The azure sky was clear and transparent as if it had been washed. White clouds were like floating cotton, casually scattering across the sky. The golden sunlight pierced through the clouds like a sharp arrow and shone upon the verdant grassland. The dew that had yet to disperse lingered on the grass, reflecting a dazzling radiance.
The green grass, the white clouds, the blue sky, the Alxa Plains seemed like a pure woman opening her beautiful bosom to everyone.
The grassland was silent, and the voices of the people were loud. The white yurts were like little flowers blooming before one's eyes. Countless flags of various colors fluttered in the breeze of late spring. Tens of thousands of Turkic steeds galloped across the grassland, their black, yellow, and white manes fluttering in the wind. They were like moving mountains on the grassland. The riders, dressed in brand new robes, did whatever they wanted on their steeds. They performed all kinds of difficult maneuvers, drawing enthusiastic applause from the surrounding tribesmen.
The most popular ones were naturally the warriors with black masks on their heads. These were the elites participating in the Sheep-Snatching Meet. They were the most muscular and muscular, and their steeds were the fastest. Even though their faces couldn't be clearly seen, one could sense the deep confidence and desire in their hearts to display their skills.
The Turks cheered to their hearts' content, heartily praising and applauding these mysterious warriors.
The beautiful Turkic maidens sent by the various tribes to participate in the selection, dressed in their most beautiful costumes, were led by the elders of their tribes to the center of the grassland. Large and coarse logs were used there. A large canopy had been erected. It was around two zhang tall and stretched for several li.
In front of the canopy. Dozens of high platforms had been erected. Every platform had a long rope hanging down from the top, with a huge iron hook hanging from it. These were all meant for the hanging of the sheep. Once the rope was cut and the sheep fell to the ground, the Goat Hunting Festival would officially begin.
More and more Turkic maidens came to participate in the selection. They gathered in the center of the grassland, separated from their tribes, and mounted white horses to gallop to their hearts' content.
The combination of beauty and white horse. It immediately became the brightest spot on the grassland. The warriors of the various tribes, regardless of whether they were participating in the Goat Hunting Festival or not, all had their eyes focused on this place.
It was like a beautiful white cloud moving slowly in the grassland. The melodious singing of the girls floated in the clear sky, attracting countless whistles and cheers.
Some of the Turkic warriors who couldn't bear the loneliness mounted their steeds and charged forward. Before he could even get close, he was splashed with water. This was the warning the Hu gave to those who crossed the border.
Looking at the drenched and dumbstruck warriors, screams and whistles rang out in the surroundings, and the tender laughter of the young ladies rose and fell incessantly.
The greatest benefit of participating in the Sheep Hunting Meet was that as long as you wore a mask, no one would know who you were. The Turks had adopted this method to display the spirit of fair competition. It didn't matter if the tribe was strong or weak, and it didn't matter if you were a noble or an ordinary herdsman. As long as you had the ability, you could use it to your heart's content. Moreover, you didn't have to worry about retaliation afterwards. Under these circumstances, the Sheep-Catching Meeting became even more intense and exciting. It would also be able to select true warriors.
The difference between the tribes was marked by their flags. For example, the Hundred Spirit Flag, the Eagle Flag, the Tiger Flag, and the others he saw that day actually represented different tribes. There were more than a hundred tribes of various sizes on the steppe, and they had all kinds of strange flags. It was as if they were organizing an exhibition.
In a corner at the edge of the grassland, dozens of figures were gathered. They wore black masks on their heads, leaving only their eyes exposed, signifying that they were warriors participating in the Sheep Snatching Competition. On their flags. It depicted a ferocious beast baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, breathing fire.
"Old Hu. What in the world is that flag you chose for us? Why didn't I recognize it? " One of the brawny men, who was wearing a mask, looked around sneakily. When he saw that no one was paying attention to them, he asked in a low voice.
Of all the tribes participating in the Sheep Hunting Meet. This one was probably the smallest, with only a dozen or so people. The location they chose was also the most remote, several li away from the center of the steppe. With a single glance, it was obvious that this was a weak tribe.
