Chapter 161: Respectfully Welcoming The Great Governor
Hami City, after experiencing a long and oppressively tense blockade.
That gate, closed for so long and thick with patches of rust, finally opened again this day.
Teams of Uyghur soldiers gripping long spears, led by generals from various units, filed out of the city gate.
Tension and unease showed on every face, for they knew exactly what they were doing.
Surrendering to the Jin Prefecture Army!
Soon, Alkus, under the tight guard of a team of personal guards, rode a tall and sturdy fine horse slowly out of the city gate.
Beside him was a Uyghur youth of only sixteen or seventeen, with a slightly frail build, his expression full of fear and unease.
It was Yue’er Si’s youngest son, Prince Qibidu.
Seeing him with his head drooped, lower lip trembling slightly from biting it so hard, revealing his inner tension and fear, Alkus smiled faintly.
Like a loyal minister, he advised: “Your Highness, you need not fear. I will stay by your side at all times and ensure your safety.”
Pausing a moment, he continued: “Moreover, the Great Governor of Jin Prefecture has already accepted the peace talks. The war is over, and from now on, Hami City will be safe and secure.”
Not long ago, Alkus’s advisor had been sent to Gaochang City to negotiate peace with the Jin Prefecture Army.
Though the peace talks succeeded, they had agreed to many harsh conditions from the Jin Prefecture Army, nearly humiliating.
But to Alkus, it was all worth it.
The cost of the peace talks was merely betraying the Kingdom of Qocho, yet he remained a powerful general in Hami City.
As long as his status and power were unaffected, no matter how humiliating or harsh the terms, he would not care.
According to the agreement, the Jin Prefecture Army would arrive in Hami that morning.
To show respect, Alkus specially brought Prince Qibidu to welcome them outside the city.
However, the young prince Qibidu showed no joy on his face.
Though nominally a prince and heir to the Kingdom of Qocho, everyone up and down Hami City was Alkus’s man.
He himself was more like a puppet manipulated by others, every move watched closely by Alkus, with no freedom at all.
This oppression and helplessness left Prince Qibidu seething with resentment.
At first, Prince Qibidu resisted wholeheartedly and was unwilling to come welcome the Jin Prefecture Army.
But Alkus burst into his mansion and, in front of him, killed Prince Qibidu’s most favored attendant concubine.
The reason given was absurdly extreme: that the attendant concubine had bewitched the prince, causing him to indulge in women and neglect state affairs.
This brutal act filled Prince Qibidu with extreme anger and a deep fear from the bottom of his heart.
The fall of Gaochang City had already stripped him of his strongest support; now he had become a plaything in the hands of military commanders like Alkus, powerless to resist.
Faced with cruel reality, Prince Qibidu had no choice but to bow his head and obediently follow Alkus’s arrangements.
“Your Highness, you should understand my good intentions.”
Alkus sighed softly, his face showing a pained and heartbroken expression.
“Those Northern Barbarians are aggressive and ruthless. Compared to them, our Gaochang Army is truly no match.”
“Our land falls one after another, His Majesty has been humiliated, and I am filled with grief and rage, wishing I could don armor at once and kill those Northern Barbarians without leaving a single piece of armor intact.”
“Yet I cannot act impulsively, for the tens of thousands of common people in Hami City still need me, and the future of the Kingdom of Qocho needs me too.”
“I can only temporarily yield to those Northern Barbarians, hoping Your Highness will grow quickly and one day restore our Kingdom of Qocho, reviving our ancestors’ eternal enterprise.”
Alkus spoke with tears streaming down, as if he were truly a heroic figure enduring humiliation for the nation, curving his way to save the country in these dire times.
But Prince Qibidu had long seen through his true face—this was a living Cao Cao.
He sneered and scorned inwardly, but outwardly maintained a respectful demeanor as he said: “The general has suffered grievances.”
“We people of Gaochang will surely understand the general’s good intentions, and I will not fail the general’s expectations, taking up the heavy responsibility of reviving Gaochang as soon as possible.”
The two exchanged words on the surface, sincere in tone, but each harbored their own thoughts, revealing utter hypocrisy.
Just then, a scout came galloping from afar.
“General, the Jin Prefecture Army is already twenty li away.”
Hearing this, Alkus’s face instantly grew grave; the feigned ease he had shown toward Prince Qibidu was now gone.
He felt as if a boulder pressed on his chest, heavy and making his breathing quicken.
The Jin Prefecture Army had become a demon-like terror in his heart.
Tension, fear—his body trembled slightly without realizing.
Taking a deep breath, he said to the crowd: “Everyone, pull yourselves together to welcome the Royal Army of the Northern Frontier.”
