Jiang Shuo and others were eager to set off, but Meng Lu knew that he could not be held back. He had difficulty moving, so he ordered his men to fetch a small gold box and give it to Jiang Shuo.
Jiang Shuo also said that Meng Lu wanted to give him gold and silver, so he quickly declined. Meng Lu said, "Young Master Jiang is traveling far into the hinterland of Tubo. No matter how much wealth and silk he has, it will be useless. What I hold in this box is not wealth, but the most useful and wonderful things on the Tubo Plateau." Jiang Shuo. Puzzled, he opened the gold box and saw dozens of thin yellow-brown slices that looked like tree bark or ginger slices inside.
Dugu Xiang looked at it and felt disappointed, and said: "Mr. Meng, you are really buying a casket for a pearl... I thought this gold box contained something good, but I didn't expect it to be some dead tree bark, Rotten ginger slices, what's the use of Brother Shuo holding some rags?" Ge Ruliang scolded: "This little girl is uneducated and has no skills, it's really embarrassing." He crossed his hands to Meng Lu and said, "Thank you Meng Daxian for giving me this treasure, so I can go deep into Tubo. No more worries." Dugu Xiang pouted and said: "What... I think it's just dead tree bark." Tuoba Qimei said from the side: "Ms. Dugu, you are mistaken, this is indeed a rare treasure. ." Meng Lu was slightly surprised and said: "Mr. Ge is so knowledgeable that he actually knows this thing." Ge Ruliang said: "Ge has only heard of it, and this is the first time he has seen this thing." Dugu Xiang said dissatisfied "Yeah, please don't tell me the truth with riddles. What on earth is this?" Ge Ruliang said, "If my guess is correct, this should be 'Sedum'." Meng Lu said with a smile, "Mr. Ge really knows it. This thing, 'Sedum', is also called 'Rhodiola' because its flowers are as red as roses. After drying, it is sliced or ground into powder to make different medicinal materials, which are divided into 'Cistanche' and 'Gadul'. These slices It's 'Cistanche', which the Tibetan people call 'Sulomabao', which means 'miracle medicine'. Despite its unimpressive appearance, it's actually more expensive than gold, so there's nothing wrong with saying it's stored in a gold box." Neither did Jiang Shuo. After seeing Rhodiola rosea, he asked curiously: "Mr. Meng, what is the miraculous effect of this cistanche? Is it more precious than ice silkworms?" Ge Ruliang said: "The "Shen Nong's Materia Medica" lists Rhodiola rosea as a top-grade medicine. It is said that taking it can lighten the body and replenish qi, prevent aging and prolong life." Meng Lu said: "This theory is widely circulated, and Sun Simiao, the king of medicine in this dynasty, also praised it. Therefore, this medicinal material sells very well in Chang'an. I This box of cistanches can be exchanged for an equal weight of gold in Chang'an." He was beaming with pride when he suddenly saw Tuoba Qimei and all the Xiang Qiang medicine people staring at him with unkind expressions, wanting to come to Menglu. He also bought rhodiola rosea from the Dangxiang Qiang people, but I'm afraid the price was very low. The herbalists knew that this herb was precious, but they didn't expect it to be so valuable, so they stared at him with dissatisfaction. Meng Lu knew that he was speechless. He hurriedly comforted Tuoba Qimei: "Next time we increase the price, we will definitely increase the price next time..." Jiang Shuo said, "Mr. Meng, this is too precious, I can't have it, and we martial arts practitioners are already physically strong. There is no need to replenish qi, this medicine is not of much use to us." Meng Lu said: "Young Master Jiang, please listen to me first about the wonderful benefits of this medicine... Jingtian is located on the top of the mountains in Tubo, it is extremely cold and dry. , coupled with the strong wind, no other flowers and plants except sedum can survive, because the place where they grow is harsh, so they are extremely rare and precious." Dugu Xiang said: "Master Meng, the ice silkworms were also blown up to the sky by you, but I almost killed the girl from the Ye family, but don’t mistake the properties of the medicine and harm Brother Shuo." Meng Lu waved her hand and said: "No, no, absolutely not... Medicine King Sun Simiao also said that Sedum is non-toxic. There is no harm in taking it for a long time, but cistanche