Chapter 193: Sweat-blood Treasure Horse
“Boom boom boom~”
The sound of war horses galloping rang out on the grassland. Ten Jin Prefecture cavalrymen were like an unstoppable arrow, charging toward this side.
They were all wearing bright yellow cotton armor, tasseled helmets on their heads, eyes sharp like hawks, tightly locking onto the distant targets.
When they charged close, the ten cavalrymen almost simultaneously drew longbows from their horseback, steadily nocking arrows with their right hands, bowstrings taut.
Immediately after, “whoosh, whoosh, whoosh,” the sharp arrows flew off the strings, carrying a sharp whistle, slicing through the air straight at the targets.
Then, these soldiers continued charging forward, while drawing arrows again, shooting at the next target.
Only after each had shot all ten arrows did these ten cavalrymen slowly rein in their war horses.
“Ninety-two arrows hit the target, thirty-six struck the bullseye.”
Soon, a soldier stepped forward to check and loudly reported the results.
Wuwei Army Chiliarch Tie Tou, holding a telescope, looked at the arrows on the targets, turned his head with a hehe laugh and said.
“Thin Monkey, our first chiliarch unit only got ninety-two arrows on target, average performance. Now let’s see your second chiliarch unit.”
Thin Monkey snorted lightly upon hearing this: “Look at you acting all smug? It’s just ninety-two arrows, isn’t it?”
Then he turned to the soldier beside him and said: “Tell the brothers, we must outdo the first chiliarch unit. If not, train to death tonight.”
Shortly after, the second chiliarch unit’s ten cavalrymen began their charge, performing ten rounds of riding and archery in the same process.
Today was the Wuwei Army’s decennial minor competition.
From the Wuwei Army’s three chiliarch units, a dozen squads were randomly selected for a riding and archery contest.
Rankings of first, second, and third would receive corresponding rewards and punishments.
But for these three Wuwei Army chiliarchs, punishments didn’t matter; it was mainly about face.
Losing was embarrassing and would make the Great Governor think their leadership was poor, so no one wanted to lose.
Tie Tou, Thin Monkey, and Lin Dazhuang were the three great chiliarchs in the Wuwei Army.
The first two were brothers who grew up with Li Xiao, while Lin Dazhuang was a Han man rescued by Li Xiao from Hou Village. Over these years, he had followed Li Xiao in battles, with unwavering loyalty and prominent military merit.
At this moment, in front of the three, Li Xiao wore dark gold-trimmed black-edged cotton armor, a cape draped over him, riding on horseback, calmly watching the competition ahead.
Shortly after, the second chiliarch unit’s ten-man squad finished their riding and archery, with eighty-nine arrows on target. Thin Monkey’s face turned extremely ugly.
Beside Li Xiao, Chen Chong exclaimed in admiration: “Wuwei iron cavalry, indeed the top elite in the world.”
“Not to mention ordinary nomadic cavalry—even the royal court’s elites probably couldn’t match the Wuwei Army.”
Chen Chong had once been a royal court Imperial Secretary, captured by Li Xiao, and now served as the Camp Cultivation Department Director under the Jin Prefecture Great Governor’s Mansion.
He was mainly responsible for the Jin Prefecture Army’s field cultivation in the Great Desert. This time coming to Jin Prefecture to report, he was pulled by Li Xiao to watch the Wuwei Army’s competition.
The more he watched, the more astonished Chen Chong became.
Ordinary soldiers could barely shoot ten arrows in such a short time, but the Wuwei Army’s hit rate was around ninety percent.
Moreover, these dozen squads were randomly selected, representing the Wuwei Army’s general level—which was terrifying.
“These three thousand Wuwei Army men are the elite soldiers and strong generals I personally selected from all Jin Prefecture soldiers. Even ordinary ones would be squad leader level among the three garrisons.”
“And by my order, Wuwei Army soldiers train daily and eat meat daily, so their physique naturally grows stronger.”
