Chapter 50: Seven Fort Joint Defense, Soldiers And Bandits As One
Three guests came to Hexi Fort today.
They were the Village Masters of Qiyun Village, Qianhe Village, and Houhe Village respectively.
The purpose of the three’s visit to Hexi Fort was also very simple: alliance!
In the battle at Sanhe Fort, the Four Fort Allied Army annihilated the entire Aslan Tribe, shocking Jin Prefecture.
It also gave hope to numerous Han People’s Fortifications.
The Four Fort Allied Army led by Hexi Fort was powerful in strength, and the Geluolu People were completely helpless against them.
Thus, some Han People’s Fortifications that felt their own strength was insufficient began to have ideas.
“Sure enough, heroes come from the youth~”
“Fort Master Li is a youthful hero, brave and skilled in combat, and also exceptionally intelligent, proficient in both civil and military strategies. Elder Brother Li, you have a successor~”
“Seeing Fort Master Li’s achievements, we have no choice but to admit we’re getting old~”
Who says Northern Frontier People have fiery tempers, straightforward personalities, and can’t speak nicely?
Anyway, Li Xiao felt that the three Village Masters in front of him had gentle tempers, spoke pleasantly, and were all talents~
“Hahaha~” The Old Master laughed heartily and glanced lightly at Li Xiao standing beside him.
He nodded slightly and said, “This kid is pretty good~”
Anyway, the Old Master accepted all the praise from the three Village Masters without reservation.
He loved hearing others praise his eldest grandson the most.
This made him prouder than his own achievements.
Li Xiao also smiled lightly, noticing that during this time, the Old Master’s mood had improved a lot, with the most obvious sign being that he smiled more.
Perhaps it was because of Second Uncle!
After these days of recuperation, Second Uncle’s injuries were gradually improving, though he still needed to lie in bed and rest for the time being.
Or perhaps it was because Li Xiao himself was proving capable, already able to shoulder the banner of Hexi Fort, allowing the Old Master to feel at ease.
“Three Village Masters, then it’s settled.” Li Xiao looked at the three Village Masters and said.
“Seven Fort Joint Defense, resist the Geluolu together!”
As Li Xiao’s words fell, the three Village Masters nodded firmly.
They all said, “Seven Fort Joint Defense~”
“Swear to be as one!”
The Nine Forts and Eighteen Villages of Han People in Jin Prefecture have always been divided into small groups based on closeness of relations and geographical location.
Hexi Fort, Hedong Fort, Gushan Fort, and Tazhai—the four have always had close relations and united against outsiders when something happened.
While Qiyun Village, Qianhe Village, and Houhe Village—the three also had relatively close relations.
It was just that the strength of these three villages was comparatively weak, far inferior to the powerful Four Fort Allied Army.
So, after the results of the battle at Sanhe Fort spread, the three Village Masters discussed it and figured that if the remaining Geluolu People came to attack them.
Even if the three villages joined forces, they would likely suffer heavy losses.
Thus, they decided to find a powerful elder brother for protection~
Hexi Fort!
And for their arrival, Li Xiao welcomed them without reservation.
Although it meant bearing the obligation to protect them, when Li Xiao decided to send troops, he could also summon manpower from the three villages to bolster the momentum.
Utilization was mutual!
This move could further expand Hexi Fort’s strength and influence; overall, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
With the matter settled, Li Xiao invited the three to stay and prepared to entertain them properly.
But at that moment, Zhao Dabao hurriedly rode over on horseback and rushed into the room.
“Da Long, Grandfather, something happened~”
“Tazhai is under siege!”
Upon hearing this news, everyone in the room turned their gazes to Zhao Dabao, all with solemn expressions.
“Who surrounded Tazhai?”
“Was it the Geluolu People?”
“How many of them are there?”
Zhao Dabao was covered in sweat, panting slightly as he said, “It’s not the Geluolu People, nor does it seem like the Khitan People.”
“Those people seem to have come from the west; they want to steal our sheep.”
“And they want to kill our people!”
Zhao Dabao detailed the course of events.
Li Xiao listened with furrowed brows, an idea instantly flashing in his mind.
“Besiege the Point to Strike Reinforcements?”
Li Xiao was all too familiar with this tactic.
He had just used it once at Hou Village not long ago.
So, Li Xiao suspected that the siege of Tazhai was fake, and the real aim was to eliminate reinforcements midway.
At this time, the Old Master and others also guessed the enemy’s identity.
“From the west? Could it be from the Yin Mountains or the North Sea?”
Everyone exchanged glances, their faces growing even more grave.
“If it’s the Eastern Capital Army, then it’s going to be troublesome.” The Village Master of Qianhe Village was an old man in his fifties or sixties, speaking in a low voice with a heavy expression.
The arrival of the Eastern Capital Army did not make them happy; instead, they saw it as a dangerous signal.
“Why would the Eastern Capital Army go after Tazhai instead of fighting the Geluolu People? Aren’t they afraid of punishment from the Eastern Capital Governor?” Da Hu stood nearby, frowning as he asked.
In Da Hu’s view, this was a form of fratricide.
The Old Master glanced lightly at Da Hu and shook his head slightly without speaking.
Instead, Second Uncle, lying on the kang in the inner room, sighed lightly and said, “Da Hu, don’t speak; just listen quietly.”
Da Hu had inherited Second Uncle’s honest and straightforward nature, as well as his kindness.
