The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 213 The Great Banner Marches Forward
The crimson sunset dyed the grassland amber. Yelü Wusi suddenly stood atop the hill, wearing a silver-trimmed wolf-skin cloak, the tiger-tooth scimitar at his waist reflecting a cold light.

The river water shimmered with a rusty, dark red in the twilight, he said softly, pointing to the winding course of the Aigus River.

"Beyond this river lies the northern frontier, a land of hidden wealth and riches. Emperor Dezong once built a city here, which has now become Xiao Simo's stronghold."

Behind them stood the leaders of the Kangli tribes, their horses reined in, the clanging of armor mingling with the snorting of their warhorses, their shadows stretched long in the fading sunlight.

The leader of the Guzi tribe had a round, Buddha-like face with smiling lines, but he couldn't hide the greed in his eyes: "Brother Wusi Tu, I hope you won't make us come for nothing. If Ye Mili's treasure isn't enough to fill our teeth, then we'll all lose face."

Before he could finish speaking, the old chieftain of the Boyuewu tribe interrupted with a sneer, his white beard fluttering in the night wind beneath his hooked nose: "Money is nothing but fleeting smoke. We Boyuewu only need living people. The strong and able-bodied slaves of the Northern Frontier are enough to fill a hundred pastures."

Yelü Wusi suddenly turned around and said in a firm voice, "Rest assured, everyone. Two years ago, the Eastern Capital army transported thirty cartloads of gold from Husi Ordos, and they are all locked in the Eastern Capital's cellars."

"The wealth there is far beyond your imagination."

"With such a large population, our tribe could easily double in size."

Upon hearing this, an endless greed flashed in the eyes of the tribal leaders.

They agreed to Yelü Wusi's expedition to the northern frontier, wasn't it all for the wealth, livestock, slaves, and women of the northern frontier?

Once they breach the Eastern Capital, all these things will be within their grasp.

As dusk deepened, the sound of the Aigus River's waves, carrying with it the stench of blood, drifted over.

The nine-pronged white banner of the Yuliboli tribe fluttered in the wind, intertwining with the wolf-head flags and eagle-patterned red banners of other tribes.

Yelü Wusi drew his scimitar, the blade reflecting the last rays of the setting sun: "I, Yulibeli Wusi, am everyone's friend and will do my best to meet everyone's needs."

"And I have only one request: to capture Xiao Simo and take revenge."

As soon as he finished speaking, the tribal leaders all nodded in satisfaction.

"Good~"

"I heard that Xiao Simo is very ill, and his sons are already vying for power."

"With its internal and external troubles, Dongdu is no match for our allied forces."

"Hahaha~"

"Everyone divided up the Eastern Capital together."

The laughter of the leaders startled the birds in the sky, causing them to take flight repeatedly.

At that moment, they seemed to see the city filled with gold and silk and the wailing slaves. Blinded by greed, they were already eager to go and plunder.

The next morning, 30,000 Kangli cavalrymen swept across the Aigus River like a black tide.

Yelü Wusi suddenly bent down and touched the grassland in the northern frontier. The coolness from his fingertips seeped into his palm, and in a daze, it overlapped with the sound of his grandfather's horses galloping across the western regions in his imagination.

He took a deep breath of the westerly wind carrying sand, his nostrils flaring slightly, and said in a low voice, "The wind of this land still carries the spirit of my grandfather."

Then, he roused himself, looked at the long, winding marching column behind him, his wolf-skin coat fluttering gently in the wind, and said in a deep voice, "Tell all units that from today onwards, each scout team must carry three bags of clean water."

"Xiao Simo is an extremely cunning man; the traps he sets are often hidden in seemingly peaceful oases."

"As ordered."

Subsequently, the vanguard of the Yuliboli tribe raised a cloud of dust, and eight thousand cavalrymen continued their charge towards the Eastern Capital like arrows released from a bow.

The midday sun was scorching, and an eerie, deathly silence pervaded the Dongdu Grassland.

One of the generals suddenly said in confusion, "That's strange, why haven't we seen any herdsmen from Dongdu along the way?"

Yelü Wusi's fingers gently caressed the curved sword at his waist, as if he could take in everything on the grassland.

