Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 261 You are a true hero!

There were four or five hundred riders, but the horses didn't appear particularly tall, nor did the riders. Instead, both the horses and the riders seemed rather "broad," which was actually a kind of horizontal robustness.

The Jurchen cavalry, the Jurchen cavalry appearing in the field in an organized manner, this was the first time Su Wu had ever seen such a well-organized Jurchen cavalry force. Even when he went on a mission to the Jurchen with Zhao Liangsi last time, he had never seen such a well-organized Jurchen cavalry force in armor.

Su Wu watched intently from afar, observing closely as he drew closer.

He couldn't help but subconsciously look back at his own cavalry behind him; it was a subconscious comparison.

Their own cavalry were arranged more neatly, while the Jurchen cavalry were somewhat scattered.

However, the Jurchen cavalry had a relaxed and easygoing demeanor, while their own cavalry were rigid and inflexible, lacking that relaxed and easygoing feeling.

As they drew closer, another reason for the Jurchen cavalry's "broadness" became apparent: they wore multiple layers of armor, often two or three. The armor was even more varied; some men wore only one layer of armor on their arms, but clearly had two layers on their chest, back, and shoulders.

Some people have only one layer of armor all over their body, but their shoulder guards have three layers...

Su Wu looked back and understood a lot. These Jurchen cavalrymen were veterans of countless battles, and their needs for armor were all custom-made.

Individual combat habits differ. Some people are used to engaging the enemy with wide, sweeping movements, their bodies and shoulders not avoiding slashes, so they wear multiple layers of armor on their shoulders. Others are agile, so they wear less armor on their arms and more on their torso.

I need to learn this!
It is evident that the Jurchens were actually quite wealthy in terms of weaponry and armor; in other words, the Jurchens plundered the wealth accumulated by the Liao people over several centuries.

"Brother!" Wanyan Wuzhu called from afar, indicating that he had come to greet Su Wu.

Su Wu also rode forward: "Brother Wuzhu!"

Unlike before, Wanyan Wuzhu now has many people around him who can speak Chinese, making translation much easier.

The two rode side by side, exchanging pleasantries for a while. Wanyan Wuzhu then spoke up: "Brother, I have already transported the grain you traded last time to Dading Prefecture. When will you have any more surplus grain?"

"The imperial order is on its way. I will soon be leading my troops back to my hometown. I have come to see you and will give you another 30,000 shi of grain. It will still be north of Wende City..." Su Wu replied.

"Why is my brother returning home so soon?" Wanyan Wuzhu asked, somewhat surprised.

“Because some new circumstances have occurred, which you may not yet know, I have come to tell you…” Su Wu said.

"What is it?" Wanyan Wuzhu asked immediately.

"It's alright to tell you first, so that when you meet His Majesty the Emperor, you won't have to go through the trouble of translators. You can just report directly then." Su Wu straightened the reins and looked up at the majestic city of Datong.

"A matter related to my Jurchen people? Then tell me quickly, brother." Wanyan Wuzhu knew that it must be no small matter.

Su Wu nodded: "The Dangxiang are the Western Xia. They are going to send troops to rescue Datong. The ruler of Western Xia is the son-in-law of the Khitan. There are also Khitan officials in Western Xia. They have had a close relationship for many years. This time they are really going to send troops to help."

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Wuzhu was furious: "How could this happen? My Jurchen people didn't attack him, but he attacked me instead! If His Majesty the Emperor finds out, he will be furious!"

Su Wu nodded: "Where is your Emperor?"

“Brother, come with me. His Majesty the Emperor is in the northern camp. Thank you for bringing this news!” Wanyan Wuzhu bowed, covering his chest.

Just keep going north around Datong. There are still many armored soldiers on the walls of Datong, and their banners are fluttering in the wind. Judging from this, Datong can hold out for some more days.

Attacking a city is a difficult task for anyone, even for a warlike Jurchen. In the past, the attack on Zhongjing was time-consuming and laborious. If Yelü Yudu had not suddenly defected, it would have taken much longer. Now, with many more troops inside Datong, the situation is the same.

The same principle applies to the Jurchen invasion of Taiyuan, where Wang Bing's isolated army was trapped for eight months.

