The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 288 Enough with the nonsense, I want Temujin dead.

In the twenty-seventh year of the Tianxi era, Gaochang was destroyed in the northern frontier, and Xizhou was established.

Thus, a simplified version of the Nine Provinces pattern has been formed in the northern frontier.

However, this momentous event, which was worthy of being recorded in history, did not cause much of a stir in the northern border region.

After all, the soldiers and civilians of the Six Garrisons had long been accustomed to victory in the successive wars. Moreover, Gaochang was already a piece of fat meat on the chopping block of the northern frontier, and it was only a matter of time before it was annexed.

Even Li Xiao, after reading the military report, simply said "The Second Division did a good job" before continuing to bury himself in handling complicated matters.

The verification of the roster for the expansion of the army in the six towns, the allocation of land reclaimed by the people, and the production and replacement of the second generation of armor—although he did not need to do these things personally, they still required a great deal of effort.

Furthermore, because the soldiers were exhausted and the food supply was stretched thin after fighting in the Hexi Corridor for more than half a year last year, Li Xiao has decided to suspend this year's large-scale foreign war.

Small-scale battles can be fought, but the main focus should be on recuperation and consolidation, and thoroughly digesting the gains of the Hexi Campaign.

Amidst this busy activity, a detachment of the armed guards escorted more than a dozen horse-drawn carriages back to Longcheng.

The wind lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, revealing Asuguli's startled profile.

Stepping onto the land of Jinzhou for the first time, she looked at the vast city in the distance with great trepidation.

The blue brick city wall stretches for ten miles, resembling a giant dragon lying on the vast land.

"Is this Dragon City?" she murmured to herself, her fingertips gripping the hem of her clothes tightly.

The thought that I might have to live here for the rest of my life fills me with confusion.

But her parents and relatives had all been killed by Chibido, and she had nowhere else to go but to come to Jinzhou to seek refuge with her sister Tajiguli.

With a mix of confusion and trepidation, the carriage finally stopped outside the Protectorate General's residence.

In front of the mansion gate, a heavily pregnant woman was leaning on her maid's hand and gazing into the distance. Her features bore a resemblance to Asuguli's, and it was none other than Tajiguli.

"elder sister!"

Asugul lifted the carriage curtain and rushed out, her voice trembling with tears.

"Asuguli!"

Tajiguli's eyes also reddened, and she quickly went to meet them; the two sisters embraced tightly.

That evening, after finishing his military affairs, Li Xiao strolled over to Tajiguli's courtyard.

Upon entering the main hall, one sees two strikingly beautiful women sitting under the lamplight—Tajiguli, heavily pregnant, with a languid and alluring air about her.

The girl next to her was slender with innocent-looking eyes.

Li Xiao had already received news that the Queen of Gaochang had arrived in Longcheng, specifically to visit her sister-in-law.

Sure enough, both sisters are beautiful and have their own unique charm.

"Grand Protector-General".

Hearing the maids calling from outside the door, Asugul stood up abruptly like a startled deer, hurriedly bowing without daring to lift her head.

She spoke in a slightly strange accented Chinese: "This humble servant, Asuguli, greets the Great Protector."

While in Hami, she had heard too many rumors about this Great Protector of the Northern Frontier, mostly stories of his cruelty and lust.

I even heard that he summoned that whore Aisha to the palace and indulged in pleasure day and night.

In her heart, Li Xiao was already like a hungry wolf.

"No need to be polite."

“We’re all family, calling him Grand Protector is too formal.”

"From now on, call him brother-in-law."

Li Xiao's voice was gentle, and his gaze swept over her flustered appearance.

Asugul lowered her head and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Sister, brother-in-law~"

Li Xiao nodded and smiled slightly; this sister-in-law was quite nice.

He then turned to Tajiguli, "Are you feeling unwell today?"

Tajiguli shook her head, took Asugul's hand and smiled, "Everything is fine. I'm sorry to have made the Grand Protector laugh. My sister just arrived and is a little timid."

Li Xiao sat down in the main seat and looked at Asuguli, saying, "Settle down in Northern Xinjiang with peace of mind. Tajiguli is pregnant, so spend more time with her and take care of her. If you need anything, just tell the steward, don't be shy."

