Character Index
Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince, one of the primary contenders for the throne.
Empress Gongsun: The former Empress, she committed suicide after being deposed.
Zhou Yunqi: The Fifth Prince, currently sidelined due to the Emperor's conflict with his maternal clan, the Shu.
Cao Shuyi: Wife of the Third Prince.
Princess Ashina: Princess of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, sent to marry Kayla as part of a marriage alliance.
Shu Ling: One of Kayla's retainers, sent to guard Feng Yi.
Feng Yi: A good-natured merchant who was involved in Kayla's plan to establish a regional power base, he was "ceded" to Kuang as a witness when Kayla lost her momentum due to being imprisoned.
Zhou Chenqian: Son of the Third Prince and Cao Shuyi. Kuang's only child.
Derin: A middle-aged woman who is Ashina's chief attendant, having served the princess for many years.
Qiu Yun: Kayla's serving girl, recommended to her by Housekeeper Li due to the girl's good personality (and plain looks).
Right Secretariat An: Right Secretariat of Rites, technically in charge of the delegation's diplomatic affairs.
Kulun: A tarkhan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, tasked with escorting Ashina to the capital for her wedding.
Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: Lord of the Liang clan, holds an honorary martial position. Formerly Kayla's retainer.
Yan'er: A former prostitute who saved Hu Qing when he was fleeing the Grand Duke's assassins. Became the foster daughter of Wei Guang's steward.
Qazar: A nephew of Princess Mingda, sent to Kayla as a hostage.
Yilie: Tabuyir's nephew, also sent to Kayla as an assurance of goodwill/support.
Governor Bao: Governor of Daizhou. Kayla ordered him to call in sick to avoid the Turkic delegation.
Chuluo: Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and father of Ashina. An affectionate and doting father, his motives remain unclear to everyone involved.
Shegui: Khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate. Tensions between the two Khagans have risen due to the geopolitics of the Near East and Central Asia.
Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince, a contender for the throne.
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Kuang looked about in confusion at the room he found himself in.
Why am I back in the Inner Palace? I’m sure I went to sleep in my own bed.
The thought drifted away before he could think too much about it. Years of memories peeled away and floated off in the dreamscape, leaving him as a child in his mother’s quarters. The young prince pattered across the floor in his bare feet, looking about him fearfully.
“Mother?” Kuang called, not daring to raise his voice. He was afraid without really knowing why–his mother kept telling him to avoid the Empress Dowager and the Empress, and he glanced around every corner as though they might be lurking there in their splendid robes, glaring down at him with cold eyes.
“Mother,” Kuang whined. He was growing more frightened now. The halls were dark, and there seemed to be quiet whispers that came from every shadowed nook, invisible claws that might lunge out and grab him at any time. Kuang shuddered, drawing his inner robes closer around him. There was a creak and Kuang froze, his entire body stiffening with fear. He broke into a mindless run, letting his instincts guide his feet. He ended up at a familiar door and pushed it open.
“Yunqi,” he hissed into the dark room, and then again a little louder, “Yunqi!”
There was a sniffle from a small lump on the bed. Kuang trotted into the room, closing the door behind him so nothing dangerous could get in.
“Yunqi, it’s me! I couldn’t find Mother, and I was sc–-I thought you might be scared!” Kuang said. He approached the bed, leaning over with a frown. “Yunqi?”
A tiny figure wriggled out from the blankets, a head of tousled hair emerging.
“Brother?” Yunqi whispered.
“It’s me,” Kuang said in a half-whisper.
“I woke up and everyone was gone! What’s happening?” Yunqi asked in a quavering voice.
“I don’t know,” Kuang admitted. “Mother said that Grandmother and the Empress are angry, maybe they’re fighting again?”
Yunqi gave him a tearful look. “I don’t like it when they fight!”
“Me neither,” Kuang replied. “But it’s alright! They won’t come here.”
“Really?”
“Really! And even if they do, I’ll protect you!” Kuang assured him.
Yunqi stretched pudgy hands out towards him, his tiny frame shaking with fear.
“You have to promise! Don’t leave me here alone,” Yunqi pleaded.
Kuang wrapped his arms around the small boy, his own fear fading in the face of his brother’s distress. “I promise I won't!”
