The first light of dawn cast a golden glow over the distant snow-capped peaks, while falcons soared across the azure sky, leaving faint, cloud-like shadows. As the morning bell tolled for the third time, the market in the southern part of the Holy City was already bustling with activity, crowded and lively.
Yaoying, dressed in a Beast and Scrollwork Patterned Gauze Dress with a veil covering her face, entered the market accompanied by Ashina Bisha.
The main street of the market was not particularly long, but it was thronged with merchants. Shops stood densely packed on both sides, their colorful felt curtains crowded with people, leaving almost no room to step. Traders of various skin tones, speaking different languages, wearing diverse attire, and hailing from different tribes moved among the stalls. Goods from the Western Regions converged here for sale, creating a bustling scene distinct from the markets of Chang'an.
Amid the clamor of voices, the calls of Sogdian and Hu merchants mingled with the crisp, melodious sound of camel bells.
As Yaoying walked, she carefully observed the wares. Most shops sold jewelry, furs, spices, silk, and felt carpets—a dazzling array of exquisite items that overwhelmed the senses.
However, she noticed that goods from the Central Plains were scarce.
Ashina Bisha explained to her, "The trade routes to the Central Plains are treacherous, winding through towering mountains and vast deserts. In recent years, continuous warfare has left these routes abandoned, and ordinary caravans dare not risk the journey. Most merchants here travel along three main routes: the Northern Route heads north across the Tianshan Mountains, passing through Suiye, Kang, Shi, Ray, and as far as Fu Lin; the Central Route follows the edge of the desert westward, from Kucha and Kashgar to Gandhara, then north to Kang or south to the Land of Brahma; the Southern Route skirts the southern desert fringe, passing through Loulan, Qiemo, Khotan, Shache, and onward to Kashgar."
"Upon reaching the Land of Brahma, some merchants head south through Kanyakubja and Rajgir to Tubo, or from Pyu to Yongchang, eventually arriving at the southern borders of the Central Plains. Others take the sea route, circumnavigating the Land of Brahma to trade with merchants from the Central Plains who arrive after months of sailing. Most of these merchants come from southern ports like Guangzhou, Mingzhou, and Yangzhou."
Yaoying listened with a sense of awe.
The three trade routes Bisha described aligned perfectly with the western paths of the ancient Silk Road. However, the starting segment—from Chang'an in the Central Plains to Dunhuang and the Yumen Pass—had been severed. The Central Plains had long lost control over the Hexi and Longyou regions, blocking the routes and halting travel.
Merchants, undeterred by peril, traversed the vast deserts and snow-capped mountains spanning the continent, bridging natural barriers to connect the Central Plains and Fu Lin. They did not easily lose heart when faced with obstructed routes. With the rise of shipbuilding, more and more merchants opted for sea voyages, which offered greater cargo capacity and lower costs.
This maritime trade route departed from ports like Mingzhou, Yangzhou, Quanzhou, and Guangzhou in the Central Plains, crossed the South Sea, passed through Kalasapura, and reached the western part of the Land of Brahma. From there, goods traveled overland to the Western Regions, Persia, and as far as Fu Lin and Jerusalem—a route later known as the Maritime Silk Road.
Yaoying recalled Li Zhongqian mentioning that the goods shipped from the Central Plains to the West via this maritime route were mostly porcelain, tea, silk, and copper or ironware. In return, rare spices, exotic flowers, and precious treasures were brought back to the Central Plains. These goods were often snapped up by the aristocratic families of Southern Chu as soon as they arrived at the ports—a testament to the region's prosperity.Back then, Li Zhongqian had joked with her that if he ever captured the capital of Southern Chu, he would definitely take her to explore the treasury of the Southern Chu royal palace.
Yaoying lost herself in thought for a moment before continuing to observe the market in the Holy City.
If Wahan Khan of the Northern Rong wanted to unify the Western Regions, he had to capture the Royal Court to ensure that all the states along the northern route were under Northern Rong control. However, as long as Tanmoroqie held firm in the Royal Court, Wahan Khan could not seize the northern route of the Western Regions. During the standoff between the two nations, smaller states like Gaochang and Yanqi could catch their breath.
