The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 285 Li Xiao's name resounds throughout the northern desert.

The crimson tide slowly approached, and the dull sound of horses' hooves grew clearer, like countless giant drums beating at the same time, making one's eardrums ache.

The Uyghur soldiers on the stockade wall were pale-faced, their hands trembling uncontrollably as they gripped their weapons.

When the cavalry arrived outside the stockade wall, Baliara drew his cavalry sword and shouted sharply.

"Fire arrows."

These Gaochang people are a bunch of worthless scoundrels.

Upon seeing the arrival of the northern army, instead of opening the gates to welcome them, they drew their bows and arrows, adopting a defensive posture.

The disrespect shown towards northern Xinjiang is obvious.

Must be severely punished.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa~"

A dense rain of arrows swept across the sky like dark clouds, instantly covering the stockade walls.

Many Uyghur soldiers didn't even have time to scream before they were riddled with arrows and their bodies limply fell off the wall.

"Mom!"

A young soldier was so frightened that he dropped his bow and arrows and cowered behind the stockade wall, not daring to show his face.

It should be noted that not long ago, he was the one who criticized the northern Xinjiang region the most fiercely.

But when the iron cavalry from the northern frontier attacked, he was the most cowardly of them all.

On the contrary, the general who had just reprimanded the soldiers and shown a weak and respectful attitude towards the northern frontier was now showing a completely different face.

"Hold on! Hold on!"

His face was contorted with rage, filled with a fearless fighting spirit, as he tried to quell the morale of his troops, but his voice sounded so weak amidst the roar of the iron cavalry.

At this moment, the last glimmer of hope in his heart was completely extinguished.

The northern cavalry came with great force, clearly heading towards the Gaochang coup.

Faced with such a fierce and brutal army, could the Kingdom of Gaochang really have a chance to survive?

The answer was already etched in his mind—in the face of absolute power, Gaochang's resistance was nothing but a futile struggle.

"The barbarians of the northern frontier have oppressed my Gaochang for years, killing my people, raping my women, enslaving my soldiers, and imprisoning my king!"

The general suddenly raised his scimitar above his head, his voice filled with grief and indignation fueled by blood and fire: "The hatred is hard to quell!"

"Today is the day we give our lives for Gaochang!"

Originally, he had been enduring hardship while Alcus was in power.

But now, the Northern Frontier Army is clearly aiming to destroy the Gaochang Kingdom.

To continue to endure at this time would be unworthy of being a man of Gaochang.

His eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "Fire! Stop them!"

Just as the overwhelming arrows completely enveloped the walls of Willow Fort, the Tiger-shaped cannons carried by the commanders under Bali'ala were ready.

This 100-pound Tiger Cannon could be towed by a horse-drawn cart, making it ideal for cavalry guerrilla warfare and assault operations.

"fire!"

The commander of the Shenji Battalion swung his scimitar down with a roar that pierced the clamor.

"boom--"

The deafening roar of the cannons exploded, and the smoke instantly engulfed the cannons.

One after another, iron bullets, accompanied by a whistling wind, slammed into the wooden gate of Liutiaobao.

Wood chips and dirt flew everywhere, and the once sturdy gate of the village exploded, revealing a dark gap.

The general stood behind the stockade wall, his eardrums throbbing from the sound of cannon fire.

Looking at the shattered gate, the last glimmer of light in his eyes went out completely; even the last barrier was gone.

"kill!"

The northern cavalry surged in through the breach like a tide, sweeping with their spears and slashing with their swords, instantly sending several Uyghur soldiers flying at the entrance.

A Uyghur soldier charged at the cavalry with his sword, but was easily knocked over by the horse. The cavalryman then swung his sword down, and the soldier's head rolled to the ground, his eyes still wide open, filled with unbelievable fear.

The soldier beside him was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Spare me! Spare me!"

But the Northern Frontier cavalry ignored him completely, their hooves trampling over him, the cracking sound of bones breaking sending chills down one's spine.

The old soldier huddled in a corner, his head in his hands, watching his former comrades fall one by one. His lips trembled as he chanted Buddhist prayers, tears and snot streaming down his face.

The young soldier who had just complained about the thin porridge was now pinned to the stockade wall by an arrow.

The Uyghur general fought to the death and refused to surrender, eventually being killed by a hail of arrows.