Li Xiao said with a faint smile.
Garrison soldiers of the three garrisons serve in wartime; once war ends, they take looted goods and rewards from Li Xiao home, reverting to herdsmen to herd sheep and farm.
But the Wuwei Army was different—they had become professional soldiers.
Prohibited from herding sheep or farming, their rations fully supplied by the Great Governor’s Mansion, with monthly military pay issued.
Every day, one thing: training.
Thus, this Wuwei Army became Jin Prefecture’s first standing army.
Maintained in combat readiness year-round, soldiers rotating leave, camp set up on a grassland twenty li north of Hexi Fort.
The purpose was also to protect Hexi Fort and Dragon City.
Chen Chong gazed at the galloping Wuwei Army on the grassland, his expression increasingly solemn, and said gravely: “Seeing this Wuwei Army, I seem to see the Great Tang of old.”
His voice unconsciously lowered, with a sigh: “Back then, the Xuan Jia Army dominated the four seas, iron hooves arriving, all nations paying homage.”
“Now this Wuwei Army iron cavalry is staunch, riding and archery godlike, their charge identical to legends.”
“If placed under Chang’an City, even the old Turkic Khan’s wolf banner would tremble before this yellow flood.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao slightly turned his head, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes: “A mere three thousand Wuwei Army naturally can’t compare to the Great Tang Army.”
“But my Jin Prefecture iron cavalry also has the spirit to pioneer a new era.”
As his words fell, the distant third chiliarch squad finished, with ninety-three arrows on target—one more than the first chiliarch unit.
Seeing this, Li Xiao faintly said to Thin Monkey: “One loss doesn’t count. Try harder next time!”
With that, he turned and left with Chen Chong.
Thin Monkey’s face flushed red then turned iron-blue, increasingly annoyed, and he kicked over the horse stool by his foot.
To his five centurions, he said: “Extra training tonight. Everyone stays up, damn it.”
Hearing the distant roar, Chen Chong sighed slightly: “Soldiers like sharp arrows, generals like strong bows—bowstring twangs, arrows fly like lightning.”
“This is the backbone a strong army should have!”
Then, the two entered Li Xiao’s golden tent. Chen Chong took a booklet from his bosom and presented it to Li Xiao, saying.
“Great Governor, this is this year’s spring grain harvest, all recorded here.”
“After a year of recovery, our Jin Prefecture garrison soldiers and field cultivation prisoners of war have collectively farmed one million mu of land in the Great Desert.
“This year, blessed by heaven, the grain harvest was decent, averaging about one stone（ and one hundred twenty jin） per mu.”
“Our Camp Cultivation Department has collected a total of three hundred twenty thousand stone of grain, currently being transported in batches to the Jin Prefecture granary.”
“…”
The Great Desert differs from Jin Prefecture—Jin Prefecture’s weather is cold, allowing only one crop per year.
The Great Desert’s climate is dry and mild, nourished by Tianshan snowmelt, with fertile soil—grain ripens twice a year, making it the granary of the entire Northern Frontier.
For this eastern expedition, besides slaughtering enemy cattle and sheep for military rations, Li Xiao mainly relied on grain supplies from the Great Desert and Gaochang Kingdom.
This was also the lifeline of the Jin Prefecture Army.
A war consumes vast amounts—men and horses eating nearly exhausted last year’s grain shipments from Gaochang and the Great Desert.
So, once the Great Desert’s spring grain was harvested, Li Xiao immediately ordered Chen Chong to transport it to Jin Prefecture to alleviate the grain crisis.
Of these three hundred twenty thousand stone, one hundred sixty thousand were taxes paid by Jin Prefecture garrison soldiers.
Jin Prefecture’s rule: twenty percent of harvest per mu of land.
Last year, Great Desert garrison soldiers farmed about eight hundred thousand mu, yielding eight hundred thousand stone of grain.
