The Tianshan Mountains dominate the north of Gaochang, Yanqi and Qiuci, running from northwest to southeast, traversing the vast territory including Tuqi Shi, Uighur and Turks, forming a complex and changeable terrain, which also serves as a separation and natural barrier for various countries.
Deserts, oases, grasslands, and hills are adjacent to each other, with rivers and streams running through them, and lakes dotted around them. It has become a place where nomadic peoples of all sizes live and compete. This has been the case since ancient times and it has not changed to this day.
The Tianshan Mountains span more than 3,000 miles to the north of Taklamakan and are more than 300 miles wide. They are composed of several series of folded and faulted mountains, forming many subsided mountain basins and deep valleys. The mountains are densely covered with glaciers, and dense spruce forests grow on the north slopes.
In the south, where Kucha and other countries are located, there are patches of mountainous grasslands.
The road from Qiuci to Suiye City is not easy. You have to go west along the foot of Tianshan Mountain, cross the tributary of Qiuci River, and after arriving at the east bank of Biaguan River, turn north along the river, cross the mountainous area, and then walk northwest.
Until you reach Atami, the largest lake in the area. Suiye Castle is more than a hundred miles northwest of Atami.
The Wilderness Dancer leads the dragon eagle and rides on the grassland. This large area of valleys and plains is surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Tianshan Mountains in the north. The trees are lush, the grass is green, the pine towers point to the blue sky, and herdsmen's tents and cattle and sheep are scattered here and there.
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Long Ying was at a loss as to where Wilderness Dance was going to take him, and this place was his territory, so of course he trusted his opinion. In this vast and complex area, looking for a group of thousands of horse thieves was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
None of them are of any use.
At dusk, we came to the east bank of a river. This place is already a mountainous area at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, with undulating hills. The river comes from the valley of the Tianshan Mountains. When the sun sets and the sunset first appears, the river water reflects a golden color, which is very special.
charming.
Looking at the rolling water, Long Ying admired: "After the journey through Taklimakan, I was ecstatic when I saw the water. Such rapid water contains extraordinary abilities that can fight drought."
Wasteland Dance pointed to the ice peaks in the north and said: "You haven't seen the cold winter here yet. It's early spring. The spring sun melts the snow on the glaciers, and the snow water flows from the mountains through the gorges and valleys from the north, causing the grassland and mountains to change.
The large and small rivers are coming back to life, and the grasslands are waking up from their slumber. Flowers are blooming everywhere, and they are full of life. Midsummer is our happiest time, and the water of the Khotan River re-enters the desert and flows into the Tarim River."
Long Ying thought that he must rush back to the plateau through the green shortcut when the Khotan River flows again, otherwise he would not be able to see his child emerge from the body of his beloved woman. He asked: "Where are we going?
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Huang Yuan Wu said: "To grasp Bian Ao's whereabouts, it is impossible for the two of us to do it. We must ask for help from capable people. Come on!"
The two rode north and entered the mountainous area. At this time, the sky was getting darker and it became more and more difficult to walk. The two led the horse and walked. Fortunately, the wilderness dance was an old horse who knew the way in this area, and the moon illuminated the road. Before midnight,
, and finally arrived at a river valley hidden deep in the mountains.
Before reaching the entrance of the valley, a sharp whistle came from high up, and the Wilderness Dancer stopped. He whistled with his lips licked. This boy is indeed a good singer and dancer, and his whistle is more pleasant to the ears than others.
Suddenly, a black shadow fell from the sky, and after landing on the ground, it turned into a human form. It turned out to be a young man wearing a hunter's costume. When he saw Wilderness Dance, he rushed forward to hug him without hesitation.
The two talked affectionately in Qiuci dialect, but Long Ying couldn't understand a single sentence. All he knew was that the two met happily, and they obviously had a close and good relationship.
Wilderness Dance introduced the two of them again, speaking in Turkic dialect. This young man belongs to the Tianshan tribe. This tribe is scattered in the Tianshan mountainous area and makes a living by hunting. They are all excellent hunters. All of them have extraordinary skills. Only then did Longying understand
Why did Wilderness Dance bring him here?
A boy named Dada has great abilities and is one of the most outstanding hunters of the Tianshan tribe. It is his turn to be on duty tonight. His Turkic language is not very good, and he spoke to Long Ying wordlessly, but to the two of them
The enthusiasm is unquestionable.
Their visit caused nearly two hundred people in the valley to wake up from their sleep. They did not set up camps, but built houses on big trees, which opened Long Ying's eyes.
With a warm welcome, the clan leader welcomed them into his tree house. The clan leader's name was Kalingading. Although he was over forty years old, he was still strong and agile.
From below, the tree house seems very small, but after entering the house, we realize that it is quite spacious. The bedroom and guest room are separated by cloth tents. The patriarch Kalinga Ding has two wives, both in their thirties.
The body is fit and well-defined, which is eye-catching.
After introducing Long Ying, Kaling Jiading and Huangyuan Wu talked in Qiuci language. Long Ying sat on the soft mat with his back against the wall of the house, leisurely drinking tea with a bit of sweetness and bitterness, and enjoying the moving feeling of being in a tree house.
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After talking for a while, Huangyuanwu said to Longying: "The patriarch also received the news that Bian Ao was massacring the village in Gaochang and expressed great indignation."
Long Ying was surprised: "They seem to have nothing to do with the world, how can they know what is happening outside?"
Huang Yuan Wu said: "They really have nothing to do with the world, because no one dares to go to the mountainous area to provoke them. Due to Shen Shichan's tyranny, they will never touch the women of the Tianshan tribe, for fear of creating a strong enemy for Tu Qishi.
