Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 142 Yang Miaozhen is pregnant, the Caucasian Lock!
"Get up!"

Zhao Shuo said in a deep voice, "Since you have made such a great contribution, all those who followed you in the uprising will be pardoned. From this day forward, you are the Queen of Bagrajioni, and you will be officially recognized by the Mongols and obey all orders, including assisting in battle and requisitioning provisions!"

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Highness!"

Lusudan breathed a sigh of relief.

With only her four or five thousand troops under her direct command, she would never be able to stabilize the Kingdom of Bagration.

To the south of the Bagration Kingdom lay the powerful Sultanate of Rum.

The Sultanate of Rum, which later became Türkiye.

If the strength of the Bagration Kingdom declines too much, and if the Sultanate of Rum takes the opportunity to attack, what will Rusdan use to defend itself?
Zhao Shuo pardoned all those who had joined Lu Sudan's uprising, and her army could now reach 13,000 to 14,000 men, which was barely enough.

And most importantly, Zhao Shuo's investiture.

With the Great Mongol Empire standing behind the Baghdad Empire, what can the Sultanate of Rum do if it tries to make a move?
Furthermore, it must be noted that although the Bagration Empire reached its zenith under Queen Mara's leadership, it harbored a deadly crisis. This was because the country was Christian, while the Sultanate of Rum to its south, Khwarezm to its southeast, and Ajar-Byzantium to its east were all Christian religions.

The Bagration Empire could be easily wiped out by a coalition of neighboring countries that adhere to the true God religion if it makes a single misstep. After all, if Christianity can organize the Crusades, why can't the true God religion establish a similar organization?

Now, Khwarazm has lost half of its territory to the Mongol army, the Azhar Byzantine Empire is about to be destroyed by Zhao Shuo, and the Bagradian Empire has the Mongol Empire as its backer. The international situation is better than ever.

Lu Sudan truly felt that offering herself to Zhao Shuo last night was the most correct decision she had ever made in her life.

……

……

The south gate of Tebilas was opened wide, and the Khwarazmian army, with its red flags and the Baluk camp, swarmed in.

Then, at Zhao Shuo's command, Lu Sudan led all the surrendered troops, nearly 100,000 conscripts, the other four banners of Khwarazm, and the eight banners of the Han army into the city.

Inside the city of Tebil, there are now only about 100,000 garrison troops and less than 200,000 civilians left, while the Mongol army has deployed a total force of more than 200,000!

It was truly like Mount Tai pressing down, an unstoppable force.

After two days and one night of fierce fighting, the entire city fell into the hands of the Mongol army.

The ruler of the Byzantine Empire, Yuejibo, and his son Hamushi also became Zhao Shuo's prisoners.

At Zhao Shuo's command, both men were beheaded.

All the men in the city were slaughtered, leaving only craftsmen, young women, and children no taller than a cartwheel.

The spoils of war within the city have also been tallied.

Two hundred and eighty thousand taels of gold!

One million and one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver!

One million six hundred and sixty thousand bolts of various kinds of cloth!

Seventy-three thousand head of various livestock!
470,000 shi of grain!
Ninety-seven boxes of various jewels!

There are 64,000 young women!
……

It must be said that although the Byzantine Empire was a small country, the city of Tebilis was indeed quite wealthy, as it would later become the capital of the Ilkhanate.

The amount of spoils in the city exceeded Zhao Shuo's expectations.

Being so far away from Temujin, it was completely unrealistic to expect him to oversee the distribution of spoils of war.

Zhao Shuo simply distributed about 50% of the spoils of war directly.

Zhao Shuo's actions greatly provoked Lu Sudan's subordinates.

Some people initially felt that Russodan's act of beheading King George IV and betraying the main force of the Bagration army was hardly a glorious thing.

But now they've completely changed their minds.

Clearly, if Rusdan had not decisively surrendered to the Mongols, all the tragedies of Tebilis would have been repeated on the lives of the soldiers and civilians of Baghradin.

This new queen is truly a wise ruler who has saved hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Bagration.

