Defend the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 16 Mifatai is dead!
Yichang Chen will not let himself deliver the message unless it is absolutely necessary, and the message that Yichang Chen wants to deliver is really appalling.

Entrusted by others, it is a matter of loyalty, not to mention the safety of Crazy Saburo.

The old Taoist priest dared not speak easily in front of outsiders, and subconsciously looked at Su Dasushi and the others.

Han Pingan reacted, and quickly said: "It's okay, Su Da is my brother, and they are all on their own."

"Are you all right?" The old Taoist was not at ease.

Han Pingan patted him on the arm: "It's really fine."

"Okay, didn't the gate of the city be closed when I saw the wolf smoke at noon yesterday? The Sogdian warrior Yinniang mentioned only arrived at the gate of the city after dark. Usually, it is dark to even think about entering the city, let alone encountering him. King Yele rebelled. Seeing that he was wounded and covered in blood, the city guards thought it suspicious and did not let him enter the city."

If that Sogdian warrior didn't enter the city, how could he follow the clues to find the mastermind behind the scenes...

Han Pingan didn't expect such a thing to happen, and asked eagerly, "What happened next?"

The old Taoist took another sip of the grape wine, and continued: "Later, Yichang Chen saw your Yinniang, and hurriedly asked a few night watchmen to pretend to go out of the city to inspect, and took that Sogdian warrior and a few barbarians who couldn't enter the city as The spies captured the city.

He was seriously injured, and only his breath was left, so Yichang Chen hurriedly interrogated him.He probably wanted to pass on the news before he died, saying that he was a member of the Miphatai family, that he ran back desperately when he encountered a group of horse thieves outside the city. "

Miphat...

Han Ping'an had a little impression that the Sogdian businessman didn't look like a bad guy.

Because of his good deeds and obedience, he was even appointed as the governor of Yele City.

However, the specific matters of the Huoshen Temple depended on Zongzhu Zhangluo. Letting him do this Zongzheng, which is regarded as under the sixth rank, is rather a kind of reward from the government, a kind of honor, and a symbol of status.

In fact, there were four Zoroastrians in Yele City, all of whom were rich and respected Sogdian merchants.

When encountering fire cult sacrifices, business disputes involving Sogdian merchants, or raising military supplies, the City Lord's Mansion would invite them to discuss matters, listen to their opinions, and sometimes even entrust them to make arrangements.

Han Pingan couldn't believe that Mifatai was behind the scenes, and asked, "Is that Sogdian warrior from Mifatai?"

"Yes, many people know him. Some people remember that Miphatai bought him at the market more than ten years ago with six white horses and five coins. He was about your age when he was bought by Miphatai. , that is fifteen or sixteen years old."

"and then?"

"Yichang Chen saw that he was dying and could hardly speak, so he sent someone to find Mifatai, intending to let Mifatai take him back first, but Mifatai's family found that Mifatai was dead. .”

"Dead...how did he die!"

"When Yichang Chen received the news, he quickly called Shang Shi Xianning, Bai Zuojian and Ashina Shan to investigate together, and found that he was killed in the evening.

Judging from the wound and the situation in the room, one could tell that it was done by a master. They only slashed him diagonally from the neck to the armpit.The head was almost chopped off, and several ribs were chopped off. "

The old Taoist gestured exaggeratedly, and after thinking about it, he added with a bit of horror: "His house hasn't been away for a day, and he was just sneaked in and killed without anyone noticing. If it wasn't for Yichang Chen Send someone to look for him, no one in his family knows he is dead!"

Han Ping'an frowned slightly: "Are you sure he died in the evening?"

"Although Yichang Chen is not a courier, he has seen this kind of thing a lot, and he will definitely not miss it."

"What message did Mr. Chen want you to convey to me?"

"He suspected that Miphatai had something to do with King Yele's rebellion. It should be the real mastermind behind the scenes who found out that your father not only survived, but also took over Baisha City decisively and captured King Yele alive. He was worried that your father would follow the vines to find out about them, so he killed you Silence."

"that's it?"

"Of course not."

The old Taoist hurriedly put down the wine bag he had just raised, and said in a spirited voice: "Chen Yichang said that although Mifatai is dead, the clues on your side cannot be broken. He said that since Mifatai can't redeem you, you might as well let him go." Your father redeemed you with money. But it is very dangerous to do so, let your own decision whether to let your father redeem you or not."

"I will go back pretending to be the person who wants to pretend to be me, and see if the mastermind behind the scenes will find me?"

"It seems to mean that."

"Okay, just do it!"

"Then write a letter quickly, and I will take back the letter asking for money to redeem someone."

"There's no pen and paper here."

"I have." The old Taoist walked up to the donkey and untied a sack.

Han Pingan asked dumbfoundedly: "Fake Daoist, if you come out to send a message, you also have to bring all your meals?"

The old Taoist didn't think it was so embarrassing, so he took it for granted: "King Yele has rebelled, and the people in the city are in panic. God knows if someone will take the opportunity to make trouble. Since it is a casual outfit, it is natural to bring it with you, otherwise you will be killed. What if someone steals it?"

Han Pingan smiled and said: "No one wants your rags, and besides, I helped buy most of your outfits. If you really lose them, I can buy another set for you. It's not worth much anyway."

"You are fine. If something happens to you, let me find someone to help you."

"It is."

"Hurry up and write, I'll sharpen the ink for you."

