The King of Western India was not very satisfied with the analysis of the chief officer of the port, because this kind of ambiguous answer could be qualified by any passerby. It was the same as saying nothing.
However, he was also confused after listening to it. A high official of the Tang dynasty was actually grinding soy milk on the beach and seemed to have nothing to do. Did he really pass by here and enter the port to resupply?
This port was the most important port of Western India. If it was occupied by the Tang Dynasty, it would be an unbearable loss for Western India.
The King could only pray that the Tang Dynasty had no territorial claim for the important port of Western India. Otherwise, the court of Western India would collapse because of insufficient financial resources.
"Do you know when the troops of the Tang dynasty will leave?"
The King of Western India asked his minister.
The chief officer of the port replied, "According to Assistant Minister Li, the troops of the Tang dynasty are just passing by and will leave in a few days."
"They will leave in a few days? Is this true?"
The King seemed to be in disbelief.
"Your Majesty, Assistant Minister Li said it himself. It should not be false. We will know if it is true in a few days."
The chief officer of the port replied.
The King of Western India sighed and said nervously, "I got the news some time ago that the Tang Dynasty is going to build the Maritime Silk Road. They will pass through many places along the way and forcibly occupy many overseas lands. A large piece of land in the northern part of the Lion Kingdom has been occupied by the Tang dynasty and established Anshi Province. Many ports in South Tianzhu are also owned by the Tang dynasty. If the Tang dynasty takes a fancy to our port, what should we do?"
After saying that, he looked worried. The King was very clear about the strength of the Tang Dynasty. If he went to war with the Tang dynasty, he had no chance of winning.
"Your Majesty, if that's the case, what should we do? The Tang dynasty's army is very elite. Our army can't resist them. If we really go to war with the Tang dynasty, Western Tianzhu will be in danger of being destroyed!"
He had to make sure that the king would not have the idea of becoming an enemy of the Tang dynasty. Otherwise, once the war started, he would be cannon fodder. He did not want to die in vain.
"Of course, I know the combat effectiveness of the Tang Dynasty army. However, you should also know what this port means to West Tianzhu. If the Tang Dynasty really intends to occupy this port, then we can't let it go."
The Western Indian official said.
"Your Majesty is right. This port is too important to our Western Tianzhu. As long as the Tang Dynasty doesn't plot against this port, it's fine. If the Tang Dynasty does plot against this port, I'm willing to be the first to rush up and perish together with the Tang Dynasty's army."
The port official expressed his loyalty against his will. If a war really broke out, he would have run away long ago. Why would he sacrifice himself for the country?
In addition, according to his judgment, the Tang Dynasty's army would not really occupy this port. If the Tang Dynasty's army had such an intention, they would have already started. Why did they wait after entering the port? What was the point of waiting for?
"You are really my loyal minister. As long as the Tang Dynasty's army can finally leave, you will have made a great contribution."
The King of Western Tianzhu was very happy with the loyalty shown by his minister.
"Your Majesty, it's so late. You should go to bed early."
The port official said with concern.
The King nodded and said, "I'll stay here tonight. Tomorrow morning, take me to see the Tang Dynasty's Assistant Minister Li. Remember, don't tell him my real identity. Just say that I'm at the same level as you."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand."
The port official winked and asked his subordinates to arrange a room for their King to stay smoothly.
In the busiest area of the port city, the owner of the largest restaurant was still awake. He was still making all kinds of preparations. Although this restaurant was very large, it was rarely full, so it was not fully staffed. The number of ingredients and chefs was limited. But tomorrow morning, he would invite Ang Lee and others to a banquet. The number of guests would be many times more than usual. Moreover, they were all high-class guests. Naturally, the requirements for the ingredients of the banquet would be higher. No mistakes could be made.
In order to make up for the shortage of chefs, the owner discussed with the owners of the other hotels and asked them to close their doors and borrow all their chefs.