After bypassing the city of Datong and heading north into the camp, the central command tent was also packed with people.

Emperor Wanyan Aguda, his brothers Wanyan Wugumai, Bojilie Wanyan Xieye, Wanyan Wolu...

The older generation sat to Aguda's left and right.

The younger generation, including Wanyan Nianhan, Wanyan Woben, and Wanyan Wolubu...

There are also Wanyan Xigunai, Wanyan Poluhuo, Wanyan Wuzhu...

There were also Yelü Yudu and a group of former Liao generals.

As soon as Su Wu entered, he smelled a strong masculine scent... actually, it was somewhat fishy and slightly sweaty.

Su Wu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This humble subject pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Jin!"

Wanyan Aguda, with eyes like a hawk and a face like a pancake, still had a smile on his face: "Excellent, sit down!"

Su Wu did indeed sit down, and he sat at the front, on a small stool. Wanyan Aguda didn't sit on any high platform either; they were all seats of average height, except that there was a long table in front of Wanyan Aguda at the very front.

"I have come here to discuss three matters..." Su Wu was always methodical; whatever he wanted to say or think about, he would organize it into a coherent list in his mind.

"Listen to you..." Wanyan Aguda spoke casually, and there were no superfluous rules here. It was as if they were still sitting around the fire pit in the mountains to discuss matters.

Su Wu nodded: "The first thing, let my brother Wuzhu tell you!"

Wuzhu nodded and then rattled off a string of words in Spanish. Wanyan Aguda listened expressionlessly, and only after he finished did he frown slightly and ask, "How many Western Xia people came?"

Su Wu only said, "I don't know either. It might be tens of millions or thirty or forty thousand, but it won't be more than thirty or forty thousand."

Unexpectedly, Wanyan Aguda asked, "Are the Tanguts good at fighting?"

Su Wu was somewhat surprised by this way of asking the question, knowing that the Jurchens had not yet truly dealt with the Tanguts.

Su Wu smiled and said, "Whether they are good at fighting or not is hard to say. Both the Song and Liao dynasties have fought against the Tanguts, with victories and defeats..."

Wanyan Aguda nodded: "That's similar to the Liao people..."

Su Wu also smiled: "That's how it is..."

Su Wu even wondered if Wanyan Aguda was trying to save face for his ally, the Song people. Wanyan Aguda, and indeed the Jurchens, probably already had their own expectations for the Song's military capabilities, which were roughly the same as those of the Liao.

Thinking about this, Su Wu was actually satisfied. The Jurchens had not had an easy time fighting these past few years. On paper, the Jurchens had annihilated the Liao Dynasty with overwhelming force, but in reality, the Jurchens had suffered losses quite a few times.

The Jurchens suffered heavy losses, especially when facing cities.

Su Wu also knew that the Jurchens actually had very few soldiers. The men in the mountain tribes had been almost entirely conscripted, and every loss they suffered was an irreparable blow.

Now, Han Chinese and Liao people have begun to be added to the Jurchen army. These people were originally just slaves, and slaves would never have been added to the regular army in the past, but now the door has been opened.

In the future, in history, after a few years, the Jin army will be filled with Han and Khitan people, while the number of genuine Jurchens will decrease. This is an inevitable thing.

Before the establishment of the state, the 50,000 Jurchens roamed freely, attacking wherever they went. After the establishment of the state, they truly had a vast territory and many cities. How could these 50,000 soldiers not be divided up to garrison them? Yet it was still not enough. Furthermore, officials of all ranks had to be dispatched everywhere, which made it even more insufficient.

Needless to say, once the Jurchens truly began to manage their territory, the army's fighting capacity would be greatly weakened, not to mention that the Jurchen nobles would begin to learn about pleasure and other such things...

Not only the Jurchens went through this process, but the Mongols did the same. Once they left the grasslands and gained territory, their military strength began to decline.

In other words, the Jurchen army that Su Wu sees right now is at its strongest, and then it will gradually weaken!

Wanyan Aguda then smiled and said, "Thank you for bringing this news."

Su Wu bowed slightly: "How can we, as allies, not inform each other... There is a second matter."