The prosperity of Gaochang largely depended on the smooth flow of trade routes.
This could be used to persuade the Yuchi Royal Family of Gaochang to agree to an alliance.
The goods in the market were diverse and abundant.
As Yaoying pondered, she strolled through the market, spotting Persian carpets, Fu Lin glass cups, the Buddha Tooth from the Land of Brahma, Gaochang wine, and Egyptian scriptures written in gold ink.
Xie Qing, Xie Peng, and Xie Chong followed closely beside her, their eyes barely able to take in all the sights.
Seeing Yaoying staring at the colorful brocade hanging in a Sogdian merchant’s shop, Xie Peng immediately took out silver coins: "Does the Princess wish to buy something?"
Yaoying shook her head and said, "We’re not here to shop today."
Xie Peng looked bewildered.
The weather was gradually growing hotter. The climate of the Royal Court was well-suited for growing fruits, and Hu merchants selling carts of melons and fruits were everywhere. The group bought some fruits and grains, passed through the market, and arrived at an adobe courtyard outside the city.
The Han Chinese in the courtyard, young and old alike, all came out to greet them, kneeling on the ground and weeping bitterly.
An elderly man with a graying beard cried, "We can never repay the Princess for saving our lives. We are willing to serve you like oxen and horses."
Yaoying signaled Xie Peng to help the old man up and looked around.
The men, women, and children in the courtyard gazed at her with hopeful eyes.
These people, gaunt and dressed in rags, were Han slaves she had bought from Hu merchants. Their ancestral homes were in Hexi, some were born in the Western Regions, and others had migrated there. When the Western Regions fell into chaos, they were reduced to lowly status, suffering tragic fates and being captured and sold here.
The old man wiped away his tears and voiced the hope in everyone’s hearts: "Princess, is the Central Plains emperor sending troops to reclaim Hexi and the Northern Protectorate?"
Everyone looked up at Yaoying, their eyes burning with fiery anticipation.
Yaoying shook her head: "The Central Plains currently lacks the strength to send troops to reclaim Hexi and the Northern Protectorate."
The light in the old man’s eyes instantly dimmed.
Yaoying looked at the crowd, raised her voice, and declared with solemn determination: "However, the Central Plains has never forgotten its people. Every civil and military official at court longs to reclaim our homeland as soon as possible. The Great Wei has stabilized the Central Plains, promotes talent based on merit, and is sharpening its weapons and training its troops. We will surely reclaim our rivers and mountains soon!"
Hearing this, the old man grew excited again: "The Princess speaks truly. We have waited all these years, and we will surely see the day we return to the east!"
The crowd nodded in tearful agreement.
Xie Peng distributed the fruits and grains, and everyone expressed their gratitude, stepping forward to kowtow to Yaoying.
The old man was the only literate person among them. Xie Chong brought the register he had compiled for Yaoying to review.
"Princess, we have taken in a total of 111 people here—51 men and 60 women. Most are elderly, weak, or disabled, sold cheaply because they could no longer work."
After reading the register, Yaoying nodded.
Xie Chong asked, "Princess, how should we settle them? Should we take them back to the Central Plains with us?"Yaoying stood on the high platform, watching the crowd in the courtyard devouring coarse naan bread, her brows slightly furrowed.
"We're returning to the Central Plains—we can't possibly bring all these people along to face the risks. In the future, we're bound to rescue even more people. Should they follow us wherever we go?"
Xie Chong scratched his head; this was indeed a difficult problem. They couldn't take these Han people with them everywhere. The princess could support over a hundred people, but if the numbers kept growing, how could she possibly shoulder the burden alone?
Yaoying spoke slowly: "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. Find out what skills they each possess—whether anyone knows dyeing cloth, embroidery, craftsmanship, or literacy... As long as they have some skill, it's fine. If they have none, they can start learning now. Those in poor health can stay to care for the children and elderly."
Xie Chong acknowledged the order and asked, "Is the princess planning to find them some work?"
Yaoying shook her head: "Even if we find them work, they'll still be bullied. I've already asked Bi Suo to help purchase two silk fabric shops, and we'll entrust these shops to these people to manage. I visited the market today—the Central Plains brocade patterns sold here are still years out of date, nowhere near as exquisite and novel as what we brought from the Central Plains."
