Chapter 209: Use The Emperor’s Head To Honor Xiao Simo
On the second day, Li Xiao left part of the army to guard the prisoners of war, led the main force south, crossed the Sihun River, and also received news of the Royal Court Army.
“Great Governor, Governor Jiu Meng’an He reports that the Royal Court Army’s main force broke camp early this morning and is retreating toward the Ili River.”
Yelü Zhilugu’s action was within Li Xiao’s expectations.
After all, the army under Li Xiao had already crossed the Sihun River. If the Royal Court Army did not retreat, it would face a pincer attack from Li Xiao and Jiu Meng’an He.
“Go tell Governor Jiu Meng’an He to have them stick to the Royal Court Army and not let them leave like this,” Li Xiao said in a heavy voice.
In yesterday’s battle, although Tāyánggǔ’s forces were annihilated, the Royal Court Army’s strength was still not to be underestimated.
From the interrogation results of the captured officers, Yelü Zhilugu had at least thirty-five thousand men under his command at this time.
This included eight thousand Fifth Courtyard Department herdsmen and nine thousand Pishi Imperial Guard. These two armies were the core forces in Yelü Zhilugu’s hands.
Then there were more than five thousand herdsmen from the Tuju Tribe and Wuhuai Tribe.
The rest were herdsmen and common people from tribes such as Uyghur People, Geluolu People, and Turkic living within the Royal Court’s territory.
Elite soldiers plus ordinary herdsmen totaled at least thirty-five thousand men.
If Yelü Zhilugu were allowed to leave safely with so many people, it would still be a huge threat to the Seven Rivers Grassland.
Therefore, Li Xiao planned to fight another battle, ideally capturing Yelü Zhilugu alive.
“Understood!”
The personal guard nodded heavily, then went to relay Li Xiao’s orders to Jiu Meng’an He.
Soon, the Seven Rivers Army crossed the Sihun River upstream. Because the water was shallow, the soldiers did not need a pontoon bridge and could wade across, so by dusk, the two armies met on the grassland on the south bank of the Sihun River.
“Governor Li!”
“Governor Jiu Meng’an He, long time no see. You look even more spirited.”
After Li Xiao and Jiu Meng’an He met, they exchanged greetings. Since the last western expedition, it had been over a year since they last saw each other.
Perhaps due to the immense pressure during this time, Jiu Meng’an He looked very haggard, with much grayer hair and beard, appearing more aged.
“Hahaha, Governor Li, you flatter me. I’m almost turning into an old man—where’s the spirit?” Jiu Meng’an He laughed.
“You’re the one who looks even more heroic and robust, full of vigor.”
At this moment, looking at Li Xiao, Jiu Meng’an He was filled with emotion.
He remembered the first time he met Li Xiao; he was just a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth.
But after years of campaigning, Li Xiao had long shed his youthful innocence and become more steady and mature.
The immaturity in his eyes was gone, replaced by cold intelligence.
Every gesture exuded the powerful aura and dignity of a superior.
In comparison, Jiu Meng’an He felt for the first time the melancholy of fading youth.
He was nearly forty this year, soon to be an old man, and he wondered how many more years he could campaign.
“This world ultimately belongs to the young,” Jiu Meng’an He sighed inwardly.
He then collected his thoughts and began discussing with Li Xiao how to deal with the Royal Court Army, just like when the two served as commander and deputy commander of the Left Route Army.
……
The grassland north wind swept sand and gravel across the horizon. The Royal Court Army resembled a winding steel serpent sprawled across the vast yellow wilderness.
Eight thousand Fifth Courtyard Department cavalry formed the vanguard array. The soldiers wore leather armor, their sabers at their waists fluttering with the horse manes in the wind, the sound of hooves thundering across the grassland like muffled thunder.
In the central army, the nine thousand Pishi Imperial Guard formed an impenetrable square formation. Some heavy cavalry wore chainmail, their war horses covered in full cowhide armor.
On both flanks of the army were infantry armies composed of numerous Uyghur People and Geluolu People.
They were grouped in units of ten, with three steps between each unit, forming layered defensive matrices. Their shields interlocked at the edges like saw teeth, with three thousand archers deployed on each wing to guard against sudden attacks from the Jin Prefecture Army.
Under this tense atmosphere, the Royal Court Army traveled over eighty li in an entire day.
At dusk, Yelü Zhilugu looked at the red clouds on the horizon and frowned, saying, “At this speed, how many days until we reach the Ili River?”
Tāyánggǔ pondered for a moment and said softly, “At least eight more days.”
“These Tawer people are slowing us down. Without them, we could travel light and fast, reaching the south bank of the Ili River in just three days to eat mutton.”
Tāyánggǔ fanned the flames from the side.
Tawer meant natives or locals in the Khitan language.
