagui's body turned back and his head finally returned to normal, but his eyes were still like a beast staring at its prey. He looked at Su Ze with murderous intent and said:
"If you don't give me an explanation today, I will go to the palace and ask the Emperor of Wei to give me an explanation!"

After saying this, Anagui sat down again and drank the wine on the table.

"I'm going to the backyard where the accident happened."

"Help yourself!" Anagui continued drinking. Several Rouran warriors stepped forward and led Su Ze out of the Rouran Pavilion and came to the backyard where the accident happened.

Those Rouran warriors looked at Su Ze with hostility, but Su Ze walked into the yard without a care in the world. Su Chao put his right hand on the hilt of the sword and followed Su Ze into the backyard.

The Four Barbarians Hall was set up according to four directions. The Rouran was to the north of the Northern Wei Dynasty, so the Rouran Hall was located in the north of the entire Four Barbarians Hall and was also the place closest to the Yongkang Floating Bridge.

Standing in the yard, Su Ze could see the huge bridge arch of the Yongkang Floating Bridge, and could vaguely hear the sound of traffic on the bridge.

Su Ze waited for the Rouran warriors behind him to retreat, then he gestured to a man dressed as a clerk from the Henan Prefecture behind him.

An honest Hu man came up, gestured to Su Ze for a long time, then walked to the backyard, looked up at the sky, and then put his hand in his mouth and whistled.

When the Hu man blew the whistle, the brave Rouran men who followed Su Ze to the backyard all changed their expressions, and they all looked at the sky nervously.

Following Su Ze was the blue follower he had drawn last time, the [Deaf-Mute Falconer].

How to communicate with the deaf-mute falconer is a headache for Su Ze.

Compared to the [Blind Pharmacist], at least the other party is just blind, but can still speak, can diagnose the condition by questioning and feeling the pulse, and can identify medicinal materials by taste. For now, this is enough for Su Ze.

But this [deaf-mute falconer] could neither hear nor speak, and he was also illiterate.

However, Su Ze soon discovered that through gestures and movements, he could communicate with the deaf-mute falconer and give him simple instructions.

Su Ze also looked up at the sky. These days he was wandering around Siyi Pavilion every day. Apart from asking passers-by, he spent the rest of his time looking at the sky.

The eagle soars into the sky.

The eagle is a creature that lives in the sky.

Unlike canaries, eagles are animals that are not meant to be kept in cages.

Raising falcons and peregrine falcons is just like walking a dog. You have to let them fly in the air every day and take them hunting to maintain their wildness.

Before the murder in Siyi Pavilion, the brave men of King Rourou would take their falcons to the southern wilderness every day to release them, allowing the birds of prey to fly and hunt.

However, a case occurred in the past few days and the Siyi Pavilion was blocked by the Yulin Army, so the Rouran people had no way to enter or leave the Siyi Pavilion.

[The deaf-mute falconer] put his hand to his mouth and continued to whistle a long whistle.

Su Cho looked at the sky nervously. His hands, which were tightly gripping the hilt of the sword, began to tremble, and the hilt was soaked with sweat. Just after this, a black shadow appeared in the sky.

[The deaf-mute falconer] blew the whistle again, and the black shadow grew bigger and bigger. It flew over the corner tower of the Siyi Pavilion, circled along the tower of the Rourou Pavilion, and finally swooped down and landed on the guardrail of the [deaf-mute falconer].

Su Cho was shocked, and so were the Rouran warriors present. They saw the deaf-mute falconer raise his hand and gently rub the falcon's feathers, then take out a piece of bright red mutton from his pocket and rub it against the falcon's beak.

The falcon opened its beak and quickly swallowed the piece of mutton.

Su Ze looked at the Rouran warrior and said, "The king's hunting falcon has been found. We can report to him now!"

The Rouran warriors around looked at each other in bewilderment. They really couldn't understand why the king's hunting falcon, the most unruly one, would land on the arm of that ordinary Hu man.

