Chapter 113: Infernal Affairs
“Governor!”
In Xiao Lintta’s camp, a Khitan General lifted the curtain and walked in.
He clenched his fist to his chest in salute, looking excited as he said, “There’s news.”
“Wuliji is already dead.”
Xiao Lintta in the tent had been lowering his head, practicing Chinese characters on the sand table.
After all, as Jin Prefecture Governor, he definitely needed to find a way to subdue the Jin Prefecture Han Tribe under Li Xiao’s control.
So, he was also working hard to understand the Han people’s customs and culture.
However, upon hearing this news, he directly threw away the wooden stick in his hand, a smile appearing on his face.
He immediately patted the sand off his hands and walked to the Khitan General, asking, “Who killed him?”
“It was E Tu Lu.”
Hearing this answer, a flash of slight disappointment crossed Xiao Lintta’s face.
If Wuliji had been killed by the Han people, that would have been great.
But now, being able to frame the Han people was still a good thing.
“Good, heh heh ha!”
Xiao Lintta laughed, hands behind his back, slowly turning around and walking to the folding stool to sit down, chuckling coldly.
“That ungrateful Wuliji died like this; it can be considered letting him off easy.”
The Khitan General beside him immediately agreed, “That’s right, it lets him off easy.”
“This man was arrogant and ignorant, wasting all of Governor’s hard efforts.”
“This bad outcome is his retribution.”
It was mainly because Wuliji was arrogant in character and too overbearing.
At first, Xiao Lintta had planned to win him over for his own use, but this guy, relying on his many merits in the Naiman.
And having been promoted to Chiliarch, with his strength greatly increased, he was not even moved by Xiao Lintta’s overtures.
It wasn’t until later that he was deceived by the High Priest and, like in those past years, went to plunder the Han people’s grain.
Only then did he think of using Xiao Lintta as a backer.
Unfortunately, by then Xiao Lintta had already sentenced him to death.
Planning to use his death to take a bite out of Li Xiao.
This was called dying as he deserved.
“It’s a pity he couldn’t kneel before me to admit his wrongs.” Xiao Lintta said with a regretful look.
Then he instructed, “Wuzhu.”
“Here.”
“Go notify the Centurions and Chiliarchs of those tribes to come to my large tent for a meeting.”
“Yes, sir.”
For this plan, Xiao Lintta had been plotting for a long time.
He had even kept the Centurions and Chiliarchs of each tribe from leaving, temporarily staying in Wuya Village.
Just for today, to force them into submission.
To make these guys firmly take the right stance.
Soon after, the Centurions and Chiliarchs of each tribe arrived at Xiao Lintta’s large tent.
But Xiao Lintta had them enter one by one alone.
The first to enter was a middle-aged man named Wumeng.
He was a Chiliarch personally appointed by Xiao Simo, on the same level as Wuliji.
But his personality wasn’t as overbearing as Wuliji’s; he was somewhat deferential in front of Xiao Lintta, but he was also a slippery one.
He always refused to firmly align with Xiao Lintta, fantasizing about being a fence-sitter, offending neither Li Xiao nor Xiao Simo.
And now, Xiao Lintta was going to force him to choose.
“Greetings, Governor.”
Wumeng walked into the large tent and bowed respectfully.
But in his heart, he was still curious why only he was called in alone.
Looking again, there were two more personal guards in Xiao Lintta’s large tent.
This made Wumeng gradually feel an indescribable sense of pressure.
“Chiliarch Wumeng, there’s some unfortunate news that I must tell you.”
Xiao Lintta sat at the head, saying in a flat voice.
His tone was unhurried, yet it gave Wumeng immense psychological pressure.
“Wuliji is dead, killed by the Han people.”
Hearing this, Wumeng’s eyes widened instantly, looking at Xiao Lintta in disbelief.
“What? How is that possible?”
Although his tribe and the Uliji Tribe were not from the same root, both being in Jin Prefecture and nomadic tribes, they were fairly familiar with each other.
He never imagined that guy would die so suddenly.
And killed by the Han people, no less.
“Wuliji was shot dead by Han people’s bow and arrow; this is absolutely true.”
“As Jin Prefecture Governor, and with Wuliji being a Chiliarch under me, I naturally cannot let him die unjustly.”
“I must seek justice for him.”
With that, Xiao Lintta’s expression turned serious, staring oppressively at Wumeng as he said, “I plan to expose this matter before Governor.”
“But Li Xiao is no ordinary man, and you know his relationship with Princess well.”
“I appear to be alone and powerless, but if you Chiliarchs and Centurions go with me, we will surely make Governor give justice to Chiliarch Wuliji.”
After speaking, Xiao Lintta showed a fake smile, saying in a eerie voice, “Chiliarch Wumeng, are you willing to go with me?”
Hearing Xiao Lintta’s tone, Wumeng suddenly felt his hair stand on end.
Then, his face turned unpleasant, hesitating as he said, “This, this~”
Xiao Lintta’s meaning was very clear: he was forcing Wumeng to state his position.
