Chapter 55: Xiao Yanyan’s Mysterious Background
“Boom boom boom boom~”
Low rumbling sounds of war horses rose outside Tazhai.
A cavalry team of over a hundred men came galloping quickly toward Tazhai, their backs against the sun’s rays.
“Whoa whoa whoa~”
As they neared Tazhai, the knights slowly reined in their horses.
“It looks like Tazhai is fine.” Luo Ping looked at Tazhai, which was no different from before, and nodded lightly as he spoke.
“Last night’s battle mainly took place in the west, so of course it’s the same as before here.” Luo Meng explained from the side.
They had come from the east and were seeing the tranquility on Tazhai’s eastern side.
“Stinky brat, do I need you to explain to me?” Luo Ping glared directly at his son.
The father and son led their men continuing into Tazhai.
Soon, Li Xiao and Zhao Tiezhu came out to greet them.
“Uncle Luo, brother-in-law.”
Li Xiao rode up to the two men, then searched among the group, his eyes soon lighting up.
Khitan language help had arrived.
“Miss Xiao~” Li Xiao nodded in greeting.
Xiao Yanyan rode forward and hurriedly asked, “I heard from the man you sent back that the Eastern Capital Army has arrived and fought with you?”
Xiao Yanyan’s tone was full of urgency and hope.
On this trip to Jin Prefecture, she had nearly died at the hands of the Geluolu People, leaving Xiao Yanyan quite uneasy.
Now, finally hearing news of the Eastern Capital Army’s arrival, Xiao Yanyan naturally hurried over impatiently.
Additionally, she was anxious about Tazhai’s situation.
In her view, the Eastern Capital Army and forts like Hexi Fort were all in cahoots.
Moreover, the Han People cavalry led by Li Xiao had very strong combat strength, not inferior to Khitan iron cavalry at all.
With such power among the Han People, they should be pulled in to fight the Geluolu People together.
Why were they fighting among themselves instead?
“It doesn’t count as a battle.” Li Xiao shook his head lightly.
“At most, it was just some conflicts, and it was a private decision by a tribal chieftain from the Yin Mountains, having nothing to do with the Eastern Capital Army.”
“The matter has been resolved.”
Li Xiao ultimately decided to keep the Eastern Capital Army out of this matter, treating it only as a conflict with the Zhelan Tribe.
There was no choice; the Eastern Capital Army was too strong, and the Seven Forts Allied Army’s troops would just be delivering themselves as easy prey.
Although Li Xiao could still take his men to seek refuge with the Naiman or even Western Xia, that would only be a last resort.
“Resolved? That’s good!” Xiao Yanyan nodded lightly, breathing a slight sigh of relief.
If that Zhelan Tribe’s chieftain had acted on his own, it would still be manageable.
Her, Xiao Yanyan’s, face should still carry some weight.
“Let’s go in first, Uncle Luo, Miss Xiao.”
“My grandfather and the others just arrived.” Li Xiao said.
Leading the 150 cavalry from Hedong Fort, they entered Tazhai.
Tazhai got its name mainly because there was a stone forest within the village.
Tall and slender, with distinct joints, like a cluster of bone spikes protruding from the land.
From afar, it looked like a field of pagodas, abruptly standing on this flat grassland.
Thus, Tazhai got its name.
However, Li Xiao had not seen this stone forest in his later life, so it must have collapsed long ago under the erosion of time and wind-swept sand.
After some more time, nearing noon, the men from Qianhe Village, Houhe Village, and Qiyun Village finally arrived.
The three villages totaled 300 men.
That was already quite a number; it seemed that apart from a small portion of young and strong left to guard the villages, most had been brought out.
Li Xiao was very satisfied.
At least these three villages were not the type to rush in when things were good and flee at the sight of danger.
“Everyone, now our Seven Forts Allied Army has fully assembled, with troops exceeding a thousand.” In a courtyard, the seven forts’ leaders sat together.
As the representative from the strongest Hexi Fort, Li Xiao looked at the crowd and spoke first.
