Chapter 220: The Royal Court Has No Hope Left
Nightfall completely enveloped the grassland, and in the Geluolu Tribe, bonfires glowed like ferocious bloodshot eyes.
The wind carried the pungent bloody smell and burnt smell past, emitting a wailing sound.
The corpses of Geluolu People had already been cleared out, piled up outside the tribe like a small mountain.
Some of them had empty eyes wide open, their faces frozen with fear and reluctance; others were decapitated, their blood soaking the grassland beneath them, dyeing the tender green grass an eerie black-red.
Broken spears, damaged shields, and arrowheads spotted with rust were scattered around, interwoven with the corpses, forming a spine-chilling scene.
On the other side, hundreds of captured women were locked in the sheep pen, huddling together, their trembling bodies conveying endless unease.
Fifteen-year-old Aiyinuer was dragged out of the sheep pen by two devils wearing bright red armor, her face filled with terror, her body constantly struggling.
“Let me go, please let me go.”
Unfortunately, the two personal guards couldn’t understand what she was saying. They grinned mockingly and arrived outside the tent that originally belonged to the tribal chieftain, throwing her straight inside.
Then, they said viciously: “Stay put inside.”
Aiyinuer couldn’t understand, but she was still frightened into trembling, curling up in fear in the corner.
At this moment, cries and laughter suddenly came from the adjacent tent: “Hahaha, this little wildcat’s claws are quite sharp.”
“Tugani~” Tears streamed down Aiyinuer’s face, her heart filled with even greater fear.
This was her cousin, who had just gotten married not long ago, and whose husband had gone to the Eastern Capital and never returned.
Moreover, she had been imprisoned in the sheep pen with Aiyinuer earlier, but was taken away one step ahead.
Was this her own fate too?
Aiyinuer’s nails dug deeply into her palms. She looked up at the tent roof and cried out: “Allah above, save Your poor believer.”
As early as the Kara-Khanid Dynasty period, apart from the Kingdom of Qocho, other Geluolu People and Uyghur People had already converted to Allah, and it had been a hundred years since then.
Unfortunately, even if Jesus came, he couldn’t save the Geluolu People, and neither could Allah.
On the other side, a richly dressed middle-aged woman was thrown into the tent; it was Aiyinuer’s mother.
Outside the tent, several Jin Prefecture Army soldiers were arguing.
“Xiao Wuzi, this woman was caught by you, so she’s naturally your slave. How to handle her is up to you.”
“Squad Leader, why don’t you go first?” Xiao Wuzi laughed.
For handling prisoners of war, the Jin Prefecture Army already had a clear set of rules.
Those caught by the team belong to the team.
Those captured after the army surrounded them belong to the army collectively; after the war, one-third of all spoils are converted to money and distributed to the soldiers.
Those discovered and caught alone belong to the individual, who can turn them over to the army for military merit and receive some rewards.
But before that, they definitely had to have their fun first.
If they encountered pretty female captives, they could keep them, but they had to pay two-thirds of their value in money to the army, or offset it with prior military merit, counting as redemption for her.
Afterward, she would be the soldier’s personal slave.
And this captive in front of them was clearly from a Geluolu noble background, quite attractive, but just a bit old in age.
The young soldier had no intention of keeping her, so he planned to first offer her to the squad leader, then turn her over to the army.
After some arguing, the squad leader entered the tent and, amid the woman’s terrified pleas for mercy, roughly pressed her onto the muddy ground.
Seeing something like an amulet around her neck, the squad leader yanked it off, examined it closely, and found it was made of the simplest materials, worthless, just symbolic.
So, he threw it straight on the ground. His ferocious face pressed down on the woman’s nape, and he chuckled:
“I hear your Allah is omnipotent and can foresee disasters? How come he didn’t predict today?”
In the distance, the bound Geluolu prisoners of war could hear intermittent cries coming from deep in the camp, each one like a dull knife cutting into their hearts.
Some had lips trembling uncontrollably, teeth chattering, bodies shaking non-stop.
