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

Chapter 175 You like slaughtering Han people? Then we'll wipe out your Jurchen tribe!
Boom~~
The fifty Han soldiers of the Plain Red Banner at the very bottom of the siege tower, which is the first level, pushed the siege tower forward.

The thirty armored soldiers in the middle layer were making final preparations for battle, checking the thunderbolts, crossbows, and other equipment on the second layer.

The first layer consisted of nineteen armored soldiers led by Zhang Hui.

They were about to go up the city wall and fight the enemy to the death, but they all looked normal, especially Zhang Hui.

It's a very simple reason; he's already used to it.

In less than ten years, Zhang Hui rose from a hundred-household commander in the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Han Army to the 20,000th household commander in the Plain Red Banner. He earned his position through hard-fought battles and accumulated merits.

Zhang Hui was awarded the title of "first to scale the walls" nine times!
This is the tenth time!

These numerous first-mover assaults not only honed Zhang Hui's martial arts skills and increased his experience in siege warfare, but also made him accustomed to the feeling of being on the front lines.

Rumble~~~
The siege tower suddenly sped up, and Zhang Hui knew without looking out the watchtower that it was less than thirty paces from the city wall.

"Come with me!"

Zhang Hui roared and led nineteen armored soldiers to the platform at the top of the siege tower.

Whoosh whoosh!
Countless arrows and crossbow bolts hurtled towards Zhang Hui and his group.

There was no thunderclap.

Gunpowder was considered high technology in this era. Two days of brutal fighting had exhausted the Jingzhao Prefecture's stockpile of thunderbolts.

There were no stones either.

At such close range, the Jin army's catapults were unable to exert their full force.

Even with the three crossbows fixed to the city wall, it was difficult to turn them around and fire one spear and three arrows at Zhang Hui and the others.

At this time, the only threat to the heavily armored Han soldiers was the crossbow bolts fired by the Jin Dynasty's Divine Arm Bow.

However, Zhang Hui and the others also possessed the Divine Arm Bow!
Both sides fired a volley, and three soldiers of the Plain Red Banner fell to the ground, struck by arrows. Soldiers from the second tier quickly filled their positions. On the opposite side, five Jin soldiers were also shot down.

Then, the soldiers of the Plain Red Banner quickly discarded their crossbows and picked up repeating crossbows. Each crossbow fired seven arrows, and another volley was launched.

Immediately afterwards, they lit the short fuse of the thunderbolt and blasted it towards the city wall of Jingzhao Prefecture.

Long-term arduous training and countless battles have made their entire set of movements extremely proficient, as smooth as flowing water, so that they would not be at a disadvantage against any of the world's strongest armies.

And what about the Jin army on the opposite city wall?

A small number of regular soldiers formed the backbone, some conscripts served as auxiliary forces, and a large number of militiamen were also present to fill the ranks.

Only 70% of the regular army was wearing iron armor, and the conscripts couldn't even gather enough leather armor, let alone ordinary militia. How could they possibly be a match for the Han army's Plain Red Banner's relentless bombardment?

In the blink of an eye, the area was completely cleared out!
It was at this moment that, in just 119 breaths, the siege tower was rapidly advanced 30 steps and leaned against the east city wall of Jingzhao Prefecture.

Boom!
The suspension bridge descended and was placed on the battlements.

"Stop them! Stop them!"

"Don't let them get onto the city walls!"

"The city stands, and we stand; the city falls, and we fall!"

……

One hundred Jurchen soldiers shouted wildly and arrived near the crenellation, ready to use their bravery to stop the enemy's advance on the city walls.

However, how is that possible?

"die!"

Whoosh whoosh!
Zhang Hui and the nineteen armored soldiers behind him hurled twenty short spears at the Jin army opposite them!

Zhang Hui was born with superhuman strength and had a great fondness for strongmen. All his personal guards were men of imposing stature and extraordinary strength.

This tactic of climbing up the city wall and throwing short spears to kill enemy soldiers is a unique tactic of the 20,000th household of the Plain Red Banner of the Han Army.

Puff puff!
Twenty short and long spears, thrown from a distance of less than ten meters, pierced through the hearts of eight fierce Jin soldiers blocking the suspension bridge!
Taking advantage of this opening, Zhang Hui, who could catch up with the galloping horse, shouted "Kill!" and strode across the suspension bridge, leaping directly onto the city wall.

"kill!"

"kill!"

"kill!"

As expected of Zhang Fei, Zhang Hui's battle cries were like thunder. Every time he shouted, a Jin soldier was killed!
The nineteen armored soldiers behind them quickly followed, and soon they cleared an open space.

The elite troops of the 20,000th household of the Han Army's Plain Red Banner also surged onto the city wall!
"It's over! The city has fallen!"

"Kill the golden dog!"

"Kill all the Jurchens!"

"Quick! Go save them!"

……

Upon seeing this, the local militia of Jingzhao Prefecture quickly changed their stance.

Some people launched a frenzied attack on the Jin army next to them, while others rushed into the city to rescue their relatives.

