The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 131 General Li Xiao wishes to marry the eldest princess of Chu

After the Wuwei Army was established, Li Xiao announced the Jinzhou Military Regulations to all 4,500 soldiers in the army.

"Those who disobey military orders will be killed!"

This is an iron rule in the army. Anyone who changes the orders of superiors without authorization, refuses to fight, or contradicts superiors in public will be beheaded as a public display.

"Anyone who escapes from battle will be killed!"

If one person escapes, one person will be beheaded; if the whole team retreats, the whole team will be beheaded.

"Anyone who reports false military information will be executed!"

Not only are they required to lie about enemy military intelligence, they are also targeting officers. If they falsely report military achievements and conceal defeats, they will not only be beheaded, but their families will also be implicated.

"Anyone who disrupts the morale of the army will be executed!"

"Anyone who misses the opportunity to fight will be executed!"

"Anyone who falsely claims military merit will be executed!"

"Anyone who hides the spoils will be killed!"

"Anyone who feigns illness to escape combat will be executed!"

"Anyone who secretly communicates with foreign enemies and leaks military secrets will be executed!"

"While the battle continues, anyone who abuses a woman will be executed!"

"While the battle is still going on, anyone who loots property will be executed!"

"If a commander dies in battle and a soldier escapes, his entire family will be executed!"

These are all serious cases that must be punished with the death penalty to deter military morale.

In addition, there are some crimes that do not constitute beheading.

Anyone who makes a loud noise at night will be flogged a hundred times.

Anyone who steals from others will be whipped a hundred times, etc.

Where there are punishments, there are naturally rewards.

Subsequently, military law stipulated standards for rewarding military merits.

Behead an enemy soldier and you will be rewarded one string of silver.

Behead the enemy general and you will be rewarded with ten strings of cash.

Behead the enemy commander and you will be rewarded with at least 100 strings of cash.

In addition, there are military merits such as being the first to reach the enemy's territory and breaking through the enemy's formation, all of which have set a standard.

In addition to monetary rewards, there will definitely be promotions in official positions, distribution of land and property, etc.

After dealing with these matters, 4,500 Jinzhou troops marched westward towards the Eastern Capital.

……

In the past, Yelu Dashi went on a western expedition and proclaimed himself emperor in Yemi, calling himself "Jürgen Khan".

At that time, he conquered the Khitan tribes and many nomadic tribes in the Seven Rivers Basin, and made the Gaochang Uighurs submit to him, greatly increasing his power and laying the foundation for his subsequent westward expansion.

After the Battle of Kavant, Yelu Dashi defeated the Seljuk Empire and dominated Central Asia from then on.

Afterwards, he moved the capital to Balasagun, which is now Husiwoerduo, and Yemili became the old capital of Western Liao, also known as the Eastern Capital, and was also the administrative center of the four prefectures in northern Xinjiang.

Yinshan Prefecture has a unique terrain, with high east and low west, surrounded by mountains on three sides and open to the west.

The Yemili River winds through the middle of the area, creating a flat, open plain with fertile soil and abundant water resources.

The city of Yemili is located here.

The city is about three miles long and wide, with walls only two meters high, made of stones and mud. It is quite simple and lacks the grandeur of the eastern capital of Western Liao. Rather than being a town, it looks more like a fortress of a country landlord. It is really small.

Not to mention compared to the big cities in the Central Plains, even some small county towns are taller and more majestic than it. However, Ye Mili is already the largest town in the northern border.

In the center of Yemili City, the largest courtyard is Xiao Simo's palace.

At this moment, he was sitting high on a Hu bed, looking at a middle-aged man in nomadic clothes in front of him with scrutiny and a bit of suspicion.

"A Su, are you going to submit to me?" Xiao Simo had a smile on his face, making it difficult to guess what he was thinking.

After defeating the Naimans and suppressing the rebellion of the Qarlugs in Ili, Xiao Simo became powerful and the aura he exuded became more intimidating.

The man stood in the hall, lowering his head in fear and trepidation, not daring to look directly at Xiao Simo who was sitting high on the Hu bed.

He spoke slowly and in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Jurghan has appointed treacherous ministers, has unclear rewards and punishments, and has been unfair in his administration. He has also been indulging in wine and women all day, neglecting state affairs. This has long incurred the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people."

