Chapter 2: The Silk Road

He pointed to the west, where the Silk Road stretches for thousands of miles under the scorching sun, expressing his conjecture:

During the Han Dynasty, commoners typically had only two meals a day. Breakfast was served at a time known as "shí shí," which corresponds to approximately 9:00 to 10:30 in later times. At this hour, Xia Dingmao would already be in the kitchen preparing the dishes.

The Xuanquan site is a standard square courtyard, measuring 50 meters by 50 meters, with walls that are two zhang high, constructed from a mixture of loess and reeds, which further accentuates the blueness of the sky above.

Although his rank is not high, Fu Jiezai is in charge of the Emperor's horses and often travels within the palace gardens, earning considerable recognition from the Grand General Huo Guang. During this mission to the Western Regions, passing through Loulan and Kucha, he has indeed accomplished quite a lot

Xia Dingmao said while wiping the sweat that was trickling down his forehead, "It's already so hot this early in the morning; today is going to be tough to endure"

Walking on the road, with no one around, Xia Dingmao finally voiced his doubts

Half a century ago, in pursuit of this rare breed of horse in the Central Plains, the Han Dynasty even launched two military campaigns against Dayuan

When the people of the Central Plains first arrived in Hexi, they were unaccustomed to the local environment. Ren Hong's parents passed away halfway through their journey, leaving only Xia Dingmao, who remained loyal and dutiful, to bring Ren Hong to Dunhuang, where the master and servant relied on each other for survival

Dayuan, located to the west of the Congling Mountains, corresponds to the regions of present-day Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Thus, the stable is located outside the southern wall of the dockyard, firstly to be close to the grazing oasis, and secondly to allow the howling wind to carry away some of the odors

"Old Master Xia, this is good news"

As the meal time approaches, the shallots in the eastern kitchen are insufficient. Those apprentices are unreliable, which is why the old man has personally come out to search for them

In the Han Dynasty, kitchens, whether private or public, were generally located on the eastern side, hence the saying goes:

He walked over a few steps and was about to bow to Ren Hong, completely forgetting that he was a "bi baishi" cook, and in terms of rank and salary, he was even slightly higher than Ren Hong

With 15 carriages and over 40 horses and cattle in the Xuánquán stable, a large amount of livestock manure is produced daily, creating an overwhelming odor that is quite unpleasant for the visiting officials and envoys.

More than ten years have passed, and immigrants continue to arrive. The court established Xiaogu County by the Shule River, and Xiadingmao was recruited to work in the kitchen of the Xuanquan post. Meanwhile, Ren Hong has also grown up, and Xiadingmao devoted all his wealth to support him in going to the county to pay respects to scholars and study under them.

Xia Dingmao's hair was white, and he wore a white gauze cap on his head, which made his sunburned and rain-soaked skin appear even darker. He was dressed in a short outfit, with strong arms, and this attire resembled that of the old farmers from Shaanxi in later generations

Last month, while passing through the Xuanquan Post on the Western Postal Route of Dunhuang, I was captivated by Ren Hong's eloquence and momentarily entertained the thought of promoting him

Ren Hong was naturally unwilling to spend his entire life at Xuanquan Zhi and had once attempted to make a mark.

Thus, Ren Hong's understanding of Fu Jiezai was limited to inquiries made through officials and merchants he interacted with

However, this war yielded more than just several thousand Dawan horses; it also showcased the might of the Han Dynasty to the entire Western Regions, compelling all the oasis city-states to submit.

After a short while, an elderly person and a child walked towards the grand gate of the Hanging Spring.

Ren Hong walked ahead, carrying a red willow woven basket on his back, and turned to Xia Dingmao, saying

Ren Hong was contemplating in this manner; it was precisely because he had heard that Su and Chen were going to Yumen Pass to welcome Fu Jiezhi that he deliberately put down his brush and spoke out.

