Chapter 58: Fifteen Years Old That Year, Standing Like a Minion

In later generations, there were very few historical records about Western Liao, and there was no mention of the character Xiao Simo at all.

Li Xiao only realized now that this guy was preparing to rebel!

“Can this be considered boarding a pirate ship?” Li Xiao thought with mixed feelings of laughter and tears.

Considering the complex relationship between the Xiao family and Yelü Zhilugu, Xiao Simo indeed had the possibility of rebelling.

And historically, he probably didn’t succeed in rebelling. After all, Yelü Zhilugu’s country was usurped more than ten years later by the Naiman prince Kuchlug.

“So, this is not only a pirate ship but also a broken ship.” Li Xiao covered his face in his heart, speechless.

But there was no choice. When under someone else’s roof, one has to bow one’s head. The Northern Border was Xiao Simo’s territory; even if it was a broken ship, he had to get on first.

Moreover, even a broken ship has three thousand nails (still has some value/use)!

Just like the famous Six Garrisons Rebellion of the Northern Wei Dynasty; although it failed, it dealt a heavy blow to the Northern Wei.

As a participant, Yuwen Tai accepted a large amount of political legacy in this process, fully preparing for his subsequent rise.

So, Li Xiao was also secretly looking forward to how much political legacy Xiao Simo would leave him after his rebellion failed.

In the following time, Xiao Simo and others began to discuss how to eliminate more of the Naiman forces so they would never dare to covet the Northern Border again.

However, these people all spoke Khitan, and Li Xiao couldn’t understand a single sentence.

Feeling like an outsider.

No choice; after all, he was a newcomer and definitely couldn’t integrate into Xiao Simo’s core circle.

“Climb up step by step, climb to the highest point where no one can look down on me,” Li Xiao thought secretly while drinking kumis alone.

This feeling of being isolated and looked down upon was very uncomfortable.

Many years later, Li Xiao might lament recalling today’s scene: “Fifteen years old that year, standing like a minion.”

Just then, a shadow fell before him.

“Her Royal Highness the Princess!” Li Xiao looked up at Xiao Yanyan and greeted her.

Xiao Yanyan looked at him with a half-smile: “Why don’t you call me Miss Xiao anymore? ‘Her Royal Highness the Princess’ sounds so distant!”

Hearing this, Li Xiao shook his head and smiled bitterly: “I didn’t know Her Royal Highness’s identity before; please forgive me.”

“Tch, boring.” Xiao Yanyan snorted lightly.

She still liked the previously unruly Li Xiao.

Thinking this, she also sat down beside Li Xiao without any scruples.

Mainly seeing Li Xiao was too lonely and couldn’t participate in the topic of Xiao Simo and the others at all.

After all, Li Xiao was considered one of her, Xiao Yanyan’s people; it wasn’t good to leave him out in the cold.

“Are you curious why General Xiao Linta showed hostility towards the Royal Court without any scruples in front of you?” Xiao Yanyan whispered beside Li Xiao.

“En~” Li Xiao nodded gently: “A little curious.”

“After all, it’s my first time in this big tent. I’m not familiar with them, let alone trusted.”

“Aren’t Lord Xiao and the others afraid I’ll leak it out?”

In Li Xiao’s view, rebellion should be as secretive as possible; the fewer people who know, the better.

But the brain circuits of these Khitans were obviously a bit different.

Xiao Yanyan pursed her lips and smiled gently, looking at Li Xiao with crystal-clear eyes: “Do you know Sima Zhao?”

Li Xiao nodded gently; who wouldn’t know him?

“Before the Sima family rebelled, did the people of Wei know?” Xiao Yanyan asked again.

Li Xiao was instantly speechless.

Then he heard Xiao Yanyan say in a quiet voice: “Actually, the conflict between my brother and Zhilugu is not a secret at all.”

“There is no one in the entire Royal Court who doesn’t know.”

“Everyone knows that if given the chance, my brother will definitely drive Zhilugu down from that position.”

“Zhilugu naturally knows very well in his heart. Of course, he also wants to solve the trouble of my brother, but unfortunately, he has never had the chance.”

“My brother is not someone he can easily deal with.”

Hearing this, Li Xiao finally understood.

Holy crap, so they have already reached the point of playing with open cards.

Both sides were very clear about each other’s intentions.

But the reality was that neither side had the ability to solve the other in one fell swoop.

Yelü Zhilugu was the emperor and had the righteousness of name.

Xiao Simo also had the political legacy Xiao Wolila struggled for decades to leave behind; his strength was equally not to be underestimated.

The overt and covert struggles between the two sides had long begun.

It was just that Li Xiao stayed in this remote corner of Jin Prefecture and knew nothing about it.

This was awkward; unknowingly, he had participated in the highest-level political struggle of Western Liao.

“Do you regret saying those words just now?” Xiao Yanyan looked at Li Xiao and smiled weirdly.

“No!” Li Xiao shook his head decisively.

Definitely couldn’t say regret!

When placing bets, the biggest taboo is trying to please both sides.

Although knowing clearly that Xiao Simo might fail, wasn’t this also Li Xiao’s opportunity?

“There is a saying among you Han people called ‘seeking wealth and honor amidst danger’.” Xiao Yanyan said softly, and even poured a cup of wine for Li Xiao personally.

“Although following my brother looks very risky, for someone from an ordinary Han family like you, it is the best path for advancement.”

“With your ability, becoming a marquis or minister in the future will definitely not be a problem.”

Xiao Yanyan started painting a big picture for Li Xiao again.

Regarding this, Li Xiao accepted it all, looking moved.

