Chapter 270: Wuji, I’ve Met Uncle-in-law
The fire of July blazed, and the scorching sun of the Hexi Corridor was like a heated iron, searing the yellow-brown land.
On this day, another group entered the Hexi Corridor, winding their way like a listless long snake, crossing Tiger Wolf Valley and heading further west.
Disheveled common people, camels and ox carts loaded with grain, cattle and horses carrying supplies, and a Northern Frontier Army escort.
They walked slowly, and the Northern Frontier Cavalry also moved forward at a leisurely pace.
Along the way, the soldiers had long since shed their cotton armor, wearing only hemp clothing to shield themselves from the sun, wiping sweat from their faces and complaining about the heat,
“Hurry up a bit. We’ll reach Liangzhou City before tonight, and everyone can rest properly for two days.”
Wang Da Niu tore open his sweat-soaked hemp shirt, looked at the common people in front and behind, and shouted loudly.
He was burly, with a scruffy beard, and his bare chest was covered in scars. By his age, he looked nearly forty.
He was no longer young. After returning to the Northern Frontier, he planned to retire from frontline combat units, retain his military household status, and transition to managing the common people.
Although he wouldn’t have the chance to loot or profit from war, it would at least be safe, allowing him to retire in peace.
After all, he had accumulated quite a bit of wealth and head rewards from his spoils over the past few years.
Moreover, his two sons had already established themselves in the army; his eldest son had even become a captain like himself, so Wang Da Niu could retire with peace of mind.
“Captain, how much further to the Northern Frontier? When will we get there?”
A seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth, carrying a bag of grain, panted as he wiped sweat from his brow and looked up at Wang Da Niu.
His name was San Wa Zi. He had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a well-defined face. He was originally a Han person from outside Zhuoluo City, forcibly brought back to Hexi by the Northern Frontier Army.
He hadn’t thought about escaping, but he couldn’t take his family with him.
Furthermore, the Northern Frontier Army had strict military discipline and a ten-household collective punishment system; if one person escaped, all ten households would be executed.
Therefore, everyone was watching each other, and no one had an opportunity to escape.
Coupled with the enticing promises made by the Northern Frontier Army, he decided to follow Wang Da Niu and his group.
After getting to know him over the past few days, Wang Da Niu chuckled and said, “What’s wrong? Are you eager to eat meat?”
The Northern Frontier Army’s propaganda promised that everyone in the Northern Frontier would have meat to eat, and 60% of the grain they cultivated each year would be left for themselves.
Although the common people remained skeptical, it was at least a hopeful prospect.
San Wa Zi grinned, his Adam’s apple bobbing, “In all my life, I’ve never even tasted meat soup, let alone eaten meat.”
The youth’s voice was full of longing. His family had been tenant farmers for generations. After paying land rent and taxes, the remaining coarse grains and bran were barely enough to fill their stomachs.
So, San Wa Zi often wondered what meat tasted like.
He had heard others say it was the most delicious thing in the world, incredibly tasty.
“Alas, you are a pitiable child. Once we settle down in the Northern Frontier, I’ll personally ensure you get a meal of meat. This captain’s word is his bond.” Wang Da Niu sighed softly.
This was the reality of the era; it was incredibly difficult for ordinary people to eat meat.
They were even reluctant to eat the fine grains they grew themselves, selling them at the market to exchange for coarse grains or even bran, just to fill their family’s stomachs.
Wang Da Niu was from Dunhuang, a place even poorer than Hexi.
He had seen the hardships of the common people far too often.
If he hadn’t been a minor official guarding the city at Yumen Pass in the past, his life would likely not have been much better than San Wa Zi’s.
“Hehehe, alright, alright.”
“I’ll be waiting for that meat. I really want to get to the Northern Frontier quickly.” San Wa Zi grinned.
He only thought of eating meat, completely unaware that it was still over two thousand li from Liangzhou City to Dragon City.
“However, once we reach the Northern Frontier, our Great Protector will only provide you with one meal of meat.”
“Do you want to eat meat all the time?” Wang Da Niu said from his horse.
“Yes, of course I do.” San Wa Zi nodded frantically, his eyes filled with a craving for meat.
“Then come and be a soldier.”
