The team left Xiaohe Village and moved further and further away, along the looming desert road, heading into the depths of the desert.
As the sun gradually rose, the weather became hotter and hotter. Chen Luo and his friends had already gone bare-chested, wearing only a double-breasted t-shirt, braving the scorching heat.
There is only three hours left for everyone to rush on the road. Within three hours, everyone must rush to the next transfer point to avoid the exposure in the desert at noon, and then they have to wait until the second half of the afternoon before they can set off again.
.
Shi Shanming has walked this route many times and knows very well that after riding for three hours, the next place to rest is Guzi Village. After passing through Guzi Village and walking for another three hours, you can reach the ancient city of Loulan.
Dawanma's leg strength was still good. After walking for about two and a half hours, Chen Luo saw a mountain. To be precise, it was a red hill.
There is no vegetation on the mountain, but at the foot of the mountain is a lush oasis, and in the oasis is a village.
The red sun shines on the mountain, and the stones on the mountain are also reflected in fiery red. At the foot of the mountain, in the oasis, sparse cottages are looming. Next to the cottages, a gurgling river flows through the village.
Shi Shanming said that this river is called Guzi River. If you follow the source of Guzi River, you will find that it originates from the Snowy Mountains and then extends deep into the desert until it disappears.
It is precisely because of the existence of the Guzi River that an oasis was formed here, which gave the local area the conditions to thrive and then allowed human beings to live in it.
Vaguely, Chen Luo felt that this Guzi Village seemed to be a place with a story.
Chen Luo followed the team and entered the village. This was a very simple village. There were no inns, no shops, and not even a complete street. There were only some low houses scattered under the poplar trees.
At the head of the village is a huge Populus euphratica tree, about three feet high, with a huge canopy that is sparse and shields a huge shade area below.
"Let's rest here. We will continue on our way in two hours." Shi Shanming directed everyone to dismount and rest.
"Zhao Rui, go to the village and buy some melons to quench your thirst." Guzi Village relies on this natural oasis to grow melons on the sandy soil. It tastes very good. Every time you pass by, you have to buy some and take it with you. You can also drink it as water.
The children in the village are no longer surprised when they see outsiders. There are even children surrounding the Dayuan horse, looking left and right, full of curiosity.
Chen Luo tried to communicate. These children were talking and gesticulating, and they were extremely excited.
"Have you seen this horse?" Chen Luo asked.
One of the older children nodded!
"Where did the horse go?"
"Let's go! We left early in the morning!" The child pointed to the road ahead. Chen Luo guessed correctly. The horse thief probably stole the horse and rushed to Guzi Village overnight. He took a rest and continued on his way at dawn.
went.
In this vast desert, there is only one path to life. It's just a matter of taking one step earlier and one step later.
Damn horse thief, don't let me catch you! Chen Luo thought to himself.
After a while, Zhao Rui, who was going to buy melons, came over with a foreign sister-in-law wearing a headscarf. The aunt was carrying a basket filled with melons.
Shi Shanming clasped his hands together and bent down to thank him.
Chen Luo took out a meteorite knife, cut open a melon, and took a bite. It was indeed sweet and delicious. The desert was exposed to the sun for a very long time, and the fruits grown there were also extremely sweet.
Shi Shanming chatted with his sister-in-law for a few words and asked if any strangers had passed by recently. The sister-in-law shook her head in confusion, apparently not seeing them.
Everyone rested for three hours. The hottest period of noon had passed and the sun was no longer so hot. After everyone ate the melon and replenished their energy, they continued on their way.
Chen Luo always felt that someone was waiting for them not far ahead.
"Uncle Shi, how do these people survive in such a harsh environment?" Chen Luo couldn't figure out why there were still people living in such a harsh environment.
"Xiaoluo, our Western Xinjiang is vast and sparsely populated, but there are many scattered villages like this in places you can't see. They are like bright pearls in this vast desert."
"Some of these people are indigenous people who are unwilling to relocate, and some are people who come here to live in seclusion to avoid trouble."
"This is too remote. Wouldn't it be better to go to a larger town like Kule?"
"Everyone has his or her own ambitions, and maybe some people like this sparsely populated place."
"Besides, it's not bad here. There is water, food, and the vast desert as a companion. They don't feel bitter."
Chen Luo thought about it. This universe is ancient and unpredictable. Just like the image in the fantasy land of mountains and seas, maybe one day, the entire universe will be covered by desert. At that time, what difference will there be between you and me?
"Xiaoluo, human potential is unlimited, and so is human desire for survival!"
"Yes, at least they are happy here, that's enough!"
"Just like the female corpse in the crystal coffin in Xiaohe Village, the slight sadness on her face cannot cover up the happiness she once had during her lifetime."
