Tang Xuan

At the beginning of July in the first year of Zhicheng, Lang Huai's solitary army had been walking in the Dead Sea for 20 days, and it seemed that there was no time to get out of here.

The troops were tired and horses were exhausted, so it was reasonable to garrison the army to rest, but Lang Huai ordered the whole army to speed up at night, and even changed positions.

After walking for three days, even horses like Tayun shrugged their heads and rubbed forward step by step, not to mention the ordinary war horses of others.Lang Huai was wearing a bunt, his face was still full of fat, and he was discussing something with An Mu while walking.

"I'm afraid the terrain has changed too much, and we're going in the wrong direction." An Mu's mouth was dry, and he felt a little guilty after all when talking about these things.She once boasted that she would be able to walk out of the Dead Sea in [-] days, but now it is still far away.

"Princess, it's because we were not prepared enough. We didn't expect the sandstorm to cause such great damage." Lang Huai sighed when he saw that the sky was about to light up, and said, "Tao Jun, send an order to set up camp and rest."

"Yes." Tao Jun took the order and left. The soldiers dug holes and set up tents in an orderly manner, but they didn't know if the camp next to them could be so stable.

The two of them found a flat sandy place. An Mu took out an arrow, drew on the ground, and said, "General, let's avoid Xunzhou, take the Bezi Anhexi River and enter the Dead Sea, all the way to the south. Press The truth is, no matter what, you can get out of Jinbu on the [-]th."

Her men drew a straight path, Lang Huai nodded and said, "That's true."

"But now we're in a predicament," An Mu raised his head and breathed heavily, "I can't smell any moisture, which means we've probably deviated from our direction."

"The sky has been covered with dark clouds these days, and we can't see the stars at night. We only rely on the sun during the day. I'm afraid we've gone astray." An Mu apologized, and said, "General, there are a few men in our camp who are familiar with the desert. , General, please allow them to bring two or three people to explore the road first. If we can find the Populus euphratica forest I once walked through, we can go out."

Lang Huai raised his head and looked at An Mu with doubts in his heart.But An Mu said that he still stayed in the army, and he should not do anything rebellious.What's more, she had no choice but to say: "The princess decides on these matters."

Mingda was calling her, Lang Huai wiped away the traces with his feet, looked into the distance, and said, "Princess, I will leave everything to you. After conquering Khotan and recovering Qiemoshache, I promise you that I will not break the promise. "

An Mu regained his composure, looked at her with piercing eyes, and said, "If An Mu breaks his promise, I would like to die to thank the General for his trust."

The fire had just started, and the horse meat on the shelf was smoky, and the taste lost my appetite just thinking about it.After receiving the naan from Lan Jun, Lang Huai felt his cheeks hurt.When she saw Mingda sipping water, how could she not feel guilty?Sitting cross-legged, Lang Huai broke open the naan and said, "An Mu said that he would send a few people out to scout the way, so he must have gone astray."

Seeing the complexion of the people in front of her change, she hurriedly spoke out to comfort her: "It's just that it's wrong, and it shouldn't take many wrong paths. Cast your net and look for it. As long as you find the Populus euphratica forest she once walked through, you can almost get out."

"Oh, I don't know what kind of place this is, even a compass is useless." Ming Da bit his mouth of the naan hard, and said, "The strange way is called the Dead Sea. Besides us, where else do living things come from?"

Lang Huai said with a smile: "I'm afraid we are the only ones who dare to come in with such a big fanfare for more than a hundred years. You eat slowly and choke carefully." While she was speaking, Lu Laosan's cracked voice could be heard.

"Ah Huai!" This man always went straight, sitting in front of the fire, looking at the piece of horse meat on top, sighing, said: "If we can't get out, we will have to kill another batch of horses."

Lang Huai cut off a piece of meat, tore it up and handed it to Ming Da, and then said to Lu Laosan: "An Mu has sent someone to find the way, and I just wanted to discuss it with you, why not set up camp here to save the soldiers' strength. I'm back, let's go again."

Teacher Lu nodded and said, "That's what I mean too. I came to discuss with you. Since you have already ordered, third brother, I will ask for your order. This trick must be effective. Otherwise, in a few years, third brother's old eyesight will be useless. The land of martial arts."

