Chapter 227: Wei Xuan, Do You Want A Wife?
“Boom boom boom boom~”
In winter, the Northern Frontier was freezing cold, with blizzards being common weather.
After the wind and snow stopped, another team hurried from the west toward Hexi Fort.
Compared to Jiu Meng’an He’s group that arrived half a month ago, who were migrating with their families.
This team appeared even more neat and tidy, with only over two hundred people, all burly cavalrymen.
Among them, one hundred wore white cotton armor, tasseled helmets with ear protectors on their heads, and their faces covered with a layer of cotton cloth, wrapping their entire bodies tightly in the wind and snow, exposing only a pair of eyes.
The other side was dressed similarly, but in dark red cotton armor, each soldier carrying a thick aura of ferocity, with a faint bloody smell still detectable.
This team was exactly Er Hu’s unit that had just ended the Southern Xinjiang campaign.
After returning to Yili, he did not delay much, made simple arrangements, and then led his guards back to Jin Prefecture.
With him was also Li Dashan’s personal guard team.
Both had received Li Xiao’s orders to return to Jin Prefecture to report on their duties.
“After more than half a year, we’re finally back.”
Er Hu, clad in bloodstained armor, looked at the distant Dragon Bone Lake and let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Beyond Dragon Bone Lake was Hexi Fort.
Home.
“Yeah, at least we can go home and spend the New Year; there probably won’t be a chance next year.” Li Dashan nodded lightly.
He had received news that this time he would be formally appointed by Li Xiao as the Yin Mountains Protector General, stationed in Eastern Capital and North Sea.
Mainly to guard against nomadic peoples from the northwest direction, as well as to support Er Hu’s unit in Yili at any time.
So, without Li Xiao’s orders, it would be impossible to easily return to Jin Prefecture.
This was probably the last peaceful New Year he would spend in Jin Prefecture.
The wind and snow had stopped, the sun appeared in the sky, but Jin Prefecture’s weather remained cold.
Even with their faces wrapped tightly, their eye corners were still frozen red.
But for this kind of weather, everyone who grew up in Jin Prefecture was long accustomed to it, with bodies tougher and more cold-resistant than one another.
Er Hu rode on horseback, asking as he went, “Sixth Uncle, what official position do you think my brother will give me this time?”
Li Dashan was also riding slowly beside him and said without hesitation:
“You’ve earned merits in Eastern Capital and Seven Rivers before, and gained plenty in Southern Xinjiang; your military merits and qualifications are sufficient.”
“Yili Protectorate General is definitely yours.”
“But the commander position depends on how Da Long considers it.”
They had also heard the news about the Northern Frontier expanding the Six Garrisons.
After all, in these past few months, garrison soldiers from various places had been frequently mobilized; they could guess most of it.
With the addition of three military towns’ establishments, the biggest beneficiaries were these Jin Prefecture Army generals.
A large number of people would be promoted or reassigned, and among the rank-and-file soldiers, many would cross that threshold to become squad leaders.
So in this winter, Jin Prefecture’s atmosphere remained heated, not obscured by the severe cold and blizzards.
“Heh heh heh, in terms of merits, I have enough, but in terms of seniority, there are many elders ahead; it probably won’t be my turn yet.” Er Hu chuckled.
But his two eyes were gently turning, as if brewing some plan.
Although his merits were great, by seniority, Li Sanhe, Li Sishui, and the directors of the Qin, Zhao, and Luo families were all his elders.
So Er Hu was pondering whether sending that Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate princess to Li Xiao could give him some advantage.
This southern invasion ended because winter arrived; after breaking through Jimo, Er Hu had to withdraw to Yili.
The negotiation terms with Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate, besides gold and silver, cattle and sheep, grain, and other supplies, included demanding they offer a princess for a marriage alliance.
However, Yusupu was too old; most of his daughters were already married, and his granddaughters were quite young.
In the end, there were only three princesses of marriageable age.
One was Yusupu’s youngest daughter, who had been betrothed to a noble family but was forcibly separated and sent to the marriage alliance team.
The remaining two were Yusupu’s granddaughters.
Er Hu decided to send Yusupu’s youngest daughter to Li Dashan, and take one each for himself and Li Xiao.
Use them to employ a beauty trap, getting Li Xiao and Li Dashan to support him becoming commander.
“Er Hu, you need to have confidence in yourself.”
