While they were talking, Liu Jin sent someone to ask if they could leave for Xishan. The temporary camp had been set up. Zhang Yanling hurriedly said goodbye to A Xiu and others.
"Father-in-law and mother-in-law, Axiu, I have to accompany the prince to the Western Mountains for hunting. I'm afraid I won't come back until evening. I'll see you then. I'll hunt today and tomorrow, and I'll take Axiu home with me tomorrow evening."
Axiu nodded in agreement, and Zhao Laoji said: "Are you going hunting in the Western Mountains?"
Zhang Yanling said: "Yes."
Zhao Laoji said: "Have you ever gone into the mountains? It's not easy to walk in there."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "I've never been there, but there are so many of us, so there's no need to worry."
Zhao Laoji shook his head and said: "What's the use of having so many people? I've never been to the mountains and can't even find the road. If I get lost, I can't get out. There are mountains on the west mountain. The mountains are not high, but the forests are dense and the cliffs are
It's steep and the ditch is deep. I often wander around for a long time without finding the way, and then I get lost in it. Don't you even have a guide? How can it be possible?"
Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and said: "I didn't expect this. Is my father-in-law familiar with the mountain roads? Why don't you just show us the way? Come with us."
Zhao Laoji waved his hand and said: "Yuan Cheng often goes hunting in the mountains. Let Yuan Cheng accompany you and lead the way. I don't have the strength. Climbing the mountain now will cost me my life."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said, "Then let me follow you, big brother."
Zhao Yuancheng was very happy. Being able to follow his brother-in-law to lead the way in the mountains was considered useful. He often went into the mountains to cut firewood and hunt, so he was indeed familiar with the situation in the mountains.
Everyone returned to the mountain, explained the situation to Zhu Houzhao, and asked to take Zhao Yuancheng with him. Zhu Houzhao naturally would not object. So everyone got on their horses, went down the gentle slope to the north of Wild Dog Ridge, went up the official road to the north, and headed straight for the West Mountain.
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In less than half an hour, everyone had arrived at the entrance of the Xishan Valley. The Xishan Mountains are actually part of the Taihang Mountains. Although they are not as tall and dense as the peaks in the middle and southern sections of the Taihang Mountains, they are still mountains. As soon as they entered the valley, they felt air-conditioned.
The mountain is dense and steep, and the trees on the slopes on both sides block out the sky and the sun, instantly creating a sharp contrast with the outside.
The official road into the mountain was built during the Hongwu period. Originally, only the Grand Canyon in the middle section of the Taihang Mountains led to the east and west, and a Huguan natural barrier guarded the main road in the middle. There was no other access. However, during the Hongwu period, the Ming Dynasty, in order to facilitate the transportation of troops, horses and materials,
To ensure the smoothness and convenience between Jiubianbian Town, several passages were opened. This is the most direct passage running through the Xishan Mountains from east to west, connecting Beijing and Yuzhou Datong. However, after entering the mountains, the road is rugged
It is so narrow that it can hardly be called an official road. It can only be regarded as a way to go.
After only two or three miles into the mountain, just as the old blacksmith said, the mountains are so continuous that it already feels vaguely isolated from the world.
"Brother, do you know where in the Western Mountains is suitable for hunting?" Zhang Yanling asked Zhao Yuancheng for advice.
Zhao Yuancheng said hurriedly: "There is Zhangzi Mountain to the south. This is what our locals call it. The mountains are densely forested and the valleys are deep. There are many deer, wild deer, pheasants, rabbits, etc. It is just a bit dangerous. Where there are many wild animals, there are also many wild animals.
I saw wolves and black bears there last year."
Zhu Houzhao said excitedly: "That's great. What's the point of hunting hares and pheasants? We have to hunt bears and wolves, preferably tigers and leopards, that's fun enough."
Zhao Yuancheng said: "There are also tigers and leopards in the Western Mountains, but these things live in no fixed places and hide like ghosts. I have never seen a few in so many years. Wolves and bears are bound to be found in Zhangzi Mountain. Tigers and leopards depend on luck. Even if I see it, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hunt it.”
