After several frustrations with the Turghut and Heshute tribes, Aguba was forced to terminate his military campaign aimed at the rapid conquest and extermination of the two Mongol tribes. turned to the means of blockade and containment to deal with these two "hard bones" that made him very troubled. He planned to wait until he took Tuoxun, Dabancheng, Urumqi and the entire northern frontier, and then turned back and made every effort to eliminate these two powerful natural enemies who had caused him to lose his troops and lose his prestige.

Aguba stationed the 1st Cavalry Division of the Yunus Flank Regiment on the line from the Barentai Grand Canyon Pass to the Kaidu River to encircle and blockade the Turghut tribe. A reinforced regiment of the 2nd Cavalry Division of the Flanker Regiment was to continue to be stationed on the line from Ushtara to the Baurtu Grand Canyon Pass to encircle and blockade the Hoshute tribe.

The two remaining cavalry regiments of the 2nd Cavalry Division of this Flankers Corps. After the failure of the attack on Kuruk Mountain and the sweep of Huduksumu, the Yanqi barracks were withdrawn; It was mixed with the garrison of the Yanqi Barracks to form a new mobile strike force. Ready to respond to military operations in both directions.

The two cavalry divisions of the enemy's flank corps each set up more than twenty patrols; A combination of regular and irregular times, it patrols and wanders between various mountain passes and river valleys without interruption. to find opportunities and capture fighters.

Aguba's calculations were vicious: he first caused the two tribes to lose all their winter and autumn pastures; and cut off all the grain routes of the two tribes. The intention is to trap the men and horses of the two Mongol tribes in the mountains, or force them to surrender out of the mountains! …… With a long siege, even if they can barely survive in the mountains; It must also be a big loss of vitality! Vulnerable. There is no longer the strength to compete with his own army.

Two years after the end of the "Battle of the Seven Stars" and the "Battle of Baoertu", another spring (1870 AD, the ninth year of Tongzhi).

Just after Qingming, the snow on the Bayinbrook grassland began to slowly melt. The grass that has been withered for a winter has already revealed a few green shoots...... The prairie, which had been sleeping for another winter, gradually began to wake up.

Due to the siege and blockade of the Agubo invading army for nearly three years, the Turghut tribe has been trapped here for three winters.

Considering that in several encounters with the invading army, although the enemy army was severely damaged, and the tribe itself was also injured, it took a certain amount of time to recuperate. In addition, the Aguba invading army, which received a large amount of British military aid, further enhanced its combat strength; A large number of enemy troops were guarding the passes of the Barentai Gorge and the Kaidu River Gorge, eyeing them and spreading their nets. Tens of thousands of enemy troops in the two enemy battalions of Korla and Yanqi were also eager to try, wanting to take revenge at any time...... King Khan ordered: It is strictly forbidden for tribal soldiers and civilians to come out of the mountains from the Barentai Grand Canyon and the Kaidu River Valley to contact the enemy army. In order to preserve strength, recuperate, and wait for the arrival of the imperial court's western expedition......

Through more than two years of vigorous warfare, the tribe's combat strength has gradually recovered, and the weapons and ammunition have also become abundant. However, there is no ideal solution to the problem of food, medicine and other provisions.

Bayingbrook does not produce wheat and corn, which are food crops. A small amount of land was reclaimed and some barley was planted. However, the harvested barley can only be a drop in the bucket, and it cannot solve the fundamental problem.

The cattle, sheep and livestock of the entire tribe, after losing their winter and autumn pastures, are all concentrated in the Bayinbrook grassland. Although here is the largest alpine grassland in the country; But the overabundance of cattle and sheep has made the already degraded grasslands even more unbearable. The lack of forage has led to a large number of livestock deaths and a sharp decline in herd size.

The consumption of tens of thousands of horses and horses by the tribesmen, soldiers and civilians is very amazing! Although the grain purchased from Ili and Russia can be sustained temporarily, it will never be able to sustain it for a long time.

The Khan and his leaders were struggling to find a solution......

