Looking back

From Xingqing, the capital of the Western Xia Dynasty, to Aolun Sumu, the capital of the Wanggu tribe, and approximately from Yinchuan, Ningxia, to Baotou, Inner Mongolia, this thousand-mile journey can be reached in one day if the messenger keeps changing and riding fast horses around the clock. , and a few people took a carriage, and they arrived in three days.

Along the way, Bao Xiruo and Yang Tiexin were still curious about their relationship, but Yang Kang had excellent ears. He heard Bao Xiruo and the two of them speculate privately several times, and they kept inquiring about it, until they saw Hua Zheng suffer from an illness and Yang Kang healed her. After recuperating, he was sweating profusely, so he stopped asking.

Bao Xiruo saw Huazheng wandering around all the time, and thought she was a homeless orphan, but when she heard that she had an older sister to rely on in Wanggubu, she was a little puzzled.It wasn't until they arrived at Aolun Sumu City that Alahai went out to receive them in person, with a magnificent guard of honor and a huge array, and only then did they guess that she was a relative of Mongolia.

Huazheng changed into Mongolian women's costumes outside the city, and the tall headgear made her look even taller. Alahai personally welcomed her sister onto the white jade chariot, and shared the ride under the canopy of white fine wool felt. , slowly walking towards her palace.

Yang Kang's family was also invited into the carriage, and followed closely behind.

The Wang Gu tribe claimed to be a descendant of Yanmen Shatuo, a Turkic race with tall nose, deep eyes, and white skin. They were at the easternmost end of the Silk Road. In the cracks between several major civilizations, they had their own characters early on, and they also began to A half-agricultural and half-pastoral career.Although the Wanggu tribe has only ten thousand citizens and a state, it is very prosperous with business travellers, and the tribe often uses translation as a profession.The capital, Aolun Sumu, is a very inclusive city. The Wanggu tribe built a high city wall. The churches, Taoist temples and temples in the city are built next to each other. The palace is a Chinese-style pavilion with glazed yellow tiles, and the marble floor is covered with Persian. The velvet carpet, the oriental white porcelain thin bowl, filled with deep red wine, all kinds of rare treasures are gathered here.

But Arahai, as the daughter of Genghis Khan, the ruler of the main route between the East and the West, believed in Christianity.Growing up in a Mongolian tribe that has no written language, she has been able to read and speak multiple languages, including the Turkic language spoken by the Wangu tribe, the Mongolian script compiled by Genghis Khan just ordered Tata Tonga, and can even use accented Greeted Yang Tiexin and the others in Chinese, and then smiled and said, "The mother of the golden sword son-in-law is accompanying her in Helin at the moment, and I have sent a message to pick her up, and she will arrive in a few days."

Yang Kang then explained to Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo, "She's talking about Guo Jing's mother, Aunt Guo." Bao Xiruo was very happy to hear that, and said to Yang Tiexin, "Guo's sister-in-law hasn't seen each other for many years. We can live together forever."

Alahai treated them as honored guests, especially thanked Yang Kang for saving his sister's life, and presented a set of house land, more than a hundred cattle and sheep, and dozens of servants.When Huazheng was about to stay overnight in the palace again, Huazheng shook his head and declined, saying that he was injured and needed someone who knew inner strength to take care of him. When Arahai heard this, he sighed and then suddenly remembered something, "Father Khan summoned someone to take care of him." A real person who knows the way, ask him about the way of heaven, that real person has already arrived at the big tent, why don't you ask him to see your injury?"

There was an interpreter at the side to translate, Yang Kang couldn't help but wonder when he heard this, where is there another Daoist person?So he looked at Huazheng, only to see that she also turned her head and blinked.

Helin was in the area of ​​the Orkhon River, and it was only a few days' journey away. Alahai urged Huazheng to go on the road earlier to meet the real person, but she was in charge of state affairs and had a lot of paperwork, so it was inconvenient to see him off in person.Seeing that Bao Xiruo settled well here, Yang Kang and Hua Zheng set off for Dahan's camp.

The two embarked lightly on the road, and the carriage was flying like flying on the post road. After driving for half a day, it suddenly stopped and gave way to the side of the road. I saw a caravan coming slowly ahead. The car with double shafts was painted black and shiny. Snow-white camels.Yang Kang was quite surprised, and asked the coachman, who said, "The white camel, that's Madam Ehelun's convoy."