Moreover, Mongolians are incredibly generous when it comes to distributing money and women!

In the future, Mongolia will definitely order Bagration to send its auxiliary troops to assist the Mongolian army in combat.

Wouldn't they also have the opportunity to divide money and women?

The Queen led them to surrender to the Mongols, and they really made the right choice.

The loyalty of the Bagration warriors to Rusdan was so high it was practically doubling.

Subsequently, Rusdan led his loyal subordinates back to Georgia to stabilize the situation.

Zhao Shuo's army continued its march and entered the Kingdom of Al-Banni.

The nation of this era cannot be entirely equated with the nation of later generations.

For example, the city of Tebiliz (Tabriz), which Zhao Shuo conquered, later belonged to East Azerbaijan Province of Iran, not to the country of Azerbaijan.

The present-day Albanian state was mostly part of the later Azerbaijan, with a portion belonging to the later Armenia.

Albania was a small country, and most of its towns surrendered without resistance. As usual, the Mongol army only required these surrendered cities to offer provisions and supplies, and to conscript all able-bodied men into their army.

Only Jangja, the capital of Albania, resolutely resisted.

Then just fight.

There were no stones available outside Zhangzha City, so it seemed impossible to use catapults to attack the city.

But it doesn't matter, there are many big trees outside Zhangzha City.

Zhao Shuo ordered his men to saw these large trees into sections of stumps and soak them in water for three or four days to use as stones.

Seven days after the white tents were erected, Zhao Shuo ordered his troops to attack Zhangzha City.

Three days later, 30,000 of the 130,000 conscripted soldiers were killed in battle, and the city of Zhangzha was captured.

In the city of Zhangzha, all the men, including the king, were killed; only the young women, children no taller than a cartwheel, and the craftsmen survived.

After conquering Albania, Zhao Shuo's army entered Sheriwang.

The Kingdom of Sheridan, which included parts of later Azerbaijan and Russia, was ruled by a ruler named Khazarte.

Hezaite was also a pragmatist who resolutely resisted the Mongol army.

Zhao Shuo led his army to massacre Shemaha, the capital of the Sheriwang Kingdom.

However, Hezant did not remain in Shemaha, but instead led the main force of the national army, numbering 60,000, to retreat to Dalban.

……

……

Outside the city of Daerban, on the Mongol army's command platform.

"Darban, translated into Chinese, means 'Gate of Ten Thousand Gates.' This is because almost all ethnic groups in Central Asia refer to passes as 'gates.' And Darban is undoubtedly the most important and most fortified pass in Central Asia."

“The barbarians north of the Caucasus Mountains could enter Central Asia to burn, kill, and plunder as long as they broke through Darban. Historically, all the powerful dynasties in Central Asia used Darban as a place to station troops and supplies, and launched their campaigns from here to sweep across the Kipchak Steppe.”

"Therefore, six hundred years ago, the Sasanian dynasty of Persia organized nearly 10,000 people and spent thirty years building the city of Dalban with stone. The entire city consisted of two walls that were more than forty miles long, connecting the Caucasus Mountains to the west and the Caspian Sea to the east. The city of Dalban was located between these two walls."

"Because the city of Dalban was so fortified and difficult to attack, the Kipchaks called it Derbent. Derbent translates to Iron Gate in Chinese."

Xin You gave Zhao Shuo and the Mongol generals a detailed account of the situation of the Daerban.

To be honest, even though Zhao Shuo came from the future and has eight hundred years more experience than people of this era, he has never seen a fortified city like Daerban before.

To the west and north of Dalban lies the towering Caucasus Mountains.

To the east lies the Caspian Sea.

The city was built directly on the mountainside, stretching from the Caucasus Mountains in the west to the Caspian Sea in the east. Iron chains were also laid in the Caspian Sea to prevent unauthorized ships from entering.

The city has only two walls, one to the north and one to the south, but the walls are over forty li long and are entirely made of stone. The lowest point is over four zhang (approximately 13 meters), and the highest point is five zhang (approximately 13 meters). The tallest fortress is seven zhang (approximately 33 meters).

