Chapter 157: Demanding The Princess, Gaochang City Falls!
“Your Majesty, this is terrible news!”
The Minister of War rushed into the Great Hall in a panic once again, stumbling and nearly crawling to the throne, shouting in terror: “Liuzhong City has been breached!”
Hearing this, the originally solemn and dignified Great Hall instantly descended into chaos, with the ministers exchanging shocked and fearful glances.
Yue’ersi, seated on the throne, shuddered violently, his originally dignified face turning deathly pale, the war saber in his hand clattering to the ground.
Not long ago, he had just received news of the Jin Prefecture Army arriving at Liuzhong City and was summoning the ministers to discuss reinforcing Liuzhong City.
But he never expected Liuzhong City to be breached in the blink of an eye?
“What did you say? Liuzhong City… how could it be breached so quickly?”
Yue’ersi’s voice trembled with disbelief.
Though Liuzhong was just a small city with fewer than twenty thousand people, he believed it could at least hold off the Jin Prefecture Army for some time.
The Minister of War dropped to his knees with a thud, forehead pressed to the ground, voice shaking as he said: “Your Majesty, the Northern Barbarians drove our Uyghur People ahead as human shields and tied Your Highness Baershu beneath the ladder. Our defending officers and soldiers feared accidentally injuring Your Highness~”
Hearing this, Yue’ersi angrily slammed the table: “Foolish!”
The Great Hall erupted in clamor, ministers whispering to one another, discussions rising and falling.
“These Northern Barbarians are worse than beasts.”
“Using innocent common people as shields—utterly vicious.”
“Too despicable, too despicable.”
“Outrageous to gods and men.”
These Uyghur ministers unanimously condemned the Jin Prefecture Army, seemingly unaware that the Gaochang Army had done the same in Beshbalik, using Han People as shields.
But mere words couldn’t solve any problems. Someone said worriedly:
“What are we to do? With Liuzhong City fallen, the enemy can advance straight to our Capital City.”
“Indeed, we must find a way to respond immediately, or the consequences will be unimaginable.”
Yue’ersi took a deep breath, suppressing his inner panic, and asked Wen Ta: “Minor Supervisor, when will the Royal Court reinforcements arrive?”
“Well, the journey is long—it will take at least half a month.” Wen Ta said solemnly, his tone somewhat hesitant.
But in reality, there were no reinforcements; it was just to deceive these Uyghur People.
“Half a month?”
“Hiss~”
“The Jin Prefecture Army breached Liuzhong City in less than a day. Can we hold out for half a month?” Yue’ersi said anxiously.
Wen Ta declared righteously: “We can!”
“Your Majesty, rest assured—Liuzhong is just a small city, but Gaochang City is different.”
“Its city walls are tall and sturdy, with numerous defending troops.”
“The rebels have come from afar, mostly cavalry, unskilled in siege warfare.”
“Not to mention half a month—even a full month, and the rebels won’t breach Gaochang.”
Hearing Wen Ta’s words, Yue’ersi felt slightly reassured, though regret lingered in his heart.
He had been out of his mind to agree to the Royal Court’s request to attack the Northern Frontier.
Otherwise, none of this would have happened.
His ten thousand Gaochang Army wouldn’t have been lost in the Great Desert.
“Perhaps agreeing to the Jin Prefecture Army’s demands isn’t impossible.” A thought suddenly occurred to Yue’ersi.
On reflection, aside from the outrageous demands for property, the other conditions weren’t excessive.
They were entirely within Yue’ersi’s acceptable range.
As for the war compensation of one hundred thousand taels of gold, one million taels of silver, and so on—couldn’t they negotiate a discount?
Thinking this way, Yue’ersi’s heart raced more intensely.
Hold out for a few days; if it truly became hopeless, surrender to the Northern Frontier immediately.
He would remain king and enjoy life—let the Khitan People deal with their own chaos.
“By my command: Hami Army is to rush back to reinforce the Royal Capital. Strengthen the Royal Capital’s defenses, patrol day and night without the slightest slack.”
Yue’ersi said loudly.
The Kingdom of Qocho had three major cities: Gaochang City, the eastern Hami City (later known as Hami City), and the Kucha City to the southwest.
He didn’t summon troops from Kucha City mainly because its terrain of mountains and desert was unfavorable for large cavalry legions.
If Gaochang City couldn’t hold, and the Jin Prefecture Army refused peace, Yue’ersi would flee to Kucha with his people.
In contrast, between Hami City and Gaochang City lay nearly continuous oasis plains.
If Gaochang City fell, Hami City couldn’t be held either.
At that moment, a Royal Palace soldier rushed in: “Your Majesty, the Jin Prefecture Army is advancing on the Royal Capital—the vanguard is less than ten li away!”
