Changmao Town, in fact, is still four or five hundred miles away from Tongbao City. The rebels there existed a year ago. It's just that because the terrain is dangerous, easy to defend and difficult to attack, it has not been destroyed. After a long time, the Xuantian Empire acquiesced in its existence and did not intervene more militarily.

It's just that in recent times, the rebels in Changmao Town have suddenly grown and expanded their territory as if they had obtained some magic weapon. Since the Empire didn't take it seriously, it was too late to react, and Changmao Town had formed a self-sufficient force that could stand up to the Empire in an area as much as a province.

However, the rebels in Changmao Town also seem to be self-aware. They knew what they were capable of, so they had some strength and stopped expanding. They also did not challenge the bottom line of the empire, and they never attacked the official road post of the empire. In this way, the empire put down the rebellion to no avail, and slowly relaxed its offensive, only encircled and controlled, and no longer attacked.

The empire's control of the rebels in Changmao Town was mostly concentrated on the south side, in case the rebels moved south to threaten the imperial capital. But it was not expected that the rebels would suddenly move north.

Zheng Zhi took the map handed over to him, drew a picture with his hand, and said, "After capturing the seven post stations, then Changmao Town has advanced about two hundred miles." ”

The correspondent said, "The general is right. Now the Changmao rebels are only about three hundred miles away from our Tongbao City. It is only a hundred miles away from the nearest of the thirteen towns in the north. ”

"The Changmao rebels may not be able to win the combined forces of the thirteen towns in the north. But if we want to exterminate them, we really can't do it. Probably, this is another protracted battle. After Zheng Zhi finished speaking, he picked up a pen on the side and roughly drew a range on the map.

"If the post station is charged, then the scope of the Changmao rebels will probably be like this. Among them, this cliff post in the middle is a traffic artery, and it takes a lot of effort to get it down, and it takes at least six months. This is still the case when the thirteen northern towns can join forces. In the current situation, if the Thirteen Towns cannot share the same hatred, it cannot be ruled out that this war will continue for more than a year. ”

After speaking, Zheng Zhi turned to Ding Qin, "What do you think?"

Of course, Ding Qin understood what Zheng Zhi meant. He thought for a moment and said, "Does the general know any route that can bypass the area controlled by the Changmao rebels?"

Zheng Zhi shook his head, "Alas. In this vast desert, there is only this official road, which is the only passage. The thirteen towns in the north are all located by the sea, and because they are located on the outer edge of the desert horizontally, they can have a chance to survive even if they do not take the official road. However, if you go into the interior of the desert, it is dangerous. ”

A melancholy look appeared on Ding Qin's face, "What does the general mean is that at least until we recover these post stations and regain control of the official roads, we won't be able to go to the imperial capital?"

Zheng Zhi nodded, and his tone was a little low. "Yes, there is no way. I want to cross the desert and die for a lifetime. You're not worth the risk. ”

Ding Qin sat on the chair next to him, supported his cheek with one hand, and slowly knocked on the table with the other.

He was extremely conflicted.

He desperately wanted to go to the imperial capital to find the province directly under his jurisdiction and find out his father's whereabouts. But he also knew that he couldn't risk his life.

"Is there really nothing the general can do?" After a long time, Ding Qin raised his head and looked at Zheng Zhi, his eyes full of longing.

"This ......" Zheng Zhi was also very embarrassed, "Virtuous nephew, I'm afraid I really can't help you." ”

"General, maybe not necessarily. Feng Lei suddenly spoke on the side, "Do you remember the legend about the Longyang Ancient Road, general?"

Zheng Zhi was slightly stunned, and then responded, "Longyang Ancient Road? You mean, the Longyang Ancient Road used by the imperial capital to rescue an emergency a hundred years ago?"

Feng Lei said, "That's right. Legend has it that a hundred years ago, the emperor was trapped in the imperial capital and secretly sent a message for help to the thirteen towns in the north. At that time, due to the turmoil in the palace, the rebels had the military power, and almost all official routes could not enter the imperial capital. However, with the understanding of ancient history, the Thirteen Towns, under the leadership of General Huyan, found out the Longyang Ancient Road, secretly entered the imperial capital, and solved the emperor's dilemma. ”

Zheng Zhi said, "Well, I have an impression of this. It's just that the incident in the palace was later recorded unknown. Moreover, during this period, there was an ancient desert sandstorm, and even the official roads were almost completely destroyed. Records of the Longyang Ancient Road have been almost completely lost. For many years, no one has found this ancient road. ”

Feng Lei said, "General." In fact, my ancestors died in the rescue of the emperor. Later, in order to recover the bones of our ancestors, my family has been looking for the location of the Longyang Ancient Road. By my generation, I had some clues. ”

Not only Ding Qin, but even Zheng Zhi is in spirit. Ding Qin stood up directly, walked in front of Feng Lei, and saluted, "I still forgot Vice General Feng's advice." Going to the imperial capital is about my father's whereabouts, and I finally found a clue, and I really can't wait any longer. ”

Feng Lei looked at Zheng Zhi, and Zheng Zhi nodded slightly. Feng Lei picked up a pen from the side, "The starting point of the Longyang Ancient Road should be between our Tongbao City and Pingliu City, near this Longkou Lake Oasis. And the dragon of Longyang Ancient Road may refer to Longkou Oasis. ”

Zheng Sheng looked at the point drawn by Feng Lei, "Then, can you determine the direction of the Longyang Ancient Road?"

