Chapter 100 Do you dare to accept the challenge?
Liu Zheng was shocked. He could see the ferocious and crazy faces of these people through the window.
Temple Extremists!
This word popped into Liu Zheng's mind at the first moment.
"Young Master, be careful!"
Qin Changfeng also reacted immediately, yelled angrily, and jumped out of the window. He stretched out his hand, caught the two flying torches, and then threw them back fiercely. The big men were hit in the face by their own torches and fell to the ground with a scream.
"Protect the young master!"
Qin Changfeng shouted loudly, and the hired Loulan guards surrounded the carriage and were on high alert.
"Get back!"
"Loulan doesn't need Han people!"
"You bunch of weak Han people, what right do you have to teach us people in the temple?"
Seeing how powerful Qin Changfeng was, those extremists did not dare to play the piano anymore. They could only roar a few times from a distance and then turned and left.
"Sir, are you okay?"
Qin Changfeng asked with concern.
Liu Zheng shook his head and said with a smile: "Let's continue on our way. It seems that this temple really doesn't welcome us very much."
Since ancient times, such religious extremists have appeared in every historical stage, but Liu Zheng did not expect that it had reached this level in Loulan. If this happened in the future, wouldn't it be like a human bomb for him?
It’s scary to think about it!
At this time, a group of soldiers came running on the road. Qin Changfeng felt frightened again, thinking that they were here to cause trouble again. But when he turned around, he saw that the group of soldiers was actually the Loulan Army led by Reheman. Before they even got to the carriage, Reheman dismounted and clasped his fists: "General Wang Ting, Reheman..."
As he was talking, he felt something was wrong. He looked up and saw two familiar smiling faces.
"ah?"
Reheman was surprised and said, "Mr. Liu...Mr. Xiang, it's you?"
He reacted pretty quickly and changed his words immediately.
Liu Zheng laughed and said, "Brother Reheman, we meet again!"
Although Reheman didn't know what Liu Zheng was up to, he smiled and said, "I'm here to welcome you in the name of the Third Prince. Things are not peaceful in Loulan these days!"
Liu Zheng smiled bitterly: "I just learned from you."
When Reheman saw the torches still burning on the ground, he immediately became furious: "The extremists in this temple are really despicable! They didn't kill the envoys when the two sides were fighting. Young Master is a student of Longyan, how can you do this!"
"Investigate it! Kill anyone who finds it!"
"yes!"
Liu Zheng smiled. It seemed that the situation in the capital of Loulan was more intense than he had imagined. Both sides did not even intend to save face. Reheman had seized the opportunity to purge these extremists when he returned from Longyan and took charge of the army.
At the same time, Liu Zheng felt nervous and hoped that he was not late.
"Sir, what on earth is this..."
At Liu Zheng's invitation, Reheman came into the carriage with a puzzled look on his face.
Liu Zheng smiled and explained: "Liu Zheng is me, Xiang Zheng is also me. I just want to ask if it is appropriate to come to study at this time?"
Reheman slapped his thigh and said, "It's perfect. Young Master, you don't know. Longyan students have always been honored guests of the Kingdom of Loulan! Especially those with official documents, they often represent the majesty of the Celestial Empire. Young Master, coming here to study at this time is really saving the Third Prince from danger!"
Liu Zheng was stunned. He had not thought of this level.
However, although Loulan was not a vassal state of the Longyan Dynasty, it was still afraid of and relied on the world power of the Longyan Dynasty. At this time when the throne of Loulan was changing, a student with an official status came to the Longyan Dynasty. What did this mean?
What do you want to do?
…
"Tell me, what exactly does the Longyan Dynasty want to do?"
Ku City.
In a tall building.
A young man with a gaze as sharp as a falcon sat in the highest seat, staring coldly at the group of people below.
"Your Highness, this matter is indeed strange!"
"Why did you come at this time, why did you come earlier or later? Could it be that the Third Prince is asking for help from Long Yan?"
A group of think tanks looked at each other.
This is still possible. After all, the third prince, Halik, has always been held hostage by Long Yan. Long Yan knows him very well. Considering all aspects, it is natural for Long Yan to help Halik seize the power of Loulan.
The seventh prince, Hemuti, looked cold, "It is precisely because he has been a hostage in Longyan for so many years that I am unwilling to hand over the throne to him! Who knows what benefits he will promise to the Longyan Dynasty when he comes back to inherit the throne this time? A young boy might even sell out my Loulan!"
Everyone responded.
In fact, they all knew that this was just an excuse of Hemuti.
But this excuse does hold water.
"Your Highness, no matter what, this matter cannot be underestimated!"
"Once the student Long Yan arrives, the Third Prince will definitely take advantage of the situation and take the initiative!"
Hemuti sneered and said, "Why are you teaching me?"
Everyone looked at each other, and then said, "We should discuss this matter with the Lord God's Envoy!"
A gleam of light flashed in Hemuti's eyes: "Accurate!"
…
After hearing Reheman's explanation, Liu Zheng instantly understood the current situation in Loulan City. In short, it was almost the same as he had predicted. The third prince Halik had just returned to the country when the seventh prince Hemuti questioned him for being suspected of betraying his country in Longyan and was not capable of taking on the responsibility.
The temple naturally supports the Seventh Prince.
The queen who controls the Kucheng guards is of course on the side of the third prince. But now, the temple army has set out and is about to surround the capital, which makes many people cautious.
The third prince is at an absolute disadvantage.
