The Prince of Travelers
To Guangzhou in Ramadan
The Tang Emperor's meeting with the Khilafah Ambassador was again held. There, Sa'ad explained the points of his religion. Starting from Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. Followed by the signs of the end of the day. Then, morals in it, such as filial piety to both parents and adab neighbors.
Emperor Tang thought about it carefully and believed that it was a noble religion. The light of the clue had touched the recesses of his heart. However, he still objected to the obligation of five-time prayers and Ramadan fasting.
Although the emperor did not embrace Islam, he allowed Sa'ad to broadcast the religion in Guangzhou City, one of the bustling port cities of the Tang Empire. Emperor Tang also allowed the construction of mosques in the city. Later, the mosque was named Huaisheng which means a reminder of the wise people in memory of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
At Prince Zhizhene's Palace, the Ambassadors of the Caliphate were preparing to leave for Guangzhou. Li Fengying would join them and settle there for a few days. He is also preparing for the trip.
Li An and Li Mei settled into Prince Zhizhe's room. They peeked inside and observed Li Fengying's preparations. Actually, they want to go to Guangzhou. However, they feel hesitant to ask the father directly.
"Kids, come here!" li Fengying said softly, but shocked Li An and Li Mei. They both fell down in shock. Li Mei overstretched the body of her tiny cousin's sister. It was fortunate that he could slightly hold his body so that Li An was unharmed. However, the little boy complained.
"May’er, An’er!?" Li Fengying turned her head and immediately headed to the door of her room. His face looked worried and felt guilty. If the two children were to cry, he would definitely end up being scolded by Madam Lu tonight.
"Are you guys okay?" Li Fengying helped her bangs rise. Li Mei could already stand on her own. His agitated face and feeling guilty was just like his father. He also asked Li An's condition, "An'er, are you okay, right? Is anyone sick?"
"It hurts!" li An replied curtly, "Sister Mei is beating on me. My body is sick."
Usually Li Mei would make fun of Li An as a weak child or other. But he can't do it now. With his guilty face, he said, "An'er, I didn't mean it. Ii'm sorry. Really, I didn't accidentally."
"Hmmm!" Li An threw away his face, pretending to be angry. He also saw his cousin pleading. Think of this as a reply since Li Mei often bothered him. Li Fengying mediated and invited the two to enter.
"So, is there anything you want to say? Want to come to Guangzhou" Li Fengying guessed with her friendly face as usual. Li An and Li Mei looked at each other. After dialoguing with eye gestures, they nodded in agreement. So, Li An exclaimed, "Right, I want to come to Guangzhou."
"Yes, take us there" Li Mei continued.
Li Fengying had expected it. He breathed, then smiled. Prince Zhizhe did intend to invite some of his family to leave. So, it's not a big deal.
"Of course, you guys can come along as long as you allow," Li Fengying replied conditionally. Li An immediately rushed out. Li Mei followed him. Li Fengying simply shook her head in understanding with the behavior of the two children. He did not expect that his introverted uncle would be so excited for Guangzhou City.
"Auntie, Auntie," cried Li An in the garden behind Prince Zhizhe's Palace.
Madam Lu looked astonished. He stopped his embroidery because of the grafting. It was rare for Li An to look for him first. Usually, he had to ask a ladyboy to call him if he wanted to meet.
"Auntie, I want to go with uncle to Guangzhou. Can, huh? Can you?" pinta Li An while facing Madam Lu. He sat on his knees beside his aunt. His two tiny hands held the wrist of the First Lady of the Prince Zhizhene Palace. The boy showed the face as blankly as possible in order to be allowed.
"Mama, I want to come too," Li Mei hugged Madam Lu from behind. He asked his mother spoiled. It would definitely be nice to go outside Chang An Capital City with his sister later.
“An’er want to come to Guangzhou? What wind is this?” madam Lu asked deliberately to tease Li An. He had already heard from his daughter how the Eighth Prince was afraid of Sa’ad. Li An was downcast and thought, “A, I ..”
“I want to come,” in the end, Li An did not give an answer. Though, Madam Lu was already looking forward to it. The woman also rattled Li An's long hair while smiling at him, “Guangzhou is huge. What if you are missing?”
