Originally, the city of Qiuci was magnificent and had a large population. However, after Lu Bu massacred the city, the Western Region Allied Forces looted it again. The remaining people in the city either fled or died, and only three to four tenths of them remained.
When Bai Cheng, the new King of Kucha, arrived at Pilang City, he saw only the ruins everywhere. There were gaps in the city walls, and there were only a hundred households left in the city. The Kucha Palace was even more dilapidated, with almost no trace left.
There was no complete place to be found. Bai Cheng even managed to seal the holes in the walls and windows after sleeping in a leaky house for two days.
Lu Bu was undoubtedly the culprit for the final defeat of Piran City, and the subsequent military disaster completely destroyed the city.
Although the Western Region Allied Forces ostensibly seek justice for the Kucha people, in fact, except for their own parents, who would really work wholeheartedly for people other than themselves?
Everyone has worked so hard to come all the way to get something to eat and use. What’s the problem?
So Piran City naturally became what it is now.
Of course, the saddest place is not inside the city of Piran, but outside the city.
The hell-like scene is in a valley more than ten miles outside Pilang City.
The new King of Qiuci, Bai Cheng, took a look and vomited for a whole day...
Because most of the corpses were thrown into the valley outside Piran City, and no one dug holes to bury them, or spread some medicine to repel insects and wild beasts, so in this valley, now
It is almost a forbidden area for humans. Countless mutilated corpses fill the stomachs of scavengers who are short of food in the surrounding area.
The bald eagles rose and fell, and some even couldn't fly because they had eaten too much, and could only jump on the ground.
Next to these scavenging vultures, there are groups of jackals and wild dogs, eating until their entire faces and eyes are blood red...
It's winter now, and after spring, this place will become a paradise for insects. Flies and all kinds of insects will dominate here.
When a person dies, he dies.
Will the dead have any other emotions because their bodies were buried, burned, and eaten by these scavengers? So since the dead don't care about their bodies, why would other people?
As a result, additional emotions arose? Are you afraid of corpses, or are you afraid of your own death in the future?
Anyway, Bai Cheng has never been to the valley outside the city since that time.
In the streets of the city, due to the infusion of blood, many places changed from the original yellow-gray to ocher-red, and some places were even so red that they turned black.
Of course, there were also some ministers from Kucha who accompanied Bai Cheng to Pilang City. Whenever these ministers from Kucha came out of their tents and dilapidated courtyards, they would inevitably lament how powerful Kucha was back then.
, conquering the tyrants who expanded the territory everywhere, but all the brilliance are like the yellow flowers of yesterday. Although they still have some appearance, they have long been decayed inside.
The King of Kucha is still called the King of Kucha. He did not change his name because Pilang City was destroyed. The names of the ministers of Kucha did not change either, so a very interesting question arose. The king and the ministers
Where does the authority come from? From the people of Kucha? But the people of Kucha have never known such a thing. From the title and position? But it is obvious that the current King of Kucha and the Minister of Kucha are no longer as good as
It was a powerful era.
Although the palace is dilapidated, it is still there.
Although there are fewer huge tents, they are still there.
The king, ministers, servants, attendants, etc. are still there.
Everything seems to be no different from when the Kucha Kingdom was tyrannical, but it seems to be completely different.
Nowadays, both the nominal King of Kucha and the actual ministers in power feel that the noose of fate has been put around their necks, and it is getting tighter and tighter...
"Report! The Han envoy is hundreds of miles away from the city!"
Qiuci ordered the soldiers to report outside the main hall.
"My respected king, you must make up your mind quickly..." Shu Keli, the chief minister, urged Bai Cheng, the new king of Kucha.
Bai Cheng did not answer immediately, but turned to look at Alex, the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Bai Cheng was not the originally intended successor of Kucha. He could even be said to be a free-range wild child. He had never received any education in governing the country, nor had he learned any special skills.
Bai Cheng just had an affair with a shepherdess for some reason when his father, Bai Su, the king of Kucha, was out hunting. A year later, a shepherdess came to the door with her child in her arms...
Bai Cheng's father originally didn't want to admit it, but letting the royal family's blood flow outside was something that was not easy to talk about, so he pinched his nose and admitted it. Naturally, he didn't like Bai Cheng.
Bai Cheng's mother, the shepherdess, took the money and left happily. She didn't know where she went. For the shepherdess, giving birth to a child can be sold for money, just like a ewe can exchange money for giving birth to a lamb.
Same, not much difference.
The king didn't like it, and his mother wasn't around. Well, even if she was around, it was impossible for the shepherdess to teach Bai Cheng anything. So Bai Cheng grew up unrestrained, eating, drinking, and sleeping every day, until suddenly one day, Bai Su
died.
Bai Su kept Bai Cheng because Bai Su knew that Bai Cheng posed no threat at all.
When Bai Shan rebelled, he did not send anyone to kill Bai Cheng, because Bai Shan also knew that if he succeeded, Bai Cheng would not be a threat either.
As a result, Bai Cheng is now the king.
Bai Shan became a traitor.
