Chapter 15 Section fifteen

The master shook his head absently, he was still talking sideways to the man in the white robe.Occasionally, the master also taught me the words in the Central Plains books, such as "seeing a gentleman, Yunhu doesn't like it", or "a modest gentleman, as gentle as jade." After all, I thought that gentlemen all wear white robes, but the master also He likes to wear white robes, but what kind of gentleman is the master, he is almost a rascal. Gu Xiaowu stayed in Xiliang City, and he temporarily stayed with his master.The place where the master lives is arranged like the houses of all people in the Central Plains. It is refreshing and clean, and there are no camels.

I often went to play with the master as before, and I got to know Gu Xiaowu very well after I came and went.I heard that he is the young master of the tea house, and most of the people who associate with him are tea merchants in the Central Plains.In his house, there is always good tea to drink, and there are many delicious things, such as cakes from the Central Plains, or other weird gadgets, which I can't put it down.But what's annoying is that every time I see Gu Xiaowu, he always asks me: Princess Jiu, when will you marry me? I became angry from embarrassment, it was because the master disrespected the teacher, which caused such a thing.I always answer loudly: "I would rather marry the prince of the Central Plains than marry a rascal like you." He laughed.

In fact, in my heart, I don't want to marry anyone. Xiliang is so good, why should I marry far away in the Central Plains? Even though he said that, the envoys from the Central Plains began to urge his father again, and the Yue family in the north of Yanzhi Mountain heard that the Central Plains had sent envoys to propose marriage to their father, so they also sent envoys to Xiliang with many gifts. . The Yue clan is one of the most powerful countries in the Western Regions. They are brave and good at fighting. There are 100,000 people in charge of the country. The father dare not neglect, so he received the envoys of the Yue clan in the palace.I sent a maid to eavesdrop on their conversation, and the maid ran back panting and whispered to me that this Yueshi envoy also came to ask for marriage, and it was on behalf of Yuezhi's eldest Chanyu.Yueshi’s Da Danyu is already fifty years old this year. His Dayu clan was originally a Turkic princess and my mother’s sister. There are many members of the Yan family around, from different tribes, and there are endless disputes, so the position of the Da Yan family has to be left empty.

Now the Yue family heard that the Central Plains sent envoys to save the marriage, so they also sent envoys to propose to my father and marry me as the Da Yan family. A Niang was angry about this matter, and I was also angry.That Yueshi Shanyu was my uncle, even his beard was white, and he wanted to marry me as the Dayan clan, so I don't want to marry an old man.Father Wang neither wanted to offend the Central Plains nor the Yuezhi, so he could only vaguely procrastinate.But the two envoys live in the royal city, and it is difficult to delay day by day. I made up my mind and decided to sneak to my grandfather.

Every autumn, the Turkic nobles hunt in the pasture on the other side of Tiangen Mountain, which is called "Autumn Hunting" in the Central Plains.My grandfather would always take advantage of hunting and send someone to pick me up to play, especially because he has been in poor health for the past two years, so he would take me to him every year. He said: "Seeing you is like seeing your mother." It really makes Ah Weng happy." According to Turkic rules, a married daughter cannot return to Ning unless she is abandoned by her husband's family.So every time A Niang is always happy to send me to meet A Weng, and visit her relatives in Turkic for her.I secretly told my mother about this plan, she didn't want me to marry to the Central Plains, let alone the Yue family, so she prepared water and dry food for me without telling my father, and when my father was not in the royal city, quietly sent me away.

I rode the little red horse and ran towards Tiangen Mountain. The Wangcheng is surrounded by mountains on three sides, rolling from west to north is Yanzhi Mountain. The towering mountains look like winding dragons, and like the arms of a giant, embracing the Wangcheng, blocking the wind, sand and cold, making the Wangcheng at the foot of the mountain a A warm oasis.To the east is Tiangen Mountain. It is a lonely mountain, like the screens sold by traders in the Central Plains. It is high in the clouds and covered with white snow. It is said that no one can climb it. .Bypassing it is the boundless pasture with lush water and grass, which is the hometown of A Niang.

When I was leaving the city, I left a note for the master, the master has been very busy recently, since that Gu Xiaowu came here, I never saw him.I thought that if I went to Turkic, I would have to spend the winter before I could come back, so I left him a note telling him not to forget to feed Ama and Asha who were locked in his backyard for me.A Ma and A Xia are two little gerbils, which I caught by chance.My father forbade me to keep gerbils in my bedroom, so I left them with my master. Taking advantage of the cool weather, I followed the caravan that went out of the city at night and left Wangcheng. The caravan was all heading west, and I was the only one who turned east.

The desert at night is so quiet, the black velvet sky seems so low that you can reach out, and there are stars, one by one, low, big and bright, reminiscent of the dew on the grape leaves, that's it Cool. I crossed the large dunes, saw the sparse splendens, and confirmed that I was not going the wrong way.I walk this path almost once a year, but at that time there were always cavalry sent by my grandfather, and today I am alone.The little red horse ran briskly, towards the direction the Big Dipper pointed.I began to think in my mind that when I saw my Aunt this time, I must ask the slaves to catch a singing bird for me.