Old Hu explained, "The Turks call these beasts earth rhinoceroses. They are ferocious beasts that live in the southern half of the steppe bordering the desert. They specialize in devouring wild horses and camels, and even lions and leopards are somewhat afraid of them. General Lin said that this thing is very similar to our China's Fire Qilin, and we are currently disguised as a small tribe of the Nine Families called the Yue clan that has been wiped out. The Yue clan's location just happens to be close to the earth rhinoceroses, so we chose it as our flag. "
Hearing this, Old Gao understood. He turned his head to look behind him. He saw a person sitting on a horse in the middle of the group, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
Now that they were in the plains, there were Hu everywhere. No one would pay attention to such a weak tribe. Lin Wanrong was quite satisfied with this situation. Although there were many tribes on the steppe and the scene was very complicated, the ten-thousand-some cavalry stationed outside the city and the Hu guarding the city were practically motionless. This was a headache. If they didn't move, how could they fight this battle?
While he was deep in thought, the platform in the center of the steppe gradually became livelier, but he didn't see a single person he wanted to see. There was no Right Prince Tusozo, much less the Turkic Khagan.
Lin Wanrong pointed to the platform and frowned. "Big Brother Hu, are there only so many Turkic nobles? They aren't even enough for Old Gao to stab them. "
Hu Buhui shook his head with a smile. "Of course not, it hasn't even begun. The annual Sheep Hunting Convention is the most lively event for the Turks. Not only do all the nobles attend, even the Turkic Khagan often makes an appearance. Looking at the situation this year, even if the Turkic Khagan doesn't come, Tusozo will definitely come. "
As he spoke, the rumbling of hooves could be heard in the distance. Several thousand cavalrymen galloped over. They were the elite Turkic cavalry stationed outside the city.
"The Right Prince is here!" The approaching Hu cheered excitedly. The warriors urged their horses to welcome them, and the young Turkic girls couldn't help but look into the distance with adoration and infatuation in their eyes.
Tusozo was in the lead, and behind him were twenty to thirty luxuriously dressed Hu. From their attire and aura, they were probably the nobles and ministers who had stayed in Kizil. Further behind them. They were the elite Turkic cavalry. From their formation, there were at least two thousand of them, and they were probably here to protect the Right Prince and the ministers.
Tusozo had a scimitar at his waist and was dressed in martial attire. He smiled and waved at the crowd, and the grassland immediately erupted in enthusiastic cheers. The crowd rushed forward to welcome them, and the leaders of the various tribes greeted the Right Prince and the ministers and offered them fine wine. Tusozo and the nobles drank wine as if it was water, and it caused a burst of cheers.
"Big Brother Hu. Do you think Tusozo will participate in today's Sheep Hunting Convention?! "Lin Wanrong observed for a long time, then suddenly asked Hu Buhui.
From the current situation, the fact that the Turkic Khagan had not come meant that the attraction of the Sheep Hunting Convention was not enough, and there was a lack of important figures. And this important figure was naturally the Turkic Right Prince.
If Tusozo only watched from the sidelines as a spectator, then the Turkic cavalry outside the city would not have the opportunity to be mobilized. Only when the Right Prince personally participated would the Turkic cavalry strengthen their defenses. Only when their defenses changed would the China cavalry be able to find an opportunity.
Old Hu hesitated for a moment. "I can't say for sure. From his appearance, with his martial attire, it seems like he's not going to participate. But that might not be the case. The key is to see if there are any women who can interest him. "
Lin Wanrong grunted, his expression as calm as still water, and he did not speak.
Everyone knew very well who had moved Tusozzo's heart. In fact, from the moment Yujia suddenly disappeared, this had been the question in everyone's mind. But General Lin did not mention it, and no one dared to pursue the matter.
Tusozo and the Turkic nobles rode slowly, surrounded by the crowd. When they arrived at the long canopy and saw the young and handsome Right Prince standing in front of them, the Turkic girls immediately let out excited shrieks.
