Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5087 Students Travel
Stepping onto the Tang people's warship was equivalent to stepping onto the territory of the Tang Dynasty. At that moment, the chiefs felt a strong sense of pride and mission.

Across the ocean, there are islands scattered all over the place, there are countless countries, and there are more than billions of indigenous people.
But among them, how many people can actually set foot on the Tang Dynasty and appreciate the wealth, grandeur and magnificence of the Celestial Empire?
Being able to set foot on a Tang Navy ship is already a supreme honor.

Inside the cabin, Yang Zhou did not show up. Xi Junmai, wearing full armor, sat in the middle. Soldiers stood on both sides, each holding a sword. The atmosphere was solemn and murderous.

The chiefs trembled as they stepped forward, knelt on the ground, kowtowed and worshipped with the etiquette they would use when worshipping gods, and kissed the boots of the Tang generals...

Xi Junmai felt disgusted and kicked the chief to the ground. He asked coldly, "Don't do these fancy things. What's the important matter that you all came here together?"

The chieftain was not angry. He got up from the ground and said with a shy smile: "We are the people of the mountains and have long admired the elegance of the upper country. Today we come to give the general some gifts to express our loyalty and admiration."

From the moment the Tang people set foot on the land of Luzon, writing Chinese characters and speaking Chinese became the "highest things" that the chiefs were eager to do. In order to reflect their own class, they even strictly prohibited the natives and slaves from learning Chinese and learning Chinese characters. The sounds of reading aloud that could be heard from time to time in the schools at the port were all from the children of chiefs and nobles.

After several years, the chiefs may not be able to write Chinese characters, but they have no problem speaking some simple Chinese and communicating with the Chinese people. However, this speech was obviously memorized in advance...

So he asked someone to deliver a gift list.

Xi Junmai raised his chin slightly. His personal guard took the gift list, but he didn't even look at it. He said disdainfully: "When did you natives learn to do these things? If you have something to say, please say it quickly. Your tricks are not good enough."

The chiefs were not embarrassed. One of them stepped forward and said with an apologetic smile, "I heard that someone foolishly offended the heavenly soldiers, causing the governor to be furious and personally lead the troops to fight. It is really touching! However, the governor is in a high position, but he personally took the risk, which really makes us worried."

Xi Junmai glanced at him and said indifferently: "The Governor is responsible for the military and political affairs of Luzon Island. I cannot interfere. I have no idea about the Governor's behavior. However, your worries are unnecessary. The Governor's title in the Tang Dynasty is Duke. He is a meritorious service to the founding of the country. He has participated in more than a hundred battles of various sizes in his life, and even more than ten battles with more than 10,000 people. He charged into battle and led the troops in every battle. He was always the bravest and invincible. To deal with some barbarians is just like using a butcher knife to kill a chicken."

The chiefs were shocked. Their tribes had no more than a few thousand people at most, and it was hard for them to imagine what a battle involving tens of thousands of people would be like. Even so, the governor had participated in more than ten battles... He was simply a god of war.

This shows how powerful the Tang Dynasty was.

"We heard that a celestial soldier was missing and we were very concerned. We also prepared a gift and asked the general to pass it on to the celestial soldier. This is also to express our concern for the celestial soldier, our respect for the navy, and our admiration for the country."

Xi Junmai nodded slightly: "I will thank you on behalf of that comrade! If that comrade has been killed, I will also pass on your kindness to his family, and let the entire Tang Dynasty know the love that the people of Luzon have for the Tang people."

The chiefs immediately smiled happily. This was the purpose of their coming today: to show their obedience and to show goodwill to the Tang Dynasty. Do not target us!

Zhang Liang's actions really frightened them.

……

A group of chiefs left happily after receiving Xi Junmai's tactful assurance.

Although the person left, the taste did not take away...

Xi Junmai covered his nose and ordered his personal soldiers to fetch water to flush the cabin inside and out, as the smell was too strong.

He was also very puzzled. There were many rivers on Luzon Island and plenty of fresh water, but why did these natives refuse to take a bath all year round?
He took off his armor, wiped his body with cold water, changed into a set of clean and fresh clothes, sat in the ventilated cabin, brewed a pot of tea, and opened a document on the table. Then a personal soldier came in to report that many students from Zhenguan Academy traveled overseas and arrived in Luzon Island with merchant ships. Two students came to visit him because of his reputation...

"A visit to see you?"

Xi Junmai did not think that he had a very high reputation in the Tang Dynasty, and he was confused in his heart, but since the student from Zhenguan Academy came to visit him, he had to meet him no matter what, and he had to instruct the troops to take good care of him and provide as much convenience as possible.

Soon, two young men entered the cabin and saluted: "Students Di Renjie and Xue Yuanchao, greetings to General Xi!"

Looking at the two heroic young men in front of him, Xi Junmai did not dare to be arrogant and quickly stood up to return the greeting: "It turns out to be you two brothers! I have heard a lot about you!"

He really has long been admired.

