prosperous age

Why did the Khorchin, one of the three major tribes of the left wing of Mongolia, sided with the Jianzhou Jurchen so early?

In fact, in the original history, the Khorchin were once one of the strongest forces under Genghis Khan of the Mongols, and their core tribal strength was embodied in the Kheshig army.

Genghis Khan selected descendants of Khasar to form an elite "Kheshig" guard army. Among them, "Khorchin" was a specific type of soldier responsible for protecting the Khan's authority. Its members were called "Khorchin", meaning quiver soldiers, who were mainly responsible for archery tactics training and actual combat.

Genghis Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, enfeoffed his second brother, Qasar, in a vast area encompassing the Ergun River, Hailar River basin, Hulunbuir Grassland, and Outer Khingan Mountains, making him one of the "Eastern Kings".

Khasar was the Ulduq, responsible for the important task of guarding and protecting the Ordu (the Khan's camp).

The name "Khorchin" gradually evolved from the name of a military institution into a general term for the various tribes belonging to the descendants of Khasar, thus forming the Khorchin tribe.

However, Khorchin's location was too prominent, situated at the intersection of three forces, where they fought endlessly.

Especially after the Jurchen tribes began to estrange from the Ming Dynasty and clashed repeatedly, the Khorchin began to make contact with various Jurchen tribes, providing them with warhorses to enhance their military strength, and making a fortune for themselves. Naturally, they became a thorn in the side of the Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, the Khorchin at this time also possessed strong military mobilization capabilities, capable of quickly deploying a cavalry force of several thousand men to roam the grasslands.

If there is enough time, tens of thousands of people can be mobilized to participate in the war.

Therefore, starting from the Wanli reign, the Khorchin, or rather the Tuman tribe, had always been a major enemy of the Ming army in Liaodong. Li Chengliang's several campaigns against the grasslands were actually aimed at the Khorchin.

Under the continuous attacks of Li Chengliang's troops, the strength of the Khorchin tribe declined rapidly.

During this period, Li Chengliang held absolute control over the entire Liaodong region.

Whether Mongolian or Jurchen, they were virtually powerless against Li Chengliang's private army.

Because of the repeated blows dealt to them by Li Chengliang, the Khorchin tribe suffered a great loss of strength and, in order to ensure the survival of their tribe, chose to submit to the Jianzhou Jurchens.

For nearly a century afterward, the Aisin Gioro family favored women from the Khorchin tribe, preserving the Khorchin through marriage alliances.

After the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, Mongolia was divided into forty-nine tribes, with the Khorchin being the most prominent among them.

History, at this moment, seems to be repeating itself.

However, the general who fought against the Tuman tribe had changed from Li Chengliang to Qi Jiguang, and Nurhaci had not become a slave; he was still acting like a good boy in front of his elders.

However, the Ming Dynasty ultimately set its sights on the Khorchin.

Qi Jiguang's current task is to find the Khorchin camp on the grassland, surround it, and annihilate them.

Inside the cabinet, Wei Guangde had already given Liu Shouyou detailed instructions on what the Embroidered Uniform Guard needed to do.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard did a great job in this imperial examination turmoil, sending the news to the capital a day in advance so that I could prepare in advance."

However, to quell this disturbance, besides the court needing to make some policy adjustments, the Embroidered Uniform Guard also needs to step in and teach those who instigated the trouble a lesson.”

Wei Guangde was still giving instructions, while Liu Shouyou listened to Wei Guangde's orders with his head bowed below.

After Wei Guangde finished speaking, Liu Shouyou looked up and said with a fawning smile, "Your Excellency, please put it down. I will go and make the arrangements right away and make sure those people shut up."

Wei Guangde believed in the methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so he nodded.

Just as he was about to exchange a few pleasantries and send Liu Shouyou away, Liu Shouyou took out another slip of paper and handed it over, saying, "Grand Secretary Wei, this is the latest news from Japan. It was just delivered to me at noon."

"Oh, let me see."

Upon hearing that the news came from Japan, Wei Guangde's expression turned serious, and he reached out to take the document and begin reading.

However, upon closer inspection, Wei Guangde's brows were furrowed.

"Akechi Mitsuhide was killed after his defeat at Yamazaki."

Wei Guangde was speechless. They had plotted a rebellion and succeeded, so how could they have been wiped out so quickly? Didn't they have a detailed and thorough plan beforehand?

"According to the intelligence from over there, it is likely true that Akechi Mitsuhide was defeated and killed, but there are many suspicious circumstances surrounding it."

Before Liu Shouyou could finish speaking, Wei Guangde interrupted, "Wait, let me think about it."
Wasn't Toyotomi Hideyoshi leading his troops against the Mori clan at Takamatsu Castle? How come he suddenly returned to Kyoto and even led his troops to defeat Akechi Mitsuhide?

