The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 303 Heaven has spoken, destiny is in my hands.

"Temujin is here!"

"You treacherous dogs from the Northern Frontier, may you all die!"

Just as the Northern Frontier Army was massacring the people of Duolun, a burly figure suddenly emerged from a pile of hay in the corner of the camp.

The man held a finely crafted steel scimitar, his eyes blazing, and seized the moment when a Northern Frontier soldier turned around.

He pounced on him suddenly, and with a swift stroke of his knife, he cut him down to the ground.

Following closely behind, another boy rushed out; it was Torre.

The father and son moved swiftly, clearly having suppressed their emotions for a long time.

"kill!"

The Northern Frontier Army had already inspected the haystack, poking it many times with spears, and seeing no movement, assumed no one was inside.
Unexpectedly, a pit was dug under the haystack, where Temujin and his son hid.

Temujin thought he could evade the search by the Northern Frontier Army, but he did not expect these treacherous villains to be so vicious.

When they can't find themselves, they take their anger out on the entire tribe.

Moreover, he knew that once the people of the Doron tribe were all killed, the Northern Frontier Army would definitely burn the haystacks and other things in the tribe, and then he and his son would die as well.

Rather than becoming a roasted whole lamb, it's better to fight desperately in a desperate situation; perhaps there's still a glimmer of hope.

After cutting down a soldier from the northern frontier, Temujin quickly seized his warhorse and mounted it.

He pulled Torre onto the horse again, and the father and son spurred their horses toward the edge of the camp.

"Temujin is there, capture him!"

Upon seeing this, Wei Xuan shouted angrily, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

The surrounding northern border soldiers quickly surrounded and attacked Temujin and his son.

After several rounds of chasing and fighting, Torre was unable to dodge in time and was caught in a rope thrown by a soldier from the northern border. He was dragged off his horse and thrown to the ground.

Upon seeing this, Temujin panicked and turned to help, but was shot in the back by a stray arrow. The intense pain instantly engulfed his entire body, and he collapsed to the ground.

Soon, Wei Xuan rode up to the front and looked down at the disheveled Temujin.

He lay on the ground, his jaw clenched, not uttering a sound, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Wei Xuan, like a trapped beast that was still roaring.

Wei Xuan completely ignored his fierce expression and turned to a guide beside him, asking, "Is this Temujin?"

This man was under the command of Zhaheganbu and had seen what Temujin looked like.

Moreover, each search team is equipped with one or two such guides.

"Yes, sir, he is Temujin."

The guide nodded quickly and pointed to the boy next to him: "That's his youngest son, Tolui."

Upon hearing this, Wei Xuan breathed a sigh of relief; they had finally captured Temujin.

"Temujin, you've made my northern army search for you so hard."

Wei Xuan, as the head of the Sixth Town stationed in Xihai, has learned some of the grassland language over the years, so simple communication is not a problem.

"Bah! The victor is king, the loser is villain, what's there to say!"

Temujin spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva.

He then looked up at Wei Xuan and asked in a hoarse voice, "Are you Li Xiao?"

"No."

Wei Xuan said coldly, "However, you will soon be able to see the Grand Protector."

Temujin slowly closed his eyes and stopped speaking.

He just wanted to ask Li Xiao if there were enough tribes on the grasslands.
Why is he so fixated on me and keeps hitting me?
It was as if I had never offended him, but from the very beginning, he seemed to harbor great hostility towards me.

Over the years, he has always felt as if he were living in the shadow of northern Xinjiang.

"By the way, you should have another son, right?"

Wei Xuan glanced at Torre, who was bound like a dumpling and still struggling beside him, and asked indifferently.

Temujin had three sons. Chagatai had already been captured, leaving only Ögedei.

“He has already run away, and I don’t know where he went,” Temujin said with his eyes closed.

Torre, standing nearby, was even more defiant, shouting, "You can't catch him, give up on that idea!"

"Ögedei will definitely avenge us. He will kill every single one of you in the Northern Frontier, leaving no one alive," Tolui shouted and cursed.

The next second, a soldier kicked him in the stomach, and he was in excruciating pain, curling up on the ground and groaning incessantly.

"Is that so?" Wei Xuan shook his head and smiled, then turned to look at the haystack where Temujin was hiding.

"Burned."

"you dare!"

Temujin suddenly opened his eyes, panting heavily, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Wei Xuan, his chest heaving violently.

Immediately, the two soldiers threw the matches at the haystack.

The dry hay burst into flames instantly, and amidst the crackling flames, a painful scream suddenly rang out.

It turned out that Ögedei had been shot by an arrow and was seriously wounded when he fled.

