Pick all the cold branches

There was a moment of silence facing each other, the two were thinking about their own thoughts, and neither of them spoke again.

Suddenly, there was another humming sound.

"Zhen Xian! It turned out that you turned the corner and called me an 'ignorant villain'!" Batu Mengke rushed forward angrily, with the anger of being tricked.

Suge Bala immediately jumped up, grabbed Batu Mengke by the bridle of his horse, and said something quickly in Mongolian.

Batu Mengke didn't say anything anymore, but when he got off his horse, his face was still dark, and he glared at Zhen Xian angrily. He threw a Mongolian translation of "The Analects of Confucius" on the ground with one hand, and clutched the horsewhip with the other. , Even the joints are rattling.

Zhen Xian raised his head to look at the little Tatar prince, but there was no emotion on his face.The "Analects of Confucius" was folded by Batu Mengke and lay in the mud and wood ash. He sighed secretly, picked up the book, brushed off the dust, and smoothed it out carefully. He said in a slow voice: "I'm just saying that only heaven and earth are eternal in this world. No matter you, me or anyone else, they are just passers-by between heaven and earth." Speaking of "little man" does not mean the same thing, but he is too lazy to argue in detail.

But Batu Mengke was still very excited, and he couldn't even speak Chinese smoothly, and shouted with a Mongolian accent: "Passer? Open your eyes and see clearly. To this day, this vast and fertile land is still for me. All, even 'your' Central Plains, even the heaven and earth were once in the hands of my ancestors! These great achievements are immortal!"

Zhen Xian was still sitting on the ground at first, unexpectedly, but upon hearing this, he stood up abruptly. "Great achievements? Are you talking about the barbaric, chaotic and bloody dictatorship that lasted less than a hundred years? People were devastated, blood flowed like rivers, rituals collapsed, civilizations collapsed, killing people from east to west, not treating people as people, you are still very Aren’t you proud?” The peaceful eyes finally burst into an angry light, and the brows that were originally slightly frowned were deeply furrowed in the repeated questioning, and the proud look was ignited, and even the sword that was close to the body was killed.He stared closely at Batu Mengke's eyes, which were full of vitality and fearless murderousness, and suddenly he chuckled lightly, and then asked, "You also open your eyes and look at the present, are you really eternal?"

In an instant, Batu Mengke's pupils tightened, and his sharp ruthlessness soared.Almost subconsciously, he grabbed Zhen Xian by the front and raised the whip in his hand.

Brother Su let out an exclamation, threw himself on his brother's arm, and anxiously uttered a long string of Mongolian words.

Zhen Xian vaguely heard that she was persuading peace.Of course he knew that it was pointless to argue with Batu Mengke.Even, Batu Mengke could beat him to death directly with a whip, and it would do him no good to provoke the little prince.He just, hearing such words, it is really difficult to continue to remain calm without saying a word.

Xu Shi was dragged tightly by his sister, but Batu Mengke couldn't stop him after all. After calming down for a while, his voice was still full of resentment.He asked Zhen Xian: "According to what you say, what are you doing? Anyway, everything is a cloud of smoke, blown away by the wind, and will die one day. What are you still insisting on? What else is there to be persistent about?"

persist in.persistent.Now, such words fall into the ears, reflecting this situation, it is simply full of mixed tastes.Zhen Xian was silent for a long time, his eyes gradually darkened, and the agitation that boiled in an instant subsided again, which settled into the deep and quiet tenacity in his voice, "It is true that death is the end of everything, but since you are still alive, there is always meaning in being alive. Everyone has their own aspirations and needs. I know that I can't change your pursuit, but it's even more impossible for me to agree and support you instigating wars, bloodbathing mountains and rivers, and trampling on my compatriots and my country! Your pursuit violates my morality .That's all, you don't understand?"

