You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 134 Perfect Ending
Shazhou City.

At the dilapidated city gate, the Dingnan Army lined up on both sides of the road to welcome Chen Shao into the city.

It only took two days to capture Shazhou. The majority of the city's inhabitants were Han Chinese. Whether they were genuinely welcoming him or just opportunistic, it saved Chen Shao a lot of trouble.

In this way, the territory that was originally part of Western Xia was now entirely under Chen Shao's control.

Only a group of remnants remained, hiding in the Helan Mountains. They were no better than bandits, having lost all their cities and lands. Destruction awaited them.

Chen Shao rode on his horse, his eyes fixed straight ahead, and entered the city.

There weren't many people on the streets of Shazhou; most were at home.

Both sides of the road were filled with Chen Shao's troops. His most powerful official position was only Chengxuan Envoy.

Unlike Tong Guan, who was a Pacification Commissioner, Chen Shao theoretically did not have the power to establish his own government or appoint and dismiss officials.

But this is only in theory.

In fact, he's capable of anything.

The sandbar is my territory!
When the group arrived at the former Dunhuang Royal Palace, the heads of various local families in Shazhou stepped forward to pay their respects.

Chen Shao didn't stand on ceremony and sat down without hesitation, accepting their generous greetings.

Here, people believe in strength. Chen Shao is now strong enough, so they choose to submit.

When he falls from grace, they will betray him without hesitation. For hundreds of years, one after another has risen and fallen, and it has always been the same.

The Dangxiang Tuoba clan has been completely defeated, and many Qiang people have even joined Chen Shao's forces.

He is now the King of the Northwest, and it seems he is even more domineering than his predecessors.

The Guasha Uyghurs had lived here for many years, but when Chen Shao arrived, they were either relocated to Yinxia or frightened into migrating westward.

These so-called wealthy and powerful families were also the ruling class that had been driven out of Shazhou by the Tanguts long ago. After a group of gentry and celebrities had finished their greetings in a chaotic manner, Chen Shao laughed and said, "Over the years, Shazhou has stood firm in this land of tigers and wolves, and has always inherited the mantle of our Chinese civilization. You gentry of Guazhou and Shazhou have made great contributions."

"I have long heard that Dunhuang is a city teeming with talent, and that the great families are full of hidden masters. In the future, if I wish to govern Guasha, I will undoubtedly need your loyalty and sincerity to work together for this great cause!"

This was exactly what everyone had been waiting for. Hearing Chen Shao's personal promise, many people's anxious hearts calmed down a little.

As long as they are allowed to govern the people below, it doesn't matter whose backside is on the throne, whether it belongs to the Tanguts or the Han Chinese.

Chen Shao looked at the group of people below, each with a different expression, and he was already smiling inwardly.

Now that his military power is at its peak, if he were to harden his heart, he could completely eliminate the original ruling class of Shazhou and Guazhou at the cost of two or three years of turmoil and depression, and rebuild from scratch.

No matter how long-standing, how many branches and leaves, how deep the popular base, or how much prestige and influence the major families have in Guasha, it's all useless.

Guasha is too small. It has already wiped out all nine of your families. What will you use to compete for it?

No matter how rich your heritage is, Dunhuang is only such a small place with such a small population that it simply does not have the conditions to militarily confront the Dingnan Army.

To put it nicely, they are nine powerful families; to put it bluntly, they are just nine local bullies.

My plan in Dunhuang Ancient City is simply to open up trade routes; nothing else matters.

If they cooperate, Chen Shao wouldn't mind letting them have a sip of soup.

However, Chen Shao was very dissatisfied with the performance of these nine local bullies. Before he could bring his troops to the border, only four families came to him.

I'm sorry.
Those who came today were all patriarchs of their respective families, some being middle-aged men in their prime, others being elderly men with flowing white hair.

Only the largest family, the Cao family, whose patriarch had died young and whose seventh-generation descendant, Cao Renli, was only twenty-two years old, chuckled and said, "The gentry of Shazhou have prepared a sumptuous banquet to welcome the General. Everyone, please attend! With the General's arrival in Dunhuang, the revival of Guazhou and Shazhou is promising. Let's drink until we're drunk! Hehe, General, please, everyone, please..."

Although he was young, the Cao family was the most powerful, and the Western Xia bestowed upon him the surname Wei in order to win them over.