The ignorant boy began to think about philosophical issues.
To the west of sunset, the afterglow of the setting sun in the desert stretches the horse teams on the desert into a long shadow.
Chen Luo looked up and saw a huge ancient city appearing on the horizon in the distance!
Seen from a distance, the entire ancient city looks so majestic and extraordinary that the entire sky above is rendered in different colors.
The yellow-brown bricks and earth strips are neatly stacked and built up layer by layer to form a tall city wall. The red city gate is closed tightly, and there are guards in front of the door for routine inspection. Above the city gate, the city wall
Standing on the top are guards, wearing light armor and holding steel swords, ready to resist any enemy attack that may occur at any time.
"Great, I can sleep on the bed tonight." Shi Zhuo said excitedly.
The city gate guard signaled to dismount for inspection, and Shi Shanming stepped forward to negotiate for a while, stuffed the customs clearance documents, and verified his identity.
The city gate guard waved to the knife-wielding guard on the city tower. After a while, the gate slowly opened, and everyone in Chen Luo rode their horses and entered one after another.
When entering, Chen Luo looked up at the city gate. The word "Loulan" was inlaid with glittering gold on the city gate.
This is the legendary ancient city of Loulan!
Entering the city gate, Chen Luo's eyes lit up and he was immediately attracted by the bustling scene inside. He saw people in various costumes walking back and forth. The women were all covered with gauze scarves, the men were wrapped in hats and had long beards.
Children were running in groups on the street.
Chen Luo observed that there were many foreigners here with high noses and green eyes, and he felt as if he was in a foreign country.
It is said that this is a transportation hub and must be passed through. If you look at this lively street, you will find that this place is truly worthy of its reputation.
Loulan Inn! This is the inn where Shi Shanming plans to stay.
This should be the largest inn in Loulan Ancient City.
Shi Shanming led everyone into the inn, and nine people opened five suites. Each suite was expensive, but in this desert land, everything was scarce. It was good to have one.
Chen Luo entered the room and looked at the layout of the suite. It was said to be a suite, but it was actually a crowded room with two beds in it and a coffee table in the middle. Compared with the environment of the suite during the Jade Jade Competition,
The difference is more than a thousand miles.
But everyone knows that this trip is not for tourism. Everyone is mentally prepared for the harsh environment.
Shi Zhuo and Chen Luo were arranged in the same room. After tidying up and washing up, the two became energetic again.
"Come on, let's go visit Loulan Ancient Market?"
"Yes, it is the largest market in Loulan Ancient City. You can buy some specialties. If you are lucky, you can even find treasures!"
"It's already dark today. Didn't the market close early?"
"Ha, you don't understand this. The business in Loulan Ancient City is the hottest right now!"
"Why?"
"Because when it is cool during the day, everyone is rushing. Only at night, when it is not suitable for traveling and it is cool, can everyone come out to buy and sell things. Over time, a habit has been formed. That is, rushing during the day and buying and selling at night."
"Then go take a look and see if there is anything mysterious in this mysterious ancient city." Chen Luo nodded.
Shi Zhuo called Zhao Rui, Heishan and several other young people to go with him. Young people like to be lively and energetic. Along the way, Chen Luo had already become close to everyone.
Loulan Ancient Market is in a building diagonally opposite Loulan Inn. Everyone arrived at the market in three or two steps. Chen Luo followed Shi Zhuo into the market and couldn't help but exclaimed, it's so big!
As a famous transit station on the Silk Road, it houses a dazzling array of items from all over the world, from north to south, from east to west.
Looking around, there are silk porcelain from the East, agate spices from the West, rare medicinal materials collected from mountains and rivers, and various rare items with regional characteristics.
Especially spices, the whole market was filled with a faint fragrance. Chen Luo and others started to wander along the side of the market and came to an interesting stall, which was a stall selling masks.
There were all kinds of strange-shaped stalls on the stalls. Some masks were carved lifelike, some were exaggerated and weird, and some were like devils.
Chen Luo picked up a mask and tried it on. It was really fun.
"Are there any masks that don't look so exaggerated?" Chen Luo asked.
The stall owner is an old man with a petite figure. "Are you talking about the kind of bionic mask?"
"Yes, yes, it's the kind that you put on and others don't know you're wearing a mask!"
"Hehe - is that so?" the old man said, wiping his face and peeling off a piece of skin-like thing, revealing a young, innocent girl's face.
This girl has beautiful features and beautiful eyes, which reveals a foreign charm from her expression. The corners of her mouth are raised, showing a hint of playfulness.
"Yes, that's it!" Chen Luo was overjoyed.
"Of course we have this. This is a specialty of our Sani tribe, but the price is relatively expensive!"