Temujin originally intended to lure away the northern army himself, leaving Ögedei to recuperate in the pit under the haystack. However, he did not expect the other side to be so resolute, even burning the haystack to the ground.

After all, Li Xiao's orders to all departments were very clear: capture Temujin and his sons, and not a single one should be lost.

Amidst piercing screams, a fiery figure stumbled out of the haystack, its skin charred black, and its pained, contorted face vaguely discernible.

"Ögedei!"

When Temujin saw his son's miserable state, tears welled up in his tiger-like eyes, and a sob like that of a trapped beast escaped his throat.

Wei Xuan merely snorted coldly: "If I had known this would happen, why would I have suffered this?"

He then ordered the soldiers: "Put out the fire, but leave some survivors."

A living prisoner is more meritorious than a dead one.

But everyone could see that Ögedei was already seriously injured, and then burned so badly by the fire, that even if he were saved, he wouldn't live for long.

“Wanhu, what should we do with these herders?” A centurion stepped forward to ask for instructions.

Wei Xuan's tone was icy cold: "To harbor a traitor is an unforgivable crime."

"Kill everyone except the women."

Extermination of the entire clan is the best punishment for those who defy the northern frontier.

Only by using swift and decisive measures to intimidate and subdue the people can the tribes of the grasslands be completely subdued and dare not have any more thoughts of rebellion.

He glanced again at the Doron chieftain sprawled on the ground and added, "Feed that old bastard to the dogs alive."

"Haven't our hunting dogs been wanting to eat meat for a long time?"

……

Longcheng, within the Protectorate General's Office.

A loud baby's cry broke the tranquility of the courtyard, clear and powerful.

Upon hearing this, Qin Dani, Erfeng, Su Renli, and the others in the courtyard instantly brightened up, their anxiety vanishing.

"gave birth!"

Qin Dani was the first to realize that although she already had several grandchildren, she wanted more.

Moreover, Er Ya had been in Hexi Fort for a long time and was most familiar with her mother-in-law.

The other concubines were all added later, so Qin Dani didn't care about them, but she valued Er Ya very much.

In reality, Qin Dani is Er Ya's greatest source of confidence in the inner quarters.

Erfeng, who was standing next to him as his sister-in-law, was overjoyed, while Su Renli was so excited that his hands were trembling.

Deep down, he was praying over and over again: "God, please let it be a boy."

Although the Wei and Su families have long since established themselves in the northern border region.

However, this foundation was largely due to Wei Xuan's military achievements and status, as well as the special care that Grand Protector Li Xiao gave to Er Ya.

Only if Er Ya gives birth to a son can the two families' positions be more secure.

A moment later, the door was pushed open, and Er Ya's maid ran out with a flushed face.

"She gave birth to a baby boy. Both mother and child are safe."

"well!"

Su Renli slapped his thigh, finally feeling relieved after months of anxiety, and even straightened his back a bit.

Erfeng handed her child over to her biological mother, Li Xiao's second aunt, and went into the delivery room with Qin Dani.

The midwives and maids were busy cleaning up, and Er Ya, who had just given birth, was leaning against a soft pillow.

Her originally delicate and fair face was flushed with sweat, and a few strands of wet hair clung to her forehead, making her look somewhat weak.

She stared blankly at the wrinkled little one in the swaddling clothes, her lips slightly pursed, as if she were somewhat confused.

Is this what I gave birth to?
How come... you're so ugly?

Seeing her like this, Daya, who was standing by the bedside, couldn't help but laugh and reached out to wipe the sweat from her forehead: "Newborn babies are all like this. After they finish drinking milk, their skin will relax and they'll look better."

She paused, her gaze falling on the baby's face, her tone resolute.

"With such a majestic Protector-General and such a beautiful woman like you, your child will surely grow up to be a brave and outstanding young man."

Hearing this, Er Ya looked down at the little one in her arms and unconsciously touched the baby's cheek with her little hand.

A gentle smile gradually spread across her tired face.

……

Burhan Mountain, the Wuwei Army camp.

The golden sun and moon battle banners fluttered in the wind, beneath which stood countless northern soldiers clad in yellow armor with red trim. Warhorses roared, swords clashed, and a chilling atmosphere permeated the land.

In the distant wilderness, a thousand-household cavalry unit clad in white-based, red-trimmed cloth armor was slowly approaching.

The three prison carts in the center of the procession were particularly eye-catching, each containing one of Temujin and his two sons.

Once a powerful warlord who roamed the grasslands and ruled the eastern part of the northern desert, he is now shackled and in a sorry state.