Cao Renli's Tangut name was Weiming Anhui. He held the nominal title of Right Secretary of the Central Secretariat in the Western Xia court, but in reality, he controlled a great deal of people's livelihood, religion, and trade in Shazhou.

His younger brother, Cao Xianshun (whose Buddhist name was Zhiguang), served as the chief monk of Shazhou, and the Cao family monopolized the management rights of 70% of the caves in Mogao Grottoes.

This Buddhist commander was not a nominal position; he could lend money through the "scripture association" and control the grain market in Dunhuang.

They were most suspicious of Chen Shao's arrival, fearing that he might threaten their interests.

However, they lacked the strength to confront Chen Shao's pacification army, so they could only continue as before, where everyone could hold a grand banquet, clink glasses, and part in high spirits, while Chen Shao received sufficient benefits.

The Uyghurs and Tanguts were both dealt with in this way.

Chen Shao nodded and said, "Let's go, let me try some Dunhuang flavors too!"

Before winter arrived, Chen Shao captured the two prefectures of Guazhou and Shazhou, ending his western expedition, so he was in a very good mood.

After they came out, more and more people gradually appeared on the street.

It seems they weren't driven home, but were just hiding there. Now that they've received the news, they dare to come out.

Chen Shao's personal guards' procession attracted many onlookers.

Everyone saw that the soldiers were dressed in bright clothes, their armor was shining, and they walked in unison with great momentum. Everyone felt that it was more comfortable than watching a play or a dance.

As for whether it is an ancient Chinese custom, they have long forgotten it. Many of them have been isolated from the Central Plains for three generations since birth.

As they looked at Chen Shao, Chen Shao also looked at them. The Northwest region truly has all sorts of ethnic groups.

Chen Shao couldn't really say whether he liked or disliked anyone, or whether he was close to or distant from anyone. Han people might turn on you, while barbarians might work for you.

Li Shimin was the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. He often used barbarian soldiers and generals in battles. Even after his death, some barbarian generals insisted on being buried with him. This was the most ingenious tactic.

Chen Shao smiled and gestured to the crowd, but he was slightly annoyed by a few people with small braids. These braids easily reminded him of the Manchus in period dramas, who were ugly and disgusting.

They've made a complete fool of themselves and have ruined our reputation for centuries. It's hard not to hate them.

Chen Shao asked a question and learned that they were Xianbei people, thus clearing up the misunderstanding.

The place where the Cao family held their banquet was quite grand. Although it was drafty, there was a charcoal fire somewhere, making it very warm, and everyone's faces were flushed as if they had gained some color.

Chen Shao naturally sat at the head of the table. Several maids wanted to come forward to serve him, but Da Hu stopped them.

Standing around him were his personal guards.

A short while later, a large, fat man dressed in brightly colored silk entered with a woman who appeared to be his wife.

Her attire had a distinct Western Region flair: a high bun, a flowing skirt, a red shawl draped over her shoulders, and a long, green, floor-length gown that resembled a modern evening dress, except that it did not expose her shoulders or back.

As soon as they entered, they went to Chen Shao's table and knelt down to pay their respects.

Cao Renli smiled and said, "General, this is Xili of the Yaoluoge clan, a descendant of the original royal family of the Uyghurs in Ganzhou."

"Siri greets the Commander-in-Chief!"

The beautiful woman beside him, with her long, silky hair and captivating charm, also knelt down to pay her respects, following Siri's lead.

Chen Shao knew what was going on, so he gestured for them to get up and sit down. He wasn't overly enthusiastic, but he was still polite on the surface, telling them to sit down quickly.

Despite their seemingly compliant appearance, the Sili are actually quite difficult to deal with. Their family has always controlled the caravans and owns the most camels.

Before Chen Shao captured Shazhou, he had sent people to contact them. These people only offered gold and silver and were unwilling to join the Dingnan Army's caravan.

In Chen Shao's plan, it was actually possible to eliminate them; it all depended on the upcoming negotiations.

In fact, Chen Shao is tolerant, but you have to be one of his own.

Unity is important, but you have to be someone worthy of being united with.

He will give you the opportunity, and you'd better seize it. Otherwise, the Dingnan Army has wasted so much money, food, and troops, not to become the nominal rulers.

"Are there any others?" Chen Shao asked with a smile.

"No more, no more."

"Alright, let's begin the banquet!" Chen Shao gave the order, and the feast officially started.

Outside this place, a large contingent of soldiers, led by Chen Shao's confidant, Mei Zang Pang Ge, was approaching the house.