Hearing this, Batu Mengke seemed to be stunned for a long time, snorted coldly, raised his head and let go while grabbing Zhen Xian's hand, "I don't have as many nonsense as you. But listen carefully, I Batu Mengke is a descendant of the golden family, this most fertile grassland is mine! And sooner or later the world lost by my family will be mine, I want to take it back, and then pass it on to my descendants, from generation to generation Pass it on! If you don't help me, just wait here obediently and watch!"

Zhen Xian chuckled, and closed his eyes, "Zhen Xian is just a small person, the prince doesn't need to be so angry with me."

But hearing the word "Prince", the fire in Batu Mengke's heart surged up again, and it was useless to beat and scold. He didn't know how to vent it, so he had to grab his hair and stomp his feet in annoyance. Hate: "Your emperor didn't give you a festival, what did you learn from 'Su Wu Shepherd'?"

Zhen Xian didn't even look at him, he just looked at the long grass in the distance, let out a long breath softly, "I haven't learned anything, I'm just being myself."

"Then just be yourself! Don't blame me for not reminding you first!" Batu Mengke snorted again with a gloomy face, dropped this sentence, turned around and left.

"Wait." Seeing this, Zhen Xian called out to stop him.He knew Batu Mengke's temperament, and it was obvious that he hadn't finished talking and got into an awkward situation, waiting for him to question.This little prince is still a child at heart, but his cruel methods are extremely rare. If he ignores it, some bloody and evil things will happen if he doesn't keep it safe.He doesn't have the same knowledge as this kind of kid.Zhen Xian thought helplessly, so he could only ask: "What do you want to do again?"

Immediately, Batu Mengke's eyes flashed again, and his face became a little pale again, "What are you doing? I snatched a 'little prince' from the south from Wala this morning," he said deliberately. "Little Prince", he spoke emphatically, while sizing up Zhen Xian's expression, he turned around and brought his face closer, "I originally planned to call you to see him, but now I've changed my mind."

"What do you mean?" Zhen Xian was startled, his voice became hurried, and he subconsciously grabbed Batu Mengke's sleeve.

Rare encounter.Batu Mengke looked down at the slender hand.Even though he has been in this windy and sandy pasture for so long, this man still looks like a southerner, with delicate eyebrows and eyes, a thin body, and ivory-colored skin...why?Is it true that this person will never change?Heh, how is it possible that even Yun Tian on the top of Daqing Mountain can be trampled by him, let alone alone?There is no endless road in the world, and there is nothing that cannot be conquered.Batu Mengke thought about it, and there seemed to be an unknown fire in his heart, but the light in his eyes gradually became extremely cold, and fell into the smile overflowing from the corner of his lips, "Do you need me to say it again? Your emperor's son is here now. In my hand, what should I do with him? Why not just throw it to the wolves." After speaking, he swung Zhen Xian away, jumped on the horse, whipped and left.

Pushed by him, Zhen Xian staggered and almost fell to the ground, his heart suddenly jumped in panic, and then sank into the bottomless abyss again.

Batu Mengke is a gambler by nature, but he never cheats on others.What was he talking about then?Who did he... catch again?

Your Highness... Your Highness... Could it be...

Almost instinctively, the first thing Zhen Xian thought of was Jiafei.

But he dismissed the idea immediately.

impossible.Not to mention this His Highness, even if any of the other princes suddenly ran to such a place and were taken captive by the Tatars, it is almost impossible, not to mention... Shouldn't that person be in Beijing at this time? Is the down-to-earth holy family strong?

Yes, that is absolutely impossible, obviously we will never meet again in this lifetime.

Regardless of who was kidnapped by the little Tatar prince, he had to go and see.

Thinking like this, Zhen Xiancai gradually heaved a sigh of relief, and when he came back to his senses, he saw that Brother Su was looking at him with a worried expression on his face. "Don't worry too much, I will help you." The girl said to him with her eyes.He forced a smile, and walked towards Batu Mengke's golden tent.

In front of the Ordo surrounded by precious stones and golden flowers, torches are flickering, the voices of people and horses, the howling of wolves and the barking of dogs have turned into a scorching noise.

