Chapter 34

Li Er immediately perked up, hurriedly ordering an attendant to present the state letter, which he read through carefully.

"Good! It seems that in a few days, our Great Tang will witness a once-in-a-century grand tribute ceremony."

After finishing the letter, Li Er nodded with a smile, finally feeling relieved in his heart.

It seems.

That army that fought against Songtsen Gampo wasn't much after all.

Inside the Taiji Hall, waves of praise and acclaim rose one after another.

On the official road outside the Chang'an city gates, there was a constant stream of carriages and horses.

A caravan dressed in exotic clothing was slowly driving toward Chang'an.

However, people did not feel surprised.

In recent days, countless merchant groups and diplomatic missions from the Western Regions had arrived, and they were already used to it.

Inside the most luxurious carriage of the caravan, Qin Mu and Fang Xuanling sat opposite each other.

After several days of travel, this "Tibetan diplomatic mission" had finally arrived at Chang'an.

Fang Xuanling watched Qin Mu, who was resting with his eyes closed, in silence, his heart full of thoughts.

For some time now, he and Qin Mu had been together day and night, talking about everything; although their stances differed, they had unexpectedly formed a friendship across generations.

Qin Mu's erudition and insight left Fang Xuanling deeply shocked.

He concluded.

Given time, this youth would become a majestic ruler who would command the attention of all nations.

"Your Majesty, we are about to reach Chang'an."

Outside the carriage, the voice of Wei Zhongxian slowly drifted in.

"Hmm, have we arrived?"

Qin Mu opened his eyes, his deep pupils flashing with a complex light.

It was a kind of...

Gaze of excitement and hatred!

"Your Majesty, this humble subject has something to say; I do not know if I should speak."

Fang Xuanling pondered for a moment, deciding to have a good talk with Qin Mu.

"Minister Fang, although you and I have different stances, we can be considered confidants. If you have something to say, speak freely."

Qin Mu's speech and demeanor were like those of a true Son of Heaven, steady without losing his imposing manner.

Fang Xuanling felt a chill in his heart, paused, and continued: "Your Majesty, this humble subject has lived for more than half a lifetime and has never seen a young, heroic ruler like you. To tell the truth, Tibet—ah, no, Great Qin—in your hands will surely become a major threat to the Great Tang in the future."

"Hmm, although this is blunt, it is not without sincerity. Continue."

Qin Mu nodded and said in a deep voice.

"However..." Fang Xuanling's tone suddenly shifted, saying: "Although Your Majesty has grand ambitions, it is not advisable to treat the Great Tang as an enemy. If the two countries form an alliance, that would be a cause for mutual joy."

"Oh? Why is it not advisable?"

Qin Mu looked at Fang Xuanling with interest, a confident smile playing on the corners of his mouth.

It seemed that the Great Tang was not a troublesome matter for him at all.

"Your Majesty, you are wrong." Fang Xuanling straightened his back and said quite proudly: "Traveling all the way from Tibet, Your Majesty has seen with your own eyes the prosperity and strength of the Great Tang. The population, grain, and so on have long exceeded those of surrounding nations by several times. Technologies like the curved-shaft plow and refined salt must have also opened Your Majesty's eyes. Apart from the Great Tang, no other country in the world can compare to these technologies."

"Besides this, the military power of the Great Tang has also undergone earth-shaking changes. I wonder if Your Majesty has ever heard of horseshoes?"

Fang Xuanling's inscrutable appearance made Qin Mu want to laugh.