In the middle and late March of the summer calendar, there is already the breath of early summer on the desert oasis and wilderness ancient roads in Khotan.

In the past few days, the jade wool we have recovered from all over the country has been successively delivered to the commercial streets of the royal city of Khotan.

Now the owner of "Chang'an Fang" is Murong Zhang's cousin, he led dozens of men to work day and night, and finally polished and carved these wool materials into jade pieces before the Buddha Festival.

Buddha beads, net bottles, bracelets, jade pendants are all-encompassing, crystal clear and beautiful, each piece can be called a unique gem

The trade we made on this trip to the south to poison the Buddha country was to exchange these jade artifacts for coral, ivory, sea pearls and other things from the southwestern countries.

This autumn, the caravan will go to Chang'an and Luoyang in the east and Jiankang in the Eastern Jin Dynasty to sell these treasures of mountains and seas, and then buy silk silk from the Han Dynasty and transport it back to the Western Regions.

After the completion of these businesses, according to Uncle Su, the profit is at least 20 times, which is enough to make thousands of families worry about food and clothing in the next two or three years.

The only thing that makes me regret is that I have inherited my family's business as a merchant and have become a real businessman.

Of course, those who are engaged in business must put profit first, and they can no longer dominate the world, spend money like dirt, and live happily as before.

During these days, the whole family is talking about caravan travel.

The Qingfengze caravan is not only my family's business, but also related to the well-being of these people.

Most of the family members of the guys in the team are part-time maids in my inn, and in the two years since they stopped doing business, they have lost ten gold a year, and the business of the inn is sluggish, and many of the guys' own lives are becoming more and more embarrassing.

Dozens of old people in the team with many heirs have left the Qingfengze Inn with their families and gone to other places to make a living.

So when I regrouped my caravan and prepared to go on another journey, the happiest people were the old fellows.

once followed his grandfather all over the world, like Uncle Su and Uncle Men.

For the sake of livelihood, but also for the inseparable Jianghu complex in my heart.

There is one person who makes an exception, and who does not mention anything about business in front of me, and this person is the little sister Gulando.

After finishing the work in the store in the past few days, Gulanduo led three or five men to pick up her acres of cotton fields, and then went to her mother's side to play with Su'er in the evening.

It seems that he does not care about our business trip, and will not be as noisy as he was on his trip to Rome.

But I know that this woman has always had the ambition of a bird, and she likes to spread her wings and fly high, and it is not her intention to be trapped in the paradise of Qingfengze.

I also have a deep dependence on Duo'er, and it seems that there will be a lot less fun without her and Qingluan Big Bird on the way to business.

So Gurandot's omission of traveling with the team made me curious and uneasy.

Today, the cousin of Murong Zhang of "Chang'an Fang" set up a banquet in the wine shop in Wangcheng, and invited all the members of my caravan, wishing him a safe journey and a prosperous business as before.

The banquet lasted from noon until dusk, and everyone returned with a good time.

Uncle Su led the other men to Kunlun Horse Farm to select horses and camels for the caravan.

Shamihan and I rode out of the royal city, galloping in the direction of Qingfengze's homeland in the golden afterglow.

When we were about to arrive at the inn, we saw Duo'er and a few guys leading a horse-drawn waterwheel through the gravel path next to the poplar forest.

The big bird of Qingluan, which had been circling boringly in mid-air, came to our horse with a swoop and came to a steady stop on Shamihan's shoulder.

"Do'er!" My heart was hot, and I stepped forward and shouted affectionately.

"Brother! Shamihan! How's your errand? ”

Gu Landuo was dressed in a cotton short coat, holding a melon water scoop, holding a waterwheel and asking with a smile.

Like a lovely girl next door, it is difficult for those who do not know the details to imagine that she was once a strange woman who turned the tide in the distant kingdom of Rome and saved me from fire and water.

"Everything is ready, only the east wind is owed! Ha ha! Duo'er, you should also prepare early! ”

It's not very straightforward, but I'm clear

I'm already inviting my little sister.

"Brother, I can't go out with you this time?" Gulandou sighed helplessly.

"Why? Grandma disagrees? I'm going to talk to her! I whipped me lightly.

"It's not! Grandma is getting old, sober for a while, confused. The sister-in-law's inn is enough for her to be busy, and Su'er needs to be taken care of. If there is an accident in the family after both of us are gone, it will not be our lifelong regret! So I decided to stay by my grandma's side and help my sister-in-law keep this home! Not going anywhere! ”

Gulando's hands on the pergola looked at the sunset on the horizon, and said with a faint smile.

"Hey, loyalty and filial piety can't be both! Duo'er has worked hard for you, thank you, big brother! ”

I immediately smiled bitterly, and countless waves were set off in my heart, as if I had no way to confide in them.

"Miss, you're too diligent in the water, aren't you? I remember when we were in the Golan Mountains, there was not a drop of rain for several months, the cotton fields of the estates were not watered much, and in autumn they grew white cotton wool! ”

As he spoke, Shamihan jumped off his horse and led the horse to the edge of the cotton field.

The cotton seedlings are growing happily, each plant is more than a foot high, and the dark green acres stretch from the shore of the Qingfengze Lake to the edge of the sand sea in front.

