hsntnovel Chapter 2411 Reception of Songtsen Gampo
Chapter 2411 Reception of Songtsen Gampo
Songtsen Gampo was the first to speak, which surprised Li Shen because he spoke Tang dialect so well.
He also planned to arrange Wang Xuance as an interpreter. Wang Xuance could speak the languages of several countries and he came from the Honglu Temple.
However, since Songtsen Gampo could speak Tang language, some trouble was saved.
"Greetings to the Zamp." Li Shen bowed and performed a standard aristocratic etiquette, which Li Shimin had forced him to learn for a long time.
After Li Shen finished speaking, the two men's eyes met, and they were looking at each other. This was a process of confirming each other's identity and aura.
It can also be said to be an invisible confrontation between the two people.
Li Shen's eyes were full of curiosity, this was a legendary figure.
Li Shen's action turned into indifference in Songtsen Gampo's eyes, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
He had heard of the title of King Ji more than once. Lu Dongzan once said that one King Ji was worth a million troops.
If you want to defeat the Tang Dynasty, you must first get rid of Prince Ji.
Although he trusted Lu Dongzan very much, when he heard that Prince Ji was only a teenager at the time, he felt that Lu Dongzan was exaggerating.
No matter how powerful the Tang Dynasty was, it would not be able to have such a deterrent effect by just picking out a prince.
But now it seems that this Prince Ji is indeed extraordinary.
He was tall and imposing, and most importantly, his aura was not inferior to his own at all.
Looking at the respectful manner of the civil and military officials beside Prince Ji, in his opinion, either Prince Ji was very prestigious in the Tang Dynasty, or he had the means to intimidate these people.
He was able to unify Tubo not by brute force, but by having some vision.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, please invite the Great Fan Zamp inside to speak."
Wang Xuance reminded him. There were no diplomats here, so he had to take on the role.
He knew that Prince Ji had no experience in meeting with leaders of other countries. If he allowed Prince Ji to speak, he would most likely be looked down upon.
Because from this moment on, Prince Ji no longer represents himself, but the image of the Tang Dynasty.
Although this is a private meeting, we still cannot lose face for the Tang Dynasty, a country of etiquette.
Li Shen nodded when he heard that.
"Zanpu, please." Li Shen said.
Songtsen Gampo nodded and walked side by side with Li Shen. Li Shen understood that if he walked in front,
Aside from being a little ignorant of etiquette, it also seems like you're trying to lead the way. Wouldn't that put you at a disadvantage?
It was the first time that Li Shen was so cautious. He recalled some etiquette he learned in school and some etiquette the Ministry of Rites had taught him.
Li Shen also has a sense of right and wrong. He cannot bring down the prestige of the Tang Dynasty and must show the style and grandeur of the Tang Dynasty.
Ashina She'er and others followed Li Shen. No one could lose face at this time.
The people brought by Songtsen Gampo also followed behind him.
Wang Xuance led the way, and Li Shen and Songtsen Gampo walked into the hall side by side.
The chairs had already been arranged, with Li Shen sitting on the left side of the upper seat and Songtsen Gampo sitting on the right, forming a host-guest relationship.
This was all arranged in advance by Wang Xuance.
The two men faced each other and Songtsen Gampo saluted again:
"Songtsen Gampo, the King of Tubo, sends his greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. May the Tang and Tubo shine like the sun and the moon, and may our mountains and rivers remain forever strong and our friendship last forever."
"On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I welcome the Tibetan king who has come all the way here. May our two countries enjoy peace and friendship for generations to come."
Li Shen also bowed in return.
Both groups of people followed suit and saluted.
Originally, Songtsen Gampo wanted to have a private meeting, but after seeing the pomp and ceremony that King Ji had put on, he couldn't act too casually.
After the two sat down, a maid immediately served tea to everyone.
The people below were using celadon tea cups from the Yue Kiln, which were tribute-grade, with even and delicate glaze, clear patterns, and no flaws at all.
What was given to Songtsen Gampo was a gilded Xing kiln white porcelain teacup that Li Shen had always been reluctant to use. It was specially made for Li Shen by Li Shimin at the Xing kiln.
The whole set of tea sets is named Kirin Auspicious Cloud Cup. There is a gilded Kirin auspicious beast on each tea cup, and the styles are different and lifelike.
Even the mane is clearly visible.
The tray is also painted with a silver lotus, which contrasts sharply with the golden Qilin.
This process is not simple. It is not inlaid, but pasted on when the body is made.
The whole piece is then glazed and fired, and finally finely polished to make the metal pattern flush with the glaze surface, as if it were one.
This requires the craftsmen to have extremely high skills, which is not something that ordinary people can enjoy. Almost all of them are tributes.
When Songtsen Gampo saw such an exquisite teacup, his eyes lit up. The porcelain of the Tang Dynasty was famous all over the world.
Whether in the Western Regions or Tibet, he was very popular and sought after by all the nobles.
If this teacup were placed in Tubo, I wonder how many yaks it could be exchanged for.
"Zanpu, please have some tea. This tea is tribute tea. In the Tang Dynasty, only His Majesty the Emperor is worthy of enjoying it."
Li Shen gave way for a moment.
Hearing that only the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty was worthy of enjoying it, Songtsen Gampo picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"Good tea~~" he couldn't help but exclaim in praise.
Tea brewing was popular in the Tang Dynasty for several years and also spread to Tubo. Lu Dongzan went to the Tang Dynasty more than once and brought back many good things from the Tang Dynasty to Songtsen Gampo.
The first-class tea from Boutique Pavilion is one of them.
But it must be quite different from the tea we have now.
"Haha, if Zamp likes it, I will give you two cans." Li Shen smiled lightly and took a sip as well.
Now his tea-frying technology is becoming more and more perfect. After so many years of improvement and trial and error, he has made a huge breakthrough in technology.
Putting down the teacup, Li Shen spoke again:
"I wonder why the Zamp has come all this way?"
This is also what Li Shen is most curious about. Instead of going to Chang'an City, she came to Xizhou specifically to find him. Is it because he has always opposed the marriage?
Or is he coming to bring an army to punish me for what I did against Tubo?
But judging from Songtsen Gampo's appearance, it doesn't seem like that. He only brought 3,000 people with him, so they could be easily eaten up.
"Cough cough cough~~~~" Songtsen Gampo suddenly started coughing, as if he was seriously ill.
This made Li Shen frown. He remembered that Songtsen Gampo died young, but he didn't know the exact year.
Could it be this year?
At this time, the Grand Chancellor stood up and came to Songtsen Gampo's side and patted his back.
After Songtsen Gampo calmed down, the inner minister bowed to Li Shen and said:
"Your Majesty, Prince Ji, we, the Zamp, have come here this time because we need your help."
"Oh? You need my help? What is it?"
Li Shen asked curiously.
Something that could cause Songtsen Gampo trouble and for him to come in person was definitely not a small matter.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken such a big risk to come to Xizhou.
(My kidney stones are acting up again. I can’t concentrate, so I’m just trying to keep typing.)