Ge Du was holding a long spear and was wearing the armor he wore when he was young, but it didn't seem to fit well and was a bit too small.
Zhang Zhao's guess was correct. Ten years ago, Ge Du was a top warrior, and countless Tubo warriors and Canwei warriors died under him. But today, ten years later, he has long since become corrupted.
Although he is a horse thief, and he lives on a sandbank in the Hexi Corridor, where there is yellow sand all over the place and the products are not abundant, but as a horse thief leader who has commanded hundreds of horse thieves, he has gained a reputation as a horse thief who has access to Guasha.
Ge Du's life was still very good, he had six or seven wives and concubines, he could eat half a sheep in one meal, his butt was too big to fit into the saddle, and his belly was so big that he couldn't wear armor. He still had not half of the bravery of his youth.
This is also the reason why Ge Duo ran away decisively, to save his life! People who are older, have better conditions, and feel that they should enjoy life are the ones who cherish their lives the most! The first choice when encountering danger is how to preserve everything you already own.
"Wind! Wind! Wind! Wind!" an excited voice sounded. Zhang Zhao, who was only wearing a pair of calf-nose shorts and had a vest line exposed on his upper body, jumped twice.
He held a pointed hammer in one hand and a card in the other. The louder the shouts around him, the more excited he became, as if he had returned to the arena of full-armor fighting.
Ge Du's face was very ugly, his black and yellow face was livid from the cold, his nose was red, and his hands were a little stiff. He didn't feel the wind coming from everywhere! wind! 'The war cry is to encourage him, but it seems to be bidding him farewell.
"I'll kill you! Ah!" The cold wind easily penetrated into the armor and made Ge Duo feel more and more uncomfortable. He finally found some of the feelings he had before, pointing the eight-foot-long spear at Zhang Zhao's chest. The parapet came over.
slow! Movement is too slow! So obvious! Zhang Zhao clearly felt that Ge Du's force value was much lower than that of the newly bandaged Qiongre Duojin. The direction of the stab with the spear head was too obvious, and the speed and strength of the stab were not enough.
'Snapped! Zhang Zhao tapped his hand gently and easily deflected Ge Du's stab. Seeing this, Ge Du immediately withdrew his spear and wanted to continue stabbing, but Zhang Zhao did not give him this chance. My brother Chao simply threw away the cards in his hand, grabbed the head of the gun with his left hand and pulled it.
Ge Du couldn't bear it anymore and quickly pulled the gun back. After the two struggled for a while, Zhang Zhao suddenly let go. Ge Du, who was trying his best to "tug of war" with Zhang Zhao, was caught off guard and fell to the ground like a bucket. on the ground.
So relaxing!
The Uighurs around him, especially Bai Congxin, all had expressions that they couldn't bear to look at anymore.
They never expected that their Dagan, the bald tiger that had roamed the sandbank for more than 20 years, would be so vulnerable after losing all its aura.
There was a trace of cruelty on Zhang Zhao's face. He had no intention of letting Ge Du go. He wanted to be the groom for me! Give me a cuckold! Are you fucking worthy?
Before Ge Du, who was wearing about thirty kilograms of armor, could stand up, Zhang Zhao arrived with a swoop. His left hand directly pressed down on Ge Du's pocket. No matter how hard he punched or kicked him, he would not let go. At the same time, his right hand The tip of the pointed hammer slams down!
one time!
Twice!
Three times!
"Ah! Spare my life! Spare my life! Spare my life!" The screams and pleas for mercy kept ringing out, and the fat Ge Du's legs kept kicking on the ground, bringing up pieces of dust.
Ge Du, who had hardly spoken since being captured, repeatedly begged for mercy, but Zhang Chao didn't care at all and continued to hammer Ge Du's pocket with the pointed hammer.
Gradually, the begging for mercy became unclear, extremely weak, and became silent.
Gradually, Ge Duo stopped struggling, and his fat elephant legs stopped kicking.
died!
