The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 384 Flatten the wheels, leave no one alive

Three days later, at another pasture on the Aral Sea grassland, the main force of the Qin army, led by Li Dongshan, arrived under the guidance of the city lord of Pugnahei.

Ashes from the campfire were scattered on the ground, several abandoned and tattered sheepskin coats lay to one side, and there were traces of cattle and sheep trampling in the distance.

"General, judging from these marks, they left not long ago, no more than three days ago."

One of the guards dismounted, carefully inspected the ground, and reported to Li Dongshan.

Li Dongshan put down the telescope in his hand, his eyes cold, and shouted to the cavalry behind him: "Chase! Make sure you catch them, don't let a single one escape."

"As ordered."

The Qin cavalry immediately spurred their horses, kicking up clouds of dust, and galloped off in the direction the Kipchak tribe had migrated.

For the Qin army, defeating the Kipchak army was only the beginning; only by completely annihilating their tribes could the foundation of the Kipchaks be severed.

Three more days passed, and the elderly, weak, women and children of the Kipchak Toqto'a tribe were exhausted.

Agula held a lamb in her arms, her face pale and her lips cracked. She kept looking back, as if something terrible was chasing them.

Just then, a young woman walking at the front suddenly screamed, "What is that?"

Everyone looked up and followed the direction she was pointing.

At the foot of the distant mountains, gray-white sun and moon battle banners stood like a forest, and densely packed cavalrymen surged about.

The armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight, its imposing presence like a tiger descending from the mountain, instantly enveloping the entire grassland.

"It's the people from the Northern Frontier! The people from the Northern Frontier are coming!" someone shouted in terror, their voice filled with despair.

The old woman's legs buckled, and she almost fell. Clutching the blanket beside her, she cried out, "Gods! Why don't you protect us?!"

Qiqige held the child tightly in her arms, her body trembling uncontrollably, tears streaming down her cheeks: "It's over...it's really over...we can't escape..."

The children were terrified by the scene and cried loudly. The young women were also in a panic. Some tried to hide their children in the bushes, while others held onto their cattle and sheep, not knowing what to do.

Agula felt a chill run through him as he watched the Qin cavalry approaching.

Is her little home with Batu, the wool blanket she's half-knitted, and those newborn lambs all going to be destroyed here?

At this moment, Li Dongshan was standing on the hilltop, his eyes taking in the chaos of the Kipchak tribe with his telescope, his gaze devoid of any pity.

"Lay the wheels flat, leave no one behind."

Li Dongshan waved his arm and gave the order in a deep voice.

These words, like a death sentence, instantly spread throughout the entire Qin army camp.

"kill."

"Boom boom boom~"

The Qin cavalry roared and howled, their expressions filled with desire for spoils. The iron cavalry rolled across the mountains and plains, charging towards the Kipchak tribe.

Although the Kipchaks were skilled warriors, they could certainly be used as a sharp weapon in the hands of the Qin state.

However, the Kipchaks were too numerous, and it was easy for them to turn the tables.

Historically, Batu Khan established the Golden Horde, which was ruled by Mongols, but the main ethnic group was the Kipchak people.

Just one generation later, the Mongols were assimilated by the local Kipchaks, and in all aspects, including religion, language, and culture, they no longer bore any trace of the Mongols.

Therefore, if we want to completely occupy the Kipchak Grassland and make it an inseparable part of China, we need to use absolute military force and Chinese language and culture to completely assimilate it.

At this time, the influence of the Qin state had only just begun to reach the Kipchak steppe, and the Kipchak people had not yet truly realized the terror of the Qin state.

We must establish our authority.

First, slaughter the entire Kipchak Steppe, exterminating all the tribes that dared to resist Qin. Let the blood and corpses of the entire Kipchak Steppe know that Qin is the new master of this place.

Secondly, a combination of kindness and severity should be employed.

A small portion of the spoils plundered from other Kipchak tribes was given as a reward to the tribes that obediently submitted.

Gradually, the Kipchaks were tamed, just as the Manchus controlled the Solons, turning the Kipchak cavalry into the sharpest blade in the hands of the Qin Dynasty, enabling them to conquer even wider territories.

Upon seeing the Qin cavalry charging towards them, the veteran Kipchak soldiers who remained in their tribes immediately picked up their scimitars and short bows, intending to resist.

An old soldier drew his short bow and fired at the Qin cavalry charging at the front, but the arrow struck the Qin soldiers' cloth armor with a clang and fell to the ground.