Zhu Houzhao said: "That's not necessarily the case. Uncle, let's go hunting there."
Zhang Yanling said: "Brother, in such a position, official channels should be blocked, right?"
Zhao Yuancheng laughed and said: "If the official road is open, how can there be wild animals? Wouldn't they all be scared away? If you want to go to Zhangzi Mountain, you have to dismount and walk. There is a road where you can ride a horse for a section, but only a small section can be ridden. The rest We are about to walk. Let me make it clear first, the road is very difficult, and we have to climb three mountains to the south."
Zhang Yanling smiled and asked Zhu Houzhao: "What do you think, Your Highness?"
Liu Jin said from the side: "It's far and hard. Your Highness, we might as well find a nearby mountain to hunt. I think the mountain in front of us is pretty good. There are birds flying around on the hillside. There must be a lot of wild animals."
Zhu Houzhao frowned and said: "Why are you afraid of hard work when hunting? Those flying pheasants are so easy to hunt? Liu Jin, if you are afraid of hard work, just stay and watch the horses later."
Liu Jin hurriedly apologized and said with a smile: "What kind of hard work are you afraid of? I am afraid of your highness' hard work."
Zhu Houzhao said: "I'm not afraid, so I'll go to Zhangzi Mountain."
Liu Jin said: "Okay, okay, let's go wherever His Highness says. The slaves will just follow."
Zhang Yanling actually wanted to persuade Zhu Houzhao. Since he brought Zhu Houzhao out to play, he would be responsible for it. There were ferocious beasts in Zhangzi Mountain, which would be dangerous. Even if he was not afraid of ferocious beasts, the road was rugged and his legs and feet were broken. It would not work. Zhu Houzhao only needed to be injured After a little while, I will be scolded when I go back, let alone any big accident.
But seeing Zhu Houzhao's high-spirited look at this moment, Zhang Yanling knew that he was in high spirits. He was afraid that he could not stop him at this moment, so he could only follow his wishes.
Under the leadership of Zhang Yuancheng, a group of people left the official road along a rugged mountain road south. After less than two miles, the horses could no longer ride. The terrain was rugged, and riding a horse in this terrain was tantamount to courting death. Even if they still remained There are traces of the path, but it is covered by vegetation and the slope is so steep that if you make a mistake, you will fall down the mountain stream.
Everyone had no choice but to dismount and pull the horses forward until they reached the north slope of a large mountain. After a brief discussion, they decided to leave the horses here and leave people to guard them while the rest of the people walked over the mountain.
After resting for a while at the edge of the forest, eating some snacks and drinking some water, everyone continued to move forward. The road over the mountains was really hard. Zhang Yanling, Zhu Houzhao and the soldiers were better off, but it was hard for Liu Jin, Zhang Yong and others who were accompanying them. people.
First of all, they are not young adults in their twenties or thirties. Although they are servants who serve others, they are also pampered masters. You can tell that by looking at Liu Jin's body shape. Furthermore, after the eunuch cut off the thing underneath, there was Without the hormones that strengthen the body, the body became empty and weak, and could not withstand the torment. Therefore, Liu Jin and others were sweating profusely while punching the branches. They had to rely on the soldiers to hold them up and rest and drink water from time to time. Can keep up.
Zhu Houzhao was full of energy. He walked at the front, chatting and joking with Zhang Yanling. He didn't seem tired at all. After all, he was only a thirteen-year-old boy. It was a time when he was full of energy and it was something he was interested in. Naturally, I don't feel tired at all.
We walked hard all the way, and when we reached the foot of Zhangzi Mountain, the sun had already set.
The change was greater than planned. Before, I had planned to go hunting in the mountains in the afternoon and return to the camp in Xishan Manor to rest in the evening. Now it seems that I can only rest in the mountains tonight. While there is still a little daylight, Zhang Yanling immediately ordered people to go to the north of Zhangzi Mountain.
Temporary camps were set up in the plains of the valleys above. The tents and other items were left at Xishan Manor, so they could only cut down trees and build shacks to use as temporary overnight accommodation.