At this time, Li Ang's team welcomed the return of several teammates.
Those are Sarah and Ansen.
As External Affairs Officer and Sarah of Li Ang, when Li Ang decided to send troops, they brought several female explorers with high martial arts skills to join the group army, but Li Ang dispatched troops quickly, Sarah rushed from White Deer Fortress, but they could only catch up with Li Ang's team outside Turdah Fortress.
And Ansen was brought to the lord by Risadiran to treat his injuries - but Li Ang did not go to the direction of Calundru Castle, so Ansen only arrived at this time. His medical skills were not put to use, and he only had time to check Li Ang's body.
Although Li Ang's heart rate is very worrying, at least Ansen can confirm that the lord is as strong as a wild boar, so everyone is relieved.
Then Li Ang determined that the target was Aishikeman, which was Ansen's hometown. Ansen naturally planned to go there and have a look, and maybe he could bring his parents to live in Li Ang's territory.
Ansen's status is quite high now. As Calundru Castle's acting consul appointed by Li Ang, this is actually the same status as an ordinary baron, but without a formal title.
Radiant Knightly Order has also regarded Ansen as a member of the knights, but he has not been given a knight badge - Ansen currently cannot pass the knight assessment, and Radiant Knightly Order's requirements are quite strict.
But Ansen was awarded a Shining Cross by Sir General Clerion and Knight Commander Loris. In fact, this medal is much more prominent than the knighthood. It is a recognition of those who have made significant contributions. Such a medal has only been issued three times in the entire history of the Shining Cross.
This medal means that Ansen can get help from Radiant Knight and the plague hunters when in trouble, but the knights cannot be involved in power struggles or wars between countries.
And Sarah... she was originally entrusted by Amy to monitor the lord.
Amy must stay in White Deer Fortress to engage in economic construction. When the lord is away sending troops, only Amy can keep many industries, including banks, running smoothly.
But Amy was obviously not at ease with an underage elf girl staying with Li Ang, so he entrusted Sarah with a few female soldiers to 'protect' Li Ang...
However, although Sarah is Amy's friend, she still cares more about the Lord's orders. She must complete her job first.
After all, this is Dexia.
As expected by Li Ang, Sarah is indeed Dexian people. She is very familiar with all the lords of Dexia.
Those were the people she used to call uncle and uncle when she was very young...
She once told Li Ang that if she revealed her surname, it would bring shame to her surname.
Therefore Li Ang never asked her last name.
But for Sarah to say something that would bring shame to the family name, it obviously means that Sarah's father was once the top lord of Dexia - and must be Kadan's enemy, otherwise Sarah would not have kept silent about it, nor would he have left home.
This time, Sarah told the lord exactly what happened to him.
In fact, after knowing everything, Li Ang felt that it was not Sarah who had shamed that surname... but it was the surname that Sarah had never mentioned that had been embarrassing Sarah.
Sarah's father's name is Sarafan Shaikh.
The name 'Sarah' also comes from the first half of his father's name - she is the eldest daughter in the family.
Sarafan Sheikh was once a powerful leader of the Desha desert tribe. He was sharp with swordsmanship, good at riding and shooting, brave and tenacious.
Before Sarah was born, Sarafan Sheikh had followed the current Bahad Khan Kadan in the north and south, played a major role in the establishment of Kadan's power, and became the leader of the powerful desert army 'Deathwind Savalan'.
'Deathwind Savalan' is a traditional strong army composed of warriors selected from various tribes in the desert. These brave fast horse cavalry come from various nomadic tribes. These warriors who came and went like the wind in the desert were highly respected in Dexia. Their scimitars and fast horses once frightened countless enemies.
Since Dexia obtained Xingar one hundred and fifty years ago, Dexian people has gradually shifted from nomadic to settled, and the simple tents and stalls in the desert oasis have slowly evolved into small cities and villages.
Many people no longer live in pursuit of water and grass. They rely on cities to settle down and transition to urban life.
After Bahad Khan Kadan came to power, during the process of implementing the hereditary system, most of the people who received high titles were those lords who were more interested in settling down. Urban residents and businessmen were the main tax payers, and how much benefit they could bring to them was Kadan's criterion for allocating various titles.
It is difficult to receive money from nomads who live in pursuit of water and grass. Allowing people to settle down is more conducive to vested interests consolidating their power.
Therefore, Bahad Khan Kadan and various caliphs and Baiy are promoting the process of Desha from nomadic to settled.
As a result, the influence of citizens and businessmen in cities such as Toba, Narda, and Aishikeman in Dexia increased day by day, while the prestige and strength of the desert herder tribes declined day by day.
