Chapter 38 New Business Road

Zhang Mai and Guo Fen were surprised to see that this young man under 20 years old claimed that his name was changed by "Old Protector Guo" and asked together: "Old Protector Guo?"

Guo Julan said: "Marson, madam, I am the godson I recognized when I was dying. He also changed the name of Julan for me."

Guo Fen's whole body trembled and said, "You...what did you say!"

Guo Julan said: "That year, the old lord broke the rear and stayed in Julan City. He recruited many local soldiers in Talas. I was one of them. Later, the old generals died one by one. The city was broken, and the old lord also led us to fight in the streets. Later, Satuk came into the city and we retreated to Zheng Mansion. Satuk led his troops to surround the entire house, but the old lord still fought to the death. His right hand was also broken, and the horizontal sword could not be used, but he was afraid that he would be taken by Satuk as a hostage, so he took a dagger and pointed the sword inward towards him. If something happened, he would have to settle himself..."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but cry. Guo Fen had heard some of the situations at that time from the surviving Tang army captives. He heard what Guo Julan said secretly and even tears flowed. Zanji did not expect that the slave he bought had a relationship with the head of the Tiance Army. He was surprised. Although he did not fully understand Guo Julan's words, he also guessed a few points. He was old in the mall, knew how to judge the situation, and retreated aside without saying anything.

Zhang Mai was still a little suspicious of Guo Julan's authenticity, and secretly asked Ma Xiaochun to find the veterans who survived the battle in Julan City. There were several veterans in the Marshal's Mansion. Most of these people were damaged after retreating from the battlefield, and some economically capable Tang soldiers all supported their families.

Guo Fen cried and said, "What about later?"

At this time, Ma Xiaochun had already brought in two veterans who had experienced the battle in Julan City. When the two veterans saw Guo Julan, they carefully identified them. Although a few years later, Guo Julan's face did not change much. The two veterans finally shouted: "Ah, you... aren't you the little soldier who followed the old guard before his death?"

Guo Julan was tearful, and Guo Fen had no doubts at this point. He took Guo Julan's hand and asked, "What happened later? What happened later?"

Guo Julan asked Satuk to invite Guo Shidao to meet him, how Guo Shidao sorted out his clothes and went out to greet him, how Su Lai lured surrender, how Guo Shidao refused, and every word was almost out of the way. Guo Julan was originally quite dull, but after following Zanji in the past two years, he was always translating him, and slowly he was able to speak out, and now he painted the scene of that day, which almost made people feel as if they were in the situation.

When everyone in the house heard Guo Julan retell the words of Guo Shidao: "I am the Great Protector of Anxi, the governor of the four towns! How can I compare with the chief of the border desertification? Moreover, my descendants are rampant and powerful in the world are just around the corner! Then you will kneel down to worship him in the north. My Guo Shidao's head can be cut off and blood can flow. How can I lose the might of my descendants in vain when I die?"

Guo Fen couldn't help crying loudly, and Zhang Mai's tears also flowed down. Fu'an also shed a few tears after listening to it in the curtain, thinking: "Although the father's contribution to the Tiance Army is great, he is not as good as the foundation-making achievements of the Protector of the Emperor Guo to sacrifice his life for his country."

Zhang Mai was afraid that Guo Fen would cry and was slowly persuading him, so he stopped Guo Julan's narration.

The newly built Tiance Mansion is divided into two parts: front and back. The front office is in the back, and Shiba Shijian lives nearby. Guo Shiyong and Zheng Wei did not return to work in front. At this time, the news came out, and they were standing outside the door or entering the house, and they all persuaded each other.

Zhang Mai said to Guo Julan: "Little brother, you should retreat first, and then another day..."

"What to do next day!" Guo Fen cried: "Dad died for his country and everyone around him was 'accompanied'. Although several old uncles who were held down were seen, they were all far away. They were not seen or heard it clearly. Today, God sent this little brother to him, and that was to pass the message to his father." He held Guo Julan's hand and refused to let go, asking him to continue talking.

Zhang Mai said: "You can ask, but you have to collect your emotions. Don't make people cry."

Guo Fen tried hard to hold back his tears, but Guo Julan continued, but he was talking about Satuk's reaction. He told Satuk's words and said it directly in Uighur dialect. Guo Fen could understand it. An old soldier said, "It seems that this is the case, but I was far away at that time and didn't hear as clearly as this little brother."

