Chapter 143: Army Returns Triumphant, Astonishing Spoils
“The Marshal has ordered!”
“The army shall withdraw and return to the Northern Frontier!”
As Li Xiao issued the order to withdraw the troops, the various units of the Northern Frontier Army quickly sprang into action, and the Imperial Capital became even more chaotic.
Wang Heizi, this blacksmith who inherited the family craft, had been running the blacksmith shop in Kuyun-Ordu City since his grandfather’s generation, but now he had no choice but to take his whole family to the Northern Frontier.
The threat of the Northern Frontier Army was imminent; he dared not risk his family’s lives, so that very night he packed up their belongings with his family members and loaded two horse carriages.
The next morning, Wang Heizi’s family led their horse carriages and stood in front of the blacksmith shop.
He looked back at this place that had held half his life’s memories, full of emotion: “Once we leave, who knows if I’ll ever have the chance to come back and see it again in this lifetime..”
His wife gently held his rough hand, her eyes reddening, her voice trembling slightly: “Husband, don’t think too much. As long as the family stays together, we can make a life anywhere.”
The young children sat in the horse carriage, innocent and clueless.
The two older sons had eyes full of confusion about the unknown road ahead; after all, they had never left this city and had no concept of the Northern Frontier.
Wang Heizi instructed his sons: “If there’s a chance in the future, remember to come back and take a look.”
With that, the family drove their horse carriages toward outside the city.
Along the way, they encountered many artisans dragging their families and loading luggage onto carts.
Wang Heizi saw the familiar Carpenter Old Li and asked: “Old Li, were you conscripted too?”
Old Li gave a bitter smile and mocked himself: “You bet, King Xiao ‘thinks highly’ of us and is taking us to the Northern Frontier to ‘enjoy blessings’.”
The two exchanged a glance, shaking their heads helplessly, understanding that anyone with a craft could hardly escape conscription by the Northern Frontier Army.
No escaping it.
However, when they arrived at the camp outside the city, they instantly cheered up.
“Yo, isn’t this Lord Khalifa? How so disheveled—where’d your turban go? Did you use it to wipe your ass?”
Old Li burst out laughing and said loudly.
The one he was teasing was a Uyghur person.
Also a carpenter, but rivals in the same trade, their relationship had always been poor.
However, Khalifa had a relative who was an officer in the city gate army, so he had often bullied Old Li in the past.
But now, he was like a plucked rooster, disheveled squatting on the ground; even his prized turban was nowhere to be found.
And Uyghur artisans like him numbered several hundred.
Along with their family members, several thousand in total, all roughly seized by the Northern Frontier Army to become slaves, treated vastly differently from Han craftsmen.
“Damn bastard.”
Seeing Old Li strutting in front of him, Khalifa turned green with anger and couldn’t help cursing.
But right after, a cavalryman charged over quickly and lashed a whip hard across Khalifa’s back.
“Pa~”
“No talking.”
It immediately scared him into hugging his head and falling silent, not daring to move a muscle.
The cavalryman then turned and scolded Old Li: “No provoking slaves.”
“Get lost, quick.”
Though scolded, Old Li felt thoroughly pleased and smiled: “Alright, military officer, we’re going right now.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“That Uyghur is the worst; he needs a good whipping.”
With that, Old Li laughed heartily as he led his horse carriage forward.
The bully who had tormented him was now a slave, while he could strut past him.
This feeling was really great.
“You know, I suddenly think going to the Northern Frontier isn’t so bad,” Old Li suddenly said to Wang Heizi, who was walking alongside leading his horse carriage.
“What’s up?” Wang Heizi was puzzled.
Old Li chuckled: “At least, it looks like once we’re in the Northern Frontier, we won’t have to put up with Uyghur people anymore.”
“We can even bully them back.”
Wang Heizi nodded slightly, feeling the same in his heart.
In Kuyun-Ordu City, Uyghur people made up over seventy percent, and Han people were often bullied.
Now this Northern Frontier Army was led by Han people, with commander Li Xiao being King Xiao’s brother-in-law, so they were more lenient toward Han people, unlike the harsh treatment of Uyghur people where homes were raided and turned into slaves at the drop of a hat.
With such a comparison, Wang Heizi’s mood clearly improved a lot.
“True enough. Though we’re leaving Kuyun-Ordu, at least we can live like humans,” Wang Heizi nodded lightly.
He looked at the distant Uyghur craftsmen penned up like livestock, shaking his head helplessly.
Truly pitiful.
……
On the grassland outside the city, the Northern Frontier Army’s tents stood like a forest of fortresses, but demolition work had already begun.
