The Great Idle Person of the Zhenguan Era.

Summary

The relationship between the Tang Dynasty and the Kingdom of Khotan was complex, with a mix of love and hate. Initially, during the Western Han Dynasty, Khotan had frequent interactions with the Central Plains, with the King of Khotan visiting the Han court and receiving imperial seals and sashes. However, things changed when Han Wu Di launched military campaigns, weakening Khotan, and the King formed an alliance with the Xiongnu. In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Khotan became a vassal state of the Turkic Khaganate, frequently raiding and plundering Tang people in the Western Regions. Li Su, a county magistrate, was sent to the Western Prefecture, where he discovered the importance of a Khotanese merchant, That Nan, and decided to form a connection with him. However, due to the strict class distinctions of the era, Li Su was advised to send someone to invite That Nan instead of actively seeking him out. Li Su's journey to the Western Prefecture was arduous, with the group facing scorching heat and freezing cold in the desert. Despite the challenges, Li Su befriended a merchant from Khotan, Tianyan, and the two would gather by the bonfire every evening to chat. Tianyan shared stories of the desert's dangers, which left Li Su startled and considering retreating back to Guanzhong. However, Jiang Quan, a palace guard, refused to agree with Li Su's plan, citing loyalty to the Emperor and country.

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