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

Chapter 186 With the Mongols backing them up, the Song army instantly became fierce?

Ten thousand grassland warriors and thirty thousand warhorses require considerable transport capacity.

Originally, Chen Ji's plan was for him to personally lead the Xiangyang navy to transport half of the troops to Hezhou. Then, the Xiangyang navy would return to transport the other half of the soldiers and warhorses. Finally, the Huaixi region would be responsible for transporting the Mongol army across the Huai River.

However, after the plan was sent to Lin'an, it was met with unanimous opposition from all the prime ministers.

It's a very simple principle, as Zhao Shuo said: once the news leaks out, he will cause trouble for the Southern Song court.

The movement of ships is relatively straightforward; as long as it is kept strictly confidential, who would know what's inside the large ships on the river?
With so many troops present near Hezhou for a month, it would be too difficult for the Jin state's inner court to avoid noticing anything amiss.

And most importantly, this is about mining gold!

Since the establishment of the Southern Song Dynasty, it has been the dream of countless Han people!
The prime ministers discovered that although the Emperor suffered a major defeat at Xianren Pass and issued an edict of self-reproach, the court not only did not receive much criticism in the public eye, but countless people praised the court and His Majesty the Emperor for their attitude of admitting and correcting their mistakes.

What are you hitting?

"Brothers may quarrel, but they should unite to defend against aggression" is the common aspiration of the people and soldiers of the Song Dynasty.

Consequently, there were far fewer attacks on Shi Miyuan's years of excluding dissidents and monopolizing power.

So there are such benefits to mining gold! You should have told me sooner!

Shi Miyuan rose to power after plotting to kill Han Tuozhou following the failure of the Kaixi Northern Expedition. His consistent stance was "peace with the Jin Dynasty," and he did not support the Northern Expedition.

Over time, he himself came to believe that the people of the Southern Song Dynasty did not want the Northern Expedition. What did the Northern Expedition to recover the lost territories of China have to do with the people? What could the people gain besides bearing heavier taxes, corvée labor, and military service?
Only now has he realized that the people are not against the war, but against defeat!
If your Northern Expedition fails and you have to cede territory and pay reparations to the Jin Dynasty, of course the people won't support it. So, you're saying that if you raise taxes during the war, and then raise them again after the war to pay reparations, are the people stupid enough to support the Northern Expedition?

If the Song Dynasty really couldn't defeat the Jurchens, it might as well just honestly defend its territory.

But what if the chances of victory are high?
Even if the territory they conquered didn't belong to the Song Kingdom, but to Zhao Shuo, they would still support it!
The Chinese nation was ultimately unified. In the future, whether the south unified the north or the north unified the south, wars between the same people were much more peaceful than wars with other peoples.

Moreover, even disregarding practical interests, from an emotional perspective, "killing the Jurchens" was the common aspiration of the people.

It is entirely conceivable how public opinion would have been in an uproar and how secure Shi Miyuan's position would have been if the Song army had marched into Henan and even captured the Jin emperor.

This deal is definitely worth it!

When the Song Dynasty agreed to Zhao Shuo's request to ally with the Mongols to destroy the Jin Dynasty, it only provided 20,000 troops of the Zhongshun Army. This was not because the Song Dynasty harbored resentment towards Zhao Shuo or was unwilling to contribute more. Rather, sending more troops would have made things more difficult for Zhao Shuo to handle.

Could Zhao Shuo completely trust the Song army? Of course not. Zhao Shuo needed to keep a portion of his troops to monitor the Song army, to prevent them from acting rashly and stabbing him in the back at a crucial moment. Twenty thousand loyal and obedient soldiers wouldn't cause much trouble; it was a more suitable number.

This time, Zhao Shuo's plan to divide his troops is different in nature.

The ten thousand steppe warriors were being transported by Song ships. If Song harbored ill intentions, they could easily sink the ships, killing all ten thousand warriors. On this matter, Zhao Shuo had to trust Song.

Given this situation, Shi Miyuan seized the opportunity to suggest to Zhao Shuo that the Song Dynasty send more troops. After all, the presence of 10,000 Mongol troops near Bianliang might indeed cause the Jin court to panic and recall its main force from the Tongbai Mountain defense line. But what if the Jin Dynasty wasn't intimidated?
The Jurchens were facing the threat of national collapse and extinction. What if Wanyan Shouxu gritted his teeth and refused to send troops back?
It will still be quite troublesome at that time.