At this time, the students from the Longyan Dynasty appeared, and it seemed that they had broken the dilemma and the situation where the Seventh Prince and the Temple had the upper hand. After all, Liu Zheng represented the majesty and will of a great country at this time!
How dare the temple provoke the Longyan Dynasty at will?
Those Loulan officials who were already wavering were almost about to consider taking over and leaving the third prince. Now, it seemed like the third prince had given them a reassurance.
The balance began to tilt towards the third prince again.
At last, Reheman laughed again: "But I didn't expect that Mr. Xiang was actually Mr. Liu! How will you teach me this time?"
Liu Zheng looked at Reheman and knew that he was favored by the Third Prince. They were considered friends before, but at this critical moment, business had to be done. He smiled faintly: "Brother Reheman, you should first tell me how to thank me if the Third Prince takes the throne?"
"What?"
Reheman gasped. He thought Liu Zheng came to cheer for the Third Prince just for his sake. Unexpectedly, he said something shocking, saying that he wanted to help the Third Prince take the throne? He had to be surprised, because now no one was optimistic about the Third Prince!
Liu Zheng smiled but said nothing.
Reheman took a deep breath and said with a wry smile: "Master Liu, this matter, this matter..."
Qin Changfeng next to him couldn't help but said, "You just answer whatever the master asks you. When did you become so shy?"
Reheman said: "Okay, since Master Liu is straightforward, then Reheman is also a straightforward person!"
He looked at Liu Zheng deeply: "If the third prince can really take the throne, you will be the protector of Loulan!"
Liu Zheng's eyes lit up when he heard this.
The Protector of the Nation was a special position in Loulan, reserved for foreigners. In fact, it did not have much real power. Although it was comparable to a third-rank official, it was an honorary position. However, with this status, there would still be many conveniences in Loulan. Especially in terms of trade, there were a series of policy benefits such as the third-rank official's preferential treatment, tax exemption, etc.
"good!"
Liu Zheng smiled slightly, feeling confident.
Reheman smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, this is easier said than done..."
Liu Zheng said: "Brother Reheman, whether this matter is difficult or not, you don't need to worry about it. Zheng has his own arrangements. You just need to assist and cooperate."
Reheman knew the ability of Master Liu, but felt that there was little hope. He could only sigh deeply, thinking that he might as well give it a try!
Kucheng is indeed much larger, more majestic and richer than Shancheng.
The unique earthen buildings here always make Liu Zheng very happy. Loulan is also a place where people love singing and dancing, so from time to time, the sound of stringed instruments and singing can be heard from the streets, which shows that the degree of openness of Loulan society is still very high.
as expected.
The arrival of Long Yan's students into the city caused quite a stir in Kucheng.
After all, for hundreds of years, the royal family has promoted Han culture, which has had some influence on the common people. Although there are two ideological conflicts in Loulan, people who have received higher education actually have a more thorough understanding of religious beliefs.
So, when the carriage arrived, the roadside was full of people, looking at the students' carriage curiously, shouting and welcoming them warmly.
In addition, many young men and women in the city also followed suit, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elegant demeanor of these students from Longyan Academy.
Liu Zheng smiled faintly when he saw this atmosphere.
There is still a lot to be done.
Of course, there were still people who believed in the temple in the crowd, who made trouble, cursed, and even threw things in the street, but they were quickly taken away by the guards. The so-called study tour itself is communication. This "Xiang Zheng" will study in Loulan for seven days, and will exchange ideas with the literary giants of Loulan. This is also a major event. The third prince naturally took this opportunity to vigorously promote Han culture in order to strengthen his own people's hearts and ruling power.
So, it’s a big deal.
As expected, Liu Zheng saw many Arabs, Kazakhs, Turkmen , etc., blacks, and even whites on the streets of Loulan... This is a very inclusive city. Liu Zheng thought that if possible, Yinzhou would also look like this in the future!
Walking through the long and bustling streets of Loulan.
From afar, we could see that the Third Prince was already waiting there, with a group of sword-wielding guards around him.
Generally speaking, even if students from the Longyan Dynasty came, the prince would not come out to greet them personally. But the situation was different at this time. The third prince, Halik, got out of the car in person, surrounded by everyone, to greet Liu Zheng.
Naturally, Liu Zheng did not dare to neglect it. He carried the people in the fancy sedan and got off the carriage respectfully.
When Halik saw Liu Zheng, his eyes were filled with joy and he almost blurted out "Master Liu"!
Unexpectedly, at this moment, there was another chaos in the army nearby. The arrogant Seventh Prince, Hemuti, came galloping over. Not far from Liu Zheng, he pulled the reins suddenly, and the warhorse neighed with its hooves raised to the sky. This humiliating action almost made Qin Changfeng take action.
Then Hemuti sneered at Liu Zheng and said, "Does it require such a big fuss just for a student from Longyan?"
"Third brother is really going backwards as he gets older!"
Liu Zheng looked on with a smile.
He heard that the third prince and the seventh prince were both sixteen years old, but the third prince, Halik, was a little thin and cowardly, while Hemuti was tall and strong, arrogant and domineering.
Liu Zheng had to admit that if he were the king, he would definitely choose Hemuti to inherit the throne so that he could achieve great things.
Halik's face turned red after hearing what Hemuti said, but he didn't dare to refute.
Hemuti snorted coldly and looked at Liu Zheng in full view of everyone.
"Mr. Xiang, since you are here to study, do you dare to accept the challenge?"
