The capital of the Great Eclipse was Yakuras, later known as Baghdad.
This famous capital in the history of the Arab Empire was built in the twelfth year of Tianbao and took ten years to finally be completed.
It is located in the river state zone of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. It is connected to the important port city of Basra through inland rivers, and through the latter it can directly enter the Persian Gulf and then the Arabian Sea.
When Zhou Jun entered the city with the Tang delegation, the first thing he felt was the vitality and prosperity.
Although the current city of Baghdad is full of construction sites and the city is only in its rudimentary form, the markets, ports, roads, and alleys are crowded with people of all kinds.
Soldiers, merchants, residents, slaves, etc. are all scattered throughout the city; inside and outside the city, there are all kinds of flowers, grass and green plants; in the shops, there are camels, horses, cattle and sheep, and beautiful pearls and shells, which are so dazzling that it is dizzying to see.
Sukarno, the chief food envoy, led Zhou Jun and his party through the streets of Baghdad.
When the people in the city saw the word "Tang" on the mission's flag, they looked in awe and moved out of the way.
Sukarno said to Zhou Jun: "Zhou Duhu, the reputation of the Tang Kingdom has long spread throughout the green land of the two rivers. To be honest, Dashi does not want war."
Zhou Jun looked at Sukarno: "I'm afraid not every big cannibal thinks this way, right?"
Sukarno paused for a moment and laughed twice.
The mission passed through the city under construction, crossed the cross bridge located on the Patel tributary, and finally arrived at the royal palace in the north of the capital.
Compared with the outer city that is under construction, the Baghdad Palace is almost completed, and many officials from the Abbasid Empire have already moved here.
The camel team arrived at the courtyard in front of the imperial palace. A food official in a white robe, leading the guards, was waiting there early. When he saw Zhou Jun arriving, he greeted him and saluted him, and used his not-so-fluent speaking skills.
Tang Mandarin said: "Guests who have come from afar, may you be blessed by Allah."
Seeing that this man could speak Mandarin, Zhou Jun asked, "Who are you? How come you can speak the language of the Tang Dynasty?"
The man said: "My name is Sayyal, I am the mufti (the highest religious scholar and justice) of the Royal Academy, and the supreme caliph has sent me to welcome you."
Zhou Jun nodded: "Please lead the way."
Sayer looked at the soldiers behind Zhou Jun and said: "Please stay here, your soldiers. The Caliph only wants to see the envoy."
Sun Aying heard this and objected on the spot: "Master, you are the only one to go. If something unexpected happens..."
Zhou Jun waved his hand and quoted a scripture from the Dashi Cult: "If they are inclined to peace, you should also be inclined to peace and trust in Allah."
After hearing the scriptures from Zhou Jun's mouth, Sayer was stunned for a moment, then bowed and said: "Allah does not like deceivers. He is indeed all-hearing and all-knowing."
Zhou Jun nodded and said: "Lead the way."
The other members of the mission stayed outside the palace. Zhou Jun followed Sayer, accompanied by a group of guards, through the splendid golden-domed hall, then through the colorful courtyard, and finally arrived at
In front of a stone staircase.
There are nearly a hundred stone steps leading to the political hall in the center of the palace. There are dozens of fully armed swordsmen and axemen standing on both sides.
Looking at this strange posture, Zhou Jun was a little confused.
Sayer on the side suddenly whispered: "These warriors are all arranged by Abu Muslim. No matter what happens later, I just ask you to just move forward."
Hearing this, Zhou Jun was a little surprised.
Abu Muslim was the governor of Khorasan Province and the commander behind the defeat of Gao Xianzhi. His general Ziyad was shot dead by Li Siye on the banks of Yaashui River.
Such a person must regard Datang as an enemy, and must be a member of the main war faction in Dashi.
Today, when Dashi and the Tang Dynasty are negotiating peace, Abu Muslim arranged for such a group of swordsmen to pass through on the road, and I am afraid his intentions are not good.
Thinking of this, Zhou Jun nodded slightly to Sayer.
Then, he took steps and walked along the stone steps towards the palace hall.
The swordsmen and axemen on both sides struck each other with their long swords as Zhou Jun approached, forming "arches" one after another.
