It was in Haigula that he commanded the enemy's 1st Army to launch a large-scale attack on the Eagle's Beak Pass in the Barentai Grand Canyon; Battle, Zhao Tiefeng, and Li Jiekun all led the team to desperately block on the mountain. The team of the Khan King, who was in a hurry, had already set out from Ejina a few days ago, crossed the Horsehair Mountain and Hami, and followed the official road post road to the Qiketai at the foot of the Flame Mountain.

There are military platforms and post stations of the imperial court for resting and replenishing supplies, so that the team that has traveled long distances for several days and is tired of people and horses can take a break for a while.

Prior to this, the Khan's return team and Klang Taiji's escort team set out from Ejina and crossed the Horsehair Mountain and Xingxing Gorge into Xinjiang to Hami.

King Khan continued to persuade Klang Taiji to travel north from Hami to Balikun and back to Kobdo; Klang Taiji, on the other hand, insisted on escorting the Khan back to the tribe before returning to Kobdo.

After repeated dissuasion from King Khan, Klang Taiji reluctantly agreed to part ways in Hami.

Klang Taiji had been preparing to go with the Khan to the Turghut tribe with great interest. This is to follow his father's order to escort the Khan King home safely; The second is to take this opportunity to visit his sister Jinhua Hatun and his little nephew Zhuo Ketu, whom he has not seen for several years. I've been an uncle for a few years, and I haven't seen my little nephew yet, so I'm really worried about it.

But now, the wish has been disappointed! Moreover, after going back, I will inevitably be blamed by my father, and I can't help but feel a little depressed...... But after thinking about it carefully, I feel that the Khan King has his own complete plan, and we can't interfere in the big things; Anyway, in the future, I will have the opportunity to meet my sister and nephew.

Klang Taiji gave the king of Khan fifty war horses and a gift prepared by his father for his youngest grandson, Zhuo Ketu; Reluctantly, he bid farewell to the Khan and led the team from Hami to his hometown of Kobdo.

In fact, the Khan was well aware of the dangerous situation facing his tribe and the whole of Xinjiang. Although I feel that it will be safer to have the escort of the Klang Taiji team; But Klang Taiji's entry and exit from the now chaotic territory of Xinjiang inevitably faces unforeseen risks. If they are also affected, I really can't bear it......

The Khan's procession came to the vicinity of the Qiktenmu military platform in Qiketai. This military platform is a large station on the post road of Xinjiang South Road, under the foot of the flame foot mountain; There is a garrison commander, and the garrison president leads more than 20 officers and soldiers to guard this post road hub from east to west.

Officials and merchants who rushed to Xinjiang from the South Road Post Road to the north and south of Xinjiang generally had to stay here overnight; Because further on, you will have to cross the Flaming Mountain. Passers-by must be here to nourish their spirits and prepare enough food and grass in order to successfully pass through the more than 100 kilometers of barren land - the passage of the Flame Mountain.

At this time, a southeast wind was already blowing, and the wind was gradually increasing.

At first, everyone thought that the wind was very good, and in this hot time, the breeze blew, which was much cooler and very comfortable; But the light wind gradually turned into a strong wind, and it began to howl, blowing more and more fiercely!

Mingzhuer glanced back, only to see that in the distance behind him, the sand and dust dozens of meters high had been rolled up, overwhelming the sky and rushing quickly. He hastened to advise the king of the Khan:

"It's a sandstorm, now let's go to the stage to avoid it?"

King Khan knew that as long as the sandstorms of this summer were blowing, they would not stop for a short time. After a little thought, he called Bayinqing to him and gave him a special task:

"You've had a great trip! Personally take a capable cavalryman, two people and four horsemen, bring enough water and dry food and set off immediately, along the South Road Post Road to Turpan Diyang and Yi, to Tuoxun Military Station, from Tuoxun to Alagou to Baluntai ......"

Bayinqing was taken aback! He couldn't believe his ears, and hurriedly opened his eyes wide and asked:

"My Khan King! You mean, let me leave you and go to Barente? ”

"Yes! That's right! ”

"What about your safety? ……”

"Don't worry! And there is a pearl here and they ......"