When the sky was about to dawn, I felt very sleepy. The red sun was about to come out, and the eastern sky began to glow with a light purple glow. The stars had long disappeared. The sky was blue-gray with a kind of white, like slaves Turn over the freshly peeled sheepskin, as if it was still hot from being cut, it steamed half of the sky with a light morning mist.I knew I had to find a place to rest. The sun can burn people to death near noon, which is not a good time to rush. After wading through a clear and shallow river, I found a shady hill, so I got off my horse and let the horse graze on its own. I slept soundly with dry rations on my pillow.I slept until the sun slanted to the west, and my face was very uncomfortable before I woke up.

I took out dry food from the package to eat, drank half a bag of water, refilled the water bag, and whistled. After a while I heard the hooves of the little red horse, and it ran towards me happily, snorting.After a while, he ran to me and licked my hand affectionately.I stroked its mane: "Are you full?" It's a pity that it can't speak, but it will look at me with its eyes, and the light is reflected in the big warm eyes, reflecting my own shadow.I patted its belly, and it suddenly neighed uncomfortably. I find it a bit strange, the little red horse keeps pawing the grass with its front hooves, seems very disturbed, is there a wolf nearby?

The wolves in the grassland are the most terrifying. They come in groups and dare to fight against the monkeys. A lone herdsman will also be in danger when encountering them.But now it is autumn, when the water and grass are abundant, there are gazelles and hares everywhere, and the wolves have enough food, hiding in the Tiangen Mountains, they can't come down easily, so they shouldn't be haunting here. But there must be a reason why the little red horse is so irritable.I got on my horse and walked forward to the foot of Tiangen Mountain. Turning around the foot of the mountain was the border between Turkic and Xiliang. Aunt had already sent someone to send a letter to Aweng, and someone would meet me there.It is safer to go where there are people. The galloping horse had just galloped out of Lixu, when it suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes.I stood on the horseback and looked into the distance, and I could vaguely see a line of black and gray in the distance, and there seemed to be many people and horses.Could it be that my father sent someone to chase me?It was too far away to see the cavalry's flag clearly.I felt very uneasy, so I could only urge the horse to gallop towards Tiangen Mountain.If I rushed into the territory of the Turks and met Ah Weng's people, it would be hard for Dad to take me back by force. The chasing soldiers were getting closer and closer, and the little red horse galloped across the vast grassland like an arrow flying off the string.But there is no barrier between heaven and earth, and although the little red horse has amazing strength, it will be overtaken sooner or later. I kept looking back at the pursuers, they were very close, at least nearly a thousand horses.On the grassland, this kind of cavalry is really impressive. Even if it is Dad, I am afraid that he would not easily mobilize such a large number of troops. If they really came to chase me, it would be too much of a fuss.As I rode my horse and galloped wildly, I wondered in my heart, where did this cavalry come from? It didn't take long for the little red horse to run to the foot of Tiangen Mountain. I saw a few small black dots in the distance, and heard a long voice in my ears. It was the tone of a Turkic pastoral song. It was familiar and kind. I thought it must be Ah Weng sent to meet me.So I squeezed the horse's belly desperately, urging the little red horse to run faster, faster, and faster.Those Turkic people also saw me. They stood on their horses and waved to me desperately. I also waved to them desperately. Behind me was the cavalry chasing soldiers, and they must have seen it too.The horse ran faster and closer, and I saw the Turkic white banner, its long sieve tail was blown out by the evening wind, like a fish floating in the air.I know the person holding the flag, but He Shi, the most favored archer in front of Ah Weng's tent.He saw the black cavalry on the horizon chasing up, Chan thrust the flag into the rocks, and then took off the bow on his back. I could see clearly from the galloping horseback, and quickly shouted: "I don't know who they are!" Although they kept chasing me, I still wanted to figure out who those people were. My horse rushed past He Shi's horse for about ten feet before slowly coming to a stop. The clusters of arrows in the hands of dozens of archers behind He Shi shone blue in the setting sun.They squinted their eyes to aim at the cavalrymen who were chasing up, and surrounded me with horses. He greeted me with a smile on his face: "Hello, little princess." , That's what the capable Turkic