He spoke in a flat tone and gave her a deep look.

He gave Tajiguli a few more words of advice on taking care of her pregnancy, then got up and left.

After he left, Asugul suddenly came to her senses, her palms already covered in cold sweat.

"Sister, he... he's just gone like that?"

Her voice trembled, and her face still showed lingering fear, as if she had just faced not a gentle Grand Protector, but a ferocious beast that had temporarily sheathed its fangs.

Tajiguli smiled helplessly: "The Grand Protector is not what you think."

She stroked her belly, a hint of warmth flashing in her eyes: "Although he was decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, he was always kind and gentle to his family."

That night, the two sisters shared a room.

Tajiguli leaned against the soft pillows, gently stroking her slightly protruding belly, listening to Asuguli recount the ordeal after the fall of Hamili City, sighing and wiping away tears from time to time.

For some reason, Tajiguli suddenly widened her eyes and exclaimed in disbelief.

"You're still a virgin? How can you be a virgin? You've been married to Chebido for a long time!"

Asugul blushed deeply at the question, her voice muffled, filled with barely concealed grievance: "Chibido has never touched me."

“In recent years, my father has been wielding power in the court, and Qi Biduo has always been wary of our family.”

"If I give birth to a prince, he will be the rightful heir, and his throne will be in jeopardy."

History has shown how tragic the fate of a puppet emperor can be during periods when powerful ministers hold sway.

Moreover, manipulating an infant into becoming emperor is much simpler than manipulating an adult.

So, once Asugul gives birth to the prince, Qibido will probably drown, choke to death while drinking water, or fall to his death while walking!
Qibido dared not touch, nor did he want to touch, Asugul.

This has resulted in her still being a naive and inexperienced young girl.

After listening, Tajiguli remained silent for a long time.

Suddenly, a bold idea popped into her mind.

Although Li Xiao had many women in his harem, he did not have many children.

Regardless of whether this child is a boy or a girl, my position in the household will likely be unstable in the future.

With a face like Asugul's, it would be better for her to stay by Li Xiao's side than to wander aimlessly.

Moreover, Li Xiao met Asuguli today, and although he didn't say it explicitly, there was no aversion in his eyes.

If things go well, the two sisters can support each other, and their lives in the Great Protectorate will finally be stable.

So, Tajiguli gently patted her sister's hand and asked tentatively, "What do you think... what kind of person the Grand Protector is?"

Asugul paused, recalling the gentle yet dignified man from the evening, her cheeks flushing slightly: "He doesn't seem as terrifying as the rumors say."

Tajiguli gazed at her younger sister's innocent eyes and spoke in an even softer voice.

"You are all alone now, and if you stay in Longcheng, you will need to find someone to rely on. Your sister is pregnant, and I'm afraid she won't be able to take care of you much..."

The girl suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with panic: "Sister, what...what do you want to say?"

“Asuguli, listen to me. Longcheng is not like Hamili. Although it looks glamorous, I still feel like I’m walking on thin ice within the Grand Protectorate.”

Tajiguli lowered her voice even further: "None of the women in this backyard are easy to deal with."

"Although they seem to get along well, they won't hold back when it comes to matters of interest."

Then, she began to recount the situation in the mansion to her sister: "The principal wife, Lady Xiao, is a princess of the Liao Kingdom, whose status is so noble that it can surpass half of the northern frontier."

“You didn’t see the procession when she went out; even the Khitan generals in the six towns had to bow and pay their respects.”

“Those people are her shield. Not to mention us wives and concubines in the backyard, even the Grand Protector has to give her some respect. Her status is untouchable.”

"And the Han family,"

Tajiguli continued, "Her father is Han Jiuyuan, the military advisor in charge of the finance department. Although he is just a civil official, he is in charge of the grain and fodder accounts in the northern frontier."

"More importantly, Han Jiuyuan and Chen Chong, the governor of the desert, have a life-or-death friendship. Chen Chong's daughter is married to the commander of the Fifth Garrison, who is the governor's most trusted younger brother."