“If anyone dares cause trouble for me, I will kill their entire family.”
Traitors to their own were just like this—cowardly toward external strong enemies, striking hard at the internal common people.
There have always been such people.
In moments, a thunderous rumble faintly came from afar, growing nearer, like rolling thunder sweeping from the horizon.
The sound grew louder; the vanguard of the Jin Prefecture iron cavalry had appeared before their eyes.
Dust flew, blotting out the sky, like a charging yellow giant dragon sweeping toward Hami City.
Alkus, astride his horse, shuddered slightly; the muscles on his formerly composed face tightened involuntarily.
Fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, his eyes full of tension and unease.
Beside him, Prince Qibidu was also awed by the aura; his already drooped face grew even paler, eyes showing fear, body trembling nonstop.
He wanted to maintain dignity but simply could not fake it.
The Jin Prefecture Army vanguard surged like tides; the leading general rode a tall black fine horse, clad in white cotton armor stained with blood spots, even more menacing under the sunlight.
It was Li Dashan.
He coldly scanned everything before him, narrowing his eyes slightly at Alkus and Prince Qibidu, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“Are you General Alkus?”
Li Dashan asked loudly, with an unquestionable dignity.
Alkus hurried forward a few steps, bowed slightly, and said respectfully: “It is I. General, you have come a long way and must be weary.”
“This is Prince Qibidu of our Kingdom of Qocho.”
With that, he stepped aside to indicate Prince Qibidu.
Though filled with reluctance and humiliation, Prince Qibidu could only muster his spirits, bowing slightly in greeting.
Li Dashan nodded faintly, glanced at Prince Qibidu, knew he was a puppet, and ignored him directly.
To Alkus, he said: “From this day forward, Hami City is under Jin Prefecture Army control.”
“Order your soldiers to assemble entirely outside the city.”
Alkus’s face piled with smiles as he quickly said: “General, rest assured, I will fully cooperate.”
To show sincerity, Alkus left only a few soldiers to defend the city and soon withdrew all the rest outside.
Li Dashan nodded slightly, satisfied, and said: “The Great Governor is in the rear and will arrive shortly.”
“You wait here respectfully.”
With that, he lightly cracked his horsewhip and led the soldiers behind him toward the city interior.
Thousands of war horses trod the ground, making deep, powerful sounds as they slowly entered the city gate.
Numerous officials and soldiers prostrated on both sides, respectfully ushering the Jin Prefecture Army into the city.
The blazing sun hung at the horizon; bean-sized sweat drops rolled from their foreheads.
Their scalps itched unbearably from the heat, making them wish they could shave their heads bald.
At that moment, how they longed for a pool of cool spring water to bathe in.
But they could only continue kneeling, watching helplessly as the Jin Prefecture iron cavalry marched into the city, their hearts a mix of emotions.
Soon, vast dust rose from afar, accompanied by muffled rumbles, as the Jin Prefecture Army main force advanced grandly.
Leading were fifteen hundred White Armored Army soldiers; though the sun blazed, the war was not over, and the soldiers remained fully armed.
Li Xiao also wore white bloodstained cotton armor, tasseled helmet on his head, riding forth on horseback.
At the sight of the golden sun and moon battle flag, Alkus’s heart jolted; he knew the man before him must be Jin Prefecture Governor Li Xiao.
Daring no delay, he hurriedly led numerous officials and soldiers to kneel on the ground.
Shouting at the top of his lungs: “Welcoming the Great Governor!”
The other officials and soldiers joined in shouting, voices rising and falling like waves.
“Welcoming the Great Governor!”
“Welcoming the Great Governor!”
Prince Qibidu was also forced to kneel, even quickly crawling to beside Li Xiao’s war horse.
The next second, he felt heavy pressure on his back; his arms supporting him shook violently, nearly collapsing to the ground.
This noble prince and heir to the King of Gaochang had become a horse stool.
It was not Li Xiao’s demand; rather, Alkus, to curry favor with Li Xiao, had forced Prince Qibidu to do this.
Li Xiao stepped down using his shoulder, turned to him, and said flatly: “Get up.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Prince Qibidu bit his lip, face flushed red, eyes full of reluctance and resentment; after several tries, he barely stood.
“Not hard!”
“Serving the Great Governor is my honor.”
He kept his head low, fists clenched tight, nails digging into his palms, but could only swallow the humiliation.
However, Prince Qibidu was still too green; all his emotions showed on his face.
Li Xiao saw at a glance what the boy was hiding in his heart.
But he did not care much.
The boy was still useful alive.
Because the territory had expanded too fast, Li Xiao lacked enough men to swallow the Kingdom of Qocho.