"That wolf cub Xiao Simo has certainly made progress again."

He suddenly sneered, his gaze sweeping over the charred ruts in the distance, and said coldly, "He can take the cattle and sheep, but can he take Yemili City with him?"

"Ignore these herders and order all tribes to arrive at Yemili City within two days."

Two days later, the outline of the Eastern Capital city gate finally came into view.

The cavalry of the Yuliboli tribe arrived first, their tattered sheepskin coats fluttering in the wind, and the roar of their warhorses echoing across the grassland.

With the Eastern Capital City so close at hand, Kangli's army instantly erupted in excitement.

The soldiers roared "Ooh ooh!" repeatedly as they galloped around the Eastern Capital, as if they wanted to devour it whole, their eagerness palpable.

Yelü Wusi was equally excited, looking up at the distant Eastern Capital.

With a confident smile on his face, he said to the Kangli general beside him, "Yemili was established by my grandfather, but in recent years it has been stolen by the Xiao family."

"Now, it's time to return to the orthodox way."

General Kangli immediately laughed and said, "Yurhan, you are absolutely right."

"You are the great Khan of all Khans, the direct descendant of His Majesty Jur Khan, and rightfully inherit everything of the Great Liao."

"The warriors of our Yulibori tribe are the sharp blades in your hands. Under your leadership, we will be invincible and wipe out everything."

Yurhan was Yelü Wusi Tu's title in the Kangli tribe, similar to 'king'.

In order to become the leader of the Yuliboli tribe, Yelü Wusi Tu even changed his surname, and was no longer legally qualified to inherit the throne of the Western Liao Dynasty.

However, the Yulibeli tribe was eager for Yelü Wusi Tu to use this identity to lead them to conquer the Western Liao.

At that time, as direct descendants of Yelü Wusi, the Yuliboli tribe would certainly become the upper class of the Western Liao and gain more benefits.

"Hahaha, okay."

"Let's start with Yemili City."

"I, the Khan, will lead you to conquer a vast territory, and make you all nobles of the Liao Dynasty," Yelü Wusi laughed heartily, making his promise without hesitation.

Then, his gaze turned towards the direction of the Eastern Capital, and he murmured softly, "Xiao Simo, I will pray to God that you are not dead yet."

"That way, I'll have the chance to personally cut off your head."

Due to poor communication, Yelü Wusi was unaware of what was happening in the Eastern Capital. The last message he received was from Xiao Pulaiyelu.

They said they were about to take control of the Eastern Capital and invited him to make a fortune.

But now it seems that Xiao Pulayelu, that good-for-nothing, has failed; otherwise, he would have sent someone to contact him long ago.

Shortly afterward, Yelü Wusi suddenly ordered: "The army shall set up camp."

"We will rest here tonight and set up night sentries, barricades, tripwires, etc., to prevent a surprise attack by the Eastern Capital army."

"Please invite all commanders to my tent to discuss military matters."

A major decisive battle cannot be fought on a whim; both sides need to make extensive preparations beforehand.

In particular, the Kangli coalition needed to rest and recuperate before engaging in the war, and they also needed to prepare a lot of siege equipment.

On the other side, in the Eastern Capital.

Li Dashan, dressed in white armor, stood atop the city wall, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, gazing into the distance at the movements of the Kangli army.

"Commander, Kangli's army is setting up camp."

"This humble general requests permission to lead men to raid their camp tonight and break their morale," Wang Dali, the commander of the Third Garrison, shouted menacingly at Li Dashan.

Li Dashan gently shook his head: "It's too far."

"Kangli's camp is at least ten miles outside the Eastern Capital. As soon as you and your men leave the city gate, you will be discovered by Kangli scouts."

After saying that, Li Dashan looked at the Jinzhou army generals around him with a serious expression: "Without my order, not a single soldier in the city is allowed to leave the city."

"Also, send a message to Zhao Dadao, instructing him to wait for my orders before taking any action."

Li Dashan divided the army into two parts.

He led 5,000 men to guard the Eastern Capital, using the advantages of the city walls to lure the Kangli army to attack, gradually depleting their morale and strength.

