The Golden Family, rising from the Western Regions

Chapter 398 The Old Master is Critically Ill: Seventy Years of Obsession, All Entrusted to an Imperial Oath

The army marched eastward, crossing the mountain range in eastern Yinshan.

The scene before my eyes suddenly changed. The grassland disappeared, replaced by a desolate Gobi Desert. As far as the eye could see, there were only bare rocks and yellow sand, with hardly any greenery in sight.

Li Xiao ordered the main army to return along the main road, while he led a contingent of the Wuwei Army to wander around casually, as if to conduct an inspection.

"Your Majesty, the Black Muddy Beach is just ahead."

A military officer from Yinshan, a centurion of the Wuwei Army, followed Li Xiao and pointed to an area in front of him that was shiny with black luster, saying, "This kind of black mud keeps appearing on the ground here all year round. The local people know that this stuff is useful and they collect it."

"However, as you instructed, only the Hexi Trading Company is authorized to make the purchase. Any other trading companies or individuals who dare to engage in private transactions will be treated as traitors."

This place is actually the Karamay region of later times, a city built on top of an oil field.

Li Xiao reined in his horse, jumped off, and walked to a muddy beach.

He squatted down and dipped his finger in the black mud.

The black mud was viscous, like melted asphalt, and had a faint fishy smell.

This is actually a product formed when crude oil seeps to the surface from underground, the light oil components evaporate, and the remaining heavy oil mixes with the soil.

"Although this thing cannot be used directly, it is a rare weapon."

Li Xiao stood up, wiped the black mud off his hands on the grass, and said to a manager of the Hexi Trading Company beside him, "After you collect them, be sure to pack them in sealed earthenware jars and send someone to escort them to the workshop in Tanggu."

"Never act rashly or carelessly."

This heavy oil cannot be used directly. Whether for burning or lighting, it is not only inefficient, but also produces a lot of black smoke.

Therefore, its only value at present is in military applications.

The artisans were instructed to purify the oil using distillation, and the purified oil could be used to make incendiary bombs.

When the time comes, we can use catapults to throw oil onto the walls of the Jin Dynasty. Once the oil is ignited, it will be impossible to extinguish with water, and it will surely burn the Jin army into a rout.

The steward nodded hurriedly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I have already made all the arrangements."

"Hexi Trading Company has set up three collection points nearby, which can collect thousands of kilograms of black mud every day."

"The workshop has also brought in the best craftsmen to specialize in researching purification methods, and now they can stably produce fuel oil."

Li Xiao nodded in satisfaction, mounted his horse, and said, "Let's go check out the village ahead."

The army rested for a day near the Black Mud Beach, replenishing its water and rations, before setting off again.

After traveling for another seven or eight days, the outline of a tall city appeared on the horizon in the distance.

This is the capital of the Great Qin Dynasty, Longcheng.

The city walls of Longcheng were made of bluestone and stood three zhang high. Brightly colored sun and moon battle flags fluttered on the city walls, and the city gates were already crowded with people.

Li Xiao spurred his horse forward and soon saw the figure at the very front of the crowd, which was none other than Xiao Yanyan.

She wore a dark gold long dress and a gold hairpin, and was followed by seven or eight wives and concubines, all dressed in gorgeous clothes.

Surrounding the wives and concubines were a group of children. The oldest one, about eight years old, was wearing a small golden armor and had a gold-inlaid short sword at his waist. He was none other than Li Xiao's eldest son, Jin Dao.

Upon seeing the army's banner, Jin Dao immediately ran towards Li Xiao.

He ran to the front of the horse, and imitating the adults, he bowed respectfully, his voice clear yet full of heroic spirit: "Your son, Li Shizhao, greets Father."

"I congratulate Father on his great victory in the western expedition. I hope that Father will soon pacify the world."

Li Xiao dismounted, grabbed Jin Dao's shoulder, and laughed heartily: "My Jin Dao has grown up."

"After studying at the Jinzhou Military Academy for more than two years, I'm really different now. I even speak with the air of a great general."

