Chapter 148: Golden Saber The Prince Consort, Wedding Night
Inside Eastern Capital City, lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere, bustling with excitement.
Today was the joyous day of Li Xiao’s marriage to Xiao Yanyan, with the entire city immersed in a festive atmosphere.
It also served as a ‘celebration banquet’ for the previous western expedition, to boost morale.
The royal mansion was even more lively, with Xiao Yanyan sitting in front of the bronze mirror, looking at her face reddened by rouge.
The scene she had fantasized about countless times in her mind had finally become reality today.
She was getting married.
“Lady Li?”
Murmuring this title, Xiao Yanyan suddenly smiled.
It really felt a bit unaccustomed.
“A Man, it’s time to do your hair.” Shu Lü Wujin stood behind her, reminding her softly.
She nodded, letting the maidservants pin up her long hair, her slightly trembling eyelashes reflected in the bronze mirror.
“You look truly beautiful today.”
Shu Lü Wujin placed the phoenix crown on her head, the gold-threaded tassels dangling and swaying gently before her eyes.
Then she picked up a large red wedding gown embroidered with a golden phoenix and prepared to help her put it on.
The moment she saw the gown, the smile on Xiao Yanyan’s face slowly faded, a faint sadness appearing in her eyes.
Because this wedding gown had been worn by her mother back then.
She reached out and touched the patterns on the collar, her fingertips trembling slightly.
“If Mother were still here, she would be overjoyed to see you getting married.” Shu Lü Wujin said with a gentle smile.
Xiao Yanyan nodded slightly and sighed lightly, “She would probably be happy.”
“Unfortunately, I no longer remember what she looked like.”
Yelü Pusuwan was a taboo in the Xiao Family; the family’s decline was directly related to her.
When she died, Xiao Yanyan had just been born not long ago and remembered nothing.
“Don’t think too much.” Shu Lü Wujin gently stroked Xiao Yanyan’s face.
Her tender voice said, “Although Father and Mother are gone, you still have Brother and Sister-in-law.”
“The royal mansion will always be your home.”
Then, Shu Lü Wujin imparted some experience to Xiao Yanyan on being a new wife.
Such matters were usually passed down by mothers, but now Shu Lü Wujin had to do it instead.
It was not about bedroom matters, as Xiao Yanyan needed no instruction there and even knew more than Shu Lü Wujin.
The main focus was on how to be a good matriarch.
“Since ancient times, men have had three wives and four concubines.”
“Li Xiao is young, but I hear he already has several women; after marriage, he might take one or two as concubines.”
“When dealing with concubines, you must have tolerance yet not lose your dignity.”
“If a concubine behaves properly, treat her generously, and she will respect you as the matriarch.”
“But if someone is restless and tries to stir trouble, do not condone it.”
“However, remember to consider the bigger picture when handling it, without causing chaos at home and losing face.”
“The best is to use both kindness and authority, making them understand that only under your leadership as matriarch can the back courtyard be peaceful, benefiting everyone.”
“And the most important point is to get pregnant as soon as possible.”
“If you can bear Li Xiao’s first child, it will be the legitimate eldest son, and no one can shake your status.”
Shu Lü Wujin had suffered a loss in this regard.
When she married Xiao Simo, he already had several sons.
So her son was only a legitimate son, not the legitimate eldest son.
But Xiao Yanyan’s situation was different; it was best if she could bear Li Xiao’s legitimate eldest son.
Hearing this, Xiao Yanyan did not pretend to be coy; Khitan women were always bold.
She just gently stroked her belly, somewhat annoyed.
She was already twenty-two years old; at her age, others’ children could ride horses.
She wanted a child too.
Unfortunately, though she clung to Li Xiao each time until exhausted, she still had not conceived.
So Xiao Yanyan frankly told Shu Lü Wujin about this issue.
Hearing this, Sister-in-law’s face looked slightly unnatural, but then turned to shock.
“Over half a shichen?”
“Every time this long?”
Xiao Yanyan puzzled: “Is that long?”
“The longest was over one shichen.”
Shu Lü Wujin shut down inwardly, subconsciously clenching her legs.
After a moment of silence, she forced herself to say, “Perhaps you two have been together too few times.”