This brings us to discuss the background of "Ren Hong"

Ren Hong, however, did not allow him to pay his respects. Although the two were formally master and servant, to Ren Hong, Elder Xia was like his own uncle

However, the height of the Dawan Heavenly Horse can exceed 8 feet

After Ren Hong finished reading, he was startled to realize how long this list was, and he felt even more that Huo Guang was truly terrifying

Silk Road

The greater the risk, the greater the opportunity

However, this matter has come to an end, likely because the postal inspector returned to the county and investigated Ren Hong's background

At the foot of Flame Mountain lies a patch of greenery, an oasis nourished by a stream known as "Suspended Spring," resembling an emerald amidst the Gobi Desert, impervious to even the fiercest sandstorms.

Upon leaving the Xuanquan site, the world suddenly becomes clear and bright. When there is no sand and dust, one can see the surroundings clearly, revealing a landscape that is distinctly different from that of the Central Plains

However, Ren Hong, upon waking, was already completely transformed

How many years have passed, yet despite the passage of time, Xia Dingmao has always remembered the kindness of the Ren family, treating Ren Hongru as a young master

At this moment, a weary courier had just arrived at the Xuanquan Station from the west. The stableman welcomed him into the station, while others were responsible for feeding and watering the horses. If the courier was in a hurry, they would also prepare a fresh horse for him.

No, for someone of his status, if he wishes to rise to prominence, this is practically the only opportunity!

He angrily reprimanded the King of Loulan when he left, and upon his return, he executed the Xiongnu envoy in Kucha. However, these were not the main focus; his primary objective was to travel to the Kingdom of Dayuan

These past events were witnessed firsthand by Xia Dingmao while serving as a servant of the Ren family in Chang'an, but the subsequent matters require keen insight

However, misfortunes do not come alone. In the spring of the third year of Yuanfeng, Ren Hong returned home from the county town and encountered a rare sandstorm. He fainted in the midst of the sandstorm and was not rescued back to Xuanquan until a long time had passed. After seeking medical help and consulting a shaman, he finally regained consciousness

Along the flowing spring, the oasis spreads out, extending all the way to the thoroughfare that connects the Central Plains with the Western Regions

Ren Hong can see the horses in the stable by standing on tiptoe. The shoulder height is generally seven feet, which is already considered exceptional for the "Hexi horse" in the Central Plains

How many times have I said that the fire pit in the eastern kitchen must be watched closely and absolutely cannot be extinguished? How could you fall asleep squatting there!

Is the gentleman hungry? The eastern kitchen has prepared hot soup

Xia Dingmao still did not quite understand and guessed randomly: "Is it the Grand General, or does Your Majesty wish to ride a Pegasus?"

Two years ago, the Grand General Huo Guang had just overthrown his political rivals Sang Hongyang, Shangguan Jie, Princess of Eyi, and King Yan, among others

Although chickens are relatively lean these days, finishing off two by oneself still qualifies one as a big eater

It is indeed a challenge for that guard, as Xiadingmao's accent is a genuine dialect of the Shu region. When spoken quickly, it is practically incomprehensible...

No, this means that the court intends to reopen the Western Regions

... ...

Eastern kitchen utensils prepare dishes, while mushrooms, beef, and pork are cooked alongside lamb

Thus, the celestial horse holds special political significance for the Han Dynasty

The person I have been waiting for, Fu Jiezai, is finally coming!

Ren Hongdao: "According to the treaty made under the city walls in that year, Dayuan is required to deliver two fine steeds as tribute each year."

As an official relay station, Xuanquan is small like a sparrow, yet it is fully equipped, integrating a watchtower, post station, lodging, and kitchen into one. It provides comprehensive services for traveling merchants and envoys, catering to all their needs for food, accommodation, and transportation

At this time, they had already circled around to the southwest side of the Hanging Spring site with the illustrated book.