Xie Chong suddenly understood: No wonder the princess gifted silk to the Buddhist monks!
After the religious assembly, nobles of the Royal Court were everywhere inquiring about which foreign merchant had supplied those fabrics. Bi Suo spread the word that the magnificent brocades came from the Central Plains. These past few days, foreign merchants coming to inquire and quote prices have been as numerous as schools of fish swimming across a river, with even hundred-gold pieces per bolt failing to meet demand.
Xie Chong asked doubtfully, "Why doesn't the princess sell directly to the Royal Court nobles?"
The princess's dowry contained plenty of rare goods highly sought after in the Western Regions—tea, silk, jewelry, and such. The princess only sent some scriptures, gold and jade Buddha statues, and silk to the Buddhist temple, keeping the rest in storage. Since the Royal Court nobles are so eager for these silks, why not sell directly to them instead of buying shops for resale?
Yaoying explained to him: "After all, we're outsiders. Selling directly to the nobles would, first, offend local merchants; second, make pricing difficult; and third, easily attract jealousy and resentment. It's better to follow local customs—this way we avoid trouble while providing these people with livelihoods. Even after we leave, they'll still be able to feed themselves."
The dowry was too conspicuous and inconvenient to transport, so it needed to be sold quickly, but not all from her side. The Western Regions differed from the Central Plains—here, noble families held strong influence and controlled trade. The slightest misstep could offend powerful nobles, ruining business deals and bringing disaster instead. Better to cooperate with local nobles, leaning on big trees for shade, while avoiding disputes and keeping options open for the future.
Xie Chong, Xie Peng, and the others exchanged glances and said, "The princess has indeed thought this through carefully!"
They had assumed they just needed to sell those goods for gold and silver.
Yaoying summoned the elderly man and asked, "What trades did you all previously practice?"
The old man replied respectfully, "Your Highness, our people all know some trades! Some can farm land and tend trees, some can raise sheep and cattle, collect dung, weave felt, sort wool, or braid ropes, and some can weave brocade!"
</input>Although the Royal Court was deep in the desert, nourished by melted snow from icy mountains, it possessed vast fertile lands and pastures where mulberry trees, hemp, and fruits were cultivated. Like Gaochang, it had extensive vineyards, and the hillsides were dotted with herds of cattle and sheep. The old man had previously tended livestock for his master and would help weave felt during busy seasons.
Yaoying discussed the silk shop with the old man. "I will ask Hu merchants to manage the shop. Select a few literate individuals to assist at the counter and some skilled craftsmen to apprentice in the workshop. I’ve brought many patterns from the Central Plains, enough to last you several years."
Having once served as a steward, the old man immediately understood that Yaoying was planning for their future. Overwhelmed with emotion, he knelt and kowtowed, tears streaming down his face.
Yaoying, having noticed the old man’s authority among the group, smiled lightly. "For now, it’s just two shops. Focus on managing them well—don’t rush to make profits. First, find a way to secure your livelihood."
The old man nodded tearfully, his expression growing even more reverent.
Yaoying asked, "Where were you all sold from? How many Han people are there locally?"
The old man replied, "Some of us were captured from Hexi, others from Shazhou, Guazhou, and some are locals... Han people from various regions work for nobles like us, serve as their subordinates, or belong to prominent families who intermarry with the nobility."
Yaoying pondered and asked, "Are there any powerful families among them who control military forces?"
The old man was stunned for a moment, then grasped Yaoying’s intent. His expression turned solemn, and he bowed deeply to her, knocking his forehead against the ground with a thud.
"This humble one, Qinian, descendant of the Qi clan of Hexi, is at your service, Princess!"
Yaoying smiled and signaled Xie Chong to help Qinian up, but did not respond to his declaration.
Not daring to press further, Qinian’s face brimmed with unconcealed fervor. He whispered, "Princess, many prominent families across the regions still yearn for the Central Plains. Some even secretly train volunteer armies, waiting for the imperial forces to arrive so they can lend support. Unfortunately, their strength is still insufficient to rise up. While the Royal Court remains peaceful, other areas have long been occupied. They are too far from Shazhou, and communication is difficult."