“After marriage, cling to him more.”
“Before you get pregnant, do not let him touch other women.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yanyan nodded vigorously.
“Good!”
Although she could not stop Li Xiao from taking concubines, she had princess privileges.
She had to create conditions for herself to bear the legitimate eldest son.
“Has the Princess finished dressing? The Prince Consort has arrived.”
“It’s time to go out.” The matchmaker’s voice came from outside the door.
Then, Xiao Yanyan covered her head with the red head covering and, supported by Shu Lü Wujin and the maidservants, arrived at the great hall.
At this time, Li Xiao stood in the hall, wearing a gorgeous red brocade robe embroidered with a golden flood dragon.
He wore a brilliant gold crown, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, exuding heroic spirit; a gem-encrusted belt around his waist highlighted his noble status.
His gaze turned to Xiao Yanyan approaching, took the red cord from the maidservant, then looked at Xiao Simo and Shu Lü Wujin seated in the center of the main hall.
“Greetings, Elder Brother. Greetings, Sister-in-law.”
Xiao Simo looked solemn; in high spirits from the joyous occasion, his complexion was better than a few days ago.
He coughed lightly a few times and gestured to the attendant beside him.
The attendant immediately presented a delicate brocade box with both hands and slowly stepped forward.
Xiao Simo opened the brocade box, revealing a dagger forged from gold, its blade gleaming with noble light, the hilt intricately carved with Khitan totems, the patterns fine and lifelike.
Xiao Simo solemnly took the golden saber and handed it to Li Xiao with both hands, his gaze full of expectation as he said gravely, “Li Xiao, today I entrust Yanyan to you.”
“This golden saber is prepared by the Xiao Clan for the son-in-law, representing the responsibility and honor of a Xiao family son-in-law.”
“Wielding this saber, I hope you protect A Man for life in peace, preserve the Xiao Clan’s glory, and guard the Northern Frontier’s peace.”
Not just the Xiao Family, many nomadic peoples prepared a knife as dowry or token when marrying off daughters.
However, only those of noble status used a golden saber.
Li Xiao’s expression was solemn as he received the golden saber with both hands and responded gravely, “Elder Brother, rest assured. I will not fail your trust. By the name of this golden saber, I will protect A Man, guard the Xiao Clan, and defend the Northern Frontier.”
He stood up and solemnly hung the golden saber at his waist; the blade clinked crisply, as if declaring his firm oath.
“Good!”
As the words fell, the great hall erupted in lively cheers from the crowd.
Xue Gu Eluda, Bali’ala, and others all offered congratulations.
As for Xiao Tula Duo, due to urgent military matters, he had left a gift and returned early to the Great Desert.
At the same time, Jiu Meng’an He had specially sent someone from the Seven Rivers with congratulatory gifts.
Then, amid the crowd’s blessings, Li Xiao and Xiao Yanyan left the great hall and walked along the red carpet path all the way outside the mansion.
At the end of the red carpet, Li Xiao directly scooped Xiao Yanyan up horizontally and helped her onto the horse.
He mounted another horse and headed toward the Li Family mansion.
Along the way, common people flocked to the streets to watch the grand wedding, with blessings ringing out endlessly.
“This is Governor Li? He’s really young.”
“Now he’s not just Jin Prefecture Governor, but also General Who Conquers the West and Marquis Wu Cheng.”
“He matches the Princess perfectly. What’s that phrase~”
“Talented man and beautiful woman.”
After the western expedition, Li Xiao’s fame had thoroughly spread in the Eastern Capital.
Breaking through Kuyun-Ordu, eliminating tens of thousands of royal court troops, and other feats made the martial Khitan herdsmen admire him greatly.
Li Xiao had already gained considerable influence in the Sixth Courtyard Department.
Some young people could even be heard shouting loudly, “Marshal Li, next time take us to hit the royal court again, grab more money and women.”
“Good~”
Li Xiao rode on horseback, smiling and nodding to the herdsmen on both sides.
Behind him, Da Hu, Er Hu, and others tossed out money like tycoons.
All copper coins, scattered along the entire road.
After plundering Kuyun-Ordu, Li Xiao instantly became a rich man.