A procession of charming maids, flitting like butterflies among flowers, brought up wine and dishes. The delicacies were laid out in abundance, and there were also singing and dancing girls who sang and danced, making merry. The women who poured wine among the guests were all dressed in bright colors, their breasts half-exposed, and the atmosphere was very cheerful.

However, every maid was stopped when she tried to approach Chen Shao's seat.

On his table were the wine he had brought with him, and a plate of mutton that his personal guards had grilled outside.

Chen Shao didn't explain anything. He enjoyed the singing and dancing while chatting with the local tyrants from Guazhou and Shazhou. Laughter filled the air.

When they were all tipsy and in high spirits, Naxili and his wife came to Chen Shao's side again.

Da Hu glanced at Chen Shao, who nodded slightly, and only then did Da Hu let the two of them pass.

Xili said with a smile, "General, this is my wife, Xiao Shi. We are husband and wife. Let's toast you with a drink."

After saying that, he reached out and picked up Chen Shao's wine bag, filling it to the brim.

Silly said, "A few days ago, the commander sent someone to me to discuss the merger of the caravans. Logically, I should listen to the commander. However, although I am the nominal head of the caravans, many of them are actually camel caravans from the Western Uyghurs, so my word doesn't really count."

"If you don't have the final say, then let's not talk. I want to talk to the person who does."

Madam Xiao gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression a smile that seemed to linger even without one. She slowly said, "General, please don't be angry. We really want to serve you, but the difficulties my husband has raised require your careful consideration..."

Chen Shao suddenly asked, "Your surname is Xiao, could you be a Khitan?"

In the Khitan, Xiao was a prominent surname, a powerful clan of the Liao dynasty that was formally recognized by Yelü Abaoji through legal means.
'My ancestor wore a crown on her head and bestowed upon the Empress the surname Xiao; therefore, the Empress must be from the Xiao clan.'

Not only did the Xiao clan monopolize the positions of empress, but they also almost monopolized the prime ministership. Of the 165 prime ministers of the Northern Court during the Liao Dynasty, 148 were surnamed Xiao.

Siri was always proud of him as Xiao's wife and took him everywhere she went.

The Khitans did indeed have considerable influence over the two prefectures of Guazhou and Shazhou; otherwise, the Uyghurs would not have sent troops to assist Emperor Tianzuo last year.

This Lady Xiao was also poised and elegant, with a great presence. When she spoke, her lips parted slightly, her words were clear, and her thoughts were focused; she must have been a smart and decisive person.

Moreover, she paid close attention to her tone of voice. When she opened her mouth, her expression looked more like a smile, but upon closer inspection, she was serious and not smiling at all, which immediately gave Chen Shao a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

So Chen Shao, too lazy to talk to Xiliduo, went straight to his wife and said, "I have 100,000 elite troops under my command, who are invincible in battle and have been granted the privilege of not having to reason with anyone. But I am still willing to reason with you. It is indeed difficult to get you to give up the benefits you have gained, and it will hurt you!"

“But you didn’t seize the opportunity I gave you. I was stationed in Guazhou for half a month, and you didn’t take the initiative to contact me.”

“It was only after I besieged Shazhou that you came to pay your respects, so I will not allow you to continue controlling the Yumen Pass trade route. This route is extremely important to me.”

Chen Shao spoke very honestly because he felt that Xiao was a smart person and there was no need for her to beat around the bush.

The Dingnan Army had a large territory and many civil and military officials, but only one person truly made the final decisions.

This system, similar to the Grand Council, does not follow the principle of "majority rule" but rather the principle of "there cannot be two suns in the sky," concentrating decision-making power in one person to avoid indecisiveness.

Things that Chen Shao has already decided do not need further discussion; they only need to be communicated to those below for execution.

This model has flaws. A person can be influenced by factors such as emotions and personal relationships, and it cannot be guaranteed that every decision is rational.

But Chen Shao knew that this was the most suitable system at present, because he knew more or less about the general trend, and such foresight could not be discussed with his subordinates.

Chen Shao thought he had been honest enough.

Unexpectedly, Xiao said, "General, you have not harmed the people at all during your western expedition, which shows your great benevolence. Please have pity on the Uyghur merchants. If their trade routes are really cut off, these people have only ever traded for generations, and their livelihoods will surely be in jeopardy. Besides, the more lenient we are with you, General, the easier it will be for your great talents and strategies to succeed, isn't that right?"