Some slumped on the ground, tears surging out uncontrollably, faces full of despair and helplessness.
Others futilely tugged at the ropes binding them, veins bulging on their arms, but could only watch the tragedy unfold helplessly.
When their gazes turned to the hill-like pile of their comrades’ corpses in the distance, their bodies trembled uncontrollably again.
The real men of the tribe had all died in battle; those remaining were just a bunch clinging to life.
The moon rose high, and the sounds in the camp gradually stopped.
In the central large tent, following Er Hu’s shout: “Someone come.”
Then, two personal guards wearing bright red cotton armor entered the tent.
Er Hu bared his shoulders, sitting boldly by the bed like a golden saber.
Behind him was Aiyinuer.
“Take her out. Useless thing.”
Er Hu said with a look of disgust, completely unsatisfied.
Although he didn’t have Elder Brother’s skill, one or two were no problem for him, but unfortunately, she was still a novice, completely useless.
“Yes, sir.”
The personal guard stepped forward to take Aiyinuer away and asked: “Keep her or?”
Keeping her meant continuing to serve Er Hu.
If Er Hu didn’t like her, she would be entered into the army’s public funds, to be sold as a slave later or rewarded to other soldiers.
“Keep her!”
This Geluolu girl was quite attractive; she just lacked experience. A few more training sessions would do.
But then he thought of another issue.
He was already seventeen; it was long past time to marry.
Mother and Grandmother had urged him and Da Hu many times, but war had always delayed it.
Now, thinking that his eldest nephew was about to be born while he didn’t even have a proper woman, Er Hu suddenly felt a bit uneasy.
It wasn’t that he wanted to start a family, but he thought he should have a child.
A child born to a main wife, not these women without status.
A child born to a Geluolu Woman was not fit to inherit Er Hu’s legacy.
“Forget it, let Elder Brother and Mother arrange it.”
Er Hu shook his head, not wanting to bother with it.
Other women could be casual, but for a main wife, he still had to follow his eldest brother Li Xiao’s opinion, preferably a Han woman.
The next day, Er Hu gathered all the generals.
He found these guys all had glowing faces, the fatigue from the previous continuous battles swept away.
Indeed, even the toughest man couldn’t do without a woman’s nourishment.
Harmony of yin and yang is the natural truth.
“Myriad Household Commander, the captives confessed that a Geluolu tribe fled to Royal Court territory, and others escaped to the Kara-Khanid Khanate,” reported Chiliarch Jiang Youtian under Er Hu.
“Royal Court?” Er Hu was surprised; they could really run.
“These Geluolu scoundrels killed so many Eastern Capital Army men and even my eldest nephew Xiao Helun. Do they think they can live in peace after leaving Yili?”
“Absolutely not.” Er Hu’s eyes widened, killing intent surging as he spoke.
Xiao Helun was Li Xiao’s nephew, so naturally his nephew too.
Avenging his eldest nephew was obligatory.
“But we just ceased war with the Royal Court. If we continue pursuing and killing the Geluolu Tribe, won’t it spark war with the Royal Court again?” another Chiliarch Zhao Shunzi said.
“Fight if we have to; what’s there to fear?” Er Hu slammed the table.
Now under him were four thousand elite cavalry; even against ten thousand Royal Court Army, they could hold their own.
“Right, when will the Royal Court Army send the promised compensation?”
Er Hu suddenly remembered this. If war broke out again, what about the Royal Court’s compensation?
It was fifty thousand liang of gold, three hundred thousand liang of silver, and a thousand bolts of silk—not a small sum.
Jiang Youtian said: “By agreement, this compensation will be delivered to the Seven Rivers Army in ten days.”
“Then wait ten days first. After getting the compensation, we’ll attack the Royal Court.”
“If they don’t hand over the Geluolu People, I’ll turn the Royal Court upside down,” Er Hu roared.
Although four thousand elite cavalry couldn’t destroy the Royal Court, it was enough to wreak havoc in its heartland.
As for the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate, it was even less forgivable.
After eliminating the Geluolu People, Yili became vast and sparsely populated.