Yunqi’s eyes shone with admiration at the heroic declaration, his teary face already breaking into a smile.
“You can share my blanket,” Yunqi said earnestly. “Nothing can get us if we’re under the blankets, not even the monsters.”
Kuang’s heart swelled with fondness and satisfaction at the smaller boy’s sincerity. He felt ten times bigger and stronger with someone who had such faith in him.
“There are no monsters,” Kuang declared, suddenly certain in the fact now that he had a little brother to reassure. “And even if they are, I’ll defeat them.”
Yunqi’s smile widened as he nodded eagerly.
The sight of that innocent smile lingered at the back of Kuang’s eyes as he awoke from the dream with an intense feeling of nostalgia. He didn’t miss those terror-filled days when he had no control over his destiny, but Kuang did miss the days when all it took was a promise and an embrace to dispel the demons that haunted Yunqi.
Almost as though sensing he had woken, the communication device at his bedside table showed a new message. Careful not to jostle Cao Shuyi from her slumber, he reached over and opened the device, squinting at the message.
My prince, this Wenyuan humbly gives his greetings and begs your pardon for disturbing your rest.
Our delegation has received Princess Ashina into the Wu, and will set out for the capital in the morning. I have a thoughtless request that I deeply hope you can humor. As this marriage represents not just the union between man and woman, but also that of our houses, and furthermore, our countries, I dare not approach this auspicious occasion with anything less than my fullest dedication. To that end, I wish to have my household fully present to greet Princess Ashina and pay their respects.
Two retainers of mine, Shu Ling and Feng Yi, have been dallying in Jiangxia due to being tangled up in a local corruption case. From what I understand, they have completed their testimonies and statements, but remain in holding for cross-examination against other witnesses. If it would so please you, I beg your generosity and assistance in hastening their return to the capital for the wedding.
I respectfully present this for your consideration.
Kuang stifled a chuckle, his shoulders shaking slightly as he finished reading it. That was just like Wenyuan, taking advantage of the wedding to scoop back Feng Yi even after ceding the man to Kuang. He was almost tempted to refuse, just to see what Wenyuan would do in response.
But Yunqi and Cao Shuyi would be exasperated, and indeed, there was no reason not to grant Wenyuan a favor when the opportunity was handed to him on a silver platter. Kuang sent back a quick message promising to fulfill Wenyuan’s request and wishing the delegation a smooth and pleasant journey before closing the device and settling back onto the bed. His thoughts drifted to Yunqi’s sympathy for their cousin, and he let out a soft sigh.
Beside him, Cao Shuyi stirred awake, sluggishly slinging an arm over his chest.
“Has something happened?” Cao Shuyi asked groggily.
“Just a request for a small favor from Zhao Wenyuan, I’ve granted it to him,” Kuang replied. “He’s heading back with the princess, it won’t be long before he returns to the capital.”
“Good,” Cao Shuyi said. She examined the side of his face searchingly as he stared up at the canopy of the bed. “Is something the matter?”
“No, not really,” Kuang said.
“Are you worried about Yunqi again?” Cao Shuyi asked.
“You know me too well,” Kuang chuckled. “I was just thinking that I’m lucky to have Yunqi as my brother.”
“Indeed,” Cao Shuyi said. “It must be nice to have a little brother.” She snuggled into his shoulders, blinking sleepily.
“Well, yes, but that’s limited to Yunqi alone. Having a little brother can also be quite a pain,” Kuang said wryly. “Look at what a mess Xianchun’s been making recently. He’s been biting like a rabid dog ever since Wenyuan took off for the North.”
Cao Shuyi let out a discontented huff, sleepiness replaced by irritation. “A rabid dog indeed! Well, you’d best show him not to bite the wrong man!”
Kuang chuckled. “The kid’s got spirit, I’ll admit that. He won’t be deterred by anything. But never mind him for now, he’ll have to rein it in once Wenyuan returns.”
“A troublesome person can only be dealt with by another troublesome person,” Cao Shuyi said with a soft laugh.
“Even if Xianchun insists on being a nuisance, I can handle him on my own. But who am I to stop the youngsters from tearing at each other’s throats?” Kuang turned his head towards Cao Shuyi briefly, sharing an amused glance with her.