“We are not ungrateful people. If the general has mercy on us, my wife and I are willing to serve him like dogs and horses.”

When she spoke of loyalty and devotion, Chen Shao, whether it was his imagination or something else, sensed a hint of allure.

This was in front of her husband.

Then look at Xili, who seems completely oblivious, bowing and scraping to Chen Shao.

Chen Shao sneered inwardly; they really were using every trick in the book.

It seems that wealth is a powerful force, and this truth holds true everywhere. This position is extremely important; it's practically a treasure trove and a golden vase.

The more this was the case, the less likely Chen Shao was to back down. Seeing that the couple was still arguing, Chen Shao simply waved his hand and said, "Say no more!"

Suddenly, Madam Xiao stretched out her arm, covered her face with her sleeve, and whispered, "If the Commander-in-Chief is so merciful, anything is acceptable."

When she said those words, she wasn't flirtatious at all. Her cheeks were flushed, and she had a touch of shyness, giving her a pure and approachable air like a girl next door. That little bit of shyness made her even more adorable.

Chen Shao was completely convinced.

This woman is definitely a master; to do this in front of her husband and with so many people below, her mental fortitude is truly remarkable.

Looking at Xili again, he was still acting like a servile lapdog. Chen Shao held his wine glass, his eyes unchanged, and coldly repeated, "Say no more!"

Seeing Chen Shao's resolute attitude, the two could only bow and leave. Xiao Shi looked resentful, but when she turned around, she was beautiful and elegant again.

Those below were too far away to hear what she was saying, and even if some noticed something was amiss, they didn't think much of it given her behavior.

After returning to his seat, Xili was sullen. In his eyes, the Yumen Pass trade route was more important than the sky.

He kept his head down, drinking one glass of wine after another in silence.

If he hadn't experienced such immense wealth, he might not have been so attached to it, but after witnessing it, he found it hard to let go.

Greed seems to be an innate evil that cannot be eliminated; it can only be restrained by reason.

Xiao Shi, however, remained calm and even raised her wine cup, gesturing to Chen Shao from afar.

Looking into her eyes, which held a hint of spring even before she smiled, and imagining the alluring, graceful figure beneath her mink coat, Chen Shao, who hadn't been with a woman since the expedition, felt a little flustered.

Looking at the fine wine in his glass, he sighed inwardly, thinking that all the heroes who achieved great things throughout history were indeed born dragons and phoenixes.

After they attained high positions of power, they were able to restrain their desires and continue to strive, which sets them apart from many others.

Of course, there are also many who become discouraged halfway through their struggles and indulge in wealth and comfort; the glory of these people is like a fleeting moment.

After the banquet ended, Chen Shao was the first to stand up and return to his residence.

When the others tried to leave, they found that the place had been completely surrounded.

The members of the nine major families looked at each other, feeling immense fear in their hearts. However, one or two of them seemed somewhat calmer and more composed.

Cao Renli looked around and found Zhang Anxin still sitting there drinking. He immediately pointed at him and cursed, "Hey Zhang, what's going on here?!"

"How would I know? They're not my Zhang family's troops. Besides, do I even have any troops left?"

Chen Shao returned to his main tent with his personal guards. He had just sat down when a messenger from Guangyuan Hall came to report.

After he was let in, the man carried a thick stack of things and said, "General, these are the account books of camels, horses, estates, shops, ranches, gold, silver and other valuables in Xili's possession."

Chen Shao said, "I won't look at it. That couple won't be able to return to Suoyang City anyway. I'm worried that the others will flee to Xizhou. You should take over the caravans in Suoyang City according to this ledger, making sure not a single camel is missing."

Because it was a large army that breached the city, Chen Shao was a conqueror, and this identity allowed him to act boldly without being timid.

Of the families he met today, some had secretly contacted him multiple times, while others were visiting him for the first time.

There are too many of the nine major families; it's inevitable that a number of them will be eliminated by Chen Shao.

The rest served as his subordinates, exercising certain governing powers on his behalf in Guasha.

In this respect, Chen Shao learned from the British Empire, which later stirred up trouble in nine out of ten places, supporting the weak and suppressing the strong.

If the weak want to turn their lives around, they have to rely on themselves.

The nine major families in Guasha consist of five Han and four Hu families. The five Han families (Cao, Suo, Zhang, Zhai, Yin) control the land and religion, while the four Hu families (Yao, Luo, Ge, Ye, Luo, He, Kang, An) monopolize commerce.