Soldiers hurried about, busily packing their kits, methodically loading weapons, tents, provisions, and other supplies onto horse carriages.
The golden Sun and Moon Battle Flag fluttered fiercely in the wind, making “crackling” sounds, as if playing a tragic war song for this withdrawal.
Artisans, prisoners of war, and women slowly advanced toward the Northern Frontier under the soldiers’ herding.
The artisans still turned back frequently toward Kuyun-Ordu City, their eyes full of attachment and reluctance.
The prisoners of war dragged heavy steps, ropes chafing their skin until blood seeped out, but no one cared.
The women huddled together, sobbing softly, also marching on foot, worrying about their future fates.
In comparison, Yelü Jin and other imperial family members received much better treatment.
Yelü Zhilugu’s consort and daughter, over a dozen people in total, were all crammed into three horse carriages.
Though crowded, at least they didn’t suffer the toil and hardship like the other women.
“Are the rebels withdrawing?” Yelü Jin watched the army’s movements and said delightedly.
A nearby consort nodded lightly: “It seems they’re preparing to return to the Eastern Capital.”
“Father Emperor must have brought people back; the rebels can’t match them and can only retreat and flee,” Yelü Jin said happily.
The consort nodded lightly: “It should be that the battle situation changed, forcing the rebels to withdraw.”
Hearing this, Yelü Jin’s small face full of urgency: “I really hope Father Emperor brings people soon to rescue us, or we’ll truly be taken to the Northern Frontier.”
Not far from her, Li Xiao sat astride a tall war horse, reins gripped tightly in hand, with numerous White Armor personal guards silently standing behind him, gazing at the army ahead orderly withdrawing.
Soon after, Li Dashan came to report: “Marshal, all soldiers have withdrawn from the city.”
Li Xiao nodded lightly, turned his head for one last look at Kuyun-Ordu.
This Imperial Capital, once glorious, had long become dilapidated after the Northern Frontier Army’s ravaging.
Like a gravely wounded giant, issuing a despairing wail across the vast grassland.
“Kuyun-Ordu.”
“I, Li Xiao, will definitely return.”
Li Xiao murmured lowly, a flash of resolve in his eyes.
“Giddyup~”
“Depart!”
Then, he turned and left, his figure growing ever farther from the city wall.
With a long horn blast, the army’s speed increased.
Wheels rumbled, hooves clattered, kicking up dust that formed a massive cloud over the grassland.
The grassland animals were startled by the sudden commotion; wild rabbits scattered, birds took flight circling in the sky, as if mourning the city’s fate.
But soon, a new problem arose.
“Our speed is too slow.”
“At this rate, it’ll take at least five days to reach the Ili River north.”
“By then, the Royal Court Army will probably catch up.”
On the grassland, Li Xiao and the generals gathered; Jiu Meng’an He said gravely.
“That’s right, these captives are seriously slowing us down.”
Luo Ping nodded in deep agreement.
In the Battle of Kuyun-Ordu, the Left Route Army’s spoils were astonishing, nearly emptying the entire Kuyun-Ordu.
In property, first from the imperial palace treasury: treasures worth over three hundred thousand taels of gold, plus other antiques, calligraphy and painting, brocade, gold and silver coins, etc., totaling around three hundred twenty thousand taels of gold.
Additionally, from raiding nobles’ homes and extorting funds in the city, miscellaneous items added up to over six million strings of copper coins.
Converted to gold, about six hundred thousand taels.
No one expected these nobles’ accumulated wealth to exceed the royal family’s.
Gold, silver, and jewels worth over nine hundred thousand taels of gold filled hundreds of large carts.
All horse carriages in Kuyun-Ordu City were requisitioned by the Northern Frontier Army.
Besides this property, the city’s stored grain was completely carted away.
Not enough horse carriages? Use horses to pull directly.
Not enough horses? Have people carry.
After this battle, the Northern Frontier Army had plenty of captives.
City craftsmen were scraped clean: Han people, Uyghur people, Khitan people, other races’ artisans totaling nearly a thousand.
Along with their relatives, several thousand following back to the Northern Frontier.
Marching vastly across the grassland, stretching endlessly.
Besides artisans, there were pure captives.
Including soldiers from Kuyun-Ordu City, family retainers from nobles’ and rich merchants’ mansions, female servants, imperial palace guards, eunuchs, palace maids.
Plus the nobles themselves and their family members.
These people totaled nearly twenty thousand.
Divided into male and female parts.
Few female captives, under three thousand, to be distributed later as rewards to meritorious soldiers.
Male captives directly incorporated into the Kuli Army.
Causing the Kuli Army’s troops to swell dramatically to nearly twenty thousand.
