Chapter 179: Beauty Trap, Bringing Ruin To The Nation And Misery To The People
On the second day at dawn, the sun rose, its orange-red light sprinkling over the golden large tent.
Guerbiesu awoke from her sleep, feeling only soreness throughout her body, as if she had lost sensation below her waist.
After a good while, she slowly regained a bit of strength, struggled to get up, picked up her disheveled clothes from the ground, and hurriedly put them on.
Normally, such daily activities were attended to by specialized maidservants, but now, not only had she been taken to the Great Governor of Jin Prefecture’s bed.
Even the maidservants by her side had long been divided up by the military generals of the Jin Prefecture Army.
After this one night, they were probably devoured without even leaving scraps.
Feeling the disparity in her current and past treatment, determination flashed in Guerbiesu’s eyes. She secretly clenched her fist and murmured, “I am the divine woman chosen by Ahala; I am destined for glory and wealth.”
Having grown accustomed to a life of glory and wealth where clothes were laid out for her, she absolutely refused to be cast down to live in poverty.
Therefore, her only chance now lay with Li Xiao.
As long as she served this man well and pleased him, she would still be favored.
Perhaps in the future Jin Prefecture, she could replicate the days she had in the Naiman Tribe.
Becoming a woman who wielded great power and influenced politics.
At that moment, the tent flap was suddenly opened. She, not yet fully dressed, panicked and used her clothes to cover her body.
But upon seeing it was Li Xiao, she instantly relaxed.
Thinking of her madness last night, a blush quietly appeared on her face, and a tide of bashful shyness surged within her.
“I wonder if this concubine served the general to your satisfaction?” Guerbiesu said softly.
She was a clever woman and had already made her decision deep down.
Moreover, at her flower-like age, married to an old man like Baibuhua, she had always felt unwilling in her heart.
Although Baibuhua could give her unlimited prestige and countless wealth, his aged body could not provide her the comfort of a man.
For years of marriage and countless nights, Guerbiesu had spent them facing away from Baibuhua, listening to his weary snoring.
But last night, after a storm with Li Xiao, she finally understood what a real man was.
It was Li Xiao who made her understand what a woman’s true happiness was.
Having tasted the forbidden fruit, she absolutely did not want to endure that long drought any longer.
Li Xiao sat on the edge of the bed, chuckling, “As expected of the Naiman Consort; you truly are a beauty who brings ruin to nations.”
“With you by his side, Baibuhua’s defeat was not unjust.”
This woman lived up to being the top beauty of the grasslands—not only was her appearance exquisite, but she also possessed a famed intimate treasure, truly living up to her reputation.
Guerbiesu slowly sat on Li Xiao’s lap, saying in a seductive tone, “The Great Governor is a hero of the world; might you allow this concubine to ask for a reward?”
Normally, she used this trick against the Sun Khan.
As soon as she spoke, her seductive voice would make the Sun Khan’s bones go soft, and he would agree to anything she asked.
But this beauty trap had no effect on Li Xiao.
He gave a cold laugh and said indifferently, “Reluctant to part with Baibuhua’s little pup?”
“I could have sent you mother and son to reunite.”
Hearing this, Guerbiesu’s face paled in shock.
She had thought that by pleasing Li Xiao, she could smoothly request he spare her son.
But unexpectedly, Li Xiao did not take her seriously at all.
From Li Xiao’s tone, Guerbiesu knew that if she continued, she would still die.
In panic, she said, “This concubine now belongs to the Great Governor and wishes to serve you for life, with no disloyalty.”
“Although Erdun Celeng is this concubine’s son, the mother-son bond between us has been severed in this life.”
“This concubine dares not plead for him and only wishes to remain by the Great Governor’s side as an attendant concubine; that would satisfy my heart.”
Although Guerbiesu coveted the position of main wife, she knew the chances were slim, so she proactively lowered her status and asked to be a maid concubine.
The future was long; with slow scheming, she might yet regain the glory of the Naiman Consort in Jin Prefecture.