Therefore, it would be better for the Song state to send more people to ensure that the Jin state is completely intimidated.

After careful consideration, Zhao Shuo felt that it made sense.

There must have been at least 10,000 elite Jin soldiers in Bianliang, right?

There must be at least 100,000 recruits, right?
Could ten thousand Mongol soldiers really breach Bianliang?
Shi Miyuan's suggestion was absolutely foolproof.

Therefore, Zhao Shuo announced that if any city along the route surrendered, that would be the end of it. If they did not surrender, the children and wealth lost after the city fell would be divided equally between the Song and Mongol armies. After all, the Song army far outnumbered the Mongol army.

Is there such a good thing?

Shi Miyuan originally intended to use this opportunity to gain political prestige, but he didn't expect to get paid for it, so he became even more proactive in planning this.

Therefore, this time, the large ships of the Huaidong and Huaixi navies and the Xiangyang naval force worked together to transport the Mongol troops.

They started from Xiangyang, traveled through the Han River into the Yangtze River to Wuhu, then through the Yuxi River to Chaohu, and finally from Chaohu through the Shishui River to the Huai River.

Twenty-four days later, Zhao Shuo's army officially joined forces with 50,000 elite troops from Huaidong and Huaixi.

The Song army was in charge of this operation by Du Gao, the deputy military commissioner and transport commissioner of Huaixi, and Zhao Fang's two sons, Zhao Fan and Zhao Kui, who were urgently recruited.

Zhao Fan is 44 years old this year, and Zhao Kui is 41 years old. They have followed their father Zhao Fang in battle for a long time, and are brave and fierce. They are also at the prime age of a great general.

Du Gao was no ordinary man. Although he rose through the ranks through hereditary privilege, eight years earlier, when the Jin army besieged Chuzhou, he led troops to its rescue. During the fierce battle, he was shot twice in the face but did not leave the battlefield. Instead, he remained calm and composed, directing the battle with remarkable skill, greatly boosting morale and repelling the Jin army's attack. Furthermore, he was skilled in repairing offensive and defensive weapons, providing invaluable assistance to the Song army.

It must be said that the Song Kingdom sent its best soldiers and generals to help these 10,000 grassland warriors attack Bianliang.

On the Huai River, aboard the flagship of the Mongol army.

"What is the actual strength of the 50,000 soldiers of the Song Kingdom now?" Altana asked with concern.

Du Gao bowed slightly and said, "I'm not afraid to tell General Altana that before your army arrived, our situation was not good."

"During the Kai Xi Northern Expedition, the army in Lianghuai rarely won a single victory and could only switch to defense. Later, the Jin Dynasty implemented a strategy of replenishing the south after losing the north, with three armies attacking Hanzhong, Jinghu, and Lianghuai. The Jin army attacking Lianghuai was led by the famous general Pusan ​​Anzhen, and its advance was unstoppable, reaching the Yangtze River. The morale of the defending army in Lianghuai was even lower."

"However, we've heard that the Mongol army is backing us up, and the morale of our soldiers is very high. There are only a few conscripted soldiers left in the Jin cities. Attacking the Jin and forcing the Jin army at the Tongbo defense line to return to their aid shouldn't be a big problem."

Altana continued, "After crossing the Huai River, which city will be the first one our army attacks?"

Zhao Shuo's original plan was to bypass all cities and launch a long-distance raid on Bianliang to intimidate the Jin army into retreating.

Now that we have so many Song troops to help us, there's no need to take such a risk. Moreover, the bigger the commotion we create here, the greater the pressure on the Jin state will be.

Du Gao said, “Yingzhou! This place is less than 700 li from Bianliang. We plan to enter the Ying River directly from the Huai River, land near Yingzhou on the banks of the Ying River, and capture Yingzhou. Then, we will advance northwest and threaten Bianliang.”

"Won't the Jin Dynasty's Huai River navy intercept us?"

"I doubt they'd have the guts! If their navy doesn't know what's good for them, we'll wipe them out too!" Du Gao said confidently.

To reiterate, if the Song Dynasty's navy couldn't even compare to the Jin Dynasty's, then they might as well have committed suicide.

