Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Six: See Thunder Return
Five days later.
An airship landed outside Cheshi City.
All in all, it is six thousand miles from Jiuquan in Guizhou to Cheshi in the Western Regions.
Nowadays, trains do not connect to the Western Regions and only go to Lanzhou at most, so they are not an ideal travel tool.
Think before and after.
Zhang Heng chose the airship, which is a relatively fast aircraft and does not have high requirements on the landing location.
"Is this Cheshi City?"
Zhang Heng stepped off the airship and frowned as he looked at the small city in front of him.
"Commander, this is Cheshi City, an important town in the Western Regions. Among the hundreds of kingdoms in the ancient Western Regions, it was called the Cheshi Kingdom."
Zhang Xiaofo followed Zhang Heng, with Adjutant Wu on the left and right.
"It looks small, and the city is pretty dilapidated."
Zhang Heng looked forward, and when he saw the city gate soldiers holding spears standing at the city gate, who looked like gate soldiers who were out of touch with the times, he said speechlessly: "Spear soldiers, they are ancient enough!"
"Commander, it's not surprising. Since the Eight-Nation Allied Forces entered Bei'an, no one has cared about the Western Regions. Even trade has been greatly affected by this. This has been twenty years."
"As for Yang Zengxin, the King of the Western Regions, the local old Uighurs call him a fool. He is also a person who cannot be described in detail."
"This man was a Jinshi in the fifteenth year of Guangxu's reign. He is a Confucian scholar. He believes in Huang Lao's way and promotes the rule of non-action, which means that he does not have to do anything, and the people in the Western Regions will not starve themselves to death."
"It turns out that they won't kill themselves, but they won't be too happy either."
"In addition, he also has two mantras, what are they called: Don't ask about the disputes in the Central Plains, and you will grow up as an ancient citizen."
"Refuse to intervene in external disputes. As the saying goes, the general trend of the world is that if we divide for a long time, we will unite, and if we unite for a long time, we will divide."
"When the world is under great rule, he, as the person who defends the Western Regions, will be a first-class hero. He can just sit back and wait for the princes for generations. He does not have much ideals and ambitions."
"Of course, it's not all bad."
"This person is strongly opposed to the independence of the Western Regions. He is also a good political hand. He can help reconcile the tribes in the Western Regions and mediate disputes. The tribes also support him."
"In terms of military strength, he has three regiments with more than 4,000 people, mainly stationed in Dihua."
"The weapons used are relatively backward, but right now everyone has too much time to take care of themselves. The terrain in the Western Region is complex and the people's livelihood is difficult, so no one can care about him."
Despite his young age, Zhang Xiaofo is only twenty-three-four.
However, he went to the grave at the age of eight and followed his family to fight everywhere, and he also had a deep understanding of the Western Regions.
After listening to his explanation.
Zhang Heng finally knew what kind of existence this King of the Western Regions was. He was a complete bastard.
That is to say, in the Western Regions, if he were placed in the Central Plains, his brains would have been beaten out long ago.
"Forget it, what does this matter have to do with us? Let's go to the city to see my uncle. Business is more important."
Zhang Heng traveled lightly this time and did not bring many people with him.
There are five people, Zhang Xiaofo, Adjutant Wu and a platoon of guards, so there are only a dozen people in total.
However, they still caused some commotion when they entered the city.
Although the number of the guard platoon was small, each one was armed to the teeth. The spearmen guarding the city gate looked at each other in a daze, as if they were seeing future warriors.
"Uncle Master."
In an inn in Cheshi City, Zhang Heng found the Star Reaching Master.
Compared to half a year ago, Star Reacher looks thinner and tanned.
However, his energy and energy are good, his eyes are like lightning, and he seems to be making progress in his Taoism.
"coming!"
The star-catching Taoist smiled.
"Uncle Master, how is the situation here?"
Zhang Heng sat next to Taoist Master Zhaixing, and he did not forget to introduce: "These five are gold-touching experts I invited from Changsha."
"It's not easy to handle."
"It stands to reason that Chishiling is not far from Cheshi City. People here should have heard rumors about Hanban."
"But I searched and searched, but I still couldn't find their description of the Drought Demon."
"It is expected that the Drought Demon has either returned to the heavenly realm or has become an ancient creature. It has not appeared for hundreds of years, so these people have no impression of it."
Taoist Taoist Zhaixing briefly told Zhang Heng what he had learned.
After hearing his words, Zhang Heng thought for a moment and said: "Since the early Ming Dynasty, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has begun to decline. It has been more than six hundred years."
"Since then, this world is no longer suitable for the existence of drought demons."
"If it goes, it will go. If it doesn't go, I'm afraid it will only decline with the times. It's not surprising if it dies."
Taoist Taoist Zhaixing nodded and said: "I think so too, but it doesn't matter if it is dead, the teleportation array it guards will be difficult to find."