Meanwhile, Zhao Dadao, the commander of ten thousand households under his command, who was also Li Xiao's uncle, led eleven thousand cavalrymen and roamed outside the Eastern Capital.

Be ready at any time to launch a surprise attack on the Kangli coalition.

“The Eastern Capital is high up, and the Kangli people are not good at attacking cities. They have no way to deal with us in the short term,” Li Dashan said in a deep voice, gazing at the movements of the Kangli allied forces.

"Wait!"

"Time is on our side."

"The longer it drags on, the better."

When Li Xiao's army returned to the Eastern Capital, the Kangli coalition would be completely annihilated.

Day two.

The morning mist enveloped the grassland like a veil, and the deep sound of bull horns suddenly tore through the silence, rolling in from the depths of the Kangli Allied Army camp.

"Woooooooo~"

Before dawn, the 30,000-strong Kangli coalition army had already surged forward like a tide.

Iron hooves shattered the thin frost, the sound of armor rubbing against each other mingled with the neighing of warhorses, the cacophony of sounds seemed to shake the grassland.

Outside the West Gate, on twelve specially made war chariots, Kangli drummers with their bronze chests exposed and veins bulging on their arms pounded their drumsticks like meteors against the cowhide drumheads.

"Dong Dong Dong~"

The drumbeats thundered across the earth, making the grass beneath their feet rustle.

At the front, Yelü Wusi suddenly donned a silver-trimmed wolf-skin cloak, narrowed his hawk-like eyes, and gazed at the densely packed figures of the defenders on the city wall.

The morning glow painted his face red, and also reddened the nine white banners fluttering behind him. These were the supreme battle flags of the Yuliboli tribe, now billowing in the morning breeze.

Standing beside him were the other leaders of the Kangli tribe.

“Wusitu, the Eastern Capital is so tall and imposing, it will probably not be able to be breached in a short time.” The leader of the Guzi tribe lost his usual smirk and looked at the Eastern Capital city walls with a solemn expression.

"How many troops are guarding the city? Can you find out?" the leader of Boyuewu's tribe then asked.

Yelü Wusi nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "Dongdu City is just an old capital of the Liao Dynasty. It is far inferior to a giant city like Husi Ordos. It can only accommodate 10,000 troops at most."

“The original garrison of the Eastern Capital would not have exceeded ten thousand, not to mention that at least five thousand soldiers were lost in Yili.”

These messages were all sent to him by Xiao Pulayelu.

However, even Yelü Wusi Tu didn't know exactly how many troops were currently stationed in the Eastern Capital.

Because on the city wall of the Eastern Capital, in addition to a Xiao-character flag, Yelü Wusi also saw a golden sun and moon battle flag.

This flag was not unfamiliar to him.

This is the banner of the Jinzhou Army under Xiao Simo's command.

In other words, the Jinzhou army has entered the Eastern Capital to defend it, and the garrison in the city is definitely more than five thousand strong.

"Pass down the order!"

Yelü Wusi suddenly shouted, his voice deep yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"With the Vihes tribe as the vanguard, we will launch a general offensive once the sun rises."

"At all costs, within five days, I, the Khan, will have Ye Mi erected on the city wall and planted the nine-pronged white banner of my Yuliboli tribe."

"If you cannot do this, then execute all Vihers." "Yes, sir."

The guards behind him shouted in a deep voice, then spurred their horses and rode away.

Yelü Wusi turned to the other leaders and said softly, "Gentlemen, things have come to this point, so don't even think about preserving your strength."

"They're just a bunch of Vihers. We can catch them all after they're all dead."

"But if we can't capture Yemili City in a short time, we'll be in a passive position once the reinforcements from the north arrive."

Vihers means slave in Conric.

For the armies of this era, slaves had become an indispensable and distinctive tool.

Every time there is a dangerous mission that requires lives to be lost, the slave army is needed.

Therefore, not all of Kangli's troops on this eastern expedition were herdsmen from his own tribe; at least one-third were slaves.

The task of attacking the city naturally fell to them.

"Fine, Vihers it is, he's dead."

"Send word: the Vihes tribe is to attack! If they fail to capture Yemili within five days, I, the Khan, will slaughter them all!" the leader of the Boyuewu tribe shouted sternly, just to get these slaves to fight hard for the city.

