Chapter 173: Xiao Yanyan Is Pregnant
The last trace of winter’s chill was gently carried away by the breeze, and the vast white snow gradually melted, revealing large patches of tender green grass shoots.
Looking into the distance, withered yellow and fresh green intertwined, with warm sunlight pouring down, signaling the arrival of spring.
For the Jin Prefecture Army, it also meant the arrival of war.
On this day, Li Xiao convened a Myriad Household Commander level meeting.
The commanders of the three divisions of Jin Prefecture and all Myriad Household Commanders were present.
In the golden large tent, Li Xiao wore yellow cotton armor and sat high at the head.
The six commanders and Myriad Household Commanders of the Second Division and Third Division were divided on the left and right.
However, among the red and white colors, there were also two yellow figures.
Qin Chunsheng and Luo Meng, these two Myriad Household Commanders of the First Division personally led by Li Xiao, held higher status than those of the other two divisions.
So, the two sat respectively just below Li Erjiang and Li Dashan.
Outside the tent, Imperial Guards stood in formation, defending tightly, and inside the tent, there were only these nine men.
Representing Jin Prefecture’s highest real power ruling class.
“It’s spring now, and our Jin Prefecture Army should get moving.” Li Xiao said in a deep voice.
Setting the tone for this military conference.
Campaigning.
“This year’s snow disaster was severe; many common people who just arrived in Jin Prefecture suffered, and even some families lost more than half their cattle and sheep to the cold.”
“If we don’t fight a battle and rob some cattle, sheep, and grain back, the common people in these households won’t survive.”
As soon as Li Xiao finished speaking, Li Erjiang said in a deep voice: “Last year, the wildlings killed our Jin Prefecture herdsmen, and that matter isn’t over yet.”
“The Naiman Sun Khan still hasn’t sent those wildlings back to Jin Prefecture.”
“It seems he is deliberately opposing our Jin Prefecture.”
Li Dashan spoke third: “Perfect timing to deal with the Naiman people; then our Jin Prefecture’s east side will be completely at peace.”
“Great Governor, this general requests to lead the vanguard for the army and strike straight into Tannu Uriankhai.” Er Hu stood up, saying with fierce momentum.
“Good, this time I permit you to be the vanguard.” Li Xiao nodded faintly and said.
Then, his gaze swept over everyone: “One year ago, our Northern Frontier Army launched an eastern expedition against the Naiman people, though we didn’t achieve complete victory.”
“But we also severely damaged the Naiman people’s vitality.”
“Last year, the Naiman people fought with the Kereit Tribe, and Ong Khan that stupid pig fell for the Sun Khan brothers’ scheme.”
“Not only did they return empty-handed, but the Naiman Tribe also took the opportunity to incorporate prisoners of war and annex some tribes, recovering part of their strength.”
“According to scouts from the Huormar Tribe, the troops under the Sun Khan number about 20,000.”
“The troops under Buyiru Khan also number over 10,000.”
“The Naiman Tribe’s strength remains not to be underestimated.” Li Xiao said in a faint voice.
Hearing Li Xiao’s words, the generals’ faces showed no change whatsoever.
It was merely over 30,000 enemy troops.
The Jin Prefecture Army could defeat them the first time, and could defeat them the second time.
“This Governor commands~”
As soon as Li Xiao finished speaking, the generals instantly straightened their chests, backs rigid, gazes all fixed on Li Xiao.
“Each Chiliarch Residence shall conscript 600 garrison soldiers as the main force for the eastern expedition against the Naiman Tribe.”
“This Governor will personally take command.”
“Second Division Commander Li Erjiang will hold Jin Prefecture, Third Division Commander Li Dashan will hold the Great Desert.”
“All other Myriad Household Commanders, follow this Governor on campaign.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the generals all shouted: “Understood.”
The Jin Prefecture Army currently has 37 Chiliarch Residences, with 37,000 garrison soldiers.
But they cannot all be mobilized.
Because the common people of Jin Prefecture are all soldiers; one household of common people is one military household. Though registered as military households, not all are truly suited for soldiering.
Among them, some are older in age or physically disabled; they count as a household but are unfit for combat and will not be sent to the battlefield unless absolutely necessary.
Moreover, as Li Xiao’s main base, Jin Prefecture naturally needs sufficient soldiers to guard it, and the Great Desert similarly needs sufficient troops to suppress the Gaochang people and those of the Great Desert Governor’s Mansion.
Therefore, under normal circumstances, Li Xiao can freely mobilize only 60% of the garrison soldiers.
That is, select 600 per Chiliarch for expedition, 6 per Squad Leader.
At most no more than 8, otherwise Jin Prefecture would be left vulnerable, easily exploited by enemies.
