Chapter 129: Your Humble Servant Li Xiao Wishes To Marry The Princess Of Chu
After the Wuwei Army was established, Li Xiao announced the Jin Prefecture Military Regulations to all four thousand five hundred soldiers in the army.
“Those who disobey military orders, execute!”
This is the iron law of the military: those who arbitrarily change superior orders, refuse to fight, or publicly confront superior officers shall be beheaded and displayed.
“Those who desert in the face of battle, execute!”
One person deserts, one person beheaded; the whole team retreats, the whole team executed.
“Those who falsely report military intelligence, execute!”
This is not only about falsifying enemy intelligence, but also targeting officers: falsifying military merit or concealing defeats will not only result in beheading, but also implicate their families.
“Those who disrupt morale, execute!”
“Those who miss battle opportunities, execute!”
“Those who falsely claim military merit, execute!”
“Those who privately hoard spoils of war, execute!”
“Those who feign illness to avoid combat, execute!”
“Those who secretly collude with external enemies and leak military secrets, execute!”
“Those who assault women before battle ends, execute!”
“Those who loot property before battle ends, execute!”
“If the commanding officer dies in battle while soldiers desert, exterminate their entire families!”
All these are serious offenses that must be punished with extreme penalties to deter threats to morale.
In addition, there are some offenses that do not warrant beheading.
Making loud noises at night, flog one hundred times.
Stealing from others, flog one hundred times, and so on.
Where there are punishments, there are naturally rewards.
Subsequently, the military law also stipulated standards for military merit rewards.
Behead one enemy soldier, reward one string of cash.
Behead an enemy officer, reward ten strings of cash.
Behead the enemy commander, reward at least one hundred strings of cash.
In addition, there are military merits such as being the first to scale the walls or breaking formations, all with established standards.
Besides monetary rewards, there will certainly be promotions in rank, land and property allocations, and so on.
After handling these matters, the four thousand five hundred Jin Prefecture Army troops marched westward toward the Eastern Capital.
……
In the past, Yelü Dashi went on the Western Expedition and proclaimed himself emperor in Yemili City, calling himself Jie’er Khan.
At that time, he subdued the Khitan Tribes and many nomadic tribes in the Seven Rivers Basin, and made the Gaochang Uyghur submit as vassals, greatly increasing his power and laying the foundation for subsequent western advances.
After the Battle of Qavart, Yelü Dashi greatly defeated the Seljuk Empire and from then on dominated Central Asia.
Subsequently, he moved the capital to Balašğun, now known as Kuyun-Ordu; Yemili became the old capital of Western Liao, also called Eastern Capital, and the administrative center of the Four Prefectures of Northern Frontier.
Yinshan Prefecture has unique terrain, high in the east and low in the west, surrounded by mountains on three sides, opening to the west.
The central area is traversed by the winding Yemili River, which has deposited a flat, broad plain with fertile soil and abundant water sources.
Yemili City is situated here.
The city is about three li in both length and width, with city walls no more than two meters high, built of stones and mud, quite rudimentary, lacking any of the grandeur of Western Liao’s Eastern Capital; it is more like a rural landlord’s fortress than a town, really small.
Not to mention compared to great cities of the Central Plains—even some small county towns appear more imposing and majestic. However, Yemili is already the largest town in the Northern Frontier.
In the center of Yemili City, the largest courtyard is Xiao Simo’s royal mansion.
At this moment, he sat high on a folding stool, his gaze scrutinizing yet tinged with suspicion, looking at a middle-aged man dressed in nomadic attire before him.
“Asuke wants to submit to this king?” Xiao Simo smiled faintly, making it hard to discern his thoughts.
After defeating the Naiman People and suppressing the Yili Geluolu People’s rebellion, Xiao Simo’s power grew strong, and the aura he exuded became even more deterrent.
The man stood in the great hall, bowing his head in fear and trepidation, not daring to look directly at Xiao Simo seated high on the folding stool.
His voice low and deep, he slowly said: “Your Great King, Jie’er Khan employs treacherous ministers, with unclear rewards and punishments, unfair governance, and indulges in wine and women all day, neglecting state affairs, long arousing heaven’s wrath and popular resentment.”