He was not short of money at all!
But what troubled him was the heavy spending upon returning to the Eastern Capital.
Over nine hundred thousand taels of gold in total, with Xiao Simo taking three hundred thousand taels—and that was because Li Xiao concealed four hundred thousand.
He claimed to have gotten only five hundred thousand taels; otherwise, Xiao Simo would have demanded more.
The reason was simple: without Xiao Simo’s main force pinning down the royal court’s main army, how could Li Xiao have broken through the imperial capital?
So, the spoils from the imperial capital had to be shared with Xiao Simo.
And a big share at that, since he was the boss.
Thus, Li Xiao could only tearfully hand over three hundred thousand taels.
He also separately gave fifty thousand taels each to Xiao Tula Duo and Jiu Meng’an He, as they deserved.
But favors could not be neglected either.
Though Xue Gu Eluda stayed to guard the Eastern Capital, he was Xiao Simo’s most trusted general.
Maintaining good relations with him was crucial; no need to skimp on a bit of money.
And those Sixth Courtyard Department Shi Lie generals—who knew when they might be needed?
Everyone knew Li Xiao had made a fortune in Kuyun-Ordu.
Being stingy would easily leave him friendless.
So, Li Xiao sent them a total of twenty thousand taels of gold, settling the matter.
What Li Xiao had left openly was only eighty thousand taels of gold.
But actually, fifty thousand taels remained.
After this bout of lavish spending, the results were evident.
Friends everywhere, good people everywhere; the entire Eastern Capital had become Li Xiao’s iron brothers.
Even the rewards distributed to the Sixth Courtyard Department soldiers came from part of the three hundred thousand taels Xiao Simo had taken from Li Xiao.
They knew it was because Li Xiao plundered the imperial capital that they got reward money; otherwise, they would be drinking northwest wind.
Thus, the soldiers’ fondness for Li Xiao soared even higher.
The support and loyalty of these Khitan people finally gave Li Xiao some comfort in his heart.
The money was well spent.
Scattering copper coins along the way, the wedding procession circled the city before arriving at the Marquis Wu Cheng mansion.
This Marquis Wu Cheng mansion was very close to the royal mansion; its original name was ‘Xiao Mansion’.
It was Xiao Lintta’s residence.
The Eastern Capital was a small place after all, with only a few good residences in the city.
Building a new one would not be in time, especially since Li Xiao did not reside in the Eastern Capital often.
Thus, Xiao Simo awarded Xiao Lintta’s residence to Li Xiao; after simple cleaning and repairs, it became the Marquis Wu Cheng mansion.
“Elder Brother is back.”
“Elder Brother brought Elder Sister-in-law back.”
As the wedding procession just reached the street outside the mansion, San Feng and Si Feng, the two little girls, eagerly ran inside excitedly to report the news.
At this time, there were quite a few people in Li Xiao’s mansion.
Besides the Old Master, Old Lady, Qin Dani, and others who had just arrived, all were officers and soldiers who had followed Li Xiao on the western expedition.
Li Dashan, Luo Ping, Li Sanhe, Amo, and others.
Even the ordinary soldiers were not forgotten by Li Xiao.
Several days in advance, cattle were slaughtered and sheep prepared for food for over ten thousand people, also serving as a celebration banquet after the war.
After the ceremony ended, Li Xiao still had to go to the camp outside the city to toast the officers and soldiers.
“Grandfather, Granny~”
“Mother~”
“I’ve brought back a wife for our Li Family.”
Li Xiao led Xiao Yanyan into the main hall and said.
“Good, good~”
“Good grandson, good granddaughter-in-law.”
The Old Lady, dressed in red festive clothes, was overjoyed, sitting at the head; as she spoke, her eyes reddened and she began wiping tears.
Clearly thinking of Li Dahai; from Li Xiao, she seemed to recall Li Dahai’s wedding day back then.
“If Da Hai saw this, he would be so happy.”
Beside her, Qin Dani nodded happily too.
The eldest son had finally married a wife—and a princess at that.
The Old Li Family’s ancestral grave must be smoking green.
“Alright, time for the wedding rites!”
The Old Master at the head spoke, his millennia-old icy face softening.
