A Letter of State

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yang of Sui established the Shanglin Garden in Luoyang City. The garden had a perimeter of 200 li and included three mountains, three palaces, pavilions, moon towers, sixteen courtyards, and more.

During the Great Tang, Shanglin Garden was renamed and its area was reduced, but its circumference was still more than 120 li.

Zheng Tianchang's royal palace and gardens continued to expand until his death, showing a desire to rival Yang Guang.

The total area is already an irregular polygon, with a total side length of about sixty li.

Chu Tianshu, who was temporarily residing in West Brightness Pool, found a Xiangge (fragrant pavilion) nearby to stay in.

He's been making medicine here recently, and the area around the incense pavilion is filled with the lingering aroma of herbs.

As the sun rises today, the flowers and birds in the garden are at ease.

Sparrows hopped about on the branches, and Li Chenxiang walked past them.

When they arrived at the Fragrant Pavilion, Cheng Xin and Su Xian also happened to be walking over.

Li Chenxiang smiled and raised his hand in a gesture of respect to the two of them.

While Cheng Xin was imprisoned, he regularly took poison. In addition, he had suffered many hidden injuries from his early years in the military, making his situation quite complicated.

Chu Tianshu not only taught him the medicine formulary, but also had him come every morning to check his pulse and give him a pill.

Li and Su's situation is relatively simple; they were only injured in the battle. They studied the medicine formulas and prescribed medicine for themselves. They came over in the morning simply to greet Chu Tianshu and ask him if there were any errors or omissions in the medicine they prescribed.

"Recently, I've been brewing myself medicine every day, and I feel much clearer-headed."

Su Xian laughed, "Now that I think about it, I should have found a river route to the sea back in Kingdom of Chenla."

"If we travel by sea, we will be less likely to be tracked. Landing in the Jianghuai or Qilu regions and then heading straight for Chang'an is much easier than our land route, which involves traversing thousands of mountains and rivers and crossing various countries."

Li Chenxiang shook his head. "Even if we take the waterway, I'm afraid we won't be able to leave Kingdom of Chenla before we're intercepted."

"If we fight on the water, we might be in an even more sorry state, and we won't have a chance to meet Senior Chu then."

Su Xian thought about it and couldn't help but nod.

He only remembered the waterway last night; now it seems Li Chenxiang must have considered it long ago.

It's no wonder he's not as quick-witted as younger people.

The main reason is that over the years, he traveled between Chenla and Great Tang, and there were places to do business along the way, so the caravan route never involved the sea.

One reason is the inertia of thought.

Furthermore, the escort team for the Divine Drum was repeatedly intercepted. The people under Su Xian's command were originally just caravan workers, each with their own families, unlike the royal guards under Li Chenxiang who had been raised by the royal family since childhood.

Su Xian's mental pressure was naturally greater.

Now that the Divine Drum is in Chu Tianshu's hands, he feels much more relaxed.

He was no longer in such a hurry to return to Chang'an.

Ultimately, if this extraordinary treasure, the Divine Drum, were rashly sent to Chang'an, a city rife with intrigue and complexities, it would likely cause quite a few undercurrents.

Su Xian had no other choice at the time. He felt that places outside of Chang'an were even more dangerous and uncertain, which is why he was so eager to run away.

Now that Chu Tianshu is in charge, it would be safer to wait here for someone to come and meet us before setting off together.

The three chatted for a few moments, then saw the doors of the Fragrant Pavilion open, and they straightened their clothes and stepped inside.

Inside the incense pavilion, there are large windows on all four sides, with carved beams and painted rafters, bright light, a set of tables and chairs, a cloud bed, a few soft cushions, and an incense burner.

Chu Tianshu was going to make medicine here, so there were some more earthenware pots and ceramics in the room.

He sat at the table, took the pulses of the three men, and nodded slightly.

"Things are all good, but Cheng Xin, you're still overthinking things."

Chu Tianshu took a pill from the earthenware jar and handed it to Cheng Xin.

Cheng Xin swallowed it on the spot.

"Alas, only when I truly take charge of national affairs do I realize how arduous they are. Originally, I only managed military matters, which were far simpler in comparison."

Cheng Xin adopted a solemn expression and said, "Uncle, you'll be going to Chang'an sooner or later, won't you?"

Chu Tianshu nodded and smiled.

