Chapter 194: Xiao Family Concubine’s Son, Heavy Snow Dragon Colt
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”
“Elder Brother is blessed by heaven and will surely be safe and sound.” Li Xiao hugged Xiao Yanyan and comforted her softly.
The next second, Xiao Yanyan broke free, her eyes red as she said urgently: “No, I want to go back to the Eastern Capital. I want to stay by Elder Brother’s side.”
Seeing this, Li Xiao quickly soothed her and said with a wry smile: “A Man, calm down first.”
“You’re heavily pregnant now. How can you go to the Eastern Capital?”
“You have to think about the child too!”
Hexi Fort was eight hundred li from the Eastern Capital, and the fastest trip would take two or three days. Xiao Yanyan simply couldn’t withstand the jolting journey.
Xiao Yanyan collapsed onto the couch, tears falling like a string of pearls, her trembling hand stroking her swollen belly: “Then what should we do…”
“Wah wah wah!”
Li Xiao had no good solution either. As Jin Prefecture Governor, going to the Eastern Capital without orders would be no small matter.
Dusk deepened, Xiao Yanyan’s tear stains not yet dry, her reddened eyes still carrying unresolved grief.
Li Xiao sat beside her, his fingertips unconsciously stroking her beautiful hair, and said thoughtfully: “I’ve met Xiao Daru a few times before. He has a burly build like a tiger’s back and bear’s waist, but he seems not too bright.”
By now, Xiao Yanyan’s mood had improved a lot, and she no longer insisted on returning to the Eastern Capital. Recalling Xiao Daru’s appearance, she shook her head gently and said.
“Far from just not smart.”
“Reckless in actions, perverse in temperament—exactly like another Wugulun.”
“That woman has all her schemes written on her face, yet thinks she’s exhaustively clever. Ridiculous.”
She suddenly recalled the past, helplessness rising in her eyes: “Back then, Mother Empress saw her shallow mind, everything written on her face, so she sent her to serve Elder Brother.”
“Who would have thought her courage was so great. After Mother Empress passed away, she climbed into bed while Elder Brother was drunk and even luckily bore a son.”
“She got off easy.”
Xiao Yanyan vented to Li Xiao about some ugly deeds Wugulun had done, releasing the negative emotions in her heart.
Li Xiao frowned slightly, his fingertips tapping the table as he asked: “Is there any chance Elder Brother might designate Xiao Daru as heir?”
After all, Xiao Helun was too young now, not even ten years old, lacking the ability and prestige to convince others.
At this time, if Xiao Simo truly had a problem, selecting an older son as heir would be the best choice.
But Xiao Yanyan shook her head firmly and said resolutely: “Absolutely impossible.”
“Why?”
Li Xiao was puzzled: “Just because of his violent temper?”
Xiao Yanyan nodded: “Yes, and no.”
She gazed at the swaying sunset outside the window and said softly: “Wugulun has an extremely strong control desire. From childhood, she raised A Man strictly, demanding obedience in everything.”
“At that time, Elder Brother was busy fighting the Royal Court people. By the time he noticed the problem, the child had already been raised without any independent will.”
If Xiao Daru became ruler of the Northern Frontier, he would just be a puppet.
If Wugulun were as wise as Xiao Queen, then Xiao Simo could grant her regency power, but she herself was clueless.
So, the prerequisite for Xiao Daru to succeed would be to execute Wugulun.
Yet Xiao Daru’s character was already formed—brainless and reckless, with a violent temper. Without checks, he would easily make mistakes and lose hearts.
Most importantly, over these years, Xiao Simo’s attention had all been on Xiao Helun, never truly teaching Xiao Daru the arts of kingship.
Relying solely on brute strength, he couldn’t shoulder the great cause of the Northern Frontier.
So, unless there was no other possibility at all, Xiao Daru could not inherit the throne.
After learning this, Li Xiao nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, then asked: “How many sons does Elder Brother have?”
Before the words finished, he gave a self-mocking smile, realizing he was truly an incompetent uncle, knowing so little even about Xiao Simo’s heirs.
Mainly because those concubine’s sons were not valued, so they were rarely seen.
Xiao Yanyan took a light sip of tea, gently setting the tea cup on the table: “There are five living now.
“A Man is the eldest, then another concubine’s son named Xiao Cigu Du, followed by Nair.”
Nair was Xiao Helun’s childhood name, meaning sun in Khitan language, showing Xiao Simo’s fondness for this legitimate son.