The resistance in Willow Fort lasted only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

When the northern cavalry stopped their slaughter, the village was littered with corpses and rivers of blood.

Fewer than fifty Uyghur soldiers survived, all of them bound together with ropes, kneeling on the ground trembling, not daring to lift their heads.

Bali Ala reined in his warhorse, looked around at the breached military camp, and frowned slightly.

That's barely enough resistance to even fill a tooth gap.

He raised his hand and waved: "Take a headcount, treat the wounded, and continue south in half an hour!"

The cavalrymen responded in unison.

The surviving Uyghur soldiers lowered their heads, listening to the sound of their teeth chattering, and finally realized how ridiculous their earlier complaints had been.

Faced with absolute power, the weak are destined to be manipulated.

……

Hami City.

The candlelight flickered in the royal bedchamber. A series of rapid breathing sounds gradually subsided. Qibido, covered in sweat, held the young Uyghur woman in his arms even tighter.

The woman looked young and inexperienced, and her features resembled Aisha's, but she lacked Aisha's captivating charm and was less attractive.

She is Miguli, Aisha's younger sister. She was sent to the palace by Kudinayan as soon as she came of age, and tonight is their wedding night.

Miguli's eyelashes trembled slightly, a hint of confusion hidden in her eyes.

Before her marriage, her mother repeatedly told her that a woman's first night would be excruciatingly painful, but that she would get through it.

But her experience just now made her feel that her mother had lied to her. Not only did it not hurt, but she didn't even feel anything special before the chebido was over.

But she still followed her mother's instructions, softly leaning against Chebido's chest, her voice deliberately coquettish: "Your Majesty is so amazing, I felt like I was about to die just now."

Sure enough, Chebido stopped panting immediately, a confident smile spreading across his face as his rough hands rubbed her shoulder: "Of course."

This has always been something he is proud of.

But when his gaze fell on the face in his arms that looked so much like Aisha, the image of Aisha inevitably came to mind.

His heart clenched. That was the woman he cherished most, yet he had personally sent her to the northern frontier.

He stared at Miguel for a long time, then suddenly murmured, "You are not her after all."

Even if they are sisters, no matter how similar their eyes and eyebrows are, they can't replace Aisha in any way.

Is Your Majesty thinking of your sister?

Miguli asked cautiously, her fingertips secretly tightening around the brocade quilt.

But a sense of resentment welled up inside him.

Why should he be thinking of someone else on his own wedding night?

Even though she was her own sister, jealousy clung to her heart like a poisonous vine.

But then she sneered, "So what if you once enjoyed the Emperor's favor, sister?"

Now, isn't she being sent to the northern frontier to be played with by other men?
Once I conceive His Majesty's child, I will be the rightful Queen.

And you can only conceive the bastard child of the northern barbarians.

Miguli and Aisha are only two years apart, but from childhood to adulthood, Aisha has always been prettier and more favored than her, and everyone treats her as Aisha's little follower.

Now, she finally has a chance to win.

Aisha, who has been tainted by the northern frontier, has no right to compete with herself anymore.

Chebido was also considering the position of queen.

Arcus's daughter has been deposed and imprisoned, and it is not appropriate for the position of queen to remain vacant for too long.

Although he regarded Miguli as a replacement for Aisha and didn't particularly like her, he had to admit that she was the most suitable candidate at the moment.

“If you can bear me a prince, I will grant you the title of queen and make your son the crown prince,” Chibido said firmly to Miguli.

Miguli was overjoyed and knelt naked on the bed: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I will certainly do my best to give Your Majesty a prince!"

Just as the two were about to continue making babies, a palace attendant's voice came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister requests your presence in the palace. He has an urgent military report to report!"

Chebido's brows furrowed sharply, the spearhead immediately went limp, and a strong sense of unease welled up in his heart.

Tonight is his and Miguli's wedding day. Unless something terrible happens, his father-in-law, Kudinayaan, would never have barged in and disturbed their wedding night.

"Could it be that the Northern Frontier Army has attacked?"

The thought struck him like a thunderbolt. He shoved Miguli aside, quickly put on his robe, and rushed toward the main hall.

Inside the main hall, Kudinayan had just arrived. He was panting heavily, his purple robes stained with night dew, and his face as pale as paper.