"Mingzhuer? …… He's okay with storytelling, but it's okay to spoil me. But when the killer comes, how can he greet him? ”

"Isn't there still Zhixin them, and there are still one hundred and ten guards......

"That's not going to work either! When I set out from the tribe, Hatun instructed me: I can't leave you half a step! I'm going to listen to Hatton about this...... Besides, you can send Mingzhu or someone else......"

Mingzhu listened, smiled bitterly, and shook his head.

The King of Khan lowered his face and said, "Bayinqing! You listen...... It's ten times more important for you to do this than if you're here to protect me! Among these people, your martial arts and riding skills are the best, and I can only rest assured if you go. Do you understand? ”

Bayinqing saw that the Khan King was determined to leave him for a trip, and that what he had to do was still very important, so it was difficult to argue anymore. He whispered to the king of the Khan:

"So what should I do?"

"You rush to Baruntai and explain the situation to the Golden Flower Hatun or the chief chief in Baruntai, so that they can know what is going on. Then, we must carefully understand the situation of the tribe, especially the current situation of the Kokand army's offensive and our defense deployment. Tomorrow before dark, return to the Alagou Pass and join us. Do you understand? ”

"Got it! …… King Khan! Bayinqing replied vaguely.

King Khan looked at Bayinqing's reluctant appearance, shook his head, and said solemnly:

"I'll be clearer with you. Yanqi City has fallen, and the passage from Yanqi to the Barentai Gorge cannot be walked. From here, along the Flaming Mountain Pass to Turpan, then through Tuoxun into Alagou, and then to Baluntai, the route is safe. In other words, we will all have no problem returning to the tribe safely......

"However, the appearance of our team was very sudden! It is completely possible to take advantage of the defenselessness of the Kokand army and get him in the appropriate place! It's just that we don't know the situation of the enemy's attack; Where to start? I don't know the bottom of my heart...... That's why I let you run this trip. ”

Only then did Bayinqing come to her senses, and she quickly widened her eyes and nodded vigorously.

Mingzhuer said with a smile: "Only you, the 'Sun Monkey', can cross the Flame Mountain without borrowing the Iron Fan Princess's 'Banana Fan'." That's why the King of Khan can rest assured that you ......"

Bayinqing called a guard, took the other two sturdiest horses that Mingzhuer had personally selected, and the items needed on the road, and prepared to set off.

Mingzhu pulled Bayinqing again and instructed: "Don't think I'm nagging!" What you have to do is very important, you must be careful along the way, don't delay the trip! ”

Mingzhuer said, and deliberately exposed the pistol on his waist, "Although I don't have your 'Sun Monkey' ability, and my martial arts are not as good as you, my marksmanship is not worse than yours." King Khan's safety, you can rest assured! ”

Bayinqing looked at Mingzhuer and Zhixin, and bowed with some sadness, "You must be careful!" …… Master Zhixin, it's all up to you to protect you! ”

Zhixin folded his hands and saluted and said, "Amitabha! The Bodhisattva will definitely bless the Khan King safe and sound! ”

Bayinqing turned his eyes to look at King Khan, still a little reluctant, and said a little sourly: "See you tomorrow at the Alagou Pass, take care!" ”

King Khan nodded, and said with a smile: "Don't chatter like children and daughters, life and death. Let's go! The sandstorm is right behind your ass, chasing it! ”

Bayinqing led the cavalry to turn their horses' heads and galloped towards the depths of the Flame Mountain......

The general of Qi Ketenmu's military platform saw the arrival of the Khan King's team, and he was very enthusiastic! He hurriedly led the team into the station to avoid the wind, and Zhang Luo arranged food and accommodation for the people.

The general manager asked the king of the Khan in a matter-of-fact manner: "The king of the Khan has worked hard all the way, and I don't know how many days he is going to live in this station?" I've been so careful about my living and dining arrangements. ”

"Just stay one night, and we'll leave early tomorrow morning." King Khan replied.

"It's windy now! This sandstorm may blow into the second half of the night. I definitely didn't have a good night's rest! Why don't you stay one more day before you leave? The general said diligently.