So, before parting, Li Xiao had told Er Hu.
Tame the original Geluolu People into slaves to reclaim the wasteland.
If manpower was still short, lead the army south, cross the Tianshan Mountains, and loot the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate.
Er Hu had already seen the combat strength of the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate army—far inferior to the Royal Court Army, on par with the Kingdom of Qocho army.
With just three thousand iron cavalry, Er Hu could flatten all towns south of the Tianshan corridor.
Loot population and wealth: men for labor, women for labor too.
If they wanted Er Hu to withdraw, they had to show sincerity.
Gold and silver treasures went without saying; women couldn’t be few either.
Especially the princess of the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate—her looks surely wouldn’t be bad.
Elder Brother married a Royal Court princess as an attendant concubine, so him taking an Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate princess as an attendant concubine was naturally no problem.
……
Half a month later, Er Hu led three thousand cavalry, boldly crossing the Ili River and charging toward the Royal Court border.
Muye River, Royal Court large tent.
After more than half a month’s recuperation, Yelü Zhilugu’s leg injury had improved a lot; he could now walk a bit on the ground.
At this time, he sat on the folding stool at the head seat, looking melancholic and sullen, sometimes muttering to himself.
His guards saw his unusual state and didn’t dare disturb him, so someone invited Princess Hunhu over.
Princess Hunhu had just turned thirteen this year, extremely beautiful, with big round eyes and a voice as pleasant as a lark.
She was Yelü Zhilugu’s most favored daughter.
In the past, whenever Yelü Zhilugu encountered troubles, just hearing Princess Hunhu’s laughter would dispel all worries.
Now, seeing him muttering on the folding stool, Princess Hunhu blinked her big eyes innocently and sat beside him.
Her arms gently hugged his, and in a coquettish voice she said.
“Father Emperor, what’s wrong? What happened to make you so unhappy?”
“Hasn’t the war stopped? We’re no longer fighting the Eastern Capital!”
Yelü Zhilugu turned his head, forcing an ugly smile onto his gloomy face.
“Father Emperor is fine, just a bit sad.”
Princess Hunhu stood up, gently pounding his shoulders, and asked curiously: “Did something happen?”
Feeling his daughter’s tender little hands kneading his shoulders, Yelü Zhilugu’s mood improved somewhat.
He sighed lightly and said: “Your uncle died.”
“Uncle?” Princess Hunhu opened her big eyes, full of confusion.
He had several uncles, all currently safe in the Royal Court.
“Not them, it’s Wusi Tu,” Yelü Zhilugu said in a heavy tone.
“Ah! Uncle Wusi Tu? He died?”
Princess Hunhu was full of surprise, her small mouth slightly agape.
Two years ago, during the Northern Frontier rebellion, Yelü Wusitu had led the Kangli Army to reinforce the Royal Court.
That was when she first learned she had such an uncle.
But she never imagined he would die now.
A trace of pity and fear flashed in the girl’s heart.
Yelü Zhilugu gently patted Princess Hunhu’s shoulder and sighed: “Yes, he’s dead.”
“Killed by the Jin Prefecture Army, not even his body was collected for burial.”
Heartbroken and pained?
Not necessarily.
Yelü Zhilugu felt more a sorrow like “hare dies, fox grieves.”
According to the news from the scouts he sent to the Eastern Capital.
The Kangli Allied Army attacked the Eastern Capital and was completely annihilated by the Jin Prefecture Army.
Yelü Wusitu and the other Kangli leaders were all captured by the Jin Prefecture Army.
Then ordered executed by Li Xiao.
Their corpses were still hanging on wooden stakes by the Kor Riverbank, probably already starting to dry out.
This filled Yelü Zhilugu with shock and fear.
If speaking of his personal bond with Wusi Tu, it wasn’t that deep.
After all, they weren’t born to the same mother; in their youth, they competed for the throne, and after so many years apart, brotherly feelings had long faded.
What truly terrified Yelü Zhilugu was the powerful combat strength shown by the Jin Prefecture Army.