Moreover, the Jin navy's elite troops have now been completely withdrawn to support the Tongbai defense line.

Furthermore, it must be noted that the Jin state could not have been unaware that the Song state's military expedition from the Huai River would cause them immense difficulties.

However, they believed that after all the Jurchen men were conscripted, there were enough fortified cities to wear down the Song army, giving the Jin state ample time. They just hadn't anticipated that the attacking Song army was backed by the Mongol army!
Of course, there's an even more crucial point: the Jin state's strength is currently limited. With seven lids and eight bowls (meaning they have limited resources and resources), no matter how they maneuver, they can't possibly maintain a completely impenetrable border against the combined forces of the Song and Zhao states.

It was almost inevitable that the Jin army's defenses would show weaknesses.

Altana thought for a moment and said, "Then you can try to attack Yingzhou. After you arrive in Yingzhou, I will give you ten days to besiege the city. If you cannot conquer Yingzhou within ten days, I will proceed with the King's original plan and launch a direct attack on Bianliang."

"It shouldn't take more than ten days," Du Gao smiled slightly and said, "The siege equipment is on the navy's large ships, and the Ying River is just outside Yingzhou City. I'm sure we can break through the city within five days." "Then we'll see how you perform."

Three days later, the Song-Mongol allied naval forces arrived directly outside Yingzhou City.

The garrison commander of Yingzhou was named Wanyan Chengming, a Jurchen. As expected, he refused to surrender and led 15,000 conscripted soldiers in a desperate resistance.

"Charge! Kill!"

"If we capture Yingzhou City, half of its wealth and women will be ours!"

"Kill the Jurchens to avenge our fallen brothers!"

"The royal army has marched back into the Central Plains! Haha!"

……

After a day of assembling siege equipment, 20,000 elite Song troops from the Huai River region launched an attack on Yingzhou City from the four directions of east, west, south, and north.

Boom boom boom!
The catapult is launching stones!

The three-bow crossbow was firing one spear and three arrows!

Thunderclap lightning bolts were fired at the Yingzhou city wall as if they were free!

After the Song army carried the siege ladders and approached the city wall, these long-range weapons stopped firing. The Song elite soldiers risked their lives to climb the siege ladders and launched a fierce attack on the city wall.

Of course, how could we not launch a fierce attack?

The city only has some Jurchen conscripts, fewer in number than the enemy, and with Mongol troops in command, this battle is a sure victory. Why don't you hurry up and claim the credit?

Furthermore, the Song state originally prided itself on being a benevolent and righteous army, and while looting after the soldiers breached the city was unavoidable, it was legally prohibited. How much could soldiers possibly steal through unorganized looting?
Now, thanks to Zhao Shuo, the Mongol army is rewarding its soldiers for their war merits according to the method of distributing spoils, and is carrying out organized looting.

How much money could they possibly steal?!

Taking credit for others' work is tantamount to stealing money!

Even more crucially, this is being watched by the Mongols. Would Shangguan dare to be as shameless as before, swallowing the credit of the lower-ranking soldiers? Would the various tribes still harbor the thought of preserving their strength, sacrificing their own for the sake of their own?

Even if they could afford to lose face, could Zhao Fan, Zhao Kui, and Du Gao afford to lose face? And could the Song Dynasty court afford to lose face?
Just you wait and see. Whether they were defeated in battle or tried to steal credit, after this battle, the higher-ups will probably cut off a few heads to uphold military law.

In conclusion, the Song army had no worries about its rear in this battle and unleashed its full firepower!

"Damn it!"

Seeing this, Wanyan Chengming, the Jin general organizing the defense on the city wall, was so angry that his eyes turned red. He said, "If I had a strong army at my disposal, I would definitely open the city gates and engage the Song dogs in open battle. How can I allow them to attack the city so recklessly?"

His deputy, Pusan ​​Naru, said with a wry smile, "Even if we have a strong army now, the Song army still has 10,000 Mongol troops to hold the line. If our strong army goes out to fight in the field, I'm afraid Yingzhou City will fall even faster."

"Furthermore, haven't you noticed that the Lianghuai Army is actually quite elite? They're probably not much weaker than our elite troops. The reason they couldn't beat us before was simply because there were many problems within the army, and the soldiers were vying for credit and shifting blame, which is why they were no match for us."