It referred to the local tribes such as Uyghur People, Geluolu People, and Turkic living within the Royal Court’s territory before Yelü Dashi’s western expedition.
After the establishment of Western Liao, these people inevitably became second-class citizens. Even during Yelü Pusuwan’s time, a ban was issued against the Geluolu People, prohibiting them from carrying weapons.
For this campaign, due to a shortage of war horses, they had to be used as infantry.
Yelü Zhilugu understood Tāyánggǔ’s implication and shook his head gently, saying, “They are all subjects of our Great Liao. How could I bear to abandon them?”
“No need to mention this again.”
With that, Yelü Zhilugu looked into the distance and said, “Pass the order: find favorable terrain, set up camp, and continue tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
Tāyánggǔ nodded emphatically, then hesitated and said, “However, Your Majesty, might the Jin Prefecture Army come to night raid us?”
Yelü Zhilugu snorted lightly, confidently saying, “I wish they would night raid us.”
Afterward, Yelü Zhilugu had traps prepared in the camp. If the Jin Prefecture Army dared to night raid, they would not get off easy.
That night, although the Royal Court Army appeared to rest on the surface, they were all on high alert, preparing to repel a Jin Prefecture Army night raid.
But until dawn, nothing happened—it was calm.
Early in the morning, the Royal Court Army broke camp and set off.
Another full day passed with nothing occurring.
At night, when setting up camp, Yelü Zhilugu ordered the soldiers to rest in shifts: half on duty the first half of the night, the other half the second half.
Yelü Zhilugu himself was exhausted too. After making arrangements, he fell into a deep sleep.
In the dead of night, a burst of shouting suddenly jolted him awake.
“What noise is that?”
“Enemy attack?”
“Men, pass the order: no panic in the units. Ensure the invading enemy is completely annihilated.”
Yelü Zhilugu roared loudly, quickly got up, haphazardly donned his armor, and headed outside.
But upon going out, he found the camp full of torches and Royal Court Army soldiers, yet no sign of the Jin Prefecture Army.
“Where’s the Jin Prefecture Army?”
“Wasn’t there an enemy night raid? Where are they?” Yelü Zhilugu gripped his saber, asking angrily.
All he heard was the shouting of Royal Court Army soldiers—no cries of killing or sounds of war horses.
Soon, a Pishi Army general came over, covered in dirt and ash, to report: “Your Majesty, the Jin Prefecture Army has been driven off by us.”
“Driven off? How many Jin Prefecture Army men came?” Yelü Zhilugu asked, full of doubt. He had made many preparations in the camp to annihilate the night raiders—how did they escape?
“It’s too dark to see clearly~”
“Probably a few hundred?” the Pishi Army general said hesitantly.
Hearing this, Yelü Zhilugu’s face darkened like an iron pot, and he roared in fury: “Foolish pigs, this isn’t a night raid!”
“It’s clearly harassment to keep our army from resting.”
Though aged and somewhat muddled, the Yelü Zhilugu of old had profited from the power struggle between Yelü Pusuwan and Xiao Wulila.
He was never lacking in cunning or courage and saw through the Jin Prefecture Army’s intent at once.
Looking at the fully awakened Royal Court soldiers in the camp, ready for battle, Yelü Zhilugu grew even angrier.
“Pass the order: return to posts and rest on night watch.”
“Tell the scouts to confirm the enemy’s numbers before sounding the alert.”
With that, he ducked into his tent, muttering: “Toyed with by a mere few hundred men—utter wastes.”
On the third night, another small group of Jin Prefecture Army night raided the Royal Court Army camp. Once the camp was lit up with torches, they immediately withdrew.
In the latter half of the night, the Jin Prefecture Army attacked again, exhausting the Royal Court Army.
Even Yelü Zhilugu’s eyes showed faint dark circles.
“Damn Li Xiao. One day, I will tear you to pieces,” Yelü Zhilugu said, his eyes bloodshot, grinding his teeth.
His hatred for Li Xiao now surpassed even that for Xiao Simo.
Instead of a direct decisive battle with the Royal Court Army, he resorted to such conspiracies and tricks.
Depriving the Royal Court Army of rest, leaving them without energy or stamina, morale plummeting, until they collapsed without fighting.
But Yelü Zhilugu had no good countermeasure. He could only urge the army to speed up. Once they crossed the Ili River, they could rely on the river for defense and fear no Jin Prefecture Army night raids.
Thus, the Royal Court Army soldiers had to force themselves to stay alert and continue marching.
The cavalry could rest on horseback, but the infantry were out of luck, swaying as they walked. That day’s march was much slower than yesterday’s.
As for Yelü Zhilugu, he had it easy. He did not ride a horse but sat in a large horse carriage with several consorts.
He could even nap during the day.
But soon after, urgent horn blasts suddenly rang out in the army.
“Enemies?”
