I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Five miles outside Qishan County, Qizhou Prefecture, Wang Hongfu's team traveled dozens of miles in a day and set up camp here.

The officers and soldiers guarded the slaughter of sheep and the cooking, while Wang Hongfu and Ashina Liang sat in the big tent and warmed themselves by the fire.

"Look, Manager Wang, we are now in Qizhou, and Yamato Pass is in front of us.

After we pass the Yahe Pass, we will be not far from Chang'an."

Ashina Liang pointed at the map on the table and said to Wang Hongfu.

Wang Hongfu drank hot tea, looked at the map, and said:

"Young Master, we have to speed up tomorrow, as this place is about several dozen miles away from Yamato Pass.

If we continue marching at the same speed as today, I’m afraid we won’t be able to reach Yamato Pass by tomorrow night.”

They walked from morning till night and only covered a few dozen miles. Wang Hongfu thought the speed was too slow.

"Manager Wang, we have so many carriages here. You can see that the road is not easy to travel in some places.

Today's speed is much faster than usual. If it weren't for these carriages, we would have reached Chang'an City long ago."

Ashina said.

Wang Hongfu also knew this, but he was always uneasy in his heart and wanted to hurry on his journey and arrive in Chang'an earlier.

"Alas, it's a pity that it's not the cement road built by Prince Ji's Mansion, otherwise the carriage could run on it."

Wang Hongfu sighed.

The road to Prince Ji's Palace was built to the west, and there is no section in Qishan County.

"Sir, the messenger is back."

At this time, the guards from Prince Ji's mansion outside brought in a person.

"Meet Mr. Wang, the shopkeeper."

After coming in, the man bowed. He was the guard sent out to deliver the letter.

The round trip took just over two days.

"Thank you for your hard work. Does His Royal Highness Prince Ji have any instructions?"

Wang Hongfu poured a cup of tea and handed it to the guard and asked.

"This is the letter that His Royal Highness Prince Ji asked me to bring to Shopkeeper Wang."

As he said this, he took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Wang Hongfu.

Wang Hongfu took it impatiently, returned to his seat and opened it, but no one else came forward to look at it.

After all, it is a letter from His Royal Highness Prince Ji, and there might be some secret orders in it.

Wang Hongfu opened the letter and saw the neat handwriting. He was familiar with Wang Xuance's handwriting and knew at a glance that it was written by Wang Xuance.

The above mentioned some plans, including the reception matters.

Wang Hongfu read it carefully and then handed the letter to Ashina Liang.

Ashina Liang quickly took it and read it. His eyes brightened and he nodded to Wang Hongfu.

"Young Master, this is the order from His Royal Highness Prince Ji. If you understand it, then follow the plan."

Wang Hongfu looked at Ashina Liang and said.

"Okay, my uncle is very talented, so I will naturally follow his arrangements."

Ashina agreed.

On the second day, Wang Hongfu's team continued to move forward, but at the same speed as the previous day, neither speeding up nor slowing down.

It was not until noon on the third day that we passed Yamato Pass and continued towards Chang'an.

Qizhou is named after Mount Qishan, which is more than 20 miles away from Yamato Pass.

In the evening, Wang Hongfu's team arrived here and set up camp.

In winter, Qishan is covered with white snow and the trees are bare. Qishan looks particularly quiet at night.

From time to time, the cries of wild beasts could be heard in the mountains.

All that was left was the noise from Wang Hongfu and his group.

"Everyone, be alert tonight. There may be wild animals in the mountains. Watch out for wild animals coming down the mountain.

Light a few more bonfires and arrange for some people to go down the mountain and chop more wood."

Ashina Liang commanded the camping and gave instructions to his men.

Wearing armor, showing off one's might, and shouting arrogantly, it seems more or less realistic.

"Shopkeeper Wang, everything has been arranged, but we don't have many sheep left. We still need to buy some when we pass through the county town tomorrow."

After Ashina Liang finished making arrangements, he entered the big tent, which was very warm because of the heater.

"Don't worry, young master, Wang will take care of it.

It is freezing cold, and it must be very hard for the soldiers to transport money to Prince Ji's Mansion. Prince Ji's Mansion will ensure that the soldiers have meat for every meal."

Wang Hongfu smiled. At this moment, Wang Hongfu had a smile on his face, unlike the previous few days when he had a sad face all day long.

"Manager Wang, you are too polite. It's enough to have enough to eat. Why spend so much money? Even in the tribe, we don't have meat every day."

Ashina Liang also had a smile on his face and said something humble.

Who doesn’t want to eat meat every day?

"Young master, what are you talking about? Our prince once said that if you want a horse to run, you have to feed it well.

His Royal Highness Prince Ji is kind and has always been good to his subordinates. Since this young man can work for the prince, he must be one of his own.

When it comes to our own people, we in the Prince Ji’s Mansion always provide them with fine wine and delicious food.”

Wang Hongfu smiled.

"Hahahaha, Shopkeeper Wang is right. Of course we are family."

When Ashina Liang heard Wang Hongfu talking about their own people, he laughed out loud. What he wanted was not to be a member of the Ji Wang Mansion’s own family?

"Shopkeeper Wang, His Royal Highness Prince Ji is my uncle, and I, Ana, am Prince Ji's elder sister. We are of course a family.

So it is a real honor for me to have the opportunity to help my uncle.”

"Okay, young master, let's not talk about this. Since we are family, let's not talk about different things.

There is something I need to tell you, young master."

Wang Hongfu asked Ashina Liang to sit down and said.

"Manager Wang, if you have anything to say, please feel free to ask."

Wang Hongfu poured Ashina a cup of tea, then organized his words and said:

"Young Master, from today until the palace guards arrive, I hope you can condescend to sleep in the same tent with me.

Now the enemy is in the dark and we are in the light. Wang feels ashamed and a little afraid of death.

So I hope to be in the same tent with the young master, it will be safer."

Ashina Li looked up at Wang Hongfu for a while, which made Wang Hongfu feel a little embarrassed.

"Young Master..."

"Manager Wang." Before Wang Hongfu finished speaking, Ashina Liang spoke up:

"I know what you mean, aren't you just worried that something might happen to me?

It's okay, you can just say it.

There's no need to deliberately degrade yourself just to save my face.

Don't worry, I'm not that arrogant, I know how to avoid danger."

Wang Hongfu felt a little embarrassed after hearing this. In order to get Ashina Liang to share a tent with him, he had said something against his will.

In his opinion, Ashina Ling is young and energetic, and he may not agree if you ask him to avoid danger.

As for the defensive capabilities, Wang Hongfu is very confident in the ten guards he brought with him.

They are much more powerful and professional than those people in Ashina tribe.

If Ashina Ling was killed by the thieves, it would be a big deal. Prince Ji's mansion would also be blamed, and Prince Ji would not be able to explain in front of Princess Dingxiang.

"Haha, it's Wang who is rude, young master..."

Just as he said this, squad leader Sun came in. He came close to Wang Hongfu and whispered:

"Shopkeeper Wang, everything has been arranged."

(There are records from the Tang Dynasty that maternal grandmother is also called "waipo". "Fayuan Zhulin" mentions: "I am your maternal grandmother. Because your family was poor, your mother followed me.")