“My lord, though dissatisfied with him, is powerless alone and cannot contend. Now that Your Great King seeks to restore order, this accords with heaven’s will and the people’s hearts—how could my lord not follow? We wish to attach to Your Great King’s wings and jointly pursue the great cause.”
Hearing this, Xiao Simo’s lips curved upward; he lightly clapped and praised: “Well said!”
“Just for these words, this king finds them refreshing and is greatly pleased.”
With that, he instructed the guard beside him: “Serve wine.”
The man, full of trepidation, took the wine cup from the guard and hastily gave thanks: “Thank you, Great King, for the reward.”
He then prepared to drink it all at once—even if it were a cup of poison, he had no choice.
As the alcoholic beverage entered his mouth, a intense spicy sensation rushed straight to his head; had he not considered Xiao Simo present, he might have sputtered it out.
But he was still choked, his face flushing red, unable to suppress a light cough.
“Hahaha~”
Seeing this, Xiao Simo burst into laughter, his voice echoing in the great hall.
“This is fine wine newly produced in our Northern Frontier, named Western Wind Fierce.” Xiao Simo gently stroked the wine cup, a trace of pride in his gaze.
“True to its name, as fierce as the western winds on the grassland.”
“When you leave, this king will give you two jars to take back for Asuke to taste.”
A while ago, Li Xiao had just sent a batch of Western Wind Fierce to the Eastern Capital.
After all, knowing full well he still needed to rely on Xiao Simo, he dared not neglect.
Xiao Simo had tasted this strong liquor and was quite satisfied; thereafter, whenever he met someone to his liking, he would reward them with a cup.
“Thank you, Great King.”
The man hurriedly lowered his head in thanks, wiping the alcoholic beverage spilling from his mouth.
After the man left the great hall, Xiao Simo poured himself another cup.
Seeing this, Gu Zizhong advised from the side: “Great King, fine wine is good, but do not overindulge.”
“The princess consort specifically instructed me to remind you.”
“This Jin Prefecture liquor is very strong.”
Ever since Li Xiao sent this Western Wind Fierce, Xiao Simo had taken a liking to the strong liquor.
He always enjoyed sipping a few cups daily.
This greatly worried the princess consort, fearing it would harm Xiao Simo’s health.
But he just gently shook his head: “No matter, mere alcoholic beverage cannot harm this king.”
Then, turning to Gu Zizhong beside him, he asked: “How many tribes sent envoys to the Eastern Capital this time?”
“A total of fifteen tribes, all from the Seven Rivers.”
Gu Zizhong respectfully replied: “The next one is the envoy from the Chumukun Tribe.”
The Seven Rivers Basin lies west of the Eastern Capital, with flat terrain, mild climate, and plentiful rainfall.
The Ili River, Tar River, and five other rivers crisscross, nurturing vast plains and river valleys lush with water and grass.
This is a natural excellent pasture, home to numerous Khitan Tribes and other nomadic tribes.
Historical records state that during Yelü Dashi’s Western Expedition, he subdued over ten thousand Khitan people, more than fifty thousand Turkic People, and many other nomadic people in the Seven Rivers Basin.
This greatly expanded his military strength, laying the foundation for Western Liao’s rise.
Moreover, the Seven Rivers Basin is the vital route from the Eastern Capital to Kuyun-Ordu.
With news of Xiao Simo’s Western Expedition spreading, the many tribes in the basin could not stay out of it and faced a choice: support the Eastern Capital or back the royal court?
Yelü Zhilugu’s past immoral acts, the royal court’s disastrous defeat in the Battle of Khorasan, contrasted sharply with Xiao Simo’s resounding victories over the Naiman.
After weighing options, some nomadic tribes bet on Xiao Simo.
Besides, Xiao Simo’s Western Expedition army would inevitably pass through the Seven Rivers Basin; under army pressure, they preferred proactive submission to seize the initiative rather than forced surrender.
“Let the Chumukun Tribe’s envoy enter.”
Xiao Simo stretched his stiffened body from prolonged sitting and instructed Gu Zizhong.
These past days, he had successively met envoys to discuss submission, all going smoothly, putting him in high spirits, feeling the great cause within reach.
However, upon hearing the name of yet another Seven Rivers Basin tribe, he could not help but pause slightly.
“Duoluoban Tribe?”
After the fall of Western Turkic, many remnants remained.