Among all this, the most critical point is Chief Minister Shukri.
Shukri is very rich, or his family is very rich. In order to keep the money, Sukri is willing to do anything. The reason why Sukri is willing to support Bai Cheng is not because of how outstanding Bai Cheng is.
The potential is just because Shukri and Baishan had some conflicts before, so Shukri was unwilling to see Baishan ascend the throne of Kucha Kingdom in any case.
So, is there anyone more qualified than Bai Cheng, the successor?
As for the Interior Minister Alex, he was originally just a waiter around Bai Cheng. Although Alex, like Bai Cheng, was originally a marginal role in Qiuci, Alex was more or less better than Bai Cheng.
You need to know some ways of the world and know some daily social etiquette. Therefore, as the only person Bai Cheng trusted after taking office, he naturally became the internal minister.
Seeing Bai Cheng turn his gaze to Interior Minister Alex, Shukri also turned his gaze towards him. Unlike Bai Cheng's gaze that looked for consultation or help, Shukri's gaze was full of threats.
Without him, Shukri is the one who provides the money.
Otherwise, how could Bai Cheng, the son of a shepherdess, come up with so much money to maintain the operation of the royal city?
The chamberlain coughed and forced a smile, "My respected king, there is an old saying that when you are a friend..."
"The Han are not our friends!" Bai Cheng gritted his teeth and said, "The Han have killed many of our people! Outside the city! In the valley outside the city! In there..."
Bai Cheng said, seeming to remember what he saw and heard at that time, and couldn't help but blush, "Why? Why do we still entertain him when they killed our people? Why?!"
Shukri glared at Alex.
Alex twitched his face a few times, "My king... now we should take a longer-term view..."
"No! The Han people are our enemies!" Bai Cheng stood up, "They killed my brother! They destroyed my homeland! Do you still want me to greet them now? Do you want me to welcome them with a smile? I can't do it.
arrive!"
After saying that, Bai Cheng strode towards the inner hall angrily.
Shukri's face immediately darkened, "I originally thought I was raising a lamb, but now it seems that I am feeding an ungrateful wolf cub..."
Alex tilted his head, pretending not to hear what Shukri said at all.
"Don't pretend to be stupid!" Shukri narrowed his eyes and said, "Our respected king can't see the situation clearly. Could it be that our minister cannot also see clearly? If this is really the case, I know a very good doctor.
In the east of the city, they are very good at treating diseases...』
Alex snorted in his heart. Is there any good doctor in the east of the city? Is he the one who treats cattle and horses and specializes in hoof trimming? Although he is dissatisfied with Su Kri's attitude, after all, it is Su Kri who pays, so
Alex whispered: "I will go and persuade the king..."
"Very good." Shukri nodded, "You have to know...if the Han people don't get what they want from us, they will turn around and support Baishan...if Baishan really becomes a turtle."
Your Majesty... Needless to say about me... Will that guy from Baishan let the king and you go? Or do you think Baishan would like an internal minister who serves other kings? 』
Alex's eyes became darker, "There is no need to remind the Prime Minister... I know very well that the more important thing now is to welcome the Han people... By then, if I don't have a problem here, you will have a problem over there!"
Shukri sneered, "Just do your thing well!"
The two broke up unhappy.
Alex bypassed the main hall and walked towards the inner hall.
The inner hall is actually just a meaning. After all, the original inner hall was burned to a disgraceful state and there was no time to repair it, so it was just an area surrounded by a relatively complete room on the side.
.
As soon as Alex arrived, Bai Cheng came up to him. There seemed to be some excitement on his face, "How is it? Do I pretend to look like him?"
"Well, very good, very similar." Alex whispered, then subconsciously turned around and looked around, then turned back and motioned for Bai Cheng to come into the room to talk, "My respected king, the chief ministers and ministers have all been deceived by you.
It’s past...』
How deeply does Bai Cheng really love his father and his brother?
Do not make jokes.
what is love?
Is it true that just by facing a dead object, raising your fist or cutting your finger, and shouting a few words, you can immediately love the country of Qiuci, the king and the country?
"This is the negotiation strategy..." Alex whispered, "My respected king, you have done a very good job... Shukri must know that the king is noble and cannot be blasphemed... He must agree to continue
Spend some money to repair the palace, otherwise we will not agree to him..."
money.
Shiny little money.
Who does not like?
Even those who talk about being stupid, actually don’t they openly dance on stage and fall out just to make more money?
How much oil and water is involved in repairing the palace?
Just thinking about it makes Alex feel full of energy.
Ha, of course King Bai Cheng of Kucha is important, otherwise it would not be Alex’s turn to take up this position and become the Minister of the Interior, but is his purpose of becoming the Minister of the Interior to fight for the Kingdom of Kucha for the rest of his life?
Are you kidding, of course it’s for money!
If you have the power, you can make better money!
What's the use of power that can't make money?
It’s expired and invalid!
The Kingdom of Kucha is destroyed, what does it have to do with Alex?
As long as he has money, he can make money! Isn't it better anywhere than in Qiuci?
Alex smiled and looked at his king with loyalty on his face.
