The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 354 Seven Great Hatreds

In the spring of 1430 AD, which is the same as 1209 AD, during the Chinese calendar.

As the ice and snow melt in Jinzhou and everything comes back to life, the annual spring plowing season has come to an end.

The Qin King's Palace issued a war order, preparing to launch a full-scale western expedition.

The entire northern frontier seemed like a ferocious steel chariot, roaring and moving forward.

Outside Dragon City, golden sun and moon battle flags fluttered in the wind. Li Xiao, dressed in dark gold dragon-patterned armor and holding a cavalry saber, stood on the city wall. Outside the city were densely packed Northern Frontier soldiers and civil and military officials, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Li Xiao's gaze swept over everyone, and his voice, loud as a bell, slowly uttered the "Seven Great Grievances" of the Western Expedition against the Liao Kingdom.

"Fellow soldiers, brothers and comrades."

"I hereby swear that I will destroy the Liao Kingdom to avenge this blood feud."

"My father, Li Donghai, was brave enough to suppress the Jinzhou rebellion for the Liao Kingdom. However, he was betrayed by the Liao Kingdom's governor and died on the battlefield. His body was never found."

"This is a great hatred, a national and personal feud, irreconcilable."

As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers below the stage roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and the earth.

Li Xiao continued, "My elder brother, Xiao Simo, guarded the northern border of the Liao Kingdom for many years, resisting foreign enemies and achieving great military exploits. However, he was secretly harmed by the Liao King Yelü Zhilugu because he listened to the slander of villains."

"These are the two great hatreds: the hatred between the Li family, the Xiao family, and the Yelü clan, which will never be extinguished."

Standing below the platform, Xiao Yanyan heard this and her eyes filled with tears, yet her resolve only grew stronger—the time had finally come to avenge her brother's great wrong.

"Over the years, I have wished to coexist peacefully with the Liao Kingdom and exchange goods, but the Liao Kingdom has repeatedly invaded my borders, plundered my Qin people, burned fields and houses, causing countless people to be displaced and their families to be destroyed."

Such evil deeds are intolerable to Heaven.

"These are the three great grievances." Li Xiao's voice was filled with anger. The soldiers and civilians outside the city roared and clamored to attack the Liao Kingdom and avenge the people of Qin.

"The Karakhanid Khanate has long since submitted to our Great Qin and become a vassal state, but the Liao Dynasty has interfered in its internal affairs and refused to allow it to pay tribute to our Great Qin."

"They even brazenly dispatched troops to attack the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate, killing innocent people, plundering women and property, and breaching countless cities, showing no respect whatsoever for the might of our Great Qin."

"These are the four great hatreds."

"Considering the people of both countries and unwilling to see war break out again, I have specially dispatched an envoy to the Liao Kingdom to seek clarification on the misunderstanding and restore friendly relations."

“Yelü Zhilugu not only refused to listen to the explanation, but also ordered the execution of my Qin envoy, trampling my goodwill underfoot. This is the ultimate humiliation to my Qin.”

"These are the five great grievances."

At this point, Li Xiao paused for a moment, his eyes becoming even sharper: "In the Battle of the Seven Rivers back then, the Liao Kingdom was defeated, and I, being merciful, allowed their remaining troops to return to the royal court."

"Yelü Zhilugu did not repent. Instead, he secretly allied with the Western Karakhanid Khanate, Khwarazm, and other countries, intending to form an alliance to jointly oppose our Great Qin. His wolfish ambitions are obvious."

"These are the six great grievances."

"After the Liao Kingdom plundered the Kingdom of Gur in the Western Regions and captured countless slaves to replenish its army and restore its strength, it began to covet the Ili River defense line of our Great Qin and repeatedly sent spies to spy on military affairs, attempting to invade our Great Qin territory again."

"These are the Seven Grievances."