"With the Mongol army backing them up, they have no worries about their rear. Even if we have strong troops at our disposal, we are no match for them with just this few men. I estimate that the Mongol army doesn't really need 10,000 troops to back them up. 500 troops, or even 200 or 300 troops, would be enough."

Wanyan Chengming was even more furious and said, "You... how can you boost the morale of others while undermining our own?"

"That's not the case; I'm just stating the facts."

After a pause, Pusan ​​Naru sighed and said, "I'm afraid Yingzhou City won't hold out for much longer. We... should prepare to die for our country!"

Indeed, Yingzhou City will not last long.

By the second night, Yingzhou had fallen. After another night of fierce fighting, the entire city of Yingzhou fell into the hands of the Song army.

Then, following the methods taught by the Mongol army, the Song army drove all the men, women, and children out of the city. They then carried out organized looting.

All Jurchen men and old or ugly women were to be executed; the Song state would not consider whether or not to spare any artisans.

All the young and beautiful Jurchen women became slaves and were divided equally between the Song and Mongol families.

However, Zhao Fan, Du Gao, and others were, after all, officials of the Song Dynasty, and they still had some sense of shame. Even if they were shameless, they still had to prevent their political enemies from using it against them. Therefore, they did not massacre Han men and women, but only looted them.

Altana had no objections, after all, the Song army had contributed significantly to the battle. The Mongol army, merely providing logistical support, received half the spoils; what more could be said?

Afterwards, the Song-Mongol allied forces continued to advance northwest.

If Qin Hui's policy of "Northerners return to the North, Southerners return to the South" broke the hearts of the northern people, who were not fond of the Song Dynasty, then this Song-Mongol allied army is now extremely popular among the people.

After all, who doesn't know how good things are in Hebei and Shandong?

From then on, this land belonged to Zhao Shuo, not to the Song Dynasty. The people enthusiastically provided logistical support for the army and even organized militia to help attack the city.

Although the Jin dynasty had many conscripted soldiers, they were nowhere near as numerous as the Han Chinese civilians.
In addition, the Song-Mongol allied forces numbered as many as 60,000 elite troops, advancing unstoppably towards Bianliang.

It's less than 700 li from Yingzhou to Bianliang. Even if we only travel 20 li a day, we should be able to reach Bianliang within a month!

Inside the Bianliang Imperial Palace.

"My dear minister Yila, tell me, what should I do now?"

Wanyan Shouxu was now completely panicked.

Since the Song-Jin alliance, he no longer indulged in pleasure, but instead worked tirelessly day and night to handle government affairs.

He organized logistics for the garrison on the Tongbai defense line, strengthened the defenses of Kaifeng, comforted the soldiers and civilians in Bianliang, and treated Han scholars well to win their hearts... He slept no more than three hours a day, did not drink a drop of alcohol, and did not favor any more beauties.

At first, Wanyan Shouxu thought that his actions had moved the heavens, that the Tongbai Mountain defense line had stopped Zhao Shuo's army, and that the situation was improving day by day.

Who could have imagined that Zhao Shuo's attack on the Tongbai Mountain defense line was merely a ruse? Zhao Shuo's real plan was to advance along the Huai River and strike directly at Bianliang!
Zhao Shuo wasn't just borrowing the Song state's road once, but twice!
Who would have thought that although the Song state was forced by Zhao Shuo to ally with the Mongols to destroy the Jin, it would actually support Zhao Shuo's efforts to destroy the Jin so much that it directly mobilized 50,000 elite troops from the Huai River region!

What Wanyan Shouxu never expected was that the Song army, with the support of the Mongol army, would become so unstoppable that the fortified cities defended by the Jin army could not stop their advance at all!

This is how to do?
Yilapua was also dumbfounded and said, "In my opinion, we can only do two things now. First, we should relocate all the Jurchen conscripts, civilians, and even Han civilians near Bianliang to Bianliang. All able-bodied men should be conscripted and defend Bianliang to the death."

"What about the second?"

"Secondly, leave a portion of our forces to continue holding the Tongbai Mountain defense line. The main force will return to reinforce the area and first annihilate this audacious Song-Mongol allied army!"

(End of this chapter)