The cat turned to look at him a few times, as if too lazy to say anything to him, and shook its head a few times before continuing to climb up.
Each of the sand mountains is tall and majestic, far beyond imagination. People, cats, and horses all look very small in front of them. It is not an easy task to climb up the sand mountains.
Because sand is mobile.
And its steepness is far beyond ordinary mountains.
As people walk up, their feet slide down. The sand mountain is already high and steep enough, but you have to take two steps down after taking three steps. With only one step left, the distance is tripled out of thin air.
This is true of Taoists, and so is the case with cats.
It's like walking on a sliding scale.
It was even more difficult for the horses to walk, and they could only walk in zigzag lines.
As she walked, the calico cat told the Taoist that the sand here would not let her go up, or she shared with the Taoist that her legs were warm and asked if the same was true for the Taoist.
It's much better to climb to the top of the mountain.
Not only is the view wide open, but the clear sky and earth and the distant sandstorm are all in front of us, and the road down the mountain is about to begin.
Mao'er stood on the top of the mountain, looking at the caravan in the distance, then turned to his Taoist priest and said:
"They don't even go up the mountain!"
"Everyone has a different path."
"We've finished our scones."
"There is Shadu just ahead."
"The watermelon is finished too."
"I can bear it a little longer."
"You are this person..."
Mao'er shook his head, too lazy to say anything more to him. He only turned back to confirm the direction to the Taoist, trotted forward a few steps, and rushed down the mountain.
The sandy mountains ahead stretch into vast stretches, with endless ups and downs.
Song You only looked at the one in front of him.
I don’t know what the scenery is like on the top of the mountain over there.
Then he also took steps with a stick and kept up with the calico cat.
The climb up is steep, and so is the descent.
Just going down the mountain is much more comfortable.
The Taoist can walk three steps in one step, and the cat is almost the same. Even when she was walking, because she ran too fast and the sandy hill was too slippery, she accidentally lost her balance and fell to the ground. She simply walked along the steep sandy hill.
It rolled down through the curve, covered with sand, and could roll very far in one go.
As it rolls, the sand makes a sound.
Light as silk and bamboo, heavy as thunder.
After walking up the mountain for a long time, I was exhausted and sweating profusely. It only took a short time to reach the bottom of the mountain.
The foot of the mountain is full of footprints made by camels and merchants, making it a road that can be submerged by wind and sand at any time.
"Excuse me, where is Shadu?"
Song You stood by the roadside, also feeling thirsty, and bowed to ask the businessmen passing by.
It's just that most of these businessmen walked in silence and didn't talk. Now that it's drought and it's difficult to replenish water along the way, they are even less willing to talk. Many people just looked at him and ignored him. Only one businessman stretched out his hand and pointed behind them.
The way you came.
"Thank you."
Song You thanked him and looked up, not at the way they came, but at a sand mountain ahead.
There were countless merchants and herds of camels at the foot of the mountain, all walking along the business road at the bottom of the sand mountain. When the walking was boring, they all turned their heads or raised their heads, watching the group of people going up and down the sand mountain, or walking along the sand under the setting sun.
Walking on the ridgeline of the mountain like a knife, sometimes walking under the sunset, sometimes walking in the shadows, sometimes walking at the junction of light and darkness, lonely and free, small but determined.
After climbing many mountains and walking for miles, the sand mountain finally came to an end, and civilized buildings appeared in front of it.
A spoonful of clear spring has a moon like a tooth, and the sand on all sides reflects the slanting sun.
It is a crescent-shaped clear spring. Next to the clear spring is an ancient attic with a lookout tower where officers and soldiers are stationed.
Song You walked down along the ridgeline.
When we arrived at the foot of the mountain, the clear spring was still in the shape of a crescent, probably because the sand mountains were shaped into edges and arcs by the wind, and it was deep inside the sand mountains, so it naturally had this shape. But at this time, it was the only thing left.
It is a small puddle less than two feet long. You can see the bottom at a glance. From the mud next to it, traces of water drying, dry reeds and water plants, and the distance from the building, you can see that it was originally much larger than it is now.
, and also much deeper.
Song You could imagine its green appearance.
It should be a wonderful scene in the desert.
"It's just a pity..."
Song You came to the lake and muttered to himself.
A caravan passed by and seemed to want to replenish water in Crescent Moon Spring, but was refused by the officers and soldiers stationed there.
"Why?"
"We're all going to die."
"My lord, please do it."