Shanyu called me since I was a child.When I saw Heshi, I felt very relieved, and even the chasing soldiers behind Qianqi immediately forgot about it, and said happily to him: "Heshi, you are doing well!" Those cavalry were only two arrows away from us. The ground, the earth trembled, and the sound of hooves filled the ears. "Heh!" He Shi seemed to let out a breath, and his smile became more joyful, "There are so many horses, are they here to fight with us?" He Shi opened his bow while talking to me, and put the arrow in the On the string, beside him, is the white flag of Turkic, which is blown by the wind and "hula hula".On the grassland, when any tribe sees this flag, they will know that the warriors of the Great Shanyu of Tierghada are here. If anyone dares to use force against the Turkic warriors, the Turkic cavalry will surely trample down their tents and kill all of them. people, and took away their cattle and sheep.Outside Yumen Pass, no one dared to disrespect this white banner! But seeing those cavalrymen getting closer and closer, coming menacingly, it was as if they hadn't seen the flag at all.The golden light of the setting sun shone on their iron armor, reflecting a clear iron color, and I suddenly took a deep breath. This is the cavalry of the Yuezhi, with light armor, saddles, and helmets... Although there is no flag, I can still tell that this is the cavalry of the Yuezhi.Although I have never been to the Yuezhi, I went to guard the Anxi Dufu Mansion and saw the Yuezhi people practice there.Their horses are all good horses, their armor is bright, their bows and arrows are fast, and their knights are brave and good at fighting.He Shi also recognized it, he looked back at me, and said to me: "Princess, you go east first, bypass the Binli River, and Da Chanyu's king's tent is on the east side of the river." I said loudly: "If you want to fight, go east." I don't want to run away alone." He Shi nodded in admiration, and handed me his own saber, and I took the scimitar, but my palms were covered with sweat.I know how powerful the Yuezhi cavalry is, not to mention that there are so many people on the other side, and the ground is shaking like a mountain. Although He Shi is a good archer, there are only a few dozen people on our side. Can't stand each other. Seeing those cavalrymen getting closer and closer, I felt like I couldn't even hold a knife. Although I felt that I would not lose to my brothers since I was a child, to be honest, this is really the first time that I went to battle to kill the enemy. The white flag was right behind us, ringing loudly, at the end of the grassland, the sun was setting one by one, countless grasses were blown up and down by the wind, just like the sand dunes in the desert were rolled by the wind generally. The world suddenly became cold, I blinked my eyes, because a drop of sweat happened to drip into the corner of my eye, and it was so hot that I was very sad. When those cavalrymen saw the white banner, their momentum finally slowed down. He spread his posture and gradually approached.He Shi said loudly: "The Turkic He Shi is here, and your horses have set foot on the Turkic grassland. Do you want to fight without declaring it?" Inside, it originally meant an arrow.It is said that if he wanted to shoot the left eye of a wild goose in the sky, he would never shoot the right eye of the wild goose, so Da Shanyu loved him very much.Sure enough, those people couldn't help being shocked when they heard He Shi's name, and one of them galloped out and chattered a lot.I don't understand Yuezhi's dialect at all, so Heshi couldn't stop translating it to me. It turned out that these people said that they lost a slave, so they chased them here. The foot of Genshan Mountain is actually the border of Yueshi, Turkic and Xiliang, and it has always been a place that does not care about anything. If it is said to be the territory of Turkic, it is a bit reluctant. "Lost slave?" I couldn't help repeating it inexplicably, and the general Yuezhi who led the army raised his whip and pointed at me, and said something gesticulating.He Shi seemed very angry, and said loudly: "Princess, he actually said that you are their lost slave." It’s just an excuse for them.” The Yuezhi general started to babble again, and I asked Heshi, “What did he say?” “He said that if we don’t hand you over, he will lead his troops to kill you. The Turks hid If the two countries go to war because of this matter, the Turkic people would be unreasonable." I was so angry that I laughed instead: "He is so unreasonable now, yet he dares to say that we are unreasonable. "He said in a low voice: "What the little princess said is true, but there are many people on the other side, and they are here for the little princess..." He said to me: "Little princess, go east to find the king's tent first, and bring reinforcements Come here. Yueshi is arrogant and rude, if we can't stop them, we must report to Shanyu and don't let them