Chapter 200: Who Is The True Lord Of The Northern Frontier?
Inside the large tent, the atmosphere was sorrowful and desolate. A pine wood coffin lay across the center, its head facing the tent entrance.
Offerings and candles were piled around, and a white cloth was hung as a curtain, arranged into a simple altar of mourning.
Shu Lü Wujin, dressed in white mourning clothes, knelt before the coffin. White hemp ropes were tied around her hair, and her once jet-black eyes had already turned bloodshot, tears flowing incessantly, soaking her chest.
She held paper money in her hand, slowly feeding it into the fire basin.
In the glow of the fire, her cheeks flushed alternately red and white, her haggardness adding a touch of cold beauty.
Li Xiao stood outside the tent, also wearing a plain white robe with light mourning, his gaze fixed on Shu Lü Wujin’s back as he let out a soft sigh.
Fate played tricks on people. The Princess Consort, only in her early twenties, had already become a widow. It was truly pitiful.
“The Great King’s coffin is here. There are no external wounds, nor any signs of poisoning. He truly died of a serious illness. However, the Great King’s death cannot be unrelated to Xiao Daru and Ali Da.”
Li Xiao said in a cold voice.
Behind him stood the Great Desert Governor Gu Zizhong and Deputy Governor Xiao Chilü.
Both were also dressed in plain clothes, their expressions currently filled with sorrow, their eyes red and tears flowing.
“Great King~”
“We arrived too late, sob… We didn’t even get to see you one last time.”
Gu Zizhong cried and wailed, his acting skills top-notch.
In contrast, Xiao Chilü’s grief seemed more genuine, his eyes red as he sobbed quietly.
These two had just joined forces with Li Xiao, leading three thousand Great Desert Cavalry, when they received shocking news.
Xiao Simo had passed away.
So they hurried to offer condolences.
“Governor Li, we must avenge the Great King,” Xiao Chilü said sorrowfully.
“Yes, Ali Da, having received the Great King’s grace and being bestowed the title of North Sea Governor, has failed to repay his kindness and instead harmed the Great King. He deserves the punishment of extermination and skinning,” Gu Zizhong declared loudly.
Li Xiao nodded silently, “We will naturally avenge the Great King’s death.”
“Not just Ali Da, but the Royal Court as well, must pay the price for the Great King’s death,” Li Xiao said with a firm voice, his back to the two men, as he looked at Xiao Simo’s coffin.
Since learning of Xiao Simo’s death, Li Xiao had ordered the Jin Prefecture Army to halt and camp east of the Saur Mountains.
Firstly, to await the convergence of the Great Desert Army’s Li Dashan unit and Gu Zizhong’s unit.
Secondly, to wait for the Divine Machine Camp’s artillery following behind, as this battle was no longer a simple field engagement but required breaking through Eastern Capital City.
Finally, to prepare a simple funeral ceremony for Xiao Simo.
However, during the army’s march, besides provisions, there were not many other supplies carried.
The limited white cloth was only enough for important figures to wear mourning clothes. As for the Wuwei Army soldiers guarding the altar of mourning, they could only wrap a circle of white cloth strips around their chests as a mark of respect.
Everything in the military camp was kept simple for now. After capturing Eastern Capital, Li Xiao would naturally arrange a proper funeral for Xiao Simo.
After all, he was the King of the Northern Frontier, the Great King of the Sixth Courtyard Department who commanded prestige in Western Liao. He had lived a glorious life, and his death should also be honored.
Following that, Shu Lü Wujin, who was in front of the coffin, gently turned around and looked at Li Xiao.
Tears mingled with ash clung to her exquisitely beautiful face, but her peerless charm was undiminished.
It only added a touch of melancholic and cold beauty. If one wanted to perfectly embody the saying “dressed in mourning clothes to appear beautiful,” Shu Lü Wujin was the one.
She then clasped her hands, placed them to her right side, bowed slightly, and performed a Tang Dynasty-style greeting of thanks to Li Xiao and the others.
In a sorrowful and trembling voice, she said, “I am merely a woman and do not understand military and state affairs.”
“I only implore Governor Li and Governor Gu not to let the Great King’s death be in vain.”
Hearing this, Gu Zizhong quickly replied, “Princess Consort, rest assured. We have received the Great King’s favor and are by no means ungrateful.”
After the sacrificial rites, Li Xiao led the two men away from the altar of mourning.
Standing outside, Gu Zizhong looked at Li Xiao and said in a deep voice, “I come from a civil official background, and killing enemies on the battlefield is not my forte.”
