The Jin family went to Changxingfang in Anxi and completed the deed in Qiuci Town. The return journey was divided into two parts, one taking the Yiwu Trade Road and the other taking the Dunhuang Ancient Road.
At the end of August, we took part of the Dunhuang Ancient Road and rushed back to Liangzhou.
In the Jin family's house, Zhou Jun met Uncle Shen, who had returned from the team leader and was tired of his travels.
Uncle Shen is quite old, but he is very energetic.
He traveled long distances for several months and although he lost some weight, he showed no sign of fatigue.
As soon as Uncle Shen saw Zhou Jun, he stepped forward and sang, "Young Master Zhou, I'm so lucky to have lived up to my destiny."
Zhou Jun helped him up with a smile and asked, "Is everything okay on the road?"
Uncle Shen: "On the way to Anxi, one person died due to fever. When we came back, although the journey was difficult, there were no casualties."
Zhou Jun nodded and asked carefully.
Uncle Shen took out a map from his arms, presented it to Zhou Jun, and said: "I led the caravan, and under the guidance of Luo Tulong's guide, set out from Shicheng Town, passed through the Shazhou Desert, and arrived successfully
I went to Dunhuang. Along the way, I wrote as I walked, recording the local customs and customs along the way, as well as the route signs of the journey."
Zhou Jun looked at the map, first pointed at the oases in the map and asked: "Why are there lines drawn on some oases? Are there even crosses on the lines?"
Uncle Shen said: "Most of the oases in the Shazhou Desert move with the seasons and climate. The location of the same oasis in spring and autumn may be hundreds of miles away. Therefore, oasis migration
The route is represented by connecting lines on the map. In addition, sometimes oases will disappear into the desert and become underground lakes, so they are marked with crosses to indicate their disappearance."
Zhou Jun was amazed as he listened.
Uncle Shen: "Not only are there oases, there are quicksands, sandstorms and bad miasma in the Shazhou Desert. If people who are unfamiliar with the situation enter rashly, most of them will escape death."
Zhou Jun: "It seems that without Long Bu as a guide, it would be almost impossible for ordinary caravans to pass through the Dunhuang Ancient Road."
Uncle Shen: "What Zhou Lang said is absolutely true. I heard from the guide that it took the Luo Tu Long tribe hundreds of years to figure out these doorways in the Shazhou Desert, and countless tribesmen lost their lives for it."
Zhou Jun sighed with emotion.
At this time, Jin Fengniang walked out holding Chao Mu in her arms.
When Uncle Shen saw Jin Feng Niang, he first bowed and saluted, and then said, "It just so happens that Feng Niang is here too. I have something to say."
Jin Fengniang: "Uncle Shen is the elder of the Jin family. When my ancestor was alive, he regarded you as his right-hand man. If you have anything to say, just say it."
Uncle Shen looked at Zhou Jun and said: "This time when I went to Changxingfang in Anxi, I accidentally fell into a treacherous trick. If Zhou Erlang hadn't appeared in time, my death would have been a minor incident, but I'm afraid it would have also caused the downfall of the Jin family. So.
, on my way back, I have been thinking about the future of the Jin family."
Golden Phoenix: "What's the future of the Jin family?"
Uncle Shen: "Chou Erlang and Lady Feng have a child. When Chao Mu comes of age, the Jin family will be handed over to her. So, from this point of view, Zhou Erlang is not an outsider."
"In the past, Zhou Erlang was the temporary head of the family on behalf of Lady Feng, and he had to use a seal to issue orders, which was very inconvenient. In the future, someone suggested that it would be better to recommend Zhou Erlang as the head of the Jin family. When he grows up, he will be the head of the family.
Give it back to her?"
Goldfeng Niang naturally had no objection after hearing this.
After Zhou Jun thought about it, he said to Uncle Shen: "There may be something wrong with this move."
Uncle Shen was stunned and quickly asked the reason.
Zhou Jun: "If a certain person, who is the supervisor of the mutual market and the governor of Wuwei County, publicly declares that he has taken over the position of the head of the Jin family, then the official-business contract will definitely be said to be using power for personal gain." Uncle Shen thought about it carefully.