plot against him." After all, Heshi still wanted to persuade me to retreat first.Although I was scared, I still puffed out my chest and said loudly: "You send someone else to report the news, I won't go!" He Shi said quietly: "The little princess is here, He Shi can't find anyone to protect her." I thought about it, and what he said was very clear. If I were here, I'm afraid it would really drag them down.Although I am good at archery, I have never fought a war, and the others here are all Turkic warriors who have experienced many battles. "Okay." I clenched the handle of the knife tightly, and said, "I'll report it!" He Shi nodded, took off the water bag on his saddle, and said to me, "Go three hundred miles to the east, and if you can't find it, When you get to the king's tent of the Great Chanyu, you can also turn to the north, and the troops of King Zuoguli should not be far away, only a hundred miles away." "I understand." Heshi hit my horse hard with the back of his saber, and shouted loudly. One sound: "Duh!" The little red horse jumped out, and the cavalrymen of the Yue clan started to make noise, but the little red horse casted extremely fast, like a flash of lightning, and ran out of Lixu in an instant.I kept turning my head and looking around, only the bastard Yueshi cavalry came up in a black mass, like ants about to move before the rain, and Heshi and dozens of Turkic cavalry were surrounded by them, like being surrounded by black ants of millet.Another Yueshi cavalry escaped and wanted to chase me, but they couldn’t catch up to ten horses, and they were shot one after another——Although He Shi was surrounded, every arrow was sure to hit, and none of the Yuezhi cavalry could escape his attack Jianfeng, those men and horses kept falling and rolling on the ground, none of them could catch up in a hurry.The little red horse ran faster and faster, except for the white banner, everything else gradually faded in the last twilight, the sky was dark, and night shrouded everything. I rode my horse and galloped on the grassland, without stars and moon, I was so bored that I was about to drip water.I've never seen such weather before, I'm afraid it's going to rain heavily.It is a terrible thing to encounter heavy rain on the grassland. I looked up at the sky, and the sky was dark, like an upside-down iron pot. There were no stars and moons, and the direction was difficult to discern. I was really worried that I was going the wrong way. In fact, we don't have anything on the grassland, just wandering around.I rode my horse and galloped in the dark for half the night, luckily those Yuezhi people didn't catch up.But He Shi and the others didn't break out. I was worried about He Shi's safety, and worried that I went in the wrong direction. I was so anxious and angry that I almost didn't cry.At this moment, there was only a "click", and a long purple lightning cut through the dark night, lighting up the eyes for an instant, and then rumbling thunder sounded. It's really going to rain, so we have to find a way to avoid it.Lightning bolts were like stiff snakes, scurrying around on the dark cloudy sky, and I saw the rocks in the distance through the lightning bolts that looked like bolts.It turned out that I had been running along Tiangen Mountain, and after running for most of the night, I was still at the foot of Tiangen Mountain. Find a big rock to avoid it, it's better than being drenched in the rain.I urged the horse forward, and the little red horse stepped over the rocks dexterously. I was afraid that the gravel would hurt the horse's hooves, so I got off the horse and led the horse to search for it in the mountains.The heavy rain had already "squeaked" down the ground, and the thick white tendon-like rain slapped on people's bodies, causing pain and pain.The rain drenched my clothes and flowed into my eyes along my forehead. I couldn't even open my eyes. I wiped the water from my face and finally saw a big rock hanging out abruptly. It's a good place to shelter from the rain. I led the little red horse to climb under the boulder, one person and one horse huddled there, the rain outside was rumbling, the rain was fast and fierce, I thought of He Shi, and I felt an indescribable worry in my heart.The little red horse half-kneeled under the stone, seemed to understand my anxiety, sticking out its tongue from time to time, licking my palm.I hugged the little red horse's neck and murmured: "I don't know what happened to Heshi and the others..." It was raining quickly outside, and the water flowing down from the mountain rushed into a white curtain of water in front of the stone, misty The mist splashed under the stone, like a light rain. I don't know how long the rain has been raining, and finally it gradually stopped.There is still water flowing outside the rocks, like a brook, making a "squeaky" sound.But the wind blew, and the dark clouds in the sky moved away, revealing a bright moon. I couldn't help sneezing, the