Chapter 280: Eldest Daughter Li Lingyue, Sisters Reunited
The grain-producing areas of the Western Regions have always been concentrated in the Tianshan Mountains north and south, Yin Mountains, and Yili area.
Jin Prefecture, on the other hand, is not suitable for growing grain, with bitterly cold weather, insufficient accumulated temperature, and low grain yields.
In the early years, only the Han people of the Nine Forts and Eighteen Villages guarded the fields and barely farmed, most of the time relying on herding for a living.
But as the population of Jin Prefecture increases, what to do if there is not enough grain to eat?
Naturally, the Hexi Merchant Guild’s caravan shuttles through the great desert and Gobi Desert, transporting grain from various places to Jin Prefecture, known as “Southern Grain to the North.”
And the common people of Jin Prefecture sell livestock for money to buy grain and supplies.
Therefore, the importance of the great desert to Jin Prefecture is beyond doubt.
After leaving Hami, Li Xiao stayed in the great desert for half a month, leading the officials of the Camp Cultivation Department to traverse a large area west of Changbalyk.
These are the locations of Changji, Kuitun, Shihezi, and others in later generations, which are the granaries of the corps.
Now, large areas of earthen dwellings have been dug out, becoming the primary settlement area for Northern Frontier immigrants.
“The newly reclaimed grain fields must plant soybeans in the first two years.”
In the wasteland at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, Camp Cultivation Department Staff Officer Chen Chong was reporting work to Li Xiao.
Over these three years, he led the common people of the great desert and Gaochang prisoners of war to carve out tens of thousands of mu of good fields from the saline-alkali land, becoming a veritable agricultural expert.
“Great Protector, look.”
With that, he picked up a clod of soil covered in white alkali, crushed it, and scattered it on the ground.
“This land has heavy saline-alkali content; the beans need to absorb the salt first.”
“By the third year, when the soil fertility is restored, plant wheat, millet, and sorghum, and you’re guaranteed to harvest thirty percent more grain.”
Li Xiao gazed at the common people in the distance who were plowing the land, supporting crude wooden plows as they turned over the hard wasteland evenly.
The land has not yet frozen now, so it can barely still be plowed, but in a few days it probably won’t be possible.
“Soybeans are a good thing!” Li Xiao nodded slightly.
Soybeans can be used for oil pressing; with sufficient oil and water, less grain is consumed.
Moreover, the oil residue left after pressing can feed war horses, making them fat and strong.
In short, the importance of soybeans to the Northern Frontier is no less than that of wheat and millet.
Having received affirmation, Chen Chong was even more enthusiastic, drawing an area on the ground with a tree branch: “Great Protector, this subordinate plans to reclaim all the land west of Changbalyk come spring.”
Changbalyk is Changji of later generations, and to the west is the Shihezi and Kuitun area.
Dozens of rivers formed from melted snow water of the Tianshan Mountains flow through, all good places.
In previous years, due to insufficient manpower, these fertile soils could only lie fallow.
Now, with four myriad household commanders’ common people about to settle in the great desert, there is enough young and strong labor to turn the barren beaches upside down; the reclaimed fields will likely form vast expanses, endless to the eye.
Watching him talk eloquently, Li Xiao’s lips curved in a smile, nodding slightly as he raised his hand and gently patted his arm: “I feel at ease with you handling things.”
As soon as the words fell, he waved his hand.
The clerk following behind immediately stepped forward, holding a neatly folded cloth and silk with both hands, and respectfully handed it to Li Xiao.
Li Xiao solemnly handed it to Chen Chong, saying gravely: “Governor Chen, this great desert place, this Protector entrusts it to you.”
“Do not disappoint this Protector.”
Earlier while chatting idly with Li Xiao, Chen Chong had vaguely guessed a bit; now hearing the words “Governor,” he nodded heavily.
He took the cloth and silk with both hands: “This subordinate will not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths!”
Unfolding the cloth and silk, it was indeed as he expected.
Relieved of the position of Camp Cultivation Department Staff Officer, appointed as Great Desert Governor, in charge of Great Desert civil affairs, becoming the second governor of the Northern Frontier.
The bottom left corner of the cloth and silk bore the fresh red seal of the Governor’s Mansion, exuding unquestionable dignity.
The original Camp Cultivation Department was not abolished; Deputy Staff Officer Gao Zhongyi was promoted to Staff Officer, but his authority is now much diminished.