Fang Jun had heard more than once talk about the many young men in the academy. When it came to their future achievements, he said that Di Renjie might be the best. Even the currently popular and famous Cen Changqian, Ouyang Tong, Xin Maojiang and others were inferior to him. Fang Jun regarded Xue Yuanchao as being on the same level as Cen, Xin, Ouyang and others, and they all had the potential to become prime ministers in the future.

In other words, the court of the next fifty years may be ruled by these people.

Xi Junmai took the two men's hands and sat them down, and personally poured tea for them. The two men were flattered and thanked him repeatedly.

"The sea is full of dangers. Even the strongest warships are like duckweed in the face of a storm. The foreign lands are even more smoky and dangerous. You two are both outstanding students of the academy and have always been loved by the commander. How can you be so careless about your own safety and rashly float on the sea?"

Even though maritime trade is thriving and navies crisscross the oceans, overseas areas are still mostly wild and desolate. On many islands, eating raw meat and drinking blood is the norm, and people don't even know how to farm with slash-and-burn crops. They can only survive by relying on abundant animal and plant resources. Medicines are severely scarce, and living conditions are extremely poor.

Your life may be in danger at any time, it is not as simple as sightseeing.

Di Renjie smiled and said, "Before I left, I visited the Grand Commandant, who said, 'Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.' This is also the purpose of our students traveling around the world. It is not to travel around, nor to enjoy a comfortable life, but to endure the hardships of the journey, see the hardships of the world, calm down and focus on the people, and prepare for the future official career."

Xue Yuanchao was several years older than Di Renjie, but this son of the Hedong Xue family had a baby face and looked like he was the same age as Di Renjie. He also added, "The commander said that we were born into aristocratic families and have lived a life of luxury since childhood. It is difficult for us to truly understand the sufferings of the world based on hearsay and what is written in books. When we become officials in the future, we can only be 'metaphysical' and talk about grand plans, but we may not be able to do practical things for the people."

"Fang Du" are also children of noble families, but the world was in chaos and bandits were rampant in that era. They were accustomed to the cruelty of troubled times and the suffering of the people. They were determined to save the people and make great achievements, so they did not forget their original intentions after coming to power.

But these "second generations" are different. They have lived in a wealthy and stable environment since childhood, with fine clothes and delicious food, and enjoy peace and happiness. How can they understand the tragedy and cruelty of "bones exposed in the wild, and no roosters crowing for thousands of miles"?
When he becomes an official in the future, he will probably only be able to achieve great things and talk about it on paper, without any awareness of the hardships of life of the lower-class people.

Xi Junmai sighed, "Among all the civil and military officials in the court, how many are as concerned about the people and working for the benefit of the people as the Marshal? You are the younger generation that the Marshal values, has high hopes for and is cultivating you vigorously. You must not forget your original intention and remain committed to being a good official who serves the country and the people in the future."

The two of them bowed their hands together and said respectfully, "I will definitely live up to the Grand Commandant's cultivation!"

After a few pleasantries, Xi Junmai asked, "Would you two like to take a walk on Luzon Island? I'll send someone to guide you and protect you. The natives may seem submissive, but they are actually unruly. These savages dare to do anything. We must not take them lightly."

"That's exactly what we meant!"

Di Renjie thanked him first and asked curiously, "We heard at the dock that the Governor of Luzon personally led the ship to the battle because some soldiers were kidnapped and extorted by natives. Is this true?"

Xi Junmai looked at the two curious but excited little faces in front of him and felt a little embarrassed. How could they come to visit him? They were clearly here to join in the fun.

But after thinking about it, he told the whole story in detail.

Finally, he warned: "Just know these things in your heart, don't talk about them everywhere."

The two men agreed in unison: "Don't worry, General, we understand!"

They are not stupid people who only study hard. Of course they know that war is not as simple as a few lines in history books. As the saying goes, "all is fair in war." Although Zhang Liang's methods seem a bit dishonorable, and the "Witch Clan" are also innocent, war has always been a life-and-death struggle, let alone against foreign races?
But some things cannot be said, once they are spread out, the impact will be bad...

Then, Di Renjie rolled his eyes and asked, "The Duke of Yun only has 500 personal soldiers and dozens of merchant ships, but he dares to challenge an entire clan. In your opinion, what are the chances of winning?"

Xi Junmai said consciously, "Duke Yun also fought in many places in the past and was trusted by Emperor Taizong. There is no possibility of failure when he attacks the barbarian natives on the island with 500 well-equipped soldiers."

After saying that, he saw the two men staring at him closely with bright eyes, and he was startled, so he warned them: "Don't even think about joining in the fun. Even if it's a battle we must win, it's still a battle after all. You are the chosen ones of heaven. If something unexpected happens, how can I explain to the Marshal? Stay on the island honestly, and I'll have someone take you to experience the local customs and practices, but don't take any risks."

These are the most outstanding students in the academy, and the Marshal has high hopes for them. What will happen if something goes wrong on his part?

Xue Yuanchao smiled and said, "General, you underestimate us, don't you? Although we study hard in the academy, we also exercise our bodies, practice archery, and are very good at handling firearms. We are definitely not useless people who can't even tie a chicken. Besides, we will only watch from afar and will never get close to participate. I hope the general will be flexible."