"Although my lord harbors discontent, he is powerless and alone, unable to resist. Now that the king wishes to restore order, this is in accordance with the will of heaven and the will of the people. How can my lord not follow him? I wish to join the king and achieve great things together."

When Xiao Simo heard this, the corners of his mouth curled up, he clapped his hands lightly, and praised: "Well said!"

"Just based on your words, this king is very happy to hear them."

After saying this, he ordered the guards beside him: "Give me some wine."

The man's face was filled with fear. He took the wine glass from the guard and thanked him hurriedly: "Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty."

After saying that, he prepared to drink it all in one gulp. Even though it was a cup of poison, he had no choice.

As the wine entered his mouth, a strong spicy feeling rushed straight to his forehead. If he had not considered Xiao Simo's presence, he would have spit out the wine out.

But he was choked so hard that his face turned red and he couldn't help coughing slightly.

"Hahaha~"

Seeing this, Xiao Simo laughed out loud, and his laughter echoed in the hall.

"This is a new fine wine produced in my northern border, named Xifeng Lie." Xiao Simo stroked the wine glass with a look of complacency in his eyes.

"The wine lives up to its name, as fierce as the westerly wind on the prairie."

"When you leave, I'll give you two jars. Take them back and let Asuko taste them."

Some time ago, Li Xiaogang sent a batch of Xifenglie to Dongdu.

After all, he knew that he still had to rely on Xiao Simo, so he dared not neglect it.

Xiao Simo tasted the liquor and was quite satisfied. From then on, whenever he met someone who pleased him, he would reward them with a glass of it.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The man hurriedly bowed his head to express his gratitude and wiped the wine that had spilled from the corner of his mouth.

After the man left the hall, Xiao Simo poured himself another drink.

Seeing this, Gu Zizhong advised, "Your Majesty, although fine wine is delicious, please do not drink too much."

"The princess specifically instructed me to persuade you."

"This wine from Jinzhou is very strong."

Ever since Li Xiao brought Xifeng Lie to him, Xiao Simo has fallen in love with this strong liquor.

I always like to have a few drinks on weekdays.

This made the princess very distressed, worried that Xiao Simo's body could not bear it.

But he shook his head gently: "It's okay, a few drinks can't hurt me."

Then, he turned to look at Gu Zizhong beside him and asked, "How many tribes have sent envoys to the Eastern Capital this time?"

"There are fifteen tribes in total, all from the Seven Rivers."

Gu Zizhong responded respectfully: "The next one is the envoy from the Chumukun tribe."

The Seven Rivers Basin, located west of the Eastern Capital, has a flat terrain, a mild climate and abundant rainfall.

Seven rivers, including the Ili River, Karatar River, and Baskan River, crisscross the area, nourishing plains and valleys with abundant water and grass.

This is a natural and excellent pasture, home to many Khitan tribes and other nomadic tribes.

According to historical records, during his western expedition, Yelu Dashi conquered more than 10,000 Khitans, more than 50,000 Turks, and many other nomadic peoples in the Seven Rivers Basin.

It greatly expanded the military strength and laid the foundation for the rise of Western Liao.

Also, the Seven Rivers Basin is an important route from Dongdu to Husiwoerduo.

When the news of Xiao Simo's western expedition spread, many tribes in the basin could not stay out of it and faced a choice: to support the Eastern Capital or to support the royal court?
Yelu Zhilugu's previous immoral actions and the royal court's disastrous defeat in the Battle of Khorasan were in sharp contrast to Xiao Simo's glorious military achievement of defeating the Naiman.

After weighing the pros and cons, some nomadic tribes placed their bets on Xiao Simo.

Moreover, Xiao Simo's army on the westward expedition would inevitably pass through the Seven Rivers Basin. With the army approaching, instead of being forced to surrender, they would rather voluntarily submit and gain the upper hand.

"Let the envoy of the Chumukun tribe come in."

Xiao Simo stretched his body, which had become stiff from sitting for so long, and gave instructions to Gu Zizhong.

In the past few days, he met with envoys one after another to discuss surrender. Everything went smoothly, which made him in a good mood and he felt that his great cause was about to be accomplished.

However, when he heard the name of another tribe in the Seven Rivers Basin, he couldn't help but be stunned.

"Dorachubanbu?"

After the demise of the Western Turks, a large number of survivors were left behind.

These forces once dominated Central Asia, such as the Turgesh and the Karluk tribes.

The Dorochu half are also descendants of the former Western Turks.