Wei Guangde found it unbelievable. He had fought with the Mori clan before, and then led his troops back. Didn't the Mori clan know that they were following and pursuing him?
"Takamatsu Castle has been captured by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is said that the lord of the castle committed suicide in exchange for the promise of Oda's army not to kill civilians."

Liu Shouyou whispered a reminder that the intelligence had actually mentioned it, but it might not have been noticed by Wei Guangde.

He was more concerned with the result, which was that Hideyoshi Hashiba led his troops to annihilate Mitsuhide Akechi in just 12 days, and it seemed that the Oda clan had brought down the traitor.

"The Mori family's territory is the Iwami region, right? They even have the 'Great Return of China,' haha, it really is China's land."

Wei Guangde was reminded and then carefully read the latter part of the intelligence.

During the Honnoji Incident, Toyotomi Hideyoshi led his troops to besiege Takamatsu Castle, originally waiting for reinforcements from Akechi Mitsuhide's army so that he could take Takamatsu in one fell swoop.

However, just before the incident occurred, the lord of Takamatsu Castle chose to surrender, and Akechi Mitsuhide wrote a secret letter to the Mori clan, telling them not to surrender. He had already killed Oda Nobunaga at Honnoji Temple and would soon lead his troops to Takamatsu Castle.

At that time, the two sides will cooperate from within and without to directly annihilate Hashiba Hideyoshi's army.

Well, the secret letter fell into the hands of Hideyoshi Hashiba, and just two days after the incident, Hideyoshi Hashiba already knew what had happened in Kyoto.

So, over the course of a few days, Hideyoshi Hashiba set up a covering force and began the so-called "Great Return to China." Before the Mori clan knew the reason, he withdrew from the battlefield and marched back to Kyoto to fight Akechi Mitsuhide.

In the Battle of Yamazaki, Akechi Mitsuhide was defeated and was killed by villagers while fleeing alone. His head was sent to Oda's camp in exchange for a reward.

"Unexpectedly, this rebellion was quelled so easily."

After Oda Nobunaga, who can be considered the new head of the Oda clan?

Wei Guangde read the intelligence report again, but it did not mention anyone who would succeed Oda Nobunaga, so he asked out of curiosity.

"This is something the Oda clan may not have decided yet. They will probably gather the Oda clan members and key retainers to recommend someone."

After all, Oda Nobutada was dead, and he was the successor that Oda Nobunaga had always favored.

Liu Shouyou spoke up.

"I thought Akechi Mitsuhide could disrupt the situation in Japan, but I didn't expect him to be so useless."

Wei Guangde said in a tone full of regret.

"Grand Secretary Wei, this matter actually gives us a hint."

At this moment, Liu Shouyou suddenly interjected.

"Oh, what hint?"

Wei Guangde asked curiously.

"Japan is too small. In just a few days, Toyotomi Hideyoshi could lead his troops back to Kansai from China."

I have specifically looked at a map of Japan and found that, regardless of whether it is Hokkaido in the far north or Kyushu in the south, the time required to reach China is no more than half a month if one marches at full speed.

Of these, Kyushu and Shikoku are just across the sea to the Chugoku region, while Hokkaido requires passing through the Kanto and Kansai regions, which takes about half a month.

Liu Shouyou said.

"Are there troops in Hokkaido? Shouldn't they be mainly concentrated in the Tohoku and Kanto regions?"

Wei Guangde spoke up.

Hokkaido is a large place, but it has a small population.

Not to mention ancient times, the same is true in later generations. In places where tourism and fishing are the main industries, how many people can there be?

In this era, without population there is no source of soldiers, and without soldiers there is nothing.

No matter where you are, might makes right.

"Yes, yes, Grand Secretary Wei is right."

However, shouldn't we remind the Ministry of War that when formulating strategies, they should fully consider the locations of the Northeast, Kanto, Kyushu, and Shikoku? It's possible that within days of the government troops landing in the Iwami area, Japanese daimyo will send troops to support them. After all, we are outsiders, just like the Mongol Yuan dynasty in the past.”

Liu Shouyou said.

"You mean, those daimyo will unite against the government troops after they land in Japan?"

Wei Guangde nodded slightly and said something.

In fact, he had already been persuaded by Liu Shouyou's words. Japan was too small. Once the Japanese daimyo knew that China was sending troops against them, they would likely unite to resist and temporarily abandon their hostile attitude.

Moreover, at that time, there were only a few forces left in Japan.

If we can set aside our prejudices, Japan's war mobilization capabilities are still quite considerable.

After the first Mongol invasion of Japan, the Hojo Shogunate mobilized a large amount of manpower and resources to build a new stone fortress more than 20 kilometers long in Hakata Bay, where the Mongols had landed.

Keep in mind that this project was completed on Kyushu Island, not on Honshu, in a region with a smaller population and fewer resources.

That battle also improved Japan's weaponry and equipment.

At that time, the lower-ranking samurai of Japan only had inferior weapons and were no match for the weapons of the Mongol Yuan dynasty.

