royal robes

Chapter 647 The Future of Dunhuang

Zong Xin sighed: "Back then, the poor monk suffered a serious injury. His body was broken, his muscles and bones were separated, and he had to be rescued by an expert to save his life. The technique used by that expert was 'golden thread wrapping the pulse', but the expert It has a beginning and an end, and the golden thread was not removed from the poor monk's body, so as to affect the poor monk's current cultivation. I heard that this technique was introduced from the Western Regions, and it should have been introduced to the Central Plains from the Silk Road, so the poor monk wants to Re-travel the Silk Road, looking for a way to pull out the gold thread in the body."

"Oh~~~" Cao Yuanzhong nodded and said: "Well... this old man really can't help it. The so-called Western Regions refers to all the places outside Yumen Pass collectively referred to as the Western Regions. I know a thing or two, but I probably can’t help you.”

"Does your lord imply that you know how to wrap your veins with golden threads? Or do you know someone who can use this technique?"

Cao Yuanzhong said: "It's true, in the city of Dunhuang, there are people who can make golden threads wrap their veins, but it's just a superficial technique, it's really effective to reconnect people's tendons, but what you said just now... I'm afraid it won't work if the body is broken and the muscles and bones are separated."

Zong Xin excitedly said: "I would also like to ask you to introduce me. I would like to ask about the golden silk veins."

"It's just a small matter." Cao Yuanzhong said: "Don't stand here talking, please come in quickly. Order someone to call Dr. Wu to the mansion, and tell him that I have something to look for him."

"Of order." The people around him saluted respectfully, then turned and left.

Cao Yuanzhong let a group of people into the Cao Mansion. As the local emperor, Cao Yuanzhong didn't have any airs in front of Zong Xin, but judging from the tone of his order just now, he should have a lot of airs.And after coming to Dunhuang, everyone found out that it really advocates Buddhist culture here. There are monk temples everywhere, and Buddha statues are carved all over the streets. Almost everyone looks very devout. When two people meet, they don’t need to Instead of bowing, they give Buddhist rituals to each other.

The same is true for Cao Yuanzhong. The decoration in his home is very Buddhist. In the center of the living room is a picture scroll with the word "Buddha", which looks like a book and a painting, very clever.The state of clothing is also very similar to that of a Buddhist, just like the walking posture is also like Buddhist martial arts.

Zhao Kuangyin looked at the calligraphy and painting immediately after entering the door, and then said in surprise: "This calligraphy and painting is powerful, and the stroke is like the edge of a sword. It seems that some kind of advanced swordsmanship is hidden."

"Bah~" Zong Xin said angrily, "It's as if you understand it, what kind of advanced swordsmanship... As if you understand it, doesn't it show that you are a bit learned? It's just nonsense. This is a calligraphy and painting."

Zhao Kuangyin said depressedly: "What's wrong with asking me to pretend? Do you have to expose me?"

"I just don't like seeing you pretend."

Cao Yuanzhong smiled lightly and said, "This Buddha character is written by the old man himself. Perhaps because the old man is a martial artist, the brushwork looks like a weapon, but in fact there is no sword technique hidden in it. It seems that this man is a It is rumored that Zhao Kuangyin is not only the partner of Master Zongxin, but also the son-in-law of Bu Xiangyang, the leader of the martial arts alliance. As expected, a hero is born in a young age. Judging by your proficient martial arts, you are not inferior to this old man."

"My lord, you don't have to be modest about this. You are not in the Central Plains, otherwise, if you mention the top master in the Central Plains, someone will definitely think of the name Cao Yuanzhong." Zhao Kuangyin said: "Now I understand why Shazhou Dunhuang is in the Central Plains. In such a position, you can still live so well, neither Tubo nor Turk dare to invade."

"Brother Zhao is serious, how can this old man have this ability? It is because Tubo is divided, scattered but not reunited, Turkic civil strife, too busy to take care of themselves, Xixia is sparsely populated and there is not enough troops to attack the city. If it is not so, even the best martial arts can defend Can't stop. Presumably you should be the most clear, martial arts is the most worthless standard of strength in this world."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded and said: "That's true, but high-strength martial arts can get other more valuable strengths, isn't it?"

Cao Yuanzhong smiled and said, "Well said, well said, please sit down."

Cao Yuanzhong gave Zhao Kuangyin the first guest seat and Zong Xin next to the main seat, which is also a symbol of status and rank.As the host, Cao Yuanzhong is of course the main seat, and the seat next to the main seat should be Cao Yuanzhong's wife or the second in command, but Cao Yuanzhong deliberately gave it to Zong Xin, which also proved Zong Xin's position in his heart.

After sitting down, someone immediately served fragrant tea.Except for Zhao Kuangyin who is sitting first in the guest seat, everyone ranks according to their own status, which has become a habit.Only Youyun Shibaqi and the masters of Leiwangfu brought by Zong Xin stood outside the door, because there were too many of them, there was no way for them all to enter the house.

Cao Yuanzhong looked around and then said: "This kid should be Guo Xin, the son of Emperor Guo Wei of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the only disciple of Master Zongxin. His dharma name is Tianya, right?"

Tian Ya said: "I'm the only child here, so I'm not capable."

"That's..." Cao Yuanzhong continued: "It is said that Master Zongxin can fly into the sky and escape from the earth, dig out his eyes and be reborn. I admire him very much."

Zong Xin clasped his hands together and said, "My lord, I don't know how big the territory of the Cao family is now."