In this era, infant mortality was very high. Xiao Simo surely had other children, but only these five survived.
The remaining two concubine’s sons were even younger than Xiao Helun, making inheritance even less possible.
“What about Xiao Cigu Du’s character?”
Li Xiao asked curiously. He didn’t think he’d ever seen him.
“That child is dull by nature, always silent, hides behind people when seeing them—very timid.” Xiao Yanyan sighed lightly.
“Worse, his mother was Geluolu People. For some early offense angering Elder Brother, she was granted death, making him a thorn in Elder Brother’s heart too.”
“Geluolu People?”
Li Xiao wasn’t too surprised. The Liao State was a multi-ethnic nation, ethnic fusion the trend.
Even if his mother was Geluolu People, as long as his father was Khitan, he was a genuine Khitan.
Mainly because in this era, tribes and ethnic groups had great demand for population.
To strengthen the tribe through breeding more people, bloodlines of spouses were not emphasized.
Then, Li Xiao opened the letter from Xiao Daru. It was all formulaic greetings, no substantial content.
It was clear Xiao Daru and his mother were simply showing goodwill to Li Xiao and his wife to stabilize relations.
After all, no one bares their heart or shows their hand at first contact.
Such people were pure fools. Li Xiao would report them immediately, or they’d drag him down.
“Give all these supplements to the servants as rewards.”
“I’ve already had Second Uncle buy better ones for you.” Li Xiao casually placed the letter on the table, then said to Xiao Yanyan.
After all, Li Xiao didn’t trust such food.
“Mm, good. I’ll listen to you.” Xiao Yanyan nodded. Even without Li Xiao saying, she wouldn’t eat randomly.
“Come on, let’s go see what this legendary sweat-blooded treasure horse looks like.” Li Xiao said softly, then helped Xiao Yanyan toward the back courtyard.
According to that old eunuch, Xiao Daru had encountered a caravan by chance, selling three sweat-blooded treasure horses.
Xiao Daru immediately spent a fortune to buy the three sweat-blooded treasure horses.
He kept one, sent one to Xiao Simo, and the last to Li Xiao.
Showing how precious they were.
Then, the couple arrived at the back courtyard stable, housing over a dozen war horses, all tall and majestic.
Northern Frontier war horses were mainly Turkic horses, a very ancient breed, average height around 1.4 meters.
Taller than Mongol horses, but inferior in endurance.
Last time conquering the Royal Court, Li Xiao captured over twenty thousand Ferghana horses, brought back to Jin Prefecture, now breeding superior war horses.
Most of the dozen horses in the stable were tall, robust Ferghana horses.
Compared to Turkic horses, Ferghana horses were even taller, average height over 1.5 meters.
Emperor Wu of Han sent General Li Guangli of the Second Division to conquer the Western Regions for Ferghana horses, but failed.
So some say Ferghana horses are sweat-blooded treasure horses.
But Ferghana horse sweat is definitely not red.
In any case, to Li Xiao, sweat-blooded treasure horse was a general term for tall, strong war horses that were fast and enduring.
Whether they truly existed, Li Xiao was skeptical.
“Great Governor, this is the sweat-blooded treasure horse from the Great Prince.” A servant said, pointing to a white war horse in the stable.
This horse was tall and majestic, half a head taller than ordinary Turkic horses, pure white with fine short white hair, glowing pinkish-white under the sunset.
Even faintly showing blood flowing.
The instant he saw this war horse, Li Xiao knew its origin.
From the Black Sea region, under Khwarazm rule.
The Akhal-Teke horse later called sweat-blooded treasure horse.
“Wow, so beautiful!”
Xiao Yanyan looked at the war horse, her face lighting up with joy, eyes sparkling.
She then went to its side, slowly stroking it with her hand, looking very happy.
Li Xiao circled the war horse for inspection, then shook his head in disappointment: “Pity, it’s a gelding.”
To prevent others using war horses as studs, Khwarazmians definitely gelded them before selling.
So, this horse looked strong and beautiful, but to Li Xiao, that was it.
Without stud value, it was just for show.
“A Man, since you like it, this horse is yours.”
“But wait until after the child is born to ride it.” Li Xiao warned.
“Mm mm mm, good. I absolutely won’t ride.”
Xiao Yanyan nodded, a light smile on her face.
“Right, husband, let’s name it.”
Every horse in the stable had its own name. Li Xiao had no time for that; it was these women like Xiao Yanyan who named them.
“Treading Snow? But we already have a Treading Snow.” Xiao Yanyan looked at a black horse with snow-white hooves in the stable.
