The tide of reform surged both inside and outside the imperial court. The open and covert struggles among various forces and the intricate games made Li Yi more acutely aware that if the Tang Dynasty wanted to achieve long-term stability and usher in true prosperity, it was already an urgent matter to expand its economic sources.
In the dead of night, when all was silent, Li Yi climbed up to the high platform of the imperial palace alone. The stars twinkled in the night sky, yet they could not dispel the worry between his brows. His gaze pierced through the layers of darkness, as if he could see that mysterious and vast land of the Western Regions. A fire burned in Li Yi's heart. He firmly believed that as long as a new commercial route to the Western Regions was opened up, the economic landscape of the Tang Dynasty would surely be transformed, and it would welcome unprecedented vitality.
In Li Yi's perception, the Western Regions were like a mysterious treasure trove hidden deep in the desert, with natural resources far more abundant than one could imagine. Precious and rare ores were buried underground, and each one might be the key to opening the door to wealth. The unique spices that were priceless filled the air, a special gift from the Western Regions. Moreover, its geographical location was truly special, just like the crossroads of the world, connecting distant countries. Once this commercial route was opened up, the Tang Dynasty would be closely linked with the world, its commercial territory would be greatly expanded, and the economy was bound to take off like never before.
After Lin Yue heard about this, a strong sense of mission welled up in his heart. He knew that this was not just a commercial exploration, but also an excellent opportunity for cultural exchanges, which could bring immeasurable and far-reaching impacts to the Tang Dynasty. So, he hurried to Li Yi's study and earnestly volunteered to go with the merchant caravan. Li Yi looked at this courtier who had the world in his heart, his eyes full of admiration and trust, and he readily agreed to his request without hesitation.
Under Li Yi's meticulous preparation, a large-scale merchant caravan was gradually formed. During the preparation period, Li Yi took care of everything personally. He personally selected experienced and reliable caravan leaders, and carefully inspected the quality of each carriage. From the sturdiness of the wheels to the stability of the carriage frame, he made sure that they could run smoothly during the long and arduous journey.
The carriages in the caravan were neatly arranged, like a winding dragon. The carriages were fully loaded with the most exquisite silk of the Tang Dynasty. These silks were made by the top weavers in Jiangnan. They spent months of painstaking effort, using their exquisite craftsmanship to weave out a delicate texture and gorgeous colors. Each bolt of silk demonstrated the peak of the textile craftsmanship of the Tang Dynasty. There were also elegant and finely crafted porcelain wares. From the careful selection of the clay when choosing the soil, to the meticulous carving when making the blanks, then to the careful glazing, and finally the strict control during the firing process, every single process embodied the countless efforts of the craftsmen. And there were also the fragrant teas that exuded a gentle aroma. They came from the tea mountains surrounded by clouds and mist. The tea farmers carefully picked the tea leaves in the morning glow, and after multiple processes such as frying, they finally became the pride and symbol of the Tang Dynasty.
Amidst a mighty and imposing atmosphere, the merchant caravan set off towards the Western Regions. Along the way, the scorching sun hung high in the sky, and the heat was unbearable. The vast desert stretched as far as the eye could see, and the fierce wind carried billowing sand, constantly attacking the caravan like a ferocious beast. The horses' hooves stepped on the scalding sand, leaving deep marks. The members of the caravan walked forward step by step with difficulty under the scorching sun and the sandstorm. Each step seemed to be stepping on red-hot coals. Experienced old merchants, relying on their familiarity with the desert, guided the caravan along a relatively safe route. However, even so, the harsh environment caused some horses to collapse due to the heat and lack of water. The members of the caravan had to reluctantly discard some supplies, travel light, and continue on their journey.
When the caravan reached the first tribe in the Western Regions, the scene in front of them made everyone's hearts ache. The entire tribe seemed to be shrouded in a thick layer of haze, and an epidemic was raging here. Many common people were lying in bed weakly, their faces filled with pain, and they let out groans from time to time. Seeing this, Lin Yue did not hesitate for a moment and immediately devoted himself to the rescue work. Relying on his rich medical knowledge accumulated in the Imperial Medical Academy and years of medical experience, he bent down and carefully observed the symptoms of each patient. From the paleness of their complexions, the color and thickness of their tongues, to the frequency and strength of their pulse beats, he did not miss any detail. Finally, he accurately judged that the epidemic was spread by a local special kind of mosquito bite and had spread rapidly due to the poor sanitation conditions in the tribe.
