The large-scale wedding ceremony was held on the grassland on the outskirts of Han'er Bali, although the weather was cold, but the enthusiasm of the Hui people was like the arrival of spring, 40,000 Hui people spontaneously came to the grassland to watch this unprecedented grand occasion, nearly 1,000 tents had already been set up in hundreds of hectares of open space, most of them were nobles from the nine Hui tribes and some of their clansmen, and more than 20,000 cavalry maintained order around the site.

The wedding ceremony is equivalent to the current engagement ceremony, although the marriage can only be shared after the wedding, but the name has been booked after the wedding ceremony, if there is no major reason, such as war or the death of the person concerned, the Tang princess will be ironclad to become the wife of the loyal khan.

The tents were particularly lively, the guards and servants slaughtered and boiled sheep like an assembly line, and brought plates of fruits and wine brought by Sogdian merchants from the West into the main tent for the wedding, the big tent was already arranged with golden splendor, the ground was covered with gold and silver threads, and the curtain from Samarkand was hung all around, and there were glittering golden utensils everywhere, two gold-backed chairs inlaid with precious stones were placed in the center, and there was an extremely large table, which was full of fragrant mutton and fruit and vegetable wine syrup, considering the possible feelings of the princess of the Tang Dynasty, In the four corners of the big tent were placed several huge Central Plains porcelain vases.

In addition, on the other side of the big tent, there are piles of dowry gifts sent in advance, there are all kinds of books, fine silk, boxes of coins and specialties from all over the Tang Dynasty, of course, here is only a very small part, it is a private gift from the princess to the future husband, the real Datang dowry will be sent within a year, 300,000 stone grain, 20,000 silk, 200,000 money, more than 300 skilled craftsmen, in order to show the importance of the Tang Dynasty to the marriage between the two countries.

At this moment, in addition to the servants who deliver food, there are a few Manichaeans who are arranging the big tent, Manichaeism is the state religion of Hui, and the influence of Manichaeism should also be reflected in the wedding ceremony, that is, the existence of fire, the golden brazier that burns the holy fire. curtains and carpets with the flame motif, etc.

Three Manichaeans were busy in the tent, two of them were hanging a curtain while the other was laying out a carpet close to the princess's present, and the eyes of the Manichaeans on the carpet fell on a celadon flask, which was placed on a gold plate. There are two glasses next to it, and the jug is filled with fine wine, and the princess will personally toast the loyal khan in a few moments.

The cultist glanced back quietly, and the other two congregants were standing on a high stool to install the curtain, the long curtain with the holy flame hanging down, obscuring everyone's view, and he took a paper bag from his hat and quickly opened the lid of the flask

It was getting dark, and it was about a hundred paces away from the main tent. Hundreds of Uighur nobles, officials, high-ranking generals, Sogdian merchants, Manichaean archbishops, and so on were surrounding the well-dressed loyal khan in anticipation of the arrival of the Tang princess.

To his left stood the national teacher Suerman, who chatted with the right general while chatting and laughing, but his eyes glanced at the main tent from time to time. The three Manichaeans had already been arranged, and the last one made eye contact with Surman, who smiled knowingly, turned back to Jangas, who was standing not far away, and nodded slightly to him.

At this time it was getting dark, and there was still no news of the procession to greet the princess, and many of the impatient people returned to the city, and the loyal khan was also a little impatient, and he turned back and ordered: "Send someone to take a look." Why hasn't the team that arrived long ago come? ”

As soon as the words fell, several nobles suddenly pointed to the distance and shouted, only to see that a large group of people finally appeared in the dim sky, and the welcoming horns on the grassland sounded in unison, and the princess of the Tang Dynasty was about to arrive at the ceremony.

In the carriage, Li Su looked at the tent group that was getting closer and closer with mixed feelings. I saw a large group of Uighur nobles walking towards this side. The man at the head seems to be the Loyal Khan. Her heart grew heavy. Pei Mingyuan kept saying that she had the opportunity not to marry this person. But now that opportunity seems to be getting farther and farther away. Li Su secretly glanced at Pei Mingyuan, who was not far from her. Seeing his solemn expression. Li Su had to sigh secretly. The curtain was closed.