After reciting the Seven Grievances, Li Xiao raised his cavalry saber, pointed it to the west, and shouted, "Yelü Zhilugu has committed these seven great sins, which Heaven and Earth cannot tolerate!"

"Today, I will lead my army on a westward expedition. I will not return until the Liao Kingdom is destroyed."

"Soldiers, follow me into battle to avenge our fallen loved ones and fight for the honor of Great Qin!"

"We will not return until the Liao Kingdom is destroyed!"

"We will not return until the Liao Kingdom is destroyed!"

……

Outside the city, the soldiers shouted in unison, and the bugle call for the westward expedition rang out over Dragon City.

"Woooooooo~"

As the bugle sounded, the first garrison of Jinzhou was the first to move, their yellow flags and armor spreading out in the sunlight like a golden sea.

Following closely behind were 1,200 soldiers from the Swift Cavalry Battalion, clad in dark armor. Though outnumbered by the First Garrison, they exuded the fearless spirit of young warriors.

Li Shurong, commander of the elite cavalry, reined in his horse and subconsciously turned to look at the city wall not far away.

On the city wall, a white figure stood out. Sanfeng, dressed in a white brocade cotton-padded jacket, was gazing in the direction of the army.

The moment their eyes met, Li Shurong felt a warmth in his heart. He then gripped his saber tightly and said to himself, "Third Miss, wait for me to come back."

"This time I will definitely take Yelü Zhilugu's head, and then openly and honorably ask the king for your hand in marriage, and marry you in a grand and glorious manner."

After saying that, he spurred his horse and followed the main force forward.

On the other side, Li Xiao was standing at the city gate, saying goodbye to his family.

With tears in her eyes, Qin Dani, the mother, repeatedly urged, "Be careful on the road. Come back as soon as the battle is over. I'll make you your favorite hand-pulled meat at home."

Li Xiao held his mother's hand and nodded, replying, "Mother, don't worry, your son will definitely come back safely."

He looked at his wife and children beside him. Jin Dao was wearing a small training uniform and stood up straight. Although he was only seven years old, he already looked like a soldier from the northern frontier.

"Father, you must defeat the Liao Kingdom and avenge my uncle."

Jin Dao's voice was young yet firm, and his eyes were full of admiration for his father.

Li Xiao patted his head and smiled, "Alright, your father will not let you down."

"You must train hard at the school so that when your father returns, he will see you become a qualified little warrior."

His younger siblings, however, were not so strong. They clung to Li Xiao's legs, crying incessantly and shouting, "Father, don't go..."

Huang Xiuer sighed softly, "His Majesty has only been back from the Han lands for two years, and the eastern expedition has just ended, yet he is already preparing for a western expedition. Alas~"

Er Ya shook her head, her eyes full of admiration: "Your Majesty is an eagle of the grasslands, born to soar on the battlefield and protect the people of our northern frontier."

Xiao Yanyan was more composed. She walked to Li Xiao's side and handed him a thick cloak: "It's cold in the royal court, put on another layer of clothing."

"I will take care of the rear in Dragon City and wait for the army's triumphant return."

Li Xiao took the cloak, embraced his wife and children, then mounted his horse and never looked back.

Behind him lay the worries of his family, and before him lay the future of the Qin Dynasty. In this western expedition, he could only win, not lose.

Meanwhile, on the grasslands outside Longcheng, crowds of people came to see them off.

Some people watched the departing army with worry, muttering about their relatives who had joined the army.

Some people were filled with excitement, waving strips of cloth in their hands and shouting "Qin will surely win!"

During the previous eastern expedition, although the First Division suffered heavy casualties, the soldiers who returned victorious not only made money but also received promotions.

Nowadays, many new recruits have been added to the army. Their families are worried about their children's safety, but they also hope that their children can make meritorious contributions on the battlefield and bring glory to the family.

"Son! Even if you die in battle, don't bring shame to us men of the Northern Frontier!"

