Chapter 37 Chapter Thirty-seventh: Going out of Yumen Broken Rose and Throwing Stones Again

Yujiaolong rode his horse like flying, galloping all the way to Jiayuguan.She knew that after leaving Jiayuguan, it would take two days to leave Yumen. After leaving the Yumen Gate, she can enter the western border just around the corner, and she is like a dragon returning to the Canghai. She can be invited to travel at will, and she no longer has to worry about the honor and disgrace of the Yufu and her own safety. In the distance, the Great Wall is in sight, and Jiayuguan has appeared in front of us.Yu Jiaolong slowed down her horse and walked slowly towards the closed door.On the one hand, she pretended not to care about looking around at the surrounding scenery, but on the other hand, she secretly observed the movement before the pass.She saw that most of the people who came in and out before closing the gate were nearby people. The two sergeants guarding the gate walked around with their guns in their hands, and did not question the passers-by.Yu Jiaolong looked at the shops on both sides again, but did not see any suspicious signs.So, she stepped off the saddle within a stone's throw away from the closed door, and led the big black horse to walk slowly and calmly to the closed door.After entering the beautiful entrance, the two sergeants raised their heads, only looked at him blankly, and then retracted their heads listlessly.

Yu Jiaolong had just left the gate when suddenly she saw three people standing under the wall of the gate, with six eyes all staring at her.Yu Jiaolong was startled unconsciously, and was about to get on the saddle when the three of them had rushed in front of her.The leader is about forty years old, with a leopard head and eagle eyes, and his skills are also very agile.He stood three steps away from Yu Jiaolong, clasped his fists and said, "Suzhou government government has stabbed Chen Biao fast. He was sent by Mr. Fang to look for his second wife's daughter who was lost in the Taoist inn in Liangzhou. This lady's attire and this horse are exactly the same as what the shopkeeper Hu Cheng said, if you dare to bother the little lady to follow me, it will be the same as going back to the government office to find out the truth."

Yu Jiaolong: "What does it have to do with me if your lord loses his daughter!" Chen Biao: "It has nothing to do with it, you will know when you return to the government office." Yu Jiaolong said angrily, "So what if I don't go?" Chen Biao said: "Forcing bets is worse than being invited. Little lady, don't be capricious." Yu Jiaolong shouted angrily: "Presumptuous! How dare you be rude?!" She turned around angrily and wanted to mount her horse. Chen Biao took two steps forward, grabbed the reins, and said sharply, "How dare you defy the government!"

Yu Jiaolong didn't answer, and hit Chen Biao's chest with a palm, Chen Biao hurriedly dodged sideways; Yu Jiaolong quickly kicked him in the waist again, but Chen Biao dodged it again.Yu Jiaolong missed two hits, he couldn't help but turned from shame to anger, and his anger multiplied; although Chen Biao dodged one palm and one kick, he couldn't help being surprised, he already felt her shocking gesture from Yu Jiaolong's palm and foot gestures. Heart-pounding craftsmanship.Yu Jiaolong raised his brows and looked at Chen Biao coldly; Chen Biao stared at each other with surprise on his face.The two held each other for a while, and Chen Biao lowered his body in a lunge and put on a stance.At this time, the two catchers also rushed to Yu Jiaolong's side, ready to pinch.Yu Jiaolong showed no fear, a sneer appeared on the corner of her lips.Chen Biao shouted suddenly, and then punched Yu Jiaolong straight in the face.

Yu Jiaolong turned his head to one side, and immediately stretched out two fingers to point at his flanks.Chen Biao was so frightened that he quickly withdrew his fist, then threw his leg on the ground and swept towards Yu Jiaolong's feet.Yu Jiaolong jumped up and leaped to the right side of the big black horse.The two guards on the left and right took the opportunity to press towards Yu Jiaolong, they fought only three moves, one was kicked far away by her;Chen Biao's eyes were red with anxiety, Yu Jiaolong bit her lips tightly, and the two of them watched each other warily across the horse's head.At this moment, a voice sounded on the avenue.With the sound of hoofbeats, more than ten officers and soldiers on the west road galloped towards the front of the pass.The ten or so cavalry officers and soldiers stopped their horses suddenly when they came to a place about ten feet in front of Li Yujiaolong and Chen Biao.Those officers and soldiers had just closed the garrison and had just returned from patrolling the West Road.

They immediately went on the road, neither stepped forward to question, nor returned to the camp to rest, but just watched from the sidelines. Seeing the officers and soldiers approaching, Chen Biao was refreshed suddenly, bypassed the horse's head, and rushed over from the side. Seeing that Yu Jiaolong could only receive the move with one hand, he raised both fists and hit her on the left and right ears.Yu Jiaolong leaned back, dodged the fist, and kicked Chen Biao's jaw suddenly. Pained and ashamed, Chen Biao was extremely angry, and he didn't care about hurting the child wrapped in Yu Jiaolong's arms, so he sent several punches straight to her chest.Yu Jiaolong either greets or dodges, letting them pass one by one.

