As a mountain man, Xiang Shan often hunted in the mountains and wandered around the mountains, so he was used to traveling in the mountains. However, even if Xiang Shan walked in the mountains, he would only cross the entire mountain very rarely. For Xiang Shan, this was very tiring. Moreover, for a scholar like Ma Zhou, it was even more difficult to walk in the mountains.
Many times, Xiang Shan would see Ma Zhou panting as he walked. He would ask Ma Zhou if he wanted to stop and rest. Ma Zhou would say that there was no need, and he would grit his teeth and continue walking.
Blisters formed on his feet as he walked, and there were even mosquito bites on his legs, but Ma Zhou still persevered.
At first, Xiang Shan didn't think Ma Zhou could hold on for long, but three days passed in the blink of an eye. Although Ma Zhou was tired, he never said that he couldn't hold on. He kept gritting his teeth and didn't let anyone help him. He walked on his own, which made Xiang Shan look at him in a new light.
As expected of an officer in the army.
His tenacity was very strong.
One had to know that many of the old villagers couldn't hold on continuously. Ma Zhou was a scholar, but he managed to hold on. Therefore, Xiang Shan admired Ma Zhou very much.
Another day passed.
Night fell, and the group stopped moving.
They rested where they were.
A bonfire burned, dispelling the darkness. Ma Zhou, Xiang Shan, and the others gathered around the bonfire. They were mainly eating dry rations in the mountains.
Ma Zhou ate a mouthful of dry rations, and his gaze fell on Xiang Shan. He said in a deep voice, "Xiang Shan, we've been walking for three days. Estimate how many days we have left."
Xiang Shan hurriedly said, "Military Advisor, according to my past experience, we can walk out of here in about a day and a half. We've been walking for three days, which is more than half of the journey. Speaking of which, this time, it was relatively smooth. The three days were sunny, and we didn't encounter any rainy weather. We could find the right direction and hurry on. If it was rainy weather, it would be difficult. Under the soaking of the rain, many of the original paths in the mountains were easily washed away. Moreover, it was easy to get lost if one couldn't find the direction. This time, it can be considered as a blessing from the heavens. "
Ma Zhou heaved a sigh of relief and said, "There's still more than a day. That's good, that's good."
For Ma Zhou, he had always persevered.
Until now, there were swollen lumps on his arms, legs, and even his face. They were all bitten by mosquitoes. In the beginning, his legs were sore and weak, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. However, he had gradually gotten used to it.
Xiang Shan's expression was solemn as he praised, "Junshi, you are a high-ranking official in Xia Xia's army. If he wanted to enter the middle of Shu, why did he have to go personally? In this kind of mountain, let alone someone like you, even I would be very tired walking down. "
The group of guards looked at Ma Zhou with admiration in their eyes. From the beginning to the end, Ma Zhou did not complain about the hardships or tiredness. Furthermore, he did not allow anyone to support him or carry him on his back. If he really couldn't bear it, he would hurry along with a wooden stick.
Such a Ma Zhou was admirable.
Ma Zhou wiped his dirty cheeks and said with a smile, "The soldiers in the army are human beings, and so am I. If the soldiers in the army can come, why can't I come? What's more, I have sneaked into the middle of Shu. Only by going personally can I have more confidence and relax. "
After hearing this, Xiang Shan was greatly touched.
He admired Ma Zhou very much.
Xiang Shan suddenly said, "Junshi, can I ask you a question?"
Ma Zhou said with a smile, "Go ahead."
Xiang Shan said, "I've always been in the village. I only know that the Tang dynasty is now the world. You are Xia Xia's man. Now Xia Xia is here, and now the Crown Prince of the Tang dynasty has retreated to Sword Gate Pass with his army. Is there no Tang dynasty outside, and Xia Xia has replaced the Tang dynasty? "
Ma Zhou said, "The current Tang dynasty is indeed about to be replaced by Xia Xia. The capital of the Tang dynasty, Chang 'an, has been captured by Xia Xia. The Emperor of the Tang dynasty, Li Shimin, has retreated to Yangzhou in Jiangnan. The whole Tang dynasty is about to be destroyed. Now Li Chengqian is defending Sword Gate Pass with his life. It's a desperate struggle, the last resistance. "
Xiang Shan suddenly said, "Junshi, you promised me that once I take you through this mountain, you will let me be the Village Chief and give me money. I've changed my mind now, is that okay? "
Ma Zhou said, "What did you change your mind about?"
Xiang Shan said, "Junshi, I haven't read many books, but I know a little martial arts and can go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. I want to join the army and kill the enemy on the battlefield to render meritorious service. I don't want to stay in the village. Even if I'm a Village Chief, I'll be a Village Chief for the rest of my life. "
Ma Zhou said, "Xiang Shan, it's not easy to be a soldier. It's very easy to get killed. You can take me through this area. If you succeed, you'll have meritorious service. Being a soldier is a bit unfair to you. It's also impossible for you to be an official directly. You don't have such ability, and you won't be able to convince the masses. How about this, if you want to leave the village, you can follow me and be my personal guard. How about it? "
After Xiang Shan heard it, a look of ecstasy appeared on his face. He never thought that Ma Zhou would be willing to let him be his personal guard. It must be known that Ma Zhou was the Junshi of the army, the highest official.
Xiang Shan immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Ma Zhou, "This lowly one greets the Patriarch."
He addressed him as Patriarch.
He regarded himself as Ma Zhou's man, which was equivalent to being Ma Zhou's servant.
Ma Zhou waved his hand and said, "Get up. You don't have to do this in my place. I won't say more about the rules. Listen more, see more, and speak less. As for how you address me, just call me Mister. "
"Yes!"
Xiang Shan immediately responded.
As for Xiang Shan, he knew that he had hit the jackpot this time. He was just a hunter in the village. He didn't know many words and had no experience. He was in his twenties, but because he had no family and no money, he couldn't even afford to marry a wife. Now, he could follow Ma Zhou and become Ma Zhou's personal guard. It was equivalent to completely breaking away from the village and following Ma Zhou to see the outside world.
Ma Zhou saw Xiang Shan's excited expression and smiled gently.
Ma Zhou used to be quite down and out.
Because he followed Du Qi, he was able to jump up and become Du Qi's confidant. If it weren't for Du Qi's kindness, he wouldn't have been able to achieve his current status in Xia Xia. Even if he didn't have any rank in the cabinet, no one dared to underestimate him because the people in the cabinet were the Emperor's confidants.
In the past, Du Qi gave Ma Zhou a chance, so now Ma Zhou was willing to give Xiang Shan a chance.
So that Xiang Shan could walk out of the mountains.
Ma Zhou chatted with Xiang Shan, and at the same time asked his personal guard and chatted with him. Time passed by unknowingly. When it was a little late, Ma Zhou and Xiang Shan began to sleep. When sleeping at night, the guards took turns to keep watch. It was not to the extent that everyone would be tired.
If all ten guards didn't rest during the night in the mountains, it wouldn't be a problem for a day or two, but it wouldn't last long. Moreover, they had to travel in the mountains during the day, which couldn't be sustained at all. The best way was to take turns to keep watch. With ten guards, it was easy to get through the night.
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