Tusozo ascended the long canopy, his eyes like lightning as he constantly scanned the crowd. The girls became more and more frenzied. They shouted his name one after another as they squeezed toward the canopy. Tusozo was somewhat disappointed that he did not find his target. He slightly raised his hand to signal to the crowd, a confident smile on his face.
A Turkic priest slowly stood on the platform, holding a piece of silk in his hand as he loudly recited. Lin Wanrong did not understand the Turkic language at all. Fortunately, Old Hu's standard was high enough, so he listened to his translation.
The status of the Turkic priests in the Hu royal court was similar to that of the Minister of Rites. For all major events, such as sacrifices or expeditions, the Turks would have a ceremony to worship the heavens. This was no different from China.
The elderly priest continued to recite something, probably praying to the heavens. All the Hu had solemn expressions as they listened to the priest's instructions. The platform in front of the long canopy was already filled with fat sheep that had been soaked in water, glistening under the sun.
"Roar!" Lin Wanrong was drowsy from listening to the priest, but the cheers of the Hu woke him up. Raising his head, he saw that the priest had already finished reciting, and the tribes were gradually dispersing. The gathering was about to begin.
Tusozo slowly climbed onto one of the platforms and was waving to his tribesmen. It seemed like he would be the one to cut the first rope.
If such an important event had taken place in China, the emperor would definitely have personally attended. However, the Turkic Khagan was different. He did not personally attend, which was truly puzzling.
Seeing that the gathering was about to begin, Gao Qiu excitedly said, "Brother Lin, are we going to participate in this round?!" In order to enter Kizil, everyone knew that they had to win at least three rounds in the gathering.
Lin Wanrong shook his head. "Let's wait for a while and see how it goes."
The initial phase of the Hu's gathering was for the three tribes to hunt for sheep at the same time. The first to reach the destination was the winner. Each tribe could participate at any time. However, if they lost even once, they would lose the right to continue participating.
The gathering was about to begin, and the warriors of the three tribes stood in a triangle, the same distance from the center of the grassland. The Turkic girls did not even blink, afraid that they would miss the opportunity to choose the most formidable warrior.
"Woo —" A short horn sounded. With a wave of Tusozo's silver knife, the soaked body of the sheep fell heavily onto the grassland.
The crowd erupted in cheers and roars. The masked warriors of the three tribes urged their horses to gallop toward the spot where the sheep had fallen. Smoke immediately rose from the grassland.
It was only a distance of several hundred zhang, but they covered it in the blink of an eye. The Turkic warrior at the very front stooped down from his galloping horse, scooped up the bloody body of the sheep, and raised it toward the sky. His tribesmen did not even have time to cheer. There was a muffled sound. The warrior who was fishing for the sheep suffered a heavy blow to the head and fell to the ground. Blood splattered everywhere.
"Roar —" Seeing the blood, the Turkic warriors on the grassland instantly went crazy. They roared angrily and jumped up and down, their eyes flashing with excitement. They waved their arms with all their might and chanted a strange chant.
The bleeding sheep had already fallen into the hands of another tribe. They left five or six people behind, desperately brandishing their scimitars. They blocked the enemy's advance. The remaining ten or so people galloped toward their destination.
The two tribes that were lagging behind instantly went into a frenzy. The twenty or so horsemen charged forward and cut down their opponents in the blink of an eye. Without hesitation, they trampled over their bodies and pursued with all their might.
Blood splattered along the grassland, but no one cared about it. The screams of the young girls and the cheers of the men made the atmosphere so intense that it seemed as if the sky would flip over.
In this endless frenzy, the warriors of the three tribes tangled with one another. The horses could no longer move forward. Pulling, blocking, and diverting the horses' movements were all useless. Only by trampling on the bodies of their opponents could they continue forward.
The bloody body of the sheep had already changed hands countless times. The warriors exerted all their strength and hacked at each other with bloodshot eyes. Flesh and blood flew everywhere, and men and horses were constantly thrown off their feet. Amidst the screams, the spectating Turkic warriors cheered and shouted with all their might, completely disregarding the fact that those who had fallen were their own people. The young Hu girls danced excitedly and waved at the masked warriors in front of them. On the grassland, appearance was secondary; strength was everything.