The other tribal leaders gave similar orders.

Soon after, the slave armies of the Kangli tribes began to move out.

Yelü Wusi had long been prepared for the siege, although he did not have time to build large siege weapons such as arrow towers and battering rams.

However, before arriving in Dongdu, they used some trees to make a large number of cloud ladders.

As the morning mist dissipated beneath the western city walls, slave soldiers, their backs hunched, hoisted rough ladders onto their shoulders.

His rough hands gripped the wooden beam tightly as he strode forward with heavy steps, accompanied by heavy panting.

Someone let out a hoarse roar, instantly igniting the frenzy among the more than ten thousand people.

"kill--!"

"Our master said! The day the city falls will be the day of freedom!"

The centurion, covered in whip marks, brandished his blood-stained whip, his eyes gleaming with an almost manic light.

"Gold, wine, women—they're all ours!"

"The sword will not be sheathed for three days!"

"Go ahead and grab as much as you want, enjoy yourself!"

These words were like a fire, instantly igniting the desires in the hearts of the slaves.

A deafening roar erupted from the crowd, and ten thousand flesh and blood bodies, carrying despair and greed, surged toward the Eastern Capital like a black tide.

But just as they approached within 500 meters of the city wall, a tremendous roar resounded throughout the heavens and earth.

"Boom boom boom~"

On the city wall, ten cannons simultaneously spewed fire, the crimson muzzle halos illuminating half of the wall, and the deafening roar tore through the air.

One after another, shells, trailing burning flames, fell into the crowd and exploded in a blinding white light.

The moment the cast iron cartridge case burst open, hundreds of nails, pieces of iron, and pebbles spread out in a fan shape, scattering in all directions among the dense crowd.

Soldiers within a two-zhang radius were riddled with holes before they could even scream.

Some people were writhing in pools of blood, clutching their severed legs, while others stared in horror at the fireball streaking across the sky, urine mixed with blood dripping down their trouser legs.

"Ahhh, help me!"

"My leg, my leg is broken."

"Grandma, Grandma, I want Grandma, I want to go home~"

"Woooooo~"

Their piercing screams mingled with the roar of cannons, and the air was filled with the nauseating smell of burning and blood.

The siege wave came to an abrupt halt amidst the cannon fire, and the surviving slave soldiers around them were all horrified by this sight.

"Thor, Thor is angry."

“O God, there are divine beings protecting the city of Yamily, and we are offending them by doing this.”

"Stop fighting, let's run for our lives."

The slave soldiers, who had been thinking of breaching the city walls and massacring the city for three days just moments before, now seemed to have lost their courage. They dropped the ladders and fled in a frenzy, only to be trampled to death by their unsuspecting comrades in the chaos.

On the city wall, the gunners poured cold water onto the scalding cannon barrels while racing against time to load ammunition and continue firing shells.

"Boom boom boom!"

The smoke billowed and boiled in the morning light. Li Dashan wiped the gunpowder off his face, looked down at the horrific screams of the slave soldiers, and revealed a cruel smile.

He said coldly, "This is just the beginning; even more brutal carnage is yet to come."

"Release the arrows!"

The next moment, the sound of the bowstring vibrating was like a thunderclap, and in the instant when ten thousand arrows were released, the entire sky was obscured.

Arrows pierced through the smoke and swooped down with a sharp whooshing sound, the dense rain of arrows like the scythe of death, mercilessly reaping lives near the city walls.

"They've fired arrows! They've fired arrows!"

"Shields, block the arrows!"

"Ahhh~"

The slave soldiers looked up at the curtain of arrows that blocked out the sunlight, screaming in terror. Some fled in panic, while others waved their arms in despair, but ultimately they could not withstand the overwhelming death.

Arrows pierced through coarse cloth armor, the dull thuds of them sinking into flesh echoing one after another.

Countless slaves were riddled with arrows, while the surviving soldiers screamed and ran for their lives.

However, because they were running too fast, many people fell to the ground and were immediately trampled to death by the soldiers following behind.

