Chapter 216: Relocate The Capital To Dragon City
The Eastern Capital City in the twilight was like a weary giant beast curled up at the end of the grassland, with the once endless stream of herdsmen and merchants long gone.
War had brought too much damage to this city; at a glance, it was full of desolate and sorrowful scenes.
Although the Jin Prefecture Army had quelled the rebellion in the Eastern Capital, defeated the Royal Court Army, and eliminated the Kangli Allied Army, the Eastern Capital City was no longer what it used to be.
To recover, who knows how many years and months it would take.
“In just a few months, the Eastern Capital City has become like this!”
Riding on horseback along the empty streets, Li Xiao sighed softly.
Followed front and back by three hundred Imperial Guards, advancing slowly in a goose formation, their cotton armor with yellow bottoms and red edges gleamed dully in the slanting sun.
The golden Sun and Moon Battle Flag stood firm atop the city wall, with figures of Jin Prefecture Army soldiers everywhere; at this time, the Eastern Capital had become a large military camp.
Only a scant few common people hid in their homes, peeking out from half-collapsed eaves, their turbid eyes showing neither cheers nor fear, just blankly staring at this victorious army.
Several children clutched dirty cattle bones, their eyes full of curiosity as they eyed the Jin Prefecture Army, timidly wanting to approach and beg for food, but were yanked back by their mothers into shaky adobe houses; the moment the wooden doors closed, a choking cloud of dust rose.
Women wrapped in faded turbans hurried past, clutching earthenware pots tightly in their arms, containing things they had scavenged from outside the city, perhaps the family’s last rations.
Seeing this scene, Li Xiao felt a twinge in his heart.
In the Battle of Yili, the Eastern Capital Army suffered heavy losses, and in the subsequent wars, many Eastern Capital soldiers also died on the battlefield.
Thousands of families lost their breadwinners, so these women had no choice but to shoulder the family burden and raise their children.
But men in these chaotic times could barely survive day to day, let alone women.
“How much grain do we still have in the army?” Li Xiao turned his head slightly and asked Zhang Xinghua.
“Enough for our army to use for more than a month,” Zhang Xinghua said gravely.
Besides the grain transported from Jin Prefecture, they had also seized quite a bit of rations from the Royal Court Army and Kangli Army respectively.
“Feed the prisoners of war to half satiety each day; distribute the saved grain to the herdsmen and common people inside and outside the Eastern Capital City.”
“Especially those families that have lost their men; give them special care,” Li Xiao said gravely.
Women and children are valuable wealth and cannot be neglected.
“Understood.” Zhang Xinghua nodded lightly.
“However, Great Governor, if we only rely on our army’s relief, it can only address the immediate crisis.”
“What are your thoughts?” Li Xiao asked.
Riding on horseback, Zhang Xinghua looked at Li Xiao and said, “Many soldiers in our Jin Prefecture Army are still unmarried, and those newly promoted Kuli Army soldiers have no women either.”
“So, this subordinate thinks we can let these soldiers meet with those widows.”
“Heh heh heh~” Li Xiao laughed.
He nodded lightly and said, “I think this idea is good.”
“Have the Great Governor’s Mansion organize this matter; you handle it personally, but do not force anyone—everything must be voluntary.”
“Heh, understood, Great Governor.” Zhang Xinghua smiled lightly.
Such matters were usually handled privately among the common people before, but this time there were too many widows in the Eastern Capital City, and even more single men in the army.
So, it was better for the Great Governor’s Mansion to organize it to avoid looting.
Soon after, Li Xiao led the Imperial Guards to the Royal Mansion.
Standing outside to greet them, besides Shu Lü Wujin, was a familiar figure.
Xiao Yanyan!
Li Xiao dismounted at the entrance of the Royal Mansion, walked to Xiao Yanyan, first glanced at her haggard face, then at her round belly.
He sighed lightly and said, “A Man, don’t be too sad; the dead cannot be brought back, and Elder Brother surely hopes you will be well.”
“Moreover, you are not alone now; you must think of our child.”
