Chapter 144: Iron Cavalry Tramples The Camp, Mine Slaves
Night fell, and the Royal Court Army Camp gradually quieted down, as if the daytime noise and busyness had been swallowed by the darkness.
Tents were scattered in an orderly fashion, bonfires swayed in the night wind, and occasionally a few horse neighs broke the tranquility.
The soldiers on night watch wandered aimlessly around the perimeter of the camp.
Suddenly, a dull sound came from the distance, faint at first, like a low murmur from deep within the land.
But soon, the sound grew clearer, gradually turning into thunderous rumbling.
Three scouts came running in panic through the dark night, shouting loudly in terror: “Enemy attack!”
“Enemy attack!”
“The rebels are coming.”
In an instant, the Royal Court Army Camp descended into chaos.
Soldiers awoke from their sleep, some not even having time to don their armor before frantically grabbing their weapons.
The once orderly tents were knocked askew by the fleeing crowds, burning bonfires were overturned, sparks flew everywhere, illuminating faces full of shock and fear.
Li Xiao led three thousand iron cavalry charging from the northwest like a black torrent, the sound of hooves intertwining as if to shatter the night.
“Kill one enemy, reward two strings of cash.”
“Kill one general, promotion by one rank.”
“Kill!”
Li Xiao roared fiercely, his face stern and cold, holding a horse spear, leading the charge like a war god in the dark night, charging ahead.
“Roar roar roar!”
Stimulated by money, honor, and status, the three thousand iron cavalry behind him let out low roars, like a black giant dragon poised to strike, closely following.
Their hooves were wrapped in specially made cloth bags, but the faint “puff puff” sounds contained immense power, like the low growls of a giant dragon moving stealthily in the darkness.
In a short time, they had already charged into view of the Royal Court Army.
“Loose arrows!”
As Li Xiao gave the order, the cavalry behind him surged toward the flanks of the camp while raising their bows.
In an instant, arrow rain whistled through the air, pouring toward the camp like meteors chasing the moon.
More importantly, some of the arrows were soaked in fire oil, a gift Li Xiao had specially prepared for Xiao Lintta.
Wherever the arrow rain struck, tents were pierced and set ablaze, and screams instantly filled the camp.
Soldiers panicked, some pierced directly by arrows and falling on the spot, others fleeing in all directions but still unable to escape the arrow rain like the descent of the god of death.
“It’s on fire, the tents are burning, hurry and put out the fire.”
“The haystack is burning.”
“Run quick~”
The fire in the camp grew larger, soldiers screamed in fear, thrown into chaos.
Xiao Lintta, clad in armor, had a face instantly darkening like water, striding out of his tent just in time to see the raging fire in the camp and the rebels ravaging outside.
“Li Xiao!”
He roared in anger, his voice filled with fury and unwillingness.
“How dare you be so bold as to attack my camp!”
His eyes bulged round, as if about to spew fire, his fists clenched tightly, knuckles white.
At this moment, he also realized he had fallen into a trap.
Although Li Xiao’s main force had left, a small cavalry detachment had hidden in the mountain valley to the west.
Moreover, last night, Li Xiao had ordered soldiers to cut a lot of grass on the spot.
On the surface, it was to pad under the soldiers’ bodies for more comfortable sleep.
But after a day of sun exposure, the grass had turned into dry grass, which was then unknowingly used by Royal Court Army soldiers as bedding.
Thus, when Li Xiao’s army’s fire arrows fell into the camp, the dry grass fueled the tents, quickly blazing up across the camp.
The fire grew larger, nearly engulfing the front camp entirely.
Moreover, startled by the flames, many war horses went mad, running and trampling wildly in the camp, crushing numerous soldiers.
“Go tell General Hamajike, do not put out the fire.”
“Immediately abandon the front camp and assemble at my central army.” Xiao Lintta said loudly.
He then added: “Pass the order to Bey Sulaiman.”
“Flank forward from the right road, make sure to leave this enemy force behind.”
“Jin Prefecture Army, Xiong Department Pishi Army, follow me to meet the enemy head-on and block the rebels.”
Xiao Lintta’s battle plan was also very clear.
Because of the flames’ consumption, the front camp where the Kangli People were had no need for firefighting; assemble all available troops and withdraw to the rear.
Jointly block the rebels head-on with the armies under Xiao Lintta’s command.
Have the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate’s Iqta Cavalry flank and encircle this enemy force for annihilation here.
Although the Xiong Department Pishi Army had been wiped out in the Battle of Naiman.
Yelü Zhilugu had selected three thousand soldiers from the rescued prisoners of war to rebuild the Xiong Department Pishi Army.
Handed over to Xiao Lintta for command.
Meanwhile, outside the camp, Li Xiao saw the chaotic scene in the camp and made a snap decision.
Waving his horse spear, he roared: “Trample the Royal Court Army.”