Zhang Heng took the words and said: "I have a stupid idea. The five of them are all gold-touching masters. If you are willing to spend time, let them search the entire Chishi Ridge. I don't believe they can't find it."
"However, this method may take a long time and may not be successful in several years."
"Uncle Master, you are good at stargazing and divination. I wonder if you can think of something from this?"
Taoist Zhaixing shook his head: "Han Ba, it sounds like a monster, but it is not the case. Its personality is God, the God of Drought."
"To speculate on its affairs is like calculating on gods."
"Don't say it's me. Even if we invite all the people in the world who are good at deduction, we still won't be able to deduce anything related to it. Otherwise, I don't have to worry."
Hear this.
Zhang Heng was silent for a while and then asked: "Uncle Master, have you told the ancestors of the Yinsi about this?"
Taoist Master Zhaixing waved his hand: "It is the intention of the Jade Emperor to depose the teleportation array and change it to the way of ascension. Even if the ancestors know the location of the teleportation array, they cannot tell us, otherwise it will violate the rules of heaven."
Zhang Heng didn't see it that way and said: "Let's talk to the ancestors. The ancestors only know that we are looking for the teleportation array again. They don't know that the approximate location of the teleportation array has been found now. We only need the precise location. Tell us, maybe there is
An unexpected bonus.”
Taoist Taoist Zhaixing thought about it and felt that it didn't matter if he gave it a try, so he nodded and agreed.
That night.
Zhang Heng and his party stayed at an inn in Cheshi City.
Later in the night.
Zhang Heng was sleeping soundly and had a vague dream.
In the dream, outside Chishi Ridge, there was a divine general wearing an emerald crown, gold and jade clothes, holding a three-pointed two-edged sword, and riding a bay-red horse, beckoning him to rush to a treasured land.
As a result, before he could take any action, a strong gust of wind suddenly blew in front of him, causing others to flip over.
Wake up from the dream, open your eyes and take a look.
It turned out that the window was open and a strong wind was blowing outside.
"This dream?"
Zhang Heng frowned slightly.
As the saying goes, saints have no dreams. Dreams are caused by mental distraction and numerous thoughts.
Zhang Hengming kept his mind on the Tao and had not dreamed for a long time.
Now he suddenly had a dream, and there were many abnormal scenes in the dream, which always made him feel that there was something profound about it.
Daybreak.
Taoist Taoist Zhaixing knocked on Zhang Heng's door, sighed and said to him: "Last night I told the ancestors about the teleportation array. The ancestors just said that everything should be done as it happens, don't force it, it seems they won't ask us.
What did you reveal?"
Zhang Heng was silent for a while and then said: "Uncle Master, I had a dream yesterday. I dreamed that a god took me to a treasure land. I'm afraid this dream was not simple."
"Treasure land?"
Taoist Taoist Zhaixing became serious: "Please tell me carefully."
Zhang Heng recounted this dream in a few words.
After hearing what he said, Taoist Taoist Zhaixing was overjoyed: "This man of God must have pointed it out. That treasure place is most likely the location of Hanbao Palace. This dream of yours..."
"Uncle Master."
Zhang Heng quickly stopped: "The teleportation array has been banned by the Heavenly Palace. The ancestors abide by the heavenly rules, how could they know the law and break the law? This dream is really just a dream."
Upon hearing this, Taoist Taoist Zhaixing nodded repeatedly: "That's right, that's right. Seeing how happy I am, I'm confused even when I speak."
After that, he added: "This dream is a good omen. Since you dreamed that there will be a god guiding you outside the Chishi Ridge, let's set off immediately. Don't miss the opportunity."
Zhang Heng thought so too.
Everyone packed their bags, took water bags and dried meat, and headed straight to Chishi Ridge.
As a result, when we got to this point, the sky was filled with yellow sand, and there was no guide.
"Is it possible that the man of God hasn't arrived yet?"
Taoist Taoist Zhaixing muttered a little.
Zhang Heng didn't know what he meant, so he could only let people set up camp and live outside Chishi Ridge first.
This stay lasted three days.
Another early morning, Zhang Heng suddenly heard the sound of camel bells coming from outside.
When I went out, I saw an old man and a young man.
They were riding an old camel. The older one was sixty or seventy years old and the younger one was seventy or eight years old. They looked like a pair of grandfather and grandson.
Asked again, they were local residents living outside Cheshi City and were preparing to go to Chishi Ridge to catch wild camels.
"Uncle, I'm sorry."
"In the dream, there were bay-red horses, and they were riding old camels."
"There is no emerald crown, gold and jade clothes, not to mention the three-pointed two-edged sword. I have a shabby robe and a horse harness, but they can't match the attire of a god general."
Zhang Heng whispered to Taoist Taoist Zhaixing.
"It's a bit wrong, but the representation of things like dreams may not be so accurate."
Taoist Master Zhaixing also murmured in his heart: "We have been here for three days. Let's treat the dead horse as a living horse doctor. What if there is something harvested?"
Zhang Heng thought about it, this dead horse died completely.
