Zhixin saw that the northern and southern Xinjiang had been recovered, and the Turghut tribe ushered in the light; The last wish of the Khan's brother has been fulfilled; What Master Huiyong entrusted to him has also come to fruition. I feel that I have lost my fate, and I should return to Buddhism and devote myself to practice. It was time to fulfill the vow that "the army will set the day of the Tianshan Mountains in the west, and the novice will travel east with the moon on his back".

A few days before leaving, he went up the mountain for several days to collect medicine. The Chinese medicinal materials such as rhodiola, snow chrysanthemum, and astragalus collected from the nearby mountains were handed over to Ma Lan and Ma Tiansheng, and the applicable prescriptions were taught. The two of them were instructed to mix these herbs with previously dried snow lotus, stone lotus, comfrey, licorice, etc., which can treat external injuries, internal injuries and most common diseases.

At this time. Zhixin suddenly remembered that on the top of the snow peak of Bingdaban, there was also the "self-reserved land" that he cultivated with snow lotus seeds three years ago.

Although it takes two years to bloom and bear fruit, when you check it a year ago, it is growing vigorously; In the future, it will definitely grow well and be useful. Now once I leave, no one else can find this place at all. It's a pity to be abandoned!

However, in Halmodun, unlike when you were in the Valley of the Heavenly Wolf, you can go to the top of Bingdaban at any time. It is necessary to enter the Barentai Gorge from Halmodun, and then cross the Ullastai Gorge and the Black Bear Gully to reach the top of the Ice Ridge. If you ride a horse back and forth, you will leave before dawn and return after midnight.

Zhixin told Ma Tiansheng to talk to Dorji and prepare to go to Bingdaban Snow Mountain. And he confessed, let Dorji and Gao Shan not go; Because Guli and Sang Lan are already a few months pregnant, let them take care of their wives at home.

When Dorji heard that Master Zhixin was going to the top of Bingdaban to see the snow lotus, he was very excited!

At this time, he suddenly remembered that the promise he made with his little nephew Bayindalai a year ago had not been fulfilled; Now is a good opportunity to keep your promise and save face.

He hurriedly went to beg his sister Caicike to help take care of Gu Li and Sang Lan; I want to take Master Zhixin with Gao Shan, Bayindalai, Qi Feng, and Niman, and go to the top of Bingdaban Snow Mountain together.

Caicike had no choice but to agree......

Zhixin and Dorji took Bayindalai, Ma Tiansheng, Gao Shan, Qi Feng, and Niman, and set off before dawn. As soon as the sun peeked out from the top of the hill, they had already reached the Barentai fortress.

At this time, the Barentai Fortress was the most lively time in more than 100 years. The Chinese army camp of the Western Expeditionary Army (Middle Road) is located here.

Countless triangular dragon flags, in this T-shaped valley, hula lala fluttering in the wind. The sound of war drums in front of several school fields came and went; The sound of gunfire on the shooting range was endless.

More than 20,000 soldiers of the Western Expeditionary Army are gearing up and resting and training here. Be ready to cross the Bayingbrook grassland, a hundred kilometers away; Together with the former army, they swept through the Tsarist occupation forces in the Ili River Valley.

After receiving the report of the guards in the battalion, Wei Xiao, who was in charge of patrolling in the Chinese army battalion, hurried over. When Dao Erji and the others saw Wei Xiao, they were naturally very happy.

Dorji hurriedly said to Wei Xiao: "We soldiers are about to become fathers; But you, the chief trainer, haven't entered the cave yet. That's a bit unreasonable! …… Sister Xueying, I look forward to you every day and go back to Halmodun to get married! I guess when will I be able to go back? ”

Wei Xiao said with a wry smile: "Now, Zuo Dashuai is preparing to fight a fierce battle to recover Ili. It's hard to say when the war will end. We'll have to wait and see......"

Dorji waved his hand and said, "I haven't forgotten what I told you in the Sky Wolf Valley before, right?" Don't look at us here, it looks like it's about to fight; I don't think this battle can be fought at all! ……”

Wei Xiao was stunned! Looking at Dorji suspiciously, this is not the first time that Dorji has spoken amazingly.