The inexperienced Da Hu still couldn’t see through the cruel reality.
He thought the Eastern Capital Army and they Han People were on the same side~ both fighting the Geluolu People.
But reality was not like that.
“The enemy’s enemy is not necessarily a friend; it could also be an enemy!” Li Xiao looked at Da Hu and explained in a deep voice.
“When an army from one place goes to another, it inevitably causes great chaos locally.”
Just like Dong Zhuo’s Hedong Army entering Luoyang, or the Tang Dynasty’s Anxi Army entering the pass to suppress the An Lushan Rebellion, both caused massive harm to the local common people.
“Moreover, the Eastern Capital Army’s purpose is to suppress the Geluolu People’s rebellion, not to protect us Han People!”
Since ancient times, a term has circulated among the folk: military disaster.
In other words, the terror of rebel soldiers was no less than a natural disaster!
Rebels would burn, kill, and loot, and official troops did the same, even more excessively than the rebels.
The common people always feared officers and soldiers like tigers.
And when it came to official troops harming the people, the military generals mostly turned a blind eye.
Because the generals’ primary task was to suppress the rebellion; the life and death of the common people came second.
As long as the rebels were eliminated, the Imperial Court would promote and reward them; what did it matter if a few common people died?
Especially when the Imperial Court could not provide provisions, to maintain the army’s combat strength, generals would even condone soldiers looting the common people.
“Da Hu, in this Northern Frontier place, without strength, being bullied is what you deserve; no one will pity you, and don’t expect the Khitan People to step in.” Li Xiao said in a deep voice.
Although he hadn’t been here long, Li Xiao saw through the cruel essence of the Northern Frontier very clearly.
The Khitan People did not regard Han People as their own subjects and would not protect Han People’s interests.
Because these Han People’s Fortifications were actually not under Khitan control; apart from taxation and conscription, the Khitan People could not interfere in the internal affairs of the fortifications.
The so-called Governor’s Mansion was more like a supervisory body than a management institution.
To the Khitan People, Han People’s Fortifications were like the Gaochang Uyghur and Zhelan Tribe—these loose vassal forces—independent entities.
In short, the social structure of the Western Liao Dynasty could be summed up as the Khitan People as the boss leading a group of underlings.
And these underlings were not very obedient, all with the potential to rebel.
So, when the underlings fought among themselves, the Khitan People wouldn’t care and might even condone it.
“No matter how many Han People in Jin Prefecture die, the Khitan People won’t care.”
“What the Khitan People care about is only the taxation paid by the Han People and the soldiers they conscript for battle.” The Old Master said in a deep voice.
The other three Village Masters nodded deeply in agreement.
In this Western Regions place, such things were very common.
The Khitan People conscripted armies from various tribes and fortifications to fight, without issuing military pay; it all relied on the soldiers robbing.
In such circumstances, the soldiers all turned into wolves.
Not only robbing enemy spoils, but even on the march, if they encountered allied tribes that weren’t strong, they would be looted too.
Soldiers and bandits are one family; it’s always been this way since ancient times!
The Old Master and they had done plenty of such things in their youth.
As long as it wasn’t robbing Khitan People’s tribes, the army commanders didn’t care.
After hearing these words, Da Hu nodded slightly, looking thoughtful, and said in a deep voice, “Those Eastern Capital Army soldiers see us as soft persimmons.”
Those people continued their old style, robbing wherever they went.
In short, the Geluolu People were enemies, and the Eastern Capital Army were not friends either.
But as long as one’s own strength was strong enough, everyone was a friend.
“After this war, the Han People of Jin Prefecture will likely suffer heavy losses too.” The Qiyun Village Master shook his head and sighed.
“So, we must let those people from the Eastern Capital know that we Han People are not to be pinched at will.” Li Xiao said fiercely.
“If they want to loot our Han People’s Fortifications, break their teeth first.”
The precedent cannot be set; Tazhai must not fall.
Otherwise, if these Eastern Capital rebel soldiers tasted success, the next would be Hexi Fort, and then more Han People’s Fortifications would suffer.
The three Village Masters understood this reasoning, exchanged glances, and said, nodding, “Fight!”
Tazhai must be saved, and those Eastern Capital rebel soldiers must be hurt badly.
Only by showing their own fists would they not be looked down upon by the Khitan People.
“We’ll head back now, assemble our men, and rush to Tazhai.” The three said one after another.
Since they had joined the alliance, they definitely needed to contribute.
Li Xiao did not stop them, though it would take at least a day for the three to go and return, definitely too late.
But at this time, more manpower was always better.
“Thank you for your efforts, three Village Masters.”
“Tazhai’s situation is urgent; I’ll take Hexi Fort’s people there first, and you can follow after.” Li Xiao said.
Although it might be a trap, Tazhai still had to be saved.
Li Xiao glanced at the sky outside; there was at least an hour until sunset.
Time was sufficient.
If it were already dark, Li Xiao absolutely would not risk sending troops.
After all, the dark night made ambushes easier.
But in broad daylight, between Hexi Fort and Tazhai, the scenery within several li was clear at a glance.
After all, most of the western and southern areas of Jin Prefecture were flat grasslands, without rugged mountains.
Whether there was an ambush could be spotted at a glance.
So, as long as they were careful on the road and sent more scout cavalry to reconnoiter everywhere, there would be no problem.