A blunt saber was still a saber, and the ruthlessness of the Hu was no less than a life-and-death battle. With their legs broken and their waists broken, the Turks who had fallen off their horses would probably never be able to climb back up again. At this moment, even if their opponents were their own kin, these warriors would still attack. This was how the Hu were trained to be unyielding. Lin Wanrong silently shook his head. Gao Qiu inwardly curled his lips.
Tu Suozo was already used to this cruel sheep-snatching competition. His face was calm, and he would even occasionally smile to encourage the warriors.
By the end of the competition, only three of the forty-some warriors were still on their horses. They raised the sheep they had stolen high above their heads and excitedly charged across the finish line. The Hu swarmed toward them. A Turkic girl bravely charged forward and hung a flower basket she had personally woven around the neck of one of the warriors before shyly turning around to leave.
The crowd cheered. This meant that one of the girls had found her lover, even though she had never seen his face before. The Turks' reverence for martial prowess was evident from this.
The warriors who were wearing masks left happily. According to the rules, their tribe had the right to fight another round. If they could win three rounds in a row, they would be able to enter the city to pay their respects to the Khan. This was a great honor for their entire tribe.
After watching the competition, they had some understanding of the sheep-snatching competition. Lin Wanrong nodded. "Brother Hu, before Tu Suozo's competition, let's go for the next round!"
No matter how the Hu's defenses changed, someone had to infiltrate the Turkic royal court to provide support. And winning three rounds in the sheep-snatching competition was undoubtedly the best way. However, if they encountered Tu Suozo, the battle would be difficult. Thus, he chose to make the first move.
"That's right. Let's go, let's go! "Old Gao beamed." As long as we cover our faces, we can chop down the Hu. Yet, the Hu still want to cheer for us. This is a rare opportunity. Everyone, don't stand on ceremony. "
Everyone laughed heartily. Even though the Chinese and Turks looked different, as long as their faces were covered, no one would be able to tell who the other was. Moreover, the Hu were out in the open while they were in the dark, so they had a huge advantage in this battle.
Hu Bugui swaggered over to retrieve a stick. The stick made by the Hu was extremely simple. It was just a drawing of an animal on sheepskin. Gao Qiu took a few glances at it. "Eh, this looks like a wild duck. I've seen it by Lake Usubunor before."
Hu Bugui smiled and nodded. "Brother Gao, you have a good memory. You're right, we've been placed in the duck group. "
"Pfft." Lin Wanrong, who was gulping down water from his water bag, spat out a mouthful of water. He was so shocked that he almost lost his breath. What chicken group, duck group, and Turkic numbering? Why were they so ignorant?
Old Hu could understand. There was no such thing as one, two, three, four, five, five, five, Yin, and mao in the Turkic language. Using an animal was easy to remember and suited their characters.
The twenty or so brothers who participated in the sheep-snatching competition were all carefully selected by Old Hu. Not only did they have to be skilled in martial arts, they also had to know a few words of Turkic language. Therefore, strictly speaking, in this team, Lin Wanrong was the weakest in the Turkic language. Even Old Gao was better than him.
Among the three teams in the duck group, besides the leopard flag, there was also the figure of the lark. He never thought that the joke he made that day would actually come true. Old Gao laughed heartily.
After checking that the blades had not been sharpened, no one cared about them. And the starting point of the sheep-snatching competition was about two hundred feet away from the center of the grassland. On the long canopy, Tusozzo was looking around absent-mindedly. Of course, he would not notice the small Yuezhi tribe from the edge of the desert.
"Woo — —" The bugle sounded, and Lin Wanrong galloped forward. He was in excellent condition, as though he was floating with the clouds. Even Old Hu could not keep up with him. There was a burst of cheers from the crowd, applauding his horsemanship. But the Turks would never have dreamed that beneath this pitch-black mask was a yellow face.
