Chapter 31: A Barbaric Era
“The greatest joy for a man lies in subduing the unruly masses, defeating enemies, seizing all they possess, riding their fine horses, and taking their beautiful wives and concubines.”
This is a sentence that Temüjin said in history.
War has always been so cruel, especially in environments like the Western Regions and Mongolian Grasslands, where there are no constraints of morality and rules, and the ‘evil’ in human nature is unleashed to the fullest.
In the concept of ancient nomadic tribes, the distribution of spoils of war after victory includes population, livestock, property, and many other aspects.
Possessing the enemy’s wives and daughters is even seen as a symbol of conquering the enemy, and it is also related to the tribe’s breeding concept at this time.
Because population is a very important resource for nomadic people, women can bear offspring for the tribe and continue the tribe’s bloodline.
Therefore, in this era of frequent tribal conflicts and supremacy of force, this concept is very common and is a manifestation of grassland war culture.
Whether nomadic people or Han People, they all follow this rule.
……
Not long after, in the camp, screams, wails, and cheers suddenly merged into one.
During battle, the Four Fort Allied Army are a pack of wolves, capable of destroying any opponent who dares to resist, but after battle, they are a pack of wild beasts.
Mad wild beasts!
Li Xiao rode his horse through the camp, ignoring the cries of Geluolu Women coming from the tents.
The price of defeat is so cruel.
If there’s anyone to blame, blame the Geluolu Men for lacking the ability to protect their women.
Li Xiao had no way to stop it, nor would he stop it.
“What a barbaric era!” Li Xiao shook his head.
First, clarify a concept: the soldiers of this era fight not for so-called patriotism.
They are not like the soldier descendants eight hundred years later who fight for ideals and beliefs; they are just ordinary herdsmen fighting for survival and interest.
Their needs for fighting are also very clear: under the premise of protecting themselves and relatives from harm, plunder the enemy’s cattle and sheep, property, and women.
Take everything from the enemy.
Let family members live better lives and make their own lives more comfortable.
This is the inexhaustible motivation for their powerful combat strength.
Moreover, they also need to vent the repression in their hearts and soothe the psychological trauma brought by tense battles before.
So, at this moment, all the Four Fort soldiers went mad.
They barbarically rushed toward those Geluolu Women.
Facing this post-battle madness, or rather reward, Li Xiao was fundamentally unable to stop it.
Because that would harm the interests of the majority.
Although the people of Hexi Fort would obey Li Xiao’s orders, they might harbor dissatisfaction in their hearts.
Li Xiao’s prestige has not yet been fully established, and he will not easily do things that damage his own foundation.
As for the soldiers of the other three forts, Li Xiao is even more powerless.
“War has always been so cruel since ancient times, so I cannot fail.”
Li Xiao rode on his horse, gripping the horse spear, looking up at the pitch-black starry sky, murmuring in an indifferent voice.
Then he slowly closed his eyes, letting the fine rain sprinkle on his face, feeling the baptism of nature, which also made Li Xiao’s thoughts even calmer.
Pondering how to walk the path ahead.
The individual combat strength of Han People in the Northern Frontier is strong, and the overall combat strength of the Four Fort Allied Army is also very formidable.
But in Li Xiao’s view, these factors cannot be considered the decisive elements of a truly powerful army.
“New Army!”
Suddenly, Li Xiao opened his eyes and murmured lowly.
“I must build a brand-new army, one that truly belongs to me, Li Xiao.”
What is the most important core element of a truly powerful, invincible army?
Cohesion!
Uniqueness of command!
Absolute obedience!
Only then come individual combat strength and other elements.
Although Li Xiao is already the Fort Master of Hexi Fort, to reach the level of the Old Master’s word being law, it requires a long time of accumulation.
Adults of Li Dashan’s generation sometimes still treat Li Xiao as a junior, let alone the older generation.
Although Li Xiao has established certain prestige through his own battle achievements, enabling the people of Hexi Fort to obey his orders.
But once Li Xiao’s decisions infringe on their interests, the so-called obedience will inevitably be greatly discounted.
But Li Xiao’s ambition is great; what he sees in his eyes is the entire world.
Although the Han People of the Northern Frontier are regarded by Li Xiao as his base, they must be changed, even reformed.
Because the many Han People’s Fortifications of the Northern Frontier today are like scattered sand, and the Four Fort Allied Army seems monolithic.
But in reality, it is built on the basis of marriage alliances and the personal prestige of the Fort Masters.
This kind of alliance relationship is very unstable.
The alliances of the many Han People’s Fortifications in the Northern Frontier are actually exactly the same as the tribal model of nomadic people.