Hearing this, Yue’ersi’s face changed drastically; the ministers in the Great Hall fell instantly silent, terrified and deathly still.
“Come, to the city wall.”
Ten thousand Jin Prefecture iron cavalry surged like a black flood across the vast plains.
Clad in leather armor, barbaric and rugged, they resembled demons surging from hell.
Wherever the iron cavalry went, dust filled the sky, the sound of hooves like thunder, shaking the land faintly.
Over twenty thousand Uyghur People were driven ahead of the army, stretching for miles like a twisted serpent.
They stumbled along, eyes filled with fear and despair, cries and shouts everywhere.
Some clutched young children tightly; the elderly who fell behind from age were simply slain on the road.
Li Xiao’s “last place elimination” system for prisoners of war was still in effect.
On the city wall, Yue’ersi and the ministers gazed in terror at the enemy army surging like a tide.
His legs trembled slightly, lips bloodless; he gripped the battlements tightly, knuckles white from the strain.
The ministers beside him were ashen-faced, their usual arrogance vanished without a trace.
Some clasped hands, muttering prayers for the deity’s protection.
Others stood dazed, eyes vacant, as if frightened senseless by the horrific scene.
“This… what are we to do?” a minister said, voice trembling with helplessness.
“How did the Jin Prefecture Army arrive so quickly? They’re truly forcing us into desperation!” another minister lamented, voice choked with sobs.
Yue’ersi’s gaze shifted between the enemy below and the people, his heart a tumult of emotions.
He felt both fury at the Jin Prefecture Army’s cruelty and despair at the impending crisis for Gaochang City.
Only now did he truly realize how stupid his earlier decisions had been—but it was too late.
“Where is Wen Ta? Where is the Minor Supervisor?”
Yue’ersi asked, noticing Wen Ta had suddenly vanished.
A minister said: “He was gone as soon as we left the Royal Palace.”
“He wouldn’t have fled, would he?”
Yue’ersi’s face darkened with anger; he ordered his guards: “Go keep watch on Wen Ta and his group—don’t let them escape.”
If it truly came to desperation, he’d have to sacrifice Wen Ta and use his head.
Meanwhile, Li Xiao, clad in White Armor, stood tall on his war horse, surveying Gaochang City before him.
Very tall, very large—nearly comparable to Kuyun-Ordu.
After all, Kuyun-Ordu had been the Kara-Khanid Khanate’s capital.
The Kara-Khanid Khanate and Kingdom of Qocho were kin, remnants of the Uyghur Khaganate that fled to the Western Regions.
Thus, Gaochang City’s walls were equally towering.
But if Li Xiao had breached Kuyun-Ordu, what was one Gaochang City?
“Order the whole army to surround Gaochang City.”
“At dawn tomorrow, prepare for siege.”
Li Xiao commanded gravely.
The next morning, the Jin Prefecture Army began the assault, driving Uyghur People to the front.
Though the garrison’s counterattacks killed many people, it inflicted little harm on the Jin Prefecture Army itself.
Yet with ten thousand Jin Prefecture troops besieging, Gaochang’s situation remained precarious.
On the third day, a Gaochang minister emerged from the city in a basket, was captured by the Jin Prefecture Army, and brought before Li Xiao.
“Greetings, Great Governor.”
The envoy entered the large tent and immediately bowed with hand to chest.
His eyes covertly sized up the man directly ahead.
Tall and imposing, exuding faint killing intent, face impassive, appearing very young.
Clad in white armor, seated on a folding stool, a white tasseled helmet on the table, wiping a strangely shaped saber in hand.
The envoy immediately understood—this must be Jin Prefecture Governor Li Xiao.
Brother-in-law of the King of the Northern Frontier, Xiao Simo.
Thus, he dared not slacken in the slightest.
“What did the King of Gaochang send you for?” Li Xiao asked flatly.
“I come for peace between the Northern Frontier and the Kingdom of Qocho,” the envoy replied.
“Peace?” Li Xiao laughed.
“Surrender, you mean!”
The envoy hurriedly explained: “Not surrender, but peace talks.”
But to Li Xiao, the two terms were indistinguishable.
He continued wiping the cavalry saber with the cloth, sneering coldly: “Surrender or peace talks or truce, same thing.”
“You received the persuasion to surrender letter.”
“War compensation and annual tribute as stated—double everything.”
“Then send Princess Ayina.”
“Agree to these, and I withdraw immediately to the Great Desert.”
Hearing this, the envoy lost his composure.
Yue’ersi had sent him to negotiate hoping to lower the demands, but Li Xiao demanded double.