In the past two years, Jin Dao has grown a lot taller and has become a teenager. Thanks to ample nutrition and excellent genes, he is half a head taller than his peers and is as tall as Li Xiao's shoulder.

Jin Dao proudly puffed out his little chest: "Father, I can now draw a three-stone bow. When I'm two years older, I'll go to the battlefield with you and kill the Jin soldiers."

"Okay, be ambitious."

Li Xiao patted his shoulder heavily, then looked at the other children who were running over.

The second son, Chang Gong; the third son, Meng Ge; the fourth son, Tie Jian; the fifth son, Xuan Jia; and the eldest daughter, Ling Yue—a few older children—stood timidly not far away, their eyes filled with both expectation and a touch of unfamiliarity.

Li Xiao stepped forward and patted each of them on the head.

Chang Gong and Meng Ge had grown to his chest level, dressed in black shorts, their backs ramrod straight. However, when facing him, their hands unconsciously gripped the hem of their clothes, showing less of the intimacy of children their age and more of awe.

Lingyue, on the other hand, was wearing a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and had her hair styled in two buns. When she saw Li Xiao looking over, she immediately rushed into his arms and said in a soft voice, "Father, you're finally back. I've been thinking about you every day."

Li Xiao smiled and hugged his daughter, a warm feeling welling up in his heart: "Lingyue, my dear, your father missed you too."

Have you been studying hard lately?

The idea that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent is not valid in Li Xiao's view. His daughter must also study, understand right from wrong, learn martial arts, and even don armor to fight in critical moments.

"Have."

Lingyue nodded vigorously and took out a neatly folded piece of paper from her bosom: "The teacher even praised my handwriting, Father, look."

Li Xiao took the paper, carefully looked at the childish yet neat handwriting, and nodded repeatedly: "Well written, much better than Father did when he was a child."

Chang Gong and Meng Ge reported to Li Xiao about their recent situation. They were the same age and had entered the Jinzhou Military Academy this year.

As for the fourth brother, Tie Jian, the fifth brother, Xuan Jia, and Xiao Xuance, who is far away in Yinshan, the three of them are the same age and will be able to go to the martial arts academy next year.

Looking at the children's affectionate or respectful expressions, Li Xiao couldn't help but sigh: This is the price of fighting in the north and south.

For the sake of the Qin Dynasty's foundation, he fought on the frontier for many years, missing his children's growth. Many times when he returned, even the younger children did not recognize him and hid behind their mother, afraid to come forward.

In this era, men are expected to have ambitions beyond their hometowns and to make achievements; romantic love is often seen as a sign of weakness.

It has long been common for generals to be away on campaign for several years, only to return to find their children not recognizing them.

He has no regrets. Building a foundation for a peaceful world for future generations is more meaningful than staying at home and guarding his own family.

Xiao Yanyan came over with her wives and concubines. Seeing Li Xiao chatting happily with the children, she smiled gently and said, "Alright, children, stop crowding around your father. Let him rest first."

She walked to Li Xiao's side and naturally took the cloak he had taken off: "You must be tired from your journey. Hurry up and get into the city. The banquet is ready."

Li Xiao held Xiao Yanyan's hand, his gaze sweeping over his wives and concubines behind him.

One of the women, dressed in a long purple dress, was particularly eye-catching. She was slender, beautiful, and had a dignified air about her. She was none other than Concubine Wei Fuyao.

When Wei Fuyao saw Li Xiao looking at her, she slightly curtsied and said, "Your Majesty must be tired from your journey. I have already had hot water prepared so that Your Majesty can wash away the dust of the journey after the banquet."

Li Xiao nodded, then looked at Xiao Yanyan and smiled, "Thank you for your hard work. You've taken good care of things at home during this time."

Lingyue held onto Li Xiao's hand tightly, refusing to let go: "Father, I want to ride a horse with you. I have so many things to tell you!"

"Alright, Father will carry you onto the horse."