“At least Yunqi isn’t so troublesome,” Cao Shuyi offered. “You could’ve had it so much worse.”
Kuang let out a chuckle, but the smile faded from his face. He thought of simpler days with a pang in his heart.
Despite his promises, he never really succeeded in protecting Yunqi. The little boy with a bright smile had grown into a withdrawn and fearful man, something he could never forgive either the Shu clan or the Emperor for. Still, Kuang was proud of him. Yunqi retained his thoughtfulness and gentle nature even with everything thrown his way–the world could make a ruin of his little brother’s life, but not of the man himself.
“It’s just as you say, I could’ve had it so much worse. Yunqi’s better to me than I deserve. I’ve failed him so many times now, but he still puts his faith in me.” Kuang shook his head with a sigh. “I’ll make his suffering worth it one day.”
Cao Shuyi patted his chest comfortingly. “You will,” she assured him in a soft voice.
Kuang turned his head towards her. “It would be nice if Chenqian had a sibling, wouldn’t it? I don’t know what the future holds for him, but he’ll need people to lean on. I only hope that his siblings will be more like Yunqi than Xianchun.”
Cao Shuyi regarded him for a moment before breaking into a wide smile. “If it’s your child, then they will definitely be more like Yunqi.”
“I hope so,” Kuang replied, an unsightly knot that had been wound up tightly inside his heart unraveling at Cao Shuyi’s words. He smiled back at her, placing a hand over hers.
Cao Shuyi smile turned coy. She trailed her fingers up to his collar and slipped them inside his robes. “But…really now, my prince. If you want another child, you only need say so.”
Kuang twitched as she trailed her foot up his leg before letting out a laugh from deep in his throat. He pulled Cao Shuyi into a kiss, stifling her giggles as he tossed the blankets aside.
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The delegation set off towards the capital at first light. Despite the early hours, the full host of officials, officers, and chieftains turned out to send them off. Ashina watched them disappear into the distance through her carriage window, only removing her veil after they were gone from sight. She didn’t need the veil anymore, now that Zhao Wenyuan knew her face, but she didn’t want to invite questions about why she had worn it on the first day only to remove it on the second.
Ashina watched with curiosity as the landscape passed by. It wasn’t her first time in the Wu dynasty, but her prior journey had been rushed. She had barely seen anything of the North with how fast they were going.
It’s really not so different, Ashina thought to herself. She could pick out Sogdian and Persian merchant wagons, as well as the familiar sight of Turkic and Khitan ones. The North of the Wu wasn’t so different from her own country, but the fascination of being in another country filled her with wonder and excitement.
“Is that man from the Abbasid?” Ashina asked, pointing out the window at one of the merchants on the roadside. Derin leaned over, squinting to see.
“I believe so. It’s surprising to see one this far up North though, I had heard the Arabs mostly lived in Canton and Chang’an,” Derin said. “After all, most of them take the sea route instead of crossing over land, but there are still a good number of caravans that go through the desert.”
“Maybe this man came through our routes,” Ashina murmured, peering at the passersby with interest.
“Maybe so,” Derin agreed.
When the sun had climbed halfway into the sky, the delegation stopped for a short break. Ashina suspected it was out of consideration for her, though she hardly needed a rest.
She stepped out of the carriage to stretch her legs for a bit before settling down in the shade, Derin standing at her side.
“Look, that’s Duke Zhao’s maid,” Derin murmured, nodding at where a young serving girl approached with a tray in her arms.
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“This lowly one humbly greets Her Highness,” the girl said, bowing as she reached Ashina.
Ashina glanced up in surprise at the tea and snacks presented to her on an ornate tray.
“What is this?”
“His Excellency Duke Zhao wished that you should have some tea and snacks before we set off again,” the serving girl said demurely. “Since we set off rather early in the morning, he was concerned that you would not have a chance to eat breakfast properly. This is jasmine green tea, made with blossoms imported from Tianzhu. And these are tea cakes he ordered the kitchen to prepare this morning, with a candied date and nut filling.”
“How thoughtful,” Ashina said after a surprised pause.
