dressed as a scholar

The first part of the route to Beijing is the same as the rural test. You have to go to Fucheng first and then start along the official road. Both of you took a nap in the carriage for the first part of the road, and passed it in a groggy state. , After being tired from sitting in the carriage, they rode together for a while, exercising the stiff and sore limbs sitting in the carriage.

After passing through Fucheng, Fang Yu noticed the obvious coldness. Although it was already February, the further north he went, the colder the weather became.

The weather was still good when the car and horse team set off from the resting place of the previous stop, but at some point the wind blew up, not too big or too small, but it didn't make people think too much. They climbed halfway up the mountain and found that It was raining patter, but the rain didn't wet the clothes, it fell on the body and bounced to the ground, only then did I realize that it was fine snow marbles.

Going back, it was more than half a day's journey away from the post station. Only by going forward and over the mountain can we camp on the flat ground to rest. This is in the middle of the two ends.

"It must be snowing heavily on the mountain, so there are snowballs at the foot of the mountain. I'm afraid it will be difficult for our carriage to go there. My lord has to travel a long way back to the post station to rest, and then set off when the weather is fine."

Fang Yu looked at the dense fog on the top of the towering mountain. The weather on the mountain will not be good, but there is only one way to get there. But if he pushes through rashly, he is also a little worried about Qiao Hezhi's body. I'm afraid of the cold, and after traveling for so many days, my resistance is not as good as when I was at home, so I won't be able to catch the wind and cold.

Just when he was hesitating, a few passers-by wrapped in thick furs came down from the mountain with their hands in their arms, their mouths and noses covered tightly, only their eyes were exposed.

Fang Yu hurriedly fetched some hot water and said, "Master, have a drink of hot water."

Several people on the way looked at each other and looked Fang Yu up and down.

"I want to inquire about the situation on the mountain." Fang Yu politely took out two more minced meat pancakes: "I would also like to ask some of you to pass on some experience of going over the mountain."

Xu Shi hurried down the road and was really hungry, so the older man pulled down the cloth flap covering his mouth, took Fang Yu's food and water, drank a few sips, and came out of the ice and snow. With a mouthful of hot water to drink, I feel more comfortable all over.

"This master is a scholar who came to Beijing to catch the exam."

Fang Yu didn't hide it either, he also met some people rushing for the exam on the road these days, besides, no one in the world knows that spring is coming, and scholars from all over the world are heading to the capital.

Since he was rushing to take the exam in the capital, he was a high-ranking master. After confirming that he was a scholar, the old man was more polite: "When we came from the mountain, we also met scholars who were rushing to take the exam. There was a carriage overturned on the top of the mountain. They all fell to the bottom of the cliff."

Fang Yu was a little startled when he heard the words: "It's so dangerous, is there anything wrong with people?"

The old man waved his hand: "I jumped out of the carriage and fell a little bit. It's fine. It's just that it's more difficult to go down the mountain. There are no carriages or horses. I don't know when I will walk down. If I can't bear it anymore It's even worse when it's cold."

Hearing this tragic situation, the groom felt sad in his heart: "Then, my lord, why don't we go back to the post?"

But the old man said: "The weather at the bottom of the mountain is so good today, it must be good for the master to come from the post station. It is still like this when the weather is good, but if it is raining, the snow on the mountain will turn into water, and it will be even more difficult to go. Today It’s not bad. The snow on Gaozhe Mountain doesn’t melt all year round. Only in the five yellow and June days can you see the whole picture of the mountain. It’s the best time to go, but the master will not be able to wait for that when he goes to Beijing for the exam. It's time."

Fang Yu paused for a moment: "In this case, we still have to go across the mountain today."

"That's right, the weather is fine today. As long as you walk slowly and carefully, you won't have any serious problems. You can walk safely by the mountain wall."

The old man glanced at Fang Yu's convoy, and said caringly: "The master will hang his seal on the most conspicuous place when he goes up the mountain. There are some dishonest people in this mountain. Sometimes they will extend their hands when they see the people passing by. They are merchants who are intercepting. Those who look at the scholars know that the risk is high, so they usually dare not mess around. The bandits also ambushes by chance, and it may not come out when it snows today, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

The old man made a salute to Fang Yu, thanked him for the cake and water, and then continued on his way.