The remaining one hundred sixty thousand stone came entirely from over ten thousand Uyghur field cultivation prisoners of war.
They weren’t treated as gently as Great Desert garrison soldiers.
Ordinary common people farm ten mu per person, but these prisoners farm twenty mu.
They produced two hundred thousand stone of grain; after reserving their daily needs, the rest was all sent to Jin Prefecture.
“However, these three hundred twenty thousand stone of grain can only address immediate needs.” Li Xiao frowned slightly and said faintly.
Jin Prefecture herdsmen’s bellies lack no oil—adults need only half a jin of grain daily.
These three hundred twenty thousand stone could last a long time, even into next year.
But besides supplying Jin Prefecture common people, grain for Western Sea also comes from Jin Prefecture.
This expedition captured tens of thousands of grassland prisoners of war, plus Jin Prefecture’s original Uyghur slaves.
Even giving them just seventy percent full daily, these three hundred twenty thousand stone probably wouldn’t last to autumn harvest.
More crucially, the Eastern Capital’s situation is unclear—the Jin Prefecture Army may need to deploy again, requiring massive grain supplies.
Because not only men eat grain—horses do too.
Especially in true charge and decisive battles, war horses must be pre-fed fine grain; otherwise, grazing alone lacks endurance.
Stopping to graze mid-run—how to fight?
Thus, Jin Prefecture still lacks grain.
Then, Li Xiao instructed Chen Chong: “Tomorrow, go to Han Jiuyuan for two hundred thousand taels of silver. When you return to the Great Desert, give it to Li Erguzi.”
“Tell him to quickly send people to collect Gaochang’s grain too.”
“There might be another battle this year—more grain, the better.”
The Great Desert’s spring grain is harvested, so Gaochang’s surely is too.
Li Xiao kept Gaochang precisely to supply grain to Jin Prefecture.
Per the agreement with Alkus, Gaochang’s grain output—beyond its own needs—must all be sold to Jin Prefecture at market price.
The Hexi Merchant Guild is the only qualified buyer for grain; Li Erguzi naturally handles this.
Chen Chong nodded gently: “Understood.”
Then he reassured: “Great Governor, rest assured.”
“Gaochang Kingdom’s grain exceeds the Great Desert’s.”
“Moreover, Great Desert garrison folk pay only twenty percent tax, with surplus grain left—perhaps we can buy some from them.”
But Li Xiao wasn’t too optimistic.
Common people hold eighty percent of their grain, but as the saying goes, ‘grain in hand, heart at ease.’
‘Prepare for danger in peace’ is etched in Han people’s bones—famine-fearing folk won’t easily sell unless desperate.
But no matter—Li Xiao had ways.
“In the Western Sea battle, my Jin Prefecture captured many Naiman female slaves—quite attractive, fair-skinned, big-eyed.”
“I’ll have some picked for you to take back.” Li Xiao smiled at Chen Chong.
Chen Chong was stunned, then bowed in thanks: “Thank you, Great Governor.”
He thought it was a reward for his hard work managing Great Desert cultivation.
But Li Xiao’s main aim wasn’t that—instead, to set an example, lead from the top, encourage Great Desert common people to buy female slaves.
As the saying goes, ‘full belly thinks of lust.’
With grain in hand and survival pressure gone, flower thoughts arise.
Some with battlefield merit and rewarded slaves are fine; without, watching others enjoy fair Naiman women daily—how could they feel at ease?
Then spend money to buy!
Ran out of battlefield reward money? What then?
What about garrison soldiers who didn’t join the eastern expedition?
Sell surplus grain.
Use grain sale money to buy female slaves.
Thus, grain in Great Desert common people’s hands would circulate.
Meanwhile, these female slaves would boost Great Desert population—after all, Han people reckon descent by paternal bloodline.
As long as the father is Han, the child is Han—undeniable.
So, Li Xiao aimed to increase Han proportion in the Great Desert, solidify the base.