Pei Mingyuan was equally worried. Although His Majesty told him that there would be a conspiracy among the Hui people. But where will this conspiracy appear? What kind of technique is used. What will be the consequences. He didn't know anything. can only passively dance with this unknown conspiracy. But he also has the responsibility of keeping the princess safe. The pressure was so great that he couldn't put a smile on his face. He once thought of using a maid to pretend to be a princess. But that would throw away the dignity of Datang. It's a very stupid thing to do. But His Majesty's will comes first. He couldn't discuss a plan to get out with Yao Luo Geling. The only way he could think of it was for the princess to arrive at the ceremony venue after dark. Such. The ceremony can only be postponed until tomorrow. One night could have really happened.

The roaring sound of the horn echoed across the prairie. The cavalry of the brigade came forward. Banner exhibition. Hunt and fly in the cold wind. Hui Xiangguo Jie Gangasi laughed and greeted Pei Mingyuan. In proficient Chinese, he said: "Pei Yuanjun has worked hard all the way. ”

Pei Mingyuan hurriedly smiled and said, "The prime minister is here to greet him personally." Mingyuan really didn't dare to be. But the princess was a little tired. Can you give her a break? ”

Pei Zhijun rest assured. This Khan of my family has already thought it through. Pointing to the tent in the distance, he smiled and said, "It's still night." The princess might as well have a good night's rest. Hold the wedding ceremony tomorrow morning. ”

Pei Mingyuan nodded slightly. "Then everything will be done."

At this moment, the loyal khan had already arrived in front of the princess's car, he bowed and said with a smile: "Ben Khan is about to become a family with the princess, I hope the princess can like the grassland and become a bridge of friendship between the Tang and Hui families." ”

After a while, Li Sucai replied slowly in the carriage: "I have brought many books from the Tang Dynasty, these are advanced Tang culture, I hope that the Khan will read more in his spare time, and teach them to his subjects, I will have many skilled craftsmen in painting, architecture, ceramics and other fields in the Tang Dynasty in the future, and I also hope that their arrival can bring a new atmosphere to the life of the Hui people, as for the relationship between the Tang and Hui families, as long as the Hui can really regard the Tang Dynasty as their own relatives, not provoked by outsiders, do not think about it, Datang will never treat his brotherly state badly. ”

"The princess is well aware of the righteousness, Ben Khan has been taught, and now it is too late, please let the princess rest and hold a formal wedding ceremony tomorrow morning. Ben Khan wanted to see a princess full of smiles and vitality. ”

"Alright! I'm feeling a little unwell, so I'm going to rest first. ”

The carriage turned its way and headed for the big tent designated for the princess to rest, while fifteen hundred guards were stationed two miles east of it, with only a few dozen men guarding the princess's carriage, and the loyal khan watched as her carriage vanished. couldn't help but be a little frustrated, he wanted to have a good chat with the princess in the evening, but in the current situation, the princess would not give him this opportunity.

The camp tent of the Tang princess is about two miles away from the main tent, that is, in the easternmost part of the thousands of camp tents, and the vast grassland is in the distance, except for the 1,500 cavalry of the Tang army, the Hui army is not stationed, it is said that this is arranged by the Hui Xiangguo Jie Gangas. The reason was to take into account the more than 1,000 cavalry guards in the princess's land, and not let them get too close to the Great Khan's tent, but this arrangement made Pei Mingyuan feel quite strange. If something happens, it will be very easy for the princess to escape, Pei Mingyuan feels that this arrangement may have a hidden purpose.

"Pei Envoy Jun!" A soldier rushed over, galloped in front of him, and saluted, "Lieutenant Li has something important to report to you, please let you go quickly." ”

Pei Mingyuan was shocked, he hurriedly urged the horse to rush to the temporary camp of the Tang army, and as soon as he entered the camp, the lieutenant Li Zhongyu hurriedly greeted him, and said urgently: "Pei Yuanjun." I have just been reported by the scouts that a 30,000-strong Uighur army has appeared twenty miles to the north, and another 40,000-strong army has also appeared in the south, galloping past the city of Harlem, and is slowly approaching this side. ”

Pei Mingyuan nodded slowly, he already understood what was about to happen, it was the Hui military who was going to make chaos, no matter whether the impending conspiracy was successful or not, the army would control the situation. Placing the princess in the easternmost part must be to attack the princess and the Tang army first, and then kill the Hui Khan in the chaos and frame the princess.