Chen Shao intended to support the weakest families, the Zhang and Zhai families.

One of these two is a descendant of Zhang Yichao, whose sphere of influence now only extends to the western foothills of the Qilian Mountains, where they manage Tibetan pastures.

Zhai was in charge of astronomical divination and managed the scripture copying workshop. The people of the Western Regions were generally Buddhist, so Chen Shao wanted them to be his mouthpiece.

Before the siege, four families approached him, but even so, Chen Shao did not intend to let them all go.

Although the Yin and Suo families had secretly contacted him, they were not there to pledge their loyalty, but rather to negotiate terms.

The Hexi Corridor has a harsh natural environment, and the places where people live are scattered in small oases, such as Shiban Dun, Suoyang City, Yulin Cave, Shibao Cave, and Hongliuxia.

Although it was under the jurisdiction of Guazhou and Shazhou, the journey was extremely long. If it were in the Central Plains, it would be equivalent to crossing the distance of several counties before one could see any signs of human habitation.

To quickly subdue and bring these places under our rule, we must rely heavily on the power of powerful families.

But only one or two are needed.

Moreover, these one or two must not have their own strong armed forces and must be obedient enough.

The reason why Zhu Lingling was still able to control the Qiang tribes of Hengshan was because he was of one mind with Zhu Lingling, helped Zhu Lingling dismantle the tribes of Hengshan, and handed over the command of Zhu Lingling's troops.

The Qiang tribes of Hengshan were no longer under a tribal chieftain system, but were incorporated into the Dingnan Army system.

Guasha must be treated the same way.
-
The simultaneous imprisonment of the heads of the nine major families is definitely big news.

In Guashan and Dunhuang, this was tantamount to an upheaval.

Soon, all sorts of rumors flew around, and people were filled with anxiety.

However, the Dingnan Army, which was on a western expedition, was inside the city and could not resist at all.

The Zhang family was the first to descend from the Qilian Mountains and arrive at Shazhou City, the place where their ancestors rose to prominence.

The Zhang family members were finally able to hold their heads high. Although they hadn't brought many Tibetans with them, they had the Dingnan Army as their support.

The Zhang family began to take over the Cao family's influence. Because they were locals who had lived on this land for hundreds of years, they were very familiar with the intricate web of relationships between Guazhou and Shazhou.

Immediately afterwards, Zhai Fengda, the patriarch of the Zhai clan, was also released.

The Zhai family began to take over the temple and the monastic administration of Shazhou.

Those who resisted were immediately killed by the Dingnan Army.

Chen Shao remained firmly in the central command, observing the power transitions, and then installed his own people to reconstruct the bureaucratic system of Shazhou.

Inside the main tent, he was chatting with Wei Yun, the chief steward of Guasha, who had been sent from Xingqing Prefecture.

At this moment, someone came in and whispered, "General, that woman Xiao has invited you to play Go."

"Playing chess?"

Chen Shao smiled. He knew he couldn't do it at all. He was about to refuse, but then he remembered that she seemed very smart and had high emotional intelligence.

The key is that this couple has been in the business world for so many years, so they likely have talent in this area.

My own caravan has always been managed by Yipin Guangyuantang; perhaps I can subdue them and use them for my own purposes.

"Go and have a look."

After bidding farewell to Wei Yun, Chen Shao, accompanied by his personal guards, arrived at the residence where the clan leaders were imprisoned.

Led by the soldiers, they passed through the corridor, bypassed the ceremonial gate and Xiao Qiang, and arrived at a courtyard.

The environment here is quite nice, after all, it is Cao's villa.

The houses in the courtyard were better than the old residence of the Shazhou government office. Behind an elegant screen was a warm pavilion for resting and sleeping, with tables and chairs set up outside, complete with everything needed.

After Chen Shao arrived, he did not go directly to see them, but went to a room next door.

A short while later, Madam Xiao slowly walked in, entered the room, and bowed gracefully to Chen Shaoying.

"Why did you come by yourself, Madam?"

"How many would the commander-in-chief like?"

Chen Shao smiled and asked, "Are you settling in well here?"

With a smile, Xiao said, "Thank you for your hospitality, General. Everything is very comfortable. Staying here for one night has relieved all the fatigue of the journey."

Chen Shao waved his hand, and two maids came from behind him carrying several pieces of clothing. They walked to Madam Xiao's side and whispered, "Please change, Madam."

