The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 205 Is there a special kind of king? The one with the strongest army and the most powerful horses shall rule.

The next morning, as dawn pierced the clouds, golden light spilled onto the ruins of the Eastern Capital, gilding the broken walls with a blood-red gold edge.

Inside the Jinzhou army camp, Shulu Wujin had just finished a simple breakfast and was sitting outside the tent staring blankly at the crimson sunset, his eyes empty and devoid of any spirit.

With puffy eyes and a haggard expression, she had clearly lost a lot of weight in just a few days.

This clearly shows that Xiao Helun's death was a huge blow to her.

Just then, the commander of the personal guard, Senahei, walked over with a member of the Imperial Guard wearing a yellow cotton armor with red trim.

"Your Highness, the Grand Commander requests your presence," Senahei said softly, stopping a short distance away.

Upon hearing the voice, Shu Lu Wujin slowly turned her head. When she heard that it was someone sent by Li Xiao, her face regained a little luster.

He looked at the guards and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "What is it?"

"Your Highness, please forgive me, I was unaware of this."

Shulu Wujin didn't make things difficult for him, and nodded gently, saying, "Let me pack up and then I'll head over."

He then stood up and went back to his tent.

A moment later, she changed into clean clothes and applied a little makeup to her face to cover up her haggard appearance.

She raised her neck high, as if she had transformed back into the noble princess of the Northern Frontier.

She mounted her own mare, accompanied by two royal guards, and followed the Imperial Guard towards the Eastern Capital.

Although the Jinzhou army had captured the Eastern Capital, Shulu Wujin did not return to the Prince's Palace and continued to live in the Jinzhou army camp.

On the one hand, it was for safety reasons, and on the other hand, it was because the Prince's Mansion had become a place of sorrow for her, and there was nothing worth staying for.

The Eastern Capital was not very large; only a portion of the Jinzhou army had entered the city, while the majority remained stationed in the southern camp.

As Shulu Wujin approached the city gate, his gaze involuntarily fell on the collapsed city wall in the distance.

"Was that fired by the Divine Might Cannon?"

Yesterday, when they attacked Dongdu City, she stayed in the rear and only heard the terrifying roar of the Divine Might Cannon, but it was the first time she had ever seen its terrifying power in person.

“Your Highness is right, that is indeed the power of the Divine Might Cannon.”

"Let alone city walls, even mountains and boulders would find it difficult to withstand the power of the Divine Might Cannon."

A young imperial guard rode alongside, speaking softly, his tone carrying a barely perceptible pride.

The Divine Might Cannon is unique to Jinzhou; it's one of a kind in the world.

Let alone a small city wall, even if it were facing a massive army, the Divine Might Cannon could still blast it to smithereens.

Jinzhou not only possesses powerful cannons, but also sturdy armor, sharp weapons, and countless warhorses, giving it the absolute strength to wipe out any enemy.

It was this strength of the Jinzhou Army that made every soldier feel proud.

"Such divine weapons exist in the world, truly miraculous," Shulu Wujin murmured softly.

This time, she witnessed the true strength of the Jinzhou Army. To put it bluntly, even the Northern Frontier at its peak was no match for Jinzhou at this moment.

Looking at the lifeless Eastern Capital before her, Shulu Wujin, who had lost her husband and child, remained silent and murmured softly, "Perhaps, Jinzhou is the future of the Northern Frontier."

Having said that, he strolled toward the city gate.

Meanwhile, on the other side, a group of prisoners of war from the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate were being driven away by Jinzhou soldiers with whips and arrows.

"Quickly, get moving, all of you!"

"If the city wall is not repaired within ten days, you will all die."

"Crack~"

As he spoke, he lashed a prisoner of war with a whip.

Destroying a city may only take a moment, but rebuilding it takes a long time.

The area of ​​the collapsed city of Dongdu was not very large, and repairs were not difficult. Naturally, this task fell to the prisoners of war of the royal court.

At least the Kuril army could earn status through military merit, but these prisoners of war from the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate were pure cannon fodder with no human rights whatsoever.

Even after returning to Dongdu, these prisoners of war were sent to work in the mines.

Unfortunately, the people of the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate, mainly composed of Uyghurs and Karluks, have gradually lost the bravery of their ancestors.

In terms of combat ability, they were no match for the Naiman and Kereit soldiers.

Therefore, Li Xiao preferred to select war slaves from the prisoners of war on the grasslands, while the mission of these soldiers of the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate might just be to fall in the mines one day in the future.

