Chapter 19 First Experience
Some people in the group had been curious, but it was Xia Mingjiang who asked the question.
Luo Yin turned around upon hearing the voice and saw that his attitude had improved considerably.
"Yes, I'm still studying in town, so I can understand the poems you're talking about."
Her blunt words silenced the whispers behind her.
Several people felt embarrassed, their faces turning red.
They really are something else, how can they talk about people behind their backs?
She's still a young girl.
Upon hearing this, Old Xia, who was in the group, rode his camel forward and asked, "Oh, what do you teach at your school?"
Seeing that this person was even more serious about asking the question than the former, Luo Yin thought for a while before answering.
Old Xia nodded repeatedly as he listened, saying it was similar to the situation in the capital.
He pushed Xia Mingjiang aside and stood next to Luo Yin.
"By the way, I heard you were quite familiar with that captain before. Is it because of your parents?" Old Xia actually wanted to find out about her background.
But after only a few words with the captain of the White Horse Company, the conversation turned to serious business.
Now that the opportunity had presented itself, Old Xia seized the chance to ask.
Luo Yin glanced at him sideways before loosening the reins and letting Big White walk at its own pace.
“Yes, my father used to be in the Baima Company, so he knows Chaolu Abaga.”
"By the way, Mr. Xia, what exactly are you looking for? We're about to leave Ulan Butong, so I'd like to plan our route."
Many people who were listening intently to what was being said noticed that her standard Mandarin revealed a great deal of information.
Those who had previously looked down on her for being young now corrected their attitudes.
Yes, they are definitely better than them. At least they grew up on this grassland. Their families probably took them around from a young age, and they must be good at things like horseback riding, archery, and outdoor life.
Hosen, who was half a step behind, quickly looked away from the bow and arrows on her back.
Then, when she asked about his itinerary, he couldn't help but look at Old Xia.
When Old Xia saw the young girl speaking earnestly with a straight face, his affectionate tone turned serious.
"Wait a minute, let's find a place to eat something and then confirm the location when it's a little brighter."
Luo Yin thought it was a good idea.
They continued on their journey and finally reached the main road after more than an hour.
The group got off and found places to rest and have breakfast.
Luo Yin first fed the big white dog some hay, as the hay was plentiful at this time and it hardly needed her to do anything.
Big White was already munching away on its delicious food.
She stroked its head soothingly, then sat down on the open ground and took out food from her bag.
Someone nearby offered naan bread and a compressed biscuit.
Many people simply stuff the biscuits into their pockets, pick them up and bite into them. At this point, they're not too hard, so they break off a piece and chew it.
After the team finished distributing the supplies, he saw Luo Yin standing next to him and walked over.
Luo Yin chewed on the jerky and looked up at him.
"Here, this is for you." He handed her the food, and after seeing what she was eating, he subconsciously swallowed.
Luo Yin nodded her thanks, casually put them into her backpack, and then continued eating her own food.
Once everyone returned to the group, he couldn't help but steal a glance at him.
He then told his colleagues what had just happened.
His colleagues couldn't help but look on with envy, and they had even higher expectations for this young grassland guide.
Listening to everyone's quiet discussion, Old Xia said with deep emotion, "I had planned to rest in Ulan Butong for a few days so that everyone could also relax."
Xia Mingjiang chimed in, "That's true, but luckily I went out and had a good meal yesterday. I must say, their lamb skewers are really something else. It's true that lamb raised on the grasslands is better than lamb raised in the pen."
"It's a pity I couldn't buy any dried meat, otherwise I could have eaten one every now and then on the way," he said with a sigh.
Old Xia ignored him helplessly and then gestured for Huo Sen to come over.
As Luo Yin lay down on the grass to rest, she saw that the light in front of her was blocked by a figure.
Its sudden appearance made her feel uncomfortable.
He quickly got up, squinting to see, "What's wrong?"
