Arhan withdrew 50,000 strings of coins and left the mansion with his weapons. He returned home first. When he saw Banda and Xu Yang, he did not beat around the bush. He directly told them that he had already submitted to Du Qi and that he was returning to Gaochang to persuade the Gaochang Monarch to submit to Du Qi.
Banda was a warrior.
He followed Arhan wholeheartedly, so there was nothing to say. He supported Arhan's decision.
Xu Yang was Arhan's disciple and also his strategist. He said, "Teacher, I'm afraid it won't be easy to persuade the Gaochang Monarch to submit. After all, many people in Gaochang oppose you and our Manichaeism becoming the state religion. Besides, what benefits will you get from following Du Qi? "
Arhan laughed, "Xu Yang, who do you think is stronger between Gaochang and Du Qi?"
Xu Yang said, "In terms of combat strength, Du Qi is indeed stronger. Although Du Qi has only been in Yizhou for a short time, he has enough money to support him and has a stronger foundation. If Du Qi attacks Gaochang, Du Qi should have the upper hand. "
This was indisputable.
Arhan said, "Your Highness' strength is naturally stronger. Most importantly, it would not be difficult for Your Highness to destroy Gaochang State. According to my understanding, once the two sides fight, Gaochang State will not last even a day."
"That's impossible!"
Xu Yang had a look of disbelief when he heard this.
He felt that this matter was inconceivable. How was it possible that they couldn't last a day?
After all, Gaochang was not weak in the Western Region.
Arhan said, "This involves His Highness' secret weapon. It's good that you know about this. Next, follow me back to Gaochang. I will show it to the Gaochang Monarch. "
Xu Yang said no more.
After all, Arhan had said so much.
Arhan continued to instruct, "Xu Yang, you follow me and believe in the Lord of Light. You must promote Manichaeism. But how can we develop in the Western Region? There are too many restrictions. Don't you want to go back to Persia to take a look? Don't you want to help me regain my lost position? "
When Xu Yang heard this, he said with a solemn expression, "Of course I want to go to the Headquarter to take a look. I want to help you return to Persia and take back everything that you have lost."
Xu Yang had this ambition in his heart.
That was because the Manichaeism's main altar was in Persia. Only by killing their way back could they prove themselves.
Arhan said, "King Gaochang doesn't possess this ability. He has a weak personality and is easily influenced by others. In fact, even controlling the Gaochang Nation was difficult. On the other hand, Du Qi looked like he was going to unify the Western Regions. If we assist Du Qi with all our strength, on the one hand, we can spread our religion widely. On the other hand, with Du Qi's help, we can kill our way back to the Persian Central Cult. This is your master's consideration. "
When Xu Yang heard this, he praised, "Teacher, you're very thoughtful."
Arhan said, "Since you agree, we will set off immediately and return to Gaochang as soon as possible to make arrangements. Now that it's the twelfth month, it won't be easy to travel. If we rush back, we'll be back in the first month of next year. By the time we convince King Gaochang to come back and report the news, it will probably be the beginning of spring in the second month of next year. We have to hurry. "
Xu Yang said, "This disciple will pack it up immediately."
"Go!"
Arhan nodded with a look of approval. Although he didn't achieve much in the Western Regions, at least with Xu Yang around, he didn't have to worry about many things.
Xu Yang packed up and it didn't take long for everything to be packed. The group brought along rations and meat and left Yiwu County City, heading west.
Yi Prefecture and Gaochang Nation shared a border.
The distance wasn't far.
If the snow melted at the beginning of spring, they would be able to reach the capital of Gaochang Country, Gaochang County, in three to four days. However, it was currently winter, so their speed was much slower.
By the time they entered Gaochang Nation, it was already the end of the twelfth month. From Puchang County at the border of Gaochang Nation to the capital of Gaochang County, it took another ten days.
At the beginning of the first month, Arhan returned to Gaochang County.
Manichaeism was currently the national religion of Gaochang Nation. There were many believers in it. Arhan was also very influential in Gaochang Nation, especially with the Gaochang Nation's King.
The Gaochang Nation's King treated Arhan as his life mentor and asked him about everything.
The reason why Arhan went to Yi Prefecture was to guide more lost people to enlightenment, so he went there to preach. The Gaochang Nation's King was very reluctant, especially after Arhan's departure. The Gaochang Nation's King was indecisive about many government affairs.
Now that Arhan had returned to the palace, the Gaochang Nation's King was immediately excited.
With Arhan around, he could help him make decisions.
The Gaochang Nation's King was called Qu Wentai.
He was in his early thirties and was in the prime of his life. He was actually quite wise. His only flaw was that he was indecisive and had a soft personality. Therefore, he was indecisive when dealing with matters.
Once the civil and military officials had disputes, Ju Wentai felt a headache and didn't know how to make a decision. Because of the disputes in the imperial court, Ju Wentai found it hard to make a decision.
When Ju Wentai saw Arhan, he said, "State Preceptor, you are finally back. You went to Yi Prefecture for a few months and put me in a difficult position. Without the State Preceptor, it was too difficult for me. "
Arhan said, "You are too humble, Your Majesty. You are wise and clear, and you handle matters in an orderly manner. Nothing can be difficult for you. Your difficulty lies in empathizing with your subjects and always thinking for them. Yet, these people insisted on their own opinions and didn't empathize with you at all. "
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Ju Wentai hurriedly nodded when he heard this.
He was in his early thirties and wasn't very tall. He also had yellow skin and black hair, and was rather fat. Ju Wentai's train of thought had always been sharp, and he wasn't an idiot.
His biggest weakness was that he had a weak personality and was indecisive. He didn't have his own opinions.
He was easily influenced by others.
Of course, this was also the reason why Arhan could preach. If Ju Wentai didn't have such a nature, it wouldn't have been easy for Arhan to become Gaochang's State Preceptor.
Ju Wentai changed the topic and asked, "State Preceptor, what did you gain from your trip to Yi Prefecture?"
Arhan said, "I went to Yi Prefecture to understand three aspects."
Ju Wentai said, "State Preceptor, please speak."
Arhan said with a straight face, "The first aspect is to understand the situation of Yi Prefecture's Lord, Du Qi. Originally, we didn't know much about Du Qi's news. Only when we were in Yi Prefecture did we have a deep understanding. "
"Du Qi is in his early twenties. He's the founder of the Tang Dynasty, Ping Xi Wang. This person has made illustrious contributions at such a young age. It's said that Xieli Khan of the Eastern Tujue, who occupied the east, fell into Du Qi's hands. "
"Du Qi is extremely good at commanding troops."
"In addition, Du Qi is even more talented in business and has amassed a lot of wealth."
Arhan said, "Du Qi is proficient in both the pen and the sword. He can fight wars and govern the country. Moreover, Du Qi first established himself in Suzhou and swept through Guazhou and Shazhou with the Tang Dynasty's General Su Dingfang, and then entered Yi Prefecture. Now, he is eyeing Gaochang covetously. That's why I returned in a hurry. "
"Sigh …"
Ju Wentai sighed.
Arhan said, "Why do you sigh, Monarch?"
Ju Wentai said, "During the days when State Preceptor left, there was already a debate about Du Qi in the Imperial Court. The civil officials advocated that we should take the initiative to establish a relationship with Du Qi, and both sides should form an alliance and sign a covenant of non-aggression. The military officials said that since Gaochang has been established for many years, we don't need to be afraid of Du Qi. They even said that we should take the initiative to attack first to gain the initiative. "
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