The girl bowed deeply and handed the tray to Derin for poison-testing. Ashina gave the plain-looking serving girl a cursory glance-over.
“What’s your name?” Ashina asked her.
The girl gave a lopsided smile, an upper tooth protruding over her lower lip in a rather endearing manner. “My name is Qiu Yun, Your Highness. Most people call me Yun’er.”
“How long have you served the Duke?” Ashina asked.
“Not for long, Your Highness,” Yun’er replied.
Ashina nodded. “Please send him my thanks.”
Yun’er bowed and took the cue to leave. Derin’s gaze flitted from the serving girl’s back to her princess, a teasing smile creeping over her face.
Ashina took a bite from the pastry Derin handed her. “It's sweet,” she remarked.
“Indeed, it certainly is sweet of him! What a thoughtful husband,” Derin cooed.
“The pastry! I was talking about the pastry!” Ashina snapped, her ears flushing red.
“Oh, of course! How silly of me!” Derin said, utterly unapologetic. She had been taking every chance to tease the princess ever since Ashina snuck off to speak with Wenyuan the night before, and seemed to have no intention of stopping anytime soon.
Ashina shot her a glare and turned her attention back to the snacks and drinks.
He really is nice though, Ashina noted. His serving girls and guards all seem content. You wouldn't see that in the household of an unpleasant man. She glanced over to Wenyuan’s carriage, where the man was speaking with Right Secretariat An and Kulun-tarkhan, a pleasant smile on his face.
I think I’ll be fine, Ashina decided, and happily finished the snacks.
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Kayla watched Kulun walk back to his carriage, not letting her polite smile fade until every last Turkic guard had turned away from her. When she was certain both Kulun and Right Secretariat An were gone, she turned towards Hu Qing, leaning in slightly to avoid lip reading.
“He’s trying to scrabble for information, make sure no one gives off any hints,” she muttered to him.
“I wouldn’t worry about the guards, but I’ll double-check just to be safe,” Hu Qing replied. “What I’m worried about are the kids.”
The two of them glanced over to where Yan’er and Yun’er were excitedly chatting with each other, and then to where the two young hostages Qazar and Yilie were awkwardly standing a few paces apart, Yilie kicking at the dirt and Qazar with his eyes fixed determinedly on a tuft of grass.
“Yan’er knows how to keep her mouth shut,” Hu Qing said fondly.
“Yun’er too. I wouldn’t expect them not to crack under pressure though, better make sure that doesn’t happen,” Kayla said. “I don’t want them alone with anyone from the Turkish delegation unless it’s the Princess, it wouldn’t be appropriate to have our guards flitting about near her. But I expect full reports of every interaction they have.”
“Consider it done. What about the boys? Does Yilie know anything?” Hu Qing asked.
“Yilie joined after I put a gag order on the delegation about our delay,” Kayla replied. “And Qazar only just joined us. But better safe than sorry. Give them the same treatment or Kulun will notice that the girls know more and single them out.”
Hu Qing nodded. “And I reckon we won’t have much to worry about from the princess?”
Kayla gave him a questioning look, to which he responded with an impish grin.
“Not while you’re distracting her, I mean. Sweets and tea, huh?” Hu Qing teased.
Kayla rolled her eyes.
“Shut up, I’m just trying to make things easier for her. She’s still a kid,” Kayla muttered under her breath.
Nineteen wasn’t too young to get married, not in this time period. But Kayla couldn’t help but feel that nineteen was too young to be marrying into a foreign land that was, until very recently, an enemy state.
Especially if I’m the one marrying her.
“Marrying far away is difficult for any woman, it goes doubly so when it’s into a whole other country. It’s only right that I take care of her needs wherever possible and appropriate,” Kayla said. Her thoughts drifted to her own mother, who had married young and followed her father across the ocean to a new country.
Look how that turned out–a disappointing husband who went and died on her, and then a disappointing kid who also went and died on her…
She glanced in the direction of Ashina’s carriage. There’s no way this marriage will be easy on either of us. The least I can do is to make her less miserable whenever possible.
Sensing the change in Kayla’s mood, Hu Qing leaned back and didn’t tease her any further.