“Regarding the Great King’s affairs, I hope Governor Li will take great care. I am willing to follow and obey your commands.”
Xiao Chilü also placed his hand on his chest and looked at Li Xiao, saying in a deep voice, “I too.”
“I am willing to obey the Great Governor’s command.”
Xiao Chilü was a simple soldier, but Gu Zizhong was a shrewd man.
Although he was also a governor like Li Xiao, he understood that he was incomparable to Li Xiao.
Purely judging by military strength.
After consolidating with Li Dashan’s Great Desert garrison soldiers, Li Xiao’s Jin Prefecture Army reached nearly forty thousand troops, all of whom were cavalry.
Stationed on the grassland, they were vast and boundless. Not to mention the entire Northern Frontier, even the entire Great Liao would find it extremely rare to find an opponent.
On the other hand, in the Great Desert, Gu Zizhong had emptied his coffers to gather only three thousand troops, less than a tenth of the Jin Prefecture Army.
In the face of absolute strength, Gu Zizhong had no intention of contending with Li Xiao.
Moreover, with Xiao Simo’s passing and the Northern Frontier leaderless, Li Xiao, as the husband of the Princess of Chu, coupled with his formidable Jin Prefecture Iron Cavalry, was not without a chance to ascend to that position.
Therefore, Gu Zizhong’s surrender could be considered an early investment.
Hearing their words, Li Xiao was not surprised at all. After all, when the Uyghur people revolted, it was he who helped to pacify the Great Desert.
Not only was Deputy Governor Xiao Chilü convinced by him, but he also had considerable prestige among the people of the Great Desert.
Therefore, even if Gu Zizhong had other intentions, he had no other choice.
“There is no need for you two to be so formal.”
“Everything is for the sake of avenging the Great King.”
“Since you two trust me, Li Xiao, I will not let you down either.”
“We will definitely recapture Eastern Capital and personally cut off Ali Da’s head,” Li Xiao said with determination.
Subsequently, he convened a supreme military conference for the Jin Prefecture Army, in which Gu Zizhong and Xiao Chilü also participated.
They discussed the upcoming battle plan, as their enemies were not only the Northern Sea Army but also the twenty thousand Royal Court troops led by Yelü Zhixin.
Moreover, the Seven Rivers Grassland was still being ravaged by the main Royal Court forces. If Jiu Meng’an He could not hold on, the main Royal Court forces would reach the gates of Eastern Capital City before long.
“Eliminate these twenty thousand Royal Court troops from Yili and capture Yelü Zhixin.”
Li Xiao said sternly, looking at all the generals.
He then heavily slapped the tabletop, his palm landing directly on the location of Eastern Capital on the map.
…
Fifty li south of Eastern Capital City, green alfalfa rippled like waves in the wind. The Royal Court Army was stationed here.
The tents of the twenty thousand strong army covered the land like a dark cloud, stretching for several li.
In front of the main army tent, the large banner on the flagpole fluttered fiercely in the summer wind.
The charcoal fire outside the tent burned vigorously, roasting delicious lambs.
The commander, Yelü Zhixin, took a silver bowl from his attendant, which contained several pieces of sliced mutton. He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.
He looked at Xiao Hetu opposite him and said calmly, “Attendant Official Xiao, the Royal Court’s scouts have reported to Your Highness that the Northern Sea Army has taken control of Eastern Capital.”
“According to our agreement, your father should have surrendered the city to Your Highness.”
Hearing his somewhat threatening tone, Xiao Hetu showed no panic and instead smiled faintly, “Your Highness, rest assured.”
“It was His Majesty who gave my father and me a chance for revenge. Otherwise, my father and I would still be eating sand in the desolate land of Khotan.”
“My father and I are by no means ungrateful.”
“Since we promised to help Your Highness take Eastern Capital, we will definitely do so.”
“It’s just that…”
Speaking of which, Xiao Hetu shook his head helplessly.
“Although the Northern Sea Army has control of Eastern Capital, the army is all made up of Xiao Simo’s men.”
“My father can only influence the Northern Sea Army by using Xiao Simo’s name.”
“If the Northern Sea Army surrenders Eastern Capital, the generals in the army will understand everything. At that time, not only will our plan fail, but my father’s life will also be in danger.”
“Therefore, Your Highness, we cannot rush things regarding Eastern Capital.”
Hearing this, Yelü Zhixin’s expression remained displeased.
“Then when will it be?”
Currently, Eastern Capital had a total of eight thousand men from the Northern Sea Army and the Eastern Capital Army, all of whom were brave and skilled Northern Frontier Iron Cavalry.
