The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

Centered in Chengdu, the Sichuanese business community firmly controlled the water and land trade routes in central Sichuan. From the canal transport along the Yangtze River tributaries to the land routes connecting Sichuan with the Central Plains, they had influence in every aspect. They maintained closer ties with the common people, were well-informed, and had numerous informants.

In the Sichuan-Chongqing region, where Han Chinese culture is dominant, the existence of the Ba League is a striking and powerful anomaly. It is a multi-ethnic alliance with shared goals of interests and survival. Its initial purpose was very clear—to unite for self-preservation and resist the powerful Han Chinese forces.

The core leadership of Bayannur League consists of four leaders representing the Qiang, Yao, Miao, and Yi ethnic groups respectively.

Feng Zhen, the Qiang ethnic leader known as the "Monkey King".

Feng Zhen was an unremarkable man, yet he possessed a distinctive character. He was lean and short, with exceptionally agile limbs and a dark complexion, but his eyes shone brightly and were remarkably intelligent. He habitually wore tight-fitting short clothes that facilitated climbing and traversing the mountains and forests, and always had a pair of inconspicuous short steel spikes tucked into his waistband.

The nickname "Monkey King" stems not only from his appearance but also from his style of doing things. Feng Zhen is shrewd and cunning, never engaging in direct confrontation with the enemy. He excels at utilizing the Qiang people's familiarity with the treacherous terrain of the Minjiang River and Longmen Mountains to conduct elusive guerrilla warfare. In the decision-making of Bayannur League, he often plays the role of a "surprise weapon" and a "hidden piece," proposing plans that are often unexpected, unconventional, and difficult to defend against.

The Yao ethnic group leader, "Meiji" Sina.

Sina was the most dazzling of the four leaders. She possessed the unique radiance and beauty of a Yao woman. With wheat-colored skin, deep-set features, and a pair of large, expressive eyes, she loved to wear elaborate and exquisite silver jewelry and colorful clothing. Every smile and gesture of hers was full of charm, but beneath this charm lay a deadly danger.

The name "Meiji" is both her weapon and her disguise. Sina is shrewd and pragmatic, adept at utilizing her advantages. She never hides her beauty, instead using it as the best tool to maneuver with the Han Chinese and other forces. Many are deceived by her appearance, thinking she's just a pretty face, unaware of her meticulous mind and superb negotiation skills. She is adept at using the herbal knowledge passed down through the Yao ethnic group, capable of both healing and subtly harming. Within the Ba'an League, she is often responsible for foreign negotiations and intelligence gathering, using her charm to extract crucial information; she is the league's "diplomat" and "intelligence chief."

Miao ethnic leader, "Elder" Jiao Luofeng.

Jiao Luofeng is the eldest of the four leaders. The title "Elder" represents seniority, prestige, and strength. He is tall and, despite his advanced age, his back remains straight as a pine tree, giving him a sense of mountain-like stability. His hair is already gray, and he often wears dark Miao clothing, carrying a heavy iron staff that symbolizes power, the head of which is carved with intricate totems.

Jiao Luofeng, calm and experienced, is the "pillar of stability" of the Ba Alliance. He acts according to rules and tradition, always keeping his word, and commands great respect within the alliance. He often serves as the final arbiter when Feng Zhen and Sina disagree. His martial arts style is expansive and powerful, perfectly reflecting his personality. He represents the most traditional and conservative force within the Ba Alliance, harboring deep suspicion towards Han Chinese culture. His stance is the cornerstone of the stability of cooperation between the Ba Alliance and external forces.

Yi ethnic leader, "Feng Jiang" Chuan Mouxun.

Chuan Mouxun was in his prime, tall and well-proportioned, brimming with explosive power. His skin was bronzed from years of living in the wild, and his facial features were strong. He habitually wore a Cha'erwa (wool cloak), a traditional Yi garment, and carried a sharp knife with Yi characteristics at his waist. His knife skills were as swift as the wind, matching his personality.

Chuan Mouxun was decisive and brave, the sharpest "spear" of the Ba League. Lacking Feng Zhen's cunning and Sina's shrewdness, he was more direct and fiery. He commanded the Ba League's most elite cavalry and mountain infantry, responsible for major rapid assaults and field battles. When the alliance decided to take military action, Chuan Mouxun was the vanguard. He also held the most hawkish stance towards Han Chinese forces, advocating for the defense of everything by force, and was the representative of the pro-war faction within the alliance.

The sphere of influence of the Bayannur League was clearly separated from that of the Han Chinese. They did not focus on occupying cities, but rather firmly controlled the mountainous areas, forests, dangerous waterways, and tribal towns that were difficult for the Han Chinese to govern effectively.

The roots of Bayannur League are deeply embedded in the high mountains and dense forests surrounding the western Sichuan Plateau and the Sichuan Basin. This includes the Minshan, Qionglai, Daliang, and Wumeng mountain ranges. In these areas, relying on their absolute familiarity with the terrain, they established countless hidden villages, camps, and sacrificial sites.