Time flies, time flies. It has been nearly three years since the Boy Scouts set up camp. The little guys such as Dorji, Gao Shan, Qi Feng, Niman, Guli, and Sang Lan have all naturally transitioned from ignorant "naughty ghosts" to high-spirited boys and girls at the age of sixteen or seventeen.

Although childishness has not been taken off; However, after nearly three years of systematic training and cultural study, all of them have a solid foundation and high skills, and they can also read and break words, and talk about the world...... This all depends on the careful care of the chief trainer Wei Xiao and the careful teaching of the martial arts and cultural instructor Zhixin.

Guli and Sang Lan spent the cardamom years of their lives on the prairie. Not only did he practice the basic skills solidly, but he also practiced horseback archery very skillfully. Each person has a cowhide long whip, and the play is also decent and powerful! In addition to Master Zhixin's careful teaching, this also benefited from the patient guidance of Cai Cike.

Everyone is gearing up and eager to try! Just rush out of the mountain and compete with the invaders and thieves to relieve the hatred in your heart!

Dorji, a natural "planning expert", thinks every day about how to show the power of the Boy Scouts? Open your eyes to those who still see them as little children! ……

this day. Ma Lan got up early and prepared breakfast for everyone. She called Gu Li and Sang Lan up, but found that Gu Li's two eyes were very red and swollen, so she asked Gu Li distressedly:

"What's going on? The eyes cry like this. Feeling unwell? ”

Guli shook her head and didn't speak; But his expression and heart are still painful......

Wei Xiao, the chief trainer, led everyone to practice basic skills for a while. He also found that Gu Li was in a trance and absent-minded. So he called Guli to him and asked about the situation...... Gu Litui said that he didn't sleep well.

At present, all this has not escaped Dorji's eyes. He whispered to Sang Lan:

"You quietly ask Gu Li what's the matter? If there's something going on, we Boy Scouts can solve it ourselves......"

Sang Lan nodded slightly.

At lunchtime, Sang Lan pulled Guli to the side of the yurt and quietly asked, "What's wrong?" Something? ”

Guli hesitated. Seeing that there was no one else around, he whispered:

"Last night...... I dreamed of my grandma and my father again...... They all looked at me and didn't speak...... Tears ......"

As he spoke, he burst into tears and began to sob.

Gu Li's crying didn't matter, and Sang Lan also began to feel uncomfortable. It turned out that in the past two nights, she also dreamed of her parents who died tragically under the invading saber.

Sang Lan cried and said, "My parents have also been killed by the Kokand army for almost three years. I haven't even been to their graves. I really want to go and sweep their graves and add ...... earth."

When Gu Li heard what Sang Lan said, she suddenly remembered: Sang Lan had the same experience as herself; And the time when the two parents were killed was almost the same day...... The two hard-working girls confided in each other and cried together.

"Let's stop crying. Find a way to go and add soil to their graves......" Sang Lan stopped crying and persuaded Guli to say.

"Now, the army of the Kokand people is still in the city, and the mountain pass is also theirs. How can we ever go back? Gu Li also gradually stopped crying and said worriedly.

"Let's go find Dorji! He's got a lot of ideas, maybe he's got a way to ......"

"How can he help us with our adventures? ……”

"Don't you see? Dorji cares about you the most. It was he, who was sad to see you, so he asked me to ask what happened to you? I think he cares about you! ……”

When Gu Li heard this, she saw the strange smile on Sang Lan's face again, and she blushed unconsciously. She froze, narrowed her eyes, and said:

"Don't talk nonsense...... I see that the mountains revolve around you all day long, and teaching us kung fu is to do your best first. I see, the way he looks at you, you can figure out the taste......"

Sang Lan didn't refute, smiled and said, "Okay! Stop bickering. Let's go to Dorji now! ……”

After listening to what Sang Lan said, Dorji looked at the haggard Guli again. I feel very uncomfortable! He secretly made up his mind that he must find a way to do it for them......

Dorji came to Battle's felt bag. I saw my sister Cai Cike, holding her one-and-a-half-year-old son Bayinda to feed, so she asked:

"Where's my brother-in-law?"

"Bayinqing came to call him away just now. It seems that the king of the Khan has something to look for him......"

"Will this little guy be called uncle?" Dorji asked.

