After five full days, Zhao Yuan and the two arrived at Jiayuguan.

Jiayuguan was the imperial pass to resist foreign invaders, and heavy troops were stationed here. In addition, it was also a large trading town. Although the imperial court closed Jiayuguan, trade was somewhat affected, but it did not mean that all trade was interrupted.

, the trade of goods within and outside the customs begins here.

The increase in trade has also brought prosperity to the town. However, as newcomers here, Zhao Yuan and Liu Zhiqing have to leave Jiayuguan and enter the outside world. It does not seem to be as simple as imagined.

"You two, please come with me!"

While Zhao Yuan was thinking about how to cross the heavily guarded Jiayuguan Pass, a whisper came to his ears.

Zhao Yuan followed the sound and saw that the person speaking to him was a fat middle-aged man. At this moment, he was looking at him and others with a smile, and said: "You two, please!"

Zhao Yuan was confused for a moment, nodded slightly towards Liu Zhiqing, followed the fat man for a while, went around an alley and entered a house.

As soon as I entered the house, I smelled a strong medicinal smell, and medicinal materials were dried everywhere in the small yard.

The fat man said: "The young one's name is Wang Lin, and he is the shopkeeper of this pharmacy! Please, you two!"

After entering the room and pouring tea for the two of them, Wang Lin said: "I received a letter from the eldest lady half a month ago, asking me to cooperate with the young hero to get out of seclusion. As for the second lady, please stay here for the time being.

Inside the pass!”

When Liu Zhiqing heard this, she immediately became anxious and said, "Why do I have to stay in the pass? I want to go out too!"

Wang Lin still had a respectful smile on his face, and said: "The eldest lady said, outside the pass is not as good as inside the pass, where there are more bad guys and evil people gather. If the second lady comes out of the pass with him, not only will he not be able to help Yang Shaoxia, but on the contrary

It will drag down Yang Shaoxia! If the second lady still wants Yang Shaoxia to come back safely, she can stay in the pass for the time being and wait with peace of mind!"

Liu Zhiqing pursed her lips and said, "Everything belongs to the eldest lady, the eldest lady!"

However, her tone was no longer as tough as before. Perhaps she knew very well that once she got out of seclusion, she would not be able to help Zhao Yuan with anything at all, and indeed she might become a drag on him.

Zhao Yuan then said: "I didn't think you would drag me down, but things outside the customs are complicated. Once we go out, we will be isolated and helpless. If something happens to you, I won't be able to explain it to your sister when I go back."

On the one hand, he had to appease Liu Zhiqing, and on the other hand, he had to maintain Liu Zhiqing's dignity as his sister. Zhao Yuan had to please both sides.

Liu Zhiqing nodded reluctantly and said: "Okay, then I will stay in the pass for now."

Zhao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Wang Lin, and said, "I see there are heavy troops stationed in the pass at the moment. Is there any way you can let me out?"

Wang Lin also breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Actually, there is no way. Although the court is closed at the moment, the city gate will be opened for half a day every four days on double days, allowing merchants from inside and outside the pass to enter and trade inside or outside the pass.

, Yang Shaoxia can follow the caravan out of the customs."

In fact, trade inside and outside Jiayuguan has always been very busy. Wines and carpets from the Western Regions are all rare items, and they all need to enter the Ming Dynasty through Jiayuguan. On the other hand, silk, tea, porcelain, medicinal materials and other items from the Ming Dynasty need to pass through.

Transported out of Jiayuguan.

Therefore, in peacetime, the city gates will be opened for half a day every four days to allow merchants inside and outside the pass to conduct transactions. However, there are very strict restrictions on people entering and exiting Jiayuguan. They must have a pass and the number of people is also limited. If

Some merchants who forcefully break into a meeting with the enemy will be punished, while those inside the customs meeting will be punished for collaborating with the enemy.

As a result, merchants who were able to obtain entry and exit qualifications suddenly became very popular. They purchased goods at low prices and then transported them out of the customs. In an instant, the price would increase by 30%. With just a city wall, some merchants suddenly became rich.

The Liu family was behind Wang Lin, and there were also children of the Liu family among the generals in Jiayuguan. It was extremely easy to get a pass, and it was not difficult to send Zhao Yuan out of the pass during the transaction.

Zhao Yuan nodded slightly and asked, "What information do you have about Xia Zizai?"

Wang Lin looks to be at least in his forties and has dark skin, indicating that he has been here for a long time. Xia Zizai was originally working in Jiayuguan.

Wang Lin thought for a moment and said: "I know very little about Xia Zizai when he was young. He is a very low-key person. That is why he had the opportunity to escape without being discovered! The biggest characteristic of this person is that he values ​​love and justice.

