The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 226 Six Garrisons of the Northern Frontier
In the blink of an eye, it was October, and the first snow of the year fell in Jinzhou.

More and more battle reports from the southern frontier reached Hexibao.

Erhu led only three thousand cavalrymen and successively conquered Kashgar, Kuxian, Luntai, Kucha, and Shayan Prefecture, with his army advancing directly towards Jimo, which is the Aksu region in later generations.

Before the Gaochang Uyghur Kingdom was destroyed by Li Xiao, Jimo belonged to the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate.

In other words, Erhu not only recovered the western cities of the Gaochang Uyghur Kingdom, but also advanced into the territory of the Eastern Karakhanid Kingdom.

This shocked the entire Eastern Karakhanid Khanate.

The Karakhanid Khan of the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate urgently dispatched troops northward to intercept the Jinzhou army's attack.

"Pity."

In the main hall, Li Xiao gently placed the battle report from the southern frontier on the table and shook his head with a sigh.

"What's wrong? Erhu was fighting pretty well!"

"Why are you sighing?" Xiao Yanyan, holding her sleeping child in her arms, gently sat down next to Li Xiao and asked in confusion.

She had just finished her postpartum confinement period, but because of the cold weather, she still rarely went out and only walked around inside the house.

At this moment, she had wrapped herself up tightly in a cotton coat, completely obscuring her usual slender and tall figure. Even her head was covered with cotton cloth, making her look like a rural woman.

Her skin was rough and dull, lacking its former radiance.

But she is much better off than when she first gave birth; her health is recovering rapidly.

"They played very well, but unfortunately it's winter now, so this year's tournament is over," Li Xiao said regretfully, shaking his head.

Looking at the sleeping child in Xiao Yanyan's arms, the little face was taut, fair and tender, very cute.

A slight smile crept onto Li Xiao's lips as he reached out to hold the child, only to be slapped away by Xiao Yanyan.

"I finally managed to get him to sleep, don't wake him up."

Like all men in the world, Li Xiao's love for children is only a fleeting interest.

He held it in his arms for a while, admiring it, but then began to dislike it and returned it to Xiao Yanyan.

This back and forth made the little guy feel uncomfortable, and he burst into tears without any hesitation.

Therefore, Xiao Yanyan no longer dares to let Li Xiao hold the child easily.

Li Xiao didn't insist, but said with a hint of resentment, "Boys can't be too pampered. They need to be beaten and thrown around more often."

Jin Dao is always crying and making a fuss now, but Li Xiao doesn't care.

But when he grows up and can run and jump, Li Xiao will have to make him understand what fatherly love is like a fan.

Returning to the topic of southern Xinjiang, Xiao Yanyan said, "We've fought enough battles this year. Our soldiers are exhausted and we really can't continue fighting."

This year, Jinzhou has been embroiled in frequent battles, fighting against the Naiman people, the Kereit people, and even the royal court and the Kangli people.

Therefore, Li Xiao only ordered Erhu to lead a small number of cavalry to raid the southern border.

If it were at a different time, the main force of the Jinzhou army would definitely have marched south, at least as far as Kashgar, forcing the Karakhanid Khan of the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate to kneel and surrender.

"Yes, so I have already sent a message to Erhu, and if the time is right, we should begin peace talks with the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate."

"Let's fight again next year," Li Xiao said in a deep voice.

After recovering the western cities of Gaochang, Erhu made a great haul. Leaving aside gold and silver treasures, he captured more than 5,000 Uyghur women of marriageable age.

This has already begun to alleviate the gender imbalance in northern Xinjiang.

Moreover, when forcing the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate to negotiate, they would certainly demand a group of women and slaves as tribute.

Most of these women would end up in the slave markets of Golden State.

After all, the Jinzhou garrison soldiers were accumulating more and more wealth, and their demand for slaves was also increasing.

In addition to the women and slaves they received as rewards during the war, they would also privately purchase some women and slaves.

The largest slave trader in northern Xinjiang was the Hexi Trading Company.

"The Eastern Karakhanid Khanate is going to suffer a huge loss." Xiao Yanyan chuckled.