"She also gave birth to a daughter for the Grand Protector, and she speaks with great authority in the mansion."

Asuguli was, after all, a former queen, and she was quite familiar with palace intrigue.

But when I first heard about the ins and outs of the Grand Protectorate from my sister, I still found it very novel.

"Wei should not be underestimated."

Tajiguli sighed: "Her brother is the commander of the Sixth Garrison. He fought his way out of Jinzhou Village with the Grand Protector and has made great contributions in battle."

“The Han people of Jinzhou all recognized her. Even the Han generals who held real power would call her ‘Lady Wei’ when they saw her. We women from other ethnic groups always felt inferior to her.”

Asugul asked instinctively, "What about the one who lives in the next courtyard?"

She was referring to Sorukhatheni, who was outgoing and loved lively gatherings. She had even visited this place not long ago.

"Her,"

Tajiguli's tone was complicated: "She seems innocent, but her family is the Kereit tribe, the overlord of the northern desert, with tens of thousands of soldiers. Even the Grand Protector has to think twice before giving her a chance."

At this point, Tajiguli's voice suddenly choked up: "I used to be able to be like her, with Gaochang supporting me."

"But now my father is dead, and my country is gone..."

As she spoke, she grabbed Asugul's hand, her eyes filled with a desperate urgency: "But you're different!"

“You are a virgin, and you also bear the title of Queen of Gaochang.”

"Men all have a desire to conquer, especially heroes like the Grand Protector. Even if you don't submit, he will never let you go."

Asugul's face flushed red instantly. She tried to pull her hand away, but her sister gripped it even tighter.

Li Xiao's initial intention in marrying Tajiguli was for the sake of Gaochang. Now that Gaochang is gone, although Tajiguli won't be abandoned, her status in the household will certainly decline. At this point, only by having her sisters work together can she win Li Xiao's heart.

Only by keeping Li Xiao's attention focused on the sisters could she protect the child in her womb.

……

Woldu, later known as 'Khorrin', was the capital of the Mongol Empire, but at this time it was still the Khanate of the Kereit tribe.

Outside the domed tent, cattle and sheep grazed leisurely on the distant grassland, and the battle flags in front of the tent fluttered in the wind, but could not conceal the solemn atmosphere inside.

Inside the large tent, Hu Li, dressed in a black brocade robe, stood calmly.

With his right hand lightly pressed against his chest, he said in a calm voice, "Hu Li, the special envoy appointed by the Grand Protector of the Northern Frontier, pays his respects to Yeke Khan."

"May Tengri protect the Kereit tribe so that their cattle and sheep fill the hillsides, and may the Kereit Khan enjoy long life and good fortune."

After he finished speaking, Wang Han, who was sitting at the head of the table, said softly, "Your Excellency, there is no need for such formalities."

Her voice was breathless, and she gestured to the attendant beside her, "Please take a seat."

After Hu Li sat down on the low stool on the right, Sang Kun on the left suddenly spoke up: "May I ask what position your esteemed envoy holds in the northern frontier?"

Hu Li's gaze lingered on Sang Kun's face for a moment, then he said in a gentle tone, "I am not very talented, but I am honored to be valued by the Grand Protector and appointed as a military advisor in the Grand Protector's Office."

Sangkun raised an eyebrow: "Oh? It seems your esteemed envoy is quite trusted by the Grand Protector."

"It is all thanks to the great protector's grace."

Hu Li chuckled and said with just the right amount of enthusiasm, "I was just doing my duty."

"I haven't seen the Grand Protector for two years. How has he been?"

"The Grand Protector is in good health and still drills in the training ground every morning. Some time ago, he even led his personal guards to hunt a tiger."

As they were talking, Wang Han's younger brother, Zhaheganbu, who was also the father of Suoluhe Tieni, smiled gently at Hu Liwen and said, "Special Envoy, you must be tired from your journey. Have a bowl of milk tea to warm yourself up first."

He personally picked up the copper kettle and filled it for Hu Li.

Hu Li accepted the milk tea with both hands, a sincere smile on his face: "Thank you, Lord Zhahegan."

"The friendship between Northern Xinjiang and the Kereit tribe is as rich as this milk tea, and it can withstand the test of wind and snow."