The city is naturally sheltered by the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian Sea to the east and west.

The entire city of Daerban, nestled between mountains and the sea, is built between these two city walls, making it extremely easy to defend and difficult to attack.

After the Mongol army destroyed the Azhar Byzantine Empire and the Albanian Empire, Hezant still dared to resist the Mongol army, probably because of the strategic importance of Dalban.

In fact, the city of Daerban also has another name: "The Lock of the Caucasus".

Zhao Shuo looked around and asked, "What do you all think?"

"Of course, we'll follow the old rules. I refuse to believe that no matter how fortified Daerban City is, it can withstand our 250,000-strong army!"

Yang An'er, the commander of the Han Army's Bordered Black Banner, couldn't wait to express his opinion.

Firstly, since Zhao Shuo went on his campaigns, he had frequently summoned Yang Miaozhen to his bedchamber. A month ago, Yang Miaozhen finally became pregnant. This overjoyed Yang An'er, as Zhao Shuo now commanded over a hundred thousand regular troops. In the past, that would have been enough to sweep across the land.

In this era, the Mongol army has reached places that the Han people had never been able to conquer in previous dynasties, and many of these places are now just as prosperous and wealthy as the Han territories.

Zhao Shuo is only thirty-five years old. How much territory will he conquer in the future?
Yang An'er's nephew will likely receive a country in the future!
This is truly a momentous event that brings glory to one's ancestors.

Yang An'er felt honored and full of fighting spirit.

At every military meeting, he always volunteered to be the first to speak.

Secondly, since Zhao Shuo invaded the Caucasus countries, his promise to the conscripted soldiers has always been to let them go home after they cross the Caucasus Mountains. Now, the number of conscripted soldiers under Zhao Shuo's command has reached 120,000.

In other words, the total number of troops under Zhao Shuo's command reached 250,000!

What good is the fortification of Daerban City?
They'll pay with human lives.

Yang An'er had full confidence in the strength of Zhao Shuo's army.

"Yes! Let's just launch a direct attack!"

“Hezant is hiding in Darban. We must let him know that if he offends the prince consort, no fortified city can protect him!”

"I've heard that Darban is not only the most treacherous pass in Central Asia, but also a rare and prosperous city. This city controls the trade routes between the Kipchak Steppe and Central Asia, allowing trade to be conducted simultaneously by land and sea. It contains not only countless riches but also women from dozens of ethnic groups. It would be a real pity not to massacre the city!"

……

The generals all spoke up, demanding a strong attack on Daerban City.

In the history without Zhao Shuo's time travel, Jebe and Subutai led 30,000 Mongol troops to attack Darban.

Faced with such a fortified city, there was no way they could possibly conquer it.

So Jebe devised a plan: he called out to the city of Daerban, demanding that the Kingdom of Sheliwang send an envoy to the Mongol camp for negotiations.

As expected, the Kingdom of Sheliwang fell for the trap and sent ten envoys.

As a result, Jebe killed one of the ten envoys as soon as they arrived at the military camp. He held up the envoy's head and threatened the other nine envoys, saying that if they did not reveal a way to bypass the city of Dalban, he would kill them.

These nine messengers, valuing their lives, indeed told Jebe about a shortcut.

Jebe and Subutai's army crossed the Caucasus Mountains via this path and reached the Kipchak Steppe.

But Zhao Shuo's generals are no longer considering taking detours.

It's a very simple principle: taking a detour is nowhere near as satisfying as massacring a city.
The wealthy women in Daerban City were already considered theirs for the taking.

Besides, how can there be military achievements without fighting?
How can you get promoted without military achievements?

Everyone's expedition to Khwarezm was all for the sake of getting promoted and making money, wasn't it?
After each bloody battle, Zhao Shuo would distribute large amounts of wealth and women. Cities that surrendered directly would only receive some food and supplies.

Now, Zhao Shuo's generals and even all the regular troops are unwilling to see the city surrender directly; they only hope that the city will put up a stubborn resistance and then be massacred.

As for taking a detour, that was completely outside their consideration.

