A few years after the Han Empire launched a large-scale westward expedition, in addition to the army that remained to guard Xizhou, a total of 30,000 soldiers followed Yuan to recall Chang'an. They did not take the Han warship to the sea, but marched all the way through the dust and the yellow sand of the Hanhai Sea, and took the golden passage that ran through the Western Regions.

"Yuan Gong, why do you have to endure the suffering of a long way and take this road?"

Taishi, who had been following behind Yuan Zhao, made Sima Qian a little puzzled. During his three years in Xizhou, he traveled almost to most of the territory there. Unconsciously, the wind and frost dyed the sideburns white, but the slightly haggard face added a lot of perseverance. Today, the inner world of the best chronicler of the Han Empire has jumped to a higher level. He couldn't help but sigh deeply, glad that he was able to grasp such an opportunity.

Since stepping out of the Xizhou region, Yuan Zhao seems to be a little worried. All the people around him were aware of it, but he didn't say it himself, but no one dared to ask directly. Although Sima Qian, like everyone else, wanted to understand what Yuan Zhao was thinking, he always felt that it might not be so simple. So it wasn't until he entered the realm of the Western Regions that he couldn't help but ask.

The march of the army does not stop for one day. When I left Xizhou, it was just spring, and when I walked here, it was already the end of summer. In the wind blowing from the vast Western Regions, the heat was finally dispelled, and it was already cool with a hint of coolness, which made people feel refreshed. When he heard the report from the former army scouts that it was less than two hundred miles away from Jiuquan County, Yuan Zhao ordered the camp to stop and rest, and answered Sima Qian's question at the same time.

"Taishi Gong, I can't hide it, there is a reason why I chose to take the golden channel, cross the Western Regions, and enter the Yumen Pass."

Sima Qian asked with some confusion as he removed the stack of booklets he had not finished writing from the carriage.

"Since I want to go back to Chang'an, taking the sea route is at least half the time compared to taking the land channel. But I don't know why Yuan Gong did this? ”

"Because...... Someone has been waiting for a long time at Yumen Pass. I have to come and see you. ”

There was a slight pause in Yuan Zhao's tone, and if he was careful enough, he could sensitively detect the deep sadness hidden in it. Sima Qian was a person with a keen sense of observation, and he immediately noticed that there was something unusual. I couldn't help but be secretly taken aback in my heart. Because he knew very well that the person who could make Yuan Zhao feel so much must be an extremely important person.

"Yuan Gong...... Could it be? ”

Yuan Zhao nodded heavily. Sima Qian's unspoken name out of prudence had already followed him for thousands of miles. Now that they were about to meet, he wasn't sure what awaited him. Even if you have seen the joys and sorrows of the world, you can also relieve the impermanence of life. But when it really came to his eyes, it was unavoidable, and the sadness buried in the bottom of his heart became more and more intense as the distance between them narrowed step by step.

Sima Qian's heart was inexplicably shocked. Could it be that Wei Qing, the general sitting in Yumen Pass, is his physical condition really so bad? Although he couldn't believe it, from Yuan Zhao's expression, he sensed an ominous premonition. As early as a few years ago, when he passed through Yumen Pass with the final army and went to Xizhou, he knew that Wei Qing was in poor health because of the recurrence of old injuries. But I never thought that it had reached such a serious point.

"Since Duke Yuan will arrive at Yumen Pass in a few days, you must be able to ensure that the general is safe with your means, right?"

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Sima Qian quietly asked again in an uncertain tone. Wei Qing and Yuan Zhao are known as the "twin pillars" of the Han Empire, and if one of these two optimus jade pillars is really unfortunately broken, it will be a huge loss for the entire country.

However, Sima Qian, who had always thought that the person in front of him was omnipotent, shook his head when he saw him smile bitterly. It seems to be talking to himself, and it seems to be speaking to him.

"Providence so...... If you want to change your life against the sky, how difficult it is! ”

Sima Qian silently bowed his head and did not ask again. He spread out a booklet, and when he tried to write something on it, his hands were so shaky that he couldn't hold the pen, and his thoughts were so chaotic that he couldn't write a word.

No one knew what he was thinking at the moment, and I am afraid that even Yuan Zhao, who was close at hand, could not have known the storm in the mind of this great historian who looked down on the earth and looked up at the stars.

Sima Qian looked at Yuan Zhao, who had climbed to a high place and looked in the direction of the east, with mixed feelings. The huge sun is about to set in the western mountains, and the sky is full of fiery clouds like burning flames. And that figure, against such a magnificent scene, is itself like the sun and moon radiating light.

"His light is too bright! Perhaps, this is God's arrangement. Such a light can achieve a great empire that has never been seen in ancient times, and can create an unimaginable glorious and prosperous era. This is the well-being of all living beings and all peoples...... But at the same time, such a light is destined to eclipse many things, and even die because of it...... For example, countless powerful and wealthy, contemporaries of the best of the times...... And the emperor of the world! Whose luck is this? Whose misfortune is it? ”

At this moment, Yuan Zhao didn't notice that someone was watching behind him for a long time. Feeling the meaning of the autumn breeze in his face, the heaviness in his heart dispelled the joy of returning to Dahan.