These forces had once dominated Central Asia, such as the Turgesh Tribe and Geluolu Tribe.
The Duoluoban Tribe was also descendants of Western Turkic.
Inherited from the Geshu branch of the Five Nushibi.
Though the glory of these Turkic tribes had long faded, their strength in the Seven Rivers Basin remained formidable.
However, under deliberate Khitan control, these Turkic tribes were kept divided and mutually hostile.
Unable to form a unified force.
The Chumukun and Asuke whom Xiao Simo had met before were all Turkic tribes.
But this Duoluoban Tribe was different from them.
“This king remembers that Duoluotahan once served as Yelü Zhilugu’s guard.”
Xiao Simo sat on the folding stool, his cool gaze scrutinizing the visitor.
Seemingly doubting the Duoluoban Tribe’s submission.
“Yes, Great King, our sijin did serve as Jie’er Khan’s guard, but that history was not a pleasant memory for our sijin.”
The Duoluoban Tribe’s envoy said, appearing frank.
But Xiao Simo did not accept this explanation and continued: “This king also remembers that Duoluotahan’s wife is a daughter of the Chuluo Susi family.”
“He and Yelü Zhilugu are brothers-in-law, and it’s said he loves his wife dearly.”
Hearing this, the envoy remained unperturbed and bowed: “Great King, the guards outside carry a box; please permit it to be brought in.”
Xiao Simo nodded lightly, and soon his personal guard entered carrying a box.
Upon opening, it revealed a human head.
“What does this mean?”
Xiao Simo frowned slightly and said calmly—a mere human head was not enough to alarm him.
The envoy respectfully explained: “This is the head of Chuluo Susi; our sijin beheaded her personally.”
“To show sincerity to Your Great King.”
Hearing this, Xiao Simo was stunned for a moment.
Well!
This Duoluotahan was truly ruthless.
Killing his wife to prove loyalty.
Great Liao’s version of Liu Zhang?
“Hehehe~”
Xiao Simo laughed and nodded lightly: “This king is very satisfied with this gift.”
“Believes in Duoluotahan’s loyalty.”
Immediately after, the envoy bowed again: “Great King, our sijin has one more impertinent request.”
Xiao Simo smiled faintly and nodded: “Speak—what does he want?”
The envoy then produced a gift list and handed it to Xiao Simo’s personal guard.
“Our sijin offers one thousand cattle, two thousand strong horses, ten thousand sheep, and ten thousand bolts of silk as betrothal gifts.”
“We earnestly request Your Great King to bestow the Princess of Chu in marriage to our sijin as his wife.”
Hearing this, the smile on Xiao Simo’s face gradually faded.
His ambiguous gaze fixed intently on the envoy.
……
“I said, whoever dares marry you, I will exterminate his entire clan.”
In the Jin Prefecture Military Camp, inside Li Xiao’s large tent, his cold and furious voice rang out.
After five days of marching, the four thousand five hundred Jin Prefecture Army had crossed the eastern mountains of Yinshan Prefecture.
Successfully entering Yinshan Prefecture territory.
When they reached within thirty li of Eastern Capital City, as it was too late, Li Xiao ordered camp to be set up on the spot.
Preparing to head to the Eastern Capital the next morning to pay respects to Xiao Simo.
As Li Xiao’s army entered Yinshan Prefecture, tribes along the way continuously sent messages to the Eastern Capital.
Xiao Yanyan knew Li Xiao’s itinerary like the back of her hand.
After Li Xiao set up camp outside Eastern Capital City, she could no longer suppress her longing.
Taking her guard team, she headed to Li Xiao’s army.
Upon meeting, there was no need for words.
Li Xiao directly scooped her up horizontally and carried her into the large tent.
Half a year apart, the two naturally unleashed a storm of passion.
However, after the first round ended, during the truce as they discussed the past half year’s events.
Li Xiao learned of Duoluotahan’s marriage proposal.
His face darkened instantly, and with an expression full of anger, he pressed Xiao Yanyan back beneath him.
Thrusting in fiercely, he said: “Xiao Yanyan, let me tell you.”
“You are my woman, Li Xiao’s—no one can take you away.”
Xiao Yanyan was amused by Li Xiao’s jealous expression.
