Wuwei Commandery, Wirkak Sabao Palace, Sui Empire
Almost three weeks had passed since Qarabuqa's departure towards Khar Lake. Fifty riders, armed with their short composite bows and thick gambeson and chainmail armor, approaching the city. The Sui soldiers did not underestimate the potential adversity they will face.
The tall stone defensive wall is quickly manned. The Guard Captain stops them from firing their heavy crossbows. The riders raise three flags: a Hanzi plum symbol, the Yenisei Kyrgyz tamgha depicting a bow, and a flag showing they are a guardsmen unit of Bayrak
The captain now orders his man to open the city gates. "May i ask Captain, what is the reason we let those Tujues in?" one of the soldiers slightly bend his body.
"It is the order from Sabao (head of merchant/company). All of you don't need to know more. That's all there it to is for those noble Jiankun." the captain reassured his men.
"Noble huh, without talking to the Sima beforehand (barracks)? Since when we adress those ice nomads with such respect. This is why i don't like the Li Family meddlings," the Sui soldier mutters in heart's.
The other Sui soldiers gaze fiercely at the horse archers trotting into the city. Wirkak Palace is located south of the countryside region, nearly a day's walk away. The bodyguards must disperse and sneak past the checkpoint, as that garrison is stationed by Zhang Family supporters.
Many upstart merchants are gathering in the Wirkak Palace. These youngsters are eager to strike a deal with what they assume as the Khagan and his Yabghu. Fur commodities are very popular in Sogdian-majority areas of China.
"Please Great Khagan, I have ten children that I need to feed. I have already lived in this city for 10 years. Born in Samarkand, to meet you, my Lord," the man pleads for Bayrak to buy pottery.
"Surely you jest but hey how long will you covering your faces. From now everyone here will be your ally youngster," Bayrak meet the young man at Kashgar. He wears black-hooded cloak and leather mask all the time.
"No one should know my face. It's part of the protocol. I'm part of the Li Family and my age is 14 years old. That's all that must be known," he is Anonymus Li.
"Yeah sure Captain Obvious. Why don't you greet your uncle earlier," Dogan ask.
Anonymus gazes at Dogan. "I'm still somewhat a squire uncle. My ranks have not to reach that height yet ...," he also refuses to let both of them know which departement or ministry he serve.
"Lad," Dogan nods.
Many prominent Sogdian merchants are also present in the Palace. Among them are Proto-Vande, the third son of the former owner of this very estate; Pantok, the second son of Kang Ye; and Tianshui, the Sabao of Gansu. Even Qu Qing, the Sabao of Henan, is counted among them, though he is not yet present as he is still traveling.
Although An Bey had already received the invitation, he refused to attend. The old man remains resentful because the position of Sabao in Xi'an was already occupied by Pantok, even though both hailed from the same city. By the rules of merchant seniority, he should have been appointed Sabao instead.
"Bayrak Khagan, want to see our paper? This is the profit of your fur trades in Xi'an." Pantok gives him the report of his domain export.
"Hoho so smooth, this is the famed paper eh." Bayrak is more interested on the item itself.
"If you like it, your majesty. Gansu can sell it to Jiankun and Khirkir-Daraid with a cheap price. Writing in parchment is quite cumbersome isn't it," Tianshui smirks. He sees a new opportunity.
"Yes but i want buy it from Proto-Vande. The inks too, Liangzhou is nearer and Jiankun may need it," Bayrak did not accept his offer outright. He want to test Tianshui first.
"As you wish!" Proto-Vande is overjoyed by the Kyrgyz Khagan proposal.
"Hey let the Head of Sabao decides then. Young man! That is more fair. Do you think so Khagan?" Tianshui pleads.
Bayrak agrees with Tianshui's suggestion. Paper sales will be concluded once the Head of Sabao of all Sogdian in the entire Sui arrives. He comes a little too late; his hair has turned white, but the merchant is still as shrewd as ever. Yu Hong enters the room with his personal bodyguard.
"Lord Yu Hong! long time no see," Dogan and Bayrak hug him.
"Hoho both of you have become a fine Khagan and Yabghu. I'm sorry i could no longer serve Yenisei Court anymore. My ... uhuk!" Yu Hong suddenly cough.