“Prepare for battle.”
“Quickly, shield bearers in position, spearmen ready.”
The drowsy Royal Court Army soldiers instantly woke, forming arrays under their officers’ commands.
Shield bearers in the outermost line, spearmen next, longbowmen in the rear.
This was the standard infantry defensive formation. Even facing a large cavalry charge, as long as the soldiers’ morale held, the formation would stand firm.
On the other side, Khitan tribal cavalry also readied themselves, prepared to meet the enemy.
“Your Majesty, look over there.”
“Jin Prefecture Army!”
In the central army, as Yelü Zhilugu emerged from the horse carriage, Tāyánggǔ approached and pointed toward the army’s flank.
It was far away, but a large cavalry force could vaguely be seen charging across the grassland.
Many wore a kind of white armor; others wore ordinary leather armor or even tattered leather jackets.
Yelü Zhilugu’s eyes narrowed: “Is this Jin Prefecture’s White Armored Army?”
Tāyánggǔ nodded emphatically: “Yes, Your Majesty. It was Li Xiao who led this army to break through the royal capital back then.”
“Moreover, the current Jin Prefecture Army has, besides these White Armored Army, many soldiers in red armor and yellow armor whose combat strength is no less than the White Armored Soldiers.”
After his defeat, Tāyánggǔ had been stripped of all offices and no longer led troops personally, instead serving as an advisor by Yelü Zhilugu’s side.
But Tāyánggǔ was quite pleased. The previous two times had been like this; after lying low for a while, Yelü Zhilugu would surely reinstate him.
“This seems to be the Jin Prefecture Army’s main force.”
“But not their entire main force,” Yelü Zhilugu said gravely.
His gaze carefully scrutinized the distant Jin Prefecture Army, estimating their numbers.
Roughly three thousand men.
“Your Majesty, they’re charging,” Tāyánggǔ suddenly said.
Yelü Zhilugu immediately ordered: “Pass the order to the whole army: anyone who retreats a step will be killed without mercy.”
“Fifth Courtyard Department cavalry support the infantry and meet the Jin Prefecture Army.”
“Pishi Army and Tuju Tribe, Wuhuai Tribe cavalry, guard against Jin Prefecture Army charge from other directions.”
Although the Royal Court Army had deployed many scouts around, the Jin Prefecture Army’s cavalry strike speed was very fast.
Often, by the time the scouts reported, the Jin Prefecture Army was right behind.
With only three thousand Jin Prefecture Army on the flank, Yelü Zhilugu suspected Li Xiao was feinting, focusing attacks elsewhere.
“Kill~”
In the distance, three thousand Jin Prefecture Army charged toward the Royal Court Army. Iron cavalry thundered, the ground rumbling lowly.
The Royal Court Army soldiers were ready for battle.
But just as the Jin Prefecture Army neared the formation, they suddenly split to the sides, loosed a volley of arrows, and galloped away.
“Bastards, harassment again.”
Yelü Zhilugu fumed, clenching his fists.
He now understood Li Xiao’s intent: endless harassment to desensitize him, like crying wolf.
When the Royal Court Army truly relaxed, the harassment would turn into a real attack.
“Order the Fifth Courtyard Department cavalry to wipe out these Jin Prefecture cavalry,” Yelü Zhilugu roared.
Soon, a large force of Fifth Courtyard Department cavalry deployed, overtaking the infantry from the flanks to pursue the Jin Prefecture Army.
“Their cavalry are coming—withdraw.”
Da Hu shouted, immediately leading his cavalry in an emergency retreat, not lingering.
As they were all light cavalry, their speeds were similar.
They were chased far into the wilderness until, on the horizon, the silhouette of another army appeared.
Bright yellow Sun and Moon Battle Flag fluttered in the wind. Countless soldiers in yellow cotton armor, bringing newly joined recruits from the three towns, charged over.
“Hahaha~”
Da Hu gripped his spear, reined in his war horse, laughed, and said: “Brothers, charge with me.”
The Fifth Courtyard Department soldiers seeing this paled in shock.
After a bloody battle, the Fifth Courtyard Department soldiers fled back to the army. Originally eight thousand, fewer than six thousand returned.
On the central army horse carriage, Yelü Zhilugu saw these ragged defeated soldiers and flushed with rage.
“Damn it, utterly infuriating!” Zhilugu slammed his fist on the carriage, roaring in anger.
Only then did he realize it was a trap—Li Xiao was too cunning.
At that moment, Tāyánggǔ righteously said: “Your Majesty, let me lead men to charge again!”
But his words earned Yelü Zhilugu’s curse, as he hurled a water pouch at Tāyánggǔ’s head.
“Fool, do you want to take the Pishi Army to their deaths too?”
The Jin Prefecture Army was clearly fishing.
