Daqin, the northwest border, the long yellow sand, the cool sun is the head.

A sturdy cavalry was trudging through it, and under the scorching sun, both men and horses were a little listless, with their heads bowed, just avoiding the sun.

Chen Tang was also very thirsty, he licked his somewhat chapped lips and looked up at the sky.

There was no wind in the air, and the sun emitted a vicious glow one by one, which made Chen Tang's head dizzy and almost shook off his horse.

Chen Tang hurriedly tightened the stiff rope, sat down on the horse's back, then took the water bag from the horse's belly, unscrewed the stopper, moistened his throat first, and then drank a few sips.

The cool fresh water relieved the scorching heat in an instant, Chen Tang breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a wry smile: "Damn, the desert is really not a place for people to stay."

Li Kuang on the side was leisurely wandering on the horseback with his eyes closed, and let the horse follow the team forward, as if the heat was not on him.

"What's the matter, Chen Tang, I can't stand it a little?" Li Kuang smiled suddenly.

"No, it's just the first time I've been in the desert, and I'm a little uncomfortable." Chen Tang smiled embarrassedly, but his expression was still stubborn.

"Hehe, when marching and fighting, you must be prepared to climb ice and snow, endure hunger and heat. In the old years, I followed Marshal Meng's army to break through the northern frontier, and the vast yellow sand was much more powerful than this small desert. Li Kuang smiled faintly. There was arrogance in his demeanor.

"What the adults said is that Chen Tang has been taught. By the way, can you tell us the story of you and Marshal Meng's sweep through the northern part of the country? Chen Tang also has a long insight. Chen Tang's expression showed longing, which was not only to trace the glorious footprints of his ancestors, but also to learn some practical things from them.

Every soldier is always very excited when he talks about past honors, and so is Li Kuang. smiled: "That's good, it's boring anyway." Tell me what you want. ”

So, Li Kuang fluently and vividly recounted the process of several times out of the plug. Speaking of the highlights, Li Kuang's blood couldn't help but boil, his eyes lit up, and his arms waved more powerfully, as if he was still fighting brutally with the fierce enemy soldiers.

I have to say that Li Kuang should have received a good aristocratic education since he was a child. The image description made Chen Tang feel like he was in the scene: his blood was boiling, his fighting spirit was excited, and he couldn't wait to find a group of strong enemies to compete immediately.

After a long time, Li Kuang finally got tired of speaking, waved his hand and smiled: "Okay, that's all for today, let's talk about it later when I have time."

"Thank you for your advice, Chen Tang has been taught." I think about the splendor of my predecessors. Chen Tang's eyes were filled with a strong desire for military exploits.

At this moment, a cavalry galloped and kicked up the rolling yellow sand.

"Report ——, Captain, the advance of our army has moved out of the desert, and forty miles ahead is Yinchuan City." Come and ride loudly.

"Oh-" Li Kuang's expression also perked: "I've been walking for more than a day." Finally out of the desert. After the army left the desert, they should find a nearby place with water and grass and set up camp. Take a good rest and rush to Yinchuan tomorrow morning. ”

"Whoa!" Came to ride and sang, and galloped away.

"My lord, will we be stationed in Yinchuan City in the future?" Chen Tang asked.

"Yes, there were a thousand foot soldiers there, and now we will take care of it." Li Kuang nodded.

"Yinchuan!" Chen Tang read silently, and he knew in his heart that in the next few years or even longer, he would be able to loyally and enthusiastically guard this small border city.

"Chen Tang. Don't underestimate this Yinchuan City. Although it is small, it is still prosperous. And the location is extremely important. Li Kuang said.

Chen Tang is familiar with military books and has an understanding of the major Xiongguan passes in the Central Plains, but he is not familiar with this small border city that has never heard of it, so he said sincerely: "I am willing to listen to the adults for advice!"

Li Kuang was very satisfied with Chen Tang's studiousness, and nodded: "Yinchuan City, located in the northwest corner of the Qianli Hetao Plain, controls the Yellow River and Helan Mountain in the north, borders the desert in the south, and the famous Qingtongxia Dangerous Pass in the west, and then to the west and north is the Qianli Desert and the territory of the Yueshi people, which is the first-class town in the northwest border of our country. In addition, there are many large salt ponds in the southwest of Yinchuan, and counties such as Beidi supply salt to Donaiqi, even the Yueshi people also need it from time to time, so it is also quite valuable economically. It can be said that the city is small but very prosperous, and it is an important trading place between China and the Yueshi country on the northwest border. ”

"I didn't expect Yinchuan City to have such an important value." Chen Tang was also taken aback, and immediately remembered Li Kuangdi's words.

"Yes, otherwise, why would Your Majesty send our thousand elite horsemen here." Li Kuang laughed.