As a result, Sarafan Shaikh and traditional nomadic leaders like him will naturally lose their right to speak.
They also followed Kadan and helped Kadan to the position of Bahad Khan, but they did not get anything in return, but suffered losses...
Therefore, many desert chiefs led the tribesmen to openly oppose the settlement policy. They also opposed the full hereditary policy promoted by Kadan, and even more opposed Kadan turning the title representing faith into a hereditary title.
They still maintain their nomadic traditions and intend to return Dexia to the past era of being elected by the tribes.
Sarafan Sheikh was the leader of these desert tribal chiefs who wanted to maintain tradition at that time. He believed that settlement and hereditary system would make Dexian people weak, and the desert warriors would lose their blood and courage, and sooner or later they would become like those decadent nobles and old farmers of Lion Territory.
As a result, the former comrades-in-arms became a thorn in Bahad Khan Kadan's side - Sarafan became the biggest obstacle to Kadan's implementation of centralization.
The result was that Bahad Khan Kadan ordered the exile of Sarafan and others, expelling them from Duchy of Dexia.
In fact, this should be regarded as Kadan was thinking about his old relationship. After all, he was once a comrade in arms, so he did not kill Sarafan.
But what Bahad Khan didn't expect was that, unlike most of the exiled vassals, Sharavan Sheikh did not leave. He chose to stay in Dexia, ready to repay Bahad Khan's "favour" at any time.
The elite soldiers under Sarafan's command are still loyal to him, and his reputation and prestige have also attracted many brave desert tribe warriors to join him.
They agreed that after defeating Bahad Khan, they would abolish the hereditary and settled policies of the principality, return the titles given by the gods to the gods, and return Dexia to the nomadic people it once was.
Therefore, he formed an alliance with some Dexia Tribe chiefs who were also exiled, jointly formed a large cavalry, and launched their "holy war" to restore their nomadic traditions and beliefs.
Their base is in the southern border where he was exiled - it is the barren desert in the southernmost part of the entire continent, but now, a castle has appeared there, 'Holy War Fortress'.
Sarafan Sheikh, the Avenger, has been insisting on being an enemy of Bahad Khan Kadan during the twenty years he was exiled. He has been rejecting the settlers under the banner of "restoring the Desha tradition" and even launched a so-called "holy war".
But in fact, in the past twenty years, in order to fight against the troops sent by Kadan, he also built Holy War Fortress himself, turning himself into a settler...
Moreover, in order to win over people, Sarafan even gave his wife and daughter to a tribal leader.
He has a majestic black horse, which he regards as his brother and god, but treats his wife and daughter as bargaining chips that can be traded at will.
Sarah's mother committed suicide on the day she was given to a tribal chief by Sarafan.
Sarah also escaped from Dexia on that day. Sarah was seventeen years old at that time.
In order to escape, she killed the tribal leader - a dirty chief in his fifties who had never taken a bath in his life and smelled like horse manure. Sarafan planned to exchange his beautiful wife and daughter for his fighting power.
And this so-called powerful tribal chief was stabbed to death in his bedroom by Sarah, who was seventeen years old.
Therefore, Sarah is very concerned about the war in Dexia.
Sarah I really want to know how the man who abandoned his wife and daughter would react if he saw her?
If possible, Sarah would also like to ask that man personally whether the jihad he wanted to carry out despite abandoning his wife and daughter was really for tradition and belief?
Of course, that man is at the southernmost tip of Dexia, and Li Ang's army has just arrived at the northeastern border of Dexia.
Turdah Fortress.
This is a solid castle that is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is surrounded by mountains to the north and desert to the south. It is the border gateway to the northeast of Dexia.
"Honorable Gaiwan Khan, I am Chief External Affairs Officer Sarah of Marshal Lionheart Kingdom Count Li Ang. I bring you the goodwill and help of Lord Li Ang..."
Sarah stood in front of Gaiwan Khan with a professional smile on his face.
"Goodwill and help? I saw Lionheart Kingdom's army, but I didn't expect that Count Li Ang would let a woman negotiate..."
It seems that Gaiwan Khan is a relatively traditional Dexian people, who somewhat despises women.
"There's nothing we can do about it... Gaiwan Khan, Lord Li Ang is going to issue a challenge to Bahad Khan Kadan, and his other subordinates are going to meet Bahaman The two caliphs and Tahir are all unavailable, and only I, a woman, can come to see you. But... at least I am Chief External Affairs Officer of Lord Li Ang."
Sarah smiled and found a chair to sit down on his own without being polite at all.
