The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 270 No Illness, Met Uncle

In the scorching heat of July, the sun in the Hexi Corridor blazed like a hot iron, baking the brownish-yellow earth.

On this day, another team entered the Hexi Corridor, winding its way forward like a long, drooping snake, crossing the Tiger and Wolf Valley and heading west.

The disheveled people, camels and oxcarts pulling grain, cattle and horses carrying grain and supplies, and a northern frontier army responsible for escorting them.

They walked very slowly, and the Northern Frontier cavalry also moved forward slowly.

Along the way, the soldiers had long since taken off their cotton armor, wearing only linen clothes to shield themselves from the sun, wiping the sweat from their faces and complaining about the sweltering heat.

"Let's speed things up. We should arrive in Liangzhou City before tonight, and everyone can have a good rest for a couple of days."

Wang Daniu tore open his sweat-soaked hemp clothes, looked at the people in front and behind him, and shouted loudly.

He was a burly man with a stubble beard and scars covering his bare chest; he appeared to be nearly forty years old.

He was no longer young, and after returning to the northern frontier, he planned to retire from the front-line combat troops, retain his status as a military household, and instead manage the people.

Although there's no longer a chance to plunder and profit from war, at least it's safe, and I can retire in peace.

After all, he had accumulated quite a bit of money over the years through the wealth and bounty of his robberies.

Moreover, his two sons had already established themselves in the army, and his eldest son had even become a captain, just like him, so Wang Daniu could retire with peace of mind.

"Commander, how far is it from the Northern Frontier? When will we arrive?"

A young man of seventeen or eighteen, carrying a bag of grain, panting and wiping his sweat, looked up at Wang Daniu and asked.

His name was Sanwazi. He had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a very upright appearance. He was originally a Han Chinese from outside Zhuoluo City, but was forcibly taken back to Hexi by the Northern Frontier Army.

I did think about running away, but I couldn't take my family with me.

Moreover, the military discipline in the northern border region is very strict, and a system of collective punishment for ten households is implemented. If one person escapes, all ten households will be beheaded.

Therefore, everyone is watching each other, and no one has a chance to escape.

Furthermore, after hearing the grand promises made by the Northern Frontier Army, he simply followed Wang Daniu and his group all the way here.

After spending these past few days together, Wang Daniu had gotten to know the kid better and chuckled, saying, "What's wrong? So eager to eat meat?"

According to the propaganda of the Northern Xinjiang Army, everyone who goes to the Northern Xinjiang region will have meat to eat, and 60% of the grain they grow each year will be kept for themselves.

Although the people remain skeptical, at least it's something to look forward to.

Sanwazi chuckled, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down: "I've never even tasted meat soup in my entire life, let alone eaten meat."

The boy's voice was full of longing. His family had been tenant farmers for generations. After paying the land rent and taxes, the remaining coarse grains and bran were barely enough to fill their stomachs.

So Sanwazi often wondered what meat actually tasted like.

I heard from others that it was the most delicious thing in the world, extremely tasty.

"Ah, you poor little brat. Once we're settled in the northern frontier, I'll treat you to a meal of meat. I mean what I say," Wang Daniu sighed.

That's just how it is in this era; for ordinary people, getting meat is extremely difficult.

They couldn't even bear to eat the fine grains they grew themselves; they would take them to the market to exchange for coarse grains or even bran to fill the family's stomachs.

Wang Daniu was from Dunhuang, a place even poorer than Hexi Corridor.

He had witnessed far too much hardship among ordinary people.

Even if he hadn't once been a minor official guarding the city at Yumen Pass, his life probably wouldn't have been much better than that of Sanwazi's family.

"Hehehe, okay, okay."

"I'm just waiting to eat meat. I really can't wait to get to the northern border region," Sanwazi grinned.

They were only thinking about eating meat, completely unaware that it was at least two thousand li from Liangzhou City to Longcheng.

"However, once we reach the Northern Frontier, our Grand Protectorate will only provide you with a meal of meat."

"Do you want to eat meat all the time?" Wang Daniu asked from his horse.

"Yes, of course I want to!" Sanwazi nodded frantically, his eyes filled with longing for meat.

"Then let's become soldiers."