After that, he led the accompanying imperial doctors, regardless of the heat and danger of the desert, and went deep into the desert to search for medicinal herbs. In the desert, the sun scorched the earth, and the sand under their feet was extremely hot. Every step they took, they could feel the heat coming through the soles of their shoes. They struggled to trek among the sand dunes. Their clothes were soaked with sweat, and then quickly dried by the scorching sun, leaving streaks of white salt stains. In order to find a crucial medicinal herb, they even lost their way in the desert. All around them were endless sand dunes without any signs. Fortunately, the imperial doctors, relying on their rich outdoor survival experience, found the required medicinal herb by observing the position of the sun and the direction of the wind.
Back in the tribe, Lin Yue personally stood by the large cauldron and carefully decocted the medicinal soup according to a unique formula. He stirred it attentively, his eyes full of concern and expectation. He distributed bowls of medicinal soup full of hope to the sick common people. At the same time, he also patiently instructed the people in the tribe to do a good job in sanitation protection. He taught them hand by hand how to wash their hands and disinfect properly, and arranged for people to isolate the patients to prevent the further spread of the epidemic.
Thanks to Lin Yue's unremitting efforts, the epidemic was gradually brought under effective control. The common people in the tribe once again wore smiles on their faces and were extremely grateful to Lin Yue. In order to express their gratitude, they all took out the specialties of their own tribes. There were exquisitely hand-woven woolen blankets. The patterns on the blankets were unique and full of exotic customs. Every stitch and thread contained the wisdom and emotions of the people in the tribe. There was also the fragrant goat milk wine, which had a rich and mellow taste and was a fine product for the tribe to entertain distinguished guests. They exchanged these with the merchant caravan of the Tang Dynasty. This small act not only promoted the economic exchanges between the two sides but also made their relationship closer, just like that of family members.
As the caravan continued to travel westward, at every tribe it reached, Lin Yue would carefully pay attention to the local customs and medical knowledge. She found that some medicinal herbs in the Western Regions grew in special environments and had unique effects. For example, a plant that grew in saline-alkali land had a miraculous effect on treating gastrointestinal diseases. The treatment methods were also unique. For example, using warm stones to massage the acupoints to relieve pain, which was the wisdom summed up by the local people in their long-term life. She always humbly consulted the local doctors, took out the notebook she carried with her, carefully recorded it, and also shared the medical concepts and treatment methods of the Tang Dynasty with them. From the theory of the meridians in traditional Chinese medicine to the skills of acupuncture and massage, it also broadened the horizons of the doctors in the Western Regions.
Li Yi actively devoted himself to negotiating and cooperating with the leaders of various tribes. In the exquisitely decorated tent, he sat around with the tribal leaders and enthusiastically showed them the prosperity and richness of the Tang Dynasty. He unfurled scrolls depicting the urban landscape of the Tang Dynasty. In the scrolls, there were tall buildings, busy streets with a lot of traffic, and a lively scene. People were wearing gorgeous clothes and had happy smiles on their faces. He also took out exquisite books and introduced the advanced culture and technology of the Tang Dynasty. From the invention process of papermaking to the huge role of printing in the dissemination of knowledge, from the guiding significance of astronomy and calendar in agricultural production to the application of mathematical algorithms in commercial trade, he explained in detail how these inventions and creations had greatly promoted the development of the Tang Dynasty.
Many tribal leaders were deeply attracted by Li Yi's sincerity and the charm of the Tang Dynasty and one after another expressed their willingness to establish long-term and stable trade relations with the Tang Dynasty. They jointly agreed to set up post stations and marketplaces at key locations along the way. The post stations could provide resting and replenishing places for the caravan, allowing the tired members of the caravan to get a moment of peace. The marketplaces made it convenient for the caravans to come and go and for the trading of goods, making commercial activities more convenient and promoting economic prosperity.