But Li Xiao truly had no intention of keeping her by his side for long; he only sought novelty and to satisfy his desire for conquest.
To be fair, the pleasure he got from this young matron Guerbiesu far surpassed that from ordinary tender girls.
But he was not bewitched by lust and would not tolerate such a power-hungry and cunning woman staying often in his chambers.
There were plenty of women under heaven; why fixate on one wilted flower?
“Since you are so sincere, I shall grant your request.”
“I allow you to be a maid concubine and serve in my chambers.” Li Xiao nodded and said.
Concubines had grades: the highest was noble concubine, then attendant concubine, and the lowest was maid concubine.
Those sent as gifts back and forth by ancient gentry were maid concubines.
Guerbiesu fell silent, tears welling in her eyes, seemingly feeling greatly wronged.
She had at least been the dignified Naiman Consort, yet in Li Xiao’s hands, she could not even get a presentable status, leaving her deeply frustrated.
Had she grown old and lost her allure to men?
Although Guerbiesu put on a pitifully aggrieved appearance, Li Xiao remained unmoved and only said coldly, “It seems the consort is unwilling?”
Guerbiesu’s body trembled; knowing she had no choice, she hurriedly lowered her head and said, “As long as this concubine can serve the Great Governor, what do titles matter to me?”
Although a maid concubine’s status was low, at least she could stay by Li Xiao’s side.
Guerbiesu believed in her own methods; sooner or later, she could make Li Xiao submit under her skirts, just like Baibuhua.
Hearing this, Li Xiao finally nodded in satisfaction, lifted her face, and smiled, “I like sensible and obedient women. Rest assured, I will not mistreat you.”
Guerbiesu’s grievance vanished; she said in a seductive voice, “Please cherish this concubine in the future~”
This vixen-like posture reignited the flames in Li Xiao’s heart.
Thus, he grabbed Guerbiesu’s head and pressed it down, while Hutu once again exited the tent to act as if invisible.
“Right, I forgot to tell you something.”
“Baibuhua has already been captured by my subordinates and is being escorted back on the road.”
“When the time comes, I will take you to interrogate Baibuhua together.”
“Having been the Naiman Consort for so many years, you probably haven’t seen Baibuhua kneel to you, have you?”
“This time, I will fulfill that for you.”
Hearing this, shock filled Guerbiesu’s eyes; after years of marriage, there was still a sliver of affection.
She also hoped Baibuhua could safely evade the Jin Prefecture Army’s pursuit, but alas, his fate was poor.
But thinking of Li Xiao taking her to see Baibuhua for the last time, Guerbiesu felt ashamed and furious at the scene.
She could only express thanks with muffled whimpering sounds.
……
Yudu Jin Mountain, known in later generations as Hangai Mountain and in ancient times as Yanran Mountain.
The legend of the Yanran inscription occurred here.
Yudu Jin Mountain was the geographical boundary between the Naiman Tribe and the Kereit Tribe.
Ong Khan’s son Sangkun was currently leading an army of twenty thousand stationed here, ready at any time to attack the Naiman Tribe.
But the first news that came was instead from the eastern grasslands, the situation between the Kiyan tribe and the Nine Tribes Allied Army.
Cold winds carrying grit assaulted the felt tent like sharp arrows; inside, candlelight flickered, casting eerie shadows on everyone’s faces.
A messenger stood before Sangkun, his voice hoarse from the long journey: “The Nine Tribes Allied Army is strong, with over sixty thousand troops.”
“The Kiyan tribe fought them and was no match, retreating to the Alansai Great Wall line, and sent men with heavy gifts to the Great Khan, requesting aid.”
“The Great Khan has already led his army out, preparing to attack the Nine Tribes Allied Army from the flank to support the Kiyan tribe’s counterattack.”
……
Sangkun reached to fiddle with the gem-encrusted hilt at his waist, producing a crisp sound.
This real power figure of the Kereit Tribe, just turned thirty, was short and stocky like a boulder fallen from a mountain, his face full of brutish flesh, thick eyebrows knotted, eyes revealing the ferocity of a Wolf King of the Steppe.