can be called the magic medicine of the plateau, and it is most useful in the land of Tubo." Dugu Xiang turned to look at Ge Ruliang, who looked away from him. He didn't know why, Meng Lu said: "The land of Tubo is called It is a plateau and the terrain is extremely high. When people from the Tang Dynasty who used to live in the Han Dynasty penetrated into the Tibetan land, they would suffer from general weakness, chest tightness and shortness of breath due to the terrain. In severe cases, the lips and palms would turn purple, or even coma and death... Taking Cistanche can help to strengthen the solid state. , nourishing qi and blood, greatly relieving shortness of breath when first climbing the plateau. "Dugu Xiang said: "Who are you looking down on? We are all martial arts practitioners. We feel as if we are walking on flat ground when we climb mountains and seas. How can we feel chest tightness and shortness of breath when we climb a mountain? Meng Lu shook his head and said: "Those who have never been to Tubo can hardly imagine how high and vast the terrain of Tubo is. It can be said that the flat land of Tubo is higher than Mount Tai in the Central Plains!" Moreover, stronger people may have greater reactions on the plateau, but people with weak Qi and blood like Ye Qingyao will be fine. "What he said was so mysterious that everyone was doubtful.
Ge Ruliang said: "Shuo'er, Meng Daxian also has good intentions. It's always good to be prepared. You shouldn't overwhelm him with his good intentions." Jiang Shuo had no choice but to thank him, put away the gold box, and everyone bid farewell to Meng Lu and continued westward.
Due to Ye Qingyao's injury, everyone expected Quan Xingjian and others to go west along the gentle road by the river and enter Xiping County, Shanzhou.
Although Quan Xingjian and others had set out many days in advance, they probably couldn't walk fast with the patient. Everyone in Jiangshuo galloped along the river, and it would be best if they could catch them halfway.
But a problem was quickly discovered. There were a large number of Dangxiang Qiang medicine people in Xihai. Although everyone rode horses, most of them were slave horses and could not run fast. It was already past noon when they left Meng Yutang. The horse team stretched very long in half a day. Jiang Shuo and Dugu Xiang The horse was good, and it was already dozens of miles ahead before nightfall, so he had to circle the horse back. After running like this for a day, he only just arrived at the junction of Suzhou and Shanzhou when he stayed for the night.
Jiang Shuo was impatient, so he rested for the night and set off again at dawn the next day. At this time, he had left the river bank and turned to go up the Huangshui River. The marching team was longer that day. It was not possible to rush like this. Ba Qimei ordered the Xiang Qiang people from the Xihai Party to return alone, but he and his brother Tuoba Chaoguang followed Jiang Shuo with light armor and fast horses.
After reading the book, Jiang Shuo's team was indeed much faster. At noon that day, they arrived at Huangshui City, where the Longyou Jiedu Envoy was stationed.
Seeing that the sky was still bright, Jiang Shuo didn't want to stay and rest, so he just casually found a restaurant outside the city.
During the meal break, I saw troops and baggage leaving the city constantly. Pack horses, carts, sergeants, and civilians were all crowded together, blocking the official road leading to the west. It seemed that Longyou's army was gathering westward again. , ready to attack Stone Castle City.
Seeing the chaotic state of the official road, Jiang Shuo couldn't help but become more worried. Dugu asked and saw Jiang Shuo's uneasy look, and said to him: "Shuo'er, the official road is blocked now. It's useless to be anxious. I told you that we should rest during the day instead." The horses are driving at night, so you and Xiang'er are quick, take brother Tuoba ahead, and we will catch up as soon as possible behind. Remember to move along the Huangshui River, and if you want to leave the main road, remember to leave a mark." Jiang Shuo praised his kindness, and Cheng Qianli However, Huaien and his servant stood up and crossed their hands. Seeing that the military situation was urgent, they should immediately return to Wang Zhongsigong's tent to listen to his instructions, and then said goodbye and left.
