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

After leaving the caravan, Yi Huawei and his two companions continued their journey northward.

The three figures were as insignificant as three specks of dust in the vast天地 (heaven and earth), yet they possessed a peculiar presence that seemed out of place with their surroundings.

Shi Feixuan did not ask Yi Huawei why he did not save people. She knew that although the reason Yi Huawei gave to An Lushan was absurd, it was true, because the man in front of her never bothered to lie.

Lian Rou didn't ask... well, she just didn't dare.

Although several of her clansmen had died, Lian Rou had grown up in the Western Turkic Khaganate and didn't have much kinship. Moreover, An Lushan and his men were merely strangers she'd met; why would she question their god-like master on their behalf?

Silent all the way.

The three moved with incredible speed, seemingly strolling, but in reality, they were shrinking the distance to an inch, covering hundreds of miles a day while their breathing became uneven. Over the course of several days, the terrain gradually changed, the land continued to rise, and hills became more numerous, but grasslands still dominated the landscape.

This area is at the forefront of the intertwined struggle between agricultural and nomadic civilizations. As far as the eye can see, there is a vast, flat, and desolate ochre-yellow plain.

A strong north wind swept across the plateau without any obstruction, howling incessantly. The withered grass stems stood stubbornly upright in the hard frozen soil and thin snow, clump after clump, patch after patch, stretching all the way to the horizon where it met the leaden sky.

In the distance, the abandoned beacon tower and the mud-brick platform have mostly collapsed, leaving only a blurry outline stubbornly pointing to the sky.

Along the way, traces of human activity began to appear, with occasional scattered yurt settlements belonging to small tribes affiliated with the Turks, or to refugees driven here by the wars in the Central Plains. Upon seeing Yi Huawei and his two companions, dressed in strikingly different attire, their eyes were filled with wariness and curiosity, yet none dared to approach and speak. The hardships of survival had worn away most of their desire to inquire, leaving only an instinctive sense of caution.

From time to time, flocks of sandgrouse would take flight from the withered grass, fluttering away into the distance. On the distant horizon, small black dots could occasionally be seen moving, as herdsmen drove their few hardy cattle and sheep in search of sheltered pastures.

Occasionally, in sheltered depressions, one can see low courtyard walls built of rammed earth or stones. Perhaps this was once a military camp for soldiers who settled there, but now it is deserted, with only the howling wind passing through it.

The Great Wall here was mostly constructed using local materials, rammed earth. Having withstood the erosion of wind and rain and the ravages of war, many sections have crumbled and broken into isolated mounds. Arrow holes and chisel marks are still faintly visible on the wall, silently telling the tragic story of the Han soldiers who fought and bled here to defend against the southward advance of the Turkic cavalry. Today, this defensive line is long gone, and Turkic cavalry can easily sneak through these gaps to raid the border.

As she walked through the ruins and remnants of the Great Wall, Shi Feixuan's cool gaze swept over them, a sense of desolation and pity rising in her heart. Having studied history since childhood, she knew this place had been the front line for the Han dynasty's battles against the Xiongnu and the Sui dynasty's defense against the Turks; every inch of this land might hold the bones of nameless soldiers. Seeing this desolate scene with her own eyes now, she could better understand the hardships of the border people and the neglect of the Central Plains dynasties' border defenses.

Although Lianrou was a Sogdian who had lived in the Western Turkic Khaganate for a long time, she was still full of curiosity about this completely different geographical and cultural landscape. Pointing to a relatively intact section of rammed earth wall in the distance, she asked, "Master, is that the 'wall' built by the Han emperor? Could it really stop the warriors of the grasslands?"

Yi Huawei did not turn around, but said calmly, "A wall never blocks the hooves of horses, but the hearts of people. When the hearts of people inside the wall are scattered, even the highest wall is nothing but a pile of dirt."

The words drifted away with the cold wind, offering no further explanation, yet they sent a slight jolt through Shi Feixuan's heart.

The three traveled northwest along what would later be known as Jining and Chahar Right Middle Banner, where the terrain became increasingly flat and open, which is the so-called "Bashang Grassland".

Along the way, some larger settlements began to appear sporadically, enclosed by earthen walls and wooden fences. These settlements were mostly inhabited by both Han and non-Han peoples and were mainly engaged in the trade of furs and livestock. However, a tense atmosphere permeated the area, as Turkic cavalry with shaved heads and left-fastening robes would occasionally whistle past.

Beneath a gentle, sheltered, sunny slope, several round felt tents covered with thick wool formed a small camp. Faint smoke rose from the tent roofs. Nearby, a simple wooden fence held dozens of sheep and a few horses, the animals huddled together for warmth in the cold wind. As the three passed by, several figures, bundled up tightly, emerged from the tents, watching them warily, seemingly clutching weapons. Yi Huawei's divine sense swept lightly over the small camp, neither lingering nor approaching.