The military power over camp cultivation reclamation and Field Guard Teams that he formerly held has been entirely reclaimed; now he only handles collecting land tax and land rent, supervising granary construction, and guarding grain and fodder.
Li Xiao turned around, his gaze toward the distant great desert mountains and rivers, saying solemnly: “The position of governor is not a mere official hat; it is a burden.”
He paused, his tone heavy: “Fill the common people’s bellies, dig through the field ridges and ditches, properly settle the Great Desert immigrants—these all rest on your shoulders.”
“This subordinate understands!”
Chen Chong tucked the cloth and silk tightly into his bosom, saying solemnly: “I will ensure the Great Desert granaries are fuller year by year.”
In the following days, Li Xiao shuttled through the various immigrant settlement points in the great desert.
He checked if the newly built earthen dwellings blocked the wind, and asked if the daily five-liang porridge and rice was fully distributed.
When encountering old men engaged in camp cultivation, he pulled them aside to inquire about past harvests; when meeting newly arrived immigrants, he patted their shoulders and explained the Northern Frontier rules.
The mud and dirt on their rough palms explained the issues better than the clerk’s ledgers.
Leaving the immigrant area, he went to the various residential points of the Second Division.
He inspected their living conditions and checked if military merits were fully disbursed.
While Li Xiao was busy, the troops of the First Division had already advanced, escorting two myriad household commanders’ common people toward Jin Prefecture.
Camel bells and creaking wagon wheels intertwined, stretching along the newly built official road of Dragon City for over ten li; the entire procession resembled a wriggling long dragon.
They finally arrived at Dragon City before winter set in.
At this time, after another year of construction, Dragon City’s outer city was basically completed.
The gray city walls stood like giants on the land of Jin Prefecture, with arrow towers staggered along the battlements; though not as grand as the great cities of the Central Plains, it had become a colossal presence on the Western Regions’ wasteland.
At this moment, in a room in the back courtyard of the Great Protector’s Mansion inside the city, the infant’s clear cry rang out again, like a silver bell falling on ice, crisp and bright.
During Li Xiao’s expedition, Han Ying’er gave birth to a daughter for him.
This news greatly disappointed the faction represented by the Han family; they had hoped for a son to solidify their power, and Han Ying’er was sullen about it, sighing all day at the cradle.
But when this news arrived amid the Northern Frontier military secret reports before Li Xiao, he was overjoyed.
A son is certainly important, but a daughter is also flesh of his heart, especially as his eldest daughter.
Li Xiao immediately penned a name: “Li Lingyue.”
Though girls need not strictly follow generational names, he had his own considerations.
Sons’ names contain “sun,” like Li Shizhao; daughters with “moon,” symbolizing sun and moon engendering each other, yin and yang in harmony, echoing the Northern Frontier’s sun and moon totem.
At this moment in the room, Li Lingyue cried out again at the top of her lungs.
“Stinky stinky stinky~”
One-year-old Golden Saber wobbled over to the cradle; not yet able to speak full sentences, he tiptoed, pointing at his sister on the bed with a chubby finger, his little face scrunched up as if smelled by something.
Xiao Yanyan laughed and picked him up, gently patting his little bottom with her fingertip: “Sister pooped stinky, Golden Saber did that too before.”
She turned to the wet nurse nearby: “Quickly take her to change, be careful not to let her get cold.”
As the wet nurse picked up Li Lingyue, Wei Fuyao lifted the curtain and entered.
She wore a moon-white jacket and skirt, with entwined lotus embroidery on the cuffs, tall and strikingly beautiful.
Her gaze fell on the empty bedding in the cradle, then shifted to the infant being carried away by the wet nurse, a trace of barely perceptible envy flashing in her eyes.
She then asked: “Where is Sister Han?”
“She was tired all yesterday and just lay down not long ago.” Xiao Yanyan sat on the chair with a light smile.
Though there was overt and covert rivalry among these women, overall, their relations were fairly harmonious.
Mainly because Xiao Yanyan’s prestige was too strong.
No one dared to stir trouble in her presence.
Otherwise, if truly provoked, even if she beat or killed a concubine, Li Xiao would only mildly punish, and that would be the end of it.
With the strong legacy from her maternal home and having borne Li Xiao’s eldest son Golden Saber, Xiao Yanyan’s confidence was ample.