Thus, he accepted Alkus’s submission, letting him govern Gaochang on his behalf and pay tribute annually.
But he could not ignore Gaochang forever; when the time was ripe, he would surely swallow it.
At that point, Prince Qibidu could be put to use.
“Prince Qibidu, General Alkus.”
“You two abandoning the dark for the light and submitting to the Northern Frontier pleases me greatly.”
“As long as you serve loyally, the Northern Frontier will not mistreat you,” Li Xiao said flatly.
Alkus hurriedly smiled humbly: “Gaochang has endured war, its people suffering unspeakably; to gain the Northern Frontier’s protection is a blessing.”
“We are willing to serve the Northern Frontier with no second thoughts.”
Alkus’s flattery did not please Li Xiao, who merely nodded lightly before turning to Prince Qibidu.
“Prince Qibidu, congratulations.”
Hearing this, Prince Qibidu was stunned, looking baffled.
“When Gaochang City fell, King Yue’er Si had already left ahead of time.”
“These days, I’ve had men searching, and finally have a lead,” Li Xiao said.
Hearing this, Alkus was greatly shocked.
What was going on?
Ainiwa had clearly told him the king was captured by the Jin Prefecture Army, likely with a bad end.
But what did Li Xiao mean?
To release Yue’er Si?
That would be disastrous.
Alkus controlled Hami City mainly because Prince Qibidu was young, without prestige, unable to command the people.
But if Yue’er Si came in person, his position as powerful official would be over.
Fortunately, Li Xiao had no intention of releasing the tiger; he said directly: “My men found King Yue’er Si outside Dunhuang City.”
“He had become a corpse, likely killed by Tangut People.”
Hearing this, Alkus and Prince Qibidu both widened their eyes, dumbfounded and incredulous.
“Dun, Dunhuang?”
Prince Qibidu stammered, his mind blank.
He could not understand why his father had gone to Dunhuang.
Even if he escaped Gaochang City, he should have come to Hami first to plan.
Dunhuang was southeast of Hami, at least four hundred li away.
How had he gotten there?
Compared to Prince Qibidu’s shock, Alkus immediately realized something and hurriedly lowered his head in fear, not daring to say a word.
“General Alkus, how many troops remain in Hami?” Li Xiao suddenly asked.
Alkus dared not conceal, immediately saying: “The garrison in the city numbers over five thousand; if common people are conscripted, another five thousand can be had.”
That was ten thousand men!
Li Xiao nodded lightly: “Prepare in three days.”
“After three days, lead ten thousand soldiers and follow me to campaign against the Xia Kingdom.”
“The great enmity of King Yue’er Si must be avenged.”
Hearing Li Xiao’s righteous words, Alkus understood at once that Li Xiao had always planned to attack Western Xia.
Yue’er Si was just an excuse.
“Yes, under orders.” Alkus nodded hurriedly, promising to assemble ten thousand troops in three days.
Afterward, Li Xiao led the army into the city.
Now with all of Hami under Jin Prefecture Army control, Li Xiao naturally stayed the night in the General’s Mansion.
The mansion top to bottom was filled with White Armored Army; even the cooks were military camp cooks.
But when Li Xiao returned to his room to rest, he found a woman sitting inside.
“Who is she?” Li Xiao asked Tie Tou.
“Heh, Great Governor, this is Alkus’s daughter, sent to warm your bed.” Tie Tou chuckled.
As a centurion of Li Xiao’s personal guard White Armored Army, any woman sent to Li Xiao had to pass through him.
“This Alkus is an old fox, knows how to invest,” Li Xiao said.
It was just one daughter; what was there to begrudge.
She could have more later.
But if she could serve Li Xiao well, it would all be worth it.
Even if she gained Li Xiao’s favor and entered his chamber, Alkus’s position in Hami would be completely secure.
Someone opposing him?
First see if their neck could withstand the Jin Prefecture Army saber!
Using a daughter to exchange for political gain was common through the ages.
Not shameful.
Striding into the room, he came before the girl.
Her skin was as fair and delicate as mutton-fat jade, glowing softly under the dim yellow lamplight.
Her eyes were lively and deep, high nose bridge below a rose-petal-like vermilion lip, naturally red without makeup.
A head of jet-black lustrous long hair draped like black silk to her waist.
She was a textbook Uyghur beauty, in no way inferior to Princess Ayna of Gaochang.
“What is your name?”
Li Xiao appraised the girl and said in a flat voice.
“I, I am Tajiguli~”
The girl said in a soft, glutinous voice, head slightly lowered, hands clutching her hem tightly, visibly nervous and uneasy.
Long lashes trembled like butterfly wings, yet she secretly glanced up at Li Xiao.
Then, with a hint of curiosity and shyness, quickly lowered her head again.