What loyalty could these common people possibly have to the Jin Dynasty? Who would be willing to be buried with the Jurchens?

"Isn't it because my wife and children have fallen into the hands of the Jurchens? What can I do? Now that the city is about to fall, whether my family can survive is up to fate. Who will stop the Mongol army now?"
They understood that their enemy was not the Mongols, but the Jurchens who had oppressed them for over a century and, in the end, had even forced their families to be buried with them!
The shouts of these militiamen quickly spread throughout the entire eastern city wall, and even to the four city walls of the Jingzhao Prefecture.

All the militiamen defected, some running down the city walls to save their families, while others assisted the Han army in killing the Jin soldiers on the city walls.

The entire city wall of Jingzhao Prefecture was in complete chaos!
Wanyan Qingshannu was not on the city wall at this time, but was standing at a street corner inside the city, leading five hundred Jurchen people to guard the old, weak, women and children inside the city.

Upon hearing this voice, a ferocious smile appeared on his face, and he said, "Have the Han dogs defected? They really are unreliable! Light the fire!"

"Yes!"

Boom boom boom!
Houses on four streets were set on fire almost simultaneously, with flames shooting into the sky.

"Fire!"

"Run!"

"Damn the Jurchens!"

"Help! Help!"

……

The elderly, women, and children screamed in terror and rushed out of the house.

However, what awaited them were four hundred fully armed Jurchen warriors, who would kill them on the spot even if they managed to escape the fire.

These Jurchens have gone mad and want to drag the entire city's elderly, weak, women, and children down with them!

Wanyan Qingshan himself led a hundred armored soldiers to the front to block the militia attempting to provide assistance.

"Is it finally here..."

After scattering four or five groups of militia, Wanyan Qingshannu finally spotted the Mongol regular army. He knew the final moment had arrived!

"I am Wanyan Qingshannu, the Prefect of Jingzhao! Zhao Shuo's lackey, die!"

Wanyan Qingshan roared and, wielding a heavy axe, led a hundred armored soldiers toward the Plain Red Banner troops led by Zhang Hui.

Zhang Hui sneered and issued the opposite order: "Brothers, try to capture them alive!"

Then, wielding a large spear, he charged towards Wanyan Qingshan.

Dang Dang Dang!
In the blink of an eye, the two exchanged thirteen blows!
puff!
Zhang Hui's spear pierced Wanyan Qingshan's right wrist!
Bang!

Wanyan Qingshan's heavy axe fell to the ground.

Snapped!Snapped!
Zhang Hui swiftly struck twice with his iron spear, shattering both of Wanyan Qingshan's shoulder blades!
Then he quickly stepped forward and removed Wanyan Qingshan's jawbone.

In the blink of an eye, the entire action took only three to five seconds, and Zhang Hui had already made Wanyan Qingshan wish he were dead!

"Ah...ah...ah..."

Wanyan Qingshan then understood what Zhang Hui wanted to do. However, with his jawbone removed, he could hardly speak and could only roar out "ah" sounds, like a wounded wolf.

The other Han soldiers followed Zhang Hui's example, and in less than a quarter of an hour, more than two hundred Jurchen soldiers were captured alive.

By this time, countless militiamen had arrived nearby and begun attempting to put out the fire. However, Wanyan Qingshan was far too well-prepared.

Of the 200,000 elderly, women, and children imprisoned in the city, only 16,743 remained unharmed.

More than 70,000 people were burned, and it is estimated that no more than 20,000 will survive.

In other words, at least 160,000 people in Jingzhao died at the hands of the Jurchens!

That afternoon, in Zhao Shuo's central command tent.

"Zhang Hui, you did a great job."

Zhao Shuo was very satisfied with Zhang Hui's performance today and said, "You tried your best to capture Wanyan Qingshannu and those Jurchen soldiers alive because you didn't want them to die so easily, right?"

Zhang Hui bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty is wise. So many people in the capital have died at their hands. To kill them outright would be too lenient!"

"So, what do you think should be done with them?"

"In my humble opinion, only a thousand cuts and ten thousand slices can atone for his crime!"

Zhao Shuo shook his head slightly and said, "How could the sins of 160,000 lives be atoned by being torn to pieces?"

"So, Your Majesty's meaning is..."

"In this attack on Jingzhao Prefecture, we captured over eight hundred Jurchen prisoners. I'm handing them all over to you. You must not only find out their names and hometowns, but also the names, ages, and hometowns of those Jurchens who are already dead. When I reach their homelands, I will exterminate their entire clan!"

"Yes!"

Shortly afterward, Zhang Hui followed orders.
What? The Jurchen prisoners are refusing to talk? No problem, the Han army loves the Jurchens for their toughness.

Have you heard of the torture of branding with hot irons?
How about the torture of disembowelment?
Want to learn about the skinning skills that the Black Banner people are best at?
Wooden donkey, would you like to ride it?
Want to try out these red-hot iron shoes?
……

These Jurchen prisoners quickly began to confess.

