Chapter 202: Great Governor, It’s Cold, Put On Some More Clothes
“Captured Prince Yelü Zhixin?”
Li Xiao wore dark golden cotton armor with black trim, reining in his horse under the Sun and Moon Battle Flag, surrounded by hundreds of Imperial Guards protecting him.
At this point, the war was basically over. Under the fierce assault of the Divine Machine Camp and the Black Armored Army, the Royal Court Army was in complete chaos.
Then, the Three Town Cavalry split into three routes to surround and attack, shattering the last of the Royal Court soldiers’ morale.
Generals and soldiers raced to flee, with the Three Town Cavalry pursuing and killing them afterward. Blood flowed like rivers across the grassland.
The Royal Court Army had completely collapsed.
Right now, the Jin Prefecture Army was tense but orderly in reaping the battle results. The shouts of killing and screams had not yet stopped, but Wei Xuan was the first to come to Li Xiao to report victory.
He was wearing bloodstained bright yellow cotton armor, his face full of joy, thrilled at capturing Yelü Zhixin. He chuckled and said, “It was also this general’s good luck.”
“That guy was injured by the Divine Might Cannon of the Divine Machine Camp and was captured alive by this general before he could escape.”
“How serious are his injuries?” Li Xiao asked.
“Not fatal.”
“That’s good.” Li Xiao nodded lightly. A living Yelü Zhixin was worth a bit more than a dead one, but not by much.
After all, Yelü Zhilugu had many sons; losing one or two didn’t matter.
Though he couldn’t use Yelü Zhixin to threaten the Royal Court, the intelligence in his belly was still useful to the Jin Prefecture Army.
Moreover, this Yelü Zhixin was no nobody; there was a brief mention of him in unofficial historical records.
After the fall of Western Liao, he was supported by some Khitan nobles and proclaimed himself emperor in South Asia, reestablishing the Liao State, but he was soon destroyed by the newly risen Delhi Sultanate.
Whether in ability or luck, he was a bit inferior to the Naiman Prince Qutoutie.
“Capturing the Royal Court Army’s commander counts as great merit for you.”
“In a while, when the army expands, I’ll promote you to Chiliarch.” Li Xiao promised Wei Xuan.
Yelü Zhixin’s capture also meant the Jin Prefecture Army had won a complete victory in this battle, severing the Royal Court’s tentacles reaching toward the Eastern Capital.
Hearing this, Wei Xuan was overjoyed and saluted with hand to chest, saying, “Thank you, Great Governor.”
With his merit and seniority, becoming a Chiliarch was more than enough, not to mention the boost from a pretty girl.
Just as Wei Xuan excitedly led men to continue cleaning the battlefield, Third Town Commander Li Dashan quickly rode over: “Great Governor.”
He too wore white cotton armor, but Li Dashan’s armor was much cleaner, without a trace of blood.
At his position, he rarely went into battle personally to kill enemies anymore; most of the time he commanded from the rear.
Coming before Li Xiao, Li Dashan saluted with hand to chest and said, “That kid Yang Shouzheng caught a big fish.”
“After interrogation, this man is from the Xiao Family, named Xiao Hetu, A Man’s cousin.”
“How to dispose of him, please decide, Great Governor.”
Yang Shouzheng?
Li Xiao immediately recalled who this was in his mind: son of a Western Xia criminal general, a capable young general.
Having earned military merit, he was definitely in line for promotion; a Deputy Centurion was guaranteed, and even Centurion wasn’t impossible.
But hearing the name Xiao Hetu, Li Xiao vaguely had some impression.
Xiao Yanyan had told him some things about the Xiao Family in the past, including how Xiao Hetu and his son had bullied Xiao Yanyan and her brother when they were young.
“Him?” Li Xiao’s eyes narrowed slightly, his tone turning unpleasant.
This father and son had bullied Xiao Yanyan and her brother when they were young; now fallen into Li Xiao’s hands, he naturally had to vent for his wife.
In a cold voice, he said, “How could someone from the Xiao Family be in the Royal Court Army? He must be a spy without doubt.”
“Someone, call Zhang Shitou.”
Soon, a young general in yellow cotton armor walked over: “This Imperial Guard Centurion Zhang Shitou pays respects to the Great Governor.”
“Third Town captured several enemy generals; you’re in charge of taking men to interrogate them.”