Despite the fact that the Han Dynasty ultimately achieved only a pyrrhic victory, only about one-tenth to one-third of those who set out returned alive to Dunhuang

Ren Hong merely called out, and immediately, Elder Xia transformed from a fierce and intimidating figure reprimanding his subordinates into one with a kind and benevolent expression

The Xuánquán Zhi is no exception, with the kitchen adjacent to the eastern wall of the dockyard, enclosed by a low wall of one zhang. Inside, there are areas for the granary, cooking room, and firewood room. The women have begun washing rice and cooking, while the kitchen staff are sharpening their knives, and one can faintly smell the aroma of meat wafting from the earthen pot.

With the instigation of the Xiongnu, for three consecutive years, Han envoys were intercepted and killed each year. The influence of the Han Dynasty in the Western Regions seems to have regressed to the state prior to the Battle of Dayuan

Xia Dingmao chuckled and said: "As a mere servant and cook, my understanding of this person naturally comes from his food."

At that time, Ren Hong was only three or four years old, accompanied by his parents, traveling to the northwest in the harsh winter. They encountered a great disaster, and the clan's servants scattered completely. Only one cook named "Xia Dingmao" remained, tending to his unfortunate master before and after the carriage

Ren Hong said: "I have heard past officials say that Fu Jiezai is a scion of a noble family from the North. During the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, he served as an officer after joining the military and accompanied General Li Guangli on a distant expedition to Dayuan. However, his achievements were not remarkable. Now, twenty years have passed, and he is merely a supervisor of six hundred stones of fine horses..."

After eleven years of recuperation, the Han Empire, having restored its national strength, would certainly not tolerate such a situation for long

Muttering this incantation, Ren Hong stepped out of the inn and arrived at the courtyard of Xuanquan Zhi.

The most recent is the Red Line, the Sanwei Branch of the Flame Mountain, where not a blade of grass grows, presenting a bizarre reddish-brown, resembling fierce flames, hence the name

With these beacon towers guarding Dunhuang, the Xiongnu people dared not come to graze their horses and plunder.

Last year, he immediately sent Fu Jiezai with an imperial edict to go to Dayuan, striving to restore the tribute of heavenly horses from the reign of Emperor Wu. What does this signify?

Ren Hongfu: "That's right, it's the Pegasus!"

I only hope that Su Yanni and Chen Pengzu can lend a hand, conveying today's words to Fu Jiezai. Otherwise, we will have to wait until Fu Jiezai arrives at Xuanquan and intentionally let the Zhi Se Fu or Xia Weng mention it.

Ren Hong understood the reason why Xia Dingmao had to go out: in such a small place as Xuanquan, there were 37 people living there, including officials, soldiers, convicts, and servants, not to mention the numerous officials and travelers coming and going, making it extremely crowded and truly unsuitable for whispering.

Ren Hong, however, kept them in suspense: "How much does Elder Xia know about Fu Jiezhi?"

Despite the fact that the entire nation is tightening its belt, they are exhausted from this expedition

Emperor Wu of Han was also very pleased. When the heavenly horse entered the court, he personally took up his brush to compose a poem titled "Song of the Heavenly Horse from the West". In honor of this great auspicious event, he specially changed the era name to "Tianhan"

The "Classic of Horse Selection" states: Horses measuring over 6 feet are classified as horses, those over 7 feet are classified as lai, and what about those measuring over 8 feet

For the dragon

That is the Xisha Wasteland and the saline-alkali beach, beyond which, faintly visible thirty miles to the north, are beacon towers, one after another, standing like resolute sentinels, immobile, stretching from east to west for hundreds of miles, forming the Great Wall defense line in the northern part of Dunhuang

However, although Chen Pengzu intended to intimidate, his words were not unfounded; the Western Regions are indeed a perilous place that the people of the Central Plains regard with fear.

Unfortunately, the Ren family was implicated in the infamous movement known as the "Witchcraft Incident," resulting in the execution of Ren Hong's grandfather. Fortunately, the entire clan was not exterminated, and the Ren family was relocated to Dunhuang to contribute to the development of the nation's frontier.

