Chang 'an City was bustling with people coming and going in an endless stream. Merchants from all over the world gathered in the huge Chang 'an City. Chang' an was not only the political center of the Tang dynasty, but also the economic center of the Tang dynasty.
Especially in the past few years, Du Qi's existence made commerce flourish. Countless goods entered and left Chang 'an City every day. However, even though Chang 'an was prosperous, Ma Zhou did not feel a sense of belonging to Chang' an.
Chang 'an was good, but it was not easy to live in Chang' an.
Ma Zhou liked Gaochang City in the Western Region more. Although Gaochang City was not as prosperous as Chang 'an, he felt warmer in Gaochang. Ma Zhou did not hide his identity and purpose along the way.
When he was in Guazhou, Ma Zhou told Su Dingfang about his mission and asked Su Dingfang to deliver the message.
Therefore, Ma Zhou believed that the Emperor already knew. When Ma Zhou entered Chang 'an, he temporarily stayed at the courier station in Chang' an and did not immediately go to see Li Shimin. Ma Zhou first went to the Du family to deliver Du Qi's letter to Du Ruhui.
Du Ruhui spent most of his time at home and did not participate in government affairs.
He submitted a resignation letter, but Li Shimin did not allow it. Therefore, Du Ruhui pretended to be sick and did not attend court. Because his son was Du Qi, he did not want to be caught in the middle. Moreover, Du Ruhui was not happy that the Emperor sent troops to suppress his son.
Even so, Du Ruhui did not leave Chang 'an.
He was from the Tang dynasty.
His roots were in the Tang dynasty.
No matter what, the Emperor did not suspect Du Ruhui. Therefore, Du Ruhui stayed in Chang 'an. Du Ruhui finished reading Du Qi's letter, which included some of Du Qi's reforms in the Western Region.
In addition, there was an invitation for Du Qi to go to the Western Region. This was the first time that Du Qi had gone. Du Qi had not taken root in the Western Regions before, but now that he had established a country, things were different.
After Du Ruhui finished reading the letter, he directly burned it and said, "Ma Zhou, you came to the Tang dynasty as Erlang's envoy, so I have nothing to ask of you. You just have to remember one thing, don't be affected because of me.
After a pause, Du Ruhui continued, "In short, do whatever you need to do. There's no need to consider me. Furthermore, my safety is not a concern. Also, I'm doing well in Chang 'an. When you return to the Western Regions, tell Erlang that my family will be staying in Chang' an. We won't leave Chang 'an for the time being. "
"Yes!"
Ma Zhou immediately agreed.
Ma Zhou was a straightforward person. After delivering the letter, he did not stay any longer. He left the Du family and returned to the relay station. For the time being, he did not have an audience with them. Instead, he arranged for people to buy some gifts for Madam Li's parents.
The money was from the Li family.
He did not use the funds arranged by Du Qi.
Ma Zhou rested for a day. The next morning, after breakfast, Ma Zhou went to the Imperial City early. When he arrived at the gate of the Imperial City, he asked the guards at the gate to report.
When the guards heard that it was about Du Qi, they did not dare to delay and immediately entered the palace to report.
Li Shimin had already received the news, so when Ma Zhou came to see him, he directly received him in the main hall. When Li Shimin saw Ma Zhou enter, he sat upright with a solemn expression. His eyes were sharp and dignified, giving people an inexplicable pressure.
Ma Zhou was dressed in splendid clothes today, with a broad collar and a large gown, showing his charm. In particular, although Ma Zhou was born in a poor family, his appearance was dignified, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. Ma Zhou was nearly 30 years old. Time had left a lot of hardships on his face, but it made Ma Zhou look more calm. Ma Zhou faced Li Shimin and stepped forward, neither servile nor overbearing. He cupped his hands and said, "Envoy Ma Zhou of Xia pays his respects to the Emperor of the Tang dynasty."
He bowed.
He said that he was the envoy of Xia.
When Li Shimin heard Ma Zhou's words, he frowned. Before Li Shimin could speak, Ma Zhou had already taken out the letter from his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty, this is the letter of credence from my king. Please read it."
Tang Zhen stepped forward and took it and placed it in front of Li Shimin. Li Shimin opened the letter and quickly browsed through it. After reading the contents of the letter, he was slightly relieved. Because in Du Qi's letter of credence, it mentioned that the country was established as Xia, and it still respected the Tang dynasty.
After reading it, Li Shimin was slightly relieved, but he seemed a little unhappy. Because Du Qi was establishing the Xia of Xia, it was tantamount to independent rule. No matter what, Li Shimin's emotions were more negative.
Du Qi was already out of control.
Li Shimin took a deep breath and suppressed his inner emotions. He looked at Ma Zhou and said, "Ma Zhou, what's the matter? Are you here on Du Qi's orders to demonstrate to me? Previously in the Western Region, I spared Du Qi once and did not directly attack him. Now he wants a yard after taking an inch and establishing the Xia of Xia. He even sent you to Chang 'an to demonstrate. Does he think that I don't dare to kill you? Even if I kill you, Du Qi won't dare to do anything? "
Ma Zhou looked very calm, without the slightest fear. He said lightly, "Your Majesty is a wise ruler. You should know that envoys are not killed when two armies fight, not to mention that I am representing the Xia of Xia. Of course, if Your Majesty wants to be a tyrannical ruler and kill me, I have no objections. As an envoy, if I don't even have this awareness, why do I have to be an envoy? "
Li Shimin said, "You have guts."
Ma Zhou said, "Before I came to the Tang dynasty, Emperor Xia once said that Your Majesty is a sage, an eternal emperor, a wise ruler who will create a prosperous era. I believe in Emperor Xia's words, so I am not worried about being killed. Once I die, the title of sage, eternal emperor, wise ruler, will not fall on Your Majesty's head. "
"Hahaha …"
After Li Shimin heard it, he could not help but laugh.
His laughter was quite carefree.
But it was more emotional.
After Li Shimin finished laughing, he suddenly said, "Ma Zhou, your manner, your words, and your tone are quite similar to Du Qi's demeanor in the past. Du Qi in the past was also like this. His mouth was full of praises. "
Ma Zhou said, "Your Majesty praises me too much. Emperor Xia is wise and powerful. I dare not be compared to Emperor Xia."
Along the way, Ma Zhou had been thinking about how to face Li Shimin. In the end, Ma Zhou thought of a way to flatter Li Shimin because Li Shimin was indeed a promising ruler and was extremely powerful. Li Shimin had his own goals and he did not believe that Li Shimin would kill him.
After Li Shimin finished laughing, his expression became serious, "Ma Zhou, what position do you hold beside Du Qi?"
Ma Zhou spoke calmly, "I am just a small advisor by Emperor Xia's side. In layman's terms, I am Emperor Xia's advisor. That is all. "
Li Shimin squinted his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Ma Zhou, as long as you are willing to work for me. I appoint you as a scholar of the Hong Wen Library and allow you to hold a position there. You should know that the Hong Wen Library is a place where scholars gather. It is full of talents. As long as you stand out among them, then it will be easy for you to enter the Prime Minister. "
Ma Zhou smiled, "Your Majesty, you are mistaken about one thing. Without Emperor Xia, there would be no me. Without me, there would be no Your Majesty's favor. So in the end, it is still Emperor Xia's promotion. There are many fine steeds, but there are very few who can spot them. I am indebted to Emperor Xia, how can I betray Emperor Xia's trust? "
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