“Don’t care about their status. Use severe torture on these people and dig everything out of their bellies.” Li Xiao said in a deep voice.
Because it was wartime, the Imperial Guard’s role as a white terror organization wasn’t very prominent, so Li Xiao had been using them as a Discipline Team.
But each has their specialty; when the Imperial Guard was established, it gathered talents in tracking, detection, and counter-intelligence.
For something like interrogating Xiao Hetu, the Imperial Guard was most suitable.
“And that Yelü Zhixin too, as long as he doesn’t die, interrogate him as well.”
“I want to know the whereabouts of Heir Apparent Xiao Helun.” Li Xiao said.
Now, with Xiao Simo passed away, a power vacuum had emerged in the Eastern Capital. Normally, Heir Apparent Xiao Helun should succeed.
With Shu Lü Wujin or Xiao Yanyan acting as Regent.
But unfortunately, Xiao Helun had long gone missing, and Li Xiao suspected he might have fallen into the Royal Court Army’s hands.
After giving the orders, whether they found Xiao Helun or not, it would be an accounting to Shu Lü Wujin.
“Understood.”
Zhang Shitou nodded emphatically.
He grew up with Li Xiao from childhood, had a relatively refined appearance, didn’t talk much, and gave the impression of a pushover.
But Li Xiao knew this guy was a bit scheming; if he couldn’t beat someone, he liked to undermine them through other means.
Such a person was most suited for dirty work.
Zhang Shitou and Li Dashan left together, while Li Xiao led the Imperial Guards to continue patrolling the battlefield.
The battle was basically over; aside from some soldiers still pursuing deserters, others had begun clearing the battlefield.
In the past, large-scale battles of tens of thousands could last days or even dozens of days normally.
But the appearance of cannons had changed the mode of warfare.
Forty thousand Jin Prefecture troops attacked over twenty thousand Royal Court troops, ending the battle in less than an hour.
Whether Jin people or Mongol People, those who couldn’t adapt to this new era’s war speed would be quickly eliminated by the Jin Prefecture Army.
On the other side, Naiman slave Boluoba had also finished his fighting.
Originally, aside from an old horse and a broken spearhead, the most valuable thing on him was a dagger given by his brother, used for cutting off enemy ears.
But after this war, Boluoba had completely upgraded his gear.
Riding a tall warhorse, holding a spear, two sabers at his waist, a mace behind his back, and a bow and quiver of arrows on the horse.
All of these were seized from the Royal Court Army.
The Jin Prefecture Army’s spoils distribution was evolved from the Tang army’s “three horses divide the spoils.”
Soldiers had to hand over two-thirds of seized spoils, keeping only one-third.
Even so, Boluoba returned fully loaded, showing how rich his gains were in this battle.
But most importantly, the dozen ears in his bag.
“This is your haul? Twelve left ears? Pretty impressive.”
Li Xiao untied the sheep bladder bag, glanced inside, and said in surprise.
Li Xiao knew well the importance of grassroots soldiers, so he was never the kind of aloof stamp-pusher.
Whenever he had time, he would inspect the ranks.
Especially after wars and during spoils distribution, Li Xiao personally supervised.
Though the newly formed Jin Prefecture Army had no corruption yet, Li Xiao had to guard against it.
Personally supervising and standing up for soldiers effectively boosted morale.
This time, he happened to see blood-soaked Boluoba and called him over to ask.
Though Boluoba didn’t recognize Li Xiao, seeing the surrounding Imperial Guards in yellow-based red-trimmed cotton armor, he vaguely guessed Li Xiao’s identity.
Though he appeared honest on the surface, he wasn’t without wits. Standing somewhat constrained before Li Xiao, he stammered, “Those Royal Court Army guys were too weak; they ran before we even fought much.”
“This lowly one chased a long time to kill these.”
“If the Centurion hadn’t called to stop, I could’ve killed more.”
Saying this, Boluoba showed a aggrieved expression; killing fewer meant less rewards.
Besides keeping one-third of spoils, the Jin Prefecture Army’s reward system gave hefty rewards for each head.
Killing one less enemy meant losing three sheep.
“Heh heh heh, there’ll be plenty of enemies for you to kill later.”
“As long as you fight hard and kill well, you’ll have a good life in Jin Prefecture.” Li Xiao chuckled and promised.
He liked such warriors the most.