From a few years ago, he already knew that Wei Qing's physical condition was not very good. Unknowingly, looking back, so many years have passed since the two met. Yuan Zhao has grown from a lonely child to a generation of powerful ministers who are famous all over the world today. And Wei Qing has also changed from an ordinary guard of Jianzhang Palace to today's Marquis of Changping and a general. It's just that at the same time, Yuan Zhao, who was entering the best age of his life, suddenly realized that Wei Qing was no longer young. At the age of fifty, for many people who are pampered in Chang'an, they naturally do not feel old. But for a general who has been fighting at the forefront of the empire for half his life, it seems a little too cruel.

Especially people like Wei Qing. His self-discipline and persistence do not allow himself to make a mistake. Thousands of military aircraft, day and night, many important things have always been done by themselves, often forgetting to sleep and eating, and their living habits are extremely irregular, so they will inevitably cause great damage to the health of the body.

What's more, he fought all year round on the most important northwest defense line of the Han Empire from Yanmen Pass to Yumen Pass. The wind is like a knife, and the sand and dust invade, even if it is an iron body, it can't withstand such a long period of wear.

Yuan Zhao had personally written several times, telling him to take care of his health. It also collected a large number of precious medicinal materials from Xizhou, prepared medicines, and sent people to the Yumen Pass General's Mansion. It hasn't been interrupted for several years.

But even so, Wei Qing's physical condition is still getting worse. Even if he tried his best to hide his physical condition in the letters he exchanged in order not to distract Yuan Zhao, Yuan Zhao would naturally have a special channel to know everything in detail. Including his long-standing illnesses and new injuries, as well as his tenacity and strength

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……。

And Yuan Zhao understands better than anyone else. The reason why the Western Expedition led by himself was able to achieve a brilliant victory in such a short period of time was inseparable from Wei Qing's strong support.

This man, who never flaunted his exploits, was like the majestic and heroic Qilian Mountain, sitting in Yumen Pass, inspecting the four counties of Jiuquan, shocking the entire Western Regions, and firmly guarding this choke point to the West. It provided a safe back barrier for the Western Expeditionary Army thousands of miles away. It is precisely because of his existence that Yuan Zhao can rest assured and boldly let go of his hands and feet, and show his pride on the continent of Xizhou.

When the sun's afterglow is completely gone, twilight covers the land again. Yuan Zhao, who had been standing for a long time, began to sort out his messy thoughts, if they saw Wei Qing soon, would the two of them have a chance to drink and discuss swords again? He closed his eyes, felt the messiness of his sideburns blown by the wind, and felt indescribable sadness and loneliness in his heart.

Someone quietly walked up to him, looked at the slowly rising moon, and hugged him from behind, the familiar breath and whispering seemed to be the only comfort in the world.

"Uncle, he's going to be fine...... Brother, don't worry too much. ”

Yuan Zhao held those hands, felt the coolness of his fingertips, and sighed silently in his heart. Yun Bing has always had infinite confidence in him, and in her eyes, he is omnipotent and unpredictable. In the past, he was able to save people several times in the suspense of his life, so that Wei Qing was safe and sound, and naturally it would not be too difficult.

"Bing'er, there are unforeseen circumstances in the sky, and people have good and bad luck. You must know that there are some things in this world that cannot be undone by human ...... after all. ”

Yun Bing was slightly stunned. She had never heard Yuan Zhao's lonely tone like this. I couldn't help but lay my head on his back and let out a low "um". If she is allowed to kill the enemy with a sword, she will be fearless even if tens of thousands of people block her. But if it was something that even Yuan Zhao couldn't do, she had no way to think about it.

"That year, it was my uncle who carried me on his shoulders and handed me over to you. In my childhood memories, his broad shoulders were the safest thing to rely on...... Later, although they gathered less and left more, they each fought on one side. But his kindness to me will never be forgotten. Calling my brother, is there really no way to get his health back? ”

Yuan Zhao was silent for a moment, after all, he couldn't bear to let her down. He turned around and embraced her, rubbing her forehead.

"I did my best! It is believed that Jiren has his own natural appearance, and maybe, it can prolong his life. ”

Yun Bing, who got the promise of Yuan Zhao, suddenly relaxed. She trusted that her brother Zhao would not lie to her, just as she had entrusted the rest of her life to him, and he would never fail him.

And in the same twilight, hundreds of miles away, Wei Qing, who was in the Great General's Mansion of Yumen Pass, finally learned the news of Yuan Zhao's imminent arrival and his exact location.

The night is as cool as water, and the moonlight is as silver as silver. Wei Qing, who was sitting on the steps, looked up at the moonlight and stars in the night sky, and pondered silently for a long time. The sword he carried with him was across his knees, but he was not lonely for several years. This famous Spring and Autumn sword "Ink Dye" has followed him for more than 20 years, feasting on the blood of the enemy and cutting off countless heads. Crisscrossing the battlefield and making opponents fearful.

However, today, the blade of the sword is covered with dust, and it has never had a chance to come out of its sheath.

"Brother Yuan, you're finally here...... Alas! But I haven't figured out what to say to you in the end! ”

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