Chapter 105: Hexi Chiliarch
This Chiliarch position was, after all, a reward that Li Xiao fought for on the battlefield.
Li Erjiang, as the elder, not only failed to shield Li Xiao from wind and rain, but instead had to rely on Li Xiao’s protection.
Li Erjiang was not the type to sit back and enjoy unearned benefits, so facing this Chiliarch position, he always felt uneasy, like sitting on pins and needles.
He wished he could immediately give it to the Old Master.
As for himself, he could completely rely on his strength and earn the Chiliarch position through real military merit with true swords and guns.
However, facing Li Erjiang’s hesitant appearance, the Old Master glared and angrily said: “What nonsense are you talking?”
“Can the Chiliarch position be given to just anyone?
“How old am I, old man? How many more days can I live? What use is this Chiliarch position to me? Can I take it into the coffin?”
“Da Long gave you this Chiliarch position, which is his trust in you and also his filial piety toward you.”
“He is your nephew, and it’s only natural for him to treat you well and be filial to you.”
“What do you have to be embarrassed about?”
“Put away that twisted and coy women’s demeanor of yours.”
“Take it since it’s given to you, and do well as this Chiliarch; that would not betray Da Long’s intention.”
After being scolded by the Old Master, Li Erjiang immediately lowered his head, not daring to utter a word.
The Old Master had immense prestige; he was genuinely afraid.
Thus, Li Erjiang hesitated no more and directly put away the appointment document.
He became one of the Eight Great Chiliarchs of Jin Prefecture.
“Hmph, now that’s a bit more like a man.” The Old Master snorted lightly and nodded slightly.
His own two sons: the eldest had a temper most like his own, bold and decisive, acting as soon as he said, but unfortunately died young.
The younger son, though inheriting the Old Man’s martial arts, was in no way inferior to Li Dahai when it came to being brave and skilled in combat.
But his personality took after the Old Lady a bit too much, with some indecisiveness, and he wasn’t straightforward in doing things at all.
They were both over thirty years old, yet still needed the Old Master to drive them with a whip to move forward.
This was what angered the Old Master the most.
“Hehehe, Old Fort Master.”
“Er Jiang Ge is almost a grandfather; you should give him some face.”
“Don’t scold him at every turn.”
Chen Erqiang tried to comfort the Old Master, but unexpectedly, he immediately received an angry glare from the Old Master.
What’s it got to do with you?
Are you tired of living, kid?
Dare to meddle in my affairs?
Glared at by the Old Master like this, Chen Erqiang immediately felt deflated inside and gave an awkward smile: “I won’t say more, I won’t say.”
“You continue.”
“I need to head back first.”
With that, Chen Erqiang quickly relayed some words Li Xiao had instructed him with, then hurriedly left, afraid the Old Master’s big foot would land on his butt.
Li Xiao’s instructions were mainly for Li Erjiang to set off as soon as possible to Wuya Village.
On one hand, to pay respects to Xiao Simo, and on the other, to quickly familiarize himself with the people under him.
After all, Li Erjiang was not a Chiliarch appointed by military merit, so his personal prestige would inevitably be inferior to Li Dashan and Luo Ping.
To help Li Erjiang stand firm in his position quickly and prevent trouble from those below.
Thus, Li Xiao specially arranged for Li Erjiang the most manageable Chiliarch position.
Hexi Chiliarch!
Under his command were mainly Centurions reorganized from Hexi Fort, Tazhai, and several surrounding forts.
Although Li Erjiang had no military merit, he still had some prestige among these surrounding forts.
Half of the Centurions under him were people he knew well, so this position of his was the most stable.
After seeing off Chen Erqiang, the Old Master and others returned home.
Even after sitting down in the room, the Old Master still did not forget to earnestly instruct Li Erjiang.
After all, this son had a soft personality and needed occasional whipping to motivate him.
“Now that you’ve become this Chiliarch, don’t think you’re taking advantage of Da Long; you’re helping Da Long.”
“Although Da Long is now Deputy Governor, it’s not easy in his position either.”
“Khitan People pressing from above, and many watching from below; one wrong step leads to eternal damnation.”
“Da Long is on a path of no return; as his second uncle, if you don’t help him, who will?”
“Don’t feel guilty inside; do well as this Chiliarch and properly support Da Long—that’s the greatest repayment to him.”
……
The Old Master spoke at length, scolding Li Erjiang until his face was red, and he hurriedly nodded in agreement.
“Yes, yes~”
“Dad, I understand.”
“From now on, even if it costs my life, I definitely won’t let Da Long come to harm,” Li Erjiang said firmly.
Everyone knew who had brought about the Li Family’s current changes.
Li Erjiang thought of himself as useless; without this matter, he would have lived his life just like that, never achieving anything great.
But Li Xiao was different; he had already become a pillar of the Li Family.
He could not be allowed to fail.
Li Erjiang understood his duty: to be Li Xiao’s capable assistant, and even at critical moments, protect Li Xiao at any cost.
With Li Xiao around, the Li Family had hope.
If Li Xiao had an accident, those enemies always lurking in the shadows would probably be unable to hold back and swarm to tear at the Li Family.
Therefore, Li Erjiang swore in his heart that even if it meant giving up his life, he would protect his eldest nephew well.
Soon, the news of Li Erjiang becoming a Chiliarch spread throughout Hexi Fort.
All the villagers came to congratulate them.
At this moment, everyone knew the Li Family had thoroughly prospered.
From being just a small Fort Master family in Hexi Fort, they had directly leaped to become Jin Prefecture’s greatest powerful clan.
One Deputy Governor: Li Xiao.
Two Chiliarchs: Li Erjiang and Li Dashan.