The figure gradually took shape, and a pair of deep black eyes were staring at her.
"Old Xia is looking for you."
A cold, icy male voice rang out.
Luo Yin exclaimed "Ah!" and then looked at Elder Xia.
"OK."
Under the gaze of those eyes, she ran over quickly.
Old Xia was holding a map. When he saw her arrive, he quickly pointed out the route to her and explained where they were going.
After hearing the specific route, Luo Yin had a clear idea of what to expect.
"It should be easier once we get into the Jinlianchuan Grassland. The ruins there should be quite obvious on the grassland," the colleagues waiting nearby discussed.
"That's not necessarily true. We've walked on the grasslands before. This vast grassland is so big, who knows how many lush plants will grow ahead?"
"It's alright, isn't there that little girl?"
"So we're really relying on her?"
Luo Yin carefully reviewed the route several more times, especially after entering Jinlianchuan, mainly observing the location and direction of the nearby rivers.
"Alright, let's get going. If we want to arrive safely, it's best to do so before dark."
She ignored everyone else and spoke only to Elder Xia.
Old Xia thought it made sense, seeing that she remained calm and composed throughout.
I couldn't help but feel more satisfied with this arrangement.
"Alright, everyone pack your things and get ready to go."
With shouts and calls, those who had rested continued to mount their horses, with Loin leading the way this time.
Before setting off, she made a point of walking around the group and exchanging a few words with Old Xia.
She led the group the whole way, and the scenery on the grassland was just so-so.
They quickly grew tired of it and walked on in silence, eating lunch on the backs of camels.
By the afternoon, everyone finally saw a glimmer of hope.
The boundless plains were covered with yellow flowers, blooming freely in all shapes and sizes.
The sun was shining brightly at that moment, casting beams of light that captivated everyone who watched.
Old Xia exclaimed repeatedly, "The vast Jinlian River, the sun reflects the ochre hues of the mountains. The sky is like a blue oilcloth, covering the plains for ten thousand miles." Indeed, just as the poet described, this is truly Jinlian River!
Everyone cheered and jumped for joy, and Luo Yin gestured for them to continue.
They were heading further north, to a place even further north of Jinlianchuan, and Luo Yin didn't just lead the way randomly.
Along the way, we took everyone to get water and passed through fields of golden lotus flowers.
As the sun began to set and many people were feeling apprehensive, they finally saw the faint outline of a black building ahead.
"Is that the place?" someone exclaimed.
“Look over there, that should be the mountain. Those low and rugged things must be the ancient city wall.”
"Great, great, we're finally almost there."
Old Xia was also very happy. He looked ahead and observed the places they were looking for from time to time, and after repeatedly confirming, he was certain.
"That's it, we've found it."
"Young comrade, thank you so much."
Luo Yin quickly waved her hand, indicating that it was the right thing to do, and told everyone not to get excited yet, as it was still quite a distance to go from here.
Even though you can see it, the saying "looking at a mountain makes you run to your death" still holds true.
So this time, everyone was full of energy and enthusiasm as they set off, charging forward under the setting sun.
Finally, they arrived at the site of the ruins.
Luo Yin then saw that there really was such a large, dilapidated ancient city.
"Wow!" "Is that all?"
Many exclamations rang in her ears. Everyone rushed down to examine it as if they had found a treasure.
She was so shocked that she was speechless.
All emotions were overwhelmed by the sight before her. She didn't know anything about archaeology or artifacts, but she could glimpse and imagine how prosperous this place must have been in the past just by looking at it.
Old Xia had already turned on his flashlight and started his field survey.
Seeing this, Luo Yin hurriedly called out, "Old Xia, why don't we find a place to rest first?"
Old Xia was still looking down at something when Comrade Xia walked up to him.
"Young comrade, please don't mind him. That's just how the old man is. When he gets busy, he can't take care of anything else."
