The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 143: The army returns with astonishing spoils
"The Marshal has given orders!"

"The army is returning to the northern border!"

As Li Xiao issued the order to withdraw, the various Northern Frontier troops took quick action, and the imperial capital became even more chaotic.

Wang Heizi, the blacksmith who inherited the family craft, has been running a blacksmith shop in Husiwoerduo City since his grandfather's generation, but now he has to move to the northern border with his family.

The threat from the Northern Frontier Army was imminent, and he did not dare to risk his family's lives, so that night he and his family packed up their belongings and filled two carriages.

The next morning, Wang Heizi and his family pulled a carriage and stood in front of the blacksmith shop.

He looked back at the place where he had spent half his life, and sighed with emotion: "After leaving, I don't know if I will have the chance to come back and take a look again in this lifetime..."

His wife gently held his rough hand, her eyes red and her voice trembling: "Master, don't think too much. As long as the family is together, we can live well anywhere."

The young children sat in the carriage, ignorant and naive.

The two older sons' eyes were filled with confusion about the unknown future. After all, they had never left this city and had no idea about the northern border.

Wang Heizi warned his sons, "If you have the chance in the future, remember to come back and visit."

After that, the family drove the carriage out of the city.

Along the way, they met many craftsmen who were traveling with their families and luggage.

Wang Heizi saw the familiar carpenter, Lao Li, and asked, "Lao Li, have you been drafted as well?"

Old Li laughed wryly and said to himself, "Of course not. King Xiao thinks highly of me and is taking me to the Northern Frontier to enjoy a good life."

The two looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly, knowing that anyone with a bit of skill would find it difficult to escape the conscription of the Northern Frontier Army.

Can't escape.

However, when they arrived at the camp outside the city, they were instantly happy.

"Hey, isn't this the Caliph? Why is he so disheveled? Where did he lose his turban? Did he use it to wipe his butt?"

Old Li laughed and said loudly.

The person he was teasing was a Uighur.

He was also a carpenter, but they were enemies in the same industry and their relationship had never been good.

It’s just that the Caliph had a relative who was an officer in the city gate army, so he bullied Lao Li a lot on a daily basis.

But now, he was like a plucked rooster, squatting on the ground in a mess, and he didn't even know where his turban, which he was always proud of, had fallen to.

There are hundreds of Uighur craftsmen like him.

Thousands of them, along with their family members, were brutally captured by the Northern Frontier Army and turned into slaves. Their treatment was very different from that of the Han craftsmen.

"Damn bastard."

Seeing Lao Li showing off in front of him, the Caliph was so angry that his face turned green and he couldn't help but curse.

But immediately afterwards, a cavalryman rushed over quickly and whipped the Caliph hard on the back.

"Crack~"

"No talking."

He was immediately frightened and kept silent, covering his head and not daring to move at all.

The cavalryman turned around and scolded Lao Li: "Don't provoke slaves."

"Get out of here."

Although Lao Li was being scolded, he was very happy and responded with a smile: "Okay, General, we will leave now."

"You have worked hard."

"That Uighur is the worst kind of bastard. He needs to be severely whipped."

As he spoke, Old Li laughed and walked forward pulling the carriage.

The bully who bullied me has now become a slave, while I can walk in front of him with pride.

This feels really good.

"You know what, I suddenly feel that going to Northern Xinjiang is not a bad idea." Old Li suddenly said to Wang Heizi who was walking side by side with the carriage.

"What's the matter?" Wang Heizi was confused.

Old Li chuckled: "At least, it seems that we won't have to endure the Uighurs' wrath after we go to Northern Xinjiang."

"And then you can bully them."

Wang Heizi nodded slightly, feeling something in his heart.

In the city of Husiwoerduo, Uighurs accounted for more than 70% of the population, and Han people were often oppressed.

Today, the Northern Frontier Army is led by a Han Chinese. The commander, Li Xiao, is also the brother-in-law of King Xiao. He is relatively tolerant towards the Han Chinese and does not confiscate their property and enslave them like he does the Uighurs.

