Chapter 156: The Uyghur War God, Prince Calling At The Gates
Gaochang City is also known as Hezhou City.
It is located south of the Tianshan Mountains, in the Turpan Basin, which is the Gaochang District of modern-day Turpan City.
At the same time, it is also the capital city of the Gaochang Uyghur Kingdom.
Inside the royal palace, there was a scene of decadent revelry with singing and dancing.
Amid the carved beams and painted rafters, light gauze curtains fluttered in the wind, musicians played melodious and graceful Western Regions music, and dancing girls swayed gracefully as they danced.
King of Gaochang Yue’er Si lazily reclined on a luxurious seat, enjoying the singing and dancing, while a beauty beside him slowly fed grape wine into his mouth using a wine cup inlaid with gems.
Then, another beauty stuffed grapes into his mouth, his face showing an expression of intoxication.
“This is fine wine, sweet on the tongue with a long aftertaste.”
“It’s far better than that Northern Barbarians’ wine, by who knows how much.” Yue’er Si snorted coldly.
He recalled that not long ago, a minister had offered him fine wine.
Western Wind Fierce produced in Jin Prefecture.
It was said to be very popular, with a price several times that of ordinary alcoholic beverage.
Yue’er Si loved wine, meat, and beauties, but after just one sip, he spat it out directly.
It was too strong, almost impossible to swallow.
From then on, whenever he drank, he would spit out Western Wind Fierce.
Hearing his words, the consort in his arms quickly chimed in with a coquettish laugh: “Your Majesty is absolutely right. The finest wine in the world is naturally that of our Gaochang.”
“How can Jin Prefecture’s alcoholic beverage compare to Your Majesty’s imperial wine?”
Yue’er Si threw his head back and laughed heartily, his laughter echoing through the palace.
“Exactly, how can a bunch of Northern Barbarians who can’t even get a meal compare to our Gaochang?”
“In a few days, this king will personally lead the army to destroy Jin Prefecture.”
Yue’er Si laughed loudly, full of confidence.
Not long ago, news came from the Great Desert: the Uyghur Army was unstoppable, had already captured Changbalyk, and had killed Great Desert Governor Xiao Tula Duo in one stroke. Now they were fully besieging Beshbalik.
Once that city fell into their hands, they only needed to pincer attack with the Royal Court Army from east and west to completely eliminate Xiao Simo.
In this way, not only the Great Desert, but even the Yin Mountains and Jin Prefecture would be included in the territory of the Gaochang Kingdom.
The great cause would be accomplished, and under his rule, the Gaochang Kingdom would surely usher in revival, even with hope of recreating the glory of his ancestors during the Uyghur Khaganate era.
Thinking of this, Yue’er Si became even more excited. He couldn’t help but pick up the wine cup again, throw his head back to drain the fine wine, and then burst into loud laughter once more.
At this moment, an eunuch approached cautiously and reported: “Your Majesty, the Minister of War requests an audience.”
The Uyghur Khaganate of that year had confronted the Great Tang on the northern grassland for a century and, imitating the three provinces and six ministries system, established its own official system.
After the Uyghur Khaganate was eliminated, the remnants fled to the Western Regions, separately establishing the Gaochang Kingdom and the Kara-Khanid Khanate, and the corresponding official positions continued.
Hearing this, Yue’er Si closed his eyes to enjoy the beauty’s service and said displeasedly: “Let him in.”
Soon, a Uyghur official rushed into the palace with a panicked expression and staggering steps. He didn’t even have time to salute and shouted in a trembling voice: “Your Majesty, disaster! The frontline army has been defeated, the entire army annihilated!”
Yue’er Si’s originally stern and dignified face instantly paled as if struck by lightning, his expression one of great shock.
He widened his eyes, filled with disbelief, his mouth slightly open, unable to speak for a long time.
After a good while, he seemed to find his voice again, suddenly standing up from the throne, his bloated body flipping even his beloved consort to the ground.
“What did you say? Say it again to this king!”
His voice, due to anger and shock, had become somewhat hoarse.
The Minister of War dropped to his knees with a thud, trembling as he said: “Your Majesty, urgent report from the frontline.”
“Just as our army was about to capture Beshbalik, Jin Prefecture Army suddenly emerged from the direction of White Bone Plain. Our army was caught off guard and in the end, in the end~”
“The entire army was annihilated!”