Although the Bayannur League did not have the same comprehensive control over the Yangtze River as the Sichuanese, it wielded absolute influence over many of the tributaries flowing into the Yangtze, such as the Jinsha River, Yalong River, and parts of the Dadu River, particularly their treacherous sections. They could cut off these waterways at any time, plunder merchant ships, and severely damage commerce that relied on water transport.

The safety of many ancient roads leading in and out of the Sichuan Basin, such as the Five-Foot Road and Lingguan Road in the south, largely depended on the attitude of the Bayannur League. They blocked the vital link between Han areas and the southwestern minority regions.

In addition, the area controlled by the Bayannur League possessed abundant forest resources, including valuable timber, medicinal herbs, minerals, and hunting grounds. These resources served as capital for their trade with the Han Chinese in exchange for necessities such as salt and iron.

In the border areas between Han Chinese cities and ethnic minority regions, there were numerous towns where Han and non-Han peoples lived together. In these places, the influence of the Bayannur League intertwined and clashed with that of Duzunbao, the Sichuanese, and local officials. They could obtain intelligence from the outside world and conduct trade here, but they could also instigate disturbances and create trouble.

In Sichuan at the end of the Sui Dynasty, the Ba League played a dual role that combined stability and destruction.

Internally, they serve as a solid bulwark for the interests of ethnic minorities, and their formidable military strength deters any party (including Duzunbao) from easily carrying out a military crackdown on them.

Externally, they are the biggest variable. Whether or not they can manage their relationship with the Pakistani National Union (PNU) will directly determine their success or failure. Winning over the PNU will grant them a powerful local ally; angering the PNU will plunge them into an endless guerrilla war in the mountains and forests of Sichuan.

...............

As dawn breaks, the Qiang villages along the Minjiang River tributary are already bustling with activity.

This Qiang ethnic settlement, named "Yunshangzhai," is located on a steep mountainside, backed by the lush Longmen Mountains and facing the winding river. The layered stone watchtowers are built against the mountain, like gray gems inlaid on a green screen.

At the highest point is the core fortress where the "Monkey King" Feng Zhen family has lived for generations—a three-story watchtower built of huge bluestones, which has become even more majestic after weathering the elements.

Today, this usually solemn watchtower is brightly lit and decorated, filled with a festive atmosphere. Above the main entrance hangs a huge red paper-cut "longevity" character, its edges adorned with auspicious ram horn and cloud patterns. On both sides of the porch, several colorful flags depicting the Qiang people's guardian deity "Tian Shen Mu Bi Ta" and white ram totems flutter in the morning mountain breeze.

Several large pots were set up in the center of the courtyard, and fat sheep were being skinned and cleaned before being thrown into the boiling soup. The rich aroma of meat mixed with the fragrance of burning pine branches filled the entire mountain village.

People of Qiang ethnicity, dressed in their finest attire, moved about. The men wore blue turbans, long robes of hemp or wool, and sheepskin vests over them. The women, in vibrant colors, wore aprons and ribbons embroidered with exquisite patterns that swayed gracefully with their movements, their silver ornaments clinking crisply. Children played and laughed among the crowd, adding to the lively atmosphere.

In the largest square in the center of the village, dozens of long wooden tables had already been set up, covered with colorful brocade unique to the Qiang people. Around the square stood several wooden pillars carved with mysterious totems, with cow and sheep skulls hanging from their tops, gleaming with a pale white luster in the morning light.

Today, Feng Zhen donned a brand-new set of formal attire: a crisp, starched dark blue woolen robe over a new black sheepskin vest embroidered with intricate patterns in colorful thread, symbolizing longevity and good fortune. His slender, short frame, accentuated by the formal attire, exuded the solemnity of a clan leader. Unlike usual, he did not greet guests at the village gate; instead, he personally busied himself inside and outside his mother Soma's room, directing the clansmen in arranging the seating, incense table, and offerings, ensuring every detail was perfect to express his deepest respect for his mother.

Soma, the elderly mother, is over eighty years old and the most respected elder in the village. In her youth, she was the tribe's most outstanding singer and embroiderer. Now, her hair is completely white, and her face is etched with the lines of time. She is wearing a long robe, a deep purple one embroidered with colorful flowers and auspicious patterns, carefully sewn for her by her daughters and daughters-in-law. She also wears a headscarf adorned with silver ornaments and turquoise. She sits upright in a rattan chair in the center of her room, receiving wave after wave of kowtows and blessings from the younger members of the tribe.

With a smile, Soma gently stroked the head of her grandson, who was lying on her knees, with her calloused hands that had spun countless threads, while murmuring ancient Qiang prayers.

“Mother,”

After arranging the affairs outside, Feng Zhen strode into the room, knelt down in front of his mother, and held her thin hand: "Everything is ready. Chief Fan of the Sichuan Gang will be here soon. He is a distinguished guest and also a friend with whom I will be discussing serious matters today."

Soma nodded slowly and patted her son's hand: "Chief Fan is an honored guest, don't neglect him. You should talk about important business, don't worry about this old woman all the time."