With such a comparison, Wang Heizi's mood was obviously much better.

"That's true. Although I have to leave Hu Siwoerduo, at least I can still live like a human being." Wang Heizi nodded slightly.

Looking into the distance, he saw the Uighur craftsmen being held together like animals, and shook his head helplessly.

Pitiful.

……

On the grassland outside the city, the tents of the Northern Frontier Army were like a forest of fortresses, but the work of dismantling them had already begun.

The soldiers looked hurried, busy packing their bags and loading weapons, tents, food and other supplies onto the carriages in an orderly manner.

The golden sun and moon battle flags fluttered in the wind, making crackling sounds, as if playing a tragic war song for this evacuation.

Driven by the soldiers, craftsmen, prisoners of war and women slowly moved towards the northern border.

The craftsmen still looked back in the direction of Husiwoerduo City from time to time, their eyes full of attachment and reluctance.

The prisoners dragged their feet with heavy steps, the ropes on their bodies rubbed their skin and blood oozed out, but no one cared.

The women huddled together, sobbing softly, and also walked forward, worried about their future fate.

In comparison, Yelu Jin and other royal family members were treated much better.

Yelu Zhilugu's concubines and daughters, a total of more than a dozen people, were all crammed into three carriages.

Although it was crowded, at least I didn't have to suffer the hardship of running around like other women.

"Are the rebels going to retreat?" Yelu Jin said in surprise as he looked at the movement of the army.

A concubine next to her nodded slightly: "It seems that he is preparing to return to the Eastern Capital."

"It must be that father brought his men back. The rebels were defeated and had to retreat and flee." Yelu Jin said happily.

The concubine nodded gently: "The situation must have changed and the rebels had to retreat."

Upon hearing this, Yelu Jin said eagerly, "I really hope that Father will bring people to rescue us soon, otherwise we will really be taken to the Northern Frontier."

Not far from her, Li Xiao was sitting astride a tall horse, reins tightly in his hands. Behind him were many white-armored personal soldiers, who stood silently and stared at the army in front of them, evacuating in an orderly manner.

Not long after, Li Dashan came to report, "Marshal, all the soldiers have evacuated the city."

Li Xiao nodded slightly, turned his head, and took one last look at Hu Siwo'erduo.

This once glorious imperial capital had already become dilapidated after being ravaged by the Northern Frontier Army.

It was like a seriously injured giant, wailing in despair on this vast grassland.

"Tiger thinks of his ears."

"I, Li Xiao, will definitely come back again."

Li Xiao murmured in a low voice, with a hint of determination in his eyes.

"Drive~"

"set off!"

Then he turned and left, his figure getting farther and farther away from the city wall.

With a long blast of the horn, the army's speed increased.

The wheels rolled, the horses' hooves clattered, and the dust raised formed a huge cloud of dust on the grassland.

The animals on the grassland were disturbed by the sudden movement. Hares fled in all directions, and birds were startled and circled in the air, as if they were also grieving for the fate of the city.

But soon, new problems arose.

"We're moving too slowly."

"At this rate, it will take at least five days to reach the north of the Yili River."

"By then, I'm afraid the royal court's army will catch up."

On the grassland, Li Xiao and other generals gathered together, and Jiu Meng Anhe said with a serious expression.

"Yes, these prisoners are seriously slowing us down."

Luo Ping nodded in agreement.

In the battle of Husiwoerduo, the spoils of the left-wing army were astonishing, almost emptying the entire Husiwoerduo.

In terms of property, the first thing was the treasures worth more than 300,000 taels of gold that were looted from the basement of the imperial palace, as well as other antiques, calligraphy and paintings, silks, gold and silver coins, etc., with a total value of about 320,000 taels of gold.

Furthermore, the miscellaneous property obtained from the raids on the homes of the nobles in the city and their torture and extortion amounted to more than six million copper coins.

Converted into gold, it would be about 600,000 taels.