Jie Gangas. Pei Mingyuan can already be sure that this person must be the mastermind, and only he can control the army and the entire situation in Huifu.

Thinking of this, he immediately said to Li Zhongyu: "You immediately lead a team of cavalry to escort the princess to go first, and go to the east to wait for me." If it's dawn, I'm not here yet. You go back to Datang first, the matter is urgent. You prepare immediately, and I'll persuade the princess on her side. ”

After that, he turned around and walked outside the tent, Pei Mingyuan walked quickly to the princess's big tent, several female guards stood at the tent door, he stepped forward and said, "Please tell the princess, I have something urgent to see her." ”

"The princess has already rested, if Pei Yuanjun has anything to say, please talk about it tomorrow!" The two female guards coldly refused his request.

Pei Mingyuan held back the anger in his heart and said again: "I'll tell you again, the matter is very urgent, and it is about the life of the princess tonight, you should go and report to me immediately." ”

"Is it Pei Yuanjun?" Li Su's voice came from the big tent, "Please let him in!" ”

The two maids had no choice but to open the tent curtain, Pei Mingyuan bowed down and walked into the big tent, Li Su had not rested, she had just finished bathing, she was wearing a loose palace skirt, her long hair was draped over her shoulders, the two maids were combing her hair, and there was a faint fragrance in the big tent.

"Pei Yuanjun, but what you said happened?" Li Su turned her head, and under the soft light, her face was exquisite, and her beautiful eyes were unusually bright.

Pei Mingyuan nodded, "Please princess pack up her belongings immediately and leave immediately, the sooner the better!" ”

"What about Pei Yuanjun?" Li Su looked into his eyes and asked in a low voice, "Are you going with me too?" ”

"Nope! I can't go, I have to sit here before it happens, or I'll endanger the princess's life. ”

Li Su stood up, she slowly walked in front of Pei Mingyuan, looked at him deeply, and said word by word: "You have to tell me what is going to happen, otherwise I will never leave." ”

Pei Mingyuan read a kind of resoluteness in her bright eyes that he had never seen before, and he was not allowed to find any excuses, he sighed secretly, and said helplessly: "Our scouts have discovered that a large group of Hui cavalry is approaching this side, I am afraid that there will be a mutiny in Hui Hui tonight, so please leave the princess immediately." ”

"You've known that for a long time, haven't you?"

"You only pack some of your belongings, and don't take the rest." Pei Mingyuan didn't answer Li Su's question, he turned around and ordered the two maids, "You guys don't clean up quickly, don't stand there and be stunned." ”

The two maids glanced at the princess, and seeing that she didn't say anything, she still didn't move, Li Su looked at Pei Mingyuan blankly, and left by herself. Then all the risks will be borne by him, she suddenly understood Pei Mingyuan's true intentions, the reason why he refused to leave was that he hoped that he could escape this difficulty, suddenly, all kinds of tastes surged in Li Su's heart, and she silently turned around and nodded to the maid. The two maids immediately turned around and cleaned up.

"Are you going to die?" Li Su suddenly asked when Pei Mingyuan was about to leave the big tent.

Pei Mingyuan stood still, he stood for a while, and then said lightly: "It doesn't matter if I die or not, the important thing is that you can't die, this is my duty, Your Royal Highness Princess!" After speaking, he left Li Su's tent directly and walked outside the tent, he looked up at the starry sky. With a long breath of white air, he suddenly remembered his daughter in Chang'an, which was his only flesh and blood. is only five years old this year, if she really has any strengths and weaknesses, Pei Ying should raise her for herself.

