Chapter 593: The Sorrow of the Arabs

"Ottoman Empire..."

Seeing these words, Reguli could not help but knit her brows.

Reguli was still very familiar with this powerful Empire.

As early as several hundred years ago, the Ottoman Empire had already begun to run rampant beyond the Western Regions, its reputation shaking the four corners of the earth. In fact, by the time the Ottoman Empire rose, the Arab Empire had long since perished.

Here, one must mention this Arab Empire; the Arab Empire was what the ancient Huaxia people called "Dashiguo"! The once-great Dashiguo was quite vast. At its peak, its area reached 13.39 million square kilometers, making it the empire with the longest east-west span in human history. Likewise, the Arab Empire was also the first Islamic state in human history. The Arab Empire expanded crazily at the time, beginning to expand outward under the banner of Holy War, occupying vast territories in West Asia, North Africa, Central Asia, the northwestern part of the South Asia Subcontinent, and the Bilia Peninsula.

The Arab Empire at that time could be described as invincible, killing gods if they met gods, and killing Buddhas if they met Buddhas. It was not until they encountered the army of the prosperous Tang Dynasty of Huaxia on the Pamir Plateau that they halted their steps.

Even the Persian Empire, which had existed for over four thousand years, was destroyed under the iron cavalry of these Arabs.

However...

Human history seems to tease people this way. There has never been a dynasty that flourished forever. The Arab Empire, under an increasing number of peasant uprisings, began to split and fracture.

The splitting and fracturing need not be described in detail.

Yet under this splitting and fracturing, in fact, the Arab royal family still existed. After moving the capital to Cairo, the Arab royal family began a lingering, wandering life. Subsequent kings of the Empire were either met with bad ends or were deposed by powerful ministers; being deposed and reinstated, the king completely became a plaything in the hands of the Noble Class.

Until the early sixteenth century, when the Ottoman Turkey Sultan ascended the throne.

The Arab Empire had already been slowly forgotten by people.

But...

It still existed.

This government-in-exile, which upheld the most primitive Islamic doctrines, had always been cowering in the West Asia region. Like other Islamic countries, it became a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire. Mire was a devout believer; he was responsible for earning money for the government-in-exile, in hopes of a comeback...

Regarding these grievances and history, Reguli was crystal clear.

In fact.

Around the entire Middle East region, no one was willing to see a unified and powerful country.

Therefore, the exile of the Arab Empire was secretly supported by quite a few countries.

For example, the Uzbek Empire in Central Asia, which was the Timurid Empire. For example, Reguli's Loulan... They held a deep wariness toward the Ottoman Empire.

Keeping the oldest Arab Empire, which could bite back at these Turks at any time—was that not good?

Especially after Mire established a deep friendship with Liu Zheng, the Ottoman Empire's oppression of the Arab Empire had lessened quite a bit. After all, they also held deep awe for the Longyan Dynasty.

However, this time...

This letter, stained more than halfway with blood, read.

"The infidels from the West intend to sweep across the entire East..."

"Oh, giant dragon coiled in the East!"

"Wake up! Use your fury to bring us, these weak lambs, some long-lost peace..."

Reguli's pupils contracted violently: "Quick, send a message by carrier pigeon to Governor Liu!"

"Yes!"

Liu Zheng and the Prince of Yong looked at each other in horror.

Nanyang?

That is to say...

Not only were there the likes of Zhu Zhen in the imperial court who could sway at any time, not only were there the military governors who held heavy troops and harbored evil intentions, but there were also the remnants of the prosperous Tang Dynasty who might have already achieved great things in Nanyang?

This Christmas Ceremony...

It was too chaotic!

It was truly too chaotic!

Not only chaotic, but at this officially recognized "last year" of Xie Tianyao's birthday, all kinds of monsters and demons finally could not help but jump out.

No matter how strong Xie Tianyao was, what could he do?

He was about to die; who would fear him?

These hidden forces, which were not well understood in daily life due to the policy of closing the country, finally could not help but jump out—if they did not come out now, it would be too late. They still needed to make their presence felt... and they had to make this presence felt before Xie Tianyao died!

It was chaotic.

Liu Zheng and the Prince of Yong exchanged a bitter smile.

Now it was truly chaotic!

"Calm down, calm down, let us not be hasty..."

The Prince of Yong suggested.

"The Emperor has not said anything yet, and the ceremony is still continuing..."

He added a reminder.

Liu Zheng rubbed his temples hard.

Damn it!

He looked toward the Zhuque High Tower, thinking to himself, old Emperor, oh old Emperor, please do not just get so angry that you kick the bucket! If that happened, he would not be able to handle this scene. After all, he had only brought three thousand Liangzhou Army soldiers this time! Heaven knows where the heavy troops of those military governors were already piled up.

You must hold on!

You must hold on!

"It is truly beautiful..."

Li Xuanya, watching this dance gala, praised it sincerely.

This eldest Princess of Joseon's obsession with song and dance was known throughout Joseon...

Even though these diplomatic missions were her competitors, she still sincerely felt that this Christmas Ceremony would definitely go down in history. After all, she did not understand politics... She could not see the many ferocious faces hidden under this prosperous Tang song and dance, could not understand the restlessness of those people at this moment, could not understand their various ulterior motives, and could not understand the war that might be about to ignite.

She was only shocked by this near-peak art before her eyes.

"Is it good?"

Li Zheng stood to the side and gave a cold snort: "In my opinion, it is nothing special! If the Princess's 'Rainbow Feather Garment Song' were to be performed, who could offer a Bitter Remonstrance?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanya smiled slightly.

Yes.

She remained full of confidence in her own work.

That divine melody, long since lost, was capable of transcending class struggles... much like the 'Orchid Pavilion Preface' that had appeared in history; even in the Longyan Dynasty after the flourishing Tang, successive emperors, nobles, and the Powerful Clan would spend vast sums of money searching for its traces.

However, to no avail.

Li Xuanya, by a stroke of luck, had encountered a Longyan artist who had been persecuted and had drifted to Joseon...

From him, she had obtained this precious piece of music.

This time.

She decided to bring it out...

Solely to win the favor of the Longyan Emperor, so that he would be willing to dispatch troops to support Joseon.

"Good!"

"Too magnificent!"

"Don't stop!"

"Continue!"

"Is there more?"

At this moment, all seventeen delegations had finished their performances. Xie Tianyao, regardless of his mood, accepted the congratulations of these people and welcomed the guests with joy.

There was still one more...

After that would be the Longyan imperial court's own grand finale.

Li Xuanya began to feel a bit nervous.

Was it her turn?

She felt both nervous and full of confidence.

Fortunately...

She had been scheduled for the very last spot.

Even though the preceding performances had been very magnificent.

She still felt that, today, she was certain to win!

Oh, no, wait...

There was still the grand finale from the Longyan side!

But...

It was said to have been put together by a man...

She smiled slightly.

She did not take it to heart.