clothes were soaked and stuck to my body, and let the wind blow again, it was really cold.But the tinder I was wearing had already been drenched by the rain, and there was no dry wood here, and there was no way to start a fire. The sound of water filling gradually subsided, and the little red horse approached affectionately.The warm tongue licked my face, and I thought that since the rain stopped, I should hurry down the mountain and continue looking for the way. When I walked down the mountain, the moon was about to set, which just allowed me to identify the direction.The little red horse was suffocated under the rocks for a long time, and now it started to run vigorously, heading towards the white-glowing east.The sun is about to rise, otherwise why am I so hot? I was thinking drowsily, and the rein in my hand gradually loosened, and the horse was bouncing like a cradle, shaking very comfortably. I couldn't sleep all night, and now I'm almost falling asleep. I don't know how long I was in a daze, maybe it was a short while, maybe it was a long time, and finally the horse waded into a river, and I was splashed by the cold water splashed by the horse's hoof, and I woke up suddenly.There is no one in the wilderness, and Tian Gen Mountain has long been left behind. Looking from afar, the huge mountain range behind it looks like a giant standing upright.The top of the giant's head is a white snow cap, which is covered with snow and ice that will not melt all year round. This river is also formed by the collection and rush of snow water from Tiangen Mountain, so the river is bitingly cold. I felt weak all over, thinking that I hadn't eaten all this time, no wonder I didn't have any strength at all.But the dry food was tied behind the saddle, my mouth was thirsty and tasteless, and I had no appetite at all.I was thinking about getting off my horse to drink water, when I suddenly saw a black shadow shaking not far away, and it seemed that a horse was coming straight. I was afraid that it was another cavalry of the Yue family. When I looked farther, I could only see a vague shadow. It is extremely fast, but fortunately there is only one person riding one. If only King Zuoguli's detection whistle would be fine... I tried my best to draw out the scimitar behind my back, and if I encountered an enemy, I would fight to the end. This was my last thought, and then my eyes went dark, and I fell off the horse. People in Xiliang have learned riding and archery since they were young. Both men and women can ride horses since they can walk. I grew up on horseback since I was a child. Going to Xiliang King City, I'm afraid I'll laugh everyone's big teeth. When I woke up, I was still holding the scimitar tightly in my hand. I blinked, the sky was blue and bright, and the white clouds were so low that I could touch it. It turned out that I was lying on a gentle slope, covered by grass. Most of the scorching sun was gone, and the refreshing autumn wind blew over, and the familiar neighing of the pony was heard not far away, which made me feel relieved. "Are you awake?" The voice was familiar, and I got up dizzily, blinking my eyes, still feeling unbelievable. It turned out to be the Central Plains tea vendor Gu Xiaowu, who was lazily sitting on the grassy slope, gnawing on dried beef. I was so surprised: "Why are you here?" He said: "Passing by occasionally." I didn't believe it! My stomach was rumbling with hunger, and I remembered that the little red horse was still carrying dry food, so I whistled.The little red horse came trotting all the way, I took a closer look and saw that the horse's back was bare, even the saddles were gone.I took a closer look, that Gu Xiaowu was sitting on my saddle, and the beef he gnawed was not the dry food I brought? "Hey!" I was very annoyed, and asked loudly, "Where is my dry food?" His mouth was full of meat, and he vaguely raised the half-pulled beef in his hand: "There is one last piece..." What is the last piece, Obviously the last bite. I watched him put the last bit of dried rice into his mouth, and shouted angrily, "You've eaten all? What should I eat?" "I'm hungry." He picked up the water bag and took a sip of water. Said, "You just had a fever, you can't eat this kind of thing at this time." What a fever, I jumped up: "Why did you come here? Also, you finished my dry food! Pay me! Pay me Me!" He smiled, "I've eaten everything, but I don't have to pay for it." I was furious, and looked everywhere for the saber that He Shi gave me. He saw me turning around like an ant on a hot pot, and finally said slowly: "If you go back to the Wangcheng with me, I will pay you a cow." I rolled my eyes at him: "Why should I go back to the Wangcheng with you?" "Your royal father posted a notice offering a reward, saying that whoever can find you and bring you back to the royal city will reward you with a hundred ingots of gold." He looked at me very seriously, "A hundred ingots of gold! How many cows do you