“I guarantee you’ll eat meat every few days,” Wang Da Niu said in a deep voice, sizing up San Wa Zi.
He was tall, but very thin. However, he had great strength; carrying a sixty-jin bag of grain for so long without collapsing was impressive.
It was evident that San Wa Zi had a good foundation and could recover with more food.
Such a talent was perfectly suited to be a soldier and eat army rations.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, a man walked over quickly from not far away and said, “Captain, thank you for your kindness.”
“We are all honest farming families, how could we be soldiers and fight?”
“We can be civilian laborers transporting grain, but we can’t go to the battlefield.”
This man was San Wa Zi’s father, around forty years old, and also very tall, carrying a bag of grain.
He looked like a simple farmer, unwilling to let his son die on the battlefield.
Wang Da Niu chuckled and said no more. He could understand the man’s feelings, but in this era, not striving for oneself would not guarantee safety.
Moreover, San Wa Zi was clearly intrigued by Wang Da Niu’s words, and a glint of ambition appeared in his eyes.
What young boy doesn’t have aspirations?
San Wa Zi, in particular, had witnessed the power of the Northern Frontier Army firsthand, with their overwhelming cavalry charges that shook the very earth.
The corrupt officials who usually lorded over them were so terrified they knelt and soiled themselves.
In the eyes of the youth, the Northern Frontier Army had become synonymous with strength and ferocity.
He naturally wanted to become one of them, to roam the battlefield and provide a better life for his family.
But for now, he had to keep this thought to himself.
Wang Da Niu was a gentle person by nature, and over the past few days, he had become familiar with the surrounding common people, chatting with them casually as they traveled.
“Captain, when we reach the Northern Frontier, will we really get land? And will we really get to keep 60% of the grain?”
A man asked again for confirmation, as the government’s credibility in this era was questionable, and anyone who fully trusted them would be a fool.
Wang Da Niu wiped the sweat from his face and glared at him with his ox-like eyes, “Our Great Protector’s words are as good as gold, how could they be false?”
“Furthermore, we already have people in the Northern Frontier cultivating public land, with only 20% rent and 20% land tax, and nothing else.”
“You can rest assured.”
Wang Da Niu patted his chest in assurance.
His words reassured the surrounding common people considerably.
Although Wang Da Niu was leading the escort, he had never mistreated them.
And because Wang Da Niu was from Dunhuang, making them half-countrymen, they trusted him more.
“Alas, we’ll be strangers in a strange land once we reach the Northern Frontier. It would be great if Captain could always be in charge of us.”
An old lady said, holding her little grandson.
Wang Da Niu heard this and laughed heartily, patting his chest, “Alright.”
“As long as you are willing to listen to me, once we reach the Northern Frontier, I will continue to look after you.”
At this, the surrounding common people immediately became happy and eagerly gathered around, asking, “Really?”
“Really,” Wang Da Niu replied.
“That’s great, that’s great.”
Compared to the Dangxiang officials they had encountered before, Wang Da Niu treated them much better.
Since they were half-countrymen and had become familiar, the common people were naturally willing to have a familiar face continue to look after them.
Moreover, Wang Da Niu had decided to apply for retirement from frontline duty upon returning to the Northern Frontier; his body could no longer endure long periods of mounted combat.
According to the ‘Retraining Regulations’ set by Li Xiao, any Northern Frontier soldier who reached the age of forty, or was disabled or otherwise unsuitable for long-term combat.
Could apply to the Military Affairs Department for retraining, while retaining their military household status, to manage ordinary commoners.
Furthermore, their rank could be elevated from their current position; currently, it was a two-rank promotion, with future adjustments to be one rank or even a lateral transfer depending on the circumstances.
For example, Wang Da Niu, currently a captain, would become a centurion after retraining, managing two hundred households of commoners.
He would be responsible solely for the civil affairs of these two hundred households, overseeing land reclamation and cultivation, tax collection, handling daily disputes, conscription, and so on.
And with these hundreds of thousands of commoners, the source of Northern Frontier Army soldiers would no longer be limited to military households.
Ordinary youths like San Wa Zi could also join the Northern Frontier Army.
However, they would still hold civilian status, and only after achieving military merit could they be converted to military households.
