The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 326

Xu Tian waved his hand and said, "It's still early. How much longer until the boatman reaches Dunhuang?"

The boatman said, "Your Highness, you are very lucky. As long as we get through tonight, this boat will reach the very end of the Yellow River with the wind, and that's Dunhuang."

Looking at the sky before him, Xu Tian stood up and recited a line.

"Dark clouds press down on the city, threatening to crush it; armor gleams in the sun, like golden scales."

Vice General Qin Xian was taken aback for a moment, then gave a military salute.

"This humble general takes his leave." He then led the three soldiers who had come with him to stand at the bow and stern of the ship to begin their defensive work.

Midday on the moon.

The boat drifted downstream on the Yellow River, and after a short while, the stove on board went out due to the chilly night wind.

The boatman smiled at the time.

"You esteemed guests, please go inside the cabin. I and the generals are here. Just watch! We will surely reach the very end of the Yellow River before dawn."

Xu Tian nodded and went into the cabin to get a good night's rest. He felt that the night was not spent lying in bed, but rather like he was on a rocket.

When Xu Tian woke up the next day, he found that the boat had been tied to a wooden stake on the shore.

Xu Tian was also quite surprised. The Tang Dynasty was indeed full of talented people. The Yellow River was bottomless and the current was rapid, making it impossible to anchor. They actually built a hut on the bank. How much skill must it have taken to hold this boat?

Dust billowed in the distance, and Princess Jinyang emerged from the cabin, rolling her eyes at Xu Tian. Xu Tian sighed helplessly, then stood to the side, smiling slightly. He then saw General Qin Xian and his men approaching from a distance with several groups of camels.

Upon seeing Xu Tian, ​​Qin Xian dismounted and bowed.

"I am here to pay my respects to Prince Rui. We are about to arrive in Dunhuang, so I have bought a few camels from some families. Otherwise, we will not be able to reach the Anxi Protectorate on horseback."

Xu Tian nodded, about to praise Qin Xian and his soldiers for their attentiveness, when he saw Jin Yang helping Dongfang Tingyun out, which he found quite astonishing.

The day before, Princess Jinyang had looked at Dongfang Tingyun as if she were a rival in love, but today they were as close as sisters. She was greatly surprised and turned to look at Jinyang.

Then Jin Yang said, "We're almost at the Anxi Protectorate. This journey has been fraught with danger – we've traveled by carriage and boat, encountered bandits and outlaws. My heart has been pounding! Although I am a princess of the Tang Dynasty, I have never experienced the customs of the borderlands!"

The Anxi Protectorate has been stationed here for many years and must have witnessed numerous bandit disturbances.

Dongfang Tingyun comforted her from the side.

"Princess, she's been frightened."

Jin Yang stuck out his tongue, then turned to Qin Xian and said, "Since you are one of General Li's men, you should know the rules. Why don't you speak up?"

Qin Xian's expression immediately changed, and he then knelt on the ground.

"Princess, please report that the court allocates 800,000 taels of silver every year, and 20,000 warhorses need to be replaced every month. The weapons of the Anxi Protectorate are different from those of the army, which are replaced every quarter. Instead, the newest weapons are sent to the border every three months."

Furthermore, the Anxi Protectorate was adjacent to the Yuezhi and Kangju kingdoms, which paid tribute to it, making the Anxi Protectorate quite wealthy.