Before he could react, the Qin cavalry's scimitar had already slashed across his throat, blood gushing out, and the old soldier fell to the ground, quickly losing his breath.

"Ahhhhh~"

"Kill them!"

"Let's fight these demons."

But these veterans couldn't hold out for long. Their scimitars couldn't penetrate the Qin army's armor, and their short bows couldn't hurt the Qin soldiers. They could only watch helplessly as the Qin cavalry charged over, falling one by one into pools of blood.

Qin soldiers began to purge the rest of the tribe.

Agula, who was fleeing on horseback, was caught by a lasso thrown by a Qin soldier, which caught around his neck. He was forced onto the horse's back amidst screams of agony.

Qiqige ran around aimlessly like a headless fly, but the next second she was hoisted onto the shoulder of a Qin soldier and thrown into a makeshift encirclement formed by soldiers.

There are many other Kipchak women here, just like Qiqige and Agula, who were all captured.

According to the order, women with reproductive value were to be kept, while the rest were to be "laid off like wheels".

On the grassland, screams, pleas for mercy, and the sound of horses' hooves mingled together. Blood stained the grass, and corpses were everywhere.

The tents of the Tuotuo tribe were burned down, and the cattle and sheep were looted by the Qin army, leaving only a mess on the ground.

Li Dongshan reined in his horse and stood in the center of the tribe, looking at the scene before him without any change in his expression.

For him, this was not a massacre, but an attempt to establish his authority, so that the Qin state could completely control the Kipchak steppe and prevent the remaining Kipchak people from resisting.

As the sun sets, the greyish-white battle flag flutters over the blood-stained grassland.

The Qin soldiers gathered the captured young women together, intending to take them back to their camp, while the bodies of the others were carelessly left on the grassland.

This surprise attack completely severed the roots of the Toqto'a tribe and also made other tribes on the Kipchak steppe realize that resisting the Qin state would only lead to their death.

Immediately afterwards, the Qin army units led by Li Dongshan dispersed and, following the migration routes of the Kipchaks, launched a carpet-style purge of the remaining Kipchak tribes.

Screams echoed across the grassland, and blood stained the green grass, flowing down the slopes to form small streams that meandered into the distance.

Vultures circled overhead, swooping down every now and then to peck at the corpses on the ground.

Such scenes are playing out all over the grasslands.

Of the tribespeople who ultimately managed to escape back to the heart of the Kipchak Steppe, less than one in ten survived.

These survivors spread the terror of the Qin army to every corner of the Kipchak Steppe.

They would say that the Qin army's armor was impervious to swords and spears, that the Qin army's cannons could collapse hills, and that the Qin army killed without blinking an eye, leaving only corpses and wails wherever they went.

Thus, the "white nightmare" created by the Qin cavalry quickly enveloped the entire Kipchak tribe.

The once brave and warlike Kipchaks, upon hearing the words "Qin State," were filled with deep fear and dared not easily oppose the Qin army again.

Returning our gaze to the outskirts of Bukhara, inside the central command tent of the Qin army camp, Li Xiao was holding the battle report delivered by Li Dongshan, his fingertips lightly tapping the table.

The battle report clearly outlined the current war situation with phrases such as "no fighting on the northern front," "the Kipchak tribes were annihilated," and "the northern cities of Khwarazm surrendered without resistance."

After eliminating the Kipchak tribes, Li Dongshan led his army to sweep through the northern cities of Khwarazm, areas that did not have many troops to begin with.

Now, seeing Bukhara besieged, the Kipchak cavalry wiped out, and Khwarazm in imminent danger, they lost all will to fight.

When the army of the Third Division appeared outside the city, they surrendered without even having to attack.

"Send the order to the Third Division."

Li Xiao put away the battle report, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "After resting, head south immediately to join forces with the main force of the First Division to encircle Yulong Jiechi."

"The heart of Khwarezm should be removed."

After the messenger received his orders and left, Li Xiao looked towards the direction of Bukhara City, a cold smile curving his lips. "The war in Bukhara should also come to an end."

Bukhara was a major city in Central Asia, and with an army of 100,000 stationed there, it seemed impregnable.

However, under the relentless onslaught of the main force and auxiliary troops of the First Town, its former prosperity had long since vanished.

The city walls were riddled with cannon fire, and many collapsed gaps were temporarily sealed with wooden planks; the streets inside the city were deserted, with only patrolling soldiers sitting listlessly on the ground, their eyes filled with numbness and fear.

Inside the city lord's mansion, Hailhan wore a rumpled brocade robe, his hair disheveled and plastered to his face, his former arrogance completely gone.

