Late Tang Dynasty Floating Life

Chapter 1679 The Truth
On the sixth day of September in the fifth year of Tongguang (920), it was sunny.

Outside the Lindu Post, five miles west of Luoyang City, there are guards of honor like a forest, which is very spectacular.

Shao Shude, the supreme emperor of the Great Xia Empire, came here to welcome the Persian scholars who came from afar. As soon as the news came out, it immediately caused quite a stir.And as the news spread farther and farther, the influence continued to spread.

It turned out that more than a dozen scholars from the "small country" Persia in the west were so valued by the saint!
What are they capable of?What's so special about it?This is the news on everyone's mind.

In fact, this is also Shao Shude's goal.

The new dynasty is elegant, how can he, as the emperor, not set an example?
He has set an example, and will naturally lead some people to take this path, even if there is only one or two, it is good.

The prince followed closely behind, watching silently.

His understanding of the Yazheng of the new dynasty was not as thorough as his father's.So far, he thinks the biggest use is probably to collect taxes.

Although he participated less in the fiscal and taxation reforms in the past few days, he was present when a unified plan was formed in the end.

Just one feeling: Great Xia is inseparable from commercial taxation.The elegant administration of the new dynasty is undoubtedly greatly promoting the development of commerce, which is of great benefit to the court's tax collection.

The second cognition is naturally the famous saying of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty: "The Han family has its own system, which is based on the overlord's way, but why is it purely a moral education, and uses Zhou Zheng!"

In addition, there are outward immigration to make room for future population growth and delay the crisis of human-land conflict.

His understanding of the New Deal is generally limited to these three parts.

A few days ago, when his father proposed to welcome the Persians with great fanfare, he was a little surprised.

Twelve Persians, at best they were Persian scholars, at worst they were craftsmen, and they received such courtesy, which not only surprised the ministers, but also surprised him as his son.

Thinking of Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the former Tang Dynasty, welcoming Master Xuanzang and sitting on it with him.This courtesy is also touching.

You don't have to worry about what Li Shimin's purpose is, as soon as he set an example, he established the position of the Shi family in the Tang Dynasty.

In the Tang Dynasty, Confucian scholars not only had to fight with warriors, but also with Buddhism and Taoism, which was very hard.

In the end of summer, perhaps because of his father's actions today, he has established the status of certain knowledge in one fell swoop.

All of a sudden, the bells in front of us are ringing together, and the drums are playing.

Shao Chengjie raised his spirits and looked ahead.

On the post road that had been swept in advance, dozens of knights reined in their horses, and then scattered to both sides, revealing a four-wheeled carriage.

After the carriage, the second and third appeared...

"It turned out to be a warrior directly escorted by Silver Saddle." Shao Chengjie suppressed the surprise in his heart, and a few smiles slowly appeared on his face.

The Persian on the carriage looked around, with expressions of surprise, joy, and perhaps a hint of fear.

Such a grand occasion, if things are not done well, will actually be punished by Khan?
How will he be punished?To be dragged by the tail of a horse, trampled by hooves, or simply hanged?
That's probably what I thought.

The smile on Shao Chengjie's face was wider.He has dealt with Persian and big food merchants, and has a little understanding of the stereotypes in their minds.The image of the father in the west is more likely to be "Khan" rather than "Son of Heaven".

Gradually the music died down, and so did the carriage.

Twelve Persian scholars, under the guidance of the Honglu Temple officials, walked forward slowly.

******
"Everyone has gone through wind, frost, rain and snow, traveled thousands of miles, and came to Luoyang to teach the truth." After the protocol officer introduced the twelve Persian scholars one by one, Shao Shude said with a smile on his face: "Such a feat will surely shine in the annals of history. If you read between the lines, you will definitely feel the grand scene of today. Come, please take the same car with me."

After finishing speaking, Shao Shude stepped forward to grab the leading Persian scholar named Bardia, and boarded the imperial chariot with his embarrassed expression.

The remaining 11 people were also led to other imperial chariots one by one.

The imperial relatives, officials, and generals who drove out to greet this grand ceremony had mixed feelings.

There are not many people who can share the same car with the sage. How can the Persians be able to accept this kindness? It is really speechless.

The sound of drums and music reappeared, the imperial chariot rattled forward, and the palace guards held up their support, surrounded the left and right, and headed for Luoyang.

"Can you speak Uighur?" Shao Shude asked in Uighur.

Baldia was a little dazed when he heard this.

In fact, if he could speak Turkic, he would be able to hear it pretty well, but obviously not.

The translation, which ambles by the imperial chariot, is first spoken in Sogdian and then repeated in Persian.

"Honorable Khan, I can speak Sogdian and Persian." Bardia's nervousness was slightly relieved, and he said softly.

The interpreter immediately repeated his words in Chinese.