have to buy! "I'm really angry. I'm not angry about anything else, but the one hundred ingots of gold: "Father really posted such a notice? "" Then there is still a fake? he said, "truly true!" "" Am I worth a hundred ingots of gold? "I'm so disappointed," I thought it was at least worth ten thousand bucks!In addition, it should be given to the Marquis, and it should be given to countless cattle, sheep and slaves..." The father also said that I was his favorite little princess, but he only gave a hundred ingots of gold. It's stingy! How stingy! Gu Xiaowu laughed with a "poof" and didn't know what he was laughing at.I hate his smile, especially when he looks at me with a smile, as if looking at a hundred ingots of gold. I said loudly: "Don't dream, I won't go back with you!" Gu Xiaowu said: "Then where do you want to go? Ever since you left, everyone in the Yuezhi King has been angry, saying that your father The king let you go on purpose, and the Yue clan sent a large group of people to look for you. If you walk around on the grassland and meet the Yue clan's people, it will be bad." I also think it's pretty bad, because I have already met the people of Yuezhi.Thinking of this, I couldn't help but "Oh", I almost forgot about He Shi, and I have to report to A Weng immediately! Gu Xiaowu probably saw that my face had changed, so he asked me: "What's the matter?" I didn't want to tell him, but now he is the only one by my side in the vast grassland, and the master's swordsmanship is so good, he was so big, so he said Maybe this Gu Xiaowu's swordsmanship is also good. Sure enough, after Gu Xiaowu heard that Da Yuanben told him about meeting the Yue Clan's chasing soldiers, he said: "According to you, there are at least three hundred miles away from here?" I nodded. . "But the Turkic people are nomadic, how can you find them?" "Don't worry about it, anyway, I want to save He Shi." Gu Xiaowu frowned slightly, and said, "The far water can't save the near fire, and the Anxi Governor's Mansion is near." Why don't you borrow troops from them and fight back against the Yuezhi?" I was dumbfounded, to be honest, although the Central Plains has a powerful army, the Anxi Protectorate is guarding the Western Regions and is respected by all countries, but even if the countries continue to fight each other , and no one has ever borrowed troops.Because in the eyes of us people in the Western Regions, fighting wars is our own business. Although the Central Plains is in our heavenly kingdom, and there are soldiers stationed here, the disputes between the various groups in the Western Regions will not involve them. of.It's like fighting with your own brothers, no matter what, you won't go to outsiders to shake your hands. I said: "Although the Anxi Protectorate's Mansion is near, you can't tell them about this kind of thing." Gu Xiaowu raised his eyebrows: "Why?" : "Anyway, if we fight, it has nothing to do with the emperor of the Central Plains." "Under the whole world, is it the king's land? On the shore of the land, is it the king's ministers." Gu Xiaowu said, "As long as it is a matter of the world, it is the emperor of the Central Plains." What's more, the Anxi Protectorate was set up in the Central Plains to maintain the stability of the Western Regions. The Yue family was rude, and it happened to teach them a lesson." I don't quite understand what he said.He brought the two horses over and said, "From here to the south, it's only half a day's journey to Anxi Dufu Mansion. I'll accompany you to borrow troops." I hesitated: "This...isn't that good?"" You don’t want to save He lost?” “Of course you do!” He helped me onto the horse and said, “Then why bother?” After riding the horse for a long distance, I remembered one thing: “What on earth are you doing? Did you find me?" The sun was scorching at noon, and his face was as white as the beautiful jade from Khotan.He grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth: "Try your luck!" Sure enough, the Anxi Protectorate's Mansion was only half a day away. We rode our horses south, and at dusk we had already seen the majestic city.The emperors of the Central Plains set up the Anxi Dufu Mansion here more than a hundred years ago, stationed troops and cultivated land, and controlled the prosperity and danger of the official career. This place is also the hub of commercial roads, and people who come from south to north have to pass through here, so compared to Xiliang King City, it is also more prosperous. I was also worried that Gu Xiaowu and I would be alone, and Anxi Duhu Mansion would ignore me, but after Gu Xiaowu took me into the city, he went straight to the front of the Duhu Yamen and beat the giant drum in front of the gate. It was only later that I learned that the drum was very particular. Although it was called the Taiping Drum, it actually had another name called the Waking Drum, and when it was struck, it meant a battle.We were taken into the mansion by the guards