Sending too few cavalry was just piecemeal tactics; sending too many left the main army vulnerable.
Without sufficient cavalry protection, these infantry were sitting ducks for the Jin Prefecture Army.
“Ignore the Jin Prefecture Army. March immediately.”
“If they dare attack for real, then stop and fight,” Yelü Zhilugu said imposingly.
He did not want to linger here.
This army was the Royal Court’s true main force. Without absolute certainty, Yelü Zhilugu did not want a deathmatch with the Jin Prefecture Army.
For the Royal Court’s enemies were not just the Jin Prefecture Army—there were many others.
Even if they defeated the Jin Prefecture Army at full strength, heavy losses to the Royal Court Army would leave them unable to control the Eastern and Western Kara-Khanid Khanate or deal with the ambitious Ghur Kingdom.
Thus, Yelü Zhilugu had no mind for a decisive battle with the Jin Prefecture Army and only wanted to return to the south bank of the Ili River to hold the original boundaries.
With the order given, the Royal Court Army began a slow retreat.
But this time, many Jin Prefecture Army skirmish cavalry appeared on both flanks.
And they followed openly.
If Royal Court cavalry pursued, they immediately withdrew.
The Royal Court cavalry, fearing another Jin Prefecture Army trap, dared not chase further.
Thus, the Jin Prefecture cavalry circled back, feinting a charge, but upon reaching the front, loosed arrows and withdrew again.
Repeating this countless times, tormenting the Royal Court Army endlessly.
Even if the Royal Court Army wanted to defend along rivers, the rivers en route had far less flow than the Ili River or Sihun River.
The Jin Prefecture Army quickly forded elsewhere and continued harassing the Royal Court Army.
In just five short days, the Royal Court Army was on the verge of collapse.
It was Tāyánggǔ who had a flash of inspiration, selecting a few eloquent soldiers to tell stories and narrate tales to the troops, barely maintaining morale.
Under the night sky, numerous soldiers gathered around campfires listening to stories of the Yang Family.
But the protagonists were not the Yang family father and sons, but Great Liao’s Empress Dowager Xiao and Prime Minister Han Dergan.
The Yang Family Army and Song Dynasty were the great villains, repeatedly invading Liao territory.
Ultimately, under the wise leadership of the Empress Dowager and Prime Minister, the Liao officers and soldiers bravely killed the enemy and defeated the Song armies.
The story ended to cheers from the soldiers.
As if they had become the Liao army of old, as Great Liao Prime Minister Han Dergan.
And the current Jin Prefecture Army was that evil Song Dynasty army.
Moonlight shone on the camp and also fell on a distant mountain.
Night wind howled as Li Xiao rode his war horse, leading a cavalry troop to the mountain summit, overlooking the distant Royal Court Army camp from on high.
Tens of thousands of torches blazed, lighting that patch of night sky like daylight.
Harassed for so many days, though the Royal Court Army was exhausted, they had found some countermeasures.
For example, torches burned all night, half the soldiers on night watch, the other half sleeping. Unless the Jin Prefecture Army launched a true decisive battle, even if woken, they would just snore on.
“Two more days’ march, and they’ll reach the Ili River.”
“The Ili River’s surface is very wide, incomparable to the rivers we crossed before. Not favorable for exerting our army’s cavalry advantage.”
Standing beside Li Xiao was Great Desert Governor Gu Zizhong. Though a civil official, he had gained much experience following the Jin Prefecture Army these days.
Though his battle skills had improved, he was still far behind Li Xiao and the others.
Moreover, as a civil official parachuted into the Great Desert, he had no foundation in the Great Desert Army Camp, with military power mostly in Deputy Governor Xiao Chilü’s hands.
And his backer Xiao Simo was now dead, so Gu Zizhong wisely prepared to step back, still doing civil official work in the army, comparable to Zhang Xinghua.
“Great Governor, in my view, the pressure we’ve applied is sufficient. It’s time for the general assault.”
“Moreover, we don’t have much time to delay,” Gu Zizhong said gravely.
Unbeknownst since when, he too addressed Li Xiao as Great Governor.
Li Xiao nodded lightly. Compared to the Royal Court Army days ago, their stamina and morale had dropped at least thirty to forty percent, combat strength greatly diminished.
Launching a general assault now would reduce casualties for Jin Prefecture soldiers.
“Prepare for the decisive battle.”
“Tomorrow morning, annihilate the Royal Court Army and capture Yelü Zhilugu alive.”
Li Xiao said coldly, turning his horse back to camp.
He remembered when proposing marriage to Xiao Yanyan, Li Xiao had said he would capture Yelü Zhilugu alive as betrothal gifts for Xiao Simo.
Though Xiao Simo was dead now, Li Xiao’s promise still held.
Capture Yelü Zhilugu alive and slaughter him at Xiao Simo’s grave.