Stroking his face, she chuckled: “An angry little man looks even better!”
Li Xiao gave her no face, directly brushing her hand aside and snorted: “Just wait and see.”
“If I don’t kill that bastard Duoluotahan, my surname won’t be Li.”
“Then take my surname Xiao.” Xiao Yanyan giggled.
Li Xiao was so angered he laughed.
“I, Li Xiao, always eat soft rice the hard way.”
“Just half a year apart, and you womenfolk dare to turn the world upside down.”
Over half a shichen later, Xiao Yanyan was utterly spent.
But Li Xiao still had energy; with something on his mind, he would not rest until clarified.
“And then?”
“What did your elder brother say?”
Xiao Yanyan half-closed her eyes, face flushed, exuding lazy allure; in a soft voice, she smiled: “What else could he say?”
“I am already yours.”
“How could elder brother not know?”
“Naturally, he refused that fellow’s proposal.”
“And my elder brother also said~”
“Duoluotahan is crooked at heart—either a fickle villain or a cunning, black-hearted spy.”
“He definitely won’t agree.”
Duoluotahan could kill his long-loved wife for prospects and status; such a man, though a hero, is no trustworthy ally.
Today he kills Chuluo Susi; tomorrow, if Xiao Simo loses power or for greater gain, might he not kill Xiao Yanyan too?
Definitely.
“However, my elder brother said Duoluotahan might not have made this decision himself—perhaps a false surrender, secretly colluding with the royal court.”
The Duoluoban Tribe is in the Seven Rivers Basin, while Xiao Simo’s army is swift to arrive.
To avoid Xiao Simo’s reckoning, Duoluotahan might have feigned submission.
“Whatever his plans, this guy is doomed.”
“I say so.”
“Even if Allah God came, he couldn’t save him.” Li Xiao snorted coldly.
……
The next day, the Jin Prefecture Army arrived outside Eastern Capital City; Li Xiao led his guard team into the city.
Seeing the dilapidated city wall before him, Li Xiao was mildly shocked.
“This is the Eastern Capital?”
A small county town in the Central Plains would be bigger than this!
“Quite unexpected, right?”
Xiao Yanyan rode beside him, her beautiful eyes twinkling, smiling at Li Xiao.
“Yes, quite unexpected—I thought the Eastern Capital would be large.” Li Xiao shook his head lightly.
In his view, this barely qualified as a city.
The city wall of piled mud and stones was very weathered, covered in moss and axe marks, centuries old; Li Xiao felt he could run and leap over it.
“This was built during my grandfather’s Western Expedition era—not as a capital, but merely for garrisoning troops.”
Xiao Yanyan rode along, introducing the Eastern Capital’s situation to Li Xiao.
“Actually, the Eastern Capital at least has a circle of walls; you’ll be truly surprised when you reach Kuyun-Ordu.”
“There’s nothing there.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao understood.
Though the Khitan People had undergone centuries of Sinicization, deep down they remained nomadic people.
For face, Yelü Dashi at least built a small city in the Eastern Capital.
But in Kuyun-Ordu, they simply had nothing.
The so-called royal court was just an oversized nomadic tribe.
They roamed the Chu River Basin, migrating by season.
Wherever they went became the royal court.
No wonder agricultural people couldn’t eliminate nomadic forces.
Mainly because they couldn’t be found.
But for “one of their own” like Xiao Simo, it was easy to pinpoint.
Upon entering Eastern Capital City, Li Xiao’s group was surprised by the scene.
Rows of low houses haphazardly arranged, ground muddy and full of horse dung.
The horse carriage behind Li Xiao got stuck several times and had to be pushed out.
Arriving at Xiao Simo’s royal mansion, Li Xiao was even more speechless.
The courtyard wall was made of adobe bricks, the gate merely two wooden planks without studs; inside the room door was a large courtyard without even a gatehouse.
Left side of the courtyard was the guards’ quarters, right side a row of stables, center the main hall, behind it the back courtyard where Xiao Simo’s family lived.
Seeing this, one might think it was a rural landlord’s courtyard.
Far from a true royal mansion under ancient feudal systems.
Standing in the courtyard, Li Xiao looked around and shook his head helplessly: “Lord Xiao’s life is~”
“Truly simple!”
Xiao Yanyan chuckled lightly: “This was where my grandfather lived back then.”