Ultimately, it's about being happy to hear about war!

Zhao Shuo nodded slightly and said, "Then let's set up the white tents. If the Daerban still hasn't surrendered in seven days, then we'll launch a full-scale attack and slaughter them!"

"Yes!"

The generals took orders and left.

Within seven days, 120,000 conscripts, under the command of the engineering battalion, built more than 2,400 catapults.

Two million two hundred and thirty thousand stone bullets weighing twelve pounds each were prepared.

Seven days later.

A thin mist hung in the air, and the wind carried the salty, fishy scent of the Caspian Sea.

Zhao Shuo stood on the command platform and looked towards the Erban troop.

The walls of Darban rose abruptly from the rugged cliffs, like a giant black python stretching into the Caspian Sea. The figures moving on the walls were as small as ants, seemingly preparing for their final battle.

Zhao Shuo pointed his Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Blade forward and said, "Martial Immortal!"

"exist!"

"Let's attack the city!"

"Yes!"

Wu Xian accepted the order and left.

Boom~~
Two thousand three hundred catapults were launched simultaneously, thus beginning the battle.

Countless stones and Greek fire rained down on the city of Dalban as if they were free.

Whoosh whoosh!
Five thousand six hundred arrows, each consisting of a spear and three swords, were fired almost simultaneously, delivering a fatal blow to the catapults on the walls of Daerban.

at the same time.

"Charge! Kill!"

"Break through Daerban, and we can go home!"

"Those who retreat will die! Their entire families will be beheaded!"

……

The soldiers, with their right sideburns shaved and red cloths tied to their left arms, carried ladders and battering rams, and launched a fierce attack on the ear-beating squad.

"You Tatar lackeys, die!"

"Darban is an invincible fortress!"

"Kill one Tatar, and you will be rewarded with fifty dinars! Kill one Tatar lackey, and you will be rewarded with five silver dinars!"

"After the city falls, no one will survive! Brothers, fight to the death!"

"Kill these infidels!"

……

The soldiers on the walls of Daerban knew, of course, what the fall of the city would mean for them, and they fought back desperately.

The catapults on the city wall were roaring.

The crossbow bolts fired from the seven-zhang-high bunker could reach three hundred paces away.

Rolling logs, boulders, kerosene, and boiling oil poured down.

The war escalated rapidly from the very beginning, turning the area around the walls of Daerban into a veritable battlefield.

By that evening, of the 120,000 conscripts, nearly 30,000 had been killed or wounded.

Zhao Shuo continued to order his troops to launch catapults to harass the city of Darban. Accuracy wasn't important; the catapults could simply penetrate the city walls, the main purpose being to disrupt the Darban garrison's rest.

Not only that, during these seven days, Zhao Shuo also ordered his regular army to make many Kongming lanterns.

Inside each Kongming lantern was a ceramic jar filled with Greek fire.

Most of these Kongming lanterns drifted with the sea breeze into the city of Darban.

Boom boom boom!
As each Kongming lantern landed, a blaze of fire ensued. The walls of Dalban were built of stone, but the houses inside were not.

"Put out the fire! Put out the fire!"

"My God, are the Mongols devils? How could they have such terrifying weapons?"

"They can actually make their weapons fly into the sky?"

"A calamity from God, Zhao Shuo is truly a calamity from God!"

"He probably really was sent by God to destroy the city of Derban."

……

Don't be fooled by the fact that Kongming lanterns were invented during the Three Kingdoms period.

But outside of China, paper remained extremely expensive until this time, a luxury item for the nobility. Who would invent the Kongming lantern?
It was Zhao Shuo's foresight in collecting paper from the Caucasus region that enabled him to make so many Kongming lanterns.

When the soldiers of the Ear-Piercing Squad saw the magical effect of the Kongming lanterns, their morale completely collapsed.

There was no other way; it was flying!

In their minds, the sky has always been a forbidden zone for God.

Not to mention, the fires caused by these Kongming lanterns destroyed countless of their houses.

Without a house to live in, people will freeze, how can morale not be low?

