The vast Gobi Desert, the wind and sand are blowing for nine days, the clear sky sweats like pulp, and the starry night is cold like ice. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

A long brigade trekked with difficulty on the trade route between Qiuci and Gumo. On closer inspection, this is a strange brigade, with merchants and camel caravans, mixed with some armed guards who are not soldiers and non-civilians, and what is even more confusing is that more than two-thirds of them are actually civilians.

This situation is indeed rare in the northern (central) road of the Silk Road. But if you know where they come from, you will suddenly be a westward migration of the Hedong displaced people.

In March of the first year of the founding, Deng Zhan went to Hedong to negotiate and communicate with Mo Qin, who was in charge of the migration, and made all preparations. In April, the migration program was launched. Thanks to Zhang Fang's envoys, he greeted the counties and counties along the way and asked for care, so that the displaced people led by Deng Zhan and Mo Qin, who set off one after another, marched very smoothly. Almost not long after Zhang Fang's envoy group left Yangguan, the exile group also left Yangguan and went to the Western Regions Protectorate. The whole journey was unexpectedly smooth for Deng and Mo.

It was also because of this that the two of them ignited their ambitions, temporarily changed their plans, and decided not to stay in the capital to spend the winter, but to travel directly through the Western Regions and march towards the ultimate goal of Star Picking City. It's August, and there are still about three months to go, and they must arrive in Star Picking City before November, otherwise, the cold of the West Pole will kill everyone.

It has to be said that it was an adventure.

In addition to their courage and eagerness to take the risk, there was another important factor that prompted them to take the risk, and they came across a caravan group that received them and were able to accompany them.

As early as mid-March, when Zhang Fang was officially appointed as an envoy by the imperial court, the class situation used the secret channel of the family to inform the old sixth class who was doing business in the Western Regions. After receiving the summons, Ban Xing stayed in Qiuziyan City and sent people to Wulei City to keep watch until the exile group appeared......

Thus, a strange brigade was formed: the Ban merchant group, a total of twenty-seven people, twenty of whom were armed guards, and more than thirty camels and horses cargo. There were 732 displaced people in Hedong (except for more than 20 people who were recuperating on the river wall due to unsuitable water and soil and tired journeys), and dozens of pack horses and wagons. In addition, there were more than 20 cavalry escorts sent by the Qiuzi Kingdom.

Originally, the Western Regions Protectorate also planned to send troops to escort the journey, but when Zhang released the envoy and transferred more than 200 horsemen at once, the troops of the Metropolitan Protectorate were overstretched, so they could only send an order to the Qiuci country and let the Qiuci people send escorts along the way.

The leaders of this brigade were three people: Deng Zhan, Mo Qin, and Ban Xing.

Deng Zhan represented the Marquis of Fuping, Mo Qin represented the imperial court, and Ban Xing assisted on behalf of the Ban family. Although they are different, the ultimate service object is still Fuping Hou.

When night fell, the Qiuzi people, who were the guides of the brigade, found a sheltered place from the bottom of the back hill as a campsite.

Mo Qin led the elderly, women and children among the displaced people to unload the tent felt from the cart, set up tents, and bury pots to cook. Under the leadership of Deng Zhan, the young and strong among the homeless people set up simple traps and barricades around the camp to prevent thieves and beasts. The Ban guards were scattered from place to place, looking out from high places, digging into the woods, or following rivers...... This is all something that the brigade has done along the way, and everyone cooperates tacitly.

After the arrangement was almost complete, the three leaders met together to discuss the next step of the trip.