An old man with a weathered face shouted loudly in the direction the army had gone, his voice trembling but revealing an indomitable spirit.

Such is the prevailing sentiment in the northern frontier: fighting to the death is glorious, surrendering is shameful.

If one surrenders on the battlefield, not only will one be hunted down by the Imperial Guards, but one's family will also be implicated. The strange looks and sense of honor from the surrounding people will make the entire family unable to hold their heads high.

Soon, news of the westward expedition spread throughout all the prefectures of Qin.

On the walls between each of the hundred-household offices, Li Xiao's "Seven Grievances" were posted, while storytellers from the Xuande Division in the streets and alleys were passionately recounting the evil deeds of the Liao Kingdom.

The people were filled with righteous indignation, and they were all in high spirits and full of fighting spirit.

"Back then, during the Battle of the Seven Rivers, those bastards from the Liao Kingdom took advantage of the internal strife in our northern border and even reached the walls of Yinshan City. This debt should have been settled long ago."

"Who among the people of Yinshan doesn't remember that King Xiao was killed by Yelü Zhilugu? This time, we must avenge King Xiao."

"Great Qin will surely prevail! We will destroy the Liao Kingdom and let them taste the bitterness of losing their homes and families!"

The people of Yinshan spontaneously came to Xiao Simo's ancestral hall, laid out offerings, and paid tribute to this hero who once protected the eastern capital.

Amidst the swirling incense smoke, someone wept before Xiao Simo's memorial tablet, saying, "King Xiao, look! The King of Qin is about to launch a western expedition against the Liao Kingdom. Your great revenge will soon be fulfilled."

Meanwhile, in the Xiao Prince's residence, Shulu Wujin sat in the hall, watching four-year-old Xiao Xuance play in the courtyard, his face full of tenderness.

The children, dressed in small cotton robes, chased each other around with wooden swords, their shouts of battle adding a touch of life to the entire palace.

Four years ago, after Xiao Yanyan became pregnant, she went to Jinzhou as her sister-in-law to take care of her. She stayed there for more than a year and brought Xiao Xuance back with her.

He was publicly said to be an adopted child, and was to be adopted into his own family as Xiao Simo's heir.

This move naturally caused considerable discontent. The Prince's residence also housed two of Xiao Simo's concubines and three illegitimate sons.

Shulu Wujin's decision to let Xiao Xuance inherit the royal family undoubtedly infringed upon their interests.

But Shu Lu Wu Jin was not someone to be trifled with. She had been managing the affairs of the Prince's Mansion with Xiao Simo for many years and was ruthless. In addition, she had Li Xiao's support behind her.

In the end, the three illegitimate sons were separated from their families, given a sum of money, and allowed to move out of the palace and establish their own households.

Although the Prince's mansion is quiet now, as Xiao Xuance grows up and reaches the age where he is "disliked by everyone and even dogs," he causes chaos every day, which also adds some comfort to her life.

Looking at Xiao Xuance's figure, Shulu Wujin seemed to see her eldest son, Nairi, in a daze.

Nai Ri was more composed and quieter, so quiet that even Xiao Simo once complained that he didn't seem like a grassland warrior.

"Perhaps they all take after their father."

Just then, a guard hurried over with a court report: "Your Highness, the King of Qin has issued the Seven Grievances against the Liao Kingdom in Longcheng and has launched a full-scale western expedition."

"It is estimated that the First Garrison's army will arrive at Yinshan City in another ten days."

Shulu Wujin took the official gazette, ran his fingers over the contents of the "Seven Grievances," and his heart was instantly filled with excitement.

The day she had been waiting for finally arrived.

She had sensed this since the Qin state began mobilizing its grain and military forces last year, and the Third Garrison of Yinshan intensified its conscription and training. Now, as expected, she had just been right.

She looked up at the portrait of Xiao Simo hanging in the hall, her eyes slightly red, and murmured to herself, "Husband, do you see it?"