"That's right!" Bai Cheng nodded and said, "He must come up with some more money!"
"Very well, my respected king..." Alex smiled, then lowered his head and stroked his chest in salute, "The Han people are coming soon. My king, you can express your emotions with a little anger. This is normal."
...But you can't be too angry...Yes, it was perfect at that level...Then just leave the negotiation to me...Negotiation is what I'm best at...』
Bai Cheng stepped forward and held Alex's hand, "I...I really don't know how to thank you...I owe you everything..."
Alex lowered his head and smiled, "All glory belongs to my respected king."
Alex walked out.
Bai Cheng's silly smile gradually faded away. He clenched his fists and sat still in the small and dark room.
"These bugs...rats..." Bai Cheng gritted his teeth, "I am the king...I am the noble king...these rats, these bugs...damn, damn..."
Unfortunately, Bai Cheng had no other way to face the current situation except muttering a few words about bugs and rats behind his back.
However, after Bai Cheng cursed for a while, he didn't know whether it relieved him or thought of something. He sat down in a place where the light did not shine, was silent, and then laughed, with a slight hint of laughter.
Somewhat neurotic.
"Hmph, hehe, hehe..." Bai Cheng was immersed in his own imagination. In his imagination, he had become the king of the world.
…
At a place about seventy or eighty miles away from Pilang City in Kucha, Han Guo had already stationed people and sent out scouts and sentries.
Yanqi is nothing to worry about, but the handling of Qiuci is very critical.
The person next to Han Guo is the key to this meeting.
Han Guo went on a special trip to look for the original senior monk, or senior monk's assistant, of the Qiuci Kingdom.
Because the previous great monk Zheng was dead and was said to have been killed by Lu Bu, but this had nothing to do with Han Guo, because the crime belonged to Lu Bu and had nothing to do with Han Guo. At least according to the teachings of the Buddha, this is OK
It is established, there is no problem.
Everyone's sins and karma are their own.
Others can share the burden, but they don’t have to. You can’t blame others for your own sins and karma. So Lu Bu’s sins are Lu Bu’s sins. What does it have to do with Han Guo? After all, King Ashoka can obtain Buddhahood without killing anyone.
Widely praised by disciples.
Of course, not all Buddhists agree with this concept, just as many Buddhists took up swords and guns to resist in the wars of later generations.
However, it only requires the great monk Zuo to agree with this concept.
Han Guo turned around slightly and invited the monk to drink tea with him.
Monk Zuo happily agreed.
Monk Zuo likes to drink tea very much.
Even if there is no new tea promoted by Huqi, those old tea bricks with a foot-like smell are still a noble enjoyment in the Western Regions. Most people can't drink it, let alone when Huqi's new tea appears.
When we were in the Western Region, it was simply crazy.
Many people from the Western Regions, especially the nobles from the Western Regions, are eager to incorporate tea into every aspect of their lives. These Western Regions people think they just like tea, but what they don’t know is that what they like is a kind of tea.
civilization……
The fragrance of tea overflows.
"Every time I drink tea, I can feel the flow of Buddha's spirit..." Monk Zuo closed his eyes slightly, enjoying the fragrance of tea, "It's like spring when all things grow..."
Senior Monk Zuo is relatively old, and his face is covered with wrinkles from the weather. Perhaps it is because he has been advising people to do good deeds all year round, or because he often smiles, or because he drank tea with a pleasant aroma.
These wrinkles look very festive, each one is stretching upward.
Han Guo nodded, "I agree with this. Everything actually has Buddha's will. Anything that goes against these Buddha's will is just like wanting to see flowers in winter or wanting to see winter snow in summer.
What’s inappropriate is all weird... However, Master Zheng, I have encountered a rather weird problem now, and I would like to ask Master Zheng for advice..."
"It's Da Monk Zuo, not Da Monk Zheng..." Da Monk Zuo put down the tea bowl and Heshi said, "If the donor has any questions, you might as well speak up."
"I heard... in Qiuci, the king needs the blessing of the great monk Zheng on the day he ascends the throne..." Han Guo looked at the great monk Zheng with bright eyes, "I don't know if this is true or not?"
The great monk Sakuchi proclaimed the Buddha's name and nodded happily, "That's it. Only through the blessing of the Buddha can there be true peace and joy..."
Han Guo did not refute or question whether Bai Su, the previous king of Kucha, was also within the scope of the Buddha's blessing. Instead, he raised a new question, "So... now the new king of Kucha...
Have you also been blessed by the Buddha?"
Monk Zuo's face suddenly stiffened, and then he was silent for a moment, forced a smile, and shook his head, "Not yet, but I believe it will be soon..."
Han Guo shook his head, "This is very bad. It's very bad. Let me tell the truth. We Han people have a word called "precedent." This is a precedent, a very bad precedent... because it means that there is no gift from the Buddha.
Fortunately, I can also become a king... Then in the future..."
At such a moment, I don't know if it was Han Guo's illusion, but all the wrinkles on Monk Zuo's face sank, and the darkness between the wrinkles was as rich as the color of hell!