However, they used dried and kneaded vines to wrap the glued bamboo and wood pieces together in circles, creating a Japanese knock-off of the Mongolian horn bow—the heavy rattan bow.

According to warriors who later used this bow in battles against the Mongols, the weapon's power was no less than that of the powerful composite bows in the hands of the Mongols.

During the battle, the Mongol army had a clear advantage in group combat. Japanese samurai were unable to master excellent group combat skills in a short period of time and found it difficult to confront the powerful Mongol army head-on.

The Hojo Shogunate decided to build this stone fortification in order to neutralize the powerful offensive of the opposing group.

Because this stone fortress proved effective in the second Mongol invasion of Japan, this intelligence was collected by the secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard early on.

However, since the Ming Dynasty had no interest in Kyushu, it naturally stopped paying attention to it afterward.

The Ming Dynasty's eyes were always on the mines, not on seizing any land.

"You personally deliver this intelligence to the Ministry of War, tell Zhang Ke about this matter, and remind him not to take it lightly."

Wei Guangde spoke up.

"Yes, I will go to the Ministry of War as soon as I get back and convey the message."

Liu Shouyou hurriedly laughed.

"Fifteen million people, haha, that's certainly something to be concerned about."

Wei Guangde spoke up.

"Yes, according to our analysis by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Japan can mobilize nearly a million troops. If they disregard everything and focus on gathering all the men, they should be able to assemble an army of three million."

Liu Shouyou also said.

In the past, he didn't pay much attention to Japan, but he was shocked when the Embroidered Uniform Guard sent back information about the Japanese population.

Really many people.

Among the surrounding countries of the Ming Dynasty, with populations exceeding ten million, this tiny little place is probably the only one left.

Even North Korea, with its vast territory, has a population of only around eight or nine million.

"It's unlikely, unless they really want to destroy their country and exterminate their race."

Wei Guangde chuckled.

The Ming Dynasty did not intend to completely occupy Japan, but only a portion of it.

Once Japan realizes the Ming Dynasty's intentions, it will naturally not launch a war that threatens the entire nation.

After all, they also need to survive.

However, if the war really escalates to that point, the Ming Dynasty should really consider whether it can stabilize the front lines.

The Ming Dynasty plans to send 60,000 troops this time, with a maximum of 100,000.

If we can't hold out, we'll have no choice but to retreat to North Korea and look for another opportunity.

Don't be fooled by the large number of troops; in reality, only about 40% were combat soldiers, while the remaining 60% were garrison troops, which were responsible for supplying troops. In modern terms, they would be classified as field troops and logistics troops.

This matter was mentioned earlier when Wei Guangde and Zhang Ke were discussing it.

As for the idea that the Ming army could simply land and push forward, that's wishful thinking.

War is never that simple.

Due to frequent civil wars, Japan's war mobilization capabilities at this time were probably unparalleled in the world, making it the country that could complete conscription the fastest.

As for the Ming Dynasty, they should just wash up and go to sleep.

The practice of allocating funds before troop deployment was an unspoken rule in the Ming Dynasty.

Without money to pave the way, the troops couldn't even leave the mansion.

Few soldiers from garrisons would go to war with their officers without receiving payment.

Wei Guangde had considered cleaning up the officialdom and fighting corruption, since he could still mobilize the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In this way, the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty could truly receive their full pay and become real warriors.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the civil service were natural adversaries, and it was hard to imagine that the civil service could drag the Embroidered Uniform Guard down with them.

But after thinking about it for a long time, he gave up on the idea.

In short, there are too many corrupt officials. If we were to arrest them all and expel them from officialdom, it would only be self-destructive.

There are too many to catch, and the replacements just keep coming back for more.

It can only be said that the imperial examination system has become fundamentally flawed by the time it has been implemented.

It's not that the imperial examination system itself is flawed, but rather that social and scientific progress has rendered the rigid, formulaic writing style unsuitable for the future world.

Only by overthrowing the imperial examination system for selecting officials can there be fundamental change.

However, the time is not right now.

Wei Guangde was unsure whether he could wait until the time was right. All he could do was introduce Western science and gradually pass on its knowledge to students in the public school.

They are the future of the country.

"By the way, is the Shimazu clan of Kyushu still pressuring the Ryukyu Kingdom?"

Wei Guangde suddenly realized that in the past two years, the Imperial Guards seemed to be reporting less and less news about Ryukyu.

"Ryukyu? No, over the past year, the Shimazu clan has maintained a peaceful attitude towards Ryukyu, without the aggressive demeanor they had before."

According to intelligence analysis, it is likely that the Shimazu clan has infiltrated Kyushu, aiming to completely control the island and then prepare for expansion into Shikoku and Honshu.

After all, Oda Nobunaga had put too much pressure on them before, and only by expanding their power could they possibly contend with them.

At the very least, it gives us room to maneuver.

Liu Shouyou reported.

"Neither North Korea nor Ryukyu should be allowed to relax."

Wei Guangde concluded by saying only this: (End of Chapter)