Chapter 3235 Boundary River

Nan Yan asked, "Then where do the people of the Eastern Chaga tribe go to replenish their food and water?"

Zhu Feng originally ignored her, just frowning and thinking about his own things, but after a while he suddenly came to his senses and turned to look at Nan Yan.

"What did you just say?"

Nan Yan said, "I'm just confused. They appeared outside Yumen Pass. Last time we went there, even the area around Yumen Pass was a wasteland. These people from the Eastern Chaga tribe are wandering around everywhere. Where do they go to replenish their food and water?"

Hearing her words, Zhu Feng's brows furrowed even tighter.

But he didn't say anything. Instead, he concentrated on thinking for a long time. Then, he looked at Nan Yan with a half-smile and said, "How did you think of this?"

Nan Yan said, "No matter how brave the Eastern Chahe tribe are, they are still human beings. For a person, the two most important things in life are food and clothing."

Zhu Feng smiled when he heard this.

Although she was smiling, a spark flashed silently in her deep eyes.

He took the water bag from someone else's hand, handed it to Nan Yan, and said, "You're sweating so much, drink some more water."

Nan Yan took it, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and said, "It's strange. It's not even May yet, why is it so hot here this year?"

Zhu Feng smiled and said, "You sound like you are very familiar with this place."

Nan Yan said, "Of course I am. I have been here for half a year every year for the past two years. I am familiar with the place even if I am not familiar with it."

After saying this, she took two big gulps of water, then called Zhu Chengjun and the others over to drink some water, and told them not to run around and fall. After resting for a while, they set off to continue their journey. Hou Qibao and his companions remained where they were, kowtowed repeatedly to the emperor's carriage, and only when they could no longer be seen did they slowly stand up and leave with many thanks.

They were gone for another half a month.

However, as Nan Yan said, she had come to the northwest to stay for half a year almost every once in a while in the past few years. She adapted to the climate and environment here very quickly. Even looking at the gradually familiar scenery around her, she knew that they were not far from Handongwei.

Of course, it’s not far from Baihu City.

This section of the road was more difficult to travel than the previous one. Even if the carriage went slowly, it was often bumped by the stones on the ground. The coachman and the guards were very nervous. Fortunately, the emperor did not blame them, and the imperial concubine kept lifting the curtain to look out.

Zhu Feng was originally taking a nap, but was covered in face by a gust of sand blowing in from the window.

He coughed twice, opened his eyes and complained, "What are you doing again?"

Nan Yan was just lifting the curtain to look outside when she heard his voice. She turned around and said, "Your Majesty, look at the scenery outside. I remember that small breakthrough. There's a depression in the middle, like a crack. After passing this place, it's not far from Handongwei."

Zhu Feng said, "It's not far, it's not far, what are you yelling about?"

Nan Yan asked, "But, what about the boundary river?"

"Um?"

Zhu Feng was about to close his eyes and doze off, but upon hearing this, he frowned slightly and looked at her: "What?"

Nan Yan looked back at him and said seriously, "Boundary River. When the Emperor recaptured Bailong City, didn't we see a boundary river? It flowed from south to north, bypassing both Bailong City and Baihu City."

“…”

"I calculated that according to the direction of the river, we should be able to see it from here. How come I haven't heard any sound of the river in the long walk I've been on recently?"

Zhu Feng smiled: "You are still thinking about this."

Although he was joking, he immediately moved to the window and looked out. Sure enough, all he could see on the vast wasteland was sand that had been reddened by the sun, like flames all over the ground, with sea buckthorns dotted among the flames occasionally.

But there is indeed no trace of the river.

Zhu Feng looked at him with a puzzled "hmm". Xiao Shunzi, who was following the carriage, immediately stepped forward and asked, "What are your instructions, Your Majesty?"

Zhu Feng said, "Call the guide over."

"yes."

Although they were frequent visitors to the Guanxi Seven Guards, the unique environment and climate meant they still needed a local guide. This time, they found a middle-aged man named Ashu. He was walking ahead with the leader when he heard the call and immediately trotted back. Just as he was about to kneel and pay his respects to the emperor in the carriage, Zhu Feng waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. I have a question for you."

Ashu immediately asked, "What does your Majesty want to ask?"

Zhu Feng said, "When I came here a few years ago, there was clearly a river nearby. It flowed past Handongwei and bypassed Baihu City. It should have been nearby. How come I can't see it at all this time?"

Ah Shu immediately smiled and said, "Your Majesty, that's how the boundary river is. It changes its course every one or two years. If you come back after a while, you won't know where it's flowing to."

"oh?"

Zhu Feng frowned and asked, "So where did you change your route to this time?"

Ah Shu said, "This time, it flowed into the ground."

"What?"

"The boundary river flows underground and cannot be seen from the road."

"I see..."

Zhu Feng frowned and said, "Then, what should the people here do with their water?"

Ah Shu smiled bitterly and said, "There's nothing we can do. When the elders of Handongwei need water, they naturally send teams upstream to get water where the river hasn't changed course yet. However, other cities like Bailong City have wells, so the water has never been cut off. This means the river is still there, but it's just not visible now."

"I see."

Zhu Feng nodded, looked outside again, and then waved his hand and said, "You can go down."

"yes."

Ashu saluted, turned around and ran away again.

Nan Yan, who was listening nearby, also laughed and said, "That river is really strange, it's like a snake, darting around everywhere."

Zhu Feng was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's interesting. When we get to Handongwei later, I'll ask Chen Zixiao and the others where the river will flow next."

Nan Yan said: "Speaking of which, this place should not be far from Handongwei."

"Not far."

"Chen Zixiao is really something. The emperor is already here, why hasn't he come to greet him yet?"

As he was speaking, the sound of horse hooves was heard in the wind outside.

Soon, their procession also stopped, and a moment later, Xiao Shunzi was heard running over and whispering beside the carriage, "Your Majesty, Lord Chen has sent someone to greet you."

"Send someone?"

Zhu Feng frowned when he heard this.

Although he usually did things casually, he still had to follow the rules. When the emperor and the imperial concubine came to Handongwei, Chen Zixiao only sent someone to greet them. This was a bit too contemptuous of the emperor.

Nan Yan's face darkened as well: "What is he doing?"