Chen Biao threw punches suddenly, raised his legs suddenly, and kicked violently, picking her vital parts. Yu Jiaolong was only parrying with one hand, but also had to protect the child, she was forced to back up again and again, immediately, the child in her arms was startled and began to cry, and the big black horse also disturbed each other restlessly.A light flashed in Yu Jiaolong's eyes, and when Chen Biao kicked her in the chest, he used his fingers to aim at his ankle and cut it obliquely.Chen Biao felt pain as if hitting a knife edge, grinned, and immediately squatted on the ground, unable to stand up again.Yu Jiaolong pointed at him and said coldly: "I miss Tiande, spare your death, go back and tell you Mr. Fang, if he wants to find someone, he will go to Qilian Mountains to find Heishan Xiong!"

After finishing speaking, she jumped on the saddle, urged the big black horse, and rushed towards the dozen or so officers and soldiers on the horizontal road.Not only did the ten or so cavalry officers and soldiers not stop her, they hurriedly pulled their horses out of the way, allowing her to walk away. Yu Jiaolong rode his horse like flying, galloped for twenty li at a stretch, just now he slowed down and looked around.She looked forward, but saw that the Gobi was vast, full of sulphur, and there were no village trees. Momentarily touched by melancholy, looking back at what I was doing, I felt lingering with all kinds of feelings, and I wanted to sit on my saddle.Yu Jiaolong was in a daze, when she suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes coming from behind her, she couldn't help but look back, and saw a soldier dressed as a school captain, raising his whip and urging the horse to gallop from behind.When the horse was approaching, Yu Jiaolong caught a glimpse of the soldier's familiarity, she couldn't help being startled, she quickly turned around, restrained the horse to the side of the road, and let the soldier pass by.Unexpectedly, just as the soldier galloped past her, he suddenly reined in his horse, looked at her for a moment, then hurriedly got off his horse, walked up to Yujiao's horse, bowed and said, "Sure enough, I didn't admit my mistake, you are really Miss Yu. gone."

Yu Jiaolong was taken aback, stared at him for a while, and asked, "Who are you?" The soldier said: "My name is Ma Qiang. I used to be the school guard of the Shuai Mansion. Miss Yu was riding a horse outside Wusu City, and she was mostly a servant." Yu Jiaolong suddenly remembered: that time when he rode a horse out of the city, he was humiliated by Bag on the grassland, so he met Luo Xiaohu for the first time, and he was one of the two little schoolboys who waited on him at that time.If she wants to recognize each other, it is difficult to violate the reason, and if she desires to recognize each other, the situation cannot be tolerated. For a while, she really feels in a dilemma.Yu Jiaolong hesitated for a moment, then asked solemnly: "Where did you recognize me?

What if you come again? " Ma Qiang felt a shiver from Yu Jiaolong's questioning voice and demeanor, and he couldn't help taking a step back, and hurriedly replied: "Just now when I went back to the customs with my brothers from the sentry camp, we saw Miss and Chen Biao fighting in front of the customs. The brothers were about to step forward to inquire, but I recognized that it was the young lady. I quickly stopped the brothers and just stood aside until the young lady left. I would like to ask Miss why she came here alone, is there anything she can do to help her?"

During this short question and answer period, Yu Jiaolong also had the idea of ​​getting rid of Ma Qiang several times out of precaution, but in the end it was difficult to do it because she had no hatred or anger.Listening to him say these words now, I feel even more that he is a loyal person, and my old love has been touched, even if disasters are about to happen, I can't bear to do it ignorantly.Yu Jiaolong pondered for a moment, then asked again: "When did you leave Wusu? How did you get here?" Ma Qiang said: "When Mr. Yu was called back to Beijing, because he knew that I was from Suzhou and had an old mother at home, he took me to Suzhou, transferred me to the general Wu Chao, and recruited me as a cavalry captain. , led a hundred sentries, and stationed in the Jiayuguan area." Yu Jiaolong couldn't help but his heart moved, and asked: "Do you know that there is a black mountain bear in Qilian Mountains, and now he is competing to rob pedestrians on Liangzhou Road?" Ma Qiang said: "I heard that Mr. Fang's family was robbed on the Liangzhou Road not long ago, but I suspect it was mostly done by thieves from outside. Heishan Xiong is used to chasing eggs and distributing spoils. He has never committed crimes in Liangzhou. "Yu Jiaolong:" What is this person like? " Ma Qiang said: "This person has all over Liangzhou. He has many collusions with the government. He is really a tyrant. The Chen Biao who fought with Miss just now is also the minion of Heishanxiong. Miss is too cheap for him. .I just don't know why the lady fought with him?" Yu Jiaolong said: "It's only because he came to cross-examine him and made rude remarks, which annoyed me, so he did it." Ma Qiang: "This person is really hateful! Last year when Xianggu