pdf-ebookys Chapter 791 Xi'an City
Chapter 791 Xi'an City
The next morning, Zhang Ping'an, Zhao Renzhi and others got up early.
The elites from various government offices were selected for this trip. They were easy to use and no one dared to lag behind.
The team was ready to go as soon as daybreak.
To be honest, no matter what Zhao Renzhi has in mind, his ability is indeed impeccable. This is probably one of the reasons why Zhou Ziming would use him.
Cui Ling calculated the time and came here. It was neither early nor late, just when everyone had finished breakfast.
The long scar on his face was very obvious in the daytime, making him look a little fierce.
"My lords, is your breakfast to your liking? Are the dry food and water bags prepared? If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know."
Cui Ling's words were pertinent and his tone was neither hurried nor slow, like a piece of hard, cold iron.
Zhang Pingan raised his eyes and gave Zhao Renzhi a look. Zhao Renzhi understood immediately and smiled politely, "Thank you for your trouble, General Cui. I'm sorry for bothering you last night. The people below have already prepared everything. We are still rushing to the next stop, Xuanfu and Datong. It's almost time to set off now. When we pass by Juyongguan on the way back, we will treat General Cui to a drink. We won't leave until we are drunk!"
"Master Zhao, you are too polite. This is my duty!" Cui Ling bowed and replied politely.
Zhang Pingan then stood up, nodded, and said goodbye to Cui Ling, "General Cui, goodbye!"
"Master Zhang, take care. I wish you two a safe journey."
The scenery of Juyongguan in the early morning is different from that at night, as if a sleeping lion is about to wake up.
As the mighty city gates behind him slowly closed, Qian Jie laughed in anger: "This Cui Ling is so arrogant, he can't even offer it a little!"
"The situation at Juyongguan is special. With your majesty's permission, it's not a fault for Cui Ling not to come out to see us off," Zhao Renzhi said, looking at the city gate behind him.
Zhang Pingan cracked his whip and said, "Let's go. These are just trivial matters. Don't worry about them. We still have to hurry!"
The horse felt the pain and started running. In the blink of an eye, it had run several hundred meters away. Zhao Renzhi and Qian Jie had no time to talk about anything and quickly whipped their men to catch up.
More than a month later, the team passed through Xuanfu, Datong, Taiyuan, Fenzhou and other places, and finally arrived in Xi'an.
The places mentioned above are relatively prosperous and it is easy to replenish supplies.
Zhang Ping'an's official rank was much higher than that of local officials, and he was entrusted with an important task, so officials along the way basically gave him a grand reception, adhering to the principle of cooperating as much as possible.
I was afraid that Zhang Ping'an and his men would stay to inspect local defense or something, which would inevitably cost a lot of money, which would be very painful.
Seeing that Zhang Pingan and others were just passing by, these officials felt relieved.
Starting from Xi'an, you can clearly feel the various differences between the eastern and western regions. Whether it is language, clothing, food or customs, they are all very different from the capital.
Among the ordinary people walking on the street, most of the men have dark brown skin, muscular body, and fierce eyes. At first glance, they are very different from those in the capital.
Even the children of the nobility mostly wore brocade clothes with intricate and heavy embroidery in bright colors, unlike the capital and other parts of the south, who preferred light and flowing silks and satins.
The women passing by on the street were much bolder than those in the capital. When they saw Zhang Ping'an and his companions dressed in fine clothes and riding fine horses, and most of them being handsome and heroic, some of them threw flowers in the street to express their admiration.
Qian Jie tsk-tsk'd a bit and laughed, "The women here are so bold and daring. If they were in the capital, they would probably be drowned in spit."
Zhao Renzhi also laughed and said, "I originally only heard that Northwestern women were bold and unrestrained. Today I feel like I've really opened my eyes. Unfortunately, I have an important task and no time to stay. I can only let these girls down. Hahaha!"
"Ping'an, you are the most handsome among us. What do you think? Are you attracted to me?"
Seeing Zhao Renzhi's smirk and teasing expression, Zhang Pingan said sternly, "Don't talk nonsense. I have already sworn before His Majesty that I will not marry. A gentleman's words are as good as gold."