Over the years, he had rarely missed the Kereit Tribe’s external campaigns, earning great military merit on horseback, and had long become the acknowledged next Great Khan of the Kereit Tribe.
Because Ong Khan and Temüjin’s father were sworn brothers, Sangkun and Temüjin also became sworn brothers.
But Sangkun looked down on this sworn elder brother; whenever Temüjin was mentioned, a mocking sneer curled at Sangkun’s lips.
To consolidate ties with the Kereit Tribe, Temüjin had once proposed having his eldest son Jochi marry Sangkun’s daughter, while giving his own daughter to Sangkun’s son Tusahai.
But Sangkun, imitating Guan Yu, said, “How can a tiger’s daughter be matched to a dog’s son?” and the marriage alliance fell through.
The rift between them had long become like a grassland rift valley, hard to mend.
“Hahaha~”
After hearing the messenger’s report, Sangkun threw his head back in grating wild laughter: “Temüjin? That useless waste who can’t even protect his own wife, still delusions of leading soldiers to defeat the enemy?”
“Back then, when the Merkit People raided, he watched his woman get abducted and even bore him a son of Merkit bloodline, hahaha~”
“So incompetent that he can’t even guard his own woman, how can he guard the land or lead officers and soldiers in charge and breakthrough?”
In this era, there was a tradition called ‘kill the firstborn.’
It referred to killing the first child born to a captured woman when the true father could not be determined.
This ensured bloodline purity and prevented power from falling into other families’ hands.
So, despite knowing Jochi’s bloodline was suspect, Temüjin insisted on recognizing him as eldest son.
This behavior was seen by many as that of a complete cuckold and had become a laughingstock on the grasslands.
“This time with the Nine Tribes Allied Army attacking, his Kiyan tribe beaten back steadily—isn’t that the best proof of his incompetence?”
“I see him as a lone wolf on the grasslands—seemingly fierce but actually cowardly, fleeing with tail between legs at danger.”
Sangkun suddenly grabbed the wineskin and gulped down a large mouthful of horse milk wine, the liquid spilling freely over his unkempt beard.
Beside Sangkun sat a Kereit Tribe general named Bileg Beqi.
He was part of Sangkun’s faction and held no great fondness for Temüjin.
This was also why Ong Khan sent the two to command troops on the Naiman border.
“Not far south of the Alansai Great Wall is Jin Dynasty territory.”
“Temüjin wants to borrow the Jin people’s help to block Zhamuha’s allied army.”
“We are warriors of the grasslands; Temüjin’s actions are no different from inviting wolves into the house—what difference from those traitors who betray the grasslands?” Bileg Beqi said gravely.
“Temüjin has probably forgotten how his ancestor Obaqan was cruelly killed by the Jin people.” Sangkun sneered.
This was why he looked down on Temüjin—a two-faced villain.
Though outwardly flattering to his father with utmost courtesy, posing as a loyal righteous son, Sangkun knew full well the ambition hidden under Temüjin’s honest face.
Thus, Sangkun had always urged Ong Khan to send troops to eliminate the Kiyan tribe.
But Ong Khan refused to believe him, insisting Temüjin still had utilitarian value.
One day, it would breed a tiger that brings calamity.
“Your Highness the Prince, the Great Khan has already sent troops to aid the Kiyan tribe; we~” a general said softly.
Sangkun impatiently waved him off, interrupting, “Hmph! Our task is the Naiman People and Liao Army opposite us.”
“Temüjin’s life or death is none of our concern?”
“Best if he and the Nine Tribes Allied Army fight to the death; when both sides are weakened, our Kereit Tribe can reap the benefits.”
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the tent; a personal guard entered to report, “Your Highness, the scouts sent to the Naiman Tribe have returned.”
“Let him in.” Sangkun barked.
But after hearing the scout’s report, his expression suddenly changed.
“What?”
“Defeated?”
