Li Li finally left the Xie family's headquarters and returned to the Yu Palace. Just then, Crown Princess Si Caifeng entered, heavily pregnant; she was already eight months along and would give birth next month.
When Li Li saw her belly, he was somewhat dazed, and then a sense of responsibility called fatherhood shook him.
"Why are you here?" He went to help Si Caifeng.
Si Caifeng has gained more than ten pounds. Seeing her husband's dark circles, she couldn't help but worry and said, "Your Highness."
"Don't worry about me." Li Li touched her belly, then closed his eyes and sighed, as if accepting reality: "Tomorrow you will go to the Delta with General Xie. General Xie will escort you to Weidu. Then the Xie family will send you to Tianjing."
“Your Highness, why?” Si Caifeng gripped his sleeve tightly, crumpling it into wrinkles: “I must be with you.”
Li Li realized that she was worried about him, perhaps not just because he was her husband, but because she had other motives. He already knew that.
Li Li suddenly smiled: "Only you are carrying my child, you are the mother of the Crown Prince. There's no need to worry."
Si Caifeng was startled. She also loosened her grip on Li Li's sleeve.
These words were clearly a reminder that she had already achieved her goal. There was no longer any need for her to rely on him, the crown prince.
Si Caifeng is a member of the royal family of the new Tianjing. Her unborn child will not only gain status through his father's influence but also through his mother's. This is why Prince Fengning values her. In the future, when it comes to legitimacy, Si Caifeng's offspring will undoubtedly take precedence.
Si Caifeng's eyes dimmed, and she turned and left.
Li Li suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. But he couldn't stop her. It was better to let her go.
The following day, Xie Ji did not withdraw for the time being. He sent Xie Feng with 30,000 men to the Delta and also sent Xie Fengling to escort Si Caifeng to Weidu to meet Tianjing again.
Thirty thousand people set off in a grand procession by boat from Ichiban to the delta. Because Ichiban's landmass is shaped like a round bow and its port is also arc-shaped, it could accommodate a hundred boats at the start of the journey. Once on the road, they went directly to the delta.
The northern regions are all located on the western mainland and are not connected to the port at all. Even the small islands are within the shipping lanes of the First Division, and ordinary pirates would not dare to occupy them.
The islands are uninhabited, but each has a natural freshwater lake. These lakes were formed by abundant rainfall and the resulting sedimentation.
The island has a very good ecological environment. Therefore, it was possible for 30,000 people to move to the delta very quickly.
Everything went very smoothly.
Upon receiving news of the Xie family's collective move to the Delta, Yelü Wen immediately became uneasy.
He found Shan Yuhou and told him about it.
Dan Yuhou was calmer than he had expected. He said, "Although the Xie family has declined, it is also at its last gasp."
"The road from the delta to Luerqu is not easy to travel either." Shan Yuhou learned that new artillery had appeared. He guessed it might be related to the Twin Islands.
Even when Ansan tried to seduce Zuo Wuzhang of the Twin Islands, he failed to acquire these unique cannons, only managing to create a replica. Before his death, he moved the gold from the Twin Islands to the Deer Canal, where it was then taken back to the motherland by Ansan-gun. Now, the motherland's treasury is overflowing.
King Aqina's health improved, and he quickly tidied up the situation at home. Now that the rear was stable, the Xiongnu only needed to unite against external enemies to be invincible.
He added, "Don't worry, our people are faster than the Xie family's."
Dan Yuhou thought that Xin Tianjing might have already realized their purpose, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that it was too late for them.
Yelü Wen breathed a sigh of relief. But the thought of another traitor within his own ranks filled him with rage. He decided to launch a thorough investigation.
Shan Yuhou said, "Most of the people that Luerqu lets in are those who bring us benefits. You don't need to go on a killing spree."
"Especially those small countries. They're just opportunists. Not worth mentioning."
Yelü Wen felt that the benefits he gained from opening up to smaller countries were less than those from the Xiongnu, yet it would require a significant investment in governance. It seemed like a losing proposition. However, he was prepared for the inevitable mixed effects of opening the ports.