"No! Gotta go tomorrow. ”

"That's good, that's good...... The people accompanying the king of Khan can all be arranged to rest in the post house of the military platform, and the conditions are simple, so everyone can make do with it. King Khan and his personal entourage stayed at the 'Xiangyun Inn' next to the military platform. What do you think? He asked with a smile on his face.

"Just do what the chief said!" King Khan nodded.

After a simple meal in the military station, he led the Khan King, Mingzhuer, and Zhixin to the "Xiangyun Inn" not far from the military station.

It seems that this "Xiangyun Inn" has been around for some years, and the wooden signboard above the courtyard gate has been a little blurred; A pair of large old wooden wheels are placed on either side of the gate as decoration, and the rivets on the wheels are rusted, highlighting the traces of the long-cherished growth rings.

Entering the small courtyard of the inn, everyone found that the furnishings in the courtyard also looked orderly. A large grinding disc and a stone mill occupy the east side of the courtyard; On the other side, several stout hitching stakes have been clearly marked by the reins, and the upper orifices have been ground into deep grooves......

The main building of the inn is a two-storey building with a civil structure facing north and south, with a total of more than 30 rooms; Although it is not particularly luxurious, it also looks elegant and chic.

Such an inn, in the depths of the Gobi Desert, is naturally second to none! The conditions here are obviously much more comfortable than those of the military station.

At the counter in the lobby of the inn stood a young woman in her twenties. Although the huge green scarf covers itself very tightly; But the exposed angular white face and two deep black eyes, coupled with a slender and well-proportioned figure, show that this is indeed an unusually iconic beauty in the Western Regions. Mingzhuer couldn't help but take a second look.

The general manager said to the female boss: "Alya! The Venerable King of Turghut Khan has come to stay at the hotel! Then he turned around and introduced to the Khan: "This is the innkeeper Alia!" ”

Khan Dynasty Arya nodded, kind of a hello.

Arya hurried out of the counter and saluted King Khan. He said with a smile: "Thank you King Khan for coming to stay in the shop!" Today's wind is particularly strong, so hurry in and take shelter from the wind to rest. If you need anything, please feel free to ask! ”

"Hurry up and get the best room here!" The general said hurriedly.

"The best three rooms were empty! Upstairs, please go upstairs and have a look......" Arya said, leading everyone upstairs.

"Is there a suite?" Pearl asked Arya.

"There's just one set! The third ......"

Mingzhu entered this suite, took a look, and thought it was not bad. He said to Arya:

"Then we're going to want this suite and this room next to it. You can clean up again. ”

"Okay! Please wait. ”

These two rooms are well furnished; Except for some dust, it was clean and the bed was big enough and comfortable.

Arya took a maid and carefully cleaned the two rooms.

Mingzhuer and Zhixin, according to the old rules, carefully inspected the two rooms several times, especially the suite rooms. Mingzhu felt that there was no problem, so he nodded to the Khan King, and the room here was normal and safe.

The three Khans were satisfied with everything in the guest room, and they were also happy in their hearts. He gave an explanation to Arya, told her to wait well, and then said goodbye to the Khan and went back to the military platform.

The Khan lived in the inner room of the suite; Zhixin lives in the outer room of the suite and is in charge of guarding. Pearl lives in this one-room room next door, near the staircase, and is in charge of guarding......

In the middle of the night, the sandstorm was still raging. The terrible wind swept the sand and stones, and kept beating against the earthen walls of the inn, and the wooden floor on the passage was blown "creak, creak" and rattle.

Arya took the maid and knocked on the doors of the two guest rooms separately, bringing hot water and snacks to everyone. She saw that Zhixin was still talking to King Khan, so she specially asked, do you need to add another meal? Zhixin waved his hand and declined.

The king of Khan called Mingzhuer over and explained, "Have you paid attention? Gao Shan and Qi Feng, the two little guys, didn't eat anything for dinner; I was hungry fast, and my stomach was not full, so I definitely couldn't sleep! You send them these snacks and put them on a cushion. Let's take a look at our people......"