However, the more important reason these women were so harmonious was Li Xiao’s exceptional ability; even distribution of favor was basic, and often there would be a downpour, leaving no one out.
No need for deliberate vying for favor; naturally, relations among these women would be more amicable.
Wei Fuyao sat beside Xiao Yanyan, her voice soft as a feather: “Lingyue’s cry is much louder than Golden Saber’s when he was little.”
Xiao Yanyan held Golden Saber playing on the sofa, glancing at Er Ya’s empty waist and abdomen, lips curving in a smile: “Which child doesn’t cry?”
“If you’re eager to hold a baby, you must grit your teeth and endure to the end.” She deliberately drew out her tone, her eyes full of teasing.
Er Ya’s face flushed lightly at the words, thinking of their collective indulgence—indeed, whoever endured to the end would gain the most!
But she did not shrink away shyly like an ordinary girl; instead, she pinched a preserved fruit from the fruit plate and held it to Golden Saber’s mouth, her voice warm and soft: “Sister is still young; having a child is not urgent.”
Her fingertip brushed Golden Saber’s soft fetal hair, her smile more genuine: “But Golden Saber is truly adorable.”
“Come, let auntie hold you.”
Er Ya opened her arms; Golden Saber was attracted by the tinkling of her silver bracelet, giggling as he crawled over.
But in truth, saying she did not want a child soon was self-deception.
In this Great Protector’s Mansion, which woman did not long to bear offspring?
Especially a son—that was the reliance for the latter half of life, the foundation for standing firm in the mansion.
But before Xiao Yanyan, such thoughts could not be shown too openly; this main wife seemed gentle, but her shrewdness was unmistakable—too much ambition would lead to a disadvantage.
Er Ya was no foolish, schemeless girl.
Last year, three months after marrying into the mansion, Li Xiao stayed in her room almost every night; the gasps under candlelight, the warmth in the brocade quilt—which was not solid favor?
But pregnancy ultimately depended on fate; no use rushing.
She bounced Golden Saber in her arms; the child laughed even more happily, drool smearing on her moon-white collar like a tiny cloud.
Er Ya gently wiped it with a handkerchief, casually asking: “The Great Protector should be back soon, right?”
Xiao Yanyan picked up a silver spoon to feed Golden Saber the freshly served steamed egg; at the words, she paused, looking out the window: “He’s in the great desert, will return after checking camp cultivation matters, at latest by month’s end.”
She paused, looking at Er Ya with a half-smile: “How? It’s only been half a year apart, and you’ve missed him?”
Golden Saber in Er Ya’s arms reached for her hairpin; she lowered her head to gather her hair, hiding the anticipation in her eyes, and smiled: “Doesn’t Sister miss him?”
“Besides, Golden Saber misses Daddy too, right?”
She pinched Golden Saber’s cheek; the little one clapped uncomprehendingly: “Daddy daddy~”
Under Xiao Yanyan’s guidance, he could already call “Daddy,” but he had completely forgotten Li Xiao.
Xiao Yanyan laughed, tapping Golden Saber’s forehead: “Little person, big ghost.”
As she spoke, the maidservant beside Xiao Yanyan entered lightly, standing by the warm curtain with hands down, voice very low: “Madam, Chiliarch Liu just sent word: the Hexi immigrant procession is less than ten li from Dragon City.”
Chiliarch Liu Xun, who remained in Dragon City, was originally one of the four chiliarchs of the Wuwei Army.
When Li Xiao took three chiliarchs on expedition, he specially left him to guard Dragon City and supervise city construction; now he reports directly to Xiao Yanyan.
Though Li Xiao was inspecting the great desert, the immigrants’ steps could not be delayed; otherwise, if winter came before reaching the destination, many would freeze to death.
Thus, he ordered the First Division main force to escort the common people north to Jin Prefecture.
This migration to Jin Prefecture involved few people, only three myriad household commanders, mostly elites from the Western Xia Army, strong and sturdy men.
Mainly because Jin Prefecture’s weather is severely cold, the stronger the physique, the higher the survival rate.
Besides these three myriad household commanders to Jin Prefecture, there were four to the great desert, two to Yili, one to Seven Rivers, two to Yin Mountains, three to Gaochang, and three to Western Sea.
Plus Jin Prefecture’s own three myriad household commanders, totaling eighteen myriad household commanders of immigrants—the entire population migrating to the Northern Frontier.