The palace fell into dead silence. Whether palace maids or musicians, all knelt to the side, trembling.
Yue’er Si only felt darkness before his eyes, his legs going weak, nearly unable to stand.
“What about Baershu?”
“Where is Baershu?”
“And Da He Chu Luo Duo, is he dead or alive?”
He, barely avoiding fainting, hurriedly asked.
“Da He Chu Luo Duo’s fate is unknown, but the prince has been captured by Jin Prefecture Army. This is a letter personally written by His Highness the Prince.”
Then, the eunuch handed a filthy piece of sheepskin to Yue’er Si.
Yue’er Si had someone hold it while he examined it closely, his face growing increasingly panicked and angry.
This was a letter persuading surrender.
It urged Yue’er Si to lead the Gaochang Kingdom to surrender to Jin Prefecture Army and not to resist in vain.
First, the Gaochang Kingdom would become a vassal to the Northern Frontier, becoming a vassal state of the Northern Frontier.
Second, war compensation, mainly including 100,000 taels of gold, one million taels of silver, 10,000 good horses, 50,000 camels, 200,000 sheep, plus 100,000 shi of grain, and 2,000 beauties.
Third, execute all officials dispatched by the Royal Court to Gaochang, and bind the Minor Supervisor and send him to the Great Desert, with the Northern Frontier reassigning someone to serve as Minor Supervisor.
Fourth, tribute must be paid annually to the Northern Frontier in the future.
Including 5,000 taels of gold, 10,000 sheep, etc. Basically, just redirecting what was originally tribute to the Royal Court to the Northern Frontier instead, which wasn’t a big deal.
But the second point made Yue’er Si feel distressed.
Too much.
Gaochang, as a key town on the Silk Road, could afford the compensation, but the greedy Yue’er Si was reluctant to part with it.
Thus, Yue’er Si began to grow anxious, pacing back and forth in the great hall, his face sometimes panicked, sometimes gnashing his teeth.
Unable to make a decision.
At this moment, urgent footsteps suddenly sounded from outside. A Khitan person directly pushed past the guards’ obstruction, leading Khitan soldiers behind him, striding into the great hall.
“Your Majesty the King, I just heard that the frontline army was defeated, and the Northern Barbarians sent a letter?”
The Khitan person was named Wen Ta, the Minor Supervisor sent by the Royal Court.
His job was to supervise Gaochang for any rebellious behavior, ensure timely tribute, obedience to Royal Court orders for dispatching troops, and so on.
Though seemingly without real power, with the Royal Court backing him, the Minor Supervisor’s behavior grew increasingly arrogant, lording it over in Gaochang, practically becoming Gaochang’s ‘Supreme Emperor’.
Just like now, Wen Ta barged into the palace with soldiers without announcement.
This would be a capital offense anywhere, but Yue’er Si didn’t dare offend him.
Though angry in his heart, he could only say helplessly: “Lord Minor Supervisor has sharp ears and eyes. This king just learned the news.”
“Take a look, this is the letter persuading surrender that the Northern Barbarians forced my son to write.”
Wen Ta took the sheepskin letter, glanced at it briefly, and his face filled with rage.
“Outrageous.”
“These rebels are simply audacious.”
Cursing angrily, he drew his saber in the royal palace and hacked the sheepskin letter to shreds.
Then, he looked at Yue’er Si with a threatening expression.
“Your Majesty the King, do you intend to side with the rebels?”
Yue’er Si was distraught at this point; he didn’t want to get involved in the internal strife among the Khitan people.
But Gaochang, as a major power in the Western Regions, situated next to both the Royal Court and the Northern Frontier, simply couldn’t stay neutral.
Before, he had favored the Northern Frontier, but unfortunately the Western Expedition hadn’t fully succeeded.
Moreover, he heard Xiao Simo was seriously injured, not knowing how much longer he could live.
This was what worried Yue’er Si most; he feared that once Xiao Simo died, the Northern Frontier would immediately fall apart.
Therefore, he could only continue sticking with the Royal Court’s sinking ship.
And now, though Jin Prefecture Army seemed strong, having captured Beshbalik and annihilated the Uyghur Army, once Xiao Simo died, the Northern Frontier would face attacks from all directions.
