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

Chapter 180 Song State: I've Been Honest, Please Let Me Go
In fact, Zhao Shuo had not expected that this forced passage through the Song state would lead to such a escalation of the war.

Historical records indicate that Tolui easily bypassed the Song Dynasty's borders and reached Jin territory in just seven or eight months without much effort. Tolui's losses would certainly not have exceeded five thousand men.

This time, Zhao Shuo's attack on Xianren Pass was a tough battle, whether it was attacking Jinping, Er'ai, or Xianren Pass. He could only use the Eight Banners Army to launch a strong attack, and the casualties exceeded 8,000.

However, upon closer reflection, it's not surprising.

Historical records indicate that Zhang Xuan killed the Mongol envoy, and Tolui directly led his army to attack Sichuan.

Gui Ruyuan was at a loss and offered only passive resistance.

Finally, seeing that the situation was not good, they simply sent Tolui's army out of the country.

This time, Zhang Xuan did not kill Zhao Shuo's envoy, and the Song Dynasty directly issued an order to "ally with the Jin against the Mongols".

Gui Ruyuan had received clear orders, so how could he not fight to the death? That's why Zhao Shuo suffered such heavy casualties.

Of course, this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Because he originally intended to pass through, but now he plans to occupy Hanzhong and incorporate it into his own territory.

The Hanzhong Basin is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with a closed terrain and fertile land inside, earning it the titles of "Little Jiangnan" and "Land of Fish and Rice".

This place could serve as a material reserve base for the attack on Sichuan, and it could also be used to build a defensive system based on its strategic terrain. As the saying goes, "Hanzhong is the throat of Shu; without Hanzhong, there is no Shu."

Compared to Hanzhong, the sacrifice of eight thousand is nothing.

He might even decide on his next course of action based on the attitude of the Southern Song Dynasty.

If the Southern Song Dynasty continues to prevent him from passing through, then he will have no need to care about the dying Jin Dynasty and can directly launch a full-scale attack on the Southern Song Dynasty.

In any case, the Jin state has lost its warhorses and its ability to fight in the field, so it cannot pose a threat to him.

Didn't the Southern Song Dynasty like to dance? Then let's grant their wish.

Moreover, although he lost more than 8,000 soldiers, the elite troops in the Manchu banners could be quickly replenished, and the Eight Banners' fighting strength could even become stronger.

……

……

It must be said that Cao Youwen, as a renowned general in historical records, was indeed quite capable.

His plan for a night attack was excellent.

If the Song army were to attack Zhao Shuo's army from the high mountains on both sides of the valley during the day, they would find it very difficult to descend due to the steep terrain, making them easy targets for the Mongol army.

In the darkness of the night, after the Song army collectively lit their torches to demonstrate their power, they suddenly extinguished them and marched down the mountain.

In the darkness, the Mongol army had no idea where the Song army was. Their hasty firing of arrows caused very few casualties to the Song army.

Furthermore, the Xiang Army is not only weak in combat but also quite cowardly, so the ruthless fighting style is probably useless.

Night battles only allow visibility of a small area, making it less likely for the morale of the local troops to collapse, thus maximizing the numerical advantage of the Song army.

The problem of nymphal blindness is also easy to solve.

Sichuan was a wealthy province, and its annual tax revenue to the Southern Song Dynasty alone amounted to more than 30 million strings of cash, accounting for one-third of the Southern Song Dynasty's revenue.

This time, Cao Youwen collected folk remedies and spent a lot of money to treat the soldiers' night blindness with animal livers and cassia seeds. Now, most of the Song soldiers can see at night.

Cao Youwen's choice of location was also excellent.

To attack Hanzhong from Shaanxi, no matter which route they take, they will have to traverse through towering mountains and deep valleys, which will inevitably force Zhao Shuo to divide his forces.

With 200,000 troops, no matter how many tricks they used, Zhao Shuo could not defeat them, given the strength of Sichuan.

However, Zhao Shuo's division of troops gave them hope of victory!

It can be said that Cao Youwen not only exhausted his wisdom and talent to defeat Zhao Shuo's army, but also tapped into the greatest potential of the Sichuan army.

Cao Youwen believed that the Wu brothers, with 35,000 Song soldiers, defeated the 100,000 elite Jin troops led by Jin Wuzhu at Xianren Pass.