passed here, she almost fell into his hands." When Yu Jiaolong heard him mention Xianggu, she was both surprised and happy, and hurriedly asked, "Have you seen Xianggu?" Ma Qiang: "Not only have I seen her and Ha... Her new uncle and her uncle, I escorted them all the way out of Yumen Pass." Yu Jiaolong was overwhelmed with surprise, full of passion, eager to find out some news from Ma Qiang, but unwilling to show any urgency, she just said lightly: "You can tell me about Xianggu's situation, I am also thinking of Let's rest." She immediately got off her horse and found a place to sit by the side of the road. Ma Qiang also followed her, still standing respectfully, and told the details of Xianggu's passing through the customs one by one: "It's a coincidence that this happened. At the end of March last year, I calculated something with my fingers. The brothers were about to come back from Hebei, so they waited for them near the pass every day. One day, I saw Chen Biao and a few policemen wandering around the pass, moving very surreptitiously. When I became suspicious, I asked him what he had to do.He quietly told me: Lord Tian Xiang, the new admiral of the Nine Gates Admiralty Office in Beijing, sent an official document to the Suzhou government office, saying that the horse bandits from western Xinjiang sneaked into Beijing for a long time and committed a huge crime, and they probably fled back to western Xinjiang. The state government assisted the admiral's office to crack down on it.Chen Biao said that he was sent by the government office to wait for the cloud for a long time. I was shocked when I heard it, and I didn't dare to be negligent, and always pay attention to the movement around me.On the afternoon of the first day of April, I saw Chen Biao aggressively stopping the three people from the gate tower for cross-examination. I took a closer look and recognized that one of the three was Xianggu, so I hurried downstairs to persuade Chen Biao, and said that Xianggu was my god-sister whom I had known since I was in Wusu.Seeing that I spoke seriously, Chen Biao was puzzled, but he couldn't make things worse.I took Xianggu, her new son-in-law, and her uncle to my camp for two days. I was afraid that there would be another mistake on the way; on the third day, I personally sent the three of them out of Yumen Pass. "Yu Jiaolong listened carefully, carefully deliberating every word. From Ma Qiang's words, she had a glimpse of the truth that he deliberately concealed and did not say clearly. Some of the narrations, to her ears, were tantamount to deception, which made people laugh secretly.It's just that he doesn't want to hide some important truths from himself. This is what Yu Jiaolong is eager to find out.Therefore, after listening to Ma Qiang's words, Yu Jiaolong pondered for a moment, and then asked again: "Who are the brothers who came back from Hebei that you are waiting for? Have they returned yet?" Ma Qiang was stunned for a while, and then he said vaguely: "They are all friends I made in Wusu, and they have returned to Western Xinjiang one after another." Yu Jiaolong smiled: "Why don't you tell Chen Biao that Xianggu is Master Yu's maid, but you want to call her your god-sister?" Yu Jiaolong's sudden question made Ma Qiang feel as if he had been hit to the point, he was tongue-tied and unable to answer for a long time. It took him a long time before he said in a low voice, "I'm afraid I'll hurt Master Yu." Yu Jiaolong: "Why bother?" Ma Qiang bowed his head and remained silent. Yu Jiaolong suddenly asked again: "Do you know who Xianggu's husband is?" Ma Qiang raised his head and looked at Yu Jiaolong in panic... Yu Jiaolong looked at Ma Qiang with a questioning gaze, and asked: "Did you know Harimu when he left the customs with Xianggu, or did you know him in the past?" Ma Qiang was forced to ask questions and couldn't dodge, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and said frankly: "I only met Harimu when he entered the customs with Brother Emil and others in September of the year before last." Yu Jiaolong: "Have you known Amir for a long time?" Ma Qiang: "We met each other when we were in Wusu." Yu Jiaolong: "Do you know who Harimu and Amir are?" Ma Qiang didn't say anything, just nodded. Yu Jiaolong: "Are the brothers from Hebei that you are waiting for Harimu and Amir the others?" Ma Qiang still just nodded. Yu Jiaolong: "Halimu has come back with Xianggu, and what about Amir? Has he already passed by here and returned to Western Xinjiang?" Ma Qiang: "Going back. I arrived here at the end of May, and I was the one who sent them out of Yumen Pass." Yu Jiaolong was silent for a long time, and then asked lightly: "One of them. How many people? Is the journey safe?" Ma Qiang: "There are three of them, besides Amir and Udunai brothers; there is also a friend from the capital. After passing the Yumen Pass, it will be their world, and they have all returned to Western Xinjiang safely." Yu Jiaolong: "How can Chen Biao let them go easily?!" Ma Qiang: "Chen Biao has been waiting here. Thanks to Harimu and Xianggu, he communicated with me when they passed the border, and I made secret preparations to meet them. When the three of them came to Jiayu, they did not enter the city rashly. First hide in a brother's home. Brother Amir came to