"I guarantee you'll be able to eat meat every few days," Wang Daniu said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over Sanwazi.

He was very tall, but too thin. However, he was very strong. He carried a 60-pound bag of grain for so long without collapsing from exhaustion.

This clearly shows that the third child has a good foundation; he just needs to eat more grain, and he can make up for it in the future.

Such talent is perfectly suited for military service.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, a man not far away hurriedly came over and said, "Commander, thank you for your kindness."

“We are just honest, simple farmers, how could we possibly be soldiers and fight?”

"They're good at transporting grain, but they can't go to the battlefield."

This man was Sanwazi's father, around forty years old, very tall, and also carrying a bag of grain on his back.

But he seemed more like an honest, simple farmer who couldn't bear to send his son to the battlefield to die.

Wang Daniu chuckled and said nothing more. He could understand the man's feelings, but in this era, you can't get away with anything just by not fighting for it.

Moreover, Sanwazi was clearly intrigued by Wang Daniu, and a hint of ambition gleamed in his eyes.

Which young person doesn't have lofty ambitions?

In particular, Sanwazi had personally witnessed the power of the Northern Frontier Army; their overwhelming cavalry charged in, and the earth trembled.

The corrupt officials who usually flaunted their power in front of them were so frightened that they knelt down and wet their pants.

In the eyes of the boy, the Northern Frontier Army had become synonymous with power and ferocity.

He naturally wanted to be one of them, to conquer battlefields and provide a better life for his family.

But for now, I can only keep this idea to myself.

Wang Daniu was a gentle person by nature, and he had become familiar with the local people over the past few days. During his journey, he would chat with them intermittently.

"Commander, once we reach the northern frontier, will we really be able to get land? And will we even get 60% of the grain?"

One of the men asked again to confirm, after all, in this era, the credibility of the government was only so-so, and anyone who dared to completely trust the government would be a fool.

Wang Daniu wiped the sweat from his face, his bull-like eyes glaring fiercely at him: "The Grand Protector's words are law, how could they be false?"

"Moreover, some people in our northern border region are already cultivating public land, which means they receive 20% rent and 20% land tax, nothing else."

"Don't worry."

Wang Daniu patted his chest and assured him.

These words reassured the surrounding residents.

Although it was Wang Daniu who led the escort of this team, he never mistreated or abused them.

Furthermore, because Wang Daniu was from Dunhuang, making him practically a fellow townsman to them, they had considerable faith in him.

"Sigh, we're in the unfamiliar northern frontier, it would be great if the Commandant could always be in charge of us."

An old woman, holding her grandson's hand, remarked with emotion.

When Wang Daniu heard this, he laughed heartily, patted his chest, and said, "Okay."

"As long as you are willing to listen to me, I will continue to protect you when we get to the northern frontier."

Upon hearing this, the surrounding people instantly cheered and quickly gathered around, asking, "Really?"

“Really,” Wang Daniu said.

"That's great, that's great."

Compared to the Tangut officials they had met before, Wang Daniu was much kinder to them.

After all, they were practically from the same hometown, and they gradually became familiar with each other. Naturally, the people were willing to have an acquaintance continue to look after them.

Moreover, Wang Daniu has decided that after returning to the northern frontier, he will apply to retire from the front line, as his body cannot withstand such long-term horseback riding and fighting.

According to the new regulations for demobilization formulated by Li Xiao, all soldiers in the northern frontier who are over forty years old or have physical disabilities and are not suitable for long-term combat will be demobilized.

They could apply to the Military Affairs Department for a transfer to civilian life while retaining their military household status and managing ordinary people.

Furthermore, one's own rank can be upgraded from the original level. Currently, it has been upgraded by two levels, and in the future, it will be upgraded by one level, or even transferred to another job at the same level, depending on the situation.

For example, Wang Daniu was a captain at this time. After his demobilization, he could become a centurion, in charge of two hundred households of commoners.

They were only responsible for the civil affairs of these two hundred households, including supervising land reclamation and farming, collecting taxes, handling daily conflicts, conscripting soldiers, and so on.

Moreover, with these hundreds of thousands of civilians, the source of soldiers for the Northern Frontier Army was no longer limited to military households.