“White Snow?”
Li Xiao shook his head lightly and said directly: “Call it Heavy Snow Dragon Colt!”
Hearing this, Xiao Yanyan’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Heavy Snow Dragon Colt?”
“Great name.”
Then, Li Xiao mounted and rode a lap himself, feeling it was decent.
Akhal-Teke horses were large, with wider strides than Turkic horses, very fast in sprints, effortless even for heavy cavalry.
“Pity, can’t be a stud.” Li Xiao stroked the horse’s mane, sighing softly.
The horse seemed to understand, snorting warm breath, tossing its head with a “huff,” hooves restlessly pawing the mud, as if unwilling it couldn’t continue its bloodline.
Seeing this, Li Xiao chuckled: “You gelding, quite sentient.”
Good horse, but can’t breed.
After laughing, Li Xiao slowly raised his head, gaze piercing the clouds to the distant blood-red sunset.
That was the direction of Khwarazm.
“Such fine horses owned by Khwarazmians—truly pearls covered in dust.”
“Destined to be the sharp blade for Jin Prefecture’s iron cavalry to roam under heaven.”
Li Xiao had decided: even for more Heavy Snow Dragon Colts, he would strike at Khwarazm later.
……
Xiao Helun and Xue Gu Eluda led five thousand army from the Eastern Capital, crossed the Alatao Mountains, entering Yili territory.
Wherever they went, Geluolu tribes were suppressed, while other Geluolu Tribes quickly assembled.
All men, women, elderly, and children took war sabers, mounted war horses, forming an army of about ten thousand.
Sunlight gilded the Tekes Mountains gold. The Eastern Capital Army’s five thousand in leather armor gleamed like a flowing black Great Wall across the hills.
Xue Gu Eluda reined his war horse, horsewhip pointing at the Geluolu army formation ahead, saying to Xiao Helun.
“Heir Apparent, see: enemy hastily assembled but holds both flank passes’ advantage.”
“If our army attacks frontally, Geluolu forces on both sides can envelop us…”
He whipped toward the other side, faintly seeing women and children mixed, holding mismatched sabers and spears, yet converging a tragic killing intent.
“They guard the heights with mournful troops’ momentum—cannot underestimate.”
“But our army’s armor complete, soldiers elite. Just cut off their wings…”
Before finishing, a desolate ox horn sounded from the Geluolu formation, war horses neighing, startling birds from the mountains.
Xiao Helun gripped his waist saber tightly, knuckles white.
Xue Gu Eluda remained calm, then began directing the army to attack.
Though Geluolu coalition outnumbered Eastern Capital Army twofold, the all-elite cavalry Eastern Capital Army far outmatched the Geluolu old and weak in combat strength.
Soon, under Xue Gu Eluda’s command, Eastern Capital Army split into branches like sharp spears, routing the Geluolu coalition.
“Kill!”
Then, Eastern Capital Army charged fully, pursuing and killing.
This phase often yielded the most kills.
Geluolu People fled desperately; many old, weak, women, and children fell from horses, trampled by rear war horses. Even lucky escapees were slain by following Eastern Capital Army.
Xiao Helun personally led troops, capturing and killing many Geluolu People.
But as he pursued about a thousand Geluolu defeated soldiers into a mountain valley, a low ox horn suddenly resounded through heaven and earth.
The fleeing Geluolu People abruptly reined horses, blocking the front.
And on both flanking hills, many soldiers suddenly appeared.
Eastern Capital Army soldiers seeing this instantly grew grave.
“Bad, we’re ambushed.”
“Protect the Heir Apparent.”
Two thousand Eastern Capital cavalry immediately formed defensive formation, surrounding Xiao Helun.
Fortunately, this valley floor was vast and open, hills far enough—not a true death valley, or Eastern Capital Army wouldn’t have charged blindly.
Enemy on hills’ bows and crossbows or rolling stones couldn’t directly harm Eastern Capital Army.
But this high-ground, three-sided encirclement gave Eastern Capital Army immense psychological pressure.
Facing many times their number, they might perish here.
“What’s happening?”
“Where did so many enemies come from?”
Shock showed on Xiao Helun’s young face. Per pre-battle intel, the prior ten thousand coalition defeated was all Geluolu strength.
Yili’s population was fixed; Geluolu couldn’t muster more troops. So what was this?
“Don’t panic, follow my orders.”
“We’ll break out.”
Xiao Helun shouted loudly, showing composure and calm beyond his years at the critical moment.
