GBP Chapter 1304 Arrival in India
Chapter 1304 Arrival in India
Then, he spoke a few words quickly and solemnly to his wife and children in Turkic.
Lady Saren immediately led the children and, without hesitation, knelt down deeply in the direction of Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er, their foreheads touching the ground, performing the most solemn ceremony on the grassland.
"Saren (Batu, Qiqige, Suhe) pays respects to Prince Xiao! Pays respects to the Princess! May Your Highness and Princess enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"
The woman and the children spoke in unison in heavily accented yet crystal-clear Mandarin, their voices filled with heartfelt reverence.
Xiao Ce felt immense pressure upon learning that his wife was a Turk.
After all, back then, Xiao Ce had slaughtered almost all of their Turkic tribes.
However, what Xiao Ce didn't know was...
The Turkic people now led by Yunqing Urgen are completely transformed by the culture of the Xiao Kingdom.
Although their cultures may seem different, their core values and shared identity are the same...
In the eyes of the Turks whom Xiao Ce had previously slaughtered, Xiao Ce had saved them...
Yin Pan'er quickly stood up, took a few steps forward, and personally helped Madam Saren up. She then gestured for the children to get up, saying, "Get up quickly, there's no need for such a grand ceremony. We're all family, just relax."
Mrs. Saren was helped up by Yin Pan'er, and she seemed a little flattered, thanking her repeatedly.
The children also stood up. Xiao Suhe seemed less nervous and looked at Yin Pan'er with her big eyes.
Seeing this scene, Yun Qing's eyes welled up with tears again.
He took a deep breath, his voice choked with barely suppressed sobs, and bowed deeply to Xiao Ce once more: "Your Highness! Today, Yunqing has a wife and children by his side, a place to settle down and make a living, and my children no longer have to struggle for survival in the wind and snow like I did back then, but can live with dignity..."
"All of this is thanks to Your Highness! Without you, Yunqing would have long been a pile of bones on the grasslands, or a slave of some nobleman. How could he be where he is today! Yunqing and his descendants will never forget this kindness!"
The emotion in his words was still very sincere...
Lady Saren nodded vigorously beside her, her eyes also glistening with tears. Even the older Batu and Qiqige seemed to sense their parents' intense emotions, and their gazes toward Xiao Ce became even more reverent.
Their knowledge of Xiao Ce's legend was ingrained through education, deeply ingrained... a constant reminder...
Looking at the happy and grateful family in front of him, Xiao Ce felt a complex warmth welling up in his heart.
He stood up, walked up to Yun Qing, and patted him on the broad shoulder.
Xiao Ce's voice was calm and gentle: "Seeing your happy family now is because you seized the opportunity and won all of this with your courage, loyalty and responsibility. Your governance of the Turks, protection of the borders and people, and kindness to your wife and children are the greatest reward for me."
"Remember, protect your people, protect this land, and protect the trade route we jointly opened up connecting East and West, so that more people can live a stable and prosperous life like you and your family. This is the fundamental thing."
"Yes! Yunqing will remember Your Highness's teachings! I will dedicate myself to the cause until my dying breath!" Yunqing Urgen replied earnestly.
After exchanging pleasantries, Yun Qing Urgen led Xiao Ce and the others to a banquet hall on the side.
The banquet hall had already been properly decorated.
A huge, long table was covered with a clean white tablecloth, and in the center sat a whole roasted camel, roasted to a golden brown and crispy perfection, exuding a rich aroma of meat. This was the highest form of hospitality the Turks showed to their most distinguished guests.
Beside them were roasted whole lamb, hand-pulled mutton, various dairy products, including milk skin, cheese, yogurt, fresh snow mushrooms from northern deserts, and delicacies carefully prepared with camel hump and camel paws. Large bowls of mare's milk wine were fragrant, along with fine grape wine brought from the Western Regions.
The atmosphere at the banquet was much more relaxed than inside the palace.
They invited Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er to take the seats of honor.
Xiao Ce stopped trying to make things difficult and went along with Yun Qing and Urgen's wishes.
After taking the seat of honor.
They all put their hands together and then seemed to be praying.
Xiao Ce was somewhat surprised when he saw this scene.
With devout expressions, they began to pray: "Thank you, God Xiao, for providing us with food. Thank you, God Xiao, for giving us such a safe and abundant life. Thank you, God Xiao, we will cherish every hard-won meal..."