"With the words of the third brother, Lang Huai thanked the more than 2 soldiers." Lang Huai said: "I estimate the time, An Mu is counting troops, and the third brother should go soon?"

Lu Laosan laughed loudly, and said: "Okay, third brother will set off now." After speaking, Lu Laosan picked up, patted the sand on his buttocks, turned and left.His iron tower-like body couldn't support the armor due to the hard work of the month.

"Can it work?" Ming Da couldn't swallow half a piece of naan, leaned beside Lang Huai, and asked her in a low voice.

"It's really not good for a dead horse to be a living horse doctor, and it can last for a few days by urinating." Lang Huai patted Mingda's hand and said, "You, you shouldn't come here willfully, maybe we will put our lives here Yes. Are you afraid?"

Mingda hugged her right arm and asked without answering, "Are you afraid?"

Lang Huai frowned and thought for a while, then said: "It's a little bit. The desert is vast, and even wandering ghosts may not be able to find their way. If you die, you won't be able to find your soul, I think I'm still afraid."

She has always been clumsy about these things, and she seldom talks about love. Now that her true feelings are revealed, Mingda actually followed her way and said: "I am also afraid of this. The theory of ghosts and gods is ultimately vague, so we should live better. If it is really naive There is no holiday, and I have no regrets if I die together. I am afraid that heaven and man will be separated forever..." Ming Da stopped, feeling that his words were ominous.

The two were silent for a while, Ming Da suddenly said: "Tell me, father is dead, can mother be found?"

It was bright day, and Lan Jun and Zhu Jun were leaning on the two corners of the tent, already falling into a deep sleep.Tao Jun was holding a booklet, licking the dry brush from time to time, sketching something.

Lang Huai looked far away, and said: "Yes. If you have the heart, you will definitely be able to."

This garrison lasts for two days.An Mulin's former king Xiong Cen Shang gathered outside Lang Huai's tent, all anxious.

"General, the water is running out, and it can last for five days at most." Cen Shang was the first to speak, and said: "Advancement is a dilemma, General, please make up your mind quickly!"

"General, we are already in a dead end. General, please bring enough water to break through by yourself! The final general will try his best to maintain it. If the army goes deep alone, he will be prepared for the consequences. But the general has a lot of money, so there is no room for loss." When Wang Xiong made such a remonstrance, Lang Huai was about to refute, but Lin Xian actually opened his mouth, which meant the same thing as Wang Xiong.

"I've known you for so many years, it's a bit bloody just to say that." Lin Xian, wearing only a thin shirt and a shaggy beard, said to Wang Xiong: "You are the eldest son of General Wang, you go with the general!"

Wang Xiong was taken aback, and said: "No, I'm not good at fighting, so you should escort the general to leave."

"Okay, since I brought you out, I never put aside the reason for everyone to escape alone!" Lang Huai said with a stern expression, "Third brother and the others have only been away for two days, and we have an appointment for three days, please rest assured Don't be impatient."

An Mu bit his lip, and said: "I can trust Yelitai, they will definitely find it. When they come back, please ask the general for permission, one team will go ahead quickly, and the rest will still go out at night. The first team has found the water source, and can send water return."

Lang Huai nodded and said: "This is a good idea. Wang Xiong, dispatch elites from various armies, prepare horses, and bring all the empty water tankers in the supply camp. Commander Lu and Yelitai will set off with them as soon as they come back. .”

"I said Ah Huai, don't be so stubborn! If you can't find it..." Lin Xian waited to persuade him, but saw that Lang Huai was serious.

"I will not bring everyone to death. If the wish is not fulfilled, I, Lang Huai, made a mistake, and I will naturally accompany you to death. In the battle of Anxi, with my uncle around, there will be no trouble. It's just a slow picture. In other words, Tubo cannot reach Dunhuang Yangguan, nor can they bully Chang'an."

"You!" Lin Xian stomped his foot and said, "Forget it, anyway, this life should have been lost a long time ago, I don't believe that Lord Hades is willing to accept it!"

