Lin Tong and other seven young men who had just turned seventeen years old were kneeling on the ground bare-chested, Lin Yi explained to me one by one, among these people, in addition to Lin Tong, the fair-skinned and gentle one is Lin Jin of the third grandfather's family, the sturdy one is Lin Chi of the fourth grandfather's family, the mighty one is Lin Jing, the slightly dark-skinned, medium-sized one is Guo Xiaoshuang, the distant grandchild of Guo Jiazhai, plus Huo Feng and Ling Feng who I met just now, the seven people are all in the same year, although the months are different, but they all held a coming-of-age ceremony together today.

Each of the seven young men who were about to become adults solemnly cut their fingers with a sharp knife, dripped the blood into a large celadon bowl containing tiger blood and spirits, and then mixed it into seven bowls, and the seven people raised the bowl and drank it all, which was considered to have completed the coming-of-age ceremony.

These seven bowls of spirits mixed with the blood of seven people symbolize the connection of seven people's flesh and blood, which not only shows the strength and courage of the men, but also implies the unity and harmony of the brothers, regardless of each other. After these seven people bowed in blood, they once again carried out a grand bow to express their loyalty to Lin Zongyi, the lord of Lin Jiabao and Guo Song, the owner of Guojiazhai, and the entire ancestor worship ceremony was announced in the sound of drums.

Through this so-called coming-of-age ceremony, I have seen how strong the cohesion of Linjiapu and Guojiazhai is. Through this kind of blood bonding, which is similar to a blood bond, all the children of the clan are loyal to the suzerain of their own family, and they have mellow family affection and friendship with each other.

And the children of the two families also have an unusual friendship with each other, especially in terms of unanimity, there is no barrier. Being able to take this way to strengthen the connection of clan ties shows that Lin Zongyi is really not simple!

After the ceremony, I stepped forward to congratulate Lin Tong and others, hoping that they could study hard, be talented and civil, and succeed in their studies as soon as possible, serve the Han court, and win glory for their families. Hearing my encouragement, Lin Tong and the others were extremely excited and thanked me again and again.

Back in the beautiful and comfortable bedroom arranged by the Lin family, I saw that my carry-on luggage, including the five-shot shotgun, was all placed on the low table. I opened it and saw that the contents were not missing.

It seems that Lin Jiabao is the home of Xinyi, and no one is rummaging through my luggage at will. I took out a few atlases and decided to carefully study the situation in the mountains and rivers of Yunnan so that I could carry out the operation smoothly in the future.

In addition to two detailed maps of national road traffic and tourism, there is also a remote sensing topographic map specially used for scientific research and guidance of military operations, including detailed terrain structures of mountains and rivers across the country, as well as detailed distribution of various mineral deposits in the country, which is also a necessary information for exploration, which I spent a lot of time and energy to find. These important materials are rare in later generations, and they are even more priceless in this era.

I found the location of Zhongling Mountain in Yunnan Province on the map, and found that this peak is just a branch of Wumeng Mountain, located between Kunming and Qujing in Yunnan Province, and is the only way between the two places. According to the location, the Ningzhou mentioned by Lin Yi should be near the Qujing City in the later generations, and the Tokyo Shanxian Mansion of the Great Yi Ningguo is located in the west of Dianchi Lake and Xishan, which is the ancient Kunming.

According to my observations, Ningzhou's strategic position is very important, because it is located in the plain area on the east side of Wumeng Mountain, surrounded by the Nanpan River in the north, east and south directions, and only the west is the only land route, so it is an excellent strategic location.

Yesterday, I learned from Lin Yi that Ningzhou is still the largest grain producing area in the vicinity due to its abundant water sources and fertile land. In addition, the waterway and land transportation are developed, and it is the largest trade center and commodity distribution center in eastern Yunnan. Although the other six counties are barren and economically backward, and can hardly even be self-sufficient in food, Ningzhou alone can almost feed more than 100,000 people, indicating that this is indeed a rare treasure of feng shui. No wonder Sun Decheng dared to rebel against the Han and stand on his own, and this rich and beautiful Ningzhou is one of the biggest temptations. Thinking of this, I yearn for Ningzhou even more, and I can't wait in my heart.

The next day, I simply packed some bags, especially my shotgun and the bag of artificial crystals, and let Lin Tong and others carry the rest of the luggage to Ningzhou for me. I'm a gunman now, and although it's a bit conspicuous to carry this shotgun, most people don't know about it, they don't know what it's for, and I don't usually worry about being discovered. However, even though it was a bit risky to carry it into the city, it was my only weapon of self-defense, and I couldn't let it out of my side at all.

It was only about 60 miles from Linjiabao to Ningzhou, and the two of us rode carefully selected horses, discussing local customs along the way, and it took less than two hours to arrive at the largest west gate of Ningzhou City.