"The Grand Protector often says that the Kereit tribe is the most steadfast ally of the Northern Frontier on the grasslands. The reason I was specially dispatched here is to discuss important matters."

He deliberately emphasized the word "ally," both responding to Sangkun's probing and elevating the status of the Kereit tribe.

Wang Han observed all of this and nodded secretly.

Hu Li speaks with impeccable eloquence, unlike ordinary envoys who are either obsequious or arrogant. He always manages to speak to people's hearts unintentionally, which explains why Li Xiao sent him.

He cleared his throat and got to the point: "I wonder what important matter Li Da Duwei has sent you here on, besides inquiring about your well-being?"

Hu Li's smile faded, and his expression became serious: "Your Majesty, I understand."

"The Northern Frontier and the Kereit tribe have been on good terms for generations, but now an uninvited guest has come to cause trouble on the northern grasslands. The Grand Protector is very worried and has specially sent his subordinates to discuss countermeasures."

Instead of naming names directly, he first emphasized the friendship between the two sides, laying the groundwork for his subsequent proposal.

Zhahegan was the most astute and immediately understood: "You mean Temujin?"

"Zhahe dares to be so discerning," Hu Li nodded.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three people in the tent with piercing intensity, and said in a deep voice, "Temujin's tribe has been growing in power on the grasslands in recent years, and their wolfish ambitions are obvious."

"Not only did it annex several small tribes in the surrounding area, but it also secretly contacted the Jin Dynasty, eyeing the Kereit tribe and the northern frontier with covetous intent, attempting to unify the northern grasslands."

Hu Li spoke eloquently, portraying Temujin as the greatest threat to the Kereit tribe, each word striking like a heavy hammer in everyone's hearts.

Sang Kun frowned as he listened, his fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt of the knife at his waist.

Hu Li's words struck a chord with him; his feelings for Temujin had always been complex.

Deep down, he carried an arrogance like a "Celestial Dragon," looking down on Temujin, a poor boy who had been wallowing in the mud.

Back when Temujin was just a nobody living under someone else's roof, he only managed to gain a foothold on the grasslands with the help of the Kereit tribe.

Later, Temujin's meteoric rise transformed him into a powerful force that rivaled the Kereit faction, leaving Sangkun with nothing but jealousy and anger.

That deep-seated contempt never faded; it only intensified with Temujin's rise to power.

Therefore, Sangkun was very excited when he heard about the tough stance taken by the northern frontier against Temujin.

He slammed his hand on the table: "Your Excellency is right, I saw through Temujin's wolfish ambitions long ago..."

Just as he was about to denounce Temujin's crimes, Wang Han, who was sitting at the head of the table, suddenly started coughing violently.

"Cough, cough, cough—"

"Father Khan!"

Sang Kun rushed forward and patted Wang Han's back to help him catch his breath.

After a long while, Wang Han finally recovered. He waved his withered hand and turned to look at Hu Li.

"If your esteemed envoy has come to persuade my Kereit tribe to become enemies with the Qiyan tribe, then I'm afraid you will be disappointed."

"Ben Khan and Temujin's father was an Anda, and Sangkun and Temujin were also Andas."

He emphasized this friendship, which is most valued on the grasslands.

Hu Li, however, did not show the slightest disappointment. Instead, he smiled calmly and said with certainty, "Does the Khan know the principle that two tigers cannot share one mountain?"

"After the defeat and death of Jamukha's allied forces, the tripartite balance of power on the steppe collapsed, and Temujin's power grew stronger and stronger, having already subdued many tribes in the eastern part of the steppe."

"Although the Qiyan tribe's power is not yet as great as the Kereit tribe's, it will catch up sooner or later."

"Yeke Khan has a deep affection for Temujin, but little does he know that the tiger cub has grown up. Yeke Khan is now likely raising a tiger that will become a threat."

Wang Han fell silent.

How could he not understand these things?

Since the Battle of Koyitian, Temujin's brilliance could no longer be concealed, and he had already secretly taken a series of measures to suppress and restrict him.

But when it came to actually killing his sworn brother's son, he could never bring himself to do it.