Inherited from Geshu Chubanbu, one of the five great crossbowmen.

Although the glory of these Turkic tribes has long ended, their strength in the Seven Rivers Basin should not be underestimated.

However, under the deliberate control of the Khitans, these Turkic tribes have always been scattered and hostile to each other.

It is difficult to form a unified force.

The Chumukun, Asuke and other tribes that Xiao Simo had met before were all Turkic tribes.

But this Dorachubanbu is different from them.

"I remember that Dorotarhan once served as Yelu Zhilugu's bodyguard."

Xiao Simo sat on the Hu bed, looking at the visitor with a cold gaze.

It seems that he expressed doubts about the submission of the Dorachubanbu.

"Yes, Your Majesty, my son Ji Jin did serve as Jurghan's bodyguard, but that period of history was not a happy one for my son Ji Jin."

The envoy from the Dorachuban tribe said this with a calm look.

However, Xiao Simo did not accept this explanation and continued, "I still remember that Dorotarhan's wife seemed to be the daughter of the Chuluosu family."

"He and Yelu Zhilugu are brothers-in-law, and I heard he loves his wife very much."

Hearing this, the messenger was not panicked, but bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the guard outside the palace is carrying a box with him. Please allow me to bring it in."

Xiao Simo nodded slightly, and soon his personal guard came in carrying a box.

After opening it, they found a human head.

"What does it mean?"

Xiao Simo frowned and said calmly that a mere human head would not scare him.

The messenger said respectfully, "This is the head of the Chu Luosu clan. My family's Ji Jin beheaded him personally."

"To show my sincerity to the king."

Hearing this, Xiao Simo was also stunned.

Ok!

This Dorotar Khan is really cruel.

Killing one's wife to prove one's teachings.

The Liao version of Liu Zhang?
"Hehehe~"

Xiao Simo smiled and nodded gently: "The king is very satisfied with this gift."

"Believe in Dorotar Khan's loyalty."

Then, the messenger bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, my family, Ji Jin, has another unwelcome request."

Xiao Simo smiled faintly, nodded and said, "Tell me, what does he want?"

Then, the messenger took out a gift list and handed it to Xiao Simo's personal guard.

"My family is willing to offer a thousand cattle, two thousand strong horses, ten thousand sheep, and ten thousand rolls of silk cloth as a gift."

"I beg Your Majesty to marry the eldest princess of the State of Chu to my family, Ji Jin."

Hearing this, the smile on Xiao Simo's face gradually faded.

He stared at the messenger with a half-smile in his eyes.

……

"I have said that if anyone dares to marry you, I will destroy his entire family."

In the Jinzhou military camp, Li Xiao's tent was filled with his cold and angry voice.

After five days of marching, 4,500 Jinzhou troops had crossed the mountains in the eastern part of Yinshan Prefecture.

Successfully arrived in Yinshan Prefecture.

When they were less than thirty miles away from the Eastern Capital, Li Xiao ordered to set up camp on the spot because it was too late.

Prepare to go to Dongdu to meet Xiao Simo early tomorrow morning.

When Li Xiao's army entered Yinshan Prefecture, people from tribes along the way kept sending messages to Dongdu.

Xiao Yanyan knew Li Xiao's itinerary very well.

After Li Xiao set up camp outside Dongdu City, she could no longer suppress her longing for him. She brought her own guards and headed towards Li Xiao's army.

When the two met, there was nothing much to talk about.

Li Xiao directly picked him up and walked into the big tent.

Having not seen the two of them for half a year, it was natural that there was a sense of thunder and lightning.

However, after the first time ended, during the truce, the two talked to each other about what had happened in the past six months.

Li Xiao learned about Dorotarhan's proposal of marriage.

His face immediately turned dark, and he pressed Xiao Yanyan under him again with an expression full of anger.

He walked in fiercely and said, "Xiao Yanyan, I'll tell you."

"You are my Li Xiao's woman, no one can take you away from me."

Xiao Yanyan was amused by Li Xiao's jealous expression.

Touching his face, he said with a smile: "Little men look better when they are angry!"

Li Xiao didn't give her any face at all, he just brushed her hand away and snorted, "Just wait and see."

"If I don't kill that bastard named Dorotarhan, my fucking last name is not Li."

"Then you can share my surname Xiao." Xiao Yanyan giggled.

Li Xiao was so angry that he laughed.