"Your brother-in-law has inherited your ambition and is about to embark on a westward expedition to avenge you."

"What Yelü Zhilugu owed us and the Xiao family back then, we must get back with interest this time."

"Don't worry, I will raise Xuan Ce well. When he grows up, I will make him a warrior of the Northern Frontier, just like you."

"Mother, Mother!" Xiao Xuance came running over, looking up at him with his little face and asking, "Who's coming? Is there anything fun?"

Shulu Wujin squatted down, gently patted his head, and smiled, "It's your uncle, the King of Qin is coming."

"He's going to lead a large army to fight the bad guys and avenge your father."

"Uncle?"

Xiao Xuance tilted his head, his eyes full of curiosity: "What does my uncle look like? I've never seen him before! Everyone in the manor says he's very powerful, even more powerful than an eagle on the grasslands!"

"You'll be able to see him when your uncle arrives." Shu Lu Wu Jin nodded with a smile, but a hint of melancholy flashed in her eyes.

When she gave birth to Xiao Xuance, Li Xiao was still on an eastern expedition.

The child is now four years old, and Li Xiao has never even met him!

It's time for them to meet.

Ferghana, located in the heart of the Fergana Basin, also known as Andijan, is a veritable "treasure trove of Central Asia" despite its total area of ​​only 20,000 square kilometers.

This region boasts fertile soil and abundant oases, plentiful pastoral produce, and strategic location at the heart of Central Asian trade routes. Its thriving handicrafts and trade make it a true gem of Central Asia.

Although this place was located at the junction of three kingdoms in later generations, it gathered a population of 16 million, which shows its wealth and importance.

Today, this place has become the new capital of the Liao Dynasty.

Previously, the Liao capital, Husi Ordos, was located in the Chu River basin, too close to the Ili River defense line in the northern frontier, and was constantly exposed to the threat of the northern frontier army.

In addition, due to the war with the northern frontier, the herders and people in the Chu River basin fled south to avoid the war. Without enough manpower and resources to support it, the Husi Ordo was abandoned.

Yelü Zhilugu moved the capital to Ferghana, further south, against the advice of many, in order to allow the people to recuperate and to better coordinate the war in the south.

Inside the Liao royal court, the atmosphere was oppressive and suffocating.

Yelü Zhilugu sat on the throne, listening to his attendants read aloud the original text of the "Seven Grievances" sent back from Yili by his spies, his face growing increasingly grim.

After the attendant finished reading, he slammed his hand on the armrest of the throne, dragged his leg, which was crippled from the Battle of the Seven Rivers six years ago, and limped down the steps. He snatched the document and tore it to shreds, scattering the scraps of paper all over the ground.

"Shameless! Li Xiao is such a shameless scoundrel."

Yelü Zhilugu trembled with rage, his voice hoarse with fury: "His father, Li Donghai? Back then, he was just an insignificant nobody in Jinzhou. I've never even heard of him."

"He was clearly killed by the Karluks in Jinzhou, yet he dares to blame it on my Great Liao!"

"And Xiao Simo!"

He spat, his eyes full of contempt: "That's a complete traitor."

"He rebelled several times back then, and even led a large army to capture Husi Ordos. He was the greatest traitor of our Liao Dynasty and deserved to die."

"That scoundrel Li Xiao actually dares to portray him as a loyal minister; he's completely distorting the truth!"

"Plundering the Qin border?"

Yelü Zhilugu was so angry that he laughed, looking at the officials and generals who were silent in the hall.

“It is clearly Li Xiao’s brother, Li Erhu, who leads his army to our Liao border every year to plunder people, burn, kill and loot. Now he is turning around and blaming us.”

"I have never seen such a shameless person."

As for the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate...

His tone grew increasingly agitated: "That country was originally a vassal state of my Great Liao, and it was only natural for it to pay tribute to me."

"When did our Liao army ever go to the Eastern Karakhanid Khanate to burn, kill, and plunder? It must be that traitor Li Xiao who fabricated charges and wronged our Great Liao!"