"Oh, don't be so boring," Zhao Renzhi refused to give up. He didn't believe that there was a man who was not romantic.
Later, Zhang Pingan was too lazy to pay attention to him.
Everyone went directly to the local post house to rest, and asked the local prefect to come and pay a visit.
It would also be good to have a closer look at the current situation in Xi'an.
As a political core that lasted for a thousand years, Xi'an's layout is very similar to that of the capital, also like a chessboard.
During its heyday, Chang'an City covered an area of about 84 square kilometers, seven times the size of Rome and six times the size of Baghdad at the time, with a population of over one million.
It is also the starting point of the Silk Road. It once gathered goods from all over the world, such as Persian jewelry, Western horses, Roman glass, Indian spices, etc. The dazzling array of goods is overwhelming.
At that time, many nations came to pay tribute, and tens of thousands of foreigners lived in the city for a long time, including envoys, merchants, monks, and international students.
Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam once coexisted here, and this openness and tolerance can be said to be the pinnacle of history.
Although Xi'an is no longer the capital city and has suffered from wars and has declined a lot compared to the past, it is still the most prosperous provincial capital in the central and western regions.
The further west you go from Xi'an, the more desolate it will become.
After more than a month of continuous high-intensity travel, Zhang Pingan and others were a little tired, so they decided to rest for a few days in Xi'an and make full preparations before going deeper into the west.
The prefect who came to pay a visit was named Cao. He was a man who looked very generous. He was darker and stronger than the average civil servant, but relatively weaker than the local men.
After settling Zhang Ping'an and others, a banquet was arranged to welcome everyone.
He was very respectful to Zhang Pingan and his group.
When Zhang Ping'an was looking up information from various places in the Privy Council before, he remembered that this Magistrate Cao was a third-class Jinshi. His talent was not dazzling, but his ancestors had been military generals stationed on the front line of Tongguan. He was a special case in his family, having switched from a military to a civil servant.
At the beginning of the Xin Dynasty, when his father and uncles took sides, they were of great help in the war in the northwest, which enabled him to get the position of prefect.
After the meal, Zhang Pingan had formed a preliminary impression of Magistrate Cao. In fact, this man was somewhat similar to Qian Jie. Both were rough but meticulous people.
He looks generous, but his work style is still more meticulous than that of a civil servant.
He responded to several people's questions with reasoned answers.
This is enough for Zhang Pingan. He just wants to make sure that Xi'an can serve as his retreat.
Even if the mission with the Guazhou Iron Cavalry in the northwest does not go smoothly, we will not be isolated and helpless.
After finishing his meal, Zhang Pingan expressed his desire to go to Xi'an's famous night market to help digest his food.
Prefect Cao immediately volunteered and said he could accompany them.
"That's not necessary, Prefect Cao. We will have to rest here for a few days. We still have a lot to trouble you with. Now is not the working time. You don't have to make any distinction between high and low. We are just strolling around casually." Zhang Ping'an spoke in a gentle tone that could not be refused.
Prefect Cao said somewhat disappointedly, "Well, I won't disturb your pleasure, but since this is your first time visiting the night market in Xi'an, you can't do it without a local to guide you. You'll be at a disadvantage."
After saying that, he enthusiastically recommended several officials who were familiar with Xi'an City to come and lead the way for everyone.
"If you, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zhao, and Mr. Qian, really want to go to the night market in Xi'an at night, just let them show you the way. They are all locals and are very familiar with Xi'an, so don't worry."
Perhaps fearing that they might be suspicious, Prefect Cao went on to explain after he finished speaking, "Since this is your first time in the northwest, you may not know. Xi'an is the most prosperous provincial capital near the frontier, and Western Region merchant caravans and brokers often pass through. Many barbarians have gathered in Xicheng. Many died during the years of war, but those who survived are no ordinary people. They have a bandit-like aura and often carry small silver scimitars. The government has repeatedly banned them, which is a real headache. Those people lack civility and don't care about official positions. I'm just worried that they might offend you, gentlemen, and that would be disastrous."
"In that case, thank you very much for your kindness, Governor Cao. Let them lead the way," Qian Jie said after thinking for a while.
It is better to be cautious when going out.