The three also encountered small groups of Turkic cavalry. These riders wore heavy fur robes and hats, with horn bows and scimitars hanging from their saddles, patrolling the grasslands. When they saw Yi Huwei and his two solitary "travelers," their eyes revealed undisguised surprise and curiosity. One group even rode closer, but the moment the lead rider's gaze met Yi Huwei's calmly sweeping eyes, he felt a sudden, inexplicable unease, as if he had been glanced at by some primordial beast. He involuntarily reined in his horse, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately did not approach to question or provoke them, watching the three gradually disappear into the distance.

Lian Rou pursed her lips and whispered, "If they dare to come over, it'll be a good opportunity to test how well my 'Crescent Slash' works on horseback."

Shi Feixuan frowned slightly. The appearance of these Turkic cavalry meant that they were penetrating deeper and deeper into the Turkic sphere of influence.

Several days later, a huge, long, dark blue shadow that seemed to connect heaven and earth gradually became clear on the horizon.

That is the Yinshan Mountains.

The Yinshan Mountains, stretching between the Mongolian Plateau and the Hetao Plain, form a natural north-south dividing line. Majestic and imposing, the mountains appear particularly somber and precipitous under the gray winter sky. Their peaks are covered with snow that never melts, shimmering with a cold, icy light as slivers of sunlight pierce through the clouds. The exposed rocks and deep ravines of the mountains create a sense of imposing distance and aloofness.

As we approached the southern foothills of the Yin Mountains, the terrain began to undulate, with more hills appearing. Traveling along a hardened, frozen dirt road formed by the long passage of carts and horses, the mountains on either side gradually converged. Finally, a relatively flat and open valley came into view, and at the end of the valley lay the renowned Baidao Pass.

As its name suggests, the White Path, with its lighter-colored rocks and soil against the backdrop of the surrounding dark mountains, and covered in snow in winter, truly resembles a gray-white ribbon winding deep into the mountains. Although the terrain here is still rugged, it is a rare passageway compared to the steep ridges on both sides.

The valley is wide enough for several vehicles to pass side by side, and narrow enough for large groups of people to pass one after another. The towering cliffs on both sides form a natural gateway, creating an impregnable fortress. Even before entering the pass, one can feel the extraordinary and desolate atmosphere of this place.

On the hillsides on both sides of the road, there are many traces of human construction: collapsed stone walls, rusted and broken arrowheads, and even occasionally, fragments of armor half-buried in the soil. On some rocks, you can still see blurry inscriptions or symbols, including Han Dynasty clerical script and illegible Hu script, which are difficult to decipher due to their age and erosion by wind and frost.

An invisible aura of iron and blood seemed to permeate the air—the "memory" etched into the soil and rocks, left behind by countless armies of the Xiongnu and Han, Xianbei and Wei, Turks and Sui over thousands of years, fighting and traversing this land. Yi Huawei slowed his pace slightly; his state of "birth and death at will" made him particularly sensitive to the "atmosphere" of this place. He could "hear" the clanging and shouts of clashing swords and galloping horses still echoing in the wind, and he could "see" the layers upon layers of buried bones and rusted weapons beneath this land. This was a vast historical corridor, witnessing countless collisions and exchanges between nomadic and agricultural civilizations.

Shi Feixuan's expression was solemn. She could sense that the energy here was stagnant and not dissipating, with a faint sense of killing intent lingering. For her, who cultivated the way of the sword and had a keen sense of spirituality, this was an invisible shock.

"This place is indeed a strategic choke point."

Shi Feixuan sighed softly, "One man can hold the pass against ten thousand. Controlling this road means controlling the lifeline of travel between the north and south."

Lian Rou looked around curiously. Although she didn't have as deep a sense of history as Shi Feixuan, she could still tell that the terrain here was treacherous and a good place for fighting.

He couldn't help but look at Yi Huawei and asked curiously, "It seems like a lot of battles have been fought here?"

"Although the terrain here is relatively flat, it is a vital passage connecting the southern grasslands and the Yellow River bend region. By controlling this passage, one can protect Yunzhong and Mayi to the south, directly access the desert to the north, support Youyan to the east, and connect with Hexi to the west. It has always been a strategic location fought over by military strategists."

His gaze swept over the ruins, and Yi Huawei spoke:

"During the Warring States period, King Wuling of Zhao adopted nomadic dress and cavalry tactics, defeating the Linhu and Loufan tribes in the north, extending his territory to this area. During the Qin and Han dynasties, Meng Tian drove the Xiongnu north, recovered the land south of the Yellow River, and built cities and fortifications, making this route an important passage. The Northern Wei rose to power in the north of Dai, deploying six garrisons, making this route an even more crucial point of communication. Not long ago, Emperor Yang of Sui led 500,000 armored soldiers and 100,000 horses, with banners and supplies stretching for thousands of miles, on a northern tour to the Turks, intending to intimidate Qimin Khan and demonstrate the might of the Sui Dynasty. His entourage passed through this Baidao Road, heading north out of the Yin Mountains to reach the Turkic camp. At that time, the carriages were magnificent, and the ceremonial procession was grand, making it the most spectacular event of the time."

