She said, "I won't let you say that. You'll be alright. I beg my father to save you." Huan She said, "Your father? What rank is he? Is he a fifth-rank official? Uh, no, Cao Ling is already a fourth-rank official, so your father must be a third-rank official." He gently shook his head and said, "Wei Ying, you don't need to comfort me. I know my case is a death sentence, and there's no way to overturn it." His heart suddenly turned cold. He had been on the run in the Western Regions for so long that he had forgotten his own identity and had even foolishly hoped that Wei Ying would fall in love with him.
Li Weiying said, "My father will definitely be able to save you." Huan She said sadly, "Even the Emperor can only pardon me but cannot prove my innocence. I don't want to beg for forgiveness like this." She was silent for a moment, then said, "Huan Lang, this spirit stone can..." Huan She's expression changed, and he said sternly, "No!" Seeing that Li Weiying was startled by his outburst, he then said gently, "How can something that you worked so hard to obtain be given to me? What if the gods despise my worthless life and refuse to help me? Wouldn't that be a waste? I don't have the ability to get the spirit stone for you again."
Huan She kept his hands pressed against the snow. Li Weiying pulled his hands up, and he quickly clenched his fists. She pried open his fingers, only then seeing that his palms and fingers were burned, turning red and black with sores. Looking down, a tear fell and shattered on his scarred palm, followed by another. Huan She withdrew his hands and rubbed them behind his back: "Don't you know tears are salty?"
She covered her eyes and said, "I'm sorry. Let's go back to Dahai Village first." Huan She said, "Okay." They helped each other down the mountain. Turning a corner, they caught sight of several pure white snow lotuses rooted in the cliff face, swaying in the wind, their appearance pitiful. Huan She smiled and said, "I'll pick some for you." He was about to climb up the dangerous cliff. Li Weiying grabbed him tightly: "Don't risk your life for me anymore." Huan She laughed: "Little girl, you're cutting off my livelihood. Do you know how expensive snow lotuses are?" She hugged his waist: "Promise me." Huan She's eyes stung, and he gently broke free, still maintaining his rogue-like demeanor: "You pay me back first."
As they descended the mountain, the sun was setting, and twilight was gradually descending. When they were nearing the Daman tribe, Huan She stopped his horse and said, "Wei Ying, don't tell anyone about the spirit stone we obtained today." She replied, "Okay." Huan She said, "Now that we've acquired a treasure, some people might be unhappy and might even try to steal it. You must be careful; don't flaunt your wealth." She carefully wrapped the spirit stone in a brocade handkerchief and tucked it into her bosom, saying, "Okay, I understand. Don't worry."
The next day, after bidding farewell to Daman and the others, Daman tried to persuade them to stay. Sutagog regarded Huan She as a brother and was so anxious that he grabbed his horse and refused to let him leave. Only when Huan She promised to come and see him again in the future did Sutagog reluctantly send them away from Beishan.
The two rode silently southeast, their hearts heavy with worry, their horses hesitant. Huan She slowed further and further, falling behind and gazing wistfully at Li Weiying's graceful figure, wondering if this was the last time he would be with her like this. Seeing her gallop away, he involuntarily stopped his horse. Amidst the commotion ahead, a loud voice arose, but his eyes remained blank. Someone punched him, shouting, "Kelta, you young man, what are you doing standing there like a fool?"