As early as when Li Xiao was still in the Seven Rivers Grassland, Xiao Yanyan had come to the Eastern Capital.
After all, she was raised single-handedly by Xiao Simo, who was like both brother and father to her.
Now that he was dead, how could she remain unmoved?
Upon receiving the news, she disregarded the child in her belly, packed simply, and returned to the Eastern Capital with people.
Seeing Li Xiao now, her sorrow surged again; her red eyes welled with tears as she gently stroked her belly and said tearfully.
“If he is so fragile that he falls off easily, then he does not deserve to be my Xiao Yanyan’s child.”
“Weak children—better not to have them.”
Though he didn’t know if she meant it, it indeed made Li Xiao feel ashamed.
This Khitan woman was truly a tigress.
Deep down, she believed in the law of the jungle where the weak are prey to the strong.
Of course, she was right to think that way, and Li Xiao agreed; on this chaotic grassland, there was no place for the weak.
Only truly strong children could become Li Xiao’s heirs.
“Don’t overthink it!” Li Xiao gently held Xiao Yanyan in his arms, sighing softly to comfort her.
Immediately after, he heard Xiao Yanyan’s hoarse cries: “Wah wah wah wah!”
“Husband, I have no brother left!”
“Elder Brother~”
Xiao Yanyan had lost her parents young, and it was Elder Brother Xiao Simo who raised her.
Their bond was deep beyond ordinary understanding.
Li Xiao was powerless and could only console her slowly.
After a long while, Li Xiao looked at Shu Lü Wujin beside them and softly called, “Sister-in-law.”
“These days, thank you for taking care of A Man.”
While Li Xiao was campaigning outside, Xiao Yanyan in the Eastern Capital relied entirely on Shu Lü Wujin’s care.
“It’s nothing; it’s what I, as sister-in-law, should do.” Shu Lü Wujin forced a smile.
These days, she had been wearing plain clothes and had become much thinner than when Li Xiao first saw her.
With a slightly complex gaze at Li Xiao, she said softly, “Moreover, Da Long, you campaigned outside to avenge the Great King.”
“Now, the Royal Court Army and Kangli Army have successively been annihilated by the Jin Prefecture Army.”
“Except for Yelü Zhilugu, all the culprits who killed the Great King have been executed; the Great King can rest in peace under the nine springs.”
“I thank Governor Li here.”
With that, Shu Lü Wujin curtsied gracefully to Li Xiao.
“No!”
Li Xiao hurried forward and supported her arm.
The slight touch of his palm felt smooth and delicate; Li Xiao immediately let go.
He said solemnly, “Li Xiao’s achievements today are all thanks to Elder Brother’s promotion.”
“Avenge and wipe out the shame for Elder Brother—Li Xiao considers it his duty.”
“Sister-in-law, rest assured; Li Xiao swears that one day he will capture Yelü Zhilugu alive and make him kneel before Elder Brother’s tomb to atone.” Li Xiao said in a firm tone.
Hearing this, Shu Lü Wujin’s face showed slight sadness as she sighed.
“I am but a mere woman, knowing nothing.”
“Everything is entrusted to you, Da Long!”
Looking at the heroic Li Xiao before her, her heart was helpless yet fortunate.
The Northern Frontier in crisis was fortunately saved by Li Xiao’s timely intervention.
But at the same time, Li Xiao was too powerful, to the point that the Northern Frontier was now almost entirely under his control.
What position did this leave the Xiao Family in?
But Shu Lü Wujin knew clearly that the situation was stronger than people; moreover, her only son was already dead, so she no longer cared who inherited the Northern Frontier.
Perhaps, for her personally, having Li Xiao, this half-outsider, inherit the Northern Frontier was the best choice.
Afterward, Li Xiao led people into the Royal Mansion, where Xiao Simo’s funeral bier still lay in the main hall.
Here, Li Xiao also saw Xiao Simo’s three concubine’s sons and other concubines, with no more than brief exchanges.
He only went before Xiao Simo’s coffin and said in a low voice.
“Elder Brother, rest assured; this general has defeated the Royal Court Army and Kangli Allied Army.”