Huazheng was adjusting his breath in the car, but when he heard E Helun's name, he sent someone to stop the car, but the other party recognized Ala Hai's car and horse, and had already stopped.Huazheng stepped forward quickly, threw herself into grandma's arms, chattering non-stop.

Mrs. Ehorun is old. She brought up Temujin in suffering and adopted many orphans, and cultivated them into the most loyal warriors. Jamuka was defeated by Temujin. He once lamented that he lost as soon as he lost There is no such a great mother as Er Huan.At this time, she heard that Alahai was going to pick up Li Ping to meet her old friend in Aolun Sumu, so she got in her own car and saw her off in person, so that she could meet her granddaughter Alahai. little granddaughter.

Li Ping was in the car behind, together with the female relatives beside E Helun, Yang Kang stepped forward to say hello, and she hurriedly asked about his parents.When they heard that the Yang family could not go back to the Southern Song Dynasty because of the murder case, when they planned to settle down in the Wanggu tribe, they couldn't help sighing, saying that her mother and son wanted to return to Lin'an, but Guo Jing had already been ordered by the Great Khan to join the army. Seeing Hua Zheng, he started to feel dazed again, presumably because he already knew about Guo Jing and Huang Rong and was in a difficult situation.

After parting from Mrs. Ehelun's convoy, Hua Zheng and the two continued on the road, Hua Zheng said with a grin, "Sure enough, the Daoist real person my third sister mentioned is your old stubborn master, you really think of him as a god. "

Seeing Qiu Chuji is second, but in the plot, when Qiu Chuji arrives, Guo Jing is also in the sweat tent, so this trip is not in vain, Yang Kang said, "Be a dead horse as a living horse doctor, anyway, he came to see Genghis Khan is also in the book." destined."

Huazheng laughed and said, "It's not only doomed in the novel, but also in history. Genghis Khan asked him a lot of questions, saying that in the future Quanzhen Sect will not have to serve and pay taxes, and will reward him with the imperial garden of the Jin Dynasty to build Taoist temples. These are recorded in a book called Changchun Zhenren Journey to the West."

Yang Kang said with a smile, "It turns out that Master can write books besides fighting, so I seem to have underestimated him." The two talked and laughed all the way, and arrived in Helin a few days later. This temporary capital has not yet been built, only tents.Huazheng's mother, Empress Boertie, was also here, and it was she who had been taking care of Guo Jing's mother. As soon as Huazheng entered the camp, she said impatiently to go to her mother's place, and asked Yang Kang to wait for Guo Jing, and to go around when she was bored. .

Looking around...Yang Kang is extremely depressed, one side is the Khan's military tent, which will not be cut off by trespassers, and the other side is the residence of his wife and concubines.

When he was helpless, he saw an acquainted man approaching, and after a closer look, he turned out to be Yelu Chucai, who had been a courtier of the Kingdom of Jin.

Yelu Chucai seemed to be meditating while walking, and when he got very close, he noticed Yang Kang, with a look of shock on his face.Yang Kang was not surprised. Yelu Chucai was a very important adviser in the later period of Genghis Khan. He is well-known in history books. In the novel, his son Yeluqi is Guo Fu's husband.

Yang Kang asked him when he arrived in Mongolia, and Yelu Chucai said, "That day when the capital city of China was destroyed, the Great Khan summoned me to see my younger brother after he heard about my false name, and then he and his family came to Mongolia together."

Yang Kang sighed, "Since the Jin Dynasty abandoned the city and fled, you are abandoning the people, and it is only natural for you to join the Ming Lord."

Yelu Chucai also smiled appreciatively, he still regarded Yang Kang as the royal family of the Jin Dynasty, and he always wanted to show affection to each other, so he asked again, "Why are you here?"

"I'm here...to see my master and ask him to heal the princess."

Yelu Chucai had heard about the fact that he and Master Changchun were masters and apprentices, but Hua Zheng didn't know anything about it, so it took more time to explain.Yelu Chucai didn't know whether to ask in detail, so he said, "Changchun Daoist is kept near the Khan's tent, and he will be summoned to talk tomorrow, you and I can go and listen together as disciples."

