Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

This carriage is simple and grand, with a slight grassland style. The lens is wrapped in gold foil, and the curtains are decorated with exquisite patterns, embroidered with golden wolf heads, which look very majestic. It is obviously made by a top-notch weaver, and the fabric is also the finest Shu brocade from Sichuan.

Aside from a few people of high status, ordinary people simply cannot obtain it.

Behind the carriage followed a group of people, each with weapons around their waists, cold expressions, and strange clothes, clearly not from the Central Plains.

The soldiers guarding the city's defenses immediately stopped him.

The soldier frowned slightly and asked, "Who's inside?"

The carriage was driven by a guard dressed in Hu clothing. Her hair was unusual, with thin braids hanging down, and a curved knife was tucked into her waistband.

These people are dressed like Huns.

Many of the soldiers guarding the city recognized them. After all, there had been many conflicts between the Xia and the Xiongnu, and they were quite familiar with the Xiongnu's clothing and appearance.

However, Bai Su had recently pacified the northern desert, and the Xiongnu no longer existed; all that remained was the newly established Yanbei Protectorate of the Great Xia.

The groom raised an eyebrow at the disdainful looks of the Xia soldiers, about to reprimand them.

A clear, cold female voice came from inside the carriage: "Don't be powerless."

The coachman immediately shut his mouth, but felt a surge of resentment. He thought back to how mighty the Xiongnu were back then, and who wouldn't tremble at the mere mention of their name? Now, a mere soldier guarding the city dared to block the Chanyu's carriage.

Despite feeling very unwilling, one has to admit that the Xiongnu are now history.

The cause of all this was that terrifying man.

The thought of that man in white robes who, with a wave of his hand, wiped out the entire 200,000-strong Xiongnu army sent shivers down her spine.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a pretty woman dressed as a maid stepped down: "General, this is our Chanyu's document."

The soldier took the document and glanced at it. He was immediately shocked to find that the person sitting in the carriage was none other than the Xiongnu Chanyu Modu.

Although the Xiongnu have now fallen from being a single nation to becoming a vassal state of the Xia, the former Xiongnu Chanyu's status is not something a mere soldier like him can afford to offend.

The soldier quickly cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Chanyu."

A woman's cool voice came from inside the carriage: "No need for formalities. I have come here at the invitation of the Great Xia. Please accept my presence, General."

The soldier quickly stepped aside, saying, "Chanyu, please come in."

Without further incident, the Xiongnu delegation quickly entered Xianyang.

Da da da.

The horses' hooves landed on the flat ground of the street with a crisp sound.

Maodun lifted the curtain and looked around the streets of Xianyang with some curiosity.

This was her first time setting foot in the Central Plains and arriving in Xianyang. This prosperous city greatly impressed her.

The majestic city walls, the flat and sturdy brick roads, and the wide streets wide enough for ten carriages to travel side by side were bustling with people and filled with a dazzling array of goods. All sorts of exotic items made her speechless with delight.

The maid beside her couldn't help but widen her eyes and whisper, "Chanyu, the cities of this Great Xia are far more prosperous than our royal court."

Maodun was also shocked, and it took her a long time to slowly come back to her senses.

Although she had prepared herself mentally before coming, the sheer visual impact of seeing Xianyang left her completely blank.

After a long while, Maodun finally spoke softly, "The Great Xia... is truly a land of great prosperity."

She looked back on the prosperity she had built and suddenly found it ridiculous. Such a powerful Central Plains was definitely not something that a mere Xiongnu could contend with.

After experiencing this almost hopeless gap, she quickly rallied.

Because she also has a reliable, thick, strong leg.

Maodun couldn't help but think of the captivating man who had been betrothed to him and filled his heart to the point of overflowing.

Her slender, jade-like hand unconsciously touched herself, recalling that night that made her blush. A faint blush rose on her exotic and pretty face, and her lips curled up slightly.

"I really want to see what kind of expression he'll have when we meet again. I'm really looking forward to it, my... man."

Chapter 377 Do you know that scoundrel?

"Have the Xiongnu envoys arrived yet...?"

A look of surprise crossed Bai Su's face, after all, there was still quite a while before the day when all nations would pay tribute.

Why did you arrive so early? Could it be that you were scared by the Great Xia and wanted to come as soon as possible to show goodwill and strengthen relations?

But thinking about it, it's understandable. The former Xiongnu are now the location of the Yanbei Protectorate, so it's not surprising that these Xiongnu envoys are uneasy.

After a moment of contemplation, Bai Su said, "Just make proper arrangements for the Xiongnu envoys. There is still some time before the day when all nations pay tribute. Tell the officials at the post station to take good care of them and prevent any accidents from happening."

"Yes."

Chen Ping nodded slightly, then seemed to have thought of something and tentatively said, "My lord, the Xiongnu Chanyu seems to be an old acquaintance of yours, and says he wants to meet you."

"The Xiongnu Chanyu, Modu..."

Bai Su fell into deep thought for a moment, and involuntarily, an image of a graceful and alluring wolf king of the grasslands with exotic charm, sexy wheat-colored skin, and a fiery and unrestrained spirit appeared in her mind.

He was momentarily lost in thought, and couldn't help but mutter, "I didn't expect her to come in person."

Seeing that Bai Su was deep in thought, Chen Ping did not disturb her at all, and quietly stood aside waiting.

