Chapter 57: Xiao Simo’s Spear
Li Xiao waited outside the camp for a while before receiving the notice that Xiao Simo wanted to see him.
Without much hesitation, he followed Xiao Simo’s personal guard into the large tent.
Several Khitan generals sat on both sides of the large tent, all looking at Li Xiao with curious or suspicious gazes.
Li Xiao’s gaze swept over the crowd and finally settled on the man at the forefront.
Around thirty years old, with broad shoulders and a sturdy build, wearing a wolfskin coat, simply sitting there gave off an extremely strong sense of oppression.
His face was lean, his eyes bright and spirited, his countenance full of dignity.
Li Xiao immediately had the answer in his heart; this man must be the Eastern Capital Governor, Sixth Courtyard Department Great King Xiao Simo.
Thus, Li Xiao immediately clenched his right fist lightly and placed it on his chest, bowing slightly as he said.
“Fort Master Li Xiao of Hexi Fort in Jin Prefecture pays respects to the Governor.”
During this process, Xiao Yanyan sat beside Xiao Simo, blinking her eyes with a slightly amused expression as she looked at Li Xiao.
Indeed, one thing subdues another.
This guy was so arrogant in front of me, unafraid of magnates, but in front of my elder brother, he still cowered just the same~
Thinking this way, Xiao Yanyan felt as if she had scored a point against Li Xiao, and she happily revealed her tiger teeth.
“Li Xiao?”
“You have great courage, killing people from my Eastern Capital Army, yet you dare to come alone to my camp?”
“Aren’t you afraid this king will have you cut into a thousand pieces?”
Hearing this dignified and deep voice, Li Xiao gently exhaled.
He looked at Xiao Simo and said, “I believe the Governor has strategy and discerns right from wrong, and would not do something that pains kin and pleases enemies.”
“Hehehe~” Xiao Simo laughed, picked up a cup of horse milk wine, and looked at Li Xiao with a playful gaze.
“Don’t think that a few nice words will make this king forgive your crime of ambushing the Zhelan Tribe.”
“Give this king a reason not to kill you.”
Well then!
It’s just a show of authority!
These people in high positions always like to play this trick to demonstrate their command over subordinates and make people revere them.
But Li Xiao really wasn’t afraid of this.
Since he dared to come alone before Xiao Simo, he had calculated that he would not be in danger.
First of all, Xiao Yanyan—this woman would surely have influence in front of Xiao Simo.
Of course, Li Xiao would never completely pin his safety on a woman.
He had confidence.
“Very simple~” Li Xiao smiled faintly, looking straight at Xiao Simo as he said.
“I have more utilitarian value than the Zhelan Tribe.”
“A mere Zhelan Tribe has at most only five hundred troops.”
“While I~”
As he spoke, a confident aura emanated from Li Xiao, and he said in a deep voice, “can bring three thousand fierce warriors to the lord.”
“And can help the lord quickly pacify Jin Prefecture.”
“Turn Jin Prefecture into the lord’s absolute rear area.”
At this moment, Li Xiao represented not just himself, but the many Han people of Jin Prefecture.
After the Battle of Sanhe Fort, Li Xiao had already established considerable prestige among the Han people of Jin Prefecture.
If he died at the hands of the Khitan people, not only would the Seven Forts Allied Army immediately rebel and join the Geluolu Rebels.
The other forts of Jin Prefecture would also become wavering, fearing whether the Khitan people would impose cruel measures on the Han people.
The situation throughout Jin Prefecture would become even more chaotic.
Leading to a series of chain reactions, especially the Naiman people watching from across the river, who would likely take action.
Therefore, Li Xiao’s true confidence came from the over twenty thousand Han people of Jin Prefecture.
“Haha, you’re quite straightforward.”
After hearing Li Xiao’s words, Xiao Simo suddenly burst into laughter.
He set down the horse milk wine, waved his hand at the personal guard, and said, “Grant a seat.”
Immediately after, the personal guard brought over a stool and a small table, placing them at the lowest position in the large tent.
“Thank you, lord.”
Li Xiao bowed in thanks, then naturally sat in his position.
The other generals in the large tent all gave him slight sidelong glances.
Some nodded slightly, some looked displeased, and most showed indifference.
“Li Xiao, you just said you can bring this king three thousand fighting men—is that true?” Xiao Simo looked at Li Xiao and asked.
But Li Xiao gently shook his head: “These three thousand fighting men are not something this general can bring to the lord, but rely entirely on the lord’s prestige; wherever he goes, the Han Tribe of Jin Prefecture submits.”
“Three thousand troops, with a wave of the hand.”
As Li Xiao’s words fell, Xiao Simo immediately laughed heartily.
Although he knew Li Xiao was flattering him, his mood was just good.
Being able to subdue the Han people of Jin Prefecture meant winning half the war.
Because the Han people of Jin Prefecture were locals; if pushed to rebel, they would become assistance to the Geluolu people and pawns for the Naiman people.
Constantly harassing the Eastern Capital Army, dragging it into the quagmire of war in Jin Prefecture, delaying Xiao Simo’s layouts elsewhere, which would be fatal to him.