“And Sixth Uncle definitely supports you.” Li Dashan said with a hearty laugh.
Although the Eastern Kara-Khanid Khanate princess had not yet arrived, as it depended on Li Xiao’s decision, Er Hu’s filial gesture had been received.
A good kid; Sixth Uncle thinks highly of you.
Moreover, Li Dashan’s son was still young, and he had only one younger brother, whose abilities and qualifications couldn’t match Er Hu’s—not even for myriad household commander, let alone competing for commander.
The remaining kin relations were similar, so Li Dashan was happy to play the nice guy.
“Heh heh heh, then thank you, Sixth Uncle.”
“Don’t worry, after I get back, I’ll definitely get you more Uyghur beauties.” Er Hu patted his chest and grinned.
If it were before, he wouldn’t aspire to the commander position, but now he had earned merits!
Even among Li Dashan’s generation of old-timers, few could compete with him.
Soon, the two led their respective personal guards to Hexi Fort, went to Li Xiao’s courtyard without going home first.
At this time, Li Xiao was drinking with someone!
A roasted lamb leg, plus a few plates of greens and blood sausage—even for a meal hosted by the Great Protector—was equally simple and unadorned.
“Wei Xuan, how long have we known each other?”
Li Xiao said after downing a mouthful of Western Wind Fierce.
“Three or four years, I think.” Wei Xuan recalled for a moment and said softly.
At this time, he wore a cotton robe; his former buzz cut had grown to finger-length, his face rough-skinned and frozen red.
After downing a mouthful of strong liquor, he felt a heat flow rush from his stomach straight to the top of his head, a tingling sensation sweeping his body, finally bringing some warmth.
“That year, Sanhe Fort was breached by Geluolu people; Great Protector, you led men to retake Sanhe Fort, killed all the Geluolu people, and avenged the villagers who died in Sanhe Fort.”
“This kindness, I, Wei Xuan, will never forget in my lifetime.”
Thinking of the Sanhe Fort incident back then, Wei Xuan’s eyes flashed with ferocity.
The elegant youth of that year had now become an iron-blooded general.
In these years, the number of Geluolu people, Naiman people, and Uyghur people dead by his hand was countless.
Hatred’s blood had stained his once pure heart, turning him into a butcher as well.
“Back then, I killed all the Geluolu people not for your kindness, Wei Xuan, but for the many common people who died tragically in Sanhe Fort.”
“They suffered so much!” Li Xiao sighed heavily.
Wei Xuan listened with gleaming tiger eyes.
Unknowingly, the lamb leg was more than half eaten, and half a jar of Western Wind Fierce had been drunk.
Wei Xuan’s emotions were running high; even with Li Xiao’s capacity, his face was slightly flushed.
Like good brothers, Li Xiao put his arm around Wei Xuan’s shoulders, recounting Wei Xuan’s merits over the years.
“In the Battle of Naiman, you charged into the fray, suffered over a dozen spear and arrow wounds, and captured Buyiru Khan alive.”
“In the Eastern Capital battle, you led the charge again, captured the royal court crown prince Yelü Zhixin…”
Li Xiao gripped Wei Xuan’s shoulders, emotionally recounting his merits, even giving a thumbs up; Wei Xuan listened with boiling blood and deep emotion.
The saying “a warrior dies for a bosom friend” was no more than this.
“You’ve probably heard the rumors; this time our Northern Frontier Army is facing a major expansion.”
“The original three garrisons will be reorganized into six.” Li Xiao took a sip of wine with Wei Xuan, exhaled a breath of alcohol, and patted his shoulder.
“With your merits, being a chiliarch is really too modest; with your abilities, myriad household commander is well within reach.”
“The opportunity is yours; I believe with your skills, Wei Xuan, you will forge the myriad household cavalry under you into the sharpest spear of our Northern Frontier.”
Hearing Li Xiao’s words, Wei Xuan was stunned.
What did he hear?
Myriad household commander?
At this moment, he quickly shook his head, thinking he had drunk too much and misheard.
“I-I-I~ Great Protector, this~ myriad household commander?”
Seeing Wei Xuan’s shocked look, Li Xiao found it amusing.
This kid, since they met, had always pretended to be deep and reserved, saying little fierce words, rarely losing composure.
But drunk, he finally revealed his true nature—he was ultimately just a young man.
“Hahaha, that’s right.” Li Xiao laughed heartily.