"They've completely lost all sense of shame."

He refuted the "Seven Grievances" one by one, venting his anger to the fullest. No one in the hall dared to interrupt; they could only lower their heads and not even dare to breathe loudly.

After his anger subsided, Yelü Zhilugu returned to his throne and said in a deep voice, "Now that brat Li Xiao wants to launch a western expedition, what do you all think we should do?"

A general stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "Your Majesty, although our scouts have not ascertained the exact number of Qin's troops, a conservative estimate is at least 50,000."

Immediately afterwards, another general stepped forward and said, "Our Great Liao has recovered a lot of troops in recent years thanks to the war in the south, and can mobilize 70,000 troops to fight."

However, behind this "restoration" was a complete change in the composition of the Liao army.

Six years ago, after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of the Seven Rivers, the Liao Dynasty suffered heavy losses among its pure Khitan and Turkic soldiers, with its elite forces almost wiped out.

To replenish its forces, Yelü Zhilugu had no choice but to turn his attention to the south: through war, he incorporated many Gur and Persian prisoners of war into the Liao army.

They also gathered the remaining tribes of the Karluk and Uyghur peoples who had lived in the southern part of the Liao Kingdom for many years, promising them generous terms such as "the spoils of plunder will be theirs, and they will be able to obtain land after the war," and incorporated these foreign tribes into the army.

In just a few years, although the Liao army expanded again, even more than before the war, the proportion of pure Khitans and Turks in the army was less than 30%.

Soldiers from other ethnic groups, such as the Gur, Persians, Karluks, and Uyghurs, became the main force.

The Liao Dynasty was able to completely defeat Gur thanks to these foreign soldiers.

They pounced on their prey like hungry wolves, burning, killing, and looting along the way, showing no mercy even to their own compatriots.

Wherever they went, the towns of Ghur were captured, the people were taken prisoner, and all their gold and silver were looted.

Faced with such a fierce offensive, the Kingdom of Gurkha quickly suffered repeated defeats.

The defeat on the battlefield exacerbated internal conflicts in Ghur, leading to a coup d'état by radical Allahists who killed the King of Ghur and installed a young prince as his successor.

After that, the Kingdom of Gur was embroiled in endless power struggles, with warlords ruling in various regions. Although it still existed in name only, it had long been fragmented and had completely lost its threat to the Liao Kingdom.

Yelü Zhilugu's most trusted confidant, Tayanggu, bluntly stated: "Among them, 40,000 elite troops from other ethnic groups can serve as the vanguard; 20,000 veteran Khitan and Turkic soldiers will be responsible for the central defense."

"The remaining 10,000, composed of Karluks and Uyghurs, will serve as flank support."

"If we join forces with the Western Karakhanid Khanate and Khwarazm to send 30,000 troops, our total strength will reach 100,000, which will surely be able to resist the Northern Frontier Army!"

"Under the overwhelming might of my army, how can those rebels in the northern frontier still run rampant?"

Upon hearing this, Yelü Zhilugu lightly tapped the armrest of the throne with his fingers—he knew the true strength and weakness of this army of 100,000.

Although the foreign soldiers were brave, they were difficult to command and were prone to rout if the battle went against them.

While the veteran Khitan and Turkic soldiers were reliable, their numbers were too small to support the overall situation.

But now, he has no better choice.

"As you say!" Yelü Zhilugu gritted his teeth and gave the order.

He paused, then added, "Immediately send envoys to the Western Karakhanid Khanate and Khwarazm, urging them to send troops as soon as possible."

"Tell them that if the Northern Frontier Army wins, their territory will also be in danger. Only by joining forces with the Liao Kingdom can they protect themselves!"

"I will obey your orders!"

The generals accepted the order in unison and continued to discuss the war. Half an hour later, they bowed and withdrew.

