Thousand Miles of Bright Moonlight

Ten days later, Li Zhongqian and Li Xuanzhen arrived in Shazhou.

Bei Rong issued a border ban, and the guards were extremely tight. The caravans and pedestrians in the past must be checked carefully.

Li Xuanzhen had been prepared for a long time. When he set off from Liangzhou, he made arrangements in advance. Using a previously seized name, Princess Qing made meticulous work, forged and disguised as a North Rong spy, in the name of "presenting a birthday gift for Princess Yiqing." Through the search of the Beirong garrison, he successfully dived through the pass and swaggered all the way to stay at the post in Beirong, take the most convenient fast way, and ask for the best and fastest horses.

During the period, there were occasional guards who doubted their identities. Those who were caught were furious. They berated the guards, arrogant, domineering and arrogant, threatening to ask Princess Yiqing to be the master for him when they talked about the Yizhou dental court, and the guards sent to Samuel. Blow northwest.

Samadhi is farther than Shattered Leaf, Kangguo, Shiguo and other places. It is rich in products and has many merchants. It is just right on the North Silk Road to Persia. Countless caravans passed by here to collect silk, porcelain, tea and other things from the Central Plains. A steady stream of shipments to the West is a dangerous geographical location. Bei Rong has expanded rapidly in recent years, and Wakhan Khan has been coveting all the fertile places in the north and south of Congling for a long time. Before, a team was sent to expedition, and that team reached Samantong as far as it was, and there was no news after that.

Bei Rong has a strict internal hierarchy. Most of the sergeants are of civilian origin, and they are afraid of being sent to Samuel to die.

The guard was already skeptical. Seeing that the soldiers were arrogant and didn't dare to offend him, he immediately let him go.

Xizuo told Li Xuanzhen and others that after the eldest princess Yiqing and the pro-Turkish people, they married the old Khan and his son. Later, their group surrendered to Bei Rong, and the eldest princess of Yiqing fell into the hands of the Bei Rong nobles. The teacher of Haidu Aling.

The Chinese language of Haidu Aling was taught by the princess Yiqing. The reason why he knows the customs of the Central Plains and the courts of various countries is due to the teaching of the princess Yiqing.

A group of people wore the moon and covered the stars, day and night, the weather was getting colder, and the wilds were vast. After a few days, they could not see the shadow of the oasis. There were horse bones, camel bones, and even human bones left in the sand.

Occasionally, they passed by the fortress built on the oasis, they sneaked into the city to inquire about the civilians, and found nothing. The civilians were all looking numb and afraid to talk to strangers.

They were afraid of asking too many questions and arousing suspicion, so they had no choice but to do so.

Li Xuanzhen's face was heavy.

Going northwest, he found that the people's life was more difficult than he had imagined.

Shazhou and Guazhou are now lost in Beirong. Along the way, the people they saw, whether they were Hu people or Han people, were all forced to braid Zuo Qi, talk nonsense, and perform rituals just like the Bei Rong people. Bei Rong is distinguished from the high and the low, and the people at the bottom are like livestock, and the situation is miserable.

Whenever soldiers from Beirong pass by, ordinary people have to avoid to the side of the road, salute respectfully, and can't look directly. Whoever dared to speak loudly or raise his eyes to look at the soldiers of Beirong was regarded as disrespectful.

Afraid of revealing his identity, Li Xuanzhen encountered Beirong soldiers oppressing the people along the way.

Once, they saw Bei Rong soldiers driving a group of ragged, gray-haired, skinny old people out of the city. Many men and women chased up from behind crying, crying, crying goodbye to the old people, and being driven by Bei Rong soldiers. Went back.

The old people were always in tears, looked back at their relatives in the city, wiped their tears and walked away.

There was crying in front of the city gate.

Li Xuanzhen clenched her fists and asked, "What crime did they commit? Where were they driven?"

He replied in a low voice: "The Bei Rong people admire force, noble, strong, weak, and weak. Every winter, they order all tribes who are over 60 years old and unable to farm and hunt to move out of the city... so as not to waste food. Who dares not to, must follow suit. It is stipulated to pay tax money, five taels of gold per mouthful, ten sheep, or a horse, three stone grains, twenty felts..."

For ordinary people, in the cold winter, every household has no surplus food, and they have to pay heavy taxes to please the Beirong people. Where can they collect five taels of gold in exchange for the elderly?

Most of the elderly do not want to hurt their families, so they can only be driven to a place where the climate is bitter and cold to wait for death.

The one at the gate of the city is the eternal formula of life and death.

Everyone from the original heard this, filled with righteous indignation.

There are such utter consciences in the world!

Li Zhongqian's eyes signaled that the soldiers should be safe and sound, they are here to find people, and it is best not to have extra troubles.

He just wanted to rescue Mingyue Slave, the lives of other people had nothing to do with him.

Leaving Shazhou, passing Wufeng, passing through the vast desert of eight hundred miles, and getting closer and closer to Yizhou.