report to me first, and I selected a dozen confidant brothers in the camp, and went to the house of the brother Huibu through the patrol, and asked the three of them to dress up as patrol cavalry and mix in the cavalry. I easily fooled Chen Biao, escorted by me and my brothers, we went out of Jiayuguan, and sent them all the way out of Yumenguan before returning to the camp. "Although Yu Jiaolong only listened silently, there were thousands of feelings of separation and all kinds of melancholy in her heart. Xianggu, who had shared weal and woe with her and depended on each other in adversity for several years, and Luo, who was connected with her heart and soul, and lived and died. Xiaohu, although he has gone through a lot of hardships, he has already got his own place, and he has his own place. Only he is still in the middle of nowhere, wandering and lost. Yu Jiaolong is very happy that Xianggu and Luo Xiaohu have returned to Western Xinjiang safely. Rejoiced, but also secretly sad for her wanderings. She was alone for a while, and suddenly asked Ma Qiang vigilantly: "Since you recognized me before the pass, why didn't you recognize me before the pass? But what if you come here? " Ma Qiang: "To be honest, there were some rumors about Miss among the passers-by from the capital a few days ago." Yu Jiaolong looked serious, but asked indifferently: "What rumors?" Ma Qiang: "It is said that Mr. Yu has left the palace and stayed at home, and Miss has thrown herself off a cliff. But I don't believe it." Yu Jiaolong stood up suddenly, stared at Ma Qiang, and said sternly: "Ma Qiang, listen: Mrs. Yu has not resigned from office, Miss Yu has indeed thrown herself to death. No one in this world will ever see Yu again. Miss Jiaolong, unless that person also goes to the underworld! Remember: my surname is Chun; today’s affairs are not allowed to be told to anyone.” Ma Qiang was stunned by Yu Jiaolong's stern expression and stern words, and was so frightened that he backed away again and again, making no noise.Yu Jiaolong didn't wait for him to recover, she had already galloped away.She galloped about ten zhang away, turned over suddenly, raised her hand and shot an arrow, and the helmet on Ma Qiang's head fell to the ground.Yu Jiaolong reined in his horse and shouted at him: "You dare to reveal half a word, there is such a body!" Ma Qiang was almost scared out of his wits, Yu Jiaolong felt relieved. Yujiaolong galloped on the gravel-filled ancient road for two days before arriving at Yumen. She took a rest in the city, ate and bought some supplies, and seeing that it was still early, she urged her horse to set off again. Yu Jiaolong originally thought that Yumen Pass must be very dangerous. She has always regarded it as the boundary between the Western Regions and the mainland. Therefore, whenever she thinks of Yumen Pass, she can't help thinking about her homeland and foreign lands.However, today she reined in her horse and came to the pass. Neither the grand pass nor the solid wall can be seen, but only a deserted pile of soldiers stands there. It is said that it is the site of the closed gate hundreds of years ago.Yu Jiaolong immediately stood in front of the pile, paying tribute to this famous pass that has been recorded in history for thousands of years. I don't know how many people have been sent away for thousands of years, and how many court angel festivals have been ushered in.Now it has become so decadent, in addition to making people sad and sad, it also leaves a trace that is enough to inspire people's pride and ambition.Yu Jiaolong looked back to the east, thousands of miles away, and his family and country were difficult to return to; raised his eyes to the west, the sky was full of ice and snow, and the vast wilderness, where did he end up?She hesitated and looked around, unknowingly burst into tears. At this time, some merchants and merchants who entered Xinjiang also passed by here.When they came to the pile, they all stopped, picked up a lump of mud or stone from the ground, threw it on the pile with their backs on their backs, and then walked forward without looking back.Yu Jiaolong watched several people move like this in a row, she just felt strange, but didn't understand why.She waited for a middle-aged merchant who looked like a businessman to pick up stones, and she stepped forward and asked him, "Excuse me, is this throwing stones piled up for auspicious travel?" The man who looked like a business traveler said: "Where is it to ask for auspicious luck! This is a custom left by people who have left the fortress for many years. This mound is the old pass. Anyone who goes out of the fortress can hope to survive. The only right is to pick up a piece of mud and rocks Your own soul, keep your heart in the pass." When the man said this, his eyes were filled with tears, before Yu Jiaolong could ask any more questions, he flicked the stone with his backhand and staggered on the road. After hearing what the man said, Yu Jiaolong was even more homesick, feeling heartbroken and melancholy.She also got off the horse, picked up a piece of gravel, and said silently: "Yumen Yumen, passersby die, life and death are joys and sorrows, fate is up to others?" Then she raised her hand and threw the gravel on the top of the pile , immediately stepped on the