He was happy at heart.
The ceremony formally began; following Han Chinese customs, the couple first bowed to heaven and earth and the deities, thanking them for their blessings.
Then they bowed to the elders, expressing respect and gratitude.
The couple bowed to each other; after the rites were complete, they hand in hand entered the bridal chamber.
Grassland women had free-spirited personalities without so many rules; just upon entering the room, Xiao Yanyan impatiently had Li Xiao lift her head covering.
She even justified it: “If I wait for you to lift it when you return tonight, my neck will ache to death.”
“I’m not going to wait foolishly.”
Li Xiao smiled helplessly; this woman’s temperament was still so unrestrained.
After lifting the head covering and freeing Xiao Yanyan, Li Xiao left the room amid her instructions.
“Come back early tonight.”
“Don’t drink too much.”
Outside the city, Jin Prefecture military camp.
Soldiers slaughtered cattle and sheep, very lively.
One jin of meat per soldier, grain unlimited, half jin of alcoholic beverage.
Moreover, Li Xiao specially chose this day to distribute rewards.
Dressed in red, he stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers’ faces.
Then he beckoned, having someone open the boxes before him.
As the boxes were opened one by one, countless gold, silver, and copper coins appeared before everyone’s eyes.
The crowd below instantly let out a low murmur.
But no one spoke; all eyes were fixed on the boxes at Li Xiao’s feet.
“Hehe~”
Li Xiao laughed and kicked over a box full of Dinar gold coins, spilling them across the ground.
The shiny gold coins scattered with a clatter.
The crowd began to stir, soldiers whispering, suppressing their inner excitement.
Li Xiao then said loudly, “Officers and soldiers.”
“I promised you.”
“Every bit of your effort will receive due reward.”
Li Xiao’s voice was loud, carrying far in the quiet camp, mainly because he held a simple tin megaphone.
He kicked open another box with one foot; gold coins poured out like water, gleaming temptingly in the sunlight.
“On the battlefield, you fought bathed in blood, fearless of death; every charge, every kill, I saw in my eyes.”
Li Xiao’s gaze was sharp, scanning the soldiers before him; the fatigue and confusion in their eyes were gradually replaced by burning desire.
“These gold coins are the glory you deserve.”
Li Xiao waved his arm forcefully, his voice growing more impassioned.
“Now, they belong to you.”
As the words fell, the soldiers’ emotions surged instantly.
“We pledge our lives to the Governor!”
A young soldier suddenly shouted, his voice trembling with excitement.
Then, more and more soldiers joined in the shouting.
“We pledge our lives to the Governor!”
“We pledge our lives to the Governor!”
……
Even the nomadic tribes who did not understand Chinese shouted loudly after learning the meaning.
The shouts were like surging waves, one after another, shaking the ground slightly.
The camp was filled with fervent atmosphere; all soldiers were boiling with passion, eyes gleaming—with desire for wealth, and trust and loyalty to Li Xiao.
At the same time, on the other side of the camp, Wang Heizi’s family finally ate their first meat in many days.
“One bowl of meat soup per person; no one takes more.”
“Grain is unlimited; eat as much as you want.”
In the artisan camp, rows of large pots simmered thick meat soup.
Wang Heizi and others lined up in queues, holding bowls and chopsticks to get food.
Walking ahead of Wang Heizi’s family was Old Li’s family.
Compared to Wang Heizi’s reticence, Old Li was very straightforward and had grown familiar with the Jin Prefecture soldiers in charge over these days.
“Yo, such thick meat soup, and unlimited flatbread.”
“Old Zhou, what’s the occasion?”
“Our Jin Prefecture Army is living well now.”
Old Li joked with the sergeant in charge.
Old Zhou was from the Zhou Family of Feiying Fort, a thirty-something farmer.
He ladled Old Li a large bowl of meat soup and grunted, “Of course we live well.”
“But today our Governor is getting married.”
“Marrying King Xiao’s sister.”
“The Governor is happy and rewards the three armies; not just you, even the war captives get improved rations.”
Hearing this, Old Li immediately feigned surprise and delight.
“Oh my, so it’s Governor Li’s wedding.”