Once he went with Xiao Lintta to complain to Xiao Simo, that would mean offending Li Xiao.
It would count as formally joining Xiao Lintta’s camp.
At that point, even if he tried to mend relations with Li Xiao, the man might not trust him.
“This Xiao Lintta is truly insidious.” Wumeng thought to himself.
He was neither Khitan nor Han; he had no interest in the overt and covert struggles between Xiao Lintta and Li Xiao.
He just wanted to steadily be his own Chiliarch.
But unfortunately, Xiao Lintta wasn’t willing to let him off.
He remembered the last one who didn’t give face to Xiao Lintta was precisely Wuliji.
But now he was dead, killed by the ‘Han people’?
Thinking of this, Wumeng’s sense of fear intensified.
Meanwhile, Xiao Lintta kept pressing him to state his position, his tone growing colder as he said, “Chiliarch Wumeng, I hear you and Chiliarch Wuliji have always had a good relationship.”
“Now that he’s dead, you won’t seek justice for him?”
“People who betray friends usually don’t meet good ends.”
Hearing Xiao Lintta’s words, Wumeng’s face paled, and he quickly shook his head, saying, “No no no, I do want justice for Wuliji.”
“It’s just that Li Xiao has considerable strength and the Princess’s backing; he’s not easy to deal with.”
Xiao Lintta snorted with laughter: “No matter; just follow my lead when the time comes.”
“You’ll find Li Xiao isn’t that hard to deal with.”
The words had already been said, and beside him were several guards gripping their hilts, eyeing him menacingly.
Wumeng had no choice but to agree.
Otherwise, he believed he would definitely become the next Wuliji.
Thus, he bowed to Xiao Lintta: “I will follow Governor’s orders completely.”
At this moment, Wumeng had formally submitted to him, and a smile appeared on Xiao Lintta’s face, clearly in a great mood.
“Good, Chiliarch Wumeng is a straightforward man.”
“Go rest in the tent nearby first; after I talk with the others, we’ll go drink.”
Soon, Xiao Lintta called in the second Chiliarch, using the same routine of threats and inducements.
Immediately subduing him.
Jin Prefecture had eight Chiliarchs: four Han people, three from nomadic tribes.
The last one was a Khitan.
He was Xiao Lintta’s confidant, who had earned merit in the previous war and was promoted to Chiliarch.
This was also to help Xiao Lintta stand firm in Jin Prefecture, so he wouldn’t be bullied helplessly by the local faction.
So now, Xiao Lintta only needed to subdue Wumeng and the other Chiliarch.
Once those two Chiliarchs were secured, the remaining Centurions would be easier to handle.
After half an hour, all the Chiliarchs and Centurions had stated their positions, willing to go accuse Li Xiao together.
At this moment, Xiao Lintta was in an exceptionally good mood.
It was the best mood since learning Li Xiao had been appointed Jin Prefecture Deputy Governor.
This time, though he couldn’t completely ruin Li Xiao, he could still wound him badly.
By Xiao Lintta’s estimate, best case would be stripping a Chiliarch from Li Xiao’s hands.
For Li Xiao himself, with Xiao Yanyan’s protection, Xiao Lintta knew he couldn’t take him down yet.
He could only wait slowly for an opportunity.
But the biggest gain this time was that the three nomadic tribes’ Chiliarch forces could finally be thoroughly used by him.
From now on, in Jin Prefecture, he would have strength completely no less than Li Xiao’s, even stronger.
“Governor, Wuliji’s son has arrived!”
“He seems to have run into trouble; he’s alone.”
After everyone had left, Xiao Lintta’s confidant Wuzhu came in to report.
Hearing this, Xiao Lintta frowned slightly: “Let him in.”
Soon, Amo entered the large tent led by Wuzhu, and upon seeing Xiao Lintta, he knelt on the ground and burst into tears.
“Wah wah wah~”
“Governor Xiao, you must stand up for us!”
“Governor Xiao~”
Hearing this wailing cry, Xiao Lintta was also stunned.
After confirming with Wuzhu that this was indeed Wuliji’s son, he hurriedly had him helped up.
Only then did Xiao Lintta have time to carefully size him up.
He asked, “Why are you so disheveled?”
Hearing this, Amo cried again: “Governor Xiao, our tribe is in such misery.”
“My father was killed by the Han people.”
“The High Priest brought me to Wuya Village to complain to Governor, but unexpectedly we ran into a Han blockade on the way.”
“I barely escaped with my life.”
“Poor High Priest and the other warriors of my tribe all died at the hands of those Han people.”
“Wah wah wah~”
“Governor Xiao, before dying, the High Priest warned me to come find you first, otherwise I’d be blocked by the Han people before seeing Governor.”
“You must seek justice for us, Lord!”
Listening to Amo’s tearful cries, the corners of Xiao Lintta’s mouth curled up slightly, delighted deep down.
“Li Xiao ah, Li Xiao.”
“Still too young after all; couldn’t even intercept the man, and he fell into my hands.”
“This time, even if you don’t die, you’ll shed a layer of skin.”
Xiao Lintta laughed inwardly.