horseback, and galloped away without looking back.At this time, she also had the feeling of an ordinary traveler, and she no longer survived the hope of entering the customs.But just as she was less than a mile away from the mound, the snow bottle in her arms suddenly began to cry.Yu Jiaolong was startled suddenly, thinking of her own son who was missing in Qilian Mountains, she hastened to rein in her horse, turned her head, staring at the Qilian Mountains, which stretched from sky to sky, she couldn't help feeling like a pest in her heart. The piece is about to break.Looking at the vast white mountains, she swore secretly in her heart: "I will eventually re-enter Yumen, walk all over the Qilian Mountains, and die if I don't find my lost son!" go ahead. Yu Jiaolong left the border of Gansu and went straight to Hami.She braved the wind and snow all the way, went through hardships, went through thousands of dangers, and endured all kinds of difficulties. She walked for a whole month before reaching Dihua.When she fled Suzhou in a hurry, she had recovered from her illness, and after a long journey, she was even more exhausted.Therefore, when she arrived in Dihua, she was exhausted and overwhelmed.She decided to stay in Dihua temporarily for a few days to recuperate.So, he found an inn in the city and lived there. When Yu Jiaolong visited her uncle Huang Tianci from Wusu more than three years ago, although she only lived in this city for a short period of time, she felt more familiar with this place than with the capital. The crowds coming and going on the street, although in different costumes and speaking different words, all seemed to be at ease, singing and laughing everywhere, which made her feel doubly cordial.Since she came here, her mood has suddenly become more relaxed. She no longer needs to be frightened and frightened all the time like she was in the mainland, and she has to be on guard everywhere. Take care, here, she can walk up and down the street without any worries, take care of the snow bottle leisurely, give her countless deep and soft smiles every day, tease her heartily, slowly Take a good look at her. Yu Jiaolong didn't just muddle along during this resting day, nor did she forget her worries while enjoying herself. The jar of bitter water that she had kept in her heart slowly soaked out again while she was in this temporary quiet moment.Whenever the night was quiet and Xue Ping had fallen asleep, she always tossed and turned on the bed, staying up all night.Luo Xiaohu's figure kept flashing before her eyes. His majestic body, vigorous and heroic posture, and his affectionate but mocking eyes all made her ecstatic and attached to him.As long as she thinks of Luo Xiaohu, her heart will tremble uncontrollably, but what follows is a burst of unreasonable complaints: complaining that he should not be willing to sink into the grass, and can only live with thieves all his life. Being in a company is hard to achieve a positive result; mourning for one's own fortune and poor fate, falling into the sea of ​​love, and falling into a foreign land, what will happen in the future!She also missed her father and brother in the capital, her son who was exchanged in Qilian Mountains, and the tomb where she was buried in the western suburbs of the capital... All these made Yu Jiaolong heartbroken and heartbroken. Right now, the only thing that can bring some comfort to Yu Jiaolong is Xue Ping.She has already given up all previous suspicions towards Xue Ping, and she has long since stopped angering her. She has treated her as her own flesh and blood, and poured all her pity and love into her.However, as long as Xue Ping sucked her own milk and fell asleep quietly, a feeling of loneliness and helplessness hit Yu Jiaolong's heart again, and she could only quietly wipe away her tears. Yu Jiaolong has recuperated in Dihua for a few days. Although the fatigue has gradually disappeared, she still feels unwell from time to time.She knew that the disease she was suffering from was not cured, and she urgently needed to find a quiet place to take a good rest.But where?To Luo Xiaohu's side?This is of course the conclusion she has dreamed of for several years; but when she thought of the scene when she left Wangzhuang angrily, she thought of the rude and rude brothers around him, the wandering life, and the embarrassing situation of living in the wild. , She couldn't help feeling a burst of disgust and trembling in her heart!She felt that although she had fallen into such an embarrassing situation, relying on her own martial arts and swordsmanship, she could run amok in the western borders, let other officials and soldiers of the court, or the local Bayi and Paike, who dares to offend or disrespect !How can I bend down to be ridiculed by those scumbags and horse thieves? !Looking for Xianggu?Xianggu is definitely living in a den of thieves with Harry, so what's the use of looking for her! Yu Jiaolong secretly calculated, thought about it, and suddenly remembered that Damei came. The remote village, the quiet wooden house, the scene of relying on each other all night, and Yiyi's farewell demeanor, every bit of it was left in her heart. A sweet and beautiful memory. When Yu Jiaolong thought of Damei, she couldn't help but smile on her face, and felt warm in her