From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 1196

Although the scenery is beautiful, it is only on the way.

Zhou Yuan and others still dare not waste time. They have to travel 200 miles a day.

On the eighth day of the journey, a group of more than ten people arrived at Hamiwei. It has declined, with only low towers and earthen mounds, giving people a desolate atmosphere.

Guan Lu looked for a long time, with a complicated expression, and sighed: "The ancient Yiwulu land is in the north of Dunhuang County, outside Dahuang, 1,500 miles away from Suzhou today. It is a fortress for the northwest Hu."

"Protecting Hami is to protect Gansu, protecting Gansu is to protect Shaanxi, and protecting Shaanxi is to protect the capital."

"This was once one of the most important passes in Dajin, the most important center of intelligence work, and the hub of the ancient Silk Road. It was called the 'Golden Road'."

"Sure enough, nothing can stand the test of time. No matter how important a place is, it will become a deserted place."

Zhou Yuan climbed up The highest earthen slope overlooked the vast wilderness and said slowly: "The great pass and the city wall collapsed, and they can be rebuilt. If the spirit collapses, it will take a longer time to find it back."

"What can stand the test of time is not the great pass and the city tower of Hami Guard, but the countless heroes who dedicated and sacrificed here."

"Far away from home, defending the country and guarding the border, they are brave and outstanding, and it is worthy of praise."

He looked at Guan Lu and said: "Pour them a few glasses of wine, let the former heroes know that the motherland has come and has not forgotten them."

Guan Lu immediately waved his hand and asked his subordinates behind him to pour wine.

He faced the wind and suddenly said, "My lord, I suddenly realized something."

"Recovering the Western Regions and making it peaceful and prosperous is not only the wish of our time, but also for the future situation."

"There is also the past."

"Give an explanation to the heroes of the past and the martyrs who fought here."

Zhou Yuan patted him on the shoulder and said, "So, although politics is serious and cruel, it should also be humane and sentimental. This is the foundation for a country or civilization to prosper for a long time."

Strong liquor was poured into the yellow mud.

The wind was blowing and the air was sobbing.

The sand flew into the sky, lingering and surging, like roaring, like crying.

Zhou Yuan and others stood in the dust, with mud on their clothes.

The mud looked like the traces left after a hug.

Zhou Yuan looked at Guan Lu and found that Guan Lu was also looking at him.

The two looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.

Guan Lu said: "I feel a sense of mission and confidence for no reason."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "You are an intelligence worker, playing tricks. In the past, you could only lay the foundation for the battle, but you could not determine the real outcome."

"This time is different. This time, you are playing tricks. You should have more confidence."

Guan Lu shook his head and smiled: "I can only do something simple, not as good as the lord."

Zhou Yuan did not accept his poisonous advice and shouted directly: "Let's go! Keep going! I can't wait to see the methods of the opponents here."

Continue to travel, another eight days.

They have walked more than 3,000 miles, and they are less than 1,000 miles away from Yili.

Zhou Yuan and Xiaoying have internal strength, so their bodies can still hold on. Guan Lu and his subordinates are already at the edge of their load.

Therefore, they have to rest by the river for two days, and when they recover, they will continue on their journey.

"This is the Haidu River. We will walk along the valley to the end, and then cross a snow-capped mountain to reach the Yile River. Following the Yile River to the east, we will reach Yili."

Guan Lu held the map and said weakly: "Fortunately, this road is not a desert, and it is convenient for us to get water. We can set off after a day of rest."

"But we must pay attention that there are many tribal residents here. We have Han faces and no identity to cover up, which will arouse suspicion."

"We need to disguise ourselves, otherwise it will be too conspicuous."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said: "Okay, you rest first, and then plan after you have rested well."

Xiaoying leaned in Zhou Yuan's arms, and was also very tired.

But she was not sleepy, she just whispered: "I never thought I could come so far, the scenery along the way is so beautiful."

Zhou Yuan said: "Don't just admire the scenery, you see the river in front of us, there is something in it."

"Fish?"

