Chapter 35: Hou Village
Hou Village.
It is located forty li east of Sanhe Fort.
It is a medium-sized fortress with a population of more than six hundred people.
And the largest surname in Hou Village is ‘Hou’; the entire Hou Family numbers more than one hundred people.
Starting from fifty years ago, the Hou Family has been the greatest power in Hou Village, firmly ruling the entire Hou Village.
In their view, even Hou Village is the Hou Family’s private territory; they are the masters of Hou Village.
Other families are merely servants kept by the Hou Family.
From birth to death, generation after generation must farm and herd for the Hou Family.
That afternoon, a cavalry team of about ten people left Hou Village and slowly headed southeast.
In the middle of the team, riding a horse was a woman with a graceful figure.
She was not tall, but had a charming demeanor, wearing a red silk long skirt, with a golden jade hairpin in her hair, and a sheepskin short jacket over it.
This attire was more luxurious and opulent compared to ordinary Northern Frontier women.
A pair of watery peach-blossom eyes exuded allure, and every move emanated the charm of a mature woman.
Coupled with her fair and smooth face and delicate skin, those who did not know would think this woman was a noble lady from the Central Plains, not at all like a woman from the Northern Frontier grassland.
However, at this moment, the woman had furrowed brows, her expression revealing a trace of unease.
She kept turning her head to look at the man riding on the horse beside her.
“Husband.”
“Are we really going to persuade my father?” the woman asked hesitantly.
The man beside her also appeared to be under twenty, fair and tender-skinned, very handsome, with a high nose bridge and thin lips.
Grasping the woman’s hand, he smiled lightly and said, “Wife, we are not going to persuade your father-in-law; we are saving him.”
“Saving the entire Huangsha Village.”
“But~” the woman said, her expression very troubled.
“My father has always disliked Geluolu People; now asking him to lead Huangsha Village in surrendering to the Geluolu, he definitely won’t be willing.”
Although the woman’s appearance was enchanting and alluring, deep down she was a very traditional woman.
She always remembered the principle of following her husband after marriage.
So, when her husband’s family decided to surrender to the Geluolu People, though the woman was unwilling in her heart, she never said anything to stop it.
After all, as a woman, she couldn’t stop such a major matter.
She only thought to be a dutiful wife obediently.
But she had not expected her husband to take her back to her maternal home to persuade her own father to surrender to the Geluolu People together.
Her father was stubborn and inflexible, and hated Geluolu People the most.
“I’m afraid, I’m afraid he’ll directly draw his saber and kill us then.” the woman said worriedly.
Looking at the woman’s appearance, the man snorted lightly without care: “Wife, your father-in-law’s temper is bad, but I believe he will be a smart man.”
“In the current situation, what good is there in continuing to oppose the Geluolu People?”
“Even the Khitan People have been defeated by the Geluolu People; Jin Prefecture Governor’s Mansion is gone, and only us scattered Han People remain—how can we resist the Geluolu People?”
“Moreover, you know as well that Sanhe Fort to our west has already been broken through by the Geluolu People.”
“I heard father say that many people were killed in Sanhe Fort; it was extremely tragic.”
“Do you want to see Huangsha Village end up the same as Sanhe Fort?”
Hearing her husband’s threat, the woman hurriedly shook her head in fright.
If one could live well, who would want to die?
“Once we arrive at Huangsha Village, we’ll properly persuade your father-in-law.”
“Even if he’s stubborn and inflexible, he still has to consider the life and death of the several hundred people in the village, right?”
“And I don’t believe everyone in the village is so stubborn and inflexible.” the man snorted.
He was Hou Tiancai, the Young Fort Master of Hou Village.
Beside him was his wife, Huang Xiuer of Huangsha Village.
The reason for persuading Huangsha Village was that the strength of Hou Village alone was truly too weak.
Hou Village itself had fewer than seven hundred people, and the total able to fight numbered less than two hundred.
Previously, his father had gone to Sanhe Fort, intending to negotiate surrender with the Aslan Tribe.
But because Hou Village’s strength was too weak and troops too few, they were looked down upon by the Aslan Tribe, who refused the Hou Family’s request, and he returned empty-handed.
Therefore, the Hou Family planned to rally more villages, increase their own bargaining chips, and surrender to another Geluolu tribe, the Moman Tribe.
“As long as our villages unite as one, the Geluolu People absolutely won’t look down on us then.” Hou Tiancai said calmly.
“Once the Geluolu People occupy all of Jin Prefecture, we will be the greatest meritorious officials, and all Han People villages will thereafter obey the commands of our Hou Village and Huangsha Village.”
“Our two families will be the ‘kings’ of Jin Prefecture’s Han People.”
As Hou Tiancai spoke, his tone grew increasingly excited, continuously brainwashing Huang Xiuer.
“As for whether the Geluolu People can take Jin Prefecture?”
“Hmph, to tell you the truth, wife.”
“The Geluolu have the Naiman People supporting them from behind.”
“With the Naiman People’s help, the Geluolu People will definitely defeat the Eastern Capital’s Khitan Army, or even occupy the entire Northern Frontier.”
“At that time, we will have founding merits.”
Hou Tiancai said fanatically.
Regarding the current situation, the Hou Family had already analyzed it thoroughly.
The Geluolu People had a great chance of winning.
After the battle at North Mountain, all of Jin Prefecture lacked the strength to resist the Geluolu People.
Next, the Geluolu People would surely attack and capture fortifications, bringing all of Jin Prefecture under their control.
Although the Eastern Capital would definitely send troops to suppress the Geluolu People, the Geluolu had the Naiman People behind them.