Dorji gestured with his hands again, shook his head, and said:

"The Russians are not so stupid. In Europe, the tenth war with the Ottoman Empire has been fought for two years, with hundreds of thousands of dead and wounded; It's not quite over yet. At the moment, it should be when it is at its weakest. The British, the Germans, and the French are also watching it with great eye, ready to do it at any time. In such a situation, it would never have touched a stone in Ili with an egg now; Sooner or later, Ili will be quietly returned to us. However, it may take some time......"

"I have not forgotten these words of yours; Such a judgment is indeed logical. However, the Russians have occupied Ili for several years, and they regard the strategic position of Ili as quite important. If there is not enough pressure of war to push it to the point of corner; It's impossible to let it put down the meat in its mouth. Also, this time window you're analyzing now is important; If you miss it, it may be a real problem to wait for it to slow down and deal with us with all its might. ”

"I won't say that beforehand. My brother-in-law is in Bayinbrook, and Brother Xu is in Sailim Lake. Although they are constantly tossing the Russians; But I don't think it'll be over for a while. If you really toss it for a few years, then everything will be delayed! …… In this way, when I go back, I will go to my sister and ask her to go to Jinhua Hattun to talk; Don't wait for the Ili war to end, marry you as soon as possible. After becoming a family, we have time to slowly consume with the Russians. You agree with that, right? ”

Wei Xiao's face instantly turned into a flower, and he said excitedly:

"Then I must be happy! Please also worry about the operation of the operation. Send the Buddha to the west, and good people will do it to the end! Affectionate post-......"

Dorji patted his chest and said, "Okay! Wrap it up on me! ”

Zhixin folded his hands and recited: "The Bodhisattva will definitely bless the lover to become a family member." Bless you all...... Amitabha! ”

Wei Xiao also returned the salute and said, "Thank you, Master Zhixin!" ”

"Commander Wei! I heard that this time, Marshal Zuo led the army into Xinjiang, and some of the people and horses took the route of Dunhuang, Ruoqiang, and Yuli. Do you know? Zhixin suddenly asked.

"I know! It was Pan Jie, the chief soldier of Anxi Town, who led the five battalions of cavalry; Moreover, it was I who was ordered to take people to the southeast of Yuli to receive this group of men. Now, they are in the Barontaichung Army camp, resting and waiting. ”

"This team. It is the road that the great monk of Faxian and the Master of Sanzang walked to learn scriptures from the west. Is their journey going well? ”

"They may be the loneliest and most difficult way to enter Xinjiang. However, the tasks assigned to them by Zuo Dashuai were different. The first is to go from Dunhuang to Ruoqiang, Yuli, and Korla, and investigate this alternate grain route into Xinjiang along the way; Because this is the closest route from Gansu to southern Xinjiang. The second task was to strike and destroy along the way the remnants of the Aguba's invading army that had fled to these places; Eradicate the remnants of the ruling power of the 'Hongfu Khanate' in Aguba, and restore the ruling order of our Great Qing State. ”

Speaking of this, Wei Xiao suddenly became excited, and said with a fluttering eyebrow:

"When it comes to this, it's really 'no book can be written without coincidence'. Pan Zongbing and them, near Luobuzhuang in Ruoqiang, unexpectedly caught the Grand Treasurer of Agubai's 'Hongfu Khanate' Mamuti. A large quantity of gold ...... was also seized"

Dorji suddenly stirred! Excitedly asked casually, "Are there still three young women?" ”

Wei Xiao was shocked! Surprised, he asked, "How do you know this?" ”

Dorji already felt that his mouth had slipped out, and quickly prevaricated: "I heard it, I heard it...... it."

As he spoke, he quickly glanced at the mountain; Gao Shan was already looking at him in surprise at this time.

