Chapter 85: Jin Prefecture Deputy Governor
Although he felt that something was vaguely off about this matter, Li Xiao did not say anything on the spot.
Because there was no evidence, it was just his own guess, and even if he said it, Xiao Simo might not give up this opportunity.
The arrangement of the battle situation might not change at all, but the impact on Li Xiao himself would be significant.
If Buyiru Khan was sincerely surrendering, it would only prove Li Xiao’s stupidity, poor judgment, and measuring a gentleman’s heart with a petty man’s mind.
And if the matter really happened, Li Xiao could certainly prove his unique insight and strategic depth, but the result would only be worse.
So you’re the smart one, Li Xiao.
He Xiao Simo and all these generals are fools?
Being played around by Buyiru Khan and his brothers, and ending up with heavy losses?
Xiao Simo might praise Li Xiao highly on the surface, but in his heart, he must have a different idea.
Because Li Xiao’s achievements were built on the foundation of Xiao Simo’s poor judgment of character and mistaken decisions.
Using his own stupidity to highlight Li Xiao’s greatness—how could Xiao Simo feel good about that?
Such consequences would only make Xiao Simo unhappy and offend the other generals, with no benefit to Li Xiao at all.
Therefore, regarding this matter, Li Xiao wisely chose to keep quiet.
“I can only take it one step at a time; if it really doesn’t work, I’ll just take the men and slip away directly,” Li Xiao said to himself inwardly.
But if the Northern Frontier Army was defeated too badly, it wouldn’t be good for Li Xiao either; Jin Prefecture would face the threat of Naiman people even more, and the warfare would continue.
Li Xiao would no longer have the opportunity or time to develop steadily and consolidate his own strength.
So, it’s a headache.
Just as Li Xiao was preoccupied with worries, Xiao Simo began to discuss the main matter.
“According to the report from the captives caught by the scouts, Baibuhua has issued orders for all males over twelve years old in the Naiman tribes to join the army.”
“And he has mobilized five thousand troops from the eastern border to come assist.”
“Overall, the Naiman people we will face will number around fifteen thousand.”
After the battle of Golden Mountain, Xiao Simo’s Northern Frontier Army still had more than twenty-three thousand men.
Not to mention the ten thousand troops of Tuoteboluo coming to assist.
Therefore, they had a great advantage in this battle.
The other generals shared the same view.
“Have all the Naiman people died out? Twelve years old? Haha, actually sending a bunch of kids who still wet the bed to the battlefield.” Xiao Tula Duo laughed heartily.
“On the battlefield, don’t let this bunch of kids get scared and pee themselves.”
“Haha, not to mention fifteen thousand; even if another fifteen thousand came, our Great Liao’s iron cavalry could still sweep them away.”
All the generals said boldly and confidently.
The Northern Frontier Army’s advantage was not only in the number of troops but also in the quality of the soldiers.
The Northern Frontier soldiers who had been through the bloody battle of Golden Mountain had combat strength far superior to the child soldiers hastily conscripted by Sun Khan.
Li Xiao also acknowledged this; the Northern Frontier Army’s advantage was very clear.
“Even if Buyiru Khan really has ulterior motives, the Northern Frontier Army probably won’t lose too badly,” Li Xiao said to himself inwardly.
He inwardly hoped that the Northern Frontier Army wouldn’t really be crushed.
Soon, Xiao Simo stopped the generals’ meaningless clamor and began assigning battle tasks.
“Buyiru Khan’s army will arrive in five days.”
“At that time, we will engage Baibuhua’s army in a decisive battle on the front, with Buyiru Khan’s army providing support from the flank,” Xiao Simo said in a deep voice.
“General Xiao Lintta.”
“Here!”
“Order your unit to attack the Naiman left wing.”
“Understood~”
Xiao Simo first assigned the battle tasks to the Khitan main force, all using traditional combat methods.
First, bow and arrow volleys from afar, then advances from the left and right flanks to draw in the enemy troops.
Finally, the central heavy cavalry would launch the general assault in coordination with the light cavalry, breaking through the Naiman lines.
When it came to Li Xiao’s turn, Xiao Simo hesitated for a moment, then said: “Order your troops to form the left flank unit, and once the Naiman army routs, follow and pursue to kill.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao responded loudly: “Understood.”
But inwardly, he was somewhat surprised.
Because of the reinforcements from the portion of the Seven Forts Allied Army left to guard Golden Mountain, Li Xiao’s troops had recovered to more than three thousand men.
Among all the units, his strength was considered top-tier.
He had thought he would get a very difficult task, but it turned out to be just this?
Pursue and kill after routing? That was the easiest.
But the merit would also be the smallest.
The greatest merit would of course go to Xiao Lintta and those charging the lines.
However, after speaking, Xiao Simo hesitated a bit and said: “In the battle of Golden Mountain, your troops worked the hardest; rest and recuperate well for this battle.”
Because Li Xiao’s subordinates had suffered considerable losses in the previous battle, this was special consideration?
What more could Li Xiao say? He quickly expressed thanks.
But actually, he was very happy to receive this task inwardly.
He already had enough merit; there was no need to risk the lives of his subordinate soldiers to compete for more.
What Li Xiao needed to do now was preserve strength and minimize casualties among his men.
Moreover, with the unpredictable Buyiru Khan watching covetously nearby, Li Xiao didn’t want his troops to get too deeply entangled on the battlefield.