After determining the number of troops to conscript, they discussed operational matters.
Unknowingly, time had reached noon.
Again roast whole lamb and Uyghur beauties served, and after the send-off banquet ended, Li Xiao returned home.
Entering the door, he saw Xiao Yanyan sitting dazedly by the bed, lost in thought, crying one moment and laughing the next, with great emotional fluctuations.
Hearing Li Xiao enter, she immediately snapped back to reality.
“A Man, what’s wrong?”
“What happened?”
Li Xiao walked forward and asked with concern.
Hearing Li Xiao’s voice, Xiao Yanyan could no longer suppress her inner excitement; her eyes instantly reddened, tears spilling out.
She threw herself directly into Li Xiao’s arms, sobbing softly.
Seeing this, Li Xiao’s brows furrowed tightly, clearly starting to get angry.
Seeing Xiao Yanyan’s state, it seemed she had been wronged.
How could this be allowed?
Husband and wife are one; bullying Xiao Yanyan is bullying Li Xiao.
Even for the other women, Li Xiao wouldn’t let it slide lightly.
It had nothing to do with who he favored more; it was because Xiao Yanyan, as the main wife, held an unshakable position in the household.
In this era of strict hierarchy, the main wife’s status concerned the family’s stability.
Li Xiao gently patted her back while softly comforting: “A Man, what exactly happened? Who bullied you?”
At this moment, Li Xiao’s mind was racing with wild thoughts.
Xiao Yanyan was his main madam; the two women at home acted like quails before her—her not bullying them was already good.
As for the other women, even less possible; they were firmly under Xiao Yanyan’s control.
Outsiders?
Unlikely; in Jin Prefecture territory, who would dare lose face for Li Xiao?
Besides that, his family members.
Old Lady?
Mother Qin Dani?
Didn’t seem like it.
Neither was the shrewish troublemaking type; they knew the stakes and wouldn’t give Xiao Yanyan grief!
After eliminating all possibilities, only Xiao Yanyan’s side remained~
“It couldn’t be Xiao Simo~”
Li Xiao was shocked inwardly, his heart pounding involuntarily.
After comforting for a while, Xiao Yanyan’s crying gradually stopped, but she still clung tightly to Li Xiao’s embrace, unwilling to let go.
Li Xiao urged softly again: “A Man, what exactly happened? Whatever the grievance, I will surely stand up for you.”
Xiao Yanyan lifted her head, eyes red and swollen.
She bit her lip slightly and said softly: “Husband, I… I seem to be pregnant.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao’s gaze flashed with a moment of stunned blankness.
As Great Governor of Jin Prefecture, he had fought on battlefields, killing countless.
Always calm and cruel, decisive in character, ruthless and ruthless, rarely distracted.
But Xiao Yanyan’s words echoed endlessly in Li Xiao’s mind.
Pregnant?
“A Man, you, you really are pregnant?”
He reached out trembling slightly, stroking Xiao Yanyan’s cheek as he asked.
Meeting Li Xiao’s gaze, Xiao Yanyan’s eyes were red, but her face broke into a smile through tears, even a silly grin.
She nodded gently: “Husband, I really am pregnant; my monthly cycle hasn’t come for nearly two months, and this morning the doctor took my pulse—indeed, I am.”
Tall in stature, she gently stroked her abdomen in Li Xiao’s arms, a silly smile on her face, radiating a mother’s tender love.
This was the difference between a woman and a mother.
Getting the confirmed answer, Li Xiao breathed a light sigh of relief.
Truth be told, there was no wild joy as imagined.
He simply accepted the result easily.
Some say a mother’s love for her child begins from pregnancy, but a father’s grows slowly only after the child is born.
So at this moment, Li Xiao felt no wild joy, just some bewilderment, then a smile appeared on his face.
“Good, good, excellent.” Li Xiao said happily.
Truth be told, inwardly he felt his age was still young, not ready to be a father.
But in this era, becoming a father at his age was perfectly normal.
For Xiao Yanyan, however, her age was already advanced.
At 22, pregnant for the first time—it was no wonder her emotions were far more intense than Li Xiao’s.
At this moment, this child seemed to be her entire second half of life.
“Have you told Mother and Grandmother?”
“I’ll go tell them right now.”
“Have them come personally care for you.”
“Pregnant women are picky about food; I’ll find some chefs to properly teach your maidservants cooking.”
Li Xiao kept talking, all knowledge from past-life videos.
Seeing Li Xiao like this, Xiao Yanyan smiled through tears: “Husband, I’m not that delicate; don’t worry.”
Raised from childhood mixing in army camps with her brother, she had honed fine martial arts, her physique far surpassing ordinary women.
Moreover, for Khitan women, giving birth wasn’t a big deal.
