Wei and Jin Cooks

 In the eighth year of Yuanzhen, Hua State had achieved one post station and one radio station, and large inn stations even had more than two radio stations.

Every place where the inn reaches can be communicated by radio, and ordinary people can use it with money. Therefore, sending messages over thousands of miles is no longer a secret in China, but it is still the case in the Western Regions.

 Because the geographical distance is too far, it is difficult for the Central Plains to receive news from the Western Regions, and it is even harder for the Western Regions to receive news from the Central Plains, unless the Central Plains intentionally spreads it.

For example, Zhao Hanzhang gave birth to the emperor’s second son safely. In less than a month, the news spread throughout the countries in the Western Regions;

 As for the information about the increase in cotton production, it was not until cotton products were sold in large quantities to the Western Regions that the Western Regions got a little bit of information from the original merchants.

But the guest is not an ordinary person, he is an official from Qiuchi. There were vague rumors two years ago that the reason why the Chinese army can provide rapid support and control the vast grasslands and Gobi is because of the artifact that can transmit sounds from thousands of miles away.

 They don’t believe it.

 They believe in Buddhism and believe that there are gods in the world in daily life, but when it comes to political reality, they express doubts.

 But now…

The soldier urged twice, but the guest finally came to his senses and said quickly: "I would like to ask Master Huizhen from Baima Temple in the west of Luoyang City when he will come to Qiuci again. The thing he asked me to do last time has been completed and I am waiting for him to come to discuss it." .”

The soldier asked: "So many? It's a long way to Luoyang. One word costs twenty-seven coins, and twenty-five words cost six hundred and seventy-five coins."

The guests were stunned. The price was so high. Their three Kucha five-baht coins were equivalent to two of their "Zhao" coins. I don't know whether it was intentional or unintentional. The price unit of the inn was "Zhao" coins.

Of course, they also charge Kucha five baht, but they need to be converted, so how much does the "Zhao" character of 675 Wen cost in Kucha five baht?

The guest's mind was instantly confused and he couldn't figure it out.

But the soldier started making calculations and soon reported: "One thousand and twelve cents and five cents."

The guest's eyes were stunned. How cruel. A letter of just twenty-five words actually cost a waiter two months' wages.

When the soldier saw him like this, he said, "Your letter is too wordy. Just reduce the number of words."

He kindly handed him the pen and said, "Go aside and think about it."

 It’s a big deal that the guest can speak Chinese and knows some Chinese characters. Let him shorten it...

 The guest made a decision immediately: "Do you think it will increase or decrease? As long as the meaning is the same, it will be fine."

When the soldier heard this, he thought about it and wrote on the paper: "When will the turtle come? The request has been fulfilled. I am eagerly looking forward to it."

 He turned it to him and said, "How about this as a reward?"

When the guest saw it, he nodded repeatedly and said: "This is good, this is good, this is how I repay you."

The soldier reported the address according to the address he gave. Ten characters cost 270 yuan, which was converted into Kucha five baht, which was 405 pieces.

 The guest was so moved that his money was instantly reduced by more than half, and his monthly salary was saved.

The soldier said: "Leave your address and we will notify you if there is a reply."

The guest's eyes flashed slightly and he said: "I live far away, so I am temporarily staying at the inn. If there is a message, please call me."

 Soldiers should exit.

As soon as the guest left, Wu Liang came over and asked, "What's his name?"

The soldier hurriedly showed him the list, "Muhetar, Yi Cheng, is he a spy sent by Qiuci?"

“I don’t know where they were sent, but they must be spies,” Wu Liang said, “Who would come here to stay at the inn alone?”

Their post station is on the edge of the oasis. Walking past the oasis and heading northwest for about eighty miles, you will find the royal city of Qiuci. It’s not that they don’t want to build the inn in the royal city, it’s just that they can’t win it.

But it’s not a bad idea to open the inn here. This is the last oasis before entering the Kingdom of Kucha, and all caravans from China must pass through here.

They can provide them with some information here. Similarly, all caravans from Kucha to China will also pass through here.

 Eighty miles, no more, no less, just a day’s journey for an ordinary caravan.

 They can collect a lot of information from passing business travelers here, and then transmit the information back through the radio.

Perhaps they are very interested in the Eastern Kingdom of God. Within two days of Wu Liang and the others staying at the inn, they received many people one after another.

The inn is quite large, with nearly one-third of the guest rooms occupied. In addition to the guests, there are also officials from Qiuci in the oasis, and some large landowners and merchants, who also came over curiously and took a look around.

Wu Liang was unfazed by the favor and humiliation, and ordered the people step by step. They took the road guide and other supplies and went to Qiuci King City to buy things.

“This time we go here to get familiar with the road, see more and talk less. Except for prices, don’t ask around about anything else. We are new here, so be cautious.”

The soldiers got off, then got on the chariot and went to Kucha Royal City.

As soon as they left, someone came running from the check-in room and said, "Yicheng, there really is a monk named Huizhen in Baima Temple. He really knows Muhetar."

 He showed him the telegram he had just received.

Wu Liang just glanced at it and was not surprised. "Now that you have received the letter, let someone send it to Muhetar. In order to wait for this letter, he has stayed with us for one more day."

 The food and accommodation at the inn are not cheap.

Muhetar had a look of disbelief when he received the letter. He looked back and forth at the thin piece of paper with doubt on his face, "Is this Huizhen's reply?"

"Yes." The soldier was about to leave after delivering the letter. Muhetar quickly stopped him and said, "How can I be sure that this is Huizhen's reply and not..." What nonsense did you write on the paper?

The soldier said unhappily: "You underestimate us too much. The imperial court has strict regulations. Customers' information is not allowed to be intercepted or impersonated. Otherwise, the consequences will be regarded as criminal. The least serious case is equivalent to theft. You know how serious theft is in Chinese law." ?"

 “You must serve at least three years of hard labor!”

The soldier looked at him with disdain and said, "Just for a letter, all of us in the mail room have to risk three years of hard labor? What do you want?"

 But Muhetar couldn't understand, "You just sent me the letter yesterday and received it today?"

"Isn't this normal? The telegram sent yesterday was received in Luoyang yesterday. If they were not busy, they would have sent someone to notify Baima Temple yesterday. If they were busy, they would also notify within the next two days. The recipient will receive the telegram and then Isn’t it normal speed to reply to you?”

The soldier said: "If you live in the King's City of Qiuci, we will have to send someone to deliver the message to you. It may be a day or two late, but you can live here in just a matter of seconds."

Muhetar lowered his head and read the letter. In order to confirm whether it was true, he immediately gritted his teeth and said, "I want to send another letter to Huizhen."

This time, Muhetar did not need the help of soldiers to shorten the words. He directly asked Huizhen, "Please describe the things you entrusted to me."

Monk Huizhen, who was far away in Luoyang, was already packing his bags. When he received this telegram, he was completely confused.

The postman who delivered the letter to him gave him a friendly reminder: "Master, the other party seems to be in a hurry. He even paid double the money and asked us to deliver the letter immediately. Do you think you should give him a reply?"

Huizhen touched her money bag and finally gritted her teeth.

He wants to go to the Western Regions again, and the original travel arrangements are not enough. Alas, why does Muhetar have to embarrass himself?

 Sending so many words by telegram is very expensive.

 The Year of the Dragon is here. I wish you all a happy New Year, may the Dragon bring good luck, good health, everything goes well, and a new outlook on life.