This time when they entered Tubo, in order to treat Ye Qingyao, they did not have to go to war. It really did not require too many manpower. Everyone treated Cheng Qianli and Pu Gu with mutual respect, and the two of them turned back to Huangshui City.
After nightfall, Jiang Shuo and others saw that the road was gradually becoming empty, so they set off immediately. Shuoxiang and Tuoba Qimei were the first group, followed by Dugu Wen, Ge Ruliang and his wife, and Tuoba Chaoguang. As for the Xiang Qiang people from the Xihai Party, The large group of people had already fallen far behind.
Jiang Shuo and Dugu Xiang rode the dragon horse Licorice Yudinghuang together, and assigned Dugu Xiang's horse Taohuachi to Tuoba Qimei to ride. The dragon horse was originally slightly better than the peach blossom horse, but it carried Shuo Xiang and two people. When running, Kankan is on par with Peach Blossom Horse.
The two horses rode together and galloped westward along the Huangshui River. Although it was summer, the gentle breeze from the river made it feel cool at night. Since leaving Jincheng, Lanzhou, the terrain has continued to rise, reaching the Huangshui River. , the mountains on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are getting steeper and steeper, and we are running through the mountains without knowing it.
Jiangshuo and the others galloped three hundred miles in one night. In the morning light, they saw a large city appearing on the bank of Huangshui River. This was the starting point of the Tang Dynasty Post Road. Military fortress, this is the beginning of Shancheng and Shanzhou, and it is also the leader of Dangxiang Qiang people.
The origin of the title "Xiping Gong". Shancheng is an important border town and the key to the West Sea. To defend Huangcheng, you must defend Shancheng. If Shancheng is lost, Huangcheng will not be protected either.
The Tang army stationed Lintao army in Huangcheng and Heyuan County in Shancheng, forming a complete line of defense. The three of them did not enter the city. They took advantage of the fact that it was still early in the day and the road was open, and they still rode westward. However, after passing Shancheng, the mountains on both sides became more and more narrow, and the road became more and more difficult to walk.
After traveling for another fifty or sixty miles, another small city fortress appeared on the mountain ridge ahead. Tuoba Qimei said: "This is the last city fortress on the border of the Tang Dynasty. It is called 'Linfan City'. After Linfan City, you will reach the Meander of the River." The land was over, and neither Tang nor Tibet could control it absolutely. The two armies were at odds with each other and penetrated each other. Tubo's stone castle was in the south, and the Tang army also had several troops stationed there." Jiang Shuojian chased all the way to the border, but Ye Qingyao's body was still missing. I couldn't help but feel depressed. At this time, there were more and more soldiers and horses on the roadside. They were in groups of five or ten people. They gathered on the roadside to have a fire, eat dry food, or have fun playing games. It seemed that the military discipline was very good. It's undisciplined.
At this moment, the road was still open. Tuoba Qimei asked Jiang Shuo on horseback: "The horse has been running all night and has traveled three hundred miles. Although the BMW is a splendid horse, it is also a little tired. Do you want to take a rest?" Jiang Shuo didn't think about it at first. Being with these miscellaneous soldiers, I wanted to go forward as much as possible, so I said absently: "Walk a little longer, walk a little longer..." At this moment, the speed of the two horses was not too slow, and the two horses were very good at riding. There is no problem talking while running.
At this time, he suddenly heard someone shouting: "Hey! Stop!" Jiang Shuo turned around and saw a group of young officers standing on the roadside, seeming to be shouting to them. Jiang Shuo naturally didn't bother to pay attention to him and just rode his horse. Moving forward, the man saw that the speed of the two horses was not slowing down, and he couldn't help but said angrily: "What about you! From that man and the two children, stop the horse! Stop the horse!" Jiang Shuo and Tuoba Qimei looked at each other, and Qimei also said the same. He shook his head and said, "Don't make matters worse." The two of them still kept riding, but instead urged their horses to run faster.
The team was furious and shouted: "Good boy! If I don't take your young master seriously, stop it!" Long Xiang and Tao Erma are both good BMW horses. Even though they ran all night, they are still better than Ordinary horses can run much faster. The man shouted and galloped towards him. He was actually faster than the two horses and was gradually approaching.