Yaoying’s expression remained calm. "A single spark can start a prairie fire."
She could continuously recruit followers, connect with families nostalgic for their homeland, gather displaced Han people, use her dowry to fund military expenses, bribe Hu merchants, and attract manpower. By operating as merchant caravans traveling through the Western Regions, these individuals—though no match for the Northern Rong—could still be useful, such as in relaying messages.
Wherever she was, she needed to assemble a reliable armed force for herself.
Relying solely on Xie Qing and a few others would not suffice.
Qinian gazed at Yaoying, silent for a long while. Turbulent emotions—surprise, admiration, excitement, and fervor—flashed in his clouded eyes, his blood boiling with passion.
He had heard from the guards about the Princess’s origins. Though she herself was stranded in the Western Regions and struggling to survive, she had not forgotten to rescue commoners like them. Moreover, she was planning for their future—she was their savior!
Surely, their daily prayers had moved the gods, who then sent the Princess to deliver them.
Qinian knelt once more at Yaoying’s feet, tears falling freely.
A strong premonition stirred within him: the Princess would surely lead them home!
Seeing this, the people in the courtyard set down their food and stood up. One by one, they knelt like a rising tide, prostrating themselves before Yaoying.Ashina Bisha's command of Chinese was not very fluent. After entering the courtyard, Yaoying was either instructing her personal guards, comforting the elderly and weak, or speaking with the elders. He found it inconvenient to approach and stood at a distance observing.
When everyone in the courtyard knelt before Yaoying, he couldn't help but shed his casual demeanor, straightening his back and gazing intently at this Han princess who had found her way to the Royal Court.
She stood before the steps, a faint smile gracing her lips, her bearing noble and elegant, like a snow lotus blooming atop the Tianshan Mountains.
So noble, so unattainably distant.
Bisha remained lost in thought for a long while.
On the way back to the palace, Yaoying asked Bisha to help inquire about land for sale in the Royal Court. Qinian and the others were more skilled in farming, and she wanted to purchase a plot of land to help the elderly and weak women find self-sufficient livelihoods, which would also make it easier to settle people.
Bisha agreed to help her inquire but firmly refused any payment.
Yaoying smiled and said, "That won't do."
Since she was asking Bisha for help, it was only natural to offer compensation.
Bisha spread his hands helplessly and said, "Your Highness is too polite. Why be so formal with me? We are friends, and you are the King's guest. How could I accept payment?"
Yaoying replied with a smile, "If that's the case, then I dare not trouble the General for help. I've heard there are many Sogdians in the city who assist with errands."
Looking at her smiling face, Bisha felt his heart flutter like a startled deer and dared not refuse any further.
The group then went to explore the market district. Yaoying had already familiarized herself with the rules of the Royal Court's markets. After paying a sum of money, she purchased a shop and hired two shrewd Hu people to manage it. The shop originally sold silk and could continue its operations.
She spread the word, and merchants flocked to the shop, asking the Hu shopkeepers, "Is it true that the Central Plains princess's silk will be distributed for us to sell?"
The Hu shopkeepers smiled and nodded in confirmation, saying, "But you've come at an unfortunate time. A portion of that silk has already been reserved by the Kang and Xue families, among others. There isn't much left."
The merchants were taken aback and swarmed into the shop, afraid that if they delayed, others would snatch up all the remaining silk.
Of the silk Yaoying had brought from the Central Plains, part was sent to the Buddhist temple, part was used to win over and curry favor with the Royal Court nobility in exchange for support from the market authorities, part was distributed to Hu merchants for sale, and the remainder was kept in the shop to be sold gradually.
Before long, she would be able to use the proceeds to recruit her own personnel.
Bisha escorted Yaoying back to the palace and then went directly to the Buddhist temple to seek an audience with Tanmoroqie.
The hall was quiet, with Luojia reading a sutra, his back looking slender.
"Your Majesty..." Bisha removed his sword and knelt on one knee in the corridor, speaking solemnly, "I wish to ask a favor of you."
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