Upon seeing Qibido enter, he knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling as he said, "Your Majesty, scouts have reported that the Northern Frontier Army has breached Willow Fort this afternoon, and their vanguard is less than a hundred li from Hamili."

Qi Biduo felt a buzzing in his head, as if it were about to explode, and exclaimed in shock, "What?"

"Has Willow Fort fallen?"

Willow Fort was a military stronghold of 300 men, serving only as an early warning system for Hamili.

The fact that the area has now fallen signifies the firm stance of the northern border region against the Gaochang coup.

This is intolerable; we must use force to wipe out Gaochang.

Chebido never expected that after personally sending Aisha away and offering tribute, he would still be met with the iron hooves of the northern frontier.

Why are the barbarians of the northern frontier so insatiable?

"Kudinayan!"

He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms: "Didn't you say that sending Aisha and tribute would stabilize the northern frontier?"

Kudinayan lay prostrate on the ground, his expression filled with grief and indignation: "I never expected... Li Xiao... he never intended to let us go..."

"We were all outsmarted by him."

Chebido plopped down in a chair, looking dazed, and muttered to himself like a madman, "So that's how it is, so that's how it is!"

He couldn't help but think of that night last year. Right here in this grand hall, Li Xiao had stood behind a table, looking down at him kneeling in the hall.

Amidst the creaking of the table, Li Xiao promised him that he would not interfere in Gaochang's internal affairs.

Let him and Arkus fight it out; whoever wins, the northern frontier will support as the legitimate successor of Gaochang.

Chebi believed more.

He thought this was a promise earned through the efforts of his mother, sister, and Aisha.

But to everyone's surprise, it was all a conspiracy by that scoundrel Li Xiao.

He was tricked by that scoundrel.

The candlelight flickered in the hall, reflecting the despair and madness in Chebido's eyes.

He suddenly threw his head back and laughed wildly, his laughter filled with blood and tears: "What a Li Xiao! What a Great Protector of the Northern Frontier! I will fight you to the death!"

Inside the bedchamber, Miguli stood behind the door, wearing an outer robe, and heard everything clearly.

The smugness on her face vanished instantly, replaced by fear.

If the Northern Frontier army breaches the city, her fate as a newly arrived princess will likely be no better than Aisha's.

They might even be trampled by an army of thousands!

Thinking of the consequences, Miguli turned pale and regretted entering the palace.

……

Just as the northern frontier launched its war of annexation against the Gaochang Kingdom, the ice and snow on the northern grasslands were gradually melting, revealing tender green grass shoots emerging from the ground.

The royal tent of the Kokelik tribe was filled with a strong smell of medicine and a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

"Cough, cough, cough—"

Violent coughing and wheezing came from the bed. Wang Han, who was over sixty years old, was curled up on the wool felt, his hair and beard were white, and each breath seemed to be coughing up his lungs.

His thin fingers gripped the felt tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

Sang Kun sat by the bed, repeatedly patting his father's back with his rough hands, his brows furrowed, his voice full of anxiety: "They're a bunch of quacks!"

"After so much treatment, Father's condition has not improved at all."

He paused, a decisive glint in his eyes: "I think we should send someone to Zhongdu in Jin to fetch a doctor!"

"The healers over there are always more effective than the shamans on the grasslands."

Wang Han took a sip of hot goat milk. The warm liquid slid down his throat, temporarily suppressing the urge to cough and wheeze, and his face regained a slight rosy hue.

He waved his hand slightly, his voice hoarse as if it had been sanded: "No need to trouble yourself."

"It's an old problem."

He said, panting, his eyes cloudy but with a hint of optimism: "It's like this every winter. It'll be fine when the grass turns green in spring."

Wang Han knew his body was in good shape; he could probably last another ten or eight years without any problem. This cough and wheezing in winter was just a minor ailment.

He then looked at Sangkun and changed the subject: "How many cattle and sheep from each tribe froze to death?"

For grassland tribes, every winter is a life-or-death test.

If the snowstorm is too severe, not only will a large number of cattle and sheep freeze to death, but the thick snow and insufficient fodder will also prevent the livestock from digging through the frozen soil to reach the grass roots, ultimately causing them to starve to death.

Therefore, every time the ice and snow melt, the royal court would first count the number of people and livestock casualties in each tribe in order to formulate a development plan for the following year.