At that time, the Tang army in Anxi was still very weak, which was completely inverted from its strong position today. Satuk was domineering. Seeing that Guo Shidao refused to surrender, he called him an old person who was ungrateful. Shi Jianshiba roared when he heard it. Guo Fen was sad and slowed down a little, and his hatred became stronger. He gritted his teeth and said to Zhang Mai: "If Satuk is honestly Zhang Huaizhong, I can't say anything for the overall situation, but now that he has lost his loyalty, you will have to get this head back for me sooner or later!"

Zhang Mai said: "Don't worry, I can't tolerate him without your words!"

Guo Julan continued to talk about how Guo Shidao recognized himself as his godson. He said that he "had raised nine children, six died, and only three adults. Now he was about to kill himself to serve the country, but a godson came to see me off." Guo Julan hesitated for a while, but he still said it straightforwardly. Guo Fen couldn't help but feel sad again. In the end, Guo Shidao actually asked Guo Julan to offer his head to Satuk so that Guo Julan could escape. Although this practice was cruel, it was also very consistent with his personality. Guo Fen asked: "Then did you listen to my father later?"

Guo Julan shook his head and said, "I was ignorant at that time. Seeing that his adoptive father was so kind to me, seeing that he was dead, I rushed up and didn't want to live anymore. I rushed up and fought, but was caught until I was exhausted. Later, Satuk defeated us all into war slaves, and we were separated from each other, and the others didn't know what happened. Because I looked like a Hu'er, I was arranged to herd sheep. They took a little relaxed care and I ran away. At that time, the road to Talas was relatively strict. I heard that General Yang Dingbang was in Xinxuye City..."

Guo Shiyong exclaimed and said, "Dingbang is in Xinzaoye City? Was this rumor there at that time?"

Guo Julan said: "That's not a rumor. At that time, Satuk sent two thousand fire seekers to chase him across the desert. Later, I heard that General Yang Dingbang was forced to go further northwest. But I just heard about it."

Guo Shiyong pondered: "It's groundless, there's a reason. So, Dingbang has indeed been active in the upper reaches of the Thunderbolt River. Humph! Satuk has surrendered to us for so long, but he never said this. Obviously, he had not planned to surrender since the beginning! Dingbang, Dingbang, since Satuk can send Holland and Huo Xunren to kill him from the upper reaches of the Thunderbolt River, I'm afraid...ah!"

He and Yang Dingbang were comrades-in-arms for decades. When he remembered that Yang Dingbang might have been killed by Satuk, he couldn't help but feel sad.

At that time, the Anxi Tang army was still just a group of thieves running around for Satuk. Before Zhang Mai obtained Shule, Satuk had not used it as an equal enemy. As for Guo Julan, it was even more worth mentioning to the Uighurs in Lingxi. However, although he escaped from Satuk, he was caught by Huoxun and sold it as a slave. After several resale, he sold it to Satuk. The young man gradually became cautious in his personality. From Talas to Huoxun tribe and then to Satuk, he suffered all the hardships in a few years, but he was thinking about one thing in his heart, that is, Guo Shidao's last instructions.

As the night gradually became deeper, Zanji first bid farewell and followed Shi Jian, Shiba Guo Shiyong and refused to leave. Guo Julan did not move. Zhang Mai asked Guo Julan: "What are your plans in the future?"

Before Guo Julan answered, Guo Fen said: "This is my fucking brother, and he will naturally live with me in the future."

Guo Julan said: "I was sold to Mr. Zanji by the previous master. Mr. Zanji treats me well. Even if I want to leave him, I have to give an explanation. Marshal, can you help me redeem myself?"

Guo Fen called Guo Lu Ge and said, "Go and tell Zanji that I want to redeem my brother Ju Lan. No matter what conditions he has to offer, I will agree." Guo Lu Ge agreed to go, and Zhang Mai asked Ma Xiaochun to find a residence for Guo Ju Lan first. Guo Ju Lan said, "Master, the old guardian has a few words to tell you before his death. I have been thinking about this for the past few years and are always afraid of forgetting it."

Zhang Mai said: "What's the matter?"

