Chapter 662: Zhao Pu's Mission to Shu (1)

After all, it was winter—even in the city of Chengdu, the temperature could hardly avoid being a bit cold. There were few clouds in the sky, a stretch of white with scarcely any other color, as if covered by an enormous curtain, with only the occasional winter bird flying past to leave behind some trace of sound or shadow.

A party of more than twenty people came slowly along the official road, heading from north to south. A dozen or so riders guarded the surroundings, their armor and clothing clearly different from that of the Shu army. Because of the successive defeats at Qinfeng and Hanzhong, there was some turmoil within Shu, yet the number of travelers and merchants coming and going through Chengdu had actually increased. Noticing this party, they all instinctively cast curious glances.

"Look at their dress—these riders are Northern Han cavalry!"

A merchant with some knowledge identified them, causing a slight stir and some puzzlement: "Who is sitting in that carriage?"

"They should be envoys from the Northern Han! I hear the court intends to negotiate peace!"

"If the court intends to negotiate peace, they should send envoys east to Kaifeng—why would the Northern Han be sending envoys here?" Someone raised an objection.

"Perhaps the Northern Han also wants peace talks?"

"......"

Two draft horses, urged on by the driver's whip, moved their four hooves at a leisurely but steady pace toward Chengdu. The carriage interior was quite spacious. The Han envoy Zhao Pu sat inside, along with a beautiful woman—small and delicate in stature, with lovely features—who had been given to him by a Shu official when passing through the checkpoint. Zhao Pu naturally accepted the gift with pleasure; the journey had been arduous, and he was just short of a charming companion to attend to him and relieve his fatigue. Even this carriage itself had been gifted by Shu officials along the way.

This mission to Shu, setting out from the Eastern Capital and only now approaching Chengdu, had taken a full month. Winter's impact on travel was too great, especially on the Sichuan-Shaanxi post road. Along this route, Zhao Pu had personally experienced the perilous difficulty of mountain paths and plank roads. He had known they were difficult before, but only after experiencing them did he understand what it was really like. One of his attendants had fallen off a cliff and died along the way.

They traveled slowly, not only because of the weather and the roads—at important points, Zhao Pu deliberately lingered, under the guise of sightseeing, to carefully observe and record.

After entering the basin, things became much more comfortable. The roads were easier, there were more opportunities to rest and resupply, and there was also the flattering hospitality of Shu generals and ministers along the way.

The officer commanding the escort turned his horse and rode lightly up to the carriage, reporting in a low voice: "Vice Minister Zhao, there are still ten li before we reach Chengdu! A Shu official has come to report that the Prince of Qin of Shu, Meng Xuanzhe, is waiting to receive us at the post station ahead!"

For this mission, Liu Chengyou had specially conferred on Zhao Pu the title of Vice Minister of Rites. After a month-long journey, physical and mental exhaustion was inevitable. Pushing aside the curtain and looking ahead, he saw open wilderness all around—fields, irrigation ditches, and villages—with a smooth road stretching southward. At the far edge of his vision, he could faintly make out that great southwestern city shrouded in thin mist: "Finally arrived!"

Glancing to both sides and noticing the Shu commoners discussing among themselves, Zhao Pu couldn't help but smile wryly: "Even with worry written all over their faces, these Shu people still have the leisure to gossip!"

"No need to hurry—just keep advancing at this pace!" Zhao Pu thought for a moment, then said to the escort officer: "General He, pass the word down: have all the attendants perk up and display the bearing of our great celestial dynasty!"

"Yes!"

The escort officer was named He Jiyun, son of the late veteran commander He Fujin. He had been transferred out of the Longjie Army for this trip to serve as the mission's military officer.

"Have you ever been to Chengdu?" Lowering the curtain, Zhao Pu looked at the beautiful maidservant attending him and asked curiously.

She obediently shook her head, a hint of expectation showing in her charming, pitiable eyes, and replied softly: "Your servant has only heard of it."

"Perfect timing then—this official will take you to see this Brocade Official City, and you can also see your Prince of Qin!" Saying this, Zhao Pu let out two contemptuous laughs: "A petty little state, clinging to a precarious corner of safety, not knowing the height of heaven or the depth of earth—how dare it presume to confer royal titles!"

Meanwhile, before the post station north of Chengdu, over a hundred Shu palace guards stood at their posts, while several officials waited respectfully by the roadside. On the open ground, several expensive carpets were spread out, a jade screen stood at the side, and a gilt small table was set with fruits and pastries, along with warmed imperial wine. The Prince of Qin of the Later Shu, Meng Xuanzhe, sat there, a beautiful woman nestled in each arm, occasionally exchanging flirtatious remarks.