Three days later, Zhao Shuo received a list of more than 5,300 people. This list was certainly filled with fabricated stories, and some even deliberately included the names of their enemies.

However, Zhao Shuo wasn't playing the role of a righteous official, so why would he care which Jurchen was wronged? Those who died unjustly could only blame their own people.

Of the 100,000 able-bodied men in the city who were conscripted, about 70,000 remain.

The next day, Zhao Shuo summoned all 70,000 people to an open area outside the city.
There, more than 800 Jurchen prisoners were bound hand and foot and made to kneel on the ground.

A platform three zhang high has also been erected.

Zhao Shuo ascended the high platform and looked down at the young men of Jingzhao below, saying, "You must have already heard of my rules. If a city resolutely resists, on the day the city falls, everyone except craftsmen, young women, and children no bigger than a cartwheel will be executed. You turned against us only when the city fell, so you should be no exception."

"However, the situation in Jingzhao Prefecture is somewhat special. Your families were coerced by the ruthless Jurchens into defending the city for them. Moreover, most of your relatives have already died at the hands of the Jurchens. Even if you were guilty, you have already received sufficient punishment. Therefore, I hereby pardon you all!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Shuo's words were naturally relayed down the ranks by the soldiers scattered throughout the crowd. All 70,000 able-bodied men of the capital clearly heard Zhao Shuo's decree and knelt down in unison, loudly expressing their gratitude.

Zhao Shuo continued, "Besides that, I will also avenge you. Do you see those Jurchen prisoners who are bound hand and foot? In a little while, you can all go and cut them open to avenge your loved ones."

"Of course, the lives of 160,000 people in Jingzhao cannot be atoned even by cutting these 800-plus Jurchens into a thousand pieces. Therefore, I have decided to punish Wanyan Qingshannu, who caused the disaster in Jingzhao, by skinning him alive. You may all watch."

"Not only that, I have already sent men to ascertain the age and place of origin of all the conscripts in Jingzhao City. Although they are Han Chinese, they have aided and abetted the tyrant to such an extent that they cannot be let off lightly. Now, kill them first, and after we reach their hometowns, we will behead their entire families!"

According to Zhao Shuo's established practice, conscripts were always treated leniently. Therefore, the Han army was able to ascertain the names, ages, and hometowns of these conscripts without resorting to torture.

The number of conscripts in Jingzhao Prefecture was about 20,000, and if you include their families, the total number was about 100,000.

Zhao Shuo continued, "As for the Jurchens of Jingzhao, in addition to cutting them into a thousand pieces, their entire clan will be exterminated! In short, one life for another, the lives of 160,000 people of Jingzhao must be paid with 160,000 lives!"

"I will calculate it carefully. If it still doesn't amount to 160,000 lives, then we'll use members of the Wanyan clan to make up the difference! If that's not enough Wanyan people, we'll use other Jurchens to make up the difference!"

"Hmph, don't these Jurchens think that taking such extreme measures for the Great Jin is a sign of loyalty and glory? I want to tell the world that they are killing civilians on the surface, but in reality, they are killing their own people, even the royal family! They are not heroes of the Jurchens, but sinners who killed their own people!"

Zhao Shuo's method of killing likely involved more than 160,000 people, so there was no need to kill the Wanyan royal family.

But what about the future?

To prevent other Jurchens from following suit, Zhao Shuo first established rules.

If you dare to do eleven, I dare to do fifteen!

A life for a life, blood for blood. If that's not enough, we'll make up the difference with the Wanyan clan! We'd gladly slaughter all three million Jurchens!

Of course, for these able-bodied men of Jingzhao, the issue wasn't considered from this perspective.

They participated in the defense of the city, yet Zhao Shuo pardoned them. Moreover, Zhao Shuo was determined to avenge their blood feud.

Those who participated in this matter shall have their entire families executed!

Those Jurchens involved in this matter shall have their entire families executed!
Is there a more satisfying way to get revenge?
Moreover, Zhao Shuo's order to destroy the Jin Dynasty clearly states that after occupying the former Jin territory, the equal-field system and the militia system will be implemented, and people can even be immigrated to the west to be treated as first-class citizens!

What is the greatest kindness imaginable? This is what it means to be as great as heaven and as deep as earth!

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

"I am willing to die for the king!"

"I am guilty! I am guilty! Although the king has forgiven me, I know that guarding the city for the Golden Dog is a sin! I have let down the king, and I have let down my dead family! Please, the king, take me under your command, and I will fight the Golden Dog for you!"

"Yes! Your Majesty, please grant me permission to join the army! When we attack the city, I will be the first to go! Even if I die on the spot, it will be a loyal service to Your Majesty, and I will have no regrets in dying!"

……

After Zhao Shuo announced the handling of the Jingzhao matter, the entire audience erupted in cheers.

Some of the able-bodied men of Jingzhao knelt down and wept bitterly, while others loudly pledged their loyalty. But most of them asked to join the army and fight for Zhao Shuo.

In any case, after this ordeal, the hearts of the people of Jingzhao have completely fallen into Zhao Shuo's hands!
(End of this chapter)