The implication is that Li Ang has to face a lot of big shots. With your level, Gaiwan Khan, you are only worthy of meeting yourself. But if Chief External Affairs Officer, who is officially appointed, can come to see you, Lord Li Ang has already given you a lot of face.
"Hmph... Then what is the so-called kindness and help you bring?"
Gaiwan Khan seems more anxious.
"Lord Li Ang does not intend to attack your territory. He is even willing to help you kill those criminals who do all kinds of evil in your territory... Of course, in return, you have to open Turdah Fortress and temporarily take away your troops to avoid unnecessary conflicts..."
Sarah gave an outrageous condition.
"That's impossible! If I give up Turdah Fortress, I will not only lose my status, but I will also be hanged on the Toba City wall by Bahad Khan!"
Gaiwan Khan refused, he was still loyal to Kadan.
"Gaiwan Khan, you may not know... that the Heretic Tribunal was actually found by Bahad Khan Kadan himself..."
Sarah shook her head. Of course she knew Gaiwan Khan would refuse, but she had already responded, "Lord Li Ang and I both know your loyalty and bravery, but maybe Kadan Khan doesn't think so..."
"What!"
Gaiwan Khan was shocked. "Are you lying to me?!"
"Given the current situation, do I need to lie to you?"
Sarah shook his head and smiled, "Gaiwan Khan, think about it, Bahad Khan Kadan just fought a defeat in Lion Territory and lost a large number of elite troops... If he wants to continue to maintain his strong position, what is the best way?"
"This..."
Gaiwan Khan's face changed.
"Your brother Bahaman was almost completely wiped out in Sava Fortress... In this case, you should easily think of why Kadan would deliberately let people from the Heretic Tribunal come to your territory to cause trouble...Gaiwan Khan, you can't Aid your brother Bahaman, then guess who will fall into the hands of Aishikeman, who currently does not have many troops? Bacchus Empire? Lord Li Ang? Or... the Bahad Khan Kadan that you have always been loyal to?"
Seeing that Gaiwan Khan listened, Sarah continued.
"Ms. Sarah... are you saying that Bahad Khan Kadan will attack Bahaman and take away Aishikeman?"
Gaiwan Khan was already sweating on his head. He knew that what Sarah said might not be alarmist. He would use the Heretic Tribunal to hold him back and then attack his brother. With Kadan's temperament, it is very possible that he could do such a thing...
Aishikeman is a prosperous big port. With such a prosperous place, Kadan will definitely regain its strength in a short time.
Although this is treachery...Kadan, who is facing challenges from all sides now, definitely doesn't care about reputation, just like he didn't care about reputation more than 20 years ago.
"Hahaha... Gaiwan Khan, not just Bahaman... If you were Kadan, and you had already killed Bahaman, would you still keep his brother for revenge?"
Sarah laughed so hard that his branches trembled with laughter.
"... So, what does Count Li Ang want to do? Or... what does his army want to do when it enters Dexia? You said Count Li Ang's other subordinates went to meet Bahaman and Tahir..."
Gaiwan Khan was already sweating profusely, and his bald head, which had been deliberately shaved off, was shiny.
"Kadan led the army to attack Lion City! He attacked the royal city, understand! This is the biggest provocation to the Lionheart Kingdom. Count Li Ang has just been appointed marshal. He wants to safeguard the dignity of the Lionheart Kingdom!"
Sarah said impassionedly, "But what Kadan did has nothing to do with you, you did not participate in the attack Lion City... So of course Count Li Ang will give you a chance, this is also to avoid unnecessary losses. As for others, Gaiwan Khan, since Lord Li Ang wants to show goodwill to you, then naturally he must also show goodwill to your brother Bahaman and nominal superior Tahir... Like you, they did not participate in the attack Lion City--you should understand what I mean, right?"
"Huh... let me think about it... let me think about it. Ms. Sarah, can you help me make an appointment with Count Li Ang?"
Gaiwan Khan sat down, covering his forehead.
He really needs to think about it carefully.
"Lord Li Ang is very busy... If you want to see him, you must at least show some sincerity first. Lord Li Ang's army is still wasting food and grass outside Turdah Fortress... To be honest, an army of this size can completely attack your fortress in one fell swoop, and you may not be able to hold on for more than a day - but Lord Li Ang did not attack. This has shown considerable sincerity, and you should be rewarded."
Sarah persuaded Gaiwan Khan very gently.
A few hours later, Turdah Fortress's defenders retreated. The gate of the fortress, which was easy to defend and difficult to attack, opened, and Li Ang's army entered the territory of Dexia without any losses.
Today, Sarah no longer needs to use her beauty and singing voice as chips, she has learned to use gestures.
She has also understood that if you want to win over others, you don't actually need a wife and daughter.