The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 250 Dragon Enters the Sea, Desert Corpse

"The Hexi region produces fine horses, known as Hexi horses, which are a breed developed from Ferghana horses and local horses. The Red Hare, which could travel a thousand miles a day, originated from Hexi. After Hexi was incorporated into the Han Dynasty, in order to expand its territory and build up its cavalry, General Huo Qubing established a royal military horse farm in the Shandan area. The Tang Dynasty and the present-day Western Xia Dynasty both raised horses in this area."

Not far away, Zhang Wangyue was reciting the name of the "Iron Falcon" warhorse to Huyan Lei and the three Shi brothers as if it were his own treasure. Zhou Yan glanced at him, then looked back and threw the armor he had taken off onto the ground.

A complete set of "Iron Falcon" armor consists of head guards, shoulder guards, leg guards, elbow guards, and chest guards, weighing approximately fifty to sixty pounds.

They acquired a total of five hundred sets of such armor.

Of course, many have partial damage, but it's not too difficult to repair them with a skilled blacksmith.

Many warhorses were lost, with many having broken legs. These warhorses had to be abandoned and slaughtered. Most of them were used to feed the wild beasts of the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor, while the caravan took some for their own consumption.

In short, it's a foregone conclusion that Chaya Mountain has equipped itself with 500 cavalrymen.

"Are you talking about Chaya Mountain?" Zhou Yan replied to Huang Rong's question, then walked to another corpse and began to strip off its armor.

"Ah."

"It's not exactly a secret. They're an anti-Jin force that's based in Chaya Mountain. They once robbed a caravan from Fu'an. They became friends after the fight, and now they've developed into a relatively disciplined righteous army. Oh, and Qiu Qianchi is there too."

"Huh, what's going on here?"

"Qiu Qianren was working for the Jin Kingdom. Qiu Qianchi was originally going to marry into the Valley of Heartbreak, but Yang Kang was going to congratulate her. When Qiu Qianchi found out about this, she tried to dissuade him, and the two siblings had a fight. She ran away to go to Chaya Mountain. I encountered her at the Xiangyang dock and helped her escape."

"Pfft!" Huang Rong chuckled. "Back at Shaoshi Mountain, Gongsun Zhi said you ruined his marriage and wanted to fight you to the death. Was it because of this?"

"almost."

Huang Rong knew about the series of events that happened to Qiu Qianchi because of Sun Bu'er and Zhou Yan, and she joked: "If it weren't for you, Qiu Qianchi would have married Gongsun Zhi long ago."

“‘The clouds and shadows on the tranquil pool drift by, and the seasons change and stars shift.’ External people and events can indeed sometimes lead to changes in the original people and events.”

“Just like me, if it weren’t for the ‘Jade Lion Under the Night’, how would I have met you, a镖人 (bodyguard/escort), and been saved by you multiple times?”

Zhou Yan smiled slightly but did not reply.

Huang Rong changed the subject, saying, "Chief Escort Zhang is no ordinary person. He taught the镖局's镖师 (bodyguards) and 趟子手 (escorts) the Eight Formations from the 'Wumu Legacy' in just two days."

"The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) was a descendant of General Zhang Xian of the Yue Family Army."

Huang Rong exclaimed in surprise, "Fu'an is a place where hidden talents abound."

"That's true."

"After this escort mission is over, are we going to Mount Chaya?"

"You're not going to say one thing."

Huang Rong smiled but remained silent.

"Having traveled all the way from the Western Regions, shouldn't you return to Peach Blossom Island?"

"How about I take you out to play? It's a pity the old rascal isn't here."

"Zhou Botong."

Huang Rong pouted, "Where have you seen him before?"

"At Poyang Lake, Ke Zhen'e and others followed the Great Khan's envoy to Lin'an. On the way, they were ambushed by the Iron Palm Gang and the Yellow River Gang. Zhou Botong came to their rescue. At that time, I happened to be at Poyang Lake looking for an Indian monk."

As Zhou Yan spoke, he threw the armor he had stripped off onto the ground and walked toward the corpse of another "Iron Falcon".

Huang Rong followed, saying, "It seems I've missed out on a lot."

"But I participated in the most exciting ones, such as the Battle of Shaoshi Mountain and the Grand Banquet in Zhongdu."

“That makes sense!” Huang Rong nodded. “I’ll go ask Spearman and the others about animal taming techniques.”