In normal times, they were all competitors. The owners of the other hotels would definitely not agree. But now, they were going to invite Ang Lee and the Tang Dynasty's army to suppress the pirates. Therefore, the situation was naturally different from usual. Moreover, after these owners closed their doors, they would also come to eat. They would feel that it was a supreme honor to dine with a senior official like Ang Lee. Naturally, they would not mind borrowing a few chefs.
The borrowed chefs needed to be familiar with the working environment. They also needed to communicate and cooperate with the other chefs. They needed to know what dishes to cook, what ingredients to use, when to cook, whether the ingredients were sufficient, when to start the banquet. Many dishes had to be eaten while they were hot. If they were cold, their appetite would completely change.
In addition, the order of serving the dishes had to be arranged first, so as to avoid confusion when Ang Lee came the next morning. Some cold dishes needed to be prepared in advance. It would be too late to prepare them tomorrow morning. They could only prepare them at night. Some apprentices were busy preparing the side dishes. From time to time, the chefs' scolding could be heard. The owners of the other hotels also came. Since they had borrowed the chefs they were most proud of, they naturally had to come over to have a look and familiarize themselves with the situation. They also told their chefs not to be seen when they were cooking. They also wanted to steal other people's cooking skills as much as possible.
Because of the excitement, the owners of the hotels didn't feel sleepy. They gathered together and chatted casually. From time to time, they had to command and coordinate the borrowed chefs and apprentices.
After all, it was the first time that the chefs and apprentices of these hotels had appeared in the same place. They didn't know each other very well. They didn't know each other's habits and temperaments. If they appeared together rashly, it was inevitable that all kinds of conflicts would occur. This was unavoidable. At the same time, it was also because their owners came over. If there was any conflict, it would be easier for them to mediate.
"Owner, they are fighting again."
An underage apprentice ran over.
"Ouch, they just stopped. Why are they fighting again?"
The shopkeepers were all rather angry. Tomorrow morning, they would be welcoming the most honored guest of the Great Tang, so they had to make proper preparations. If these people didn't stop, then tomorrow's banquet wouldn't be perfect.
"Clap, clap …"
Soon, the sound of bowls and plates breaking came from the kitchen. It seemed that the fighting had escalated.
"Ouch, my God, let's go and have a look."
The shop owners hurriedly rushed into the kitchen and saw two people who were being held back by a group of people. These two guys were both apprentices and not too important. This made the shop owners let out a sigh of relief.
"Why did you steal my iron ladle?"
"My master also wants to use it. We are here to help. Why are you so arrogant?"
The two young people continued to bicker and wanted to fight again.
"What are you doing? Get out of here. Don't come here again."
"You get out of here too. Don't tell anyone that you have worked here."
When the two owners found the troublemaking apprentices, they flew into a rage. They immediately fired the two of them to deter the rest of the people and make them behave, so that they wouldn't be heroes at the banquet the next morning.
"These young people are too outrageous. They are so arrogant just because they want to fight."
"We have to prepare in advance. If something like this happens when Assistant Minister Li comes, it will be terrible."
"Yes! Yes! If there's anything, just discuss it properly. Why are you always fighting? "
"When they are done with the cold dishes, we still have to hold a meeting to inform them of the importance of tomorrow's banquet and tell them not to mess around."
The owners gathered together to discuss.
In short, these shop owners and many merchants had been busy all night and had not rested much. Fortunately, all the preparations were done well, so they did not work in vain.
Early in the morning, when Ang Lee woke up, Yun 'er was still lying lazily in his arms. That smooth and warm body made Ang Lee unable to help but touch it for a while. In the end, he woke Yun' er up.
"Aiya! It's daybreak, this servant should get up. "
Yun 'er was shocked and reflexively wanted to put on her clothes and get up.
Ang Lee hugged Yun 'er and carelessly caressed her. He said softly, "Don't be in a hurry to get up. You can sleep a little longer."
"Alang, this servant still has to get up and prepare breakfast. I don't dare to sleep too much. "
Yun 'er said gently.
Ang Lee still did not let go, and said softly: "Let Alang touch a little longer, aiya! It's so comfortable, ah! "
The breakfast preparation was very simple. Because they were going to have a big meal soon, they had to make some room. Ang Lee only drank a little soy milk, ate a few slices of meat, and a few poached eggs.
