Chapter 1064

"Conditions?"

"Yes," Seeing Miao Zhen smiled. "My senior brother and junior sister are medical fanatics; they've been here nearly half a year. I'm sure your court checked their character and medical ethics when inviting them as translators."

The eldest prince mused: "Using my court's name as guarantee is hardly enough for just translation. We have many nobles here who study Han culture and speak Han language."

Seeing Miao Zhen: "Your court went to great lengths to invite my senior brother and junior sister—not just for translation, but to better understand Han culture, right? Only Han people truly understand Han culture. Now that Tie Liangguti belongs to Lingxi Jimi Prefecture, exchanges with the Central Plains will only increase, and more Han people will come here. If Tie Liangguti wants to stand firm—or even advance—learning Han culture is essential."

The eldest prince fell silent, then said: "Once we reach the Central Plains, we can pay for Han scholars. With enough money, we can hire any brilliant scholar."

Seeing Miao Zhen: "If that's so, why did you go to such lengths to invite my senior brother and junior sister—even issuing orders to ban them from practicing medicine? You and I both know their presence is immensely beneficial to the steppe. As a prince of the court, are you willing to harm your herders' interests over a momentary fit of temper?"

The eldest prince fell silent.

Why must it be Tao Yanbai and Seeing Miao Zhen?

Naturally, because they trust their character.

Moreover, they must have influence in the Central Plains—otherwise, how could they have arrived here safely during the coldest season and amid border conflict?

But their influence can't be great—otherwise, why would they come here during the coldest season and amid border conflict?

Someone with modest influence but real ability, and noble character—he must keep such a person close.

Even without the matter of attending the birthday celebration in the Central Plains, he would still have sought to befriend them and find a way to bring them under his control.

Why would he bargain with useful, controllable talent and pay such a high price?

Seeing Miao Zhen smiled lightly: "My senior brother and junior sister are skilled physicians. They have connections in the Imperial Medical Bureau—those are close ministers to the Son of Heaven. Prince, unless you're certain you can kill us within this city, are you sure you want to offend a friend of a court physician? That physician can still speak to the Emperor."

The eldest prince was startled, and fell silent.

Not long after, the fat official respectfully escorted the three out. In the end, the eldest prince agreed to Seeing Miao Zhen's conditions.

Thus, when this tribe's court prepared its official birthday gift for the Great Ming's National Teacher and set out, a caravan appeared among their ranks—Pan Yun had changed her attire and blended in.

Seeing Miao Zhen followed openly.

This caravan was assembled by Zhao Shizhu, mostly composed of his adopted children, their friends' descendants.

They were a real caravan, traveling to the Central Plains to procure goods.

After all, they couldn't rely solely on the goods Pan Yun brought.

Times are different now—this region falls under Great Ming's jurisdiction. Traveling to the Central Plains is far easier. Not building up a caravan would be a waste.

Besides this caravan, the court and other noble families of the tribe also prepared their own caravans to follow.

Thus, one led two, two led three—the group swelled until it finally formed a hundred-man delegation.

One city is like this—but how many cities and tribes are there across the Wala and Tatar?

When they reached the Hami Garrison, the official sent to meet them said: "The Tie Liangguti delegation has only twenty slots. No one beyond that may enter."

The third prince's face flushed red with anger.

Tao Yanbai told the third prince: "The rest may enter as merchants—just declare your goods normally."

The third prince: "In past years, Wala tribute delegations numbered three to five hundred, sometimes three to four thousand. Why won't they let us in this year?"

Tao Yanbai snapped: "First, past Wala delegations were coalitions of tribes; now each city and tribe sends its own delegation—no merging allowed. Second, the imperial court has long been dissatisfied with the growing size of Wala delegations and has repeatedly warned against exceeding limits. Third—don't you already know why the court refused?"

The third prince glared: "What do I know?"

Tao Yanbai: "All expenses for the delegation after entry are borne by the court. One more person means one more meal, one more lodging, one more horse or cart. And don't forget—the Great Ming is famed as a land of ritual. Each envoy receives gifts upon departure. If you don't limit numbers, some might bring their entire tribe across the border—do you believe that?"

The third prince growled: "I'm not that kind of person."

"I know you're not. So please let them enter as merchants. Once inside, they can do business on their own or continue following you—but they bear their own expenses."

The third prince narrowed his eyes: "This is too troublesome. Isn't there another way?"

Tao Yanbai spread his hands: "I have no other way."

The third prince sneered: "You have no way? I think you're just not trying. Where's your junior sister? Send her here."

Seeing Miao He walked over.

The third prince: "Not you—the other one."

Seeing Miao He: "No. The court only hired me and my senior brother—not my senior sister."

The third prince: "... Go find her. My brother didn't hire her—I will!"

He looked at the two with disdain: "You two are too dull. All you do on the journey is treat merchants and steppe herders, preaching that inoculation method—never lifting a finger for me."

Seeing Miao He argued back in Wala: "We're paid as translators. Tell me—have we failed to translate for you?"

The third prince insisted on using Seeing Miao Zhen.

Seeing Miao Zhen was quietly huddled with Pan Yun, studying the completed map.

Once they entered Hami Garrison, this map would be complete.

Pan Yun didn't always travel with the caravan—she had mapped multiple routes.

As they traveled, Seeing Miao He and Tao Yanbai had uncovered several alternative routes from the delegation. Pan Yun quietly slipped away to survey each one. Indeed, the route chosen by the delegation was the optimal one—they must be desperate to reach the capital.

Hearing the quarrel ahead, Pan Yun nodded slightly to Seeing Miao Zhen, who went over.

After hearing the third prince's demand, Seeing Miao Zhen said: "Prince, speed will drop after crossing the border. Bringing so many people is inconvenient. The National Teacher's birthday is in July—we must reach Jingcheng before June. I hear the Tie Liangguti court entered the border three days ago, and many Wala delegations entered through Datong—it's closer to the capital."

The third prince grew anxious: "These merchants are skilled riders. I can have them ride hard with me."

Seeing Miao Zhen: "Why not travel light and fast?"

The third prince: "I need protection."

Seeing Miao Zhen: "Even if you count every merchant, you have only a hundred men. Can they stand against the court's million-strong army inside the border?"

Seeing Miao Zhen smiled gently: "Prince, the Emperor invited you to celebrate the National Teacher's birthday—he will treat you well, and won't let you be in danger. Compared to those from Tie Liangguti, it's the court officials who are most concerned for your safety."

The third prince fell into thought.

Seeing Miao Zhen stepped closer and whispered: "Prince, are you certain everyone in Tie Liangguti wants you to return safely? Is your entire delegation truly loyal to you and your eldest brother?"

The third prince fell silent, then finally followed Seeing Miao Zhen's advice and selected only nineteen men to accompany him through customs.