From a distance, we can see that under the tall city gate tower engraved with the two big characters of 'Ningzhou', only one side door is opened in the three city gate holes, and more than a dozen soldiers are scattered on both sides of the door, and they are conducting a strict inventory of the peddlers and pawns and ordinary people who have entered the city, and the long queue into the city makes us feel a little surprised.

Lin Yi whispered to me: "It seems that Sun Decheng has strengthened the inspection of the people entering the city to prevent accidents, and the personnel guarding the door have all been replaced. I'm a local, and I often come and go in Ningzhou, so there's no problem, but your accent can't be hidden, and if you are checked out, I'm afraid it will be very troublesome. When we enter the city, you follow me, and I'll explore the way first, and if there is any problem, we will think of another idea. After saying this, Lin Yi rode out, bypassing the long procession, and the two of them galloped towards the city gate from a distance.

Outside the city gate, a soldier with a scimitar at his waist stretched out his hand to stop Lin Yi's horse's head, and saw that we were both riding high-headed horses, and they were well-dressed and extraordinary, so they didn't dare to scold us easily, but looked at us carefully and asked, "Where are you from, do you have a diploma to enter the city?" ”

Lin Yi hurriedly dismounted and said: "Lin Yi is Lin Jiabao in the next place, and his house is already in the city, and I am going to go into the city to visit my mentor Master Qian." I haven't lived in the city for many days, and I really don't know what else I need to enter the city, so I ask my brother to make it convenient and thank you another day. ”

"Oh! It turned out to be the eldest son of Lin Jiabao, however, there has been an order on the peak recently, and no one is allowed to enter the city if they are not the official eunuchs of the city, and those who do not have a diploma from entering the city. ”

Lin Yi said with a smile: "I also have a house in the lower city, but I haven't come back recently." If I want to open the way, I can only get it after I enter the city. Brother, please make it easy for you! As he spoke, the silver in his sleeve was quietly handed over.

The soldier was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Lin Gongzi, don't be like this, our General Yang has already sent a message, if someone lets people in and out casually, hang his head on this city wall, this is not a joke, there are people watching it before and after!" Lin Gongzi, don't embarrass me! ”

When I was in a dilemma, a military attache with a captain's uniform walked out of it, saw Lin Yi and me at a glance, and hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "May I ask if this is Lin Dagongzi from Lin Jiabao?" Xiaguan Chengxun was ordered to wait here for a long time. ”

Lin Yi was slightly stunned, then understood, and hurriedly hugged his fists with joy on his face and said: "Lin Moushan Villager, how dare General Labor come to greet him in person, let me go in the future." ”

"Hey! Lin Gongzi is the proud of Lord Qian, and he is a well-known virtuous and upright person in Yunnan, and the lower officials have long admired him. Na Cheng Xun turned his head to the soldier and said, "I am Cheng Xun, the captain of the Yuezhou Weizhong Military Academy, and now I am arranged by the marshal to inspect the city gates. Lin Gongzi is originally from Ningzhou, and he is also a guest specially invited by the marshal, and he asked me to wait here, do you still need any diploma to enter the city? ”

Seeing this, the soldier hurriedly said in a loud voice: "General Cheng, please don't mind, the little one acts according to the order, I don't know the depth, don't misunderstand the prince of Wanwang Lin, please come in quickly, two gentlemen!" ”

Lin Yi and I gestured to him, led the horse and followed Cheng Xun towards the city.

When we walked around the corner of a street, Na Cheng Xun looked around at no one, led us to a secluded place and whispered, "Lord Li, please forgive the official for not being able to see the courtesy." ”

With my nod, I continued: "General Jian has now been appointed by Sun Decheng as the commander of Ningzhou's soldiers and horses, responsible for the security situation inside and outside the city, and he can't spare time temporarily, so he can't come to greet the lord in person. He ordered the official to tell the lord that he had booked two rooms at the Yue Guest Inn, and that he would go to the inn tonight to meet the lord and talk about it when there was anything to do. If there is an emergency, you can go to the Ma Bujun command post at the south gate to find him, and if there is nothing to do, the lower official will leave. Seeing that I nodded, he didn't dare to stay long, so he turned around and left quietly.

Lin Yi whispered to me: "I have seen this person at Jian Zheng's place, and he is undoubtedly Jian Zheng's confidant. Let's not go to the Lin family's mansion first, and now we will stay at the inn for the time being, and then go to the city for a casual walk, and then go to the Qian Mansion to inform the teacher at night, I don't know what the adults want? ”

I nodded in agreement, and under the leadership of Lin Yi, I crossed several streets and came to a bluestone street called Yubei Street, and stopped in front of a large, well-decorated inn.

I saw a tall plaque standing at the door of the store, which was written with gold powder 'Yue Guest Inn' four big characters, although it was a little old, but the people at the door came and went, all of them were beautifully dressed people, it seems that this should be a so-called high-end inn in ancient times.