On this day, everyone rested under a bumpy mound eroded by the north wind. Li Xuanzhen sent several soldiers to go to Gaochang, Qiuci and other places separately.

Li Zhongqian asked vigilantly: "Why send them to Gaochang?"

Li Xuanzhen drew several lines on the sand with her fingers: "This is Yizhou, this is Gaochang, Yanqi, and Qiuci. This area is the North Silk Road. In the past, the dynasty was stable. The states and counties were set up in various places and soldiers were stationed. At that time, Shangdao Along the way, it was too safe and stable, crowded with people. Later, the Central Plains were in chaos, the Western Regions fell, and the commercial roads were blocked. Today, most of these places are surrendered to Beirong."

"The customs of the North Rong are barbaric. They suppress the tribes with iron and blood, and allow their soldiers to plunder the caravans. These small countries may be loyal to the North Rong because of the situation, and there are always people who are still interested in the Central Plains dynasty. After all, most princes and nobles are famous families in Hexi after."

"Since we are going to the North Rong Yard to save people, it is better to send people to these places to find out the truth, and see if we can tell them to cooperate with us inside and outside, and jointly fight against Bei Rong in the future."

Li Zhongqian nodded and understood Li Xuanzhen's plan.

They went deep into the Western Regions, isolated and helpless, so they had to try to find a few helpers first.

First, if they are discovered by Bei Rong people in the future, they can escape to these places first. Secondly, with the help of these people, it is more likely to return to the Central Plains safely. In the past three years, it was natural for the world to regain the homeland for the court.

Li Zhongqian doesn't care about the third point. After he rescues Li Yaoying, he will immediately take her back to the Central Plains.

"There is another place, I might have to go there myself."

Li Xuanzhen pointed his finger at the northernmost point.

"There is a Buddhist country here, which prevents the power of Bei Rong from going deep. The Khan of Bei Rong was defeated by the monarch of the Buddha country. The countries of the Western Regions must have their own minds."

Li Zhongqian's thick eyebrows twisted slightly: "Buddha?"

Li Xuanzhen pursed her peeling lips, and said: "The king's court worships Buddhism. Their monarch is a high monk. About 11 years ago, he led his troops to repel the Northern Rong Khan, and he was famous in the Western Regions."

Two years ago, Li Xuanzhen, Li De and his staff discussed the possibility of regaining the Western Regions.

At that time, they all believed that the Central Plains' desire to regain the Western Regions was equivalent to grabbing food from the growing Bei Rong tiger.

In addition, there is also a wealthy country in the northern part of the Western Regions. Their monarch's reputation is far-reaching, and they are deeply loved by the people. With a command, the whole country can follow him to the battlefield.

Li Xuanzhen sighed: "Eleven years ago, the Northern Rong Khan was in his prime of life. He was invincible. He was defeated by the Buddha. If the monarch has the heart to expand, he is bound to be a great enemy. …Fortunately, he is an eminent monk who is dedicated to guarding the kingdom of Buddhism, and there is no sign of expansion."

"Haidu Aling has many tricks. I don’t know if we can successfully rescue Mingyue Slave. I will send someone along Gaochang to inquire about the news. If necessary, I personally go to the Buddha Kingdom to show my identity to the Buddha and ask him to do it. Help, there are many conflicts between the Buddha Kingdom and Bei Rong. If I entice him by covenant, he may form an alliance with us."

"After arriving in Yizhou, if things change, we will each find a way out. If we can escape from Beirong safely, we will meet in the Buddha country."

Li Zhongqian has led the soldiers in battle over the years and has his own plan. Although he doesn't know much about the Western Regions, he can see the current situation clearly after a little thought.

Li Xuanzhen was very peaceful along the way. Before Mingyue Slave was safe, he could bear not killing Li Xuanzhen for the time being.

After he rescued Mingyue Slave, he would do it again.

…

When Li Zhongqian walked through the 800-mile desert and headed for Yizhou, Yaoying was heading south.

In order to avoid the little prince Beirong and his party, they drove for several days.

The sky is cold and the ground is frozen for thousands of miles. As far as you can see, there is a bright white, snowy peaks in the sky, clouds covering the fog, and occasionally a rugged outline is revealed, magnificent and magnificent.

The goshawk of Tamaraga has been following them, acting as scouts for them and guarding patrols.

Whether it is sunny or snowy, Yaoying can often see the glimpse of it flying high in the sky.

On this day, she watched the goshawk dive down and landed on the shoulders of Sultan Gu, remembering what she had been thinking about these days, and called Qi Nian to ask him if he had any hawks selling hawks.

Qi Nian thought for a while, and shook his head: "There are a lot of hawks selling hawks, but I have never heard of them. The princess also wants to raise eagles? The servant can ask the princess about it."

Yaoying shook her head, dispelling this thought.

Faithful eagles that are tamed and loyal can be met but not sought. The eagles of Tamaragarh and Haidu Aling are both tamed from young eagles, and Faithful eagles need to be familiar with the environment to be useful, even if she can buy Faithful eagles , It’s useless for a while.

