轰——

The rain fell, and lightning flashed across the somber sky.

It was early summer, and the mountains around Lüliang and Hengshan were shrouded in heavy rain. The rugged terrain of the mountain gorges, with their low trees, shrubs, and exposed earth and rock, were all enveloped in a gray, misty downpour.

A seemingly insignificant group of figures trudged slowly through the rain on the mountainside.

The roads were difficult to navigate in this area near the main range of the Lüliang Mountains, and in many places, there were no roads at all. The group moving through the mountains consisted of about thirty or forty people, most of them carrying loads on shoulder poles. They were all wearing rain capes, and the loads looked heavy, suggesting they were traveling merchants.

The Northwest was desolate and the people were tough, but during the Western Army's defense, there were at least some roads to travel on. To gather food for the border guards, the imperial court had required civilians to deliver their annual grain taxes to the army's camps. Thus, travel throughout the Northwest was relatively convenient. However, now that the Western Xia had returned and captured several major cities that had been defended by the Zhong family army, and even carried out several massacres, the situation outside had become complicated.

Qin You-shi was the leader of this group. He was originally a merchant from the northwest of Pingyang. At the end of the previous year, he had gone to the Bao'an Army area to sell winter clothes and bring some valuable goods like private salt, intending to exchange them for goods at the border. The Western Xia's attack on Yanzhou trapped him on the road. Although the heavy snow had started to block the mountains, the eastern region was plagued by war, making it impossible to travel. He was stranded in nearby villages for months, and the overall situation in the Northwest was a complete mess.

The flames of war spread and continued to expand. Not long ago, Qin You-shi heard that Commander Zhong Lie had returned to fight, but had still lost to the Western Xia's "Hooked Horse" (拐子马). The Western Army soldiers scattered, and the Western Xia rampaged everywhere. He saw many people fleeing after the cities were captured, and after inquiring around, he finally decided to risk traveling east.

The Central Plains were already a disaster. It was said that the Jurchens had captured Bianliang City and wreaked havoc for months, leaving the capital in ruins. Now, the Western Xia had pushed past Hengshan, and the world was about to undergo a major change. Although most refugees were fleeing west or south, Qin You-shi and his group could not. Pingyang, Gengzhou, and other places were to the east, and the Western Xia had not yet reached them.

Their families were still there.

The Northwest was a place of constant war, but since the Western Army had become strong, their area had been peaceful for many years. Now that the Western Xia had come, they did not know how they would treat the locals. Whether they fled or became subjects, they had to return to reunite with their families first.

The Western Xia army had captured Qingjian, Yanzhou, and other places, and were now beginning to threaten the surrounding areas. However, the Northwest was vast, and the Western Xia could not control all the territory. As the snow melted and the ice thawed, more and more people began to flee their homes, heading south, north, east, and west. Qin You-shi inquired around and began to travel east with a large amount of goods and his merchant associates that he had stored up during the winter. By this time, there were already many Western Xia troops operating in the east, and the group moved slowly, dodging and hiding. Later, they wanted to venture into the mountains, which were usually difficult to traverse, and that was when they encountered the two strange young men ahead of the group.

To start from the beginning, the Northwest region was deeply indebted to the Western Army, especially the Zhong family, and the men of the Northwest were grateful and extremely honorable. When the army attacked, fierce battles and resistance took place in Qingjian City, Yanzhou City, and other places. Although it was ultimately futile, even when the defeated soldiers and refugees scattered, many righteous men organized themselves, intending to fight against the Western Xia army.

As a result, during that winter, many rumors and stories of righteous and heroic men spread among the fleeing refugees. So-and-so fought and sacrificed himself against the Western Xia infantry while fleeing, so-and-so refused to flee and perished with the city, or so-and-so gathered hundreds of brave men and intended to fight the Western Xia. These rumors were sometimes true and sometimes false, and one of them was quite strange.

It was said that after Qingjian and Yanzhou were captured, refugees scattered, and the Western Xia soldiers chased and looted them all the way. However, a unit emerged from the mountains and covered the refugees' escape. During the winter when the mountains were blocked by heavy snow, they even helped some refugees who had no wealth left, giving them some food to help them escape. In fact, it was not unusual for scattered troops or Green Forest heroes to do these things. What was strange about this unit was that they asked people to write two characters.

It was said that after rescuing people, this unit would say some nonsense, the general meaning of which might be that everyone was a Chinese descendant (华夏子民) and should help each other. This sentence was upright and proper, so it was nothing special. But after that, they would often take out a notebook and ask people to write the two characters "Huaxia" (华夏), meaning Chinese Civilization. If they couldn't write, it didn't matter, they would teach them to write the two characters.