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Over the next few days, Ashina’s fears slowly dissipated with the courteous treatment she received from Zhao Wenyuan. The Duke was thoughtful and attentive. He was more than willing to adhere to the norms that prevented direct contact between them unless under supervision, and always acted with consideration to her reputation.
A steady trickle of treats and trinkets were delivered via Yun’er or Yan’er, both of whom Ashina quickly took a liking to. The two girls were easy-going and harmless. They asked no questions and made no attempts to burrow out information save for their innocent curiosity about the foreign princess.
Her growing fondness for Zhao Wenyuan went undisturbed until Daizhou.
The delegation stopped at a rented villa rather than the smaller and less luxurious post station for the night. The local Governor was ill, and Zhao Wenyuan didn’t trust the lower-ranking officials to make the proper preparations for Ashina’s comfort. She didn’t really need the coddling, but Ashina appreciated the effort.
She glanced about her room for the night, curiously taking in the unfamiliar style of decoration.
“My princess, Kulun-tarkhan requests an audience,” Derin said. Ashina hesitated for a moment, unease sparking in her stomach. Every single meeting she had with him thus far unveiled some unpleasantness or another. She doubted this time would be different.
But it’s not as though I can cover my ears and refuse to listen, Ashina thought in resignation.
“Of course, please show him in,” she said. Derin bowed and stepped outside. A moment later, Kulun-tarkhan entered the room. Ashina dismissed the rest of the attendants with a wave, listening on with discomfort as the Turkic guards outside her room also left the hallway clear.
“Thank you for granting me your time, my princess,” Kulun greeted her.
“Not at all. What did you wish to talk about, tarkhan?” Ashina asked.
“This servant has noted, as of late, that the Duke has been overt in his affections towards you,” Kulun said.
“He is indeed thoughtful,” Ashina said warily.
“It is of great relief to myself and the subjects of the Khaganate to see the happiness of our Princess. Your joy is our joy,” Kulun went on.
“Yes?” Ashina prompted.
Kulun let out a soft sigh, his face growing serious. “However, I must warn you to be careful in your dealings with him. The Duke is not as harmless and kind as he appears on the surface. Do you recall what I told you before?”
Ashina nodded grimly, an icy lump forming in her stomach. “You said that your plan to deal with him failed, and that my father ordered me to bide my time.”
Kulun lowered his head for a moment before steeling himself to speak. “We attempted to reach an agreement with Duke Zhao before he reached the border, right here in Daizhou. He refused discussions and hunted down every agent we had within the region. It was my hope that we might find survivors when we arrived, but everyone is gone without a trace. Not even corpses remain.”
Ashina reeled back in horror. “What?! There’s no way that–”
She thought back to the reports that she had received on Zhao Wenyuan back in the Khaganate, her face paling.
“Are you sure our men are dead? Perhaps they have been captured,” Ashina said.
“If they had been captured, they would have killed themselves on the spot to avoid being forced into betrayal,” Kulun replied calmly. “And that was certainly not the case. We are certain that they were all killed on the night of.”
“You said you attempted to reach an agreement…what kind of agreement?” Ashina pressed him.
“That he would notify your father the Khagan of anything in the Wu dynasty that may be of harm to you, as a protective measure,” Kulun replied smoothly. Ashina’s eyes narrowed. The answer came almost too naturally to him, as though it had been rehearsed beforehand. Fear, horror, and suspicion roiled through her stomach. She felt as though she were stranded out at sea–she had never seen the ocean, but she thought it must be like this, to be without direction or solid ground beneath you.
“And the discussion…were our men not prepared to defend themselves? I cannot imagine that the Duke’s guards would have taken kindly to their approach,” Ashina said.
“We took some measures to get the Duke alone. It seems he took offense to that,” Kulun replied. “He refuted the right of the Khaganate to negotiate with him and was infuriated that our agents dared to approach him with an offer.”
“And then?” Ashina demanded.
“It seems he activated a nullification spell after that. Communications were cut off, and our men were massacred,” Kulun replied, regret tinging his voice. “I failed to anticipate his reaction or his temper, given his usual behavior. I sincerely apologize for my failure.”