However, along the way, disease, exhaustion, scorching heat, and severe cold claimed many lives.
The total number now is probably less than five hundred thousand.
Fortunately, the procession included many Western Xia prisoners of war and civilian laborers, with a very high proportion of young and strong, all forming separate households, more than enough to fill fourteen myriad household commanders’ quotas.
Jin Prefecture also has many female slaves from Naiman Tribe and Kereit Tribe; after selling to these men, the population will grow in a few years.
In the warm room, hearing the news of the common people’s imminent arrival, Xiao Yanyan remained composed, while Er Ya was the most excited.
“Ten li?”
Her beautiful eyes flickered with urgency, her voice trembling uncontrollably: “They’ve finally come!”
Not long ago, Li Xiao’s letter stated he had found her eldest sister’s family and arranged them in the Hexi immigrant procession to migrate to Jin Prefecture.
Upon hearing this, Er Ya was stunned.
Eldest Sister had married into Western Xia six years ago; she was young then, and her memory of Eldest Sister’s features had blurred.
She only remembered Eldest Sister was good to her, but distant roads meant no news for a long time.
But she never imagined that during this Eastern Expedition, Wei Xuan would find Eldest Sister’s family and bring them to reunite in the Northern Frontier.
Thus, these days, though Er Ya appeared calm on the surface, she had stood on the city wall countless times, gazing toward the southern official road.
Seeing her excitement, Xiao Yanyan curved her lips in a gentle smile: “It seems Sister can’t wait to see family.”
She immediately turned to the maidservant: “Change clothes; I will personally go to the city gate to greet them.”
Not to greet Da Ya’s family, but to greet these three myriad household commanders of immigrants.
As Li Xiao’s main wife, her status was never just that of a back courtyard woman; it always carried strong political significance.
Appeasing immigrant sentiments and inspecting settlements were her bounden duties; these common people migrating from foreign lands were vital forces of the Northern Frontier.
Er Ya hurriedly handed Golden Saber to her trusted wet nurse, her fingertips still trembling slightly: “Sister, wait for me; I’ll change now.”
Moments later, both donned thick marten fur cloaks.
Xiao Yanyan’s dark golden cloak was edged with white fox fur, a jade belt at her waist; her movements exuded dignified poise—as Li Xiao’s main wife, she naturally qualified to wear dark golden clothes.
Er Ya wore a plain white cloak, the rabbit fur at the collar setting off her cheeks in red; her steps were light as if to fly, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
At the city gate, Xiao Yanyan reined in her horse, gazing at the black dots gradually emerging on the distant horizon, saying solemnly to her personal guard beside her.
“Tell Chiliarch Liu to first arrange the elderly and weak into temporary shelters, boil some ginger soup to ward off cold, and prepare two hundred sheep for slaughter.”
Li Xiao had told the common people that upon reaching the Northern Frontier, they would have meat to eat.
Xiao Yanyan naturally had to arrange it, to keep faith.
The meat was not much, but even meat porridge was rare fare in ordinary common households, unseen in a year.
“Yes!” The personal guard departed on orders.
Er Ya quietly stayed beside, gripping the reins tightly, her gaze fixed south, as if piercing ten li of wind and snow to see that familiar yet vague figure in the immigrant procession.
The distant black dots drew nearer, gradually revealing a continuous caravan and crowds carrying belongings, like a long snake wriggling through the wasteland.
Meanwhile, Da Ya’s family walked amid the immigrant procession, receiving extra care from the Northern Frontier Army.
Except for the confiscated fields, all other family property was retained.
Thus, Su Renli and Da Ya could each drive a horse carriage, pulling children and luggage forward.
Moreover, not far from them, several Northern Frontier soldiers paid special attention, even proactively helping.
“Is that Dragon City?”
Su Wuji suddenly pointed ahead; his little finger red from the cold wind, he shouted excitedly with eyes full of light.
Da Ya looked in the direction he pointed; on the distant horizon, the gray city walls gradually revealed their outline, like a giant beast lurking on the land.
As Dragon City drew nearer, Da Ya’s heart tightened as if gripped by an invisible hand—both anxious and excited, her heartbeat pounding like a drum against her chest.
Three li away, two li, one li…
The city walls grew clearer; even at the gate, a group of mounted figures in yellow armor could be seen, similar to the Northern Frontier Cavalry around them.