The old servant, being dull-witted, still does not quite understand why the gentleman is so concerned about Fu Jiezhi

The ancestors of the Ren family were also affluent. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Ren Hong's grandfather was a high-ranking official in the court, having held a position equivalent to that of a senior official with a rank higher than 2,000 stones.

A year ago, Fu Jiezai was sent to the Western Regions and passed by Xuanquan Zhi. At that time, the old servant was a kitchen assistant and only remembered that this person had a very large appetite, especially enjoying chicken! Fu Jiezai alone consumed two whole chickens!

The farthest white line is the snow-capped mountains, which may be over a hundred miles away, and that is the Qilian Snow Mountain spanning the entire Hexi Corridor.

Ren Hong was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, riding a ghost. Not to mention that the汗血马 is quite fierce, can the young emperor manage to climb up without assistance? Take Huo Guang, a being who lives entirely for politics; his decisions and actions undoubtedly have clear political objectives.

"Criminal officials and their descendants are to be imprisoned for three generations"

Everyone lay on the couches of the guesthouse, chatting about the scenery of their hometowns, discussing news from the Western Regions and Chang'an. The accents from different prefectures converged here; although most of it was trivial chatter, over time, Ren Hong also gathered quite a bit of information

Ren Hongren could not help but say: "I know all of this, it is recorded in that volume of 'Expenses Ledger of the Horse Monitoring Station at Xuanquan'. Unfortunately, I arrived at Xuanquan too late and was unable to witness this scene with my own eyes"

The line in the middle is a black line, this is Sanwei Mountain, colored blackish-brown. It is said that in ancient times, Emperor Shun exiled the unruly Sanmiao to this place

Ren Hong saw that the small official at the inn was spreading out some musty bedding, beating off the dust, and allowing it to be sun-dried against the wall of the dock.

As for the official in charge of the eastern kitchen, the old servant of the Ren family, Xia Dingmao, who raised Ren Hong, was currently standing at the entrance of the eastern kitchen, reprimanding a guard...

Ren Hong has already named this road

However, in my memory, Mr. Zheng from Xiaogu County had little knowledge; he was neither well-versed in poetry nor familiar with the Spring and Autumn Annals. After studying for two years under Ren Hong, he only managed to memorize the literacy textbook "Fan Jiang Pian" written by Sima Xiangru, reciting it with a nod and a shake: "Bai lian, bai zhi, chang pu, mang xiao, guan jiao, zhu yu," and he could only recognize all the characters.

This summer Dingmao is quite clear: "Naturally, it is the汗血马!"

Old Man Xia

Ren Hong whispered to him

The sky is a breathtaking deep blue, devoid of any clouds, contrasting with the earthy yellow land.

The Horse Supervisor is subordinate to one of the Nine Ministers, the Grand Master of Horses, and holds the same rank and salary as a county magistrate

At this point, Ren Hong asked Xia Dingmao, "Old Xia, do you know what is most famous in the Dayuan Kingdom"

Fortunately, Ren Hong is strong and robust, and he also possesses some skills in wrestling and swordplay. In an era of widespread illiteracy, he can still boast of being "both literate and martial".

Opposite the lodging is the kitchen, where the smoke from cooking rises in wisps

Fortunately, in this day and age, there is not much entertainment at night, and Xuanquan Zhi does not offer special services. Therefore, chatting and engaging in casual conversation has become the only way for travelers to pass the long nights.

To the south of Xuanquan Zhi, there are three lines arranged from far to near, and from high to low:

This is what Su Yanniang and Chen Pengzu previously said to Ren Hong. The Han army has not ventured west beyond the Yumen Pass for over ten years, leading the countries of the Western Regions to show some neglect towards the Han Dynasty

It is almost mealtime now, and Old Summer has left the kitchen; is it really not a concern?

To the north of Xuanquan Zhi lies a stretch of Gobi desert, interspersed with poplar forests and peculiar willows, while more prevalent are small black pebbles and scattered tufts of grass

However, this tributary relationship has been interrupted for a long time