More than Li Xiao’s own Left Route Army troops.
But these Kuli Army were pure cannon fodder, without even war horses.
Could only march on foot back to the Northern Frontier.
Precisely because of this property, grain, and slaves, the Northern Frontier Army’s speed was severely hampered.
But abandoning these spoils of war was impossible.
With the Royal Court Army possibly counter-marching anytime, they must find ways to speed up the march and reach the Ili River quickly.
“Kuyun-Ordu to Ili River is at least two hundred li.”
“These prisoners of war take five days to get there, while Royal Court Army from Black Stone Mountain to Kuyun-Ordu takes only three.”
Jiu Meng’an He said heavily.
Hampered by so many captives and supplies, the Northern Frontier Army was completely shackled.
Once caught by the Royal Court Army, it would be troublesome.
Li Xiao frowned tightly upon hearing this, a ruthless glint in his eyes, followed by a cold voice.
“Then speed up the prisoners of war.”
“Pass the order.”
“Kill one hundred Kuli Army each day, measured by marching speed.”
“At evening camp, the last one hundred.”
“Behead!”
These one hundred did not include stragglers, but those at the tail of the main body.
Because stragglers were beheaded on the road from the start.
Then, Li Xiao continued in an icy voice: “Female captive camp and artisan camp same rule.”
“Daily killings: ten people.”
Hearing this, the generals were surprised but had to admit it was indeed a good method.
With this order, the prisoners of war would race death for time.
They could walk slowly, but absolutely not slower than the last one hundred.
Under death’s pressure, no one would slack off.
“Good!”
“Do it this way!” Jiu Meng’an He nodded heavily.
With both big shots agreeing, the order would be executed thus.
Every evening, one hundred twenty heads would roll.
Under death’s threat, marching speed indeed quickened greatly.
Visibly, faster each day.
By the third day, the army advanced a full seventy li.
But in this situation, Li Xiao handed the main army to Jiu Meng’an He to lead onward.
He himself led one thousand White Armored Army, one thousand Northern Sea Army, and one thousand Seven Rivers Army, totaling three thousand cavalry, quietly leaving the column.
Evening, setting sun in the west, blood-red afterglow dyeing the grassland dark red, like a mournful shroud over the land.
Amid this quiet atmosphere, low hoofbeats slowly rose, growing louder, pounding the earth and shattering the grassland’s peace.
Rolling iron cavalry advanced vastly; the leading general was Xiao Lintta.
He led the army from Black Stone Mountain to rescue Kuyun-Ordu.
But upon arrival, they saw only a ruined city, imperial palace looted empty, numerous nobles raided and taken.
Seeing this, Xiao Lintta immediately knew things were serious.
Yelü Zhilugu would surely be furious.
Likely blaming him too.
Thus, Xiao Lintta dared not delay: left some soldiers to minimally restore city order, then led the main cavalry to tail the Northern Frontier Army.
“Whoa~”
When they reached a grassland stretch, Xiao Lintta slowly reined in, the many cavalry behind halting too.
At that moment, several scout cavalry rode up from afar to report.
“Deputy Minister of the Bureau of Military Affairs, over there we found over a hundred corpses, same as the ones found earlier—all beheaded.”
Hearing this, Xiao Lintta didn’t dally and immediately went to see.
On a high ground, chaotic footprints everywhere—at least tens of thousands had camped here.
Most importantly, in the center, a ten-meter-high mound with over a hundred corpses sprawled.
Countless vultures and wild wolves gorged on the corpses.
When Xiao Lintta arrived, the beasts scattered.
Xiao Lintta looked down: most corpses gnawed to white bones, only some severed heads faintly recognizable.
But when Xiao Lintta made out one face, he frowned.
“This is~”
“Lord Dingyuan?”
Xiao Lintta said shocked; using his blade tip to turn the head, closer inspection confirmed the identity.
It was Great Liao noble Lord Dingyuan, whose grandfather had campaigned south and north with Yelü Dashi, a founding merit.
Moreover, Lord Dingyuan’s sister was Yelü Zhilugu’s imperial concubine.
He was a true imperial relative and noble.
Other corpses’ faces were unrecognizable, but from clothing, most were nobles and rich men.
Yet now, these once high-and-mighty magnates were beheaded, bodies gnawed to skeletons by wild beasts.
“What exactly happened?”
“How did they die so miserably?” Xiao Lintta said shocked.
A nearby middle-aged man looked around; the surroundings were wide open, making the hill under their feet conspicuous.
He sneered: “This is an execution ground; they were executed.”
“And in front of tens of thousands, beheaded under all eyes.”