So what if Naiman People?
They were still part of the Chinese nation; as long as loyal to him and to Jin Prefecture, Li Xiao treated them all equally.
“What’s your name?” Li Xiao asked in Turkic.
After all, most of these Naiman slaves hadn’t learned Chinese yet.
“I’m Boluoba, but the Squad Leader gave me a Han name, Zhang Ergou.” Boluoba said with a grin.
“Boluoba? That’s not a good name. Better to go by Zhang Ergou from now on.”
“Sounds mighty and domineering.”
Li Xiao shook his head lightly and returned the bladder bag to him.
Boluoba meant worm or maggot in Turkic, a name usually for lowly people or slaves.
Zhang Ergou wasn’t elegant either, but had no discriminatory meaning; common among Jin Prefecture’s lowly common people.
Then, Li Xiao asked Boluoba about other things, like if anyone hid his spoils, concealed his military merit, abused power for personal gain, corruption, bribery, etc.
Though Boluoba was a Naiman slave, virtually without human rights.
Li Xiao would never allow these war slaves to be bullied without limits.
Especially military merit, which concerned the Kuli Army’s promotion path, their only hope.
If merits earned at the cost of life were deducted by superior generals, how desperate would they be?
Without hope, they wouldn’t fight hard on the battlefield anymore, and in desperation might even collectively rebel for a new path.
In Li Xiao’s view, military merit promotion was like the eight-legged essay system for scholars.
Incorporate the capable among these slaves for his use; the rest couldn’t make trouble even if they wanted.
Moreover, Li Xiao truly had high hopes for these twenty thousand slaves.
The old, disabled, or unfit for battle had long been sold to Three Town common people for herding and farming.
The remaining twenty thousand were all young and strong.
He still hoped these twenty thousand would gradually assimilate into a sharp blade in his hands.
So, Li Xiao absolutely wouldn’t allow corruption to disrupt his plans.
Most importantly, once corruption targeting the Kuli Army appeared in the army, it would soon affect ordinary garrison soldiers.
So, if such signs emerged, Li Xiao wouldn’t tolerate it; he must use thunderous means to deter morale and stamp out unhealthy trends.
But fortunately, from questioning Boluoba and other Naiman war slaves, Li Xiao was relieved that no corruption had appeared in the Jin Prefecture Army; everything was normal.
Mainly because the Jin Prefecture Army was in a period of rapid expansion.
Every war, even ordinary soldiers could plunder plenty of spoils, let alone the generals.
They could openly plunder enemy wealth through war, no need to risk exploiting soldiers’ pay.
Of course, another reason: wartime soldiers, if pushed too far, would really dare kill superiors and rebel.
……
The battlefield between the Jin Prefecture Army and Royal Court Army was less than a hundred li from the Eastern Capital City.
So, shortly after the war broke out, the Eastern Capital City received the news.
“Jin Prefecture Army and Royal Court Army are fighting?”
In the Bayi Inn, Xiao Pula Yelu sat cross-legged on a wool blanket, excitedly looking at a general opposite him.
This man was named Han Jialu, meaning ‘wolf’s slave’ in Khitan language.
He had always followed Xiao Pula Yelu and his son in exile to Southern Xinjiang, loyal and brave in combat.
Xiao Pula Yelu was planning to use him to replace Xiao Simo’s men as a Chiliarch in the Northern Sea Army.
Unexpectedly, Han Jialu brought news of the great battle between Jin Prefecture Army and Royal Court Army.
“Indeed they are fighting; our scouts saw it clearly, right by the Nerta River to the south.” Han Jialu said gravely.
“Good!”
“Hahaha~”
Xiao Pula Yelu laughed: “Jin Prefecture Army is the Northern Frontier elite; this old man was wary at first, planning to take Li Xiao first then subdue the Jin Prefecture Army.”
“Didn’t expect them to fight the Royal Court’s army.”
“We can sit back and watch the tigers fight; no matter who wins or loses, the final winner will be us.”
Saying this, Xiao Pula Yelu picked up a copper cup and sipped some Southern Xinjiang milk tea.
But Han Jialu’s next words made his brows furrow slightly.
“Only, the Jin Prefecture Army’s scale is really large, at least twenty to thirty thousand.”
“Hm?”
Xiao Pula Yelu raised his eyes, looking surprised: “Twenty to thirty thousand?”