The question is whether to start a war or to resolve the issue internally.

When this issue was raised, Sangkun's face darkened, and his voice lowered: "The western Hatu tribe suffered the most severe losses, with nearly a third of their cattle and sheep freezing to death; our main tribe fared somewhat better, but we still lost about 20%..."

As he spoke, his fists clenched unconsciously: "The fodder we stockpiled last year was already insufficient, and now with so many livestock dying, I'm afraid we won't last until the end of summer."

Wang Han fell silent.

This has always been the rule on the grasslands: if the losses are too great, the tribe can only choose one of two paths.

They could either trade with the Central Plains, exchanging furs and castrated horses for grain, barely managing to avoid starvation.

They either had no choice but to take up arms and wage war against other tribes, or to march south and plunder the Central Plains.

In reality, it was about reducing the population and seizing food.

They used their blood and lives to give the entire tribe a chance to survive.

"Any news from the Jin Kingdom?"

Wang Han suddenly asked, "In previous years, the Jin Kingdom's trade caravans would have arrived long ago by this time."

Sangkun's expression darkened further: "The men we sent haven't returned yet, but according to the scouts on the border, the Jin Kingdom seems to be reorganizing its border defenses this year, so they're probably... probably too busy to trade with us."

The tent fell into a deathly silence, broken only by Wang Han's occasional cough.

If the Jin Dynasty closes the trade markets, the Kereit tribe and the small tribes they depend on will only have one last option left.

"What about the Xia Kingdom?"

After catching his breath, Wang Han asked in a hoarse voice.

The Kereit tribe was originally a vassal tribe of the Jin Dynasty. Even his name "Wang Khan" was an official title bestowed by the Jin Dynasty. His real name was "Toli".

The relationship with the Jin Dynasty has always been close, and trade has relied heavily on the Jin Dynasty.

However, because it bordered the Xia Kingdom, it could occasionally exchange tea and cloth with the Xia Kingdom. Although the relationship was not as close as with the Jin Kingdom, it was still a supplementary way.

When the Xia Kingdom was mentioned, Sangkun's expression became even more solemn than when the Jin Kingdom was mentioned. He leaned forward and said, "Father Khan, we have just received an urgent report from the southern Fariba tribe."

"Last summer, the Xia Kingdom and the Northern Frontier fought a major battle in the Hexi Corridor."

He paused, his tone heavy with undisguised sorrow: "The Xia Kingdom suffered a crushing defeat, losing not only its soldiers and generals, but also completely losing control of the Hexi Corridor. Now that area belongs to the Northern Frontier."

Wang Han's hand holding the bowl of goat milk trembled suddenly, and the warm goat milk splashed onto the back of his hand, but he was completely unaware.

Although the Xia Kingdom was not as powerful as the Jin Kingdom, it was still an important force in the western border region, stronger than the Kereit tribe, yet it was defeated by the northern frontier and lost the Hexi Corridor.
Has the northern border region become so fierce?
"Northern Frontier... Li Xiao!"

Wang Han murmured, this name had long been like a dark cloud hanging over the northern grasslands, becoming a nightmare that the tribes dared not mention aloud in private.

At first, everyone thought he was just an ordinary border general on the Liao border, and wouldn't cause any trouble.

But no one expected that this person would rise to prominence so rapidly.

He destroyed the Naiman tribe, the overlord of the west, and became the Grand Protector who ruled the northern frontier. Now he has set his sights on the Xia Kingdom and has forcibly taken over the vast Hexi Corridor.

Such skill is truly worthy of the title of a ruthless and powerful figure.

A flicker of reminiscence crossed Wang Han's cloudy eyes. History had seen many such figures: Yelü Abaoji, Wanyan Aguda, Yelü Dashi…

They were all powerful overlords who stirred up the winds and clouds of the world.

"The bloodline of the Han people has multiplied on the land of the northern frontier. Is it the will of Heaven that another Heavenly Khan will emerge on the grasslands?"

He gazed at the felt patterns on the tent ceiling, muttering to himself, then felt a surge of relief.

Her younger brother's daughter, Sorghaghtani, was already Li Xiao's woman. The Northern Frontier and the Kereit tribe were, after all, linked by marriage, so there was still some semblance of goodwill between them.

Thinking of this, he suddenly nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his lips: "Great thing, great thing!"

