Chapter 492 Chapter 6: Bank of the Songhua River

After a five-day journey, the three of them drove more than forty excellent war horses snatched back from Khitan horse thieves, left the prairie, and entered a mountainous area with great changes. , deep in the shade of the forest, there is a clear stream, and occasionally you can see the flat grass, and the sound of the trees under the spring breeze is refreshing. Kou Zhong smiled and said, "I only now understand why the ethnic groups in the prairie are so aggressive." Ba Fenghan frowned and said, "Don't kill a boatload of people with a penny. There are many peace-loving peoples on the prairie, they don't fight with the world."

Kou Zhong said solemnly: "This is not a malicious criticism, please tell me, brother, is it a weaker grassland nation that just wants to keep herds in peace with the world?" Ba Fenghan was speechless, and said with a wry smile: "Probably so." Xu Ziling said: "Young commander, what do you really understand?" Kou Zhongdao: "When first arriving in the prairie, everyone will be shocked by the magnificent scenery of the prairie, but after getting used to it, it will be a bit monotonous, and there is a kind of galloping on the horse, going straight to the end of the world, and see what changes will happen Like now when we come to the mountains in the northeast, the feeling is very fresh, and the desire to continue pursuing is ignited. What I call aggressiveness is developed from this tendency. Especially like Xieli, the hand With a force of more than 100,000, it is natural to want to see this tide-like army sweeping the world. Therefore, since ancient times, the overlords of the grasslands have expanded to the world outside the grasslands. The south is our middle land, and the west is Persia. , Tucharia, Dashi and other countries. Tianzhu is safe because it is blocked by high mountains that cannot be crossed by horses. To the north is a barren land that is frozen all year round, and it is not suitable for soldiers."

Ba Fenghan said: "Your analysis is quite thorough. I would like to add a little bit. Since ancient times, nomads have developed the characteristic of living by water and grass. They have spent their whole lives looking for places that are rich and richer in life. Or it is based on this characteristic. , so they kept on invading the lands of other tribes. We are good at attacking, and you are good at defending, that’s how the Great Wall came about.” The mountain changes, and after passing through a deep valley between the two mountains, the eyes are wide open, the grassland is endless under the long slope, the forest is vast, and the earthen camp tents are hidden in the grass waves. There are not only fields of green trees, spring wheat, and flax, but also large groups The grazing cattle show another kind of half-agriculture and half-pastoral life outside the prairie.Those mud houses are like earthen tents.

They have a wonderful feeling of returning to the world. Xu Ziling asked happily, "Which direction is the flower forest?" Ba Fenghan reined in his horse and looked into the distance. He pointed to the large lake lying leisurely in the mountains and forests in the distance to the north, and said, "That's Songhua Lake. After crossing the lake and walking for more than ten miles, there is the Songhua River. It is said that the water flows from Changbai Mountain to Come here, and form the Songhua River after converging with the Nen River.” The two looked at it with full eyesight. Songhua Lake stretches along the mountain, with twists and turns, fish eagles are busy flying on it, and the blue waves are full of blue waves, reflecting more than a dozen colorful tents on the lakeshore. The scenery is beautiful and refreshing. .

Although it is the end of spring, the weather is still cold.There are many kinds of trees in this area, such as sylvestris pine, red pine, larch and elm, which compete with each other, with mottled colors and brilliant splendor, which is almost a fairyland on earth. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling watched in amazement. Ba Fenghan continued: "Four or five miles along the Songhua River, there is a flower forest. Every area with convenient transportation and special affluence will have such a center for gathering and distributing people and goods. Everything will be handled according to the rules of the prairie."

Kou Zhongdao: "What are the rules of the prairie?" Ba Fenghan said with a chuckle: "The rule of the prairie is that each teacher has his own method, whether it is reindeer, tiger, bison, or wolf, each has its own way of survival. In the final analysis, the strong is king, and if you are not an opponent, you have to learn how to run fast point, or band together like wolves to fight and scare foreign enemies, does the young commander understand?" Kou Zhong laughed and replied, "I totally understand!" Ba Fenghan rode down the hillside and led the way. Hualin Collection is located on the south bank of the Songhua River. The river is wide and calm, and the hills are undulating in the collection area. The earthen houses in the form of Tongwan are scattered and wide for dozens of miles. You can see tents everywhere. The earthen houses are gray and yellow, and the densest places are near the river. It is the only street forming Hualin Collection.