heart.She picked up the snow bottle that had just opened her sleepy eyes, and said to her affectionately: "Hey, I'll take you to Miss Damei." Early the next morning, Yu Jiaolong left Dihua and walked towards the village where Damei lived along the path she had taken more than three years ago.She went out of the west gate, walked more than two miles along the post road by the river, and came to a forest, which was the place where Luo Xiaohu broke up with her when he sent her to Dihua from the grassland in the early years.The woods are still so dense, and the forest path is still so quiet.Yu Jiaolong immediately rode into the forest, meditating silently, and Luo Xiaohu's words of "the two hearts will not change, and there will be a period later" from the small path sounded in his ears.For a moment, she could hardly distinguish whether she was sleepwalking in reality or in the remembrance of a dream, she just felt dazed and dejected. Yu Jiaolong walked out of the woods along the path, passed through a field and cottages, and the grassland was already in sight.When she saw the prairie, she felt an inexplicable joy in her heart, as if returning to her long-lost hometown.On a whim, she flicked the rein and rode the horse galloping towards the grassland. Entering the grassland, a group of people suddenly appeared in front of them, some walking with burdens, and some driving horses. It seemed that they were mostly porters and traders.Yu Jiaolong always felt a little surprised, thinking, this is not a thoroughfare, how could it attract so many business travelers?She couldn't help slowing down her horse, and slowly rushed towards the group of people.When she passed by the group of people, she saw that they all raised their heads and stared at her with suspicion and fear on their faces.Yu Jiaolong became even more surprised and asked, "Where are you going?" The business travelers only looked at her curiously and warily, and no one responded. Yu Jiaolong became more and more puzzled, and said again: "This trip is full of deserts, and there are no villages and towns. Are you all lost?" In the business traveler, a man carrying a load of goods stared at Yu Jiaolong and asked, "Excuse me, sister-in-law, where are you going?" Yu Jiaolong pointed at the far side with his whip and said, "I'm going to visit relatives on the grassland." Another man driving a horse in the business trip said: "To be honest, we took a detour to Wusu." Yu Jiaolong couldn't help being startled: "Go to Wusu?! Why don't you take Shihezi? That's the way." The man driving the horse said: "Recently, Ban Tianyun and his group of horse thieves have been haunting Shihezi frequently, robbing everyone they meet, and causing many small merchants to go bankrupt and unable to make a living. We are forced to make a living, so we have no choice but to take a detour. It's just a fluke." Yu Jiaolong was startled unknowingly, her heart fluttered, and her face became hot and irritable.She stayed for a moment, then said: "I heard that Ban Tianyun is against the officials and rich merchants, and never robs small merchants and peddlers. How can he be so unjust and rob everyone?" The man who picked up the load sneered, and said, "Where is there a tiger that doesn't eat meat, and a thief who doesn't rob people! In the past, some people did say that Ban Tianyun was a righteous man, but now that he is mentioned, no one would hold grudges." Repeat!" Yu Jiaolong felt dizzy immediately, and felt a dull pain in her heart.She bit her lip and asked, "Are you telling the truth?" The man who picked up the load said: "If it's not true, why do I have to go around such a long way?" Yu Jiaolong: "Could it be that the officers and soldiers stationed in Changji let those horse thieves run rampant?" The man driving the horse said: "The officers and soldiers only protect those big merchants and big businessmen, how can they control me to death!" The man who picked up the goods also said: "A few months ago, a camel caravan was robbed by Ban Tianyun in the desert. After hearing the news, the guerrilla Xiao Zhun immediately led the Changji cavalry battalion to chase after him. They fought with Ban Tianyun for a while, and both sides were killed and injured. There are a lot of people, but we small businessmen were robbed, and Xiao Zhun didn't even groan when he learned about it." Yu Jiaolong lowered her head, lost in thought.Ever since she returned to Xijiang, she had been looking forward to finding out some news about Luo Xiaohu, but whenever the words came to her lips, she was too timid and ashamed to speak.She never expected that the news that she accidentally got from this group of business travelers today would surprise and astonish her so much.For a moment, shame, anger, disappointment, and remorse came to her heart all at once, and she sank into self-pity and self-injury.The prairie in front of her that she was riding on was the same prairie that she and Luo Xiaohu rode together more than three years ago. Luo Xiaohu's voice, smile and heroic appearance kept flashing before her eyes.With the resentment she heard just now, she tried her best to turn her attachment to him into contempt, but for some reason, she couldn't become contemptuous.The Luo Xiaohu that flashed in front of her had no resemblance to the Ban Tianyun that the group