Several half-length big men are forcing someone into an iron cage.The man's head was almost pushed into the mud. He couldn't see his face, but he could only vaguely see that he was a young man from his figure. Compared with those big muscular Tatar men, he was as weak as a baby bird, but he was still tenacious. He resisted desperately, pressed against the iron cage doorpost, and refused to give in no matter what, arousing bursts of teasing ridicule.

Sure enough, he was just a child.Sure enough not.

Zhen Xian saw it from a distance, and the heart that was hanging still unconsciously returned to its original place.But he immediately woke up from this eccentric cold-bloodedness.It turns out that only one person's life is fate, but the lives of others are not?What a goddam idea!He immediately regretted it, and quickly turned his eyes away, only to see Batu Mengke sitting high on a chair with a wolf's head hanging on it, as if he was enjoying the show in front of him, but those eyes were actually staring at himself Yes, full of joy of success.

Zhen Xian was very familiar with this expression, so he had no choice but to step forward and say, "Don't die innocently, Wala just finds a child to lie to you that he is the prince of the Holy Dynasty, and you really believe it."

"Wala may be deceiving, but the scepter and writing disc bestowed by your emperor will not be deceiving, right?" Batu Mengke was prepared, raised his head and snorted quite complacently, and threw a golden thing on the Zhen Yin's feet.

It was a bronzing disc, the coiled Nine Dragon scale pattern on the cover and the clear "Royal" character in the center of the Gai heart, which fully demonstrated the meaning it symbolized.

This is actually the official copy of the imperial envoy!If it is true, then this captive child...

Zhen Xian was startled, leaned over to pick up the disc and opened it, it caught fire, and suddenly, he saw the red seal on the inside saying:

Jiashou, the seventh son of the imperial envoy, went to the two prefectures of Yingshuo to investigate and patrol the herds on behalf of Tian...

Just looking at the opening strokes, Zhen Xian's heart was shaken, he quickly stepped forward, pushed the two Tatar men away, and helped the young man up.

The child seemed to be a little confused by fright, and was just struggling wildly by instinct. Suddenly, he saw a Han man who was completely different from those big Tatar men coming to help him, and he hugged him in a hurry, almost hitting him. He had to bury his face in Zhen Xian's chest.

"Your Highness Seventh? Is it really His Highness Seventh?" Zhen Xian asked softly.

Perhaps this title was too familiar, the child trembled all over, and turned his head up to meet Zhen Xian's eyes and showed his face.

Even if there is no response, it is the default.

The face in front of me had been stained black and blue with mud and blood, but there were no tears, and the brows and eyes were still clean, too bright to be covered by dust.Such a face, such a demeanor, such a familiar appearance, so resembling, so resembling Jiafei who was only ten years old back then, that when Setsuna was surprised, he almost mistook him.

In an instant, Zhen Xian's mind went blank, and even his pupils couldn't help shrinking. It took him a long time to say something: "Your Highness, it's fine, don't be afraid." As he spoke, he retracted his arms, and wrapped the child tightly in his arms .His throat was dry and tight, and he felt a burning pain. He took deep breaths several times, trying his best to calm down the hot blood rolling in his chest. He wanted to say something, but suddenly, he felt that there was nothing to say, so Then he turned his head away and looked at Batu Mengke quietly.

Those were eyes that Batu Mengke had never seen before, beyond the scope of any human or beast he knew, without murderous aura, hostility, hatred, or sadness, as if there was nothing, but it was so full , full of solemnity that he could not understand.Immediately, as if he had been drenched with a bucket of cold water, he jumped up in a jerk. "You want me to let him go?" He stared at Zhen Xian with a sullen face, annoyed for no reason, and even his voice became ignorant and gloomy.

Zhen Xian still looked at Batu Mengke and didn't answer.

It wasn't originally a question he was entitled to "want" or "don't want to".