Five Centurions: respectively Li Sanhe, Li Sishui, Da Hu, Er Hu, and Li Dashan’s own younger brother, Li Xiaochuan.
As for Old Fifth among Li Dahai’s generation of brothers, like Li Dahai, he died in battle at the hands of Geluolu People on North Mountain.
And the next generation, among Li Xiao’s peers, aside from Da Hu and Er Hu, the others were still too young and not yet capable of great use.
But with just these people from the Li Family’s second and third generations, it was enough to establish the Li Family’s status in Jin Prefecture.
Moreover, there were many like Chen Erqiang and Luo Ping, who had close ties to the Li Family and also held important positions.
Their existence directly formed a network of influence centered on the Li Family, covering half of Jin Prefecture.
Firmly grasping the entire Jin Prefecture Han Tribe in hand.
This was a force no one could underestimate.
Therefore, facing the Li Family that was rapidly rising at this time, the households of Hexi Fort immediately drew close.
As the saying goes, when one attains the Way, even dogs and chickens ascend to heaven.
The households of Hexi Fort could be considered the Li Family’s original shareholders.
With the Li Family prospering, they too would benefit greatly.
People like Chen Erqiang had become Centurions, and there were several dozen who became Squad Leaders.
In short, as Li Xiao’s base of operations, as long as Hexi Fort steadfastly followed Li Xiao, it was very likely to produce a large batch of nobles in the future.
Li Xiao’s reorganization of the Jin Prefecture Han Tribe was proceeding in full swing.
On the other side, Xiao Lintta was equally unwilling to remain idle and was also strengthening his control over Jin Prefecture through forceful means.
He knew well that Li Xiao’s influence in the Jin Prefecture Han Tribe had already taken initial shape, hard to shake in the short term.
But with his extremely strong desire for power, he naturally could not give up just like that.
He absolutely could not tolerate, as Governor, being overshadowed by Li Xiao this Deputy Governor.
Thus, Xiao Lintta could only turn his gaze to the other nomadic tribes of Jin Prefecture.
On this day, Xiao Lintta invited all the chieftains and leaders of Jin Prefecture’s nomadic tribes to a feast.
During the banquet, Xiao Lintta pretended to be drunk, smiling as he asked the crowd: “Tell me, is the Governor greater, or the Deputy Governor greater?”
As soon as these words were out, all the leaders instantly understood what was going on.
And at this moment, in Xiao Lintta’s large camp, everyone hurriedly affirmed.
“Of course the Governor is greater.”
“In our Jin Prefecture, definitely the Governor is greater.”
Some tribal leaders were very shrewd, knowing that Xiao Lintta urgently needed manpower right now to counter Li Xiao.
So they unhesitatingly chose to gain merit by following the dragon, immediately firmly stating their stand on Xiao Lintta’s side.
Shouting loudly: “I, Wusiman, recognize only Governor Xiao.”
“I don’t even know there’s some Deputy Governor in Jin Prefecture.”
Sure enough, at these words, Xiao Lintta was immediately delighted inside.
He laughed heartily, shaking his head as he said: “Deputy Governor Li was personally appointed by the Great King and has ties to the Princess.”
“You all should still show him some respect.”
Although Xiao Lintta was superficially speaking well of Li Xiao, he heavily emphasized “Deputy Governor” in his words.
He also pointed out Li Xiao’s relationship with the Princess, implying Li Xiao was a pretty boy who rose by relying on women.
Secretly mocking Li Xiao.
After his words, some tribal leaders immediately chimed in with laughter.
“Exactly, exactly.”
“Deputy Governor Li is a man of true ability; when there’s time, I really must ask Deputy Governor Li how to win women’s favor.”
Another immediately smiled and said: “Just currying favor isn’t enough; you have to know how to lick.”
“Lick a woman’s butt crack until she’s comfortable, and the official position comes right away.”
These words immediately drew laughter from the crowd: “Hahaha~”
Xiao Lintta’s side had apparently turned into a mocking convention targeting Li Xiao.
Through this primitive method, Xiao Lintta preliminarily judged who was willing to draw close to him.
Who was worth pulling in, and who was wavering.
After the crowd left, only Xiao Lintta and his own confidants remained in the large tent.
At this moment, his eyes suddenly became clear again, no longer showing the previous drunken state.
“What do you think? Among these people, who are the real ones? Who are the ghosts?”
Several Khitan Generals looked at each other, and finally, a general most trusted by Xiao Lintta said gravely: “In my subordinate’s view, they are all ghosts!”
Hearing this, Xiao Lintta smiled lightly.
“Exactly, all ghosts.”
Don’t be fooled by how loyal these guys seemed just now; not a single truthful word came from their mouths.
They supported him on the surface, but could turn coat at any time.
Unlike Li Xiao, who had a large base of Han People, when Xiao Lintta came to Jin Prefecture, aside from the two hundred Khitan Soldiers specially permitted by Xiao Simo, all he had left was the title of Jin Prefecture Governor.
Therefore, he had to, like Li Xiao, secure a batch of troops in Jin Prefecture as his base.
Truly secure them, letting his confidants take control.
And for that, he needed to first eliminate a batch of people to make room for his confidants.
Recalling those guys’ performances just now in his mind, Xiao Lintta focused on four Chiliarchs.
Among the Eight Great Chiliarchs of Jin Prefecture, four were Han People, the other four from tribes.
And these four tribal Chiliarchs were Xiao Lintta’s targets.
He was considering, among these four, who could be pulled in, and who must be eliminated to vacate the Chiliarch position.
Gradually, Xiao Lintta made his decision in his heart.
“Wuliji!”