of traders were talking about.Yu Jiaolong felt perplexed.She changed her mind: Luo Xiaohu would never do such a thing!This is by no means a half-day cloud!Perhaps his brothers did it behind his back.Between people, good and bad are not the same, not to mention horse thieves!I just wonder if Luo Xiaohu knows?Thinking of this, Yu Jiaolong finally calmed down a little. Yu Jiaolong was meditating on the horse, when she suddenly heard someone in the group of traders exclaim: "Look, the horse thief is coming!" There was a sudden panic in the group of vendors, some shouted to the sky, some abandoned their goods and fled, and there was a sudden chaos. Yu Jiaolong hurriedly raised her eyes to look, and she saw more than ten horsemen and horses appearing not far from the west, and they were crossing here.Yu Jiaolong had sensed their unkind intentions from the momentum of the galloping horses, so she hurriedly shouted to the group of panic-stricken traders: "Don't be frightened, if I'm here, they won't be allowed to Hu Wei!" Strange to say, the group of panic-stricken traders quickly quieted down after Yu Jiaolong drank like this, and all of them stared at Yu Jiaolong with wide-open panic eyes to see what she would do.Yu Jiaolong calmly said to the vendors: "Don't run away, I will keep you safe." After finishing speaking, she rode her horse unhurriedly to the left of the vendors, and immediately went to He stepped forward to meet the dozen or so riders who were getting closer.When the dozen or so riders rushed towards Yu Jiaolong like arrows, Yu Jiaolong stood there as if it had taken root, which made those people startled and hurriedly reined in their horses.For a while, I saw horses turning over, neighing and drinking, and mixed together.Yu Jiaolong stared blankly, with a sneer on his lips. Among the dozen or so riders, the leading rider was a man in his thirties, wearing a fox fur hood with ear covers, a blue satin gown with arrow sleeves, and a moon-shaped saber on his waist, with a proud face. .He flashed a pair of surprised eyes, looked at Yu Jiaolong for a while, and asked, "Who are you? Where are you from and where are you going? Let me know first, so as not to cause misunderstandings." Yu Jiaolong didn't answer, but asked instead: "Who are you? Why are you here?" The man said: "I am the leader of Ban Tianyun who is well-known in western Xinjiang. I was sent by the leader to raise some expenses for the brothers." Yu Jiaolong: "I heard that Ban Tianyun is a thieves, he never bullies the weak and the few, he is also a good man, how could he rob these small traders who make a living?!" The man looked at Yu Jiaolong, looked at him, and gradually an evil look flashed in his eyes, and said: "I have been hundreds of miles around Changji, and I have robbed many people, and I have never heard of us. A good word from the leader. Since you think highly of our leader, you might as well go with me and make him Mrs. Yazhai, so that you will be satisfied." Yu Jiaolong blushed with embarrassment, and shouted angrily: "Shut up! How dare you be so rude! Go back and tell your leaders that it is unkind to be a thief, and it is even more unrighteous to bully the weak. There is nothing a man can do. But why are you willing to be a thief!" The man said: "You don't want to be the thief's wife, it's easy to handle, why don't you just go with me, I can wash my hands and stop doing this business from tomorrow on." Yu Jiaolong was furious, pointed at the man and shouted sharply: "If you talk nonsense again, I will tell you to die without a place to bury you!" The man let out a smirk, and said: "Can you still escape my palm?! You cantaloupe, I'm sure!" He turned around and ordered: "Do it!" The ten or so men jumped off their horses together, Holding a waist knife, he rushed towards the vendors behind Yu Jiaolong. Yu Jiaolong yelled: "Stop!" He immediately pulled out his sword from the saddle, jumped off the horse, went forward, and began to fight with the ten or so men.It's ridiculous that the group of men still had a playful smile at the beginning, and they were careless; as soon as they exchanged hands, I saw Yu Jiaolong shaking his wrist and shaking his sword, and the sword suddenly turned into several bright flowers. In just a few blinks, three or four men held knives He was shot down, forcing the group of men to retreat again and again, and no one dared to take a step forward. At this time, the leading man had already drawn his sword and rushed over.While yelling and cursing at those men, he raised his knife and pointed at Yu Jiaolong and said, "You look so handsome, but you are actually a tigress! Don't try to be brave, I will play a few tricks with you first, and then I will accompany you Go live." Yu Jiaolong was extremely angry, she bit her lip, raised her brows slightly, and pierced the man's throat with a swishing sword.The man hurriedly raised his saber to pry it away, Yu Jiaolong suddenly drew back his sword, and when the man's saber missed, he turned his wrist and swung the sword, only to hear "唰" With a bang, the tip of the sword cut through the blue satin burqa he was wearing, and the sword edge penetrated from the chest to the abdomen, penetrating the inner shirt.The man's face turned pale with fright, and he wanted to raise his saber to fight over, Yu Jiaolong