Ji Tang

Chapter 1033 Snowland and Yazhou

On the snowy plateau, a team is marching against the storm on a valley path.There were about 600 people in the team, but they were miles apart on the narrow mountain road.

This is a mountain road that exists on a cliff. Above are towering snow-covered mountains, and below is a glacier canyon that can't be seen to the bottom at a glance.The mountain road is winding and winding, and the widest point can only accommodate five people walking side by side.At this time, the strong wind mixed with ice and snow was like ice shards hitting the face.Everyone wears curtain hats and thick hats made of animal skins on their heads.Wearing a fur coat, boots made of fine fur, and gloves with five separate fingers on his hands, it can be said that he is armed to the teeth.

Only his eyes were left, but he didn't dare to look straight ahead for a long time.

Wang Xuance and Ji Xiancheng were leading the way. Even though they were accomplished in martial arts, they were still shivering from the cold!
They never expected that they would be caught in the annual snowstorm after just one day of delay.This mountain road is the nearest passage to Niboluo. As long as you pass through this mountain road, you can directly reach Niboluo at the southern foot of the snowy area.After that, whether you go south or west, you can quickly reach Shendu territory.

"Your Majesty, it's time for us to rest."

A middle-aged man wearing Tubo costume said loudly, because the rapid storm could not hear what the other party said unless it was louder.

"It will be dark soon. If we can't find a place to stay before dark, we will just be frozen into popsicles tonight."

He is Nairi, the guide sent by Songtsen Gampo, and he knows very well about this mountain road!
"No, how long has it been? There are still at least two hours before dark. Isn't it too early to stop now?"

Wang Xuance shouted loudly.

"Your Majesty doesn't know that the sunset on the mountain road is very early, and there is a storm, so we'd better make plans in advance."

After hearing Nairi's explanation, Wang Xuance also realized that the sun sets earlier in the mountains than outside.He looked at the towering snowy mountains above him. He was afraid that darkness would come earlier than he thought.

"But how are we going to find a place to stay now? The storm is too big! We can't see clearly!"

Ji Xiancheng took a hard look at his surroundings. The storm blocked his sight and he couldn't see anything more than five feet away.

"Everyone, follow me. I have walked this mountain road many times, and I can find it even with my eyes closed."

Although Nori's expression cannot be seen, it is not difficult to guess that he must be extremely proud at this time.

Wang Xuance and Ji Xiancheng looked at each other and saw Wang Xuance shouting behind them: "Everyone, please work harder and follow us. We will find a place to avoid the storm soon."

The personal guards also passed it back. After hearing this, everyone quickly cheered up and continued to move forward.

After about half an hour, the sky gradually became dark, just when everyone was about to despair.Nairi said in surprise: "Look, we're here!"

It was another half hour, but now everyone entered a cave.

Wang Xuance did not expect that there would be such a huge cave in the mountain road, and it seemed to be naturally formed.It is not difficult to see that this cave has a long history and there are traces of water erosion.Maybe this was an underground river many years ago!
The entrance to the cave is extremely secretive. If they weren't led by a familiar person, they might not be able to find it even if they pass by.The entrance is only about one foot, but there is a cave inside.Not only does it have ventilation holes, it is also dry and flat enough to accommodate thousands of people at the same time!
What’s even more surprising is that there are a lot of dry materials here.You must know that on this snowy plateau, there is of course no shortage of water, but it is difficult to find something green.

"This is left by the passing caravans. Every time the caravans cross the mountain road, they will prepare some dry materials in advance, just in case. I don't know when it started. Now it has become a convention. rule."

Ji Xiancheng sighed after hearing this: "This is similar to the teacher's hometown rules, except that one is man-made and the other is spontaneous. No wonder the teacher said that the rules formed spontaneously in the world are the most reliable rules, because they are very important to everyone. It is beneficial to most people, and everyone is willing to support it spontaneously.”

"Why didn't you tell us before we set off? We used the dry materials here but didn't replenish them. Isn't this breaking the rules? What if someone comes without dry materials?"

Facing Ji Xiancheng's question, Nairi smiled and said: "Don't worry, your Majesty, no one will come until the next spring because of the storm. In other words, we will be the last group of people to pass the mountain road. And after the spring We no longer need so much dry wood. When I get to Niboluo, I will talk to the caravan there and pay a sum of money. They will replenish the dry wood when they come here next year."

"After all, you brought too many things and abandoned the carriage outside the mountain road!"