Luo Yin glanced at him silently, "Then you lead us to find a place to camp. It's pitch black here, we need to start a fire and eat quickly."
Xia was taken aback, seemingly not expecting her to be so blunt.
"Okay, sure."
He then ran over and gave a few instructions, and the rest of the people followed him to a sheltered corner.
Luo Yin had nothing but the bundle on her body and Big White. Seeing them setting up the tent, she went to find Xia Xia again.
Looking at the little girl who wasn't even as tall as him, he arranged a place for her to stay.
The place wasn't big, but it was enough for her to rest.
Luo Yin went out to feed Da Bai, and then began to help start a fire and cook.
The team split into two groups. A large group went to Xia Lao's vicinity, busy taking notes, while the rest stayed in the camp.
Watching them turn the food into a paste in the pot, Luo Yin immediately lost her appetite.
He shook his head and swayed toward the light, only to discover that there was a lamp.
Several lights shone near Mr. Xia.
Those helping out were busy with their own tasks, and Luo Yin walked up to them, looking them over from left to right.
It didn't bother the other person at all.
But she couldn't see anything, except that it was pitch black all around.
She found a seat, took out some milk candy, and ate it while watching them work.
This ruin has returned to a state of quietude, now bustling with life.
Luo Yin had fallen asleep sometime earlier, resting her head on her knees and sleeping soundly. The occasional clinking sounds around her didn't wake her.
It wasn't until someone called out that it was time to eat that everyone stopped, after being busy for quite a while.
Old Xia was helped to sit down, sighing that things were not as good as they used to be.
Back when he was young, he could stay up all night without any problems, unlike now, when he's just working with his back bent over for a while, he's already in a lot of pain.
When the students around him heard this, they all showed expressions of concern.
Xia was the most vocal, saying, "Stop sighing, hurry up and have some porridge to warm yourself up."
"Yes, everyone should stop what they're doing and have something to eat."
"Don't get sick in this cold weather, hurry up and come and get it."
With each call, the cold and hungry crowd headed towards the food stall.
At this moment, many people are holding bowls and starting to eat, enjoying the hot food.
Suddenly, the young man cooking exclaimed, "Oh no! Has anyone seen that girl? She's gone!"
"What?"
"Who are you talking about, the little girl who led the way?"
All the members of the team gathered here, exactly ten people.
Upon seeing this, Old Xia immediately stood up anxiously, "Look around, has anyone seen the girl?"
Everyone looked at each other, but no one could see it.
"Xia, didn't you lead the people to the camp? Hurry up and go check inside the tent."
Hossen got up and followed, wanting to see where the person had gone.
Suddenly, a clear female voice rang out.
"What's wrong? I'm right here!"
As the words fell, a night breeze seemed to blow in from nowhere.
The sobbing sounded like someone was crying.
"Who is it?" someone asked, startled.
But many more people heard her voice.
Xia and Huo Sen exchanged a glance and headed in her direction.
Luo Yin's position was blocked, right in their blind spot. She was about to stand up when a tingling sensation ran through her legs, causing her to fall back down immediately.
"Ouch~"
Accompanying this sound was a rhythmic "da da da da da" sound coming from afar.
The others, who hadn't been scared at first, perked up their ears immediately when they heard another noise.
Then, wary and alert, they looked into the darkness.
Old Xia hurriedly asked the two of them to come back, and more than ten people gathered together, surrounding Old Xia.
Luo Yin twitched her ears, listened, and a strange look flashed across her face.
After adjusting for a moment, she appeared from the side, limping.
Just then, the troops were seen hiding inside the city wall, and the two sides met.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"Yes, where did you go? We were looking for you."
"Wait, what's wrong with you?"
Seeing how she walked, Old Xia hurriedly asked with concern.
Luo Yin said she was fine and looked in the direction they had come from.
His brows furrowed slightly, but he kept walking out.
Just as she was about to slip away from the crowd, someone grabbed her.