No one would have thought that the wealth accumulated by these nobles was more than that of the royal family.

Gold, silver and jewelry worth more than 900,000 taels of gold filled hundreds of large carts.

All the carriages in Husiwoerduo City were requisitioned by the Northern Frontier Army.

In addition to these properties, there was also food. All the food reserves in Husiwoerduo City were also emptied.

If there aren't enough carriages, just use horses.

There were not enough horses, so we had to use people to carry the load.

After this battle, there were many prisoners in the Northern Frontier Army.

Because all the craftsmen in the city were plundered, the total number of craftsmen, including Han, Uighur, Khitan, and other ethnic groups, was nearly a thousand.

Including their relatives, several thousand people followed them back to the northern border.

Walking in a mighty procession on the grassland, stretching as if there is no end in sight.

Apart from the craftsmen, they were pure captives.

Among them were soldiers in Husiwoerduo City, servants and maids in the homes of nobles and wealthy businessmen, and guards, eunuchs, and palace maids in the imperial palace.

Then there are the nobles themselves and their families.

These people add up to nearly 20,000 people.

Divided into male and female parts.

There were not many female prisoners, only less than three thousand, and they would be given as rewards to soldiers who had made meritorious contributions in the future.

The male prisoners were directly incorporated into the Kuli Army.

This has resulted in a significant increase in the current Curry Army's strength, reaching nearly 20,000 men.

There are more troops than the left-wing army under Li Xiao's command.

However, these Curry troops were complete cannon fodder and didn't even have war horses.

We can only return to northern Xinjiang on foot.

It is precisely because of these properties, food and slaves that the speed of the Northern Frontier Army was seriously slowed down.

But giving up these spoils is even more impossible.

As the royal court's army could return at any time, they had to find a way to speed up the march and reach the Ili River as soon as possible.

"Husiwoerduo is at least two hundred miles away from the Ili River."

"It takes these prisoners five days to walk there, while it only takes three days for the royal army to reach Husiwoerduo from Black Stone Mountain."

Jiu Meng Anhe said in a heavy voice.

With so many prisoners and supplies encumbered, the Northern Frontier Army was completely tied up.

Once we are entangled by the royal army, it will be very troublesome.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao frowned, a fierce look flashed in his eyes, and a cold voice sounded, "Then speed up the prisoners."

"Pass the order."

"Kill one hundred Kuris every day, measured by their marching speed."

"When we set up camp in the evening, we were the last hundred people to leave."

"cut!"

These one hundred people do not include those who have fallen behind, but refer to the last one hundred people following the main group.

Because those who fell behind were killed on the road from the very beginning.

Then, Li Xiao continued in a cold voice, "The same rules apply to the female prisoner camp and the craftsman camp."

"The number of people killed per day is ten."

After hearing this, the generals were surprised, but they had to admit that this was indeed a good idea.

With this order, the prisoners of war will buy time with death.

They can walk slowly, but they must not walk slower than the last hundred people.

Faced with the pressure of death, I'm afraid no one will be lazy anymore.

"it is good!"

"Let's do it!" Jiu Meng'anhe nodded heavily.

If both bosses agree, then the order will be carried out.

Every evening, one hundred and twenty heads would roll to the ground.

In the face of the threat of death, the marching speed was indeed much faster.

And it is visible to the naked eye, getting faster day by day.

By the third day, the army had marched a full seventy miles.

But in this situation, Li Xiao handed over the army to Jiu Meng Anhe to lead and continue to advance.

He himself led a thousand white-armored soldiers, a thousand northern navy soldiers and a thousand seven-river soldiers, a total of three thousand cavalry, and quietly left the team.

In the evening, as the sun sets, the blood-red setting sun dyes the entire grassland dark red, as if covering the earth with a layer of sad curtain.

And in this silent atmosphere, a low sound of horse hooves slowly sounded, the sound became louder and louder, hitting the ground heavily, completely breaking the tranquility of the grassland.

