Chapter 2123 - : Target! The Western Turkic Khaganate! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
The horn of the Great Snow Mountain!
Everyone turned in shock toward the source of the sound.
Everyone knew that at the highest point of the Great Snow Mountain Holy Temple, the holy land of Ü-Tsang, was a massive white horn. This was a sacred object of the temple and a symbol of the highest authority in the empire. Only the High Monk was permitted to use it.
Over the course of decades, this horn had rarely been used.
Everyone knew that when the horn blew, something important had happened.
More importantly, each blare of the horn was accompanied by a prophecy.
“Dalon Trinling, come to the holy temple!” An ancient voice, tinged with a soul-soothing power, resounded through the hall.
“High Monk!”
Everyone was alarmed by this voice, even the Tsenpo rising from his throne.
The High Monk did not appear for just anything. Had the holy temple produced a new prophecy?
The Tsenpo felt a vague unease.
But regardless of what they thought, the High Monk’s energy vanished after he had said what he had come to say.
“You’re all dismissed. I will pay a visit to the holy temple. As for Youzhou, that can wait until after I come back!”
Dalon Trinling had also considered the possibility of a prophecy, and with a grave look on his face, he quickly left the hall.
Dalon Trinling set off for the holy temple, and no one knew what conversation transpired there.
But half a day later…
Whoosh!
A messenger bird took flight from the royal palace of Ü-Tsang, carrying with it Dalon Trinling’s handwritten letter to Youzhou.
After a long period of hesitation, Ü-Tsang had finally agreed to join the alliance!
At this time, an enormous alliance had taken form to the north of the Great Tang. The only country that had yet to express its stance was the Western Turkic Khaganate.
……
Meanwhile, in the capital of the Great Tang…
Hwooo!
The weather was dark and gloomy, cold winds howling. In this short period of time, the temperature of the Central Plains had dropped ten-some degrees, and it felt like winter had come early.
Many of the large families had already started coal fires.
It was possible to see hawkers selling firewood on every street, twice the normal amount.
The bustling streets of the capital were now much more desolate. Rather than pedestrians, patrolling horsemen from the City Guard were now a common sight.
Meanwhile, to the southwest of the Imperial Palace, the King of Foreign Lands Residence…
In the main hall, a coal brazier forged in the shape of a beast head was placed in the center, the flames within burning bright red and radiating warmth.
Wang Chong and Xu Qiqin were seated across from each other, dressed respectively in black clothes and a white dress. On the sandalwood table between them was a teapot, two cups, and several plates of pastries. The atmosphere was extremely quiet and serene.
“…All the coal has been delivered to the provinces according to plan. As for the kerosene, twenty percent has been allotted for distribution to the various circuits while the rest has been delivered to the front lines of the northeast and northwest. Besides that, all the cloth and blankets made from the cotton and wool have been distributed.
“As for the local situation, the governments of the provinces have posted announcements to calm the people, and all the villagers in remote areas have already been moved to safe zones near the county cities. The local governments have also expanded the ranks of the bailiffs to maintain order and safety.
“But even so, the situation is not good at all. The temperature is dropping far too quickly, and the moat outside the city is already starting to freeze. Moreover, this drop in temperature is showing no signs of stopping.
“We’ve already sent men to the north, and from what they have seen, the great cold wave is advancing on the Turkic Khaganates and Goguryeo. In a month at most, these countries will be completely engulfed by the blizzard, and after that, the cold wave will sweep south toward the Great Tang!
“In addition, even though we’re still purchasing food and wool, offering to pay twice what we usually pay, these products are no longer purchasable on the market. The other countries have begun to place restrictions on these items. The Great Tang has far more people than the other countries. If we had not made preparations in advance, the results would have been unimaginable!”
Xu Qiqin held a list in her hand as she reported on various matters. With her last words, she breathed a soft sigh of relief.
In all things, preparation meant success while lack of preparation led to ruin. Although the cold wave had yet to engulf the south, the damage it had already done in the north was enough to make anyone shiver in fear.
Attempting to prepare for the cold wave right as it was about to erupt was far too late.
Wang Chong was unperturbed. For this matter, the Imperial Court had spent more than one billion taels of gold, himself putting out four to five hundred million. This wasn’t even considering the large amounts of hybrid rice he was importing from the Promised Land.
Otherwise, the tens of millions of people in the Great Tang would have never been able to get through this period smoothly.
“Mm, I trust you. With you handling things, at least the Great Tang will be able to get through this period peacefully,” Wang Chong said.
When it came to logistics, Xu Qiqin had never disappointed him.
Xu Qiqin softly smiled, her face slightly blushing.
“Right; how are things on your end?”
Xu Qiqin quickly regained her focus.