Ordinary teenagers like Sanwazi can also join the Northern Frontier Army.

However, they were still civilians, and only after making meritorious contributions in battle could they be converted into military households.

The status of a military household member was similar to that of a cadre in later generations.

Only those with military household status could be promoted and allocated land.

Moreover, they can have a better future after leaving the military.

Therefore, joining the army became the only chance for ordinary boys like Sanwazi to change their fate.

However, the status of military households was not always fixed.

If the number of military households is expanded without limit, the northern frontier will have to expand outwards indefinitely.

Otherwise, the sheer number of military households would eventually drag down the northern frontier.

Therefore, Li Xiao is already planning further reforms to the military households.

Establish a tiered system.

Each generation they inherit their status automatically reduces them by one rank until they lose their military household status.

The purpose of this was to prevent the descendants of military households from resting on their ancestors' laurels and becoming parasites in the northern frontier.

However, it is too early to implement this system, and Li Xiao is waiting for the right opportunity.

Wang Daniu and his group traveled at a leisurely pace, finally arriving in Liangzhou City in the evening.

"finally reached."

Looking at the outline of Liangzhou City under the setting sun, Wang Daniu breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Afterwards, he led the people to a flat area outside the city, where they settled down and had people cook porridge and other meals.

He himself, accompanied by a soldier, went to report to his direct subordinate centurion.

The next day, the weather was still very hot. The rammed earth walls of Liangzhou City were scorching hot, but fortunately the wind in the Hexi Corridor was strong, which dissipated some of the heat on the ground and made the newly replaced sun and moon battle flags on the city tower flutter loudly.

Half a month ago, the first Northern Frontier Army escorted over a thousand people from Hexi, along with grain carts and supplies such as cattle and sheep, back to Liangzhou City.

Su Wuji became a frequent visitor to the city gate.

Every day, he would bring his friends to play outside the city gate, his dark eyes occasionally gazing up at the end of the official road.

Sometimes what arrives is an oxcart loaded with grain, and sometimes it's a herdsman driving a flock of sheep.

More often than not, it was the people of Hexi carrying their belongings and their families.

They were all forcibly immigrated to the Hexi Corridor by the Northern Frontier Army, but young Su Wuji did not understand these things. He only knew that the population of Liangzhou City had increased.

The city is alright, but the area outside is chaotic every day.

After the new people arrived, the original people left and went somewhere unknown, and then another group of people arrived.

The cycle repeated itself, and although there were always many people outside Liangzhou City, the number remained relatively constant, and no major disturbances occurred.

At noon that day, while he was playing with his friends, he unexpectedly discovered a group of people outside the city gate.

Dressed in armor or plain clothes, they appeared to be officials and generals from the northern frontier. The leader was none other than Jiu Meng Anhe, who looked at Su Wuji and the others with a slightly suspicious gaze and asked curiously, "Whose children are these?"

"The Grand Protector is about to return to Liangzhou. Wouldn't leaving these children here disturb him?"

Liangzhou City was not the base of the Northern Frontier. As a newly conquered territory, the people of Liangzhou even harbored some hostility towards the Northern Frontier Army.

Naturally, there would be no grand welcome outside the city, and for Li Xiao's safety, Jiu Meng An He had already ordered people to clear out any irrelevant people in advance.

But why are there still a group of children here?
The general in charge of the matter quickly stepped forward and said, "Sima, please forgive us. That child is Wei Wanhu's nephew. He should address Madam Wei as Aunt."

Upon hearing this, Jiu Meng Anhe was momentarily stunned.

Wei Xuan's nephew?
Although he didn't know when Wei Xuan had acquired such a nephew, Jiu Meng An He naturally wouldn't hold a grudge against a child anymore.

Moreover, although he had Xiao Yanyan as his backer, he still had to give Madam Wei some face.

So I just let him be.

Soon after, a series of muffled thunderous hoofbeats echoed from the dirt road outside Liangzhou City, and the yellow dust swirling up from the ground could be seen from a great distance.

Su Wuji straightened up instantly, stood on a large rock, raised his head, and looked far to the east.

This time the commotion was much greater than usual; the dust that rose up looked like a yellow cloud, obscuring half the sky.