Xiao frowned, finally revealing an expression that was not so pleasant.

Two maids lifted her up and led her behind the screen.

Only then did Xiao realize that she had misunderstood him and thought he wanted her to change her clothes in front of him to humiliate her.

Once behind the screen, two plump, dark-skinned maids took off their own clothes, carefully examined themselves, and then put a cotton coat on them.

Xiao couldn't help but curl her lips. How afraid of death was this person?

She brought her own wine and meat to the banquet. As a woman who couldn't even kill a chicken, she had to be so wary of him even for a single meeting.

And these two maids, where did they get them from? They're clumsy, but incredibly strong; they pinched me so hard it hurt.

The weather was cold, and after changing her clothes, Ms. Xiao shivered a little when she came out again.

Chen Shao brought over charcoal for heating and placed a Go set on the table.

"Madam, please!"

Madam Xiao approached with a smile, "I am but a woman, and my chess skills are rudimentary. Would the General allow me to make the first move?"

"please!"

After each of them had placed four or five pieces, Madam Xiao's brow furrowed more and more. She looked at Chen Shao suspiciously: "General, do you know how to play chess?"

"No." Chen Shao played exactly like a Gomoku game.

Madam Xiao couldn't help but chuckle softly, covering her mouth, and asked gently, "Since the Commander-in-Chief doesn't know how to play chess, why did you come to keep the appointment?"

Knowing he was in a position of complete superiority, Chen Shao had no need to pretend and said frankly, "I want to see if you have any talent for business and whether you can be of use to me."

"To be honest, I have already sent troops to take over the power of your various families, including Lockstone City."

Lockstone City was Xili's stronghold, and Xiao's expression darkened.

Her worst fears came true. Chen Shao never intended to give them a chance, or rather, he did give them one, but they didn't seize it.

But his actions were far too domineering!

Chen Shao looked at her face with interest and said, "You don't need to be angry. This was originally a western expedition, not a pacification campaign."

“The General is right,” Madam Xiao sighed and said softly, “To be honest, the caravans in Suoshi City have always been managed by me. If you don’t mind, I am willing to serve you.”

"You've been running the whole thing? What about your husband?"

"Him?" Madam Xiao said with some disdain, "He is very incompetent. He only knows how to indulge in debauchery and pleasure outside. I am the one who handles all the affairs of the clan. If we relied on him, the clan would have fallen into ruin long ago."

Chen Shao recalled the account books he had looked at the previous night and casually asked about a few of the figures in the account books, to which Xiao Shi answered fluently.

Chen Shao immediately took a liking to her talent and told her about his Guangyuantang caravan's plans. Xiao listened intently, her eyes gradually brightening.

Her gaze almost never left him, filled with adoration. Chen Shao already sensed that it was somewhat fake, but he greedily enjoyed this favor. Even though he knew that a beautiful woman was faking it, it was still very satisfying to have her look at him like that.

The emotional value is maximized.

"If you do a good job, I'll let you manage the entire Guangyuantang caravan for me." Chen Shao did nothing but make empty promises and stuff them into her mouth.

Xiao was about to demonstrate his value, so he had someone bring him pen and ink and wrote down in detail the trade of the Shazhou Uyghur merchant group, which he then presented to Chen Shao.

The jade trade and camel caravan transportation were the business of the Yaoluoge clan.

The cotton cloth transshipment and wine specialty store are Ye Luohe's.
The Kang family was responsible for currency exchange and the pledging of gold and silver artifacts.
The import of lapis lazuli and the mural project were An's business.

What is their respective value, how much profit do they generate, and how quickly and well they write?

Chen Shao discovered that this Ms. Xiao was indeed very capable. Not only was she a very charming woman, but she was also quite knowledgeable about Han culture. She could not only play Go, but also write beautiful and elegant calligraphy.

After she finished writing, she noticed Chen Shao staring straight at her, and her cheeks immediately turned red. Her usual graceful demeanor changed, and she became somewhat shy.

She gently reached out to tug at her sash.

Chen Shaodao asked, "What is Madam doing?"

Xiao said with an unnatural expression, "It's a bit hot from the brazier."

After saying that, he tore open his robe.

It's too white. And it's very big.

Chen Shao almost lost control, but thinking of Genghis Khan, he still reached out and wrapped her clothes around his neck.

Xiao was somewhat embarrassed and lowered her head, saying, "Does the General think I am a promiscuous woman? In fact, I only admire the General's might. The General can send someone to inquire. I am not a dissolute person."

