When it got dark, Ma Su went down the mountain and stopped at the foot of the mountain, hesitating.
Looking around, there is a faint light from the waning moon above, bright stars, a cool breeze blowing all around, and the huge Juyan Sea is shrouded in a curtain of light. Thousands of lights are reflected on the sparkling water, flickering on and off.
The sound of horse bells and dogs barking could be heard in the distance, making the night even more peaceful and quiet.
Ma Su knew that the nights in Hexi were very unsafe. Wild wolves from the northwest region often appeared. The Xianbei people usually closed their doors and windows once it got dark and stopped walking around at will.
Therefore, pitching a tent in the wild is a very risky behavior. The best way is to find a family to stay for one night and then go to see Bald-Faded Shoutian tomorrow.
While I was deep in thought, I heard a helpless cry of a child not far ahead.
Zhang Xiu lit a torch and took a closer look, and found two children. One was curled up on the ground crying, and the other was standing beside him with a look of helplessness.
The child squatting on the ground is about five or six years old, and the child standing on the ground is about eight or nine years old. Both of them have Xianbei people's unique sky-high buns on their heads. The older child is holding a short sword in his hand and is talking warmly.
Comfort children.
Hearing someone approaching, the two children looked up and were startled by the four people who suddenly appeared in front of them. The child stood up in a hurry and hid behind the older child, not daring to cry anymore.
"Which family are you children from? Why don't you go home so late?" Zhang Xiu asked angrily, trying to sound kind.
But his big, rough and fierce face and his burly and strong body made people even more frightened.
The two children were so frightened that they took two steps back, looked at him nervously, and did not dare to speak.
The older boy drew out his dagger and held it across his chest: "Don't come over here!"
"My sword is very sharp."
Zhang Xiu chuckled, not caring at all about such a threat, and walked over slowly, trying to slow down his voice: "You two kids, don't be afraid, I'm not a bad person."
The two children took another two steps back. The older child stared wide-eyed with a look of disbelief: "My grandfather said that love comes from the heart. You look so ferocious, you don't look like a good person!"
"You..." Zhang Xiu was speechless.
Why are you such a mouthy little brat?
If you are ugly, you have no human rights, right?
Believe it or not, I will beat you two brothers to death with one fist.
When Ma Su heard this, his heart moved and he gently poked the Qiang girl with his finger to signal her to come out.
The Qiang girl understood, took off her veil and stepped forward: "Little brother, where do you live?"
The two children took a closer look at the Qiang girl by the light of the torch, then looked at each other, and said in unison: "Sister, you are so beautiful, you must be a good person."
"My family lives by the lake in the west. It's too dark and we got lost. Can you take us back?"
What the hell are you... Zhang Xiu backed away angrily.
Ma Su and Zhao Yun looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
Speaking of this era, it is really an era of looking at faces. Even for such a young child, the three senses follow the facial features.
The Qiang girl smiled, stretched out her hand and touched the faces of the two children, and noticed that the elder child actually had a golden knife in his hand. By the light of the torch, he could vaguely see the word "tree" written on it.
"Is your name Shu?" she asked softly.
The eldest child nodded: "My name is Bald Tree Function."
Bald tree function?!
Ma Su quickly took over the conversation: "Your father...oh no, your grandfather's name was Bald Shoutian."
The eldest child, Bald Tree Function, was obviously taken aback. He looked at Ma Su nervously and said, "You guessed wrong. My grandfather's name is not Bald Shouchan."
"That's Tuobao Shoutian!" Ma Su was very sure.
Hearing this name, Bald Tree Function was shocked. He pointed his sword at Ma Di and asked, "Who are you?"
Ma Su waved his hand: "Don't worry about who I am. Your grandfather is the leader of the Bald Xianbei tribe?"
"I won't tell you!"
The bald tree showed a vigilant look, raised its head, and looked proud.
Ma Di pondered for a moment and winked at Qiang Nu, who took Bald Tree's functional little hand and said, "Little brother, can I take you home, please?"
"Okay." He nodded obediently, held the Qiang girl's hand tightly, and pointed to the northwest: "Sister, my family lives over there, I will take you there!"
After that, he grabbed the Qiang girl's hand and walked in that direction. The Qiang girl struggled slightly and found that her hand was tightly grasped and couldn't break free, so she had to keep up with his drag and move forward.