This child is the Seventh Prince of the Holy Dynasty, the old treasure of His Majesty the Emperor, if a hair is damaged, it will never be so easy to let it go, it must be a disaster caused by the flames of war and blood flowing like rivers.Anyone who still has some scruples about common sense will know that the child should be sent back beard and tail.But Batu Mengke is the most ignorant of common sense.Thinking about it, Zhen Xian was helpless, and had to sigh: "Don't think that you can take the opportunity to be fierce because it is difficult for the flooded army in Xia Xun to cross the north to fight. Why don't you understand that you must provoke war to be reconciled?"

Batu Mengke didn't pay any attention to his persuasion, just pushed forward blindly, and asked again: "Do you want me to let him go?"

Zhen Xian frowned and stared at him, but didn't answer.

Batu Mengke lost his patience, stamped his feet irritably and yelled in Mongolian.

Immediately, a few Tatar warriors rushed up, yelling. They couldn't understand what they were saying, but they could understand the barking of the dog they were holding.

They were hounds bred on the grassland to clear the way to help in the war. There was a Taiga Naohai with black tiger stripes, and a mastiff covered in bristles. It was twice as tall as the guard dog in the Middle Earth, and its fangs Claws are indistinguishable from wolves.When he was still in the pass, Zhen Xian had heard that the Tatar dogs were powerful enough to kill a leopard.And in the four years in this vast sea of ​​grass, he has seen too many times how Batu Mengke released these ferocious wolf dogs to chase and bite the defeated Wala general who had betrayed the Jinzhang family.

Now, the sturdy king of the grassland released these bloodthirsty beasts again, but he wanted to deal with a defenseless child.

Immediately, Zhen Xian couldn't hold back the anger that filled his heart anymore, and he straightened up and shouted: "Batu Mengke!" What can be said, what has been said, and what has not been said, all speak loudly in this one name.

Batu Mengke's heart shook for a moment, and he bit the man in front of him to death with more and more serious eyes.Being scolded by a Han man like this, it stands to reason that he should drag him out immediately, chop him up and feed him to the dogs, in order to maintain his majesty as the king of the prairie.However, the undercurrent in my heart is not running in such an upright direction at all.

Why is this man still talking with such an air?She has already been reduced to a prisoner, and she has lost all her strength, but she still looks proud and high-spirited. Where does this full confidence come from?Is he really not afraid?

wrong.He is actually afraid.He was clearly terrified, that's why he hid his fear so tightly.Only by peeling off that layer of camouflage, digging out that fearful heart and throwing it in front of everyone can force him to bow his head and prostrate.

In an instant, Batu Mengke's eyes lit up in the flames, like wolf eyes locked on their prey, filled with shadows.He leaned forward, the tip of his nose almost touched Zhen Xian's hairline.Those soft black hairs, which are far different from the thick and hard braids of grassland people, seem to be soaked in the breath of fragrant grass, which more and more stimulates the desire to conquer in the depths of the soul.

There was no time when it was clearer than at this moment, Batu Mengke realized that he had a strong desire to make the man in front of him obey him and compromise.

Thinking of that pleasing scene, he grinned, looked down into Zhen Xian's eyes with a gesture of winning, and said word by word: "As long as you promise me three conditions, and you do it, I will take care of you." Let him go back. Otherwise, I will let you see whether your little prince runs faster or my dog ​​runs faster."

This is not a fair and reciprocal exchange, but the threat of no choice.Zhen Xian's eyes flickered for a moment, and he blocked the person who was still holding on to his Jiashou tightly behind him, took a step back, pushed away Batu Mengke's oppression, and asked in a deep voice, "What do you want?"

Batu Mengke nodded slightly, staring at Zhen Xian, his eyes flickering, as if he was weighing the conditions and bargaining chips back and forth, for a long time, suddenly he had to pull out his waist knife and walked towards the lamb roasting on the fire.A mischievous smile appeared on his face again, he tore off a fat leg of lamb with a few knives, brought it to Zhen Xian, and ordered: "You give me the whole leg of lamb first!"