Hexi Fort had 400 men, Hedong Fort 150, Gushan Fort 150, and the other three villages 300.
That made a thousand men.
Additionally, there was Tazhai; if disregarding consequences, Tazhai could fully muster 250 or even more cavalry.
After all, this was Tazhai’s home base; once battle began, Tazhai wouldn’t need men for guarding.
Finally, there were the over 300 newly subjugated Zhelan slaves.
Though their loyalty was insufficient and they couldn’t yet go into battle, mixing them into the ranks to fill numbers and put up a front was no problem.
In this way, the Seven Forts Allied Army’s troops could fully reach over 1,500.
That was one-tenth the size of the entire Eastern Capital Army.
Already a force that could not be ignored.
“According to the intelligence we’ve obtained, the Eastern Capital Army’s total troops number 15,000, split into two routes.”
“The first batch is the Yin Mountains army, with around 8,500 troops.”
“Our scouts have already encountered their scout.”
“They are currently camped 20 li west of Tazhai, commanded personally by Eastern Capital Governor Xiao Simo.”
“As for the North Sea army, there’s no news yet; they might still be on the road.” Li Xiao said gravely, sharing the intelligence he had gathered with the crowd.
The Yin Mountains lay southwest of Jin Prefecture, the core of the entire Northern Frontier, with the largest population and strongest power.
The North Sea lay northwest of Jin Prefecture, mostly nomadic people, with a population similar to Jin Prefecture.
Moreover, the North Sea was farther from Jin Prefecture, so their army would definitely arrive later.
As for the last prefecture in the Northern Frontier, the Great Desert.
It had likely received orders from the Eastern Capital as well, dispatching troops to join the battle, but definitely coming from another direction that Li Xiao and the others wouldn’t encounter.
The Great Desert was directly south of Jin Prefecture.
“If we fight the Eastern Capital Army, we have almost no chance of winning.” Qiyun Village Master shook his head.
Just the Eastern Capital Army 20 li away outnumbered their side by five times or more.
Once battle began, the odds of victory were extremely low.
“But our goal is to protect the interests of us Han People in the seven forts, not to be enemies with the Eastern Capital Army.” Zhao Tiezhu said.
Unless necessary, no one wanted to fight.
“If the Eastern Capital Governor has a clear head, he absolutely won’t make trouble with us Han People at this time.” Luo Ping snorted lightly.
“For the Khitan People, the real enemy has always been the Naiman People, with the Geluolu People as a side target.”
Li Xiao nodded lightly: “But we still need to prepare; if the Eastern Capital Army acts recklessly, we absolutely can’t sit idly by.”
Though the Eastern Capital Army had superior numbers, Jin Prefecture’s Han People were no pushovers.
“Worst case, we directly rebel against the Liao State and seek refuge with the Naiman People.” Qin Kaishan said aggressively; he simply couldn’t hold back his fiery temper.
The seven forts’ decision-makers discussed in this courtyard, mainly to formulate plans: how to fight and how to flee if the Khitan People prepared for battle.
Additionally, if the Khitan People conscripted their Han People to attack the Geluolu People or even the Naiman People, how to preserve strength and avoid excessive casualties.
These were all issues Li Xiao and the others needed to consider.
Just as the discussion was nearing completion, Luo Meng came in and said that Xiao Yanyan had arrived and seemed very anxious.
After getting Li Xiao’s permission, Xiao Yanyan soon hurried in and said excitedly to Li Xiao.
“Li Xiao, I’m leaving.”
Li Xiao was not surprised.
Originally, he had summoned Xiao Yanyan overnight from Hexi Fort precisely to use her princess status as a buffer.
Because unless absolutely necessary, Li Xiao truly did not want conflict with the Khitan People.
The timing wasn’t right yet; they still needed to develop low-key for a few years.
Thus, Xiao Yanyan’s role stood out.
She was a princess and a daughter of the Xiao Family, so she should have some face with the Eastern Capital Governor, right?
During this time, Li Xiao had put quite some effort into coaxing her, not just for lower-body bliss.