There are more than a dozen rafts floating on the river, and the fishermen cast their nets to catch fish. People and horses come and go on the shore, and the lively place is not inferior to Yanyuanji.The three of them entered the market area, because they were driving more than forty saddled war horses, which attracted the attention of people from all ethnic groups, not to mention that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were dressed in rare Han clothes. Kou Zhong sighed, "It's really a place with a beautiful view, what kind of delicious fish are we going to eat later?" Ba Fenghan happily said: "You can choose from silver carp, crucian carp, carp, green scales, etc. My younger brother is only fond of green scales, the meat is extremely delicious, so I must relive the old dream."

Xu Ziling was always casual about eating and drinking, and cared about other things, so he asked: "We have brought so many horses, and they are unable to move around. Can we sell them immediately?" There were a large number of cattle and sheep ahead, and more than a dozen shepherds were rushing to the market in Jidong, blocking the road, forcing them to follow slowly. Ba Fenghan smiled wryly and said: "Frankly speaking, my younger brother has never done this kind of business, I just took it for granted that if it is sold at a low price in the market, it should be easy to sell."

Kou Zhong said enthusiastically: "The reason why we do this business is to make publicity. We can simply sell one horse for a penny, and it will definitely cause a sensation in the entire Hualin Collection." He asked again, "Where is the clothes maker?" Ba Fenghan said: "When you get to the main street, you need an iron shop and a clothes shop, but there is no place to live. People who come here have to prepare their own tents." He patted the horse's head and avoided the cattle , turn onto Main Street. There are several rows of irregular houses on the left and right sides. They are indeed various shops for people to shop. They are very lively. It seems that as long as you are willing to open the door, business will come in.

The avenue is spacious and open. The green grass turned into loess under the ravages of the horseshoe wheels. The horseshoes kicked up dust, and the whole street was as yellow as mist and smoke. It can hold thirty horses side by side, and the elm trees on both sides of the main street are lined up like umbrellas, and there are wooden sheds outside the earthen shops, and tables and chairs are placed in the sheds, and tired people can sit in them. Resting, the horse is tied to the wooden bar outside the shed. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling felt so fresh, they couldn't take their eyes off them, suddenly more than a dozen armed men with long hair and shawls rushed out from the side shed, blocking their way with unfriendly expressions.

