Chapter 250: Roaming Dragon Enters the Sea, Desert Corpses
“The Hexi region produces fine horses, known as Hexi horses, a breed developed from the Dayuan horse and local breeds. The Swift-Red horse, capable of traveling a thousand li a day, originated from Hexi. After Hexi was incorporated into the Han Dynasty, General Huo Qubing established royal horse farms in the Shandan area to expand territory and build cavalry. The Tang Dynasty and the current Western Xia have both raised horses in this region.”
Not far away, Zhang Wangyue was recounting the details of the “Iron Hawks'” warhorses to Huyan Lei and the Shi Brothers. Zhou Yan glanced at him, then withdrew his gaze, tossing the stripped armor onto the ground.
A complete set of “Iron Hawks” armor consisted of a helmet, shoulder guards, leg guards, elbow guards, and chest protection, weighing around fifty to sixty jin.
A total of five hundred sets of such armor were obtained.
Naturally, many had localized damage, but repairing them with skilled blacksmiths was not a difficult task.
The warhorses suffered more casualties, with many breaking their legs. These warhorses had to be abandoned. After being slaughtered, most were used to feed the beasts at Ten Thousand Beasts Manor, with the escort team taking some for food.
In summary, Cuya Mountain was equipped with five hundred cavalrymen; this was a certainty.
“Are you talking about Cuya Mountain?” Zhou Yan replied, following Huang Rong’s question, and walked to another corpse, beginning to strip its armor.
“Mm.”
“It’s not a secret. It’s a group resisting Jin, based on Cuya Mountain. They once robbed Fu’an’s escort team. We became acquainted through conflict, and now they have developed into a relatively disciplined Righteous Army. Oh, and Qiu Qianchi is also there.”
“Heh, how did that happen?”
“Qiu Qianren works for the Jin Dynasty. Qiu Qianchi was supposed to marry into the Valley of Unfeeling. Coincidentally, Yang Kang was going to congratulate them. After Qiu Qianchi learned of this, she tried to dissuade him. The siblings had a conflict, and she ran away to Cuya Mountain. I encountered her at the Xiangyang wharf and helped her escape.”
“Pfft!” Huang Rong chuckled, “When we were at Shaoshi Mountain, Gongsun Zhi said you ruined his marriage and wanted to fight to the death. Was it because of this?”
“More or less.”
Huang Rong knew about the series of events that occurred due to Sun Buer and Zhou Yan’s encounter with Qiu Qianchi. She teased, “If it weren’t for you, Qiu Qianchi would have married Gongsun Zhi long ago.”
“‘Idle pond, clouds and shadows, the sun drifts slowly; seasons change, stars shift, how many autumns have passed.’ External people and events can indeed cause changes in original people and events.”
“Like me. If it weren’t for the ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion,’ how would I have met you, an escort, and been saved so many times?”
Zhou Yan smiled slightly and did not reply.
Huang Rong also changed the subject, “Head Escort Zhang is no ordinary person. In two days, he taught the escort bureau’s escorts and runners the Eight Trigrams Formation from the Wumu’s Military Writings.”
“The Head Escort is a descendant of General Zhang Xian of the Yue Family Army.”
Huang Rong exclaimed in surprise, “Fu’an is full of hidden talents.”
“That is indeed true.”
“After this escort mission, are you going to Cuya Mountain?”
“You’re not going to say you’re coming along, are you?”
Huang Rong smiled without speaking.
“After returning from the Western Regions, shouldn’t you go back to Peach Blossom Island?”
“How about I take you around? It’s a shame the Old Urchin isn’t here.”
“Zhou Botong.”
Huang Rong pouted, “Where have you seen him?”
“Poyang Lake. Ke Zhen’e and others were escorting the Khan’s Imperial Envoy to Lin’an, and were intercepted by the Iron Palm Sect and the Yellow River Gang along the way. Zhou Botong intervened to save them. I happened to be at Poyang Lake at the time, searching for a High Monk from India.”
As Zhou Yan spoke, he threw the stripped armor onto the ground and walked towards another “Iron Hawks” corpse.
Huang Rong followed, “It seems I’ve missed a lot.”
“But you participated in all the most exciting parts, the battle at Shaoshi Mountain, the grand banquet in Zhongdu.”
“That makes sense!” Huang Rong nodded, “I’ll go ask Shi Bowei and the others about beast taming methods.”