His large hand clapped heavily on Wei Xuan’s shoulder, saying firmly: “No mistake, you, Wei Xuan, myriad household commander.”
At this time, Wei Xuan’s position was acting chiliarch.
With this army expansion, turning substantive was certain, and even promotion to deputy myriad household commander would be normal.
But he hadn’t expected to skip straight over deputy myriad household commander to become myriad household commander.
Wei Xuan was dumbfounded: “This, this~”
“Great Protector, this doesn’t follow the rules!”
Unexpectedly, Li Xiao waved his hand: “How doesn’t it follow the rules?”
“I am the Great Protector; my rules are the rules.”
“I say you can be myriad household commander, and you can bear it.”
Li Xiao’s lips curved slightly, his gaze burning as it fell on Wei Xuan’s face; he said gravely: “Moreover, these years, the military merits you’ve earned, Wei Xuan, stacked up could snap a flagpole.”
His fingertip lightly tapped the table edge, the wine in the bowl gently rippling.
“Promoting you to myriad household commander doesn’t break any rules—in this Great Protector’s eyes, real skill is what matters most.”
“With your skills, you should lead more troops to roam and dominate on the battlefield.”
“Myriad household commander is the glory you deserve and the starting point for wielding the sword.”
As he spoke, Li Xiao’s tone grew solemn, his gaze fixed tightly on Wei Xuan’s eyes; he said gravely: “Wei Xuan, don’t disappoint my expectations.”
Promoting Wei Xuan to myriad household commander was a decision Li Xiao had considered for a long time.
Not because of his sister; even without Wei Erya, Li Xiao would have done it.
Because Wei Xuan’s merits were great enough, his abilities great enough.
Jin Prefecture Army had plenty of fierce generals, but few commanders; even fewer could lead tens of thousands in battle.
And Wei Xuan’s potential was huge.
He was not just a recklessly brave fierce general; in combat, he understood strategy, thought deeply, and even considered the big picture to help Li Xiao formulate many strategic plans.
The chiliarch position limited his talents; myriad household commander or higher was his stage.
Li Xiao truly intended to cultivate him as a commander.
After Li Xiao finished speaking, Wei Xuan was emotional; “a warrior dies for a bosom friend” might be exaggerated, but Li Xiao truly understood him.
He did not crave power, but used power to display his abilities and talents; Li Xiao had given him the chance to shine.
“With the Great Protector’s such trust, this subordinate will repay with his life.”
With that, Wei Xuan threw back a bowl of wine, choking until his face turned red, coughing nonstop.
Seeing this, Li Xiao laughed heartily, put his arm around Wei Xuan’s shoulders, and drained his own bowl: “I want you to bring death to the Northern Frontier’s enemies; I can’t bear to let you die.”
Just as the two were drinking more and more excitedly, Er Hu’s loud voice rang out from outside.
“Elder Brother, Elder Brother.”
“Where’s my nephew?”
“Golden Saber, my dear nephew, your second uncle is here to see you.”
As soon as the words fell, Er Hu rushed into the hall covered in dust, looking excited, glancing around.
He looked at the nearly drunk Wei Xuan, then at Li Xiao and asked: “Elder Brother, where’s my nephew?”
Li Xiao had already learned of Er Hu and Li Dashan’s return, but since they were family, he didn’t bother with formal welcomes.
Yet he noticed that after some time apart, Er Hu’s aura of ferocity was even heavier, his eyes sharper, with stubble starting on his cheeks.
“With your panicked rush, people who don’t know would think something happened.” Li Xiao, face red, set down his wine cup and said.
“Golden Saber is still sleeping in the inner room; wait till he wakes, then bring him out for you to see.”
“Come, sit down, have some wine to warm up.”
“Where’s Sixth Uncle?”
Just as he spoke, Li Dashan walked in, also looking for his grandnephew, and was pulled to sit by Li Xiao.
The four continued drinking and eating.
But Wei Xuan was clearly too drunk.
After a while, Li Xiao put his arm around his shoulders, grinning as he asked: “Wei Xuan, do you want a wife?”
Wei Xuan’s capacity was far inferior to Li Xiao’s; he was already dazed from drink.
After Li Xiao spoke, he still had a clear yet bewildered expression: “Huh?”
“What did you say?”
Er Hu was also stunned, bellowing directly into Wei Xuan’s ear: “My elder brother says he’s going to find you a wife.”
Wife?
