chsdbacks Chapter 52 As long as Hong Lie lives, the Great Jin Dynasty will never perish.
Chapter 52 As long as Hong Lie lives, the Great Jin Dynasty will never perish.
Late autumn, Yidu Prefecture.
In the fields, the people are still busy and tirelessly continuing to harvest the autumn harvest that is not yet finished.
But at this time, Shandong is in the most bountiful season of the year.
Since replacing the Jin dynasty's rule in Shandong, the Tianxia Society has been based in Shandong for five years.
By this time, they had completely integrated into this land and become an inseparable part of the lives of the people here.
Yang Kang traveled day and night, and returned to Yidu Prefecture in just over ten days.
Yang Qian cheered and rushed into his arms. Yang Kang instinctively held his son in his arms, and then embraced his wife who was carrying their daughter.
Although absence makes the heart grow fonder, the two of them didn't have time to feel any intimacy.
Because there were too many important matters in Shandong that urgently needed to be decided, and Yang Kang was needed to make the final decision.
The most crucial piece of information came from the Jin Dynasty and the Mongols.
Yelü Chucai, Wanyan Chenheshang, Zhang Rou, Yang Miaozhen and other key ministers gathered in Yang Kang's study.
Yelü Chucai solemnly briefed Yang Kang on the changes in the situation during this period.
During the period after Yang Kang fled west from Khwarezm, Muqali mobilized all the troops he could muster to besiege Fengxiang, intending to capture Fengxiang and then take Bianjing in one fell swoop.
Unexpectedly, at the crucial moment, the Western Xia suddenly turned against the Mongols, cutting off their supply lines. With their logistics severed, the Mongols were ultimately forced to withdraw their troops.
"What about Muhuali? How is he now?"
Yang Kang asked casually.
Yang Kang remained silent, his gaze still fixed on the view outside the window.
"My lord, Muqali is dead."
Wanyan Chenheshang spoke up, saying that he clearly knew more about military strategy than Yelü Chucai.
Yang Kang turned around and looked at his comrade-in-arms, who had followed him through thick and thin since their youth.
Wanyan Chenheshang's face didn't show much expression, but there was something very complex hidden deep in his eyes.
"Explain in more detail."
Wanyan Chenheshang nodded and took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, which was covered with dense writing.
"Shi Moming'an sent people to write letters several times to persuade Muqali to withdraw his troops, but he refused each time. His subordinates intercepted several of their military reports."
"Muqali besieged Fengxiang from June to September, for a full three months."
"Three strong attacks, three times repelled."
"Fengxiang City has high walls and thick walls, and a large garrison. The Jin people have stockpiled enough food to last for half a year inside."
"The Mongol army tried every means, but could not conquer this city."
Wanyan Chenheshang slowly began to explain.
"After Wanyan Honglie cut off the supply lines, he still besieged Fengxiang for more than a month."
"Muqali is a renowned general; he couldn't possibly be unaware that the situation was beyond saving."
"Why not evacuate?"
Yang Miaozhen asked, puzzled.
"When Genghis Khan left, he bestowed upon him the title of Grand Tutor King and a white banner with nine tassels, which was the highest honor the Mongols could give to a general."
"The Great Khan entrusted the entire Central Plains to me. If I can't even conquer Fengxiang, how can I face him?"
"This is Muqali's reply to Shi Moming'an in his letter."
Wanyan Chenheshang shook his head and laughed.
"Too proud."
"Arrogance leads to defeat!"
Yelü Chucai sighed softly beside him.
"When a person is nearing death, they become eager to do the things they want to do."
Yang Kang nodded and sighed.
"Wanyan Honglie secretly contacted the Western Xia, promising to divide Hedong after the mission was accomplished, and the Western Xia agreed to launch a two-pronged attack."
"Eight thousand iron cavalry launched a surprise attack on the Great Ordos, but the Lord stopped them."
"Another 5,000 cavalrymen crossed the Hetao region and cut off Muqali's grain transport route from Yanjing."
"And so it arrived as scheduled."
Yang Kang's eyes flickered slightly.
"The grain supply line was cut off for a month."
Wanyan Chenheshang continued.
"Shi Moming'an suggested withdrawing the troops three times, but Muqali refused each time."
"By early September, the food supplies were only enough for ten days, and Muqali had no choice but to order a retreat."
"The original route for the withdrawal was eastward from Fengxiang, across the Wei River, through Tongguan, and back to Yanjing."
"Although this road is long, there are Mongol-controlled prefectures and counties along the way where supplies can be obtained."
"But Wanyan Honglie amassed an army of 50,000 in Hedong, blocking all retreat routes east of Tongguan."
Yang Kang's lips curled up slightly, carrying an indescribable meaning.
"My father has indeed made some progress."
Wanyan Chenheshang continued.
"Muqali was forced to change course and head north, taking the mountain roads of the Hetao region back to Yanjing."
"Although this road is shorter, it's all wilderness and valleys with no supply points."
"On the third day of the retreat, Wanyan Honglie's loyal and filial army caught up with the Mongol rear guard."
"We burned thirty cartloads of their provisions and all their siege equipment."
"The iron hawks also relentlessly pursued them from behind, and every day, Mongol soldiers who had fallen behind were killed."
The study was quiet for a moment.
"What do you think Wanyan Honglie named his new army?"
Yang Kang stared at Wanyan Chenheshang in front of him, his face twitching.
"Loyal and Filial Army".
Is there anything special about this name?
Wanyan Chen asked, puzzled.
Yang Qian, nestled in Yang Kang's arms, seemed to sense the change in atmosphere and shifted uncomfortably.