Qiao Hezhi hid in the carriage and quietly heard the conversation outside, secretly lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw a few people gone far away before getting out of the carriage.

He was tightly wrapped, and he was wearing a cloak and a hat. Firstly, he was really afraid of the cold, and secondly, he was out of the house. As a little brother, he was already a factor of insecurity. It would be safer to hide and hide.

"Are we going up the mountain today?"

Fang Yukong reached out and pinched Qiao Hezhi's cheek: "Yes, it will be more difficult to walk if it is delayed until it rains, so we don't have to worry about it if we go over in one go."

"Don't worry, when I came here, I considered the extreme weather here, and installed anti-slip chains in advance. Later, the coachman will put them on the horse's hooves and wheels, and it will not be so slippery when going up the mountain."

As soon as the voice fell, I heard the sound of iron chains colliding.

"My lord, go to the carriage and put another coat in it. It's colder up there than at the bottom of the mountain." While opening the box, Si Yu took out Qiao Hezhi's plush scarf and the double-layered cotton undershirt she was wearing inside.

Qiao Hezhi did not refuse, and let Fang Yu put on iron chains outside the supervisor, while he went to the carriage to change into thick clothes. After the clothes were changed, the master and servant originally wanted to light some charcoal fire in the stove, but although they were prepared for this trip It’s a small amount, and you have to save it, but things have to be used wisely. At this time, burning charcoal is the most appropriate. Unfortunately, Fang Yu came up to tell the mountain road that the road was bumpy, and the charcoal stove would fall down, so he had to give up.

After tossing for half an hour, the people up and down had made enough preparations, and the team of horses and horses continued to go up the mountain.

It is indeed a lot more stable with the anti-skid chains on. Although it is a bit slower, the car and the horse did not slip at all, and everyone was a little relieved.

Fang Yu looked at the thick snow outside the window, and finally understood why the passer-by said to lean on the mountain to avoid it. The other side of the cliff was overgrown with thick snow, and it looked like a flat mountain road from a distance. Usually, if you are not careful, you have to fall down the mountain. Under the thick snow, who knows if it is a dark rock or a dead tree stump.

Presumably the person who fell down the mountain earlier was deceived by the snow.

Although there was a heavy snowfall in Yuncheng two years ago, it was nothing compared to such high mountains covered with snow all the year round. This is like a world of ice and snow, and it was the first time for Qiao Hezhi to see it.

Although he was attracted by the novel scene and temporarily forgot the chill, he was still a little scared when he saw the ice pick hanging from the thick tree trunk. The thick foot was hit by his wrist, and it hung upside down from a high place. The end pointing to the ground is as sharp as a blade, if it falls down without breaking, how can that person bear it.

Seeing Qiao Hezhi shrinking his neck slightly, Fang Yu hugged the thickly clothed person in front of him: "Don't be afraid, it's still snowing outside, and it will fall when the snow melts."

"Then what if a squirrel jumps up and breaks the ice pick."

"If you stay in the carriage well, your head won't fall off." Fang Yu said, "If it's really impossible, I'll cover you with my body."

Qiao Hezhi chuckled lightly.

The road opened by Gaozhe Mountain is like a trapezoid, going up the mountain obliquely, crossing the mountain in parallel, and finally descending the mountain. Although the road up the mountain is thrilling, at least there is no trouble. I don't know that several pairs of eyes have been fixed on him in a stable area.

"Boss, it's a fat sheep! There are two or three carts to salute, if you detain it..."

"Don't act rashly, the chariots and horses are all chained."

"The chain is made of iron, and it is operated by the government. How ordinary people buy and sell it, just wait and see first, and don't kick it on the nail. The gain will outweigh the loss."

The team of chariots and horses walking safely on the road did not notice at all that the backer was hiding behind the snow-covered bushes, squatting and watching a few tall men, all their minds were on identifying the road, lest the snow covered the road and stretched out, and stepped on the empty space by mistake. .

Fang Yu lifted the curtain of the carriage. Although the road on the mountain is much smoother, it is not as scary as when the carriages and horses leaned up the mountain.

"How much longer do we have to drive to get over this mountain?"

Qiao Hezhi rubbed his red fingers that were frozen, and he looked at the road outside the mountain with his head, always feeling a little uneasy.

Fang Yu said in relief: "We're all up the mountain, maybe it won't be long. Didn't the passers-by say that if the journey was fast, two hours would have passed. We are a carriage, so we must be faster."

