Chapter 113: Infernal Affairs

“Governor!”

In Xiao Lintuo’s military camp, a Khitan general lifted the curtain and walked in.

Clenching his fist and placing it on his chest in salute, he said with an excited look, “News has come.”

“Wuliji is dead.”

Inside the tent, Xiao Lintuo was originally lowering his head, practicing writing Han characters on a sand table.

After all, having become the Military Governor of Jin Prefecture, he definitely had to find a way to subdue the Han tribes of Jin Prefecture held by Li Xiao.

So, he was also working hard to understand the folk customs and culture of the Han people.

However, upon hearing this news, he threw away the wooden stick in his hand directly, and a smile appeared on his face.

He immediately dusted the sand off his hands, walked up to the Khitan general, and asked, “Killed by whom?”

“It was Etulu.”

Hearing this answer, a trace of disappointment flashed across Xiao Lintuo’s face.

If Wuliji had been killed by Han people, that would have been perfect.

But now, being able to frame the Han people was also a good thing.

“Good, hehehe!”

Xiao Lintuo laughed, put his hands behind his back, turned around slowly, walked to the folding stool and sat down, snorting with laughter.

“That ungrateful thing Wuliji dying like this, can be considered getting off lightly.”

The Khitan general beside him immediately chimed in: “Correct, he got off lightly.”

“This person didn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth, wasting your painstaking efforts, Governor.”

“Having such an evil result is also his retribution.”

Mainly because Wuliji’s character was arrogant and too domineering.

Initially, Xiao Lintuo planned to win him over for his own use, but this guy, relying on the merits he established in the Naiman war…

And being appointed as a Thousand-Man Commander, with greatly enhanced strength in hand, was unmoved even by Xiao Lintuo’s solicitation.

Only later, when he was deceived by the High Priest and went to plunder the Han people’s grain like in those past years…

Did he remember to treat Xiao Lintuo as a backer.

Unfortunately, at this time, Xiao Lintuo had already sentenced him to death.

Preparing to use his death to bite a piece of meat off Li Xiao.

This was called dying a worthy death.

“It’s a pity that I couldn’t make him kneel before me and admit his mistake,” Xiao Lintuo said with a look of regret.

Then he ordered, “Wushu.”

“Here.”

“Go notify the Hundred-Man Commanders and Thousand-Man Commanders of those tribes to come to my tent to discuss matters.”

“Yes, sir.”

For this plan, Xiao Lintuo could be said to have plotted for a long time.

He didn’t even let the Hundred-Man Commanders and Thousand-Man Commanders of various tribes leave, keeping them temporarily at Wuya Village.

Just to force their hand today.

Making these guys take a firm stand.

Soon after, the Hundred-Man Commanders and Thousand-Man Commanders of various tribes arrived at Xiao Lintuo’s large tent.

However, Xiao Lintuo let them enter one by one, alone.

The first to enter was a middle-aged man named Wumeng.

He was a Thousand-Man Commander personally appointed by Xiao Sima, of the same rank as Wuliji.

Only his character wasn’t as arrogant as Wuliji’s. He was fairly obedient in front of Xiao Lintuo but was also a slippery fellow.

Always refusing to firmly defect to Xiao Lintuo, delusional about being a fence-sitter, offending neither Li Xiao nor Xiao Sima.

And now, Xiao Lintuo was going to force him to make a choice.

“Greetings, Governor.”

Wumeng walked into the large tent and bowed respectfully.

Only he was still curious in his heart why he was called in alone.

But looking again, there were two more personal guards in Xiao Lintuo’s large tent.

This gradually gave Wumeng an indescribable sense of oppression.

“Thousand-Man Commander Wumeng, there is unfortunate news I must tell you.”

Xiao Lintuo sat at the head, speaking in a faint voice.

His tone was neither hurried nor slow, yet it gave Wumeng immense psychological pressure.

“Wuliji is dead, killed by Han people.”

Hearing this sentence, Wumeng widened his eyes instantly, looking at Xiao Lintuo in disbelief.

“What? How is this possible?”

Although he and the Wuliji Tribe were not of the same origin, being in Jin Prefecture and both being nomadic tribes, they were relatively familiar.

He never expected that guy would die in the blink of an eye.

And killed by Han people.

“Wuliji was shot dead by Han arrows; this is absolutely true.”

“As the Military Governor of Jin Prefecture, and with Wuliji being a Thousand-Man Commander under me, I naturally cannot let him die in vain with a grievance.”

“I must seek justice for him.”

Saying this, Xiao Lintuo’s expression became serious. He stared at Wumeng with oppressive eyes and said, “I am preparing to expose this matter before the Garrison Commissioner.”

“But Li Xiao is extraordinary after all, and you are also very clear about his relationship with Her Highness the Princess.”

“I appear weak alone, but if you Thousand-Man Commanders and Hundred-Man Commanders go with me, we can surely make the Garrison Commissioner return justice to Thousand-Man Commander Wuliji.”

After speaking, Xiao Lintuo put on a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and said in a faint voice, “Thousand-Man Commander Wumeng, are you willing to go with me?”

Listening to Xiao Lintuo’s tone, Wumeng suddenly felt a creepy sensation making his hair stand on end.

Then, his face turned somewhat ugly, and he said hesitantly, “This… this…”

Xiao Lintuo’s meaning was very clear: he was forcing Wumeng to take a stand.

Once he went with Xiao Lintuo to complain to Xiao Sima, he would offend Li Xiao.

