What you hear may be false, but seeing is believing.
Zuzan, who followed Zhang Xiaobao's group here, finally witnessed the richness of Great Tang.
In the past, he had always heard the people he sent to Great Tang talking about how good Great Tang was. However, Zuzan, who had never seen it with his own eyes, felt that Great Tang was only slightly better than Tubo in certain aspects. For example, the clothes worn by the people and the more comfortable environment.
As for the food, he felt that the difference between the two places was not that big. If Zhang Xiaobao was not so bad and reduced the food supply of Tubo, Great Tang would not be worse than Great Tang.
After traveling by boat all day, Zuzan finally realized the difference between Tubo and Great Tang when they could travel by land after arriving at Sanshui County.
Stepping on the firm ground, looking at the helpers at the docks wearing the same style and color of clothes, looking at the spacious and clean streets, he did not notice any slightly bigger holes on the road. This was probably the cement road that the person who sent back the news mentioned.
Looking at the people who were arranged to sell food, they were all clean and tidy. Most of the food they sold was of an unknown variety.
The carriages in charge of transporting goods and people came and went without stopping. The shops by the roadside were neat and tidy. The people walking here had smiles on their faces. Children carrying beautiful backpacks of unknown use stood in a row under the lead of their adults. All the carriages made way for them.
The never-before-seen shelves used to load and unload goods moved piles of goods around at an unimaginable speed. In just a short while, a boat full of goods was loaded or unloaded.
Sitting in the carriage that was specially prepared for them, they realized that it was many times better than the carriage they were in before. The bumps were almost negligible.
After walking for more than a li, the houses on both sides of the wide road were even more attractive. Other than the various restaurants and shops, the people lived in small two-story buildings.
The river that the small boats passed through had a sloping embankment. It was as flat as a mirror and there was not a single bit of trash on the river.
Listening to the cries of chickens and ducks, there was no smell of feces when a gust of wind blew. No one would casually find a place to poop or pee. This was an inconceivable thing in Tubo.
On the shore, there were pavilions built at intervals, surrounded by plants. Occasionally, the aroma of food wafted out from the pavilions. Pedestrians would occasionally stop to rest in the pavilions and buy some snacks to eat.
After the autumn harvest, there were still people busy plowing the land. Those strong and healthy cattle looked like they were from Tubo no matter how one looked at them.
Further on, at a little distance from the shore, there was an open space, surrounded by low walls, in which books with fallen leaves fluttered in the wind. From this height, one could see that in the enclosed space, there was a pond, surrounded by pavilions.
Under the sunshine, a group of children were sitting or leaning in the corridor, chanting in unison, "There's a guest, there's a guest, there's a white horse. There is prosperity and prosperity, and the journey is meticulous. We have guests, we have guests, we have letters. '
Watching and listening, Zu Zan was frightened by what he saw and heard.
Sitting in the carriage, Princess Jincheng looked at all of this with her beautiful eyes. She had not been back for a long time, she did not expect to see such a scenery. It was definitely not fake to confuse others. It was all real. There was actually a fairyland-like place in Tang Dynasty.
"Xiao Bei, what's over there?" Princess Jincheng asked the question that Zu Zan wanted to ask but was too embarrassed to ask.
Xiao Bei was accompanying the carriage as a diplomat. When he heard Princess Jincheng's question, he turned his head and looked. It was a big courtyard. He generously introduced it, "Princess aunt, that's a school. They are learning very seriously. It's almost lunchtime, they should be revising the knowledge that they just learned."
"Lunchtime? I don't see anyone delivering food. " Princess Jincheng had stayed in Tubo for a long time. She was not clear about the lives of the people in Tang Dynasty. Or it could be said that she did not remember that the people in Tang Dynasty ate lunch at this time. Usually, there were two meals.
The smart Xiao Bei immediately understood. He proudly looked at Zu Zan and replied, "Princess aunt, no one is delivering food. I think the food is already ready. I'll get someone to bring some over to take a look. Stop the carriage. Someone, go to that school and say that Zhang Xiao Bei from Zhangjia Zhuangzi wants a lunch."