“And there is Uncle Guang,” replied Li An plain. He believed in the tall soldier. So far, Ma Guang was the soldier closest to him. Li Fengying was even considering appointing Ma Guang as Li An's martial master.
Madam Lu laughed at that simple answer. Actually, he was not worried at all about Li An's safety there. The woman was very confident in the security that was escorting her family. It just wanted to dig into Li An's obsession.
“There are many foreigners. You're not afraid?” Madam Lu again teased Li An. As he expected, the boy became as if in shock for a moment. Her nervous timid expression looked cute to Madam Lu.
Li An thought deeply, looking for a way not to get involved with those strangers. He looked at Li Mei. An idea suddenly lit up above his head, “Let Brother Mei take care of it.”
Madam Lu again laughed at that innocent answer. Li Mei instantly pinched Li An's cheek and nagged him. After a long day of talking, they decided to go to Guangzhou together.
...***...
"An'er, look at that! Is that what Arabs call it?" Li Mei pointed to foreigners who were mostly dressed in robes and turban. They are tall and white. Beard thick. The trades they sell look unique and charming.
"Right, they were Grandpa Sa'ad's friends. Didn't you already know?" Li Roulan replied. His tone sounded as slashing as usual. Li Mei who did not accept also exclaimed, "Who asked you?"
"I just answered it. Is that wrong?" Li Roulan shrugged while sneering. The two daughters of Prince Zhizhene also argued with each other. Li An who was forced to follow them could only shake his head in wonder and exhale.
"An'er, let's just leave them," Li Xiulan asked.
A young boy in front of Li Roulan's twin also nodded. The child was Li Chen, Li Mei's younger brother who was a year younger than Li An. He tugged at his cousin's sleeve, took her away, "Sister An, let's go see that. Brother Mei and Brother Roulan are too noisy."
"But ...," Li An looked back. Li Mei and Li Roulan were still fighting there. Li Xiulan patted him on the shoulder and said, "An'er, just calm down. Uncle Bing was there with Aunt Kai. Uncle Guang, come with us!"
Ma Guang immediately looked over. He just ordered a packet of fried food. His intention was void due to the call of the girl.
"Sorry, Princess Xiulan. We cannot part in this crowded place" Ma Guang politely declined.
Ma Guang did not understand such eye language. His words and actions were firm. He only obeyed the orders of his master to look after the sons of Prince Zhizhe.
"Sister Mei, Brother Rou, you've done it! We will leave you if you are still in a fuss" Li An protested on behalf of Li Xiulan and Li Chen.
The two girls stopped. However, they still did not want to make peace. Li Mei walked beside Li An and his brother, while Li Roulan walked beside Li Xiulan.
They buy a lot of food and toys in the markets of foreigners. Ma Guang and Xiao Bing had to suffer from carrying their belongings, while a middle-aged woman named Tan Kai became overwhelmed keeping the children from separating.
"Let's stop by Grandpa Sa'ad's house first. We give her a gift" suggested Li Mei who was directly approved by the other children.
It's afternoon. Ma Guang hired a courier to bring their belongings to the Prince Zhizhene's residence in Guangzhou City. After settling down, then they glided to the Duta Khilafah Residence in Guangzhou.
A soldier who was an acquaintance of Ma Guang and Xiao Bing welcomed their arrival. He saluted the sons of Prince Zhizhene and immediately reported their arrival to Sa'ad who was reading the Qur'an in his courtyard. The grizzled old man smiled happily.
It's the door to the Sa'ad Residence. The children immediately rushed into it. Only Li An remained slowly walking beside Ma Guang. Apparently, he hasn't really opened up.
"Sorry to have inconvenienced Mr. Sa'ad," Ma Guang representing his master apologized. He put his hands together and lowered his head slightly. His body is upright, but full of respect.
"Soldier Ma need not be hesitant. I was delighted at the unexpected arrival of the guest," Sa'ad replied with a friendly smile on his old face, "The sons of Prince Zhizhee are very excited. Seeing young people like this, of course the old generation will be happy."
"Grandfather, Grandfather, we brought souvenirs," Li Chen handed over the snack parcel he bought earlier. Before entering the gate, the youngest insisted on doing so. He wanted to thank me for being given some sweets the other day.
"Oh, oh .. You guys are really good kids. Thank you for the hand," praised Sa'ad as he received the parcel from Li Chen. The old man kept it. Then, he asked an Arab servant to get his snacks.