Although the Mongol custom of massacring entire cities meant that even with low morale, the defenders of Derban would not surrender. However, the anxiety of certain defeat and the fear of impending death caused them to eat and sleep poorly, leading to a rapid decline in their physical strength.

On the second and third days, Zhao Shuo repeated the same tactic, sending his conscripted troops to attack the city during the day and harassing it with catapults and Kongming lanterns at night.

By the fourth day, almost all the wooden houses in the city had been burned down.

The soldiers and civilians in the city were also harassed by Zhao Shuo, making it difficult for them to eat and sleep, and their physical strength was exhausted to the limit, so their counterattacks became weaker and weaker.

Of course, these repeated attacks also caused great losses to the conscripted troops.

Now, only about 60,000 soldiers remain, and everyone is exhausted.

Then we won't need them.

Zhao Shuo decisively committed the entire Baluk camp, the five banners of Khwarazm, and the eight banners of the Han army to the battle, leaving only 15,000 of his own troops to protect him.

By evening that day, more than a dozen breaches had appeared in the walls of Daerban, but the defenders continued to put up a stubborn resistance.

After all, there are still dozens of bunkers in the city that can be relied upon.

Even if they retreated outside the city, the Daerban Pass in the Caucasus Mountains, which could only accommodate one large cart, remained easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Zhao Shuo simply ordered all 60,000 conscripted soldiers who had rested for a day to be deployed!

He himself, wielding the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Blade, led his 15,000 troops into battle.

After several weapon upgrades, Zhao Shuo's armor has also been upgraded.

In these moments of charging into battle, he always wore triple armor.

The innermost part is exquisite fine-scaled soft armor from the Southern Song Dynasty.

This armor was presented to Zhao Shuo by Yang An'er as a congratulatory gift after she learned that Yang Miaozhen was pregnant.

When the Jin general Pusan ​​Anzhen was drinking from the Yangtze River, it was thanks to the Song dynasty's efforts to persuade Yang An'er that the Red Turban Army marched out of Shandong and cut off Pusan ​​Anzhen's supply lines, thus saving the Jin dynasty from danger.

In order to persuade Yang An'er to send troops, the Song Kingdom really went all out, providing not only a large amount of gold and silver but also this fine-scaled soft armor.

The base of this armor is made of the finest silk, while the exterior is made of fish-scale-like plates crafted from refined steel. The shoulders and armpits feature a hinged design, allowing the wearer freedom of movement. It represents the pinnacle of Southern Song Dynasty armor craftsmanship and the pinnacle of flexible defense in that era.

The middle layer consisted of a set of Mamluk chainmail seized from the Muhammad treasury.

The flexible chainmail covers the entire body, with plate armor reinforcing key areas. It features a unique ventilation and heat dissipation design, making it ideal for use as a mid-layer armor.

The outermost layer was still the black gold cold-forged armor that Zhao Shuo usually wore.
With such protection, coupled with Zhao Shuo's extraordinary strength and agility, he could not possibly die unless hit directly in the head by a ballista.

This defense, combined with his martial prowess, would make him an invincible force on the battlefield, comparable to even the legendary Xiang Yu.

"The prince consort personally led the charge!"

"Follow the prince consort! Protect the prince consort!"

"Break through the city of Daerban and slaughter all the men!"

……

With Zhao Shuo's arrival, the Mongol army charged forward with ferocious energy, as if injected with adrenaline.

Finally, at dawn on the second day, they not only took control of the entire city of Daerban, but also breached the pass in the Caucasus Mountains behind Daerban, also known as the Daerban Pass.

A wide road is right in front of us.

Ahead of this 300-mile-long mountain road lies the Kipchak Grassland.

Geographically speaking, the Kipchak Steppe already belongs to Europe.

From the Turkish Straits to the Black Sea, then to the Caucasus Mountains, the northwestern shore of the Caspian Sea, the Ural River, and the Ural Mountains, a nearly right-angled zigzag line separates Europe and Asia.

Zhao Shuo will use this main road to invade Europe!
(End of this chapter)