As they spoke, they bowed three times in the direction of the giant statue.
To be honest, Xiao Ce found this scene extremely awkward...
Yun Qing. Urgen, speaking to Xiao Ce, said that this was a way he had come up with to express his gratitude, to teach the people here how they came to be where they are today...
Xiao Ce looked somewhat embarrassed. He didn't understand, but he respected.
...
After their ceremony, Yunqing and Saren warmly greeted them and introduced them to various delicacies.
Yin Pan'er gently took care of Xiao Niqiu and Yun Qing's children, especially the youngest Su He, who was quickly attracted by Yin Pan'er's friendliness and became less reserved.
Although the little loach was shocked by the whole roasted camel, it quickly relaxed in front of the delicious food and ate with its mouth full of oil.
Although they brought Xiao Niqiu along as a helper, Yin Pan'er treated him like a child.
Xiao Ce was also puzzled; Yin Pan'er loved children so much, so why didn't she have a child of her own...
Xiao Ce initially thought it was his fault, after all, as a transmigrator, he must have some kind of limitation.
But was Eva an accident?
However, Xiao Ce didn't think much of it; everything was going with the flow...
Xiao Ce and Yun Qing Urgen continued their conversation while enjoying their meal.
Yun Qing inquired in detail about Xiao Ce's experiences in the West, but Xiao Ce only mentioned some trivial matters.
As for the artificial human, Xiao Ce thought that he should wait until it happened before having Yin Weiyong inform them.
Otherwise, they would always live under a shadow...
As he spoke, Xiao Ce began to recount the grandeur of the Three Passes Pass in the Western Regions.
When Yunqing Urgen learned that Xiao Ce had met General Dan, Da Lei, and their child Dan Lei, a genuine smile appeared on his face.
"That guy Da Lei has finally settled down! General Dan is a woman who is just as capable as any man, their child will surely be just as good as his father and mother!" Yun Qing Urgen laughed heartily and raised a bowl of mare's milk wine to toast Xiao Ce.
During the meal, Madam Saren mustered up her courage and asked Yin Pan'er for advice on childcare and household management in her not-so-fluent Mandarin. Yin Pan'er patiently answered her questions, and the two women quickly became acquainted.
Batu and Qiqige pestered the little mudskipper to ask about the wonders of Kyoto and the Western Regions. The little mudskipper vividly described the steam train and the lights of the Protectorate General's Mansion, which made the two children and Xiao Suhe widen their eyes and look on with longing.
They had all actually met them, but had never ridden in one, given their social standing. For security reasons, it wasn't appropriate for them to travel to various places...
As the banquet reached its climax, Yun Qing once again raised his wine cup, leading his entire family to rise and toast Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er.
This time, he no longer spoke those heavy words of gratitude, but instead spoke with blessings for the future: "Your Highness, Your Highness! Yunqing and Saren, on behalf of Batu, Qiqige, Suhe, and all the people of our Turkic people, pay our respects to Your Highness and Your Highness! May the Eternal Heaven bless Your Highness and Your Highness with good health and lasting fortune! May our East Asian land, under Your Highness's protection, forever enjoy peace and prosperity! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er raised their glasses with smiles and drank them down in one gulp.
The banquet lasted until late at night. Yun Qing personally escorted Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er to their pre-arranged bedchamber.
The little loach was also properly placed next door.
The next morning, the wind and snow had stopped, and the sunlight shone on the white snowfield, making it clear and bright.
Yunqing Urgen had already prepared everything, including a carriage and guards, but Xiao Ce stopped him...
It's said to be far, but it's actually not that far...
However, it is indeed much slower than a steam train, according to what Yunqing Urgen said.
Once inside India, everything changed...
There are cars over there, but their Turkic region, due to its geographical location, isn't really suitable...
Yun Qing.Urgen personally escorted them with his family. In fact, Xiao Ce had asked Yun Qing.Urgen to keep this a secret.
Even their cabinet was unaware of this news...
After Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er boarded the carriage, which was specially made and very comfortable...
Although no guards were requested, Yunqing Urgen still assigned his most trusted Imperial Guard commander as his driver...
As the wind and snow gradually subsided, the vast grasslands were slowly replaced by undulating mountains and sparse woodlands.