She stared at the goshawk blankly. The goshawk stood on Sudan's shoulders and glanced at her with sharp eyes.

Yaoying chuckled and took out the jerky.

Goshawk glanced at her.

Yaoying turned away from it, her palm facing up.

After a while, there was a slight tingling in her palm, and the Goshawk took away the jerky in her hand.

One person and one eagle were playing around. The team suddenly stopped. Yuanjue, who was walking in the front, turned around and drove back, "It's a bandit!"

Everyone was shocked and hurriedly warned. The guards drew out their long swords and set out to protect Li Yaoying in the middle of the battle. Qi Nian and others quickly climbed into the cart.

Sultan Gu turned his head, the blue eyes under the mask were calm, and he gestured towards Yuanjue.

Fate should have led people back to Yaoying, beckoning them to avoid the hill aside.

Everyone evacuated to the hill, Yaoying looked into the distance, and sure enough, a group of people with clubs, knives and guns galloped towards them, aggressively, and the cold light flickered.

This group of bandits is cunning. They know how to use the terrain to block the trail and conceal the sound of horseshoes, and they wear a white cloak on their shoulders. It is difficult for the goslings to spot them in a piece of muddy snow.

The bandits screamed and approached, and in the blink of an eye they rushed towards them.

Xie Qing drew his sword, kicked the horse's belly, and was about to step forward, when the Wang Ting soldiers raised their hands to stop her, looked at Sultan Gu, holding his breath.

Yaoying followed his gaze and looked over.

Sultan Gu asked everyone to retreat, but he stepped forward, hitting his horse and boarding a higher ground, calmly and calmly.

Yaoying felt nervous, and said: He wants to kill all the bandits alone, right?

Yuanjue beat a horse behind the ancient Sudan, holding a longbow with horns and a few iron arrows.

Sultan Gu took off the black cloak he was wearing outside, picked up the longbow, drew the string and set the arrow, the bow was full, and the ape arm stretched.

In an instant, all the aura of the rugged snow road gathered on him.

The bandit headed saw Sultan Gu, grinning and continuing forward. An ordinary person can shoot a hundred dozen steps even if he is a master, so far away, there is snow and wind, what is the use of arrows? It's just a means to scare people!

Sultan Gu Ning shot his arrow, pointing the arrow far away, motionless.

Seeing that the bandits were getting closer, he still didn't shoot any arrows.

Xie Chong and Xie Peng were a little uncontrollable, and no longer placed a defensive position. When those people attacked, they would have no retreat!

Yaoying shook his head towards several people, beckoning them to wait.

The robber's arrogant laughter came from the wind. At this moment, only a few light sounds of the bowstrings were heard, and the iron arrows flew out, like a long rainbow piercing the sun, penetrating the wind and snow, and rushing towards the robbers.

The distance was too far, and the headed Huren was not in a hurry. He raised the knife crossbar and just raised the long knife, but he heard the whistling sound already in his ears, and the iron arrow slammed into his chest!

The Hu Ren leader was dumbfounded, his face was grim, his eyes almost popped out, he yelled, and reached out to throw the iron arrow, only to find that the arrow seemed unremarkable, but it was actually very powerful, two hundred steps away. , Actually penetrated his armor directly!

The few non-human beings next to him saw his injuries clearly, with a look of aghast.

The leader gritted his teeth and said: "Continue to rush!"

He patted his horse and continued to step forward.

Sultan Gulima Snow Hill, looking down at the bandits in the distance, as if overlooking the ants, bowed again, swished a few times, the second, third, and fourth arrows shot out one after another, like a chasing wind .

With a few loud crashes, the headed Huren fell on his horse, his mouth opened wide, his eyes were stunned, and his chest was full of iron arrows.

Every arrow shot at him impartially, with great momentum, and a kind of ethereal calmness.

Seeing the leader's death, the others were shocked. They didn't dare to call forward, and even the leader's corpse couldn't care about it. They immediately turned the horse's head and fled.

Sultan did not continue to shoot arrows.

Xie Chong watched in awe, and whispered: "The regent's archery skills are really brilliant."

The bandits had already fled, so they didn't dare to come again, so everyone went down the hill and continued on their way.

Xie Chong didn't dare to take it lightly, they drew their swords quickly when they heard the sound of horses' hoofs approaching.

Yuanjue smiled and calmed them: "Don't worry, the bandits of Gaochang's generation are either displaced people or refugees hired by nobles. Most of them are not wicked and wicked people, but a gang of mobs. The regent killed their leader. , The others will naturally disperse. This way up to Gaochang, no one will block the way."

Xie Chong didn't believe it, and remained vigilant, but it was really like what Yuan Jue said, the next trip was really safe, and no bandits dared to block the way and rob.

Two days later, they arrived in Gaochang safely.

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After updating the time, fix it at ten o'clock in the evening, otherwise it will not be on time.