"Your Majesty's vision is really far-reaching, our army has controlled Yinchuan, and it has gained a geographical advantage, and it can be defended and attacked." Chen Tang said with admiration: "However, my lord, if Your Majesty does not use troops against the Yue Clan for a while, then we can only watch the moon during the day and count the stars at night?" Chen Tang suddenly thought of such a serious question: If this is the case, it is boring to death.

"Hehe," Li Kuang laughed: "I'm afraid it's impossible for you to be so happy." The Xiongnu were newly settled, the grassland was uneven, and the Yueshi people were still able to fully control the right part of the Xiongnu, so there were many rogues nearby: there were defeated Xiongnu routs, and there were hungry and tired rogues from other tribes. They come and go like the wind, and often plunder near the border counties, although it is a scabies, but it also seriously threatens the peace of our borders. It turned out that the 1,000 foot soldiers in Yinchuan were obviously weak, so our new army, which had just formed an army, was ordered to come here to train troops. ”

"Understood, my lord, we will definitely let those rogues who don't know whether they are alive or dead know that our Great Qin Iron Cavalry is powerful." Chen Tangyi became excited, and his face was eager to try.

"Haha, yes, it's time to give those guys who don't know how to live or die taste it." Li Kuang also sneered, and a murderous aura appeared on his elegant face.

"That's right. My lord, after hearing General Guan say that the adult is a famous family, I don't know which famous minister and general the ancestor is?" Chen Tang suddenly asked curiously.

Li Kuang didn't answer, and answered the question: "Relying on the sky, relying on people, relying on ancestors, is not a hero." In my Great Qin Army, I don't talk about my background, I only talk about military exploits. ”

Chen Tang was stunned. couldn't help but be in awe, and said shamefully: "What the adults said is true." The subordinates were taught. ”

As he was talking, the Chinese army had already left the desert, and the sky suddenly turned from sand yellow to emerald green, but there was green grass everywhere, and from time to time you could see one or two groups of wild things that were eating on the ground.

Tired of seeing the boring and monotonous colors of the desert, when I first arrived at this vast and verdant prairie, my heart suddenly stretched out.

"Nine Songs of the Yellow River. Only one set of riches. Chen Tang, do you know the meaning of this sentence?" Looking at the vast grassland in front of him, Li Kuang suddenly felt a feeling.

"My subordinates have read it from books. It is said that the Yellow River has many disasters, but there is one place that has benefited from the Yellow River, the land is fertile and the products are abundant, that is, the Hetao Plain. Chen Tang said respectfully.

"Huh. Chen Tang, a little knowledge, not bad. Li Kuang nodded appreciatively: "Over the years, my Great Qin has continued to immigrate to Hetao, and stationed heavy troops in Jiuyuan and other places, spending so much effort. In order to build this thousand-mile river loop into the eternal territory of our Great Qin for thousands of years. Therefore, those of us who have a great responsibility and do a good job, future generations will thank us. ”

Chen Tang attached great importance to the honor, and was solemn when he heard this: "What the lord said is that his subordinates feel more and more heavy on their shoulders."

"Hehe, a soldier is a good soldier when he is responsible." Li Kuang patted Chen Tang on the shoulder, and suddenly saw Fang stop and said with a smile: "It seems that I have found a place to camp." Aged soup. Walk. Take Captain Ben to take a look. ”

Li Kuang shouted: "Drive!" The war horse under the seat neighed and sprinkled joy. A puff of smoke slipped away on the grass, leaving a fluff of grass clippings in his wake.

Chen Tang didn't dare to slack off, slapped the horse's buttocks, and followed closely.

And the ten personal guards personally selected by Chen Tang, including Song Jian and Chen Jiang, also hurriedly patted their horses to follow.

Suddenly, more than a dozen horsemen galloped across the grassland, like agile lightning, and their riding skills were not weaker than those of the people outside the Saiwai.

After a while, Chen Tang saw a small river with twists and turns, estimated to be a tributary of the Yellow River.

At a turning point in the river, the flow of water has become gentle, and a small but very well-organized barracks has been erected by the former army, and the end is well-trained.

Li Kuang restrained his horse, looked around carefully, and nodded with satisfaction: "The camp selected by the former army is not bad, but now it is close to Yinchuan City, beware of being harassed by rogues, and you have to send out a rebuke at night." Suddenly, he said: "Chen Tang, you go and pass on my order, and order Lieutenant Yang Qi of the first department to send twenty reprimands, five for every five in each direction, and go out fifteen miles forward to sentry for the night."

"Yes!" Chen Tang nodded, patted his horse, galloped to the camp to give orders, and said secretly in his heart: "Lord Li is really worthy of leading a habitual soldier, he is really cautious, and he must learn more in the future." There is a saying that 'there is no big mistake in being careful', after all, this is a march and a war, and negligence must not be made. ”

……

This night, Qin Jun had a good rest, and there was no wind or grass.