The atmosphere inside the tent became heavy again. Sangkun was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet, but he dared not disobey his father Khan's wishes.

Finally, seeing that Wang Han was still undecided, Hu Li got up to take his leave: "Since that's the case, I won't disturb your rest any longer. We can discuss it another day."

He did not return directly to the post station, but instead went with his entourage to Zhaheganbu's camp.

Besides official business, he also brought Sorghaghtani's greetings and gifts to his relatives, taking this opportunity to visit them.

Sang Kun personally escorted Hu Li out of the tent. When he turned back, he looked at Wang Han, who was still panting inside the tent, and a barely perceptible ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

"My father has grown old and become indecisive, losing the ruthlessness and decisiveness he once had."

He thought to himself, his fists clenching unconsciously: "Temujin has the ambition of a wolf. If he is not eliminated soon, he will turn against the Kereit tribe sooner or later!"

That afternoon, jubilation filled Zhahaganbu's camp.

Hu Li and Zha Hegan sat facing each other, with freshly warmed milk wine on a low table in front of them.

The two chatted about the grand occasion of the Battle of Hexi last year. Hu Li talked about how the iron cavalry of the northern frontier broke through Liangzhou City, while Zhaheganbu lamented the changing situation of the world. The topic gradually turned to Temujin.

"Brother, considering the bond of friendship with the sworn brother, I fear you will find it difficult to make a decision."

Hu Li smiled and tapped the table with his fingertips: "Can the son of an Anda be closer to his own son?"

"Yeke Khan is having a hard time making a decision, but someone will help him make it."

On the other side of the tent, Zhaheganbu's wives and daughters were marveling at a pile of gifts.

The soap was held in the hands of Sorukhatheni's sister, who moistened it with water and rubbed it, startling her so much that she screamed, "Mother, look!"

"The mutton fat is really gone."

The tinderbox was held between Zhaheganbu's fingers. He imitated Huli and lightly flicked it. A small flame shot up with a "whoosh," which startled her so much that she hurriedly threw it on the ground.

He quickly picked it up and tucked it into his pocket like a treasure: "With this, I won't have to chew on flint to start a fire in winter anymore!"

The glass bottle refracted a rainbow of colors in the sunlight, and the reflection of the person in the glass mirror was so clear that even the stray hairs at the temples could be seen.

Rouge produced in Gansu, when applied to the cheeks, is ten times more vibrant than the flower juice used on the grasslands.

The woolen coats made in Jinzhou are thick and soft, and even the cold wind can't get in when you wear them.

There were also many novel things that broadened the horizons of the Zhahegan family.

Soap bars are made from the oil extracted from animal offal and mixed with wood ash.

A tinderbox is made by mixing sulfur and saltpeter and coating it with a small wooden stick; it is essentially a match.

Although it cannot compare to the effect of phosphorescence, its practicality is far superior to flint and tinder.

Looking at these exquisitely crafted objects, Zhaheganbu's family suddenly felt that compared to the northern frontier, the northern grasslands were like the primitive lives of wild men in the mountains.

Even washing a piece of cloth or starting a fire is so difficult.

Unconsciously, I developed a deep longing and yearning for the northern frontier.
The moon is still rounder in northern Xinjiang.

In the evening, Huli ate roasted lamb leg at Zhaheganbu's house, declined the invitation to stay overnight, and went with his entourage to the post station arranged by the Kereit tribe.

They hadn't gone far when they saw a dark shadow suddenly flash across the hilltop.

"Be careful, sir!" The guards immediately drew their swords.

Hu Li raised his hand to stop them, and looking at the familiar rider, a faint smile appeared on his lips: "It's nothing, he's a friend."

He gestured for his entourage to wait where they were, and then walked alone towards the top of the hill.

"Your Highness Sangkun is in quite a mood, leaning alone on the mountaintop on this cold night, are you admiring the moonlight over the grassland?"

"However, I personally think the moonlight in the northern frontier is even more beautiful."

Before he could finish speaking, Sangkun interrupted him, coldly snorting, "Enough with the nonsense, I want Temujin dead!"

(End of this chapter)