He suddenly grabbed a messenger by the collar, his voice hoarse like a broken bellows: "Where are the people who went to Yulongjiechi to ask for help? Where are the Empress Dowager's reinforcements? Why haven't they arrived yet?"

The messenger, breathless from being dragged along, shook his head, his face pale: "My lord... the city is surrounded by Northern Frontier cavalry, messengers can't break through at all... the previous groups sent out have all disappeared without a trace..."

"Trash, a bunch of trash."

Hailehan shoved the messenger to the ground and kicked him hard in the chest, his eyes filled with a frenzied rage.

"Where is the Khwarazmian army? Didn't the Kipchaks say they would come to our aid? Are they all dead?"

These days, Bukhara had long since run out of ammunition and food. The soldiers survived by gnawing on tree bark and drinking murky well water, and many secretly slipped out of the city to surrender. But he still clung to the illusion that "reinforcements were coming" and refused to face reality.

At this moment, a white-haired official cautiously stepped forward, his knees slightly bent, his voice trembling.

"My lord... the people of the Northern Frontier have completely surrounded the city, and the city walls are about to collapse... perhaps... perhaps we should surrender?"

"At least I can save my life, which is better than being massacred after the city falls..."

"Surrender?" Hail Khan paused, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes.

These days, he had considered surrendering, but the Qin army's conditions were too harsh.

He was to hand over all the city's treasures, offer up artisans and young women, and as the city's lord, he would be taken to the Qin state as a hostage, which was no different from being a prisoner after the city fell.

What he wanted was a "dignified surrender," to remain in Khwarezm after submission and continue to be his lord, wielding power and influence.

But given the current situation, even this basic dignity is almost lost.

Just as he was hesitating, a stirring bugle call suddenly sounded outside the city.

"Woooooo~"

The sound was like a nightmare, instantly chilling Hailhan to the bone.

"The people from northern Xinjiang are here again."

"Damn it, they're starting the siege again! This is never going to end!"

"Everyone, go up and defend the city."

He shouted and stumbled as he ran out of the city lord's mansion and climbed the city wall.

Before the Qin army's formation, dozens of cannons had already been set up, their dark muzzles all aimed at a breach in the city wall, the cannons still bearing traces of the smoke from the last siege.

"fire."

As a Shenji Battalion commander drew his cavalry sword, he swung it fiercely down at the city wall.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The cannons roared simultaneously, and black shells, with a piercing whistle, crashed into the city walls like meteors.

The already dilapidated city wall trembled violently under the intense bombardment, bricks and stones flew everywhere, the breaches widened, and the defenders on the wall were shaken to the point of staggering, with many falling directly off the wall.

Finally, after more than a dozen rounds of artillery bombardment, the ten-meter-high city wall collapsed with a roar.

"Boom boom boom~"

The rising dust blotted out the sun, turning half the sky gray.

Terrified cries of Khwarazmian soldiers echoed through the city: "The city wall has collapsed! The city wall has collapsed!"

"The people from the northern frontier are about to break in! Run!"

"It's over, it's all over."

"Aaaaaah~ Help~"

"No...it's impossible...this can't be..."

Hailhan plopped down on the city wall, his legs went weak, and he pushed himself back with his hands on the ground.

"This is the wall of Bukhara... the strongest wall in Khwarezm... how could it collapse... how could it..."

Just then, Li Xiao's cold command came from beneath the Sun and Moon Battle Banner: "Black Armor Army, attack the city."

"Woooooooo~"

The bugle call, unique to the Black Armor Army, sounded as they launched their attack.

The commander of the Black Armored Army, clad entirely in heavy armor with only his eyes showing, shouted, "Attack!"

"Ho ho ho ho~"

"Ho ho ho ho~"

The heavily armored black-armored infantry, already fully prepared, roared like wild beasts, wielding spears and shields, and marched in orderly steps toward the breach in the city wall.

Clad in heavy black armor, which gleamed coldly in the sunlight, they formed a moving iron wall, ignoring the sporadic resistance of the defenders and swiftly scaling the city walls.

"Kill~"

A soldier in black armor thrust his spear, piercing through a defender who tried to resist. He then swept the spear across, knocking another soldier off the city wall. Blood dripped from the spear tip, staining the bricks beneath his feet.

Another soldier knocked down the defender with his shield, drew his short sword, and stabbed him in the chest.

"Ahhhhh~"

"Help~"

"Devils! They're all devils! Run!"