Chapter Fifteen
15. 【Heshuo】
Huan She looked closely and returned the punch: "Luo Kebu!" The newcomers were indeed Luo Kebu and Bachitu. They had also just arrived from the Tiele as merchants. Old friends meeting again were exceptionally warm. Luo Kebu wouldn't let Huan She off the hook, insisting he visit Yanqi, saying that Alya's wife was about to give birth, and the couple hoped Huan She and his companion could come and hold the baby. Huan She hesitated, looking at Li Weiying. Bachitu then boasted, "The grapes of Gaochang, the melons of Yiwu, the fine horses and large fish of Yanqi, and the wives of the women of Kucha are like flowers. Kekelte, I'll give you fine horses from Yanqi and two wives from Kucha; you'll regret it if you don't go!" Huan She couldn't cover his mouth in time and looked at Li Weiying in a panic. She laughed and said, “Alright, let’s go and take a look. I’ve already experienced the fine horses of Yanqi, and they live up to their reputation. The Classic of Mountains and Seas says that the waters of Dunhong are full of red salmon, which must be a delicacy.” She had only learned a few words of Yanqi, but she spoke Turkic quite well. Since most people in Yanqi knew a little Turkic, the group conversed in Turkic.
Bachitu was overjoyed and said, "As expected of a woman from the Celts, her insight is truly different." Huan She became happy: "Wei Ying, are you really willing to go?" She nodded. Luo Kebu also said, "The Yu Hai you mentioned, upstream is the Danhe River. That river is filled with rolling silt; even a feather thrown in would tumble and sink. Going there to see it will make your trip worthwhile. Anyway, Yanqi is next to Gaochang, so it won't delay your return." Huan Li listened with longing and immediately turned southwest towards Yanqi.
Both Bachitu and Luo Kebu's homes were in the capital of Yanqi, so the group first went to Heshuo, which borders Gaochang to the northeast of Yanqi, and found Alaya's home to stay. Alaya was away on business and had not yet returned home. His wife, Duobolang, was eight months pregnant. When she heard that the Tang people who had shared hardships with her husband in the desert had arrived, she also greeted them warmly, her belly bulging.
After a hearty meal and drinks, they went to their room to rest. Huan She tossed and turned in bed, thinking about how he could spend more time with Li Weiying before sending her back to the Tang Dynasty, feeling a mix of joy and sorrow. In the dead of night, Bachitu burst in and shook Huan She and Luo Kebu awake: "Luo Kebu, Kekelt, it's terrible! It turns out that Alaya has been held captive in Hejing by the Turks, along with his goods." Huan She asked in surprise, "What happened?" Bachitu replied, "He offended the Turks, apparently because he didn't pay enough taxes. They argued and then fought. Just now, one of his companions, Iserlu, secretly ran back and told us." Luo Kebu said anxiously, "Let's go rescue him quickly. What's a little extra money? This Alaya is always so stingy." Huan She said, "Now it's probably not just about giving money. He fought with the Turks; it won't be so easy to ransom him." Bachitu said, "Kekelt, we know you're the most capable. Please help us one more time. Alaya is about to become a father; don't let Dobolang's child be born without seeing his father."
Huan She readily agreed. After confiscating the belongings of his men, he, along with Bachitu, Rocob, and Isailu, made preparations and stopped outside Li Weiying's room. He raised his hand as if to knock but then lowered it. He turned back to his own room, hastily wrote a few words, and slipped them under her door.
“I will return in a day or two from Bachitu and Luo Kebu’s Hejing to welcome Alaya. Do not think of the word ‘She’.” A ray of morning sunlight illuminated countless dancing dust particles. Li Weiying read it several times, then walked out of the room and called out, “Huan Lang, Huan Lang!” The door to the room where Huan She and Luo Kebu lived was ajar, so she pushed it open and went in: “Huan She!” The room was empty, and only then did she realize that Huan She had really left.
Sitting on Huan She's bed, she was lost in thought for a while. This was the first time since she had known Huan She that she hadn't seen his gentle smile when she woke up in the morning. She touched the bedding that Huan She hadn't bothered to make, and the quilt, which had been slightly raised, collapsed.
Dobron and Aleya's fourteen-year-old nephew, Gobin, also got up. Li Weiying told them that Huan She and the others had gone to Hejing to pick up Aleya. Dobron laughed and said, "Aleya must have bought too much stuff again. He's always like this, he never makes any arrangements." Li Weiying smiled in agreement, but she was secretly worried. She knew that although Huan She's note was brief, the three of them must have something important to do to leave overnight. Dobron said, "I'll go back to my room to rest. Let Gobin accompany you for a walk outside."