Li Xiao smiled and agreed, then said to Jin Dao, Chang Gong, and Meng Ge, "You all come along too, and tell Father about what's happening at the school on the way."

When the surrounding people saw Li Xiao enter the city, they cheered: "Long live the King! Long live the Great Qin!"

"Congratulations on Your Majesty's triumphant return."

Amid cheers, Li Xiao, accompanied by his family and surrounded by high-ranking officials and common people, slowly entered Longcheng.

After returning to Longcheng in triumph, Li Xiao, having finally shed the dust of war, took a good rest and recuperated for a period of time.

During the day, he would go to the Jinzhou Martial Arts Academy to check on the children's studies, watching Chang Gong and Meng Ge practice their swordsmanship with sweat on the training ground, and listening to Ling Yue recite poems and texts, which filled him with comfort.

In the evenings, he would stay at home with his wives and concubines. Xiao Yanyan was dignified and elegant, and often discussed with him the people's livelihood and governance in the northern frontier.

Wei Fuyao was gentle and capable in managing the household affairs, keeping everything in order. The other wives and concubines were also gentle and kind, and Li Xiao comforted them all, showing them equal favor and fulfilling his duty as a husband. The household was harmonious.

After more than a month of peaceful days, Longcheng suddenly became lively.

Li Xiao's younger sister, Sanfeng, is getting married.

The groom was none other than Li Shurong, commander of the elite cavalry.

He was born in Bohai Fort, one of the nine forts and eighteen villages in Jinzhou. He was a native Han Chinese. His father had followed Li Xiao in battles in his early years and was considered an old subordinate of the Li family.

Later, Li Shurong joined the army and served as Li Xiao's clerk. He was involved in the highest-level strategic decisions and was given special training by Li Xiao.

He then took up a grassroots position, serving as deputy centurion, centurion, and later, after the establishment of the cavalry battalion, he became a chiliarch. His career progressed smoothly.

During this western expedition, the elite cavalry battalion consisted mostly of young soldiers who were going to the battlefield for the first time. Although they did not achieve great feats in wiping out the enemy country, they made small contributions in countless small-scale battles.

They transformed from a group of greenhorns into fearless, hardened warriors.

As a commander of a thousand men, Li Shurong was a skilled commander. In a surprise attack, he annihilated an enemy force of three thousand men. When it came time to reward his merits, Li Xiao promoted him directly to deputy commander of ten thousand men, while still in charge of the elite cavalry battalion.

Moreover, Li Xiao also expanded the strength of the cavalry battalion.

In the past two years, the Jinzhou Military Academy has graduated another class of military academy students, and elite young men have been selected from the civilian population to supplement the elite cavalry battalion, expanding the force from one thousand-household commander to two thousand-household commanders.

Although it was not yet a full-fledged ten-thousand-household unit, Li Shurong's position as deputy ten-thousand-household commander was well-deserved.

For him personally, the promotion and the wedding were a double celebration.

When the Li family of Bohai Fort learned of this marriage proposal, the elderly couple were overjoyed.

In northern Xinjiang, being able to form a marriage alliance with the Li family of Hexi is something many people dream of.

Even just sending their daughter to the Li family as a concubine would be incredibly competitive, let alone the fact that their family could marry the king's own sister.

Everyone knows that Li Xiao will ascend the throne sooner or later, and Sanfeng will become the eldest princess. Their Bohai Li family will then become imperial relatives, as well as military relatives with military power.

This honor is enough to make the entire family shine for a hundred years.

On the wedding day, Longcheng was as lively as during the Lunar New Year.

Almost all the officials and generals stationed in the northern frontier came in person to offer their congratulations.

Those who were stationed on the frontier and unable to leave also sent their trusted confidants on express horses to deliver generous gifts, with gold, silver, jewels, silks, and cloth piled up in the Li family's side courtyard.

When the wedding procession set off from the Li residence, the streets were packed with people who stood on tiptoe to watch the spectacle, and children ran behind the procession, cheering all around.

Li Shurong, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, rode a tall horse and led the wedding procession to the front of the Li residence.