No fuss; even after birth, many went right back to work.
“Women giving birth is a major matter, no room for carelessness.” Li Xiao said.
“From now on, be careful riding horses; try to use horse carriages.”
Hearing Li Xiao’s care, Xiao Yanyan’s lips curved up slightly, clearly enjoying it.
“I refuse to sit in a horse carriage.”
“Husband, rest assured, I’ll be careful.” Xiao Yanyan said, gently stroking her abdomen.
She knew how important the child in her womb was.
If a boy, he would be Li Xiao’s legitimate eldest son, destined to inherit everything.
At present, Li Xiao as Jin Prefecture Governor actually ruled Jin Prefecture, Great Desert, and Gaochang, commanding tens of thousands of troops.
His every move affected countless people, and his heir issue had long been a concern for many.
Only with Li Xiao having a son would everyone settle down, free of doubts.
The empire they built wouldn’t collapse for lack of heirs.
Thus, the child in Xiao Yanyan’s womb was crucial.
Moreover, at over 20, Xiao Yanyan had long awaited this child.
Now, she most hoped it was a boy.
As Li Xiao’s legitimate eldest son, the advantages were obvious.
Gently stroking Xiao Yanyan’s abdomen, Li Xiao felt no legendary bloodline connection.
But he did feel an unprecedented sense of responsibility.
He knew from now on, he must live not just for himself, but for Xiao Yanyan and their child.
He would carve out a vast territory for his child.
“Unfortunately, I’m about to lead the army against the Naiman people.”
Li Xiao sighed lightly and shook his head; when his woman needed him most, he wouldn’t be by her side, failing his duties as husband and father.
“It’s fine, Husband!”
“I’m not some delicate woman.”
“Moreover, as Jin Prefecture Governor, you must protect the borders and people; as Great Liao’s general, you must campaign in the Northern Frontier against the disloyal; as Xiao Yanyan’s man, you should embrace the world, aspire to all directions—how can you indulge in romantic sentiments.”
“As for giving birth, that’s women’s business.”
“Husband, take care of yourself in battle; don’t worry about us.”
“You must return safe and sound.”
Hearing Xiao Yanyan’s words, Li Xiao sighed softly, gently stroking her cheek: “My madam is truly a heroine, putting many men to shame.”
“Having you as wife is my Li Xiao’s fortune across three lifetimes.”
“A Man, before the child is born, I will quickly settle the Naiman people.”
……
“Woooooo~”
“Wooo~”
At this time, dawn had just broken when a low, deep ox horn sounded across heaven and earth, spreading through the entire Chiliarch Residence.
Amid the horn, family after family awoke from sleep.
No words spoken; they silently dressed, the women leaving the tent to prepare food outside.
The men took out bow and arrow, axes, for a final wipe.
No one spoke; the grassland at this moment seemed muted, only the deep ox horn resounding.
Zhao Erdao finished breakfast and went to the livestock corral outside the tent, selecting the strongest war horse, then two lesser ones.
He loaded the ten days’ grain his wife prepared, plus bow and arrow, axes, onto a lesser horse’s back.
Outside the tent, his wife held an infant, followed by a boy and girl, all standing quietly.
No one spoke, just silently watching Zhao Erdao, eyes full of worry and reluctance.
“Look at your funeral faces; others would think I’m already dead!”
“I’m off to war, to rob cattle and sheep, money, grain, so you can live well—not to die~”
“Not the first or second time; don’t be so sissy.”
Zhao Erdao said bluntly, walking to his six-year-old son’s side, pinching his red and black cheek.
“Dog’er, after I leave, you’re the only man in the house; protect your mother and younger siblings.”
The boy gritted his teeth and nodded heavily: “Dad, rest assured, I’ll definitely protect Mom and my younger siblings.”
Zhao Erdao chuckled on his rugged face, gently patting his son’s thin shoulder.
Though his Chiliarch Residence was on the grassland, only 600 were expeditioning, with 400 men left under the Deputy Chiliarch to guard home.
Basically no danger; his instructions were just a father’s hope for his son to grow up quickly.
After bidding farewell to wife and children, as he prepared to leave, he saw an old man riding over.
His weathered face bore sharp, hawk-like eyes; slightly hunched back, yet upright as a pine on horseback.
“Dad, why are you here?” Zhao Erdao said surprised.
The old man before him was Zhao Tiezhu.
He should have been retiring in Tazhai, cared for by his eldest brother’s family.
Zhao Erdao had split off, and due to his Chiliarch role, brought his small family to the grassland to live with his 1,000 households of common people.
It was not close to Tazhai; unexpectedly, right before expedition, he saw his father arrive.
“Came to see you off.”
Zhao Tiezhu said flatly, emotionless, a common way many middle-aged and elderly men communicated with sons.