Leaders can only command the headmen to control all members of the tribe.
Everything must be premised on the interests of the fortifications.
Once it conflicts with their own interests, this alliance relationship will become loose.
Therefore, even if a regime is established in this tribal alliance-like manner, division is only a matter of time.
“Power must be centralized.” Li Xiao said to himself in a deep voice.
And for this, a New Army that completely obeys Li Xiao’s commands is needed.
This army cannot be built on the framework of fortifications and clan forces, but must promote based on military merit, with personal ability as the sole standard for measuring positions.
Most importantly, there can only be one voice.
……
In the camp, the voices of Geluolu Women rose and fell one after another, while Li Xiao’s figure walked farther and farther away.
And at this moment, Da Hu and Er Hu came walking toward him.
“Bro~”
Seeing Li Xiao, the two sped up their war horses and galloped over.
Only when they got close did Li Xiao notice that a rope was tied behind Da Hu’s war horse.
At the end of the rope was a person, staggering with disheveled steps following behind.
“They’re all reveling, why didn’t you two join in?” Li Xiao looked at the two and asked.
Three young bachelors together were indeed out of place with the lively camp.
“I, I don’t dare~”
Da Hu said with a slight blush, looking embarrassed.
It was clear that this was an honest child.
Afraid of being scolded by his mother if he went back.
Er Hu had a lot of courage, chuckling as he said: “I originally wanted to go play, but Da Hu dragged me to find someone.”
Er Hu was tough; even if he joined the revelry, he wasn’t afraid of his mother finding out—beat him if she wanted, it didn’t hurt anyway.
But his plan was still delayed by Da Hu.
Looking at the two completely opposite expressions, Li Xiao shook his head and smiled: “We’re all martial artists; losing virginity too early is not good.”
“Wait until you’re sixteen.”
Although marriage can be very early in this era, later research shows that losing virginity too early does have some impact on the body.
The short lifespan of ancients, besides dietary structure, may also be related to this.
Of course, mainly Li Xiao didn’t want to settle for this hastily.
Proud and arrogant, he looked down on these Geluolu Women.
“Who is he?”
Li Xiao’s gaze turned to the person tied by the rope behind.
His body was filthy, hair disheveled and dirty, face unclear, but from his clothing, he should be a Han person.
Mentioning this person, Da Hu’s expression instantly became agitated.
“Bro, I know where my dad is now.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao was also surprised.
His cheap father and Second Uncle went to North Mountain and never returned; although it was guessed they were still alive, there was no news at all.
But Da Hu never gave up inquiring; while others went to the female captive camp to revel, he dragged Er Hu to the male captive camp.
Finally found the information he wanted.
“Da Hu, don’t get agitated first, speak slowly.” Li Xiao looked at Da Hu’s excited appearance and hurriedly comforted.
Next, through Da Hu’s description, Li Xiao learned this Han person’s identity.
He was from Qianhe Village, named Wu Dayong.
But after the Battle of North Mountain, he surrendered to the Geluolu People and became a collaborator.
He even infiltrated Sanhe Fort, sneak-attacking Sanhe Fort Han People, helping the Geluolu People capture Sanhe Fort.
Such a person is completely deserving of death.
After Li Xiao and the others defeated the Geluolu People, Wu Dayong was quickly captured and then recognized by the surviving Han People of Sanhe Fort.
Fortunately, Da Hu and Er Hu arrived in time, or else Wu Dayong would definitely have been skinned alive by those women who lost husbands and children.
“No wonder he’s covered in scratches!”
Li Xiao said indifferently, looking at Wu Dayong.
Dying like this would be too easy for him.
Feeling Li Xiao’s icy gaze, Wu Dayong’s body trembled violently, and he directly knelt down.
“Spare my life, spare my life~”
“I was wrong, I’m not human, I shouldn’t have surrendered to the Geluolu People.”
“But I had no choice!”
“They threatened me with my son’s life!”
Wu Dayong cried and shouted, sobbing bitterly.
Qianhe Village had few people, not enough adults to meet the Khitan People’s conscription numbers, so they could only send youths.
Wu Dayong and his son were both captured by the Geluolu People.
He might be a good father, but no one would forgive his actions.
“Tell me, where is my Second Uncle?”
Li Xiao asked in a cold voice, having already sentenced him to death in his heart.
“Hou Village, Li Erjiang is in Hou Village!”
Wu Dayong eagerly confessed.
He had previously wanted to negotiate terms with Da Hu and Er Hu using this, but after the two boys beat his son severely in front of him, this guy instantly became obedient.
He simply confessed everything he knew.