"Of course, when I went to that city before, Hai Donglai tricked me. I had to rush through the night, taking all sorts of strange routes, and I didn't even have time to properly appreciate the scenery before I left."

He said hopefully, "This time, I not only want to see the city, but I'm also very interested in the people who live there now."

Once someone familiar with the situation arrives to meet him, Chu Tianshu will take the drum to Chang'an.

He wanted to see just how many people would come lingering in front of him because of that drum.

Cheng Xin seemed to have made a major decision, and said slowly, "I would like to ask my uncle to bring a letter of state with him at that time."

Chu Tianshu asked with some confusion, "A letter of state?"

"Indeed, the Great Kingdom of Tianchang, or rather, my Nanzhao, wishes to submit to the Tang Dynasty."

Cheng Xin said, "We are all tied up, and the others don't seem to have enough influence. It seems that only Uncle is the most suitable."

The old man knelt down on one knee again, his sincerity utterly evident.

"We earnestly hope that our great-uncle can help us deliver the official letter!"

Both Li Chenxiang and Su Xian showed surprise.

Chu Tianshu also realized what was happening.

In the past, Yimouxun and others were at most nominally vassals of the Great Tang and accepted royal titles bestowed by the emperor. In reality, they still managed domestic affairs themselves.

Does Cheng Xin mean he's preparing to become a subject of the Great Tang Dynasty directly, and thus accept official appointments from the Great Tang to govern the region?

He recalled his hometown's history; it seemed that the Nanzhao Kingdom was only fully assimilated during the Yuan and Ming dynasties.

Moreover, it was won by a large army.

What are you thinking...?

Chu Tianshu said, "You're voluntarily requesting to be annexed?"

Cheng Xin had clearly given this matter considerable thought and consulted with a large number of court officials before he began to explain it in detail.

Firstly, considering the nation's strength, with martial arts flourishing and the Great Tang's elite border troops capable of ignoring miasma and pestilence, traversing mountains and valleys, and arriving in a day after setting out in the morning.

In fact, Nanzhao had long since lost the will to resist the Great Tang.

Secondly, since Duan Zhong, Yimouxun's attitude has undergone a greater change, and the customs and traditions of the Tang People have long been rooted in the local area.

Not only were the Tang People were captured or migrated able to preserve their own culture, but they also shared it with people of other ethnic groups.

Today, when people of different ethnic groups in this land have difficulty communicating using their local dialects, they turn to Tang People.

Their sense of identity as both Nanzhao and Tang People people was much stronger than their sense of identity as part of the "Great Kingdom of Tianchang".

There's a third reason.

Cheng Xin said, "In fact, the civil and military education system established over the past sixty years in the Great Tang has already produced a wealth of talented individuals within the country."

"Many people, even if they do a good job, may be ousted due to power struggles in the court shortly after taking office, and many more don't even have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents."

"And what we need right now is such talent."

Su Xian's eyebrows twitched with delight. He said, "Without resorting to war, the entire country has submitted. Isn't this exactly what the ancient sage kings did..."

As he said this, he suddenly realized that the emperor didn't seem to have that much power nowadays.

Never mind, even if it wasn't the emperor's achievement, it was at least an achievement of the Great Tang.

The credit shouldn't be attributed solely to the emperor; shouldn't we, as Great Tang, be even more proud?

Su Xian quickly replied, "I already wrote to my family in Chang'an, requesting reinforcements from the Inner Guard. I heard that the current commander of the Inner Guard is named Nie Hongxian, and he is usually very decisive. He should be arriving soon."

"When the local officials present the letter of state to the Chu elder, we can ask Commander Nie to be a witness."

Nie Hongxian was originally an official of the Great Tang, so he naturally could not represent Nanzhao to deliver the state letter, but he was more than qualified to be a public witness.

At this moment, Su Xian just needs to be happy.

Li Chenxiang had many more thoughts on this.

However, the customs of Kingdom of Chenla were quite different from those of the Great Tang Dynasty, and they were also quite far apart.

"At least for my generation, we don't have to worry too much."

As Li Chenxiang thought about it, she suddenly felt more open-minded and was also happy for the atmosphere present.

"Since you've all thought it through, what's so difficult about simply bringing along a letter of credence?"

Chu Tianshu smiled and said, "Then you should go prepare the official letter. I need to continue practicing my martial arts."