Clearly caring, yet poor at expressing.
“Hey, Dad, this isn’t my first battle; nothing to worry about.”
“Rest assured, I’ll protect myself.” Zhao Erdao patted his chest.
Zhao Tiezhu said no more, sighed lightly, swallowing all words of caution and safety.
Just like Zhao Erdao to his son earlier, he heavily patted Zhao Erdao’s shoulder.
He said gravely: “Even if it costs your life, protect Da Long.”
This was an entrustment, more like an order.
Did he not worry for his son’s safety?
No, he worried more than anyone.
But on the battlefield, there was someone more important than his son’s life who must be guarded.
Zhao Erdao nodded heavily, saying firmly: “Rest assured, Dad; even if I die, I won’t let anyone harm the Great Governor.”
Father and son’s vows firm, only his wife beside shed silent tears.
“Woooooo~”
“Wooo~”
At that moment, another ox horn rose on the grassland—the second signal.
Three horns meant all soldiers must assemble, or face severe consequences.
As Chiliarch, Zhao Erdao must lead by example.
“Dad, Madam, time’s up; I must go.”
With that, he vaulted cleanly onto a lesser horse, leading the other two toward the distant grassland.
At that moment, people from his five Centurion Residences were converging from all directions onto this grassland.
Soon, the 600 soldiers assembled fully.
The golden sun and moon battle flag fluttered over the land; Zhao Erdao’s Chiliarch belonged to Jin Prefecture’s First Division, directly under Li Xiao’s Myriad Household.
Thus, all 600 soldiers wore yellow cotton armor, mounted on tall war horses, standing silently.
This winter, Jin Prefecture’s military equipment works toiled hard, forging masses of armor plates with Hexi Steel.
Then, Li Xiao organized many women to sew cotton, cotton cloth, and plates together tightly, producing over 20,000 sets of cotton armor.
Basically ensuring every expeditioning officer and soldier got one set.
Though just spring, Northern Frontier weather remained cold; thick cotton armor shielded soldiers from chill winds, warmer than usual sheepskin.
Even heavy, soldiers loved wearing it.
Stylish, warm, wind-resistant; if ambushed on march, ready to counter without prep.
“Three horns have sounded; stragglers will be executed.”
Zhao Erdao in yellow armor, on war horse, coldly scanned his 600 cavalry.
Soon, his personal guard reported.
“Report to Chiliarch: 600 due, 600 present, no latecomers.”
These military rules were taught by Li Xiao at the military academy to Chiliarchs and Centurions.
Requiring strict military discipline, unwavering command execution.
Soldier tardiness seemed minor but eroded army cohesion and organization.
A dike a thousand miles long fails at an ant hole; never underestimate.
“Good.”
“All hear order: depart.”
“Reach Longcheng Wasteland before si hour.”
Zhao Erdao shouted loudly, soon leading his 600 iron cavalry thundering away grandly.
He set assembly times for his soldiers, but likewise, Li Xiao set times for these officers.
If late, it would be Chiliarchs like Zhao Erdao facing execution.
As Jin Prefecture Army grew, military discipline became ever more detailed and strict.
Meanwhile, across Jin Prefecture, countless army units converged on Longcheng Wasteland.
As for Great Desert forces, 13 Chiliarchs, 7,800 soldiers, had departed two days prior.
Li Xiao’s si hour today was the full army assembly time.
Latecomers’ officers beheaded.
……
Dragon City.
This city’s construction was slow; Northern Frontier winter too cold halted work.
Now, Xiao Yanyan, protected by maidservants and a team of Imperial Guards, stood on the half-built city wall, gazing far at the massing armies on the grassland.
As units arrived one after another, the grassland grew lively.
Golden, red, white sun and moon battle flags danced wildly in the cold wind.
War horse neighs rose and fell endlessly.
Dense soldiers in three-color cotton armor gathered on the grassland, a magnificent sight.
Countless hooked scythe spears pointed skyward, gleaming icy metal under sunlight, like a steel sea.
Soldiers waved long spears, roaring loudly.
“Feng feng feng~”
“Feng feng feng~”
Faces resolute, their shouts merged like thunder, shaking the land.
Amid the army, Li Xiao in yellow cotton armor embroidered with sun, moon, mountains, rivers, on war horse, coldly eyed the host.
His war saber slashed down heavily, shouting: “Expedition.”
“No return till Naiman broken!”
“No return till Naiman broken!”
The army surged forward; under the golden sun and moon flag, Li Xiao turned silently, gaze to distant wall.
Faintly spotting Xiao Yanyan’s figure.
Gazing moments, Li Xiao turned, whipped his horse away.
“Romantic sentiments hinder heroes; only chasing empire reveals true heroes.”