Imagine, after a city was captured, on the snowy mountains piled high with snow, the army rescued refugees and then asked them to hold branches and write two characters in the snow - no matter how you thought about it, this scene was strange. But that's how the rumors were, vague and unclear. In such an environment, people often said things carelessly, and they were often unreliable. Qin You-shi had vaguely heard this story twice and dismissed it as nonsense. Although he later heard some versions, such as that this unit was a rebel army of the Martial Dynasty, or that this unit was a direct descendant of the Zhong family, or a general of the Zhe family, he basically didn't bother to investigate.

However, just as they were about to enter the mountains, they accidentally merged with a fleeing group. Two people saw that they were inquiring about mountain roads and actually came over, saying that they could show them the way. Qin You-shi was not traveling abroad for the first time. He understood the principle that there was no free lunch, but during the conversation, the young man who was leading asked a question: "Can you read? Can you write the two characters *Huaxia* (华夏)?"

Qin You-shi immediately thought of that rumor.

At that time, the Western Xia were blocking the surrounding roads. Qin You-shi didn't have many choices. Although he didn't agree verbally, the two sides still met after entering the mountains. Qin You-shi's men were all tough men who traveled in the Northwest, and most of them carried weapons. He made everyone vigilant and contacted the other party several times before they traveled together.

For Qin You-shi, this was a gamble out of desperation. If he wanted to go home, he didn't have a guide for the time being, and he couldn't just wander around in these desolate mountains for months with his group. He recalled those rumors and felt that these two people didn't seem like the kind of strongmen who would lure people into the mountains and then rob them. After a few conversations, he learned that the other party also had the background of Green Wood Stronghold (青木寨).

Lüliang Green Wood Stronghold (吕梁青木寨) was quite famous among the merchants in the Northwest. But the young man who led the two seemed to be a foreigner. This man was named Zhuo Xiao-feng, and he carried a large knife on his back. He was usually kind and talkative. Combining several conversations and recalling some fragmented rumors he had heard, Qin You-shi organized some clues in his mind.

In the second half of last year, a rebel assassinated the emperor and raised troops to rebel. Although the Northwest was not greatly affected, it seemed that this army had entered this mountain. It seemed that they had also come out in winter and fought with the Western Xia army several times, rescuing some people. After learning this, Qin You-shi felt a little relieved. He might have been a little afraid of the rebels who assassinated the emperor, but now he wasn't afraid at all.

The two sides traveled all the way, with the Green Wood Stronghold man acting as a guide, and the young man named Zhuo Xiao-feng walking in front. Qin You-shi followed and talked to them. This was the most desolate section of the junction between the Lüliang Mountains and the Hengshan Mountains. The mountains were rugged, and with the heavy rain, it was even more difficult to walk. When the group came to this wilderness, Qin You-shi squinted and looked at the opposite side of the mountain stream. He saw that although the terrain was not easy to traverse, there seemed to be a small road passing through, which was much better than this side.

Qin You-shi became vigilant and looked at the other side, tentatively asking, "There seems to be a small road on the opposite side." The Green Wood Stronghold guide nodded frankly and said, "Yes, it used to be closer that way." "Then why..."

"We fought with the Western Xia there before." Zhuo Xiao-feng answered and pointed to the two ends of the mountain road, "A few months ago, the Western Xia infantry chased us here. The army blew up the two ends, and the snow on the mountain collapsed. The valley below is full of corpses. Now the mountain over there is loose and very unsafe."

Qin You-shi was startled. "The Western Xia?"

"The Western Xia infantry are difficult to deal with." Zhuo Xiao-feng nodded. Qin You-shi looked at the hazy mountain in the heavy rain. He could indeed see traces of recent movement in the distance. He looked down into the mountain stream again, and saw that the water was roaring through the heavy rain, but he couldn't see anything clearly.

In this area, the Western Army and the Western Xia fought from time to time, and those who were knowledgeable also knew a lot about the Western Xia's army. The Iron Falcons were unparalleled in charging into battle, but in the mountains of the Northwest, the most terrifying were the Western Xia's elite infantry. These infantrymen were selected from the mountain people, and they could walk through the mountains as if they were on flat ground. If refugees encountered the Iron Falcons while fleeing, they might be able to hide in the mountains. But if they encountered the infantry, they could not outrun them no matter where they ran. Their combat power was also similar to that of the original Western Army. Now that the Western Army had dispersed, no one could stop the infantry on the Northwest.

Qin You-shi had some suspicions about the origin of the "Huaxia" army, but he did not think about it in detail. Now that he thought about it, this army assassinated the emperor and rebelled, came to the Northwest, and was indeed not a good thing. They could fight the Western Xia infantry in such mountains, and even had the upper hand. The other party said it lightly, but he was secretly shocked.

At this moment, thunder roared in the sky. Just as everyone was moving forward, they heard a loud noise from ahead, and the mountain stones shook slightly. On the opposite hillside, earth and stone surged in the hazy rain, and in the blink of an eye, it turned into a mud dragon, rushing down the mountain with a rumble. This mudslide continued to rush into the deep valley in front of them. The water in the valley below collided with these earth and stones, and quickly rose, the muddy water surging turbulently. The people looked down from the mountain and felt the power of heaven and earth in the heavy rain, and their own insignificance was indescribable.

