The breath of spring in the Mongolian steppes is getting stronger and stronger. The green grass seems to have popped up overnight, and the hue of the whole grassland has changed. In the blue sky that had been lonely for a long time, there were also traces of migratory birds returning from the north.

Following a team of singing swans, Zhu Youzhen and Da Yu'er rode on jujube red horses and galloped all the way north.

Since escaping from under the nose of Zhaisang a few days ago, Da Yu'er did not dare to go to the place where the shepherds were haunted, so she had to quickly cross the Horqin grassland and flee far north. It was only today that he escaped from the sphere of influence of the Horqin tribe and entered the Hulunbuir grassland further north.

Hundreds of years ago, it was the fief of Genghis Khan's younger brother Ghazal. After Meng Yuan was expelled from the Central Plains by the Ming Dynasty, it became a place for the descendants of Emperor Yuan Shun to graze.

However, with the decline of the Golden Family and the endless fighting, the former owner of this place has long since fled to where he has gone. This beautiful steppe has gradually become the object of contention for several surrounding Mongolian tribes, including Horqin.

However, several tribes were evenly matched, and neither could destroy the other. After paying the price of countless lives, a short-lived peace agreement was finally reached. As for the fat meat of the Hulunbuir grassland, no one can swallow it alone, and no one wants to see others swallow it alone, so they simply divide it as a forbidden area and prohibit any tribe from entering.

Fortunately, Da Yu'er and Zhu Youzhen were able to escape smoothly and arrive at this paradise-like land.

The two of them hadn't dismounted for several days, and even slept on the horse. At this time, Da Yu'er looked at it and saw that there was no one else on the endless grassland except for her and Zhu Youzhen, so she finally let out a long breath, helped Zhu Youzhen jump off the horse, and let the horse run away to nibble on the grass by herself.

Zhu Youzhen threw himself heavily on the grass that had just sprouted inches of tender shoots, looked up at the clear blue sky and white clouds, and was silent for a long time, but he couldn't help but praise sincerely: "It's so beautiful!" ”

It was the first time in so many days that he had taken the initiative to speak. Da Yu'er was overjoyed, smiled and pulled him up and said, "It's not beautiful here, I'll take you to a more beautiful place!" ”

With that, she and Zhu Youzhen got back on their horses and continued to walk slowly north. After walking a short distance, I saw a small river winding from the northeast, like a dancing silver ribbon on the grassland.

Zhu Youzhen hadn't washed his face for many days, and when he saw this crystal clear river, he couldn't care about the river anymore, so he pounced on it. He first greedily picked up the cool river water, drank it to his heart's content, and then desperately splashed the river water on his face and body, washing away the dust along the way, and his dry and red eyes felt much refreshed.

After a long time, he slowly climbed up to the riverbank, and lay lazily on the ground, looking at the quietly flowing river.

Da Yu'er was originally afraid that Zhu Youzhen would not be able to stand the stimulation of the cold river water, but it can be seen that he seems to have ignited hope for life again, and he really saw it in his eyes and was happy in his heart, so he couldn't help but stop it, just sat quietly beside him and silently accompanied him in a daze.

"Why is there so many bends in this river? It zigzags, where is it going? Zhu Youzhen suddenly muttered.

Da Yu'er hurriedly smiled and said, "This river is called the Mergrad River, which means 'smart' in Mongolian. But the tribesmen prefer to call her 'the first river in the world', because no one can count how many bends she has made. In fact, this place is not far from her end, and further on, she will join the Hailar River, which runs through the Hulunbuir grassland. ”

Zhu Youzhen was stunned for a while, and suddenly burst out of a headless sentence: "Smart? Is she smart? I think she's so tired and stupid to be so limping around. Wouldn't it be better and less troublesome if it flowed straight through? ”

"But you should look at it from a different angle!" Da Yu'er smiled sweetly, "Her birthplace is so far away from here, and the terrain is also ups and downs, but no matter how much she detours, she won't get lost, and in the end she can still come here and fulfill her wish." Isn't that smart? ”

Zhu Youzhen listened carefully to Da Yu'er's words, and said thoughtfully: "What is her wish?" ”

"Her wish is to go to Hulun Lake and Bear Lake, which are the most beautiful places on the prairie!" Da Yu'er looked into the distance affectionately, full of longing.

"Can you take me there?" Zhu Youzhen said suddenly.

"Okay!" Da Yu'er pulled up Zhu Youzhen in surprise and stepped on the horse again. This time, it was Zhu Youzhen who stepped on the stirrup and carried the reins, and Da Yuer sat in front of him and pointed out the direction for him.

The two of them traveled north for another half day, and at last when the sun was setting, they saw two lakes of the same color as the blue sky in the distance. The Hailar River, which meanders for thousands of miles, flows into the great lake to the north.

At this time, Da Yu'er leaned on Zhu Youzhen's arms and said sweetly: "The big lake in the north is Hulun Lake, and the small lake in the south is Bear Lake. Legend has it that they are a pair of good sisters who are close to each other, and even if they are incarnated as a lake, they are still closely connected by a river called Ulsun. ”

Speaking of this, she suddenly remembered Li Chongyao, and couldn't help but have red circles in her eyes, so she hurriedly stopped, for fear of arousing Zhu Youzhen's sadness.