Yet he stubbornly raised his head, gazing at the sun and moon battle flag deep within the camp, a symbol of the authority of the northern frontier, his expression filled with pride and unyielding spirit.

It wasn't until the group reached the outside of the camp that his gaze fell upon a tall young man. This man wore dark gold cotton armor with black dragon patterns, a dark gold cloak, a curved sword at his waist, and no helmet with plumes, revealing a resolute yet dignified face.

Temujin's intuition told him that this man was Li Xiao, the Grand Protector of the Northern Frontier.

"Wei Xuan~ Wei Xuan~"

"Hahahaha~"

From a great distance, Li Xiao shouted loudly at Wei Xuan, his heart filled with joy.

In this campaign to pacify the northern desert, Wei Xuan captured Temujin alive, and deserves the greatest credit.

He personally went out to greet him not only to reward the meritorious officials, but also to see for himself what kind of demeanor this "chosen one," Temujin, truly possessed.

His gaze swept across the prison cart and landed on the man curled up like a fallen wolf king, and his smile widened even further.

"Grand Protector-General".

"This humble general has successfully fulfilled his mission and captured Temujin, his sons Ögedei and Tolui alive."

Wei Xuan approached Li Xiao, dismounted, took a few steps forward, and bowed with his hand on his chest.

He was extremely excited, after all, capturing Temujin alive was such a great achievement that it would be enough to advance him further when the army expanded in the northern frontier next time.

"Wei Xuan, you've worked hard."

Li Xiao stepped forward, patted Wei Xuan on the shoulder, and spoke with a tone of satisfaction.

He then said, "I have good news for you, you have a nephew."

"A report just came from Longcheng that Er Ya's child has been born, and it's a boy."

Er Ya became pregnant last year. She was already quite pregnant when Li Xiao went to war, and now it is summer.

The fourth baby has finally been born.

Li Xiao defeated Temujin and occupied the northern grasslands, a double celebration indeed.

Wei Xuan was taken aback upon hearing this, but then his face broke into an uncontrollable joy, and he quickly cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Great Protector!"

He knew that his sister's ability to bear children for Li Xiao would further solidify her position in the Protectorate General's Office, and the weight that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded, turning his gaze to the prison cart in the distance: "The timing of this child's birth is quite coincidental, just when we were pacifying the northern desert and capturing Temujin."

He paused, his gaze meeting Temujin's in the prison cart, and continued, "Although Temujin is our enemy, his spirit of conquering the grasslands is something even I cannot help but admire."

"This is the will of Heaven, so let's name the child after Temujin."

The name Temujin means blacksmith or steel-like will in the steppe language.

When Temujin was born, his father Yesugei had just defeated their arch-enemy, the Tatar tribe, and captured its leader, Temujin-Uge.

So he named his son Temujin.

Now, perhaps it is fate.

When Temujin was defeated, another child was born, also the son of his sworn enemy.

Li Xiao didn't mind that Temujin was a loser, because he knew that it was a bug in destiny, and the problem wasn't with Temujin, but with himself.

He hoped that his son would inherit his destiny and possess an indomitable will of steel.

Upon hearing this, Wei Xuan looked at Li Xiao in surprise: "Temujin?"

Both the Li and Wei families are of pure Han Chinese descent, so it feels a bit strange that they would choose such names.

Fortunately, Li Xiao is not static. Just like when Yesugei named Temujin, he removed the 'Uge' from the end.

Moreover, the Northern Frontier values ​​martial arts and follows the naming rules of golden swords and longbows, so Li Xiao named it 'Iron Sword'.

His full name is Li Shiyao, which originally means the sun.

It is also used to refer to the sun, moon, and the five planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn), collectively known as the Seven Luminaries, symbolizing all things in the world.

"Li Shiyao~"

"Iron sword~"

Wei Xuan murmured to himself, pondering the two names, and nodded slightly.

As his uncle, he was very satisfied with the two names.

"Iron Sword, may he one day possess the aura of a king, as sharp as a sword, invincible, protecting the vast lands and rivers of the northern frontier," Li Xiao said calmly.

They had already passed Wei Xuan and were heading towards Temujin's prison cart.

Temujin, trapped in the prison cart, could not understand Chinese, nor did he know that Li Xiao, whom he regarded as his destined enemy, would leave another mark on this land in such a way.

At this moment, he was staring intently at Li Xiao's face, his weathered eyes filled with vigilance and defiance.

Li Xiao stopped in front of the prison cart, looked calmly at Temujin, and slowly spoke in Turkic.

"Temujin, the former conqueror of the steppes and the immortal angel who traversed the northern deserts, is now a prisoner."

"Did you ever imagine what would happen to you today?"