The children ate with the food. Ma Guang, Xiao Bing, and Tan Kai also enjoyed the banquet. The host himself just sat watching with a flaring smile.
Li An watched him. He thought about asking the old man, but he was reluctant to do so. I don't know why he hasn't felt close to Sa'ad. Out of curiosity, he asked Li Mei, "Sister Mei, why didn't she come to eat?"
"Huh? Really true?" Li Mei just regained consciousness. He had spent some delicious chicken stuffed bakpao. So good, he did not pay attention around. As Li An expected, the girl immediately asked, "Grandfather, why didn't Grandfather come to eat?"
"Hm?" Sa'ad scrunched his eyes. Since then, he had also secretly noticed Li An who did not greedily eat his dishes until he whispered something to Li Mei. He thought the boy did not like the dishes he was serving. Thank goodness that's not the cause.
"Now is the month of Ramadan. We Muslims fast this month" Sa'ad said, stroking his beard. His shady face was reviewing an unruly smile. It was a reflection of a friendly old man.
"Ramadan? Fasting? What's that?" ask Li Mei in succession. There was still the rest of the bakpao in his mouth. Li Roulan also elbowed him to be more polite. Li Mei instantly shut her mouth, but was unwilling to appreciate Li Roulan's warning because of her Li Roulan.
"Ramadan is a special month for us. We fasted, refraining from eating and drinking from dawn until the setting of the sun. It is the pillar of Islam that Allah has revealed for us" Sa'ad explained at once, then offered, "At the end of the day. We will eat together near here. Do you want to come?"
"You!" kids cheering compact. Of course they want it. There must be better food there. How could they possibly refuse?
Sa'ad also asked his servant to add a menu of food to break the fast. They speak a language that children do not understand. They are curious about it.
Afterwards, Li Mei asked Sa'ad for a story. Gladly, the grizzled old man gave it to her. Ma Guang was grateful in his heart. Fortunately, he gave his master a message. Li Fengying will definitely come in a moment.
Time passed without feeling as long as Sa'ad told a story. A middle-aged man of Li Fengying's age came to invite the guests of the Caliphate Ambassador to the prepared place. Tan Kai and Ma Guang immediately reminded the children to keep their attitude and not run around.
Just then Li Fengying came. He intended to pick up his children and go straight home, but Sa'ad asked him to open first. With the encouragement of his children, he accepted the offer.
The eating places between men and women were separated, while the children were gathered into one. There are a lot of kids there. Not only Li An and his cousins, but also some children of Arab descent.
Li An scanned around as usual. His eyes swept across the room vigilantly. There were only children and a few servants there. Li Mei patted her shoulder until she was shocked. The girl laughed seeing herself like that. However, he could only glare because he did not like looking for a commotion, let alone at people's homes.
Food was immediately served. Li Mei wanted to pluck him immediately. However, Li Roulan immediately clapped his hands.
"God! Wait for the others to start!" li Roulan said cynically. He only wanted to remind, but his tone was so piercing that it made Li Mei exasperated. The eldest daughter of Prince Zhizhene immediately threw away her face.
Li An turned to the left and right again, looking for the item that the Arab children were waiting for. Could there be sweets or other snacks before eating? How thought.
A chant was heard. An Arab woman clapped her hand later. He smiled and said something about praising the Arab children in the room. Only then did he change the language with the language of the Tang Empire for Li An and his entourage to understand.
"Thank you for waiting. You can eat now," said the hooded woman was friendly, “Azan's voice has been reverberating. That means the break-up time has come.”
Well, in addition to his varied food, Li An also noticed the clothes of the Arabs who were slightly different from him. Especially the girls and women. Why do they cover their hair and head with such a large cloth? Don't they feel hot? Li An wondered, but did not dare to reveal it.
The show quickly passed. Before returning home, an Arab girl met Li An. His name is Zainab bint Abdullah. She is a girl who is good at speaking Tang even though she is still not fluent. He said he wanted to be friends with Li An and his brothers and sisters.
Li Mei who saw that immediately pulled her cousin sister to quickly leave. For some reason, he did not like the hooded girl. In fact, she looks beautiful and kind. Maybe because the girl approached Li An, maybe because the eldest brother wanted to go home soon.
