Liangzhou Prefecture was set within a desolate landscape but, strictly speaking, it was not within the Gobi Desert. Traveling south from Liangzhou Prefecture, the majestic mountains and rivers of the Central Plains gradually unfurl before the eyes, like a painting scroll displaying its majesty.0

A group of nine people with four horses were quite a sizable party, all things considered. However, Ye Beizhi and the others did not follow the canal south. Ye Beizhi had concluded that the Northern Qiang forces would surely pillage along the path of the canal should Liangzhou fall.0

Not long after departing Liangzhou, Baili Gucheng and Yang Lu bid farewell to the group as the setting sun hung low on the horizon.0

Baili Gucheng said, "Parting ways here means that it will be a long time before we meet again. On...0