"I, Li Xiao, have always been a freeloader."

"It's only been half a year since we last met, and you, a bitch, are so bold as to stir up trouble."

After more than half an hour, Xiao Yanyan had no strength left in her body.

But Li Xiao still had spirit, he had something hidden in his mind and he would not give up until he got to the bottom of it.

"and then?"

"What did your elder brother say?"

Xiao Yanyan half-closed her eyes, her face flushed, and she exuded a lazy aura. She smiled in a gentle voice and said, "What else can I say?"

"I'm already yours."

"How could you not know, brother?"

"Of course I rejected that guy's marriage proposal."

"And my eldest brother also said~"

"Dorotarhan is a man of ill intentions. He is either a capricious villain or a treacherous and evil-minded spy."

"I will definitely not agree to him."

Dorotar Khan was willing to kill his beloved wife for the sake of his future and status. Although he was a hero, he was definitely not a trustworthy partner.

If he can kill Chu Luosu today, will he also kill Xiao Yanyan tomorrow if Xiao Simo loses power or for other greater interests?

It definitely will.

"However, my eldest brother said that Dorotarhan might not have made such a decision. Instead, he might have deliberately surrendered and was secretly colluding with the royal court."

Half of the Duoluochu is located in the Seven Rivers Basin, but Xiao Simo's army arrived as soon as it was promised.

In order to avoid being liquidated by Xiao Simo, Dorotarhan may have deliberately surrendered.

"No matter what the plan is, this guy is dead."

"I said."

"Even if Allah (God) comes, he can't stay." Li Xiao said with a cold snort.

……

On the second day, the Jinzhou army arrived outside the Eastern Capital, and Li Xiao led the guards into the city.

Looking at the dilapidated city wall in front of him, Li Xiao was also a little shocked.

"Is this Dongdu?"

Even a small county town in Central Plains is bigger than it!
"Isn't it surprising?"

Xiao Yanyan rode beside him on horseback, her beautiful eyes turning as she looked at Li Xiao with a smile.

"It's quite unexpected. I thought Dongdu would be very big." Li Xiao shook his head slightly.

In his opinion, this could not even be considered a city.

The city wall made of mud and stones was very dilapidated, covered with moss and traces of knives and axes. It was unknown how many years of history it had. Li Xiao felt that he could run over it with a run.

"This was built during my grandfather's Western Expedition. It wasn't intended to be a capital, but simply a place for garrisoning troops."

While riding, Xiao Yanyan introduced the situation of Dongdu to Li Xiao.

"Actually, Dongdu does have a city wall. You'll be truly surprised when you get to Husiwoerduo."

"There's nothing there."

After hearing this, Li Xiao understood.

Although the Khitans have undergone hundreds of years of sinicization, they are still a nomadic people at heart.

In order to save face, Yelu Dashi at least built a small city in Dongdu.

But when he arrived at Husiwoerduo, he simply didn't want anything.

The so-called royal court was actually a huge nomadic tribe.

They were nomads in the Chu River basin, migrating according to the seasons.

Wherever you go, that is the royal court.

No wonder the farming peoples were unable to eliminate the power of the nomadic peoples.

Mainly because I can’t find it.

But for someone like Xiao Simo, who is a "family member", it is certain that he will be the right one.

When Li Xiao and his group entered the city of Dongdu, they were also surprised by the scene before them.

Rows of low houses were arranged in a disorderly manner, and the ground was muddy and covered with horse manure.

The carriage behind Li Xiao got stuck several times and was pushed out each time.

When he arrived at Xiao Simo's palace, Li Xiao was even more speechless.

The courtyard wall is made of earthen bricks, and the gate is just two wooden boards with no door nails on them. After entering the door, there is a large courtyard, and there is not even a gatehouse.

On the left side of the yard is the guardhouse, on the right side is a row of stables, in the middle is the main hall, and behind the main hall is the backyard, where Xiao Simo's family lives.

Seeing this, if you didn’t know, you would think you were in the yard of a rural landlord’s house.

It is still a long way from the real royal palace under the ancient feudal system.

Li Xiao stood in the yard, looking at the surrounding environment, shook his head helplessly and said: "Master Xiao's life is so boring~"

“How simple!”

Xiao Yanyan chuckled softly, "This is where my grandfather lived back then."

"Big Brother doesn't care about these external comforts, so he simply hasn't changed them."

"In fact, most of the time our family still lives outside the city."