"It won't work even if we dry it to death. We are almost drying it to death, but we don't dare to touch a drop of the water in this medicine spring." The officers and soldiers' mouths were so dry that they were about to burst, but their expressions were very determined. "The adults said,
This medicinal spring has spirituality, and it has only been dried out to this point. We need to leave some water seeds for it to serve as a guide, otherwise it will completely dry up and there will be no medicinal spring left in the future."
"well……"
Many businessmen had no choice but to leave.
It can save some effort and saliva.
At the same time, there were many businessmen and camel teams walking towards this direction in the distance, passing by the departing people. They seemed to have noticed something, but still did not give up and wanted to come over and have a look again.
When we go to the Western Region, it becomes increasingly dry and difficult to replenish water, but we don’t know how many people are unable to leave this desert.
"well……"
Song You patted the bay-red horse's neck, sighed, and said to it: "Sooner or later, I'll let you taste the water from this medicinal spring..."
After saying that, I had no choice but to turn around and leave this place.
But the two officers and soldiers behind him were looking at him with halberds, but they frowned, their expressions became more and more confused, and they looked at each other. Seeing him walking further and further away, they finally couldn't help but said: "Sir, please stay!"
The bay-red horse stopped immediately.
Song You and Mao also stopped and turned to look.
I saw an officer and soldier running towards me.
The heat was unbearable and the armor was heavy. After just a few steps, I was already exhausted and sweating.
"Sir, your surname is Song?"
"How do I know this?"
"Two days ago, an order was issued from Shadu, asking us to pay attention to an expert monk who brought a horse and a cat. Please report it to the superiors immediately when we see him. We also respectfully invite you to go to Shadu."
"That's it..."
Song You stood there and couldn't help but nodded.
After thinking about it for a moment, I understood——
He must have invited the Rain God in Longzhou to regulate the wind and rain. The magistrate of Longzhou, perhaps out of concern for himself, perhaps for other reasons, sent a letter to the nearby Shazhou to ask the local officials to pay attention.
This place is already the northwest edge of Dayan's territory, and there is an inexplicable feeling that "no one in the world knows you".
"Then let's go."
Song You didn't hesitate and said to the officers and soldiers.
"I'm going to report to the superior first. Please come with me, sir, and take shelter from the sun in the attic."
"good."
Song You left with him.
This seems to be an official post. At the same time, because it is located in an important desert water source, some officers and soldiers are guarding here, guarding against sand bandits and thieves, checking the business travelers coming and going, and collecting some money for water collection.
The attic is weather-beaten and old.
Song You didn't wait long in the attic when several officials and minor officials came flying over to greet him. Then a horseman quickly left the Shayi Station near the spring and rushed to Shadu. He first went to inform the state officials in the city, and then Shadu
Yi sent an official to take Song You and his party to Shadu.
Shadu is the administrative seat of Shazhou. It is an important node connecting Dayan to the Western Regions, and it is also the last city of Dayan to the west.
The constant traffic of caravans on the Silk Road brought huge economic wealth and made Shazhou extremely prosperous. Eastern and Western cultures blended here, and religion, politics, military, and art collided violently, which also made it culturally prosperous.
It has become a pearl of Eastern civilization hanging on the northwest land.
But now it is also suffering from drought.
When Song You left the desert and headed for Shadu, he didn't see a single piece of farmland. The ground had been cracked by the sun. After entering the city, the ground was full of hungry people. Most of the people's faces and mouth corners were chapped, and the whole person showed an extreme lack of water.
state, some even on the verge of life and death.
The Shadu River that passes through the city is almost completely dry and can be walked around. Only a little mud can be seen and it is on the verge of drying up. There is not a single green tree in the city, and all the willows by the river are dead.
There were wailing sounds everywhere.
Song You felt that there was not much water in the world.
This gave him a bad feeling.
As soon as they reached the halfway point, the magistrate personally came to greet him with his subordinate state officials.
"The governor of Shazhou, Zhang Shan and Zhang Wangchuan, met with Mr. Zhang Wangchuan along with the state officials."
"Meet sir."
"I have met Zhizhou and all of you." Song You frowned slightly and returned the greeting, but he still couldn't help but look at the people on the street.
"A few days ago, after receiving a letter from Longzhou Zhizhou, I sent people to wait for you at all major passes and inns, but you have been waiting for a long time." Zhang Zhizhou said a word and bowed again.
"I've kept Zhizhou waiting for a long time."
"Immortal Master! Please!"
"My surname is Song, you can call me Mr. Taoist." Song You said as he walked, "The drought here is indeed more severe than in Longzhou."
"Who says it isn't? The medicinal spring was born and stored in the desert. It has never dried up for thousands of years, and it has reached the bottom this year. If it hadn't been for my order, it would have dried up by now." Zhang Zhizhou
As he led Song You to the official office, he said, "I heard about what happened to your husband in Longzhou. I am also willing to set up temples and statues for Hu Mu Daxian in villages and business roads in various parts of Shazhou. Please also invite your husband."