Wang Xuance said with relief: "It's okay, it's okay. If someone froze to death on this mountain road because of my fault, it shouldn't have happened."

At this time, everyone in the cave was exhausted, and many people crowded around the fire to keep warm and slept.However, a few people were left watching the fire to prevent the fire from going out or someone being unlucky enough to be accidentally burned by the fire.

"In fact, it is very dangerous to enter the mountain road now. I also warned you at the beginning, but"

Nairi was a little dissatisfied when he said this. After all, Wang Xuance and the others did something unethical by involving him in this dangerous situation.But if they wait, it will take at least half a year, and they can't afford to wait!

"This time I have paid my dues. When we get out of the mountain road, we agreed that the reward will be doubled!"

When he heard that the salary had been increased and doubled, Nairi immediately stopped complaining, rubbed his hands and said sheepishly: "That's so embarrassing, I'm also following orders."

"Hey, let's go one yard at a time. If you can find such a place for us, you deserve it. There is no need to refuse!"

"Thank you very much, your envoy."

Wang Xuance and Ji Xiancheng looked at each other and saw the smile in each other's eyes!

Ji Xiancheng couldn't sleep at this time. He came to the entrance of the cave and looked at the cold wind outside. The whistling sound was like the roar of a group of animals. He looked at the sky and worriedly asked: "I wonder how the falcon is doing? Have they ever found shelter in such weather?" The place?"

"Don't worry, with Xiao Wu taking care of them, they will be fine. They are the overlords of the sky, and this kind of weather can't deal with them."

Ji Xiancheng sighed: "I hope so!"

At this time, Wang Xuance also came over. Seeing that Nairi had fallen asleep, he gave Ji Xiancheng a look.The two of them immediately came to a place where no one could see them.

"You also read the letter the falcon brought back. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

Ji Xiancheng was stunned for a moment, but when he saw Wang Xuance's threatening eyes, he said speechlessly: "What do you want to do, you kid? We can't protect ourselves now. Even if something happens, we are beyond our reach!"

But Wang Xuance smiled mysteriously, took out the map in his hand and spread it on the ground.

"This. How did you get it?"

Ji Xiancheng didn't care at first, but when he saw the outline of the map above, he was shocked!

"Uncle Cheng's big foodie aunt sent someone here. I've been studying this map for the past few days. I didn't pay much attention to it at first. But look here." He pointed at a high mountain and said.

Gaoshan Ji Xiancheng knew that there was some logic in marking the location of the mud boluo in a conspicuous place on this snow-covered plateau of unknown size.

But after crossing the snow-covered plateau, he looked at where Wang Xuance was pointing.This is the southwest location of the snowy area. The painting here is obviously much simpler, but there is a river that caught his attention.

"Lancang River?"

After saying that, he felt incredible. Where is Lancang River?It is a large river in the south of Lingnan in the Tang Dynasty, leading directly to Jiaozhou.If this map is correct, then after passing through the snowy area and heading east, we can return to the Tang Dynasty?
What does this mean?This shows that they have found another land passage leading directly to Shendu.

"What do you think?"

Ji Xiancheng seemed to understand what he meant, but it was up to Wang Xuance himself to explain the details.

Wang Xuance smiled confidently and said: "Master is in a very bad situation right now. During this time, we have gained some understanding of the country of Dashi. This is a country that is not weaker than the Tang Dynasty, and sometimes even more united than the Tang Dynasty."

"Do you remember when we went south to build ships? We learned from those merchants? Most of those people came from Dashi. They have hundreds of years of maritime navigation experience, and their shipbuilding technology is not much worse than that of the Tang Dynasty. Where did we get it from the merchants? According to the news, Dashi’s country is constantly mobilizing warships to assemble towards the east.”

He looked solemnly and said: "What does this mean? It means that they are preparing to have a head-on confrontation with Datang on the sea. This is by no means a test, but a long-planned conspiracy!"

"The reason why the Pei family can develop so fast, I suspect that there is support from these people behind it. Now Dashi is intervening in the affairs of the Tang Dynasty in the name of the Pei family, and he is so well prepared. But what about the Tang Dynasty? How many warships can be assembled now? Therefore, Master is in extremely dangerous situation now, and we must not ignore it!"

"look!"

He pointed at the map and said: "Crossing the snowy area is Niboluo, and not far ahead is the sea, but it is close to Jiaozhou to the east. To the west, passing through Shendu, is the territory of Dashi. What do you think if we have one? Thousands of troops are making a big fuss in Dashi’s back garden, don’t you think it’s interesting?”