Sangkun was taken aback: "Father Khan, what good news is it?"

"What I mean is that the capture of the Hexi Corridor in the north is a good thing for our Kereit tribe."

Wang Han took a sip of hot goat milk and looked at his son's face: "Although Li Xiao grew up on the northern grasslands, he is still of Han blood and his bones are imbued with Han culture."

"The Han people value returning to their roots. Do you really think they would look down on the Gobi Desert in the Western Regions? Or our harsh and cold northern lands?"

He paused, then emphasized, "The ultimate goal of the Northern Frontier's attack on the Xia Kingdom this time is definitely to enter the Central Plains."

Sangkun then realized and slowly nodded: "Father Khan is right."

"If the strategic direction of the northern frontier is in the Central Plains, the threat to the northern grasslands will be much smaller."

He still feels lingering fear when he recalls what happened back then.

During the great battle between the Northern Frontier and the Naiman tribe, he once led his troops in an attempt to seize the opportunity, but was routed by the Northern Frontier cavalry.

The overwhelming charge of fully armored cavalry and the deafening roar of the Thor's Pillar were utterly despairing.

He has always been extremely wary of the northern frontier, but he has absolutely no desire to start another war.

With the Kereit tribe's current strength, they are simply no match for the northern frontier; this is the most straightforward understanding.

Now that he heard that the Northern Frontier was turning its expansion targets to the Xia Kingdom and the Central Plains, Sangkun felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart.

Wang Han, watching his son's constantly changing expression, coughed lightly twice: "Since the Northern Frontier is going south, we can take this opportunity to reorganize our troops."

“Send someone to send some warhorses to Li Xiao, saying it’s to congratulate him on taking over the Hexi Corridor.”

"Send warhorses?" Sangkun asked, puzzled.

"Since we are related by marriage, we should show some appreciation."

A shrewd glint flashed in Wang Han's eyes: "Let's sound him out and see if we can... get some grain from Hexi."

"Although the threat from the northern frontier to my northern grasslands has been temporarily eliminated, the crisis for my Kereit tribe is not over yet."

Wang Han leaned against the wool pillow, each word accompanied by soft panting.
The Jin state's efforts to strengthen its border defenses are becoming increasingly significant, and no one can guess whether they are targeting the Southern Song state or turning their attention to conquering the northern frontier.

After suffering a crushing defeat and losing territory, the Xia Kingdom is now holed up within its borders, licking its wounds. It is certainly wary of various grassland tribes taking advantage of its misfortune, so it will probably be difficult to trade with them.

The two ways to exchange supplies suddenly became hopeless.

If even the northern frontier is unwilling to exchange grain with the Kereit tribe, then only one path remains.

war!

"Life on the grasslands is getting harder and harder."

Wang Han spoke in a low voice, his voice filled with deep weariness, but a hint of ruthlessness was hidden in his eyes.

Since the Xia Kingdom has become so weak, the Kereit tribe has no reason to let go of the easy prey at hand. Perhaps they can take a bite to alleviate their current predicament.

Just as he was secretly making plans, the voice of Sangkun's personal guard suddenly rang out outside the tent: "Great Khan, Your Highness!"

“The Hatu tribe sent someone to report that the delegation from the northern frontier has crossed the Yudujin Mountain and is heading towards my Khan’s tent.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Han and Sang Kun both showed surprise.

An envoy from the northern frontier?
Why did they have to come to the Kreik tribe at this particular time?
After a moment of silence in the tent, Wang Han slowly sat up straight and said to Sang Kun, "Send your trusted men with elite troops to welcome them. Set up sentries along the way. We must not allow the delegation from the Northern Frontier to have any trouble within the territory of my Kereit tribe."

The strategic focus of the northern frontier has shifted to the Central Plains, and the Kereit tribe needs a respite. It would be disastrous if the mission went wrong and relations between the two sides deteriorated.

That's not worth the loss.

"As ordered!"

Sang Kun responded and left.

Wang Han gazed at the eagle totem embroidered on the tent flap, then suddenly coughed softly, his chest feeling tight.

The Jin Kingdom's movements are unclear, the Xia Kingdom is weak but prepared, and the Northern Frontier delegation has suddenly arrived. The winds of war on the grasslands are probably more chaotic than imagined.

(End of this chapter)