The iron cavalry was marching in a mighty force, and the general leading them was Xiao Linta.

He led a large army from Black Rock Mountain to rescue Hu Siwoerduo.

However, when they arrived, they saw only a ruined city. The palace had been looted, and many nobles had their homes confiscated and taken away.

When Xiao Linta saw this scene, he immediately realized that things were getting serious.

Yelu Zhilugu must be furious.

It is even possible that you will blame yourself.

Therefore, Xiao Linta did not dare to delay. He left some soldiers behind to simply restore order in the city, and then led a large group of cavalry to follow the Northern Frontier Army.

"Xuxu~"

When they reached a grassland, Xiao Linta slowly pulled the reins, and the many cavalrymen behind him also slowly stopped.

At this moment, several scouts came running over from a distance and reported.

"Your Excellency, we found over a hundred bodies over there. Just like the ones we found not long ago, all of them had their heads chopped off."

Hearing this, Xiao Linta did not dare to delay and immediately led his men over.

I saw a high ground with messy footprints everywhere, which showed that at least tens of thousands of people had stopped there.

Most importantly, in the middle, there was a ten-meter-high hill with more than a hundred corpses lying on the ground.

Countless vultures and wild wolves were surrounding the corpses and feasting on them.

When Xiao Linta led his men over, the beasts immediately scattered.

Xiao Linta looked down and saw that most of the corpses had been gnawed to the point where only bones were left. Only some detached heads could still vaguely make out their appearance.

However, when Xiao Linta saw the appearance of one of them clearly, he frowned.

"This is~"

"Marquis Dingyuan?"

Xiao Linta said in shock. After turning the head over with the tip of the knife and observing carefully, he became more certain of the man's identity.

He was the Marquis of Dingyuan, a nobleman of the Liao Dynasty. His grandfather had followed Yelu Dashi in his campaigns and was a hero of the founding of the country.

Moreover, Marquis Dingyuan's sister was Yelu Zhilugu's imperial concubine.

He is a real royal relative.

Although the appearance of the other corpses could not be seen, judging from the clothes they were wearing, most of them were nobles and wealthy people.

But now, these powerful people who were once high and mighty have had their heads chopped off and their bodies eaten by wild beasts, leaving only bones.

"what is going on?"

"How could they die so tragically?" Xiao Linta said in shock.

A middle-aged man next to them turned his head and looked around. The surrounding scenery was in full view, and the hill under their feet became very eye-catching.

Then he sneered and said, "This is an execution ground. They were executed."

"And his head was chopped off in front of tens of thousands of people, in full view of everyone."

The man had scars all over his face, looked ferocious, and was dressed like a barbarian.

His name was Hamajik and he was a Kangli person.

Yelu Wusitu's most trusted subordinate.

This time, he led 5,000 Kangli cavalry to help Xiao Linta wipe out Li Xiao's troops.

Also arriving were 500 Iqta cavalrymen from the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate and 3,000 light cavalrymen.

The leader was Suleiman ibn Hassan, the younger brother of the Khan of the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate.

After seeing the tragic scene before him, he nodded slightly and said, "This seems to be a sacrifice."

"Cut off the heads of these more than a hundred people and offer them as sacrifices to the gods."

It was a common practice to use prisoners of war to sacrifice to heaven, earth and ancestors.

Moreover, not long ago, they discovered a similar execution ground fifty miles away, which confirmed his guess.

These rebels killed more than a hundred people every day, as if they were performing some kind of mysterious ritual.

But in reality, this is a place of execution.

The more than one hundred people were killed simply because they walked too slowly and slowed down the speed of the army.

Moreover, most of these one hundred prisoners of war were nobles.

Because they live a life of luxury, their walking speed is naturally not as fast as that of ordinary people.

The day before, these impoverished nobles could still rely on their past status to bully others and force ordinary people to follow behind them.

However, as more and more people were killed, the majesty of these nobles gradually disappeared.

No one was willing to die for them, so the next day, it was finally these people's turn.