"Don't worry, Mother, I know what's important."

Feng Zhen smiled, a complex emotion flashing in his shrewd eyes. He wanted to give his mother a grand and respectable birthday celebration, but he also wanted to take this rare opportunity to work with the Sichuan gang to advance that important matter concerning the future of the Ba Meng.

Just after 9 AM, a commotion and the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the village gate. A clansman on lookout duty rushed in to report: "Chief, Chief Fan of the Sichuan Gang has arrived!"

Feng Zhen perked up, straightened his clothes, and said to his mother, "Mother, I'll go greet the guests."

"Go quickly," the old man Soma nodded.

Feng Zhen strode out of the watchtower and arrived at the platform in front of the village gate. There he saw a group of more than ten people leading horses up the winding and steep stone steps.

The leader, a burly and imposing figure like an iron tower, was none other than Fan Zhuo, the "Gun King," leader of the Sichuan Gang. Around fifty years old, he had a ruddy complexion, a broad forehead, a high nose, and a pair of piercing eyes that gleamed with a confident air. He wasn't wearing formal robes, but rather a dark blue, practical outfit over a brown leather armor, with a thick leather belt around his waist that accentuated his broad shoulders and thick back. His steps were steady and powerful, each one seemingly rooted to the ground, exuding the fierce and untamed aura of a rugged, heroic figure.

"Brother Fan! The mountain road is rugged, you must have had a long and arduous journey!"

Feng Zhen immediately put on a warm smile, quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and used the etiquette of treating each other as equals in the martial arts world.

Fan Zhuo laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell, causing the dewdrops on the pine branches beside him to fall in a flurry: "Brother Fengzhen! It's the old lady's 80th birthday, a joyous occasion indeed! Let alone this mountain path, even if it were a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire, I, Fan, would still come to ask for a cup of birthday wine! Congratulations!"

The two greeted each other with arms around each other, appearing extremely affectionate.

Behind Fan Zhuo, besides several guards who were clearly elite members of the gang with sharp eyes, his nephew, "Gun King" Fan Changlong, was also prominently present.

Fan Changlong was similar in stature to his uncle, both tall and robust, but his face appeared younger and more handsome, with a sharp glint in his eyes, exuding a youthful vigor. He wore a sleek black outfit and carried a long, narrow blue cloth bundle on his back, clearly containing his signature weapon. Following closely behind Fan Zhuo, he calmly surveyed his surroundings before bowing respectfully to Feng Zhen: "Junior Fan Changlong, on my uncle's orders, has come to offer birthday wishes to the old lady, wishing her boundless happiness and longevity!"

"Nephew, there's no need for such formalities. You truly are a young hero!"

Feng Zhen smiled and returned the greeting, his gaze lingering on Fan Changlong for a moment, a hint of admiration flashing across his face. He then turned and waved his hand, saying, "Brother Fan, Nephew Fan, and all the brothers from the Sichuan Gang, please come in! The banquet has been prepared, we must drink to our hearts' content!"

Feng Zhen personally led the way, and the group passed through the village gate and walked along the main road paved with stone slabs toward the watchtower. The Qiang people along the way stopped and cast curious glances at Fan Zhuo and his companions.

As Fan Zhuo walked, he observed the layout and defenses of the village with great interest. He saw the watchtowers and arrow emplacements built on the terrain, forming a defensive network, as well as the wiry figures and wary eyes of the Qiang people. He nodded to himself, thinking that the "Monkey King" was indeed worthy of his name, managing his village as secure as an iron barrel.

Upon entering the watchtower courtyard, the noise and fragrance immediately enveloped them. Feng Zhen did not directly lead Fan Zhuo into the bustling banquet area, but instead first led them to a quieter, elegantly furnished side hall. The hall was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood, and the walls were adorned with "Shuale Ri" (sheepskin scroll paintings) characteristic of the Qiang ethnic group, depicting stories of ancestral migration and hunting.

"Brother Fan, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest here for a while and have some of our Qiang people's barley wine to relieve your fatigue."

Feng Zhen invited Fan Zhuo and Fan Changlong to sit on the wooden couch covered with animal hides, and personally poured warm barley wine from the copper pot over the hearth and handed it to them. This was a low-alcohol wine made from fermented grains such as barley, corn, etc., and was drunk through a thin bamboo tube, with a unique flavor.

Fan Zhuo didn't stand on ceremony. He took the bamboo tube, took a big sip, and smacked his lips, saying, "Good wine! It's mellow and sweet, and has more of the rustic spirit of those so-called fine wines in Chengdu!"

Feng Zhen smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it, Brother Fan. There will be even better aged wines at the main banquet later, so you can enjoy yourself to the fullest."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Feng Zhen changed the subject, his expression becoming slightly more serious:

"Brother Fan's presence here today is not only to celebrate my mother's birthday, but also to give Fengzhen and our Ba League a tremendous honor. Lately, this land of Bashu has become increasingly turbulent." (End of Chapter)