Volume Three: Southern Campaign and Territorial Expansion Chapter 143: The Yelang Protectorate Headquarters

Li Xuerou nodded and said, "My lord's insight is wise. Since Bozhou is so important, I am willing to stay."

Wei Fufeng smiled with satisfaction, reached out to support Li Xuerou's delicate arm, and said gently, "You may tell Wen'er what I said, but do not let others know. The consequences could unsettle people's hearts."

Li Xuerou nodded softly, whispering, "Please rest assured, my lord."

Wei Fufeng exhaled lightly and said, "Before the powerful vassal states invade southern Sichuan and Jinzhou, I will mobilize a great army to conquer western and southern Guizhou, at least bringing the Yachi River basin under our control."

Li Xuerou nodded, noticing that Wei Fufeng's expression grew contemplative.

She patiently refrained from interrupting, her admiration for Wei Fufeng deepening in her heart. She felt she had chosen a worthy match and found a reliable anchor for her peace of mind.

After a while, Wei Fufeng said, "Xuerou, since you are willing to stay, I intend to seek a grand justification for entering Bozhou, so that Bozhou rightfully becomes Wei territory."

Li Xuerou was slightly taken aback and whispered, "My lord wants to request a noble title for Bozhou?"

"It is not about me requesting a title, but about establishing the Yelang Protectorate, nominally independent from the Southern Sichuan military. Setting up the protectorate will reassure the local lords of Bozhou and the Tian family of Sizhou, establishing the Wei family's foundation in Yelang. In the event of a military retreat to Bozhou, we can use the protectorate's name to pay tribute and submit to stronger powers," Wei Fufeng explained.

Li Xuerou understood and nodded. Wei Fufeng smiled and said, "You will petition for the protectorate’s establishment and take the position of Grand Protector of Yelang. Wen'er will serve as Deputy Protector, and I will be the Cavalry Commander. There is no need to mention me in the petition."

Li Xuerou was startled. "I am to write the petition?"

Wei Fufeng nodded. "Xuerou, as a princess of high rank, the Tang Dynasty has precedents of princesses opening protectorates. You will write that the border tribes resist civilization, and to proclaim Tang’s heavenly authority, the protectorate is established to deter barbarians. I will present three hundred jars of tribute wine and promise that once the protectorate is founded, this tribute will be an annual custom."

Li Xuerou nodded and hesitated before asking, "May I submit the petition through Brother Wang?"

Wei Fufeng smiled, "Yes, and I will send Brother Wang an extra hundred jars of fine wine each year."

Li Xuerou lowered her head shyly. Wei Fufeng’s heart stirred; he reached out, embracing the beauty. His lips brushed hers, and his hand slipped beneath her garment to caress her smooth, jade-like skin.

The beauty closed her eyes shyly, softly humming as she swayed.

After a moment, Wei Fufeng restrained himself and gently released her, smiling, "This is the barracks."

Li Xuerou understood, nodded, and composed herself gracefully, returning his smile.

"My lord, I have one request. Could you speak to Sister Wen'er about returning my maids? Those two have served me for many years," Li Xuerou pleaded softly.

Wei Fufeng was momentarily taken aback, thought for a moment, and shook his head. "I cannot interfere. I once promised not to meddle with Wen'er’s dowry."

Li Xuerou’s delicate face fell. Wei Fufeng added, "It would be better if you speak to her directly, but the customs of the Liao people differ greatly. Wen'er is stubbornly attached to her dowry. Even if you ask, she probably won’t agree."

Li Xuerou nodded, her heart heavy. "I feel guilty toward them."

"Xuerou, this is not your fault. If the opportunity arises, I will tell them you asked me, but I refused. I will say you like them as your personal attendants," Wei Fufeng said.

Li Xuerou gave him a gentle reproach with her beautiful eyes and said softly, "I will return to the city."

Wei Fufeng smiled, watching her graceful figure depart. The matter of Tian Wen'er’s attendants was not to be discussed—first, because of the promise, and second, to avoid unnecessary troubles caused by breaking custom.

Releasing two attendants would encourage other servants to expect freedom, and having too many official wives would overwhelm Wei Fufeng, causing discord in his 'inner court.'

Li Xuerou returned to the city and had a private conversation with Tian Wen'er, faithfully conveying Wei Fufeng’s intentions, which Wen'er fully accepted.

In truth, Wen'er’s decision to keep Li Xuerou as co-ruler was partly due to fear of resentment—that Li Xuerou might later plot against her with their lord.

Secondly, Wen'er was used to competing for favor and saw Li Xuerou as an ally to resist the other wives.

Since Li Xuerou was willing to stay, Wen'er spoke of Linghu Wan'er and Cheng Qin'er, assigning the two to be subordinate to Li Xuerou, like concubines.

Li Xuerou was surprised and quickly said this was improper.

Wen'er was unconcerned. "In Dongxi, it is customary for the victorious tribe to claim the women of the defeated. Linghu Wan'er and Cheng Qin'er have not borne children. We need these marriages to solidify and divide Bozhou’s factions, making them wary and restraining one another."

Li Xuerou nodded. She was a clever woman who understood the importance of these strategic marriages—an astute maneuver to fragment local power and sow distrust among Bozhou’s lords.

These alliances required the public approval of the Linghu and Cheng families, so the two women could not yet be fully subordinate to Li Xuerou.

The next day, Wei Fufeng sent a calligraphic plaque bearing three large characters: "Yelang Prefecture." Wen'er ordered the removal of the stone tablet inscribed "Zunyi" from the city gate and its replacement with the "Yelang Prefecture" plaque.

This change symbolized a new era in Bozhou.