He didn't look like he was lost at all.
The three elders looked at each other and quickly raised their heels.
The atmosphere suddenly became a little strange.
After walking a short distance, Zhao Yun couldn't help but said: "Youchang, this child is not simple."
"I know." Ma Di nodded. That was the function of the Bald Tree, a man of great influence who stirred up the chaos in Liangzhou for ten years. How could it be simple?
At a young age, his conversation and behavior were different from ordinary people.
He is indeed the future hero of Xianbei.
You know how to flirt with women at such a young age...
My woman is so easy to take advantage of.
There's a price to pay, kid!
Ma Su thought secretly.
Everyone remained silent along the way, and soon arrived at the entrance of a huge courtyard.
The bald Shugeng took a deep breath, let go of the Qiang girl's hand, stepped forward and patted the door.
Immediately there were the sound of rapid footsteps in the yard, and then a deep voice came out: "Shuji function, are you back?"
"it's me."
"Oh, you're back. Your Majesty is very anxious and is about to go out to find you..." The man opened the door while nagging, and the first thing he saw was the veilless Qiang girl in the darkness.
There is a gentle breeze in the night, and the beauty's faint fragrance and sparse shadows are as real as an illusion.
The strong man was stunned for a moment, looked down at the two children standing in front of the Qiang girl, and asked in surprise: "Girl, who are you?"
After saying this, he seemed to feel that something was wrong, so he quickly added: "A distinguished guest is coming to the door, please hurry up and invite me inside!"
Then he opened both doors and bowed deeply to the Qiang girl: "Young lady, please escort my two nephews back. My father is already waiting in the living room."
After a pause, he introduced himself again: "Girl, I am Yuan Li, a bald man. I am twenty-five years old and not yet married..."
The bald Shuji looked at the strong man in surprise: "Second uncle, you..."
He wanted to say, "Second uncle, why are you so stupid?", but after thinking about it, he felt it was wrong, so he took his younger brother and ran in.
Only then did the strong man see Ma Su and the other three people not far away. He was slightly surprised and invited the four of them in with great enthusiasm.
Everyone filed in, and before they could reach the front hall, a middle-aged man in his forties came out and took everyone into the front hall.
"When a distinguished guest comes in, the bald Shouguan cannot welcome him from far away. It's rude and impolite. May I ask who you are?"
"Brother Shouchan, can't you recognize me?" Ma Di raised his hand carelessly.
The bald Shouchan looked confused. He looked left and right at Ma Su with wide eyes. He even looked close to his face and squinted carefully, but he still didn't recognize it.
The father and son looked at each other and both shook their heads: the former hesitated and said: "Please forgive me for my blindness, I really can't recognize you."
Ma Su laughed: "Get off Ma Su."
Upon hearing this name, the bald Shouchan couldn't help but turn pale with fright. He quickly took two steps back, picked up the sword on the shelf, and drew it out with a "canglang" sound, as if facing a formidable enemy.
"You...are you here to kill me? Someone, someone..." The bald-haired Shouchan's voice was full of fear and shock.
The bald Yuan Li was no better, his whole body was trembling.
How could they not know the name of a person, the shadow of a tree, who Ma Su was, and what he had done?
Only the bald Shuji, who was less than ten years old, was particularly calm. He glanced at his grandfather and second uncle, and said in a grown-up tone: "Dear guest, please take a seat."
As soon as these words were spoken, the bald Shoutian quickly realized that he had overreacted, calmed down immediately, sheathed his sword, and motioned for Ma Su to take a seat.
Ma Di was greatly impressed when he saw that Bald Tree was so smart and calm at such a young age, so he went to the table by himself and knelt down on the felt.
The bald Shouchan looked at his grandson, then at his son, and said, "The tree is functional. Go back to the house and rest. Grandpa wants to discuss something with the distinguished guest."
Bald Shuji curled his lips and didn't wait for his second uncle Bald Yuanli to push him. He turned around and walked to the back room. After taking two steps, he turned back and glanced at Ma Su.
His eyes were extremely bright, like two bright stars.
Ma Su said enviously: "Bald Shoutian, you have a good grandson."
The bald Shouchan waved his hand with a proud look on his face: "Master Ma, a wise man doesn't tell secrets. You didn't come here just to praise me for having a good grandson, right?"