“Then we should call him Prince Consort from now on.”
“Congratulations, congratulations.”
Old Zhou chuckled, “Do you think you can see the Governor’s face? Just randomly congratulating.”
“Eat your fill and work well later; the Governor will be happier.”
Soon, Old Li and Wang Heizi’s families found an open spot, squatting on the ground to slurp meat soup and bite into flatbread.
“Looks like our days ahead won’t be hard.” Old Li said while eating.
“How so?”
“What did you see again?” Wang Heizi asked.
“Didn’t you see? We and those soldiers in charge eat the same.”
“What does that mean? Jin Prefecture isn’t as poor as we thought.” Old Li said matter-of-factly.
“And seeing Governor Li’s style, he values us artisans.”
“Once in Jin Prefecture, we’ll live as usual.”
Hearing this, Wang Heizi nodded slightly: “Makes sense.”
“If possible, in Jin Prefecture, I want to open a blacksmith shop and pass on this craft.”
Old Li chuckled: “They definitely won’t mistreat you; they want your skills.”
Meanwhile, the prisoner of war camp on the other side did not have such good treatment.
No meat soup for sure, but at least they got flatbread for one meal, improving their rations a bit.
After Li Xiao led people to inspect the prisoner of war camp, he prepared to return to the main camp to toast the officers and soldiers.
Before leaving, he asked Li Sishui, in charge of the prisoner of war camp.
“Fourth Uncle, how many have passed the test these days?”
Li Sishui managed the prisoner of war camp and immediately replied, “One group of over three hundred twenty people.”
“Already sent to the artisan camp.”
Everyone knew Li Xiao greatly valued artisans.
Among these captured soldiers, some were artisans by trade.
So along the way, Li Sishui had them recommend their skills.
Those who passed entered the artisan camp with improved treatment.
Of course, some faked being artisans for better treatment, but after Li Sishui executed a few imposters, the trend cleared up.
“Now, the artisan camp has one thousand five hundred thirty-two artisans.”
“Prisoners of war in the camp number over twenty-two thousand, including around three thousand Han Chinese prisoners of war.”
Li Sishui knew the prisoner of war camp details like the back of his hand.
Li Xiao nodded slightly upon hearing.
Over fifteen hundred artisans were enough to preliminarily establish Jin Prefecture’s industrial system.
As for prisoners of war, there were originally around twenty-seven thousand.
But some, like the Xiong Department Pishi Army Khitans, numbered over three thousand.
Xiao Simo directly took them.
Plus those who died of illness, exhaustion, or execution on the road, now only over twenty-two thousand remained.
The number would decrease further upon reaching Jin Prefecture.
“Three thousand Han Chinese prisoners of war, demoted to serfs.”
“Remaining prisoners of war, demoted to mine slaves.” Li Xiao said gravely.
One sentence decided their fates.
Though Han Chinese, these people had lived in Kuyun-Ordu since their ancestors.
How much true identification with the Han people they felt inwardly was unknown.
Moreover, they had been enemies of the Jin Prefecture Army, so they could not be pardoned just for being Han.
But Li Xiao was willing to give them some preferential treatment.
As serfs, they would farm or herd, equivalent to labor reform.
Start working; in the next war, if some earned merit proving ability and loyalty, they would naturally receive Li Xiao’s pardon and rewards.
In contrast, other slaves demoted to mine slaves faced much harsher conditions.
Mine labor intensity far exceeded farming and herding.
It was not that they were forbidden from fighting in wars to earn freeman status.
But after continuous high-intensity labor, could their bodies still fight and earn merit?
So, in Li Xiao’s eyes, these mine slaves were mere consumables.
For Jin Prefecture’s industrial development, sacrifices were necessary.
Li Xiao even felt the number of mine slaves was far from enough.
Must capture more.
“Naiman people? Mongol people? Good fighters.”
“Can be used as war slaves.”
“Kingdom of Qocho is restless.” Li Xiao pondered inwardly.
Night fell deeply; in the Li Family bridal chamber, red candles flickered, their warm yellow glow enveloping the room in an ambiguous atmosphere.
Xiao Yanyan’s suppressed moans came continuously, making even the moon hide behind dark clouds.