"Your Highness, please~"

After entering the city gate, Shulu Wujin, escorted by a group of imperial guards, climbed the city wall.

Turning the corner of the corridor, I looked up and saw a tall and straight figure.

At this moment, Li Xiao had taken off his cotton armor and was only wearing a plain black robe, looking like an ordinary young man.

But every move he made seemed to exude an invisible pressure of authority, inspiring awe and even making people afraid to look him in the eye.

Shu Lu Wujin stood there, staring blankly at his back.

Under the rising sun, he resembled a cold, sculpted war god. The golden sun and moon battle banners fluttered behind him, shattering the morning light into fragmented spots that seemed to transform into a sacred glow upon Li Xiao.

Hearing footsteps, Li Xiao turned around and met Shu Lu Wujin's stunned gaze.

The next second, Shulu Wujin quickly glanced elsewhere, while Li Xiao smiled gently and said, "Your Highness, how does it feel to be back in Dongdu City?"

Shulu Wujin gently shook her head, turned around, and all she could see were rows of houses and streets in the city.

After so many wars, most of the buildings in the city were destroyed, and everything seemed to have changed beyond recognition.

"I don't feel anything." Shu Lu Wujin shook her head gently and murmured, "The familiar people and things are all gone."

"This is no longer the Eastern Capital that I cherish."

Li Xiao also sighed softly, looked at the dilapidated streets in the city, and said in a calm voice, "Since Emperor Dezong ascended the throne in the Eastern Capital, this town has experienced more than seventy years of trials and tribulations."

"Now, his mission is complete."

Li Xiao said with a hint of deeper meaning, then turned to Shu Lu Wujin and said, "I invited the Princess here today because of my elder brother's matter."

"Now that the Eastern Capital has been recaptured and the mastermind behind my brother's death has been caught, it's time to avenge him and comfort his spirit in heaven."

After saying that, Li Xiao turned around and stood on the highest point of the city wall, facing the rising sun with his hands behind his back. The fluttering sun and moon battle flags behind him cast a long shadow of him, like a giant beast ready to pounce.

Shulu Wujin, filled with curiosity, also stepped forward and followed Li Xiao's gaze, only to see two Divine Might Cannons standing beneath the city wall.

The jet-black cannon barrel reflected a cold luster under the sunlight, its muzzle pointing at a forty-five-degree angle to the sky, exuding a powerful and intimidating aura like a pillar of a demon god.

"Bring it up."

After seeing Li Xiao and Shulu Wujin stand still, Zhang Shitou, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the distance, shouted loudly.

Immediately afterwards, a group of Imperial Guards escorted two disheveled prisoners to the city walls.

Both men were shirtless, their dark skin covered in whip marks and scars.

He was weak and was thrown to the ground like a dead dog.

Just as Shulu Wujin was wondering about the identities of the two, Li Xiao explained, "These two are Xiao Pulaiyelu and Alida."

Upon hearing this, Shu Lu Wu Jin's beautiful eyes widened instantly, and the knuckles of her handkerchief turned slightly white.

"It's them?"

Because they were tortured beyond recognition, Shulu Wujin did not recognize them immediately.

However, upon closer inspection, one can still recognize the appearance of Ali Da, the governor of Beihai.

However, Shulu Wujin was not very familiar with Xiao Pulaiyelu, his uncle born out of wedlock, since the old man had left the Xiao family ten years ago and his appearance had changed drastically.

"Tie him up!"

At Zhang Shitou's command, eight Imperial Guards pounced forward like wolves and tigers, carrying the two men to the front of the cannon.

The rough hemp rope cut deep into their flesh, binding them firmly to the barrel of the red-coated cannon.

The two were in a position similar to boiled lobsters, their upper bodies and legs folded together and pressed tightly against the muzzle of the cannon, with only their abdomens blocking the muzzle.

Just yesterday, Xiao Pulaiyelu witnessed the power of these 'Thunder God Pillars,' which could even collapse the walls of the Eastern Capital.

Although he didn't know what the Golden State Army was up to, he instinctively sensed danger.

He twisted his body frantically at the muzzle of the cannon, but the rope only tightened around him: "What are you doing? What are you trying to do?"

"let me go."

The cannon's muzzle was pointed towards the grassland outside the city, so when he looked up, he could see Li Xiao and Shulu Wujin, that despicable couple, on the city wall.

