Chapter 84: Jin Prefecture Deputy Military Governor

Although he felt vaguely that something was wrong with this matter, Li Xiao didn’t say anything on the spot.

Because there was no basis, just his own conjecture. Even if he said it, Xiao Simo might not necessarily give up this opportunity.

It might not change the deployment of the war situation at all, but it would have a considerable impact on Li Xiao personally.

If Buyruq Khan’s submission was genuine, it would only prove Li Xiao’s stupidity, poor judgment, and measuring the heart of a gentleman with the petty mind of a mean person.

And if it really happened, Li Xiao could certainly prove his unique vision and strategic mind, but the result would only be worse.

So only you, Li Xiao, are smart?

He, Xiao Simo, and so many generals are all fools?

Played around by the Buyruq Khan brothers and ending up with heavy losses?

Xiao Simo might praise Li Xiao on the surface, but he would definitely have another thought in his heart.

Because Li Xiao’s achievement was built on the basis of Xiao Simo’s inability to judge people and decision-making errors.

Using his own stupidity to highlight Li Xiao’s greatness, could Xiao Simo feel good in his heart?

Such consequences, besides making Xiao Simo unhappy and offending other generals, would not do Li Xiao any good.

So, Li Xiao wisely chose to shut up about this matter.

“I can only take one step and look one step ahead.. if it really doesn’t work, just run away with people,” Li Xiao said secretly in his heart.

But if the Northern Border Army lost too miserably, it wouldn’t do Li Xiao any good either. Jin Prefecture would face the threat of the Naimans, and the chaos of war would continue.

Li Xiao would no longer have the opportunity and time to develop with peace of mind and consolidate his power.

So, what a headache.

Just as Li Xiao was preoccupied, Xiao Simo began to talk about business.

“According to the report from the prisoners captured by the scouts, Tayang Khan has issued an order that all males over twelve years old in the Naiman tribes must join the army.”

“And conscripted five thousand troops from the eastern border to help.”

“Overall, the Naimans we will face will be around fifteen thousand.”

After the Battle of the Altai Mountains, the Northern Border Army under Xiao Simo still had more than twenty-three thousand people.

Not to mention there was also Toqto Bolad’s army of ten thousand helping out.

So the advantage in this battle was extremely large.

Other generals meant the same.

“Are all the Naimans dead? Twelve years old? Haha, actually letting a bunch of bed-wetting babies go to the battlefield,” Xiao Tuolatu laughed loudly.

“Don’t scare this bunch of babies into peeing their pants on the battlefield.”

“Haha, let alone fifteen thousand, even if another fifteen thousand come, our Great Liao iron cavalry can still flatten them.”

The generals said heroically.

The advantage of the Northern Border Army was reflected not only in the number of troops but also in the quality of soldiers.

The combat power of the Northern Border soldiers who had experienced the bloody battle of the Altai Mountains was by no means comparable to the child soldiers hastily conscripted by Tayang Khan.

Li Xiao also admitted this; the advantage of the Northern Border Army was obvious.

“Even if Buyruq Khan really has double intentions, the Northern Border Army might not lose too miserably,” Li Xiao said secretly in his heart.

Expecting inwardly that the Northern Border Army wouldn’t really be beaten to collapse.

Soon, Xiao Simo stopped the meaningless noise of the generals and began to assign combat tasks.

“Buyruq Khan’s army will arrive in five days.”

“At that time, we will fight a decisive battle with Tayang Khan’s army on the front, and Buyruq Khan’s army will echo on the flank,” Xiao Simo said in a deep voice.

“General Xiao Linta.”

“This lowly general is here.”

“Order your division to attack the Naiman left flank.”

“Yes!”

Xiao Simo first arranged the combat tasks of the Khitan main force, all traditional combat methods.

First long-range shooting with bows and arrows, then thrusting from both left and right flanks, attracting enemy forces.

Finally, the heavy armored cavalry in the center, coordinated with light cavalry, would launch a general attack to breaking through the Naiman line.

When it was finally Li Xiao’s turn, Xiao Simo pondered for a moment, then said: “Order your division’s troops to prepare as the Left Wing and wait for the Naiman army to scatter, then you can pursue and kill them.”

Hearing this, Li Xiao said heavily: “Yes!”

But he was somewhat surprised in his heart.

Because of receiving the replenishment of that part of the seven-fortress coalition left behind in the Altai Mountains, the military strength under Li Xiao’s command recovered to more than three thousand again.

Among the troops of various divisions, the strength was considered relatively high.

He thought he would get a very difficult task, but he didn’t expect just this?

Pursuing and killing? Counted as the easiest.

But the merit was also the smallest.

The first merit naturally belonged to those charging the formation like Xiao Linta.

However, Xiao Simo hesitated after speaking and said: “In the Battle of the Altai Mountains, your division worked the hardest, you can rest well first in this battle.”

Because Li Xiao’s subordinates suffered considerable losses in the previous battle, so special care?

What else could Li Xiao say? he hurriedly thanked him.

But in fact, he was very happy to receive this task in his heart.

He already had enough merits; there was no need to risk the lives of his subordinate soldiers to fight for more credit.

What Li Xiao needed to do now was preserve strength and reduce subordinate casualties.

Moreover, there was a Buyruq Khan whose sincerity was unknown eyeing covetously from the side. Li Xiao didn’t want his troops to get too deeply involved in the battlefield.

Being a second-line troop was quite good; once the situation was wrong, it was convenient to escape.

Before long, the generals dispersed, and Li Xiao also prepared to return to his army.