Military household status was akin to being a cadre in later generations.
With military household status, one could be promoted and allocated land.
And after retraining, they would have a better future.
Therefore, becoming a soldier became the only chance for youths from ordinary families like San Wa Zi to defy fate.
However, military household status was not permanent.
If military household numbers were expanded without limit, unless the Northern Frontier continuously expanded outwards.
Otherwise, the massive number of military households would eventually drag the Northern Frontier down.
Therefore, Li Xiao was already planning further reforms for military households.
Establishing a rank system.
With each generation, their rank would automatically decrease by one level until they lost their military household status.
The purpose of this was to prevent descendants of military households from living off their ancestors’ merits and becoming parasites in the Northern Frontier.
However, the implementation of this system was still premature, and Li Xiao was awaiting an opportune moment.
Wang Da Niu and his group traveled intermittently and finally reached Liangzhou City by evening.
“We’re finally here.”
Looking at the silhouette of Liangzhou City under the setting sun, Wang Da Niu breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
Afterwards, he led the common people to find a flat area outside the city to set up camp, and ordered porridge to be cooked.
He himself, along with a soldier, went to report to his direct centurion.
The next day, the weather was still very hot, and the rammed earth city walls of Liangzhou City felt scorching to the touch, but fortunately, the wind in the Hexi Corridor was strong, dispelling some of the heat from the land and making the newly hung Sun and Moon Battle Flag on the city tower flutter noisily.
Since the first batch of Northern Frontier Army personnel, escorting over a thousand Hexi civilians, grain carts, cattle, and sheep, returned to Liangzhou City half a month ago.
Su Wuji had become a regular visitor at the city gates.
Every day, he would bring his friends to play outside the city gates, his dark eyes occasionally looking towards the end of the official road.
Sometimes, ox carts laden with grain would arrive, other times, herdsmen driving flocks of sheep.
More often, it was the people of Hexi carrying goods and their families.
They were all forcibly resettled in the Hexi Corridor by the Northern Frontier Army, but the young Su Wuji didn’t understand this; he only knew that the population of Liangzhou City had increased.
It was fine inside the city, but outside, it was chaotic every day.
After the new people arrived, the original residents would leave for unknown destinations, and then another group of people would arrive.
This cycle continued, and there were always many people outside Liangzhou City, but the numbers remained within a certain range, without causing major disturbances.
This day at noon, while he was playing with his friends, he unexpectedly discovered a group of people outside the city gate.
They were wearing armor or plain cloth, appearing to be Northern Frontier officials and generals.
The leader was Jiu Meng’an He, who looked at Su Wuji and the others with a hint of suspicion and asked curiously, “Whose children are these?”
“The Great Protector is about to return to Liangzhou. Letting these children be here, wouldn’t it disturb him?”
Liangzhou City was not the stronghold of the Northern Frontier. As a newly conquered territory, its people still harbored some hostility towards the Northern Frontier Army.
Naturally, there would be no grand welcoming ceremony at the city gates. Moreover, for Li Xiao’s safety, Jiu Meng’an He had already ordered the area to be cleared of idlers in advance.
But why were there still a group of children here?
The general in charge of this matter quickly stepped forward and said, “Sima, please forgive us. That child is the nephew of our Myriad Household Commander Wei, and should call Madam Wei aunt.”
Upon hearing this, Jiu Meng’an He was instantly stunned.
Wei Xuan’s nephew?
Although he didn’t know when Wei Xuan had acquired such a nephew, Jiu Meng’an He certainly wouldn’t pick a quarrel with a child.
Furthermore, although he had Xiao Yanyan’s backing, he still had to give Madam Wei some face.
So, he let it be.
Not long after, a muffled thunder of hooves echoed on the dirt road outside Liangzhou City, and the rising yellow dust could be seen from afar.
Su Wuji instantly straightened his small body, stood on a large rock, and looked far towards the east.
The commotion this time was much greater than usual. The dust raised was like a yellow cloud, obscuring half the sky.
When the white Sun and Moon Battle Flag pierced through the dust and unfurled with a blood-red border in the wind, Su Wuji could no longer contain himself. He waved his chubby little hands and shouted, “Uncle, Uncle is back!”
He was very intelligent.