Even if you've never seen Li Xiao's face, who else could be standing there but Li Xiao?
So he shouted frantically, "Li Xiao, Li Xiao, it's your fourth uncle!"

"We are a family."

"Spare me, I don't want to die."

"If you can spare me, I'll be your slave and I can help you become the king of the Northern Frontier and the emperor of the Liao Dynasty."

"Xiao Simo is dead. Now you are the most powerful person in the Northern Frontier, but you still lack official recognition."

"I can help you~"

"I can make you the rightful king of the Northern Frontier and let you take everything Xiao Simo has."

"His territory, his power, his women—I can get them all for you..."

Faced with the threat of death, Xiao Pulaiyelu unleashed the last of his life's potential, roaring wildly.

Upon hearing this, Shu Lu Wu Jin's pretty face changed instantly, and she looked at Xiao Pu La Ye Lu with annoyance.

It's one thing to talk about power and territory, but what's with all this talk about women?

However, Shulu Wujin had to admit that Xiao Pulaiyelu was right.

In northern Xinjiang today, Jinzhou is the most powerful.

With the capital city reduced to ruins and its troops severely damaged, it naturally lost actual control over the various states, and its remaining legal rule could not be maintained for long.

So, who will be the next king of the northern frontier?
Shu Lu Wujin glanced at Li Xiao beside her.

“I originally thought you would be a tough guy like your grandfather (Xiao Wulila) and your elder brother.”

"I never expected him to be such a coward who clings to life."

“Grandfather made the right choice in entrusting the Xiao family to my elder brother instead of to you,” Li Xiao said coldly, his hands behind his back.

Li Xiao had a blood feud with him for killing his son, yet he still groveled and begged Li Xiao for mercy.

If he is not a coward who fears death, but a ruthless and patient tyrant, then he should not be let go.

"Make your move," Li Xiao said calmly.

Immediately, the gunners lit the fuses with torches, the hissing sound like a venomous snake flicking its tongue. Xiao Pulayelu let out a heart-wrenching cry: "No..."

Alida, however, remained silent throughout, his eyes closed, calmly awaiting death.

Perhaps for him, this is the best way to find relief.

"Li Xiao, you will die a horrible death."

Even as a ghost, I will not let you go.

As Xiao Pulaiyelu cursed, the moment the sun fully rose above the horizon, the fuse of the cannon burst into flames that shot into the sky.

"boom!"

"boom!"

Two loud bangs shook the earth.

The flames spewed from the cannon instantly engulfed the two men, and the shockwave carrying flesh and blood flew into the air, exploding in the golden morning light, like a strange, blood-red flower.

But all of this is what they deserve.

Li Xiao watched this scene calmly, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the glaring sunlight. The morning light shone through his fingers onto his cold face.

It was as if it were whispering: "Since ancient times, the one with the strongest army and the most powerful horses has always been king."

"Why would I, Li Xiao, need your help?"

After speaking, Li Xiao turned to look at Shu Lu Wujin beside him and asked softly, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

At this moment, Shulu Wujin had turned her head away, her face completely pale, and she was dry heaving with a handkerchief over her mouth.

Clearly, they were terrified by the horrific scene below the city walls.

Although she had seen many scenes of killing, this was the first time she had ever witnessed such a horrific 'cannon execution'.

"I, I'm fine, ugh~"

Shulu Wujin waved her hand gently and said.

"Someone, escort the princess back to her camp to rest," Li Xiao said to Senahei in the distance.

Since Xiao Simo's death, Senahei has led the remaining guards of the Prince's Mansion to follow Shulu Wujin, which can be considered as repaying Xiao Simo's kindness.

However, Shulu Wujin took a deep breath, shook her head slightly and said, "No need, Dalong, I'm fine."

"These two were the culprits who killed the king, and they deserved their fate."

"Your Majesty can now rest in peace in the Western Paradise."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao said firmly, "This is what Li Xiao should do."

"I, Li Xiao, owe my success today to my elder brother's guidance and support, and I will never forget it."

"As long as I can avenge my brother, I, Li Xiao, am willing to go through fire and water."

The rising sun was climbing high in the sky, casting a long shadow that fell obliquely over the princess's pale skirt, like a bloodstain that severed life and death.

Shu Lu Wujin gazed at the face outlined by the morning light, and saw that Li Xiao's tightly pursed lips held a resolute expression as cold as frost.

His once gentle features were now filled with a chilling determination, a resolute resolve to avenge Xiao Simo.