Okay, let’s treat it first, since it’s a rainy day to spank the child anyway, so it’s just free time.
"Uncle, what's your surname? Do you understand Chinese?"
Zhang Heng called out to the old man wearing a round hat and robe.
"My name is Kurban. When I was young, I went to the customs to sell fruit. I can understand Chinese."
Uncle Kurban answered first, and then asked: "Who are you? This is Chishi Ridge. You'd better not go in, otherwise you will get lost and die there easily."
When Zhang Heng saw that the old man could speak Chinese, he thought it would be easier to communicate with him, so he said bluntly: "We are scholars from Guan Nei, let's find another underground palace, do you know?"
Uncle Kurban shook his head: "There are only wild camels in Chishiling. There is nothing but camels."
"You don't know?"
Zhang Heng felt cold for a moment, and asked again: "Do you know what is a treasured place in Chishi Ridge?" He was afraid that he would not understand, so he explained: "It is a very good place?"
"This place is not good, not good at all."
"We have no choice but to live here. There is no other place to go."
"Treasure land, if there is no treasure land, it will be very dangerous."
Uncle Kurban still shook his head.
At this time, Zhang Hengxin became even colder and looked at Taoist Taoist Master: "Uncle Master, it doesn't look like that!"
Taoist Taoist Zhaixing was also very distressed and could only say: "Let me see it this way. I will follow him in, and I will go wherever he goes. I will walk along and see if I find anything."
the other side.
When Uncle Kurban heard that he wanted to follow him, he asked him to walk through the Chishi Ridge. He shook his head repeatedly at the places he had visited.
Because he came here with his children this time, he just wanted to see if there were any lone wild camels on the outskirts of Chishi Ridge and pick up some bargains, and was not prepared to go in depth.
He also explained to Zhang Heng that going deep into Chishi Ridge is very dangerous.
He had been to some places when he was young, but after going there once, he never dared to go there again. Now he only dares to wander around the periphery.
"We have the camels and supplies you need."
"You go, your child doesn't have to go, he stays in the camp."
"When you come back, I will give you ten gold bars, enough for you to become Master Kurban and live in peace in your old age. You will never come to Chishi Ridge again."
Zhang Heng is very good at persuading others.
Anyway, after seeing the gold bars and Adjutant Wu's pistol, Uncle Kurban compromised.
"Uncle, it's all up to you."
Zhang Heng did not go with him on this trip.
Since there were only a few people there, only Uncle Kurban, Taoist Master Zhaixing, and Zhang Xiaofo were there.
In addition to the three of them, there were six camels, and even Hei Laoliu and the others stayed behind.
"I don't think this Kurban is a dreamer. He is just a doctor who treats a dead horse as a living horse."
"You stay in the camp. If you see anyone else, stop them. Say that the person who didn't agree to the dream is still behind."
Before leaving, Taoist Taoist Zhaixing explained to Zhang Heng again and again.
Zhang Heng nodded and took note, sending Taoist Taoist Zhaixing out.
Until he could no longer see it, he turned around and found that little Kurban, who had stayed with them, was looking into the distance with a look of reluctance, fiddling with the holes in his tattered robe.
"This child's clothes are in tatters. Let me take out Little Buddha's clothes and change them. Let's get him some new clothes."
Yi Xinyue saw the holes in little Kurban's clothes and said in a motherly tone.
Zhang Heng nodded and didn't care.
the next day.
"Emerald Crown?"
Little Kurban came out of the tent with a watermelon rind on his head.
"Golden jade clothes?"
Look again.
Little Kurban wears a golden jacket with jade buttons, and uses Zhang Xiaofo's clothes to change the little girl's coat.
When the sun shines on my body, it shines golden, like a jade garment with golden threads.
"Three-pointed two-edged sword?"
Little Kurban came out with a branch in his hand.
The top of this branch was split into three branches. He was holding it in his hand and gesturing like a three-pointed two-edged knife.
"A red horse?"
Little Kurban wears a watermelon rind on his head, holds a tree branch in his hand, and holds a maroon tent frame between his legs to make a horse.
After leaving the tent, he waved the branches and made chopping motions, as if fighting an invisible enemy again.
"hiss!"
Zhang Heng took a breath.
the other side.
Taoist Taoist Zhaixing and Zhang Xiaofo were eating sand with Uncle Kurban.
Suddenly, there were bursts of thunder in the sky, causing the Star Reacher to instantly raise his head.
"go back."
The Taoist priest turns the camel around.
"Taoist priest, what's wrong?"
Both Zhang Xiaofo and Kurban were a little confused.
"Three thunders will sound, and thunder will return quickly."
The star-catching Taoist slapped the camel on the butt: "This is the signal for us to go back!"
Zhang Xiaofo was stunned for a while after hearing this.
Looking up at the sky, I found that after three thunderclaps, the thunderclouds dispersed quickly.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Xiaofo was a little confused: "Jing Lei summons, is this still a human being?"