Chapter 002: The Special Envoy of Chang'an

The Anxi Protectorate was established with four major military garrisons: Shule, Yutian, Kuche, and Yanqi, collectively known as the Anxi Four Garrisons. However, after the outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion, most of the troops stationed in the Anxi Four Garrisons were redeployed, and the Hexi Corridor was cut off. This means that not only was the strength of the Anxi Four Garrisons weakened, but their communication with the court was also severed. At that time, it could truly be said that this place had become an enclave.

"Envoy, are you awake?" the oldest among them spoke. Zhang Mai was not a linguist and could not discern his origin from the accent, but it sounded like someone from a dialect region speaking Mandarin, quite "non-standard".

It is better not to respond; first, ask clearly what has happened.

"Over a thousand years?" The two elderly men exchanged glances and said in unison, "It hasn't been over a thousand years."

Guo Xin? Sounds somewhat familiar...

So you have waited for over a thousand years? The loyalty of these people moved Zhang Mai somewhat, yet he still found it hard to believe

A few elderly men exchanged glances once more, and finally, the oldest among them patted his forehead and said, "Oh dear, it is no longer ours."

What are these people doing? Are they acting? Zhang Mai knows that occasionally some film crews come to the desert.

Chang'an? What a classical name, isn't it? That city is now renamed Xi'an, isn't it?

He suddenly thought of a very practical question: these people claim to be descendants of the soldiers from the Four Towns of Anxi; could it be true? After all, the other party has no reason to create such a grand spectacle to deceive him, as there is no benefit to be gained. If this is indeed a prank, then the acting skills of these individuals are truly remarkable

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mai recalled Alaska, a territory of the United States that is also an exclave, separated by Canada. However, from what Guo Shidao said, it is evident that the exclave of Anxi is isolated due to the human factor of war.

Suddenly, the words on that imperial edict flashed through my mind

It is truly hard to believe

Zhang Mai is indeed aware of the An-Shi Rebellion, and he also knows about Mount Tian. The topographic map of China in his bundle clearly marks it. But where is the Congling? Ah, right, when passing through Kashgar, the tour guide seemed to mention that Congling is what is referred to as the "Pamir Plateau" on modern maps.

Saved

Oh, her name is Guo Fen, but...

At the same time, his eyes were fixed on this group of people, yet he felt that they were not making a joke at his expense. Their expressions were all very serious

I was dizzy earlier, it seems I... I'm sorry, it was not intentional

The young girl made a sound of acknowledgment, as if in response yet not truly responding

As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I was about to ask if you were missing an extra, reciting the script to me so I could fill in the numbers. Just then, Guo Shidao sighed and said: "What you say is true, how could those from Chang'an know the names of our group? However, you should know the name Guo Xin, right?"

Guo Shidao spoke slowly: In those years, the territory of the Tang Dynasty in the Western Regions gradually fell, the Hexi Corridor was cut off, and the Tang people stranded in the Western Regions were at a loss, surrounded by the Khitan, Tibetan, and Arab peoples... All around were foreign tribes, and they all eyed the Tang people with hostility

What envoy has come from Chang'an

Guo Xin

The other old man said: "Yes, yes."

He glanced at the people in front of him: "What is the relationship between Guo Xin and you?"

Ah! Zhang Maiguo looked at Guo Fen, from old to young, with a glance that revealed disbelief in his eyes

The left cheek is still throbbing with a hot pain, while the lips feel a slight coolness, as if they are in contact with water

"What envoy?" Zhang Mai found his voice somewhat hoarse, likely due to prolonged thirst

Zhang Mai has heard that there are descendants of the National Army in Myanmar, who have retained their bloodline and even military structure after several decades. He has also heard that some of the people who accompanied Zheng He on his voyages to the West remained in Africa for hundreds of years and still have descendants. However, they have become quite different from the Chinese. As for the soldiers from the Tang Dynasty who settled in Central Asia, it is said that there are still descendants today.

