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

Chapter 216 Eurasian countries are getting restless, is Mongolia still up to the task?
"What? Advise Zhao Shuo to join the emperor? No! Absolutely not!"

Zhao Yun immediately became anxious and said, "In the past, when the Jin invaders were powerful, our Great Song Dynasty did indeed acknowledge them as our subjects, uncles, and elder brothers, but that was only out of necessity. Our Great Song soldiers, civilians, and people all believe that the Great Song Dynasty is the rightful ruler of the world, and we consider bowing to the Jin invaders a great disgrace!"

"Now that the court is actively urging Zhao Shuo to ascend the throne, where is the true legitimacy of the dynasty? How will the people and the military view the court? And how will the court position itself?"

Shi Miyuan shook his head and said, “Your Majesty is mistaken! As the saying goes, if the skin is gone, where will the hair attach? The fate of the Great Song Dynasty is the skin, while the hearts of the people and public opinion are just hair. They are important, but not so important either. Your Majesty should not put the cart before the horse.”

"Does the Duke of Wei mean that if this plan is not followed, our Great Song Dynasty will be in danger of extinction?"

“Isn’t this obvious?” Shi Miyuan sighed and said, “Your Majesty, are you not quite aware of just how powerful the Mongols and Zhao Shuo are now? After the Mongols destroyed Goryeo, I had two maps made, which are now displayed in the Hall of State Affairs for Your Majesty to view.”

"Dong Songchen, quickly go to the Hall of State Affairs and fetch those two maps!"

Dong Songchen was the young eunuch who had just come to deliver the good news. Because of his skill in flattery, he was highly trusted by Zhao Yun.

The Hall of State Affairs was located within the palace grounds; in no time, Dong Songchen retrieved the two maps.

"Your Majesty, please look, this is Mongolia today, and this is my Great Song Dynasty!"

Shi Miyuan showed Zhao Yun a map that only marked Mongolia and did not distinguish the major Mongolian powers.

To be fair, the Song Dynasty possessed a vast territory stretching from Tibet in the west to the sea in the east, from Bianliang in the north to Qiongzhou (Hainan Island) in the south. It was a territory spanning thousands of miles, which was indeed quite large.

But compared to Mongolia, it's nothing.

The east-west length of the Mongol territory was more than three times that of the Song Dynasty, and the north-south length was more than twice that. In terms of territory alone, one Mongol territory was equivalent to at least six Song Dynasties!

Zhao Yun did know that Mongolia was vast, but knowing it was one thing, seeing it so clearly was quite another.

His face was ashen as he said, "So, even if our Great Song Dynasty were to take over Annam, there's absolutely no way it could stand up to the Mongols?"

Shi Miyuan smiled bitterly, "If the Mongols don't have internal strife, even if our Great Song Dynasty annexes Annam, it won't last ten or twenty years. This old minister's days are numbered; I probably won't live to see that day. But Your Majesty, you are still young!"

Zhao Yun asked, "What if there's internal strife within the Mongol Empire?"

Shi Miyuan said, "If Zhao Shuo declares himself emperor, the Mongol court will certainly not be able to stand idly by and will definitely launch a large-scale invasion. Your Majesty, please take another look at this map."

The second map, however, divides the forces of Zhao Shuo, Ögedei, Chagatai, and Tolui.

Shi Miyuan continued, "This is Zhao Shuo's territory, and this is Jochi's territory. Jochi's lineage has always been questioned by the Mongols, and he was at odds with Ögedei and Chagatai, but he was on good terms with Zhao Shuo. Originally, although Zhao Shuo's territory was large, it was very scattered and intertwined with the territories of the Mongol princes. How easy would it be to rebel?"

"But after Tolui surrendered Persia, Jochi could be considered an ally of Zhao Shuo. Zhao Shuo's territory, apart from an exclave in southern Goryeo and the Hulunbuir Grassland, was divided into two parts: the Central Plains and the West."

"If I were Zhao Shuo, I would join forces with Jochi to first annex Ögedei's exclave in Iraq. Then, we would eliminate the weakest, Chagatai. In this way, the Mongol heartland and Ögedei's forces would be caught in a pincer movement, with the sea to the east and Zhao Shuo and Jochi attacking them from the south and west. Their situation would be precarious!"

Zhao Yun said, "If Zhao Shuo unifies Mongolia, wouldn't our Great Song be in even greater danger?"

"Actually, it's not that easy," Qiao Xingjian explained. "After all, Jochi and Zhao Shuo are two different people. Can they be of one mind? Moreover, the most powerful army in the world is the Mongol army. Zhao Shuo and Jochi can only be said to have a good chance of winning, but when it comes to a real fight, it's really uncertain who will win and who will lose."