At this time, Li Zhongyu led a cavalry team of five hundred people to slowly drive over, and there was the princess's carriage in the team, "Pei Yuanjun, has Her Royal Highness the princess packed up?" ”

"I've got it covered." As soon as the curtain was lifted, Li Su walked out of the big tent, and she had already put on a fur coat. The high hat collar covered her face, several maids followed behind with more than a dozen packages, the soldier opened the car door, Li Su didn't say anything to Pei Mingyuan, she got into the carriage directly, and the maid also followed, the soldier closed the car door, Li Zhongyu hugged Pei Mingyuan and said, "Please take care of Pei Yuanjun, let's go first." ”

"General Li is also careful all the way."

The carriage started slowly. Heading east in the sound of horses' hooves, the curtain suddenly opened, revealing Li Su's pretty face, she looked at Pei Mingyuan blankly, slowly raised her hand, and waved it lightly at him, her eyes were full of endless attachment.

Pei Mingyuan smiled, he clenched his fists and arched his hand at her, and said in a low voice: "Princess." You will definitely be able to return to Datang safely. ”

The carriage is getting farther and farther away. Gradually disappeared into the dark night, Pei Mingyuan's heart finally fell. He looked back at the landlord's tent, and looked at the great dome reflected in the firelight, wondering what was going to happen there tonight.

The loyal khan stayed in the main tent at the moment, and the banquet scheduled for tonight was also temporarily canceled by him, he was in a really bad mood, staying alone in the big tent and drinking stuffy wine, he was not stupid, he could understand the princess's indifference to him, if it was a month earlier, he would not care about this coldness, maybe he would treat it as a little woman who the princess did not want to marry north, but now the princess's coldness stung his self-esteem, what she said, that kind of condescending attitude, made him feel arrogant, The Tang Dynasty defeated the Great Cannibal in Broken Leaves and dominated the Western Regions, of course he would look down on his overtures, and the fist of the loyal khan gradually clenched, crumpling a golden cup into a ball, could it be that Hui Hui would always be a vassal of the Tang Dynasty?

"Khan, the national teacher asks to see." A soldier at the door reported.

"Let him in!" The loyal khan tossed the deflated golden cup in his hand aside, picked up the flask and poured it directly into his mouth.

"Khan seems to be in a bad mood!" Sulman had already entered the tent, he glanced at the gifts given by the Tang princess silently, still stacked there, the pot of wine had not been touched, only five feet away from the seat of the loyal khan, he sat down with a smile on his face, and asked with concern: "The khan is about to get married, he should be happy, why did he feel so bad, but what happened?" ”

"It's nothing, that princess is so arrogant, I really can't stand her." Loyal Khan drank too much, his tongue began to curl a little, and he glanced at Sulman with red eyes, "Come! You also have a drink. He looked around for the glass, but there was none, and he was about to call someone to get it, but Sulman reached out and brought the gold plate next to him, and said with a smile: "No, there is it here." ”

He took two cups, put the gold plate aside, and took the wine jug of the loyal Khan, poured two glasses of wine, he picked up the wine glass and said with a smile, "No matter how arrogant she is, she is still a Khan woman, and when she enters the Khan's harem, it will not be too late for the Khan to close the door and clean her up." ”

The loyal khan drank the wine in his hand and sighed: "I don't take a woman to heart, but I'm worried that the Tang Dynasty will become stronger and stronger, and the Hui can only hide under its wings, and after a hundred years, maybe the Hui will become its vassal, and I am worried about this." ”

"The Khan's worries are also reasonable, in fact, it is not only the Khan, the old Khan was aware of this problem when he was alive, so he formulated the national policy of westward expansion. But the Qarluq people have become a stumbling block, and now the Qarluq people have disappeared, but the Tang army has occupied the Yili River valley again, and judging from their repair of Yili City, the Tang army obviously intends to compete with the Hui for Yibohai, since this is the case. Why didn't Khan join forces with the Great Food? ”

Sulman said as he picked up the porcelain pot on the gold plate and poured a glass of wine for the loyal Khan, at this moment, a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes, but he continued with a smile: "I don't know if the Khan thought that as long as Tocharo is still in the hands of the Great Cannibals, the Tang Army will not dare to fully advance westward, so I dare to assert that there will definitely be a war between the Tang Dynasty and the Great Eclipse in a few years." Doesn't the Khan want to think about what kind of role he should play in this battle? ”