Yang Kang nodded. He let Qiu Chuji dove for a year. Anyway, we will see each other sooner or later. As for whether he can cure Huazheng's injury, I'm afraid Princess Alahai's hope was in vain. If Huang Yaoshi said to let her fend for herself, How many people in the world can rejuvenate?

At this time Yelu Chucai said again, "There is one more thing, please forgive my brother Yu for talking too much. Princess Qi is already the wife of the Great Khan. Although she and you have the same surname, after all, she is under the roof at this time. It's better to meet rashly."

Yang Kang was taken aback when he heard the words, he had been outside the Great Wall for a year, only knew that the Mongol soldiers came to Zhongdu, and the Jin court women begged for peace, but he didn't know that it was Wanyanduan who was abandoned.The three of them worried and planned for the country's fortune that day, but they didn't expect that just one year later, they would all be in the enemy's camp.Yang Kang had mixed feelings and asked, "How is Miss Sister?"

Yelu Chucai forced a smile and said, "The Great Khan will not treat his wives and concubines harshly, and the queens are also dignified and kind people. When Changchun Immortal came here, she and Princess Xixia both received them and gave them gifts. Presumably, they will not suffer. "

After the two said their farewell, Yang Kang knew that Yelu Chucai was afraid that he would cause trouble to her after meeting Yan Duan, and when he was thinking of a way, he suddenly heard a familiar voice shout, "Brother Yang!"

It would be called that, no one else but Guo Jing.I saw him rushing all the way with luck, and before he could stand still, he said, "I haven't seen you in a year, how are you, is Huazheng healthy?" Yang Kang shook his head and said he was still the same, and asked him again, only listening to Guo Jing He said, "Rong'er is gone. She was captured by the old poison Ouyang Feng and recited the Nine Yin Manual. Do you have any news about her?"

"We have been outside the Great Wall and haven't heard any news." Yang Kang comforted, "In this case, we will also look out for it." Guo Jing sighed, "Hualazimo killed a caravan of 400 people and intercepted the goods. The Great Khan sent envoys to repair it, and is also preparing for war. I can’t leave here, but Rong’er’s life and death are unknown, I..."

Yang Kang said, "Brother Guo, don't worry, Miss Huang Rong is extremely smart and auspicious, and she will be fine. As for the marriage, it will definitely not work out. You can find Rong'er at ease."

Guo Jing understood his promise, and his sorrow eased a little, and he invited Yang Kang to his tent, the two chatted for a while, and exchanged some martial arts experience, when they were about to discuss each other, the herald said that the princess was welcome.

Unexpectedly, he only remembered him now, Yang Kang secretly slandered in his heart, and followed the herald to the big tent of Empress Bortie.Mongolian customs do not pay attention to the defense of men and women. There is only one taboo, that is, a man can enter the tent of his father, brother and wife, but not the tent of his brother, nephew and wife.Therefore, as a junior, he can walk into the Queen's Ordo with dignity, and see Huazheng sitting on the low soft stool beside Queen Borte's lap, with his legs comfortably draped over the thick velvet blanket woven with intricate patterns , Talking to my mother, looking very comfortable.

Huazheng and her two older sisters both looked like Bortie in appearance, and she was talking briskly and non-stop. Bortie listened with a smile, while gently stroking her daughter's hair, interjecting a few questions from time to time, as if it was all right. Talking about the interesting story of finding two sisters.

Seeing Yang Kang come in, Bo Ertie asked him to sit down, Huazheng smiled and said, "This is the disciple of Master Changchun, and also Guo Jing's sworn brother, thanks to him for taking care of me along the way."

Borte smiled and asked her, "Then how do you express your gratitude to this young man?"

Huazheng said coquettishly, "Mama has the final say." Bortie smiled and said, "One day you will learn how to manage affairs and how to distinguish rewards and punishments. You have to make up your own mind."

Huazheng was taken aback when he heard that, and then said in a low voice, "No, I want to be with Grandma all my life."

Bo'ertie sighed, and ordered the Han translator to announce the imperial edict: "I am grateful for the hero who took care of the princess all the way, and I will give you a pass token, a sandalwood bow, a sword, and a sable fur. Let me express my gratitude." Give a large tent, a thousand heads of cattle, sheep, and horses each, a hundred slaves, a hundred taels of gold, and three boxes of jade, porcelain, and wooden utensils."