In contrast, the Royal Court’s side, although numbering over twenty thousand.
Their combat strength was inferior to that of the Eastern Capital Army.
The soldiers of the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate who believed in Allah were difficult opponents for these desperate fighters of the Northern Frontier in single combat.
Therefore, Yelü Zhixin hoped to take Eastern Capital without bloodshed.
This would showcase his strategy and martial prowess, allowing Yelü Zhilugu and the Royal Court’s high officials to see his capabilities, clearing the path for him to inherit the throne.
Seeing Yelü Zhixin’s urgency, Xiao Hetu smiled faintly, “Your Highness, rest assured, it won’t be too long.”
“My father is preparing to take down those who do not obey within the Northern Sea Army. Then, we can directly open the city gates and welcome the Royal Army in.”
“However, if Your Highness truly cannot wait, we can also implement other plans.”
“As long as the Royal Army sets up an ambush, and my father leads the Northern Sea Army to deliberately enter, allowing Your Highness to help eliminate the dissenters within the Northern Sea Army.”
“At that time, the entire Eastern Capital will be ours.”
“The great merit of pacifying the Northern Frontier will be easily obtainable for Your Highness. Then, the position of Crown Prince of Great Liao will be yours without a doubt?”
Hearing Xiao Hetu’s words, Yelü Zhixin’s expression did not change, and his eyes lit up.
The Crown Prince of Great Liao!
He dreamed of taking that position, but unfortunately, Yelü Zhilugu had too many sons. Although he had an advantage, he did not have an absolute one.
But as Xiao Hetu said, as long as he could take Eastern Capital, the position of Crown Prince would be a certainty for him.
“Good, you father and son are truly loyal to my Great Liao. I need talented people like you.”
“Attendant Official Xiao, rest assured, when I become Crown Prince, I will not forget your merits.”
“Hahaha~”
Hearing this, Xiao Hetu smiled faintly and bowed, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
However, in his heart, he regarded Yelü Zhixin as a fool. If such a person could become Crown Prince, then Great Liao’s fate was nearing its end.
Yelü Zhixin wanted to take Eastern Capital?
The Xiao father and son also wanted to take Yelü Zhixin and these twenty thousand Royal Court troops.
Although it was presented as an ambush set by the Royal Court Army for the Northern Sea Army, it was actually a trap for the Royal Court Army.
First, eliminate Xiao Simo’s men within the Northern Sea Army, then lure Li Xiao into Eastern Capital and capture him, thereby controlling the Jin Prefecture Army.
Subsequently, set up a trap and annihilate Yelü Zhixin’s Royal Court troops.
Finally, with the main forces of the Northern Frontier, including the Northern Sea Army and Jin Prefecture Army, advance west to Seven Rivers, using Yelü Zhixin as a bargaining chip to negotiate with the Royal Court.
If necessary, they could completely abandon the Seven Rivers Grassland in exchange for the Royal Court’s withdrawal.
In this way, the Xiao father and son could use the Four Prefectures of Northern Frontier as their foundation and revive the glory of Xiao Simo’s era.
The Xiao family would eventually return to the hands of their four branches.
However, on the evening of the third day, two scouts suddenly returned to the main camp in a hurry.
They appeared panicked and disheveled, and an arrow was even stuck in one of their shoulders.
They rushed to the camp gate and shouted loudly to the guards, “I am the squad leader of the third scout team, Wuliquesang. Open the gate quickly, I have important military intelligence to report to Your Highness.”
After their identities were verified, the gate opened, and the two scouts rushed into the camp as if pursued by ghosts.
In the main army tent, Yelü Zhixin was slightly stunned when he saw the two scouts.
“What exactly happened? Where are the others?”
Under normal circumstances, each scout team consisted of eight to ten people, yet only these two had returned.
From the marks on their bodies, it was clear they had been in a fight.
“Your Highness, we encountered a terrifying cavalry unit about thirty li east of the camp.”
“They were all wearing yellow armor, completely impervious to blades and spears.”
“Our arrows bounced off them, and our spears, when thrust into their chests, only knocked them off their horses. They then stood up again and continued to fight us.”
“We had a similar number of men, but in the end, we were routed and only the two of us escaped.”
Looking at the miserable state of the two scouts, Yelü Zhixin was also horrified.
With equal numbers, they were routed?
He hastily asked, “Were those cavalry wearing iron armor?”
“No, no, no, it didn’t look like iron armor,” the scout leader shook his head.