Only Yelü Zhilugu remained in the main hall. As he looked at the empty hall, the toughness on his face gradually faded, replaced by an undisguised weariness and anxiety.

No one knew that his "high morale" in front of the ministers was just a facade.

Just then, a clear voice rang out: "Father! Why are you angry again?"

A young girl dressed in Khitan attire skipped and hopped into the hall; she was Princess Hunhu, Yelü Zhilugu's most beloved daughter.

She walked up to Yelü Zhilugu, tugged at his sleeve, and said coquettishly, "Your daughter brought you some freshly baked milk cakes, would you like to try some?"

Looking at his daughter's innocent and carefree appearance, Yelü Zhilugu's mood gradually calmed down. He took the milk cake, took a bite, and smiled, "My Hunhu is still the most sensible one."

Princess Hunhu tilted her head and asked curiously, "Father, why were all the ministers bowing their heads just now? Did something happen?"

Yelü Zhilugu sighed and patted her head: "It's nothing serious, it's just... Father is going to war with the Northern Frontier."

"Northern Frontier?"

Princess Hunhu's eyes widened instantly, filled with shock.

Since her birth, the northern frontier has been like a nightmare for the royal court.

First, his cousin Xiao Simo "rebelled," and after his death, his cousin's husband Li Xiao "rebelled" as well.

Six years ago, my cousin's husband led the Northern Frontier Army to a crushing defeat of the royal court, and my father even lost a leg, forcing him to move the capital from Husi Ordos to Ferghana.

"The people of Northern Xinjiang are really wicked! That Li Xiao is even worse."

"Father, you must defeat them."

Hearing Princess Hunhu's innocent and carefree words and seeing her puffed-up face, Yelü Zhilugu laughed.

He patted her head and corrected her, "You should call him Uncle-in-law. The affairs of your elders are none of your business, and the war between the royal court and the northern frontier is none of your business either. You just need to be a good princess."

Princess Hunhu blinked, seemingly understanding but not quite, not understanding why her father had suddenly become serious.

Yelü Zhilugu looked at his daughter and sighed inwardly. How could he not want to defeat the Northern Frontier?
But he knew all too well the fighting power of the Northern Frontier Army; it was a terrifyingly powerful force.

The soldiers in the northern border region all wore armor similar to "clothes." Although not as thick and heavy as iron armor, it was lightweight and tough, and its protective power far exceeded that of ordinary leather armor.

Their armor and weapons were sharp, and their iron refining technology had long surpassed that of the Liao Dynasty's craftsmen.

There was also the mysterious "Divine Might Cannon," which could emit a thunderous roar when fired, causing soldiers to fall in droves and even warhorses to be too frightened to move forward.

Over the years, Yelü Zhilugu tried every means, even capturing prisoners from the northern frontier to coerce and entice them, but he still couldn't figure out the principle of the "Divine Might Cannon".

All I know is that the pipes were made of black iron.

He ordered craftsmen to make a copy, but the black tubes they produced were completely silent and couldn't even perform the most basic firing.

Yelü Zhilugu was filled with pessimism about this war.

He had already prepared an escape route: if defeated, he would lead his remaining troops into the southern continent and reclaim a piece of land in the territory of the Kingdom of Gur.

However, this path is fraught with peril, and although the Kingdom of Gur is in decline and plagued by internal strife, it still possesses the strength to fight.

What worries him even more is that if they cannot escape, the male members of the Yelü family will likely die, while only the daughters, who pose no threat to the northern frontier, may survive.

He thought that when the war became critical, he would use the blood relationship between Hunhu and Xiao Yanyan to ask Xiao Yanyan to protect his daughter.

This was the last thing he could do for his daughter as a father, which shows how much he loved Princess Hunhu.

What he didn't know was that the battle plan he discussed with his ministers was passed on to Li Xiao through the spies planted in Liao by the Embroidered Uniform Guard in less than ten days.

(End of this chapter)