Guo Julan looked around and looked into the curtain again. At this time, there were many people in the room, and Fu'an was still there. Zhang Mai understood and said, "Come with me." He took him to the neighboring house and asked, "What do you mean by the old guard?"

"The Old Protector asked me to tell the Marshal a few words to atone for his sins, so I will follow the words of the Old Protector."

“This is the best.”

Guo Julan then imitated Guo Shidao's tone and said, "In recent years, we have been using an isolated city, remotely located in the northwest, to maintain the Han dynasty and unite people's hearts, so we have to emphasize the hatred of Hu and Han. However, when we really gain the upper hand in the future, there is no need to continue to be persistent. No matter where, whether it is, whether it is the Central Plains or the Western Regions, it is difficult to last forever. This is the truth I have learned during this period. I am very clear about the fact that Special Envoy Zhang has a set of opinions in his heart and may not listen to me. However, since he has realized something, he still hopes that he can know my last thoughts."

Zhang Mai was so sensible that he dispelled all doubts about Guo Julan's origin. Except for Guo Shidao, no one else could think of these words just now. Even if the wise man in the enemy is like Su Lai, it would be difficult to make up such reasonable but unexpected words under the current situation.

"The old man actually thinks this way..." Zhang Mai thought to himself: "The father-in-law's mind was not in chaos before his death, but he even forgot his hatred. This mind is really amazing. But his words are out of place today. Since Satuk betrayed me, I must get rid of it quickly!"

He was silent for a long time and said, "You will forget what Lao Dugu said from today."

Guo Julan replied: "Yes."

Ningyuan.

At this time, Guo Luo didn't know about Guo Julan. When Zanji's caravan passed by Ningyuan City, Guo Luo happened to be in the city. Even in the city, Guo Julan was a slave of a small foreign businessman, and it would not be easy to see him. If he relied on others to pass on the message, he would be afraid that "I am the godson of the old guard of Master Guo, and the god brother of Governor Guo Luo" - such words that were said by Guo Julan without any seal will only be ridiculed.

"Brother," Guo Bian said, "The Zhenzhu River is still frozen, and it seems that it will take another month to melt. What should we do? Should we join the army in Lian Dong?"

"Liang Dong's army?" Guo Luo shook his head: "No, it's useless."

"Why?" Guo Bian said: "Brother-in-law and Brother Yi and others have conquered thousands of miles of land every few months in the past two years. For a few years, we have not developed an inch of land. The brothers in the east have regarded us as bad as we! Even Yang Zhuo wrote a letter to mock me! Now the situation in the east has stabilized. If we don't take action, our brothers will have no shame to stay in Ningyuan!"

"Abian said it's right." Liu An brought He Chunshan into the outside, and Tang Renxiao came in with him. As Zhang Mai's former chief of the fire of guards, Tang Renxiao has been moving in the rear. He was only transferred from Shule to be Guo Luo's deputy two months ago. Regarding this arrangement, the Ningyuan military secretly understood what Zhang Mai meant - "The Marshal is probably urging Governor Guo to use troops."

But Guo Luo still shook his head: "It's very difficult."

"What's hard!" Guo Bian shouted: "When we were in Shule, there were only so many soldiers, and Satuk and the reinforcements of several major powers had so many soldiers! Just when people in the world thought we would definitely defeat the battle, we won! Now the east is stable, and it's time for us to take action!"

"You can't calculate this way." Guo Luo said: "Now the offensive and defensive momentum has changed. The battle is not counted. It depends on all conditions. It is not easy for the Uighurs to come, and it is difficult for us to go through it. It is even more difficult for the fortress to climb to the sky. As long as Satuk arranges three thousand soldiers to cut off the mountain road, it will be difficult for us to fly over even if we use ten times the strength. I failed to send troops to attack Julan City in surprise - from then on I knew that I didn't have to think about it. Of course, Satuk wanted to fight, but not break through from us. The way to use troops is to avoid the real and attack the virtual. Yar was seen too tightly. If you want to attack with force, unless you have more than five times the strength, and you may not be able to succeed. It is not worth fighting with such a high price and a small success."

"But Dong has had a bad reputation recently," Liu An said: "If we don't do anything, I'm afraid the situation will be very unfavorable to us."

"We?" Guo Luo said: "Liu Sima, who do you mean by us? Do you refer to the entire Tiance Tang Army, or our Ningyuan Front Army?"