“Alright!” Huang Rong gracefully walked past Zhou Yan. In the distance, Mu Nianci glanced at Zhou Yan and Huang Rong, then lowered her head to continue stripping armor.
As the sun set behind the mountains, all the corpses were processed. The armor, weapons, and warhorses were temporarily transported to Ten Thousand Beasts Manor. Liang Xiaowu, along with over twenty injured runners, accompanied them. The escort team would pick them up from the manor on their return journey. Afterward, the armor and weapons were loaded into escort carts and transported to Cuya Mountain.
The escort team rested for the night. Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei, and others had a lively conversation with the Shi Brothers. At midnight, the escort team broke camp and headed straight for Yumen Pass, while Shi Bowei, Liang Xiaowu, Huang Rong, and others rushed towards Ten Thousand Beasts Manor deep in the Qilian Mountains.
……
The bright moon rises over the Tianshan Mountains, amidst vast seas of clouds. The long wind blows for tens of thousands of li, crossing Yumen Pass.
The wind carried the warmth of spring. Within Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue’s sight were dozens of gray tents, with a large yellow silk tent standing prominently in the center. Upon seeing the Mongolian Imperial Envoy’s camp, Huyan Lei, Mu Nianci, and the others felt a sense of relief.
After much hardship, this escort mission had finally reached its destination smoothly.
The escort team departed Ganzhou and trekked through the desolate mountain scenery. Six days later, they arrived safely at Yumen Pass.
They arrived two days ahead of the agreed-upon time.
As soon as the convoy appeared outside Yumen Pass, it was spotted by the scouts of the Mongolian Imperial Envoy team camped there. Zhou Yan gathered his internal force and called out, announcing their identity.
The whistling cavalry led the escort team to the camp.
As the convoy approached, the curtain of the yellow silk tent was lifted, and a richly dressed Mongolian youth, accompanied by an elderly Han Chinese man, walked out.
The Han Chinese man said, “Is this the Fu’an Escort Agency?”
The Fu’an Chief Escort stepped forward, cupped his hands, and replied, “Indeed. I am the escort leader Zhang Wangyue.”
The Mongolian youth’s face lit up with joy, and he strode forward, “My apologies, who is the hero Zhou?”
Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, and Huyan Lei were all taken aback.
The Han Chinese man accompanying the richly dressed Mongolian youth said, “When the Third Prince departed from the Desert, the Fourth Prince sent a message saying that Head Escort Zhou of the Fu’an Escort Agency had rescued Princess Hua Zheng.”
Zhou Yan suddenly understood. Several months had passed since he encountered Hua Zheng on the Poyang Lake section of the Yangtze River. Guo Jing and others who had been sent to Lin’an must have returned, and Tolay had relayed the message to the desert. The Han Chinese man addressed the Mongolian youth before them as the Third Prince, and he was Ogedai.
Thinking this, he stepped forward and said, “I am Zhou Yan.”
Ogedai looked at Zhou Yan, his eyes suddenly brightening, “You have a noble bearing and a distinguished appearance, a true hero.”
“Thank you for your praise, Third Prince.”
“You are too polite. Thank you for rescuing my sister Hua Zheng.” Ogedai replied, then immediately ordered, “Prepare wine and meat for a feast.”
“First, please accept the escort, Third Prince.” Zhou Yan said this, and Zhang Wangyue stepped forward with the ledger.
Ogedai laughed, “There’s no need for that. We Mongols are honorable. Hero Zhou rescued my sister, and a fine man like you would never engage in deception.”
“The escort bureau’s rules must not be broken.”
“Since it is the rule, we will follow your wishes.” Ogedai was receptive to suggestions. He changed the subject and said to the Han Chinese man beside him, “You handle the accounting.”
“As you command.”
“Come, all heroes, let us converse in the tent.”
Zhang Wangyue left Huyan Lei and Mu Nianci to assist with the accounting, while he and Zhou Yan accompanied Ogedai to the yellow silk tent.
In just a moment, wine and meat were laid out in the tent.
Ogedai raised his cup, “To Head Escort Zhang and Hero Zhou.”
“Thank you, Third Prince.”
The wine was mare’s milk wine, warm in nature, with effects of dispelling cold, relaxing muscles, and promoting blood circulation. Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue drank it down in one gulp.
“Hearty!” Ogedai praised, then asked, “Was the journey smooth?”
Zhang Wangyue replied, “We encountered bandits, but the escort team repelled them. It was a close call, but no harm was done.”
“Very good.”