Sangkun shot to his feet; his saber clanged against the table, startling the candlelight into wild flicker, shadows clawing on the felt tent.
The scout knelt on one knee, reporting in panic, “This subordinate encountered several Naiman Soldiers; according to them, the Naiman Tribe collapsed across the line under the Liao Army’s force attack, with the Khanate army nearly annihilated.”
“Buyiru Khan has been beheaded by the Liao Army; the Sun Khan’s whereabouts are unknown, life or death uncertain.”
Hearing this, Sangkun’s face grew grave, brows twisting like hemp rope.
“How is that possible?”
“How could this happen?”
“The Naiman army had over thirty thousand men and horses, just defeated like this by the Liao Army?”
Sangkun paced back and forth in disbelief.
The Naiman Tribe had once rivaled the Kereit Tribe, dominating east and west of the grasslands.
Though weakened by Liao State’s blows, its tiger might remained.
Sangkun still could not believe the Liao Army could annihilate the Naiman army in one battle.
After a long while, he abruptly stopped, a ruthless glint in his eyes: “I never expected the Naiman Tribe to be so fragile.”
“I thought they could fight the Jin Prefecture Army to mutual ruin, letting me reap the benefits.”
“If I’d known, our Kereit Tribe army should have directly crossed Yudu Jin Mountain.”
“Regrettable.”
With that, he slammed a fist on the desk, wine splashing out and wetting the unfurled sheepskin map.
Nearby, Bileg Beqi said gravely, “It’s not too late now.”
“The Liao Army just eliminated the Naiman army’s main force and must have suffered losses themselves.”
“Our army can strike while they’re weak and seize the Naiman eastern population and grassland in one go.”
Hearing this, Sangkun’s face darkened.
Though this would mean two-front war for the Kereit Tribe with great risk, it was not impossible.
“Good, send out the troops.”
“At least take all the grassland and population east of the Zabuhan River.”
But little did he know, the Jin Prefecture Army’s marching speed was far faster than Sangkun anticipated.
Da Hu and Er Hu led the army in pursuit of the Sun Khan, now only two days from the Kereit Tribe border.
When the Kereit Tribe army began crossing Yudu Jin Mountain, the news quickly reached the Jin Prefecture Army.
“As Elder Brother predicted, the Kereit Tribe couldn’t sit still.”
“The army has crossed Yudu Jin Mountain, with about twenty thousand troops.”
“Their vanguard has reached upstream of the Drag River.” Da Hu said gravely; this was news from Third Town scouts.
“Twenty thousand—barely enough to swallow.” Er Hu said coldly.
He had seen the Naiman army’s combat strength: soldiers’ will not strong, low armor rate, weapons not sharp—far inferior to Jin Prefecture Army soldiers.
The Kereit Tribe, as fellow Overlord of the Grasslands with the Naiman Tribe, should be of similar strength.
So in Er Hu’s view, the Kereit Tribe’s twenty thousand army was nothing to fear.
“Do not underestimate them.” Da Hu shook his head.
“Our two myriad household commanders together have fewer than five thousand; the Kereit Tribe has four times our numbers.”
“If our two units suffer heavy losses, even if we defeat the Kereit Tribe, Elder Brother won’t let us off lightly.”
Er Hu chuckled, “I know that.”
“Though we can’t swallow the entire Kereit Tribe army, devouring their vanguard is doable.”
Da Hu nodded slightly, “That’s what I think too.”
“The rest will wait for Elder Brother.”
The two reached consensus; soon, low horn sounds rose in the Jin Prefecture Army Camp.
War horses carried thousands of soldiers charging into the vast wilderness.
The Bieteqi Tribe was a small tribe under Naiman rule, generations living in the Drag River basin.
That day, the blood-red setting sun like congealed blood dyed the Drag River crimson.
Countless Kereit Tribe soldiers rushed into the Bieteqi Tribe camp like hungry wolves; metal clashes, women’s and children’s cries, and war horse neighs intertwined.
The Sun Khan had drafted most men for battle, though some stragglers had returned.