Although he had only had brief interactions with Wei Xuan, he had remembered Wei Xuan’s flag.
The white Sun and Moon Battle Flag with a red border belonged to the Sixth Garrison, where Wei Xuan was stationed, and if the words ‘Eighteen’ were written below the Sun and Moon emblem, it represented the myriad household cavalry personally led by Wei Xuan.
Therefore, Su Wuji stood on a rock and began to shout loudly.
“Uncle, Uncle~”
He had a fearless demeanor, completely disregarding the strange glances of others, a true social butterfly.
He was also unfazed by the chilling aura of bloodshed emanating from the Northern Frontier soldiers as their weapons clashed, remaining boisterously cheerful with his characteristic thick skin.
As if he was born for this life.
The vanguard cavalry of the Northern Frontier Sixth Garrison halted outside the city, followed by a large number of commoners, cattle, horses, and camels being settled outside the city. It was a long time before Su Wuji spotted Wei Xuan in the midst of the army.
Excitedly, he jumped and shouted again, “Uncle, Uncle, I’m here.”
He even ran towards Wei Xuan on his short little legs.
His companions behind him looked at Su Wuji with envy.
They too wished they had an uncle who was a general in the Northern Frontier, but they could only envy him.
Moreover, these children were mostly from families whose lands had been confiscated by the government, although they had previously possessed some modest property.
At this moment, they could still play innocently with Su Wuji, unaware that the gap in their social standing would widen in the future.
However, as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. With Su Wuji’s connection, as long as they proved themselves, they would undoubtedly go further and higher than others in the future.
At this time, Wei Xuan was speaking with Li Xiao.
After the battle of Roulang Mountain, Li Xiao led the Wuwei Army to cover the retreat. Once he confirmed there were no pursuers, he slowly retreated back to the Hexi Corridor.
Due to their all-cavalry composition, their speed was very high. Near Wushao Ridge, they encountered Wei Xuan, who was escorting the last batch of civilians and grain.
With the natural defenses of Wushao Ridge and Tiger Wolf Valley, the Western Xia Army naturally could not launch a surprise attack on the Northern Frontier Army.
So, Li Xiao decided to escort the civilians together with Wei Xuan, returning at a leisurely pace.
As they neared the city gate, he suddenly heard a child’s tender voice calling out “Uncle.”
Wei Xuan was the first to see Su Wuji running and jumping around, his expression turning somewhat grim.
“This brat, I’ll give him a good beating when we get back.”
With so many common people outside the city, and so many cavalry, who would care about a child’s status?
If any real danger were to occur, my elder sister wouldn’t know how to cope with the grief.
Li Xiao also noticed the child, seeing that the child was looking in his direction.
“Wei Xuan, whose child is that? He seems to be greeting you.”
The distance was too far, and due to the Liangzhou dialect, Li Xiao couldn’t clearly hear what the child was shouting.
Wei Xuan gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying, “Great Protector, that is my nephew, Su Wuji, nicknamed Da Pang.”
Hearing that the child was Wei Xuan’s nephew, Li Xiao was stunned for a moment.
“Uh uh~”
Wei Xuan’s nephew should be Li Xiao and Er Ya’s son, right?
Where did this little rascal come from?
Sensing Li Xiao’s confusion, Wei Xuan said, “He is the child of my elder sister’s family.”
“Elder sister?”
Li Xiao suddenly recalled that Er Ya had mentioned she had an elder sister.
However, she had married into Western Xia a long time ago.
He hadn’t expected Wei Xuan to encounter them in Liangzhou City.
It was also due to the importance of speed in warfare; after taking Liangzhou City, Wei Xuan had only hastily arranged for his elder sister’s family before following Li Xiao to the Eastern Expedition in Hexi.
He hadn’t even had a chance to mention it to Li Xiao.
After understanding this connection, Li Xiao shook his head slightly and pointed at Wei Xuan’s head, saying.
“Wei Xuan.”
“Do you know what your biggest problem is?”
“You overthink things, you worry too much.”
“Being cautious with your words and actions is correct, but you also need to consider who you’re dealing with.”
“We are family. Your elder sister is my elder sister, Li Xiao’s elder sister. Your nephew is even more so my nephew, Li Xiao’s nephew.” Li Xiao said with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
“Is there anything worth hiding?”