“Jin Prefecture is just a prefecture under Northern Frontier rule, population only forty to fifty thousand; how could they muster twenty to thirty thousand troops?”
Their knowledge of the Jin Prefecture Army was still from the Gaochang campaign.
At that time, the Jin Prefecture Army was only ten thousand, and many thought that was all of Jin Prefecture and Great Desert’s forces combined.
So, Xiao Pula Yelu and others thought the Jin Prefecture Army was strong in combat but not numerous.
But this sudden emergence of twenty to thirty thousand troops really startled Xiao Pula Yelu.
“This is bad.”
He no longer cared about the milk tea, stood up, and paced the room with a grave expression.
“Though Jin Prefecture Army has many troops, not all are elite; compared to Royal Court Army, they’re probably not much stronger.”
Xiao Pula Yelu comforted himself: “Fight on, let them fight hard.”
“Best if both sides are badly wounded, letting this old man reap the benefits.”
Then, Xiao Pula Yelu sent men to notify Ali Da to assemble the army immediately, preparing to pick the peaches.
He also sent men to contact Xiao Hetu, telling him to find a chance to withdraw.
But just an hour later, Han Jialu hurried back, his face now showing urgency.
As soon as he entered the room, he said impatiently, “Lord, big trouble.”
“Royal Court Army lost.”
Hearing this, Xiao Pula Yelu shot to his feet, staring in shock, incredulously saying, “What?”
“Royal Court Army lost?”
“How could they lose?”
“Yelü Zhixin had over three thousand Royal Court elites under him, over ten thousand Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate troops, even several thousand Geluolu Cavalry.”
“Even twenty thousand sheep, Jin Prefecture Army couldn’t kill them all in such short time.”
“Is Yelü Zhixin dumber than sheep?”
“And my son? Where is he?” Xiao Pula Yelu asked urgently.
Though Xiao Hetu wasn’t his only son, he was the most accomplished, whom he hoped would inherit his foundation.
Han Jialu’s face darkened, bitterly saying, “This subordinate doesn’t dare believe the result either, but our scouts personally saw Jin Prefecture cavalry pursuing and killing Royal Court soldiers.”
“Those Royal Court soldiers ran and scurried like rabbits in the mountains; many were killed, many directly knelt and surrendered to Jin Prefecture Army.”
“As for the Young Master, we have no news yet, but the brothers around him are battle-hardened and will surely protect the Young Master.”
Hearing this, Xiao Pula Yelu nodded slightly, having to console himself thus.
After all, no use worrying; could only hope Xiao Hetu was clever and slipped away in the chaos.
“Right, Lord, scouts also said they heard thunder.” Han Jialu suddenly said.
Xiao Pula Yelu instinctively looked up at the sky outside the door; clear skies, where was the thunder?
“Some guessed Jin Prefecture Army must have invited a Taoist Priest to perform a ritual, Thunder God manifested, sending down lightning that scattered the Royal Court Army~” Han Jialu’s voice trailed off.
Hearing such talk, Xiao Pula Yelu found it absurd.
As a man in power, he knew deities were just tools to fool the common people; where were real gods in the world?
“Something we don’t know must have happened for Royal Court Army to lose so fast.” Xiao Pula Yelu said affirmatively.
But since Royal Court Army was defeated, his plan to reap benefits was no longer feasible.
The current greatest enemy had become the Jin Prefecture Army.
“Now it seems Li Xiao truly is this old man’s major threat.” Xiao Pula Yelu said in a low voice, face grave.
Jin Prefecture Army had numerous troops and strong combat power; though after a bloody battle, not something Northern Sea Army could rashly oppose.
But if left alone, Jin Prefecture Army would surely turn to deal with Eastern Capital next.
With Jin Prefecture Army’s strength and Li Xiao’s status, controlling Eastern Capital wouldn’t be hard.
But Xiao Pula Yelu and son had prepared for years to scheme for Northern Frontier, success in sight; how could they tolerate Li Xiao picking the peaches?
“Send someone again to message Li Xiao, say we’ve found Xiao Simo and brought him back to the Royal Mansion to recuperate.”
“Order Li Xiao to come to the Royal Mansion to pay respects.”
“Right, this time have Nie Jida go personally; with his identity as Deputy Commander of the Royal Mansion Guards, it’s more credible.”