Conversely, once the Han people of Jin Prefecture submitted and helped the Eastern Capital Army suppress the rebellion.
As locals, their role would be even greater than five thousand elite cavalry.
The Geluolu people would be no threat at all.
Therefore, Xiao Simo would not kill Li Xiao.
Because the Han people of Jin Prefecture that Li Xiao represented were very important to Xiao Simo.
A mere five hundred Zhelan people could not compare at all to the utilitarian value of the Han people of Jin Prefecture.
“The Han people of Jin Prefecture have always been honest and dutiful, loyal to the lord, and dare not disobey.”
“The Geluolu rebellion has caused heavy casualties among the Han people; my father even died on the battlefield, giving his life for the country.”
……
“Our Han people’s loyalty to the lord is witnessed by heaven and earth.”
“If the lord has any orders in the future, we will not hesitate to die a thousand times.”
Li Xiao said passionately.
The core idea was just one: profess loyalty.
His words deliberately erased the royal court’s influence, turning it into direct loyalty to Xiao Simo himself.
It was direct alignment.
If the leader doesn’t trust him as a subordinate, how can the leader confidently promote him or grant him greater power?
“Good, good, good~”
Xiao Simo said three “goods” in a row, growing more satisfied with Li Xiao.
He had originally thought this was a fiery horse not easily tamed, but unexpectedly, it suited his intentions quite well.
Of course, Xiao Simo wouldn’t fully believe Li Xiao’s words.
Loyalty exists only when one has great strength and can stand firm; otherwise, others won’t have it.
What Li Xiao was truly “loyal” to was Xiao Simo’s strength.
Xiao Simo understood this well but didn’t mind, as not just Li Xiao—all his generals were the same.
Of course, what truly moved Xiao Simo was one sentence from Li Xiao.
“Turn Jin Prefecture into my absolute rear area.”
This sentence stirred Xiao Simo’s thoughts and satisfied him greatly.
He had much to do, and his ambitions were grand.
For now, he still needed to lie low and slowly accumulate strength.
In the over a year since taking office as Eastern Capital Governor, Xiao Simo had gradually sorted out matters in the Yin Mountains, deepening his influence there.
Then, his gaze turned to the other three prefectures in the Northern Frontier.
The Geluolu rebellion in Jin Prefecture was seen by others as killing and warfare, but in Xiao Simo’s eyes, it was a golden opportunity.
He wanted to fully bring Jin Prefecture under his wing—not the previous loose ties, but complete obedience to his commands.
The reason Xiao Simo mobilized large armies was to purge all of Jin Prefecture in one stroke and eliminate the Naiman people’s coveting of Jin Prefecture.
Turn Jin Prefecture into his true strategic rear area!
Then, the entire Northern Frontier.
“Li Xiao, what are your thoughts on the upcoming action to pacify the Geluolu?”
In a great mood, Xiao Simo rewarded Li Xiao with a flask of horse milk wine and began to examine Li Xiao’s skill.
After all, to promote someone, loyalty alone wasn’t enough; skill and merit were needed.
“Geluolu people?” Li Xiao smiled lightly and took a sip of horse milk wine.
He shook his head and said, “Before the Eastern Capital Army, a mere two Geluolu tribes are like grasshoppers after autumn, no cause for concern.”
Fifteen thousand Eastern Capital Army troops, plus three thousand Jin Prefecture Han troops—the Geluolu people had no chance at all to turn the tables.
“I think what the lord truly worries about is the Naiman people,” Li Xiao said gravely.
Xiao Simo smiled, set down his wine cup, looked at Li Xiao, and nodded inwardly.
“Quite a clever fellow.”
A mere few thousand Geluolu people wouldn’t warrant mobilizing so many troops for suppression.
In truth, it was all for the Naiman people.
“The grassland’s peace has allowed the Naiman people’s strength to recover, and they’ve become restless again,” Xiao Simo said calmly.
After the results of the Battle of North Mountain reached the Eastern Capital, Xiao Simo immediately understood that this rebellion was actually backed by the Naiman people.
Not to mention anything else, just the hundred heavy cavalry that the Geluolu people suddenly produced could not have been amassed by them alone.
They were likely half-sold, half-given by the Naiman people.
After all, this generation’s Naiman Sun Khan was ambitious, always seeking to expand territory, with his sights set on the Northern Frontier.
“Since ancient times, Jin Prefecture has been inherent territory of the Great Liao State, and we absolutely will not allow the Naiman people to seize it,” Li Xiao immediately declared.
Firmly opposing the Naiman people’s aggression against Jin Prefecture.
A Khitan general who understood the Chinese language nodded after hearing Li Xiao’s words and said.
“Fort Master Li is right, Great King. This time, we must heavily defeat the Naiman people in one blow, so they never dare to covet the Northern Frontier again.”
“Otherwise, our strength will always be tied down by the Naiman people.”
“Our spears will never be able to point westward.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao instantly froze.
He seemed to have heard something tremendous.
Spears pointing westward—wasn’t that the royal court?
Well then, they were discussing rebellion without even avoiding an outsider like him?
Li Xiao’s gaze quietly sized up Xiao Simo—turns out this guy had rebellious bones behind his head!
