The rain was falling and lightning flashed across the gloomy sky.
In early summer, the mountains around Luliang and Hengshan have been shrouded in heavy rain. The crisscrossing mountain gaps, short trees, shrubs and exposed earth and rocks are all shrouded in the gray heavy rain.
A group of seemingly insignificant figures were walking slowly through the heavy rain halfway up the mountain.
The roads in the mountains close to the main line of Luliang are difficult to navigate, and there are no roads at all in many places. The team traveling in the mountains at this time consisted of about thirty or forty people, most of them carrying burdens and wearing raincoats, and the burdens were heavy.
It looks like a business trip in the past.
The northwest is desolate and the folk customs are fierce, but during the period of guarding by the Western Army, there are still some roads to take. In order to raise food for the border, the method adopted by the court was to let the border people take the initiative to send the annual grain to the army barracks. Therefore, all parts of the northwest
, travel is relatively convenient, but now that the Xixia people have returned, they have destroyed several large cities originally guarded by the Zhong Family Army, and there have even been massacres several times, so the external situation has become complicated.
Qin Youshi is the leader of this team. He is originally a merchant from the northwest of Pingyang. At the end of last year, he went to the Baoan Army area to sell winter clothes. He also brought some valuables such as private salt with him and planned to exchange for some goods at the border.
The Xixia people attacked Yanzhou and blocked him on the road. Although heavy snow began to seal the mountains, there was a war in the east and he could not move. He was detained in a nearby village for several months. The situation in the entire northwest was already in a mess.
The war spread and continued to expand. Not long ago, Qin Youshi heard that Zhong Lie Zhong, a general who killed generals, was still defeated by Xixia's Guaizima. The soldiers of the Western Army were scattered, and the Xixia people were wreaking havoc everywhere. He saw many people fleeing after breaking the city.
After asking around for a while, I finally decided to take the risk and head east.
The Central Plains is in a mess. It is said that the Jurchens broke through Bianliang City and wreaked havoc for several months. The capital was already in disarray. The Xixia people pushed through Hengshan again. A big change was about to happen in the world. Although most of the refugees began to flee to the west and south.
, but Qin Youshi and others could not. Although Pingyang, Gengzhou and other places were in the east, the Xixia people had not yet reached that side.
Their families are still there.
The place where the four battles took place in the northwest. But since the Western Army became strong, the place where they are has been at peace for many years. Now that the Xixia people are coming, they don’t know how they will treat the local people, whether they flee or be obedient people.
You have to go back and reunite with your family first.
The Xixia army has broken through Qingjian, Yanzhou and other places, and has begun to threaten the surrounding areas. But the northwest is not a small place after all, and the Xixia people cannot control all the territory now. When the snow melts and the ice disappears, they begin to flee their residences on a large scale.
There were more and more people, heading south, north, east, and west. Qin Youshi inquired about it, and started heading eastward with the guys from the Chamber of Commerce with a lot of goods stored in winter. At this time, Dongdong
There were already many Xixia troops moving around. The group was dodging and moving slowly. Later, when they wanted to take a risk into the mountains that were usually difficult to travel, they met the two strange young men in front of the group.
Let's start from the beginning. The northwest was deeply influenced by the Western Army, especially Zhong Jiaze. The men in the northwest were grateful for their kindness and were very courageous. When the army came to kill, fierce battles were held in Qingjian City, Yanzhou City and other places.
Although the fighting and resistance were in vain in the end, even when the army was defeated and the refugees dispersed, there were still many loyal people who organized themselves and wanted to fight with the Xixia army.
As a result, this winter, many rumors and stories of righteous martyrs have spread among the refugees. Who and so and so and so and so and so and so and so and so died in the fight with Xixia Buba on the way to escape.
They died together, or so and so gathered hundreds of heroes to fight against the Xixia people. These rumors may be true or false, but one of them is quite strange.
It is said that it was Qingjian. After the Yanzhou city was broken, the refugees dispersed. The Xixia soldiers chased and looted all the way. However, a troop came out of the mountains and protected the refugees from escaping. In the winter when the mountains were blocked by heavy snow, they even helped some families.
The refugees who had no belongings were given some food to help them escape. In fact, it is not strange for both the scattered army and the green forest righteous people to do these things. The strange thing about this team is that they asked people to write two
Character.
After this team rescued people, it is said that they would say some random things to people. The general meaning may be that we are Chinese people and should help each other. This is an upright statement, but it is not a big deal, but after that
, they often take out their notebooks and ask people to write the two characters "Huaxia". It doesn't matter if they don't know how to do it, they will also teach people to write these two characters.
Imagine that after the city was destroyed, the army rescued the refugees on the snow-covered mountains, and then asked them to write two words on the snow with branches - this scene is strange no matter how you think about it. But the rumors in the world are just like this, vague and unclear.