Gobin took Li Weiying out the door, but the little boy soon lost his patience. Li Weiying noticed this and told him to go play by himself. Gobin left happily.
Li Weiying wandered aimlessly through Hejing City. In the past, Huan She would always guide her wherever she wanted to go, but today, standing on the bustling street, she looked around and was completely at a loss as to where to go.
Suddenly, the crowd stirred, some screaming and running in panic. Li Weiying couldn't understand the Yanqi language, so she grabbed an old man and asked him in Turkic. He shook her off, saying, "The Gaochang army is attacking." Li Weiying was startled and tried to ask more questions, but the old man had already run off. A middle-aged man nearby said, "Heshuo can't hold out. You should leave too." Li Weiying said, "Everything was fine yesterday, why is there a sudden war today?" He said, "The Gaochang people are very powerful. They suddenly reached the north city. Heshuo doesn't have many troops, and it looks like they're about to break through the city." After hearing this, Li Weiying ran all the way back to Duobolang's house and told her what had happened. Duobolang said anxiously, "Gebin hasn't returned yet." Li Weiying said, "We can't worry about that now, I'll go with you first." Duobolang said, "I won't leave. If Alaya comes back, she won't be able to find me." Li Weiying said, "If you don't leave now, you'll never see your husband again. We'll go to the capital and seek refuge with Bachitu's family. Your husband will find you in the future." Duobolang cried and followed Li Weiying out the door.
All the horses had been ridden by Huan She and his group. Duo Bolang, heavily pregnant, couldn't run, so Li Weiying had to walk alongside her. They had only gone a few steps when they heard, "Auntie! Auntie!" It was Ge Bin who had bumped into them. Duo Bolang cried and laughed, "Where have you been? Why didn't you come home?" Finding Ge Bin, Duo Bolang finally felt relieved. The three of them fled south of the city. Along the way, the fleeing people pushed and shoved, and Duo Bolang, unable to dodge, tripped and fell. Li Weiying helped her up, and they continued walking a few more steps. Suddenly, she cried out, "My stomach hurts so much! It hurts so much!" Blood was already flowing from her skirt. Li Weiying was horrified, knowing she had gone into premature labor. She quickly helped her into a house by the roadside, but everyone inside had already fled. Li Weiying told Ge Bin to go and fetch a doctor. Ge Bin agreed and went out, returning shortly after, saying, "The doctor has already run away."
Dobron was screaming in pain. Li Weiying told Gobin to watch over her while she went to the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, and stopped an old woman, asking her to deliver the baby. The woman said, "I'm not a midwife." Li Weiying said, "You've given birth before." The woman replied, "I don't know how I gave birth," and tried to run away. Li Weiying angrily said, "You forgetful mother! Today it's your turn!" She held the knife to the woman's neck and forced her into the house.
The woman screamed like a pig being slaughtered, even louder than Duobolang. Li Weiying glared at her fiercely, brandishing a gleaming knife, before the woman fell silent, nervously ordering water to be boiled and scissors to be prepared. Fortunately, Duobolang gave birth quickly. The old woman hurriedly cut the umbilical cord of the newborn boy, Li Weiying washed herself with the baby, and the old woman took the opportunity to slip away.
Li Weiying didn't chase after her anymore. She handed the baby boy to Duobolang, who weakly opened her eyes. Li Weiying sighed and asked, "Can you still walk?" Duobolang said, "I'm not going." Li Weiying said, "If you don't leave, will the child survive?" Duobolang suddenly remembered something and exclaimed, "Oh no!" Li Weiying asked, "What is it?" She said, "I need honey and glue." Li Weiying asked, "Are you hungry?" Gobin said, "When a woman gives birth in Yanqi, she puts honey in her mouth and glue on her hands so that she will have a sweet life and be able to hold onto wealth." Li Weiying asked, "Where can we find honey and glue now?" Duobolang said, "They have them in pharmacies." Li Weiying said, "We can't worry about that now, escaping is the priority." Duobolang cried, "My poor child, he may never see his father again, and he will suffer poverty in the future!" Li Weiying thought of Huan She, wondering how he was doing now, and whether she would ever see him again. She felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.