Shulu Wujin gave Li Xiao a deep look, then nodded slightly and said, "His Majesty has long known of Dalong's unwavering loyalty, so he left behind a secret edict, which was kept by Senahei, the commander of the royal guards."

"It was only just handed over to me. It should have been opened only under the joint witness of the governors of the Northern Frontier and the chief ministers of the Six Ministries."

"But now the northern frontier is in ruins, and we have no choice but to act expediently. How about we open it together, Great Dragon?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao was slightly surprised: "A secret edict?"

He genuinely hadn't expected such a thing to exist. After all, having lived in this world for so long, his thinking was influenced by the grassland culture, and he subconsciously accepted the idea that 'whoever has the strongest army and the most powerful horses is king.'

Everyone understands the principle that when Qin lost its throne, the whole world would vie for it.

On the other hand, it is also normal for Xiao Simo to leave behind a secret edict, since the succession of power requires legality.

“Very well, I, Li Xiao, will obey the King’s will.” Li Xiao nodded heavily and said.

But the premise is definitely not to harm one's own interests.

After saying that, Shulu Wujin took out a brocade box from his bosom. It was sealed with a strip of paper. Inside, there was only an envelope sealed with sealing wax.

Then, Shulu Wujin opened the letter inside herself.

"I have been entrusted by Heaven to defend the land and expand the territory, but Heaven has not granted me many years, and my time is coming to an end. Now, considering the survival of the northern frontier and the trust placed in me by the people, I hereby issue this edict to clarify the future."

"My eldest son, Helun, though still young, is of legitimate lineage and possesses inherent virtue. He should be granted the throne and succeed me as the Eastern Capital Garrison Commander and the King of the Six Courts. I hope that he will study diligently in the future, carry on the legacy of his ancestors, and protect the peace of our borders."

"However, Helun is still young and cannot personally handle political affairs. Therefore, Princess Xiao Yanyan of Chu is specially appointed to take charge of the important military and political affairs of the northern frontier."

"My sister is known for her virtue, intelligence and courage. I hope she will prioritize the northern frontier and do her utmost to ensure the stability of our foundation."

"He also appointed the five governors of Yinshan, Xuegueruda, the governor of Beihai, Jiumeng'anhe, the governor of Damo, Xiaotuladuo, the governor of Jinzhou, Xiao Linta, and the deputy governor of Jinzhou, Li Xiao, as regents."

“Each of the commanders holds great power and governs a region. Li Xiao has also made many military achievements and is exceptionally intelligent. It is hoped that the five of you will work together to assist the young emperor.”

"All matters of military and national importance must be discussed by five people and decided by the Princess of Chu. No one may act arbitrarily or shirk responsibility."

"I hope that all of you ministers will be dutiful and faithful to the trust placed in you by me. If any of you are disloyal, unjust, rebellious, or treacherous, may you be punished by the whole world. This edict shall be carried out immediately upon its issuance."

The secret edict was very short; Shulu Wujin finished reading it in a short while.

At this moment, however, she was already in tears.

Perhaps it was because she was saddened by thinking of her son, Xiao Helun, or perhaps it was because Xiao Simo's secret edict never mentioned her.

After all, according to Khitan tradition, if the new emperor is young, the mother should take charge of the government.

The only variable was Emperor Chongtian, Yelü Pusuhan, who was the mother of Xiao Simo and Xiao Yanyan.

She took over the regency from her brother and then ascended the throne as emperor.

Now, Xiao Simo has followed his uncle's example and handed over regency power to his sister, instead of his bedmate, Shulu Wujin.

He certainly had his own reasons.

First, Shulu Wujin's maternal clan had declined, while Xiao Yanyan had married Li Xiao and had a strong foundation in Jinzhou.

Secondly, Shulu Wujin's personality is rather weak, making him unsuitable as the leader of the Northern Frontier. On the other hand, Xiao Yanyan, having grown up alongside Xiao Simo in the military camp, has developed a fearless and daring nature.

If he were a man, he would certainly not be much worse than Xiao Simo.

Clearly, it is more appropriate for Xiao Yanyan to act as regent, at least to ensure that the Xiao family's power will not be taken away by outsiders.

As for the four Grand Marshals, including Xiao Tuladuo, they existed to check and balance Xiao Yanyan.

After all, Xiao Simo's mother had seized the throne from her nephew and become emperor herself.

Given the lessons learned from the past, he certainly has to be wary.

These four governors held 80% of the power in the northern frontier at the time. If they reached a consensus, even Xiao Yanyan would have to step down in a sorry state.