“If it were iron armor, they wouldn’t be able to get up quickly after being knocked off their horses. But they flipped up immediately and effortlessly.”
Hearing this, Yelü Zhixin was even more shocked.
The defense was not inferior to iron armor, but the weight was much lighter than iron armor.
What kind of monsters were these?
“Jin Prefecture Army!”
After hearing these descriptions, Xiao Hetu, who was beside him, uttered these three words in a heavy voice.
“Jin Prefecture Army?” Yelü Zhixin exclaimed in surprise.
“That’s right, it’s the Jin Prefecture Army,” Xiao Hetu nodded heavily.
“During the last rebellion in the Northern Frontier, a terrifying cavalry unit wearing white armor appeared in the Jin Prefecture Army.”
“The armor worn by those cavalry was similar to what the scouts encountered, only the color was different.”
“Therefore, I conclude that it must be the scouts of the Jin Prefecture Army.”
Xiao Hetu said with a serious expression, “The Jin Prefecture Army has arrived at the Eastern Capital grasslands and is probing our army’s weaknesses.”
“Please Your Highness send more cavalry patrols, twelve hours a day, to guard around our camp. Never let the Jin Prefecture scouts approach the camp.”
Saying that, he remembered something else and turned to the scout leader, “Everyone else died?”
The scout leader looked uneasy and said uncertainly, “Perhaps, no~”
He was only focused on escaping at the time. Although he saw other scouts dismounted, he didn’t really know if they were dead or not.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hetu shook his head heavily, “They have likely fallen into the hands of the Jin Prefecture Army. Our troop deployment is no longer a secret.”
“Then what do we do?” Yelü Zhixin’s face also showed a hint of urgency.
He had long heard of the fame of the Jin Prefecture Army.
This army could be considered Xiao Simo’s most skilled and battle-hardened unit.
During the Northern Frontier rebellion, it was the Left Route Army, primarily composed of the Jin Prefecture Army, that broke through Kuyun-Ordu, causing the Royal Court to lose all face.
Moreover, over twenty thousand Royal Court troops suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Jin Prefecture Army.
Not long ago, the Jin Prefecture Army once again forcefully broke through the Kingdom of Qocho, killing its king, completely stripping the Royal Court of its control over Qocho.
Their combat strength was far superior to the Gaochang Army, truly the absolute elite of the Northern Frontier.
The combat strength of the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate army was almost on par with that of the Gaochang Kingdom’s army.
Considering this comparison, Yelü Zhixin also felt some frustration and worry.
He frowned and said, “Why don’t we temporarily avoid their sharp edge and retreat from this place for now?”
And then, wait for the Royal Court’s main army to arrive before engaging the Jin Prefecture Army in a decisive battle?
But if they did that, it would conflict with the plans of the Xiao father and son.
The Royal Court’s army had numerous troops; if they arrived, would the Eastern Capital still be called Xiao?
So, Xiao Hetu gently shook his head and said in a firm voice, “Your Highness, you must not.”
“In a confrontation between two armies, the most important thing is morale.”
“If our army were to retreat now, the soldiers in the army would only think that our army has been routed.”
“If the Jin Prefecture Army pursues us, without even a decisive battle, our army will be utterly defeated, and the soldiers will scatter.”
“Retreating in the face of the enemy is absolutely unacceptable.”
Hearing this, Yelü Zhixin understood; he had been foolish.
Although Xiao Hetu was extremely wary of the Jin Prefecture Army, he remained outwardly calm and composed, saying in a deep voice, “Your Highness need not worry excessively.”
“Although the Jin Prefecture Army is formidable, our Royal Army is not to be trifled with either.”
“Moreover, my father is in the Eastern Capital to provide support.”
“We only need to, under Xiao Simo’s name, lure the Jin Prefecture Army into our pre-arranged ambush.”
“No matter how sturdy their armor is, it won’t withstand our volley of a thousand arrows.”
Hearing this, Yelü Zhixin felt a slight sense of relief, realizing how useful Xiao Pula Yelu was for staying in the Eastern Capital.
“Good, that’s excellent, let’s do that.”
“We will eliminate the Jin Prefecture Army first.”
Xiao Hetu nodded slightly, letting the Royal Court Army and the Jin Prefecture Army fight it out.
It would be best if they both suffered heavy losses, allowing his father and son to reap the benefits.
Over the next few days, more and more Jin Prefecture Army scouts appeared around the encampment.
They engaged with the Royal Court’s scouts, but the Royal Court forces were often outmatched and could only drive away the Jin Prefecture scouts by virtue of their numbers.