His men quickly discovered that it was Xu State who had transported a ship full of grain to Yifan. Yelü Wen immediately revoked Xu State's right to enter and exit the port of Luerqu.
They drove Xu Guo away.
When the ruler of Xu learned of this, he immediately berated Yelü Wen for going back on his word.
Afterwards, the small country of Luerqu was subjected to even stricter customs inspections.
Xie Feng had just arrived in the delta with 30,000 men when Aba Na and his men went to greet him. Aba Na, with a sour face, accompanied the envoy sent by Zheng Xiu to receive Xie Feng.
Xie Feng led 30,000 men into the pre-built camp in Aba. Xie Feng hadn't expected that the military camps in the delta were already completed. It seemed that their superiors had made preparations long ago.
After receiving news that Xie Feng had successfully reached the Delta.
Xie Ji planned to stay for a few more days to assess the situation, and then he would go down to the Delta once the situation stabilized.
He just didn't expect that as soon as Xie Jun arrived at the delta, a large number of foreign troops appeared on the islands near Luerqu. These troops were not wearing any military uniforms, but were all dressed in blue shirts and blue headscarves, and each of them was an excellent swimmer.
They began attacking the Xie family's ships that were traveling to various islands for exploration. The Xie family lost many small boats in the process. Fortunately, most of the people could swim to shore and wait to be rescued.
Aba had long known that there were many foreign island forces nearby. When he saw Xie Feng, he couldn't help but say coldly, "If your Xie family had come earlier, we wouldn't have been in such a passive position."
Actually, Xie's timing was just right; even if he had arrived earlier, he might not have been able to control the nearby islands because they were too scattered.
Aba was angry when he said this. He, a prince, had been reduced to a lowly general in charge of receiving guests.
Xie Feng said, "I wonder what brilliant ideas the Second Prince has? This humble general can pass them on to the General."
Aba Nadao said, "The Luerqu Canal has been taken over. We can no longer pass directly through the Luerqu Canal or control it."
Xie Feng didn't understand at all. As for Aba, he didn't explain further.
Meanwhile, Xie Fengling sent Si Caifeng to Weidu, where people from the Si family immediately came to pick her up and temporarily house her in Weidu to await childbirth.
Si Xitong sent palace physicians to assist with the delivery. She even dispatched the experienced Granny Xie.
At this moment, something even more noteworthy happened to Luerqu than the first one.
That's the island outside the Deer Canal, where a well-trained group has suddenly appeared. Whether they're pirates or some other faction, they're all eyeing the delta.
At first, they just kept an eye on it, but later they started robbing merchant ships returning to and from Luerqu, even national ships. Gradually, no merchant ships in the vicinity dared to come to Luerqu anymore.
When Luerqu's income decreased, Beiluo immediately learned of it. He sent someone to ask Yelü Wen why Luerqu's security was so poor.
Yelü Wen was still thinking about how to reply to his father.
Shan Yuhou had already led his men to take away his pen: "Second Prince, the plan has been brought forward. Let's get started."
Upon hearing this, Yelü Wen clenched his fists, tensed up, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.
Dan Yuhou reminded him in a mocking tone: "Now that things have come to this, do you intend to back down?"
"Second Prince, you should think this through carefully. With the weapons of the Northern Regions, can the Xie family really resist our Hu Xiongnu Kingdom with just a few firearms?"
"Have you forgotten everything you saw in the superior country?"
Yelü Wen's face immediately contorted with terror. Finally, he lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and said, "You must keep your promise."
"Of course. As long as this Northern Region submits to you as Khan," said Shan Yuhou. "You only need to bring your people and assimilate into our society, and we will not treat you unfairly."
"After all, governing the Northern Region still depends on the local nobles. And you, Second Prince, are the leader of these nobles."
"Once Your Majesty unifies the world and makes my Xiongnu a supreme nation, we will then conquer the outer seas and rule over those barbarian tribes!"
In the future, the Hunnic state will dominate the world!
Yelü Wen slammed the paperweight onto the table! The generals of Luerqu rushed into the room and heard Yelü Wen announce: "Open the port, welcome the superior nation, pass through Luochuan, and trample it flat!"