Wei Xiao looked at Dorji, and suddenly remembered the mysterious pistol with gems that this guy gave to Xu Xueying as a "dowry gift" for himself that day...... Now he revealed that he knew about Numuti's "absconding with gold" and the three Agubo women. I feel that there must be a big secret hidden in this! However, it is not good to ask again; Even if he asked, he wouldn't say it.

Wei Xiao continued: "Mamuti took those gold bricks and a few palace guards, as well as the three women; In the desert near Luobuzhuang, he hid for months. Later, when he learned that Aquba was dead, the eldest son, Berkhuri, killed the second son, Haigula; Berkhuri and the rest of Aquba's men joined in. In the end, all of them were killed by the Chinese army before they dared to come out to operate. They prepared to go from Ruoqiang to Hotan back to Kokand; As a result, he was hit by Pan's men. ”

Dorji said: "Now, where is there any Kokand country? It has long been killed by Russia! ”

Wei Xiao said: "Yes! So Numuti said at that time: These gold are ready to be given to the Chinese army. ”

Everyone nodded.

Zhixin continued to ask: "Are those Han Dynasty and Tang Dynasty post stations along the way still there?" ”

Wei Xiao replied: "Listen to what Mr. Pan said." From Dunhuang to Ruoqiang, then through Arakan, Tieganlik to Yuli, and finally to Korla. The ancient post stations on this Loulan old road are all still there. It's a pity! Because the Shule River that flows west from Dunhuang through Yumen Pass to Luo Bu Naoer has been cut off; Therefore, the post station in the middle from Yumen Pass Post to Milan Post has been completely deserted, few people, and has become a thousand miles of no man's land.

"The current downstream terminus of the Peacock River can no longer meet with the downstream terminus of the Shule River at Ruoqiang Luobu Naoer. Pedestrians can only choose spring and autumn to barely cross this thousand-mile-long desert; Because only in spring and autumn, there is a very small amount of rain, so that the Shule River temporarily stores water. Nowadays, only those big merchant gangs and camel caravans who travel to and from the mainland travel through this Loulan desert in all seasons...... The most important thing now is not the existence of these stations; But where can the water of the Tarim River, the Peacock River, and the Shule River flow? That's the most important thing. ”

Zhixin nodded and asked, "A situation like this." When needed, can it replace the wartime grain route? ”

Wei Xiao replied: "According to the investigation and judgment of General Pan. With a little repair, this grain road can be put into use without major problems. In this way, from the Hexi Corridor directly into Xinjiang, that is, from Dunhuang through the Yumen Pass directly into the southern Xinjiang Ruoqiang; The transshipment of grain and grass into Xinjiang should save more than 30% of the mileage and road consumption, which is much more convenient. In the past, when the invading army of Aguba was eradicated, nearly half of the grain was purchased from Russia, and this grain route did not seem particularly urgent. Now, tearing your face with the Russians and preparing for war; The role of this alternate grain route was immediately apparent. ”

Zhixin continued to ask: "The amount of water coming from the Kaidu River this year is good, and the Peacock River is definitely not bad. Doesn't the water source situation in the section from Korla to Ruoqiang seem to be better? ”

Wei Xiao nodded, seeing that Zhixin wanted to know so much, he simply said it carefully. He replied:

"Yes! This year, the Peacock River and the Tarim River, these two inland rivers have good water flows. From Korla to Ruoqiang, along the way of this thousand miles, there should not be too much shortage of water. Both rivers pass through Yuli, so that there are two routes to choose from from Korla to Ruoqiang. One is from Korla to Yuli, from Yuli to the south along the Tarim River, through Tieganlik and Arakan to Ruoqiang; This is the road that Mr. Pan and they have just walked. Ruoqiang is also a necessary place for the transit from the mainland to Hotan and Kashgar during the Han and Tang dynasties, and then going abroad......

"Another route. It is from Korla to Yuli, along the Peacock River, to the southeast of the Kumtag Desert. At this time, the Peacock River is called 'Huanxi River'. Along the Peacock River, enter the 'White Dragon Dui' in the center of the Kumtag Desert, and arrive at the westernmost part of Luobu Naoer. If you go all the way to the east and pass through Luo Bu Naoer, you will not be far from Yumen Pass Station and Dunhuang. This may be the route taken by the monk Fa Xian Xitian from the mainland to Korla......