By this time, the Loyal Khan had already raised his glass and listened to Sulman's words. The wine glass stopped in mid-air again, and he hesitated and asked, "Are you saying that I am joining forces with Da Shi?" Sulman nodded, and he also raised his glass, "Yes, the Great Cannibal needs an ally who can restrain the Tang Dynasty in the East, and Tubo obviously does not meet the conditions, so only we can return to it, so that Yibohai, Yili River Valley, and even Broken Leaves." The big food will be handed over to the Hui Hui, and then Tu'anxi and Beiting, and then the title of the Heavenly Khan should be attributed to the Khan. ”

Day Khan! The loyal khan muttered twice, drank the wine in his hand suddenly, and slammed the cup on the table, "Yes, this time we had a chance, so we blamed the damned Ques, I will destroy them first in the spring." Kill not a single one of the Zombies. ”

"Alright, I won't disturb Khan's rest." Surman stood up and walked slowly to the tent door, he glanced back again, and suddenly, the face of the loyal khan changed greatly, he jerked his neck, stared at Sulman with a straight glare, and pointed at him with trembling hands. He could already see a sneer in Sulman's eyes. He understood it at once, but he couldn't say a word at this time. Straight to the ground.

"Khan, what's wrong with you." Sulman rushed over, holding the Loyal Khan and shouting, "Someone, come quickly!" ”

Dozens of guards were snatched in from outside the big tent, and Jiegangas also rushed in with people, and when he saw that the khan was no longer able to do so, he sharply drew his sword and pointed at Sulman and shouted, "You say, what happened to the ground!" ”

"I don't know." Sulman raised his hand and replied nervously, "The Khan was drinking, and suddenly it became like this. ”

He swept his eyes, and suddenly pointed to the flask and shouted, "This is the flask, and the Khan drank the wine in it, and then he fell." ”

Jiegan Gasi picked up the wine jug, looked at it and said, "This is the wine that the Tang princess gave to the Khan, how can it be poisonous." ”

"Someone!" He turned around and shouted, "Bring a dog." ”

In a moment, one of the guards brought a dog, and Gelgangas pressed its head and poured wine into its mouth, and soon the dog struggled a few times before he died of rage.

"Damn the Tang Dynasty, you dare to harm my Khan." Jiegan Gasi slammed the wine jug to the ground, "Go and transfer troops immediately and arrest all the Tang people for me." ”

At this time, the entire military camp was already boiling, and countless soldiers rushed towards the princess's camp with knives, just when Pei Mingyuan just heard the strange movement and rushed out of the tent, dozens of war horses rushed over, and Yao Luo Geling shouted on the horse, "You guys run away, there is a civil strife in Hui, Jiegan Garth sent someone to kill you, you flee to the east, I will send someone to protect you from the country!" ”

Pei Mingyuan had already prepared, he immediately turned over his horse and said loudly to Yao Luo Geling: "We have also received news that there are nearly 80,000 Hui troops heading towards Han Erbali, this must be Jiegan Jiasi who is going to seize the position of Khan." ”

After shouting, he galloped eastward, quickly disappeared into the darkness, Yao Luo Geling was stunned for a long time and did not speak, he suddenly whipped the war horse fiercely, and galloped away in the northeast direction. In December of the fifth year of the Great Rule, on the night of the Hui Hui to welcome the Tang Princess, the Hui Loyal Khan suddenly died violently, Sulman and Jiegangas planted the death of the Khan to the Tang Princess, which aroused the strong anger of the Hui military and the Sogdians, they asked to hunt down the Tang Princess and the messenger, Yao Luo Ge Ling saw that the situation was critical, and led his own people to protect the Tang Princess and his party fled from the Hui, and then the Hui military, the Sogdians, and the Manichaeans unanimously supported Jiegangas as the new Khan, on the day of Jiegangas's accession to the throne, He officially announced the abolition of the marriage with the Tang Dynasty, and at the same time announced that the Hui regarded the Tang Dynasty as an enemy, abolished all the friendship treaties signed with the Tang Dynasty, and he himself married the princess of the Great Food as Kedun, and sent people to Baghdad to formally form an alliance with the Great Food.

(Sorry for keeping you waiting!) ）