According to custom, the eldest brother is considered the father, and Li Xiao sat in front of the hall to receive the newlyweds' kowtows.

Sanfeng, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, with a red veil covering her face, tightly gripped Li Xiao's sleeves with both hands, her voice choked with sobs: "Big brother, I'm leaving."

Li Xiao felt a surge of emotion and a touch of reluctance. He patted the back of her hand and said, "When you get to your husband's family, live a good life. If anything happens, just send someone back to tell me. Your older brother will always be your support."

The children standing nearby were even more reluctant to part with their aunt. Lingyue tugged at Sanfeng's sleeve, her eyes red-rimmed, and said, "Auntie, when are you coming back? I still want to fly kites with you."

Through the veil, Sanfeng gently touched Lingyue's head: "Auntie will come to see you in a few days." The wedding procession gradually disappeared into the distance. Li Xiao stood at the door, watching the red figure disappear at the end of the street, before turning back to his residence.

As soon as I entered the main hall, I saw the old man sitting in the main seat, his eyes half-closed. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on him, making him look even more frail and old.

The old man, who had been strong-willed all his life, has visibly aged in the past two years.

Especially after the old lady passed away, he seemed to have lost all his energy and spirit; his back became hunched, and he needed someone to help him walk.

Upon seeing Li Xiao enter, the old man slowly opened his eyes, his voice hoarse yet filled with laughter: "You're back? Shu Rong, that lad, is quite fortunate."

Li Xiao sat down beside him and poured the old man a cup of hot tea: "How are you feeling? It's windy today, why aren't you resting inside?"

"I can't rest."

The old man took a sip of tea, looked out the window with a distant gaze, and said, "I'm getting old. Who knows, one day the King of Hell will come to take me away."

"Now, every extra day you live is a bonus."

"What's the point of always staying in that lifeless house? The yard is much more lively."

Li Xiao nodded slightly. In short, as people get older, they fear loneliness and prefer liveliness.

No matter how strong-willed or fearless a man is on the battlefield, he will always feel fear when he reaches the end of his life.

"God has been kind to me."

"Back then, our Li family was only somewhat well-known among the Han people in Jinzhou, but we never dared to imagine that we would be where we are today."

“Your father passed away early and never saw you become successful, but I did.”

“My sons are all good men, and your brothers have also distinguished themselves in the army, becoming your right-hand men.”

“Your great-grandchildren are all incredibly strong; Jin Dao and Chang Gong might even be stronger than you in the future.”

He paused, looked at Li Xiao, his eyes filled with amazement: "The last person I ever expected in my life is you."

"When I handed Hexibao over to you, I was worried about whether you could shoulder this responsibility."

"I never expected that you would not only take on the responsibility, but also lay an even bigger foundation. The northern frontier, the western regions, Guanzhong, and the northern desert have all become the territory of our Li family."

"I can see all this, and even if I die now, I will have no regrets."

"Grandpa, what are you saying!"

Li Xiao quickly interrupted him: "You must live well, because you still need to see me pacify the Jin and Song kingdoms and unify the world in the future."

The old man smiled, but a hint of regret flashed in his eyes: "It's just... it's just that I couldn't go back to my hometown in Hebei to visit."

“Your great-grandfather was a commander of the Han army who followed Yelü Dashi on his western expedition. After leaving his hometown in Hebei, he was never able to return.”

“When I was a child, I often heard your great-grandfather talk about his hometown. In spring, the crabapple blossoms in the yard would bloom all over the place; in summer, we could catch fish in the stream at the entrance of the village; in winter, the whole family would gather around the kang (a heated brick bed) to eat dumplings…”

"But I've lived seventy years in vain, and I haven't even seen a shadow of my hometown."

He seemed to be reminiscing and fantasizing, or more like he was muttering to himself: "I know that so many years have passed, and my hometown has long since changed beyond recognition, and my relatives are certainly gone, but that place is still the root of our Li family."

Li Xiao had heard countless times about the Li family's ancestral home, which was now Zhongdu in the Jin Dynasty.

