Northeast of Wuling and southwest of Jingling, there is a fertile grassland with a radius of more than ten miles between the two tributaries of the Yangtze River, 'Zhangshui' and 'Jushui'.
The climate here is mild all year round, the rainfall is abundant, the soil is fertile, and the pasture grows richly and vigorously. It is a natural pasture, where the 'Pegasus Ranch' is located.
'Pegasus Ranch' is surrounded by mountains, with only two east and west gorges for entry and exit. The dangerous terrain and hidden topography form a natural shield for the ranch.
In the northwest corner of the ranch, there is a high cliff. On the top of this cliff is a magnificent castle. Behind the castle is a steep cliff, and in front of the castle is a winding road. The river, seen from a distance, is spectacular.
Liu Zongdao and his party rushed to the canyon entrance in the northwest direction. Seeing that the ranch was still the same, they couldn't help but feel relaxed. After crossing the suspension bridge of the gate tower at the entrance, Liu Zongdao and his party rushed along the avenue in the pasture towards the castle.
Shortly after Liu Zongdao and his party left, another dozen people on fast horses came running toward the Pegasus Ranch outside the canyon.
When the group of knights reached the road entrance thirty feet away, an arrow suddenly fell from the sky and shot into the soil about ten feet away in front of everyone.
This group of people seemed to have been used to this for a long time. They just reined in their horses and stopped. Then one of the knights rode forward and said: "Princess Xiuning of the Tang Dynasty has come to visit the owner of 'Pegasus Ranch' Shang Xiuxun. Please inform me!"
"Do you have proof?"
Questions came from the tower.
The knight looked back at Li Xiuning behind him and asked, "Your Highness, look..."
At this time, a person next to Li Xiuning laughed and said: "Xiuning, I didn't expect that 'Pegasus Ranch' would turn out to be a frightening bird!"
Li Xiuning smiled and said: "Now that Liang and Chu are at war, Pegasus Ranch is caught between the two countries. A little carelessness will lead to disaster. It is normal to be cautious!"
After that, he took a brocade bag that he carried with him and handed it over, saying: "On the basis of Xiuning's private seal, Sister Xiuxun recognizes this thing!"
The knight took it respectfully and rode towards the tower at the entrance of the canyon.
The person next to Li Xiuning said: "Xiuning, do you think it is possible to acquire the 'Pegasus Ranch' at the expense of the protection of the Tang Dynasty?"
At this time, a person behind Li Xiuning laughed and said: "General Chai's proposal comes at the right time. Originally, Pegasus Ranch had good relations with many parties and was able to fight for a place in this troubled world. But now that war has begun, with It is difficult for Pegasus Ranch to protect itself due to its own strength. Although it has formed an alliance with Jingling's Domination Mountain Villa, and they are helping each other, but I heard that Du Fuwei has the intention of going south to attack Jingling, and Domination Mountain City is already Unable to help themselves!"
The 'General Chai' in that person's mouth was Li Xiuning's fiancé Chai Shao. Hearing this, Chai Shao smiled and asked, "Master Li, do you have any clever ideas?"
This man was none other than Li Gang, Li Xiuning's counselor. I guess he was known for his wisdom. When Chai Shao asked, he chuckled and said, "General Chai already has a plan in mind, so why bother asking me?"
Chai Shao laughed and said, "It seems that Mr. Chai and Mr. Li have similar views on heroes!"
The two looked at each other and smiled, but Dou Wei on the side said: "Don't be too happy, you two. Please note that the closest to this 'Pegasus Ranch' is Du Fuwei's Jianghuai Army. The land in Guanzhong is far away and beyond the reach of a whip." , if the 'Pegasus Ranch' surrenders to the Tang Dynasty, it will definitely become a thorn in the side of the Jianghuai Army, unless you have a way to move the entire 'Pegasus Ranch' to Guanzhong!"