This time he heard clearly, but Wei Xuan couldn’t hold on; his gaze became glassy, he opened his mouth as if to speak, but in the end said nothing.
He directly slumped onto the table.
“Thud~”
Seeing his state, Er Hu burst out laughing: “Wei Xuan is still so effeminate; every time drinking, he’s the first to drop.”
Er Hu had just sat down and drunk not even two bowls before mocking Wei Xuan.
Meanwhile, Li Dashan beside him looked puzzled at Li Xiao: “Da Long, which one are you planning to find for Wei Xuan as wife?”
A wife was the main wife, definitely different from the female slaves they usually captured.
The children born to the main wife would inherit Wei Xuan’s career in the future.
Moreover, Wei Xuan’s age was indeed not young, but with all elders deceased, only a sister remained at home.
He himself was busy with fighting, no one to manage his affairs, so it had been delayed.
But now as a myriad household commander, he was actually a golden bachelor, with no shortage of girls eyeing him.
Seeing Wei Xuan pass out, Li Xiao stopped drinking, leaned lightly back in his chair, chuckled and said: “It’s Second Uncle.”
“He asked me to sound out Wei Xuan’s intentions.”
Li Dashan realized: “Er Feng?”
“Yeah, Er Feng has also reached marriageable age.”
With that, he looked at Wei Xuan again, nodding lightly: “Second Brother has good taste; Wei Xuan is a fine man, won’t wrong Er Feng.”
Li Xiao nodded faintly: “Moreover, Er Feng herself is willing; this little girl has long had her eye on Wei Xuan.”
“Hahaha~”
……
Hearing that Wei Xuan had returned to Hexi Fort with his sister, Li Xiao decided to personally escort him home.
It was still the house where the siblings had temporarily stayed in Hexi Fort back then, just two very small rooms, already quite dilapidated.
At this time, Wei Erya was tidying the house, and Er Feng had come over to help under the pretext of being good girlfriends.
Hearing the noise outside, she turned to look, just in time to see Li Xiao carrying Wei Xuan back.
“Oh dear, Elder Brother, what’s wrong with Brother Wei?”
“How did you let him drink so much? Don’t you know he has poor tolerance?”
Er Feng hurriedly ran up to help Li Xiao support Wei Xuan, constantly checking his face, looking very anxious.
Seeing this, Li Xiao shook his head and sighed lightly: “Once a girl grows up, she can’t be kept at home.”
Er Feng’s heart was already on Wei Xuan; Li Xiao and Second Uncle naturally wouldn’t break up the couple.
“It’s fine, he’ll be good after sleeping it off.” Li Xiao said with a wry smile, carrying Wei Xuan into the room.
He had clearly drunk plenty himself, yet no one cared?
Fortunately, after placing Wei Xuan on the bed, Wei Erya first simply tidied him up, then brought a bowl of hot water and said.
“Great Protector, thank you for bringing my brother back; otherwise, I couldn’t move him.”
Li Xiao took the hot water, cradling it in his hands, immediately feeling the chill on his body ease a lot.
“No trouble; since he drank with me, I naturally have to send him home.”
“Otherwise, if something happened on the road, wouldn’t you blame me?” Li Xiao said jokingly.
Wei Erya pursed her lips and smiled upon hearing this.
In just a short year apart, this little girl had grown graceful and poised.
At this moment, she wore black leather boots, a plain white fitted outfit covered with a wolf-fur vest, a dagger at her waist, her black hair thick and long, casually tied with a red cloth strip, swaying gently with her steps.
Faintly, a natural fresh scent wafted over.
Li Xiao’s heart stirred slightly, but his gaze remained calmly smiling, quietly watching her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Is there something on my face?”
Wei Erya felt a bit shy under Li Xiao’s gaze, her snow-white cheeks beginning to flush pink.
She first touched her cheek with her hand, then looked down at her clothes.
This was specially dressed before coming to Hexi Fort; there shouldn’t be any issue.
Li Xiao shook his head with a light smile: “Nothing, just noticed you’ve grown a lot taller.”
Li Xiao’s height was about 1.85 meters, but he only needed to look down slightly to see Wei Erya’s eyes.
This girl was half a head taller than ordinary women; her figure was curvaceous where it should be, perky where it should be— the little girl had fully become a big girl.
Her whole body exuded an alluring youthful aura.
A tall girl like her mounted on a horse would surely be as dashing as a red falcon on the grassland.