Thirty thousand Kangli cavalry annihilated—if not for the Kangli Army threat, it would have been the Royal Court Army completely wiped out.
“The Jin Prefecture Army is so bad.”
“Killing so many of our Royal Court warriors wasn’t enough; they even killed Uncle Wusi Tu.”
“They’re simply the worst villains under heaven.”
Princess Hunhu’s little face puffed up in anger, gritting her teeth.
She already knew Father Emperor had lost the battle at the Eastern Capital, suffering heavy losses, and he himself had lost a leg, remaining sullen ever since.
In her view, the Jin Prefecture Army was the culprit behind all the tragedies.
“It’s a pity I’m not a man; otherwise, I’d help Father Emperor defeat those Jin Prefecture people.”
“Capture that Jin Prefecture Governor called Li Xiao and make him kowtow ten thousand times before you.”
Hearing this, Yelü Zhilugu laughed heartily, taking it as his daughter comforting him.
Because he knew his daughter’s nature: kind-hearted, gentle-tempered, even calling people “bad guys,” and the harshest punishment she could imagine was kowtowing in apology.
Such a daughter, even if turned into a man, was no match for that villain Li Xiao.
But Yelü Zhilugu was still moved by his daughter’s filial heart and smiled: “Worthy of being my daughter.”
“Later, when I personally capture Li Xiao, I’ll let you watch him kowtow in apology before me.”
Father and daughter talked a bit more, and Yelü Zhilugu’s mood indeed improved a lot.
At that moment, a guard outside the tent said: “Your Majesty, Lord Han Jiuguang requests an audience.”
Yelü Zhilugu waved casually: “Let him in.”
He didn’t ask Princess Hunhu to leave either; unless it was particularly important, he never deliberately avoided his daughter.
This showed how much he doted on Princess Hunhu.
“Your Majesty, this minister comes to report.”
Han Jiuguang entered the tent and bowed.
At this moment, Zhilugu’s mood soured again, and in a depressed voice he said: “The money has all been sent?”
Han Jiuguang nodded lightly: “This minister personally delivered it to Hebei, handed over to the Jin Prefecture Army.”
Then, with a helpless look, he sighed: “Alas!”
“The Jin Prefecture Army took it readily, but that’s fifty thousand liang of gold, three hundred thousand liang of silver—truly too regrettable.”
As the words fell, Yelü Zhilugu’s gloomy face slammed his palm heavily on the table.
“Hmph, one day, I will make that scoundrel Li Xiao repay this money a thousand or ten thousand times over.”
This war compensation had really bled the Royal Court dry; Yelü Zhilugu’s heart was dripping blood.
Even his daily living standards had dropped sharply; he hadn’t eaten mutton for days.
“Your Majesty, the urgent matter is to find a way to raise more money.”
“After the Eastern Capital battle, our army suffered heavy losses, and the herdsmen’s morale is low. We can’t do without money,” Han Jiuguang said gravely.
“Money, money, money—always money. Do you think our Great Liao is a golden mountain and silver mountain?” Yelü Zhilugu fumed, his cheeks trembling at the mention of money.
“Your Majesty, how about we borrow some money from the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate?” Han Jiuguang suggested, as if struck by inspiration.
“Borrow money?” Yelü Zhilugu was somewhat tempted.
“That’s not impossible.”
“But our Great Liao State borrowing from a vassal state would really damage national prestige.”
“Better to increase the tribute!” Zhilugu said.
Not just the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate, but also the Western Kara-Khanid Khanate and Khwarazm, all vassal states of Great Liao.
Now that Great Liao was in trouble, they should provide support.
Han Jiuguang realized, looking admiring as he said: “Your Majesty is wise.”
Then, the two began discussing the feasibility of increasing tribute.
The Royal Court’s strength had suffered greatly now. If those vassal states refused to increase tribute, should they send troops to demand it?
Or support more pro-Western Liao political forces to power domestically?
Princess Hunhu sat obediently beside them the whole time, understanding their conversation clearly.
