Chapter 108 Knife and Fork

Simple fortifications were built around the camp of the Central Tang Dynasty. Two arrow towers were built at the camp gate. The envoys and nobles of various tribes arrived one after another, passing under the arrow tower, giving them a new feeling like the palace gate.

The conditions here are harsh and the temporary construction facilities are very crude. They are far from the exquisite architectural etiquette system of the Chang'an Palace, but the real power does not depend entirely on those things. Just like now, this nameless land has suddenly become the center of gatherings of all ethnic groups in the north.

The first heavy snow this year finally came. Xue Chongxun used auspicious snow to indicate a good harvest, so he summoned envoys and nobles from all over the country to gather at the tent of the central army on the day of snow.

A map outlined by white paper hanging above the big tent, the white color is just like the white earth outside, and like a big cake waiting for people to divide it.

The tent was warm, and all the lamb was roasted on several piles of fires. The sergeant beside them rolled carefully with the lamb to make them golden in the skin, and fat and sizzled out. A tempting fragrance filled the tent and made people smell it and make saliva from their mouths.

There were reliable chefs in the army but no ingredients for court banquets. In addition, nomads liked to eat meat, the Tang people simply roasted lamb with fine wine to prepare for a banquet.

At this time, the tiger skin above was still empty, but the envoys from various countries had almost arrived. They sat around the food and chatted around. Most of them didn't know each other. At first, they only talked to their own people, and gradually introduced each other. XX was the younger brother of the Khitan leader, XX was Xi's favorite minister. Although they had never met her, they heard about it, so they started to talk about it.

Everyone was becoming more and more casual, and most of them sat cross-legged on the ground. If this situation was placed in the mainland of the Tang Dynasty, it would be like a gathering of a group of rich and upstart households. The aristocratic families would sneer, because at least the sitting position of eating on a short table should be kneeling. When the envoys saw that they had no stools, they sat on the ground, and there was no way to go here.

After a while, a loud insult was heard, and everyone looked at each other. It turned out that the Khitans and Uro guards were having a fuss. When people saw that both parties involved did not have to listen to the content, they understood what was going on.

Someone came forward to persuade him to fight, but this was very strange. Usually, the more he persuaded him, the more he was, the more he was, the more he was, the more he was furious.

At this time, Murong Xuan, the King of Tuyuhun, who was kneeling down in a white felt robe, said calmly: What's the use of your quarrel now?I will wait for the King of Jin in the Tang Dynasty to come after a while, and let him take charge of you?

When everyone heard this, they nodded and said, "The nomads actually made some sense. Whoever contributed more will have the right to dominate the interests. In this war, the Tang army won the victory in the entire southern desert area, so the Tang people had absolute right to speak, and no one had any objections.

Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrived. At this moment, Xue Chongxun brought a group of staff to lift the curtain and walked in from behind. Everyone stood up and performed various etiquettes in a mess.

Seeing this, Xue Chongxun smiled, raised his hand and waved: I'm exempted, everyone sit down.I asked someone to roast mutton and wine, and I hope it will be suitable for your taste, please enjoy it.

The envoys also understood Chinese language, and after hearing this, they sat down one after another. Some of the people who could be sent here could still understand the words of the Tang people, otherwise it would be troublesome to communicate.

A big man said angrily before he sat down: As the allies of the court, we helped the Tang army attack the Turkic Khanate, but the Khitans attacked halfway, which was obviously equivalent to being an enemy of the court!Now that the Turks are defeated and retreat to the northern part of the Mo River, it is the right thing to severely punish the Turks' minions. How can they let them seize the Uluo protection land?

Li Siyi, the younger brother sent by the Khitan leader Li Duhuo, immediately fought against each other: In the past, eight tribes of our ten prefectures were forced to fall under the brutal Turks. When the army of the Tang court came to Heisha City, the Khitan leader did not obey the instigation of the Turks to become enemies with the Tang army, and was even prepared to raise an army to join the court to deal with Mochu Khan.General Du Xian of the Tang Dynasty personally agreed that we had the land of Uro protection as a commendation. You guys who were not good enough to do anything, even Yuwen Hong's eldest son surrendered to us. What place can we say?

You... Uro's guardian turned red and was about to retort.

Xue Chongxun said, "Don't worry, you guys, sit down and taste the delicious food first, and I will treat it fairly."The visitor brought meat and wine to the envoys.

After hearing this, the two of them stopped the quarrel, and they still glared at each other when they sat down.

Not only these two gangs, but also other tribes also had their own expectations, but they didn't start arguing so early like the Uluo guardians and the Khitans.

After a while, the soldiers took plates to cut off the roasted lamb and sent it to the diners' shore. The tempting delicious food made most people happy. They shouted and yelled to eat, and then everyone picked up knives to cut the meat and tasted it, marveling at the deliciousness.

A piece of fragrant cooked meat was also placed in front of Xue Chongxun. After reviewing the eating habits of everyone, he couldn't help but laugh. Some of the people cut it off with knives and chew it with their hands, while others just grabbed the whole piece with both hands and chewed it there, making their hands full of oil, and then reached out to grab the wine cup and stained the wine cup.