It would be considered formally joining Xiao Lintuo’s camp.

At that time, even if he wanted to take the initiative to ease relations with Li Xiao, Li Xiao might not be willing to believe him.

“This Xiao Lintuo is truly insidious,” Wumeng said secretly in his heart.

He was neither Khitan nor Han, and really had no interest in the overt contention and secret strife between Xiao Lintuo and Li Xiao.

He just wanted to be his Thousand-Man Commander steadily.

But alas, Xiao Lintuo was unwilling to let him go.

Remembering the last person who didn’t give Xiao Lintuo face was precisely Wuliji.

But now he was dead, dead at the hands of ‘Han people’?

Thinking of this, the fear in Wumeng’s heart grew stronger.

And Xiao Lintuo continued to force him to declare his attitude, saying in an increasingly cold tone, “Thousand-Man Commander Wumeng, I heard your relationship with Thousand-Man Commander Wuliji has always been good.”

“Now that he is dead, are you unwilling to seek justice for him?”

“People who betray friends usually don’t have a good end.”

Hearing Xiao Lintuo’s words, Wumeng turned pale and shook his head hurriedly, saying, “No, no, no, this subordinate doesn’t want to avoid seeking justice for Wuliji.”

“It’s just thinking that Li Xiao has considerable power and the relationship with the Princess, so he’s not easy to deal with.”

Xiao Lintuo snorted with laughter: “No matter. When the time comes, you just need to act according to my cues.”

“You will find that Li Xiao isn’t that hard to deal with.”

Words had reached this point, and there were several personal guards gripping their sword hilts eyeing him covetously.

Wumeng had no choice but to agree.

Otherwise, he believed he would definitely become the next Wuliji.

Thus, he bowed to Xiao Lintuo: “Everything is at the Governor’s command.”

At this moment, Wumeng was considered to have formally submitted to him. A smile appeared on Xiao Lintuo’s face, and he was obviously in a great mood.

“Good, Thousand-Man Commander Wumeng is a straightforward person.”

“Go rest in the tent next door first. After I discuss with others, let’s go drink.”

Soon, Xiao Lintuo let the second Thousand-Man Commander in. Using the same routine of coercion and inducement…

He subdued him immediately.

There were eight Thousand-Man Commanders in Jin Prefecture: four were Han, and three were from nomadic tribes.

The last one was a Khitan.

He was Xiao Lintuo’s trusted aide who established merit in the previous war and was appointed as a Thousand-Man Commander.

This was also to allow Xiao Lintuo to gain a firm foothold in Jin Prefecture and not be oppressed by the local faction without the power to fight back.

So, now Xiao Lintuo only needed to subdue Wumeng and the other Thousand-Man Commander.

After both Thousand-Man Commanders caved in, those remaining Hundred-Man Commanders would be easier to deal with.

After an hour, all Thousand-Man Commanders and Hundred-Man Commanders had declared their attitudes, willing to accuse Li Xiao together.

At this moment, Xiao Lintuo was in an exceptionally good mood.

It was the best moment since he learned that Li Xiao was appointed as Vice Military Governor of Jin Prefecture.

This time, although he couldn’t completely crush Li Xiao, he could hurt him severely.

According to Xiao Lintuo’s estimation, it would be best to strip one Thousand-Man Commander from Li Xiao’s hands.

Regarding Li Xiao himself, with Xiao Yanyan’s protection, Xiao Lintuo knew he couldn’t take him down yet.

He could only wait for opportunities slowly.

But the biggest gain this time was that the forces of these three nomadic tribal Thousand-Man Commanders could finally be thoroughly used by him.

From now on, he would possess strength in Jin Prefecture completely comparable to Li Xiao, or even stronger.

“Governor, Wuliji’s son has arrived!”

“He seems to have encountered some trouble; he is alone.”

After everyone left, Xiao Lintuo’s trusted aide Wushu came in to report.

Hearing this, Xiao Lintuo frowned slightly: “Let him in.”

Soon, led by Wushu, Amo walked into the large tent. Upon seeing Xiao Lintuo, he knelt directly on the ground and started crying.

“Woooo…”

“Governor Xiao, you must uphold justice for us!”

“Governor Xiao…”

Hearing this wailing like ghosts and howling like wolves, Xiao Lintuo was also confused for a moment.

After confirming with Wushu that this was Wuliji’s son, he hurriedly had people help him up.

At this time, Xiao Lintuo had time to examine him carefully.

Asking, “Why are you so wretched?”

Hearing this, Amo cried again: “Governor Xiao, our tribe is too miserable.”

“My father was killed by Han people.”

“The High Priest took me to Wuya Village preparing to complain to the Garrison Commissioner, but unexpectedly encountered Han ambush halfway.”

“I risked my life to escape.”

“Poor High Priest and other warriors of my tribe all died at the hands of those Han people.”

“Woooo…”

“Governor Xiao, before dying, the High Priest warned me to find you first, otherwise I would be intercepted by Han people before even seeing the Garrison Commissioner.”

“You must uphold justice for us, my Lord!”

Listening to Amo’s tearful crying, the corner of Xiao Lintuo’s mouth curled up slightly, and his heart blossomed with joy.

“Li Xiao, oh Li Xiao.”

“Young after all. Didn’t even intercept a single person, letting him fall into my hands.”

“This time, even if you don’t die, you’ll shed a layer of skin.”

Xiao Lintuo laughed loudly in his heart.