“Great Governor, clearly before~”
Li Xiao cut him off before he finished.
“As you said, that was before—when my Jin Prefecture Army was still in Beshbalik.”
Li Xiao tossed the cloth aside, gripped the cavalry saber, and slowly approached the envoy.
The cavalry saber swung suddenly, halting steadily at his neck.
The icy blade faintly pricked his skin.
Cold sweat poured from the envoy; his legs trembled in panic.
Li Xiao snorted lightly: “But now, my thirty thousand Jin Prefecture iron cavalry are at Gaochang City’s gates.”
“Previous terms are void.”
“Want me to withdraw? Pay more!”
Hearing this, the envoy’s face twisted; enduring the sting, he mustered courage.
“This, this~”
“Great Governor, the property demanded is too much—Gaochang simply can’t provide it.”
“And Princess Ayina is already betrothed.”
This Ayina was Da He Chu Luo Duo’s fiancée.
Though now Da He Chu Luo Duo was a human swine, she was a fresh young widow.
No, not married yet—a girl still.
No need to mourn Da He Chu Luo Duo forever.
Better to give her to Li Xiao than someone else.
Besides, the Kingdom of Qocho guarded the Silk Road treasure trove—years of tolls alone were untold wealth.
It couldn’t lack funds?
Li Xiao didn’t believe it.
“Can’t provide?”
Li Xiao sneered coldly: “Then get out.”
“Tell the King of Gaochang: I will personally come to Gaochang City to collect.”
“Gold and silver treasures or Princess Ayina—all mine for the taking.”
With that, he had the envoy expelled.
Since it was an exorbitant demand, it meant Li Xiao had no intention of negotiating.
Now at Gaochang City’s gates, guarding a Treasure Mountain—walk away with just a portion?
Not Li Xiao’s style.
He wanted it all.
Soon, a personal guard reported: “Great Governor, we’ve found saltpeter.”
The Turpan Basin produced vast quantities of saltpeter—something Li Xiao knew from his past life.
His aim in attacking Gaochang was for sulfur and saltpeter.
Quickly, the personal guard placed a bag of samples before Li Xiao.
Grayish-white stones, shiny surface, crumbling easily when pinched, faintly salty when licked.
Li Xiao nodded with a light smile: “Correct, saltpeter.”
Then, Li Xiao ordered Tie Tou to take men and prisoners to mine saltpeter.
He was ready to make gunpowder.
Days later, sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal—the three raw materials—were fully prepared.
Li Xiao selected nimble-handed Uyghur People and ordered them to mix the materials in proportion.
Leakage of secrets?
Impossible.
After this batch of gunpowder, he’d kill all the informed Uyghur People.
Back in Jin Prefecture, he’d select new artisans for isolated gunpowder production, cut off from the world.
As the Jin Prefecture Army’s siege dragged on, morale in Gaochang City plummeted.
Yue’ersi’s temper grew increasingly volatile, lashing out at palace maids at every turn.
Several of his formerly favored consorts had already been beaten to death with staffs.
This time, Yue’ersi was raging in the palace hall again.
“Why hasn’t the Hami Army arrived?”
“What is Alkus plotting?”
“Holding troops for his own power?”
Yue’ersi roared, smashing everything in the palace hall.
His orders had gone out days ago, yet Hami Army showed no movement.
This planted seeds of doubt in Yue’ersi.
Especially since one of his sons was in Hami City.
Might Alkus crown him king?
If so, the Kingdom of Qocho’s situation would be dire.
Internal and external threats.
At that moment, a beautiful woman and a young girl entered the palace hall.
It was Yue’ersi’s queen and his most beloved daughter, Ayina.
Yue’ersi, about to erupt, suppressed his anger upon seeing them.
“Why have you come?”
His tone remained poor, as the queen had borne him a son and a daughter.
The daughter was Ayina; the son was the prince in Hami City.
As for Baershu, he was from the previous queen.
“Your Majesty worries over the warfare and has lost much weight these days—you must take care of your health,” the queen said softly.
She then took a jar from a palace maid.
“A few days ago, a Central Plains merchant came to Gaochang City. This tea was bought from him—to soothe Your Majesty’s temper.”
With that, a cup of clear tea was poured.
Western Regions people subsisted on milk and meat; though melons and fruits helped, demand for tea remained high.
Yet the Western Regions were far from the Central Plains; Silk Road disruptions made tea exorbitantly expensive.
Even Yue’ersi, as king, couldn’t drink it whenever he wished.
Now, the bittersweet tea soothed his temper.
Only then could he speak kindly to his wife and daughter.
“No word from Hami City—I’m worried Alkus harbors disloyalty!”