who rushed out, and the Lord Protector was sitting in the hall. He had a big beard and was wearing armor. He was really a majestic general. Among the Central Plains people I have seen, he is the most like a leader The general who fought the war. He asked us in a calm voice, I don't understand the Central Plains dialect very well, so I stared at Gu Xiaowu with my mouth gaping.Gu Xiaowu motioned to me and said, now I have nothing to do.Fortunately, the general guards could speak Turkic. Seeing that I didn't understand the Central Plains dialect, he asked in Turkic, "Why do you beat the drums?" Because A Niang is Turkic, I am also quite fluent in Turkic.So I told him about the Yuezhi cavalry breaking into Turkic territory, and then begged him to send troops to rescue Heshi. Lord Protector is a little hesitant, because since the Central Plains set up Anxi Protectorate, apart from suppressing the rebellion, he has rarely interfered in the affairs of countries in the Western Regions.Although it is very inappropriate for the Yueshi to break into the territory of the Turks, after all the Turks are strong and the Yueshi is weak, and such a weird thing is not in line with common sense, so I think he hesitates like this. Sure enough, he said: "Turkic cavalry is famous outside the pass, why don't you Turkic troops ask me desperately for help?" I told him that the king's tent was erratic, and although King Zuoguli was nearby, it would take a long time to find them .So we came to Anxi Protectorate Mansion for help, hoping to rescue Heshi as soon as possible. When I thought that Heshi and the others only had dozens of cavalry, and they had to resist so many Yuezhi cavalry, I couldn't help but feel very worried.The Protectorate was still hesitant, when Gu Xiaowu suddenly said something in the Central Plains dialect. Hearing these words, the protector seemed to be taken aback, and stood up from behind the painted table.Gu Xiaowu stepped forward and bowed to salute. His voice was so low that I couldn't hear it clearly. Besides, I didn't understand the Central Plains dialect very well. nod. In a short while, Lord Protector ordered two thousand cavalry, ordered a commander to lead them, and followed us overnight to rescue people. I was overjoyed, and when I came out of Anxi Dufu Mansion, I asked Gu Xiaowu: "How did you persuade those adults to send troops to save people?" Gu Xiaowu smiled slyly and said, "I can't tell you that! ’ I pouted angrily. The army in the Central Plains was strictly disciplined. Although they were running fast at night, the formation was neat. Except for the occasional clanging of horseshoes and armor, and the sound of burning torches, they didn't hear the slightest sound.I noticed that the torches used in the Central Plains Army were made of wood wrapped in cotton wool and soaked in kerosene.Fire oil is a special product at the foot of Tiangen Mountain. It is dark in color and very flammable. Shepherds occasionally use it to light fires and boil water, but people in Wangcheng think it is too smoky and smelly, so they seldom use it.Unexpectedly, the army in the Central Plains used it as a torch.I think the Central Plains people are very smart, they can always think of ways that we can't think of. We traveled quickly all night, and at dawn, we finally caught up with the Yuezhi cavalry.At this time, they had already retreated into Yuezhi's territory. Yuezhi's cavalry moved extremely fast, and by the time we caught up with them, the white banners had long since disappeared, and Heshi and dozens of Turkic warriors had disappeared as well.I was anxious, lest Heshi and the others would be surrounded and killed by the Yuezhi cavalry, while Gu Xiaowu was discussing with the commanders in the Central Plains dialect, and then heard the Central Plains cavalry shouting orders to disperse. I heard from my father that the people of the Central Plains pay attention to formations in battle, and it is very powerful to win with fewer, especially now that the troops in the Central Plains are more than double the cavalry of the defending Yue clan, and they are faintly posing to encircle them.General Yueshi then turned around and scolded loudly. I don't understand what he's talking about, Gu Xiaowu sells tea in various countries in the Western Regions, but he understands Yueshi's dialect.He said to me: "This general is questioning us why he led his troops into the territory of the Yuezhi." I said: "Yesterday he also broke into the border of the Turks and insisted that I was a slave who escaped from the Yuezhi, but now he is still confident Get up." Gu Xiaowu said something to the commander next to him, and the commander ordered someone to go up and answer.Gu Xiaowu smiled and said to me: "I told them that we are escorting the princess of Xiliang back to the country and passing by here. Tell him not to panic, we will never invade the territory of Yuezhi." Shameless, if Gu Xiaowu thought he was number two in the world, he probably