The sound of the wind whistling in their ears. Accompanied by the crazy howls of the spectating Hu, one could faintly see the opponent's azure eyes. Kizil was right in front of him, but Lin Wanrong's heart was as calm as still water. Other than the sound of hooves, he could not hear anything else.
The Lark Tribe's reputation was indeed well-deserved. The one charging at the front was the Hu with profound horsemanship that he had seen the other day. He galloped as though he was flying, and with a slight tilt of his body, he grabbed the wet body of the sheep. The Lark Tribe immediately burst into cheers.
But the Leopard Hu were not just for show. Before the Lark Tribe could react, five steeds charged out from behind them and surrounded the Hu who was snatching the sheep. He brandished the scimitar in his hand and charged forward.
The Lark was clearly prepared. With a loud shout, he grabbed the sheep with both hands and threw it forward with all his might.
"Good!" Several excited shouts rang out at the same time. The members of the Hundred Spirit Bird Clan who were running at the front did their best to catch the sheep's body and galloped toward the finish line.
Before the five Leopard Tribe members could figure out what was going on, the Turk with exquisite horsemanship suddenly turned around and with a heavy scimitar, he instantly threw two of them off their horses.
How could Old Gao let go of such a rare opportunity? Taking advantage of the situation, his horse's hooves heavily stomped on the stomachs of two Hu. With two slashes of his scimitar, the two Hu no longer breathed.
"Good!" Seeing such exquisite blade skills, the spectating Turks let out wild cries of surprise and cheers, gazing at Gao Qiu with eyes full of worship and respect. Old Gao was amused. "Good! You guys are also good! Haha! "
Hu Bugui slashed twice with his scimitar, and the remaining three Hu fell to the ground. The Lark turned and ran in fright. This Hu's horsemanship was truly exquisite. Old Gao was chasing behind him, but he could not catch up.
With the sheep in the hands of the Lark, the Hu of the two tribes were engaged in a chaotic battle. The horses crisscrossed, showing no mercy. They were even more ruthless than on the battlefield. The China cavalry seemed to be unable to catch up to them, but they were purposely picking up the ready-made ones. Aiming at the one who had fallen off his horse, he stepped on his scimitar, busying himself with joy.
"Go!" Seeing that the other side was almost exhausted, Lin Wanrong gave a low shout. The brothers behind him rushed forward, brandishing their scimitars. They had rested for a long time, and were like wolves in a flock of sheep. Amidst the cheers of the Hu, this feeling was indescribably exhilarating!
With Old Gao taking the lead. Although it was a blunt scimitar, it was still satisfying to kill. Seeing that there were not many Turks left, Hu Bugui gave a signal with his eyes. Instantly, several China soldiers' screamed 'and fell to the ground. The blood of the spectating Hu was boiling, cheering and shrieking.
The Lark, who was still struggling to hold on, was instantly overjoyed when the pressure on it lessened. With a whoosh, it threw the body of the sheep with all its might.
The Hu with amazing horsemanship was already waiting for it. He grabbed the body of the sheep and was about to gallop away. Suddenly, he felt a gust of wind blow in front of him. He quickly ducked his head and pressed his body against the back of the horse. Then he leapt out.
What a cunning brat! Lin Wanrong angrily snorted. He was already one body's length ahead of him, his horse blocking his path. At the same time, he swung his scimitar horizontally at the waist of the Hu.
The Hu grabbed the body of the sheep and had no strength to retaliate. In his haste, his excellent horsemanship came into play. He hugged the belly of the horse and spun around, waiting for the scimitar to strike again before diving back under the horse.
Riding side by side, the Hu jumped up and down like a monkey. Lin Wanrong's eyes were dazzled. In for a penny, in for a pound. With a 'heh', he raised his scimitar and viciously struck the back of the horse.
The Turkic horse fell limply to the ground. Having lost its support, the Lark fled in terror, only to be cut down by Hu Bugui's scimitar.
"Roar —" Old Gao raised the body of the sheep and excitedly charged past the finish line. The surrounding Hu surged forward, cheering.