After traveling across the sandbank for more than 20 years, Cao Yijin sent Shouchang envoys five years ago to guard the Yamen. General Luo Xianda and his 400 elite cavalry were unable to capture the fierce bandit Bald Tiger, just like this by an unknown stream. He was held down by Zhang Zhao and beaten to death.
"Erlang Jun is mighty!" As soon as Ge Du stopped moving, Lady Cao Sanni walked up and spat at Ge Du's body in disgust.
"Please allow Mr. Erlang to allow me to cut off the head of this evil thief and bring it back to Dunhuang to show the power of Mr. Erlang!"
I go! How does the Cao family educate their daughter? This woman is just as accustomed to killing people and beheadings as she is to eating and sleeping. How does she look like the granddaughter of the leader of the party? Is she the second lady of Sun from Cross Slope?
"Bai Congxin, you still don't worship Erlangjun as your master? Do you want to be buried here?"
After asking Zhang Zhao for instructions, Cao Sanniang did not rush to behead him. Instead, she shouted to a group of Uighur horse thieves who were not sure what to do. At the same time, she also winked at Zhang Zhong who was behind Zhang Zhao.
Old Zhang Zhong finally came to his senses. He was actually the one who contacted Ge Du and his group! He had not only met Ge Du, but also had contact with Bai Congxin, Qiongre Duojin and others.
"Bai Congxin, Huang Yang'er, I have made an appointment with you before. Ge Duse has been punished for being so bold and unfaithful, why don't you quickly pay your respects to Mr. Erlang?"
"I don't know what Mr. Erlang is going to do with us?" A group of Uighurs looked at me and I looked at you. Finally, Bai Congxin came out to speak. He was Ge Du's nephew, and he still had some prestige among the horse bandits.
Zhang Zhao smiled. At this time, you still want to bargain?
"It's not about how I deal with you, but how you deal with yourself? Shazhou, I won't seek for it, but Ge Du is dead, do you still have somewhere to go? I'm afraid the chance of returning to the Qilian Mountains is gone, right?"
Bai Congxin and others turned pale as they spoke. Although Ge Duo had long been stern but he was still a big banner, a big banner that could rally people's hearts. Without Ge Du, no one among these horse thieves would be willing to obey others. The leader is about to break up.
But in the horse thieves' profession, it's not easy to wash away one's family safely under normal circumstances, let alone break up like this.
Zhang Zhao guessed that they must have many enemies. After losing the protection of the horse thieves group, it would be difficult to save their own lives.
Moreover, they can't go back to Ge Du's lair. Ge Du's relatives are there. They watched Ge Du being killed without helping. They won't be accepted if they go back, and they are even more likely to be killed!
"Erlangjun is brave and unparalleled. We were also recruited by Erlangjun. Where should we go after we find the sandbank? Please tell me, Erlangjun!"
Bai Congxin still didn't let go, and Zhang Zhao also looked at this guy in surprise. His words were nice and his posture was very low, but he was a master who didn't let go of rabbits or hawks, so he was quite calm.
Where should we go from now on? Zhang Zhao has been thinking about this issue for a long time.
In fact, he was in the same situation as these horse thieves. It was impossible for him to return to a quiet life in Shazhou. If this incident hadn't happened, the Cao family might still be able to tolerate him.
Because the original Zhang Zhao was just a mediocre waste. Waste has the advantage of waste, that is, the Cao family will not worry about what kind of trouble he may make, and it is not easy to target him.
With the current status of Cao Yijin and the Cao family in the two states of Guasha, if they can't even accommodate a waste, they will easily attract criticism, which is not cost-effective.
But things are different now. He Zhang Zhao defeated a hundred people and won a great victory. He even personally killed the horse bandit Bald Tiger. Cao Sanniang said that he had the courage to celebrate Ji. In addition, the Taibao had already spread the word. Blessed by the Holy Spirit, what a truly outstanding person!
No matter how big the Cao family is, they will definitely not be able to tolerate such descendants of Zhang Chengfeng.
"I'm going to go west!" Zhang Zhao thought for a while and coughed dryly.
"To the west?" Bai Congxin and Zhang Zhong looked at Zhang Zhao hesitantly.