But when it comes to being well-informed, nothing about the mountainous grassland covering hundreds of miles around is kept secret from them. They can go hunting for several months at a time and as far away as thousands of miles away. In addition, there are more than a hundred tribes of the Tianshan people.
Sporadic and widespread in the Tianshan area, everyone exchanges news, so you can imagine that they have a lot of ears and eyes. Now you should understand why I spent two days and still came to find them."
While the two were talking, the patriarch and his wife, who were sitting on both sides of him, were looking at Long Ying intently, and he could not help but give them a gentle smile.
Long Ying said happily: "Are they willing to help?"
Huang Yuan Wu first explained to the clan leader what he and Long Ying were talking about in Chinese. When the clan leader showed a proud look, it was obvious that Huang Yuan Wu's flattering skills were not inferior to his swordsmanship, and then he said to Long Ying: "They don't think highly of the Han people, so they don't
I didn’t trust you, but it wasn’t until I told you that you were Dragon Eagle that my view of you completely changed.”
Long Ying was shocked and said: "He actually knows that there is a person like me!"
Huang Yuanwu said angrily: "They say they are well-informed! Do you know how famous your name is now? In the towns, it is known from street to street, but here it is spread throughout the mountains, forests and grasslands. The clan leader also wants to see your archery skills.
You'd better find a time to perform before you leave tomorrow morning."
Then he said: "Originally they never interfere in external affairs, and I still can't persuade them due to my relationship with them. However, because of the massacre of the village, they aroused their indignation and decided to do their best to help us. This time Bian Ao
It’s hard to fly with wings.”
He also explained to the clan leader what he had said.
After hearing this, the patriarch said something else.
Huang Yuan Wu translated: "The chief pointed out that Bian Ao's most powerful tactic is the tactic of coming and going like the wind and appearing and disappearing. If you come here to snatch the sky stone this time, it will be the first time someone predicts Xingzang. It must be because of his many evil deeds.
Punished by the mountain god."
Wasteland Dance discussed the details of cooperation with the clan leader. The clan leader made a blessing gesture to them and retreated to the bedroom behind the tent.
Huang Yuan Wu turned off the oil lamp and said, "Go to sleep! There's still a while before dawn."
Long Ying said in astonishment: "Just sleep here?"
Huang Yuanwu said: "Otherwise, you will sleep under the tree, but the clan leader will definitely not be happy. I am not sleepy either. Come, let me take you to a good place where you can watch the beautiful sunrise of Tianshan Mountain."
The two climbed up a nearby high cliff facing the east. Under the slanting moonlight, the snow-capped mountains meandering in the distance behind, the mountains and fields spread out endlessly at the foot of the cliff, with secluded forests and ravines, spruce and pine towers, snow lotuses, and wild roses.
, refreshing.
Wilderness Dance took a deep breath in the mountain wind, pointed to Qiuci, which was invisible in the distance, and said: "The Tianshan Mountains block the cold wind from the north. Although our country is connected to Taklimakan in the south, fortunately, the Tarim River serves as a natural barrier.
The original and dense Populus euphratica forest blocks the wind and sand blown by the Great Sand Sea, and irrigates our oasis grassland. The water source is sufficient and uninterrupted all year round, forming a fertile plain. It is uniquely endowed outside the region and is larger than the Great Sand Sea and the north of the Kunlun Mountains.
All countries have superior natural conditions."
Long Ying thought that because of this, Qiuci has become a big fat target among the contenders, and is the first to bear the brunt. No wonder the two brothers and sisters can't help but work hard for this, just to protect their homeland. Without this goal, they
I wonder what kind of people their unique personalities will turn them into? Without any reason, he will try his best to maintain the peace and tranquility of the beautiful pure land on earth. Anyone's struggle is a desecration of this sacred land.
Huang Yuan Wu pointed to the south again and said: "There is a Princess Peak there, which is named after a sad legend. A long time ago, a beautiful princess from the Yanqi Kingdom died in love there."
A strange feeling surged in Long Ying's heart. Every nation has its own fascinating legends and beliefs. How great would it be if it could be like what Laozi Li Er described: "a small country with few people, and the people will not interact with each other until they grow old and die"?
The touching voice of Wasteland Dance continued to reach his ears, saying: "The Kongque River flows near Princess Peak. There is a steep canyon nearly twenty miles long where it flows upstream. It is the main way to enter the Great Sand Sea.
Kongdao. During the Jin Dynasty of your country, the Iron Gate Pass was built here. The pass has steep cliffs, narrow cliffs and deep valleys, making the situation dangerous."
Long Ying was speechless after hearing this.
The night wind blew gusts, and their clothes were fluttering.
Seeing that he didn't answer, Huangyuanwu asked, "What is Master Ying thinking?"
Long Ying let out a breath and said: "I'm thinking that if there was no war, if there were no pass fortresses where you defend me and I defend you, the world would become a pure land."
I can't help but think of the Immortal Gate. After leaving through this exit, can I leave behind all the worries and disputes?
Wasteland Dance thought about what he said for a while, and then said: "We brothers and sisters understand the horror of war best. Overnight, everything changed and became beyond recognition. Everything we were familiar with was gone, and the people we knew became different."
I don’t know each other anymore, today has become the scariest day, and I have no expectations for tomorrow.”
Long Ying said: "The war has hit you hard."
Huang Yuan Wu said: "It's not very big, but it will never be forgotten. It still affects us until this moment. Fortunately you are here."
Long Ying looked at him in astonishment and cast a questioning look.