Besides female slaves, many other things could be sold to the Great Desert.
Like looted grassland cattle and sheep, Jin Prefecture textiles’ cotton cloth, etc.
Later, Li Xiao would launch other people’s livelihood goods via Hexi Merchant Guild, like scented soap, glass, white sugar, etc.
Use these industrial goods to harvest common people’s grain and money.
Once common people lack grain and money, they can only strive harder—to earn or rob more money and grain.
This injects drive into Jin Prefecture’s economy and strong support for its military.
No need to explain commerce to Chen Chong—just handle Great Desert cultivation well.
But one thing, Chen Chong must keep striving.
“When dividing land to Great Desert garrison folk, ordinary households got one hundred mu farmland, squad leaders one hundred fifty mu, captains three hundred mu, centurions one thousand mu.”
“All ready-made seized from Uyghur people—no reclamation needed, farmable immediately.” Li Xiao said faintly.
“Great Desert has thirteen thousand garrison households, totaling about one million four hundred thousand mu farmland.”
“Yet last year, garrison folk only farmed eight hundred thousand mu—what about the nearly six hundred thousand mu?”
Hearing this, Chen Chong paled in fear: “Great Governor, forgive me—I’m incompetent, failed your trust.”
But then defended: “Truly, Great Desert lacks manpower.”
Each garrison household averages five people, farming about fifty mu; remaining land lacks tenant farmers, so left fallow.
This was huge waste.
On this, Chen Chong explained: “Great Governor, rest assured—last year, garrison folk just arrived in Great Desert~”
“After the Naiman war, some garrison soldiers brought back slaves—with their help, surely more land can be farmed.”
Li Xiao nodded lightly, knowing Great Desert lacked hands, so no intent to press Chen Chong.
Continued: “Meritorious garrison soldiers are still a minority—Great Desert slaves insufficient.”
“In a few days, I’ll have Hexi Merchant Guild organize delivery of a batch of slaves to Great Desert for sale, so garrison folk can buy some for farming.”
This eastern expedition nearly wiped out Naiman tribes, capturing massive prisoners of war.
Female slaves: everyone likes.
For male prisoners, Li Xiao ordered selection of the young and strong for Kuli Army as war slaves.
The rest—older or injured—would be sent cheaply to Great Desert for garrison folk to buy.
Thus, those garrison folk became western slave owners.
Ending talk with Chen Chong, Li Xiao returned to Hexi Fort with his men.
Wuwei Army camp was close to Hexi Fort—horseback ride sufficed.
Li Xiao and Xiao Yanyan’s post-wedding new home was newly built, located north side of Hexi Fort.
Vast area, many rooms, enough for over thirty people.
But as Li Xiao reached the door, he saw a horse carriage parked before it, plus several horses.
“Guests at home? Whose carriage?” Li Xiao called a maidservant to ask.
The maidservant was a Khitan woman, part of Xiao Yanyan’s dowry—over half the courtyard servants were her dowry.
Their presence firmly gave Xiao Yanyan control over Li Xiao’s back courtyard.
The maidservant replied haltingly in Chinese language: “Reporting to Great Governor, it’s people sent by Eastern Capital Great Prince.”
Teaching these servants Chinese language was Li Xiao’s requirement—he couldn’t stand his home full of Khitan language.
Even less his children learning Khitan language first.
These Khitan servants in Jin Prefecture should follow local customs.
“Eastern Capital, Great Prince?”
Li Xiao was stunned—the terms made sense, but together, unfamiliar.
“Where’s this Great Prince from?” Li Xiao frowned.
Through the maidservant’s explanation, Li Xiao realized: Xiao Simo’s eldest son, Xiao Daru.
Since Xiao Simo favored legitimate son Xiao Helun, naming him heir early, other sons had little presence.
For this eldest son of Xiao Simo, Li Xiao had only a vague impression.
Remembered him appearing once at his wedding to Xiao Yanyan: tall, burly young man.