He pointed straight ahead, where the over thousand Geluolu soldiers they’d pursued were.
After the fierce battle, those Geluolu soldiers were exhausted.
Xiao Helun chose to break through there.
“Kill!”
Eastern Capital cavalry charged forward en masse.
Meanwhile, enemies on flanking hills also charged to envelop and annihilate Xiao Helun’s two thousand.
Elsewhere, Xue Gu Eluda learned Xiao Helun was surrounded.
“What?”
“Damn it!” Xue Gu Eluda’s face twisted ferociously in rage.
Eastern Capital Army had defeated Geluolu coalition frontally; next was pursuing remnants for battle results.
So Xue Gu Eluda specifically had Xiao Helun lead for this low-risk task.
To let Xiao Helun gain more merit and build prestige in the army.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Helun was surrounded.
“Royal Court.” Xue Gu Eluda’s face darkened ominously.
He knew exactly Yili Geluolu tribes’ population—no way for more forces to surround Xiao Helun’s two thousand cavalry.
So, definitely Royal Court Army arrived.
Xue Gu Eluda had no time to question how so many Royal Court troops entered Yili undetected.
Most important: rescue Xiao Helun.
“Must rescue Heir Apparent. Follow me to kill.”
……
Elsewhere, on the hill, Yelü Zhixin watched the battle below from afar, face full of smiles, laughing:
“Didn’t expect our luck to be this good.”
“Thought surrounding Xue Gu Eluda would be good enough—didn’t expect catching a bigger fat sheep.”
“Xiao Simo’s legitimate son Xiao Helun?”
“Hahaha!”
Beside Yelü Zhixin, a young man in his early twenties on war horse smirked coldly.
“Xiao Simo’s health worsens; all hopes pinned on this legitimate son.”
“Your Highness, just capture Xiao Helun, and Northern Frontier falls without a fight.”
Hearing this, Yelü Zhixin nodded smiling: “Exactly.”
“Fortunate Father Emperor pardoned you father and son back, or no such battle results?”
“If we capture Xiao Helun, you father and son take prime merit.”
“This hall will also properly care for this cousin.”
Yelü Zhixin was Yelü Zhilugu’s son. Though not Crown Prince, he was the strongest contender for the throne.
This time, he led part of Royal Court Army and Eastern Kara-Khanid Khaganate troops from Kashgar, north along Tianshan Mountains foot, successfully crossing Tianshan Mountains at Narati.
Bypassed Eastern Capital Army scouts, cooperating with Geluolu People for this encirclement.
The plan’s architect was this young man and his father beside him.
His name was Xiao Hetu, Xiao Simo’s cousin.
His father was Xiao Wulila’s concubine’s son.
After that palace coup, Xiao Family second generation’s two legitimate sons died; young Xiao Simo designated next heir.
But then too young, lacking prestige to hold vast Xiao Family.
Not just facing external jackals, internal Xiao Family members also vied for power with Xiao Simo.
Most ruthless was Xiao Hetu’s father.
Yet they father and son ultimately lost to Xiao Simo, fleeing to Khotan.
Khotan’s southern Taklamakan Desert edge, barren, under Eastern Kara-Khanid Khaganate, beyond Xiao Simo’s reach.
But secretly watched Royal Court situation, ready for comeback.
This battle was their scheme’s result.
As elder who vied with Xiao Simo for Xiao Family power, Xiao Hetu’s father held many Xiao Family hidden agents.
“Your Highness, Xiao Helun is Xiao Simo’s legitimate son; Xue Gu Eluda won’t abandon him.”
“We just firmly hold these flank passes; no matter how many come, they’ll be arrow-fodder souls for our army.” Xiao Hetu said confidently.
Under them, few Royal Court elites; most conscripted from Eastern Kara-Khanid Khaganate.
In open field battle, hard to match Eastern Capital elite cavalry.
So Xiao Hetu’s plan: seize terrain advantage, turn Eastern Capital attacks into piecemeal tactics, slowly annihilate.
“Good, do as you say.” Yelü Zhixin clapped.
“Once we eliminate these five thousand Eastern Capital troops, Northern Frontier will be gravely wounded.”
“Then Father Emperor leads Royal Court main force to sweep Seven Rivers Grassland, join us north to besiege Eastern Capital, utterly eliminate Xiao Simo.” Yelü Zhixin envisioned eagerly.
Achieving this, Royal Court would unify Northern Frontier, and he could leverage this merit to become Great Liao’s Crown Prince.