Then Cao Youwen, with his nearly 200,000 troops, should have no problem defeating Zhao Shuo's 100,000 troops at Xianren Pass.

Although Gui Ruyuan was the commander-in-chief of this battle, Cao Youwen listened to his advice. He was certain that he could rise to prominence with this achievement and restore the Cao family to the glory days of their ancestor Cao Bin.

At this moment, Cao Youwen stood on the city wall of Xianren Pass, watching the battle with Gui Ruyuan. Although it was dark and nothing could be seen, his heart was filled with boundless pride.

At this very moment in the darkness of night, the fierce battle has just begun.

"Kill Zhao Shuo, and you will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold!"

"Kill the Tartars, protect Sichuan!"

"Charge! Kill! Ten taels of silver for every head!"

……

Countless Song soldiers rushed down the mountain, heading towards Zhao Shuo's sprawling camp. Countless more soldiers emerged from Xianren Pass, some charging towards Zhao Shuo's camp in front, others rushing towards the two mountain ridges to serve as reinforcements for the 60,000 elite troops.

If you could see it, it would truly be an overwhelming force, unstoppable.

However, while they were brave, Zhao Shuo's army was even braver!
Zhao Shuo's army, as a well-trained force, had rarely fought at night, but they were not lacking in training for night combat.

Whoohoo!
The Greek fire quickly ignited the pile of firewood in front of the camp, providing them with much-needed light in the darkness.

Wow~~
Countless armored soldiers rushed out, scattering baskets of caltrops in front of the camp.

Caltrops, an ancient defensive weapon, are made of iron and resemble the plant caltrop. They are mostly four-sided pyramidal or star-shaped. No matter how they land, at least one spike points upwards, forming a natural obstacle to hinder enemy movement.

The Jin dynasty was skilled in using caltrops.

Historical records indicate that the Jin dynasty laid out a hundred-mile stretch of iron caltrops along the road north of the Iron Gate Pass (Juyong Pass) to hinder the Mongol army's advance. Genghis Khan was greatly angered and later bypassed these caltrops by taking a shortcut, thus conquering the Iron Gate Pass.

However, Zhao Shuo changed history, and the Jin Dynasty did not have the opportunity to lay these barbed wire caltrops.

However, a large number of barbed wire pieces still fell into Zhao Shuo's hands.

He felt that these iron caltrops were quite good as defensive equipment and should be issued to the Eight Banners as standard equipment.

Only today have these barbed wires come in handy.

Whoosh whoosh!
When the Song army arrived not far from the camp, Zhao Shuo's army's long-range weapons began to show their power.

The soldiers handed over the ready-to-stretch bows to the regular troops, aiming to inflict maximum damage on the enemy.

And repeating crossbows!

There are also regular bows and arrows!
The Song army, charging forward in large numbers with their massive shields, not only had to brave these ranged weapons but also had to deal with the iron caltrops under their feet. One can imagine how many casualties they would suffer.

Even extinguishing the Mongols' firewood won't work!

The sound of barbed wire signaled the Song army's direction of advance. The Mongol army would also launch rockets to provide brief illumination in the darkness.

After clearing away the barbed wire, the Mongol army would scatter some more in front of the camp.

Even if the Song army managed to reach the camp by chance, Zhao Shuo's army, with its fully armed soldiers holding long spears, was already waiting in full battle array behind the fence!
In short, it wouldn't be much easier for the Song army to break through Zhao Shuo's army camp than during the day.

Wang Shixian even had time to summon his ten commanders to his tent for a brief meeting.

Wang Shixian was only thirty years old this year. After surrendering to Zhao Shuo, he went from being the defense commissioner of Longzhou and the governor of Gongchang Prefecture in the Jin Dynasty to the second commander of the Plain Yellow Banner of the Han Army. His power increased so much that it was astonishing.

Zhao Shuo's arrangement was certainly reasonable.

Wang Shixian was not only brave and skilled in battle, but the three thousand elite soldiers under his command were all members of the Wanggu tribe who had migrated to Shaanxi with his ancestors.

The fighting strength of these three thousand soldiers was no less than that of the Eight Banners army.

Wang Shixian surrendered voluntarily. Zhao Shuo felt it would be unfair to take away two thousand of his troops and make him a chiliarch (commander of a thousand). Since he was a renowned general in history, it would be better to make him a deputy commander of ten thousand. If Wang Shixian proved unworthy of his reputation, it would be reasonable to make him a regular chiliarch. If Wang Shixian truly lived up to his name, making him a commander of ten thousand in the Han army would be justified.