“Capture Xiao Lintta alive.”
“Kill!”
One thousand White Armored Army charged first toward the camp like unleashed wild horses.
Two thousand Northern Sea Army and Seven Rivers Army followed closely, charging like lightning, the dust raised by hooves forming rolling smoke clouds behind, as if to swallow the entire camp.
The moment the cavalry charged into the camp, it was like a sharp blade stabbing fiercely into the heart of the Royal Court Army.
They swung their long spears, cold light flashing, each swing bringing up sprays of blood.
They charged left and right, and wherever they went, the Kangli Army’s defenses crumbled instantly.
Soldiers were knocked flying, hacked down, tents overturned and burned, the entire camp plunged into chaos and a sea of fire.
Li Xiao’s cavalry were like a horde of demons from hell, surging forward with overwhelming force, striking the Royal Court Army camp, chilling the enemies and bringing the night raid’s momentum to its peak.
Seeing this, Hamajike’s eyes nearly split with rage, gripping a mace, roaring in fury.
“You thieves, how dare you kill my brothers?”
“I will tear you to pieces.”
Five thousand Kangli Army faced the Northern Frontier Army’s attack head-on, now beaten into scattered remnants, with heavy casualties.
Driving Hamajike to mad fury.
“General, the Khitan People tell us to retreat to the central army to rendezvous.” A subordinate shouted loudly.
However, Hamajike paid no heed; he swung his mace, roaring in anger: “Let Xiao Lintta go die!”
His voice was filled with hatred and resolve, then he bellowed: “Kangli warriors!”
“Mount your war horses, in the name of Allah, for honor and dignity, charge with me!”
Not all nomadic people worshipped the Eternal Blue Sky.
In this era, the Eternal Blue Sky was a very niche faith, worshipped only by a few Mongol tribes like the Kiyan tribe, with very few believers.
Only when Mongol cavalry swept the world did the faith in the Eternal Blue Sky gain acceptance among more nomadic people.
Inspired by Hamajike, some Kangli Cavalry began to rally.
But soon, heavy blows brought them back to reality.
Hamajike swung his mace heavily onto a White Armored Soldier’s back, but the next second, a hooked scythe spear came from the side.
Hooking the front leg of the war horse under Hamajike.
“Hiss hiss hiss hiss~”
The war horse reared up in pain, instantly flinging Hamajike off.
When Hamajike struggled to his feet from the ground, preparing to mount another horse to fight, heavy hoofbeats sounded behind him.
Wei Xuan gripped his hooked scythe spear, eyes fierce, staring deadly at Hamajike.
“Hah~”
With a fierce shout, the war horse sped past.
The hooked scythe spear in his hand stabbed heavily into Hamajike’s chest.
“No!”
Hamajike let out an unwilling roar, but Wei Xuan was too fast, leaving him no time for effective defense.
He felt a massive force hit him, his chest like struck by a heavy hammer, body flying backward uncontrollably, crashing heavily to the ground.
“General Hamajike has been killed.”
“The general is dead.”
“Those devils in white armor killed the general.”
“Damn it, run quick.”
“This is just infighting among the Liao State people, it has nothing to do with us Kangli People, why did we come here?”
The Kangli People quickly lost their will to fight and scattered in all directions.
The Northern Frontier Army swiftly regrouped.
The White Armored Soldier just struck by the mace slowly climbed onto his war horse with his comrades’ help.
Although the mace was a lethal weapon against iron armor, cotton armor contained not only armor plates but also two layers of dense cotton cloth.
The multi-layered softness of cotton armor effectively dispersed the mace’s force.
Although this White Armored Soldier was out of action, after some rest, his injuries would gradually heal.
“Wei Xuan, well done.”
Li Xiao charged over with his men, his white armor already soaked in blood.
Looking at Wei Xuan holding Hamajike’s head, he praised without stint.
The old Li Xiao relied on personal bravery, liking to charge and slay generals on the battlefield.
But now, he preferred to see his subordinates earn merit.
Wei Xuan, who had beheaded an enemy general in array, grew heavier in Li Xiao’s esteem.
“With this military merit, you’ll be promoted by one rank, kid.”
“And all who participated in killing this general will be rewarded.” Li Xiao laughed heartily.
Wei Xuan was currently a Squad Leader in the White Armored Army; with Li Xiao’s promise, he would directly become a Centurion.
Of course, if there was no position in the White Armored Army, he could serve in another Chiliarch’s unit.
“Thank you, Marshal.”
Wei Xuan shouted loudly in delight, his fierce gaze and blood-covered face breaking into a grin.
Previously, due to injury, Wei Xuan had missed the Battle of Naiman, starting much later than others.
But in this western expedition, Wei Xuan began to shine, gradually catching up to the others step by step.
Since the battle was only pausing, Li Xiao said a few brief words and led the soldiers to charge forward again.