But unexpectedly, after arriving at Tazhai, Xiao Yanyan had become a bit too excited.
“My brother has come to pick me up.”
“Li Xiao, come meet my brother with me.”
“You’re so capable; my brother will surely admire you.”
“And since you saved me, you’ll definitely receive generous rewards from my brother.”
Hearing Xiao Yanyan’s excited words, Li Xiao was somewhat surprised.
Though he knew Xiao Yanyan had a brother she relied on, she hadn’t detailed his status.
Now, with a slight association, Li Xiao instantly drew in a sharp breath.
“Hiss!~”
“Your brother isn’t…?”
Li Xiao looked at Xiao Yanyan with shock.
Damn it, he should have thought of it earlier.
It was also because the Xiao Clan was a great family name, with many Khitan People surnamed Xiao; who knew which branch Xiao Yanyan belonged to?
So he hadn’t thought in that direction.
Of course, most importantly, Li Xiao had only learned yesterday that the Eastern Capital Governor was named Xiao Simo.
Seeing Li Xiao’s shocked expression, Xiao Yanyan showed a proud smile on her face.
Li Xiao was usually calm and composed; this was the first time seeing such an expression on his face, and Xiao Yanyan was very satisfied with the effect of her ‘revealing her golden status.’
“That’s right, my brother is Xiao Simo, the Eastern Capital Governor.”
Xiao Yanyan said this in the gentlest tone, but the pride in the woman’s heart still overflowed uncontrollably.
This woman was just like that, not knowing humility at all.
Her favorite thing was showing off in front of others, her favorite words were others’ flattery, yet she always pretended on the surface not to care.
Hmph, hypocritical woman!
Li Xiao grumbled inwardly.
But Xiao Yanyan’s display of status this time had indeed maximized the effect.
“What? Your brother is the Eastern Capital Governor?”
“You’re Xiao Simo’s sister?”
“Hiss~”
“You’re really Lord Xiao’s sister?”
Luo Ping and the others, upon hearing Xiao Yanyan’s words, instantly widened their eyes in shock.
They all looked at her in disbelief.
They had thought she was just a beautiful Khitan woman, but her status was so noble.
Xiao Simo’s sister—that was perfect.
“If Xiao Simo dares to start a war, first kill his sister to rally the troops!” Qin Kaishan thought darkly.
To prevent Xiao Wulila from truly becoming Sima Yi, Yelü Yilie voluntarily gave up power.
After his death, he let his sister Yelü Pusuwan act as regent.
And who was Yelü Pusuwan? Xiao Wulila’s eldest daughter-in-law.
Power had already been handed to your Xiao Family people; the old thief couldn’t possibly wipe them all out, right?
It had to be said that Yelü Yilie’s move was indeed brilliant.
Afterward, Xiao Wulila indeed behaved himself, wholeheartedly assisting his daughter-in-law.
Perhaps feeling his advanced age, Xiao Wulila finally handed his political assets to his eldest son and retired to enjoy his twilight years.
Unfortunately, power struggles are the cruelest; they can break apart husbands and wives, turn brothers against each other.
With Xiao Wulila’s retirement, Yelü Pusuwan felt herself overwhelmingly strong, her ambition swelling daily.
Ultimately no longer content with the regent position, she directly ascended the throne as emperor, era name Chongtian.
Emperors are all supremely self-centered, allowing no one to share power.
Thus, Yelü Pusuwan at this time viewed the Xiao Clan very unfavorably.
Then she targeted her own husband, intending to strip power from the Xiao Family.
The eventual result was Yelü Pusuwan allying with her younger brother-in-law to kill her husband.
The uncle-in-law and sister-in-law thought that once the deed was done, Xiao Wulila could only accept it and obediently be like Li Yuan.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Wulila didn’t play along at all.
He directly raised troops for a coup d’état, killing his eldest daughter-in-law and youngest son together.
In the end, Yelü Yilie’s son, Yelü Zhilugu, successfully reaped the benefits.