The three of them were stunned, could it be that the enemy knew how to wait for them here after being well informed. One of the Chinese shouted with a halberd in Turkic language: "Where did you two horse thieves escape?" More than a dozen people pulled out their sabers at the same time, their movements were uniform, and they were definitely not a mob. Pedestrians on the street have long been accustomed to this kind of street fights, they only avoided a few, and gathered in the distance to watch the excitement. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling felt that Shi Wei Han who spoke was very familiar, but for a moment they couldn't remember where they had seen him before, and felt that there was something hidden about the way the men blocked the way. Ba Fenghan thought that the other party was standing up for the Khitan people, he felt strange, and said with a smile: "These horses belong to Hu Yanjin, when will it be your Shiwei's turn to stand up for him, if you don't go away, don't blame me, Ba Feng There is no mercy under the cold sword." Kou Zhong suddenly remembered that Shi Weihan who spoke was the one who slashed him before he met Xieli.Because I didn't take it to heart, I almost forgot about it. A burst of charming laughter came from the left shed, and he said in Turkic language: "Ba Fenghan, who is famous in the grassland, is mixed up with two Han dogs who steal horses, aren't you afraid of being ashamed?" The three of them looked in astonishment, and saw another table seated in the depths of the shed, five men and one woman, all from Shiwei. At this moment, they all left their seats and stood up, walking towards them. This Shu is only seventeen or eighteen years old, with shawl hair, and a sky-blue dress that fits her delicate body well, with a sleeveless waistcoat, a saber hanging on her waist, and a pair of long legs wrapped in leather trousers and The long riding boots are plump and well-proportioned, natural and lively, and the whole person has a healthy and graceful, soft and boneless posture, just like a cloud floating in the sky.There are more than a dozen colorful metal bracelets on the left arm, two long earrings under the earlobe, and a necklace made of colorful beads around the neck, which is attached to the plump breasts. The egg-shaped face is round, and under the cover of the black and clean hair, it looks even more icy, lively and beautiful, with big spring-like pure eyes full of autumn water. It should be a man who is looking forward to matching her, but at this time it is an inner man. Hiding murderous intent, her pretty face frosted. The three of them never thought that there was such a beautiful woman with fair skin and outstanding appearance in the Shiwei clan, and they were stunned for a while. The five men who followed her into the street clearly followed her to the right and left. Ba Fenghan came back to his senses, and asked in surprise: "What do you mean by what the girl said?" The beauty Shi Wei didn't look at Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, stared at Ba Fenghan and said, "What do you mean? Two little dogs stole my horse, they are horse thieves that everyone despises, do you still want to protect Ba Fenghan?" them." Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling stared at each other dumbfoundedly. Ba Fenghan slammed off his horse, and all the Wei people in the household immediately looked on guard, not daring to underestimate him. The beautiful woman Shi Wei was frightened by Ba Fenghan's Fengcai, her eyes showed admiration, and Xuan was replaced by evil spirit, pointing to Thousand Miles Dream and Wanli Ban straddled by Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, said: "These two are our horses. , can you still quibble?" The three of them were even more astonished. Ba Fenghan frowned and said, "These two horses were ridden here by my two Han brothers from Shanhai Pass, Miss, right?" The beauty Shi Wei said angrily: "I, Shi Li, never lie. If you don't believe me, you can see if there is my big Shi Wei's brand on their inner legs. It can't be removed." Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling felt uncomfortable, jumped off the horse, and at the same time probed into the horse's leg to check. Xu Ziling found the brand mark on Wanliban's right hind leg, and he cried out in pain, Kou Zhong poked his head in and said, "This time is very bad, it turns out that the eldest lady bought the stolen goods." Xu Ziling let out a long sigh, stood up straight, shrugged his shoulders to Ba Fenghan and nodded helplessly, and said with a wry smile: "Our horses are stolen by thieves!" Ba Fenghan felt a big headache, coughed dryly and said to Shi Li: "Hey, this must be a misunderstanding, my two brothers are not horse thieves, but just bought stolen goods by mistake. You can look at my face, Ba Fenghan, and take the horse The son will transfer them, and the girl will ask the price." Shi Lixian had a deep prejudice against the Han people, she showed a cute expression that only a ghost would believe them, she ignored Kou Xu and the two of them and said coldly: "My Dashi Wei's horses are not sold to Han dogs, it's because of you Ba Fenghan For the sake of this, they immediately return the horse and I promise not to pursue it, otherwise all the consequences will be borne by them.” Everyone on the street booed together, some even yelled and applauded, showing their dissatisfaction and hatred towards the Han people. These words are categorical, and there is no room for change. Kou Zhong saw that she said "Han dog" on the left and "Han dog" on the right, he was furious in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "What will the consequences be if you can order me? Please draw the line." He spoke in the most common fluent Turkic language in the prairie. Most people can understand it. If you don’t understand, you can ask someone who understands it. The noisy street quickly quieted down. Everyone wanted