Chai Shao heard the words and was about to speak, but was interrupted by Li Xiuning, saying: "Okay, don't talk nonsense anymore. If Sister Xiuxun hears it, I'm afraid there will be a misunderstanding. We are just here to buy horses this time. Don’t talk about anything else!”
"Yes, Xiuning!"
"As you command, Your Highness Princess!"
Everyone agreed with a roar, and then avoided the topic of Pegasus Ranch and talked about the war between Liang and Chu.
While he was talking, the suspension bridge under the city tower at the entrance to the canyon opposite was slowly lowered, and then the city gate opened wide. A group of knights galloped towards them. The first one on the horse was a woman in green clothes, who was from the Pegasus Ranch. The main businessman is Xiuxun.
"Princess Xiuning is here. I apologize for missing Xiuxun."
As the cavalry approached, Shang Xiuxun dismounted and said with a smile and clasped fists.
Li Xiuning stepped forward and held Shang Xiuxun's hand, and said with a smile: "Why is sister Xiuxun so polite to Xiuning? You must know that Xiuning rushed all the way to see her sister, and she didn't even bother to take a sip of water!"
Shang Xiuxun took his hand out without leaving a trace and said with a smile: "Xiuxun has prepared some tea. Why don't Princess Xiuning follow me into the castle quickly?"
Li Xiuning's eyes lit up when she heard this and said: "But the tea made by Sister Xiuxun herself? Since the last time she tasted it, Xiuning felt that other teas were bland and difficult to swallow. She has been thinking about her sister's tea for a long time!"
Everyone was talking and laughing as they walked towards the canyon tower.
At this moment, a burst of rapid horse hoofbeats suddenly came from the distance. The sound became louder and louder from far to near. Shang Xiuxun, Li Xiuning and others looked back and saw a burst of dust flying not far away. Then, dozens of people came running on fast horses.
"Is that the owner of Shang Xiuxun in front of you? Lin Shihong, the great Chu, is here to pay a visit!"
Suddenly, a high-pitched and loud voice came. By the time the words fell, the dozens of riders had already approached Shang Xiuxun and others thirty feet away.
Shang Xiuxun and others' faces changed slightly when they heard this. If they hadn't seen that Lin Shihong was followed by only dozens of people, they might have thought that the Chu army was coming.
"Master, return to the canyon quickly!"
Shang Zhen, the chief steward behind Shang Xiuxun, said quickly.
Shang Xiuxun shook his head and said: "'Pegasus Ranch' is open for business, and those who come are guests. Moreover, we can hide for a while, but not forever. Manager Shang will follow me to greet the guests!" After that, he ordered Liu Zongdao General Li Xiuning The others welcomed into the 'Pegasus Castle', but due to their identities, Li Xiuning and others did not stay much longer.
There were about thirty riders following Lin Shihong, each of whom was a veteran in the army, especially the two middle-aged men behind Lin Shihong. Their eyes were opening and closing, and their eyes were shining brightly. It was obvious that they had reached the level of internal strength. A first-rate master in the realm of transformation.
Shang Xiuxun couldn't help but take another look at the two people, but saw one of them staring at him, with an undisguised and naked possessiveness in his eyes that made Shang Xiuxun feel uncomfortable all over.
"You all have come a long way, and Xiu Xun has not treated you well. Please come in!"
Shang Xiuxun subconsciously took a few steps back and let Lin Shihong and his party in, but placed them in the northwest corner of the Pegasus Ranch, where the ranch's defense force is strongest. They were placed here to facilitate surveillance. Second, if there is a sudden change, it will be easier and faster to deal with it.
"Master, if the old man is not blind, the two people behind Lin Shihong should be the two masters of the 'Demon Sect', 'Yunyu Shuangxiu' Pi Shouxuan and 'Moyin' Bian Fuyi!" When Lin Shihong and his party left, the ranch owner Steward Shang Zhen said to Shang Xiuxun with a solemn expression.