Screams mingled with the whistling of arrows and the roar of cannons, weaving a chilling web of death beneath the western city walls.

In the distance, Yelü Wusi and the others were stunned by what they saw.

He gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and the gilded saddle creaked beneath him.

As he watched the slave army retreat like a receding tide, their limbs, shattered by cannon fire, still tumbling in mid-air, his throat bobbed, and his voice seemed to be squeezed out from his torn chest.

"This is impossible! How could such a thing exist?"

"Could it be the wrath of the gods?" someone exclaimed in fear.

"No, no, no, it's definitely not some bullshit god, it's clearly the Eastern Capital army's doing!" Yelü Wusi suddenly roared angrily.

Like a gambler who's about to lose everything, he's tearing at his clothes and roaring, his breath coming in low gasps, his pupils reflecting the massive black iron behemoth on the city wall that spews flames, almost biting his teeth off.

The sudden appearance of this mysterious weapon truly threw him into a state of confusion.

The leader of the Boyuewu tribe also stared in horror at the cannons on the city wall, and said in a terrified voice, "The sound of those things exploding is more terrifying than the most violent thunderstorm on the grassland. What the hell is that thing?"

His warhorse was also restless and agitated, its front hooves kicking wildly, as if it too was resisting this overwhelming fear.

"Thunder?"

"But what thunderbolt can be held in the hands of a mortal?"

Before the words were even finished, another round of artillery fire tore through the air. In the distance, amidst the rising dust, large numbers of routed soldiers could be vaguely seen lying on the ground, howling pitifully.

"shut up."

Yelü Wusi suddenly roared, drawing his curved sword and slashing it into the air: "There are no ghosts or gods in this world!"

The blade reflected his bloodshot eyes. "It's just a trick Xiao Simo pulled out to deceive people, but it can't fool my eyes."

He turned his horse around, blade pointed at the fleeing slave army, and shouted, "By order of the Khan, the entire army, form ranks, horses forward! Anyone who dares to retreat even half a step will be punished according to military law!"

Then, he pointed to the nine-pronged white banner behind him and said, "Today, if anyone dares to stand behind my nine-pronged white banner, my personal guards will shoot them dead immediately."

Then, his fierce gaze fell upon the Eastern Capital and the fleeing slave soldiers who were constantly running back towards the rear.

He roared, "The great banner advances!"

"Push them down! Give it to me...push them down!!!"

The other leaders also issued the same order.

They were well aware that if these slaves were allowed to escape and return, it would not only throw the Kangli cavalry into disarray, but also seriously disrupt the morale of the army.

It will be even more difficult to attack the city again in the future.

So, amidst the thunderous roar of war drums, Yelü Wusi swiftly pressed forward with his nine white banners.

When the Kangli tribes' cavalry saw the banner moving forward, they also pressed forward.

At the same time, he brandished a spear and a scimitar, roaring loudly.

"Ho ho ho~"

Those who retreat will be executed!

"kill!"

The Kangli cavalry, like a row of giant peaks, advanced step by step, their ferocious killing aura instantly intimidating the fleeing slaves.

Seeing many slaves being mercilessly slaughtered by these cavalrymen, the people behind them also stopped and began to hesitate.

Going forward or backward is certain death!
Yelü Wusi suddenly used his great banner to advance and took control of the situation, and the battlefield situation seemed to be slowly turning around again.

But at the same time, Li Dashan on the city wall suddenly brightened up and shouted loudly, "Pillar, Pillar!"

"Get the hell over here."

Then, a strong young man ran over quickly and shouted, "Commander, what is it?"

Li Dashan pointed in the direction of Yelü Wusi in the distance and said loudly, "Do you see that white flag?"

"If you can hit it, I'll make sure you get plenty of strong westerly winds this month."

"Really?" Zhu Zi's eyes lit up, and he asked in surprise.

Li Dashan kicked him and roared, "What are you babbling about? When have I ever lied to you?"

"Go and fire the cannon right now!"

"Alright, it's settled then, Commander-in-Chief, just you wait and see."

With that, Zhuzi scurried back and started fiddling with the cannon.

Then he yelled at his artillerymen, "Get your act together, shoot those sons of bitches to death!"

(End of this chapter)