"By the way, I heard that Erhu is planning to kidnap a few princesses from the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate for marriage alliances, one for each of you brothers?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao's face twitched, and he shook his head, saying, "Where did you hear this from? I don't know anything about it."

"Besides, we already have so many princesses in our family, we don't need another one."

No matter how much trouble he causes outside, at home, Li Xiao still has to give Xiao Yanyan, his legal wife, some face.

"Hmph, she's just a concubine, take her if you want!" Xiao Yanyan snorted.

She didn't care whether she was a princess or a queen.

Once you come to the Li family, you have to behave yourself under her.

Anyone who angers Xiao Yanyan will be beaten to death, and Li Xiao will not stop them.

Because Xiao Yanyan has the confidence to do so.

She relied not only on her status as the legal wife, but more importantly, on power.

In the northern frontier today, many troops and generals are former subordinates of Xiao Simo, and they are naturally supporters of Xiao Yanyan and Jin Dao.

This force is one that even Li Xiao would not easily shake.

It has to be said that Jin Dao was born with a head start; his maternal clan was incredibly powerful, and he was also the eldest son of the legitimate wife.

Even if Li Xiao had many sons, probably none of them could compete fairly with him.

The position is too secure.

However, Li Xiao had no choice but to add some thickness to the backing of the Golden Knife.

"I intend to appoint Xiao Chilu and Bali'ala as deputy commanders, concurrently holding the position of a commander of ten thousand households."

"What do you think?" Li Xiao asked softly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanyan said nonchalantly, "How could a woman like me know anything about military and political affairs? The appointment of generals is something you, my husband, can decide on your own."

Li Xiao nodded slightly and explained, "Both of them are qualified to be deputy commanders, both in terms of seniority and ability."

"Even the deputy commander-in-chief has wronged them, but that's all we can do."

Xiao Chilu was the eldest son of Xiao Tuladuo, the deputy governor of the desert, and the actual controller of the desert army.

Bali Ala, formerly the head of the Six Departments, was exiled to Jinzhou as the deputy governor by Xiao Simo for making a serious mistake on the battlefield.

Although it was intended to restrain and supervise Li Xiao, it did not actually cause him any trouble.

Both of them held high positions, especially Xiao Chilu, who commanded four thousand desert soldiers.

After joining the Northern Frontier Army system, their status certainly couldn't be too low.

The deputy commander-in-chief, concurrently leading a 10,000-household unit with 3,000 men, is quite a fitting reward for them.

"Have all the other positions been confirmed?" Xiao Yanyan asked.

In the three months since returning to Jinzhou, Li Xiao has mainly done three things.

autumn harvest.

To establish the Grand Protectorate.

The number of towns will be increased from three to six.

Over the past year, the Jinzhou army has been fighting east and west, capturing a large number of Naiman and Kereit people.

Many of them distinguished themselves in the western expedition, rising through the ranks to become garrison soldiers through military merit.

Then it annexed a large number of Dongdu Army, Qihe Army and Damo Army.

The strength of the Jinzhou army has been enhanced to an unprecedented degree.

Now he has sixty thousand-household offices under his command.

The number of registered soldiers in the garrison reached 60,000.

Continuing to use the three-town organizational structure is no longer appropriate.

Therefore, Li Xiao plans to add three more military towns to the original three towns.

During these three months, Li Xiao has been adjusting and relocating various military units and garrisons to improve the six-garrison system.

Now, the final organizational structure and the selection of generals have been basically finalized.

"That's about it." Li Xiao nodded gently.

“Erhu performed well in the southern border region this time and is now capable of handling things independently. I plan to appoint him as the new commander-in-chief,” Li Xiao said.

The selection criteria for positions such as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Commander of Ten Thousand, and Commander of a Thousand can be broadened, but when it comes to the selection of the Commander-in-Chief, who holds absolute military power, Li Xiao still tries to use people from the Li family as much as possible.

Erhu was the Fifth Garrison Commander appointed by Li Xiao, who also served as the Protector General of Ili.

The troops in charge of Ili and the Seven Rivers were the vanguard in the attack on the royal court.

After all, this kid is too bloodthirsty, and Li Xiao can't keep him in check all the time.

