After breakfast, we began to dismantle the tent and pack up. After packing up the bags, most of the morning passed. After reorganizing our troops, we marched towards Jiameng Pass. Before we reached the pass, we saw Uncle Liu Bei, Mister Zhuge, Zhang Fei and the others standing in front of Jiameng Pass to welcome us. When his uncle saw them, he jumped off his horse from afar and quickly walked towards Liu Bei's uncle. Uncle Liu Bei also led his men towards us. Finally, his uncle's big hands held Liu Bei's big hands. Liu Bei's uncle shook his uncle's arm. His eyes were filled with tears as he choked,
"Meng Qi, it's been many years since we last met.”
Uncle Liu was also a little touched. He shook Uncle Liu's hand and said,
"Lord Xuande, please forgive me for being late.”
When I heard this, my heart skipped a beat. In history, my uncle was born into a mixed-blood Qiang and Han family. He grew up in Xiliang, where etiquette was not very important. It could be said that he treated people sincerely, but he was a little too rough and did not pay much attention to his language. After defecting to Liu Bei, he relied on his previous good relationship with Liu Bei and his higher position in the Han court before defecting to Liu Bei. He addressed Liu Bei as " Lord Xuande " many times instead of the " Lord " that he should have, causing Liu Guanzhang to be disgusted and suspicious. Once, Second Master Guan Yu and Third Master Zhang Fei even wanted to kill him because of the way he addressed him. From then on, Uncle Ma Chao no longer addressed Liu Bei as he used to, but it also caused him to be idle until he died. Today, although uncle is not seeking refuge with uncle Liu Bei, his power should still be far weaker than uncle Liu Bei. I'm really worried about uncle Liu Bei's reaction by calling him uncle Liu Bei like this. I stared at Uncle Liu Bei and saw that his expression did not change at all. There was only a flash of sharpness in his eyes. It was Third Master Zhang Fei who glared at Uncle.
After the greetings, Uncle Liu Bei introduced the officials of Jiameng Pass who had come to welcome him, such as Mister Zhuge, Wei Yan, Meng Da, Huo Jun, Li Hui, and so on. Uncle Liu Bei also greeted them one by one. As a child like me, I wasn't interested in these scenes at all, but I didn't want to disturb them. I could only patiently wait for them to finish their small talk. Finally, it was over. Uncle Liu Bei held his uncle's hand and led the way into Jiameng Pass. We all followed them in. The 10,000 Western Liang cavalrymen also followed behind in an orderly manner. Mr. Zhuge arranged for us, my brothers, my mother, and Xiahou Yuan to stay in a special courtyard to prevent any news of Xiahou Yuan from leaking out and attracting the attention of Cao Cao's spies. The Western Liang soldiers were also arranged to rest in a special place in Jiameng Pass. The two uncles have gone to Uncle Liu Bei's place to discuss matters. I am still a child. I have Mr. Zhuge to take care of me. I'm not going to participate. Mr. Zhuge has given me homework, so I have to work hard to finish it.
Uncle and the others didn't stay in the same courtyard as us. I didn't know what they talked about, but very quickly, on the second day, we left the camp and headed south. We all followed. Zhang Bao had already been summoned by his father, and Xiahou Yuan had been handed over to Zhang Fei and Uncle Liu Bei to handle. Guan Xing is still with me. Ping Wang, we will follow Mister Zhuge. Mother will go with Uncle. Uncle will bring people to take care of her. Actually, her martial arts are so powerful that not many people can withstand her attacks. There were not many generals on her uncle's side, so she said that she could just be considered a general on her uncle's side. However, we agreed that we would still be together when we went to bed at night. We didn't feel comfortable without seeing our mother.
After passing through Jiameng Pass, after walking for only half a day, the mountain became steeper and steeper. Looking at the current, we were going against the river. We were now passing through a valley. On the left was the rushing river, and on the right was the winding mountain road that clung to the mountain wall. Occasionally, he could see exposed weathered rocks on the mountain. There were small and large rocks. When the wind blew at the top of the mountain, they swayed and looked like they were about to fall. Mr. Zhuge told me that when it rains heavily, some of these stones will be washed down with the rain, and along with the mud, they will bury the mountain road, making it difficult for people to pass through. They can only dig up and rebuild the road. The river gradually slowed down, and the water became narrower. There was a bridge in a very flat area. After crossing another bridge, I think it was called Yuejiawan Bridge. I didn't see the inscription clearly, but I had already followed the army over. Looking at the sun, I corrected my direction. I was a little confused after walking around in the mountains. I asked Mr. Zhuge and knew that we should be heading south now. It was another difficult plank road. On the right side of the road was a high mountain peak. It was very steep. The mountain range also meandered down to the south. The road we took was halfway up the mountain. Mr. Zhuge told me that this is the Motian Ridge. Few locals can climb it, and it is said that they can touch the sky from the top of the mountain. I was also laughing in my heart. Could it be higher than Mount Everest? However, although Mr. Zhuge was well-informed, no one knew about the mountain. No one would believe him even if he told them. As they spoke, they didn't feel tired. The sun was already setting in the west, but the army didn't stop and kept moving forward. Mr. Zhuge said that this was because this part of the road was mountainous and there was no way to set up camp even if they stopped. They could only work harder today and walk more. After crossing a mountain pass called Swords Gate, there would be a place for the army to rest. Traveling through the mountains, if it was a vacation, coming here from a plain would be very refreshing and the scenery could be considered beautiful. However, walking on this kind of road every day would be tiring. It took me half a month to get here from Western Liang. I'm already a little tired of this temper of mine. Mr. Zhuge was talking to Wang Ping. Wang Ping was a geography expert and knew almost everything about this road, which surprised Mr. Zhuge. I told Mr. Zhuge,
"Master, Wang Ping is known for his knowledge of Xichuan geography. There is almost nothing he doesn't know. I relied on him to avoid many detours when I went to Ji City.”
