The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 33 Li Erjiang's Whereabouts
"The greatest joy for a man is to subdue the mob, defeat the enemy, seize everything they have, ride their fine horses, and take their beautiful wives and concubines."

This is a sentence said by Temujin in history.

War has always been so cruel, especially in environments like the Western Regions and the Mongolian grasslands. Without the constraints of morality and rules, the "evil" in human nature is brought to full play.

In the minds of ancient nomadic tribes, the distribution of spoils after victory in war included many aspects such as population, livestock, and property.

Taking possession of the enemy's wife and daughter was seen as a symbol of conquest of the enemy, and was also related to the concept of tribal reproduction at that time.

Because population is a very important resource for nomadic peoples, women can give birth to offspring for the tribe and continue the tribe's bloodline.

Therefore, in today's era of frequent tribal conflicts and supremacy of force, this concept is very common and is a manifestation of grassland war culture.

Both nomadic peoples and Han Chinese follow this rule.

……

Soon after, in the camp, screams, cries, and cheers suddenly merged into one!
During the battle, the Four Forts coalition forces were a pack of wolves, able to destroy any opponent who dared to resist, but after the battle, they were a group of beasts!
Crazy beast!
Li Xiao rode his horse through the camp, ignoring the painful screams of the Karluk women coming from the tents.

Such is the cruel price paid for the defeated.

If anyone is to blame, they can only blame the Karluk men for not being able to protect their women!
Li Xiao had no way to stop it, nor would he stop it.

"What a barbaric era!" Li Xiao shook his head as he heard the screams of the Karluk women.

First of all, let’s make one thing clear: the soldiers of this era do not fight for the so-called patriotism.

They were not the soldiers who fought for their ideals and beliefs eight hundred years later. They were just a group of ordinary herdsmen fighting for survival and interests.

Their fighting needs were also very clear: on the premise of protecting themselves and their loved ones from being violated, they would plunder the enemy's cattle, sheep, property, and women.

Seize everything from the enemy.

Let your family live a better life and let yourself live a more fulfilling life.

This is the inexhaustible driving force behind their strong fighting power.

They also need to vent the depression in their hearts and soothe the psychological trauma caused by the previous intense battles.

So, at this moment, all the soldiers in the four forts went crazy!
They rushed towards the Karluk women savagely, venting the depression in their hearts.

The Karluk women were crying, wailing, and struggling constantly, but this only aroused greater interest among the men from the northern border and made them even more excited!

The cries and screams of those women are their greatest stimulant. After a life-and-death struggle, nothing can compare to the reward of women!
Faced with this post-war madness, or reward, Li Xiao was unable to stop it at all.

Because that would harm the interests of the majority.

Although the people of Hexi Fort will obey Li Xiao's orders, they may feel resentful in their hearts.

Li Xiao's prestige has not yet been fully established, and he will not easily do anything that will damage his foundation.

As for the soldiers from the other three forts, Li Xiao was even more helpless.

"War has always been cruel, so I cannot fail!"

Li Xiao was riding on a horse, holding a lance in his hand, looking up at the dark starry sky, and murmured in an indifferent voice.

Then he slowly closed his eyes, letting the fine rain fall on his face, feeling the baptism of nature, which also made Li Xiao's mind calmer.

Thinking about how to go in the future!

The individual combat effectiveness of the Han people in the northern border is strong, and the overall combat effectiveness of the four-fort coalition forces is also very strong.

However, in Li Xiao's opinion, these factors cannot be regarded as the decisive factors for a truly powerful army.

"New Army!"

Suddenly, Li Xiao opened his eyes and murmured in a low voice.

"We must build a real army, not a bunch of herdsmen who have no military discipline and act recklessly!"

What is the most important core element of a truly powerful and invincible army?

Cohesion!
The uniqueness of the command!
Firm obedience!
The second is the individual soldier’s combat effectiveness and other factors!
Although Li Xiao is already the lord of Hexi Fort, it will take a long time to accumulate his prestige to the level of the old man who has the final say.

Adults of Li Dashan's generation sometimes treat Li Xiao as a junior, let alone the older generation.

Li Xiao has established a certain prestige based on his own battle achievements, and is able to make everyone in Hexi Fort obey his orders.

But once Li Xiao's decision infringes upon their interests, their so-called obedience will inevitably be greatly reduced.

But Li Xiao is very ambitious, and he sees the whole world in his eyes.

Although Li Xiao regards the Han people in the northern border as his base, they must be changed, even reformed!

Because the many Han Chinese strongholds in the northern border are now in disarray, the four-fort coalition forces seem to be united.

But in fact it was established on the basis of marriage relationship and the personal prestige of the castle lord.

This alliance is very unstable.