These nobles, who usually acted arrogantly and domineeringly, were beheaded by the soldiers of the Northern Frontier Army in front of more than 20,000 prisoners of war.

"At this moment, I'm afraid there are more than a hundred people being brutally killed by those barbarians." Suleiman looked up at the sky, as if worshiping Allah, and sighed with a compassionate look.

General Hamajik of Kangli snorted coldly, shook his head slightly and said: "Weaklings don't deserve to live."

"The rebels' blades were already at your neck, yet you didn't dare to fight them. You deserve to have your head chopped off."

The Kangli people lived in the Kipchak steppe, where their living environment was harsh and they believed in the law of the jungle.

I look down on the weak the most.

Xiao Linta naturally understood this truth and did not have the heart to save everyone.

He only ordered the soldiers to bury these nobles properly. The Khitans did not practice sky burials, and still mainly practiced burials.

At this time, Suleiman glanced at the setting sun in the sky and said softly, "Master Xiao, General Hamajik, we are not far from the rebels."

"We will be able to catch up with the rebels by noon tomorrow."

"Why not rest here for a night, get enough energy, and then eliminate the rebels tomorrow."

Their 10,000-strong army came from Blackrock Mountain and had little rest along the way, so they were very tired.

Seeing that we can catch up with the rebels tomorrow, we must let the soldiers get a good rest tonight.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Linta took a look at the surrounding terrain and found nothing wrong. He pondered for a moment and then nodded slightly.

"can!"

"Let's camp here!"

Suleiman then arranged for the army to set up camp.

Because the Northern Frontier Army had camped here last night, it only needed a simple cleanup before it could be used again.

"These rebels are quite smart. They know how to sleep comfortably."

Suleiman looked at the pile of cut grass on the ground and laughed.

It was just convenient for his soldiers to use these soft piles of grass as a cushion for a good night's sleep.

In this way, more than 13,000 Wang Ting troops set up camp and prepared for the decisive battle tomorrow.

These included 5,000 Kangli troops, 3,500 Eastern Karakhanid Khanate troops, and 2,000 Jinzhou troops under Xiao Linta.

In addition, some of Wang Ting’s troops who were captured by the Dongdu Army in the previous battle of Black Stone Mountain returned to Wang Ting’s command.

Among them, there were three thousand soldiers assigned to Xiao Linta.

Therefore, at this moment the total strength of this army reached more than 13,000 people.

Its strength is not inferior to that of the left wing army under Li Xiao.

In addition, Li Xiao was currently burdened by a large amount of supplies and prisoners, which seriously hindered the speed of his action.

Therefore, Xiao Linta had enough confidence to inflict heavy damage on the left-wing army.

As for whether Li Xiao can be captured and killed, it depends on luck.

After all, if Li Xiaoruo really abandoned the army and fled with a small group of soldiers, Xiao Linta would have no way to stop him.

At the same time, Li Xiao led three thousand cavalrymen and hid in a hill ten miles away.

Quietly waiting for the arrival of Xiao Linta's army.

"Brother, you really guessed it right."

"How do you know that Xiao Linta will set up camp where we camped last night?" Dahu looked at Li Xiao with great interest and asked.

Li Xiao, who was wrapped in white armor, said calmly, "Within a radius of dozens of miles, it's basically endless grassland."

"It's easy to get attacked at night."

"Only the place where we camped last night is on higher ground and easier to defend."

"There's a river passing by, so it's easy to get water, making it the perfect place for a camp."

"Xiao Linta wouldn't leave this place alone and go to the open grassland."

Li Xiao took these factors into consideration when setting up camp.

He believed that Xiao Linta had similar ideas to his.

As a veteran, Xiao Linta would definitely choose the most suitable place to camp.

But he would never have thought that Li Xiao had set up an ambush around the camp.

"The whole army is ready."

"After sunset, attack the camp on horseback." Li Xiao looked at the setting sun in the sky and said in a cold voice.

(End of this chapter)