"Not yet. Abba and Eji couldn't be called...... In two or three months, it will be called. ”

Dorji teased Bayinda, but the little one didn't react. He sighed, shook his head and said, "Hey! Even the little ones look down on me......"

"Is there something wrong with your brother-in-law?"

"It's a little thing."

"How is Guli now?"

"Ok! But the practice is not very long......"

"She and her sacrificial parents were Hatton and my saviors! You've got to take good care of her......"

"How many times have you said that...... When I marry her, you can rest assured! ”

Cai Cike was stunned! After relieving himself, he said solemnly: "Don't bully others!" ”

Dorji nodded vigorously, smiled and got up and took out the felt bag. A few steps after he walked out, he saw Battle walking home. He hurried over and stopped Battle.

"What's the matter with me?" Battle asked with a smile.

"I really have something to discuss with you!"

"Let's go! Go home. ”

"My sister is feeding the little one...... Let's talk about it here. ”

"Hmmm! The king of Khan also praised you several times for your talent...... Say it, then. What's up? ”

Dorji sorted out his not very smooth thoughts, but still did not find a convincing reason, so he said:

"Now the tribe is strong and strong, and there is no fear of the Kokand army attacking! …… We wanted to go to the mountain pass to see how it was going......"

Battle was shocked! Puzzled, he asked, "You little hairy boys!" What are you going to do in the mountain pass? ”

Dorji's face sank, "I knew you would say that!" We are already sixteen or seventeen-year-old adults, no longer children! …… We've been training for three years and we've all become fighters. You have to do something for the tribe, right? Seeing everyone 'sitting and eating in the mountains', we felt that we should take some action to reduce some of the burden on the tribe. Even if you find out the movement of the Kokand army and get back a little bit of food, it's okay......"

"You don't have to worry about that! …… Outside the two mountain passes, except for the large camp set up by the Kokands, their patrols were everywhere. When you go to the mountain pass and meet them, don't you send them to death? Battle said.

Dorji is a little anxious! Feeling that he really couldn't make up any decent reasons to convince his brother-in-law, he simply said bluntly:

"That's it. I still regard you as my own brother and explain the ins and outs of the matter to you. What if you give us another idea? It's always okay, right? ”

Battle nodded.

Dorji described in detail the situation when Guli and Sang Lan dreamed of their parents, cried to death, and wanted to go home to see. In order to impress Battle, he portrayed the mental condition of Guli and Sang Lan as extremely miserable!

When Battle heard Dorji mention Guli and Sanglan, he became cautious. What happened to these two girls is really heart-wrenching...... Guli's father, Rahman, and mother, Nisha, resolutely risked their lives to stand in front of the enemy's guns in order to cover Hatun and everyone from danger.

After that, when people were sent to Korla to bury them, they did not see the corpses; I only heard that it was Gu Li's uncle Reyimujiang, who had quietly buried his brother and sister-in-law. But later, he never heard about the whereabouts of Reyimujiang.

After Sanglan's parents were killed by the enemy, they were buried at the foot of the mountain near Hamangou.

The two girls miss their loved ones who were killed, and their feelings are completely understandable; But how can these two orphans who have lost their parents be allowed to take risks again for the sake of their wishes? If you have to make a trip, how can you keep them safe?

Seeing that Battle did not object immediately, but was thinking about it seriously, Dorji couldn't help but feel some confidence. He hurriedly said:

"I can take Niman, Gaoshan and Qifeng to protect Guli and Sanglan together. By the way, you can also scout the enemy......"

Battle didn't come up with a way to do it both ways. Judging from the current situation, the enemy is making unusual movements, but the purpose is not clear. At this time, it is indeed necessary to send someone to investigate again. He said to Dorji:

"The horses who had just returned reported that the Kokand people seemed to have a new movement. They were in their big camp at the Barente Pass, and they were clearing their equipment. In such a situation, either prepare to attack us; Either that's about to be transferred...... It is unlikely that an attack will be on us now. The biggest possibility is that they are ready to start attacking in the direction of Tuoxun, Dabancheng and Urumqi, with all their might! ”

Dorji's eyes lit up! Hurriedly said: "That's right! Let's go and find out what they are doing. How can you think about how to deal with it? When to shoot? Besides, if we friends go to reconnoitre, it will not arouse their vigilance...... Their large camp was outside the Barente Gorge Pass; We went out of the Kaidu River valley and through the fortress of Chahan Wusu. Then you will be relieved......"