However, Xue Chongxun calmly took out a fork made of wood and wiped it with a cotton cloth for a few times. Then he took it in his left hand and picked up the knife for cutting the flesh with his right hand. He skillfully cut off a small piece and then picked it up with a fork and put it in his mouth to chew it carefully. He nodded and said: Baked well.

Everyone was stunned when they looked at his way of eating in surprise. Murong Xuan on the lower side only felt that this method of eating meat was elegant and calm, and he was even more yearning for it. He hurriedly said: It turns out that the Tang Dynasty not only used chopsticks, but also had some special considerations in eating meat. Is there a wooden fork in the tent?

Xue Chongxun said: It is better to have fun than to have fun alone. Fortunately, I asked people to peel more and take them up and use them as you are willing to use.

The envoys thought it was novel and learned the same way. Unexpectedly, this thing seemed simple to use like chopsticks, but it was really not in control. Many people simply threw it aside and continued to grab it with their hands and thought it would be more satisfying to eat meat and drink wine. Only a few people including Murong Xuan learned to use this tool seriously.

After eating for a while, I drank a few rounds. Xue Chongxun stood up, picked up a knife and walked to the front of the map. He cut two pieces of paper with the mountains, rivers and land names marked on it. He was located in two parts north of Tuhe River in the northwest of Khitan and west of Limo. Then he put the mutton on two pieces of paper and handed it to the sergeant and said: I will give it to Li Siyi, I will give it to him to taste it.

Everyone suddenly became quiet. The meaning of Xue Chongxun's series of actions was very obvious. If there was no other meaning, who would cut paper on the map to cushion the meat?

Khitan envoy Li Siyi also looked at the thing in front of him in surprise. He was a little happy but a little confused, so he did not make a statement immediately, waiting to see what this was meant. Could it be that he would give two water plants in the eastern part of the Khitan for free?

These places were previously controlled by the Turks, but now the Turkic forces were driven to the north of the Mobei by the Tang Dynasty, so it is natural that the benefits obtained by the Tang people.

After a while, Xue Chongxun drew the piece of paper that Uluohu on the map again, and two holes appeared on the drawings hanging on it.

Xue Chongxun looked at the Khitans: Since the two places just now sent the Khitans to graze, I will return this place to Uluo's guardians. Do you have any objections?

Li Siyi and his fellow travelers looked at each other, and someone whispered in a low voice: The land of Uluo protection is very cold, not necessarily better than the Turkic grassland that the Tang Dynasty gave us.Besides, if we insist on possessing Uluogu, we will make the court unable to step down. It is difficult to be legitimate and will not benefit anyone.

Li Siyi thought for a moment, then replied readily: Thank you, King Jin, for your kindness. Since that is the case, we Khitans should generously return the Uro protected land to Yuwen Hong's eldest son.

Xue Chongxun nodded and said to the Uluo Guardian: Before the Uluo Guardian received the imperial edict, he sent troops rashly, which not only failed himself, but also affected the overall situation.You have not made any contribution, but you are loyal to the court and have no contribution and hard work. We cannot bear to see Uro's guardians lose their homeland. In the future, we send envoys to escort the leader back to the country to rebuild, hoping that they will do their own good.

The Uro Guardian hurriedly thanked him. The purpose of their trip was to retrieve what they had lost. It was thankful that they could achieve their goals. They really couldn't ask too much.

At this time, several groups of envoys from Tiele's tribes looked at it. The three surnames Ba Yigu, Hu Luwu and Shu Nishi in the northwest came out to ask, saying that they had suffered huge losses in the war against Mochu, and that the land was barren and the water was not abundant. The Turks in the south of the desert migrated and were sparsely populated. They wanted to take cattle and sheep south to borrow the land to graz.

Xue Chongxun said: The court will place the Shanyu Protectorate in Heisha City, and the grasslands in the south of the desert will also be incorporated into our Tang Dynasty territory.It will take some time to migrate the border residents to the new land, and I also think of the contributions of Tiel's tribes in restraining the forces of Mochu Khan. I agree with you who went south to nomads. You should follow the laws of the Shanyu Protectorate's Mansion to restrain yourself (pay taxes) and cherish the long-term friendship between the tribes and the court.

The leaders of all tribes were very happy. The grasslands in the south of the desert were obviously richer, and the climate became warmer the further south.

Then Xue Chongxun promised to reward Xianbei and other tribes with cattle, sheep tents and other supplies. This was undoubtedly a happy gathering of spoils. The tribes present had gained a lot according to their contributions, and they couldn't help but raise their glasses to drink happily.

Xue Chongxun said seriously: God has given all lands and things to all races so that people can enjoy food every day. I am willing to share some wealth with all races and tribes, just like now, sharing delicious food with everyone... But those who are enemies of the court are the common enemies of everyone. I will raise troops and attack them like the Turks, and I will never be vague!

Everyone agreed to maintain order on the grassland for their allies in the court.

At this time, Murong Xuan took the opportunity to stand up and said: We are not willing to be treated unfairly by the clan, since the King of Jin is willing to make the decision for everyone, why don’t we elect King of Jin as the leader of the alliance and live in harmony from now on?