This woman even poured wine for him personally; if he didn’t appreciate the favor, the consequences might be a bit serious.

“A real man born between heaven and earth should act vigorously; how can he be indecisive?”

“Princess, rest assured, I am not that kind of half-hearted person who forgets righteousness for profit.” Li Xiao said firmly.

Then he raised the cup of wine and drank it in one gulp.

“However, I have another question.” Li Xiao put down the wine cup and said.

“Lord Xiao mobilized so many troops to march east against the Naimans; isn’t he afraid that the Eastern Capital will be empty and the Gurkhan will take advantage from behind?”

Xiao Yanyan shook her head gently: “Naturally not.”

“My brother left many soldiers stationed in the Eastern Capital, all people loyal to my brother.”

“Of course, the most important thing is that the Royal Court’s energy is tied up by the Ghurid Kingdom and has no ability to attend to the Northern Border.”

After Xiao Yanyan’s explanation, Li Xiao also gained some understanding of the situation in Central Asia.

The Ghurid Kingdom was located south of Western Liao, roughly the position of later Afghanistan.

Since the Seljuk Empire was defeated by Yelü Dashi back then, the Ghurid Kingdom, as a younger brother, slowly absorbed the legacy of the Seljuk Empire and began to rise in recent years.

Constantly waging wars against foreign countries, its strength became increasingly powerful.

Just last year, the Ghurid Kingdom went north to attack the Khorasan region.

As the suzerain state, Western Liao accepted the request of the vassal state Khwarazm, and General Tayangu led an army of twenty thousand to march on the Khorasan region.

Part of the Royal Court’s troops were drawn away, so Xiao Simo had the opportunity to free his hands and prepare to deal with the Naimans.

Before the Royal Court’s army returned, it would be best to turn the Four Prefectures of the Northern Border into a stable rear area.

“So that’s how it is.” Li Xiao nodded gently.

Afterward, Li Xiao chatted with Xiao Yanyan about other things.

“Her Royal Highness the Princess~”

Li Xiao was just about to speak when Xiao Yanyan raised her hand to interrupt him.

“I treat you as a friend; don’t be so distant with me, don’t call me Princess.”

“Miss Xiao?” Li Xiao used a tentative tone.

“Hmph~”

Xiao Yanyan snorted unhappily and said unwillingly: “Li Xiao, I already said I treat you as a friend.”

“My nickname is A-Man; people close to me call me this. You can call me this too.”

Hearing Xiao Yanyan’s words, Li Xiao nodded.

A-Man?

This name is interesting.

“Then, A-Man, can you teach me to learn Khitan?” Li Xiao said.

Xiao Yanyan became interested upon hearing this.

“You want to learn Khitan? Of course, no problem.”

“If you become an official in Great Liao in the future, speaking Khitan is also essential.” Xiao Yanyan said happily.

Having the excitement of becoming a teacher.

But immediately after, she frowned: “Unfortunately, I don’t have much time!”

“After the battle ends, I definitely have to return to the Eastern Capital with my brother.”

“It’s okay~” Li Xiao smiled gently.

“I learn things very fast.”

No sooner said than done; Xiao Yanyan prepared to teach Li Xiao Khitan on the spot.

At this time, a loud laugh from Xiao Simo suddenly rang out in the big tent, constantly nodding to a Khitan general.

“What did that general say?”

“Lord Xiao seems very satisfied,” Li Xiao asked curiously.

“That is General Xiao Duolatu. He suggested my brother contact the Naiman Buyirugh Khan to attack the Naiman army from both sides.”

Hearing this, Li Xiao nodded slightly.

Unlike the scarcity of historical records on Western Liao, there were still some records about the Naimans in later generations.

So Li Xiao also had some understanding of this Buyirugh Khan.

He was the elder brother of the Naiman Tayang Khan.

Back when the old Naiman Khan died, the two brothers broke out in war to fight for the Khan position.

Of course, there were also rumors that the two fought to fight for their stepmother.

Both brothers coveted the beautiful and young stepmother simultaneously, but the second son’s means were more brilliant.

While the old Khan was still on his sickbed, he hooked up with the stepmother.

Using pillow talk, he successfully grabbed more power.

As soon as the old Khan died, the second son defeated the eldest son, seized the stepmother and the Khan position, proclaiming himself Tayang Khan.

The defeated eldest son led part of the tribe to migrate north, settling in the north of the Altai Mountains, proclaiming himself Buyirugh Khan.

Since then, the Naimans split into two parts, their strength greatly damaged.

And Buyirugh Khan, having missed the Khan position and the beautiful stepmother, was definitely unwilling in his heart. It was indeed possible to be persuaded to fight the Naiman Tayang Khan together.

But based on some records Li Xiao had read, the relationship between these two brothers didn’t seem that incompatible.

Although he wasn’t optimistic about this plan in his heart, Li Xiao was a newcomer after all.

Not familiar with these Khitans and not having gained Xiao Simo’s trust, he certainly wouldn’t raise objections thanklessly.

Just honestly being an invisible person was enough.

But to avoid accidents—after all, Li Xiao didn’t want the Naimans to ravage Jin Prefecture.

So he still subtly reminded Xiao Yanyan: “I heard that the relationship between Tayang Khan and Buyirugh Khan isn’t that irreconcilable.”

“Buyirugh Khan may not necessarily agree to attack the Naimans with us,” Li Xiao said softly.

Let Xiao Yanyan remind Xiao Simo; if Xiao Simo didn’t listen, there was no helping it.

Hearing this, Xiao Yanyan frowned slightly: “Is that so?”

(End of this chapter)