Zhou Yan said, “I met the Imperial Son-in-law at Poyang Lake that day. He said he was going to Lin’an. Has he returned?”
“He has returned. They sent the message from Zhongdu.”
“Did he travel safely back and forth?”
Zhou Yan’s question was phrased subtly. Ostensibly, he was inquiring about Guo Jing’s safety in Lin’an, but in reality, he was probing the outcome of the mission to Lin’an.
Among Genghis Khan’s sons, Ogedai had the gentlest temperament. He did not detect the hidden meaning in Zhou Yan’s words and laughed, “There were villains who wanted to cause trouble, but Guo Jing and the others drove them away. Hua Zheng sister said that Guo Anda met an expert and learned great martial arts.”
Zhou Yan surmised that Zhou Botong must have taught Guo Jing martial arts, which was within his expectations.
“The Han people in Lin’an are cunning and deceitful. We wanted to join forces to fight the Jin Dynasty, but they were hesitant and gave no reply. Guo Anda and the others stayed in Lin’an for a long time. However, Head Escort Zhang, Hero Zhou, like Guo Anda, are all men of iron will, trustworthy heroes, and good friends to us Mongols.”
Zhou Yan chuckled softly.
……
At noon, the Han Chinese man entered with the ledger and informed Ogedai that the accounts were verified.
Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue rose to take their leave.
Ogedai intended to keep them for another day, but they politely declined. However, Zhou Yan did mention the matter of the Tianzhu Monk and inquired if the eminent monk could accompany the Mongolian envoy to Khwarazm.
Upon hearing that the Tianzhu Monk had come to the Central Plains to seek the Golden Doll and save the people of India from the plague of venomous insects, Ogedai was extremely impressed and stated directly that the Tianzhu Monk could travel with him.
Zhou Yan was completely reassured. He informed the Tianzhu Monk of this, and the monk expressed his repeated gratitude. Speaking of Khwarazm, it was not far from India, so Fu’an need not worry. After cultivating the Golden Doll and resolving the plague of venomous insects, he would then come to the Central Plains to spread Buddhist scriptures.
Zhou Yan said the eminent monk was benevolent, but inwardly he wondered if his and the Tianzhu Monk’s destinies were not yet severed and if there was still a future connection. He refocused his thoughts and introduced the Tianzhu Monk to Ogedai.
The Tianzhu Monk and the Mongolian prince discussed Buddhist principles, and they conversed with great pleasure.
Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue bid farewell and, before sunset, led the escort team away from Yumen Pass.
With this departure, Zhou Yan felt a sudden lightness. From now on, he was no longer an escort of the Fu’an Escort Agency.
Entrusted to sharp blades, killing in the mortal world.
……
The escort team set off southward from Yumen Pass, the escorts and runners chattering joyfully.
Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, and Huyan Lei rode forward side by side.
The Fu’an Chief Escort said, “Brother Zhou, what do you think of Ogedai?”
“I saw Tolay, Zhebie, and the others at Poyang Lake. Compared to them, he has more gentleness and less fierceness.”
“Indeed, he has a kind face.”
“I wonder what the specific outcome of Brother Guo’s negotiations with the Lin’an Court was?”
“Since the Jin Dynasty knows that Mongolia has dispatched an Imperial Envoy to Lin’an, they should also arrange for people. Ogedai said Guo Jing and the others stayed in Lin’an for a long time, and this might be the reason.”
“That makes sense. The Lin’an Court is trying to negotiate with both sides. They’re playing both sides.”
“Opportunistic, that’s their usual style.”
“Well said, Brother Zhou.” Huyan Lei praised with a smile.
“Screech!” Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by an eagle’s cry. Zhou Yan followed the sound and saw, in the distance to his left, several eagles circling at a low altitude.
“Could it be ‘Iron Hawks’ again?” Huyan Lei asked.
“Unlikely. That group of ‘Iron Hawks’ was annihilated. Western Xia wouldn’t be able to react so swiftly.”
“That makes sense.” Huyan Lei nodded, “Let’s go take a look.”
“Alright!”
Zhou Yan and Huyan Lei urged their horses forward. The ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion’ and the Wuzhui Horse galloped like lightning. After advancing five or six li, the two horses ascended a sand dune. From their vantage point, they looked down and saw over ten people lying scattered in the valley, their fate unknown.
“Let’s go down and see.” Zhou Yan said.
“Alright!”
The ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion’ galloped towards the valley.