Seeing Doborang crying pitifully, Li Weiying couldn't help but soften and said, "Where's the pharmacy? I'll go look for it." Doborang wiped away his tears: "How can you do that? It's so chaotic outside, how can you go out again?" Li Weiying said, "Anyway, you can't leave now. I'll find some honey and glue and give it to this child; maybe it will bring good luck. You wait for me here. Gobin, stay with your aunt."
After asking Gobin for directions, she hurried to the pharmacy, only to find it nearly deserted except for a young man who didn't speak Turkic. Unable to communicate with him, Li Weiying ignored him and began rummaging through drawers and cabinets. Perhaps because she looked frightening, the boy let out a strange cry and ran away.
After opening all the bottles and jars, Li Weiying finally cheered and left with the honey and glue. Running back to the house where Duobolang and Gobin had stayed, she could already faintly hear the sound of iron hooves and swords behind her. Seeing Li Weiying return, Duobolang and his nephew were both surprised and delighted. Without saying much, Li Weiying haphazardly smeared the honey and glue onto the baby boy's mouth and hands. The baby was premature and didn't cry much. Li Weiying asked Gobin to help Duobolang up, but Duobolang said, "I can't walk." Li Weiying didn't reply, but carried the baby boy and, together with Gobin, helped her to a half-built shed next to the main house.
Yanqi is hot and dry in the summer. Locals often use sturdy reeds, one of the three treasures of Yanqi, to weave walls and then cover them with mud to build houses. This method is economical, lightweight, and cool. Here, the new house has just had its reed walls erected; it has no roof and hasn't been covered with mud yet. Li Weiying said to Duobolang and his nephew, "Protect the children and don't make a sound no matter what." She went back into the house, picked up a kitchen knife, and chopped hard at the reed wall. Duobolang was frightened and asked, "What are you doing?" Li Weiying said, "Don't speak." After a few chops, she chopped down the reed wall and covered Duobolang and Gebin with it, silently praying, "May God protect you from being discovered."
As soon as she turned around, Gaochang cavalry stormed into the courtyard, abducting her and other men and women who couldn't escape in time. Bound by ropes, they were taken north to Gaochang. From the soldiers' conversation, Li Weiying learned that Gaochang's attack on Yanqi was also aided by the armies of Chuyue and Chumi, and supported by the Western Turks. They had captured five cities, including not only Heshuo but also Hejing. Thinking of Huan She and the others fleeing to Hejing, she was filled with worry: "Huan Lang, Huan Lang, where are you? Are you alright?"
Upon entering the territory of Gaochang, several groups of soldiers counted and divided the plundered wealth, while officials began selecting captured Yanqi men and women to be taken as human beings (a system in Gaochang where people were subject to personal dependence, bought and sold like goods, but treated slightly better and with a little more freedom than slaves). Li Weiying, standing at the end of the line, watched as the young women ahead of her were chosen and taken away by officials from various countries, and she couldn't help but tremble.
Suddenly, she heard someone speaking in Chinese: "Lord Yao, please give my regards to the little prince on your journey." A male voice replied, "You're too kind, sir." Li Weiying secretly glanced up and saw a chubby-faced Han Chinese officer of about forty. As she was about to look down, she met the eyes of a Turkic man. Li Weiying was horrified; it was none other than one of the Dagans under Silifa's command. Li Weiying felt a chill run down her spine. She knew Silifa was nearby and wondered how much suffering she would endure if she fell into his hands. The Dagan also recognized her and shouted, "It's you! Good!" He reached out and grabbed her.