This man was full of knife scars, fierce-looking, dressed like a total barbarian.
His name was Hamajike, a Kangli person.
Yelü Wusitu’s most trusted subordinate.
This time leading five thousand Kangli Cavalry to help Xiao Lintta exterminate Li Xiao’s forces.
Also came five hundred Iqta Cavalry from Eastern Kara-Khanid Khaganate, plus three thousand light cavalry.
The leader was the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khaganate Khan’s younger brother, Sulaiman bin Hasan.
Seeing the gruesome scene, Sulaiman nodded lightly: “This seems like a sacrifice.”
“Beheading these over a hundred to sacrifice to deities.”
Sacrificing prisoners of war to heaven and earth and ancestors was common.
And earlier, fifty li away, they found a similar execution ground, confirming his guess.
These rebels killed over a hundred daily, seemingly some mysterious rite.
But really, just an execution ground.
The over a hundred killed purely for lagging, slowing the army.
And most of these hundred captives were nobles.
As they were pampered daily, their foot speed couldn’t match commoners’.
The previous day, these fallen nobles could still leverage past status to bully commoners into walking behind them.
But as killings mounted, their dignity faded.
No one died for them anymore, so the next day it was their turn.
These once strutting nobles, beheaded before over twenty thousand prisoners of war by Northern Frontier Army soldiers.
“Right now, probably over a hundred more are being cruelly slaughtered by those barbarians.” Sulaiman looked to the sky as if praying to Allah, sighing pityingly.
Kangli general Hamajike snorted coldly, shaking his head: “The weak don’t deserve to live.”
“With rebels’ blades at their necks, too cowardly to fight desperately—deserve to be beheaded.”
Kangli people lived on Kipchak Steppe, harsh environment, believing in law of the jungle.
Despised weakness most.
Xiao Lintta naturally understood, with no savior complex to rescue all.
Just ordered soldiers to properly bury these nobles; Khitan didn’t favor sky burial, preferring earth burial.
At this time, Sulaiman glanced at the setting sun: “Lord Xiao, General Hamajike, we’re not far from the rebels now.”
“Tomorrow noon, we can catch them.”
“Better rest here tonight, refresh, and eliminate the rebels tomorrow.”
Their ten thousand army from Black Stone Mountain hadn’t rested much en route, quite fatigued.
With catching rebels tomorrow in sight, soldiers must rest well tonight.
Xiao Lintta surveyed the terrain, saw no issues, pondered briefly, then nodded lightly.
“Fine!”
“Camp here!”
Sulaiman then arranged the army to camp.
Since Northern Frontier Army camped here last night, just simple cleanup to reuse.
“These rebels are smart, knowing how to sleep comfortably.”
Sulaiman saw the cut haystacks on the ground and chuckled.
Perfect for his soldiers: soft haystacks under them for a good sleep.
Thus, over thirteen thousand Royal Court Army set camp, preparing for tomorrow’s decisive battle.
Including five thousand Kangli Army, three thousand five hundred Eastern Kara-Khanid Khaganate troops, plus two thousand Jin Prefecture Army under Xiao Lintta.
Additionally, some Royal Court Army captured by Eastern Capital Army at Black Stone Mountain battle had rejoined Royal Court.
Three thousand assigned to Xiao Lintta.
So this army’s total troops reached over thirteen thousand.
Strength not inferior to Li Xiao’s Left Route Army.
Plus Li Xiao hampered by massive supplies and captives, severely slowed.
Thus, Xiao Lintta fully confident to badly damage the Left Route Army.
As for capturing or killing Li Xiao, that depended on luck.
After all, if Li Xiao abandoned the army and fled with a small force, Xiao Lintta helpless.
Meanwhile, Li Xiao’s three thousand cavalry hid in a hill ten li away.
Quietly awaiting Xiao Lintta’s army arrival.
“Bro, you guessed it right.”
“How’d you know Xiao Lintta would camp at our spot from last night?” Da Hu asked Li Xiao excitedly.
Li Xiao, fully clad in White Armor, said flatly: “Within dozens of li, mostly endless grassland.”
“Easy to night raid.”
“Only our camp last night has higher ground, easy to defend.”
“Plus a river for water—best for camping.”
“Xiao Lintta won’t ignore it for open grassland.”
Li Xiao had considered these when camping.
He believed Xiao Lintta thought similarly.
As a veteran general, Xiao Lintta would pick the best spot.
But he wouldn’t expect Li Xiao had set an ambush around this camp.
“Whole army prepare.”
“After sunset, mount and raid the camp.” Li Xiao gazed at the setting sun, voice cold and stern.