He would deal with the royal court and the Karakhanid Khanate in the west. Whether it was massacring cities or exterminating clans, Li Xiao would not easily interfere.

"As for the candidate for the Sixth Garrison Commander~" Before Li Xiao could finish speaking, his personal guards appeared at the door.

He patted his chest and said, "Grand Protector, Commander Jiu Meng Anhe has arrived in Jinzhou, and is still ten miles away from Hexi Fort."

"Oh, you've arrived pretty quickly," Li Xiao said.

He then looked at Xiao Yanyan and said, "This time, Jiu Meng Anhe brought his whole family to Jinzhou."

"You and Madam Jiu Meng'an are quite familiar with each other. Afterwards, have someone help them tidy up their new home."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yanyan smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, I'll have someone arrange it."

It was Xiao Yanyan's responsibility to help Li Xiao comfort his family members, especially since she was acquainted with Jiu Meng's family.

Xiao Yanyan naturally became more relaxed.

"Okay, you stay home and rest. I'll go greet them."

After saying that, Li Xiao dressed in a neat black and gold cotton robe, got up and walked out of the village.

……

Snowflakes fell in abundance, covering the grassland with snowdrifts a finger's width thick. But for the herders who live in northern Xinjiang year-round, this light snowfall was nothing.

They'd seen snowdrifts taller than a person before.

Amidst the vast expanse of white snow, Jiu Meng Anhe led a thousand households of herdsmen from the Seven Rivers region, slowly advancing towards Hexi Fort.

Looking at the towering Dragon City in the distance, a hint of shock flashed in his eyes.

"I remember the last time I came to Jinzhou was four years ago, during the great battle with the Naiman people."

"I never imagined that Jinzhou would change so much in just four years!" Jiu Meng Anhe said softly, riding on his horse and wearing a thick cotton coat, looking at the Dragon City which was already more than half completed.

He has a deep understanding of the tremendous changes that have taken place in Jinzhou.

Leaving aside the enormous Dragon City before him, even the cotton-padded coat he was wearing was made in Jinzhou.

Compared to the previous sheepskin coats and linen jackets, this one is much warmer and more comfortable.

However, due to low production and high prices, ordinary herders cannot afford to wear them yet. In addition, Jinzhou liquor has become the most popular drink among the herders of Qihe. Although ordinary herders cannot afford the expensive Xifenglie, there are also cheaper versions of Jinzhou liquor, just with different names.

There are also telescopes made in Jinzhou and something that can wash away grease.

All of this made Jiu Meng Anhe feel incredibly novel, and he even felt like he couldn't keep up with the changes and that he was getting old.

Beside him, a young man with a somewhat similar face followed closely.

It was Jiu Meng An He's son, Jiu Meng An Hu Li Ba.

Over the years, following Jiu Meng'an in battles, he has also acquired a strong and fierce aura.

Looking at the towering city walls in the distance, he exclaimed in surprise, "This must be the legendary Dragon City. I just didn't expect it to be so big. It's almost as big as Husiwoerduo!"

Jiu Meng Anhe nodded gently: "From now on, this Dragon City will be our home."

He already knew his position after arriving in Jinzhou: Sima of the Northern Frontier Protectorate.

Although he did not have direct military power, he held a high position and was nominally the second most important figure in the northern frontier, second only to Li Xiao.

Jiu Meng Anhe was already quite old; his hair had turned gray, and his back was beginning to bend.

Having long lost his ambition, staying in Jinzhou to retire is a good option.

"Father is getting old, and the opportunities to lead troops into battle will become fewer and fewer in the future."

“But you are still young. The future of the Jiu Meng An family depends on you.” Jiu Meng Anhe said to his son with great emphasis.

When it's time to step down, you have to step down; opportunities are for young people.

The key is that only if he backs down will his son have a chance to rush up.

“These thousand herders are our old roots in Qihe. From today onwards, I’m entrusting them to you.” Jiu Meng’anhe turned to look at the thousand herders carrying their belongings through the wind and snow.

In its heyday, Qihe had 10,000 households and was the main force directly confronting the royal army.

Unfortunately, the Seven Rivers Army suffered heavy losses in the previous war, and if it weren't for the reinforcements from the Jinzhou Army, they wouldn't have been able to save even their last 5,000 men.