Shao Shude nodded, and said, "I heard that you explained mathematics to the students when passing through Dunhuang?"

"Honorable Khan, I am surprised that there are so many schools in the city under your rule, and they also teach mathematics." Xu Shi talked about his professional field, and most of his nervousness dissipated, saying: "I I taught them some knowledge that the teachers didn't have, and their reaction was not very strong, but there was a vague curiosity."

"Oh? Are you saying that you don't like new knowledge?" Shao Shude asked.

"No, it's the opposite." Bardia said, "I gave a boy an exercise book printed in Samarkand as a gift, and he expressed his gratitude discreetly. But not long after, the boys who had returned from school also came Everyone wants a copy of the exercise book, I only gave away two copies, which is all I have."

Shao Shude smiled happily.

What he met in Dunhuang should be the teenagers who studied in Shazhou. Some of them did study mathematics. The level of a doctorate in mathematics can only be said to be average.

But he is still very happy to see everyone's thirst for knowledge is so strong.

"How did it feel along the way?" he asked.

"Honorable Khan, I don't know if China is the holy land of my dreams, where I can display my talents and leave a unique mark in history." Bardia said: "I have already tasted the western half of your country. , I have some understanding of some customs and cultures. But I think this is not the whole picture, at best it is just a microcosm of the real situation, an incomplete and unread preface, this huge book of China is about to be opened to me and my friends .”

After hearing this, Shao Shude smiled even wider.

He has read some memoirs of Persian and big food merchants in the Tang Dynasty, and it can be seen from the lines that those people often take everything they see in Chinese society, and then introduce it to people in their hometown.This is like a blind man feeling an elephant, which is a bit paradoxical.

But this mathematician Bardia is very cautious and has a strong logical thinking ability.Don't jump to conclusions easily, you must get proof. Is this the world view of science men?

"From your point of view, what is Persia's view of our country?" Shao Shude asked.

"They think Khan is a very ambitious and conceited person." Bardia said: "Your country's war behavior violates common sense, and the gains outweigh the losses."

"What is your opinion?"

"I am in no hurry to draw unfavorable conclusions. I personally think that China is a commendable country in many ways."

"for example?"

"Your armies are strong, and this is proven on the battlefield," Bardia said. "Your cities are huge, and I have seen that with my eyes. The roads are wide and well-maintained, the people are civilized, and Not barbaric. The officials were well versed in philosophy, law, and agriculture, and most of them were brilliant in their minds and subtle in their emotions, and I think the next 100 years belonged to their heroic age."

This rainbow fart seems to be more powerful than Tamm!

But Shao Shude could still hold on.He knows that the cultures of different nations are different, and their tone of voice is like that. Even rational mathematicians are not immune to the influence of cultural traditions, and their emotions are relatively unrestrained and exposed.

If their tone of voice, words, and format are as reserved as the Chinese, then it is nonsense.

After a five-mile journey, the carriage quickly approached the Dingding Gate in the south of Luoyang City.

When the majestic city wall appeared in front of him, Shao Shude asked again; "How is this city?"

"The same surprise. This is the second time I have experienced it. The last time was in Chang'an." Baldia raised his head, looked at this huge city that is rare in the world, and said, "Actually, when I first entered your country's land, , I saw Khan’s people building houses and warehouses and talked to the workers.”

"How do you feel?"

"Excuse me." Bardia said: "In terms of architecture, your country has not widely applied theoretical knowledge. The craftsmanship used is often the result of slow progress on a narrow and established road, and the accumulated results of word of mouth from generation to generation. The knowledge of mathematics, architecture, and mechanics is completely missing, and the architecture of your country is an existence without brains and thoughts."

This evaluation is quite rude.Baldia pointed out quite professionally that the construction workers in Daxia only had experience passed down from word of mouth, and they only knew what to do, not why they did it.

Shao Shude wasn't sure what kind of building he saw, probably a privately built house or warehouse, or somewhere like the Western Regions.If it is a project of the imperial court, construction scholars will definitely be invited to draw and design it.

But then again, there's no point arguing about it.The level of the construction scholars may not be very high. In the eyes of this Khwarizmi successor, it may be that.

"That's why I invited you here, because you possess unparalleled knowledge, and I hope it can be shared," Shao Shude said.

"The ocean of knowledge is vast, and I have only picked a few fruits." Bardia said: "China is a strong and prosperous civilized country. It has a long past and a present that I can hardly see the whole picture. There is no doubt that it has accumulated An intoxicating amount of knowledge. And, like the warmth and courtesy shown by Khan, there is no exclusion of outsiders, no tall fences to close yourself in. Therefore, I have to do serious research. Like the Prophet Said, 'Knowledge, even though it is far away in China, should be sought.'”

"The truth and everyone who pursues the truth is welcome here." Infected by his attitude, Shao Shude put away the smile on his face and said solemnly.

(End of this chapter)