Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 926 Spreading Military Power Across the World
The world was shaken, and the epicenter was in Luoyang.

First of all, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty abdicated again!
This time, however, the recipient of the abdication was not a descendant of the Zhao family, but Prime Minister Yang Yuan.

A once-mighty empire, militarily aggressive and economically the largest in the world, changed its ruling flag without bloodshed.

When the news spread, Japan, Korea, Sinjin, Dali, Tibet, and even Southeast Asian countries such as Siam and Srivijaya immediately dispatched envoys with official letters to Luoyang.

These national and local powers not only immediately acknowledged the change of regime in the Song Dynasty, but also responded promptly.

Which of these countries and regions doesn't have a special relationship with Yang Yuan?

Needless to say, the Kim and Wang families of Goryeo also benefited greatly from cooperating with Yang Yuan's military aid to Sinkin.

Yang Yuan even sold some early versions of firearms that had been rendered obsolete by his technology, asking the Ping family to exchange them for gold and silver.

He is now very dependent on Yang Yuan, which has stabilized the status of the samurai family and also secured the Taira clan's leading position among Japanese samurai families.

The countries of Southeast Asia now have close trade relations with Yang Yuan.

Some of the smaller countries had considered using force to seize the Yang family's ships and monopolize the trade themselves.

However, they were simply too weak to withstand a fight; Yang Yuan's ocean-going fleet now possessed the formidable strength to part-time pirates.

This small country, after being thoroughly beaten by Duck Bro, Mikami Chiya and others, was driven straight to their palace, and had long since developed a deep-seated awe for Yang Yuan.

The second piece of news that shook the world was that, just as the entire territory of Shaanxi was about to be recovered, Yang Yuan adopted the strategy of besieging several major cities that were still under siege without actually attacking them.

He has already begun rebuilding the bureaucratic system across the devastated Shaanxi province and started resuming production.

This puts more pressure on the besieged than directly attacking those cities.

If Yang Yuan didn't have absolute confidence that he could definitely take them down, how could he have dared to do this?

At the same time, Yang Yuan began to withdraw troops from the Shaanxi battlefield to attack the Hedong South Road and Hedong North Road, officially entering Shanxi territory.

However, after the Shaanxi army entered Shanxi, the Central Plains army, which had been fighting on the Shanxi battlefield, turned east and moved horizontally towards Yanjing Road.

At the same time, the Song army in the Central Plains officially intervened in the Shandong battlefield and began to contend with the new Jin dynasty.

The new Jin Empire had already occupied half of Shandong Road. They originally planned to besiege Yanjing Road without attacking, and instead move south and west to seize territory from the Song army.

Seeing the rapid progress of the Song army, they promptly adjusted their strategy, turning around to try and capture Yanjing before the Song army could.

Although the Jin Dynasty still existed, everyone knew that it was finished and no one could save it.

This situation, thanks to Yang Yuan's deliberate propaganda, quickly spread to the last few major cities in Shaanxi that were under the control of the Jurchens.

On April 19, the Jin army surrendered Yan'an Prefecture.

On May 3, Chang'an was liberated.

During this period, Yang Yuan stayed at the Ziwei City in Luoyang.

As an emperor, he could not easily lead a military campaign in person.

In particular, with the regime having just changed hands, there were so many things he needed to handle.

If he personally leads the expedition, many official documents will have to be sent to him based on his movements.

This would not only delay things, but the journey might not be peaceful and could lead to unnecessary trouble.

Once the location of the central hub is determined, a stable transmission channel can be established.

However, as a result, many people believe that the new capital will be located in Luoyang.

The people of Luoyang were naturally overjoyed, more than they could have hoped for.

However, Yang Yuan has not yet announced the new name of his country, and the location of the capital is still only a matter of speculation.

Shangyang Palace, Hall of Longevity.

The once desolate Yunping, empty painted hall, and locked tower have now regained their splendor.

Amidst lush greenery and winding corridors, Yang Yuan sat behind a desk, casually flipping through several urgent military reports that required immediate attention.

On the table, in the deep red wine, crystal-clear ice cubes shimmered like jewels under the light.

That was the finest grape wine that Li Xianzong had obtained from merchants from the Western Regions.

Western Region wine and Luoyang ice blend seamlessly.

Beneath him sat a cushion made of Dali brocade, one of the gifts sent by Gao Shuyao.

Several lake rocks rise abruptly in the courtyard, sparsely and orderly, with blue brick paths and secluded flowers and plants in between.

The fragrant aroma of Korean osmanthus not only repels mosquitoes and wards off disease, but also has a delicate and pleasant scent that is refreshing and delightful.

The waterside was a large open space, and under the moonlight and lamplight, two rows of beautiful women were dancing gracefully.

These were all beauties sent to him by various Tatar tribes.

The Tatar tribes, being astute, realized that the tide of history was irreversible and that the Jin dynasty was no longer a viable ally, so they decisively chose Yang Yuan.

They had no choice. The bullying and plundering they had suffered from Xinjin were too severe, and the enmity between them was deep and could not be easily resolved.

In comparison, it might be worth trying to side with this new master of the Central Plains Empire.

Yang Yuan was naturally more than happy to have them join him.

The vast northern grasslands have always been a place that the Central Plains dynasties needed to treat with the utmost care.

Even powerful dynasties like the Han and Tang could only rely on marriage alliances and short-term military strikes to secure temporary peace when they were strong.

The Ming Dynasty launched several campaigns against the Mongols in the north, defeating them and causing them to lose their armor and weapons, but the problems kept arising one after another.

