Chapter 907 - 131: Finally Gaining Something
Li Siye pondered briefly, then frankly said, "Compared to the palace division troops in Your Majesty’s Night Guard, they fall far short. When compared with the brave warriors of General Kuchulu’s Six Departments, they are still much inferior. But their equipment is fairly sophisticated, and their marching is orderly, probably on par with the soldiers of the Huigu Tribe."
The generals of the Six Departments are generally appointed by the King of the Southern King’s Mansion, also known in the Liao Dynasty as the Southern King’s Mansion.
Western Liao did not appoint a King of the Southern King’s Mansion, instead, it was led by Yelv Zilu’s adopted son, Commander Kuchulu.
Due to the sparse population in Western Liao, a system of indirect rule was implemented where various ethnic groups, including the Han people, had substantial autonomy, only needing to pay taxes and serve in the military without interference from the Western Liao court.
During wartime, Western Liao would summon various tribes under its command to send troops, so when comparing combat effectiveness, one could only compare the soldiers of other tribes.
This part was not translated by the interpreter, leaving the two reinforcements generals confused.
Ivan couldn’t help but murmur to Baron Fulk beside him, "What are they babbling about?"
Baron Fulk shook his head with a bitter smile; he couldn’t understand the Qidan language. From his homeland of Languedoc to here, the distance was almost analogous to "from Ireland to Qidan," practically equivalent to traveling from one end of the world to the other.
"I requested assistance in the esteemed name of Ju’er Khan, and this is the kind of support the King of Persia sends us? What about the Longevity Army under his command?"
Yelv Zilu sneered. Although in name he had submitted to the King of Kings in Tarsus, and agreed to bestow the title of "Ju’er Khan" or "Khan of all Khans," in practice, he considered himself the Eastern Emperor, so how could he bow to a Persian?
If it weren’t for the two successive major battles against the Southern Gur Dynasty, resulting in heavy losses and unrest among his subordinates leading to rebellions from the Khwarezmians and the Karakhanids, how could the Emperor of Great Liao have fallen to such a state?
"Well then, no matter what, the two generals have come with earnest intentions to assist, how could Your Majesty treat them lightly? Quickly invite the two to take a seat, and ensure their soldiers are well entertained, so as not to lose the hospitality of our Great Liao Kingdom."
After the Khitan Empress finished speaking, she quietly reminded, "No matter Your Majesty’s prejudices against the Persians, it is the Tatars who captured Husi Woreda after conquering the Jin Kingdom that are our greatest enemy now."
Regarding the Tatars, Yelv Zilu also fell into silence.
Western Liao hadn’t attempted an Eastern Expedition to restore Great Liao’s glory; after taking the throne, Yelv Zilu even sent envoys to Western Xia and communicated with the Emperor of Song Country, attempting to jointly attack the Jin Kingdom. Ultimately, due to Western Xia’s disagreement, the plan fell through.
Subsequently, upon hearing of the Tatars’ victory over the Jin state’s 300,000-strong army at Wild Fox Ridge, Yelv Zilu was deeply alarmed. When the Tatars’ 20,000-strong force approached, he dared not underestimate them in the slightest.
Even though he treated them with the utmost seriousness, they were still easily defeated. Such a formidable enemy, how could he risk overlooking them?
"So be it, let’s do as the Empress suggests."
Ivan didn’t understand their mutterings, and the interpreter wasn’t foolish either, choosing to translate some things while ignoring others.
Upon hearing that the Khan of Khitan invited them to take a seat and even sent maids to serve them with fine wine and delicacies, Ivan mistakenly thought the Khan had a favorable opinion of him and drank a few more cups, becoming restless.
He stood, holding his cup respectfully, and said, "Esteemed Khan of Khitan, I have a gift to present, requesting only to open a military camp outside Samarkand, to recruit new soldiers, and train them to better assist the Great Khan in defending against foreign enemies."
Yelv Zilu looked at the surrounding Khitan nobility, half-laughing, half-crying, and said, "Hahaha, look at this motley elf often used as a slave, a mere 5,000 men, yet to contribute to His Khan, already asking for pastures to graze."
The Khitan nobles laughed along, not taking the troops led by Ivan seriously. If it were 5,000 cavalry, they might have been given some consideration, but 5,000 infantry were not worth mentioning.
In their nomadic mindset, infantry were always seen as like grazing cattle and sheep.
The interpreter stood forward, stating, "Your Majesty, it is a time for manpower. These two men are reportedly serving under the Green-robed Arab ruler, having battled the Crusaders, and faced the Demon Dragon driven by the Crusader King. They are brave warriors. Since the Green-robed Arabs have poor relations with the Persians, these two were sent as reinforcements due to mistrust by the Persian King. Your Majesty only needs to win them over slightly, and they will surely serve loyally."
"Crusaders? Is that the army organized by Nestorian Christians to combat Fire Worshipers?"
Western Liao, located in Central Asia, wasn’t entirely ignorant of Western occurrences. Though the state religion of Kara Khitay was Buddhism, many tribes, like the Sassanid Dynasty, largely followed Fire Worship and Nestorianism.
"Indeed."
Yelv Zilu touched the beard on his chin, puzzled, "So, these two are not the confidants of the Persian King, but rather under the Green-robed Arabs’ rule. How did they end up under the Persian King, and then get sent to support us?"
The interpreter briefly explained the details, and Yelv Zilu couldn’t help but laugh, "That Green-robed Arabs’ ruler is quite amusing, coming up with this plan to give the Persian King trouble. No wonder these two unfortunate fellows were dispatched here."
Standing, he said, "Assign them a plot of land in the western suburbs of Samarkand, but inform them they may not recruit soldiers freely. If they need men, they should go outside to subjugate those bandits. All captives and spoils may be theirs to take."
Though Samarkand was affluent, it lay on the frontier of Western Liao, frequently raided by rebelling Khwarezmians. Though these attacks weren’t large-scale, they were quite troublesome. Ignoring them would undoubtedly affect Samarkand’s prosperity as a financial hub.
Besides the Khwarezmians, many nomadic wanderers who left their tribes, or outright escaped slaves, with neither land nor livestock, would take up arms for banditry. Being weak, they dared not target even slightly stronger caravans.
Upon leaving the main hall, Ivan felt refreshed, almost laughing out loud.
"Fulk, we finally have a chance to train soldiers and expand our forces!"
"Why does that Khitan Empress always speak favorably of you?"
Fulk, not understanding what they were saying, knew it was after the Khitan Empress spoke that the Khitan ruler’s attitude changed.
"Who knows, maybe it’s because we brothers are extraordinarily brave?"
Upon leaving the main hall, Ivan felt refreshed, almost laughing out loud.
"Fulk, we finally have a chance to train soldiers and expand our forces!"
"Why does that Khitan Empress always speak favorably of you?"
Fulk, not understanding what they were saying, knew it was after the Khitan Empress spoke that the Khitan ruler’s attitude changed.
"Who knows, maybe it’s because we brothers are extraordinarily brave?"