Firmament

People reach out to pull in time

People have to help paddling the boat.

- Dai proverb

"Hey, Sarta, get up and prepare breakfast!" came the shouts of the sentry on duty outside the window.

Ali and Abbas were startled when they heard the sentry's voice. For several years, whether it was windy or rainy, or they had headaches and brain fevers, they were the first people to get up in the tent, never being late, and never sleeping for a day. Today, however, they are all late.

Ali and Abbas hurriedly got dressed and rushed into the kitchen to get to work.

There are more than a dozen guys in the chef team, and they cook various flavors of meals for the generals every day. However, Hohba-ri likes to eat the grassland diet and the Khorezm diet the most. Even in his busy schedule, he asked Ali and Abbas to cook a Khorezm-style meal. Therefore, Badr would not let Ali and Abbas go.

On one occasion, Hoheba Ri ate his meal with relish and said to the other generals: "The Sarthas are really natural craftsmen! Build magnificent cities, take care of flowery gardens, make secret and dexterous weapons, make gorgeous and delicate silverware, and make mellow and exquisite food, all of which are incapable and beautiful." However, it seems to me that the Sartas were born slaves to us as cattle and horses. "

Ali and Abbas were at first complacent about Hohba's praise. However, the general's last sentence poured a scoop of ice water on their heads. They were cold from the outside out.

In 1227, Hohe Bari led his army to leave Weiyang and set foot in the western part of the Nüzhi Kingdom.

Hezhou is a city with a long history, is the link between the East and the Western Regions, the political, economic and cultural ties of Tibet, and is also a very important military fortress in the west, bringing together various items produced by the East and the West, the commercial economy is very developed, the market trade is very prosperous, it is also the place where the tea and horses are exchanged and the merchants gather on the Silk Road, and enjoys the reputation of "the dry wharf in the west", and has always been the place where the soldiers must fight, so it has the title of "Hehuang Town". As early as the Tang Empire, with the melodious jingling of camel bells on the Silk Road, merchants from various countries in the Western Regions came to Hezhou to trade. After more than 600 years of changes, at this time, the Hezhou worship temple was dotted with a large number of merchants from east to west, especially the Khorezm people who were good at business.

Hohe Bari left a team stationed in Hezhou to guard this important pass in the west to the West Sea, the Western Regions, and the south to Tubo and the southwest.

Abbas found that the geography, customs, folk customs and town architecture of River State were very similar to those of Mulu, and many of the merchants here were his fellow villagers, and the journey of Mulu was only half a year. He was homesick and couldn't help but wonder: if he could stay in Hezhou, maybe there was a possibility of returning to Khorezm.

Abbas and Ali made up their minds that they would no longer run around with the army.

They rushed to Badr and pleaded sincerely: "Lord Badr, we have not adapted to the climate here since we came to the East, and we have been suffering from major and minor illnesses, and only when we arrive in Hezhou do we feel better. I would like to ask your grace to allow us to stay and serve in the army stationed in River State, right?"

Badr also liked the food cooked by Ali and Abbas very much, not to mention that General Hohe Bari could not do without them. At this moment, how could he agree to let them leave the army together?

Badr listened to the request of the two, thought about it for a while, and decided to do it as a personal favor.

"It's not impossible," he said. However, you can only keep one. Abbas stayed. Ali continued to follow us. "

Ali and Abbas did not expect this to be the end. How could they be separated now that they had met and acquainted each other in the days of hardship, encouraged each other, had a sincere affection, and were good friends who shared weal and woe?

Ali and Abbas ran to the side, quietly discussed for a while, and finally bit their tongues and decided: Abbas stayed in River State. Ali continued on his way, waiting for the right moment to break away from the army.

Abbas's mood was conflicted, not happy, not regretful. He hesitated for a moment before he walked over to Badr and bowed to him in thanks

Abbas said: "Thank you, Lord Badr, and I will remember your kindness and pray for your health and peace forever." Ali is the only relative I have in the army, honest and obedient, and he works hard. Please be kind to my brother. "

Badr glanced at Abbas faintly, but did not speak.

Ali was both pleased that Abbas was able to stay in Riverstate, but he was also worried about his uncertain future. Dejected, he returned to the tent and wrapped some large naan cakes for Abbas.

Ali held Abbas's hands tightly and sincerely wished him that his wish would come true and return to Mulu and his relatives as soon as possible.

Prairie State troops are about to leave River State.

Ali and Abbas were reluctant to part for a long time. The four eyes looked at each other, mixed with joy and sorrow, and the glittering tears were full of deep wishes, concerned instructions and infinite sadness. Sweet and sour bursts of bitterness flooded in my heart. It's been 6 or 7 years since they met outside Mulu City. In the journey of life in exile, in the yellow earth of a foreign land, they took care of each other, helped each other, formed a deep friendship, and formed a community of destiny. Now, they want Lao Yan to fly separately, and they don't know if there will be a chance to meet in the future.

Abbas comforted Ali and said, "If I go back to Khorezm first, I will go to Samarkand and visit your Ada and Grandma on your behalf and bring them the news of your safety!"

Ali choked up and nodded, and instructed, "Brother Abbas, you must take care of your body." "