Being a second-line unit was good; if the situation turned bad, they could disengage easily.
Soon after, the generals dispersed, and Li Xiao prepared to return to his own army.
But just as he had walked not far from the large tent, a Khitan man came walking toward him.
“Chiliarch Li.”
Li Xiao looked up and immediately smiled; it was an acquaintance.
It was one of the two guards who had been with Xiao Yanyan at the time; he just didn’t know his name.
“The princess wants to see you; please follow me.”
After speaking, the guard walked ahead first.
Not far from Xiao Simo’s large tent was Xiao Yanyan’s tent.
After the guard announced him, he stood expressionlessly in front of the tent like a door god, while Li Xiao calmly lifted the curtain and entered.
At a glance, he saw Xiao Yanyan sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing a red robe, her freshly washed black hair cascading down her back.
She was slowly combing it with an ox horn comb, and a faint floral fragrance filled the tent.
“Princess.”
As soon as Li Xiao spoke, Xiao Yanyan looked up, gazing at him reproachfully and saying: “How many times have I told you.”
“Don’t call me princess.”
Li Xiao shook his head with a light smile: “Abman.”
Only then did Xiao Yanyan hum softly and respond proudly.
“Come here, help me comb my hair.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao subconsciously wanted to walk over, but then he remembered that in this era, it was rare for men to comb women’s hair.
“This… isn’t appropriate, is it?”
Xiao Yanyan chuckled softly, turned her head, her lips curving slightly, and looked at Li Xiao with provocative eyes.
“What? Are you scared, or shy?”
“What’s this? The usually majestic General Li can’t even handle this little thing?”
Her voice was gentle, but her eyes held a hint of pride and mockery; her provocative demeanor greatly stirred Li Xiao’s temper.
This little demon~
Li Xiao really wanted to slap her first, then grab her hair and press her down…
“Heh, what’s there to be afraid of.” Li Xiao shook his head with an indifferent smile.
With his modern mindset, such a thing brought no pressure at all; since Xiao Yanyan had invited him proactively, Li Xiao wouldn’t back down.
He stepped forward, walked behind Xiao Yanyan, reached out, took the ox horn comb, and began combing downward from her hair with somewhat stiff movements.
Although Li Xiao wasn’t gentle at all, being clumsy and even pulling out several strands of hair, Xiao Yanyan didn’t mind in the slightest.
Instead, she sat up straight with a smile on her lips, letting Li Xiao do as he pleased.
“You know what?”
“You’re the first man to comb my hair for me; even my brother hasn’t done it.”
“When we were little, he was a big dumb ox who knew nothing about girls’ things.”
Hearing Xiao Yanyan’s words, Li Xiao’s hand paused for a moment, and he chuckled lightly: “Then I must feel honored.”
“Combing hair for this princess is indeed quite an honor for you.” Xiao Yanyan said shamelessly.
“Heh~” Li Xiao laughed.
“By the way, let me tell you some good news.” Xiao Yanyan said.
“In the battle of Golden Mountain, you earned the greatest merit; guess what reward my brother will give you?”
Xiao Yanyan looked at Li Xiao with expectant eyes.
“What reward? Could it be granting me this princess to make me the prince consort?” Li Xiao joked.
Xiao Yanyan immediately glared at him: “What nonsense are you saying? Of course not.”
There was no displeasure in her tone; it was more like coquettish scolding.
“If not making me the prince consort, then is it rewarding me with a hundred beauties?”
“Li Xiao, is there nothing in your head besides women?” Xiao Yanyan said laughingly in exasperation.
She knew Li Xiao was joking with her, so she said: “Forget it, no more guessing; you never say anything nice.”
“I’ll tell you directly.”
“It’s deputy governor!”
“My brother plans to appoint you as the Jin Prefecture deputy governor.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao was stunned for a moment.
After Yelü Dashi established the governor’s mansions in the four prefectures of Northern Frontier, he had never set up deputy positions.
However, the previous governors were more like supervisors and couldn’t actually intervene in the specific affairs of the fortresses and tribes.
Xiao Simo intended to reform the four prefectures of Northern Frontier, centralizing power to the governor’s mansions from the grassroots level.
This would inevitably make the governor’s power too concentrated, grasping both military and administrative authority.
Therefore, a deputy governor was needed to check the governor’s power.
Perhaps also to guard against that ‘lottery ticket.’
Xiao Simo knew there was someone disloyal under him but didn’t know who.
If it really hit the jackpot, having a deputy governor to balance might prevent a too disastrous outcome.
Countless thoughts flashed through Li Xiao’s mind, but on the surface, he showed a disappointed expression and sighed.
“Jin Prefecture deputy governor?”
“Tch!”
“I thought it would at least be a governor; turns out it’s only deputy.”
Hearing Li Xiao’s punchable words, Xiao Yanyan immediately widened her eyes and punched his arm with her delicate fist.
She said angrily: “Governor? In your dreams!”
“Even this deputy governor was something I barely…”
Xiao Yanyan seemed to realize she had let slip and immediately shut her mouth.
A helpless, amused expression appeared on Li Xiao’s face.
He had thought this deputy governor position was earned upright through his military merit, but unexpectedly, it was also connected to eating soft rice.
The key was that this soft rice was quite delicious.
“Bad teeth; looks like I, Li Xiao, am destined to eat soft rice!” Li Xiao shook his head with a wry smile.