The plan was established, and several people returned to their accounts to prevent mutiny.Fortunately, the military discipline is strict, although there is panic, but Lang Huai patrols the camp every day, at least it can calm people's hearts.

By noon the next day, no one came back.Lin Xian and the others wanted to persuade him again, but Lang Huai simply disappeared.Stop them from the Chinese army, just say that the idea has been made, and there is no need to persuade them.

At this time of Ye Chou, Ye Litai finally came back.Each of them brought four horses, and when they returned, there was only one left, his face was pale, and it was obvious that he had returned without success.Lang Huai pursed his lips tightly, glanced at An Mu who was already flustered, and said, "It's good to have a rest, it's been hard work."

After more than half an hour, someone came into the account and reported: "Commander Lu brought someone back and said he found it!"

Lang Huai and An Mu cheered up, but they couldn't believe it.Not caring about anything at the moment, they ran out together, seeing Lu Laosan fell off his horse in a state of embarrassment and was supported by several guards.

Lang Huai rushed forward and asked, "Did you find it?"

"Ah Huai, I found it! It's a huge forest, and the trees outside were dead for some time. I was afraid of finding the wrong one, so I walked in for half a day and felt relieved when I saw a living tree. This also delayed my time." The third child had a beard all over his face, sunken eye sockets, and was extremely haggard.

Long secretly anxious, Lang Huai didn't say anything, but actually made plans to die.With such conviction, she relaxed all over, took half a step back, breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Commander the king, ready to go."

"Yes!" The herald left in a hurry, and Princess An Mu knelt on the ground, not knowing what to pray for.

"Si, you go with them first." After the arrangement was completed, Lang Huai found Mingda first, looked at her and said, "Don't say no. If you continue to suffer, you may get sick. If you fall ill, I will not leave Khotan." bring you."

Mingda frowned, and said: "You..." She really couldn't bear it, and she was groggy every day.

"Listen to me once, okay?" Lang Huai hugged her lightly, but also reluctantly said, "Are you going to die of love for brother Huai?"

Mingda pressed against her shoulder and said, "Then you guys have to hurry up, I'll wait for you to pick me up."

"En." Finally persuading Mingda, Lang Huai heaved a sigh of relief.After the two whispered for a while, Lang Huai let her go.

"Lan Jun, follow her, don't let her lose her temper. It will only be a few days, and you must be careful when you arrive at Jinbu." Lang Huai confessed a few words, and Wang Xiong hurried over.

"You have always been safe. When you get out of the Dead Sea and arrive at Jinbu, Lin first fetches water to help you. You and your people are stationed by the lake. Don't forget to light an open fire." Lang Huai pointed to the map and said, "Jinbu and Khotan are only twenty Yu Li, if we show our whereabouts, our suffering these days will be in vain."

"Don't worry, the general. The general will restrain his subordinates and only set up camp. All plans will be made after the army gathers!" Wang Xiong looked at the map and carefully wrote it down, so as not to go to the wrong place when the time comes.

"Also, leave a team of scouts for you to take away. When the time comes, ask them to investigate carefully and see what's going on in Khotan City." Lang Huai pondered for a moment, and said, "It's getting late, let's go."

The horses pulling the water carts had long been exhausted, so Cen Shang ordered the camels brought by Ming Da to be replaced.These beasts are far more powerful than horses in the desert.

Helping Mingda to get on Tayun, Lang Huai patted the horse's butt, looked up at Mingda, and said, "See you in a few days." This time there was no pain and sadness of the imminent parting, Lang Huai said it easily, like those who returned to Chang'an During the day, she would go to the court with a few words casually, and would return to Weiyang Residence in the afternoon. The two of them would watch fish or read books, play for a while, practice swords, and stay together.

Mingda let out a "huh", with tears in his eyes, it was still Lang Huai's cruel heart, and he slapped Tayun.

The horse quickly caught up, and Lan Jun who hadn't set off said: "Don't worry, Lord, it's only a few days, I will take care of the girl."

Lang Huai was speechless, watching their backs disappear completely, she suddenly became dizzy, fell directly backwards, and fell heavily into the desert.