The Eastern Capital Army, coming from afar, would absolutely not be a match for the powerful Naiman People.
As for the Royal Court
it was even farther; by the time the Royal Court’s army arrived, it would probably take several months, and everything would be too late.
“As long as we seize this opportunity, our Hou Family can become the leader of all Northern Frontier Han People.”
“We could even cast aside the Geluolu People and have the Naiman People grant all of Jin Prefecture to us.”
Hou Tiancai fantasized about the beautiful future; although this time’s risk was not small, thinking of the rewards after success made all the adventure worthwhile.
And Huang Xiuer, looking at her husband’s somewhat obsessed and persistent appearance, couldn’t help but sigh softly in her heart.
“Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog.”
She didn’t understand men’s affairs; she only knew to be a good wife and help her man eliminate worries at home.
Whether the Khitan People ruled Jin Prefecture, or the Geluolu or Naiman People ruled, the status of Han People would be the same anyway.
In her view, there was no difference between Khitan People and Geluolu People.
They were all the same.
As long as her family was safe and sound, that was fine.
The woman’s thoughts were very simple, but she fundamentally did not understand the cruel essence between changes of power.
Every change of power was accompanied by thrilling struggles, and once the bet failed, the outcome was also extremely tragic.
Family destroyed, people dead.
The group continued toward Huangsha Village; at this speed, they would definitely arrive before nightfall.
But at that moment, a sturdy man in the team suddenly shouted loudly.
“Young Village Master, there are cavalry.”
Everyone’s gazes turned westward, where on that green land, more than twenty cavalry were scattering and galloping.
“Who are they? Why are they outside our Hou Village?” Hou Tiancai asked with furrowed brows.
“Young Village Master, their numbers outmatch ours; they seem hostile.” the man from before said.
Hou Tiancai considered for a moment and decided to return to Hou Village.
After all, being targeted by enemies on the grassland would be troublesome.
And at the same time, Li Xiao also spotted Hou Tiancai’s group.
“Da Long Ge, these people seem to have just come out from Hou Village.” Thin Monkey said to Li Xiao.
Li Xiao and the others had just arrived at Hou Village not long ago.
He had Da Hu and the others rest in place, while he took more than twenty cavalry from the first team to scout around Hou Village.
In warfare, many commanders personally go to the front lines for reconnaissance, observing terrain and enemy troop deployments.
Then, combining other scouts’ reports, they formulate the final battle plan.
Li Xiao did the same; he placed great importance on pre-battle reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
However, after Li Xiao’s observation, he found Hou Village’s defenses very tight, with not only moats and battlements around, but also horse trap pits dug.
A forced assault would inevitably result in heavy losses.
Absolutely not advisable.
Li Xiao’s original plan was to lure the snake out of its hole, draw out most of Hou Village’s troops to the grassland outside and eliminate them.
But unexpectedly, he ran into Hou Tiancai’s group, which seemed to give Li Xiao an opportunity.
“The front and rear cavalry look more like guards protecting the two in the middle.” Li Xiao murmured.
Beside him, Tie Tou nodded lightly: “Those two must be important figures from Hou Village; one of them even seems to be a woman.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao smiled lightly: “Heh.”
“Once we capture them all, we’ll know when we ask.”
At this time, Thin Monkey suddenly said: “Da Long Ge, those people are running.”
When Li Xiao spotted them, they also saw Li Xiao; after all, the terrain south of Hou Village was relatively flat, and as long as not too far, they could be seen.
And naturally, Li Xiao could not let them escape.
“Chase, don’t let them get away.” Li Xiao shouted loudly, leading his brothers in a mad pursuit.
Because they had come with three horses per man, the war horses had plenty of stamina.
More than twenty cavalry behind against Hou Village’s team of ten.
Advantage is ours.
The war horses charged quickly; more than twenty Hexi youths gripped spears and war sabers, brimming with killing intent, galloping across the wasteland grassland amid low, rumbling sounds.
Hou Tiancai and the others immediately realized Li Xiao and the others’ intent.
“They’re coming for us.”
“These people aren’t horse bandits, are they?”
“Hurry back to the village.”
“Don’t panic; we’re very close to Hou Village—they won’t dare do much.” Hou Tiancai said loudly.
Calming the somewhat panicked crowd.
His gaze turned to the distant cavalry, pondering in his heart who they were.
Han People? Or Geluolu People?
High likelihood of horse bandits.
But regardless, the opponents were aggressive and their numbers superior; better to evade for now.
Thus, Hou Tiancai hurriedly sped up to head back; once back at Hou Village and gathering more troops, he wouldn’t fear them.
But the opponents’ speed was very fast, chasing relentlessly as if determined to catch up.
“Must exterminate these damned horse bandits later.”
Thinking this, Hou Tiancai glanced at his wife beside him, feeling some disdain in his heart.
If not for Huang Xiuer’s poor riding skills, they wouldn’t be running this slowly.
At this rate, they were probably about to be caught.
No choice, Hou Tiancai could only shout loudly at the pursuing Li Xiao and others behind.
“I am Hou Tiancai, Young Village Master of Hou Village.”
“Who are you people?”
“If you keep chasing, we won’t be polite.”
Hou Tiancai tried to scare them off with Hou Village’s prestige; after all, they were already very close to Hou Village.
Reinforcements from the village could arrive at any time.
But to Hou Tiancai’s surprise, after hearing his identity, Li Xiao’s eyes lit up, not frightened but delighted.
“Hou Village’s Young Village Master?”
Haha, unexpectedly encountering a big fish while scouting.
Thus, Li Xiao shouted without hesitation: “Capture them for me.”