Zhang Mai suddenly thought: "So that's it. In that case, the five Central Asian countries I visited, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, all used to belong to the Tang Dynasty. Of course, the desert where I got lost also belonged to the Tang Dynasty. And what about Afghanistan? Isn't it part of China? Huh, why didn't that Central Asian tour guide mention this?"

Ah! It seems the envoy has awakened

As he gradually became more alert, Zhang Mai's mind also became clearer. He wanted to ask the young lady, "Where is this place? Who are you people?" However, the words that came to his lips were instead, "Is your name Fen'er?"

What a joke, the descendants of the Tang Dynasty soldiers remaining in Central Asia

The young woman's face flushed, and she suddenly exclaimed, "Father, he seems to be fully awake."

What is a fish token? Zhang Mai does not know that the fish token is actually a tiger token, which has been the military command seal used throughout various dynasties in China. During the Tang Dynasty, in order to avoid the taboo associated with Li Hu (who was the grandfather of Li Yuan), the tiger token was changed to a fish token. However, at this moment, Zhang Mai did not dare to ask casually. Just now, his eyes lit up not because he understood, but because he noticed that this fish token was almost identical to the fish-shaped token he had discovered beside the skeleton.

Then let us start from the beginning

To start from the beginning? Alright. Let us first discuss the Anxi Protectorate. The Tang Dynasty's rule over the Western Regions primarily established the Beiting Protectorate and the Anxi Protectorate. The jurisdiction of the Beiting Protectorate lies north of the Tianshan Mountains, which is now behind us. The area south of the Tianshan Mountains, extending to the west of the Congling Mountains, falls under the administration of the Anxi Protectorate

His remarks served as a brief supplement of knowledge about the Four Towns of Anxi for Zhang Mai. From Lanzhou to Kashgar, the tour guide shared many stories related to the Tang Dynasty along the way. However, once outside the country, foreign tour guides rarely mentioned the connection between this land and the Tang Dynasty. At most, in Kyrgyzstan, the tour guide claimed that their country contributed a world-class poet, Li Bai—what a joke! Is Li Bai a foreigner? At most, in Kyrgyzstan, the tour guide claimed that their country contributed a world-class poet, Li Bai—what a joke! Is Li Bai a foreigner?

The group of oddly dressed individuals surrounded me again, and then the somewhat fierce one repeated the same question: "Young man, are you truly an envoy from Chang'an?"

envoy

Zhang Mai struggled to open his eyes and found himself lying in a cave. Several people surrounded him, among them two elderly men in their fifties dressed in ancient clothing, a middle-aged man, and a young man. However, what brought him joy was that the spirited young woman was also among them. Yet, when she made eye contact with Zhang Mai, she quickly averted her gaze, appearing somewhat shy.

What place is this? Who are you... who exactly are you?

Zhang Mai felt a buzzing in his head, faintly sensing that something serious had occurred. He noticed the old man’s eyes radiating a light of vigilance and even skepticism, realizing that if he did not respond appropriately, it might lead to trouble.

Guo Shidao seemed to sense Zhang Mai's suspicion and said to the valiant young man: "It appears that the envoy still does not believe. Luo'er, bring out the fish talisman left by our ancestors."

The old man said: "We only think about clarifying his origins, but the special envoy must also know our background in order to establish his identity. The special envoy has traveled from Chang'an to here, enduring countless hardships along the way; he certainly cannot reveal everything to everyone he encounters."

Zhang Mai instinctively felt that if he were to honestly deny it now, it would likely lead to unfavorable consequences

How is it?

Zhang Mai listened to them still insisting on calling themselves "special envoys," and he found it amusing. He then heard the old man say: "Special envoy..." He thought to himself that Zhang Mai had not yet admitted to being a special envoy, so he changed his words: "This young gentleman, I am called Guo Shidao..." He pointed to the somewhat fierce-looking old man: "This is Yang Dingguo..." Next, he pointed to a middle-aged man around forty: "This is my sworn brother An Shoujing." He pointed to a young man in his early twenties who resembled him a bit: "This is my son Guo Luo. https://mhetushucomcom" Finally, he pointed to the young lady: "This is my daughter Guo Fen."