Xiaoying's eyes lit up immediately, and she pouted and said: "I want to eat fish! Those dry food and beef jerky... I have vomited!"

She begged Zhou Yuan, more like a spoiled child: "Brother... Xiaoying wants to eat fish..."

Zhou Yuan pinched the little face in his arms and said mysteriously: "You still want to eat fish, be careful that you are the meat of the monster in the river."

"What?"

Xiaoying was a little puzzled.

Zhou Yuan said: "You don't know, there is a big monster living in this river."Xiaoying giggled, "Brother is scaring me."

Zhou Yuan shook his head and said, "I didn't scare you. This Haidu River is also called the Flowing Sand River. There lives a monster at the bottom of the river. There is a poem that says: 'A head of fluffy red flame hair, two round eyes as bright as lamps. The face is neither black nor blue, but blue and indigo, and the voice is like thunder and drums. Wearing a goose yellow cloak, with two white vines tied around the waist. Nine skulls hang from the neck, and the magic staff is very majestic.'"

"It comes out every two or three days to eat a person."

"I have told you so much about the story of "Journey to the West" these days, you should have an impression of it."

Xiaoying was stunned for a moment, then her face turned pale, not only huddled in Zhou Yuan's arms, but also hugged his arm.

She murmured, "Then how dare we rest here... Let's go."

"Hahaha!"

Zhou Yuan couldn't help laughing, it was fun to scare children.

He patted Xiaoying's hand and said, "Don't worry. Have you forgotten that your brother is a man of destiny? You are not afraid of this big monster. Look, I will catch some big fish for you!"

"Don't!"

Xiaoying hurriedly hugged him and whispered, "You can't go. Xiaoying will be scared if you leave."

Zhou Yuan said, "I'm in front. Wait for me to come back."

He stood up and was about to catch fish, but suddenly saw a man riding a horse, very fast.

His face changed, and he immediately said, "Guan Lu, someone is coming."

Guan Lu and others immediately turned over and pretended to rest, but they were actually concentrating.

As the person got closer and closer, he suddenly shouted, "Prince! Prince! Lord Guan! It's me!"

Zhou Yuan was stunned, and Guan Lu was also a little confused.

The man was about thirty years old and thin. Before he got close, he dismounted and shouted: "Your Majesty, Lord Guan, I am Pi Lengzi, codenamed Buffalo, and I am working with Lord Zhang Fei."

Guan Lu said in a deep voice: "Code!"

Pi Lengzi said: "No code!"

"It's one of us."

Guan Lu laughed and asked: "What's the situation here?"

Pi Lengzi said: "Your Majesty, Lord Guan, Lord Zhang Fei led more than 60 of us all the way from Suzhouwei to Yili. It took a full 17 days and everyone was exhausted."

"After finding a place to stay, Lord Zhang Fei asked us to disperse. I and five other people are responsible for this area just to meet with Your Majesty."

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at him a few times, and couldn't help laughing: "You are a good hand. When you dress up like this, you really look like a Westerner."

Pi Lengzi chuckled and pulled his beard, "This is fake, it's pasted on."

Zhou Yuan said: "What is the current situation in Yili?"

Pi Lengzi said seriously: "It's very complicated and very dangerous. The monks from U-Tsang are very powerful and cunning. They are suffocating us."

"But those people from the Black Mountain Sect are now fighting openly and secretly with the White Mountain Sect. It has reached an extreme situation and they have started assassinations."

"We haven't connected with the Inner Court Department yet. Maybe we have already connected, but I'm not in charge of that section, so I don't know the situation."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "In addition to the Black Mountain Sect, the White Mountain Sect, the monks, the Inner Court Department, and the Shenque, what other forces are there?"

Pi Lengzi smiled bitterly and said: "There are many, including the secret guards of the Yarkand royal family, the people of the Mughal Empire, and the people of the Tsarist Empire."

"The whole Yili can be said to be a riot of demons!"

Zhou Yuan clapped his hands and said happily: "Okay, I like it to be a little chaotic."