The many Han Chinese fort alliances in the northern border are actually exactly the same as the tribal model of nomadic peoples.

The leader can only control all the members of the tribe by giving orders to the tribal head.

Everything is based on the interests of the fortress.

Once it is not in line with one's own interests, this alliance will become loose.

Therefore, with this tribal alliance-like structure, even if a regime is established, it is only a matter of time before it splits.

"Power must be concentrated." Li Xiao said to himself in a deep voice.

And this requires a new army that completely obeys Li Xiao's orders!

This army cannot be based on strongholds and clan power, but must be promoted based on military merit, with personal ability as the only criterion for measuring positions.

Most importantly, there can only be one voice!
……

In the camp, the voices of the Karluk women rose and fell, while Li Xiao's figure was getting farther and farther away. At this moment, Dahu and Erhu came towards him!

"Brother~"

After seeing Li Xiao, the two men sped up their horses and galloped towards him.

When they got closer, Li Xiao discovered that there was a rope behind Dahu's warhorse.

There was a person tied to the end of the rope, following behind with staggering and embarrassed steps.

"They are all partying, why don't you go with them?" Li Xiao asked the two of them.

The three little bachelors gathered together, which really didn't fit in with the lively atmosphere in the camp!

"I, I don't dare~"

Da Hu said with a slightly blushing face, looking embarrassed.

It can be seen that this is an honest child.

I was afraid of being scolded by my mother when I got home.

Erhu was very brave. He smiled and said, "I wanted to go over there to play, but Dahu dragged me away to find someone~"

Erhu is tough and is not afraid of his mother finding out even if he joins in the carnival. He just lets his mother beat him, it doesn't hurt anyway.

However, his idea was still delayed by Da Hu.

Looking at the two people's completely different expressions, Li Xiao shook his head and said with a smile: "We are both martial artists. It's not good to lose your virginity too early~"

"Let's talk about it after you turn sixteen~"

Although people could get married very early in this era, later studies have shown that losing virginity too early does have some effects on the body.

The short lifespan of ancient people may be related to this point in addition to their dietary structure.

Of course, the main reason is that Li Xiao doesn’t want to compromise so hastily.

He is arrogant and looks down on these Karluk women!

"Who is he?"

Li Xiao looked at the person tied with a rope behind him.

He was dirty, unkempt, and his appearance was unclear, but judging from his clothes, he should be a Han Chinese.

When this person was mentioned, Da Hu's expression instantly became excited.

"Brother, I know where my dad is!"

Li Xiao was also surprised when he heard this.

My cheap father and second uncle never came back after going to Beishan. Although it is speculated that they should still be alive, there is no news at all.

But Dahu never gave up asking. When others went to the female prisoners' camp to party, he took Erhu to the male prisoners' camp.

Finally found the news I was looking for!

"Da Hu, don't get excited, talk slowly!" Li Xiao looked at Da Hu's excited look and hurriedly comforted him.

Next, through Da Hu's description, Li Xiao learned the identity of this Han Chinese.

He is from Qianhe Village, his name is Wu Dayong!
However, after the Battle of Beishan, he surrendered to the Qarluk people and became a guide.

He even sneaked into Sanhe Fort, ambushed the Han people there, and helped the Qarlugs capture Sanhe Fort.

It can be said that such people do not deserve to die.

After Li Xiao and others defeated the Qarluk people, Wu Dayong was quickly captured and then recognized by the Han people who survived in Sanhe Fort.

Fortunately, Dahu and Erhu arrived in time, otherwise Wu Dayong would have been skinned alive by those women who had lost their husbands and children.

"No wonder there are scratches all over your body~"

Li Xiao looked at Wu Dayong with indifferent eyes and said.

It would be too easy for him to die like this.

Feeling Li Xiao's cold gaze, Wu Dayong's body trembled violently and he actually knelt down.

"Spare your life, spare your life~"

"I was wrong. I am a worthless person. I shouldn't have surrendered to the Karluk people!"

"But there's nothing I can do."

"They threatened me with my son's life~"

Wu Dayong cried out, sobbing and wailing!
There were not many people in Qianhe Village, and the number of adults did not meet the number of conscription required by the Khitans, so only teenagers could go.

Wu Dayong and his son were both captured by the Karluk people.

He may be a good father, but no one will ever forgive him for what he did.

"Tell me, where is my second uncle~"

Li Xiao asked in a cold voice, having already sentenced him to death in his heart.

"Hou Zhai, Li Erjiang is in Hou Zhai!"

Wu Dayong couldn't wait to explain.

He had wanted to use this to negotiate terms with Dahu and Erhu, but after these two guys beat up his son in front of Wu Dayong, the guy immediately became obedient.

I just told him everything I knew.

(End of this chapter)