I don't know, but in such an environment, people talk a lot of nonsense and often cannot do anything accurately. Qin Youshi vaguely heard this story twice and dismissed it as nonsense told by others. Although he heard some versions later,
For example, this army is a rebel force of the Wu Dynasty, this army is a direct descendant of the Zhong family, a general of the Zhe family, etc., etc., I basically don't bother to go into it.
But when they were about to enter the mountain, they accidentally met up with a fleeing team. Seeing that they were inquiring about the road in the mountain, two people came over and said they could show them the way. Qin Youshi was not the first.
When he was walking outside for the first time, he still understood that being attentive without anything was either a traitor or a thief. However, during the conversation, the young man who was the leader of the two people actually asked: "Are you literate? Can you write the Chinese character Huaxia?"
Qin Youshi immediately remembered that rumor.
At that time, the Xixia people were blocking the surrounding roads. After all, Qin Youshi did not have many choices. Although he did not agree verbally, after entering the mountain, the two sides still met. Qin Youshi's group of people also
Most of the men walking in the northwest were armed. He warned everyone to be wary, and they came into contact with each other several times before the two sides started walking together.
For Qin Youshi, this was a gamble out of desperation. He wanted to go home and had no guide for a while. After all, he couldn't let the group wander around in the barren mountains for several months. He recalled those rumors and felt
The two of them didn't seem like the kind of strong men who would lure people into the mountains and then seize wealth. After talking with each other, they found out that the other party had a background in Qingmuzhai.
Luliang Qingmuzhai is quite famous among the merchants in the northwest area. But the young man leading the two of them seems to be an outsider. His name is Zhuo Xiaofeng. He carries a big sword and is usually amiable and talkative. Combined
After a few words and recalling some trivial rumors he had heard, Qin Youshi organized some clues in his mind.
In the second half of last year, there were rebels who committed regicide and started rebellion. Although there was no major impact in the northwest, it seems that this army entered this mountain. In the winter, it seems that they came out and fought several times with the Xixia army.
.Saved some people. Knowing this, Qin Youshi felt relieved to some extent. He might have been a little scared when he heard about regicide and rebels, but he was no longer afraid at this time.
The two sides walked forward, with the man from Qingmuzhai as the guide. He and the young man named Zhuo Xiaofeng walked in the front, and Qin Youshi followed and talked. This is the most desolate section between the western range of Luliang Mountain and Hengshan Mountain.
The mountain was rugged and it was raining heavily, making it even more difficult to walk. When the group of people walked to this wild ridge, Qin Youshi squinted his eyes and looked at the other side of the mountain stream. Only then did he see that although the mountain there was not easy to walk on, it was
It vaguely looks like there is a path passing through it, which is much better than here.
Qin Youshi became wary. Looking over there, he asked tentatively: "There seems to be a small road on the opposite side." The guide in Qingmuzhai nodded calmly and said: "Well, it turns out that side is closer." "Then why.
…”
"We fought with the Xixia people before." Zhuo Xiaofeng answered here, pointing to the front and back of the mountain road, "A few months ago, Xixia Buba chased here, and the army blew up both ends.
The snow on the mountain has collapsed, and the stream below is full of corpses. Now the mountain over there is loose. It is very unsafe."
Qin Youshi was shocked: "Xixia people?"
"Buba of Xixia is difficult to deal with." Zhuo Xiaofeng nodded. Qin Youshi looked at the hazy mountain in the heavy rain. There were indeed signs of new movement in the distance, and looked down the mountain stream again. Only
I saw the water roaring past in the heavy rain, but I couldn't see more clearly.
In this area, there have been battles between the Western Army and the Xixia people from time to time. Most of the knowledgeable people know about the Xixia people's army. The iron kite's charge is unparalleled in the world, but in the mountains of the northwest, the most terrifying thing is
, or the elite Buba of Xixia. These infantrymen were originally selected from the mountain people, and they walked across the mountains and ridges as if they were walking on the plains. When refugees encountered iron kites on their way to escape, they might be able to hide in the mountains. If they encountered Buba, they would run away.
It was impossible to run anywhere. And their combat power was similar to that of the original Western Army. At this time, the Western Army had dispersed, and no one could control Buba in the northwest.
As for the origin of the "Chinese" army, Qin Youshi had suspicions in his heart, but he did not think about it carefully. Now that he thought about it, this army rebelled against the king and came to the northwest. It was indeed not a good thing. In such a mountain
He even gained the upper hand against Xixia Buba. The other party said it lightly, but he was secretly horrified in his heart.
At this moment, thunder came from the sky. As everyone was walking forward, they heard a loud bang in front of them, and the rocks shook faintly. On the opposite hillside, the earth and rocks surged in the hazy heavy rain, and turned into a line of mud in the blink of an eye.
The dragon rumbling down the mountain. This earth and rock flow continued to rush into the deep stream in front of their eyes. In the mountain stream below, the flowing water collided with the earth and rocks, rising rapidly, and the muddy water surged and swayed in all directions.