Chen Shao smiled and said, "I admire and respect your talent, Madam. Although I covet your beauty, I will never use force to compel you to submit."

He stroked Xiao's hand and said, "We have a long future ahead of us. It's not too late to get to know each other better."

Xiao was genuinely surprised. Looking up, she saw that Commander Chen, who always had a cold expression, actually looked quite gentle.

A look of joy appeared on her face. She wrapped her clothes tighter and knelt down, saying, "I understand. I, Xiao Ting, will follow the Commander from now on."

As for the incompetent husband, the two of them tacitly avoided mentioning it.

Her bow caused her to wrap her clothes tighter, accentuating her hourglass-shaped waist and hip curves.

Chen Shao inwardly cried out that he couldn't stand it anymore, staring at the exaggerated curves and cursing in his heart: Damn it!
Anyway, it'll be mine sooner or later, so I can't act rashly now. What if she bites me to death?

Although the risk was already very small, Chen Shao was still unwilling to take the risk and thought it wouldn't hurt to wait a little longer.

Once the Uyghur caravan has been truly taken over, and she has indeed settled down in his caravan, he will not only make good use of her, but will make good use of her!

But now I can't hold back anymore.

How about finding someone to vent your frustrations first?

Chen Shao looked around. There were two plump, dark-skinned maids standing there. They had come from his own residence with the people from Xingqing Prefecture. Zhong Lingxi had sent them to serve Chen Shao because she felt sorry for her husband.

It's clear that the food at Chen Shao's residence is quite good, and his wives and concubines haven't mistreated the servants. They've all gained a lot of weight; it seems their contracts are expiring and they don't want to leave.
He couldn't help but curse under his breath again: Damn it!
The chaos on the sandbar lasted for less than ten days.

The Zhang and Zhai families took over very quickly.

The main reason is that the Dingnan Army has too much of a deterrent effect.

This resulted in little resistance.

An uninvited snowfall blanketed Shazhou City in white.

It's like a completely new look.

Inside the Zhang family's residence in the city, there was a lively atmosphere.

Today is the day the military commander is taking a concubine. The place is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and everyone is busy preparing.

Chen Shao took two eligible women, Zhai and Zhang, as concubines to strengthen the relationship between the two families and himself.

This is a common method.

This will generally be the case no matter who occupies this land.

Now it's Chen Shao's turn.

Taking a concubine is not usually a big event, but because of the political significance behind it, it was not only held, but also made a grand show of it.

After the two new concubines finished their rites, they were led to the bridal chamber, where the guests who came to offer their congratulations took their seats and drank wine.

Dressed in his wedding attire, Chen Shao didn't need to busy himself with social interactions at the various tables. Instead, he sat at the head of the table, waiting for others to offer toasts and then exchange some private words.

Chen Shao was no longer as indifferent as he had been a few days ago, and he smiled at everyone.

The struggle is over; now it's time to truly focus on unity.

After the mergers and acquisitions, the remaining people were all his own. Chen Shao was already very familiar with this approach.

From the very beginning, he realized that the most important thing in chaotic times is to win people's hearts.

After the crowd dispersed, only Zhang Anxin and Zhai Fengda remained, and the three of them sat together.

Chen Shao said, "From now on, I will share wealth and honor with you all!"

"I am willing to serve the General!"

The three of them raised their glasses together and drank them dry.

With his golden hooks held high and the double curtains drawn, Chen Shao finally arrived at the bridal chamber.

It was already quite late.

The two new concubines, each dressed in their wedding gowns, sat demurely on the edge of the carved rosewood embroidered bed, their slender white fingers resting on their knees, their demeanor elegant and refined.

After all, she was raised by a large family.

The veil was gently lifted, revealing two concubines in the candlelight, both with bright and beautiful faces, gentle and shy, belonging to the same type.

The two stood up. Chen Shao sat at the table, and their own maid brought over a tea tray.

The two concubines were not very old, and although they were visibly awkward and shy, they were impeccable in their manners.

One of them took a teacup, walked up to Chen Shao, and bowed gracefully, saying, "Master, please have some tea."

At this time, concubines in the Central Plains generally preferred to call their male masters "Lang," but in the western border regions, they preferred to call them "Master."

By the Ming and Qing dynasties, people in the Central Plains had also become accustomed to addressing someone as "Master".

Chen Shao took it, took a sip, and asked, "Are you Zhang Yinghan?"