Tonight’s raid was exceptionally smooth; he aimed to pierce through the enemy camp.
The next day, as the sun rose, golden radiance spilled over the battered camp, but the warm sunlight could not dispel the killing aura and desolation in the air.
Xiao Lintta stood in the center of the camp, gazing at the wreckage before him, anger burning like a raging fire in his heart.
Tents lay askew, many burned to ashes, leaving only charred wooden frames swaying precariously in the cold wind.
The ground was covered in bloodstains, dried dark red mixed with mud, strikingly glaring.
Corpses lay scattered haphazardly, some mutilated, others still in death throes.
Moreover, he had learned that Hamajike had died in battle.
His head had been cut off and taken by the rebels.
Xiao Lintta did not care about Hamajike’s death itself, but he cared about the Kangli Army’s casualties.
Heaven knows, when Yelü Wusitu learned of the Kangli Army’s dire state, whether he would kill Xiao Lintta.
Thinking of this, Xiao Lintta felt his scalp tingle.
“Li Xiao!”
He gnashed his teeth and roared, his voice echoing over the camp.
“I will make you pay with blood!”
His face twisted in rage, eyes bloodshot, like a beast gone mad from injury.
After the anger, Xiao Lintta forced himself to calm down.
He then began reorganizing the army, ordering men to gather defeated soldiers on the grassland.
After half a day of rest, the Royal Court Army barely restored its formation.
The Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate army suffered the least losses.
The Xiong Department Pishi Army under Xiao Lintta lost four hundred men.
Only the Kangli Army suffered the heaviest losses, with only two thousand remaining.
The rest were either killed or scattered unknown.
Fortunately, with Hamajike dead, Xiao Lintta directly took command of these two thousand Kangli Cavalry.
The Royal Court Army’s strength was still not to be underestimated, with nearly ten thousand troops, though morale was somewhat low.
In the large tent, the former three seats now held only Xiao Lintta and Sulaiman.
Looking at the empty seat beside them, both felt exceptionally heavy-hearted.
Finally, Sulaiman said gravely: “The rebels’ combat strength is extremely formidable, and their commander is a tricky opponent.”
“They might strike our army again at any moment.”
“What should we do now?”
In last night’s battle, though the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate army suffered light losses, it had scared Sulaiman.
Fearing that his army might one day suffer the Kangli People’s fate.
After all, his five hundred Iqta Cavalry and over three thousand light cavalry were the absolute elite of the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate army.
If lost here, it would cripple the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate.
So, Sulaiman’s intent was clear: stop fighting, return to Kuyun-Ordu City to defend.
After all, he was a Bey of the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate, equivalent to a prince.
To win over the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate, Yelü Zhilugu would not do anything to him.
But Xiao Lintta was different!
He was a rebel general from Xiao Simo’s side, at odds with the Royal Court generals.
Now leading men to encircle Li Xiao, with heavy losses and no gains, he would surely face attacks from other generals.
Even if Yelü Zhilugu was magnanimous and understanding without punishing him.
His political career would be over, basically time for retirement.
But Xiao Lintta considered himself still young, with strong desire for power, unwilling to step aside.
Thus, he glanced faintly at Sulaiman and said gravely: “This general has already pledged a military oath before His Majesty to eliminate this rebel army and capture Li Xiao.”
“Does the Bey want this general to be a man who breaks his word?”
Of course, Xiao Lintta knew Sulaiman did not care about his life or whether the Northern Frontier Army was eliminated.
It had nothing to do with him.
He cared only about the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate’s interests.
So, to keep the Iqta Cavalry killer ace bound to him, Xiao Lintta had to make a promise.
“If we annihilate the rebels and capture Li Xiao in this battle, this general is willing to yield the primary merit to the Bey.”
Hearing this, Sulaiman was surprised.
“Oh?”
“Why is General Xiao doing this?”
Xiao Lintta snorted lightly: “This general’s hatred for Li Xiao is irreconcilable; I only want his head.”
Hearing this, Sulaiman smiled knowingly.
He had heard a bit about the grudge between Xiao Lintta and Li Xiao.
In his view, Xiao Lintta was simply too incompetent.
How could a dignified Jin Prefecture Governor be bullied by his Deputy Governor?
Not decisive at all; he should have found a chance earlier to kill Li Xiao and be done with it.
Otherwise, how could he have been ousted by Li Xiao?
Sulaiman could not meddle in Xiao Lintta’s personal grudge, but he was interested in the primary merit promised.
After all, the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate was a vassal to Western Liao; with this merit, he would have more leverage in future struggles for national interests.
“Good!”
“Lord Xiao, act freely; my Iqta Cavalry will cover for Lord Xiao.” Sulaiman nodded.
Hearing this, Xiao Lintta’s face turned green with anger.