The Hexi campaign had lasted for so many days, did Wei Xuan truly have no opportunity to mention this to Li Xiao?
It was simply that he was accustomed to being cautious with his words and actions, and wanted to find a suitable opportunity to tell Li Xiao later.
Thus, Li Xiao truly felt the loneliness of being at the top when he looked at Wei Xuan.
“Yes, Great Protector, your instruction is correct.”
“This subordinate accepts the lesson.” Wei Xuan said, placing his hand on his chest and lowering his head.
But seeing him like this, Li Xiao knew the kid had acknowledged his mistake but just couldn’t change.
He was helpless.
He could only shake his head and say, “Go, bring that child here, let me get a look at him too.”
“As you command.”
Afterward, Wei Xuan spurred his horse and galloped out, arriving outside the city gate. He scooped up Su Wuji with one hand and placed him on the horseback in front of him.
Su Wuji showed no fear, instead excitedly shouting, “Uncle, Uncle!”
“Let’s fly!”
“Sit still, don’t move around.” Wei Xuan held down his wiggling, round body and slapped his bottom.
“Uncle will take you to meet your uncle-in-law.”
“Don’t be noisy or rude in front of your uncle-in-law.”
Su Wuji looked up, his curious eyes blinking, “What’s an uncle-in-law?”
“It’s your aunt’s husband.”
“Ooh ooh ooh~”
Su Wuji understood.
He remembered his mother saying he had an aunt who was very, very beautiful.
Soon, Wei Xuan rode back to Li Xiao’s side, “Great Protector, this is Wuji.”
Saying this, he nudged Su Wuji, “Wuji, quickly greet your uncle-in-law.”
The little figure blinked his curious eyes, fearlessly observing Li Xiao, and said loudly, “Wuji greets Uncle-in-law.”
Then he immediately added, “Uncle-in-law, is your official position higher than Uncle’s?”
Li Xiao smiled. His first impression of the child was that he had a lot of courage and a sturdy personality.
Now it seemed, he was also quite clever.
“How did you know my official position is higher than your uncle’s?” Li Xiao asked with a light smile.
“I guessed.”
“Uncle is always very fierce with me, but he’s not fierce at all in front of Uncle-in-law.”
“Hahaha~” Hearing Su Wuji’s words, Li Xiao burst into laughter.
Pointing at Wei Xuan, he said, “Did you hear that?”
“Even the child says you’re fierce. Smile more in the future, don’t be so reticent.”
Wei Xuan smiled helplessly and nodded, “This subordinate accepts the lesson.”
Well, he still wouldn’t change.
Li Xiao had already given up hope; after all, Wei Xuan was an adult, his personality was already formed, and it couldn’t be changed.
On the other hand, this plump little boy was completely different from Wei Xuan’s personality. He was unconventional, very courageous, and very smart.
Li Xiao liked him very much.
“Come here, come to your Uncle-in-law.”
Li Xiao chuckled, took Su Wuji from Wei Xuan, placed him in front of his own horse, and entered the city together.
Although it was his first time meeting Li Xiao, Su Wuji wasn’t shy at all. His mouth hadn’t stopped moving the entire way.
“Uncle-in-law, what does my aunt look like? I haven’t seen her yet.”
“Your aunt? She’s very beautiful, the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Then will she not like me?”
“No, your aunt is very gentle.”
…
The Liangzhou Prefect’s Mansion had now become Li Xiao’s temporary Great Protector’s Mansion headquarters.
Li Xiao directly carried Su Wuji to the main hall and placed him on a small chair beside him, while he himself sat in the place of honor.
At that very moment, all the generals standing in the hall placed their hands on their chests and bowed, “Greetings, Great Protector.”
The immense wave of sound did not startle Su Wuji; instead, his expression became even more excited, and his eyes gleamed with eagerness.
He also wanted to be a Great General who could gallop across the battlefield, just like his Uncle-in-law and Uncle.
Li Xiao, ignoring the boy’s admiring gaze, calmly looked at everyone.
He said solemnly, “Everyone, the Hexi campaign, our army has achieved a great victory!”
“This is the result of your united efforts. Li Xiao thanks you all!”