At this time, to the west of the sandbank was a tribal alliance called Zhongyun. These miscellaneous tribes, including the Uighurs, Canwei people and other Turkic tribes, united with the Zhongyun Kingdom and occupied Shanshan (Loulan) and Putao City, which were originally part of the sandbank. , Xincheng, Qiemo, Ruoqiang and other places.
This is not a good place to go! Bai Congxin's expression turned ugly, because this place was too poor, full of yellow sand, and if it wasn't for communication, it would be a dead end.
For example, Shanshan has moved several times. The reason is that the Puchang Sea (Lop Nur) is shrinking and the surrounding oases are also shrinking.
If this poor land had been rich, it would have been occupied by Shazhou or Gaochang Uighurs long ago. Moreover, in such a poor land, those poor Canwei people have also established an administrative system, with a king, a prime minister, and a governor. Being poor and unruly is even more difficult to tame.
After going to Zhongyun, why not go back to Qilian Mountain to eat snow!
However, Bai Congxin and Zhang Zhong thought that Zhang Zhao was going to Zhongyun to take refuge, but someone knew that was not the case. Lady Cao Sanniang, who was about to have her head flattened by a hammer, came over, her beautiful eyes filled with brilliance. .
"Erlang Jun not only has the courage to celebrate Ji, but also has the wisdom of King Zhuge Wuling!
Khotan is a great place to go! The great treasure of the great dynasty, the great sage of the great dynasty, the great emperor Yuchi Seng Wubo, is the uncle of Erlangjun. If the lord is willing to go back to Khotan for his mother, the great treasure of the great dynasty, Princess Li, to visit relatives, the emperor of the golden kingdom will definitely accept it with joy, leaving the king speechless. It can be said. "
Zhuge Wuling King is Zhuge Liang. This was his title in the Tang Dynasty. People in the Tang Dynasty already worshiped Zhuge Liang.
The Kingdom of Jin was the later Kingdom of Khotan. Since the title of Kingdom of Khotan was granted by Emperor Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin Dynasty in the third year of Tianfu (938), they now call themselves the Kingdom of Jin.
The Great Treasure of the Great Dynasty, the Great Sage of the Golden Kingdom, and the Tomorrow Son, Yuchi Sengwubo, is a famous figure in history, Li Shengtian, who guarded the Western Regions alone for hundreds of years and insisted on Han culture.
Li Shengtian's sister, Princess Li, the great treasure of the great dynasty, was Zhang Chengfeng's first wife and Zhang Zhao's aunt, so Li Shengtian was Zhang Zhao's legitimate uncle.
Khotan was a large country in the Western Region, and its national power was still higher than that of the Gaochang Uighurs and the Kara Khanate. Zhang Zhao's defection to Li Shengtian was indeed a clever move. Not only could he stay away from the Cao family, but he could also gain support and space for activities in Khotan.
"Khotan!" Bai Congxin's eyes lit up immediately. This is really a good place to go out. Not only is Yutian rich, he is also the uncle of the second husband of the Zhang family. Not only is it much better than suffering in the Qilian Mountains, but it is also better than wandering on the sandbank. good.
This is the role of the queen of a famous family. Bai Congxin and others have been in Shazhou for decades without even a place to live. Zhang Zhao is only eighteen or nineteen years old, but he is accepted wherever he goes.
"Er Langjun! I sincerely ask Erlang Jun to take us in. We are willing to follow Erlang Jun through fire and water!"
Bai Congxin took the lead and knelt down on the ground that still smelled of blood, and the Uighurs around him also knelt down.
"You said you should follow? Come if there is any benefit, and run away if there is no benefit. Why should you share the wealth of Khotan?"
Qi Xianghu, who had always been dissatisfied with these Uighurs and felt that he had been deceived by them, was not happy. He was hesitant just now, but now he came up as soon as he knew that he could go to Khotan to have a good time. How could it be such a good thing!
