Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 400: Wanyan Ya

Even as a distinguished Queen, there was no exception.

The Queen’s original name was Qi’Er Ya, and she was later adopted as a foster sister by the previous Queen and renamed Wanyan Ya.

She was dressed in a luxurious purple brocade dress. Underneath, her voluptuous figure was exquisite, akin to a ripe peach exuding a subtle charm, with her long black hair casually draping over her fragrant shoulders.

Her slender waist was revealed, displaying wheat-colored skin, which did not have the fairness of a Song woman, yet exuded a wild and alluring charm.

Her exposed navel was covered by an amethyst on a purple waist chain, with no trace of excess fat but rather a beautiful mermaid line.

A pair of narrow light purple eyes, with a captivating gaze, naturally drawing the attention of every man.

When the previous Khan was gravely ill, he adopted the Great Song’s custom of marrying for health and took Wanyan Ya as a consort. Although the marriage didn’t succeed in cheering him up, in terms of relationships, the current Khan has to call his wife either little aunt or young mother.

If this were in the Great Song, marrying one’s little aunt or young mother would definitely be met with criticism and scorn from thousands because it violates ethical norms, but in Jin Xia, it’s quite common.

The previous Khan also inherited all the women of his father’s era.

Wanyan Ya’s enchanting temperament earned her the nickname ’Queen of Charms’ in private.

Once the Jin Xia Khan and Queen were seated, General Temur whispered a few words to Wanyan Xiaji.

Wanyan Xiaji nodded, then came before the Khan, folded his hands respectfully, and said, "Great Khan, the army has been assembled, please give the order for inspection."

A dynastic military parade always includes an inspection of equipment and military branches. Traditionally, there must be teams of warhorses and chariots reviewed at a parade.

Although Jin Xia’s navy is small, warships would have been inspected if not.

The Khan glanced at Wanyan Ya beside him, then raised his hand and said, "Let it begin."

As the Khan’s words fell, the sound of drums and horns began to ring, deep and distant, like whispers from the battlefield, a melody of brass and strings inspiring morale.

The first to enter were the Imperial Guards, riding warhorses, wielding long spears, and donning battle armor.

Although Jin Xia lacked iron mines, as the personal guard of the Khan, they were naturally well-equipped.

Following them were Jin Xia’s three armies, divided into central, left, and right phalanxes.

The central army was clothed in white garments, white banners, and white feathered arrows, looking from afar like a field of blossoming white grass.

The left army wore red garments, red flags, red armor, and red-feathered arrows, resembling blazing flames from a distance.

The left army was Jin Xia’s proud cavalry. The steppe was rich in horses, so much that they were once sold to the Great Song. The might of the warhorses and the cavalry’s exceptional riding skills instantly captured all attention.

The red armor they wore was not iron armor but paper armor, made from layers of paper glued together. It was lighter than iron armor, practical, and quite durable, yet its defense could not match that of iron armor.

The paper armor was adorned with entwining floral patterns and cloud-shaped treasure phase designs, crafted exquisitely.

The right army donned black garments, black banners, and black arrow feathers, appearing like thick black ink.

The formation of the Imperial Guards and the three armies unfolded before the Khan and the civil and military officials; facing the Khan, they shouted Great Khan, Queen, in unison with the booming of drums, their momentum overwhelming.

The Khan, seeing the grandeur and discipline of the three armies, stood up and applauded, while beside him, Wanyan Ya also revealed an enticing smile.

As the parade reached its climax, the Jin Xia Khan, moved by the soldiers’ resounding cries, even personally donned armor and took command.

The training ground reverberated with the thunderous beat of drums, and the soldiers shouted, "Long live the Great Khan."

After the Khan had his fill of excitement, Wanyan Xiaji came forward to request, "Great Khan, our army is mighty, and the morale of the soldiers is unparalleled. The Great Song is currently weak and ineffectual. Last time General Temur explored the Great Song and discovered that there were no troops stationed at the Youzhou border pass, General Temur captured dozens of cities as if entering an uninhabited land.

Common Wisdom states, ’Heaven offers its providence, refusing it brings calamity.’ Now, the Great Song is in decline; this is a God-given opportunity. It’s time to address our four-century-old grievances. Please, Great Khan, order an expedition against the Great Song."

Last time, after returning from the Great Song, General Temur shared his findings with Wanyan Xiaji.

Wanyan Xiaji did not immediately inform the Khan. Instead, he began to plan today’s parade.

The Khan wasn’t foolish and soon realized Wanyan Xiaji’s intention behind organizing this parade. Without his support, the other could not have marshaled an army of a hundred thousand.

Rather than saying this parade was for him, it was more for the civil and military officials to witness.

This generation’s Khan, Tuoba Hui, possessed a rich strategic vision and continuously morphed into a heroic ruler, expanding territories.

At the previous celebration feast for conquering Gao Liao, Tuoba Hui learned of the Great Song’s internal unrest and corruption, stirring thoughts of invading the Song in his mind.

Nonetheless, Jin Xia was still a nation, and although he was the Great Khan, the matter of invading the Song could not be decided by him alone.

The Great Song and Gao Liao were different.

Centuries ago, the Great Song had profoundly impacted Jin Xia.

Especially after Jin Xia studied the Song, its people developed an inexplicable reverence for the Song.

So, Tuoba Hui was also strategizing.

He did not immediately agree with Wanyan Xiaji, using the excuse that the matter was significant and required thorough discussion.

...

Having successfully waged war against Gao Liao less than a year ago, the three armies’ morale soared. Under the lead of Tuoba Hui, their prestige skyrocketed, coupled with the parade’s impact. When Tuoba Hui raised Wanyan Xiaji’s petition to campaign against the Great Song, there was little internal opposition.

Three days later, the matter of marching against the Song was approved.

But it couldn’t be under the banner of conquest.

Instead, it was to avenge the Emperor of the Great Song and raise an army to support the king’s cause.

To make this banner more reasonable, they even planned to declare that the Great Song’s border commander would lead, borrowing Jin Xia soldiers for this Song commander.

As for this Great Song border commander, it was a Youzhou border pass general previously captured by Jin Xia.

The time for dispatching troops was tentatively set for next spring.

...

Linzhou, Xiangyang City.

The time had reached October of the Tenth Year of Xuanhe.

In the rear courtyard of Pingting Marquis’s Mansion.

The women gathered together, even Ning Wan joined.

Their complete attendance was because a letter from Chen Mo had arrived.

Xia Zhining would usually call Chen Mo a scoundrel, but at this moment, her gaze was more hopeful and urgent than that of Han Anniang and Yi Shiyin.

Whether she admitted it or not, besides Han Anniang, she mentioned Chen Mo the most every day.

The letter was initially for Han Anniang to read and then relay to the other women.

But now it first landed in Wu Mi’s hands, while the women gazed eagerly, and if not for the fear of losing decorum, Han Anniang would have snatched it her to read herself.