.Everyone looked down from the mountain. In the heavy rain, they only felt that the heaven and earth were majestic and their own bodies were indescribably small.
The scene of mudslides lasted for a long time in front of them before it stopped. Perhaps the explosion that caused the avalanche a few months ago had loosened the soil slope, and now it was soaked by rain before it slid down. After everyone saw it, they couldn't help but feel a little more anxious when they moved forward again.
They were cautious and spoke a little less. The group of people turned around in the mountains. By the evening, the rain had stopped, but they had already entered the main line of Luliang Mountain.
This area is close to the area of Qingmuzhai in Luliang Mountain. Since the previously opened trade routes have not been much affected by the war, the road ahead is not difficult. Zhuo Xiaofeng and the man from Qingmuzhai followed Qin Youshi
Saying goodbye, seeing the two of them leaving so neatly after helping them, Qin Youshi panicked. He took out two dried deer legs from the accompanying goods and wanted to give them to him as reward, but Zhuo Xiaofeng saw
He took out a pen and paper from his arms: "Can Boss Qin know how to write?"
"Master Zhuo is saying..."
"The people of China are one family. Now that the situation is turbulent, it is time to help each other. It is fate that we go with Boss Qin all the way. It is just a matter of effort. Of course, if Boss Qin really feels that there is someone who needs to be rewarded, he will write two words in this book.
That's the word." Seeing that Qin Youshi was still a little hesitant, he opened the book with a smile, and there were all the crooked words "Huaxia", "Of course, it's just two words, no need to leave a name, just a thought. The future will be like Boss Qin
No matter if you have any trouble, just remember these two words, and if I can help, I will do my best."
Qin Youshi only hesitated for a moment. Then he laughed, picked up a pen and wrote in his notebook, but he was confused in his heart. He could understand the external things, even those who expected kindness to be repaid but not those who expected kindness to be repaid.
But what is the meaning of this thing in front of me? After receiving a favor, writing a name is considered as a declaration of name, but if the name is not left, no matter how strong and upright the word "China" is written, what does it mean?
He was also a person with some foresight. After writing those two words, he still insisted on sending the deer legs, but the other party was determined not to accept them. It was getting late at this time, and everyone found a place to camp. Qin Youshi
He kindly stayed with the two of them, cooked a relatively sumptuous meal of meat, and asked Zhuo Xiaofeng and the others about the subsequent situation.
His trip to the west this time was originally for business. The Jurchens came to kill him. Some of the precious things he originally accepted were actually useless. This business was obviously losing money. But losing money is not a big deal. The most important thing is to go there.
Where to go next? This army can confront the Xixia people. Although it has a bad reputation, it has a good relationship. Who knows if there will be any need for their help in the future?
During the half-night conversation, the other party knew everything. He and Qin Youshi analyzed the dilemma in the future. The Jurchens were rampant and Xixia came south. Under such a situation, it is impossible for people north of the Yellow River to live the good life before.
Yes, but the ordinary people may not be driven out to death. Usually the Wu Dynasty was relatively wealthy, and the wealthy households still had some surplus food for now, but within one to two years, the Jurchens and Xixia people will definitely consolidate this territory.
It's just a matter of keeping food and dying. He is a businessman, so he might as well be more flexible, do more activities, and take shelter from big forces.
Similar to Luliang Mountain Qingmuzhai, after all, it is in a mountain depression, so it is not recommended. However, there are still a few remaining trade links between Qingmuzhai and the Jurchens here. The treasures and valuables he brought back this time may not be safe in the chaotic land.
If he used it, Qingmuzhai might be able to help with the transfer, but there must be a shortage of food in the mountains. If he had too much surplus food, he might as well go to the mountains and replace some weapons with him. Of course, this was just a casual suggestion.
Qin Youshi was not a person without opinions. When the other party told him, he only used it as a reference in his mind. In the early morning of the next day, they said goodbye to each other and went their separate ways. Qin Youshi looked at the pair of figures heading north.
, and then I remembered the word "Huaxia" I wrote down yesterday, and I just felt that these people were really strange.
*************
After bidding farewell to Qin Youshi, Zhuo Xiaofeng and the man from Qingmuzhai named Tan Rong walked back through the rugged mountain road. When they could see the collapsed mountain in the distance, they turned northwest again.
In the afternoon, they saw the outline of the Xiaocang River from a distance on the ridge. The river was fast and winding, extending to a mountain pass with traces of a dam at the other end of the field of vision. There was also a lookout tower beside the mountain pass, and between the two mountains.
In the rugged valley, a group of small figures could be vaguely seen walking together. They were children who came out of Xiaocanghe settlement to pick wild vegetables.
The sun was shining down from the white clouds in the sky, and the mountains were desolate. Only the occasional rustling of the wind could be heard. Zhuo Xiaofeng and Tan Rong walked down the mountain road. (To be continued.)