Between the vast sea of ​​clouds

Chapter 116

"You shouldn't be here."

After coming out of the desert, I walked southward for another three days. Because I had horses, I was able to travel very fast. The sand was left behind in a distant place, leaving only a dim yellow line.

This road is sparsely populated, the land is barren, full of tall weeds, perhaps because of the end of autumn, even cattle and sheep have never been seen.Presumably, in order to avoid chasing soldiers, they had to take a detour.It wasn't until evening that they stopped walking and rested temporarily at a place near the river.

They rested in the grass and let the horses graze.Not far away is the river, the water glistening in the setting sun, rushing carefree into the distance.

Wu Ying added some firewood to it, watched the flames greedily licking the wood, and whispered: "Then where should I be?"

Qingping tied up his hair, Xirong people like to let it loose, and then decorated it with gold ornaments.She buried the useless gold in the soil, gathered up her clothes, and said, "You should go back to Chang'an."

She repeated: "You should go back to Chang'an. If you didn't come here, you have already arrived in Chang'an to report on your work."

With a soft snap, Wu Ying broke a branch, she threw it into the fire, shook her head and said, "Go back?"

"How to go back?" She suddenly became angry, stood up and pointed at Qingping and said, "You want me to watch you go back like this? Pretend you don't know anything, don't see anything?"

Angrily, Wu Ying brushed aside the grass, circled around the grass a few times as if venting, and came back to sit down when her anger subsided.She looked at the calm profile of the person in front of her, and never felt so far away from her.They had been close friends, but now, she felt nothing but indifference and rejection in her.

Before she could speak, Qingping said: "Do you know what happened after the mission came to Xirong?"

Wu Ying's lips moved and she shook her head.

Qingping watched the sun sinking into the horizon again, the sky was shrouded in night, and the endless field was like a huge green carpet, she said: "We didn't know until we left Juning Pass and went to Erlan Grassland. human territory."

The Irish grassland after the heavy rain is so beautiful, the air is still sober after the heavy rain, the horses’ hoofs step into the fluffy and soft moist soil, the plump and juicy pasture makes the horses never stop chewing, and the mission enters the In this vast grassland.Since the Erlan grassland was ceded to Xirong 300 years ago, the number of cavalry in the country has been greatly reduced. There is only one reason. The grassland and river valleys that domesticated war horses have been lost. The supply of horses is in short supply. Many cavalry were forced to turn into scouts. Cavalry without horses, It is no longer possible to show the bravery and heroism of fighting on horseback.

In this way, when they came to this former homeland, the complex emotions in their hearts were hard to express for a while.

The mission that was supposed to be led by King Xin changed people halfway, but no one said anything.Although Xi Rong called for a prince to go to the royal court in person, the accompanying officials did not think that the court would really send a prince to such a dangerous place.After walking for half a month, the fact that the Xingyuan is empty has become a tacit secret between each other.

No one would expose all of this, and everyone remained silent.Ding Qian, a servant Qingping had met in the Ministry of Rites, was in this mission. She was the leader of the mission. Because she was of the same rank as Qingping, they always felt a little awkward when they met.

Qingping understood that she was originally the leader of the mission, but at this time a younger official of the same level came out, so it was inevitable that she would be restrained in her actions.Therefore, she always avoids the newly appointed Master Attendant, and never criticizes her orders.This made Ding Qian secretly heave a sigh of relief, and treated her more politely, instead of berating her casually like subordinate officials.

There were six officials accompanying them, and they carried a large number of treasures. There were three carriages transporting them, and there were more than one hundred guards, and they moved towards the depths of the grassland.

After crossing the Kuoran Grassland, they heard the news that Yuehe River had become the territory of Xirong, which made the faces of several adults a little ugly.

It's not that when it's time for survival, but even the land is given up, Qingping thought silently, is there anything more shameful than this?Presumably when they went back, when they passed the Moon River, what they saw was like Erlan Grassland, with tents of Xirong people everywhere.

Xirong, what kind of country is this?Qingping only remembers a few sentences in the book. The history about Qianhui's family entering the customs from Yunzhou and almost entering Chang'an a hundred years ago has become an unspeakable past in a certain sense. The peace of the world will eventually be shattered one day.

I don’t know if His Majesty, who devotes herself to practicing in Chang’an and praying for the country, will be able to move the gods with her sincere heart and let the Xirong people retreat when the iron cavalry of Xirong step into Hengzhou again and approach the city of Chang’an.She was thinking so rebelliously, in fact, since she entered the depths of the grassland, she seemed to have escaped from the invisible shackles, and even her thoughts became arrogant.

As far as the eye can see is grass, the herdsmen set up tents and made simple fences with branches and ropes to fence the surrounding area to declare that this is a private territory.The difference from Daiguo is that Xirong has many clans, large and small, each with its own territory. The Wang Ting is just a tool similar to an alliance to unite all the clans.

At first, clans were classified by blood, but now they are more distinguished by population, land, and troops owned. The strong have the right to speak, and naturally they can easily improve their status in the royal court.Therefore, there are often internal struggles within Xi Rong, and the various clans are fighting endlessly due to land and population, annexing small clans, and merging the land into their own clans to achieve the purpose of strengthening their power.