After finishing speaking, he felt that it was not enough. The driving speed was really hard to describe, so he simply lowered the curtain of the car: "Don't look outside, just lean on me and take a nap for a while, when you wake up, you will be at the foot of the mountain."

Qiao Hezhi had no experience in such things as driving, although he felt that the carriage was a bit slow, but since Fang Yu said so, he obediently agreed.

"In the carriage, in the carriage!"

"Shut up, I saw it."

"You are so handsome, I've never seen someone with such a face in these ten miles and eight villages. He looks like he was born in a rich family, and his taste must be a hundred times better than the ones in the Qinlou Chu Pavilion." Crouching in the bushes The man behind licked his cold lips: "There are not many people in the entourage. It looks like ordinary grooms, not some practicers. Let's go down and kill them, and get that little brother back to make everyone happy." field."

"Didn't you see that there was another person sitting in that carriage? Third, don't you just want to get dizzy. I saw that person with a pale face, like a Juren who came to Beijing to catch an exam. Seeing that the family business is prosperous, if If you act rashly, you may get into big trouble."

"What trouble can there be? People in the wilderness are not some official servants, and they can come here in the snow to detain people." The man suddenly stood up with a big knife in his hand: "I want to get the little boy in the carriage today." Brother, if you want to be cowardly, you can continue to coax."

After finishing speaking, the man jumped out, followed by two cronies.

"This third child is not calm at all! Keep up!"

Fang Yu suddenly heard the sound of snow falling on the side of the mountain wall in the carriage, he secretly felt that something was wrong, not an avalanche, Qiao Hezhi also heard the sound, frightened in his heart, and quickly sat up from Fang Yu's arms body.

"Master, it's a bandit!"

Fang Yu's eyes froze when he heard the sound, he softly reassured Qiao Hezhi not to make any noise and stay in the carriage, he opened a corner of the carriage curtain and got out, only to see seven or eight burly men jumping out of the front of the carriage, each with legs and hands Tied with animal fur, if not holding a cold big knife in his hand, he would look like a savage in the mountains.

Although there are as many as seven or eight people in their team at the moment, compared with the bandits who make a living in the snow-capped mountains, they are obviously a bit like meat on a chopping board.

Fang Yu calmed down and tried his best to make things better: "Brothers, Xiaosheng is a scholar who is going to Beijing to rush for the exam, and he doesn't have much money in his hand. It's freezing cold, and I would like to keep some I will pay tribute to the elder brothers who watch the mountains, and please help Xiaosheng."

Remembering what the passer-by said earlier, he tore off the soldier's seal around his waist, and the bandit headed by him saw the soldier's seal and did not continue to act.

The one who was called the third child was a little impatient, and yelled regardless of the obstruction: "It's okay to let you go, and leave the little brother in the carriage!"

Qiao Hezhi who was in the carriage opened his eyes wide when he heard the sound, and he quickly covered his mouth with his hands. Somehow the gangsters found out about his existence. He grew up in the affluent Yuncheng since he was a child, and he has never been out of town for two or three years. Whoa, where have I seen such a battle.

It is expected that Fang Yu will not abandon him to the fierce gangsters, but the enemy is outnumbered, if he is really confronted head-on, wouldn't it be the same humiliation if he can't resist at that time, he leaned against the carriage wall and looked out the gap between the curtains The hem of Fang Yu's clothes, if something happened to Fang Yu today, he would definitely hit his head to death, and he would definitely not be tortured alive.

"Where is the big brother, there is no little brother on this trip."

"How dare you lie to me, treat me like I'm blind." The man swung his sword angrily, and slammed it on the dead tree trunk beside him with a bang. If you want to die, kill your kid, you will still be mine."

"Brother, calm down, brother, calm down." Fang Yu showed a frightened expression, and waved his hands again and again to appease him: "I hope that brother will do what he says, as long as Xiaosheng keeps him, he will let him go safely."

"Hahahaha, what a coward!"

"Xiaosheng will bring him out now, and I hope that elder brother will not get angry."

The man laughed triumphantly: "Pull him out quickly and let everyone have a good look at him. If he is beautiful, I will let you die today."