However, through interrogation of captured prisoners, the Jin Prefecture Army had long since learned all the details of the Royal Court’s situation.
Subsequently, over forty thousand Jin Prefecture troops advanced towards the Royal Court.
“Ahead is the Burta River. The Royal Court army is ten li on the other side of the river, with approximately twenty-five thousand troops.”
Tie Tou, mounted on his horse, stood on a high slope and spoke to Li Xiao in front of him.
The Burta River was just a small river, no more than two to three meters wide, a tributary of the Yemili River, the largest river in the Eastern Capital, which has since dried up.
The Royal Court army’s encampment was located there.
Li Xiao held his telescope, surveying the surrounding mountains, rivers, and terrain, finally confirming the attack route in his mind.
Then, he slowly closed the brass tube and said in a low voice, “Order the First Division and the Great Desert Army to form the main body of the Central Army and attack the Royal Court army head-on, to break their bones.”
“The troops of the Second and Third Divisions will flank their left and right wings, ensuring the complete annihilation of this Royal Court army.”
“Understood.”
Tie Tou nodded heavily and then dispatched a messenger.
Shortly after, a low horn sound echoed across the land.
The horizon suddenly split with a bright yellow seam; the First Division’s cavalry advanced like a sandstorm sweeping over dunes, their armor gleaming, their horses neighing, steadily pressing forward.
The Second and Third Divisions’ iron cavalry moved simultaneously, bringing with them the slaves of the Kuli Army led by their respective chiliarchs, flanking the Royal Court’s left and right wings.
The Jin Prefecture’s iron cavalry surged forward like a giant beast awakening, galloping across the grasslands of the Eastern Capital, the land groaning under the hooves, trembling as if an earthquake had struck.
On the other side, the Royal Court army had already discovered the movements of the Jin Prefecture Army, and Yelü Zhixin hastily ordered the army to assemble and meet the enemy.
He too stood on a high slope, but his mood was the complete opposite of Li Xiao’s.
“Damn it, this is the ‘mere’ Jin Prefecture Army you spoke of?”
“They have more troops than we do!” Yelü Zhixin roared in anger.
Due to a lack of prior intelligence on the Jin Prefecture Army, their impression of them was still based on the previous Western Expedition.
They subconsciously assumed the Jin Prefecture Army only numbered a few thousand.
After all, Jin Prefecture was merely a border prefecture in the Northern Frontier with a limited population; mustering ten thousand troops would already be difficult.
But what was Yelü Zhixin seeing now?
The Jin Prefecture Army was advancing like an overwhelming tide, as if the entire grassland was their domain.
Mountains seemed to be trampled down, rivers could be drunk dry, and between heaven and earth, only the roars of the Jin Prefecture Army’s warhorses remained.
Although the approaching Jin Prefecture Army’s speed was not fast, the powerful aura they exuded struck fear into the hearts of every soldier in the Royal Court army.
“The Jin Prefecture Army is definitely more than ten thousand, at least thirty thousand,” Xiao Hetu said in a heavy voice.
His fists were clenched, and his face was as dark as the depths of the sea.
The Jin Prefecture Army’s strength far exceeded their expectations.
How could they fight this battle?
Moreover, the most terrifying thing was that such a powerful Jin Prefecture Army would undoubtedly affect the Xiao father and son’s control over the Northern Frontier.
“Damn Xiao Simo, how could you allow the Jin Prefecture Army to raise so many troops?”
“Who is the true ruler of the Northern Frontier?”
Xiao Hetu cursed Xiao Simo in his heart, allowing the Jin Prefecture Army to expand to such an extent was creating a great problem for his father and son.
“It seems Li Xiao must be eliminated,” Xiao Hetu thought resentfully.
However, how to eliminate Li Xiao was a matter for the future; the immediate priority was to figure out how to overcome this difficult situation.
“Xiao Hetu, where is your father? Where is the Northern Sea Army? Where are they?”
“Didn’t you say you would lure and kill the Jin Prefecture Army together with the Northern Sea Army?”
Faced with Yelü Zhixin’s questioning, Xiao Hetu gave a helpless wry smile, “This, I don’t know either!”
“Perhaps Li Xiao didn’t receive my father’s message!”
Xiao Hetu’s tone was somewhat evasive, while Yelü Zhixin’s eyes widened in anger.
He seemed to feel that he had been tricked by this father and son pair!
But before he could unleash his fury, a piercing whistle suddenly sounded in the sky.
Immediately after, with a loud ‘boom,’ the earth began to tremble.