Yang Kang gently patted his son's back, signaling Wanyan Chenheshang to continue.
"Originally, such harassment was not enough to defeat the Mongol army."
Wanyan Chenheshang's voice suddenly became very low.
"But Muqali is old. Even the fiercest hunting dog is nothing once it grows old."
"When crossing the Yellow River, he fell off his horse, vomited blood, and fainted on the spot."
"Shi Moming immediately sent people to carry him on a stretcher to continue their journey."
"But three days later, Muqali died in Yunnei."
There was no sound in the study.
"What did he say before he died?"
Yang Kang's voice was very soft, so soft that it sounded like he was talking to himself.
"He was just repeating the three words Bianjing, Western Xia, and Yang Kang while he had a high fever."
"It seems he is quite concerned about the Lord."
Wanyan Chenheshang looked up from the crumpled paper and stared into Yang Kang's eyes.
"The Western Xia and Bianjing were his enemies."
"I'm afraid I'm not a friend either."
Yang Kang remained silent for a long time. Outside the window, the autumn wind blew, and withered leaves rustled down.
"The general died on the battlefield."
"This is the best ending for him."
Yang Kang finally spoke, his voice as calm as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.
"Shi Moming'an led his remaining troops back to Yanjing, and the Mongol offensive in the Central Plains temporarily ceased."
Yelü Chucai took over the conversation, his expression grave.
"The news of Wanyan Honglie's defeat of the Mongols spread throughout the land, and the people of Bianjing rejoiced."
"The whole of Jin was thrilled, and people at the time said!"
"As long as Hong Lie lives, the Jin Dynasty will never perish!"
Yang Kang was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
These words suddenly reminded him of a certain Kennedy from later generations with a wildly imaginative mind.
"That does sound a bit ominous."
"It's as if the Jin Dynasty will perish if he dies."
Wanyan Chenheshang muttered under his breath.
"The people of Bianliang have built a shrine for him. From the officials in the court to the common people, everyone says that he is the restorer of the Jin Dynasty."
"Wanyan Xun has been completely sidelined by him, and has been granted the Nine Bestowments, the privilege of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, and the freedom to enter the court without bowing."
"Just one last step."
He also wrote you a letter.
Yang Miaozhen took out a letter from her bosom, intending to hand it to Yang Kang.
Yang Kang simply held his son and did not take the letter.
"What did the letter say?"
Yang Kang asked casually, not believing that Yang Miaozhen hadn't opened and read the letter.
He said he had defeated the Mongols, seized power, and that the Jin dynasty was on the verge of revival.
"He could become the emperor of the Jin Dynasty at any time if he wanted to."
"He hopes to be your son again."
"The letter says that as long as you are willing to return to Bianjing and to his side, he can immediately depose Wanyan Xun and enthrone you as the emperor of the Jin Dynasty."
"To assist you in achieving great things."
Yang Miaozhen said with a strange expression.
Yang Kang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this; he had a feeling about it.
Wanyan Honglie may have been serious when he said this.
"My lord, it seems that Wanyan Honglie still regards you as the savior of the Jin Kingdom."
"It's a pity. If the Jin Dynasty had an emperor like him, it wouldn't have ended up like this today."
"Muqali was merely a tool of Genghis Khan. Once the main Mongol force returned, the Jin dynasty would likely still be doomed."
Wanyan Chenheshang said with a complicated expression.
Yang Kang remained noncommittal, turning his gaze to Shi Tianze, who had remained silent.
"Tianze, has there been any news from your family lately?"
Yang Kang asked with a smile.
"The historians of Zhending, Yan Shi of Dongping, and various powerful figures from the north."
"They have all pledged their allegiance to our World Society."
"The Mongols retreated north, and the Jin Dynasty was revived. They were caught in the middle and needed the protection of the leader."
Shi Tianze respectfully said that although the Shi family of Zhending had formed an alliance with him as a hostage, they had never truly defected and pledged allegiance.
"Words alone don't count."
Yang Kang chuckled.
"I don't know about the others, but the historians of Zhending have subordinates here. Now, I'm afraid they can't even stay off the ship of my World Society."
Shi Tianze said with a proud expression.
"Miaozhen, how are our Dragon Cavalry Imperial Guards doing now?"
Yang Kang then looked at Yang Miaozhen.
The Dragon Cavalry was the name he gave to the 150 men he personally trained.
These people, including Nie Feng, Bu Jingyun, and Shi Tianze, were all super soldiers trained by him personally, who cleansed their bodies with true qi and were enhanced by the gallbladder of the Pusiqu Snake.
He gave them this name, based on the title of a classic martial arts film from his previous life.
"Feng'er and Yun'er have both mastered the Nine Yangs, and are just one step away from perfection. They have also reached the eighth level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill."
"You should have seen this by now, since you took them to Kunlun."
"The others, though much weaker than them, have basically achieved minor mastery of the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the fifth or sixth level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill."
"With the three consecutive years of body tempering with the Pusiqu Snake Gallbladder Treasure, although we are still a little short of your requirement of a thousand catties of strength per person, we are not far off."
Yang Miaozhen, holding her daughter, answered casually.
"An army is raised for a thousand days, but used for only one."
"The army can't always be treated like a precious treasure; it needs to be used from time to time."
"Jinqing, Pu Xianwannu, did you raise the price again for the warhorses you promised us?"
Yang Kang suddenly changed the subject.
"Yes, my lord."
"This is the third time since last year."
Upon hearing this, Yelü Chucai's eyes immediately flashed with murderous intent.