"Wait, where are you going?"
Luo Yin felt a sharp pain and realized that her braid had been pulled.
"Hey, let go of my hair first."
Hosen saw her expression change instantly, completely losing the serious look she had just had.
For some reason, I just wanted to laugh at her.
But he held back, deeply believing that this was bullying a child.
"I'm sorry."
"Young man, come here quickly. We don't know what's going on outside. It would be better to go inside and hide."
Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Luo Yin said, "I think I heard the sound of galloping horses. If I'm not mistaken, it should be the militia from nearby."
"Ah, are you sure?"
"Are there still people out patrolling at this hour?"
Some people were puzzled and asked questions.
Luo Yin thought for a moment, "Perhaps the lights here are too bright. By the way, Elder Xia, did you report this trip to your family?"
This question stunned everyone present.
Old Xia, who was specifically named, looked at the child in front of him who was about the same age as his grandchildren.
I simply don't know how to explain it in a way that she can understand.
"You little brat, what nonsense are you talking about? We are from the Scientific Archaeology Research Institute of the government. Of course, our actions have been approved."
"There are written records of every operation."
Fearing she might misunderstand, everyone quickly revealed her title.
Luo Yin raised her hand. "Stop. What I mean is that the grasslands are different from other regions. We had some problems here a couple of years ago, so the militia on the grasslands are more strict about patrols."
As soon as she finished speaking, a cloud of dust instantly filled the visible area.
Many people were so frightened by what they saw that they backed away, pulling their colleagues along with them.
Luo Yin took a few more steps forward to examine the traces in the night.
As the familiar shouts rang out, her face instantly relaxed, and she waved to them.
"That's it, it must be them."
A team of four, fully equipped, appeared before the group.
The leader was dressed as a Mongolian herdsman. Upon spotting people, he charged forward on horseback; his teammates immediately drew their bows and arrows and aimed them at them.
This gave the group of researchers quite a fright.
They looked at the arrowhead, its iron tip taut, as if it would pierce a person's body the moment it was released.
Immediately, someone shouted something at them.
The team leader frowned and whispered a reminder to them to be careful.
Luo Yin, who was being pulled and hiding behind Huo Sen, panicked. "Hey, hey, hey, please don't let them fight!"
She overheard the person outside giving the order to be ready to fire at any moment.
"Wait, wait, wait, it's a misunderstanding." She pulled Hosen aside and squeezed out from behind him.
The militiamen who had surrounded the area immediately turned their attention to the people behind them when they saw a child dressed as a Mongolian.
Seemingly thinking she was being held hostage, he gestured for her to come over in Mongolian, while simultaneously ordering them to prepare to fire.
Luo Yin quickly distanced herself and explained to them that it wasn't true.
These people were comrades from the Institute of Archaeology; they were researchers with official red badges. Then they were asked who they were and why they had come here.
The team leader, taken aback by the question, subconsciously offered an explanation.
They were a patrol team from the nearby border. They saw the lights in this area during their patrol tonight and thought there were some criminals again, so they came over to check.
Luo Yin nodded, indicating that she had indeed just brought them here.
He then explained to Elder Xia and gestured for both parties to sit down and understand the situation clearly.
After Elder Xia and the others sat down and talked things out with them, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Especially when those people shook their hands in a more conciliatory manner, several comrades realized that they were sweating profusely and had indeed been frightened.
Having gained each other's trust, Luo Yin couldn't help but wipe away her cold sweat.
I feel that this money is really hard-earned.
What happened next was no longer her concern. She didn't know what the adults were talking about, but not long after, the group of militiamen rode away on horseback.
Luo Yin couldn't hold on any longer and went back to sleep.
That night, she slept very soundly, but kept being startled awake.
When I got up again, I found that there were other people in the camp.
Eight more Mongolian horses were tied up beside them.
Luo Yin secretly washed up in a stream and cleaned herself before going back.