However, he quickly refuted this speculation: the possibility of being isolated from the world for over 1,000 years is too low

Zhang Mai's eyes lit up, as he was being stared at by a large crowd. This subtle expression was surprisingly noticed by Yang Dingguo, who remarked, "The envoy indeed recognizes the fish symbol"

He discovered that his bundle, along with the three antiques, was missing

Have these people really hidden away in the deep mountains and forests, or in small oases in the desert, for over a thousand years without being discovered? Just like those who sought refuge from Qin Shi Huang in the Peach Blossom Spring, hiding for centuries to the point of being unaware of the Han dynasty, let alone the Wei and Jin periods

He did not articulate it, but his gaze had already conveyed everything. Guo Shidao and Yang Dingguo exchanged a glance, and Guo Shidao said: "It seems the envoy still doubts our identities. Very well, I shall recount our origins in detail, so that the envoy may have no doubts in his heart. However, we have been cut off from Chang'an for a long time, and I do not know what the envoy is aware of or unaware of, truly unsure of where to begin."

Zhang Mai blurted out: "Anxi Protectorate? Four Towns Military Commissioner?"

Guo Xin is an ancestor of the old man, and we are all descendants of the soldiers from the four towns of Anxi

The individuals exchanged a few glances, and the young woman said: "I believe... the envoy may be fatigued, and his body has not yet recovered, which is why his mind seems somewhat unclear"

Several elderly individuals, upon hearing him reveal Guo Xin's background, displayed expressions of joy on their faces, further affirming that Zhang Mai's words were indeed on point. Guo Shidao called out: "Did the special envoy remember?"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Zhang Mai interrupted him, saying: "What use are all these names to me! I don't even know any of you."

Following this, Guo Shidao took out the fish token brought by Zhang Mai: "I, Guo Xinguo, once dispatched fifteen groups of envoys to Chang'an to submit memorials, yet we waited in vain for a response even as the four towns fell one after another. We have endured in the Western Regions, holding on to hope for this fish token and this imperial decree..." Tears welled in his eyes: "After the passing of Guo Xinguo, the descendants of the four towns still refuse to give up hope, even to this day, yet we have waited for countless years!"

Over a thousand years! How is that possible

Do you remember? It's not that I remember; I just saw that name on the imperial edict, and moreover...

"I just woke up, and you all suddenly start asking this and that..." Zhang Mai said, "I would like to ask you, who are you! Also, where are my things?"

The oldest man nodded, seemingly in agreement with the young girl's statement

The young man Guo Luo turned around to fetch a small box. The box was quite old, yet it was well-preserved. Guo Shidao took a key from his pocket and carefully opened the box. Inside were some aged documents. After removing the documents, he finally found a fish-shaped token at the very bottom.

Fen'er, you stay behind to take care of the envoy

"You are not an envoy, so this..." The elderly man took out the imperial edict and said: "How could this edict be in your possession?"

"Aren't you an envoy? Aren't you an envoy from Chang'an?" Another elder remarked, noting that his appearance was somewhat fierce

At that moment, a young man rushed in from outside the cave, exclaiming: "This is bad! The Khitan have found this area; we must leave quickly"

The body seems to gradually regain strength. Before seeing anything, I first heard voices; many people were talking. The accent was somewhat peculiar, resembling Cantonese but not entirely so. It seemed to contain elements of both southern and northern dialects, yet I could still vaguely understand it— it was Chinese.

They moved away, gathering about seven or eight steps from Zhang Mai, whispering among themselves. Zhang Mai vaguely heard something: "Is he not an envoy?" "But what he said was in Huayan..." "Huayan is Huayan, but his accent is off." "Although it's off, it's not a Hu accent. Our Great Tang has vast territory and numerous dialects... Perhaps... where is he from?" "Huayan is Huayan, but his accent is off." "Although it's off, it's not a Hu accent. Our Great Tang has vast territory and numerous dialects... Perhaps... where is he from?"