She knew she would soon see her sister—that girl with pigtails who always followed behind her.
The sister who cried red-eyed and chased her two li on her wedding day was now waiting in that city.
She never imagined that little girl would become the lofty Great Protector’s Madam?
Were those yellow-armored cavalry at the gate guarding her?
Was she now wearing brocade, living in a house with gold bricks?
Would she… not recognize her dust-covered sister?
“Mom, look, those people are coming.” Her eldest son stood on the carriage, pointing at the city gate cavalry.
Da Ya snapped back, looking up; indeed, the yellow-armored cavalry were approaching the procession.
On the two leading horses sat two women in cloaks.
One in a dark golden cloak edged with white fox fur, her posture dignified and majestic.
The other in a plain white cloak, the rabbit fur at the collar highlighting her profile strikingly; she gazed urgently this way, her eyes scanning the caravan like searchlights.
Da Ya’s breath caught, staring blankly at the white-clad woman, yet hesitating to acknowledge.
Seven years—she had been married in Western Xia for seven years.
Seven years ago, Er Ya was just a little girl.
But this woman before her was in fine silks, with an indescribable nobility in her brows—where was the shadow of a country girl?
But Er Ya had already recognized her sister.
Just as in her memory, Da Ya’s appearance had not changed much, just more mature, with some wrinkles on her forehead.
But Er Ya recognized her at a glance—that was Sister.
“Eldest Sister.”
Er Ya spurred her horse forward, jumping down impatiently before it stopped.
Her eyes shone brilliantly, fixed on Da Ya, tears falling like unstrung pearls: “Eldest Sister, it’s me, Er Ya!”
Da Ya nodded repeatedly, choking: “I know, I know it’s Er Ya; how could I not recognize you!”
She extended her rough palm, callused with frostbite and cracks, hovering before Er Ya’s cheek but hesitating to touch.
With a “thud,” Er Ya threw herself into Da Ya’s arms; the sisters embraced tightly.
In Er Ya’s heart, years of pent-up grievance finally found release: “Eldest Sister, our home is gone…”
“Parents are gone, Grandfather is gone, the entire Sanhe Fort is gone…”
The Sanhe Fort village massacre was undoubtedly Er Ya’s nightmare.
The night of raging flames, blood-soaked ground, parents’ final gaze as they hid her in the cellar…
These scenes were like vipers, gnawing at her heart day and night.
Now facing her only sister, she could finally release all fear and pain unrestrained.
Da Ya held her trembling sister, her own body ice-cold.
Who could have thought her parting from parents when marrying into Western Xia would be eternal?
In the distance, Xiao Yanyan reined her horse, watching quietly, a trace of loneliness in her expression.
Er Ya at least had family left—but she?
Her only brother Xiao Simo was gone too.
The youth in her memory always tugged her braids, saying “A Man, don’t be afraid; Brother protects you.”
But now, she had no brother.
Xiao Yanyan gazed toward the Eastern Capital, frost quietly forming on her lashes; only after the heat in her eyes faded did she take a deep breath, saying softly to the personal guard behind: “Pass my orders.”
“Bring out the cattle and sheep; ensure everyone has meat porridge, and boil ginger soup to ward off cold!”
Her voice was clear, carrying unquestionable dignity.
Soon, the lowing and bleating of cattle and sheep sounded at the city gate.
The immigrants initially stared blankly; as each centurion received a sheep, the numbness in their eyes gradually turned to surprise.
A man wrapped in ragged felt tremblingly asked: “Madam, this… this is for us?”
Xiao Yanyan nodded, her gaze sweeping over their frost-reddened faces: “Everyone has had a hard journey; arriving in Jin Prefecture is arriving home.”
“No matter where you came from before, from now on, you are all my Northern Frontier subjects.”
“As long as you take up the hoe to farm, take up saber to protect home, we are all one family!”
“The Great Protector’s Mansion will distribute pastures and fields, lend you cattle and sheep and seeds…”
Having been by Li Xiao’s side so long, Xiao Yanyan had learned much; her words were like a basin of coals, instantly igniting the crowd’s enthusiasm.
They busily set to work, slaughtering sheep and cattle, making meat porridge themselves.
After resting, Xiao Yanyan dispersed the three myriad household commanders’ common people, by centurion units, to various places in Jin Prefecture.
As much as possible before the blizzard, settling everyone; the rest was holing up in earthen dwellings for winter.