After five years, compared with when Zhang Fang first met, Ban Xing has added two white frosts to his sideburns, and the forehead lines are much deeper, but his bearing is deeper. At this time, he was writing and drawing on the sand moraine with a tree branch: "Go up the river, pass Gumo, go to Wensu, and then turn northwest and enter the boundary of Wusun." The whole journey is less than 2,000 miles, and we can try to enter Akatani Castle before October, where we can replenish supplies. After the princess of Wusun Dakun Minai Han, she was still very friendly to Han people. ”

"Mr. Itayuan estimates that he will be able to arrive at Akaya Castle before October?" It was Mo Qin who asked the question, who worked hard all the way, and after being out of the customs for several months, his original white face was also tanned. In addition, he doesn't wear official uniforms, and he doesn't dress much better than the homeless, so at first glance, he really looks like the leader of the homeless.

"If there were only caravans, no problem, but so many outcasts...... I see it difficult. "Saying this, it is not Ban Xing, but Deng Zhan.

Deng Zhan really has the right to speak, because of this route, he has gone through it twice, once and again. When you go, you move with the army, and when you return, the team rushes away, so you have a lot of experience with the length of time it takes for a small number of people.

Ban Xing nodded: "Brother Deng is right, it is difficult, in fact, I prefer to change the target to Chigu City this time." ”

Deng Zhan and Mo Qin glanced at each other and said in unison, "How do you say this?" ”

Ban Xing no longer concealed his opinion: "The so-called plan can't catch up with the changes, no matter how well we discuss here, with the changeable weather in the Western Regions, the complex area, and the fact that there are old, weak, women and children among the displaced people, injuries and illnesses are inevitable, and the journey is difficult, and it is very likely that we will not be able to arrive in Star Picking City on time in the end." But if you set your sights on Akaya Castle, it's much easier. ”

Deng Zhan also interjected: "What Mr. said is very true, it is true, it should be possible to arrive in Chigu City in two months." ”

Receiving Deng Zhan's affirmation, Ban Xing's expression was also excited: "We can rest and recuperate in Chigu City, wait for the harsh winter to pass, and then move west in the spring and summer of the next year and arrive at Star Picking City." ”

For this new suggestion, both Deng Zhan and Mo Qin felt that it was more operable. After discussing with each other for a while, Mo Qin said: "Mr. Dayuan's proposal is indeed feasible, but there are so many migrants waiting for us, will Wusun Dakunmi accept it?" ”

Ban Xing glanced at Deng Zhan and said, "Is this...... It's up to Fuping Hou. ”

Mo Qin knew in his heart and knew the meaning of Ban Xing, so they traveled all the way west to Chigu City to wait for Zhang Fang. As Zhang Fang's Han envoy, coupled with his noble background, with him coming forward to say something, Wusun Dakunmi would most likely agree to accept it.

Deng Zhan and Mo Qin discussed it again and again, and they both agreed to use this as a backup plan. Before they set off, they were all authorized by Zhang Fang to act cheaply according to the actual situation, without asking for instructions -- in fact, they couldn't find anyone if they wanted to ask for instructions.

Solving this matter, Mo Qin made up his mind, and thought of another question: "I heard that there are many horse thieves and sand thieves in the Western Regions, and Mr. has been in business for many years, I don't know if the rumors are true?" ”

Ban Xing nodded and said, "This one does exist, and it is still rampant." However, although the two of you can rest assured, my Ban clan has been trading in the Western Regions for many years, and I have never lost anything, no matter how rampant the bandits are, this face still has to be given. That's what my brother ordered me to answer you......"

Before Ban finished speaking, there was a sudden commotion in the distance.

Mo Qin stood up suddenly, Deng Zhan pressed the handle of the knife with his hand, and the class was still calm, and said in a loud voice: "Chen Zhun, what's the situation?" ”

Chen Zhun, the leader of the caravan guards, immediately drew his sword, beckoned the three guards, and ran towards the commotion. Before they got closer, the commotion was getting bigger and bigger, and a burst of screams could be faintly heard from the camp of the homeless people.

The next moment, very suddenly, a muffled sound of hooves sounded from all directions, and the entire camp seemed to be caught in a net of heaven and earth in an instant. (To be continued.) )