The land at the junction of two great empires that lay far in the West was the vassal territory of the Tang Empire. There lay the path of one of the agents Pei Ju, Li Bang.
The task was to clarify the "Notes and Maps of the Western Lands" compiled by Sir Pei Jiu, which were created on the basis of narrative data. These paths were very important for the Tang Empire. Trade is the engine of economy, the development of new methods, technologies, the penetration of previously unseen materials. Sir Pei Ju was still a good strategist, he understood the importance of discovering new ways for Tang goods.
Therefore, agent Lee Banu was instructed to check on the ground himself - "The Middle Way". Get to know the "thin spots" of the route, what are the morals and traditions of the peoples living on this road.
Before the trip, Lee Banu, Sir Pei Ju handed him a gift, a coin of 1 qian. It was a hidden credential.
The tally was for the resident Pei Ju, Dara, who was located in the trading house of the principality He, he had to help Lee Ban on arrival at the site to get to know, provide him with money and help if needed.
The bronze coin was not simple, it also served as a protective tamga for the allies, including nomads. And the receiving party had the same coin, but already from copper.
There were few such special coins, only 12. Each coin had an engraving on the obverse, it was "tun" - "coincidence" and "he tong" - certified. And on the inside was the inscription "Principality He".
Tag had three verification keys. The first was on the outside of the coin, namely the inscription "tun" and the inscription "he-tun", they had to coincide with another coin ,. The second key was the indication of the month and year, as long as this tag is valid, it should be the same on the copper coin. And the third was the "time" of the arrival of the messenger.
Li Ban had an inscription on the rim of the coin - 616 - 618 year - 1st lunar month, Mouse, fire, red "bin-tzu" - Tiger, Earth, Yellow "U-yin". The meeting could only take place from the hour of the cow "chow" (from 1 am to 3 am) - until the hour of the snake "sy" (from 9 am to 11 am).
Such secrecy was a necessity, not a luxury. Those information that the entrusted in the Principality of He collected was a commercial secret - where there are mountain passes, passes, ferries, where and how much is a tamga, which clans are the main and who can to resolve the issue. Where are rumored deposits of gold and silver, precious stones and stones of the spirit. This information was important and for Lee Bang he had to summarize all the information, check it, organize it, and then present it on a map of the area and present it to Sir Pei Ju. And that is already the emperor!
The coins are said to have been enchanted, Taoists ... and contained the necessary properties for the road and the road.
Bronze coin - brought its owner - the foresight of events, the healing of ailments, the ability to understand the languages of other nations, the quenching of thirst and hunger. But exactly for three days.
A copper coin made it possible to see better things with the effect of "zooming" in 10 times the size, to have a delicate ear and hear even whispers from a hundred steps. The ability to flatter, speak sweet words that can open the closed doors of the "soul" of man. Attracting good luck when doing business.
If two coins were combined, the effects would double, and endurance would appear, allowing you to stay awake for more than 10 days without harm to your health and read the thoughts of others, as well as lift weights to 30 dow rice.
Sir Pei summoned his loyal disciple Lee Bang to his residence.