The two strong and brave Rouran men who were killed were the falcon trainers of this hunting falcon. Normally, apart from these two people and the Rouran king Anagui, no one could tame this unruly hunting falcon.

When the two men were shot, the falcon took off into the air and searched for the murderer.

In the following days, the falcon would fly into the sky during the day and hover around Luoyang City, and would not return to its nest until night.

This hunting falcon was one of King Rourun's most beloved treasures. When he just arrived in Luoyang, a merchant offered a hundred gold coins for it, but King Rourun refused to sell it.

So after his close follower Yong Jian was killed, Anagui immediately reported the case to the Henan Prefecture, saying that he had lost his falcon, and wanted to take the opportunity to extort more money from the Northern Wei court.

These Rouran warriors knew that if they let Su Ze bring the falcon to Anagui, they would definitely be reprimanded. They held their knives in front of Su Ze and said:

"This is just a wild eagle, not our king's hunting falcon at all!"

After hearing this, Su Chao drew his sword and said, "Your king is training hawks in the backyard. Many people in the Siyi Hall have seen this hunting falcon. You can ask the postmaster to identify it!"

"Your king once took this falcon to participate in hunting trips with several princes and nobles. You can tell whether it is real or not at a glance!"

Su Chao, a seemingly weak scholar, suddenly burst out with such momentum that several Rouran warriors took two steps back. Su Ze, taking the [deaf and mute eagle trainer] with him, strode into the Rouran Hall.

Coming back to the Ruro Pavilion, the Ruro King Anagui's expression changed slightly when he saw the falcon on the arm guard of the Deaf-Mute Falconer.

But Anagui's complexion soon returned to normal, and he said to Li Daoyuan: "Thank you, Li Zuoling, for helping me find this flying beast!"

After saying this, the King of the Worms blew a whistle, and the falcon spread its wings, as if it was about to fly.

But the beast turned its head and looked at the [deaf and mute falconer], and waited until the other party took out the mutton again and patted its head before flying to Anagui's shoulder.

Anagui looked at the "deaf and mute falconer" behind Su Ze in surprise. How could there be such a superb falcon training technique in this world? You have to know that even his close followers dare not approach his falcon on weekdays. Only the two brave men who have been with the falcon since childhood can feed it.

Anagui continued, "Then please ask Li Zuoling to continue investigating the murder of my two brave men."

But Su Ze stepped forward and said, "My lord, the case is closed."

"What! My two close followers died in mysterious circumstances, and the case is closed?"

Su Ze said calmly: "Your Majesty, the theft of the hunting falcon in the court and the murder of Yong Jian that you reported are the same case. Now the hunting falcon has been found and the case has been closed."

"you!"

Li Daoyuan put away the bamboo slips, slowly stood up, saluted to Anagui and said:

"My lord, the property has been returned to its original owner. The case is closed."

It is not that these grassland peoples are inferior and must learn to be Chinese, but that the bloody feuds during the Sixteen Kingdoms period starting from the end of the Jin Dynasty, where countless Hu regimes that rose suddenly and then quickly perished, all spread a truth to future generations:

Only by translating into Chinese can we survive!
Those Hu regimes that refused to assimilate collapsed as their territory expanded because they were unable to maintain the imperial ruling system and lacked an advanced bureaucratic system.

Even if a strong founding monarch is born from heaven, as long as he does not assimilate into the Han culture, the country will quickly fall apart after his death.

So it was not Emperor Xiaowen himself who chose to be Sinicized, but Sinicization that chose Emperor Xiaowen.

At that time, the Northern Wei Dynasty had already become very powerful. If it did not assimilate to the Han culture, it would have become like the local regimes of the Sixteen Kingdoms, which would have collapsed in the midst of fighting.

Even the Rouran Khan had to learn the Luoyang elegant language and establish a more advanced official system in order to collect enough taxes from the herdsmen and establish a more centralized grassland empire.

ps: The second update will be tomorrow, and I will save the manuscript for putting it on the shelf.



(End of this chapter)