Silently, a blush crept across her face.
“This is the Great Governor?” she thought, somewhat tense yet delighted.
From others’ descriptions, her impression of Li Xiao was a murderous demon king.
The kind dirty and smelly of sheep, disheveled, fierce as a wolf—middle-aged or even an old man.
But unexpectedly, the real Li Xiao was a very young man, about her own age.
Tall and mighty, handsome and martial, though his speech was gruff.
Still, it was enough to let Tajiguli breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Even secretly a bit pleased.
The fear and resentment from being forced by her father vanished instantly.
“Tajiguli, were you forced by your father?” Li Xiao asked.
Tajiguli hesitated a moment upon hearing, then firmly shook her head.
“I came willingly.”
“Do you know what will happen next?”
Tajiguli’s shy red face nodded lightly.
Very well, then Li Xiao was not polite.
He scooped her up horizontally, feeling the boneless softness at his chest—an exquisite sensation, heading straight to the bed without hesitation.
Compared to a half-mature woman like the Queen of Gaochang, a young girl’s feel was different.
On the third dawn, as the sky lightened faintly, the grassland outside Hami City was already bustling and orderly.
Jin Prefecture Army soldiers surged out like tides, assembling swiftly.
War horses neighed to the horizon, a dense black mass like a dark ocean surging on the grassland.
Soldiers in heavy armor clanged metal crisply; in the dawn light, the armor gleamed coldly.
Li Xiao gripped his cavalry saber, rode a tall war horse, his stern gaze sweeping all soldiers, his loud voice echoing across the grassland.
“Little pups~”
“Time to run wild—mount your war horses and follow me to fuck those damn Tangut People.”
“With your war sabers, hack off their heads; with your bow and arrows, shoot their skulls.”
“Their cattle and sheep are yours, their grain is yours, their gold and silver treasures are yours, their women even more so.”
……
Li Xiao’s pre-battle rally had no flowery words, all practical incentives.
Cattle and sheep, war horses, grain, gold and silver, women—each stimulated the soldiers’ nerves.
The Western Regions lacked Central Plains prosperity; people here craved life supplies more intensely.
But in this era of low productivity, they could not produce enough for all.
Plunder became the most direct way, and the Northern Frontier Army was no stranger to it.
Though they had conquered the Kingdom of Qocho, gold and silver rewards were allocated by military merit.
Ordinary soldiers got limited shares.
Veteran Jin Prefecture soldiers wanted more merit for promotion, better lives for their families.
Kuli Army soldiers needed more merit for freedom, more rewards to survive in Jin Prefecture.
The battle had not started, yet the soldiers were impatient.
“Roar roar roar~”
“Roar roar roar~”
Soldiers on war horses raised spears and war sabers, roaring loudly like barbarians.
Wild grins on every face, eyes gleaming with excitement—the lust for spoils.
On the grassland’s other side were dense masses of several tens of thousands of Uyghur People.
Besides the ten thousand from Hami City, there were twenty thousand captives—common people and soldiers—from Gaochang City.
For this campaign, Li Xiao still needed them as cannon fodder.
Compared to the formidable Jin Prefecture Army, these Uyghur People were disorganized; calling them ragtag army was generous.
They scarcely qualified as an army.
Facing the Jin Prefecture Army’s savage roars like surging waves, these Uyghur People seemed panicked and at a loss.
Their soldiers, in tattered armor gripping weapons, had eyes full of fear and confusion, contrasting the burning zeal in Jin Prefecture Army soldiers’ eyes.
The common people were even more terrified, heads down, trembling.
Only Alkus looked impressed: “Jin Prefecture Army officers and soldiers are truly fierce.”
“With so many valiant warriors, what enemy cannot be destroyed?”
Li Xiao felt little pity for these Uyghur People; to him, they were mere tools in the war, cannon fodder to consume Western Xia troops.
He frowned slightly, turning to Tie Tou beside him: “Tell those Uyghur People: kill three enemies to be freed from slavery; merit standards same as Jin Prefecture Army soldiers.”
“But if they dare desert in battle?”
“One flees, whole squad executed!”
“One squad flees, whole army executed!”
To make these prisoners fight for him, iron-blooded measures were needed for mutual oversight—no one dared flee.
Tie Tou acknowledged and swiftly spurred his horse toward the Uyghur People.
Li Xiao scanned around again, confirmed all ready, then abruptly drew his cavalry saber, raised it high, and shouted: “March!”
With his order, the Jin Prefecture Army surged like furious tides toward the rising sun, hooves shaking the land.
The Uyghur People had no choice but to trudge heavily toward Western Xia.
A cruel war was about to erupt between the two nations.