Fang Yu folded halfway into the carriage, Qiao Hezhi covered his mouth, his eyes were already full of tears, and looked at the person in front of him in horror.Fang Yu didn't care to appease him, so he hurriedly made a silent movement, turned around quickly, and with a rustle, an arrow pierced through the snow, and the man who was holding a big knife with a flamboyant face was hit by the arrow, took two steps back and fell to the ground. on the ground.

Fang Yu held the bow in one hand: "What a bold and wild gangster, dare to openly intercept the scholars who are going to Beijing for the exam. You know that this is a felony of beheading. He even wants to occupy the capital. If he is still stubborn If you are willing to disperse, today I will act for the heavens!"

"Third, third!"

Fang Yu's actions completely annoyed the gangsters. Instead of being afraid, the man swung his knife to kill people immediately. The groom took advantage of the gap and took out a guy to fight. The arrow, but it didn't hit the vital point, just now he took advantage of his unpreparedness to hit it by surprise, but now it is not so easy to deal with.

Seeing the gangsters approaching, Fang Yu pulled out Qiao Hezhi from the carriage, picked up his weapon and covered the man with his body and stepped back: "Hezhi, take the dagger your husband gave you. Run in the same direction and go down the mountain to find someone."

Qiao Hezhi held back his tears: "I, I don't want to be separated from you."

"Be obedient, otherwise none of us will be able to escape."

The grooms who accompanied him this time all had a bit of kung fu, but this time the gangsters came at Qiao Hezhi again. Fang Yu was afraid that Qiao Hezhi would have an accident here, so he had no choice but to push him away vigorously. , Immediately drew out the knife and greeted the bandit.

The snow fog was thick, Qiao Hezhi got up and saw that Fang Yu was wrestling with the gangsters, he couldn't let go, but he also knew that it would be a burden if he went forward and didn't leave, so his heart turned to the foot of the mountain When he ran, he only heard the whistling wind in his ear and the exchange of weapons behind him, he bit his lower lip to prevent himself from crying, as long as he ran down the mountain to seek help, there was still a glimmer of life.

I don't know how far he ran, but with a bang, he seemed to hit a wall in the snow, and the force was so strong that he almost bounced himself to the ground: "Are you okay?"

Qiao Hezhi took a breath before he saw a plainly dressed man in front of him, not a tough gangster, he let out a breath and said quickly: "There are gangsters over there, don't go there, Mr. Lang has fast legs, please help him run down the mountain Call for someone to save my husband."

The visitor's expression changed slightly when he heard the words, but he never listened to Qiao Hezhi's words and walked down the mountain, and walked towards the mountain road.

"Eh!"

Qiao Hezhi looked at the people who were rushing forward, but couldn't help shouting, the hatchback was expedient, so he hurried down the mountain without thinking too much.

Fang Yuzheng and the gangster had two knives intersected ten times, and the sharp sword scraped made a chilling sound, and the two of them gritted their teeth and fought hard.

"I underestimated you as a scholar, and you still have something on you."

"If the scholars are all weak, they will be slaughtered by you."

"You shot my third brother, today you must be a..."

Before the word death could be said, the ferocious gangster suddenly stared like a bull's eye, and fell to the ground in front of Fang Yu inadvertently.Fang Yu suddenly felt his face was slightly hot. He wiped his face lightly, and there was a dazzling red between his fingers. This was the first time he saw someone blow his head in front of him.

"Boss is gone... Boss is gone! Run!"

Seeing the most powerful man fall, the gangsters lost their cohesion for a while, and ran away in a chaotic manner. The young man who rushed over and carried the arrow basket heard the sound of running, pulled out three arrows and released them. There was a dull sound in the middle, obviously it was hit by an arrow.

Fang Yu was amazed, the gangster ran away and couldn't see his figure clearly, and he was able to shoot with his voice, and he fired three arrows at once, and when he raised his eyes, he saw the man's handsome face, his eagle-like eyes, completely different from the spirit of a scholar, On the contrary, he looks like a martial artist, such a person is only in drama...

Wait, he suddenly came back to his senses, before he had time to thank those who helped him, he chased in the same direction as he was in a hurry, he almost forgot that his daughter-in-law escaped with her life: "He Zhi!"

The man didn't respond to Fang Yu's rudeness, and went straight to withdraw his arrow from the bandit, inserted it into the snow as if washing it, took out a quick rag, wiped it, and reinstalled the arrow on his back basket.