“Not one of those who harmed you will be spared by this general…”
“From now on, this general will take good care of A Man, take good care of sister-in-law, and take good care of the Xiao Family.”
“Elder Brother can rest in peace.”
With that, he offered incense before the coffin, then went with Shu Lü Wujin and Xiao Yanyan to the side hall.
To discuss the date for Xiao Simo’s funeral procession.
Previously, due to the war, Xiao Simo’s coffin had remained in the Royal Mansion.
Now, it could not be delayed further.
“The Great King instructed before his death that he hoped to be buried in the Xiao Family ancestral grave after his passing.”
“But the ancestral grave is located in the Muye River.” Shu Lü Wujin said with a troubled expression.
The Muye River was a place of sacrifice for Western Liao, where many nobles, including the imperial clan, were buried after death.
But that place was still under the Royal Court’s control.
“Bury him in the Eastern Capital first!”
“We will plan again after breaking through the Royal Court later,” Li Xiao decided firmly.
Neither Xiao Yanyan nor Shu Lü Wujin opposed; after all, the weather was already very hot and could not be delayed further.
As for Xiao Simo’s three concubine’s sons and other concubines, they had no right to speak.
Afterward, Li Xiao called an old man to calculate the date.
Two days later was auspicious for breaking ground.
So, Xiao Simo’s funeral was set for two days later.
After handling these matters, Li Xiao left the Royal Mansion and took Xiao Yanyan back to his mansion in the Eastern Capital.
In the study, Li Xiao dismissed the attendants, leaving only Imperial Guard Centurion Zhang Shitou.
“Shitou, arrange this matter yourself.”
“Please instruct, Great Governor.”
Zhang Shitou was taciturn by nature, not talkative usually, but he was a man who got things done.
Moreover, he was Li Xiao’s little brother who grew up with him since childhood; his parents and relatives all lived in Hexi Fort.
Li Xiao trusted him greatly.
“Select a batch of men and secretly place them by the sides of Xiao Family’s three concubine’s sons to monitor their every move at all times.”
Hearing this, Zhang Shitou showed no surprise and nodded lightly: “Understood.”
This task was not difficult; with such a huge change in the Royal Mansion, they surely lacked manpower inside.
Placing people near Shu Lü Wujin was harder, as those around her were old Royal Mansion retainers.
But surveilling those usually overlooked concubine’s sons was too easy.
Li Xiao was simply preparing for any eventuality.
If these three children had no ambition, Li Xiao would naturally let them enjoy glory and wealth.
But if otherwise, he would not hesitate.
After Zhang Shitou left, Li Xiao pulled out a roster.
It listed over a dozen names in phonetic letters.
Moreover, these people were not prominent and rarely known.
Only because they were not generals in the Jin Prefecture Army, just a group of soldiers.
The key was that they served as personal guards beside some Jin Prefecture generals.
Positions of great importance.
Li Xiao just quietly looked at the list, then added two more names.
In war, personal guards also faced risks of casualties.
These two were recruited as personal guards in this battle.
Li Xiao had not participated, merely planting pieces in advance.
He didn’t want to do this deep down, but as a ruler, he could not be swayed by personal feelings.
Suspect everyone, do not absolutely trust any one person—this was a lesson from history.
Overly naive rulers either became puppets or died mysteriously.
Power truly corrupts the heart.
As his status rose higher, Li Xiao gradually understood the feeling of isolation at the top.
Putting down the brush, Li Xiao put it away and murmured softly, “I hope you never awaken.”
“Just keep sleeping forever!”
Even Zhang Shitou was unaware of these people’s existence.
Li Xiao hadn’t assigned this to him mainly because he was too young, lacking experience, and the matter was too important.
Moreover, though Zhang Shitou was loyally devoted to Li Xiao, he was still from Hexi Fort.
Thus, these people were personally arranged by Li Xiao, and they were unaware of each other.
Directly led by Li Xiao alone, monitoring the important movements of Jin Prefecture generals.
There would be more and more people joining this team in the future.