Battle glanced at Dorji. instantly felt that he had indeed grown up, and he had already considered the problem to a certain depth; I felt some relief in my heart. After a moment's thought, he said to Dorji:

"You go back and wait for my news. I'm going to go back to the Khan and see what to do. ……”

Dorji smiled happily, "It's still the same sentence!" You're my brother! Just count on you to come up with a way to give me a long face. Then we wait for your good news! ……”

That same evening. Battle came to the "Boy Scout Camp" and told Dorji that they were:

"The king of Khan has agreed to let you go out of the mountains. However, the lack of specific investigative missions is mainly due to the desire of the surviving children of the two tragic families to miss their relatives. Act on the right and put safety first! ”

The excited Scout friends jumped for joy!

Dorji stepped forward and hugged Battle and kissed him on the face! …… But then, I heard Battle say that it was for Wei Xiao to take them into action. I suddenly felt a little disappointed, and I couldn't help but feel a little unhappy! This shows that there is still some faith in their Boy Scouts.

When Caicik heard that the Khan King had agreed to Dorji's request to go out of the mountain, he felt a little uneasy. He took Bayinda to the Boy Scouts' felt bags and prepared them with Malan. And repeatedly advised: stay safe!

Early the next morning. Dorji, who was extremely excited, set off with Niman, Gao Shan, Qi Feng, and escorted Guli and Sang Lan. What made him feel that the fly in the ointment was that Battle asked Wei Xiao to take two cavalrymen and follow them to act. This is clearly not at ease with their Boy Scouts...... However, Dorji already has his own idea in his heart!

They followed the Grand Canyon of the Kaidu River over the snow-covered Halgatu Daban and Dalendaban and came to the Chahan Wusu Fortress.

Dorji begged Wei Xiaoyang and said, "Good brother! Just send us here. I'll leave it to us to investigate the enemy's situation later! What do you think? ”

Wei Xiao was taken aback! I didn't expect Dorji to give him such a problem. He glared and said sharply:

"Sending it here is the same as not sending it! The danger is in the back of the mountain pass. This is absolutely not a no-go! ”

Dorji continued to plead, "Brother! We Scouts went out to scout the mountain passes because we children would not attract the attention of the Kokand people. It's also called 'surprise'...... If you're with us, you're easily exposed. This is not reconnaissance, it is equivalent to directly fighting them! ……”

"None of you are at peace when someone is in charge; If you spread your hands, won't you all go to heaven? ……”

"Nope! You can rest assured. We're not going to mess around! You are waiting for us right here. If all goes well, we'll go straight back here and join you when we're done. If we really can't handle something, we're going to ask you for help. Do you think it's okay? ”

Wei Xiao still disagreed, "If something really comes to us again, how can it be too late?" ”

Dorji was a little anxious, "If you follow us, let's not say what the role will be." The people of Kokand will certainly notice us; That would be tantamount to causing us undeserved trouble! You say, don't you? ”

Wei Xiao was also anxious by Dorji, "Since you have such a mind, why didn't you say it earlier?" ”

Dorji smiled, "Say it early!" …… If you said it earlier, can you let us out of the mountain? It's hard to say......"

Wei Xiao felt in a dilemma! After thinking about it for a while, he whispered to Erji, "Are you iron-hearted and going to act alone?" ”

Seeing that Wei Xiao was a little relieved, Dorji was secretly happy in his heart! Hurriedly said: "We know what we have to do when we go out of the mountain, and we won't go out to cause trouble." When we see the Kokand people, can't we stay away? If my brother-in-law asks, I'll explain! Let's just say it's our Scouts, a collective decision! As he spoke, he slapped his chest with a "snap".

Wei Xiao was helpless by Dorji. In desperation, I had to reluctantly agree to let them go it alone and find another way to protect them.