"Actually, the latter route is shorter and saves more time. Moreover, it is a place where Zhang Qian, who hollowed out the Western Regions, and most of the Western Regions protected Zheng Ji and Ban Chao, and often came and went back and forth. However, now I only know that the ancient city of Tuntian, where Zheng Ji is in Yuli, is still there; I haven't heard of anyone walking this route for years. I don't know if the imperial court post along the way more than a thousand years ago still exists? ”

Dorji was a little curious, and asked Zhixin, "Master! You are not Fa Xian or Tang Seng; It's not that the camel caravan merchants on the old road of Loulan want to do business. What do you care about? ”

Zhixin smiled and said, "The army is fighting from a long distance, and the transfer of grain and grass is the key. King Khan prophesied before his death: It is difficult to raise troops when soldiers are used outside the country; It is difficult to raise food and wages; It is difficult to raise food for transportation. Whether Ili can be recovered now, whether the army of the Western Expedition can be supported, the role of this grain route is very important. The spirit of the Khan King in the heavens must also be watching the situation of this grain route......"

Zhixin did not directly answer Dorji's words, but judged whether the two Loulan old roads could be passed according to the situation of this group of people passing by. In his heart, there seemed to be a wish. But this wish cannot be said yet......

Dorji and Zhixin took everyone to say goodbye to Wei Xiao and hurried away.

It's past noon. The team of seven people climbed to the top of the sevenfold pole of Bingdazaka, the top of the clouds.

Zhixin led everyone and parked the horse at a leeward, hidden col on the north side of Genting. Because you have to walk a little bit to get to that place; Horseback riding is unpassable.

He told Dorji and Gao Shan to protect Bayindalai, for the road ahead was very steep and difficult to navigate. Unexpectedly, the little guy Bayinda came to climb the mountains and ditches, and he was more relaxed than everyone else.

After a few intermittent steep peaks like knife cuts, everyone came to the vicinity of Zhixin's "self-reserved land". It is very close to the highest peak of the Middle Tien Shan Mountain, Tianger Peak.

When everyone arrived, including Zhixin himself, they were all stunned!

In the past, it was very rare to see a snow lotus occasionally on the snowy mountain! Even if you are lucky, you can only see one in the east and one in the west on the cliff and in the cracks of the rocks on the cliff. Very scattered!

But today, on this rare piece of relatively gentle, ring-shaped slope with the size of five or six yurts; There are two large circles of big buds of snow lotus, and the buds are blooming vigorously.

What surprised Zhixin even more was that the snow lotus flowers that opened in these two large circles not only grew naturally; What's more, it turned out that he chose the seeds to plant three years ago.

In general, snow lotus seeds do not grow into flowers until five years later. But the snow lotus he selected and planted with the seeds has only been three years, and now it is already in full bloom. It's incredible!

This phenomenon should be directly related to the full and full grains of the selected seeds and the sufficient light in the growing area. And in a trance, Zhixin felt that these snow lotus flowers were opening in advance for another reason......

This time. A few clouds drifted over and wrapped around this magical moraine, refusing to disperse for a long time. It seems that these snow lotuses and this treasure land are full of aura!

This is a scene that everyone has never seen in their lives. I was amazed! I can't bear to walk into the circle and step on this magical place; I can't bear to pick these snow lotus flowers and bring them back now.

Everyone outside the circle followed Zhixin's actions and enjoyed this shocking beauty.

Dorji felt the powerful aura here; In a haze, it seems that I have realized something? Said to Zhixin:

"It was just perfect! Here, it really looks like the 'Tianshan Dojo' where you and Lama Mucheng discussed the 'Tianshan Dojo' of relieving the suffering, and the 'Tianshan Dojo......' that you and Lama Mucheng discussed."

Zhixin nodded lightly and acquiesced to Dorji's statement.

