Chapter 81: Golden Mountain Falls
In the Northern Frontier Army, Xiao Simo personally arrived at the front lines to take command.
Although the soldiers failed to break through the defenses at the Northeast Mountain Pass, Xiao Simo was not disappointed.
The commotion here was made with great fanfare, but in reality, it was just a feint to attract the main force of the Naiman People.
“Li Xiao, don’t let this king down.”
Xiao Simo, wearing armor, stood high up looking toward the mountains, hands behind his back, said inwardly.
This time, he had bet almost everything on Li Xiao.
If Li Xiao could not succeed, then Xiao Simo would probably find it hard to break through Golden Mountain and could only withdraw troops back to the Northern Frontier.
The Naiman People would always pose a threat from behind, preventing him from fully dealing with the Royal Court.
Therefore, the Battle of Golden Mountain was crucial for Xiao Simo.
He had even higher hopes for Li Xiao.
“Pass the order down~”
Xiao Simo was just about to order the army to temporarily rest, but at that moment, he saw two personal guards rushing over from afar.
“Report~”
The voice came from far to near, as the two quickly rode horses up to Xiao Simo and loudly said:
“Great King, beacon smoke, beacon smoke has risen.”
“What?”
Hearing this, Xiao Simo’s face instantly lit up with wild joy.
He naturally understood what this meant.
According to the agreement with Li Xiao, once Li Xiao reached near the Northeast Mountain Pass, he would immediately light the beacon smoke.
Xiao Simo’s people, upon seeing it, would launch a full assault to support Li Xiao’s actions.
The beacon smoke he had waited so many days for had finally come.
“Hahaha~”
“Great.”
Xiao Simo was overjoyed.
With the beacon smoke up, the major event was accomplished!
“Order all divisions.”
“Assemble all troops, break through the pass at all costs, and flatten the Naiman Great Camp.”
Xiao Simo shouted spiritedly.
All previous worries and helplessness were swept away; now the situation at Golden Mountain had reversed.
The Naiman People were attacked from both front and rear, and could not hold out much longer; it was time for the full assault.
Xiao Simo’s military order quickly reached the hands of the military commanders of the Northern Frontier divisions.
“Full army assault?” Xiao Lintta received the order, his face changing.
While having his subordinate soldiers prepare for the attack, he also wanted to figure out the situation.
After all, as a veteran general with strong connections, he soon learned the reason Xiao Simo issued this order.
“Li Xiao?” Xiao Lintta was dumbfounded.
He had not expected Li Xiao to have circled behind the enemy and launched an attack on the Naiman People from the other side.
“No wonder~” Xiao Lintta muttered to himself, looking quite helpless.
At that time, Li Xiao selected troops from various divisions with great fanfare, but soon there was no news.
Even where Li Xiao had gone was unclear to everyone.
Now it was finally clear; he had sneaked into the heartland of the Naiman People unnoticed?
“The Naiman People are really quite stupid!” Xiao Lintta shook his head with a smile.
Then he mounted his war horse and led his troops into the offensive.
The other divisions were the same; capable people all received the news.
“Li Xiao went and stabbed the Naiman People’s ass?” Xiao Tula Duo was stunned.
Then he burst into laughter: “Good, this kid is somewhat interesting.”
“Pass the order, the Naiman People’s end has come; follow this old man and charge, kill.”
The most excited were Qin Kaishan and others; Xiao Yanyan had specially sent someone to relay this news to them.
“Finally some news.” Qin Kaishan let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Ever since Li Xiao left with his people, there had been no word, and those left behind like Qin Kaishan had been worried and fearful.
Now the news came that Li Xiao had succeeded.
“Good thing Da Long and they are fine.” Zhao Tiezhu nodded and said.
“We should also take action and quickly rendezvous with Da Long.”
Afterward, the remaining troops of the Seven Forts Allied Army, under the lead of the two, advanced toward the pass.
At this time, the Naiman Soldiers at the pass also learned one after another of the news that the great camp had been attacked.
Everyone knew their current situation; they were already attacked from both front and rear.
This battle probably had no hope left.
Recalling the previous news of a Liao Army force that had penetrated deep into the Naiman heartland, madly looting various tribes.
With worry and longing for their relatives, facing the Northern Frontier Army’s mad offensive.
The Naiman Army quickly collapsed.
The Northern Frontier Army finally broke through Golden Mountain Pass, frantically pursuing and killing the retreating Naiman Soldiers.
And in the Naiman Great Camp, the battle was equally fierce; under Kekexue Wu’s personal leadership, the Naiman Soldiers put up stubborn resistance against Li Xiao’s army.
But not long after, a voice rang out in the great camp.
“The general is dead.”
“General Kekexue Wu was killed by the Liao People.”