Facing this scene, Sayer, who was walking in front, was a little nervous. He glanced back and saw Zhou Jun's expression remained calm and calm. He couldn't help but admire Zhou Jun secretly in his heart.
However, at this time, Zhou Jun just felt funny in his heart.
When a visitor comes, they strike each other with swords and form an arch, allowing the former to pass under the sword. This was very popular in the Middle Ages and was a welcome gift for the strong to show force to the weak.
In his previous life, Zhou Jun had only seen similar rituals in TV series and movies, but he didn't expect to experience it in person today.
When he came to the end of the steps, Zhou Jun saw a big cannibal wrapped in a turban, a toga, and carrying a scimitar at his waist, standing in front of the hall door, looking towards him with cold eyes and an unkind expression.
Before Zhou Jun went to Dashi as an envoy, he had consulted Mu Sheikh for advice on specific personnel from various strata and different official positions in Dashi. He also asked painters in Qiuci Town to draw portraits of key figures in Dashi Kingdom.
Therefore, when Zhou Jun saw this big cannibal, he immediately guessed his identity - Abu Muslim, the governor of Khorasan Province.
Just as Zhou Jun was looking at Abu Muslim, the latter was also looking at him.
Abu Muslim had long heard of Zhou Jun's name, and today he deployed swordsmen and axemen, and stood at the end of the stone steps to block the opponent's way, in order to use an excuse to launch an attack and frustrate the Tang Dynasty's spirit first.
Seeing Zhou Jun and Abu Muslim confronting each other, Sayer wiped his forehead and wanted to step forward to give some advice.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Jun's next move was beyond the expectations of everyone present.
I saw Zhou Jun put his right hand on his heart, moved his left foot slightly backward, bowed greatly and said: "Zhou Jun, the envoy of the Tang Dynasty, the governor of Anxi, and the prince-in-law, has met the spokesperson of Allah."
, the ruler of the Great Food Kingdom and the supreme caliph."
As soon as these words came out, Sayer was so frightened that he trembled and ran to Zhou Jun's side and shouted loudly: "Wrong, wrong!"
Abu Muslim could not understand Tang dialect and was confused; Zhou Jun pretended to be confused and looked at Sayer.
Sayer: "This one is the governor of Khorasan Province and the Hajib (Supreme Commander) of the Great Food Army, Abu Muslim."
Zhou Jun pretended to be suddenly enlightened and said to Sayer: "I saw that this general had an extraordinary bearing. Not only did he carry a weapon with him, but he was surrounded by many soldiers. He was also standing in the center of the gate of the palace, so I guessed that he
He should be the Caliph of the Great Food Country."
Abu Muslim had great military exploits and had a high prestige in the food country. Not only was he deeply loved by the people, he was also recommended by dozens of tribes who wanted to promote him to the throne of the empire's caliph.
Unfortunately, Abu Muslim was born into a slave family of Persian descent. Compared with the Holy Family headed by Ali and Muhammad, he was too humble, so the matter was finally dropped.
Even so, Abu Muslim is a candidate for the caliphate, and this topic has become a taboo in the food country. That's why Sayer was so nervous when he heard Zhou Jun's words.
Zhou Jun continued to say on the side: "In the Tang Dynasty, the emperor is the only venerable person. Any minister, let alone leading soldiers and weapons into the palace, even walking in front of the emperor is considered disrespectful.
Sin, I didn’t expect it to be more relaxed here in Dashi Country…”
Sayer turned pale with fright and quickly pulled Zhou Jun's sleeve to signal him to stop talking.
At this moment, a noble man wearing a gold ring, a white scarf, and a gold-threaded white robe walked out of the gate of the Council Palace, surrounded by many noble officials.
The man in white robes is Mansur, the current caliph of the Great Food Kingdom.
Seeing the confrontation between Zhou Jun and Abu Muslim, Mansour was confused at first, but after hearing the report from his subordinates, his face became increasingly ugly.
The servant was by the palace gate and could understand Tang dialect, so he told Mansour everything about what had just happened and what Zhou Jun said.
When Mansour heard the last part, he became furious and yelled at the guards in front of the palace.
In a moment, all the swordsmen and guards dispersed, leaving only Abu Muslim alone in the same place, feeling uneasy.