A hundred years ago, the Qianhui Clan was the dominant one, occupying the power of the royal court for a hundred years.However, after the first battle with Daiguo, its main force was defeated, and it declined for a time, and gradually became unable to control the royal court, which made the various clans want to replace it. This was another long struggle.During this period, Dai Guo took a breath, and it was only after the painstaking efforts of the emperors and courtiers of the three dynasties that he was able to recover.

Now that Xirong has been integrated internally, the division of territory among the various ethnic groups is clear, and it is not allowed to annex or slaughter other clans.The Golden Tent, which was originally thought to be destroyed, reappeared in front of the clan again, but after all, the Golden Tent was seriously injured and could not return to its previous status of being above the royal court, but because of its faith, it existed in its transcendent status On the grassland, the elders of the clan go to the golden tent every year to pay homage.

The day when the mission entered the royal court was early in the morning, and the blue tents were stationed along the mountains, which seemed to be continuous from a distance.The significance of this land to Xirong is equivalent to that of Chang'an in Hengzhou. In the royal court, they received grand hospitality.

Because it was summer, the banquet was held in an open space. They ate bloodshot beef and drank kumiss. The officials present only slightly touched their lips, and the things in front of them did not move much.

The atmosphere seems harmonious, but in fact there are ups and downs, and crises are everywhere.Surrounded by hostile eyes, Ding Qian revealed the meaning of the peace talks to Li Dan, the patriarch of the Mengqi tribe, who is in power in the royal court. Her Xirong language is good. Li Dan smiled, and after listening to her request, he said: "Your envoy came from afar, why don't you see more of Xirong's scenery? There will definitely be a peace talk, but before we do it again, let us, the royal court, do our best as hosts and treat you well."

Ding Qian had to drink several bowls of strong wine, and was helped to rest in the tent.

After she retired, the whole regiment was headed by Qingping, Lidan laughed and asked in Xirong language: "Your envoy doesn't seem to like our hospitality, is that so?"

Qingping raised the wine bowl and toasted her a glass of wine. On the way here, she learned some Xirong etiquette, but she looked a little decent.There was an unknown meaning in Li Dan's eyes, and she said coldly with a woman in blue robe, "Li Dan is so polite, they are here as guests, not as hosts!"

She spoke the language of the country of Dai. Although the pronunciation was blunt, it was clear enough for Qingping to hear clearly. She then said: "Xirong is rich and powerful, and the mission has seen it all the way. It must be under your governance that it can be so orderly." Orderly. If you want to come to the royal court to rule hundreds of clans, you should also know etiquette. It is precisely because of this that my majesty is willing to be friends with Xirong forever. Are you right, Lord Lidan?"

Li Dan smiled slightly, and said to the person who just spoke: "He Chang, why don't you apologize to your envoy soon?"

Qingping knew in her heart that it turned out to be He Chang, the patriarch of the Qianhui clan. She had heard about it for a long time.It's just that she looks a little too young, which Qingping never thought of.

Naturally, she couldn't let such a person come to make amends, so she could only say: "It's the official who made a mistake in his words, let's punish himself first."

The dinner passed like this. On the second day, they waited for the peace agreement from the royal court, so on the third day and the fourth day... Seven days passed, but there was no one, and their tent was guarded by soldiers , no one can get out.

Everyone's heart sank, and they all knew that the worst situation had happened, and they were placed under house arrest.

If you can't get the peace agreement, you can't go back to China.Ding Qian asked the royal court for instructions to go to the golden tent to pay homage. This was unexpected by the royal court. They were only allowed three people to go to the royal court. Hearing that the representative delegation arrived at the Golden Tent territory, they came out to greet them.

Ding Qian thought that the Jinzhang and the Wang Ting were at odds, and she should take this opportunity to threaten the Wang Ting and get the peace agreement as soon as possible.

But Qingping is different from her, she thinks in Chang'an which is farther away, the situation there is far more complicated than here, if there is civil strife in Chang'an at this critical moment, it is simply unimaginable.

Get the life pill as soon as possible.

What was thought to be a hugely risky and difficult task turned out to be surprisingly smooth.After they arrived at the golden tent, Wang Ting sent someone to send a peace agreement.In the middle of a certain night, insects rang incessantly in the tent, Bi Shu sent someone to bring life pills, this sacred object that was rumored to be able to live and die, and the flesh and bones were really extraordinary, the pearls were like fire, and the tent was full of red light. Like the purest fire, it contains extremely bright power.

Then they left the Golden Tent, and it was only after a long time that she realized that the place they arrived at first was not the Golden Tent, the real Golden Tent was not even allowed to enter by the royal court, only the clan with the most noble bloodlines and status thousands of years ago , in order to obtain permission to visit.In most cases, everyone can only stop in a distant place, and can't even see the corner of the golden tent.

Everything went too smoothly, Ding Qian was immersed in great joy, but Qing Ping felt a little uneasy, Wang Ting's attitude was so ambiguous, she had never seen any of those peacemakers.