Dorji is a thriller! Hurriedly asked, "If this is Guru Padmasambhava's ashram, then the 'hidden' he left a thousand years ago should be nearby?" ”

Zhixin smiled and said slowly: "According to the disciples handed down by the master, it is inferred that the 'hidden treasure' left by Master Padmasambhava should not be in Samye Monastery in Shannan, Tibet, let alone Nalanda in Tianzhu. The most likely 'hidden' burial place should be around this large desert Hanhai surrounded by the Kunlun Mountains and the Tianshan Mountains...... Those who are destined to be 'hidden', whether monks or lay believers, are all true disciples of Guru Padmasambhava. ”

Qi Feng dragged Daoerji and Gao Shan and said, "You two have already married and are about to become fathers; Don't worry about 'hiding' anymore. Even finding the 'hidden' is also a matter for me and Niman. You two, just live your little life honestly......"

Dorji listened to what Qi Feng said, and felt very uncomfortable; But there was no way to refute him. He suddenly had an idea! shouted at everyone:

"Everyone, don't move! Let the 'master' observe and observe and fix his mind, and then compose a poem to commemorate the commemoration. Then do it! ”

Everyone stood there excitedly, looking at Jishin with their eyes open.

Zhixin smiled and nodded, thinking for a while, he already had a bottom in his heart. He immediately took up a song "The Soul of the Tianshan Mountains - Goodbye Snow Lotus". Words:

Lotus Immortal Ling Han climbed the snowy region, just to sit on the ground and watch the sky.

Pieces of feather clouds are gently blowing, and wisps of silk are swaying in the wind.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of Zen in the valley, and it was the sound of glacier spring water.

There is still suffering in the world, and there will be Padmasambhava to save the trouble.

Everyone is wonderful! In fact, this poem contains the feeling of parting! It's just that everyone is excited, but they haven't cared yet.

In wisdom and faith, he has already recited silently: Return to Buddhism, close at hand; The snow lotus that rescued the suffering, the opportunity is over, so don't pass it away......

Qi Feng hurriedly said to Gao Shan seriously: "Didn't you compose a poem before, 'Tianshan Purple Grass Snow Lotus, give it to your beloved Sang Lan'?" Now such a good scene, why don't you hurry up and brew and play it, and make a poem to hide? When the time comes, it will be easy to use......"

Gao Shan waved his hand and glared and said, "Hey! Last time, because I was going to send her comfrey snow lotus, I was whipped by her twice! I'm still looking for trouble? Now that they're all married, you don't have to bother with that brain! ”

Everyone laughed!

Zhixin made a special explanation to everyone. Which snow lotuses can be picked, which snow lotuses cannot be picked yet, and which snow lotuses should be picked again after a month; It's all clearly divided.

Moreover, the snow lotus picked again after a month is the most robust seed snow lotus selected; After these snow lotuses are harvested, the seeds must be planted in time. The location of the next plant, the distance between them, and the depth of the sand are also very clearly explained.

Zhixin also told Dorji and Ma Tiansheng that they must remember the location of this treasure land; In the future, it must be able to find and manage it well. This treasure land can provide the entire tribe with the finest and most effective snow lotus in the Tianshan Snow Peak. The significance is certainly extraordinary!

I saw that the sun was about to set. Everyone hurriedly took the snow lotus they had picked and happily returned to the small col near the top of the cloud in Bingdaban. Get ready to start riding down the mountain......

When Dorji and Zhixin took everyone and rode to the "Tiger's Mouth" pass at the top of the Bingdaban Yunding, the sun was already about to set.

Dolji in high spirits. humming a little tune, riding a horse to the front; Thinking about this worthwhile day, it is very pleasant!

When Dorji sticks out his head and observes the road below the crossing; He suddenly noticed that there was a string of swaying figures on the bottom of the road in front of him.

Although the distance was somewhat distant, it was re-identified; It can be judged that this is a group of people on horseback. He immediately stopped his horse and suddenly raised his right fist to warn!

Everyone was shocked! At the same time, they all reined in their horses.