"Listen to what you have to say..." Wanyan Aguda was actually old. He was already fifty-three or fifty-four years old, but his hair and beard were all white and his face was full of wrinkles, making him look like he was around seventy years old. This was undoubtedly due to the harsh cold of the north and the arduous battles on the battlefield.

In fact, Su Wu also knew that Wanyan Aguda's days were numbered, and once the city of Datong was captured, Wanyan Aguda's life would begin its countdown.

Su Wu continued, "The second thing is that my return home with my troops is only for a short rest. After that, I will raise troops again and head to the northwest to fight the Dangxiang. Firstly, the Dangxiang and my Great Song have a deep-seated grudge. Now that the Liao Dynasty has been destroyed, there is no need for my help in the war here. So I will go and fight the Dangxiang myself. The Dangxiang and the Liao people are originally one, so this can be considered as helping our ally. It's a win-win situation."

Wanyan Aguda smiled even more upon hearing this: "Good, very good. The Song people are truly loyal and righteous allies. When I met you outside the Great Wall, I knew you were a hero!"

Upon hearing this, Wuzhu laughed and added, "My elder brother is indeed a hero."

Su Wu chuckled, feeling thoroughly pleased after hearing Yan Aguda's praise. He then said, "The Jurchens rose from humble beginnings and conquered Liao with only three thousand soldiers. The Jurchens are truly heroes!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhu's eyes welled up with tears, and her gaze toward Su Wu was filled with fervent anticipation, her excitement overflowing.

To be honest, Su Wu was also conflicted. The Jurchens at this moment were truly heroes, but when he thought about the Jurchens in later history, he was filled with sorrow and anger.

Is it because the enemy is too powerful and cruel, or because you are too useless and incompetent?
Su Wu blamed himself, but he also learned from his mistakes that only the strong can have everything, and the weak deserve no pity.

Wanyan Aguda also asked, "Is there anything I can do to help you?"

Su Wu nodded: "Then let's talk about the third thing, about the city of Datong..."

As soon as these words were spoken, and only after the interpreter relayed them, the expressions on the faces of everyone present varied.

Su Wu also understood the situation. Clearly, there were quite a few people in this tent who seemed unwilling to abide by the alliance and unwilling to hand over the Datong city, which they had worked so hard to conquer, to the Song people.

Su Wu remained silent, waiting and watching Wanyan Aguda...

Wanyan Aguda remained silent for a moment, glanced around, and nodded earnestly: "Once the city is breached, Datong will be yours, and the people and things within Datong will belong to the Jurchens! After all, when the alliance was first agreed upon, it was about land, so this doesn't count as breaking the alliance!"

Su Wu hesitated for a moment, or rather, he pretended to hesitate, because if the battle continued in this manner, Datong City would not fall as easily as it had in history. In other words, when Datong City fell, there would not be many people or things left.

The able-bodied men in the city fought to the death, and food was prioritized for the army; the old and weak, however, were likely to be...

Even when the city falls, Emperor Yelü Yanxi and his general Yelü Dashi will surely try to break through, and who knows how many more will die or be wounded.

As for the gold and silver, the Jurchens took them, that was fine... But what the Jurchens really wanted wasn't these things; they wanted people, artisans, tools, and food...

There are probably not many in the city.

After hesitating for a moment, Su Wu nodded: "Alright, it's a deal!"

Wanyan Aguda laughed, "You're a true hero! I also have something to tell you..."

"Your Majesty, please speak..."

"If Datong falls and you haven't yet conquered Western Xia in the west, as an ally, I will come to your aid!" Wanyan Aguda said.

Su Wu's heart immediately tightened. What did this mean?
It's not hard to guess. Since they couldn't raid Yan and Yun, the Jurchens had to find other places to make up for it, and the Tanguts were a good target.

Su Wu hadn't anticipated this; he underestimated everything he had changed. The Jurchens were no longer allowed to raid Yan and Yun, and the situation they would face afterward was clearly very difficult.

It's impossible for the Jurchens to truly retreat to the mountains after destroying the Liao Dynasty. They would still settle in Dading Prefecture and Liaoyang Prefecture outside the Great Wall, and the people in these areas needed to be fed. Their past methods had been too ruthless, and they needed to restore production...