Feng Lei took the pen and drew a paragraph, "Starting from the Longkou Oasis, all the way inward, to the ancient city of Fangzhu in the depths of the desert. The first section of the road should be like this. ”

Zheng Zhi looked at the route and then asked, "And then?"

Feng Lei shook his head slightly, "I haven't found out yet." However, some information shows that the Longyang Ancient Road is divided into three sections, and there are two ancient cities. ”

A look of disappointment flashed in Zheng Zhi's eyes. "The ancient city of Fangzhu has long been abandoned, and there is no way to get any supplies. If after getting there, there is no further route, it is impossible to get out of the desert, let alone reach the imperial capital. ”

Feng Lei said, "What the general said is reasonable, but it is not impossible to find out the full diameter of the Longyang Ancient Road. From some of the items left by my ancestors, I found that the Longyang Ancient Road was an old official road covered with a large number of bluestones, which was slowly destroyed by the years and finally covered by the desert. In the desert, as long as there is a starting point, looking for bluestone relics in the direction of the imperial capital is actually exploring the Longyang Ancient Road. The section from Longkou Oasis to Fangzhucheng is what I slowly found out during my annual vacation. ”

Zheng Zhi glanced at Ding Qin and saw that Ding Qin didn't react, so he turned to Feng Lei again, "Then, how sure do you think it is to find out the whole path of the Longyang Ancient Road?

Feng Lei said, "If there are manpower, the probability of finding out the Longyang Ancient Road can be eighty percent." And time,"

He thought for a moment before he said, "It took me more than twenty days to reach Fangzhu City from Longkou Oasis. When I came back, it took thirteen days. If it is in the direction of the imperial capital, if it goes well, it may be reached in four months, and if it is not smooth, it should be about half a year. ”

Zheng Zhi turned to Ding Qin again and asked for Ding Qin's opinion.

Ding Qin walked to the map and looked at these location points, pondering for a long time. Finally, he made up his mind. "If the war goes well, it will take half a year to restore official road transportation, and if it doesn't go well, it will take more than a year. From this point of view, taking the Longyang Ancient Road is a way. I want to try. ”

Zheng Zhi slowly tapped his chin with two fingers, "Well, there is an advantage in the Longyang Ancient Road in time." However, "

He turned to Feng Lei again, "However, can you guarantee that if you can't find the Longyang Ancient Road, you may be able to return to Tongbao City smoothly, at least the Thirteen Towns in the North?"

Feng Lei replied in the affirmative, "Yes, I can be sure of that." In the depths of the desert, the most important supply is water. Longyang Ancient Road is an ancient official road, and there are post stations at intervals, and there are relics until now, but it is not too obvious. Originally, there were wells in the post stations, and although they were buried by the wind and sand, they were able to find out the approximate location. When I was exploring the path, I came back with water supply by finding a well. ”

Zheng Zhi turned to Ding Qin again, "Are you sure you want to go this way?"

Ding Qin nodded. "Yes, just go. I don't have time to wait here. ”

Zheng Zhi seemed to have made a lot of determination, "Okay." Someone, pass my order. Dispatch a hundred elite soldiers, carry enough camels, hand them over to Vice General Feng Lei, and set off for Longkou Oasis early tomorrow morning. ”

After speaking, he looked at Feng Lei, "Feng Lei." I'll leave this matter to you. General Ding Shouyi and I have been friends all my life, not only Ding Qin, but I also want to find him. You have to remember that when you arrive at Fangzhu City, if you can't find a way to continue, you must come back and not rush forward. No matter what time it is, we must ensure Ding Qin's safety. ”

Feng Lei gave Zheng Zhi a military salute, "General rest assured." Even if I die in battle, the last general will definitely protect Ding Gongzi!"

Seeing that Ding Qin decided to take the risk and leave, Xiao Rou's eyes turned red again. She stepped forward and approached Ding Qindao, "Brother Ding......"

Before she could finish speaking, Ding Qin said, "Xiaorou, you stay here." After General Zheng and the others regain control of the official road, you will ask General Zheng to escort them to the Royal Spiritual Seminary. At that time, if I had been in Kyoto, I would have come to see you. If I have already left, you don't have to look for me, and when you are done, go back to Tongbao City and wait for me. ”

Xiao Rou nodded vigorously, but finally couldn't hold back, and threw herself into Ding Qin's arms and cried.

Ding Qin didn't know where to put his hand for a while. After a long time, he held Xiao Rou's shoulder, "Okay, don't cry, I'll be back." ”

Zheng Zhi let out a long sigh on the side. Feng Lei put away the map and ordered his subordinates to install it.

After a while, Xiaorou left from Ding Qin's arms and wiped her tears, "Brother Ding, you must ensure safety!"

Ding Qin nodded vigorously.

The bone soul never said anything. At this time, he said to himself, "Fang Zhucheng, why do I always think that I have heard it before? Alas, this memory is incomplete, and it is really a painful thing! However, this name should indeed be heard. ”