The defending troops had already lost their will to fight, and were even more vulnerable to the fierce attack of the Black Armor Army.

Soon, the Qin army took control of the city walls, and more and more soldiers poured into the city, advancing along the streets toward the city lord's mansion.

Bukhara has completely fallen.

Li Xiao reined in his horse and stood outside the city, gazing at the Khwarazmian flag that had fallen from the city walls and the golden sun and moon war flag that had been raised over Bukhara. He said calmly, "Khwarazm has too many people."

"It should be reduced."

As a major power in Central Asia, Khwarazm has a vast territory and a large population. Even though its main force has been defeated, it still has enormous war potential.

Given ten years to recuperate, with its fertile land and large population, it will soon rise again and become a huge threat to Qin's rule in the Western Regions.

Therefore, Li Xiao must completely eliminate its forces, ensuring that this land can never recover its vitality and prevent future troubles.

An Meng, the 30,000th commander who led the siege, was originally named Jiu Meng An Huliba. He was the eldest son of Jiu Meng Anhe, the former Sima of the Grand Protectorate.

After Jiu Meng Anhe stepped down, Li Xiao, mindful of his past achievements, not only rewarded him with a large amount of gold and silver and honorary titles, but also promoted his eldest son An Meng to the position of commander of ten thousand households, entrusting him with important responsibilities.

This was both a recognition of An Meng's military talent and a demonstration of Qin's principle of "not letting people go cold when they leave," allowing other officials to serve with peace of mind.

Upon receiving Li Xiao's order, An Meng immediately commanded: "Except for craftsmen and women, leave the rest alone."

"As ordered."

After the messenger issued the order, the Qin soldiers began to systematically clear out the resisters in the city, gather the artisans under guard, and collect the women who were capable of bearing children.

As for the soldiers and nobles who tried to resist, they were killed on the spot, and the streets were soon piled with corpses.

Shortly afterward, Haierhan was brought before Li Xiao by two soldiers of the Wuwei Army.

His clothes were tattered, his face was covered in dust and blood, his hair was disheveled, and the brocade robe that once symbolized his status was torn to shreds. He no longer had the noble appearance of the "Empress Dowager's nephew".

When he saw Li Xiao dressed in golden armor, riding a tall horse, looking majestic, his eyes were filled with disbelief.

He never imagined that the one who defeated the mighty Khwarazmian Empire and annihilated the valiant Kipchaks would be such a young king.

Immediately afterwards, Haierhan knelt down with a "thud," his knees hitting the ground heavily with a dull thud.

He kowtowed repeatedly, his voice filled with fawning sobs: "The great King of Qin, the Khan of all Khans, the Lord of Heaven's Mandate, the only true god in the world, King Li Xiao."

"I was blind and did not recognize the Altai Mountains. I have offended you in the past. I beg Your Majesty to be magnanimous and spare my life."

"I am willing to submit to Your Majesty and serve you with utmost loyalty, even at the cost of going through fire and water."

Looking at his humble appearance, Li Xiao curled his lips into a cold smile, his tone tinged with amusement: "Haierhan, you do know when to yield."

"I've heard that you are Empress Dowager Tu'erhan's most beloved nephew?"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Haierhan's eyes. He nodded vigorously, his voice even more urgent: "Yes, yes, the Empress Dowager loves me the most."

“If Your Majesty spares my life, I am willing to go to Yulongjiechi immediately to persuade the Queen Mother to surrender the city and make the whole of Khwarazm submit to Your Majesty.”

He thought that since he was the nephew of Empress Dowager Tuerhan, he still had some use, and Li Xiao would definitely spare his life.

Li Xiao indeed had no intention of killing him, simply because the life or death of such a useless person was of no value.

Ten years later, he would become the governor of Odara in Khwarazm. Due to his greed, he robbed and killed a Mongol caravan of five hundred people, which directly triggered Temujin's first westward expedition.

Ultimately, he was captured alive by the Mongols and subjected to the cruel torture of being "drowned in mercury," resulting in a gruesome death.

Such a greedy and short-sighted person seems to be more valuable alive than killed.

Moreover, he himself had no deep-seated hatred for the Qin state, and matters on the battlefield could be resolved on the battlefield.

Li Xiao reined in his horse and looked down at Hailhan, saying in a calm tone, "You want to live? Then you'll have to see just how important you are in that woman, Tuerhan's."

In exchange for Hail Khan's surrender with Yulongjiechi?

That's wishful thinking.

However, it can be replaced with other simpler requirements, which can be considered as making use of Haier Khan's waste materials.

(End of this chapter)