"Erlangjun! I know where Ge Du's stronghold is. There are still Ge Du's relatives in the stronghold who can eradicate the weeds. There are also countless salt, grain, cloth and treasures. The wealth Ge Du has looted over the years is all in his stronghold. A certain person I am willing to be a pioneer and take it for Mr. Erlang!" Bai Congxin gritted his teeth and took out the bait that Zhang Zhao could not refuse.
Huh! yes! Ge Duo has been in Shazhou for so many years, and he must have countless treasures. This windfall will never be wasted!
"Hahaha! Brother Bai, I, Zhang Zhaofei, am a person who loves money, but this is God's gift, and someone must take it! When I get Ge Du's treasure, I will share it with all the brothers, and we will be a family from now on. , share the blessings and share the hardships!”
Zhang Zhao's statement also excited the Uighurs around him. Ge Du was actually quite stingy, and his confidants would never take advantage of him. Moreover, this guy had a lot of savings. If Zhang Zhao was willing to share some of them with them, If so, everyone can get a lot.
"Erlangjun, if you want to get Ge Du's treasure, you need to bring your servant with you. Your servant knows where Ge Du's treasure is!"
A dull voice came from behind everyone. Zhang Zhao turned around and saw that the person speaking was Ge Du's confidant, Qiongre Duojin, who was stabbed by Zhang Zhao.
Qiongre Duojin walked over slowly, ignoring the pain of the wound on his body, and knelt down in front of Zhang Zhao.
"Ge Du gave a certain little Tanggu (leather pocket) tsampa to save my sister's life. I protected Ge Du for ten years and almost died several times in the ten years. I have long since repaid his kindness. Erlangjun bandaged someone’s injury, so this life belongs to Erlangjun!”
Zhang Zhao slowly walked over. Although Qiongre Duojin had an expression on his face that said, "Don't leave me behind, I'll stick with you." Zhang Zhao couldn't treat him like Bai Congxin.
Because this guy is Ge Duo's confidant who will stick to his sword when drinking wine and eating meat. His martial arts skills are not bad. If you can easily recruit such a person, it will be quite difficult to guard against him whenever he strikes you.
"Mr. Erlang, this man is Ge Du's confidant. He can't be trusted! It would be a great mercy for us to bandage him. You must not accept him. Just drive him away after he recovers!"
Zhang Zhong hurried over to persuade him. He was afraid that Zhang Zhao would easily believe this guy just like he recruited Bai Congxin.
"If Erlangjun doesn't believe it, in addition to helping Erlangjun find Ge Du's treasure, I also have dozens of relatives in Chaidan. The strong men in the clan are skilled in bows and horses, and they can all serve Erlangjun!"
Seeing that Zhang Zhao and others did not believe him too much, Qiongre Duojin became a little anxious.
"I can find Ge Du's treasure without your guidance. I don't believe that Ge Du's wife and children can withstand the sword and axe. I don't care about warriors who are skilled in bows and horses, because there are more in the Jin Kingdom!
However, since X saved you, I am still willing to give you a chance. If you give X a reason, a reason to believe in you, I will allow you to join me. "Zhang Zhao nodded to Zhang Zhong to reassure him.
Qiongre Duojin gave a wry smile, and then a look of hope flashed across his face, "Replying to Erlangjun, so-and-so is not actually from Qiuchi, but so-and-so was a Tubo slave soldier. Without Ge Du's protection, so-and-so's family would have been destroyed long ago. This was unacceptable to the Kucha people.
Now that Ge Du is dead, if there is no other powerful leader to take refuge in, dozens of members of the clan will only die.
Right now, this injury will not heal for about ten years. It is not a false surrender, but it is really because I want to live! "
Zhang Zhao did not speak, but looked at Bai Congxin behind him, who nodded.
"This man's name is Qiongre Duojin, and he was indeed a slave soldier from Dongdai under Chaidan."
Dongdai is a military and political official position in the Tubo Empire, sometimes translated as Qianhu. Qaidan is the generation of the Qaidam Basin in later generations, which is just south of the Shazhou on the Qilian Mountains.
Tubo slave soldiers! interesting!
