The thin horse slowly walked, looking weak, stopped to eat grass several times on the way. When the sunset was about to set, Qingshui Pass finally appeared in front of him.

As Dong Canghai said, Qingshui Pass is in a dangerous terrain, just at the connection of the two mountains, forming a natural barrier. The city wall is built against the mountain, about twenty meters high, with a city tower and guards on it, like a golden iron wall.

At this time, under the city gate, not only were the soldiers guarding the gate, but also a group of generals standing outside.

The leader was a black-faced man in his forties. The man was wearing a light helmet and uniform, with round waist and arms, like a black bear, as if he had stomped his feet, and the mountain was shaking, full of momentum.

Although he looked so rough, his eyes were black and bright, showing full of cleverness. This person was naturally Ma Kai, the chief guard of Qingshui Pass.

Beside Ma Kai, there is a deputy general in his thirties. His appearance is quite similar to that of him. There is a small scar on his right face, which adds a little bit of ruthlessness.

This man's name is He Bao, who is a distant relative of Ma Kai's family and one of his confidants.

In addition to these two people, there were four deputy generals and other generals. Most of them were around thirty years old, wearing military uniforms, with physiques trained in the army and faces dyed with frost.

As soon as he saw two carriages coming, Ma Kai led everyone to walk, lined up in front, and bowed respectfully: "I, Ma Kai, led the generals of Qingshui Pass, and paid homage to King Shicheng and Empress Su."

The guards in the city also knelt down together, and shouted with great enthusiasm: "Gourmet to King Shicheng and Empress Su."

The people who were still entering and leaving the city were shocked and quickly knelt down.

Fang Ling was not surprised that his group was recognized by Ma Kai. He walked down from the carriage behind him and waved his hand lightly, "Get up."

Everyone stood up and Fang Ling pretended to be surprised and said, "General Ma is really powerful. How did you know that my mother and I are in these two carriages?"

Ma Kai bowed humbly and replied with a smile: "Your Highness made a big splash yesterday, and it was widely circulated in all parts of Chu. My subordinates knew that this Qingshui Pass was a must-pass place for your highness, so I asked someone to inquire about the carriage that Your Highness was riding when he left, and then let his flying pigeons pass on the letter."

Ask someone to inquire? I'm afraid that Empress Song had already transmitted the characteristics of the carriage early in the morning.

Fang Ling's heart was so bright, but he didn't show it. He just pointed at the carriage and joked: "This skinny horse is rugged and the carriage is tattered, it's really not difficult to recognize it."

Ma Kai laughed and said, "Your Highness is really hilarious. I think this horse is affected by the noble character of Your Highness and the Empress. It is a royal family among the horses. The ministers have prepared a good rest for Your Highness and the Empress and his group. Please move on."

"Okay, then it's time for General Ma." Fang Ling nodded slightly, but he valued Ma Kai in his heart. This man was indeed as good as what the master said, and he was proficient in power and skills. He responded without any flaws at all. He also maintained a humble attitude. It seemed that he had to deal with it carefully.

When Su got out of the car, the generals couldn't help but swear. After all, he was the emperor's woman, and her temperament was elegant and luxurious, so people dared not look at her.

After being surprised, he saw Xiao Xue walking down with a palace maid. Everyone couldn't help but take a few more glances. It would be fine if Concubine Su was beautiful, but she didn't expect that the palace maid around her was so beautiful that she was not inferior to the royal family.

After entering the city wall gate, there is an open avenue inside. There are many shops on both sides of the avenue. In addition to the people, there are many soldiers coming and going.

The news of the arrival of the King of Shicheng had spread throughout the pass just now. Both soldiers and the people saluted respectfully, wanting to see the King of Shicheng.

Fang Ling walked in front openly and nodded to everyone. He was not trying to show off any news, but wanted these people to spread the news, that is, the King of Shicheng was in Qingshui Pass.

In this way, Ma Kai would not dare to play any tricks in the open.

The so-called place to rest is a three-story building in the city, which is unique in the city passes everywhere in the military camp, with a bit of a literati elegance.

Ma Kai smiled and introduced: "This building was left by the senior general. It is the tallest house in the city. Standing on the third floor, you can enjoy the scenery inside and outside the city and enjoy the scenery in the mountains. Moreover, this building is located in the house and can be free from disturbances from the military camp. It is a very good place to rest."

Fang Ling glanced left and right. There were indeed houses around him. It was just because the general lived, and there was a large open space downstairs, which was empty. Although he didn't know what secret tricks Ma Kai would use, there was no problem with this place for the time being. He deliberately praised: "General Ma is really interested."