The soldiers looked in panic and saw a Liao Army general in armor holding a horse spear, raising it high.
And in front of the horse spear hung a corpse.
The Naiman Army commander, Kekexue Wu.
This scene directly shocked the Naiman Soldiers in the great camp.
Every face showed terror and panic.
In this era, the commander was the soul and pillar of an army.
The death of the commander was a huge blow to the soldiers’ morale.
“Kekexue Wu is dead; those who surrender will not be killed.”
Li Xiao shouted loudly in the Naiman language he had just learned, while having every soldier under him repeat the words.
The effect was obvious; no one wanted to die, and even fewer would persist in a battle with no hope of victory.
The Naiman Soldiers in the great camp had their fighting spirit instantly shattered and began fleeing in all directions.
Only a few diehards still tried to resist, but they were all slain by Li Xiao’s forces.
Naiman Great Camp breached!
Li Xiao led his people to continue pursuing and killing the scattered Naiman Soldiers.
An hour later, Xiao Simo arrived at the great camp with his men.
Looking at the many Naiman captives held in the great camp, and then at Kekexue Wu’s corpse on the ground.
A satisfied smile immediately appeared on his face.
He dismounted and came before Li Xiao.
“Good, good, hahaha~”
“This king was right about you.”
“In this Battle of Golden Mountain, you, Li Xiao, deserve the greatest merit.”
“This king is never stingy with his own people and will never mistreat meritorious officials.”
“Wait and see~”
Xiao Simo laughed happily, patted Li Xiao’s bloodstained armor, and generously promised him promotion and extra rewards.
Looking at this Han youth before him who was slightly taller than himself, he grew even more satisfied.
So what if he was not Khitan?
Khitan People were not necessarily absolutely reliable.
On the contrary, a Han person like Li Xiao with a clean background and no ties to the Royal Court was more trustworthy.
In history, many people relied on the strength of foreign races to defeat enemies in internal political struggles.
Just like Zhu Di’s Jingnan Campaign, where his Mongol cavalry played a major role.
Foreign races were like isolated ministers, without the capital to play both sides, and could only rely on their benefactor.
And in Xiao Simo’s eyes, the Han Force represented by Li Xiao had become an important arm for him in contending for power with the Royal Court.
So Xiao Simo had already decided in his heart to carefully cultivate Li Xiao for great use.
“The Battle of Golden Mountain was thanks to all you generals fighting together~”
Li Xiao said some formal words, nicely praising the other generals.
He had claimed all the benefits, so what harm in saying some nice words?
Finally, Li Xiao said: “This lowly general has another gift for Lord.”
Li Xiao paused, looking at Xiao Simo’s puzzled yet slightly expectant gaze.
“You brat, don’t send me another woman.”
“I, Xiao, have never been lustful.” Xiao Simo pointed at Li Xiao and laughed scoldingly.
Pfft!
Shameless!
Last time with that Geluolu beauty in your tent, you, Xiao Simo, took her despite your conscience.
“This lowly general knows Lord is pure and upright; how dare I use a woman to make a joke?”
“The gift this lowly general has for Lord is actually Naiman Prince Qu Chulü; he is Sun Khan’s most favored son.”
Hearing this from Li Xiao, Xiao Simo immediately became interested: “Oh, you captured the Naiman Prince?”
“He has already been imprisoned.”
“Good.” Xiao Simo laughed heartily; another piece of good news.
He had heard of Qu Chulü; Sun Khan indeed valued him greatly, and he had some prestige among the Naiman tribes.
Capturing Qu Chulü would indeed be a blow to the Naiman People’s morale.
“This way, we can have a good talk with Sun Khan.” Xiao Simo nodded with a smile.
Xiao Simo had no intention of eliminating the Naiman People with one war.
Unrealistic.
The Naiman People were the overlords of the Mongolian Plateau, with strong strength.
If truly pushed to desperation, their dying counterattack would inevitably cause heavy losses to the Northern Frontier.
This did not serve Xiao Simo’s interests.
It would only benefit the Royal Court and the other grassland tribes for free.
Therefore, Xiao Simo’s goal was merely to weaken the Naiman strength so they could no longer threaten the Northern Frontier.
“Order all divisions to clear the battlefield; in two days, march on the Naiman Khanate.” Xiao Simo ordered.
In great spirits, he pulled Li Xiao toward the large tent, preparing to properly feast the meritorious officials.
Afterward, the various divisions continued their actions, pursuing Naiman deserters and sorting the spoils of war on the battlefield.
It would take a long time to finish.
After thanking Xiao Simo for the feast, Li Xiao led his people away from Golden Mountain, preparing to continue searching for Naiman tribes.
The six tribes looted before were far from satisfying Li Xiao’s appetite.
He needed more cattle and sheep, supplies, slaves, and women to sustain the army.