Indeed, under normal circumstances, which thief eats the heart of a bear and a leopard, and dares to come to fight the idea of a thousand regular officials riding on the ground.

Early the next morning, the spirited Qin army crossed the river and marched towards Yinchuan City.

Soon, there were people on the road, but most of them were small villages with small populations, and the houses were still very new, so they should be mostly the people of the Central Plains who had newly moved in in recent years.

And the villagers are also very rustic, and when they see the arrival of the imperial army, they all greet each other in a friendly manner. Whenever an army asks for directions or drinks water, they are hospitable.

Outside the village, acres of fertile land have also been reclaimed, and the arable land that is relatively scarce in the Central Plains is very rich here.

It is conservatively estimated that the villagers of each village can get ten acres and eight acres, which can not help but make Chen Tang, who is poor, feel envious: if this is not a border plug, there is a risk, but it is a good place to settle.

"My lord, it seems to be very peaceful here, and there are not many traces of gangster harassment." After watching it for a long time, it was approaching noon, and Chen Tang suddenly said.

"Well, this is located in the southeast of Yinchuan, with Yinchuan City as a barrier, of course it is much safer. It is reported that the most serious areas of banditry are in the north and west, where the Xiongnu army and rogue troops often infiltrate, and ten villages are broken and few people live there. Li Kuang sighed, his face a little sad.

"Damn, when I catch these bastards, I'll have to cut them all with a thousand knives." Chen Tang became angry: As a soldier who protects his family and land, his inability to maintain the stability of the people is simply the greatest shame.

At this time, suddenly a cavalry came to report: "Captain Qiqi, five miles ahead is Yinchuan City, and Lord Liu Zhang, the captain of Yinchuan Garrison, has already greeted you in front."

"Oh, come with me." Li Kuang hurriedly perked up his spirits and slapped his horse away.

Chen Tang hurriedly led the personal guards to follow closely.

Sure enough, the horses galloped for a while, and there were more than a dozen riders waiting on the side of the road in front.

"Which one is Lord Liu?" Li Kuang shouted from afar.

A rough-looking general in his thirties jumped out of his horse and said loudly: "I am, is it Captain Li in front?"

"Exactly." Li Kuang hurriedly stopped the horse and said politely: "I'm tired of Lord Liu going out of the city to greet him, I've been waiting for a long time."

"Hehe, you and I belong to colleagues, and we should be. A banquet has been prepared in the city, specially for Lord Li to catch the wind, please. "Liu Zhang looks very bold and has the style of ancient Qin.

"Then Li is welcome." Li Kuang didn't squirm either, and laughed.

"Okay, refreshed, let's go." Liu Zhang laughed and turned the horse's head.

Li Kuang drove his horse and rode side by side with Liu Zhang, Chen Tang and others and Liu Zhang's personal guards followed, and the group walked towards Yinchuan City with something to say.

In a short time, the walls of Yinchuan City were already on the horizon, but they were still a little vague.

But after crossing a small flat post, the line of sight suddenly widened, and hundreds of steps away, Yinchuan City was impressively visible.

At this time, Yinchuan City was not the same location as Yinchuan City in later generations, but the scale was much smaller, it seemed, the circumference was only ten miles, and the population was one or two hundred thousand. However, the city wall is towering, almost eight meters and nine meters high, and it is all made of bluestone, which is majestic and steep, and it is a border fortress city.

Li Kuang couldn't help but admire: "What a border fortress, it seems that Lord Liu has worked hard in the past few years."

"Haha......" Liu Zhang became proud and said with a smile: "This is all thanks to the blessing of the infant general, it turns out that the city of Yinchuan is very small, much worse than now."

Chen Tang listened strangely on the side, and couldn't help but ask, "Lord Liu, why is this?"

Liu Zhangle said: "In the old year, after General Guan Ying attacked the summer camp on the right side of the Xiongnu, he crossed the long sea of sand and returned from Yinchuan, and His Majesty attached great importance to Yinchuan. In order to prevent an enemy army from re-entering our northwest border through this secret passage, His Majesty transferred me to build a new Yinchuan and guard it here. ”

"I see." Everyone suddenly realized: Sure enough, the city of Yinchuan is not trivial and has to be defended. Once lost, Daqin will lose its geographical advantage in northern Xinjiang.

As he was talking, everyone had arrived at the gate of the city with the vanguard of the cavalry column, and the infantry units that had been stationed in the brigade were in a posture above and below the city, and they greeted each other in formation, which was very solemn.

Li Kuang took a serious look at these border guards, stoic and fierce, his face was full of wind and frost, and he couldn't help but nod secretly: It's really hard for them to let these foot soldiers guard this frontier.

Chen Tang also glanced at the left and right seriously, because he knew that from today on, this would be the home where he would fight and live for the next few years.

For a while, Chen Tang's ambition suddenly rose, looking forward to the golden iron horse and the blue blood and yellow sand at the end!