Then, Li Xiao began to reorganize the troops of Qihe.

One thousand households were transferred to Yili, one thousand to Dongdu, and one thousand to Jinzhou.

Three thousand households, mainly Han Chinese, were transferred from Jinzhou to the Qihe Grassland.

In this way, the population of Qihe was restored to 5,000 households, plus 1,000 herders who were transferred to Yili, and 4,000 soldiers originally under Erhu's command.

The combined forces in Ili and the Seven Rivers region numbered ten thousand.

The troops in these two places were all incorporated into the Fifth Division under Erhu's command.

It is also the first line of defense facing the royal court.

Jiu Meng An Huli Ba will serve as a commander of a thousand households, continuing to lead this thousand households of people.

After resting in Jinzhou, they will continue their eastward migration to the West Sea next spring.

They will be deployed to the war against the Western Xia and the Mongols next year.

"Father, rest assured, your son will never allow the Jiu Meng An clan to decline in my hands," Huliba said firmly.

Jiu Meng Anhe nodded gently; he was very reassured about his son.

Although he wasn't as gifted as Li Xiao, he was in no way inferior to Xiao Tuladuo's son, Xiao Chilu, in terms of ability.

Given the opportunity in the future, I am sure I will be able to catch up with Xiao Chilu.

Soon, in the vast expanse of heaven and earth, a cavalry force in yellow armor appeared in Jiu Meng An He's sight.

“Father, it’s the Wuwei Army,” Huliba said, gazing into the distance.

Now they know how to distinguish the troops within the Golden State Army.

The red and white armies represent the Second and Third Divisions, respectively.

Only the army clad in yellow armor was the First Garrison, personally commanded by Li Xiao, and the most elite army in Jinzhou.

The army in yellow armor with red trim was the absolute main force of the First Garrison, Li Xiao's personal guard, the elite of the elite.

At this moment, a troop of the Wuwei Army appeared in front of them. Jiu Meng Anhe had expected this; they were definitely there to greet him.

But when Huliba said in confusion, "Judging from the appearance of the person in the middle, it seems to be the Grand Protector himself."

Upon hearing this, Jiu Meng Anhe was surprised.

In this snowy weather, Li Xiao personally came to greet me?
"Brother Jiu Meng'an, you must be tired from your journey."

As the group approached Hexi Fort, he heard Li Xiao's hearty laughter.

Li Xiao, dressed in a black cotton robe with gold trim, rode out on horseback.

Jiu Meng Anhe stopped the crowd and walked up with only Huliba, laughing heartily, "It's not hard at all. It's much more comfortable than when we were fighting battles before."

"However, the weather is bitterly cold, how could we trouble the Grand Protector to personally welcome us?"

"It's alright. I, Li Xiao, am overjoyed that you, Brother Jiu Meng'an, have graced me with your presence. I must welcome you even if it means traveling a long way."

After saying that, Li Xiao reined in his warhorse and laughed, "Now that you've come to Jinzhou, I can finally relax a bit."

"You have no idea how busy I've been these past few months, there's just been so much going on."

"With you here, brother, it's a good opportunity to help me out."

"Hahaha~"

After the two finished chatting and laughing, Li Xiao's gaze turned to Huliba.

He had already met him; he was a very capable general, a true example of a tiger father and a tiger son.

"Khuriba greets the Great Protector." Khuriba bowed slightly, patting his chest.

"No need for formalities. Just do your job well in Jinzhou, and we will definitely not treat you unfairly," Li Xiao said.

"After the spring planting next year, my army will march on the Xia Kingdom. Then we'll see what you're capable of."

Huliba felt a surge of adrenaline and shouted back, "I will not disappoint the Great Protector!"

"Haha, okay~"

"Go, go back."

"I have already ordered people to prepare food and hot soup for five thousand people, so that they can rest well."

Li Xiao settled Jiu Meng'anhe's family in Hexibao, and the other thousand herders were settled at the foot of a mountain thirty miles away from Hexibao.

We will wait until next spring to migrate to the West Sea.

……

Kashgar.

A town built in the Loess Desert, it was also the capital of the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate.