"Alright!" Huang Rong walked lightly past Zhou Yan. Mu Nianci, who was in the distance, glanced at Zhou Yan and Huang Rong, then lowered her head to continue peeling off her armor.

As dusk fell, all the corpses were disposed of. The armor, weapons, and warhorses were temporarily transported to the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor. Liang Xiaowu accompanied them with more than twenty wounded guards. They would pick up the guards from the manor on the return journey, and then load the armor and weapons into the caravan for transport to Chaya Mountain.

The caravan rested for the night, and Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, Hu Yanlei and others chatted happily with the three Shi brothers. At midnight, the caravan broke camp and headed straight for Yumen Pass, while Shi Bowei, Liang Xiaowu, Huang Rong and others rushed to the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor deep in the Qilian Mountains.

……

The bright moon rises over the Tianshan Mountains, amidst a vast sea of ​​clouds. A long wind blows for tens of thousands of miles, passing through the Jade Gate Pass.

The wind carried the warmth of spring. Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue could see dozens of gray tents, with a large yellow silk tent standing in the center. Upon seeing the camp of the Mongol envoys, Hu Yanlei, Mu Nianci, and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

After many hardships, the shipment finally arrived safely.

The caravan set out from Ganzhou, trekking through the desolate mountains, and arrived safely at Yumen Pass six days later.

Arrive two days ahead of schedule as agreed.

The group had barely appeared outside Yumen Pass when they were spotted by the Mongol envoy's cavalry, who were encamped there. Zhou Yan mustered his inner strength and spoke aloud, announcing his identity.

The approaching cavalry led the caravan to the camp.

As the procession approached, the curtain of the large yellow tent was lifted, and a richly dressed young Mongolian man walked over, accompanied by an older Han Chinese.

The Han man asked, "Is this the Fu'an Escort Agency?"

The chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of Fu'an stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "That's right. I am Zhang Wangyue, the head镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of Fu'an."

The Mongolian youth's face lit up with joy, and he quickly stepped forward, "My apologies, which one of you is Hero Zhou?"

Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, and Hu Yanlei were all taken aback.

The Han Chinese standing beside the richly dressed Mongolian youth said, "When the Third Prince set off from the desert, the Fourth Prince sent a message saying that Zhou, the head镖师 (bodyguard) of the Fu'an镖局 (escort agency), had rescued Princess Huazheng."

Zhou Yan suddenly realized that several months had passed since he encountered Hua Zheng on the Yangtze River section of Poyang Lake. He figured that Guo Jing and his envoys to Lin'an had already returned, and Tolui had sent the message to the desert. The Han man addressed the Mongol youth before him as the Third Prince, and the other party was Ögedei Khan.

Thinking this through, he stepped forward and said, "My name is Zhou Yan."

When Ögedei looked at Zhou Yan, his eyes suddenly brightened: "A man of imposing stature, a fine man, a true hero."

"Thank you for your praise, Third Prince." "Don't mention it, thank you for rescuing my sister Huazheng." Ögedei thanked him and immediately ordered, "Prepare wine and meat to entertain her."

"Please have the Third Prince take over the escort first." As soon as Zhou Yan finished speaking, Zhang Wangyue stepped forward and took out the account book.

Ögedei laughed and said, “There’s no need for that. We Mongols are honest. Hero Zhou rescued my sister. How could a hero like you be dishonest?”

"The rules of the escort agency cannot be broken."

“Since it’s the rule, then we’ll follow your wishes.” Ögedei was open to suggestions, and he changed the subject, saying to the Han man beside him, “You, come and settle the accounts.”

"As ordered."

"Come, heroes, let's go into the tent for a chat."

Zhang Wangyue left Huyan Lei and Mu Nianci to assist the other side in reconciling accounts, while he and Zhou Yan accompanied Ögedei to Huangchou's camp.

In no time, wine and meat were laid out in the tent.

Ögedei raised his glass: "To Zhang the镖头 (bodyguard) and Zhou the hero."

"Thank you, Third Prince."

The wine was mare's milk wine, which is warm in nature and has the effects of dispelling cold, relaxing muscles and promoting blood circulation. Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue drank it all in one gulp.

"Generous," Ögedei praised, then asked, "Is the journey smooth?"

Zhang Wangyue replied, "We encountered bandits, but they were repelled by the escort team and escaped unharmed."