From the day of this change, under Wei Fufeng’s rule, the names Bozhou and Zunyi ceased to exist. Strict orders mandated that people refer only to Yelang Prefecture or the Yelang Wei family—a form of cultural domination.

Three days later, the Linghu family responded, acknowledging the marriage alliance and pledging allegiance to the Wei family of Bozhou.

The following day, the Cheng family also acknowledged the alliance, followed by many other tribal lords submitting to Wei’s authority.

Tian Wen'er sent envoys to announce the establishment of the Yelang Protectorate.

The Tang princess, by imperial order, had opened a protectorate in Bozhou. As a Wei daughter-in-law, she would ensure the Wei family’s flourishing in Yelang, establishing a princely house.

Furthermore, Tian Wen'er, the legitimate daughter of the Tian family, had married Wei Fufeng, becoming his third wife.

Wei Fufeng promised that male heirs born to Wen'er would inherit the headship of the Yelang household, while those born to the princess would inherit the military command of Yelang.

Wen'er also decreed that lords who submitted must send troops to serve under Yelang Prefecture. The protectorate would bear the costs of military supplies and veteran support, establishing a standing army under her command as Deputy Protector.

Wen'er acted decisively, dispatching envoys to Tongzi County.

The stationed Bozhou troops were supplemented according to each lord’s quota of conscripted troops, with the rest taken away by the envoys. The conscripted troops became part of Yelang forces.

These troops did not belong to Yelang outright; the lords had to rotate their forces regularly, mirroring the military system Wei Fufeng had established.

Within ten days, besides the Southern Sichuan army, eight thousand Yelang troops were stationed outside the city.

Inside, six thousand Yelang guards were integrated—these were the main forces of the great lords.

Amid the bustle, Linghu Wan'er and Cheng Qin'er were sent to Li Xuerou’s side, accompanied by over a hundred female slaves. Some of these slaves had been part of the two women’s dowries, others were retained from the Yang family.

When Wei Fufeng besieged the city, he ruthlessly exterminated the Yang clan’s bloodline but intentionally spared the non-Yang women and female slaves, allowing them to return to their maternal Yang kin, permitted to take their private wealth.

Linghu Wan'er and Cheng Qin'er paid respects to Li Xuerou. Feeling awkward and unfamiliar, Li Xuerou was put at ease as they spoke naturally and settled in as if they had long accompanied her.

Linghu Wan'er was a fair-faced, plump and beautiful young woman of seventeen, with gracefully arched brows and almond eyes.

Cheng Qin'er had an oval face, bright eyes, a delicate nose, and a charming figure, aged sixteen.

Neither had accompanying dowry slaves; in fact, both were pure Han daughters, though raised in Bozhou.

Yang Duan had led seven clans into Bozhou. Though these clans had gradually adopted Liao customs over twenty years, their roots remained Han.

Yang Duan had established his domain through military conquest, focusing on cultivating martial skills among his descendants, encouraging hard work over indulgent luxury.

"To each their own," but as the seven clans intermarried with Liao tribal leaders, Liao customs increasingly influenced them. A bride without dowry slaves was often looked down upon.

After organizing the military forces, Tian Wen'er found time to visit Li Xuerou’s residence, bringing Tao Ji along.

Tao Ji was clad only in a belly cloth, carried in a rattan basket by two strong servants.

Upon entering, Linghu Wan'er in the courtyard quickly greeted them as the Third Madam and accompanied Wen'er to meet Li Xuerou.

Li Xuerou was the Second Madam by Wen'er’s designation. She mentioned the Ninth and Fourteenth Madams.

Wen'er believed the Ninth and Fourteenth Madams belonged to the same household. Since she married the lord first, she was Third Madam; the Ninth and Fourteenth could only be Fourth Madams. She did not recognize both as full wives.

Inside, Wen'er smiled and said, "Sister, I must travel far. I entrust Yelang Prefecture to you."

Li Xuerou was surprised, "Where will you go? Back to Qianzhou?"

"To Feizhou, to negotiate with the head of the Tian family. It is said they are gathering tens of thousands of troops to attack Bozhou and Yelang Prefecture," Wen'er replied.

Li Xuerou’s delicate face showed shock. Wen'er smiled again, "Rest assured, sister, there will be no war. We have won over most local leaders and successfully established the prefecture army and guards. With the Southern Sichuan army, the Tiens have no chance."

Li Xuerou nodded but worried, "Will you be detained in Feizhou?"

Wen'er smiled lightly, "The family head is no fool. Why would he detain his own daughter? He cannot invade; he must accept another kind of gain."

Li Xuerou nodded. Wen'er continued, "I am going on a journey. Tao Ji is left in your care, and you will take over military and political affairs of Yelang Prefecture."

Li Xuerou agreed, "Please return soon. I wish to accompany my lord to Chongzhou to clarify the matter of the captives."

Wen'er nodded and motioned for Tao Ji to come forward.

Tao Ji rose inside the bamboo basket, stepping out with long, elegant legs. Her poised figure, high chest, and round hips revealed her flawless allure.

"Go and introduce her to the two concubines," Wen'er instructed.

Tao Ji sashayed forward, exaggerating her hip sway, approaching Linghu Wan'er, and coquettishly whispered, "Madam, my name is Tao Ji, a captivating dowry concubine. Please be kind to me."

Linghu Wan'er reached out, stroking Tao Ji’s smooth body, then let her hand glide down to caress Tao Ji’s rounded hips. Tao Ji emitted a soft, gentle moan, swaying her body.

Linghu Wan'er looked to Wen'er, smiling, "Third Madam, your concubine is alluring indeed. If she bears a daughter, I would like to have her as a maid."

Wen'er smiled faintly, "If you want, I’ll have her bear one."

"Thank you, Third Madam," Linghu Wan'er responded with a smile, as if she had just claimed a prized kitten.