"Brother Ziwen, are we just going to stand here and wait?"
"Manqian, you have to be more patient!"
"But we have been standing here for at least three hours!"
Zhang Xuezhou followed Zhang Qian around most of Chang'an City.
It took a full two hours to walk from the inn to the imperial city area.
There are clusters of wealthy houses in the Imperial City area, and the tall mahogany buildings made Zhang Xuezhou speechless, but after seeing too much, Zhang Xuezhou's eyes were also tired.
Especially since they had been standing at an intersection for six full hours.
A few hundred meters further from this intersection, Zhang Xuezhou could see a tall inner city gate with clusters of palaces located in it.
But they can't go even one step further.
Wearing red armor and holding swords, the Imperial Guards were stationed three steps, one post, and five steps out in the imperial city area. They were on high alert and any trespassers would be killed mercilessly.
This is a rule exchanged for iron and blood. Zhang Qian obviously did not have the courage to break this taboo.
The two finally had to wait in a safe area.
From time to time, Zhang Xuezhou could see some carriages driving out of the palace area, but the officials performing their respective duties made it clear to Zhang Qian that even if he asked for help, he would have no way out, or even deliver a message.
He could only wait for the prince's carriage.
In the Han Dynasty, the emperor was in charge of everything, and the prince was responsible for the rest.
The prince lacked the power to mobilize military affairs, nor did he have the authority to appoint or remove official positions. However, as an assistant to the government, the prince's contact with the court involved all walks of life, including Jing Zhaoyi, who had jurisdiction over Chang'an City.
In other words, the Crown Prince they are looking for is a person above Jing Zhaoyi, and there is no cross-border jurisdiction, nor is there any ignorance of relevant matters.
"Let's wait a little longer!"
Zhang Qian touched his empty pocket.
He knew very well that Zhang Xuezhou fell asleep on time. If he didn't go towards the cheap inn at this time, Zhang Xuezhou would probably fall asleep halfway.
But Zhang Qian felt that it didn't matter whether he left or not. After all, he didn't have enough money to stay in an inn.
Living on the streets was inevitable, and he even lacked money to buy food, which was only enough to survive in Chang'an City for two days.
He must get things done as quickly as possible.
Zhang Qian looked up at the sky covered with sunset glow, and then touched Kong Kong's belly.
He tightened his belt a little and took out a hard piece of corn cake.
"You take two bites to fill your stomach, and when we finish our work, we can have a few good meals," Zhang Qian said, handing out the corn pancakes.
"Is there water?"
"without!"
Zhang Xuezhou is not picky about food, but the military rations from the Western Military Region are too hard to swallow.
He put the corn cake, which was as hard as a rock, into his mouth and slowly softened it by moistening it with his saliva.
No one will eat marching rations when other food is available. When they really want to eat marching rations, they are basically desperate.
Zhang Qian doesn't need to work hard at the moment, but he is undoubtedly in an embarrassing predicament regarding money.
As for Zhang Xuezhou’s money, let’s not talk about it.
He relied on Wuchao for supplies along the way and did not bring any money with him.
Moreover, a translator like him who makes a living is not suitable for carrying a large amount of money with him.
Zhang Xuezhou gnawed off a small piece of the corn cake by moistening it with his saliva, and handed the corn cake back to Zhang Qian.
Zhang Qian then took the corn cake in his mouth and slowly swallowed it.
"Your Majesty... Your Highness, Your Majesty..."
Time passed slowly for nearly an hour again. When it was almost dark, Zhang Qian started shouting excitedly.
"No noise is allowed in the Imperial City area!"
The guard in charge drew his sword and scolded him, but his voice was better than Zhang Qian's.
"What's all the fuss about?"
In the distance, a two-wheeled carriage slowly came out.
The specifications of the carriage are not closed, and you can even see the figure sitting upright inside the carriage through the curtain.
Zhang Xuezhou wiped his eyes and even saw a face that seemed vaguely childish.
"Is that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?" Zhang Xuezhou asked in a low voice.
"Your Highness... Your Highness, the young general is Zhang Qian, the governor of Yanmen Pass in the Western Region and the military guard. I have something important to report!"
Zhang Qian glanced at the imperial guard gratefully.
If the guards had not scolded him louder, his behavior of asking for permission on the roadside would probably have been ignored by the passing carriage.
As a member of the military camp, this guard obviously provided the greatest help within the scope of his duties.
By the time the prince pulled up the curtain of the carriage, Zhang Qian had already quickly made a half-kneeling salute.
He pulled Zhang Xuezhou, and when Zhang Xuezhou bowed down, the many wary glances on them gradually dissipated.
The prince does not need others to kneel down on the roadside, but this etiquette can prevent the prince from being assassinated.
After Zhang Qian and Zhang Xuezhou finished saluting, the sound came from the carriage.
"What's important?"
"Zhang Qian found someone. This person, Zhang Manqian, is a student of Taoist Master Jiu Chi." Zhang Qian said, "And Zhang Qian heard that Taoist Master Jiu Chi is the culprit of the Yin Yang family!"
"Another disciple of the Yin Yang family?"
The prince's voice was slightly surprised.
Obviously, the prince has seen various disciples of the Yin Yang family these days.
There are people who are not related to each other, and there are also members of the Yin Yang family who are separated by several generations, or descendants of a small sect derived from a disciple of the Yin Yang family.
Among the many people, no one is an orthodox disciple of the Yin Yang family, let alone anyone who is directly related to Jinchang and Hao Bugui.
From the dark clouds of the border war to the ignition of war, the imperial court has not yet figured out the real cause of this war.
Even Li Jiao, the second son of the Li family, was confused and had no idea what was going on.
Jinchang is missing, and it is difficult to find him if he fails to return. As for Loulan, they are hostile and warring forces. The Dayue clan is far away from each other, not to mention the heaven in West Kunlun.
Compared to going to a distant place to seek answers, it is obviously better to directly ask the two parties involved in the Han Dynasty.
At present, there are many people looking for Jinchang and Hao Bugui, and the methods of searching are also varied.
But no one could find Jinchang and Gu Bugui.
In the vast world, these two heads of the Yin and Yang family seemed to have disappeared.
Emperor Jing even threw a cup over this matter, and often criticized these troublemakers for running away immediately after causing trouble, causing the Han Dynasty, which had a great family and great business, to take the blame for this.
"Does he know where the Taoist priest Zhu Bugui is?" the prince asked.
"Your Highness, he doesn't know," Zhang Qian replied honestly: "But Zhang Qian heard that all the students of Zou Bugui's school died. There are very few survivors at the moment. People may be used as mediums to find Zou Bugui.
Taoist priest!"
"Is he really a student who refuses to return?"
"Manqian was favored by Taoist Master Cuo Bugui and was awarded a copy of the Nine Heavens Mantra of Yin and Yang Great Compassion. Manqian also relied on this method to practice and enter the country, which is no different from the inheritance of Taoist Master Cuo Bugui!"
Zhang Qian pointed at Zhang Xuezhou.
As long as Zhang Xuezhou's words are reliable, he will be regarded as a salty fish.
If he is not reliable, he will be beaten to the point where he will not even recognize his parents.
In the past, many disciples of the Yin and Yang family told Zhang Qian clearly the consequences. Zhang Qian swallowed his saliva, and then he bravely recommended Zhang Xuezhou.
"If that's the case, then let's ask Taiwei Zhou to perform the technique again!"
The curtain of the carriage was completely pulled down, revealing a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy wearing a long crown.
Although he is young, he makes decisions very quickly. He has already made a decision after just a few inquiries.