They couldn’t hold out for long.
So, in Yue’er Si’s view, though the Royal Court was a broken ship, it could still sail, while the Northern Frontier’s ship was on the verge of capsizing.
Thus, he immediately decided to continue following the Royal Court.
It absolutely wasn’t reluctance over the compensation, but simply optimism about the Royal Court’s future.
“No, no, no~”
“Our Gaochang Kingdom is loyal to the Great Liao, with absolutely no intention of betrayal.”
“Those rebels killed so many of our Uyghur men; this king wishes to grind their bones to dust and scatter their ashes. How could I possibly side with them?”
Yue’er Si said panickedly.
Then, with a troubled expression: “However, our Gaochang is small and weak in troops.”
“The over 10,000 soldiers my son led to the Great Desert were completely annihilated, and there aren’t many troops left in the country.”
“If Jin Prefecture Army attacks, I’m afraid we won’t be able to defend.”
Hearing this, Wen Ta said confidently: “Rest assured, Your Majesty the King.”
“A long time ago, I already applied for reinforcements from the Royal Court; they are probably on the road by now.”
“Jin Prefecture Army is coming from afar; as long as we hold the city, they can’t outlast us.”
“Once reinforcements arrive, we can annihilate them completely.”
“At that time, Your Majesty the King will have rendered great merit, and His Majesty Jie’er Khan will surely reward you generously.”
Hearing Wen Ta’s words, Yue’er Si immediately felt relieved.
Jin Prefecture Army was fierce; Gaochang alone definitely wasn’t a match. But with Royal Court reinforcements, there would be no problem.
However, after Wen Ta left the imperial palace, he shook his head with disdain.
“This kind of trash couldn’t even marry a woman in an ordinary household, yet he’s the King of Gaochang.”
“Hmph, fool.”
Wen Ta said disdainfully. What reinforcements?
It was purely an excuse he used to deceive Yue’er Si.
In the previous war, the Royal Court had suffered significant troop losses and still needed to prepare for the Northern Expedition; where would troops come from to aid Gaochang?
Moreover, Gaochang Kingdom was over 2,000 li from the Royal Court; by the time reinforcements arrived, the daylilies would be cold.
“But this is good; having such a fool as king is a good thing for our Great Liao.”
“As for that Baershu, ambitious and unruly, best if he dies in the Great Desert.” Wen Ta thought to himself.
Little did he know, in history, after Baershu ascended the throne, he quickly killed Wen Ta and led the Gaochang Kingdom to surrender to the Mongol Empire.
In this life, Baershu definitely wouldn’t have that chance.
Returning from the royal palace to his mansion, Wen Ta contacted Gaochang’s generals on one hand, trying as much as possible to control the Gaochang Army in his own hands.
On the other hand, he secretly packed his things, boxing up all the treasure he had plundered in Gaochang over the years.
If things became untenable, he would directly flee with his men.
And Jie’er Khan would even praise him for holding Gaochang Kingdom to the last moment.
……
Changbalyk is located west of Beshbalik.
Roughly in the area of modern-day Urumqi.
For Jin Prefecture Army to depart from Beshbalik and attack the Gaochang Kingdom, they first had to break through Changbalyk.
Because Beshbalik and Gaochang are separated north and south by the Tianshan Mountains, with towering ranges in between, large armies couldn’t cross easily.
Only in the Changbalyk area did the Tianshan Mountains seem cut in half, forming a huge gap that divided the Tianshan into eastern and western ranges.
The most convenient route from the Northern Frontier to the Southern Xinjiang was through Changbalyk.
It was precisely because of this unique transportation advantage that it became the provincial capital in later generations.
And now, Changbalyk was engulfed in raging warfires.
Initially, Baershu and others had left only a very small garrison in Changbalyk to quickly capture Beshbalik.
Under the overwhelming offensive of Jin Prefecture Army, Changbalyk’s defenses quickly collapsed, and the city soon fell.
The sun set in the west, the afterglow like blood, spilling over the city wall stained red with blood.
Li Xiao stood tall and straight on the battlements, the fierce evening wind whistling past, making his battle robe flutter loudly.
Soon, Chen Chong ascended the city wall, saluted Li Xiao, and said.
“Great Governor, the city has been pacified, and all common people are staying at home.”