He was very protective of his shortcomings! At that time, he was not yet famous in Dunhuang and had just established himself. A group of horse bandits killed one of his sworn brothers. In a rage, he led his troops to attack other people's houses. Within a day, he

He wiped out this group of horse bandits, leaving no chickens or dogs behind. The most important thing was that their men and horses were less than 50% of this group of horse bandits. He also relied on this battle to become famous! In less than a year, the surrendered

He surrendered, those who were destroyed were destroyed, and all the bandits within hundreds of miles around were subdued by him! Later, they occupied a dangerous place, built a large scale of construction, and built a city, as if they were kings of the mountain."

Zhao Yuan listened carefully, and after he finished speaking, he asked curiously: "Since the imperial court knew that Xia Zizai was Xia Yan's grandson, didn't they send troops to encircle and suppress him?"

Only Wang Lin, who is at the border, knows this kind of information.

Sure enough, Wang Lin said: "Although Xia Zizai usually keeps a low profile, he has a good relationship with the guard of Jiayuguan. The imperial court also ordered the encirclement and suppression, and Jiayuguan also sent troops to go there. However, he always pretended to go under the city wall and shoot a few arrows casually.

Just left! Just half a year ago, an official who claimed to be the special envoy of the Chief Assistant arrived here and urged troops to besieged and suppressed Xia Zizai. However, it seemed that he died on the battlefield that day. I heard that he was unusually brave! There were also rumors leaked out.

, Xia Zizai can easily identify the bandits around him, and the guards at Jiayuguan also have a lot to do with it!"

The defender of Jiayuguan?

Zhao Yuan groaned in his heart and asked: "Who is the guard of Jiayuguan?"

Wang Lindao: "The guard general of Jiayuguan Pass, surnamed Hu, is good at using guns. He was promoted to the rank of commander-in-chief at the age of twenty-five and has been stationed here for twenty years! With a long gun, the enemy bandits inside and outside the pass are frightened. In addition,

There is also a message in the army, saying that General Hu was once taught Kung Fu by the evil Lord Zhuge Tian by chance, so his skills were greatly improved. He is unrivaled in this army!"

Zhao Yuan was shocked and said in disbelief: "What are you talking about, he has been instructed by Zhuge Tian?"

A smile appeared on Wang Lin's chubby face, and he said: "Young man, this is just hearsay. This hearsay is just anecdotes. Just listen to it. Don't take it seriously. In fact, think about it. Who is Zhuge Tian? Who is Zhuge Tian?

How could one of the great masters come to such a remote place like Jiayuguan and teach him his kung fu?"

Zhao Yuan also smiled and said: "Indeed, what kind of person is this Zhuge Tian? Besides, how can these people in the world be willing to have anything to do with the imperial court? There is no way to avoid it."

Saying this, Zhao Yuan became concerned in his heart. If General Hu really had some relationship with Senior Zhuge, maybe he could start with him? After all, even if he left the customs and went to Xia Zizai's city, so what?

Have you met him? If someone can help introduce him, then the chance will be much greater.

Wang Lin laughed at the side and said: "That's right, that's right! Then Yang Shaoxia, I will arrange for people to prepare immediately, and we will leave the customs with the caravan tomorrow."

Zhao Yuan raised his head, waved his hand and said, "Don't worry! I still want to stay in Jiayuguan for a few more days."

Wang Lin said: "But if you miss tomorrow, you have to wait another four days."

Zhao Yuandao: "Just four days, I'm not in a hurry anyway!"

At this moment, I already have a plan in mind. Regardless of whether this rumor is true or false, I have to confirm it first. I cannot completely miss this opportunity.

Zhao Yuan looked at Liu Zhiqing next to him and said, "I think it's still early, why don't we go for a walk?"

Then he looked at Wang Lin and said, "Can you please prepare a resting place for us!"

The two of them rested for a while, then went out and wandered around. Although this place is inside the pass, you can see all kinds of people in this small town, including Arabs with big beards,

There are also foreign women with tall noses, blond hair and blue eyes.

Liu Zhiqing, who grew up in Jiangnan, had never seen such a scene before, and looked around with wide eyes.

Zhao Yuanmu Guan was looking for the residence of Commander Hu. He had been guarding this place for more than 20 years. It was very likely that he had a mansion in this town. Perhaps asking Wang Lin would help him find out where he lived more quickly, but he could

I don’t want others to know too much about my inner plans.

"You want to know where Mr. Hu lives?"

Liu Zhiqing's voice suddenly came to my ears.

Zhao Yuan was stunned and said with a smile: "What are you talking about? Why do I want to know where that General Hu lives?"

Liu Zhiqing said: "You can't even think of deceiving me. Whether it was at the inn or here, you felt something was wrong as soon as you heard about Zhuge Tian."

Zhao Yuan smiled and said: "You are half right. I asked Mr. Hu, the fat man just now, and said that Mr. Hu is very likely to have contact with Xia Zizai. If I can persuade him to recommend him, it will be easier for me to get close to Xia Zizai.
Chapter completed!