Suddenly, the attacks on the Red River border ceased. Li Li and Xie Ji dared not relax their vigilance and sent men out to scout. They discovered that Al Na had suddenly withdrawn from the sand trenches and retreated back to the border to begin setting up defenses.
Li Li's left eye suddenly started twitching uncontrollably. Xie Ji also suffered from insomnia all night, and when he finally managed to get some sleep, he dreamt that he was surrounded by a sea of fire.
Everyone was caught in a fierce battle.
The port connects to the land.
This landmass is home to various small kingdoms, and behind these small kingdoms lies the central defense line of the State of Lu. These are all the Achilles' heel of this central defense line.
And all these countries became slaves under the ravages of war.
Xie Ji: "What an ominous dream!"
The secret agents of New Tianjing relayed the news.
Si Xitong immediately drafted a massive and extremely challenging plan: "Relocate the entire population to places like Huayin and Lu!"
Chapter 207 The Northern Region Shoots Its Own Foot
Si Xitong's order was unbelievable to many. How many people were involved? Even if Huayin and Lu could accommodate them.
However, the journey to Huayin and Lu was not easy.
Even with a large treasure ship, it might not be possible to send people over in just a few days.
The matter was hotly debated in various countries, and the buzz hadn't died down yet. Then, news spread that a large number of Hunnic soldiers, dressed in blue tunics, had stormed into Luerqu. The news of their 5,000-strong force reached various nations and regions.
The nations were caught in a tug-of-war, their attention instantly diverted. One inexplicable thing after another unfolded before everyone's eyes. First, there was Prince Feng Ning's unrealistic relocation plan.
Afterwards, Luerqu, which had been well defended and was like an impregnable fortress guarded by the eight tribes of the Northern Region, was suddenly invaded by foreign enemies.
Moreover, it was the second prince, Yelü Wen, who opened the country's doors!
The Northern Luo, the main palace of Luochuan, immediately faced skepticism from its vassal states, who accused the Northern Region of the Supreme Lord of betraying its country for personal gain.
Bei Luo was unjustly blamed, and he was furious. He immediately ordered Yelü Wen to make amends and drive the five thousand Huns out of Luerqu.
Yelü Wen acted as if he hadn't heard, opening all the city gates and letting five thousand Xiongnu soldiers in blue uniforms advance unimpeded, from Luerqu all the way to Luoxi. A few cities away from Luoxi was Luochuan.
Bei Luo was completely caught off guard by his son.
He ordered the barbarian soldiers of Luoxi to attack directly. The barbarian general received the order, closed the gates, and fired arrows at any Xiongnu soldiers they encountered. As a result, they saw a steel chariot shield blocking the way, and a group of Xiongnu soldiers in blue uniforms behind the shield. They advanced within two hundred meters and opened fire directly at the foot of the city wall.
The barbarian general was killed on the city wall. Five thousand Landu Han soldiers quickly threw grenades, breaching the city gate and storming in.
The rebellious barbarian soldiers were like radishes and cabbages in front of the blue-clad Xiongnu soldiers, advancing with unstoppable force and annihilating the barbarian soldiers blocking their way.
The entire city watched helplessly as these Hun soldiers crossed the city walls, and no one dared to stop them.
The following cities were also captured in the same way.
The barbarian soldiers who wanted to continue resisting were suppressed one by one by the eight generals who followed.
The eight generals trampled their own compatriots underfoot. Some people couldn't bear it, while others dared not resist.
Some people began to waver in their loyalty to Yelü Wen, but they were all persuaded by him.
The eight generals began to follow Yelü Wen with unwavering resolve.
Yelü Wen quickly assembled a thousand firearmsmen, equipped with excellent weapons provided by the Xiongnu. They were even better equipped than Arna's firearms battalion.
Dan Yuhou rode his horse slowly into the city, watching the five thousand warriors of his motherland conquer five cities in succession, believing that they would arrive in the capital in less than three days.
He glanced at Yelü Wen beside him, who was touching a golden flintlock pistol with a feverish and frenzied expression. He laughed and said, "Now that you've had your fill, it's time to get down to business."