Li Xiao could also understand.

For these nomadic people, living in tents outside the city makes them feel more comfortable.

Soon, Li Xiao was summoned into the inner hall and saw Xiao Simo sitting on the main seat.

He gently touched his chest and said, "General Li Xiao, I pay my respects to you, sir."

After the battle with Naiman and the two great victories in suppressing the Ili Karluk rebellion, Xiao Simo is now in high spirits, and the momentum of those in power around him is even greater.

He was wearing a wolfskin coat, with a smile on his face, and looked full of energy.

"No need to be polite."

"sit."

Then he asked, "How many soldiers and horses did you bring this time?"

"Four thousand five hundred men, all of them are the most elite warriors in the Golden State."

Li Xiao said in a heavy voice.

Xiao Simo nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad."

Xiao Linta had arrived in Dongdu two days in advance, and he also brought 2,500 people with him.

In this way, Jinzhou's military strength reached 7,000 people.

The number of troops in the desert is about 5,000.

Beihai has a military force of 4,000 people. After all, Beihai suffered heavy losses in the Naiman battle last year and has not yet recovered.

As for the Eastern Capital, some troops were left behind for defense, and another 8,000 men could be dispatched.

Among them, five thousand were Xiao Simo's direct subordinates, the soldiers of the Sixth Academy.

In addition, in the Naiman battle last year, the Northern Frontier Army captured more than 10,000 Naiman soldiers.

After half a year of "taming" and kicking out some of the old, weak and sick, Xiao Simo had a total of about 10,000 Naiman soldiers.

Khitan soldiers were also placed as core officers to ensure control of the army.

At the same time, Xiao Simo made a promise to these Naimans.

As long as they killed an enemy soldier, they would be freed from slavery, rewarded with cattle and sheep, and their families would be brought in to live with them.

Therefore, in this battle with the royal court, this Naiman army may play an unexpected role.

These are Xiao Simo's main strengths.

A total of 34,000 people.

At the same time, after suppressing the rebellion of the Ili Karluk last year, Xiao Simo also obtained two thousand Karluk cavalry.

Although there is a possibility that these Karluk people will rebel, as long as Xiao Simo is strong enough and has a great chance of winning, the Karluk people will definitely not seek death.

Next are the nomadic tribes that have surrendered in the Seven Rivers Basin.

It can also provide about 10,000 soldiers and horses.

Therefore, in this expedition, Xiao Simo's army will reach 46,000 people.

In the Western Regions, few people can gather such a large army.

It is almost comparable to the scale of Yelu Dashi's western expedition army.

So during this period of time, Xiao Simo has been quite comfortable.

This is the phrase that is always on my lips.

"The advantage is mine!"

"We will definitely defeat the royal army."

However, Li Xiao has certain concerns about this.

Xiao Simo's power does seem to be very huge, but there is a fatal problem.

There are too few direct troops.

Perhaps the only ones who could truly obey his orders unconditionally were the 5,000 Khitan soldiers of the Sixth Academy.

The other 40,000 troops are just allied forces.

The armies of Jinzhou, the desert and the North Sea may be able to support Xiao Simo until the last moment.

But for nomadic tribal soldiers like those in the Seven Rivers Basin, if they encounter setbacks in the war, they will probably be the first to run away.

So, to sum up Xiao Simo's situation in one sentence, his foundation is unstable.

But Li Xiao had no good solution for this.

The Western Regions is a terrible place. We can only hope that the royal court’s army is even worse than the Eastern Capital’s.

After the two finished talking about military affairs, Li Xiao suddenly stood up and said to Xiao Simo while stroking his chest.

"Sir, I have an unwelcome request."

"Please grant me your permission, sir."

After listening to Li Xiao's words, Xiao Simo had already realized something.

In fact, every move of these two people was under Xiao Simo's surveillance, and nothing could be hidden from him.

"Since it's an unreasonable request, then don't say it." Xiao Simo said lightly.

The sister he had loved for twenty years was taken away by another man.

I must feel a little uncomfortable.

But Li Xiao would definitely say that a shortcut to the pinnacle of career is right in front of him, so how could he hesitate and stop?

"General Li Xiao wishes to marry the eldest princess of the Chu Kingdom."

As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Yanyan, who had been hiding outside the room and eavesdropping, couldn't help but clench her fists, a smug smile appearing on her face.

(End of this chapter)