……

At the same time, Shi Xianning, who had worked as an interpreter for the Master of the Ming Dynasty at the Fire God Temple yesterday, had just attended Mi Fatai's funeral.

The funeral of fire believers is also called sky burial, which is somewhat similar to the sky burial in Tubo, but different.

Early this morning, Mifatai's family members, relatives and friends transported Mifatai's body out of the city with the permission of the Master Mingfu, and transported it to the "Silent Tower" located two miles away from Yele City.

This mottled earthen pagoda eroded by wind and sand was built on a deserted hill surrounded by Gobi at a glance.

A stone slab is placed on the top of the tower, and there is a well in the tower.

The tower is divided into inner, middle and outer floors, which are used to place the bodies of men, women and children respectively.

Half an hour ago, Zoro Zhu from the Temple of Fire and several corpse bearers carried Mifatai's naked corpse to the top of the tower, allowing the eagles flying all over the sky to peck at his flesh.

Wait for another hour, when the carcass is almost eaten by eagle owls, then go up and throw the skeleton into the well hole.

In the teachings of the Fire Cult, the "Tower of Lonely" is a place where all the evil gods play, believers are not allowed to set foot in the tower, and can only sit and wait at a distance.

As for the blessings and corpse bearers who have touched the corpse and entered the tower, they are not included in this list, but they will have to perform cleansing rituals after returning later.

Shi Xianning is not a family member of Mifatai, but a friend of Mifatai.

He didn't want to wait any longer, he respectfully said goodbye to High Priest Qudu from Guishu City, and was about to go back to his servants, but was stopped by the High Priest who insisted on waiting until the funeral was over.

"Dear Shi Xianning, do you want to go home?"

"Dear Maggie, I have something at home."

"Where is the home?"

The high priest looked at him with a smile, his eyes full of wisdom.

Shi Xianning knew what the high priest really wanted to say, and wanted to refute it but couldn't. Besides, he, an ordinary believer, couldn't argue with the high priest who was hailed as a wise man.

The high priest looked up at the "Tower of Loneliness" in the distance, and said meaningfully: "We should use kindness and language to sing praises to those who vigorously support the Orthodox Church. We should sincerely pray to the Creator Mazda to let us brothers go to the Eternal Heaven to rejoice with Zoroaster."

Shi Xianning was silent for a moment, then raised his head and said, "Mifatai will definitely go to the eternal kingdom of heaven."

"But he still has many things to do in the human world, and those things are the will of the creator Mazda."

"Dear Maggot, do you suspect that I killed Miphattai?"

"You are as honest as your father. Both of you father and son are loyal followers of Mazda Yasna. I have heard of your good deeds from far away. How can I suspect that you killed Mazda Yasna?" Where are the followers of Yasna?"

The high priest smiled slightly, and then changed the topic: "But I must remind you, dear Shi Xianning, you seem to be lost."

Shi Xianning respected the high priest in front of him very much, but he did not agree with the high priest's point of view. He said bluntly: "Dear Mage, I believe in the orthodox Mazda Yasna. It advocates laying down arms and eliminating war. It teaches us Sincerity and kindness, give us order."

"Dear Shi Xianning, you are as good at thinking and speaking as the legend says."

"Dear Maggot, am I wrong?"

"That's right, how can the words of the creator Mazda and the prophet Zoroaster be wrong. But my dear child, have you ever thought about where we should go? Which country is our destination?

Darkness covers us. Where there is sincerity, kindness and order, oppression, cruelty, tyranny and tyranny are everywhere. Can you bear all these? "

The high priest looked up to the sky and asked several questions in a row, his voice was so vicissitudes and full of sorrow.

Shi Xianning didn't know how to answer, so he could only listen silently.

After a long silence, the high priest put his hands on his chest and prayed devoutly: "O Creator, there is no one to protect us except you, thank you for letting the God of Light come down, and giving us joy and blessings.

I believe that it will not be long before the true sincerity, kindness and order will come, and the soldiers, warriors and leaders will avoid us as much as possible, but we don't know how to please you..."

"Dear Mage, there is something urgent at home, I should go back."

Shi Xianning didn't want to listen any more, bowed and saluted, then turned and left.

The high priest didn't stop him, but looked at his back and said: "The comfortable life makes you confused but you don't know it. Shi Xianning, my dear child, take out a coin that brings you a comfortable life and have a look." Come on, just take a look and you will know how to go and where the road is!"

Shi Xianning was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously took out a silver coin.

Sassanian silver coins, the most commonly used money in the Western Regions, have a strong value and are more popular in the market than Datang Kaiyuan Tongbao.

The inscription on the front reads "Worshiper of Zoroastrian, Holy Ardahi, King of Kings", and on the back is the Zoroastrian altar, sacred fire, stars, moon and priests.

How could Shi Xianning not know the good intentions of the high priest, and couldn't help thinking of a famous saying - "The throne is the pillar of the altar, and the altar is also the pillar of the throne", but after thinking about it, he smiled wryly and shook his head, picking up the silver coins and walking faster.

……

PS: Special thanks to "Weimang Weimang" book friends for their generous rewards, we have our first leader!
Sincere thanks to Jiaojiao, Nanquan, Everyday Upward, Vegetarian Little Pig, Happiness Single Sword, Good Books, Aiqian, Haoqing Dongdong, Eight-Winged Angel, Little Bear's Xiaohuang, Gargamel and my name is Ma Li Ao, wait for the rewards from brothers and sisters, you are all Lao Zhuo's relatives!
(End of this chapter)