Wei Erya said helplessly upon hearing this: “I don’t know what’s going on; I just keep growing.”
“I’m really afraid of growing more.”
The figure others envied had become a worry for Wei Erya.
The key was growing too tall, leaving few men who could match her.
Probably only Li Xiao had that aura.
After exchanging a few words, noise came from the inner room again.
It turned out Wei Xuan had vomited; Wei Erya hurriedly gathered things to wipe him.
But Er Feng was even more quick, taking over all tasks, her attentiveness pushing Wei Erya out.
Those who didn’t know would think she was Wei Xuan’s sister.
Seeing her heart fully on Wei Xuan, Li Xiao could only shake his head helplessly.
Girls’ hearts turn outward; not even married yet and already so proactive— in the future, wouldn’t she be completely under Wei Xuan’s thumb?
Wei Erya was also watching Er Feng.
After coming to Hexi Fort four years ago, since their ages were close and Li Xiao had specially instructed to take good care of Sanhe Fort people.
The two became good girlfriends.
But gradually, Wei Erya discovered her girlfriend had ulterior motives.
She treated her as a girlfriend, but she wanted to be her sister-in-law.
And on this matter, Wei Xuan seemed oblivious, thick-headed as ever.
But deep down, Wei Erya still hoped Er Feng could be her sister-in-law.
The Li Family was a newly rising family; Er Feng, raised like an ordinary family’s girl, could herd sheep, cut grass, and do any work.
She was a thrifty and capable housewife.
After marrying Wei Xuan, she would surely take good care of him, and Wei Erya could rest easy.
But thinking of herself, Wei Erya was also grown up.
Wei Xuan had mentioned several times looking at prospective matches, but she had refused them all.
Thinking this, Wei Erya lifted her eyes, secretly sizing up the man before her.
At the same time, Li Xiao suddenly turned to look at her; their gazes met, and Wei Erya panicked, quickly looking away.
Seeing her sneaky look, Li Xiao’s lips curved slightly; he said softly: “By the way, your brother just mentioned something.”
“What?” Wei Erya said absentmindedly.
Li Xiao lowered his voice slightly, saying softly: “He said he wants to marry you to me, and asked if I’m willing?”
Hearing this, Wei Erya’s body trembled sharply, her ear tips burning like fire.
Her heart felt like a little deer chaotically leaping; her flustered gaze darted around, as if worried someone would notice.
After a long while, she squeezed out through gritted teeth: “Brother… Brother is just making things up…”
“He said nonsense from drinking too much; don’t listen to him~”
She was right; Wei Xuan hadn’t said that— Li Xiao was teasing her.
But as a man, in such matters, he should be more proactive, more shameless.
As for tomorrow when Wei Xuan woke and Wei Erya asked, Li Xiao had a response.
Just say Wei Xuan drank too much and forgot!
But a real man, one spit is one nail.
Li Xiao had already “married” the girl to him, taken the advantage, and still wanted to keep his own sister under wraps?
Thus, before Wei Erya finished, Li Xiao interrupted: “I agreed.”
“What?”
Wei Erya was stunned.
Li Xiao’s finger gently touched Wei Erya’s cheek, feeling the scorching heat at his fingertip, slowly lifting that exquisite flawless face.
Looking at Wei Erya, he said: “I said, such a beautiful girl as you— how could I be unwilling?”
“Parental orders and matchmaker’s words; your parents are gone, so the elder brother acts as father.”
“Your brother has decided to marry you to me, so you are a woman of the Li Family.”
Li Xiao said in a domineering voice.
His consistent attitude toward women was: if he liked, go for it.
Moreover, which girl doesn’t dream of romance? From this girl’s various behaviors, she definitely had feelings.
After all, back at Sanhe Fort, Li Xiao had heroically saved her from the Geluolu people’s butcher knife.
To Wei Erya, Li Xiao was the hero of her life.
Sure enough, after his words, Wei Erya’s cheeks visibly reddened even more.
Her expression grew more flustered and shy, not daring to meet Li Xiao’s eyes.
“You, you, you’re bullying me~”
With that, she turned and ran out of the room; but with Li Xiao’s experience, how could he not know the girl was already in his grasp?
Thus, he turned to Wei Xuan lying in the inner room, chuckling inwardly: “From now on, we’ll each mind our own; you’ll call me second uncle-in-law, and I’ll call you brother-in-law.”