One day in the future, Li Xiao might establish an even more secretive intelligence organization outside the Imperial Guard.
Soon after, the sky suddenly darkened, with low rumbles of thunder, and drizzling rain began to fall.
Li Xiao stood at the door appreciating the rain, his heart growing ever more calm.
The Northern Frontier weather was fickle like a dog, changing at the drop of a hat—often sunny one moment and pouring rain the next.
Li Xiao was long accustomed to it.
But such thunderstorms came fast and left fast.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the rain stopped.
Two figures, escorted by personal guards, arrived outside Li Xiao’s study.
“Great Governor, Lord Zhang and Governor Gu request an audience.”
“Let them in,” Li Xiao said calmly.
Then, Gu Zizhong and Zhang Xinghua entered and saluted: “Greetings, Great Governor!”
Li Xiao’s study was laid out as the main hall; turning left after entering, one saw a desk placed toward the rear of the central hall.
Two rows of chairs were in front of the desk.
At Li Xiao’s indication, the two sat one on each side at the lower end of the table.
“Our Northern Frontier is a land of barbarians outside civilization, with few who have read books.”
“In terms of learning, you two are among the best.” After having tea served, Li Xiao said.
The two immediately shook their heads humbly.
“We dare not!”
“This subordinate has but superficial knowledge and dares not show off.”
It was not mere humility; they knew Li Xiao’s capabilities.
To outsiders, Li Xiao as Great Governor of Jin Prefecture wielded weapons daily and came from Jin Prefecture’s powerful family.
Even if schooled, his achievements must be limited.
Just a bit better than true barbarians.
But only those who had interacted with Li Xiao knew.
He was not only skilled in martial arts, brave and skilled in combat, but also exceptionally learned.
He had studied the Four Books and Five Classics and had deep insights into historical events.
Treating Li Xiao as illiterate would be the real joke.
“No need for more modesty; I called you today for two matters.”
Li Xiao waved his hand lightly, stood up, walked to the door, and gazed at the Eastern Capital sky.
He said gravely, “After this war, only one in ten Eastern Capital common people remain.”
“Merchants dare not come; local herdsmen’s orphans and widows have taken their belongings to the mountains to hide.”
“Restoring the Eastern Capital’s former prosperity will not happen overnight.”
“Thus, this governor decides to move the Northern Frontier’s administrative seat from the Eastern Capital to Jin Prefecture.”
“What do you two think?”
Li Xiao turned his head, gazing faintly at them.
Truth be told, Gu Zizhong and the other were surprised by Li Xiao’s idea.
But upon reflection, it was inevitable.
The Eastern Capital was good, but Li Xiao’s foundation was not here.
Moreover, a low mountain range lay between Jin Prefecture and the Eastern Capital.
In contrast, between the Eastern Capital and the Seven Rivers was vast endless Great Grassland.
If attacked suddenly by western enemies, the Eastern Capital had no natural defenses.
Jin Prefecture, separated by mountains, could not reinforce in time.
So, Li Xiao wanting to relocate the capital was reasonable.
Of course, most importantly, the Eastern Capital’s location was biased westward, unfavorable for strategic deterrence against Western Xia and the grassland.
“Though the Eastern Capital is ruined, with full effort, it can recover in a year.”
“But Jin Prefecture is also a good place; the only shortcoming is population.”
“Some Eastern Capital herdsmen can be migrated to Jin Prefecture.”
Gu Zizhong said, first downplaying then praising.
Li Xiao, who had consecutively defeated the Royal Court Army and Kangli Allied Army, now had prestige in the Northern Frontier not inferior to Xiao Simo’s former.
His decisions could not be easily changed without sufficient reason.
With Li Xiao deciding to relocate the capital, half the matter was done.
The other half was why they were here.
To perfect the specific implementation plan for the relocation.
“Some Jin Prefecture herdsmen can also be migrated to the Eastern Capital or even the Seven Rivers.”
“This way, the Northern Frontier states can transcend ethnic tribal divisions and become more unified.”
“As for supplementing the Northern Frontier’s population~”
Li Xiao said, glancing at Zhang Xinghua, “The Xia Kingdom is a good place.”