Zhu Youzhen didn't seem to notice it, but kept riding his horse forward, and finally came to the vast Hulun Lake.

At this time, most of the ice in Hulun Lake has melted, and only a few small pieces of ice floe are still floating on the water. A cool wind blew the surface of the lake, and the fish and shrimp that had been silent on the ice for a winter also jumped out of the water happily, as if they were greedily catching the breath of spring.

The waterfowl and otters that feed on fish and shrimp also take this opportunity to gather and feast, and the lake is full of life.

Zhu Youzhen looked at the beautiful scenery in front of him stupidly, and indulged in this quiet scenery. He suddenly remembered that there was no strife, no swords and swords, and he could indulge himself without restraint. If there really is a paradise in this world, it must be here! Isn't this the life I once longed for!

Seeing Zhu Youzhen's eyes showing an abnormal look, Da Yu'er also rested her head on his shoulder in intoxication, and said wistfully: "Let's not go, let's stay here!" We raise a flock of lambs by the lake and just herd the sheep every day. By autumn, the flock has grown! When the time comes, we can milk the sheep, shear the sheep, and raise more lambs! ”

She saw that Zhu Youzhen was fascinated by what she heard, and finally mustered up the courage to say: "I can also... I can also give you many, many children, boys like you, girls like me; They grow up slowly, and we grow old slowly, and we just live our lives simply, okay? ”

"Okay... Of course it's good..."Zhu Youzhen looked at Da Yu'er stupidly.

"That's... Then you want me now! Da Yu'er's face was red, and her voice was like fine lines, but she stared at Zhu Youzhen bravely, her eyes were full of expectation! She suddenly grabbed Zhu Youzhen's hands and pressed them tightly on her chest. Although through her clothes, Zhu Youzhen can also feel her hot body temperature and pounding heart!

Time passed by second, but Zhu Youzhen's hand gradually became cold. Da Yu'er waited eagerly, but what was waiting for her was a long sigh from Zhu Youzhen: "Alas! I'm sorry, Da Yu'er, I can't! ”

"Why? Why can't you accept me! Do you hate me, that I'm a Mongol? Da Yu'er angrily shook off Zhu Youzhen's hand, and the tears of the bean size had rolled down from the corners of her eyes.

"No, Da Yu'er, I like you very much. But I can't stay here with you, because I can't just walk away! Zhu Youzhen looked up at the sky, his pupils were blood-red by the setting sun, "I want to go back to Guannai, where I am my hometown, where I care about people and people I care about!" And I also want to avenge Chongyao, and all the Han people who died tragically at the hands of the Mongols and Jurchens, I have no mood or qualification to hide here and enjoy Qingfu! ”

"I promised my sister that I would take care of you for the rest of my life!" Da Yu'er cried bitterly and said, "I won't disobey my sister's instructions, and you shouldn't think that your sister is unhappy in heaven!" ”

"Everyone is born in this world and has their own mission, not just for others." Zhu Youzhen said slowly but resolutely, "I have my mission, you have your mission, and Chongyao also has her mission!" No one can escape this mission, but unfortunately you and I have different missions! ”

"Nope! I can go with you, anywhere! That's my calling! Da Yu'er cried out heartbreakingly.

Zhu Youzhen shook his head and said, "My mission is extremely difficult, and it is really a life of nine deaths. Chongyao has killed me, and I don't want to ruin the happiness of your life again. ”

"I'm not afraid!" Da Yu'er said categorically, "Even if you die tomorrow, I will follow you!" ”

At this moment, the dull sound of horses' hooves was suddenly heard in the distance, and immediately a group of Mongolian cavalry appeared on the horizon.

"It's Abba! Abba is still chasing after him! Da Yu'er's face turned cold, and she pulled up Zhu Youzhen and was about to run away.

But the pursuers came from all directions, and in a short time, the two of them were tightly trapped in it!

Zhai Sang rode out of the encirclement and said sadly: "Da Yu'er, I know you like this kid. But Huang Taiji asked you by name, you can't ignore the lives of the whole clan for the sake of yourself! Listen to Abba, go back with me, and marry Huang Taiji! ”

Da Yu'er was silent for a moment, and suddenly said coldly: "I can go back with you, but there is one condition: you let him go immediately!" Otherwise, I will die in front of you at once! ”

Zhai Sang sighed: "Okay! I'll promise you this time, whoever made you my daughter! ”

Da Yu'er turned around and smiled sadly at Zhu Youzhen: "Lord Wang, you are right, everyone has their own mission, no!" It's fate! That's my fate! I give you this jujube red horse, which can take you out of the prairie and back to Guannai. I'm sorry, I couldn't fulfill my sister's request! ”

Speaking of this, she was already in tears, and she couldn't cry.

In a short time, Da Yu'er was surrounded by the Mongol cavalry, and gradually disappeared on the horizon with the setting sun.

Zhu Youzhen let out a long roar, pinched the horse's belly with his legs, and galloped south, but said silently in his heart: "Da Yu'er, I'm sorry!" I failed you, you hate me! ”

And Da Yu'er, who was dozens of miles away, seemed to have a heart-to-heart connection with Zhu Youzhen at this time, and invariably recited silently: "Lord Wang, I won't hate you!" I will never forget my sister's entrustment! ”