Great Zhou Empire: Kill Zhao Kuangyin at the beginning

Chapter 363 Prime Minister's Token (Special thanks to the book friend Boqing Feng Shao for 2 monthly tickets!)

Hu Lian reached into his bosom and took out a ten-liang gold ingot. He stuffed it into the commander's hand and said with a smile:

"General, if it were in the past, let alone one Gaochang beauty, even if you asked for it, I would have given you all ten.

But the general may not know that these ten beauties were specially selected by your prime minister. Please forgive me, general. "

The general heard Hu Lian's words, and saw that he did have a letter of introduction written by the butler of Prime Minister Huli's family, so he could only say dejectedly:

"Please ask Master Hu to send my regards to the Prime Minister on my behalf!"

The general in command waved his hand, signaling Hu Lian and others to pass through the checkpoint.

After entering the territory of the Ghaznavid Empire for several hours, we saw many merchants from various ethnic groups in Central Asia traveling on the official road, and the women all covered their faces with black veils. Kou Zhun said:
"Envoy Hu, the Ghaznavid Empire's business is indeed prosperous, but if local officials are as arbitrarily demanding bribes as the border guard just now, how can private businesses make much money?"

Hu Lian smiled and said:

"Minister Kou, there are many checkpoints in the countries of Central and West Asia, and it is common for officials to demand bribes.

It’s just that generally you don’t need as much money as we did when we passed the level just now.

If we don't give enough money, the guard will check the belongings we carry, which will be quite troublesome."

Kou Zhun nodded, knowing that Hu Lian and other Longxiong Guards carried a large number of weapons and arrows, which was different from ordinary merchants.

Aleptogin, a general of the imperial guards who was born as a Turkic slave of the Samanid dynasty (specifically referring to the slaves of court servants and guards), occupied Ghazni in 962 on the order of the king. Later, he was suspected by the king and lost his previous trust.

Aluptegin then proclaimed himself king and established the Ghaznavid Dynasty.

His son Subuktqin succeeded him in 977. The Samanids were named after their capital in Ghazni (also translated as Heshina, Gejining, Ghazni, and Ghazni in southeastern Afghanistan in the previous life of Chai Zongxun). However, they still nominally regarded the Samanids as their suzerain.

The ethnic composition of the Ghaznavid Empire was mainly Turks, Tajiks, and Indians, and the Star Religion was the state religion.

After traveling northwestward within the territory of Ghazni for more than ten days, Kou Zhun, Hu Lian and their party arrived at the capital of Ghazni.

The city of Ghazni was located in the fertile land of the Mesopotamian River Basin in Central Asia, with developed agriculture and abundant fruit.

They stayed in a luxurious inn in the center of the city. The next morning, Hu Lian led his subordinates to visit the Prime Minister's residence, carrying many Da Zhou products and two beautiful girls from Gaochang.

The Longxiong Guards stationed in Central Asia usually used business as a cover and were able to provide rare Great Zhou products that were not available from other private merchants, so they became guests of honor for dignitaries from various countries.

When Ghazni Prime Minister Huli heard that it was Hu Dadong, who had been to his palace twice, he immediately ordered him to be brought in to see him.

After greeting each other in the main hall in the front yard of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Hu Lian said:
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I have brought you the finest Hangzhou silk and Kaixi porcelain from the Great Zhou Dynasty that you asked me to find last time. Please appreciate them."

The six personal followers dressed as captains of the Longxiong Guard who stood behind Hu Lian immediately presented the goods they were carrying.

After Huli inspected them one by one, he saw that they were all high-end Da Zhou products that were rarely seen on the market. He immediately smiled and said:
"Master Hu is indeed very resourceful!

"I have entrusted these Great Zhou treasures to several major domestic businesses for several years, but they have not been found. It was only after asking Master Hu that I got them. It was a relief!"

After the two chatted for a while, Hu Lian said:
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I have come here this time to find two beauties from Gaochang and present them to you."

Huli was very happy and nodded in agreement immediately.

A personal follower of Hu Lian walked out of the hall. After a moment, he brought two beautiful Gaochang women who were waiting in the side hall into the main hall to meet Huli.

Huli saw these two Gaochang beauties, about sixteen or seventeen years old, with beautiful faces and attractive figures. He was very satisfied and said:

"Everything that Master Hu has brought out is top-notch! If there is anything you need my help with, please feel free to ask." Hu Lian said with a smile:

"How dare I trouble the Prime Minister? I just want to expand my business to the Roman Empire. This time I want to go to Constantinople to set up a branch via your country and the Samanid Empire.

The journey is long, and it will be much easier if the Prime Minister takes care of us."

Huli thought this was easy to do and would not cost him anything, so he said immediately:

“This is an easy thing.

Mr. Hu, I present to you a token of my government. From now on, when your company does business in my Ghaznavid Empire, it will be as if you are a member of my government.

Even if I go to the Samanid Empire, the governors and garrisons of various states will have to give me some face."

Hu Lian said happily:

"Thank you very much, sir! With the care of the Prime Minister, my business will be able to operate smoothly everywhere!"

Hu Li wanted to host a banquet to entertain Hu Lian and his group, but Hu Lian politely declined.

After returning to the big inn in the center of the city, Hu Lian went to Kou Zhun's upper room. While drinking and eating, the two talked about their trip to the prime minister's residence of the Ghaznavid dynasty today.

Although Kou Zhun was born a scholar, he was an upright and noble person, and he could drink a lot. Therefore, after several drinking contests along the way, he and Hu Lian became very compatible.

Hu Lian smiled and said:

"Minister Kou, with Prime Minister Huli's token, our trip to the Roman Empire will go smoothly, and we will be able to fulfill His Majesty's order for us to go to the Roman Empire!"

As Hu Lian spoke, he waved a golden token in his hand towards Kou Zhun.

Kou Zhun took it and examined the token carefully, then said with a smile:

"This prime minister of the Ghaznavid dynasty is really powerful! With this token, you can travel throughout the country.

These Star Sect countries are indeed ruled by people with unclear political orders and laws. How can they be as efficient and honest as our Great Zhou under the rule of Your Majesty, where everything is done in accordance with the law!"

Kou Zhun paused and said with a smile:

"I'm afraid that Hu Zhenfu Envoy has given a lot of money to this Turkic man Huli?"

Hu Lian smiled and said:

"Minister Kou, not only did I send many rare commodities to Tuli, I also sent two beauties from Gaochang!
Those who achieve great things are not fussy about trivial matters.

News has come from Bian Jing that the three major armies of our Great Zhou that were sent to conquer the Northern Ming have returned to the capital, and His Majesty will soon send the second batch of troops to conquer the Star Religion country.

By then, under the might of our Great Zhou, all these corrupt and oppressive Star Sect countries will collapse!"

After resting in Ghazni City for two days, Kou Zhun was anxious to go to the Roman Empire as soon as possible to form an alliance to fight against the Star Religion world, so everyone set off and headed northwest within the borders of Ghazni.

In the political systems of the Star Religion countries, prime ministers are often religious leaders who hold high positions of power and influence the succession of the monarch.

With the prime minister's token, they saved a lot of trouble along the way. After checking the token, the checkpoint guards in various prefectures did not even dare to ask for routine bribes, and they all gave the green light to Kou Zhun, Hu Lian and his group.

At this time, even if Kou Zhun and others looted thousands of Ghazni women and children, the officials from various states would not ask a single question.

(End of this chapter)