wouldn't dare to be number one.He has the ability to tell lies plausibly, is it true that all people in the Central Plains can lie like this?The master looks like this, and so does Gu Xiaowu. The two sides were still shouting back and forth, but the commander led a thousand light cavalry, taking advantage of the thin morning mist, quietly outflanked them from behind, and waited for the Yuezhi cavalry to recover. The charge has already begun. This battle was won without suspense, the Yueshi cavalry was defeated, almost none escaped, most of them were killed by the sharp knives and arrows of the Central Plains, and the small half surrendered when they saw that they could not resist.Even though Gu Xiaowu was a tea dealer, he really held his breath. In such a fierce battle, blood spattered and killed countless people, Gu Xiaowu didn't even wrinkle his eyebrows, as if the fight just now was just a game.The commander of the Central Plains was used to fighting, so he naturally handled matters such as accepting surrenders properly.Two thousand cavalry escorted hundreds of Yuezhi's defeated soldiers and retreated slowly to the east. I took advantage of the chaos and rushed into the Yuezhi army to look for He Shi, but I couldn't find him no matter how hard I searched.The general who led the Yue clan was captured, tied up tightly and shoved in front of the commander, but the commander was very respectful and handed him over to Gu Xiaowu.I asked Gu Xiaowu to interrogate that General Yuezhi, who was very stubborn and refused to say a word.Gu Xiaowu said indifferently: "If you don't say it, what's the use of keeping it?" Gu Xiaowu.我让顾小五审问那个月氏将军，那个月氏将军十分倔强，一句话也不肯说。顾小五却淡淡地道：“既然不说，留着有何用？”那千夫长听他这样说，立时命人将其斩首。军令如山，马上就砍了那月氏将军的头颅，揪着头发将首级送到我们面前来，腔子里的鲜血，兀自滴滴答答，落在碧绿的草地上，像是一朵朵艳丽的红花。 我可真忍不住了，再加上一整天几乎没吃什么东西，我一阵阵发晕，旁边人看我脸色不对，好心递给我水囊，我也喝不进去水。只听那顾小五又命人带上来一各月氏人，先令他看过月氏将军的首级，然后再问赫失的下落。月氏人虽然骁勇善战，但那人被俘后本来就意志消沉，又见将领被杀，吓得一五一十全都说了。 原来赫失他们且战且退，一直退到了天亘山下。他们据山石相守，直到最后弓箭用尽。月氏人却也没有立时杀了他们，而是夺去了他们的马匹，将他们抛在荒山深处，这些月氏人用心真是狠毒，山中恶狼成群，赫失他们没有了马，又没有了箭，如果再遇上狼群，那可危险了。 我们连忙带着人去寻求赫失，我忧心如焚，顾小五却说道：“突厥人没那么容易死。”我本来觉得他这句话应该算是安慰我，可是听着真让人生气。 我们在天亘山兜来转去，一直到太阳快要落下山去，我都快要绝望了，天亘山这样大，到底要到什么时候才能找到赫失？我一边想赫失不要被狼吃了，他要是被狼吃了，阿翁可要伤心死了；我一边又想，赫失是名动草原的勇士，怎么会轻易就被吃掉，就算他胯下没有马，手中没有箭，可是赫失就是赫失，他怎么样也会活下来的。 眼见太阳快要落山了，风吹来已经有夜的凉意，行在最前的斥候突然高声叫嚷，我连忙勒住马，问：“怎么了？”那些人用中原话连声嚷着，然后我看到了赫失，他从山石间爬了出来，左手攥着一大块尖石，右胳膊上有血迹，他身后还有好几个人，一直爬起来站在山石上。他们的样子虽然狼狈，满脸都是尘土，可是眼神仍旧如同勇士一般，无所畏惧地盯着中原的人马。 我大叫一声，翻身就滚下马去，一路连滚带爬冲过去，抱住了赫失。我也许碰到了他的伤处，他的两条眉毛皱到了一块儿。可是他马上咧开嘴笑：“小公主！”整支队伍都欢腾起来，那些中原人也兴高采烈，比早上打了胜仗还要开心。 我们晚上就在天亘山脚下扎营。中原人的帐篷带得不多，全都让给伤兵住，赫失的右胳膊骨头都折了，千夫长命人给他敷上了伤花，他连哼都没有哼一声。找到了赫失，我一颗心全都放了下来，一口气将好大一只馕都吃完了，顾小五坐在我对面，看着我吃馕，我本来吃得挺香的，被他这么一看，最后一口便噎在了嗓子里，上又不能上，下又不能下。顾小五看我被哽住了，坐在那里哈哈大笑，连水都不肯递给我。 我好容易找着自己的水囊，喝了一大口，将那块馕给咽了下去。不过我有话问他，也不同他计较，只问他：“昨天晚上在安西都护府，你到底跟都护大人说了句什么，他竟然就肯答应发兵来救？”顾小五一笑，露出满口白牙：“我对他说，要是他见开死不救，从今以后就没好茶叶喝。”我相信——才怪！ 天上的星星真亮啊，我抬起头，满天的星星就像是无数盏风灯，又细，又远，光芒闪烁。中间一条隐约的白色光带，传说那是天神沐浴的地方，是一条星星的河流，天神在沐浴的时候，也许会随手捞起星子，就像我们用手捞起沙子，成千上万的星星从天神的指缝间漏下去，重新落回天河里，偶尔有一颗星星溅出来，于是就成了流星。正在这时候，有一颗闪烁的流星，像是一支光亮的小箭，飞快地掠过天际，转瞬就消失不见。我“啊”了一声，据说看到流星然后将衣带打一个结，同时许下一个愿望，就可以实现，可是我笨手笨脚，每次看到流星，不是忘了许愿，就是忘了打结……我懊恼地躺在了草地上，流星早就消失不见了。顾小五问我：“你刚刚叫什么？”“有流星啊！”“流星有什么好叫的？”“看到流星然后将衣带打一个结，同时许下一下愿望，这样愿望就可以实现。”我真懒得跟他说，“你们中原人不懂的。”他似乎嗤笑了一声：“你要许什么愿？”我闭起嘴巴不告诉他。我才没有那么沉不住气呢。可是没想到他却顿了一顿，拖长了声调说：“哦，我知道了，你许愿想要嫁给中原的太子。”这下子我可真的要跳起来了：“中原的太子有什么好的，我才不要嫁给他！”他笑眯眯地说道：“我就知道你不肯嫁他，当然是许愿要嫁给我。”我这才觉得中了他的计，于是“呸”了一声，不再理他。 我重新躺在草地上，看着满天的星星。这样近，这样低，简直伸手都可以触得到。天神住的地方有那么多的星星，一定很热闹吧。 有只小蟋蟀蹦进了我的头发里，被发丝缠住了，还在那里“嚯嚯”地叫着。我用手将它拢住，慢慢将发丝从它身上解下来，它在我手心里挣扎，酥酥痒痒的，我对着它吹了口气，它一跳，就跳到草里面去了，再看不见。可是它还在这里没有走，因为我听到它在黑暗中，“嚯嚯”地一直叫。 顾小五也躺下来，枕着他的马鞍，我以为他睡着了，他却闭着眼睛，懒洋洋地说道：“喂！唱个歌来听听。”夜风真是轻柔，像是阿娘的手，温柔地摸着我的脸。我心情也好起来，可是习惯地跟顾小五抬杠：“为什么要让我唱呀？要不你唱首歌给我听吧。”“我不会唱歌。”“撒谎，每个人都会唱歌的。唱嘛！就唱你小时候阿娘唱给你听的歌，好不好？”顾小五却好长时间没有说话，过了好一会儿，我才听到他的声音，他淡淡地道：“我没有娘。”我觉得有点歉疚，我有个哥哥也没有娘，他的阿娘很早就病死了。每次阿娘待他总比待我还要好。我心里知道，那是因为他从小没有娘，所以阿娘特别照应他。我爬起来，偷偷看了看顾小五的脸，我担心他不高兴。可是星光朦胧，他脸上到底是什么神气，老实说我也看不清楚。 “一只狐狸它坐在沙丘上，坐在沙丘上，瞧着月亮。噫，原来它不是在瞧月亮，是在等放羊归来的姑娘……”我像只蟋蟀一样哼哼，“一只狐狸它坐在沙丘上，坐在沙丘上，晒着太阳……噫……原来它不是在晒太阳，是在等骑马路过的姑娘……”顾小五终于说话了，他皱着眉头：“太难听了！换一首！”“我只会唱这一首歌……”不远处响起筚篥。以前我只知道赫失是神箭手，没想到他的筚篥也吹得这么好。他只用一只手，所以好多音孔没有办法按到，可是虽然是这样，筚篥的旋律依旧起伏回荡，在清凉的夜风里格外好听。我昂着头听着，赫失吹奏的调子十分悲怆，渐渐地只听见那十余个突厥人和声而唱，男人们的声音雄浑沉着，越发衬得曲调悲壮苍凉。他们的声音像是大漠里的风，又像是草原上翱翔的鹰，盘旋在最深沉的地方，不住地回荡。天地间万籁俱寂，连草丛里的那些虫子都不再低吟，连马儿也不再嘶鸣，连那些中原人都安静下来，倾听他们众声合唱。 我一时听得呆住了，直到突厥人将歌唱完，大家才重新开始笑骂。顾小五漫不经心地问：“这是什么歌？”“是突厥人的征歌。”我想了想，“就是出征之前，常常唱的那首歌。歌里的桑格是突厥有名的美女，她的情郎离开她，征战四方，最后却没能回来，只有他的马儿回来了。所以她手扶马鞍，看着情郎没有用完的箭壶，唱出了这支歌。”他似乎是笑了笑：“那为什么却要四处征战呢？”“他们是突厥的勇士，为了突厥而战，四处征战那是不得已啊。”我没好气地瞪了他一眼，“反正说了你也不会懂的。”他说道：“这又有什么不懂呢？我们中原有句话，叫'可怜无定河边骨，犹是春闺梦里人'，其实说的是和这个一样的故事。”我一听见有故事就兴高采烈，于是缠着顾小五说给我听。他被我纠缠不过，想了想，终于说道：“好吧，讲故事也可以，可是你不能问为什么，只要你一问为什么，后面的故事我就不说给你听了。”虽然条件苛刻，可是忍住不问“为什么”三个字，也不算什么难事，我马上就点头答应了。顾小五却似乎有点儿踌躇，想了片刻才说道：“在很久很久之前，有一个子虚国，在这子虚国里，有一位年轻的姑娘……”“她生得漂亮吗？好看吗？”我迫不及待地问，“会骑马吗？”他笑了笑：“她生得漂亮，十分好看，也会骑马。子虚国的姑娘骑马的时候，会戴着帷帽，就是头上有纱的帽子，这天这位姑娘骑马上街，风却把她的帷帽吹落了……有一位公子拾到了她的帷帽，就将帽子还给了她。这位公子虽然和这位姑娘只见了一面，可是倾心相许，约定要嫁娶，就是成亲。”我喜欢这个故事的开头，我问：“那位公子长得俊吗？配得上漂亮的姑娘吗？”他说：”俊不俊倒是不知道，不过这位公子是大将军的儿子，十分骁勇善战。他们约定终身后不久，这位公子就接到出征的命令，于是领着兵打仗去了。