They traveled along the ancient trade routes, through desolate passes, and across rivers that were not yet frozen.
Ten days passed in the monotonous sound of wheels crushing the frozen earth and the howling wind...
The little mudfish, wrapped in a thick blanket, nestled beside Yin Pan'er, gazing at the ever-changing, increasingly unfamiliar scenery outside the window, its eyes filled with longing for the unknown and a hint of trepidation.
Yin Pan'er held Xiao Ce's hand, and though they remained silent, they could both feel the heavy anticipation and subtle unease of returning home that lingered in each other's hearts.
After all, there lay the flesh and blood of those he had never met.
Having gotten used to trains, going back to a horse-drawn carriage feels a bit strange.
After all, it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to
After arriving at the border post station, Xiao Ce bid farewell to the people arranged by Yun Qing and Urgen.
They used the documents that Yin Weiyong had prepared for them beforehand, as well as false identities.
The officials at the Tianzhu post station here seem to be mostly of Xiao Kingdom appearance... This surprised Xiao Ce...
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Xiao Ce also covered his face, which is usually required for inspection.
However, they have the highest authority in the East Asian Union, so they are exempt from inspection.
Furthermore, the post station officials were required to cooperate, and Xiao Ce, seeing this benefit, did not stand on ceremony and directly asked for a car.
The officials originally wanted to provide Xiao Ce with a driver, but Xiao Ce refused, saying he could drive himself.
The officials here weren't surprised; after all, they looked more like secret agents...
In fact, by the time Xiao Ce reached the border, he had already noticed that this part of India was vastly different from what he had seen before...
After Xiao Ce asked for a map, he glanced at it and started driving.
Everything here is very similar to the changes in Xiao Kingdom, except for the people. Women in brightly colored saris and carrying water jugs on their heads work in the fields; dark-skinned farmers drive water buffalo; and ascetics in orange robes walk barefoot along the roadside...
The car sped south, passing plains, rivers, and towns at high speed.
As Xiao Ce drove, he looked out the window at the land that was both familiar and unfamiliar.
It's familiar because he once strategized here and single-handedly laid the foundation for the current state of India!
The sense of unfamiliarity stemmed from the fact that the prosperity and order before him far exceeded his expectations when he left.
The wide roads were well-maintained, with oxcarts and horse-drawn carriages still dominating, but cars were no longer uncommon. Along the way, one could see newly built schools, tidy markets, and even a few factories emitting wisps of smoke. It almost felt like one had arrived in the Kingdom of Xiao.
The expressions on people's faces were no longer numb or fearful, but a peace born from a firm faith and hope for the future.
If it weren't for the occasional glimpse of temples unique to India, Xiao Ce would have seriously doubted whether he had returned to the Xiao Kingdom once again.
"Your Highness, it's so lively and vibrant here. It's completely different from what I described before..."
Yin Pan'er asked Xiao Ce softly.
Xiao Ce smiled and then said, "This is the effect of reform. Before, this was a theocratic state..."
Hearing Xiao Ce say this, Yin Pan'er suddenly realized and continued, "Yes, Sister Eva, General Hu, and Master Sangjie are truly remarkable. They have managed to govern this land so well... well, they have preserved its original charm while giving it new life."
Xiao Ce nodded, his gaze deep: "Yes. The separation of divine authority and governing authority allows Master Sanjay to firmly sit in the position of spiritual leader, uniting faith and comforting people; Hu Yidao, with his iron fist and impartiality, governs the law and military affairs, deterring villains and maintaining order; Eva, in the middle, coordinates, using her wisdom and unique identity to balance all parties and develop people's livelihood and commerce. These three carriages are indispensable."
"Moreover, this place is basically a replica of the Xiao Kingdom, except... the Xiao Kingdom worships you as a god, while their Buddha is different..."
Seeing Yin Pan'er's words, Xiao Ce smiled and nodded: "That's right... what you said does make sense..."
They chatted idly, making small talk, and this land of India was in no way smaller than the Kingdom of Xiao. Moreover, their population was much larger...
Therefore, every place gives people a lively feeling...
While they were still on the outskirts, their car would have attracted attention, but once they entered the major cities...
There are more cars now...
They traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping to rest whenever they reached a certain spot.