During the Liao Dynasty, that place was called Xijin Prefecture, which belonged to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun that were ceded by Shi Jingtang.

Li Xiao held the old man's hand, which was covered in calluses and was trembling slightly.

A pang of sadness welled up in his heart, and he said softly, "Grandpa, don't worry. All you need to do now is eat and drink well and take good care of your health."

"It won't be long before I take you back to our hometown in Hebei. We'll go see the crabapple blossoms your great-grandfather mentioned, and take a walk by the stream at the village entrance, fulfilling your wish."

The old man nodded gently; although he was old, his mind was very clear.

They knew that Li Xiao had been plotting to destroy the Jin Dynasty and capture Zhongdu.

He also believed that his grandson would be able to lead the Qin cavalry to plant the Sun and Moon Battle Banner on the city walls of Zhongdu.

However, he didn't know if he would live to see that day.

Li Xiao said solemnly, "I have sent people to keep a close eye on the situation in the Jin Kingdom. Next spring, we will launch an eastern expedition against the Jin Kingdom and take Zhongdu first. At that time, I will personally accompany you home."

The old man knew that even if Li Xiao conquered the Jin Kingdom, his physical condition would definitely prevent him from reaching Zhongdu alive.

But she was still very happy about her eldest grandson's filial piety, and nodded gently, saying, "Good, good... I'll wait, I will definitely wait."

But fate ultimately didn't give the old man enough time.

In Longcheng after the onset of winter, a heavy snow fell for more than ten days in a row, turning the world into a vast expanse of white. The cold wind swirled the snowflakes, making a "whooshing" sound as it hit the windowpanes.

Late at night, Li Xiao had just retired for the night when a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate. Immediately afterward, a guard's anxious voice rang out: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The old master has suddenly fallen seriously ill. You must go and see him immediately."

Li Xiao suddenly sat up in bed, startled. Without thinking, he quickly reached for his clothes.

Xiao Yanyan, who was beside him, was also awakened and quickly got up to help him tie his belt: "Don't worry, Grandpa is a lucky man, he will definitely be alright."

After the old lady passed away, although the old man had servants to take care of him in Hexi Fort, they couldn't provide adequate emotional support, and he felt very lonely.

So Li Xiao had someone bring the old man to the Longcheng Prince's Mansion.

Li Xiao put on his fur coat and strode out of the room. Snowflakes instantly landed on his shoulders, quickly accumulating into a thin layer.

He practically ran all the way to the old man's courtyard, where he could see the house brightly lit and several servants running around anxiously.

"grandfather."

Li Xiao pushed open the door and entered. He saw the old man lying on the couch, his face as pale as paper, his breathing weak, his lips cracked, and his eyes closed. He didn't even respond to his voice.

Several physicians from the Prince's Palace surrounded the bed, all with solemn expressions. Upon seeing Li Xiao enter, they bowed respectfully, their voices filled with guilt: "Your Majesty, the old master's condition is critical. We...we cannot determine the cause of his illness for the time being."

Suppressing his panic, Li Xiao ordered his guards, "Quickly, go and fetch Doctor Lu and Doctor Qian."

Li Xiao established two medical schools in Longcheng: the 'Qin State Medical School' and the 'Qin State Military Medical School'.

The former teaches traditional Chinese medicine, including the four diagnostic methods of observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation.

Lu Tingxun served as the chief physician, and he was also the chief physician of the largest government-run medical clinic in Longcheng.

He was a skilled physician, especially adept at internal conditioning and strengthening the body's foundation. He had always been responsible for the daily health of Li Xiao and his family, but today was not his shift.

The latter focuses on surgical teaching, is entirely geared towards battlefield and trauma first aid, and its teaching content is highly targeted.

Here, students not only need to recognize medicinal herbs and understand meridian theory, but also need to be proficient in wound cleaning, suturing, and bone setting.

Even with the aid of allicin to inhibit infection and the ancient anesthetic powder to relieve pain, life-saving surgeries such as incision, removal of necrotic tissue, and even disembowelment can be performed in critical moments.