Ji Xiancheng stood up, pointed at Wang Xuance and said angrily: "Are you crazy? Do you know what you are talking about? An army of thousands of people? What role can an army of tens of thousands play on someone else's territory?"

"No, I don't agree, you are simply crazy!"

After saying that, he ignored Wang Xuance and left directly.

But Wang Xuance was not discouraged. He just smiled and shook his head. He cleaned up the map on the ground and murmured: "You can't help it. Sometimes people can't help themselves!"

"Let's go and see!"

There was no words for the whole night, and when everyone was still sleeping the next day, a loud roar filled with surprise came.

"It's stopped, the storm has stopped. Look, everyone, the storm has stopped!"

Wang Xuance stood up like a carp and hurriedly came outside the cave.There was no trace of the storm that blocked the sky yesterday.At this time, it was completely white outside, and the sun came out. The mountain road that was illuminated for a while was like a fairyland in a dream.so gorgeous!

"so beautiful!"

At this time Ji Xiancheng also walked out, and couldn't help but murmured when he saw the beautiful scenery outside.

"Look, I just said that yesterday, and the storm stopped today. Doesn't this mean that God is helping us? Why don't you think about it again?"

Wang Xuance approached Ji Xiancheng and whispered.

"Dream! Don't even think about it!"

He rolled his eyes, ignored him, turned around and organized everyone to pack their bags and get ready to hit the road.

The next journey was extremely smooth. With Nori leading the way, they could always find a sheltered place from the wind before dark.Or a cave, or a valley, or a depression.

Ji Xiancheng watched silently, and drew detailed pictures of every place he visited.These are experiences that cannot be bought with money, and maybe they can be used in the future.

Wang Xuance looked at it without asking, but there were more smiles on his face!
Finally, before the next storm came, they finally walked out of the mountain road.Looking at the lush grassland in front of them, they were fascinated for a moment.But other people didn't care about this. The soldiers ran towards the grassland yelling, as if they had been reborn.

Jiaozhou, Yazhou.

Originally this was just a small port, but since Mingzhou Port became more and more prosperous, it became a temporary foothold for the navy.In addition, the port here has a good terrain, and the governor of Yazhou is also discerning. He actually built a medium-sized port here specifically for passing ships to stop and replenish supplies.

Not to mention, this place has become really prosperous.Taxes are rising year by year, and I heard that the emperor has issued decrees and praised it several times.

The governor of Yazhou was Feng Zhidai, the second son of Feng Ang, the uncrowned king of Lingnan. In the fifth year of Wude, Feng Ang was conferred the title of Geng Guogong, the governor of Jingzhou, and the general manager of Gaozhou by Li Yuan in the fifth year of Wude.Its jurisdiction was the land of Guangzhou, Cangwu and Zhuya in later generations, and Yazhou was under its jurisdiction.

"When I see the Duke of the State of Xi, I feel that I am not welcomed from afar. I hope that the Duke of Xi will forgive me!"

Feng Zhidai placed his position very low, whether he was afraid or pretending.But at this time, they, the uncrowned king of Lingnan, were unwilling to offend Ji Song, who had a large number of soldiers.

When he came, his father Feng Ang had already told him to be careful with Ji Song. There were so many troops on this trip, no one knew what would happen. Don't let Ji Song catch them!
"Brother Feng, there is no need to be polite. I had some friendship with your father when we were in Chang'an, so we don't need to see each other outside!"

When Feng Zhidai heard this, he also smiled and said: "I have been famous for a long time, but I have not seen him for such a long time. It is a pity. When my father came back from Chang'an, he highly praised Duke Xi and said that there was a great master in the Tang Dynasty. My lord, it’s a blessing!”

"Haha, Mr. Feng is overly praised. How can I get such praise from Mr. Feng when I am idle? This time I was chased by His Majesty and had to go to the sea. This time I am on your territory, and I will cooperate with Brother Feng a lot. That’s it.”

Feng Zhidai said in panic: "Mr. Xi is overly worried. I am also the governor of Yazhou in the Tang Dynasty. I must obey the orders of the imperial court. When I came, my father also said that if I dared to hinder Gong Xi, my legs would have to be broken." !”

Ji Song smiled when he heard this, just listen to what he said, he would be a fool if he took it seriously!

(End of this chapter)