The state letter had been delivered long before. Learning that the Northern Han had taken the initiative to send envoys, the ruler and ministers of Shu all breathed a sigh of relief. Meng Chang placed even greater importance on it, ordering all generals and officials along the route to treat them with courtesy. Today, he had even sent the Prince Meng Xuanzhe and the chancellor Wu Zhaoyi out of the city to receive them.

However, judging by Meng Xuanzhe's display, he seemed to be out on an outing. But the Shu officials attending the reception dared not say a word. Even so, Meng Xuanzhe was growing impatient. Gazing down the official road, he complained: "Didn't they say they'd be here soon? We've waited this long and they still haven't arrived—this Han envoy is far too arrogant! I'm not waiting anymore. I'm going back to the city......"

Hearing this, Wu Zhaoyi's old face couldn't help but twitch. He stepped forward, cupped his hands in salute, and urged: "Your Highness, please hold on just a little longer—the Han envoy is about to arrive!"

"In this dead of winter, eating wind and drinking frost outside this post station—if I catch a chill, can you bear the responsibility?" Meng Xuanzhe raised an eyebrow and demanded.

Wu Zhaoyi felt somewhat helpless, but could only maintain his respectful demeanor and say in a low voice: "I beg Your Highness to exercise a little patience and not disappoint His Majesty's instructions."

At the mention of Meng Chang, Meng Xuanzhe finally behaved himself a bit. He muttered something, then looked at Wu Zhaoyi and pointed to a soft cushion beside the jade table: "Chancellor Wu, you're not young anymore—you've been standing this long. Sit down and rest a while!"

Wu Zhaoyi shook his head: "Thank you for Your Highness's kindness, but this old minister's bones can still hold out!"

Meng Xuanzhe pursed his lips, his expression as if to say, "You don't know what's good for you." Meng Xuanzhe was Meng Chang's eldest son, not yet eighteen years old. Though young in years, he was notorious throughout Chengdu for his extravagance, dissipation, and love of pleasure and amusement.

Just as Wu Zhaoyi had urged, a short while later, Zhao Pu's party finally arrived, belatedly. Descending from the carriage, he looked around, his gaze settling on Meng Xuanzhe and Wu Zhaoyi. Without saying a word, he stood there with his hands clasped behind his back, waiting for someone to come greet him, putting on the full airs of a great Central Plains power.

Seeing this, many of the Shu officials were displeased. It was Wu Zhaoyi who stepped forward, bowing: "This old man, Wu Zhaoyi, together with His Highness the Prince of Qin, by order of His Majesty the Emperor of Great Shu, awaits the honored envoy here!"

He tugged slightly at Meng Xuanzhe's sleeve. Only then did Meng Xuanzhe reluctantly make a bow, glaring at Zhao Pu: "The envoy has certainly kept us all waiting!"

"My apologies for the long wait—I beg Your Highness and Chancellor Wu to forgive me!" Only then did Zhao Pu show some reaction, all smiles with not a trace of embarrassment: "The Shu roads are rugged and uneven—not easy to travel......"

As he spoke, he took note of Meng Xuanzhe's lavish display and the impatience and resentment in his brow, understanding everything in his heart. There was even a hint of delight in his gaze. Since entering Shu, everything he had seen and heard had been pleasant. And before him now was Meng Xuanzhe's extravagance and arrogance......

After exchanging pleasantries before the post station, Wu Zhaoyi led Zhao Pu's party into the city to rest, arranging lodging at the guest house. He personally kept them company, hosting a lavish banquet, before returning to the Shu palace to report.

This arrangement was twofold: first, considering that the Han envoy was weary from the journey and needed rest. Second, since the Han envoy had come, the ruler and ministers of Shu needed to discuss carefully how to handle the situation.

That night, at the guest house, wisps of cold wind seeped through the gaps in the doors and windows, stirring the candlelight to flicker. Zhao Pu sat on the couch, drinking tea, his feet soaking in a steaming basin of hot water, while the beauty knelt low, gently massaging him.

A comfortable, contented expression spread across his face, and he couldn't help but sigh: "Good tea, good water, good company—Chengdu is a fine place. Even this winter is far more comfortable than in the Eastern Capital!"

As the hot water ran out, the foot massage service came to an end. The maidservant carefully dried his feet, then put his socks and shoes back on, covering them with a quilt to keep warm. Her lovely face carried a gentle smile throughout. To be honest, such tenderness was something Zhao Pu had never enjoyed in the Eastern Capital.

After the maidservant carried the basin out, Zhao Pu's expression gradually turned serious as he earnestly pondered this mission. It was still that same refrain: peace talks were secondary; probing the enemy's true strength was primary. Based on what he had seen and heard on the journey south, things were encouraging for the Great Han.