Since capturing Beshbalik, Li Xiao’s title had unconsciously changed.
From the original Governor to the current Great Governor.
After all, the territory Li Xiao actually controlled now included two prefectures.
Adding ‘Great’ distinguished him better from the Jin Prefecture Governor.
This title was first proposed by Chen Chong and quickly accepted by the others under Li Xiao.
Li Xiao naturally accepted it gladly.
He knew Chen Chong was not just a sycophant but had real skill.
“This time, we gathered 1,600 prisoners of war, all assigned to the Camp Cultivation Department.”
“Captured 10,000 shi of grain…”
“After Gaochang Army captured Changbalyk, they ran amok, causing resentment among the common people in the city.”
“Some Han people are willing to join our army~”
……
In handling miscellaneous affairs, Chen Chong’s ability was indeed good.
Previously, such tasks were done by Da Hu or Li Dashan, which took time and often had oversights.
Now handed to Chen Chong, it lightened Li Xiao’s load considerably.
The rest involved spoils of war, inventory of city supplies, etc.; Chen Chong gave Li Xiao a rough list.
“Also, regarding the purge of spies in the city, to what extent should it proceed? Please instruct, Great Governor.” Chen Chong asked last.
The so-called spies mainly referred to Changbalyk locals who defected to Gaochang Army or secretly worked for them.
Mostly Uyghur people.
After stabilizing order in the city, Jin Prefecture Army would definitely settle accounts with this group.
Li Xiao ordered Chen Chong to lead, with Zhang Shi and the Imperial Guard cooperating.
Now, Chen Chong was asking about the intensity of the purge.
“Investigate thoroughly, dig deep, and make sure to root out all the rats in the city.” Li Xiao said calmly.
Chen Chong nodded slightly: “This subordinate understands.”
Li Xiao meant to make a big move.
Changbalyk already had many Uyghur people; after Gaochang Army arrived, some nobles and rich merchants began working for them.
Some openly, some covertly.
But Li Xiao didn’t care.
His criterion for identifying spies was simple.
Just look at how much money and land they had.
Lots of land? Lots of grain?
Sorry, you’re a spy!
Because Li Xiao planned land reform, reclaiming more land for the Governor’s Mansion, then having prisoners of war cultivate it.
Thus, those nobles with vast lands naturally became Li Xiao’s targets.
After this purge, an estimated seventy percent of the land in Changbalyk territory would belong to the Governor’s Mansion.
……
The next day, at first light, Li Xiao led a team of soldiers out of Changbalyk.
They marched dozens of li southeast to a mountain range.
“This should be the place!”
Relying on modern memories, Li Xiao could only locate the general area; the exact spot required careful searching.
“Search the surrounding mountains for yellowish stones and yellow soil with a foul smell.”
Under Li Xiao’s order, the soldiers spread out to search.
Though unsure what Li Xiao wanted, based on the description, they found a mountain valley over a dozen li away.
As soon as Li Xiao approached, he smelled a pungent odor.
“Yes, this is the smell.”
A light smile appeared on his face.
He dismounted and hurried to the foot of the mountain, squatting to examine the rocks closely. The rock surfaces showed a faint yellow, with texture slightly different from ordinary rocks.
He chipped off a small piece, sniffed it at his nose, and a stronger sulfur smell assaulted him.
“No doubt, this is the place.”
“Sulfur Gully.”
Li Xiao chuckled and murmured.
The place he sought was called Sulfur Gully in later generations, composed of thirteen large and small gullies.
Buried underground were vast coal deposits.
During geological movements, the coal self-ignited, producing large amounts of sulfur and other minerals.
Hence the name Sulfur Gully.
And Li Xiao intended to use this natural sulfur mine to mass-produce gunpowder.
This was also why Li Xiao urgently and proactively headed south.
Jin Prefecture had no sulfur, nor saltpeter.
Li Xiao had scraped bit by bit from toilet walls for a long time to gather enough for ten explosive packages to blast Kuyun-Ordu’s city gate.
Beyond that, Jin Prefecture could produce no more gunpowder materials.
Thus, Li Xiao could only target Changbalyk and Gaochang.
This was a treasure trove!
Changbalyk had a natural sulfur mine, and the other gunpowder material, saltpeter.
Could also be found in Gaochang.