But just as he walked not far out of the big tent, he ran into a Khitan face-to-face.

“Commander Thousand Household Li.”

Li Xiao looked up and smiled instantly; still an acquaintance.

It was one of the two guards who followed Xiao Yanyan at that time, just didn’t know his name.

“The Princess wants to see you, please follow me.”

After speaking, the guard walked ahead first.

Not far from Xiao Simo’s big tent was Xiao Yanyan’s tent.

After the guard reported, he stood expressionlessly in front of the tent as a door god, while Li Xiao calmly lifted the curtain and walked in.

At a glance, he saw Xiao Yanyan sitting by the bed, wearing a red long gown, her freshly washed jet-black hair scattered behind her head.

She was grooming it slowly with a ox horn comb, and a faint floral scent wafted in the tent.

“Princess.”

Li Xiao just opened his mouth when Xiao Yanyan looked up, looking at him with blaming eyes and said: “How many times have I told you.”

“Don’t call me Princess.”

Li Xiao shook his head gently and smiled: “A-Man.”

Only then did Xiao Yanyan snort lightly, agreeing proudly.

“Come here, comb my hair for me.”

Hearing this, Li Xiao subconsciously wanted to walk over, but then thought that in this era, it was rare for men to comb women’s hair.

“This, isn’t very appropriate, right?”

Xiao Yanyan chuckled softly, turned her head, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, looking at Li Xiao with provocative eyes.

“What? Are you afraid, or shy?”

“What, the usually awe-inspiring General Li doesn’t even dare to agree to this small matter?”

Her voice was soft, but her eyes were slightly proud and mocking; the provocative look made Li Xiao very angry.

This enchantress…

Li Xiao really wanted to slap her first, then grab her hair and press her down…

“Hehe, what’s there to be afraid of?” Li Xiao shook his head indifferently and smiled.

With his mindset from later generations, there was no pressure at all for such things. Xiao Yanyan had actively invited him; Li Xiao wouldn’t chicken out.

Stepping forward, walking behind Xiao Yanyan, he reached out, took the ox horn comb, and began to comb down along the hair with slightly stiff movements.

Although Li Xiao combed not gently at all, slightly clumsily, and even pulled out several hairs, Xiao Yanyan didn’t mind at all.

Instead, she sat up straight with a smile on her lips, letting Li Xiao perform.

“Do you know?”

“You are the first man to comb my hair, not even my brother has done it.”

“When he was young, he was a big stupid ox.. he couldn’t do anything about girls.”

Hearing Xiao Yanyan’s words, Li Xiao’s arm paused for an instant, and he chuckled: “Then I definitely feel honored.”

“Being able to comb hair for this Princess, you are indeed quite honored,” Xiao Yanyan said shamelessly.

“Hehe~” Li Xiao laughed.

“By the way, i will tell you a good thing,” Xiao Yanyan said.

“In the Battle of the Altai Mountains, you established the first merit. Guess what reward my brother will give you?”

Xiao Yanyan looked at Li Xiao with slightly expectant eyes.

“What reward? Could it be bestowing you, this Princess, upon me, letting me be the Prince Consort?” Li Xiao joked.

Xiao Yanyan glared at him instantly: “What nonsense are you talking about, certainly not.”

There was no dissatisfaction in her tone, but rather something akin to coquettish anger.

“If not letting me be the Prince Consort, could it be rewarding me with a hundred beauties?”

“Li Xiao, is there nothing but women in your brain?” Xiao Yanyan laughed angrily.

Knowing Li Xiao was joking with her, she said: “Forget it, won’t let you guess blindly; no good words come from your mouth.”

“Just tell you directly.”

“It’s Deputy Military Governor!”

“My brother plans to let you serve as the Deputy Military Governor of Jin Prefecture.”

Hearing this, Li Xiao was stunned for a moment.

After Yelü Dashi established Governor-General’s Offices in the Four Prefectures of the Northern Border, he had never established a deputy position.

It was just that the previous Governors-General were more like a supervisory role, unable to actually interfere in the specific affairs of fortresses and tribes.

Xiao Simo wanted to reform the Four Prefectures of the Northern Border, taking power back from the grassroots to the Governor-General’s Office.

Inevitably, this would cause the Governor-General’s power to be too heavy, grasping both military and political power.

So a Deputy Military Governor was needed to check and balance the Governor-General’s power.

Perhaps there was also the intention of guarding against that ‘winning lottery ticket’ (betrayal).

Xiao Simo knew there were people with disloyalty under his command, but didn’t know who.

If he really ‘won the lottery’, having a Deputy Military Governor to check and balance might make the outcome not too terrible.

Countless thoughts flashed through Li Xiao’s mind, but on the surface, he looked disappointed and sighed.

“Jin Prefecture Deputy Military Governor?”

“Sigh!”

“I thought I would get at least a Governor-General; turns out it’s only a deputy.”

Hearing Li Xiao’s punchable words, Xiao Yanyan widened her eyes immediately and gave Li Xiao’s a light punch.

Saying angrily: “Governor-General? In your dreams!”

“Even this Deputy Military Governor was something I managed with great difficulty”

Xiao Yanyan seemed to realize she had let something slip and shut her mouth immediately.

Li Xiao’s face instantly showed an expression between laughter and tears.

Thought he earned the Deputy Military Governor position fair and square with his military merits, didn’t expect it was also related to eating soft rice (relying on a woman).

The key is this soft rice tastes quite good.

“It seems I, Li Xiao, am born with the fate of eating soft rice!” Li Xiao shook his head and smiled bitterly.

(End of this chapter)