But others don't see it that way!

The quotas for the Han Army's Eight Banners are tight, and the quotas for commanders of ten thousand are even tighter. Why should a surrendered general like Wang Shixian be chosen?
These military bigwigs dared not question Zhao Shuo's decision, but they couldn't help but speak sarcastically to Wang Shixian.

Since taking on the role of "acting head of ten thousand households," Wang Shixian has been under immense pressure.

Of course, he had no problem subduing the generals under his command.

Needless to say, the three thousand soldiers in the main force were all from the Ongud tribe. Wang Shixian's family had always been the chieftains of these people, and their authority was deeply entrenched.

The Shaanxi troops had just surrendered and naturally dared not cause trouble. Besides, these commanders, though they hadn't distinguished themselves in battle, still held the title of "acting" above their heads.

The four commanders of the Han army were all promoted by Zhao Shuo from among the centurions who had accumulated enough military merits to be promoted to commanders. They had just been promoted and were naturally satisfied, with no intention of resisting Wang Shixian's authority.

"We know without me saying it. Many Eight Banner commanders look down on me, Wang Shixian! Many Han soldiers look down on us, the Second Commander of the Plain Yellow Banner of the Han Eight Banners. They feel that we are no match for them!" Wang Shixian's gaze was intense as he looked at the ten commanders under his command, and said, "But I don't blame them. The army is a place that values ​​merit above all else. Why should I, without having made any contributions, become a commander? Why should you become acting commanders? Why should four thousand soldiers suddenly join the Eight Banners army? Under normal circumstances, where would you find such a good deal?"

"So, no matter what they say, I, surnamed Wang, will listen obediently! I believe that one day, I, and you, will earn their respect through our military achievements! Now, that opportunity to make a name for ourselves has arrived!"

As soon as Wang Shixian finished speaking, the ten commanders looked at him with a mixture of excitement and suspicion.

"How exactly do we achieve merit? If we wait until dawn and launch a full-scale attack, we might not be able to distinguish ourselves as the 20,000th Commander of the Plain Yellow Banner."

"We can't launch an attack without orders, that would cost us our heads!"

"Who doesn't want to make a contribution? These days have really been tough for the 20,000th Household of the Plain Yellow Banner. Commander Wang, please tell us! How exactly can we make a contribution?"

"That's right! As long as there's a chance to make a great contribution, the brothers are absolutely willing to go all out! Just tell us!"

……

The ten heads of the thousand households were in an uproar.

Wang Shixian said, “Your Majesty, because our banner's fighting strength is the weakest, our main camp is positioned at the very back, a full eight li away from Xianren Pass. This is our opportunity! Your Majesty has stationed troops at Shajinping and Er'ai on the left side of the canyon. Once the general offensive begins, they will definitely seize the left ridge. But what about the right ridge?”

"Of course they're ours!"

"Yes, no one else can do this job, only we can!"

"Seize the right ridge and encircle the Song army like dumplings!"

"Let them never return!"

……

A loud drum doesn't need a heavy hammer; the masses understand instantly.

The canyon was not very wide. Zhao Shuo's army camp was rectangular, with a total of twenty-four camps, stretching for eight miles.

Another 10,000 troops were stationed at Shajinping and Er'ai.

In this attack on Zhao Shuo's camp, the Song army naturally had fewer troops on the left and more on the right. After all, they couldn't possibly sneak across these two passes. Nor did they have the capability to launch a full-scale assault on the two passes or to kill at Jinping.

This gave Wang Shixian the opportunity to make a contribution.

Attacking the Song army from the foot of the mountain upwards is impractical; the terrain is too steep. The only option is to climb the ridge and attack from there, just as they did when they attacked Sha Jinping.

The 20,000th Household of the Plain Yellow Banner of the Han Army was in such an advantageous position.

As long as they seize the right ridge and the Han troops stationed at Shajinping and Er'ai seize the left ridge, this battle will be a great victory!
Now, we just wait for dawn to arrive!
"That's almost it."

The sun had not yet risen, but the sky was already beginning to lighten. Zhao Shuo looked out from the watchtower with his telescope and saw that of the twenty-four camps, only three had been breached by the Song army and were in fierce fighting. The remaining camps were still being fought over on the outer perimeter.