When they arrived at the camp entrance, they indeed saw the newcomers.
Several middle-aged researchers were walking and talking, with several men in Mongolian robes standing beside them.
Luo Yin's appearance was clearly seen through by the other side.
They seemed to say something, and soon one of the Mongolian men came to find her.
First, they asked her where she lived and how she got there. Then they offered to take her home and told her to pack her things quickly.
Luo Yin was already made up for, but she quickly refused.
They indicated that they had things to do there and didn't need to trouble them.
“You silly child, this place is in such a mess, we don’t need you here. You’re the one who brought me here, take me there, I’ll go and talk to them.”
Upon seeing a man who resembled her father, she felt she couldn't say much, so she refused again and ran away.
He quickly ran to find Elder Xia and the others, not wanting to be caught again.
But yesterday that place was empty; everyone was gone.
Fortunately, she kept going around the outer city and into the inner city, crossing the moat and following the sound, and finally found them in a collapsed area of the inner city.
What are you all doing here?
She asked, panting.
Xia was taking the things handed to her from below when she saw her coming and nodded to her.
"Quickly, quick, come and lend a hand."
When Luo Yin saw what he was holding, she quickly stepped back. "What are these? I'm not a professional, you can't just touch them."
She dared not touch it carelessly; who would be responsible if she broke it?
"Hey, no, you little rascal..."
"What? I'm the guide, my main job is to show you the way, these aren't my tasks."
"Okay, okay, but what are you doing here?" Xia Mingjiang looked at her strangely.
Luo Yin had a headache, but the footsteps behind her immediately caught up.
The man looked at Xia and said solemnly, "It's you, isn't it? Now I'm taking her home."
"No, you can't take her away."
"You haven't finished your work yet, are you just going to take the money and run?"
Luo Yin quickly waved her hand, "No, don't talk nonsense."
"Abaga, this is my brother. I came here with him. We'll really go back together after this is over."
He scrutinized her with a suspicious and puzzled look.
Looking at the two faces in front of me, I really couldn't tell the difference.
Because the two faces in front of me have typical southern features, they don't look alike at all.
"Hehe, Brother Xia, let me help you."
She quickly grabbed something and said to Xia.
Xia Mingjiang flashed a smug look, and then actually ordered her to help him out.
The excavation work was underway inside, and Luo Yin witnessed the true appearance of the first unearthed cultural relics.
All the images she had imagined were replaced by this lump of mud in front of her.
"What...what is this?"
She pointed to the dark object in front of her and asked.
"These are porcelain shards. Look how beautiful the patterns are over there, and how vibrant the colors are."
Luo Yin stared wide-eyed, inhaling the strange, rotten smell of earth in the air.
Suppressing the urge to vomit, I quickly waved my hand.
"As expected, field research is not something that ordinary people can do."
Xia was inexplicably happy to see her get the short end of the stick.
Sometimes when I talk to her, I don't even treat her like a child. "Of course, you don't know how complicated our excavation sites are on a daily basis. Many times, it's not us who choose, but the cultural relics that choose us."
Just like this time, they wouldn't have easily started the excavation if they hadn't discovered that the artifacts were at risk of being unearthed and exposed.
But this time it really didn't work, so Old Xia made a quick decision and arrangements.
Sure enough, during the excavation, traces of violent digging were found, but the area had already been trampled on.
Many of the artifacts inside were broken to varying degrees, and many fragments were even thrown directly on the ground.
Those who saw it all looked distressed.
Old Xia sighed repeatedly, regretting that they had been destroyed.
Luo Yin listened to Xia's explanation from time to time, and gradually calmed down and looked at the things in front of her carefully.
She had never been in contact with these cultural relics and antiques before, but looking at the fragments in front of her, she vaguely sensed something different.
She sniffed carefully, unsure.
"Is something broken?"
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Author's Note: The extra chapter will be tomorrow; I'll start writing now.
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