She didn't know what happened. Ding Qian made a decision to take a detour on the way back to the royal court from the golden tent, and go directly through the Xioran grassland.

Qingping understood what she meant. In fact, they all had a hidden worry in their hearts. Are those officials who were detained in the royal court really still there?

The top priority is to send the peace agreement back to Yunzhou. When they arrived in the middle of the Irish grassland, another official suddenly discovered a problem.

What was signed on the peace agreement was not the meaning of Wang Ting in Xirong language, but only Li Dan's name. Among the many seals, there was only one big seal missing, which was Wang Ting and Jin Zhang a hundred years ago. A seal made when the Communist Party was in power can exercise power on behalf of the Xirong clans. It should be painted with the golden seal of the god statue, which must be used in the national book.But they didn't have this one in their hands.

Doesn't this mean that this peace agreement is nothing more than a dead letter, even if it is brought back to the country, it will not have any effect.At this time, they only need to go a little further south to reach the edge of the Erlan grassland. Although this document is useless, at least the three of them can return to their homeland intact.

But at this time, Ding Qian made a decision. She wanted to return to the royal court and bring out the detained officials. She said: "I brought them into Xirong, and I should take them away. Sifang, don't disgrace the sacred order, this is my duty, you go back with this thing, tell the court that a war with Xirong is inevitable, they have no intention of peace talks, just take this opportunity Just annex Moon River!"

Seeing the back of her riding away alone, everyone was silent.

During the few days of their return, they were repeatedly ambushed, and only seven of the 50-member escort group remained. They finally understood that no one could leave Xirong, which was premeditated in itself.

Those sharp swords flying arrows from the dense grass, as well as the elusive ambushes, started the thrilling escape on this grassland.The Xirong people seem to be playing games before catching prey, driving them to an unknown place.

They finally reached the edge of the Erlan grassland, and the collapsed city of the Moon River is close at hand. As long as they work harder, work harder...they can see the shadow of Juning Pass, and the people accompanying them continue to die. There is nothing more powerless than this.

Perhaps it was because they were tired of chasing prey, or because of more cruel and happy tortures. They were arrested before they left Juning Pass. As expected, Xirong had set up defense lines near the Moon River. The homeland was close at hand, but they could no longer take a step closer. .

The fire gradually extinguished, and the moon was already in the sky. Wu Ying rubbed her numb arms and said, "I didn't hear such rumors when I left. I think I turned back halfway, so I didn't hear about it."

Qingping only said to her: "You shouldn't come back, there's nothing wrong with going forward."

Wu Ying bit her lower lip, finally let out a long sigh, and said, "But I'm already here."

After she finished speaking, she also felt very depressed. She didn't know what happened to Qingping, and she was as unapproachable as ice.She didn't want to ask any more questions, and she didn't even want to think about it, so she said: "You should rest early, I'm going to sleep."

Qingping looked at her from a distance, and then drank water to moisten his dry throat.In fact, she didn't tell the truth, she concealed something from Wu Ying.

There was another rustling sound from the grass, she picked up the saber vigilantly, squinted her eyes and looked at the grass, it turned out that Wu Ying turned back halfway, and she put something into her arms.

Wu Ying said: "It should be yours. I saw someone selling it at the market."

After she finished speaking, she left without noticing the slight change in Qingping's calm face.

There are two jade pendants in the cloth bag, but they belong to her.She picked up the strangely shaped jade ring, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

Before Juning Pass, she met the person who connected her. She handed the things to that person. Even though she kept it in her waist day and night, in the increasingly difficult escape, a corner of that small silver box was inevitably damaged. , she touched the sunken part of the box, and said: "Xi Rong will definitely attack the city, the peace agreement is false, and Yunzhou cannot fall."

The man said: "Your Highness has already made arrangements, since your lord has arrived here, you can get away."

At that time, she said: "I can't go. The mission is one branch. Even if they want to go back, they should go together from Juning Pass instead of me alone. If I leave, Xirong will have an excuse to send troops to fight. The current situation in Chang'an Don’t know, don’t take the risk.”

The man remained silent and left with his things.She went back just like that, and finally stopped in front of Juning Pass.

They were besieged in the Moon River, the spears were sharp, and the archers surrounded them, and she had already been shot by an arrow.Suddenly the crowd parted, and a person in a moon white robe appeared in front of her.

"If I were you, I wouldn't be so persistent," Bi Shu said, "Waquan is much better than broken jade. It's better to learn from the predecessors and be a sensible person. There is nothing wrong with it."

She held a short staff studded with pearls and jade, and signaled the archer to back off, Qingping stared at her closely.Bi Shu looked at her with some pity and some sarcasm, and said: "Master Ding of your country has switched to the royal court and presented a confidential item, and now he is a member of our Xirong."

So it turned out that Ding Qian had actually committed treason.

Her hand holding the sword seemed to weigh a thousand catties. Those ridiculous courage, thoughts, and those who died with hope were finally wiped out in front of the cold reality.

She withdrew her thoughts, the fire had been extinguished, and only a little ashes remained, which was blown gently by the night wind and disappeared.

She slowly closed her eyes.

The author has something to say: probably rounded up to [-]!Good start!ok~