The scene of the mudslide continued in front of them for a long time before it stopped. Perhaps the explosion that caused the avalanche a few months ago had loosened the hillside, and it had only slipped down now after being soaked by the rain. After everyone watched, they could not help but be more cautious when they moved forward again, and they also spoke less. The group turned back and forth in the mountains, and by evening of this day, the rain had stopped, but they had already entered the main range of the Lüliang Mountains.

This area was already close to the Green Wood Stronghold in the Lüliang Mountains. Due to the previously developed trade routes, it had not been greatly impacted by the war, and the road ahead was not difficult to travel. Zhuo Xiao-feng and the Green Wood Stronghold man said goodbye to Qin You-shi. Seeing that the two had helped so much and were simply and neatly about to leave, Qin You-shi became panicked. He took out two dried deer legs from the goods he was carrying to give to the other party as a reward, but Zhuo Xiao-feng took out paper and pen from his arms and said, "Boss Qin can write, right?"

"Young Master Zhuo is saying..."

"The Chinese descendants are originally one family. Now that the situation is turbulent, we should help each other. It is also fate that we and Boss Qin have traveled together all the way, just a small effort. Of course, if Boss Qin really feels that he needs to thank us, then write two characters on this notebook." He saw that Qin You-shi was still hesitating, and smiled and opened the notebook, which was full of crooked and slanted *Huaxia* (华夏) characters. "Of course, it's just two characters, you don't have to leave your name, just as a memento. If Boss Qin has any trouble in the future, just remember these two characters. If we can help, we will definitely do our best."

Qin You-shi only hesitated slightly. At this time, he laughed and took a pen and wrote on the notebook, but he was puzzled in his heart. He could understand the things outside, whether it was giving kindness and hoping for a reward or giving kindness and not hoping for a reward, but what did this mean? After receiving the favor, writing a name would be considered a pledge of allegiance, but if you didn't leave your name, even if the two *Huaxia* (华夏) characters were written out, how could they be exchanged for anything?

He was also a person with some foresight. After writing the two characters, he insisted on sending the deer legs over, but the other party also resolutely refused to accept them. At this time, it was late, and everyone found a place to camp. Qin You-shi warmly invited the two to stay and cooked a relatively rich meal of meat, and asked Zhuo Xiao-feng and them about the future situation.

He had originally gone west this time to do business. The Jurchens had attacked, and some of the valuable things he had originally collected were now useless. This trip was obviously a loss. But losing money was not a big deal. The most important thing was what to do in the future. This army could fight against the Western Xia, and although their reputation was not very good, making friends with them, who knew if there would be a place where they would need their help in the future?

During this half-evening of conversation, the other party also knew everything and analyzed the future predicament with Qin You-shi. With the Jurchens rampant and the Western Xia coming from the south, it was impossible for the north of the Yellow River to live the good days of the past, but ordinary people would not necessarily be killed. In the past, the Martial Dynasty was still considered rich, and various wealthy households still had some surplus grain at this time, but within a year or two, the Jurchens and the Western Xia would definitely consolidate this territory. It was only a way to die to simply leave food behind. He was a merchant, so he might as well be flexible and do more activities, relying on large forces.

Forces similar to the Green Wood Stronghold in the Lüliang Mountains were not recommended, because they were in a mountain depression, but at present, the Green Wood Stronghold still had several trade exchanges with the Jurchens. The treasures and valuables he brought back this time might be useless in the chaotic land, but the Green Wood Stronghold might still be able to help transship them, and the mountains must be short of food. If he had too much surplus grain, he might as well exchange some weapons in the mountains to protect himself. Of course, it was just a casual suggestion.

Qin You-shi was not a person without his own opinions. After the other party said it, he only took it as a reference in his heart. By the next morning, they waved goodbye to each other and went their separate ways. Qin You-shi looked at the two figures going north, and remembered the two "Huaxia" (华夏) characters he had written yesterday. He only felt that this group of people was really peculiar.

*************

After saying goodbye to Qin You-shi, Zhuo Xiao-feng and the Green Wood Stronghold man named Tan Rong walked back through the rugged mountain road. When they could see the collapsed mountain from afar, they turned northwest again.

In the afternoon, they saw the outline of the Xiao Cang River from the ridge in the distance. The river was turbulent and winding, extending towards a mountain pass with traces of a dam at the end of the field of vision. There were also lookout towers by the mountain pass, and in the rugged valley between the two mountains, a small team of figures could be seen walking together. They were children from the Xiao Cang River settlement who had come out to pick wild vegetables.

The sun was shining down from the white clouds in the sky, the mountains and fields were desolate, and only the sound of the wind occasionally came. Zhuo Xiao-feng and Tan Rong walked down the mountain road.