On the high platform, the three northern barbarians looked grim. They sent a letter to the Khan's capital, saying they hadn't slept well all night, and the two princes had long lost their aristocratic demeanor.
Xiao Zhixing, however, remained calm and composed, sitting there without urging them to make a decision, a playful smile on his face.
That look could drive a person crazy.
Finally, Gu Modi stiffened and said, "Six million taels, ten million mu!"
After saying those words, he slumped down, as if he had breathed a sigh of relief.
However, they dared not relax completely, keeping a close eye on Xiao Zhixing, fearing that she would insist on making exorbitant demands and would not back down.
Xiao Zhixing smiled, his phoenix eyes curving into a smile, looking innocently adorable. "Deal!"
That's exactly the effect she wanted: reparations and territorial concessions!
This not only vented his own anger but also demoralized the enemy and cemented Xiao Kui's place on the pillory of shame.
As for the specific amount of territory seized, that only applies to what is actually taken.
Of the 100 million mu or 100,000 square kilometers of land, I occupy 200,000 or 300,000 square meters. Has anyone calculated that?
I think this area is 100,000 square meters. If you have any objections, send troops to seize it and draw the line.
Her straightforwardness made the three of them inexplicably nervous.
Even after returning to Guixiong Pass and urging Gu Na to lead his troops away quickly, even after they had already headed towards the grasslands, they still couldn't feel at ease.
In the summer of the twenty-first year of Yunping, Guixiong Pass, which he had left Dasheng for more than a year, returned to Dasheng.
The Great Sheng Imperial Banner and the Xiao Character Commander Banner were once again planted atop this ancient and majestic city.
The whole city was draped in white silk, and yellow paper filled the sky.
The surviving people walked silently through the streets to pay tribute to their relatives and soldiers who died unjustly last year.
They won and returned, but there was no cheering, only lamentation.
Xiao Zhixing stood on the city wall, silent.
Xiao Bei sighed, "War brings immense suffering to the people."
Let the world have only one country and one voice!
To stop war with war.
At this moment, Qi Danhe ran up and said, "Your Highness, some people have reported that they know the whereabouts of the three young generals of the Song family."
Xiao Zhixing turned around. "Where?"
When they arrived at the location, Xiao Zhixing was taken aback to see three small mounds of earth covered with miscellaneous items, without any tombstones or graves.
An old man knelt there, saying, "Three young generals died in battle. My son was their subordinate. He and several brave men rescued their bodies and buried them here. They also instructed me to guard this place well..."
Xiao Zhixing nodded, "A hero of great righteousness."
The old man's face was weathered, the walls and tiles were dilapidated, and the house was deserted; his children must not have returned.
She personally helped him up, saying, "On behalf of the Song family army, I thank you for your righteousness!"
The old man couldn't hold back his tears.
After settling the old man in, Xiao Zhixing had someone guard the place and immediately sent a message to Lin Rushu.
The Song family must decide how to arrange the remains of the three individuals.
Returning to the empty general's mansion, which had only been under different ownership for a year, it already bore the scent of the northern barbarians.
Someone will eventually remove and replace these unsightly decorations.
Xiao Zhixing summoned his generals to make arrangements, saying, "From here to here, build the city wall. It doesn't need to be too magnificent or tall."
She designated nearly 200,000 square meters of land, which is located just outside Guixiong Pass, shaped like an outward-facing trumpet, flanked by towering mountains on both sides.
The area where she wants to build the city wall is outside the loudspeaker. The enclosed area will serve as a buffer zone, a training ground, and her horse farm.
This place is beyond the control of the Dasheng people and the Northern Barbarians, so it will become a separate space for her personal use.
She will train batches of soldiers and warhorses from this place.
Her goal is to expand the army to 500,000 to 800,000 or even a million.
The vast north can accommodate so many people.
The city wall doesn't need to be built too well. With cement and the soldiers mobilized, they can dig soil and break stones on the spot, and the construction speed will be very fast.
She made arrangements and waited for Su Zhen to return at Guixiong Pass.
Four days later, the murderous Southern Jiangsu army returned to Guixiong Pass with the heads of more than 20,000 Northern Barbarians.
Xiao Zhixing raised the commander's flag and beat the military drum.
More than 20,000 heads were laid out densely on the ground, and the entire army stood on both sides wearing white silk ribbons.
The people walked slowly in.
Xiao Zhixing spoke, his voice echoing in all directions, "Fellow villagers, today I have cut off the heads of 20,000 northern barbarians and placed them here, not for any other reason than to pay tribute to the heroic spirits of the entire city."
"I hereby swear that one day I will trample the Khan's capital and pay for the blood debt in blood!"
Waaah—
As the bugle sounded, Xiao Zhixing poured three cups of strong liquor.
Dark clouds rolled overhead, and the wind howled fiercely.
With a thud, the people couldn't help but kneel down, their sobs turning into wailing.
The soldiers roared, "We will trample the Khan's capital! Blood debts must be repaid in blood!"
"Horse trample the capital! Blood debts must be repaid in blood!!"
Gradually, the people wiped away their tears, raised their fists, and roared in anger, demanding blood for blood!
Xiao Zhixing kept looking at that tearful, resentful face, and it had come to life.
People need something to look forward to in order to have the strength to keep moving forward.
Guixiong Pass cannot be shrouded in lifelessness.
This place will be a bridgehead for attacking the northern barbarians, and a hub connecting the north and south in the future.
As for the protests from the northern barbarians regarding these heads, her reply was: They were sent by patriotic righteous men, and I had no choice but to accept them. If your country had been law-abiding, you would not have suffered this calamity!
Xiao Zhixing stayed at Guixiong Pass for ten days. The imperial edict of reward from Shengjing arrived, and the generals below her were all promoted. She had nothing left to reward.
Zhao Yunqi bestowed upon her the title of "Minister in Charge of Military Affairs on the Northern Border".
Tch, this was probably a gift given out of desperation because she already had control over the military affairs of the three prefectures.
However, it's not without its advantages; at least it makes things legitimate.
She likes to push her luck, which makes it easier for her to openly send more troops to various places.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