After giving the order, Xiao Bei introduced, "Princess aunt, the meals of the students here are taken care of by the merchants of Sanshui County. The merchants will take out a portion of the money to be used to feed and dress the children. That's four meals a day. We will eat in a while. Soon, we will reach the place where we eat."
"Oh, they can actually eat four meals a day. Aunt only eats four meals a day over there. It seems that the officials in the county are very strict with the merchants." Princess Jincheng was very surprised. Tubo did not have such a school.
"The management of Sanshui County is not bad. However, the merchants are willing to take the money. No one forced them. The merchants of Sanshui County are very cultured. They are not heartless. After they earn money, they know how to use it for public welfare. In the past, it was our family who forked out the money. Now, the school is being renovated by them.
Princess aunt, look at the wall. There are words. Let me take a look. It says that the country is strong from a child. It strengthens the body and enlightens the mind. We have always been working hard. I can't see the words clearly. It should be the name of the merchant who took the money. "
Xiao Bei's voice was sweet, causing a smile to appear on the face of the princess of Jincheng. Hearing this, Zu Zan felt his entire body turn cold, starting from his heart. If all of this was true, then what would Tubo use to fight against Great Tang in the future? More than ten years later, when batches of children grow up, it would be too terrifying.
Xiao Bei introduced a few more words. The person who took the food came back with a tray in his hand. He passed it to Xiao Bei through the window.
Everyone in the carriage looked at the tray at the same time.
Let me see what they are eating today. En, it's not bad. Two vegetarian dishes and one meat dish. This meat dish is soft fried tenderloin. Brother's cooking is the best.
This is stir-fried meat with garlic. This is scrambled eggs with cucumber. There's also half a salted duck egg. It's marinated well. It's buttery. I like to eat it the most. There's more. Why didn't you bring it over? "
Xiao Bei held the tray and introduced. The last sentence was directed at the people outside.
Immediately, another person came over and brought a small bowl and a small plate. "The soup has just been prepared."
Xiao Bei continued to introduce. "Let me see this soup. It's shrimp and winter melon soup. This small plate contains cut fruits. This is a fruit platter. This is called a nutritious combination. It can ensure the children's needs for an entire afternoon. Princess aunt, try it. The main dish is rice and steamed buns.
At this moment, Zu Zan could not help but smell the fragrance of the food. He asked Xiao Bei, "Do all the children eat this every afternoon?"
"That's not it." Xiao Bei replied. Just as Zu Zan heaved a sigh of relief, she said, "The dishes are different every afternoon. The same is two vegetarian dishes, one meat dish, one soup, and one fruit platter. You're not allowed to be picky. Today's timing is not good. If it's the fifth day, you can still eat the fragrant bone marrow."
"Then how much does it cost? All for the children to eat? "Zu Zan saw that there was a lot of oil in the food and swallowed his saliva before asking.
"It's worth it no matter how much money is spent. The food given to the child has to be of the best quality. Look at this rice, it's of the highest quality. Whoever dares to give poor quality food to the child will be severely punished if caught. This is called Operation Chaoyang. Many places in the Great Tang have started doing this. It won't be long before it spreads throughout the Great Tang."
Even though Xiao Bei was young, she knew what Zu Zan Chi wanted to know. She was also willing to use all her strength to scare Zu Zan Chi.
Zu Zan could not help but pick up his chopsticks and put a mouthful of food into his mouth. He sighed inwardly. The taste was really good. He did not know what seasoning was used to make it so fragrant.
Princess Jincheng also tasted the food. With a gratified smile on her face, she continued to ask Xiao Bei, "What do we eat for breakfast?"
"Breakfast is simple. A bowl of milk or goat's milk, two eggs, salted vegetables mixed with sesame oil, and cake. After two hours of class, we will give you red bean paste or bread with cream fillings and a cup of fruit juice.
Occasionally, we can add some of the butter tea from Aunt Princess. Because it's far away, we don't have much here. Brother and sister said that we have to think of ways to get more from Tubo. If Tubo does not agree, we can just snatch it. This is called a snack, not a proper meal. "
Xiao Bei continued to attack Zu Zan until the end.
At this moment, Zu Zan was already numb. He no longer wanted to compare himself with the Tang Empire. As for Xiao Bei's threat, he pretended not to hear it.
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