“And Qibidu is in Hami City~”
In times of national turmoil, ambitious generals often enthroned a young emperor for legitimacy, seizing power.
Then, they staged a coup to take the throne themselves.
Yue’ersi wasn’t the sharpest, but he was sensitive to such matters.
“What then?”
“Is Qibidu in danger?” Ayina said fearfully, very worried for her younger brother.
She added anxiously: “Your Majesty, why not make peace with the Northern Barbarians quickly?”
“Whatever money they want, we give.”
Yet Yue’ersi hesitated—Li Xiao’s demands were outrageously high.
On the other hand, he feared that once Xiao Simo died and the Northern Frontier fragmented, the Royal Court would settle scores with Gaochang.
“But the Northern Barbarians want not just money, but also Ayina.” Yue’ersi looked reluctant to let his daughter suffer.
Ayina stood aside, her once radiant face now clouded with conflict.
She gazed at her father’s haggard visage, then at the war-shrouded sky outside.
After a long pause, she took a deep breath, resolute: “Father, if I go and secure Gaochang’s peace, sparing the common people war’s torment, I am willing.”
Her voice was clear yet determined.
Like princesses of old in marriage alliances, knowing it was a pit of fire but going for the realm’s sake.
Hearing this, Yue’ersi’s eyes reddened: “Ayina, my daughter.”
“How can you take such risks? Jin Prefecture is bitterly cold—how could you endure it?”
Ayina curtsied slightly, eyes glistening with tears yet firm: “Father, with Gaochang in peril, as a royal, I must share the burden.”
As Princess Ayina of Gaochang, she had known since childhood that marriage alliance was her inescapable fate.
When betrothed to Da He Chu Luo Duo, though unwilling, she couldn’t defy destiny and accepted silently.
Now, sent to Jin Prefecture to serve a tiger, it was another helpless bind—heart full of bitterness, yet hard to refuse.
But as the family of three agonized over the dilemma, a deafening roar suddenly erupted from the sky.
The sound like thunder shattered the heavy atmosphere in the palace hall.
All three started, looking up instinctively; dust fell from the ceiling, the ground trembling faintly.
“What sound is that?”
The queen asked fearfully, voice shaking.
Her hands clutched her sleeves unconsciously, eyes full of unease.
Yue’ersi was equally terrified but forced composure before his wife and daughter.
He shouted for guards: “Go see what happened!”
But glancing afar, he faintly heard the Jin Prefecture Army’s shouts outside growing louder.
A bad premonition struck him.
This thunder might relate to the Jin Prefecture Army.
Soon, a guard, pale-faced and stumbling, rushed into the Great Hall, tumbling several times.
Shouting loudly: “Your Majesty, Your Majesty.”
“Terrible news—the Northern Barbarians have entered the city!”
Hearing this, Yue’ersi’s vision blackened; struck like lightning, his face turned ashen, eyes filled with despair and fear.
“What? How could Northern Barbarians enter the city? What are our soldiers doing?” Yue’ersi roared hoarsely.
Gaochang City’s walls were towering; in his mind, not even a hundred thousand troops could breach it in days, let alone ten thousand Jin Prefecture.
These sturdy walls had been his mainstay, Gaochang Kingdom’s safeguard—now shattered like illusion.
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Yue’ersi bellowed.
He staggered out of the Great Hall—he had to see for himself.
The queen and Ayina were equally pale.
“What do we do, Mother?” Ayina asked, body trembling.
The queen was distraught, undecided, but resolved to flee the city.
At the city gate, Li Xiao wore thick cotton armor, tasseled helmet, steadily astride his war horse.
Gaze stern, calmly facing it all, as if the Jin Prefecture Army slaughtered mere ants.
In these days, he had masses of explosive packages made, piled at the gate.
With a massive boom, the earth quaked; Gaochang’s gate shattered and collapsed, dust rising like a giant mushroom cloud.
“Roar roar roar~”
Countless Jin Prefecture troops in iron and leather armor roared fiercely, riding sturdy war horses, spears in hand, surging madly into the city like a tidal wave.
Da Hu led the charge, his frame even more burly after a year of campaigning, fully armored like a moving mountain.
“Kill~”
Spear in hand, he charged a group of fleeing Huihu Soldiers.
No pause—he barreled through.
“Ah~”
“Save me~”
In an instant, a Huihu Soldier was struck down by the war horse’s force, bones shattered, wailing in agony on the ground.
But then, heavy war horse hooves crushed down, caving his chest.
Other soldiers followed; any fallen Huihu Soldiers were trampled into pulp.
“To the Royal Palace!”
Da Hu thrust his spear forward, bellowing.
Gaochang City, fallen!