Su Wu wanted to refuse, but after thinking it over carefully, he nodded: "Alright, if Datong falls but the Dangxiang are still there, we are allies, so let's attack from both sides! The Dangxiang were originally the homeland of our Great Song Dynasty, but they rebelled later. I want the city, and all the people and things you conquer are yours!"

Why did Su Wu agree again?

The future is truly unpredictable, and the Tanguts are not so easy to destroy. If the war really reaches a stalemate, having an ally can truly ensure the annihilation of the Tanguts.

The destruction of the Tangut state was extremely important, because if the Tanguts had survived, they would have become accomplices of the Jurchens. Given the choice between two evils, the Tanguts had to perish.

After the Tanguts fell, the Song Dynasty, with its Hexi Corridor, Hetao region, and Yinshan Mountains, could extend its reach into the grasslands, or rather, Su Wu's reach, and could even discuss the demarcation of grassland ownership with the Jurchens. At least it had the right to do so.

This is also very important. The grasslands are a continuous source of horses and an important rear area for the Jurchen Jin dynasty in the future. If the Tanguts had not been destroyed, the Song dynasty would not have been able to extend its reach to the grasslands. Once the Liao dynasty was completely destroyed...

The Jurchens' power naturally extended to the grasslands, and the grasslands of the former Liao Dynasty became the grasslands of the Jurchens.

If the Song Dynasty had the ability to influence the situation on the grasslands, even if it were to continuously supply the grassland tribes with food and weapons, as long as it could hinder the Jurchens, that would be ideal.

Of course, these were all backup plans by Su Wu's side in order to prevent the Tanguts from being completely destroyed.

Ideally, Su Wu should resolve the Tangut issue as quickly as possible, which would give him an even greater advantage in this game.

At this moment, Wanyan Aguda did not answer immediately, but fell silent again, his eyes scanning left and right.

Su Wu chimed in, saying, "The Dangxiang cities are mostly in Xingqing Prefecture, which is separated from the Jurchen lands by vast deserts and grasslands. If you take these cities, it will be inconvenient for you to manage them, and you will have to send heavy troops to garrison them. They don't produce much there either, but they are the original territory of the Song Dynasty and are close to the Song Dynasty. So this is the best course of action. We can make another alliance!"

After a long silence, Wanyan Aguda finally nodded: "Then let's follow this agreement and establish a new alliance."

Immediately, someone came forward and began writing.

Su Wu looked around and saw three generations of Jurchens, all of them strong and imposing. He also looked at the Liao man, Yelü Yudu, but Yelü Yudu lowered his head and did not meet Su Wu's gaze.

Su Wu didn't look at it much. The language of the alliance was simple, containing Chinese, Khitan, and Jurchen script, which had only recently been created.

Just take a pen to sign and affix your seal.

The food and drinks included roasted meat, proper dishes, milk wine, and Liao people's wine.

Inside the large tent, there was also a band of musicians and women dancing.

The women, however, were clearly not Jurchens, yet each had clean and tidy faces, indicating they were daughters of Liao nobles.

Learns quickly!
It's not that the Jurchens didn't sing and dance, but rather that their musical instruments, music, and even their singing and dancing were very simple and primitive.

Looking at it now, the musical instruments, music, songs and dances are not much different from those of the Song Dynasty, and are just like those of the Liao Dynasty in the past.

Isn't that what it means to learn quickly?

This song and dance reflects the decline of a nation and its people. This statement is not a misinterpretation of art, but a critique of hedonism.

They just drank and drank, and amidst the music, the Jurchen men, after getting drunk, also got up and danced to the music, which was a custom in the tribe.

Every now and then, one of the Jurchen men would suddenly decide to pull a woman out of the tent. What they were going to do is another story, and Wanyan Aguda and the others did not stop them.

Su Wu couldn't help but see the sorrow of a country's destruction and a family's ruin. These women were once the apple of the eye of Liao nobles, served by countless servants at home and escorted by numerous carriages and guards when they went out. Now, drunk and flushed, they were simply dragged away...

Su Wu also watched Yelü Yudu, who was drinking and making merry.

Even on the battlefield, while the city was under siege, the Jurchens were actually drinking wine in the army camp...

