"They all use the language of the Tang Dynasty?"
Li Xiang heard that some businessmen along the way were basically chatting in Chinese.
"Local languages are diverse, and two tribes might even speak two languages. The main problem is that they don't have a complete written language. Later, merchants from the Tang Dynasty entered this area and brought our language and writing to them. Especially when writing, they basically used our language."
Chang Sunze also felt strange at the beginning. The language of the local people was like bird language, but if you wrote a contract or other document, you could basically understand it.
In fact, this is also a very normal thing. Some local places are still in the state of city-states. If we expect them to create a complete writing system, it is too difficult. It just so happens that the northern big country has a writing system, so why not use it?
"Your Highness, you see, their villages are mostly made up of thatched huts, and there aren't any very sturdy houses. This is also related to the local environment."
Chang Sunze pointed to a village beside the road and said that from Li Xiang's position, it was indeed similar to the original houses.
Everything is supported by thick wood. Maybe because there are many insects and rats, there is nothing on the first floor, and people live on the second floor which is one and a half meters high.
"Invite everyone to rest over there, and we can have some tea and rest our feet."
Li Xiang saw that this place was close to a village, so there was a small tea station on the side of the road.
Only half of the dozens of guards sat down to drink tea, while the rest rode their horses and stood in various places. Their positions allowed them to observe all the surrounding areas and also block the dangers in some places.
Chang Sunze also observed and found out that they were the people following His Highness. Although these people just found a place casually, their place could not only protect His Highness's safety, but also take the initiative to attack outside. If it were not for years of cooperation, it would never be possible to be so smooth.
"I have always believed that I have some experience in training soldiers, but compared to your Highness's guards, I cannot even begin to catch up."
Chang Sunze poured Li Xiang a cup of tea. This guy always thought he had made great achievements, but his true self was soon revealed in front of Li Xiang.
"Don't worry, you've only been in the army for a few years, but I've been fighting on the battlefield for years. They've also been with me in battles all over the country. Everyone's alertness is different. By the time you've fought for a few more years, you'll probably have a group of subordinates like this."
Li Xiang saw the guilt on Chang Sun Ze's face and quickly comforted him. These people were exchanged from the system and did not need to be trained at all, so you cannot compare your subordinates with them. If you compare with them, you will be in inferiority all your life.
"Your Highness is right. When I return, I will work even harder and train my men to serve you like this."
After all, Chang Sunze was young and he regained his confidence with just a few words.
"Dear guests, please enjoy your drinks. I'm going to go and greet the others first. If you need anything, just tell me directly."
The boss served them some refreshments and was about to leave, but Li Xiang gave him a look and Long San threw him two copper coins.
"Thank you for the reward..."
The coins here are all in the form of shells. To be honest, after trading with the Tang Dynasty merchants, they also realized that these shell coins are actually not valuable. These copper coins are the most valuable. Take these two copper coins for example, they are enough for tea money for people like them.
"Boss, we're carrying a lot of grain, but we don't know where to sell it. We also don't know the situation here. Have you had a good harvest in recent years?"
Although the shopkeeper also speaks Chinese, his speech is very poor and you have to listen carefully, otherwise you won’t know that this is your mother tongue.
"There's no such thing as a bumper harvest here. Every time it's time to plant rice, His Majesty the King starts a war with the generals, and then drags all our people into battle. By the time the war is over, everyone dies, and the land becomes barren..."
The old man said helplessly that whenever he talked about these things, he felt really disappointed. In the past 20 years, there were only three or four years without war, and the rest of the time the whole country was in war.
"We're from the Tang Dynasty, so we're not very familiar with your situation. Are you still at war? If so, are our belongings unsafe?"
When the old man heard Li Xiang and the others say they were from the Tang Dynasty, a hint of envy appeared in his eyes. In the eyes of these people, the Tang Dynasty was the Celestial Empire, and people there could eat white rice every meal.
"Don't worry, sir. Since the ceasefire at the beginning of last year, there have been no major wars. These have been minor local conflicts. Our king and General Naimi have also reconciled. There have been no wars between the two sides this year, but there is still a shortage of food."
Based on what the old man said, Li Xiang also knew what the situation was in the Pyu Kingdom.
It was basically the same as what Chang Sunze had inquired about. General Naimi was the king's uncle, and the two had fought many times. To put it bluntly, it was similar to the reduction of feudal power in our history.
The old man had other guests there, and after chatting for a while, he went away to do his work. It seemed that the local people still had not enough food to eat and had a great dislike for their court.
"The situation in the north is relatively good. But in the southern part of Wa City, almost the entire village is deserted. It's all caused by the war."
According to Chang Sunze, the conditions nearby were relatively good, but Li Xiang did not see any signs of prosperity. Instead, many people looked exhausted.
"Which force is paying tribute to us?"
Li Xiang suddenly thought of something. Every year, people were sent to Chang'an to pay tribute.
"Don't be angry, Your Highness. This isn't the King or General Naimi, but a major merchant from this country, Songchai..."
Chang Sun Ze said with difficulty that before, when he was in Chang'an, he also thought that all nations came to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty and really regarded themselves as the Celestial Empire. He did not expect that after coming here to inquire, he found out that it was not the court of the Pyu Kingdom that came to pay tribute, but a big businessman in the north.
Chang Sun Ze was very angry at that time. If this guy had not stayed in Wa City all the time, Chang Sun Ze would have wanted to kill him first. Isn't this bullying the Tang Dynasty because there is no one there?