When the white sun and moon battle flag pierced through the dust and fog, unfurling its blood-red edge in the wind, Su Wuji could no longer contain himself and waved his chubby little hand, shouting, "Uncle, Uncle is back!"

he is very smart.

Although he only had a brief time with Wei Xuan, he remembered Wei Xuan's flag.

The white banner with a red border and the sun and moon design belongs to the Sixth Garrison where Wei Xuan is stationed. If the word "eighteen" is written below the sun and moon design, then it belongs to the 10,000-household cavalry personally led by Wei Xuan.

So, Su Wuji stood on a rocky hill and started shouting.

"Uncle, Uncle~"

He has a fearless and reckless personality, and doesn't care at all about other people's strange looks. He's a true social bully.

They paid no heed to the bloody aura emanating from the clashing weapons of the northern frontier soldiers, remaining oblivious and laughing nonchalantly.

It's as if they were born to do this job.

The vanguard cavalry of the Sixth Garrison of the Northern Frontier halted outside the city, followed by a large number of civilians, cattle, horses, camels, and other animals who came to settle outside the city. It was only after a long time that Su Wuji finally spotted Wei Xuan among the army.

He jumped up and down excitedly again, shouting, "Uncle, Uncle, I'm here!"

She even kicked her short legs backwards as she ran towards Wei Xuan.

The friends behind him looked at Su Wuji with envy on their faces.

They also wished they had a maternal uncle who was a general in the northern frontier, but unfortunately, they could only envy him.

Moreover, most of these children were from the common people in Liangzhou City, whose families owned some land, but it had all been confiscated long ago.

At this time, they could still play innocently with Su Wuji, unaware that the gap in their social status would widen significantly in the future.

But as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. With Su Wuji's connection, as long as they strive for success, they will surely go further and higher than others in the future.

At this moment, Wei Xuan was talking to Li Xiao.

After the Battle of Roulang Mountain, Li Xiao led the Wuwei Army to cover the rear. Only after confirming that there were no pursuers did he slowly withdraw back to the Hexi Corridor.

Because they were all cavalry, they were moving very fast and encountered Wei Xuan, who was escorting the last batch of civilians and grain, near Wushaoling.

With the natural defenses of Wushaoling and Hulang Valley, the Western Xia army was naturally unable to launch a surprise attack on the Northern Frontier army.

So Li Xiao and Wei Xuan escorted the people back together at a leisurely pace.

Just as they were about to reach the city gate, they suddenly heard a child's tender voice calling for his uncle.

Wei Xuan was the first to see Su Wuji running and jumping towards him, and his face darkened.

"That brat, I'll give him a good beating when we get back."

With so many civilians and cavalry outside the city, who cares about a child's identity?
If they really encounter danger, I don't know how heartbroken my older sister will be.

Li Xiao also spotted the child, and saw that the child was looking in his direction.

"Wei Xuan, whose child is that? It looks like they're greeting you."

The distance was too far, and also because of the Liangzhou dialect, Li Xiao couldn't hear what the child was shouting.

Wei Xuan shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Grand Protector, that is my nephew, named Su Wuji, nicknamed Big Fatty."

Upon hearing that the child was Wei Xuan's nephew, Li Xiao was momentarily stunned.

"Uh-huh~"

Shouldn't Wei Xuan's nephew be Li Xiao and Er Ya's son?
Where did this little brat come from?

Seeing Li Xiao's confusion, Wei Xuan said, "It's my elder sister's child."

"Miss?"

Li Xiao suddenly realized that Er Ya had mentioned that she had an older sister.

However, she had married into the Western Xia state a long time ago.

I never expected to run into Wei Xuan in Liangzhou City.

Because speed is of the essence in war, after taking Liangzhou City, Wei Xuan only made arrangements for his eldest sister's family before following Li Xiao on his eastern expedition to Hexi.

I haven't even had a chance to talk to Li Xiao about this yet.

After understanding this relationship, Li Xiao shook his head slightly and pointed to his head.

"Wei Xuan."

Do you know what your biggest problem is?

"Too much on your mind, you overthink things."

"Being cautious in speech and action is correct, but it also depends on the person and the situation."

