Chapter 139

After a three-day long and arduous journey, Liuche's party finally reached Anshi City.

When they arrived before the city-state, they saw only that the city-state's gate was tall and majestic, standing before them, its architectural style actually extremely similar to that of the Han.

Flying eaves and dougong brackets, grand and imposing momentum, as if directly moved from Han lands.

On the gate were the three large characters "Weiyuan City", the brush strokes strong and forceful, with horizontal, vertical, left-falling and right-falling strokes bearing quite a touch of the spirit of Han calligraphy, causing Liuche to surge with an indescribable sense of familiarity.

Liuche and his companions couldn't help but widen their eyes, their eyes full of disbelief.

Meanwhile, the city-state's guards obviously also knew why these few had come; after a routine inspection, a dedicated person guided them into the city.

Although they did not exactly show respect to Liuche and his group, they were courteous, and the guide even managed to speak a few simple sentences of Han language.

This made Liuche and the others even more surprised.

As the party stepped into the city, Liuche and his companions' gazes were drawn to the wide, level street.

The street layout was orderly and neat, virtually identical to the street planning of Han cities.

Shops were packed closely together, extraordinarily lively.

He walked over and looked closely; although the text on the signs was mixed with local strange symbols, if one examined carefully, one could actually discover many traces of Han characters, which made him feel even more amazed.

The guards coming and going on the street, their armor style, the weapons they held, even their stance and patrol methods, were all filled with Chinese elements, as if Han soldiers were stationed here.

What shocked Liuche even more was that, on the training field not far away, the city's troops were drilling; their uniforms were neat and uniform, identical to Han military attire, military bearing strict, morale high, slogans shaking the heavens, as if displaying to the world the countless connections between this city and the Han.

At that moment, the market was bustling and noisy, with hawking voices and chatting laughter rising and falling, intertwining into an ocean of joy.

Liuche walked and looked at the dazzling array of goods at the market stalls beside the street, and involuntarily said to Li Guang beside him: "If we brought all these spices back to my Han, the Han people would once again eat those hard-to-swallow dishes."

Li Guang involuntarily nodded and said: "Yes, although the Son of Heaven has already improved Han cuisine, but speaking of spices, this place is still richer."

After speaking, the two exchanged a glance, each seeing in the other's eyes a strong desire to conquer this land.

And what surprised Liuche even more was actually seeing on the street women wearing improved versions of Hanfu, gracefully strolling, possessing a unique charm.

At the same time, the group also saw in a stand similar to a newsstand a newspaper that only the Han possessed, and some of its contents were actually bilingual editions in the local language and Han characters.

"This city lord?"

Emperor Wu of Han looked doubtfully at the distant tall city lord's mansion, his interest in the city lord growing stronger.

At the same time, on a small square, an old man was patiently guiding young people in practicing calligraphy, the paper bearing both the script of the Magadha Kingdom and Han characters.

The young people traced each stroke carefully, eyes focused, trying to grasp the spirit of Han characters; this scene caused ripples to arise in Liuche's heart.

Liuche's eyes were full of shock; he slightly furrowed his brow and muttered softly: "Could this city lord possibly be a Han person?"

His heart was filled with doubt and curiosity, but no matter how he tried, he could not recall who had ever been sent here before!

Soon the party arrived at the city lord's mansion.

Upon hearing that Emperor Wu of Han and his party had arrived, the city lord personally came out to warmly welcome them.

When Liuche and his companions saw a woman dressed in Hanfu, dignified and elegant, the female city lord, they exclaimed in surprise even more.

"Female city lord?"

The city lord slightly nodded, gave a breezy smile, and said: "Several honored guests from the Han, just call me Nalaya."

Immediately Nalaya, with a smiling face, her eyes showing sincerity, she slightly bowed and spoke fluent Han language: "Honored guests arriving at the gate, Nalaya has failed to welcome you from afar; please forgive."

Liuche and his companions, seeing this, felt even more astonished; they never expected to encounter in this southern city-state a city lord so proficient in Han language and so warmly hospitable.

Moreover, she is female!

After everyone exchanged greetings, they followed Nalaya into the city lord's mansion, entered the hall, where a huge portrait came into view; upon close inspection, the portrait turned out to be of Han dynasty emperor Liu Ju.

"This..."

Emperor Wu of Han pointed in surprise at the portrait, his finger slightly trembling.

"Long live His Majesty the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

Li Guang and the others all knelt down together, paying homage to the portrait.

Li Guang slowly rose, his eyes full of respect, and said: "The portrait of the Han emperor is here, which fully shows the city lord's reverence for our Han."

Huo Qubing also had a solemn expression, clasping his hands in salute.

Liu Hanmin then opened his mouth wide, his face full of disbelief, muttering, "This... this is really too unexpected."

Nala Ya looked at everyone's reactions, smiling as she explained:

"Esteemed Han envoy, I am truly a descendant of Ashoka. But as time flowed and dynasties changed, the new dynasty harbored dread toward us descendants of the former royal line, launching a brutal persecution. To escape calamity, my family had no choice but to embark on the path of flight."

Her voice was gentle yet carried a hint of vicissitude, as if re‑presenting that painful history.

"We headed east all the way, enduring countless hardships and dangers. Along the escape route, family members suffered one misfortune after another—some were killed by pursuers, some died of disease and starvation. In the end, only I remained, wandering alone in this unfamiliar, vast eastern land."

"At that time I was dressed in rags, unable to fill my stomach, and felt utterly lost about the future. Until I met my teacher, who, seeing my plight, took me in. He not only provided me with shelter and food, but also taught me to read and write, imparting to me the theoretical thought of the Son of Heaven of the Great Han."

A hint of warmth welled up in Nala Ya's eyes.

"Under my teacher's guidance, I learned the wisdom of the Great Han, and thus resolved to rally my forces. Although I am merely a woman, I also wish to restore honor to my family."

Liuche listened to Nala Ya's story, sighing continually, and also curious about the teacher she mentioned, so he asked, "May I dare ask, who is the teacher the city lord speaks of?"

Nala Ya bowed slightly toward the east and said, "I have two teachers. One is the Son of Heaven of the Great Han; his guiding thought, like a deity shining upon the world, bestowed wisdom upon me."

"And the other is Mr. Dong Zhongshu, who instructed me through words and deeds."

"Dong Zhongshu?"

Liuche and the others all exclaimed in surprise.

"Isn't Dong Zhongshu become a sage of the Great Han?"

"How could he have taken Nala Ya as a disciple?"

"Where is Dong Zhongshu now?"

Liuche realized the most crucial question.

Nala Ya's expression turned stern as she stared at Liuche and said, "Han envoy, although I am full of longing for Han culture, please do not disrespect my teacher!"

"Presumptuous!" Huo Qubing, Liu Hanmin, and the others shouted to stop him.

Liuche waved his hand and hurriedly said, "It was I who was presumptuous!"

I?

Naraya, who was very knowledgeable about Han culture, naturally understood the meaning of this title, and thus coldly looked at Liuche and said, "You had better give the city lord an explanation; impersonating the Han imperial family is unforgivable!"

At this moment, Li Guang stepped forward and said, "City lord, do you know that the person before you is actually the Han Grand Emperor?"

Then, looking at the portrait, he said, "That is none other than the father of the Han emperor!"

What?

Naraya exclaimed in surprise, then looked at Han Emperor Liuche, full of shock.