Wei and Jin cooks

In the eighth year of Yuanzhen's reign, Hua State had achieved one inn and one radio station, and large inns even had two or more radio stations.

Radios can be used to communicate wherever the inns arrive, and ordinary people can use them 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 apart, 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, word 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 learned a little about it from the original merchants.

But the guest was not an ordinary person. He was an official from Kucha. Two years ago, there were vague rumors that the reason why the Chinese army was able to provide rapid support and command in the vast grasslands and Gobi was because of the artifact that could 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 their daily lives, 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: "To fight so many? It's a long way to Luoyang. One word costs twenty-seven coins, and twenty-five words costs 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. Whether intentionally or not, the inn's pricing unit 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 calculating abacus, and soon reported: "One thousand and twelve cents and five cents."

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

Seeing him like this, the soldier said: "Your letter is too wordy. Just reduce some words."

He kindly handed the pen to him, "You can go aside and think about it."

It is already remarkable that the guest can speak Chinese and know some Chinese characters. Let him reduce it...

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

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

He forwarded it to him, "How about repaying it this way?"

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

The soldier reported the address according to the address he gave. Ten characters cost two hundred and seventy cents, which was converted into Kucha five baht, which was four hundred and five.

The customer 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 and will stay at the inn temporarily. If there is a letter, please call me."

The soldiers responded.

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 Kucha?"

"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 next to the oasis. After walking through the oasis and heading northwest for about eighty miles, you will find the King of Qiuci.

It's not that they don't want to build the inn in the royal city, but 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 Qiuci, 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.

Here they can collect a large amount of information from passing business travelers and then transmit the information back through the radio.

Perhaps because they were very interested in the Eastern Kingdom of God, Wu Liang and the others received many people one after another within two days of moving into the inn.

The inn was quite large, with nearly one-third of the guest rooms occupied. In addition to the guests, there were 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 humiliation, ordered a few things step by step, and took the road guide and other supplies to the King of Qiuci 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 about anything else. We are new here, so we should be cautious."

The soldiers agreed, then got on the cart and went to Kucha Royal City.

As soon as he left, someone came running from the mail room, "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."

Food and accommodation at the inn are not cheap.

Muhetar looked unbelieving 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..." You scribbled on the paper, a nonsense sentence. ?

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." ?"

"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 are you trying to do?"

But Muhetar couldn't understand, "You just sent me the letter yesterday, and I 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. Finally, in order to confirm whether it was true, he 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 what 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 Region again, and the original expenses are not enough. Alas, why does Muhetar have to embarrass himself?

It is very expensive to send so many words by telegraph.

The Year of the Dragon is here. I wish you all a happy New Year, good luck in the Dragon's movement, good health, all the best, and a new atmosphere in the New Year.