Liu An didn't answer. In fact, his meaning was very obvious and everyone understood it.

Guo Luo said: "As a border general, what I fear most is to make inappropriate choices to cater to the center's will. If I try my best to attack Yaer, I can indeed reverse the reputation of Liangzhou on us, and even take the opportunity to expand the authority of our Ningyuan Army, but I will not do this." He emphasized his tone and said: "Because I think that is not the most suitable way. My decision is not to think about myself, not to think about our Guo family, but to think about our Tiance Army's career! Maybe the marshal's idea is not much the same as mine now..." He glanced at Tang Renxiao, but did not hide his thoughts: "But I still stick to my opinion."

Guo Bian said: "But if the troops are not moved, will you continue to be so stiff?"

"I won't be so stiff." Guo Luo said: "Satuk will be more anxious than us, and he will soon take action. But at this time I will be more stable."

"It's still stable?" Guo Bian was a little confused and even doubted Guo Luo's decision. Will this elder brother have not been in war for too long and will he not be able to fight?

Guo Luo suddenly asked He Chunshan and said, "Saman side seems not very calm recently."

"Yes." He Chunshan said: "There are some radical Tianfang disciples making trouble, and I heard that there are some such Tianfang disciples in the west supporting them. In recent years, Saman has been engaged in business with us, and the wealthy businessmen have made a lot of money. Saman's treasury has also become much richer, but the lives of the poor have not changed much, and they have even become worse, so there are great reasons among the people."

Guo Luo said: "I also heard that some radical Tianfang disciples have great opinions on the orthodox Tianfang disciples. Is this true that Naiser II abandoned the sacred responsibility given to him by the True God and made the holy land of Tianfang in the East shrink continuously? "

In the past 100 years, the Tianfang Cult has been invading east, from North Africa to the Pamir Mountains, and its sphere of influence was its sphere of influence. The religious vanguards even spread to the Hexi area. In the past decade, under the shade of Satuk, the Tianfang Cult in Shule and Shache areas have also overwhelmed Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and Manichaeism, gradually gained the utmost momentum in the Western Regions. Fans in the Tianfang world even look forward to the green flags along the Tianshan Mountains and Kunlun to the Middle Earth!

However, after the rise of the Tang army in Anxi, the attempt of Tianfang Cult to advance east was greatly hit. To the east of Shule, the old view of ruled by secular regimes and Buddhism as the main religion was restored. It was west of the Pamir Mountains, and religious freedom became more and more popular. The rulers of Saman established diplomatic relations with Anxi for pragmatic considerations. Although this opened up the wealth of the dynasty and brought peace between the Tianfang World and the Tang World, it angered the radicals in the Tianfang Cult, and even some of the orthodox people became very dissatisfied with Naiser II.

However, He Chunshan didn't think so: "The so-called religious reason may be just a sign of wizard." He said: "In the end, Nesser II failed to solve the internal problems, so his people used this to vent their venting."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple." Guo Luo said: "Tianfang is a great country that can stand together with my Tang Dynasty. The power of the Tianfang Sect is also hard to see. The rich and poor may be a problem, but as long as anything is related to the Tianfang Sect, it will never be clear enough to understand. Now it is obvious that there is a force restless. If Satuk adds the fuel, I think it will take a year to be late, and as short as several months to Kuba, there may be problems. At this time, we should probably think about opening up another trade route..."

He Chunshan said: "The governor means..."

"To the south, there is a trade road leading to India." Guo Luo took out a map copied from Zhang Mai's map atlas: "Here!"

The place Guo Luo refers to had no name in this era, but it was an important three-way intersection. In terms of today's geographical location, it is generally located between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Going westward to the sea-to-the-sea road to the south of the Persian Plateau, you can lead to the Persian Gulf, Egypt, and a branch of the Silk Road. To the southeast, you will enter another ancient country - the headless but extremely wealthy Indian world.

"In the past year, Indian merchants have begun to come to Ningyuan. Some have also taken a detour from the southern part of the Persian Highlands. However, this road is not very peaceful and there are quite separatist along the way, unlike Saman who is basically unified under a regime." Guo Luo said: "So I want to send someone south to see if I can open up the road to India."
Chapter completed!