The girl nodded.

Chen Shao smiled and said, "Come here and let the master take a look."

Soon, a maidservant came and lit a candle. Zhang Yinghan moved closer and Chen Shao saw that she had an oval face. Although she was young, she was fresh and charming. Under the red candlelight, her skin looked even more like solidified cream and her jade cheeks were so delicate that they seemed to break at a touch.

Chen Shao wiped her face, and Zhang Yinghan immediately touched her lips slightly, smiling sweetly as she tried her best to appear charming and ingratiating.

The rules among wealthy families are too strict, so she tried hard to learn how to behave like the concubines in her own household, and she actually managed to imitate them quite well.

In fact, she was born into a noble family and held a very high status. If Chen Shao hadn't attacked, she would most likely have been married into another family and become the principal wife.

Chen Shao made her stand beside him, put his arm around her waist, and beckoned to her.

Another person stepped forward, also holding a teacup, and said, "Sir, please have some tea."

Without Chen Shao even having to give a command, the maids held up candles and held out their palms so that Chen Shao could see her.

Chen Shao looked her over from head to toe. "Then you must be Zhai Rui."

The latter nodded slightly.

She was very well-proportioned, with a round and plump figure, somewhat like Li Shishi, but not as charming as Li Shishi.

Her round face still had a bit of baby fat, and she was even whiter than Zhang Yinghan.

Chen Shao was very satisfied; if it weren't good-looking, neither of the two families would have dared to give it to him.

Chen Shao was delighted at the thought of what he was going to do later.
-
Nanjing Prefecture was the last hope of the Liao Dynasty.

In a series of crushing defeats, Xiao Gan, the King of the Four Armies of Nanjing, repeatedly defeated the Song Dynasty's 100,000-strong army.

This gave them a glimmer of hope.

A large contingent of troops, emerging from Yanjing City, was marching hurriedly through the snow towards the Gaoliang River ferry.

The thought of going to fight the Jurchen Tartars filled everyone with a sense of tragic heroism.

The Liao Dynasty has been ravaged to this state by the Jurchens, and these Khitans are filled with hatred.

Xiao Gan then led these remaining elite troops, their killing intent palpable, to meet the enemy.

The Jurchens did not send many troops this time, and they clearly did not take them seriously.

This gave Xiao Gan an opportunity.

The sound of over two thousand troops marching across the snow was merely a soft rustling. Few spoke in the ranks. The reason was simple: their commander, Xiao Gan, maintained a somber expression.

Xiao Gan was in a bad mood, even though he had recaptured Yanjing and defeated the Song army once again.

However, Yelü Dashi still wanted to compete with him for command of the Khitan troops.

Yelü Dashi had always been wary of the Xi people, a fact that Xiao Gan was well aware of.

And, coincidentally, he really did have the idea of ​​replacing him.

The Khitan people have already perished. Whether you acknowledge it or not, the Khitan people are gone.

At the moment Yelü Chun died.

Do you, Yelü Dashi, really expect Emperor Tianzuo to turn the tide?

Now, as the sixth-generation King of Xi, it is time for me to establish the Xi Kingdom and restore the glory of my ancestors.

If only Yelü Dashi would help me.

Unfortunately, he was a member of the Liao imperial family and still harbored treacherous intentions towards the Khitans. Even at this point, he still fantasized about restoring the Liao dynasty.

His Khitan soldiers actually leaned more towards Yelü Dashi, but his sister, Xiao Puxian, was the Empress Dowager, who could temporarily suppress them.

If they lose this battle against the Jurchen Tartars, these Khitans might really abandon them.

Since leaving the city, Xiao Gan had kept a stern face, and everyone around him remained silent, not daring to utter a sound.

Although the Khitans were wary of him, they were actually quite convinced of his abilities.

After all, Xiao Gan had led them to four or five victories, and each time they had managed to crush the Song army.

I finally felt relieved!
Seeing that he looked unwell, no one knew why, and assumed that he was also afraid of the Jurchen Tartars.

I heard that only four hundred Jurchens came; the rest were our original Liao soldiers, who have now become Jurchen vassals.

Everyone still held a sliver of hope that their compatriots, seeing them still resisting, would abandon their evil ways and turn against them.

Suddenly, a shouting and commotion erupted from the crowd.

Xiao Gan, mounted on his horse, glanced into the distance and saw several Jurchen scouts spying on them.

(End of this chapter)