“Elder brother doesn’t care for such external luxuries, so he never changed it.”
“In fact, most of the time our family lives outside the city.”
Li Xiao could understand.
For these nomadic people, living in tents outside the city felt more comfortable.
Soon, Li Xiao was summoned into the inner hall and saw Xiao Simo seated in the main position.
He lightly placed hand on chest: “Your subordinate Li Xiao pays respects to Lord.”
After the Battle of Naiman and suppressing the Yili Geluolu rebellion—two great victories—Xiao Simo was now in high spirits, his commanding aura even stronger.
Wearing a wolfskin coat, smiling on his face, full of vigor.
“No need for excessive courtesy.”
“Sit.”
He then asked: “How many troops did you bring this time?”
“Four thousand five hundred, all the most elite warriors of Jin Prefecture.”
Li Xiao said in a resounding voice.
Xiao Simo nodded satisfied: “Good.”
Xiao Lintta had arrived in Eastern Capital two days earlier, also bringing two thousand five hundred men.
Thus, Jin Prefecture’s troops totaled seven thousand.
Great Desert’s troops around five thousand.
Northern Sea’s troops four thousand—after all, heavy losses in last year’s Battle of Naiman, not yet recovered.
Eastern Capital side, leaving some for defense, could muster eight thousand.
Of which five thousand were Xiao Simo’s direct lineage, the Sixth Courtyard Department troops.
Besides, in last year’s Battle of Naiman, Northern Frontier Army captured over ten thousand Naiman Soldiers.
After half a year’s “taming,” removing the weak, elderly, sick, and disabled, Xiao Simo obtained around ten thousand Naiman Soldiers.
Khitan Soldiers were inserted as core officers to ensure control over this army.
Meanwhile, Xiao Simo promised these Naiman People:
Whoever beheads one enemy soldier could be freed from slavery, rewarded with cattle and sheep, and have their families brought to live together.
Thus, in the battle against the royal court, this Naiman army might play an unexpected role.
These were Xiao Simo’s main forces.
Totaling thirty-four thousand.
Additionally, after suppressing the Yili Geluolu rebellion last year, Xiao Simo gained two thousand Geluolu Cavalry.
Though these Geluolu People might rebel, as long as Xiao Simo’s strength was overwhelming with high chances of victory, they certainly wouldn’t court death.
Furthermore, the submitting nomadic tribes of the Seven Rivers Basin.
Could provide around ten thousand troops.
Thus, for this expedition, Xiao Simo’s side would field forty-six thousand troops.
In the Western Regions, few could assemble such a massive army.
Nearly matching Yelü Dashi’s Western Expedition army of old.
So these past days, Xiao Simo had been quite comfortable.
Always saying:
“The advantage is mine!”
“Will surely rout the royal court army.”
Yet Li Xiao harbored some concerns.
Xiao Simo’s forces appeared vast, but had a fatal flaw.
Too few direct troops.
Truly unconditionally obedient were probably only the five thousand Khitan troops of the Sixth Courtyard Department.
The other forty thousand were mere allies.
Jin Prefecture, Great Desert, and Northern Sea armies might support Xiao Simo to the end.
But Seven Rivers Basin nomadic tribe soldiers would likely be the first to flee if battle turned sour.
In summary, Xiao Simo’s situation was unstable foundation.
But Li Xiao had no good solution.
The Western Regions was a contest of who rotted less; could only hope the royal court army was even worse than Eastern Capital’s.
After finishing military discussions, Li Xiao suddenly stood, placed hand on chest toward Xiao Simo.
“Lord, your subordinate has one impertinent request.”
“Please grant it, Lord.”
Hearing Li Xiao, Xiao Simo already anticipated.
In truth, every move of these two was under Xiao Simo’s surveillance—nothing escaped him.
“Since it’s impertinent, say no more.” Xiao Simo said calmly.
His beloved sister of twenty years taken by another man.
Naturally, some discomfort in his heart.
But Li Xiao had to say it—a shortcut to career peak lay before him; how could he hesitate?
“Your subordinate Li Xiao wishes to marry the Princess of Chu.”
At these words, Xiao Yanyan, who had been eavesdropping outside the room, involuntarily clenched her fists, a delighted smile on her face.