At a grand celebration, the merchant caravan of the Tang Dynasty and the people of various tribes in the Western Regions gathered together joyfully. On the spacious open ground, the bonfire burned brightly, illuminating the night sky. Everyone danced and sang around the bonfire. The people in the Western Regions danced passionate and unrestrained dances. Their dancing postures were full of strength and had a strong rhythm. Every movement seemed to be telling their stories. The members of the merchant caravan of the Tang Dynasty were not to be outdone either and showed graceful dancing postures, which combined the elegance and agility of the Central Plains. It was as gentle as water and as elegant as the wind.
Everyone shared each other's delicious food. The roasted meat in the Western Regions was fragrant and full of flavor. The unique spices made the taste of the roasted meat quite distinctive and mouth-watering. The pastries of the Tang Dynasty were delicate and delicious, exquisitely shaped, and pleasing to the eye. Each pastry was like a work of art.
Lin Yue sat around with the local doctors. The table was filled with all kinds of medical classics and herbal samples. They were enthusiastically exchanging medical insights, from the diagnostic methods of diseases to the discussion of treatment approaches, from the preparation of drugs to the selection of acupuncture points, learning from each other and complementing each other's strengths. This not only enhanced the friendship between each other, but also promoted the exchange and integration of medical culture, laying a foundation for the future development of medicine.
However, the process of opening up the commercial route to the Western Regions was not smooth sailing. On the way, the caravan was attacked by bandits. These bandits rode fast horses, held sharp blades, and rushed towards the caravan with a howl, trying to rob the goods of the caravan. Their appearance posed a huge threat to the caravan, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense. Li Yi quickly reacted and shouted loudly to organize the members of the caravan to resist. He took the lead, holding a long sword, and led the guards to charge to the front, engaging in a fierce battle with the bandits. Swords clashed, sparks flew, and the shouts of killing
were deafening.
Lin Yue did not back down either. She picked up a wooden staff and fought side by side with everyone. Although she was not good at fighting, at this moment, she only had the belief of protecting the caravan in her heart. During the battle, one of the guards of the caravan was unfortunately injured while protecting Li Yi. Blood stained the sand, which further inspired the fighting spirit of everyone. With the joint efforts of everyone, after a fierce battle, they finally repelled the bandits and protected the safety of the caravan. Lin Yue urgently examined the wound of the injured guard, disinfected it, and bandaged the wound. The members of the caravan cheered with joy. There were victorious smiles on their faces, but they also knew how hard-won this commercial route was.
As the commercial route continued to extend, the ties between the Tang Dynasty and the Western Regions became closer and closer. More and more merchants from the Western Regions, carrying specialties such as spices, jewels, and strong horses, came to the Tang Dynasty along this newly opened commercial route. They shuttled through the cities of the Tang Dynasty and were amazed by the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. The magnificent palaces, the bustling marketplaces, and the dazzling array of goods all broadened their horizons. At the same time, they also took away the culture and technology of the Tang Dynasty. The culture, art, agricultural technology, and architectural craftsmanship of the Tang Dynasty were widely spread in the Western Regions. The music, dance, and painting of the Western Regions also spread to the Tang Dynasty and took root on the land of the Tang Dynasty, enriching the lives of the common people in the Tang Dynasty. On the streets and alleys, one could often hear the melodies of the music from the Western Regions and see the performances of the dances from the Western Regions. People imitated the costumes and makeup of the Western Regions one after another, forming a unique fashion trend.
In this journey of opening up the commercial route to the Western Regions, Li Yi and Lin Yue not only made great contributions to the economic development of the Tang Dynasty but also promoted the cultural exchanges and integration between the East and the West. Their story spread on the lands of the Western Regions and the Tang Dynasty and became a much-told tale. But they knew that this was just the beginning, and there were still more challenges and opportunities waiting for them in the future. They looked at each other and smiled, their hearts filled with firm belief. They would continue to move forward hand in hand and make unremitting efforts for the prosperity and strength of the Tang Dynasty.