to see Da Shiwei’s Shili How will they deal with the two Han Chinese.Although everyone didn't know who Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were, but they were qualified to be Ba Fenghan's partners, and they were imposing and imposing, with the demeanor of a master, of course they would not be ordinary people. Xu Ziling hurriedly tugged on Kou Zhong's sleeve, and said in a low voice reproachfully: "Although it's not our fault, it's always our fault." Kou Zhongyu said angrily: "But she shouldn't be scolded by a dog, a dog, a dog, was I born to scold her?" Shili couldn't understand their Chinese, and crossed her hands, making her more charming with the colorful bracelets on her arms. With a sneer at the corner of her mouth, she said, "My future husband-in-law Belgunadai will be coming tonight. If you are a man, don't leave." Everyone was in an uproar. In the Songhua River valley, the prestige of Belegunathai and Budainatai in Mengwu Shiwei was more resounding than Ba ​​Fenghan. No wonder Shili didn't take Ba Fenghan seriously. After saying that, Shili turned around and led the people to leave. Xu Ziling said loudly: "Girl, please stay." Shili stopped, but turned around with disdain, and said coquettishly: "Speak up quickly, I don't have so much time to talk nonsense with people who hate life." Xu Ziling was not offended by her merciless insult, smiled at her fan and said: "This horse belongs to the girl, so let it return to the original owner." Everyone on the street burst into laughter, full of ridicule and contempt for Xu Ziling. They mistakenly thought that Xu Ziling was frightened when he heard the name of the Belgunatai brothers, so they immediately backed down, and their evaluation of Ba Fenghan was also greatly reduced. Ba Fenghan stood on the sidelines with a leisurely demeanor, unmoved by the applause all over the street. Kou Zhong whispered in Xu Ziling's ear: "This savage girl reminds me of Dong Shuni. She is beautiful, but she is unreasonable. Save your tongue!" Shili still didn't turn around, and said with a sneer, "I won't touch the horses that the Han dog has ridden on, so I'll leave them to be buried with you. Let's go!" "Princess Shili wait a minute!" Shili's delicate body trembled slightly, she turned around slowly, and looked at the place where the voice came from. In fact, everyone's eyes were also attracted by the speaker at this time. Hanging an inscrutable smile. This person is only in his twenties, but his eyes seem to have experienced vicissitudes and see through the world. This kind of contradictory contrast makes him exude a strange smell.His face was long and narrow, and his skin was as white and tender as a woman's. He couldn't be called handsome, but he always had an unusual charm. This was the first time Ba Fenghan and the others had met such a character, given their extensive experience. With just one glance, they could tell that this person's martial arts were by no means inferior to theirs. Shili said in a daze, "It's you again!" The man smiled and saluted and said, "It's me, Lie Xia. But the princess, please don't get me wrong! You didn't happen to meet me here, but I, Lie Xia, came here with the princess." Shi Li took him helplessly and said angrily: "Who wants you to come!" No one knew the relationship between the two. Lie Xia shrugged her shoulders and smiled wryly, with a chic and coquettish demeanor, she turned to Ba Fenghan and the three of them, and said salutingly, "I, Lie Xia, dare to pledge anything as a guarantee. These Han friends are definitely not stealing horses. The princess's news is too ill-informed." Unexpectedly, the young commanders Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, who are at the peak of power in China, have come to the grassland in person, and are still in Helianbao in the south of Tongwan City. Together with Brother Ba, Bodhisattva and 70 strong men, they are fighting against Xie Li and his golden wolf army Attacked until dawn, and then fought with Tuli to defeat Benlangyuan on the bank of the green river. Such a person, how can he be a horse thief." The street was suddenly so quiet that a needle could be heard falling, which shows how shocking these words were.In fact, the news of Jieli's defeat spread quickly to every corner of the prairie like a plague, but no one knew it in as much detail as Lie Xia. Shi Li's eyes showed unacceptable and unbelievable expressions, and for the first time looked at the two with God. Ba Fenghan and the others felt more and more that this person was unpredictable and couldn't figure out his background. Lie Xia walked out of the scaffolding with her hands behind her back, came to the side of the street between the two sides, and said softly to Shili: "If it weren't for them, Xieli's army might have drunk the horses in the Songhua River." Kou Zhong smiled wryly and said: "Brother Lie, praise, we are just lucky not to die!" Shi Li said angrily: "Whoever wants you, Lie Xia, to meddle in my affairs, if you pester me again, I will call someone to break your dog legs tonight." Lie Xia laughed and said, "Didn't you try to break my dog ​​legs many times. What's the difference tonight? Ah! I understand! Your sweetheart is here tonight!" Having said that, everyone knows that the people on Shili's side had fought against Lie Xia, but they couldn't do anything to him. The Shi Wei soldiers shouted in unison and drew their sabers out of their sheaths, but no one dared to take the lead, further affirming everyone's thoughts. Shili's pretty face turned pale with anger, she stomped her feet and said angrily, "Let's go!" Without looking at Ba Fenghan and waiting for a second, he angrily led his men away. Lie Xia shook her head and sighed bitterly, then put on a smile, and said to the three of them: "The fish here is very famous, why don't I let my younger brother be a little host and clean up the dust for the three of you?" It is actually Chinese with correct accent and round accent.