The Northern Frontier’s population was still too small, especially with Han Chinese now less than half.
So Li Xiao planned, after stabilizing the Northern Frontier, to first attack Western Xia and plunder Han people.
Disperse and resettle them into various chiliarch and centurion units, fully scattering them across the Northern Frontier’s six prefectures for gradual Sinicization.
This was the Northern Frontier’s national policy for the next century.
Hearing this, Zhang Xinghua instantly understood and nodded, “The Xia Kingdom’s Han people have been oppressed by the Tangut people for a century and can no longer bear it.”
“As long as we settle them well, keeping most from starving, the Xia Kingdom Han people will become our Northern Frontier Han people.”
Zhang Xinghua’s ancestors had served as Western Xia’s prime minister, and he himself had been Dunhuang’s governor, so he knew the Xia Kingdom’s situation intimately.
In his view, whoever gave the common people a bite to eat, they would be grateful to them.
Moreover, compared to the Tangut people, the Northern Frontier’s ruling class was mostly pure Han Chinese.
Making it easier for Western Xia Han people to identify with them.
“Lord Zhang speaks truly, but with so many common people migrating to Jin Prefecture, Dragon City’s scale will be insufficient,” Gu Zizhong said.
“Also, grain—how to feed these common people?”
“The grassland’s cattle and sheep will be eaten up, so only grain can sustain them.”
The grassland seemed vast and boundless, yet it was also very small.
For a thousand years, an invisible red line had constrained the grassland population’s breeding.
Whenever the grassland population reached a certain number, disasters would sharply reduce it.
Because nomadic herding had a population limit.
Two or three million was already saturation.
In contrast, farming could support more than ten times the grassland population.
So, to increase the Northern Frontier’s population capacity, farmland area must be expanded.
Relying solely on herding could not sustain it; the grassland would turn to desert.
“If using Jin Prefecture as the administrative seat, Dragon City is indeed too small,” Zhang Xinghua nodded lightly.
When Dragon City was built, it was compared to Jin Prefecture and could hold up to twenty thousand at most.
But now, before completion, it was already insufficient.
“Great Governor, this subordinate believes we should expand Dragon City.”
“Add an outer city wall on the current basis, like Central Plains towns.”
“At least scale for a hundred thousand population to match our Northern Frontier’s future prosperity.”
Zhang Xinghua said to Li Xiao.
“As for manpower, this campaign we captured nearly twenty thousand Kangli prisoners of war.”
“Keeping them wastes grain; better to send them to build the city.”
Li Xiao nodded without hesitation: “Fine!”
“Building Dragon City makes good use of them.”
Seeing Li Xiao accept Zhang Xinghua’s suggestion, Gu Zizhong no longer held back and hurried to show his value: “Great Governor, our army also captured over twenty thousand Royal Court Army prisoners of war!”
“This subordinate knows the Great Governor plans to select the strong ones to join the Kuli Army as war slaves.”
“But our army currently lacks neither war slaves nor brave and skilled soldiers.”
“So this subordinate suggests sending them all to reclaim wasteland; there is still vast arable land north and south of the Tianshan Mountains.”
“Enough to sustain a million people.”
It was clear that Gu Zizhong, as Great Desert Governor, was no empty title; he knew the Great Desert matters well.
The two corridors at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains north and south were indeed huge treasures.
Later generations’ legions built many in this area.
Gaochang and the Great Desert were now the Northern Frontier’s two main granaries.
Ninety percent of the Northern Frontier’s grain came from these two places.
But these were only oases in the eastern Tianshan Mountains.
The western Tianshan oases remained undeveloped.
Especially the western Northern Foothills of Tianshan, located within Eastern Capital territory.
Previously, Xiao Simo lacked the population and energy to develop them.
But Li Xiao was different!
Land must be cultivated!
After discussing Dragon City’s expansion and land reclamation south of the Eastern Capital, Li Xiao raised the final matter.
“This governor decides to abolish the old Eastern Capital Governor’s Mansion and