Mingzhu braved the strong wind, sent the snacks to Gao Shan and Qi Feng, and went to the military post house and stable to inspect by the way.

Gao Shan and Qi Feng were very happy when they saw that Mingzhuer brought them food. He immediately began to eat sweets, drank cold water, and curiously inquired about the place where King Khan and Master Zhixin lived......

These hundred guards were all resting in two places according to Mingzhu's instructions in advance; Seventy people crowded together on the big kang of the post house, and more than twenty rested in the hay room by the stable. Two guards were stationed at the gate of the military platform.

Seeing that there was nothing abnormal, Mingzhu explained to the guards standing guard at the gate of the military platform and returned to the inn.

Mingzhu entered the suite where King Khan and Zhixin lived, and said to King Khan and Zhixin:

"I went to the military post house to check, and I didn't find anything abnormal; The two little ones are still eating snacks and are indeed hungry...... It's been a hard few days! Sleep first, I'll be on guard......"

King Khan nodded.

Mingzhu returned to the room, pulled out his pistol, and wiped it carefully; I repeated a few more actions to shoot and resist the enemy, and I felt that I was already very skillful and used it freely, and there would be no panic.

He loaded the bullet, opened the safe, and leaned against the bed with the gun, intently observing all the unusual movements in the hotel.

The wind blew until the second half of the night, when it slowly stopped.

Although I had an extra meal in the evening, I was full and full of drink; But the high mountain lying on the big kang of the military post house was tossed by the Gobi sandstorm that I saw for the first time, and I didn't fall asleep at all. The wind stopped, and he began to feel a little uncomfortable holding his urine.

He pushed Qi Feng next to him, and when he saw that Qi Feng was confused and didn't react, he pulled hard! Shouted:

"Hey! I'm holding my pee, let's go out and pee, shall we? ”

Qi Feng, who was dragged awake by Gao Shan, also felt that it was convenient for him, and replied sleepily: "Hmm! Well......"

The two of them took the three-knuckle stick and the meteor hammer that never left them, and went out of the post house to the courtyard; I also felt that it was not very elegant to relieve my hands in the courtyard, so I prepared to go outside the courtyard of the military station for convenience.

The two guards standing guard inside the gate, who were sitting on the stone slab with their guns and napping, saw the two of them coming, and asked in a daze:

"Why are you going?"

"Go pee!" Takayama responded.

"There's a wolf out there! Aren't you afraid? One of the guards said.

Takayama shook the three-chucked stick in his hand and replied, "We have a guy in our hands." Unafraid! The two yawned and walked out of the yard.

As soon as the wind and sand stopped, a bright moon hung in the sky, and the Big Dipper began to twinkle.

Gao Shan and Qi Feng arrived outside the courtyard and saw a sparse grove not far from the left, so the two walked to the grove.

In this grove, there are some poplar trees and date trees, and the poplar trees are already half dead because of lack of water; The drought-tolerant jujube tree, although "unkempt", appears to be a bit luxuriant, showing strong vitality.

The two of them pee towards the grove as they do; While taking advantage of the moonlight, I was curious to enjoy the night scenery of the Gobi Desert.

The two of them finished their convenience and prepared to return to the military station. As soon as he turned around, he suddenly heard what seemed to be movement behind the grove; When I looked back, I saw a black thing on the sand dunes behind the grove, huhula and rolled down the dunes.

The two were shocked! Quickly squeezed the guy in his hand. I glanced at it a few times in the moonlight, but I still couldn't see what it was rolling down the hill?

Qi Feng said a little timidly: "It can't be a wolf, right?" …… Let's go back! ”

Gao Shan didn't give up, and looked at it carefully, but he still couldn't see clearly. He was bold and always felt unwilling, so he said to Qi Feng:

"Let's go! Let's go ahead and have a look! ”

Qi Feng was a little stunned in his heart, and he shook his head and didn't dare to take a step. Gao Shan dragged Qi Feng and said, "It's okay! We have self-defense guys in our hands, what are we afraid of? Walk! ”

The two of them were bold and slowly moved towards the sand dunes across the grove......