The city walls are tall and thick, mostly made of rammed earth in a yellowish-brown color. The streets inside the city are winding and meandering, mostly made of wood and rammed earth.

It combines Muslim and Uyghur styles, with mostly round roofs and a predominantly yellow, white, and blue color scheme.

Furthermore, because the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate was a Hezbollah-based state, mosques were scattered throughout Kashgar.

The largest one is called Id Kah Mosque, which covers an area of ​​approximately 16820 square meters and is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia.

At this time, the Karakhanid Khan of the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate was named Suleiman ibn Yusup, who was over fifty years old and in very poor health.

According to the original history, the old king was supposed to pass away in less than three years.

At that moment, he was kneeling before Allah, his face full of sincerity as he spoke.

"Allah, the Great and Most Merciful! I prostrate myself before Your glory and beg for Your mercy with the most humble body."

"At this moment, illness is like thorns entwining my body..."

"You are the master of all things, but now war clouds shroud our land, the iron hooves of the Jinzhou people have shattered the peace of our country, and cries of agony tear through the long night."

"Please spread your wings of protection, dispel the shadow of war, extinguish the flames of war, sheath the swords, and restore peace to this land."

After the prayers were over, Yusup, with the help of his servant, got up and stepped out of the mosque. There he found an official waiting anxiously outside.

Upon seeing Yusup, he rushed over in a panic and said urgently, "Your Majesty the Great Karakhan, something terrible has happened."

"The Jinzhou army has already captured Jimo."

Upon hearing this, Yusup felt a jolt run through his body, his face turned deathly pale, and he swayed as if about to collapse.

He gripped the servant's arm tightly and said angrily, "What?"

"Has Jimo been breached?"

"Where is our army? Where are our 20,000 troops? Why can't they stop the Jinzhou army?"

In an effort to stop the Jinzhou army, Yusupu dispatched 20,000 troops as reinforcements, but unexpectedly, Jimo still fell.

Why doesn't Allah bless Jimo?

The official said with a troubled expression, "Your Majesty, the Jinzhou army consists entirely of cavalry, and our troops probably haven't even arrived in Jimo yet."

Upon hearing this, Yu Supu let out a heavy sigh of helplessness.

The people of northern Xinjiang grew up on horseback; they are brave and skilled in battle, a natural-born fighting nation.

When it comes to cavalry combat, the Uyghurs, who had become an agricultural people, were hardly a match for the cavalry of the northern frontier.

However, the infantry was too slow and was completely outmaneuvered by the northern cavalry.

This left Yusup feeling helpless; how could he possibly fight like this?

Are we just supposed to passively wait for the northern cavalry to raid towns and cities at will?
Upon returning to the palace, Yusup received even more infuriating news.

"The royal court wants to increase the annual tribute?"

"Has Yelü Zhilugu gone mad?"

"Great Allah, Yelü Zhilugu must be insane. Have pity on this bewildered man."

Yusup was so angry that he fell ill.

As a vassal state of the Liao Dynasty, the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate had always done its best to help the royal court fight countless wars.

During the rebellion in the northern frontier, the army sent by the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate to the royal court was completely wiped out, including Yusup's younger brother and five hundred Iqta heavy cavalry.

Not long ago, when Wang Ting wanted to attack Yili, he mobilized more than 10,000 troops without hesitation, but they were all wiped out in the end.

Such a series of enormous losses caused a strong upheaval within the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate, and the various nobles had long been dissatisfied with the royal court's actions.

Yusup did not demand war compensation from Yelü Zhilugu.

This bastard actually dared to ask the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate for money.
How could there be such a shameless person?
The next day, Yusup summoned a large number of noble officials and announced an important decision.

"This Khan has decided to cease paying tribute to the Royal Court from now on, and will no longer pay a single dinar to the Royal Court."

"At the same time, we negotiated with the northern border and requested the withdrawal of troops from Jinzhou."

"The war between the royal court and the northern frontier has nothing to do with us. Our Karakhanid Khanate must not get involved anymore."

After saying this, despair appeared on Yusup's pale face, and he muttered to himself, "If the fighting continues, our Karakhanid Khanate will really perish."

(End of this chapter)