But Li Xiao had little interaction, barely acquainted.
Puzzled why this guy suddenly sent people to Jin Prefecture.
Then, Li Xiao entered the courtyard, seeing Xiao Yanyan seated at the head of the main hall, with a middle-aged man sitting in the hall.
Seeing Li Xiao return, the man stood immediately, respectfully smiling: “Greetings, Prince Consort.”
Though the man appeared respectful and amiable, hearing him speak, Li Xiao felt oddly uncomfortable.
Casually noticing his clean-shaven chin, realization dawned.
Turns out he was a eunuch—no wonder the speech was so off.
Xiao Yanyan gently stroked her slightly bulging belly, seated, introducing to Li Xiao: “Husband, this is someone from Wugulun Consort’s side.”
“Came specially to see us, brought many gifts.”
Wugulun was Xiao Daru’s mother’s name—a rare surname; even Xiao Yanyan didn’t know her real name.
And unwilling to call her ‘little sister-in-law.’
As her words fell, the old eunuch saluted Li Xiao with hand to chest: “This old slave was ordered by Wugulun Consort and Great Prince to come specially to Jin Prefecture to see Princess and Prince Consort.”
“Since Princess married to Jin Prefecture, Great Prince misses her dearly, often recalling childhood when Princess cared for Great Prince.”
“Grateful, and hearing Princess is pregnant, specially sought rare tonic medicines to nourish Princess’s body.”
“Also took much effort to find a sweat-blooded treasure horse for Prince Consort, already sent to back courtyard.”
“Prince Consort, when free, can ride it.” The old eunuch said with a smile.
Li Xiao first glanced at Xiao Yanyan, seeing her head down drinking tea, and understood.
Then lightly laughed: “A Bu Tou is thoughtful—rare to remember Princess and me so well, a filial child.”
A Bu Tou was Xiao Daru’s childhood name—Li Xiao asked the maidservant entering; in Khitan language, means first child.
Li Xiao hadn’t expected this guy to send a sweat-blooded treasure horse.
In later generations, sweat-blooded treasure horses were legendary; some say a breed called Akhal-Teke.
Li Xiao hadn’t seen a real one this life, so somewhat interested.
Had to say, Xiao Daru’s gift hit Li Xiao’s heart.
As a general, who doesn’t love good horses?
“Sweat-blooded treasure horse is rare—thank Wugulun Consort and A Bu Tou for me and Princess.”
Then, Li Xiao chatted idly with the old eunuch—no substantial words. Finally, leaving a letter, the old eunuch took leave.
Li Xiao arranged lodging for him and attendants, to depart early next day to report back.
After he left, Li Xiao held the unopened letter, turning to Xiao Yanyan.
But found this woman with tear-streaked face.
Tears rolling down.
Li Xiao hurried forward, holding Xiao Yanyan, softly consoling: “What’s wrong? A Man?”
“Why cry out of nowhere?”
They say pregnant women have mood swings—even small things bring tears; Li Xiao fully believed now.
Once, Xiao Yanyan was so strong!
Now, crying too?
But Xiao Yanyan slightly lifted her head, red-rimmed eyes to Li Xiao: “My elder brother, my elder brother he~”
“He might not make it~”
“Why is heaven so cruel to us siblings.”
“I was born without parents—now to lose brother too?”
“He’s only thirty~”
Xiao Yanyan sobbed in Li Xiao’s arms.
Li Xiao sighed softly, silent, just gently patting her back, consoling wordlessly.
Not that Xiao Yanyan got Eastern Capital news.
But anyone with eyes could see Xiao Daru’s intent.
As Xiao Family Eldest Princess, Xiao Yanyan’s legal status was high; Li Xiao held heavy troops as real-power border commander.
Xiao Daru vied for Eastern Capital’s throne, seeking to win over the couple.
So, Xiao Simo’s health must truly be failing—else why so boldly form factions?