After pondering for a long time, Bai Su slowly said, "Okay, I understand. I will go see her in person after I finish my work."

Chen Ping bowed and accepted the order, then slowly withdrew.

Although she vaguely sensed that the relationship between Bai Su and Maodun Chanyu seemed different, she didn't point it out.

After all, this is not something she can interfere with. Wouldn't it be better to just pretend she doesn't see it?

Bai Su put down the memorial in her hand and scratched her cheek with a troubled expression.

Although the fact that Modu, the former Xiongnu Chanyu, took the initiative to attend the banquet during this foreign tribute mission had a significant effect on deterring and warning those small states in the Western Regions.

Strengthening the alliance between the suzerain state and its vassal states will make it much easier for Xianyang to issue an order to lead a group of subordinate states to wage war against foreign powers in the future.

only……

Maodun was not some dignified and virtuous woman; she was an ambitious woman with a big heart. Even with her claws and teeth removed, the wolf king was still the same wolf king whose wild nature was revealed in her bones.

She has arrived in Xianyang; hopefully, she won't cause any trouble.

Post station.

The Xiongnu delegation was arranged to rest here.

Maodun received no news from Bai Su, and a sense of disappointment inevitably arose in his heart.

However, she could understand that Bai Su, as a powerful minister of the country, must have a lot of political affairs to deal with on a daily basis and not much free time.

After spending the afternoon at the post station, she decided to go out for a walk.

"Chanyu, this is Xianyang, the capital of the Great Xia Dynasty. There are many people and many eyes here. We are unfamiliar with this place. What should we do if we encounter any trouble?"

The guard standing nearby couldn't help but express his concern.

As a follower of Maodun, she could be considered one of the bravest warriors on the grasslands, but after arriving in Xianyang, she had lost most of her former courage.

On the one hand, I was shocked by the majestic city of Xianyang. On the grasslands, you can walk for a whole day and not see many people, but here, there are people everywhere. A bustling city with a population of over one million is something I have never heard of before.

On the other hand, she was terrified by the Xia army led by Bai Su and Meng Tian, ​​which left a huge psychological shadow in her heart.

If they encounter someone who doesn't know their place and tries to cause trouble on the road, it's easy to beat them up, but what if that person is a high-ranking official in Xianyang who slanders them in front of the court?

After all, as descendants of the grassland wolf god, they can only run freely on the grasslands; they are restricted in the Central Plains.

A smile involuntarily appeared on Maodun's exotic and pretty face: "Don't worry, I grew up on horseback, fought countless battles and experienced life and death. Even dozens of ordinary people can hardly get close to me."

"Besides... I've already latched onto a powerful figure."

The guard was taken aback and couldn't help but ask, "What leg?"

Maodun chuckled and said, "The leg that represents chivalry, heroism, and tenderness is both strong and powerful, so you can rest assured."

The guards didn't say anything more after hearing what their Chanyu had said.

Maodun strolled along the wide street, admiring the dazzling array of goods on display. The shops were piled high with salt, sugar, silk, porcelain, and tea.

She couldn't help but sigh softly, marveling at the wealth of the Central Plains.

These items, even if just a few were placed on the grasslands, would be worth a fortune, and only a few nobles could own some of them.

But these things are everywhere on the streets of Central China.

The abundance of resources, the prosperous life, the absence of war, natural disasters, and famine—this prosperous scene filled her with envy, jealousy, and a helpless sigh.

Perhaps being defeated by that man, allowing the Xiongnu to submit to the Central Plains, learn the Central Plains' etiquette and writing, and become part of the Central Plains, would be a good ending for the Xiongnu.

Maodun stopped in her tracks as she passed a bookstore, a look of surprise on her face.

"What's wrong, Chanyu?"

The guards standing nearby were taken aback.

Maodun pointed to the bookshelves filled with books in the bookstore and exclaimed incredulously, "Look, they're actually selling books!!!"

The guard was taken aback, thinking to himself, "It's just selling books, what's so strange about that?"

But when she turned her head to look, her eyes widened in surprise. She subconsciously rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was hallucinating.

Inside the bookstore, there was a dazzling array of books, including popular folk ghost stories, medical books on treating cattle and sheep, how to prevent parasites, treat colds, and basic wound dressing.

Even basic response measures after floods or snowstorms.

Maodun strode forward, hurriedly picked up a few books, and couldn't help but ask, "Shopkeeper, how much are these books?"

The shopkeeper at the counter yawned and said, "Five coins a book. If you buy more, I'll give you one free if you buy ten."

"What?! Five...five coins!!!"

Not to mention Maodun, even the guards beside him were stunned, and for a moment they wondered if they were hallucinating.

After all, this book is more precious than gold.

Especially this kind of treasure, which can be a lifesaver in critical moments, would be so valuable in the desolate northern desert that even if you offered it a fortune, the other party might not be willing to teach you how to use it.

But now in Xianyang City, this thing, which is regarded by countless priests and shamans as an unteachable secret technique, is only sold for five coins a book, which is simply unbelievable.

The shopkeeper at the counter couldn't help but laugh and say, "Sir, you must be from out of town. This is a national policy established by our Grand Chancellor."

"Since the invention of papermaking and printing by the Da Liangzao, apart from introductory books on learning seal script, which were priced very low and could be bought for only a few coins."