Cast a spell to invite the Great Immortal Hu Mu to save the people and business in Shazhou."
"You should do your best."
"Thank you very much, sir." Zhang Zhizhou sighed, "The drought in Shazhou is worse than that in Longzhou. The people are in trouble, and the trade road is also difficult. This dynasty values commerce, and this is an important section of the trade road to the west. Once there is a drought, the merchants on the trade road will
It is difficult to get out of the desert if it is difficult to replenish water. The first half of this year was better. Many business travelers came here and found out that there was a severe drought and would not go back. In the second half of the year, when they learned that there was a severe drought here, even if the businessmen did not die on the way, they suddenly
I don’t want to come again. The imperial court sent several letters to urge me. I have tried every means, but to no avail, so I am entrusting my official uniform to you."
"Do your best."
Song You still said the same thing.
"Sir, if you have any needs, please tell me." Zhang Zhizhou saluted again.
“Is the drought more severe in the Western Region?”
"I heard from business travelers that this is the case." Zhang Zhizhou replied, "If it is said that only some places in Longzhou are suffering from drought, many crops can still be preserved, while in Shazhou there are only a few places where the water sources have not dried up, not to mention that the crops grown can still be preserved.
Even the sheep grazing in the Gobi desert have died of starvation. And if you go to the Western Regions, I heard that there are no people in some places. The dead people are dried and mummified everywhere. No matter how drought-resistant grass is, they can't survive.
.”
"Is it so serious..."
"Who knows what's going on?" Zhang Zhizhou was worried, "Is there really an evil spirit causing trouble?"
"I heard that there is an Earth Fire Country in Shazhou?"
"There is an Earth Fire Kingdom, just to the west of Shazhou, but it is deep in the desert and is still two hundred miles away. Only locals who are familiar with the road can lead them there." Zhang Zhizhou lowered his voice as he spoke.
There are rumors that the fire jar in the Earth Fire Kingdom was broken and the fire energy escaped, which led to this year's severe drought."
After speaking, he quietly looked at Song You.
Many officials behind him also looked at Song You.
"You should go take a look."
"Sir, do you want to go?"
"I have asked Immortal Hu Mu that the drought in Longzhou and Shazhou should be a natural change of heaven and earth. At least there should be no abnormal sources of drought in Longzhou and Shazhou. Of course, I still want to go to the Earth Fire Country.
Let’s investigate and see what’s going on, and gain some insights.” Song You said, “But there’s no need to worry for the time being.”
"That's it." Zhang Zhizhou nodded and asked anxiously, "When can Sir, please invite the gods?"
"The sooner the better."
"The incense altar has been prepared for you, but we have also prepared dinner and drinks for you. Your husband is tired from running around and is dusty, so please have dinner first."
"There are priorities, so let's invite Immortal Hu Mu to ask about it first."
The Taoist's tone was calm, but there was not much hope in his heart.
Walk all the way into the Shadu official office.
It was getting late at this time, and lanterns were lit in the official office.
As expected, a shrine has been set up in the Yamen compound.
Compared with the incense table that was hastily set up in the Hanging Wall Temple before, the shrine in the Shadu official office is much more gorgeous at this time. It can be regarded as a sufficient place for the gods, but the clay statues are still simple.
"Please Zhizhou help me take good care of the horse. It is carrying a heavy load and it is the hardest work. However, along the way, it has neither good fodder nor water. Please Zhizhou take care of it."
The Taoist was really covered in dust, with yellow sand on his clothes, in his shoes and in his hair. He only drank a glass of water handed to him by the yamen clerk, and gave some to the cats and swallows before standing in front of the altar.
.
He still asked Empress Sanhua to turn into a human form and help light candles and incense. The official of Shadu was also stunned for a moment.
The incense sticks emitted wisps of green smoke, revealing a noble smell.
"Please ask Great Immortal Hu Mu to appear and see you..."
As soon as the words fell to the ground, the wind immediately started to rise between heaven and earth.
The strong wind lifted everyone's clothes and hair, and blew up yellow sand all over the ground, causing everyone to squint their eyes, but it did not affect the candles and cigarettes at all. On the contrary, the incense burnt out quickly, and the green smoke rose from the canopy.
He got into the clay statue on the altar, causing the statue to become vivid and give off divine light.
Immortal Hu Mu arrived at the invitation and appeared on the altar.
He was still respectful, but his eyebrows were a little more tired, and when he knew where this place was, he felt a little more helpless.