Before the advent of modern transportation and communication technologies, so many wise men in the Central Plains dynasties had been exploring how to conquer this grassland wolf, but unfortunately, they never found a good solution.

The Qing dynasty, however, did a better job in this regard.

The Qing dynasty was originally a frontier people, understanding nomadic logic rather than a purely Central Plains perspective, which is why their strategies were more successful. Yang Yuan, now based in Luoyang, no longer considers specific battle plans and tactics; his focus is entirely on strategic issues.

Moreover, the considerations need to be comprehensive and long-term.

Therefore, the problem of the northern Tatars has already been included in his considerations.

He carefully analyzed the methods by which the Qing Dynasty could effectively control Mongolia.

In conclusion, the solution is to employ a four-pronged approach involving politics, religion, military affairs, and the economy, creating an "inescapable system."

Politically, emperors throughout history continuously intermarried to establish blood ties and institutional bonds, while also establishing the banner system to strictly prohibit nomadic herding across banners.

This strengthened their ties with the central empire, but it also created a competitive relationship between them.

The banner chiefs were all appointed by the imperial court. Although the positions were hereditary, the successor required the court's approval, which cut off the possibility of alliances between the various tribes.

Religious control is also an excellent tool, as it involves supporting a religious sect.

Furthermore, sect leaders were appointed by the imperial court, thus preventing the hereditary nature of religious power.

Yang Yuan already has a foundation in this area.

Wuda Youzhu and Father Mark, the shaman stationed in Shangjing in Lin'an, have spread their innovative version of shamanism to the grasslands.

In terms of the economy, a system of monopolistic trade and rewards was established.

Several trading ports were established, and the imperial court would approve and issue certificates to whichever grassland tribe was allowed to trade, based on the tribe's performance each year, and trade would be conducted accordingly.

As for necessities such as tea, iron, salt, and cloth, these were entirely approved and supplied by a special office established by the Central Plains court, which prohibited them from trading with other countries without authorization.

At the same time, the leaders of these powerful tribes were granted the title of king and were required to come to pay homage at any time. They were also actively invited to participate in the discussion and formulation of important national affairs, thus strengthening their sense of belonging.

Based on the implementation of the above three points, military deterrence should be added as a supplement.

Anyone who disobeys will be punished severely and immediately, as a warning to others.

Only in this way can we achieve lasting peace and stability.

Of course, when it comes to force, that's a matter of "you have to be strong to fight."

If the Central Plains Empire itself becomes corrupt, then it will not only be weak in military terms, but all the other aspects mentioned above will also collapse completely due to corruption.

If it comes to that point, no one can do anything about it. If you can't even control your own base, how can you talk about controlling the outside world?
However, whether such a thing can happen is a matter for generations to come, and there's no point in thinking about it.

Yang Yuan doesn't concern himself with things he can't control; he only wants to do his best with what he can control.

Therefore, Yang Yuan gladly accepted the Tatar tribe's overtures, as well as the cattle, sheep, horses, and beautiful women they sent.

First, reassure them; the implementation of those policies must be done step by step.

Four golden hoops, one after another, the future is long.

Therefore, Yang Yuan only glanced at the gift list and didn't even look at the gifts that were given to him at the time.

Because he always felt that there couldn't be any truly beautiful women to admire on the grasslands.

Until they were sent to the palace.

Qiqige, Senjidema, Aruna...

They were all surprisingly bright and lovely.

Although Yang Yuan was looking down at the reports under the lamp, the beauties continued to dance earnestly.

After the dance ended, Yang Yuan put down the report in his hand.

The beautiful women then gracefully stepped forward, offering handkerchiefs, sitting coyly against each other, and serving tea, fruit, and snacks, all exuding tenderness and affection.

These beauties are secretly competing with each other.

Because they come from different tribes.

Kereit, Tatar, Mongol, Merkit, Naiman, Jadaran...

The Kereit tribe is currently the most powerful, and it was also the main tribe that previously sent troops to help the Jin state fight against the Song state in Shaanxi.

Therefore, the beautiful Senjidema sent by the tribe was exceptionally docile and obedient, for fear that the handsome emperor might suddenly recall the past.

If His Majesty the Emperor is displeased and drags her over to give him a lecture, she would gladly accept it.

If troops are sent or other tribes are supported to teach her tribe a lesson, her parents and family will suffer.

The Tatar tribe had also sent troops to help the Jin Dynasty, so the beauties they sent were of ordinary interest.

The proud grassland princess is now humbled and obsequious, showing remarkable insight.

At this time, the Mongol tribe was frequently suppressed by the Kereit and Tatar tribes.

Therefore, when the tribe's most beautiful girl was sent to the Central Plains, her parents repeatedly gave her instructions:

You must serve His Majesty the Emperor well, win his favor, and give him a son as soon as possible.

Our tribe's future depends entirely on you.

The poor girl felt a great responsibility, but she really didn't know any seductive tricks.

She gave him a shy, flirtatious wink, and before Yang Yuan could react, her own face turned as red as a newly laid hen, making Yang Yuan laugh.

However, they all only thought that by winning the favor of this young emperor, they would have a bright future.

Little did they know that even if they failed to please the emperor, it would not affect their tribe in the slightest.

This cunning emperor will maintain a delicate balance among the various tribes of the grasslands, ensuring that no one can dominate.

P.S.: Gentlemen, where should Yang Yuan's kingdom be located, and what would be a suitable name for it? Please give me some suggestions!
(End of this chapter)