The languages ​​of tribes such as the Qiyan, Kereit, and Naiman were all influenced by the Turks, much like the difference between dialects.

Turkic languages ​​are more like the common language of the steppes and the Western Regions.

Li Xiao understands Khitan and Turkic languages, so he can have simple conversations with Temujin without any problem.

Upon hearing this, Temujin gave a haughty sneer and replied in a hoarse voice, "I have thought about it."

"I have dreamed of my failures countless times, and I often wake up drenched in sweat, but I don't care."

Temujin stared fiercely at Li Xiao and said menacingly.

"The Eternal Heaven has chosen you today, but what does it matter?"

"The leader of a wolf pack will never bow down to a hunter."

"My grasslands, my people, will remember everything that happened today."

"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war, and I accept them calmly, but my belief in conquering the grasslands has never been wrong."

Li Xiao raised an eyebrow, nodded, and said, "You are indeed not wrong. The one who is wrong is that God brought Bendu into your life."

"You are a worthy enemy. If given time and opportunity, you will surely make the world remember the name Temujin forever."

"Unfortunately, you no longer have the chance."

"The Eternal Heaven you believe in is ultimately no match for the power of Heaven."

"The rise and fall of this world is no longer something that the gods of the grasslands can control, but rather the will of Heaven and the inevitable trend of the times."

"God told me that China should stand at the top of the world."

"I, Li Xiao, believe it."

"We are determined to wipe out all enemies for China throughout the world."

"And you, Temujin, are neither the first nor the last."

"shut up."

Temujin suddenly flew into a rage, his chest heaving violently, and blood burst forth from his back again, staining his robes red.

He roared, "You dare to blaspheme the Eternal Heaven!"

"He is the master of the grassland, an eternal being, and never fails."

"Although I have fallen into your hands today, the bloodline of the Eternal Heaven will continue, and my followers will remember that one day, they will bring the wrath of the Eternal Heaven to flatten your northern border, grind you to dust, and avenge our grievances."

He roared, his voice hoarse with extreme anger, every word filled with boundless hatred and determination.

Li Xiao remained unconcerned by such vengeful remarks.

He took a spear from the guards behind him; it was the Suluding spear that originally belonged to Temujin and was a sacred artifact of the Mongols.

It was equivalent to the Imperial Seal of the Central Plains, and was captured by the Northern Frontier Army in a previous battle.

He planted his spear in front of Temujin, looking down at him with the air of a new master of the northern desert: "Temujin, your grasslands belong to me."

“Your people are now my shepherds; your steeds now ride my warriors; the women of your tribe are warming the tents for my warriors in the north.”

"From now on, there will be no more faith in the Eternal Heaven on the grasslands, nor will there be any of your followers."

"This place will forever become the territory of China, the will of Heaven will be born here, and the bloodline of Yan and Huang will multiply here."

"And you will be slowly forgotten by this world."

After saying this, Li Xiao turned around, his back to Temujin, and said in a low voice, "In a few days, Benhui will hold a sacrifice to Heaven and Earth at the source of the Onon River in Burkhan Khaldun."

"At that time, I will borrow your head."

"You will not be alone on your journey to see the Eternal Heaven; many warriors from the Qiyan tribe will accompany you."

After saying this, Li Xiao waved his hand and ordered his men to take Temujin and his two sons away and lock them up with Chagatai, who had been captured earlier.

He then returned to the golden tent and asked, "Are Muqali, Jebe, and Subutai willing to surrender?"

In the previous battles, a large number of Qiyan soldiers were killed or captured.

Of these prisoners, Li Xiao had no interest in the vast majority of them.

These three were the only ones who made him consider bringing them under his command.

Perhaps it was the times that made the heroes; the rise of the Mongol Empire led to the brilliant achievements of these three men in history.

However, it cannot be denied that these three people are also truly capable.

If they are willing to surrender to the Northern Frontier, Li Xiao is willing to give them a chance.

"I refuse," the commander of the personal guards said, shaking his head heavily.

All three declared that they would rather die than surrender!

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao smiled faintly: "Heh, swearing never to surrender?"

“Bring them here separately, and Bendu will personally persuade them to surrender.”

"If you remain stubborn and unyielding..." Li Xiao's calm demeanor suddenly turned cold.

"Then let them take the lives of their entire tribe and accompany Temujin to meet the Eternal Heaven."

Subsequently, Li Xiao issued a series of orders, including arrangements for the sacrificial ceremony at Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and the final matters concerning the various tribes in the northern desert.

Of course, there is one more important thing.

A large army was urgently dispatched south to reinforce Gansu.

(End of this chapter)