"Brother Han, do you think this snow cotton in Canaan is your sheep on the Rouran Mountain! As long as you have grass to eat, you can cut a lot of wool every summer! Hahaha! I have long asked the local chiefs that the cotton fields are flooded with water every half month or so, and they do not end until a month before the cotton harvesting season, which is why all the cotton estates in the Canaan Mountains are in the river valleys! In addition, the soil should be loosened for cotton once every half a month, and after the cotton field is harvested once, it must be abandoned for at least two years before it can continue to cultivate! If the fertility of the land is not good, there will be flowers but no fruits! ”

When I was looking at Duo'er just now, a red cloud floated over her face, and when I saw Shamihan looking at her experimental field, I quickly turned to the cultivation of cotton.

"Hehe, it looks like I'm mistaken! Miss Bingxue is smart and talented in governing the country and the country, but it's a pity that she is a woman! ”

Shamihan touched his brown hair that had just grown and said with a simple smile, there are beautiful wives and young daughters in the family, and this strong man of the Rouran Kingdom seems to be satisfied and has nothing else to ask for.

"There are three achievements of our trip to Rome, a thousand taels of gold, a hundred feet of silk, and these fires of cotton! Hehe, Duo'er, you have made great contributions! I stood on the edge of the cotton field and exclaimed sincerely.

"Young master, you haven't talked about the most important thing yet! Miss Dolle is a noble person waiting for us, and only with her in our caravan can we turn evil into good fortune all the way, young master, so that you can escape from the Eastern Island safely, and only then can you create the great cause of the Canaan Uprising! ”

Shamihan spared no sparing in the most beautiful words to praise the Qulando.

"Brother, help me!" Doll shouted at me.

"What's wrong?" I was a little stunned, and I wondered what tricks this strange elf woman was going to play.

"With the praise of the two brothers, the little woman is about to lose her position! Hahaha! Duo'er helped me hide her face and laugh, and amused a few guys on the side.

At this time, Qingluan, who was resting with his eyes closed on the poplar trees on the sand slope, suddenly flapped his wings and flew high, swooping towards the ancient road in the distance, while letting out a sharp cry of joy.

"Qingluan is so happy, it must be that Big Brother Langton has returned from Lan Clan City! Let's go meet him! ”

After more than a year of getting along in the Golan Mountains, Gulandau and Langton's eldest brother have become like father and daughter.

Since the old Langton returned to his hometown at the end of last year, Duoer has been very concerned and looking forward to his early return.

Now the distinguished guest who can let Qingluan Big Bird go to greet him is naturally Brother Langton.

So Duo'er was overjoyed and handed the water scoop in her hand to the other guys, took out the green horse pulling the cart, and shouted happily to me and Shamihan.

We also quickly turned over and got on our horses, followed Duo'er's followers, and galloped away in the northwest direction following Qingluan's trail.

The ancient road in front of us extends from the Shache and Shanpi countries, which is the only place for Brother Langton to return from Lanshi City, and it is also the only passage for us to go to Kushan, Persia, and the poisonous Buddha country.

I've been worrying about when Langton will return these days, and the caravan is about to depart, but I still haven't heard from him.

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If it's really Langton, it can be described as a quick event!

In the depths of the sand sea in the distance, five Persian horses were galloping over a hill, and my heart was beating rapidly.

"Brother! Big Brother Langton has brought his family over, you have to let your sister-in-law settle them well! Gulando's cheerful smile immediately began.

"Is that old Langton? It's not like that! Shamihan's face turned red and he muttered quietly.

"It's Qin Chong! Liu Zhen'er! They're alive ! I blurted out a loud cry and rode forward with Shamihan.

"Qin Chong! Pot helmet! Is that you? "Shamihan's loud voice can shake the sky down.

"Young master! Shamihan! Miss! ”

The response of this group of gray knights confirmed our judgment that it was Qin Chong who had returned.

"Old man! Pot helmet Liu is finally back! After dismounting, Liu Zhen'er hugged Shamihan and cried.

"Young master! I didn't expect to be able to return to Khotan alive! Heaven will not destroy me, Qin Chong! Hahaha! Qin Chong was still proud, holding hands with me and laughing.

"Good brother! It's good to be back! It's good to be back! ”

Shamihan and I hugged and congratulated these "Cézanne Persian" heroes one by one, and the joy of the rest of our lives was all over everyone's smiling faces.

Bearded to the chest and dressed in filthy ragged Persian robes, each warrior had a few long Persian knives hanging from his saddle.

Because of the long-term war and killing, even in happy and festive moments, the eyes of these guys are still shining? The cold light of people.

"Young master, old man! Let me introduce you, the Semitic brothers Sabing, Hull, and Nimi, without the help of the three of them, Liu Zhen'er and I would not have crossed the Tigris River alive, hehe! ”

After greeting and hugging, Qin Chong introduced the three sergeants who were traveling with us.

"I've seen the Eastern Commander! I've seen General Sha! ”

The three sergeant brothers bowed to me and Shamihan with the standard Roman military salute.

Among the thousands of troops last year, these sergeants still remember me, the "Lord of the East" and the lieutenant general of the Heavy Knights, General Shamihan.

"Three brothers, you will be home to my country of Khotan! Hehe! From now on, there are no more Eastern lords and generals, we are all ordinary merchants! Hahaha! Brothers, get on the horse! Tonight I will slaughter cattle and sheep to catch the wind and wash the dust for you! ”

I laughed and let the three distinguished guests from afar on horseback, and they bowed their hands to the famous Captain of the Grulando.

And little sister Duo'er has long been crying silently, tears raining down.