I think Zhou Jun is right.
Take Changxingfang in Anxi this time as an example. The reason why the Jin family was able to receive this job was secretly thanks to Zhou Jun.
But if the fact that Zhou Jun is the head of the Jin family is announced to the outside world and spreads out, and the Jin family gets benefits from the government in the future, it will definitely arouse criticism from others.
Zhou Jun said to Uncle Shen: "As for the head of the Jin family, it is better to maintain the status quo and keep it secret. When the time is right, it will not be too late to make plans."
Uncle Shen nodded and said, "Just like what Zhou Lang said."
Speaking of the head of the family, Jin Fengniang, who had been at home for a long time and did not care about foreign affairs, suddenly remembered someone and asked: "Second brother Jikun, I haven't seen him for a long time, and I don't know how he is now?"
Uncle Shen and Zhou Jun looked at each other.
The former hesitated for a moment and said to Jin Fengniang: "Jikun has committed a capital crime and has been escorted to Beijing."
Golden Phoenix was shocked when she heard this.
Uncle Shen elaborated again on the news leaked from Changxingfang.
Jin Fengniang heard this and cried while saying to Zhou Jun: "Jikun is confused, but he is my brother after all. I still ask Erlang to save his life."
From the corner of Zhou Jun's eyes, he saw Uncle Shen shaking his head gently. Knowing what he knew, he comforted Jin Fengniang a few words and just said he would do his best.
After handling the affairs of the Jin family, before Zhou Jun had time to take a sip of water, a servant sang outside the door, saying that Li Guangbi and Li Jun were coming to visit.
Zhou Jun quickly walked to the door and welcomed Li Guangbi into the hall.
Seeing Li Guangbi dressed in military uniform, Zhou Jun asked: "General Li, are you going to...?"
Li Guangbi's face was gloomy and uncertain, and he said: "Dong Yanguang sent a letter asking for troops to attack Shibao City under the rule of Tubo. The imperial court approved the report and ordered Wang Duhu to lead troops to Longyou to respond."
Zhou Jun was stunned on the spot and asked: "Stone Castle? Is that the Stone Castle that one man can guard against ten thousand others?"
Li Guangbi nodded.
Zhou Jun: "Dong Yanguang invited troops to attack Shibao City. Why did the imperial court name names and insist on ordering the royal guards to respond?"
Li Guangbi said in a deep voice: "Dong Yanguang's plan to invite troops was probably planned in advance... Behind this matter, there are not only Dong Yanguang, but also the right minister, and even the current saint..."
Zhou Jun stretched out his hand to stop Li Guangbi's conversation.
Li Guangbi let out a long sigh: "What Erlang expected at the beginning has now come true. If Guangbi had believed in you earlier, he wouldn't be so passive today."
Zhou Jun: "Send troops to Shibao City, what do you think the royal guard says?"
Li Guangbi: "Wang Duhu knew that he was sending troops this time, and he was afraid that someone in the court was setting up a trap, but knowing this, he had no choice but to go. In the final analysis, it was just a matter of taking one step at a time."
Zhou Jun asked Li Guangbi again: "Wang Duhu led the troops to meet Dong Yanguang, why did General Li also go with him?"
Li Guangbi: "Originally, this job should be carried out by Ge Shuhan, but he has made great achievements recently and was called to pay rewards a few days ago. I am afraid that I will not be able to come back soon, so I have to go with Guangbi."
Zhou Jun lowered his voice and said to Li Guangbi: "Shibao City is easy to defend but difficult to attack. There is a large Tibetan army camped behind the city, and the plateau climate is not conducive to the Tang army's operations. If the imperial court orders a strong attack, it will not be fully sure.
The King's Protectorate will probably stand still, so..."...
Before Zhou Jun finished speaking, Li Guangbi said helplessly: "I understand what Erlang means. But you are not unaware of Wang Duhu's temperament. He is sure of things that others can't shake even if they tell the truth... In short,