Sulaiman’s meaning was clear: in future battles, let Xiao Lintta lead men to charge first while he stayed back.
If the battle went well, he would charge in.
If it went poorly, he would abandon Xiao Lintta and flee.
In other words, the hard and dirty work for Xiao Lintta, the merit for Sulaiman.
Simply bullying.
But no choice, Xiao Lintta needed his help.
To annihilate Li Xiao and win his first battle since arriving at the Royal Court, he could not do without Sulaiman’s support.
The Iqta Cavalry were crucial.
“Good~” Xiao Lintta said huffily, forced to endure.
At that moment, a personal guard’s voice sounded outside the tent.
“Lord, the scouts are back; they found the rebel main force.”
“They have arrived at the Ili River bank and are preparing to cross.”
Hearing this, Xiao Lintta’s face immediately turned serious.
He hurriedly summoned the scouts inside for personal questioning.
“How many in the rebel main force? How far from us?”
The scout said: “The rebels number less than ten thousand, less than sixty li from our army.”
“Additionally, besides the rebels, the column has large numbers of prisoners of war, artisans, women, at least ten to twenty thousand.”
“Right, and horse carriages, many horse carriages.”
Hearing the scout’s report, Xiao Lintta’s expression eased.
It matched exactly the intelligence he received in Kuyun-Ordu City.
Li Xiao had nearly stripped Kuyun-Ordu bare.
Moreover, he had captured large numbers of artisans and taken many slaves.
Likely planning to use this treasure and population to bolster Jin Prefecture’s strength.
A fine idea, but these treasures, slaves, and artisans became unstable factors for the Northern Frontier Army.
Gains come with losses.
“Pass the order: the army sets out immediately to encircle the rebels.”
Under Xiao Lintta’s command, the Royal Court Army set off.
Sixty li away, arrived in less than two hours.
At this time, Jiu Meng’an He had already led the army, whipping the slaves to cross the Ili River one after another to the north bank.
When Xiao Lintta’s army appeared on the south bank, it immediately stirred the slaves.
“That’s the Royal Court army?”
“His Majesty sent men to rescue us.”
“Great.”
“We’re saved.”
The slaves, battered along the road with blistered feet from carrying colored glaze, instantly grew agitated, eyes burning toward the opposite Ili River bank, awaiting the Royal Court Army to cross and rescue them.
Some even grew restless, standing up to incite others to revolt.
But soon, as arrows flew in volleys, the slaves screamed.
The others seemed doused with cold water, gradually calming.
The Royal Court Army had arrived, but still separated by a river.
Even to revolt, they had to wait for the Royal Court Army to cross.
Facing this, Jiu Meng’an He’s face was cold, saying angrily: “Pass the order: if slaves show any unusual movement.”
“No need to ask, shoot to kill directly.”
He then turned to Li Dashan beside him: “These slaves are simply courting death.”
“Better to kill them all clean.”
“Save the trouble.”
Li Xiao had not yet returned with one thousand White Armored Army, so the over three thousand Jin Prefecture Army were naturally under Li Dashan.
He smiled faintly, shaking his head: “Governor, stay calm; these slaves can’t stir up big waves.”
“Moreover, the Marshal is keeping these slaves for important use.”
Li Xiao brought these slaves back to Jin Prefecture mainly for mining.
Last winter, Hexi Fort had initially built a military production line, but consumed all scattered iron ore and surface coal around Hexi Fort.
So, Li Xiao planned to mine in the Altai Mountains.
The Altai Mountains were also called Golden Mountain because of their rich mineral resources.
The range held vast gold, silver, copper, iron, coal, and other minerals, many exposed on the surface for easy mining, one of Huaxia’s most important mining areas in later generations.
So, the task for these twenty thousand prisoners of war was mining.
Use them till dead without heartache, then capture more!
“But once the Royal Court Army crosses, what if these slaves riot?” Jiu Meng’an He said disgruntledly.
Li Dashan said confidently: “Governor, rest assured; once across the Ili River, we’re safe.”
“The Royal Court Army can’t cross.”
“Oh?” Jiu Meng’an He puzzled: “What arrangement does Governor Li have?”
When Li Xiao left, he had already assigned the task to Li Dashan.
At this point, no need to keep it secret from Jiu Meng’an He.
Li Dashan chuckled, pointing to the Ili Riverbed: “Governor, see anything unusual about the river water?”
Jiu Meng’an He looked; the river water was clear, shimmering golden in the sunset, very beautiful.
“Anything wrong?”
“No different from when we crossed before, right?” Jiu Meng’an He frowned, asking puzzled.
But soon, a flash of insight hit his mind, as if understanding.
“So that’s it.” Jiu Meng’an He realized, slapping his forehead, bursting into laughter.
“Governor Li is deeply farsighted, surely planned this long ago; I, Jiu Meng’an He, am impressed.