Xiao Pula Yelu said gravely.
Before, he had sent two ordinary Royal Mansion Guards to contact Li Xiao for military discussions in Eastern Capital.
But unexpectedly, the two guards never returned, seemingly detained by Li Xiao.
Xiao Pula Yelu guessed Li Xiao had learned of Xiao Simo’s disappearance.
So, he completely ignored Eastern Capital’s orders.
After all, with Ali Da’s status, it would be more like him to visit Li Xiao.
This time, Xiao Pula Yelu planned to use Xiao Simo as bait to lure Li Xiao to Eastern Capital, capture him, and thereby control Jin Prefecture Army.
“What if Xiao Simo is with Jin Prefecture Army?”
“We’ve searched so many days without news of Xiao Simo; could he have joined Jin Prefecture Army?” Han Jialu said softly.
“No.” Xiao Pula Yelu shook his head.
“If Xiao Simo went to Jin Prefecture Army, they would’ve attacked Eastern Capital long ago for revenge.”
“Why avoid the strong to hit the weak against Royal Court Army?”
“Li Xiao must just know Xiao Simo is missing and looks down on Ali Da this North Sea Governor.” Xiao Pula Yelu said confidently.
Next second, his face turned coldly gloomy: “If Xiao Simo really reached Jin Prefecture Army, then Nie Jida can only pray for himself.”
Xiao Pula Yelu’s goal was simple: use Nie Jida’s life to probe Jin Prefecture Army’s attitude.
Either Li Xiao is tricked to Eastern Capital, or Nie Jida is torn to pieces.
……
Bonfires crackled loudly in the night, but the Jin Prefecture military camp was like a stirred hornet’s nest, noise deafening, soldiers’ laughter endless.
Every bonfire had a large pot boiling fresh mutton, the Jin Prefecture Army’s post-war reward.
Tents occasionally echoed with women’s consecutive screams; this too was the warriors’ post-war reward.
Only, this was a decisive battle with Royal Court Army, not exterminating a tribe; only a few Geluolu Women followed from Yili with Royal Court Army, like female warriors.
But now, all captured by Jin Prefecture Army, yet far from enough to go around.
Li Xiao stood before the central tent, hesitated a moment, then entered.
“Princess Consort.”
This was Shu Lü Wujin’s tent; she hadn’t rested yet and hurried to greet Li Xiao upon his arrival.
“Da Long, what is this?”
Shu Lü Wujin looked at Li Xiao in surprise; it was late, she didn’t understand his sudden visit.
Li Xiao looked at her with somewhat desolate eyes and said softly, “Princess Consort, this general just got a report from subordinates~”
Hearing this, Shu Lü Wujin’s expression suddenly changed, eyes widening, fists unconsciously clenching.
Because not long ago, when Li Xiao told her of Xiao Simo’s death, it was this expression and tone.
Same scene, same words; Shu Lü Wujin’s heart felt instantly lifted.
Sure enough, Li Xiao’s heavy voice said, “The Heir Apparent he~”
“Is gone!”
After the great battle, Li Xiao ordered the Imperial Guard to interrogate Yelü Zhixin and others, finally learning of Xiao Helun’s situation.
After Yili battle, Xiao Helun was wounded and captured; though Yelü Zhixin had the army’s best doctor treat him.
But Xiao Helun’s wounds were severe, and with Royal Court Army continuing the march, the bumpy journey meant he couldn’t be saved.
At Li Xiao’s words, Shu Lü Wujin felt the world spin, blackness before her eyes.
“Princess Consort, Princess Consort~”
Li Xiao hurried forward to support her, preventing a fall.
Then, helping her boneless soft body to sit on the bed, he shouted outside, “Call the doctor.”
After a fuss, the tent filled with Shu Lü Wujin’s shrill cries: “My son~”
Soon after, Li Xiao exited the tent, looked up at the night sky, moonlight bright, illuminating the land.
“Sigh~”
“Such is the time and fate!”
Hearing the woman’s cries behind, Li Xiao shook his head with a light sigh, heart indescribably complex.
At that moment, Tie Tou came up with a cape and said softly, “Great Governor, wind’s picking up; put on some clothes!”
Li Xiao was slightly stunned, turned to see the dark golden tiger skin cape in Tie Tou’s hand, then smiled faintly and shook his head: “Keep it for now!”