He doesn’t seem like the type of person to do that, Ashina thought to herself, doubt bleeding into both Kulun’s story and her own perception. But lots of monsters have human faces and bestial hearts. What if that’s what he’s really like?
She evaluated Kulun-tarkhan’s clear eyes. But Kulun-tarkhan…I can’t trust him either. There’s no way he only just learned of this!
“If you regret it, then why are you only telling me now?” Ashina asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking with anger. “We’re hundreds of miles inside the border! Why would you withhold this from me?! You’ve known for days!”
“Please keep your voice down, my princess. The Duke may have ways of circumventing our privacy spells,” Kulun said.
“How dare you? You’re telling me to be careful after you messed up to this extent?!” Ashina snarled, shooting to her feet.
“I apologize, Your Highness,” Kulun replied. “I deemed it unsafe to tell you while traveling through less populated areas, lest the Wu delegation sense an abnormality. Given what they’ve done so far, I did not dare take any risks.”
“Lies! You did this to keep me from leaving!” Ashina glared at him, seething with anger.
“I apologize, Your Highness,” Kulun repeated. “But please keep this information to yourself. Your chief attendant, Derin-hanim, will also be informed. I only wished to warn you that Duke Zhao is not as he seems on the surface. Any affection and trust in him would be misplaced.”
Ashina trembled with rage, her fingernails digging into her palms at her sides.
“Don’t think I won’t tell my father about this!” she spat out the words. “You dare to deceive the daughter of your master?! Enjoy your position well for the next few days, you won’t have it much longer!”
Kulun-tarkhan’s eyes briefly clouded with pity and resignation before sharpening once more into their hawk-like visage.
“Please feel free to notify the Khagan if you so wish,” Kulun-tarkhan replied, his voice gentle.
Ashina stared at him a moment. She frowned in incomprehension at his response before rearing back, betrayal written across her face.
“My father knows? There’s no way!” Ashina cried out.
Kulun let out a soft sigh and didn’t reply.
“He wouldn’t! He would never deceive me like this!” Ashina felt hot tears pool into her eyes and furiously tried to squeeze them back.
“Please be assured that we will never allow anyone in the Wu to harm you, my princess. Not the Duke, not the Imperial Guard, not even the Wu Emperor himself,” Kulun replied, his voice softening. “We cannot afford another war with the Wu right now–Please know that, even if nothing else is true, your father would give anything to have you live happily at his side forever. But that is his sentiment as a father, and this is his duty as a Khagan.”
“As a Khagan…So we are going to war with Shegui Khagan after all, aren’t we?” Ashina said, a note of savage vindication in her voice. “You wouldn’t tell me before, but here we are now anyways! What was the point of hiding it in the first place?!"
“Tumultuous times are upon us, my princess,” Kulun-tarkhan said heavily. “We have received ill omens for years now, our troubles will not end at merely the provocations of Shegui Khagan. Greater troubles torment our people. If we cannot bear its burden, we will be crushed by it.”
Ashina sniffled, angrily wiping away the tears that escaped her eyes.
“Don’t lecture me, tarkhan,” she spat out. “I know my duty and I’ll do it well.”
She fixed him with a fierce glare.
“But do not think to deceive me ever again. You, or anyone else! If anyone dares to do so again, I will cut their heart out myself!”
Kulun bowed his head, a little taken aback by the girl’s fury.
She really is the Khagan’s daughter, he thought to himself.
“I understand, my princess.”
“Leave me!” Ashina ordered.
“As you wish.” Kulun bowed deeply and left.
Alone in the room, Ashina burst into tears. She couldn’t trust the words of the tarkhan–he had his own ambitions, his own interests at stake.
But…Zhao Wenyuan…She thought of his kind smile and felt a chill run up her spine. Why didn’t he say anything? He never showed any sign of being displeased with the Khaganate. He stood right in front of us after killing our agents and smiled like an innocent man.
Ashina shuddered and wrapped her arms tightly around herself, sinking down and bringing her knees to her chest. She couldn’t trust him either. She couldn’t trust anyone.
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Cultural Notes
不敢不尽心竭力/Do not dare not to do my best: A Chinese saying that emphasizes your dedication and shows your respect for someone/something, with the implication that due to your respect for them, you do not dare to relax or fail.