The Song soldiers in front of each camp were densely packed, a veritable sea of ​​heads waiting to be harvested!
“擂鼓吧！”

Zhao Shuo calmly issued the military order.

Yes!
A guard, holding two drumsticks in both hands, struck the war drum on the watchtower!

Boom!
dong dong!

Boom boom boom!
Thump thump thump thump~~
The continuous sound of war drums rang out, followed by the echoing war drums from each camp!
One hundred and thirty-seven war drums sounded almost simultaneously in Zhao Shuo's various fortresses, signaling the order for the entire army to attack!
"Charge! Kill!"

"General offensive! General offensive! All troops, attack!"

"Annihilate the main force of the Sichuan Army today!"

……

Boom~~
The gate to the village was opened on its own!
The twenty-two camps were already prepared with assault teams.

They were all the bravest warriors of their respective commanders, and many of them were directly commanded by their commanders.

Until half an hour ago, they were still fast asleep, conserving their energy. Now they have eaten half a full meal of meat and are fully armed.

The wait is now!

As the war drums sounded, they charged out of the stockade gate, fully armored and wielding heavy axes, shouting as they fiercely attacked the Song army opposite them.

"cut!"

"kill!"

"go to hell"

……

In the ensuing close combat, with a sharp cry from these heavily armored warriors, countless Song soldiers died on the spot.

Other troops followed closely behind the assault team, fiercely attacking the Song army.

Like a raging storm, or a tiger entering a pack of wolves!
"Oh no! The Tartars are too strong!"

"Stop them! Stop them!"

"You can't stop them! Retreat! Retreat now!"

"Run!"

……

Many of the Song army's bravest soldiers had already perished in this night battle. The nearly hour-long fight had further depleted their strength.

Moreover, the fighting strength of Zhao Shuo's army was originally stronger than that of the Song army!

The troops that attacked Xianren Pass were just ordinary Eight Banner troops, not the elite troops specially selected by Zhao Shuo.

The garrison troops under Zhao Shuo's command were far superior to the garrison troops of the Song Dynasty!

The physical fitness developed from being able to eat well at every meal is something that the Xiang Army, which can only eat well when they are in battle, can not compare to!
If they had stayed in a fortified city to defend it, this disparity wouldn't have been too fatal.

But this is field combat!
The two sides engaged in a real, bloody battle!

Even more critically, Zhao Shuo's army was deployed in formation, while the Song army was besieging Zhao Shuo's camp and was no longer in formation!
Therefore, the situation quickly became one-sided!

On the other side, Wang Shixian had already dispatched troops.

"Hurry! Climb up quickly!"

Wang Shixian left only half of his troops to fight the Song army, while he himself led his officers and soldiers, along with the two strongest Han soldiers, to quickly climb the high mountain on the right.

"Charge! Charge!"

"Now is the time to make a name for yourself!"

……

As they climbed, Wang Shixian urged his soldiers on loudly, doing everything he could to increase their speed.

This fierce general, who in historical records could charge into the midst of thousands of troops single-handedly, was now blinded by rage and determined to achieve a complete victory today and obtain the greatest military achievement in the Battle of Xianren Pass!

……

……

Xianren Pass, on the city wall.

"What should we do? Uncle Yun, what should we do now?"

Gui Ruyuan didn't have a telescope, so he was unaware that Wang Shixian was about to deliver a fatal blow. However, the current battle situation was also dire!

Zhao Shuo's army was like a tiger among wolves, displaying astonishing fighting power. Today, his defeat is inevitable!

Cao Youwen's heart is now ice-cold.

Lost!

How could we have lost?!

I had planned everything meticulously for the Song army, yet we still lost! It's all because Zhao Shuo's army was too strong! I overestimated them as much as I could; they were still far stronger than I anticipated!
How to do?
How to do?
How do I know what to do?
Today's defeat not only dashes my hopes of reviving the Cao family, but also makes me a sinner against the entire Song Dynasty!
While wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Cao Youwen said in a trembling voice, "The first thing to do, of course, is... to call a retreat immediately."

"Then what?"

"Then...then...then...alas!" After saying "then" several times in a row, Cao Youwen suddenly gave a bitter laugh and said, "Let's make peace! At all costs, beg Zhao Shuo to spare us, to spare the Song Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)