quickly followed him with his sword, gave a false thrust, drew out his sword and hit the man's wrist flatly.The man felt a piercing pain, and the knife in his hand had already dropped to the ground.Yu Jiaolong immediately stepped forward and kicked him to the ground.She was still angry, and was about to raise her sword to slash, but suddenly she changed her mind, then slowly lowered her hand that was already hanging in the air, stared at the man, and said sternly and sternly: "Look... For the sake of this, I spare your life. Tell me the truth, what is your name?" The man blinked tremblingly and said, "My name...is...Udunai." Yu Jiaolong gave him a blank look, and couldn't help but want to laugh, but couldn't do it.She asked again: "Did you come out to block the road and rob, were you sent by the leader of your family, or did you do it behind your back?" The man looked at Yu Jiaolong's forbidding expression, and said, "It was done behind the scenes." Yu Jiaolong felt relieved and angry at the same time, pondered for a while, and asked again: "Where is your leader now?" The man shook his head in panic, and said: "His whereabouts are uncertain, and I don't know. I really don't know!" Yu Jiaolong: "I don't think you are a real horse thief. Listen! From now on, you are not allowed to rob pedestrians, and you are not allowed to fake other people's names! If you dare to do anything wrong again, I will not let you go!" The man nodded again and again.Seeing Yujiaolong Guzi go away, he got up, led the stunned ten or so men on horseback, hurriedly got on his horse, and fled to the west of the grassland. The traders waited for the horse thieves to go far away, and then gathered around, saying to Yu Jiaolong that Yu Jiaolong was neither complacent nor inferior, and only said to the traders: "Just now that man confessed I think you have understood what I said. It was these thieves who went out to harass and rob pedestrians, and it was not a matter of half a day!" After she finished speaking, she stepped on the big black horse, left the vendors, and looked after herself. Galloped north. Along the way, Yu Jiaolong's heart was full of ups and downs, full of emotions.Although she has already ascertained from the man that Luo Xiaohu was not responsible for the looting happening in Changji area, but those thieves are playing the banner of half-day cloud, how can they explain it clearly? .Thousands of mistakes are still wrong because Luo Xiaohu shouldn't be a thief.What he did in the past was already unacceptable by the king's law, but now he has made his reputation spread everywhere!As a result, whenever she mentioned Luo Xiaohu, she would feel humiliated and humiliated because of this name. Yu Jiaolong was really sad. She no longer wanted to enjoy the scenery of the grassland, and she didn't want to recall the past that this grassland had given her. The memories she brought.She only felt bouts of unreasonable distraction, bouts of unbearable exhaustion. At noon the next day, Yu Jiaolong finally returned to the village where Da Mei lived.她经过一天一夜的奔驰，过草原，走沙砾，除了坐下的大黑马和偎睡在怀里的小雪瓶，没见到一个人影，也没见到一只野兽，展现在她周围的，全是一片死寂。当她远远地一眼看到这个村落时，她那颗已快僵木了的心，突又急剧地跳动起来，她好像又从已被埋葬在京城的那座坟墓里走出，回到了人的世界。她这时才隐隐感到入不能离群索居，也需要有悲欢离合。她高兴得情不自禁地埋下头去，偎着雪瓶的小脸，充满感情地对她说道：“我的小乖乖，就快到你达美小娘的家，你又多了个能疼你的亲人了！” 玉娇龙来到村外下马，略一整衣理鬓，便牵着大黑马，穿过村落，缓缓向那边村口走去。村落还是三年多前的旧貌，还是那些乱石嵌砌而成的平顶矮屋，矮屋中还是那座高大显目的寺庙。玉娇龙隐隐感到有些异样的是，许多户人家的门都紧闭着，村前，坝里竟看不到有孩童在嬉戏玩乐，异常的寂静，竟变成一片萧疏，给人引起一种不祥的感觉。 玉娇龙出了村口，忙举目望去，她猛地一怔；脚步也突然停住了。眼前还是那口水塘，水塘旁边那几株高大的白杨树也依然如故。只是白杨树下那间用圆木钉成的小屋却不见了，只剩下满地的焦灰和瓦砾。玉娇龙木然地呆在那儿，惊诧，意外，怆然，怅惘，各种滋味一齐涌上心来，她好像突然变成无家可归一般，眼前是一片迷茫。 玉娇龙在木屋前徘徊许久，决心要把达美的下落打听明白。 她正茫然四顾间，忽见有一老妇提着一只木桶到池塘边打水来了，玉娇龙忙将大黑马拴在白杨树下，慢慢走到塘边，迎着老妇问道：“大娘，这儿不是布达旺老爹的家吗，怎变成了这般光景？” 老妇打量了玉娇龙几眼，漠然答道：“被人放火烧了。” 玉娇龙：“谁？谁放火烧的？” 老妇边走边冷冷地答道：“谁还能放火烧别人的房子呢，当然是那班没良心的贼呀！” 玉娇龙不由一怔，忙跟上前去又问道：“赋？什么贼？” 老妇回过身来，瞪着玉娇龙，气冲冲地答道：“什么贼？马贼！”玉娇龙镇定从容地说道：“真正的马贼决不会干这等事来。” 老妇张大着眼看了玉娇龙一会，态度也慢慢变得和气些了。 她反问玉娇龙道：“你这位大嫂打听布达旺老爹家干什么？你又是他家什么人？” 玉娇龙：“我和达美是结拜姐妹，是特地从远地赶来看望她的。” 老妇又仔细打量了下玉娇龙，忽有所悟地问道：“你可是三年多前曾来过她家的那位春姑娘？” Yu Jiaolong nodded. 老妇一下变得异常高兴起来，一刹间，只见她脸上的疑云收了，阴雾散了，迎向玉娇龙的却换成了一张慈祥的面孔。她一把拉着玉娇龙的手，说道：“走，到我家去，我再慢慢和你谈。” 老妇的家就离池塘不远，是一间乱石砌成的小屋，外面围着篱墙，却也十分幽静。 老妇帮着玉娇龙把马安顿好后，忙将她让进屋去，这才将达美家被烧的前后情况，详详细细告诉了她：原来，早已在这乌苏、昌吉一带销遁匿迹了的马贼，打从去年六七月起，忽又威风起来。他们在沙漠里劫了官兵饷银，抢了巴依的牧马，攻打了几处伯克的庄园，救出不少被他们抓去做工的穷苦百姓，这一来，可把那些军营里的千总和各地的巴依、伯克们吓得坐卧不安，慌了手脚。他们尽管平时互相勾心斗角，你倾我轧，这时却又联成一气，派兵四处追击围剿。闹了多时，不但连一个真正的马贼也朱捉住，反而趁此巧立苛捐，强纳杂税，只是苦了百姓。更奇怪的是，就在迪化、昌吉一带也时时出现了马贼，他们不去抢劫巴依、伯克，也不拦劫豪商巨贾，却专门劫扰百姓。去年九月的一天，村里突然闯来一群马贼，他们一进村就把达美家团团围住。看样子，那群马贼好似专为布达旺老爹和达美而来的。偏巧布达旺老爹放羊在外，达美又给她爷爷送粮去了。那群马贼扑了个空，便放火烧了达美家的房屋，又将全村洗劫一空，才大摇大摆地出村去了。 玉娇龙听老妇说了这番话后，不禁想到昨天在草原上也曾遇到过的那群贼人。她想，放火烧毁达美房屋的，会不会也是那帮人干的呢？他们和布达旺老爹、达美又结下了什么深仇大恨呢？这一切都使玉娇龙感到不解和困惑。因此，她只默默地听着，默默地思忖着，没插话，也没做声。 老妇讲完后，忽又问玉娇龙道：“春姑娘，你刚才说真正的马贼决不会干出这等事来，你这话是从何说起？” 玉娇龙：“都说马贼劫富济贫，许多百姓也一心向着他们。而今这帮强盗却反其道而行，因此，我量定这班强盗决不是真正的马贼。” 老妇听了直点头，说道：“其实，村里人，谁心里都有杆秤，谁也不相信这会是半天云的手下于出来的。不过，这帮强盗为何要打着马贼的旗号？他们又是安的什么心呢？” 玉娇龙不加思忖地说道：“马贼势大，他们不过是仗势行劫而已。” 老妇摇摇头，不以为然地说道：“马贼虽然势大，却是官兵和巴依、伯克的死对头，随时有被斩尽杀绝的危险，这帮强盗难道不知利害！” 玉娇龙默然了。她没料到老妇能说出这番话来，而这点却是她未曾想到的。她略感羞愧之余，不由对自己的明敏也有些疑虑起来。她突然感到自己已不及过去聪慧机敏，这兴许是由于过分的疲累以及过多的煎熬所致，这使她越更觉得自己急需寻个安静所在，住下来好好养息养息。于是她又问老妇道：“布达旺老爹和达美现在何处？大娘可知道他们的下落？” 老妇将玉娇龙带到门外，指着村北远远一排山脉，说道：“就在那排山的那边，是一片望不到边的草原。布达旺老爹带着达美到那草原上去了。你要找达美，就到那草原上找去，他们准在那儿。” 玉娇龙凝望着那排山脉，遐想神驰。她眼前出现了碧绿无涯的草原，放任无羁的骏马，温暖恬静的帐篷，逍遥无拘的生活，虔诚机警的布达旺老爹，纯真善良的达美…… 这一切都在召唤着她，这一切都勾起她深沉的怀念，她真想立即跨上大黑马，越过高山，向草原驰去。