Yi Huawei's gaze swept over the faintly discernible inscription on a rock wall that read "Da Ye... Emperor's Inspection Tour Here," and he shook his head: "At that time, this place must have been bustling with carriages and horses, and a gathering of dignitaries."

Shi Feixuan's heart stirred slightly. She was well-read and naturally knew about this part of history.

Emperor Yang of Sui's unprecedented northern tour was intended to show off his military might and did indeed briefly intimidate the Turks, but it consumed a great deal of national strength and did not fundamentally solve the border troubles. Instead, it sowed the seeds of even greater hidden dangers.

Now, just over a decade later, the Sui Dynasty has fallen apart, and the Turkic cavalry has once again invaded the south. Yet, this White Road still lies quietly here, witnessing the rise and fall of dynasties and the changing of power.

She seemed to hear the echoes of history sobbing in the valley—the neighing of warhorses, the shouts of soldiers, the imperial carriages, the camel bells of merchants… All the glory and struggles ultimately turned into these silent ruins and the howling wind before her eyes.

Lian Rou didn't know much about the specific deeds of Emperor Yang of Sui, but when she heard about the "Turkic camp" and the "vast army," her eyes lit up with interest, and she began to examine the passage more carefully.

As you venture deeper into the pass, the traces of human intervention become more apparent. The stone foundations of the abandoned pass remain, but the gate tower has long since collapsed. Nearby are also several ruins of what appear to have been military camps, as well as some overturned cellars used for storing supplies.

On some high vantage points on the cliffs, new, crudely constructed wooden watchtowers appeared, their roofs covered with felt. Figures could be vaguely seen moving about, and outside stood the wolf-head banners of the Turks, fluttering in the cold wind. This indicated that the White Road was now firmly in the hands of DTZ Jieli Khan, becoming a crucial choke point for him to monitor the south and mobilize his troops.

Just as they were about to cross the mountain pass, Yi Huawei's consciousness stirred slightly, and he stopped, turning his gaze to a higher mountain ridge on the left.

Shi Feixuan and Lian Rou also looked in that direction and saw several riders in the distance, seemingly Turkic cavalry on patrol. They didn't approach, but merely observed the three "strange men" crossing the White Road on foot from a distance, especially Yi Huawei's thin blue robe, which stood out conspicuously in the eyes of the Turkic cavalry. But perhaps because Yi Huawei and his companions were too unusual, or perhaps because there were few travelers in the dead of winter, the patrol did not approach to investigate. After observing for a moment, they disappeared behind the mountain ridge.

Lian Rou seemed somewhat disappointed, muttering a few words to herself. When she saw Shi Feixuan looking at her, she smiled slightly and stopped talking.

After passing through the narrowest part of the White Pass, the view suddenly opened up before us.

What unfolds before our eyes is a scene completely different from the grasslands on the southern slopes of the Bashang Grassland—the vast southern grasslands (Yunzhong County, now the Hohhot Plain).

Although it was still winter, the grassland, nestled under the "protection" of the Yin Mountains, seemed to have a slightly calmer wind. The terrain was flat as a sea, stretching as far as the eye could see, the withered yellow grass extending to the hazy horizon. A frozen river, like a giant silver ribbon, meandered through the grassland, reflecting a cold, clear light under the pale sky. Large swathes of bare shrubs grew along the riverbanks—willows, sea buckthorn, and other cold-resistant plants.

The vitality here is noticeably greater. Larger herds of livestock can be seen moving in the distance, like shadows of clouds sweeping across the ground. In the distance, there are quite a few large clusters of felt tents, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys, and the sounds of people and horses can be faintly heard, indicating that a considerable number of people live here.

Yi Huawei stopped and stood on a high rock at the exit of the pass, gazing into the distance at the vast grasslands of southern Mongolia. The cold wind blew his thin blue shirt, making it rustle.

"The water plants are lush and abundant, truly living up to its reputation."

Shi Feixuan praised.

Even in the dead of winter, the land's unique ability to nourish life is evident, which explains why it has always been a coveted territory for nomadic peoples and an important springboard and supply base for the Central Plains dynasties' northern expeditions.

"Yunzhong County..."

Yi Huawei glanced at Shi Feixuan indifferently: "The Tuoba Xianbei rose to power here, eventually establishing the Northern Wei dynasty... Having traveled all the way from Huaihuang, seeing this magnificent landscape and historical relics, Feixuan, do you have any feelings about it?" (End of this chapter)