Cao Yuanzhong sighed: "To tell the truth, Master Zongxin, now he mainly occupies five states including Guazhou and Shazhou. From Yumen Pass in the west to Dunhuang in Shazhou in the east, they are all the territory of the Guiyi Army. Of course, the ancestors passed down their legacy. , this is the territory that our Cao family protects for the Great Tang, and we have absolutely no intention of dominating."

"Yumen Pass... Why should the Qiang flute blame the willows? The spring breeze does not pass through Yumen Pass." Zong Dao said, "It should be the border of the Tang Dynasty. You have been guarding the border for the Tang Dynasty. It is really hard work. It's just that the Tang Dynasty has been dead for so many years. Going on like this is not an option, even if the Central Plains are now unified, there is no spare power to attack Tubo, so this place will only remain isolated."

"What Master Zongxin said is absolutely true, but the people here have lived and multiplied here for many years, so I'm afraid it won't be so easy to leave. Not to mention where else can we go? We can't take the people and the army to the Central Plains to grab a piece of land and live in peace." Cao Yuanzhong said: "It is said that Master Zongxin can do calculations. Why don't you help me do the math? How long can this Cao family last?"

Zong Xin pinched his fingers and said: "Oh~ it can last for more than 200 years, not bad. Today, Fengzhou is the starting point of the Silk Road, and Shazhou is only the first stop. Sending envoys to return to the Central Plains will make Shazhou easier. .”

"It's not that I haven't..." Cao Yuanzhong said: "At the beginning, the Cao family professed a minister to Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin Dynasty. Later, I realized that this person betrayed Youyun Sixteen Prefectures. I don’t know what kind of treatment will be given to me. So our Cao family dare not send envoys to the Central Plains.”

The Cao family knew that communication with the Central Plains was very important, but when they surrendered to Shi Jingtang at the beginning, that useless guy in Shi Jingtang didn't last long, and because of the betrayal of Youyun Sixteen Prefectures, Shi Jingtang was notorious through the ages.

Today, the Cao family will still send troops to the Central Plains, but they dare not make official visits as envoys.After all, no one knows what the current emperor is thinking. If he is troubled by the affairs of Youyun Sixteen Prefectures, and the person who came now happens to be a former courtier of Shi Jingtang, it would be strange if he didn't lose his temper.

The two countries clashed without beheading the envoy, but the Cao family was far away from the Central Plains, even if the envoy was beheaded, he would only suffer from being dumb.If the envoy is beheaded, the Cao family will completely sever diplomacy with the Central Plains. At that time, the two countries will be hostile identities, and it will be very difficult to even send troops to the Central Plains.

Cao's current situation is very embarrassing, not because he is afraid that his own people will be killed, but because he is afraid that after being killed, the two sides will not be able to be friends, and he is not even qualified to surrender.

Zong Xin chuckled and said: "Your Excellency, you are too worried. The current emperor Guo Wei is kind and generous, and the situation at that time has nothing to do with the Cao family. He will definitely accept your surrender and will help you when necessary. The poor monk is Guo Wei's consort is recommended by a poor monk, so he will definitely be able to meet His Majesty smoothly and explain the situation clearly so that Your Majesty can understand."

Of course Cao Yuanzhong had also heard of Guo Wei's prestige, and he had heard of it before he became emperor.I know that this person has a very good character and is a rare virtuous lord after the Tang Dynasty.But Cao Yuanzhong has been in conflict, wondering whether he should send an envoy to visit Dazhou officially, and then temporarily suppressed this matter, even he himself didn't want to mention it, anyway, the current state is good, don't provoke There is nothing wrong with Da Zhou.

But since Master Zong Xin has proposed, he should also make a choice.Guo Wei is a good emperor, and with the help of an eminent monk like Master Zong Xin all the way, it seems that he can enjoy long-term peace and stability.Moreover, Guo Weigang won the biggest victory in history, he was so happy, maybe he wouldn't bring up the matter of Shi Jingtang.

It is a good thing to surrender to Da Zhou, and you can get a lot of preferential policies.And there is no need to pay any taxes to Dazhou, only occasionally paying tribute to some strange things obtained from the Silk Road, and the value is not high.If Guo Wei's conditions are too harsh, it's not too late to turn against him.

Cao Yuanzhong nodded and said, "Thank you, Master Zong Xin, for your suggestion. This matter should be done."

Just as he was speaking, the servants outside the room came to Cao Yuanzhong's side, and then whispered: "My lord, Dr. Wu has arrived."

"Call him in." Cao Yuanzhong said, and the servant nodded and waved to the door.A nearly 50-year-old man walked in from the door and came to Cao Yuanzhong.

"See your lord."

Cao Yuanzhong just nodded, then turned to Zong Xin and said softly, "Master Zong Xin, this is the person in Dunhuang, Shazhou, who can use the medical technique of wrapping veins with golden threads."

Zong Xin said excitedly: "Thank you sir, come and take a look for me. I have received the treatment of the golden thread wrapped around the veins, but the golden thread could not be pulled out from the body."

"Oh~ that's what happened." Dr. Wu said, "Master Zong Xin, can I have this old man examine it carefully."

"Please, doctor."

Dr. Wu first looked at Zong Xin's hands, and then touched each muscle and bone one by one, with one hand for a long time.Then he looked at the other hand, and the same thing happened.Everyone's hearts were in their throats, because Dr. Wu's face became more and more ugly, as if he touched something that shouldn't exist.

(End of this chapter)