Of course, Su Wu also knew that there were still many Jurchen nobles on duty outside.

But then Yan Wuzhu suddenly said, "Why don't you choose one, brother?"

Su Wu smiled and said, "I don't need to..."

Wu Zhu immediately said, "Brother, do you find these undesirable? Haha... I find them undesirable too. I have many more there, all very clean. Some I haven't even used yet. Brother, I'll go and get them for you!"

"牵来" is a transliteration of a phrase, and this word is indeed used.

Su Wu waved his hand: "There's no need for you to come. You can stay here yourself. My newlywed wife is at home, and I'll be going home tomorrow."

Wanyan Wuzhu also said, "I understand, I understand, it's alright. My brother is already married. If my brother were not yet married, I would marry my sister to you. That would be the best thing. This is how most Jurchens are. When a sister marries a good brother, it is like a double blessing, and they will be together in life and death."

At this moment, Wanyan Wuzhu's expression was one of utmost sincerity.

Su Wu was actually moved. That's how men are. When they are at odds, they will eat flesh, drink blood, and sleep on each other's skin. When they are on good terms, they will give up anything and be willing to do anything.

Su Wu laughed and said, "I am all alone, my parents died early, and I have no sister to marry you!"

"Sigh..." Wanyan Wuzhu was truly disappointed.

Su Wu wondered, what if we meet on the battlefield with swords in the future?

This matter is beyond Su Wu's control, nor will it be beyond Wanyan Wuzhu's control; it is a matter of course.

Looking at the Jurchen nobles present today, Su Wu knew that if Wanyan Aguda hadn't been alive, Datong City would never have been returned to him today...

Wanyan Wuzhu clearly doesn't have the final say here, nor will he have the final say in the future. He won't be able to truly have the final say until he gets old.

Su Wu stood up, feeling much calmer. He thought to himself that there was no need to cultivate a deep friendship with Wanyan Wuzhuzhen; it was unnecessary…

Su Wu got up, and Wanyan Wuzhu also got up. Su Wu went out of the tent to urinate, and Wanyan Wuzhu followed him, taking the interpreter with him.

The two men took out their birds and spurted them at the already freezing ground, making Wanyan Wuzhu laugh heartily: "Brother, you are so brave and strong, almost as strong as me!"

Su Wu smiled wryly, then suddenly a brilliant idea struck him, and he said, "If the Western Xia really sends troops to Datong, you should volunteer to lead the troops to fight them!"

“Alright!” Wanyan Wuzhu simply nodded; in his view, this was no big deal.

However, Su Wu believed that this matter was meaningful and might actually come in handy in the future. For example, it could facilitate communication, and if the communication went well and the opportunity was seized, Su Wu could cut off the retreat of this Tangut army.

Even if Wanyan Wuzhu came to pursue them, Su Wu would go to intercept them, coordinating to strike at the Tangut's vital forces.

When it comes to the moment of battle, communicating with other Jurchens might be difficult, but communicating with Wuzhu would be much easier.

Before he knew it, Su Wu had accomplished another great feat.

Su Wu has truly become a political animal now, always thinking and always scheming.

After waiting for one night, Su Wu rode back, and more than a thousand cavalrymen left the camp and headed south, then east.

Inside the Jurchen tent, another meeting was being held, and a dispute arose.

Wanyan Wuqimai said, "Brother, why do you still agree to return Datong City to the Song people? Datong City is in an excellent location, both offensively and defensively. In the future, our Great Jin and Song will be neighbors. Although we are on good terms now, our descendants are not so sure. If we have Datong City, it will be much easier to go south and east. If we hand Datong over to the Song people now, it will become their advantage. If they have evil intentions, wouldn't it be much easier for them to come north?"

Wanyan Aguda looked at his younger brother and waved his hand, saying, "Wuqimai, if we do not return Datong City now, it would mean we have evil intentions and have betrayed our allies. We came from the mountains and forests in the past, how did we manage to gather three thousand men? Why do all the tribes trust us? Why do they all send their best sons to die with us? It is because we Wanyan people value oaths the most. Once we say something, we never change it. Therefore, they all trust us and are willing to send their sons to die with us!"