Dorji finally got his wish. I feel that this is really out of the sight of that group of "guardians"; No more nagging and entanglement in their ears. No one will stare at each other and say, "No!"

Right now. It's like a flock of birds out of a cage; Where to fly and how to fly? Make your own decisions! As long as you complete the reconnaissance mission assigned to you...... Now, you can show your skills with your friends! Proved the strength of the Boy Scouts. Otherwise, in the eyes of everyone, we will always be unproductive and useless "little hairy children".

He rode a horse to the front and excitedly sang the "Pastoral Song of the Heavenly Mountains":

The beautiful and magnificent Erbin Mountain!

It is the hometown where I was born and raised.

In the yurt at the foot of the mountain,

There lives the girl in my heart.

I want to sing out loud,

I'm afraid that your father will be angry!

I will be by your side all the days of my life,

When will you be my bride?

Sang Lan listened, smiled at Gu Li and said, "He is singing to you......"

Gu Li glared at Sang Lan and smiled without answering.

Dorji went on to sing:

O solemn Erbin Mountain!

It is a dojo for bodhisattvas to propagate the Dharma.

Underneath each peak,

It's all where I graze.

I want to sing out loud,

I was afraid that the Bodhisattva would blame me and put away my kindness.

The old Eji forgot the rings,

The dry food prepared for me smells of milk!

O misty Erbin Mountain!

It is a paradise for the gathering of the gods.

Underneath each peak,

It is a place where swans laugh.

I want to sing out loud,

I was afraid that I would disturb the drunken dreams of the gods.

Old Abba is wounded by the years,

Still wiping my beloved shotgun for me!

Sang Lan listened, and continued to explain with a smile: "Look! I just missed my dad when I went out......"

Dorji began to sing the fourth stanza of the addendum by Meng He:

O holy and rich Erbin Mountain!

It is a place coveted by robbers.

Underneath each peak,

It's all the battlefield I'm fighting for.

Hand blade thief, guard Eji and the girl in my heart,

It was the Immortal Heaven who gave me magical powers.

If the enemy's guns shoot through my chest,

Please bury me high on a hill!

My body will turn into another mountain,

My heartbeat is forever stirring on the prairie!

Sang Lan listened. I was a little excited, and I felt that this was the spirit that a man should have! She couldn't help but praise and said:

"Hmmm! A bit of manhood! …… Ay! Such a song. Why haven't you sung to us before? ”

Dorji didn't look back, and replied loudly: "No atmosphere!" …… Two are not in the mood! ”

Listening to Dorji's singing, Gu Li's expression also changed a little. Since the invaders came, the tragedy of the destruction of the family has been staged on themselves; How could this not make her feel emotional? And the heroic feelings expressed in Dorji's rich and majestic singing voice deepened her frank understanding of Dorji's subtle reverence.

Dorji had just finished singing. Niman smiled and said to Gao Shan: "Brother Gao Shan, don't you sing in your hometown in Guanzhong?" ”

Takayama replied, "We have too many songs there, but I can't sing them...... However, yesterday I saw Master Zhixin write a poem. I remembered! The title is "Prairie Bodhi", and I will recite it to you now! ”

Takayama cleared his throat and began to recite:

I entered the Buddhist hall with a small back, and the green light accompanied me to spend time.

How did Naissai get up in smoke, take off his monk's robe and change into a uniform.

Bodhi trees are planted all over the grassland to protect the soldiers and the people and help the Khan King.

I pray that the border will be stable, and the bright moon will shine on my hometown.

Everyone listened to it and was amazed!

Sang Lan admired it even more in her heart, and said loudly: "I didn't expect Master Zhixin to not only have a dignified appearance and peerless martial arts!" The pen and ink are brilliant, and they are not inferior to the Han and Tang Dynasties. The artistic conception is high, the rhetoric is elegant, and the meaning is profound, what a strange person! ……”

Sang Lan's voice did not fall. Dorji suddenly stopped his horse and immediately raised his right fist to warn!

Qi Feng also found the smoke and dust in front of him, and said suspiciously: "There is smoke in front...... There seems to be a case! ”

Everyone dismounts together. The cat bent his waist and followed the path on the side of the mountain and touched it to the top of the hillside......