"It's fine old men we came here for trade and visiting the manor of our patrilineal family," Bayrak is concerned by his deteriorating health.
"There is no time for melancholia. Now, what were we discussing earlier?" asks Yu Hong, who is still able to straighten his back.
Proto-Vande explain what they had confered earlier to him. Sabao of Sogdians, even the one who swear their loyalty to Emperor Wen are facing difficulty. The Sassanids frequently harass, plunder and there are instance when the caravans are hunted down. Although the killing only happened to the one who are loyal to the Gokturks.
"I already said it earlier. That's beyond my authority as a Tigin. Dogan is an Iltabar. Why don't you ask the Shads or Tudun of Ashina instead," Bayrak start to get angry. No matter what he will be loyal to Ishbara.
"Is this, confering with us part of your authority too my lord. As far as i know, it's beyond yours." Pantok still argue.
"I came here to see the trade directly. Nothing more," Bayrak answers.
"Please send your best unit to guard my brother in Kangju Kingdom, Oxus Bian. Both of you serve the same empire right?" Pantok plead to him.
Kang Ye has two sons; the older brother became a king as he was descended from royal lineage.
"Hey buffoon, why did you drag us to your familial problem? We are loyal to China not some small kingdom like Kangju. This is our home," Tianshui directly point at him.
"Oh my no need for harsh gestures but i think Uncle Tianshui is right. Sorry you are alone Pantok," Proto-Vande agree with Tianshui.
"All of you are ungrateful wretch. Home wrecker," Pantok also blame Bayrak for his inaction.
"Go kiss your beloved Gokturk. Sui is richer hahaha!" Tianshui hurl insults.
"Enough we are here not for ban--," Dogan silence the room.
One of Bayrak's bodyguards bore an urgent message to him. Bayrak stood up and started to listen to his man.
"If it's about the Kurmak, don't bother. Everyone will elect me again just the same every three years. Either me, Dogan or Baybuqa. I already talk about it with all the chieftains except those five weird clans in the middle Yenisei." this time Bayrak speaks in Turkic not Zhonggu Yin.
"I don't know what to say Great Khagan but Iltas the Disgraced have gather support from many clans even the renowned Myosha. Kimek Khaganate have shown their full support to him. Heshano from Town of Uybat also supported him. To the north, mysterious Koryak has advanced and make Eski Tuva it's capital. In the west, Kyzyl Biyik and Zarinaea Clan have migrated far away. Tardu also send his regards to the Jiankun ..." the bodyguard do what have been told.
Bayrak did not want to hear anymore, Anonymus Li will accompany him back to yaris yazi (steppe) right now.
"Why so sudden brother. Are you not comfortable here. Firewood are plenty and summer are pleasant. Is it still not to your liking?" Li Wei ask.
"I have my own duty," Bayrak answers.
"Your duty is here. Come and join us. The blood of Li Mu runs in our vein. The Greatest General in the entire history of Zhongguo (Great Plains)," Li Wei asking once more.
"I'm a Turk and you are a Han. That is our destiny," Bayrak horse's are ready.
"Well i already expect your answer. As you know, many Xianbei are fabricating their lineage while you ...," Li Wei explain.
"Done?" Bayrak looks with a long face. He want to haste.
Li Wei told Bayrak that Li Liang will present a gift from him. Before they depart, he and his troops should change their attire.
"Hey still guard will notice the bow," Bayrak speak.
"Sometimes dress as your ancestor," Li Wei smirks.
Bayrak looks at the mirage from the water. He cut his thick moustache and beards. Bayrak is a very handsome man with sharp nose. He is wearing a very expensive noble coats. It is a gift from Li Wei. He escorts his relatives into the gates.
"This is it," one of his men seen the previous captain. They already brought the large leather to receive the gift's from their horses.
Suk!
"Uses that to kill the Sassanids!" Li Liang throws his own heavy custom crossbow from the wall of the city.
"May we meet again Brother Li Bai. Fortune shall smiles upon you," Li Wei gives his farewell and at the same time his Zhongguo name.
"Farewell then, your name will be remembered by me." Bayrak piroutte while raising his hands.
The day already dark but there is no time for them to waste. Bayrak order them to gallop whenever they could. The horses mouth start to foam, Bayrak and his men runs while men in the rear watches over their tied walking horses.