Li Weiying ducked and dodged, running towards Lord Yao with all her might, shouting, "My lord, save me!" Da Gan drew his sword and gave chase, while Lord Yao's guards also drew their swords to meet her: "How dare you be so rude!"
Seeing that Li Weiying's hands were bound with ropes, her beautiful face stained with dirt, her hair disheveled, and her appearance pitiful, Lord Yao asked, "Are you Han Chinese? Not from Gaochang, are you? Why are you with the Yanqi people?" Li Weiying composed herself and said, "My brother and I came here from the Central Plains to visit relatives, but we got separated, and then we ran into a war." Lord Yao said, "Oh, from the Central Plains? That's quite a journey. Where is your hometown?" Li Weiying said, "In... Guazhou." Lord Yao exclaimed in surprise, "Guazhou? My ancestral home is in Dunhuang, which is Shazhou, right next to Guazhou." Li Weiying said, "Yes, sir, both Guazhou and Shazhou are famous for their delicious melons; a fox can enter them without showing its head." Lord Yao repeated, "A fox can enter them without showing its head; they are indeed that delicious. Alas, how pitiful you are, how did you end up here?" Li Weiying pleaded, "Please, sir, save me, don't let the Turks take me as a human."
Lord Yao hesitated for a long time before saying, "These Turks are not easy to offend." Dagan, already impatient from hearing them speaking Chinese, said, "I've taken a liking to this girl, sir, please don't interfere." Li Weiying said urgently, "Sir, I can play the zither and sing, and I'd like to serve at your banquet." Lord Yao smiled wryly, "I don't have such a grand style." Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he said, "How about this? I'm heading to Jiaohe, and I heard the young prince is short of musicians. You've been separated from your brother and are currently without anyone to look after you. How about I send you there temporarily?" Li Weiying only wanted to escape Dagan's hands and not be captured and enslaved, so she immediately agreed.
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PS:
Danhe River: It was called Tongtian River in the Han Dynasty, Dunhong River in the Sui Dynasty, Danhe River in the Tang Dynasty, and is now called Kaidu River, also known as Haidu River. It is the prototype of Liusha River in "Journey to the West".
Yuhai: It was called Dunhongsou during the Sui Dynasty, Yuhai during the Tang Dynasty, and is now called Bosten Lake.
Well, in short, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, various places in the Western Regions had very beautiful names that evoked much imagination. Today, most of the names we hear are Mongolian and Uyghur, making them difficult to understand.
That night, while reading the *Historical Atlas of China*, I discovered that during the Tang Dynasty, its territory bordered Persia to the west, and even present-day Afghanistan belonged to Tang territory. Kabul was part of Xiliu Prefecture during the Tang Dynasty (I wonder if this name commemorates the story of the Western Han general Zhou Yafu's army at Xiliu), and Huwen City was built there. How tragic.
Chapter Sixteen
Part Three: Allure
16. [Clouds Come]
The era of visual communication that expresses longing directly:
↑Up North and Down South
………………Greedy Sweat Mountain…………
………Jiaohe
………Gaochang Royal City
………Hejing…Heshuo
… …Dan… Yanqi Royal City
...river...fish sea
Jiaohe is located approximately 160 li northwest of the capital of Gaochang. The city was built on an isolated island in the river, shaped like a willow leaf, about three li long from east to west and half a li wide from north to south. Melted snow from the northern mountains seeped into the ground and then out through the lowlands, converging to form a river that flowed to the north of the city. From there, the river split into two streams, eventually converging in the south, hence the name Jiaohe (meaning "intersecting river"). (It is now called Yarhetu or Yarhu Lake. Yar is a transliteration of the Chinese word "Ya'er," Hetu is the Mongolian word for "city," and Hu is a phonetic variation of Hetu; in short, it originates from the Chinese name Ya'er City.)