After finishing speaking, Bo Ertie added, "I know heroes don't care about gold and silver property, so it's not a reward. I just hope that heroes have a house to stay temporarily and take care of the little girl's body." Yang Kang originally didn't want to make such a big show, but If Huazheng can be happy by her mother's side, then these scenes can be tolerated.Fortunately, the etiquette in Mongolia is not complicated at this time, and there is no need to kowtow when accepting rewards, just bow and thank each other.

Farewell to Bortie, Huazheng took him to the brand new tent, and said with a smile, "I chose the location of your tent, not far to the east is where I live." Yang Kang teased, "I thought you I want to sleep with my mother." Huazheng rolled his eyes at him with a smile, "You own Oedipus, how dare you speak of me."

After joking for a while, Yang Kang asked, "Do you know where the married princess of the Jin Dynasty is?"

Huazheng snorted, "That's right, that's also your first cousin, and I've heard gossip in our chats before, let me think about it..." She frowned and recalled, and then began to tell about Wanyan Duan :

Genghis Khan had four regular wives, they were the master of an Orduo, the first wife Boertie Queen, the two sisters of the old enemy Tatar tribe also became the queen, the quick-drying queen, the Hulan queen of the Mierqi tribe, and the rest Wives and concubines, including the famous Concubine Taiyang Khan and Empress Heda'an, sister of Chilaowen, were all assigned to live among the four Ordos.

The only exception is the princess of the Qi Kingdom. The Jin Dynasty was once the suzerain state that proclaimed officials to Mongolia. The meaning of the princess sent by the Kingdom of Jin is extraordinary. It is more of a political symbol, declaring that Mongolia's status is already extraordinary.Therefore, she does not live with other wives and concubines, but lives in a separate Orduo with her mother and dowry maids, called Princess Orduo.

Huazheng spread his hands, "As for where the princess Orduo is, I only know that it's over the river bend, but the tent should be smaller. The level of guards should be similar to that here, so you can go there if you think about it."

It seemed that if he wanted to sneak past, she would turn a blind eye and turn a blind eye. Yang Kang was very moved by her trust in her heart.I heard her continue to say, "But it doesn't need to be so troublesome at all. Let's just go straight there. I'm going to pay a visit to the new little aunt. You are carrying things by the side, so no one will question you."

It is naturally best to be upright, so Huazheng began to think about what to give away. Those gold, silver and jewels were rewarded with one and given away with another. Maybe they went back and forth several times, and finally picked out a few ancient books and pretended to be a gift. In the camphor wood box, there are also frankincense and ambergris from the Western Regions, and a purple gold incense burner lit with rubies, which is counted as a meeting gift.

At this time, there are countless tents in Helin, and they are very similar. It is easy to get lost here. People with various appearances and costumes can be seen everywhere. People and carriages shuttle between the tents, and it takes about a stick of incense to walk. After a while, they arrived at Princess Ordo.

Wan Yanduan recognized him, sent his servants to collect the things, and said urgently, "Brother Kang, when I went to see Master Qiu, your master didn't know where you were, but unexpectedly came too."

Yang Kang looked at this cousin who had grown up with her since she was a child. She had her hair up in a bun and was dressed as a noble lady, but he could only ask, "How is Miss Sister?"

Wan Yanduan shook his head slowly, "Brother Kang, don't worry about me. After my father was killed by rebellious ministers, although they let me go, but one day they are not afraid, and who dares to marry me? I heard that they will send When the princess got married, I knew it must be me, and it was the only way out for me. Although I was not free here, I was accompanied by my mother after all. As long as I think of me being here for a day, the people of the Jin Dynasty will be able to lose a point in the future Disaster, I am relieved."

"Since you become a princess and enjoy all the glory, you have to accept your fate. It's like this everywhere. Brother Kang, do you know that three princesses have been married here since I came here, one married to Goryeo, and two married to In the Western Regions, their mothers sprinkle milk on the way to get married, and the daughters can only cry when they leave completely."

Yang Kang turned his head to look, and saw Huazheng, in order to let them talk quietly, dismissed his followers, leaning against the door alone, staring at the sky in a daze.