In the end, it all boiled down to the Jin Prefecture Army causing the Royal Court’s financial crisis.
So, in Princess Hunhu’s little heart, she had even less fondness for the Jin Prefecture.
“That Li Xiao person is just rotten to the core.”
Although she should call Li Xiao brother-in-law or uncle, in Princess Hunhu’s view, Yelü Jin had been forced to marry Li Xiao.
She wouldn’t acknowledge this brother-in-law.
Just as Princess Hunhu was listening absentmindedly, completely uninterested in these political matters and preparing to go back to accompany her mother, a guard appeared at the tent door again.
This time, the guard’s expression was even more urgent.
“Your Majesty, urgent report from the Hot Sea tribe: they’ve been attacked by the Jin Prefecture Army.”
Hearing this, Yelü Zhilugu shot up from the bed, then felt intense pain from his leg.
He hurriedly sat back down, still incredulous as he asked:
“What?”
“The Jin Prefecture Army came from the Yili direction?”
“Damn Li Xiao, what does he want?”
The Royal Court’s compensation had just been delivered, and now the Jin Prefecture Army was attacking again?
Could there be no trust between people?
Yelü Zhilugu now strongly suspected Li Xiao planned to first swindle all his money, then take his life.
Having lived half his life, Yelü Zhilugu had never seen such a despicable and shameless person.
Nearby, Han Jiuguang was also very surprised, as Li Xiao hadn’t notified him in advance.
He hurriedly said: “Your Majesty, don’t worry; better to see the Hot Sea man first!”
Hot Sea was the later Issyk-Kul.
It was the easternmost directly ruled territory of the Royal Court, the dividing line between the Royal Court and Yili.
To guard against the Jin Prefecture Army from Yili, Yelü Zhilugu had added a thousand households of herdsmen to the original thousand at Hot Sea.
In total, two thousand elite Royal Court soldiers—a very strong force.
“Bring him in.” Yelü Zhilugu ordered with a gloomy face.
Then, a disheveled Khitan cavalryman entered the large tent.
Hearing his explanation, Yelü Zhilugu was dumbfounded: “Pursuing Geluolu People?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Those Jin Prefecture Army told us we must hand over all the Geluolu tribes that fled here earlier, or they’ll send even more army,” the soldier said tremblingly.
Han Jiuguang breathed a sigh of relief inwardly and reminded: “Your Majesty, it’s the Geluolu tribe that sought refuge not long ago.”
“You promised to take them in, saying as long as they served the Royal Court, no one would retaliate.”
Yelü Zhilugu naturally remembered, but suddenly regretted his words being too absolute.
After the Eastern Capital battle, with heavy Royal Court losses, when the Geluolu Tribe sought protection, Yelü Zhilugu had readily agreed.
But who would have thought the Jin Prefecture Army would be so petty.
Holding onto mere Geluolu People, even chasing them into Royal Court territory.
“Simply arrogant.”
“Utterly insolent—do they no longer respect our Great Liao?”
“Someone come~”
Yelü Zhilugu roared in fury, but after choking for a while, he didn’t dare order war again.
Then, with a dejected gaze at Han Jiuguang, he sighed: “Privy Councillor, what do you say we do about the current situation?”
In truth, he already had an idea in mind.
Han Jiuguang shook his head gravely: “Our army is exhausted; it’s really not suitable to fight the Jin Prefecture Army again.”
“The only plan now is to send those Geluolu People back.”
Send them back?
Yelü Zhilugu’s face was full of grief and indignation.
This was practically rubbing his face in the dirt.
But helplessly, the Royal Court Army’s strength hadn’t recovered; they really couldn’t fight.
So he waved his hand, looking dejected: “Go on, tell them to get lost.”
“Damn Geluolu People—when will they stop causing trouble for our Great Liao?”
Han Jiuguang nodded lightly: “Yes, sir!”
Then he exited the tent, exhaling a turbid breath.
Looking at the blue sky, he shook his head inwardly: “How many more years can such a Royal Court hold out? Time to prepare to go to Jin Prefecture.”