"Very good."

Zhou Yan said, "I met the Prince Consort at Poyang Lake that day. He mentioned going to Lin'an. Has he returned yet?"

"They have replied; the message came from Zhongdu."

"Did you make a safe journey?"

Zhou Yan's question was tactful, seemingly concerned about Guo Jing's safety in Lin'an, but in reality, he was trying to find out the outcome of Guo Jing's mission to Lin'an.

Among Genghis Khan's sons, Ögedei was the most gentle. He did not understand the implication in Zhou Yan's words and laughed, "There were some villains who wanted to cause trouble, but they were all driven away by Guo Jing and his men. I heard from Hua Zheng that Guo Jing met a master and learned some great martial arts."

Zhou Yan figured it must have been Zhou Botong who taught Guo Jing martial arts, which was something he had expected.

"The Han people in Lin'an are cunning and treacherous. We wanted to join forces to fight the Jin Kingdom, but they dragged their feet and didn't give us a reply. Guo Anda and others stayed in Lin'an for a long time. However, Zhang Biaotou, Zhou Yingxiong, and Guo Jing and Anda are all men of integrity, trustworthy and good men, and good friends of our Mongols."

Zhou Yan gave a low laugh.

……

Around noon, the Han man came in with the account book and told Ögedei that it was correct.

Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue got up to say goodbye.

Ögedei Khan wanted to keep them for another day, but the two politely declined. However, Zhou Yan did mention the Indian monks and asked if it was possible for the high monks to follow the Mongol delegation to Khwarazm.

When Ögedei heard that the Indian monk had gone to China to find the Golden Baby and save the people of India from poisonous insects, he was extremely impressed and said that the Indian monk could go with him.

Zhou Yan was completely relieved. He told the Indian monk about it, and the monk thanked him profusely. He mentioned that Khwarezm was not far from India, so Fu'an need not worry. Once the golden baby was raised and the poisonous insects were eliminated, they could then spread the scriptures to the Central Plains.

Zhou Yan praised the eminent monk for his benevolence, but inwardly he wondered if his connection with the Indian monk was not yet severed, and if there was a future connection. He then turned his thoughts back to the Indian monk and introduced him to Ögedei Khan.

The Indian monk and the Mongol prince discussed Buddhist teachings and had a very pleasant conversation.

Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue bid farewell and led their caravan away from Yumen Pass before sunset.

With this departure, Zhou Yan felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders; he was no longer the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of the Fu'an镖局 (escort agency).

He risked his life amidst the blades, killing in the mortal world.

……

The caravan set off south from Yumen Pass, with the caravan members and porters laughing and chatting.

Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, and Huyan Lei rode forward side by side.

The chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of Fu'an asked, "Brother Zhou, what do you think of Ögedei Khan?"

“I’ve seen people like Tole and Jebe at Poyang Lake. Compared to them, they are more gentle and less fierce.”

"He does look kind."

"I wonder what the specific outcome of Brother Guo's negotiations with the imperial court in Lin'an was?"

"Since the Jin state knew that the Mongols had sent an imperial envoy to Lin'an, it should have arranged for people to do the same. Ögedei said that Guo Jing and others had stayed in Lin'an for a long time, and that may be the reason."

"That makes sense. The Lin'an court is trying to negotiate with both sides. They're just playing it safe."

"Opportunism is their consistent style."

"Brother Zhou is right," Hu Yanlei praised with a smile.

The conversation between the three was suddenly interrupted by the cry of an eagle. Zhou Yan followed the sound and saw several eagles circling low in the distance to his left.

"Is it going to be 'Iron Falcon' again?" Hu Yanlei asked.

"It's unlikely. The entire 'Iron Falcon' force was wiped out. The Western Xia Kingdom couldn't have reacted so swiftly."

“That makes sense.” Hu Yanlei nodded. “Let’s go take a look.”

"it is good!"

Zhou Yan and Hu Yanlei pulled on the reins, and the "Night-Shining Jade Lion" and the black horse galloped away at breakneck speed. After traveling five or six miles, the two horses rushed up a sand dune. From their vantage point, they looked down and saw more than ten people lying haphazardly in the valley, their fates unknown.

"Let's go down and take a look," Zhou Yan said.
"it is good!"

The "Jade Lion Under the Night" galloped towards the valley.

(End of this chapter)