Lin Wanrong deliberately lagged behind. He raised his head and looked into the distance. The Turkic princes were excitedly whispering to each other, but Tusozo's figure was already nowhere to be seen.
"General, what's wrong?!" Hu Bugui was the closest to him. Seeing him looking around, he hurriedly came over and asked.
Lin Wanrong shook his head and solemnly said, "Tusozo has disappeared!"
Hu Bugui was shocked. He hurriedly scanned the area. Indeed, the canopy was empty. The Right King of the Turkic Khaganate had disappeared.
"Could he have gone to the latrine?!" Hu Bugui whispered.
Can I answer this question of yours?! Lin Wanrong helplessly rolled his eyes. Hu Bugui laughed and scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Damn it, why isn't anyone sending me flowers? The Turkic women are blind!!! "Old Gao indignantly walked over and waved the scimitar in his hand.
That's right, why isn't anyone sending me flowers? Old Gao's words had enlightened Lin Wanrong. Given Gao Qiu's performance today, it would not be normal for those Turkic girls who only recognized martial arts to not appreciate him. He hurriedly turned his head back. With this glance, he could see the problem.
The Turkic girls who were originally happily enjoying the sheep competition were now looking to the south, their eyes wide open as if they were looking for something. They did not even look at Old Gao who had just won.
Everyone's gaze turned to the south. The Alxa Plains that was bustling with activity just a moment ago had instantly become quieter than a lake.
Tusozo had disappeared, the girls had stopped shouting, and the plains had become so quiet. What had happened? Old Gao and Hu Bugui looked at each other. They did not know who to ask for an answer.
In the distance, a small black dot appeared on the plains. Clatter, clatter. The crisp sound of hooves beat against everyone's heart. The figure gradually came into view. It was a small green horse, its head swaying back and forth, exuding an extraordinary aura.
On the horse sat a young girl. Her hair was like a black waterfall, and her skin was as translucent as the finest jade of the heavenly lake. Her face was covered by a transparent veil, and her beautiful eyes were slightly moving. Her eyes were like the ripples of autumn, and amidst the pitch-black water, there was a faint blue that was almost invisible. They were deep and clear, like the Namtso Lake in the depths of the plains, crystal clear and pure. A light breeze ruffled her veil, and the corners of her red lips curled up into a beautiful smile, like a crescent moon rising from the horizon.
As if they had just met! This word suddenly appeared in his mind, causing Lin Wanrong to silently sigh.
"It's Yujia!!!" Hu Bugui and Old Gao were so shocked that their mouths could not close. The Turkic girls screamed, mounted their white horses, and charged madly toward where Yujia was standing.
"Wu — —"
"Wu — —"
"Wu — —"
Three long horns sounded over the plains, and the earth gradually began to tremble. Thunderous galloping could be heard, and a cloud of dust rose from the walls of Kizil, as if an army was charging over. Countless golden wolf banners fluttered in the wind.
Gao Qiu looked into the distance and said in shock, "The cavalry of the Turks and the guards of Kizil, they're all coming this way. What's going on?!"
As the dust settled, tens of thousands of Turkic elites were slowly advancing in a single line. From the distant walls of Kizil, the city guards filed out to cover their rear. These were the most elite cavalry of the Turks. Their formations were orderly and their expressions fierce. Before they even got close, they could already feel a chilling killing intent.
Between the two armies, sixteen scarlet Ferghana horses were slowly advancing, pulling a massive carriage. A tall yellow tent had been erected on the carriage, embroidered with golden wolf heads. The wind rustled the curtains, and the carriage was silent, making it impossible to tell who was sitting inside.
The Turkic cavalry slowly surrounded Yujia and the girls. They slowly turned around, and their formation seemed to spread out in a circle, slowly pushing out in all directions, keeping everyone outside. The golden curtains rustled in the wind, and the crescent moon's figure gradually blurred, finally vanishing into the crowd. Slowly, even the Turkic girls could no longer be seen.
"The Turkic Khagan is here!" Hu Bugui whispered excitedly.
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