However, in order to prevent Xiao Yanyan from being unable to defeat the four great governors, Xiao Simo gave Li Xiao the same power as a regent.

However, due to Xuegu Erluda's special status, he was only loyal to Xiao Simo, so he was not of one mind with others and would only unconditionally support Xiao Simo's successor, Xiao Helun.

Therefore, if Xiao Simo's will is implemented, three political forces will emerge in northern Xinjiang.

Jiu Meng Anhe, Xiao Tu La Duo, and Xiao Lin Ta hold military power in three states and are the strongest, but they are not absolute allies.

With the legitimate right to rule as regent and the assistance of Li Xiao, who held most of the military power in Jinzhou at the time, Xiao Yanyan's power was not to be underestimated.

Finally, Xuegueruda supported Xiaohelun and remained neutral.

As a result, the political power in northern Xinjiang will be divided into three factions.

If no major changes occur, this ecological balance will continue until Xiao Helun comes of age and takes back power after assuming personal rule.

It must be said that Xiao Simo was indeed an excellent politician, whose application of political tactics had reached a very high level, at least stronger than his uncle, Yelü Yilie, the second emperor of the Western Liao Dynasty.

However, this was ultimately just Xiao Simo's imagination.

The situation in northern Xinjiang today is very different from what it was back then.

"On the ninth day of the ninth month in the autumn of the twenty-first year of Tianxi."

Looking at the date at the end of the secret edict, Li Xiao sighed softly, "So it was around that time."

This year marks the 25th year of the Tianxi era. This is a secret edict written by Xiao Simo four years ago.

At that time, the Battle of Jinshan had just ended, and Xiao Simo had led the Northern Frontier Army to a great victory over the Naiman tribe and had just returned to Jinzhou.

Li Xiao was also granted the position of Deputy Governor of Jinzhou, commanding six large armies, making him a major figure in the northern frontier.

At that time, Li Xiao and Xiao Yanyan's relationship was basically settled, and they were indeed qualified to share the spoils.

The secret edict written by Xiao Simo was perfectly correct; this method of power distribution was the most advantageous for both the Northern Frontier and the Xiao family.

However, Xiao Simo could not have imagined at that time that four years later, not only Xiao Linta, Xiao Tuladuo, and Xuegu Erluda, the three great governors, would die for various reasons.

Even his eldest son, Xiao Helun, was captured by the royal army and died from his injuries.

With no heir, Xiao Helun, left, the power framework that Xiao Simo had built for the Northern Frontier had become nothing more than an empty shell.

Of all these people, the only ones still alive and well are Li Xiao and Xiao Yanyan, the husband and wife.

Even Jiu Meng Anhe has been out of contact for a long time. He is leading troops in Qihe to block the main force of the royal court, and his current situation is unknown.

After reading Xiao Simo's handwritten secret edict, Li Xiao sighed softly, folded the letter, put it in an envelope, and returned it to Shulu Wujin.

She said softly, "This was written by my elder brother himself. Your Highness can keep it as a keepsake."

This secret edict was not entirely useless; at least it could legally boost Li Xiao's prestige.

But ultimately, it's just icing on the cake; the fundamental thing still depends on absolute strength.

Are kings born with a special destiny? Those with strong armies and powerful horses are kings.

What belongs to Li Xiao, he will never give up. However, since Dongdu has just been liberated and the war in the northern frontier is not yet over, Li Xiao plans to wait for the right opportunity to make further plans.

"Your Highness, you have been frightened these past few days. Please rest and recuperate in the Eastern Capital."

"I will leave enough troops to guard the Eastern Capital and not give any opportunity to villains."

Hearing Li Xiao's words, Shu Lu Wujin forced herself to stay alert and asked in confusion, "Is Da Long leaving?"

Li Xiao nodded slightly, looking southwest: "The royal army has already entered the Seven Rivers Grassland. The Nine Meng'an Governor has few soldiers and generals, and I'm afraid he won't be able to hold out for long."

"After a day of rest, I will personally lead the main cavalry force to reinforce the Seven Rivers Grassland early tomorrow morning."

"Sweep away the royal army," Li Xiao said firmly.

"We will never allow anyone to set foot in the northern frontier."

　During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Shi Jingtang betrayed the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. An Chongrong, the military governor of Chengde, beheaded the Khitan envoy and pointed to the sky, saying: "Is the emperor born with a special destiny? Whoever has the strongest army and the most powerful horses shall be emperor."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)