Hatake Tetsu was one of the three barbarian merchants, and he was vaguely the leader. He was about forty years old, and his face was full of the dust of travelling.
Hearing Xu Mu's words, the foreigner from the Western Regions did not dare to ask for help and hurriedly bent down to salute, "Don't worry, King of Western Shu. When I return to the Western Regions in the future, I will definitely work hard to purchase iron and steel."
Xu Mu nodded. For things like iron and iron, it is best for barbarians to come forward to do it. After all, compared to outsiders like them, they will have better hands and eyes.
However, for some reason, Xu Mu planned to make a show of force to shock these merchants.
With a few people and under the protection of Ning Chun, Xu Mu walked to the city wall of the Duhu Mansion.
"Peel through——"
Outside the Duhu Mansion, Chao Yi was leading thousands of cavalry troops to practice riding skills in the desert not far away. The sky was filled with yellow sand, and the roar of Shu cavalry tigers shattered the surroundings.
Dead silence.
"Raise the gun and stab!"
"Roar!"
Thousands of Shu riders among the galloping horses all raised their spears and stabbed forward heavily. In the wind and sand, there was a faint sound of tearing.
Tetsu Hatake and the other three were just ordinary Hu businessmen. Seeing such a scene, they were already so shocked that they couldn't stand still.
"To tell you the truth, these Shu riders like me are preparing to enter the Western Region. When we enter the Western Region, we will find a few more to have a drink together." Xu Mu said with a smile.
"Shu, King Shu is so polite."
"The three of you want to go on business, so I won't persuade you to stay. Ning Chun, bring over the silver box."
The price of ten kilograms of iron is several times more expensive than ordinary iron stones. Xu Mu felt a pain in his heart. But there was no way, the iron was too rare.
The three Hu merchants were a little afraid to accept it. It wasn't until Ning Chun called out again that they hurriedly took it.
"The three of you still want to sell goods, so with this king's handwritten book, your journey will be smooth."
It's really a slap in the face and a sweet date. But this method has been tried and tested throughout the ages.
"By the way, Hatake Tetsu, are there any powerful figures among the countries in the Western Regions?"
Listening, Hatake Tetsu's face gradually became a little mysterious, "King of Western Shu, I only heard people say that three years ago in the Western Regions, a son of the true god suddenly descended to earth."
"Son of the True God?"
"Yes, but I have never seen it before. Many people from the Western Region have never seen it."
Xu Mu frowned.
…
After Hatake Tetsu and the others left, Xu Mu had no intention of staying any longer. Time was running out. The next day, he led a long team of more than 7,000 people to continue marching to the Western Regions.
"Patrol camp, follow the guide!" Chao Yi rode back and forth on horseback.
Si Hu was still chattering, pulling Chen Sheng and talking about yesterday's mutton feast. Zhuge Fan was still drowsy. Apart from eating some dry food occasionally, he seemed extremely tired.
For this reason, Xu Mu got off the horse and went to make inquiries.
"I'm old, I'm sleepy and taking a nap." Zhuge Fan waved his hands, closed his eyes and fell asleep again.
Xu Mu was silent for a while and told the little general who was traveling with him to keep an eye on him.
When I got back on my horse, I realized that at some point, the clouds in the sky had turned faintly yellow again. In the desert, the temperature varies greatly between morning and evening. If you drive at night, you are afraid of freezing to death.
"Chao Yi, find a place to camp. Be careful not to provoke the wolves."
"Lord, don't worry!"
The camels and horses accompanying them formed a circle again. The camels were on the outside and the horses were on the inside. Under the howling wind and sand, bonfires were rising in the camp.
More than a hundred Shu riders on patrol, wearing thick robes, were galloping back and forth only within a few miles radius. It was not because they were lazy, but because they had gone too far. If they got lost, it would be difficult to get back.
Xu Mu sat down cross-legged and grilled his hands on the bonfire. Si Hu held a knife next to him and kept picking the roasted potatoes in the fire.
"My lord, take a sip of hot water." Chen Sheng twisted his neck, took a bowl of hot water and handed it to Xu Mu.
"Chen Sheng, where is your Uncle Zhuge?"
"I gave him food before, but he was still sleeping... I always felt that he had something on his mind, but he didn't want to say it."
If there is nothing to do, wouldn't it be better to stay in Chengdu and become an old drunkard? Why bother traveling all the way to the Western Regions?
"Chen Sheng, can you hear the howling of wolves?"
"I heard that, and I'm scared. My lord, don't forget that when we were at the Four Roads, we were also good at hunting wolves."
Xu Mu laughed and patted Chen Sheng on the shoulder. He was very lucky to have these old friends accompanying him through half of the journey.
"Back then, I still had both arms and could shoot arrows more accurately than Brother Tiger. I just pulled the string... Huh?"
Before Chen Sheng could finish speaking, he was dragged out.
When Xu Mu looked up in shock, he realized that Uncle Zhuge had walked over at some point.
Si Hu raised his head angrily and glared at Uncle Zhuge. The grudge between the two evil spirits in Xujiazhuang for stealing food has lasted for a long time.
"Sihu, I still have half a roast leg of lamb hidden in my camel's bag." Zhuge Fan said.
Si Hu was instantly happy, his expression immediately changed, and he ran out in a hurry.
Xu Mu felt helpless, took off his cloak, stood up and put it on Zhuge Fan.
"What, do you have something to say to me?"
"What do you think?" Zhuge Fan seemed to have regained his usual expression and spoke angrily.
"Then tell me, I came all the way to the Western Regions. I don't believe what you said. What's the matter with your old friend?"
Zhuge Fan sighed, "To tell you the truth, I feel like my body may not be able to hold on any longer."
"What nonsense are you talking about? You are blessed with great fortune. When I conquer the world, you will still have to be the Supreme Emperor." Xu Mu hurriedly advised. But there was clearly some disappointment in his voice.
Not only him, but also Chen Sheng could see that Zhuge Fan had reached his destiny and was facing life and death.
"What are you going to do in the Western Region? I'll help you do it. Don't forget, I'm still your son."
Zhuge Fan laughed happily and unconsciously stretched out his hand to touch Xu Mu's head.
"You can't help. If I don't do this, I won't be happy in hell. In the past few years, I have been cursing, but in the bottom of my heart, whether it is me, the old man, or the scholar, the three of us have you.
These guys are all happy."
"This world is full of pigs and dogs. You, Xu Mu, are different. I watched you ascend to the throne step by step, conquer half of the country, and finally fight for the throne of the new dynasty."
"It's rare for you to praise me, but I hope... if you still curse at me like you did before, I will feel happier." Xu Mu was silent for a while before speaking.
Zhuge Fan smiled and said, "I remember telling you that when the world is peaceful, I will take you to visit the thirty states. I'm afraid I won't be able to do it."
"What exactly are you going to do when you go to the Western Regions?"
"I said murder, do you believe it?"
"letter."
Xu Mu thought that the old guy would explain it, but he didn't think so and just added it in an understatement.
"Look, don't you already know?"
"Dad, please forgive me for being unfilial!" Xu Mu stretched out his hand, cursed at Zhuge Fan's head, and cracked his skull slightly.