Mr. Zhuge didn't believe it, so he tested Wang Ping on the geography of Xichuan. Wang Ping spoke with confidence, and Mr. Zhuge nodded. Looking at his thirsty eyes, I knew that he wanted to take Wang Ping in, so I said,
"Master, Wang Ping is skilled in both literature and martial arts. He was once the commander of the Tai Hu Battalion in Western Liang and is very talented in leading. Are you trying to poach him over?"
Master Zhuge was slightly embarrassed, but he still nodded. He didn't want to be polite with his disciple. I could only say,
"Master, a forced melon is not sweet. Let's follow Wang Ping's wishes.”
"Alright."
Master nodded and immediately asked Wang Ping for his opinion. Wang Ping also heard what we said and hesitated for a moment before saying,
"Mr. Zhuge, Mr. Zhao and Mr. Zhao are going to learn from General Zhao. I don't want to join the army officially before I become an artist. However, Mister is Young Master Zhao's master. If you have any instructions, I will do my best to do it without hesitation.”
Listen, Wang Ping, you made my master suffer. Mr. Zhuge heard what Wang Ping said and was helpless. However, he didn't give up. He discussed with me and Wang Ping. Since my father had been following his army, Wang Ping would lend him some time to help his men familiarize themselves with the geography of the mountains and rivers in the west and the north. He would make a sand table first. Since Master said so, I couldn't do anything. I could only agree with Wang Ping. However, Ping Wang still told Mr. Zhuge that he would go and learn some skills after completing the sand table. Master naturally agreed, but I didn't have much hope. Jingzhou was also borrowed by Mister Zhuge. Do you think he will return it to Sun Quan? Don't you think that Master is the kind of person who suffers losses?
As I walked, my horse walked steadily. I sat on it and swayed back and forth. It felt like I was lying in a cradle. I was a little dazed and sleepy. Suddenly, Ping Wang said,
"Young master, don't be confused. Swords Gate is right ahead.”
I quickly opened my eyes wide and saw that Swords Gate was located at the middle of the mountain. On both sides of the mountain, there were cliffs and cliffs that reached straight into the clouds. The steep cliff is broken off, and the two walls face each other, shaped like a door. Wang Ping and my master told me that this mountain is called Greatsword Mountain, so many people call it Swords Gate. Wang Ping also told me about the surrounding peaks, including the 72 peaks of the Big and Small Sword Mountains, the Immortal Peak Temple, the Cuiping Peak, the Zhaobi Peak, the Leigong Gorge, the Fairy Bridge, the Jade Maiden Peak, the Big and Small Piercing Holes, the Sacrificial Cliff, the Line of Heaven, the Stalagmite Peak, and so on. To the east of Swords Gate, the peak of the mountain was not high, but it was very flat. It would not be a problem to build some fortifications, and one could overlook Swords Gate. If they used arrows or catapults to block this passage, it would be difficult for people to pass through. On the west side of Swords Gate, there was a steep cliff with a slope of nearly 80 degrees, and there was even a rapid river on the surface. It would be a dream for the army to climb up and go around this place. Even a fool could tell. This place stood tall and steep. It was the only way to enter Sichuan by dry road. It was the throat of Sichuan. It was the barrier to the north of Sichuan and the throat of the two rivers. Moreover, if we build a pass, we can only use a long boardwalk to pass through. However, if we build a city here, I don't think we need any city walls. Just a big pass can block the road. It can be said that this place is extremely dangerous. Mr. Zhuge also told me a story. It was said that during the Warring States Period, King Hui of Qin wanted to conquer Shu, but he had no way to enter Shu. He lied that he gave the King of Shu five golden bulls and five beautiful women. The King of Shu believed it and sent five strong men to split the mountain to open the way. They entered Qin to meet the beautiful women and transport the golden bulls. Only then did they open this Shu road. Therefore, this place was also called the "Golden Bull Road". When we arrived at Swords Gate, I suggested to Master,"
"Master, this place is easy to defend but hard to attack. In the future, you can build a pass city here.”
His master smiled.
"Tong 'er, after we pacify Xichuan, master will definitely ask the lord to build another pass.”
I also suddenly understood. In my previous life, there were people who said that Jiameng Pass was Sword Gate Pass."Jiameng Pass" was its proper name, while "Sword Gate Pass" was its misread name. The two were the same thing, the same place. Now, it seemed that the two were actually not the same thing. They were two different places. Jiameng Pass was built in front, and Sword Gate Pass was built behind. Besides, we took such a long time to get to Swords Gate from Jiameng Pass, which means that this is not the same place. Master also told me that Jiameng Pass belongs to Zhaohua County. I have also estimated that Jiameng Pass is in Wuhua Li, north of Zhaohua Town, Yuanba District, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province. Sword Gate Pass was about 20 kilometers southwest of Jiameng Pass, belonging to Guangyuan Jiange County. The reason why we took so long to get here was because that was a straight line distance, and this was the actual walking distance.
Sigh, at least we've passed Swords Gate, I'm exhausted, I'll set up camp to rest.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。