Upon hearing this, the three took their leave.

They all knew that Chu Tianshu had been striking that Divine Drum while practicing his skills recently.

Even if one is outside the imperial garden, the faint sound of drums would make one feel uneasy, and of course one would not dare to linger.

Chu Tianshu got up, sat cross-legged on the cushion, opened the wooden box beside him, and took out the Mountain King Divine Drum.

"Give me three pills first."

He opened three earthenware jars beside him and took out three pills in turn: red, green, and white. He held the red and green pills under his tongue and pressed the white pill against his palate.

The drum was placed on his legs, close to his dantian, and when he struck it, its effect on his internal energy became even more pronounced.

Lately, he's been practicing his martial arts while holding medicine in his mouth and drumming at the same time.

"Heavenly fragrance and wondrous dance, the Bright King in hand. A powerful wind rises from the heavens, stirring the waters of the three rivers..."

The drumbeats rang out, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, in a rhythmic pattern.

Chu Tianshu used the Wisdom King Finger Spear technique in his hands, and also sang the ballad "Rain and Wind, Wisdom King Finger Spear" in his mouth.

The drumbeats gradually reached their climax, with the force of a sudden storm, like rain pounding on banana leaves.

My thoughts and feelings became chaotic.

"My heart is filled with unresolved sorrow, and I think of you every night. Especially on this night, with the lamp flickering and me alone in this empty hall..."

When the finger is pressed down, the sound is powerful and resonant, like a quiet stroll and contemplation in a deserted garden after the rain, with a cool breeze blowing.

Autumn has yet to dawn, the wind and rain are still raging. Without learning the ascetic's way, how can one forget one's former heart...?

Chu Tianshu became increasingly engrossed in striking the keys, his unique internal energy circulating with a low whistle.

Delicate emerald-colored ripples spread out from all over his body in countless tiny points.

The entire incense pavilion became dimly lit.

The person in the pavilion seemed to be facing the wind and rain alone.

The local climate is humid, and it was chilly in the early morning.

On the West Brightness Pool, as if a resonance had occurred, ripples stirred and carp surfaced.

The nearby flowering trees swayed, and a cool breeze began to rise.

Autumn has yet to arrive, and the wind and rain are still raging!

The alien energy silently seeped into his body, and he gradually captured it, rapidly surging and refining it.

The drumbeats started and stopped, stopped and started again.

This was repeated multiple times within an hour.

When the drumbeats reached their most intense moment of the day, lasting for more than a dozen breaths with relentless, rapid pounding, they abruptly stopped.

"Call..."

After a long while, the strange light in Chu Tianshu's eyes subsided, the pill in his mouth completely dissolved, and he exhaled a mouthful of grayish-white turbid impurities.

Although the medicine provided relief and the meridians were not damaged, a sour and astringent sensation still arose.

Such a rapid search for and refinement of foreign spiritual energy is akin to bending a steel wire hundreds of times in a single instant, subjecting the meridians to such extreme stress.

However, the progress is also encouraging. After these few days, Chu Tianshu can clearly feel that he is only a tiny bit away from the Leakless Mystic Art.

After putting away the Divine Drum, Chu Tianshu, following his habit of the past few days, took out the Three-Seven Sword.

After practicing with the Divine Drum, while waiting for the meridians to fully recover, it's inevitable to feel a bit lazy.

Chu Tianshu used this time to cultivate his Weapon Soul.

He drew his sword and placed it across his lap. He first took out a handful of mineral powder and spread it evenly on the sword. Then he forced out blood from his fingertips, mixed it with the powder, and began to apply it.

The Sanqi Divine Sword initially trembled slightly as if stimulated.

Soon, it calmed down comfortably, and a sense of joy emanated from its Weapon Soul.

Meanwhile, outside the royal city.

A troop of well-equipped soldiers sped past on the official road.

The village girl, who had just emerged from the forest, carried a few dry firewood on her back and held a wood-chopping knife in her hand, staring blankly at the departing horses and men.

The leader of that group of people was also a woman.

Dressed in fine clothes, riding a spirited horse, and wearing long boots, with a long sword hanging from the saddle.

Her elegant and refined demeanor outshone everyone else following behind her.

"What a beautiful person."

The village girl wiped the sweat from her forehead, a hint of envy in her eyes, and strode towards the royal city.

(End of this chapter)