"Sigh..." Wanyan Wuqi sighed, speechless, but in his heart, he did not agree.

However, he could see that although many of the people around him shared the same opinion as Wanyan Wuqimai, none of them dared to speak up. Here, Wanyan Aguda's authority was unparalleled.

Seeing that no one spoke, Wanyan Wuqimai had no choice but to ask again, "Brother, if we can just leave Datong City, why don't we want the Dangxiang territory either?"

Wanyan Aguda laughed and said, "Su Wu is right. We only have 50,000 troops in total. How many do you plan to send to the Dangxiang lands on the other side of the desert?"

This is the crux of the matter. Outside the pass, the Liao people had been managing Dading Prefecture and Liaoyang Prefecture for many years, and there were many cities, dozens of which could be considered cities, and quite a few that could be considered fortresses.

Is it really peaceful? Actually, it's not. The Xi people are still causing trouble, and many of the common people have deep-seated hatred for the Jurchens. Without heavy military force to suppress them, how can they sleep soundly?

Looking at the present, with over 30,000 men under Yelü Yudu's command, if they are not kept in check and managed, they will slowly disintegrate and even be killed. How can one sleep soundly?

What use is a city of Tanguts thousands of miles away? We can't very well send Yelü Yudu to a city of Western Xia, can we?
At this moment, the Jin army seems invincible. If it were to become a state and disperse, wouldn't it weaken itself? Since some of them have to disperse, they must be even more cautious.

What needs to be dismantled should be dismantled, what needs to be reorganized should be reorganized, what needs to be won over should be won over, and even the army should be expanded, troops should be trained, and an effective administrative system should be established. This will take some time...

Furthermore, there is a shortage of manpower, food, and craftsmen...

It's not easy for Da Jin right now.

Wanyan Wuqimai was aware of all this, but he was reluctant to part with what he had, unwilling to give it to someone else...

Wanyan Aguda then said, "Fulfilling these alliances is the foundation of our Jurchen nation. If the Song people break their alliances and renege on their treaties in the future, then you can then discuss the matter with them..."

Wanyan Wuqimai nodded: "I will listen to my elder brother!"

"Hmm, good!" Wanyan Agu surveyed the scene, satisfied, and then said, "As for Datong City, it should be captured quickly. We can't delay any longer. If we drag it out any longer, it will be a losing proposition. Everyone, think of a solution and come up with some ideas!"

Everyone frowned, feeling quite distressed. Why were the Liao people becoming increasingly difficult to defeat?

In the beginning, when we lacked soldiers and food, we won every battle against the Liao people. Now, we have many soldiers and generals, no shortage of food, and our weapons, armor, bows and crossbows are becoming more and more sophisticated. Why is it so difficult to win now? The battle at Dading Prefecture was extremely difficult.

What exactly is the reasoning behind this?
Many people couldn't help but go and see Yelü Yudu...

Yelü Yudu should be sent to lead troops into battle, wielding a broadsword to supervise the fight, and make these Liao people climb as hard as they can!

The Battle of Datong remains deadlocked.

Su Wu returned to Yanjing a few days later, gave instructions on the handover of grain and horses with the Jurchens, and then began to divide his troops for departure. The Wuzhou soldiers left first, while a portion of the elite core troops were left behind, especially those Wuzhou soldiers who had no relatives left at home. More of them were left behind, waiting for the imperial decree to arrive so that they could go to Taiyuan with Wang Bing to take up their posts.

Wang Xun returned to Jiangnan and was appointed as the General Commander of the Military Forces of Liangzhe Road.

The foot soldiers of Jingdong returned first, followed by a large number of chariots.

A few days later, Su Wu returned with his cavalry. He would stay a few more days to deliver another 1,200 horses before heading back, and also to take care of some loose ends...

Fighting the Dangxiang, Su Wu was once again under immense pressure, his brow furrowed as he pondered the matter.

(Brothers, thank you all for the monthly tickets, I'm so grateful! I'm only a few dozen more monthly tickets away from 10,000 this month, sigh... a new month has begun, brothers, please give me some tickets, thank you so much! If you don't give me any, I'll roll on the ground...)
(End of this chapter)