"Assistant Minister Li, we want to see Assistant Minister Li."
Several old voices sounded outside the Tang Army's camp.
Ang Lee had heard it a long time ago. However, as a high-ranking official, he could not go out casually. At least, he had to put on airs.
"Who's making noise outside?"
Ang Lee asked seriously and pretended to be serious.
"Assistant Minister Li, a few old merchants have come to see you."
His subordinate reported.
Ang Lee said, "Let them in."
"Greetings, Assistant Minister Li."
Several old men entered and saluted.
"Elders, what's the matter?"
Ang Lee asked even though he knew the answer.
"We are all from the Tang Dynasty. We have been doing business in Western Tianzhu for several years. Today, we are very happy to see an official of the Tang Dynasty. It's like seeing a relative."
"Yes, yes. Now that the troops of the Tang Dynasty can come here, we merchants of the Tang Dynasty suddenly feel proud and very happy."
"Assistant Minister Li, in order to express our respect, we merchants of the Tang Dynasty and some local merchants would like to invite Assistant Minister Li to attend a welcome banquet."
"Yes! We merchants have heard of Assistant Minister Li for a long time, but few of us have seen Assistant Minister Li. We are all looking forward to seeing Assistant Minister Li's face. "
Several merchants invited him warmly, showing their sincerity.
Li An smiled and said softly, "Everyone has good intentions, and this official is very grateful. However, this official hasn't done anything for you, so how can I go and freeload? Forget it!"
If he continued to pretend, he could show that he didn't really want to freeload and didn't have any premeditated plans.
"We are all sincere. If Assistant Minister Li doesn't go, we merchants will be disappointed."
"Assistant Minister Li can come here, which is the greatest support for us merchants of the Tang Dynasty."
"Assistant Minister Li, please do me the honor and kneel down to Assistant Minister Li."
A few old merchants requested passionately and even used the method of kneeling to threaten Li An.
Ang Lee saw that the situation was almost over and he couldn't pretend anymore. He quickly stepped forward, helped the old men who were about to kneel up, and said, "I will go. You are all seniors. Please get up."
"Great, we will lead the way for Assistant Minister Li."
The old men said happily.
Ang Lee's purpose was finally achieved. He smiled and went to the banquet with a troop of soldiers.
As a senior official of the Tang Dynasty, Ang Lee naturally had to bring enough guards to attend the banquet. Otherwise, if he was in danger, it would be terrible!
A troop of 300 elite soldiers of the Tang Dynasty marched to the place where the banquet was to be held. Among them were powerful armored artillery vehicles. Because the tires were rubber and the iron plates were not too thick, they would not cause any real damage to the road.
Ang Lee rode in a luxurious armored command vehicle. Several old men were also invited into the vehicle and sat side by side with Ang Lee.
The common people and merchants along the way had never seen an armored artillery vehicle. They all looked surprised as if they were looking at a monster.
Ang Lee was used to this kind of look. Along the way, almost every time an armored vehicle appeared, it would cause a great sensation.
"Assistant Minister Li, this vehicle is made of iron. It can resist swords and knives. It can move without horses. It's amazing."
"It's more than that! This vehicle is very stable. It's much more comfortable than a carriage. "
"Assistant Minister Li, what kind of vehicle is this? How can it be so powerful?"
The old merchants had never seen such a thing before, so they asked curiously.
Ang Lee didn't hide it. He answered with a smile, "This is an armored command vehicle. The vehicles in front and behind are armored artillery vehicles. These are the elite weapons of the Tang Dynasty. They are the sharp weapons of the Tang Dynasty to awe the world."
"Good, good, good. This is great. This thing is powerful! No one can beat it. "
"As people of the Tang Dynasty, we are very happy to see the troops of the Tang Dynasty have such sharp weapons."
The old businessmen said sincerely.
Ang Lee casually introduced the internal structure of the armored command vehicle and why it was so comfortable. These old men were confused by these simple principles. They couldn't understand at all. They could only smile awkwardly to show their stupidity.
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