After all, in later generations, the Turpan Basin was famous for its abundant natural saltpeter.
With these two raw materials, Li Xiao couldn’t wait to mass-produce gunpowder.
And also make cannons.
And firearms!
“Tie Tou, gather a batch of prisoners of war to mine the yellow stones here and transport them to Jin Prefecture.” Li Xiao ordered gravely.
“Yes, sir!”
Soon, a batch of prisoners of war arrived at Sulfur Gully and began sulfur mining.
Li Xiao left enough men to guard, then led Jin Prefecture Army to continue south, attacking Gaochang.
The Turpan Basin was an oasis on the desert edge, with fertile soil, abundant water and grass, suitable for farming and herding.
The remnants of the Uyghur Khaganate, defeated by the Great Tang Empire back then, came to the Western Regions and split into three.
One part arrived in the Turpan Basin, found it extremely suitable for survival and breeding, defeated the original natives, and occupied it.
After two hundred years of breeding, the Gaochang Uyghur Kingdom’s population had reached over 400,000.
Most lived in the Turpan Basin.
This place was about 400 li from Changbalyk.
Jin Prefecture iron cavalry arrived at the gateway to the Gaochang Kingdom, Liuzhong City, in just three days.
Past this city, less than 50 li to Gaochang City.
When 10,000 Jin Prefecture iron cavalry appeared majestically outside Liuzhong City, whether common people or garrison inside, all panicked.
“Cavalry, so many cavalry~”
“Quickly close the city gates.”
“Who are they?”
“Golden battle flag?”
“They are Jin Prefecture Army.”
“Prince Baershu’s army was annihilated by Jin Prefecture Army in the Great Desert; now they’ve come to attack our Liuzhong City.”
“Quickly report to the royal city: Jin Prefecture Army has reached Liuzhong City.”
Liuzhong City was in complete chaos.
The men, women, elderly, and children in the city totaled less than 20,000; facing 10,000 dense Jin Prefecture iron cavalry, it was like a leaf in the ocean, liable to capsize at any moment.
In the army, Li Xiao wore white cotton armor and a tasseled helmet with ear guards, riding his war horse, gazing indifferently at this small Liuzhong City.
He smiled faintly: “Zhang Da Wa, Su Da Qiang.”
“Here~”
Two generals in leather armor stepped forward instantly.
They were the two chiliarchs Li Xiao appointed in Beshbalik.
“You two, go around and see if there are any villages nearby.”
“Grab all the people.”
“Have them block in front for the siege.”
Hearing this, Zhang Da Wa and Su Da Qiang instantly grew excited.
They both shouted: “Yes, sir.”
Not long ago, Gaochang Army had used these Great Desert common people as shields to attack Beshbalik.
So, the two threw themselves into the task with great effort.
Then, they led their respective chiliarch troops to scatter in all directions, searching nearby villages and tribes.
At this time, Li Xiao thought of Baershu again and had him summoned.
“Prince Baershu.”
“As the next king of the Gaochang Kingdom, the garrison commander surely knows you.”
“How about this: you go call for them to open the gates, and I’ll spare your life.”
“What do you say?”
Li Xiao’s mouth curved slightly, looking at Baershu with a faint smile.
At this moment, Baershu’s face turned extremely ugly, and he explained panickedly.
“This, this, Great Governor, though I am a prince, Liuzhong City’s garrison commander is my younger brother’s uncle; he wishes me dead and definitely won’t open the gates.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
His face darkened instantly: “So you’re saying you’re a useless waste?”
“Men, peel his skin off.”
Hearing this, Baershu’s face turned ashen, cold sweat pouring, utterly terrified.
Because in Beshbalik, Shi Gu Bi had been ordered by Li Xiao to be skinned, muscles drawn, and executed by lingchi.
Moreover, Baershu had been required to watch the entire execution.
He had watched while vomiting.
It had gone on for days, and he lost a full circle of weight.
That bloody, cruel scene still lingered in his mind; thinking of suffering the same torment, Baershu was so scared he wet himself.
He hurriedly knelt begging: “I’ll go, I’ll go call the gates.”
“Great Governor, don’t skin me.”
With that, Baershu scrambled to the city gates and shouted to the garrison above: “I am Prince Baershu, quickly open the gates.”
Hearing this, the garrison on the wall erupted in an uproar.