But before the numerous Kereit Tribe soldiers, their resistance seemed so feeble.
The battle ended quickly.
Bileg Beqi rode his tall war horse, looking down haughtily at the Bieteqi Tribe’s many elderly, weak, women, and children.
He shouted loudly, “The Naiman Tribe has been defeated by the Liao people.”
“The Liao people’s iron hooves will soon reach the Drag River. This general Bileg Beqi has come by order of the Kereit Tribe Great Khan to save you.”
“From now on, you are all subjects of the Kereit Tribe.”
“Your men and children have all been killed by the Jin Prefecture people.”
“This general will select new men for you; they are our Kereit Tribe’s strongest warriors.”
“You will bear their strongest children.”
Hearing this, the Bieteqi Tribe women looked terrified, trembling.
Meanwhile, the Kereit Tribe soldiers on the other side were already impatient.
If the Bieteqi Tribe men were still around, Bileg Beqi would not be so brutal but would instead win them over to fight the Jin Prefecture Army together.
But now, the Bieteqi Tribe’s only utilitarian value was these women.
Gazing at the setting sun on the horizon, he murmured softly, “Every inch of grassland land should only be galloped freely by Kereit people’s fine horses.”
“Liao State war horses should not come to this place.”
Soon after, darkness fully swallowed the setting sun.
And the most beautiful woman of the Bieteqi Tribe was now bound in Bileg Beqi’s tent.
One night of madness.
When the last traces of night quietly faded, the cold winds of the far north raged like enraged hungry wolves howling along both banks of the Drag River.
The camp was now in dead silence.
In the large tent, Bileg Beqi suddenly opened his eyes; years of campaigning on horseback made him sense danger.
A low rumbling sounded faintly in his ears; though very weak, Bileg Beqi’s face turned shocked and angry as he shoved aside the girl beside him.
He roared loudly, “Enemy attack!”
Soon, soldiers in the camp woke in alarm, shouting and yelling.
Scouts reported: a large force approaching the camp; too dark to see numbers clearly.
“Liao Army?”
“Damn it!”
Bileg Beqi immediately judged: with the Naiman army defeated, the only ones who could appear here now were the Jin Prefecture Army.
Bileg Beqi had never imagined the Jin Prefecture Army would march so fast; he thought they would clash near the Zabuhan River, skirmish lightly, then hold a brief peace with the Zabuhan River as boundary.
But unexpectedly, the Jin Prefecture Army had already reached the Drag River, catching Bileg Beqi completely unprepared.
The Jin Prefecture Army drew nearer; war horse neighs and hoof sounds made the earth tremble faintly.
Mounted soldiers wore red or white cotton armor, wielding sharp hooked scythe spears that gleamed coldly in the moonlight.
They were like demons slain from hell, eyes revealing icy killing intent.
Before the Kereit Tribe camp tents, generals shouted hoarsely to rally the panicked soldiers, but it was too late.
“Kill!”
Er Hu roared; he raised his spear high, its cold light flashing as it severed a nearby Kereit Tribe soldier’s head.
Iron hooves thundered; countless Jin Prefecture White Armored Army and red-armored soldiers followed closely.
They surged into the camp like an avalanche.
In an instant, shouts of killing, screams, and metal clashes wove together; the Kereit Tribe camp turned into a human purgatory.
Red and white figures shuttled in the darkness; wherever they went, Kereit Tribe soldiers retreated steadily, many discarding armor and fleeing.
Seeing this, Bileg Beqi’s face filled with terror; deep fear and helplessness bred in his heart as he roared angrily, “No retreating!”
“Rally to me, block the enemy army.”
1. This kind of behavior was very common on the grasslands; Temüjin once, after breaking through a tribe, ordered soldiers to collectively assault the women and forced their husbands and fathers to watch from afar.
2. On the grasslands, the title for a Great Khan’s son is definitely not prince or Your Highness, but I couldn’t find it; calling him taiji feels too out of place. If any elder brother knows, please tell me so I can revise.