Fang Yu caught up with the person who fell on the snow at the end of the mountain road, and hurried over. He looked at Qiao Hezhi, who had disheveled hair, and heaved a sigh of relief: "You ran pretty fast. If you almost missed, you should run down the slope. .”

"A Yu!" Qiao Hezhi saw the person rushing over from An Ran, and immediately threw himself into his arms. Qiao Hezhi was still in shock, his heart was beating wildly, and he seemed to be unable to take it back. He raised his head after a long while, and saw Fang Yu's face He hurriedly wiped the blood with his sleeve, and asked with a trill: "Are you injured?"

"No injury, the blood is not from me." The ground was cold, Fang Yu hugged him up: "Fortunately, there was a knight who rescued him. I saw him coming from here, didn't you bump into it?"

"I saw it and advised him to go down the mountain to find someone to rescue him. He went straight to the other side, but he turned out to be a Lianjiazi."

Fang Yu's chest heaved and heaved, it's fine for him to die, I'm afraid Qiao Hezhi might have some misfortune, if so, there is really no way to forgive himself.He hugged him even tighter, regretfully said: "I shouldn't have taken you out to take risks, if you have something good or bad, how should I explain to my father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Qiao Hezhi held Fang Yu's arm: "If you hadn't brought me here, I wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully at home all day long. This time we live and die together, on the contrary, on the contrary, it will make my heart more at ease."

"Okay, now that you and I are both safe and sound, don't say these sad things. It's my fault for making you sad."

Fang Yu knew that Qiao Hezhi must have been frightened a lot. The young masters in Fuwo probably only said some offensive words when they saw the most vulgar people. How could they ever encounter such obscene words and wanted to snatch the innocent little brother? The gangsters in my son are fierce and strong, I am afraid that Qiao Hezhi's nightmares at night will be such figures.

When he returned to the carriage with Qiao Hezhi in his arms, this end had already been reorganized, and there were no casualties at all. Fang Yu put Qiao Hezhi on the carriage, and Siyu came up anxiously.

She had never been in the same carriage with Fang Yu before, but after something happened, she saw Fang Yu and Qiao Hezhi running away, so she hid in the cargo box nearby to protect herself without the strength to restrain the chicken.

"Xiaosheng Fang Yu is a scholar who went to Beijing to rush for the exam. I would like to thank the knight for saving me today. I don't know the name of the knight."

"Chu Jingfei." The man opened his mouth and spat out three words. After he collected his arrows, he looked Fang Yu up and down: "It's a strange story when I went to Beijing to rush for the exam and brought my family."

Fang Yu knew that he was being ridiculed, but he didn't take it to heart, he just said: "Brother Chu is going down the mountain, why not go with the horses and chariots, this way you can save some legwork."

Chu Jingfei cast a glance at Fang Yu, not appreciative: "With your chariot and horse, you might as well walk fast."

After saying that, the man didn't say much to Fang Yu, turned his head and strode away.

Fang Yu looked at the person who disappeared into the thick snow and mist, he didn't keep him, he just thought that this person had quite a personality.

"After we've got everything in order, we'll continue to set off. We must go down the mountain as soon as possible. It's getting late, and the weather on the mountain is changeable. If it gets dark, it may be more difficult to walk. When we get down to the mountain, we are looking for a place to bandage the wound."

"Yes!"

Everyone didn't want to stay longer in this place where life-and-death struggles took place. There were bandits, and there might be ferocious beasts like wolves.

The descent was fairly smooth, although it was a bit steeper, at least there was no slippage, but according to Chu Jingfei's words, the carriages and horses walked slowly, not as fast as the fast-footed people.

But Fang Yu didn't bother to pay attention to these things, as long as he was stable and safe, it was useless to be slow. Right now, he felt sorry for Qiao Hezhi. He had just fled in the snow, but the young master's ankle was scratched by a tree branch at some point, and his body was not much cold on the snow. Instinctively, there was a slit long from a finger. Fortunately, the thick wound was not deep, but blood was still oozing out.

Qiao Hezhi felt the pain later, but he didn't speak. Fang Yu frowned, obviously already worried, and he didn't want to make him feel guilty again.

"I'm fine, it doesn't hurt at all, don't worry." He raised his hand and gently smoothed Fang Yu's brow: "You hug me for a while, and it will be fine when you get down the mountain."