Many veterans who have been snatched back from the brink of death are living testaments to this school.

The headmaster of this military medical school was none other than Qian Zhongyong.

However, this position of libationer was only a side job he held to facilitate teaching; his real important position was 'Director of the Great Qin Field Hospital,' a rank equivalent to a thousand-household commander.

Overseeing the allocation of medical officers, the stockpiling of medicines, and the battlefield medical care system, he was the person Li Xiao relied on most in terms of military medical support.

The guards dared not delay and rode off in the heavy snow.

Xiao Yanyan arrived shortly afterward and, upon seeing the situation, immediately ordered people to boil water and prepare ginger soup, making various arrangements.

Li Xiao sat by the couch, holding the old man's cold hands. Those hands were even colder than the snow outside, and he felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

The hands that once carried a hundred pounds of grain are now so weak that they can't even clench their fists.

Fifteen minutes later, Qian Zhongyong and Lu Tingxun arrived one after the other.

After reading it, they all frowned and bowed to Li Xiao, saying, "Your Majesty, the old master is getting old and is still grieving for the old lady. He is having trouble getting over his grief. I'm afraid... I'm afraid he's going to die soon."

"We have done our best to administer acupuncture and medicine, but we can only keep him alive temporarily. Please prepare yourself mentally, Your Majesty."

"Ready?"

Li Xiao's voice was hoarse: "I sent you here to save my grandfather, not to say these useless things."

Lu Tingxun looked guilty, but could only force himself to say, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I will do my best."

As he spoke, he hurriedly instructed his disciple to take out silver needles and apply them to the old man's acupoints. He also had someone prepare medicine, but the old man's breathing remained weak and showed no improvement whatsoever.

Just then, a cry came from outside the courtyard gate, and Li Xiao's aunt, Li Dalan, ran in through the wind and snow.

Her husband was Zhao Dadao, the governor of Yinshan, and the Zhao family also lived in a residence in Longcheng.

She rushed over from her nearby home as soon as she received the news, her hair and clothes covered in snow. As soon as she entered the room and saw the old man on the bed, she threw herself at the bedside and burst into tears.

"Father, Father, wake up! Your daughter has come to see you. Don't scare me!"

And so, everyone stayed inside the house, not sleeping all night.

The snow outside the window gradually stopped, and the sky slowly brightened. The first rays of morning light shone through the window and fell on the old man's face.

Suddenly, the old man's fingers twitched slightly, his eyes slowly opened, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Water...water..."

"Grandpa, you're awake."

Li Xiao was both surprised and delighted. He quickly had someone bring warm water and carefully fed it to the old man.

Li Dalan also moved closer to the bedside, her eyes full of expectation: "Dad, how are you feeling? Would you like some more porridge?"

The old man drank a few sips of water, and his breathing seemed to become easier. He was even able to turn his head slightly and became more energetic.

Looking at Li Xiao, he asked, "Da Long... has the snow stopped?"

"It's stopped, Grandpa, the snow has stopped."

Li Xiaoqiang forced a smile: "Once you're better, I'll take you to the yard to bask in the sun."

But his heart sank suddenly. He had seen too many such situations in the army. The old man's current state was clearly a final burst of energy before death.

The old man seemed oblivious to everyone's strange behavior. His gaze slowly swept across the room, finally landing on Li Xiao. His voice was weak, yet exceptionally clear.

“Da Long…Grandpa knows I won’t live to see the day we return to the Central Plains…”

"Grandpa, don't talk nonsense."

Li Xiao quickly interrupted him: "You'll get better. We'll go to Zhongdu next year and visit our hometown."

The old man smiled, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes, yet also a touch of relief: "No... Grandpa's tired, I miss your grandma... Your grandma's over there, she must be getting impatient..."

Then, the old man suddenly grabbed Li Xiao's wrist, his eyes burning: "Da Long... kneel down... for your grandfather... and for the world... make a vow."

(End of this chapter)