“We’re family. Your eldest sister is my eldest sister, Li Xiao’s eldest sister, and your nephew, Wei Xuan, is my nephew,” Li Xiao said with a sullen laugh.

"What's there to hide?"

With the Battle of Hexi lasting so many days, did Wei Xuan really not have a chance to mention this to Li Xiao?
It's simply that she's used to being cautious in her words and actions, and wants to find a suitable opportunity to tell Li Xiao later.

Therefore, Li Xiao truly experienced what it means to be lonely at the top by looking at Wei Xuan.

"Yes, the Grand Protector is right."

"This humble general has learned much," Wei Xuan said, patting his chest and bowing his head.

Judging from his appearance, Li Xiao knew that the kid definitely knew he was wrong, but just couldn't change.

There was nothing they could do.

He could only shake his head and say, "Go, bring that child here, let me see him too."

"As ordered."

Then, Wei Xuan spurred his horse and galloped out to the city gate. He picked up Su Wuji with one hand and placed him on the horse's back in front of him.

Su Wuji showed no fear whatsoever; instead, he excitedly squealed, "Uncle, Uncle!"

"We still want to fly!"

"Sit still and don't move around." Wei Xuan pressed down on his wiggling, round body and slapped his buttocks.

"Your uncle will take you to see your maternal uncle."

"Don't make a scene in front of your uncle, and don't be rude."

Su Wuji looked up, blinking his curious eyes: "What is an uncle?"

"That's your aunt's husband."

"Ouch~~"

Su Wuji understood.

My mother told me that I had a concubine who was extremely beautiful.

Soon, Wei Xuan rode back to Li Xiao's side: "Grand Protector, this is Wu Ji."

After saying that, he nudged Su Wuji and said, "Wuji, quickly greet your uncle."

The little boy blinked his curious eyes, looked at Li Xiao without fear, and said loudly, "Wuji greets Uncle."

He then immediately added, "Uncle, is your official rank higher than my uncle's?"

Li Xiao smiled. His first impression of this child was that he was bold and resilient.

Looking back now, it seems he was quite clever.

"How do you know that your uncle-in-law's official rank is higher than your maternal uncle's?" Li Xiao asked with a light laugh.

"Guess."

"My uncle is very fierce to me, but he's not fierce at all in front of my aunt's husband."

"Hahaha~" Li Xiao burst into laughter upon hearing Su Wuji's words.

Pointing at Wei Xuan, he said, "Did you hear that?"

"The kids all say you have a fierce personality. Smile more in the future and don't be so silent."

Wei Xuan smiled helplessly and nodded, saying, "This humble general has learned his lesson."

Fine, I still won't change it.

Li Xiao had already given up hope, after all, Wei Xuan was an adult, his personality was already formed, and he couldn't change it.

This chubby boy, on the other hand, has a completely different personality from Wei Xuan. He is unconventional, very bold, and also very clever.

Li Xiao liked it very much.

"Come here, come to your uncle's side."

Li Xiao chuckled, took Su Wuji from Wei Xuan, placed him in front of his horse, and they entered the city together.

Although it was the first time Su Wuji had met Li Xiao, he wasn't shy at all and kept talking the whole way.

"Uncle, what does my aunt look like? I've never seen her before."

"Your aunt? She's very beautiful, the most beautiful woman in the world."

"What if she doesn't like me?"

"No, your aunt is very gentle."

……

The Liangzhou Prefectural Governor's Office has now become Li Xiao's temporary Protectorate headquarters.

Li Xiao carried Su Wuji directly to the main hall, placed him on a small chair next to him, and sat down at the head of the table.

At that very moment, the generals standing side by side in the hall all placed their hands on their chests and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Grand Protector."

The enormous sound did not frighten Su Wuji; on the contrary, it made him even more excited, and his eyes shone with excitement.

He also wanted to be a great general, just like his uncle and maternal uncle.

Li Xiao ignored the admiring look on the boy's face and calmly looked at everyone.

He said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, our army has won a great victory in the Battle of Hexi!"

"This is the result of everyone's concerted efforts and unity. Li Xiao expresses his gratitude here!"

(End of this chapter)