Ma Kai smiled and said, "Your Highness and Empress can rest here for a while. Later, the ministers will hold a banquet in the military camp. Please give me a look."

Fang Ling's heart moved and did not reply immediately. He just pretended to be appreciative and looked around the building. When he walked by Dong Canghai, he whispered: "Do you know where Ma Kai lives in the military camp?"

Dong Canghai immediately replied: "Remember."

Fang Ling didn't say anything more and gave a wink at the guards. The guards immediately understood and went upstairs to check it. They didn't find anything abnormal before they came down.

Fang Ling asked his mother and Xiao Xue to go up and rest first, and then said to Ma Kai: "General Ma is really well-managed. He can make a fortress like a prosperous city. After I arrive in Shicheng, I must report to my father and praise the general's achievements."

"Your Highness is too much, this is all the work of the subordinates." Ma Kai replied modestly, as if he had not shown any pride because of Fang Ling's praise. At the same time, he said with concern, "Your Highness is exhausted, please go up and have a good rest first."

Fang Ling smiled faintly and said, "I don't need to rest here. I want General Ma to accompany me to the city for a walk, so that you can learn your method of governing soldiers and strengthening the people."

Ma Kai said respectfully: "Where is your highness who wants to go and see?"

Fang Ling smiled slightly and said, "Smelter."

Ma Kai said readily: "Then your Highness, please follow me."

According to what Chen Mou said on the road, each fortress level basically has its own smelting factory, which is used to process and melt the transported iron ore and make weapons and armor, and Qingshui Pass is no exception.

The smelter is located on the north side of the city's barracks. It is actually a cave built by hollowing out the interior of the mountain on one side.

In the huge cave, piles of coal fires were burning under large melting furnaces. After the iron ore melted into molten iron, soldiers poured the molten iron into the knife mold to form, then placed it in the water and then started to hammer again and again, and finally made a weapon.

Of course, Fang Ling would not come to the smelter for no reason. From the conversation with Chen Mou and Dong Canghai, he knew that this was a place where there was a dragon's and tiger's den, and Ma Kai would never be as respectful as it seemed. It was just a false image that made people disgusted and careless.

When it comes to acting, I'm afraid no one can compare to the eunuchs in the palace. Each of them is a superb performer and disguiser. You can change into a few faces in an instant, and each one can make people believe it.

Growing up in such an environment, Fang Ling's skill in distinguishing people is naturally much higher than that of ordinary people.

Although he only had a short contact with Ma Kai, he was sure that this person was a cautious and careful person, good at power and was probably very cruel to take action. Such a person would never give up the opportunity to curry favor with Empress Song, which means that he must be his enemy.

Moreover, once you deal with yourself, you will die!

But the only thing Fang Ling didn't know was what method Ma Kai would use to deal with him. Today, his group entered Qingshui Pass in full view of the public. Ma Kai would definitely not use the light method, so he could only use the dark one.

Although I don’t know what this dark method is, Fang Ling realized that one thing that must be done to escape from Qingshui Pass is that it is necessary to prepare for the conditions to escape.

Just those two thin horses and two broken carriages, even if they escape from Qingshui Pass, what will happen to the long road to Shicheng?

So, since Ma Kai wants to kill him, why should he show mercy? This Qingshui Pass with sufficient supplies is a great place to supplement materials for Fang Ling!

Fang Ling walked slowly in the smelting plant and soon saw a place where smelted weapons were placed, including swords, swords, bows, axes and shields. Each one had hundreds of pieces.

Fang Ling picked up a knife and looked at it. The weight was not light at first, it weighed about ten pounds, and it was heavy in his hand. The blade was as smooth as a mirror and was extremely sharp in his blade.

Fang Ling couldn't help but praise him secretly. He had seen the swords of the imperial guards. Compared with this, it was lighter and narrower. It was very beautiful, but if you want to kill the enemy, it would be more lethal.

Ma Kai said, "The iron ore in our Qingshui Pass is all high-quality iron ore transported directly from the iron ore 300 miles away. After various procedures, it takes five days to become the saber in your hand."

"It sounds very good, but I just don't know how the effect is?" Fang Ling said in a pretentious manner.

"Come here, show your highness what exactly our weapons at Qingshui Pass!" Ma Kai waved his hand.

After ordering, two soldiers with upper bodies walked out, one with a long sword with a little dark body, and the other with a saber on the table.

Ma Kai smiled and said, "One of these is a knife weapon used by ordinary town guards. Please see..."
Chapter completed!