江夏/Jiangxia Commandery: An administrative unit of the Tang Dynasty, to the southwest of Luoyang.
疯狗一样乱咬人/Biting at wild like a mad dog: A Chinese saying that means someone is lashing out aggressively.
一物降一物/One object overrides another: A Chinese saying that essentially means everyone/everything has its match. Even the most troublesome person will meet his match in another, equally/more troublesome person.
Sogdians in the Tang Dynasty: Sogdia was an ancient Eastern Iranian civilization. There was a significant Sogdian diaspora in the Tang Dynasty, with many Sogdians rising to prominent positions in civil service and the military, while others acted as middlemen on the Silk Road.
Persians in the Tang Dynasty: There have been Persians in China since before the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang, Sassanian royals sought refugee in China after being ousted by Arabic invasions. Persian traders were also prominent in both the land-bound and maritime Silk Routes, and many Persians who lived in the Tang Dynasty entered civil or military service.
Turkic peoples in the Tang Dynasty: The elites of the Tang Dynasty were familiar with Turkic culture and often intermingled with Turkic nobles. Intermarriage was not uncommon, and Turkic migrants from the Eastern Turkic Khaganate were also enrolled in the Tang military where many rose to high positions (though this practice was frowned upon by Gokturk rulers). The founders of the Tang Dynasty were familiar with steppe military tactics and the usage of light cavalry, which gave them an edge over their competitors in the wake of the Sui Dynasty's fall.
Khitans in the Tang Dynasty: The Khitan people were often caught between the Tang and the Turkic Khaganates, but remained as an intermediate power between the two in Northern China until establishing their own dynasty, the Liao, in the wake of a power vacuum formed by the fall of the Tang and the Uyghur Khaganate.
Arabs and Islam in the Tang Dynasty: There are records of Muslim ambassadors from the Abbasid Caliphate visiting the Tang Dynasty. They were known of as the Dashi, which is likely a rendering of the name Tazi, which was used to describe the Arabs by Persians. Distinctions between Persians and Arabs were not always clear to Tang-dynasty historians, and Muslim settlers and merchants in the Tang Dynasty that established their own communities and mosques in Canton and Chang'an. Their religious beliefs were accepted, and they were permitted some degree of self-governance, as they did not try to actively convert locals.
Canton: Known today as Guangzhou, this port city holds a key position in the maritime Silk Route, which saw trade from South and Southeast Asia, Eastern Africa, North Africa, and Iran. This city was relatively cosmopolitan as a result of settler and merchant populations, and hosted a variety of different religions and ethnic groups.
Chang'an: Known today as Xi'an, this city was the capital of the Tang Dynasty. It was a major hub of trade and cultural exchange on the Silk Route, and had a cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic population as well as some of the first mosques in China. Some of these mosques are still open for tourism today and remain in use by local Muslim communities.
Jasmine flowers: Jasmine flowers are native to sub-tropic and tropical climates, and were not originally found in China. They saw a spike of popularity in the Tang Dynasty after being imported from South Asia, and was associated with Buddhism due to their region of origin. They constituted a luxury good during much of the Tang Dynasty due to their imported status.
天竺/Tianzhu: The Tang-dynasty name for India, it referred to the "Five Tianzhus/五天竺", or the five geographical regions of the Indian subcontinent that were known to China. It likely stemmed from the Persian phrase "Hinduka", which was likely in turn a translation from Sanskrit. Precious metals, spices, rare stones, and animals were imported from the Indian subcontinent. Buddhist texts were also introduced from the Indian subcontinent, where they gained religious prominence in the Tang dynasty.
代州/Daizhou: An administrative region in Tang-dynasty China. In the northeastern part of modern-day Shan'xi province.
充耳不闻/Plug your ears and refuse to listen: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning to bury your head in the sand/i.e. to refuse to listen or to refuse to accept what is being said to you.
人面兽心/Human face and bestial heart: An Ancient Chinese proverb that derides someone for acting decent on the surface and hiding their monstrous tendencies.
表里不一/Surface and insides are not the same: An Ancient Chinese proverb that means someone is not as they seem/is concealing their true nature.