Shi Miyuan added, "Aren't there all the other nations in the world? How can the Western nations of the True God Cult stand idly by while the Mongols are engaged in civil war? Our Great Song can also take this opportunity to help the side that is losing. Perhaps, at that time, even Japan will want a share! This war will be a chaotic battle that will sweep across all the nations in the world, and our Great Song may very well be able to rise to power in this opportunity!"

"it is good!"

Seeing such a bright future, Zhao Yun finally made up his mind and said, "I will do as the Duke of Wei says. I will send an envoy to the north to persuade Zhao Shuo to ascend the throne. I wonder, what does the Duke of Wei think should be the envoy?"

"Prime Minister Xuan is the Chancellor of our Great Song Dynasty, a position of considerable importance. How about we send him on this mission to the north to persuade Zhao Shuo to declare himself emperor?"

Such a good job naturally had to be given to one of Shi Miyuan's confidants. He chose Xuan Zeng without hesitation.

Zhao Yun nodded in agreement.

Therefore, Zhao Yun personally wrote the imperial edict and issued a public notice in the official gazette, dispatching Xuan Zeng, the Vice Chancellor and concurrently the Privy Councilor, as an envoy to Zhongdu to urge Zhao Shuo to ascend the throne.

In his efforts to instigate internal strife among the Mongols, he disregarded even the unrest among the people of the Southern Song Dynasty.

……

……

Fusang, Kamakura Castle.

"General, this is an urgent report from our secret agent in Goryeo."

A samurai knelt down and respectfully presented a wooden box to the current Shogun Fujiwara no Yoritsune.

The Emperor of Japan is certainly having a very difficult time these days.

However, Fujiwara no Yoritsune was also quite frustrated.

Although he was the nominal supreme ruler of the Kamakura Shogunate, the real power of the Kamakura Shogunate was in the hands of the "Hōjōshū" (Commanders), a group of thirteen "gokenin" (retainers) led by the "regent" Hōjō Yasutoki.

Of course, these thirteen "gokenin" were not a monolithic group. While most supported Hojo Yasutoki, a portion actively aligned themselves with Fujiwara no Yoritsugu.

Therefore, Fujiwara no Yoritsune also wielded a certain amount of power. For example, intelligence on Japanese spies would be sent in duplicate, one copy to him and the other to Hojo Yasutoki.

"Okay! That's great!"

Fujiwara no Yoritsune was both surprised and delighted when he saw the secret report.

Zhao Shuo's envoy arrived in Japan, demanding that the Kamakura Shogunate hand over Jin Ruoxian. The Kamakura Shogunate had been somewhat hesitant.

Kim Yeok-seon was one of the last remaining nobles in Goryeo, and the Kamakura Shogunate held her in their hands, making her a highly sought-after commodity.

However, Zhao Shuo was not someone to be trifled with.

His ability to easily destroy Goryeo is evident.

The large ship carrying Zhao Shuo's envoy traversed the vast ocean as if it were flat ground. It was something the Japanese had never seen before.

If Zhao Shuo is angered, and his army invades Fusang, can the people of Fusang withstand it?

Therefore, the Japanese treated Zhao Shuo's envoy with good food and drink, but they just wouldn't reveal whether Jin Ruoxian was actually in Japan.

it's good now.

It was almost certain that Tolui Khan was killed by Ögedei Khan, the Great Khan of the Mongols. Ögedei was seriously ill, and Empress Naimajin ruled as regent.

Adding to the rumors that Zhao Shuo led troops into the palace during the power struggle that led to Tolui's death, isn't Mongolia on the verge of chaos?
How can we possibly take care of Japan?
Most importantly, when the Mongols were in chaos, the mainland (the vast landmass relative to Fusang Island) was also in chaos, and that's when the opportunity for the Fusang people came!
Japan, confined to a small island with limited space and frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, has always harbored a deep longing for the mainland.

Seven hundred years ago, they began their conquest of that vast land. As a result, many princes of Baekje grew up in Fusang.

It is likely that in a few decades, the Japanese will be able to completely annex Baekje and set foot on that stable and vast land.

However, man proposes, God disposes. The Tang Dynasty and Silla joined forces and destroyed Baekje.

Unwilling to let nearly a century of hard work go to waste, Japan mobilized 50,000 troops to rescue Baekje and fought a major battle with the Tang army at the entrance of Baekgang Village.

As a result, the entire army of 50,000 was wiped out, and the Japanese people then realized what a terrifying enemy existed on that land.

As a result, the whole country was in a state of panic, and countless fortifications were built to guard against an attack by the Tang army.

After waiting for several years, the Tang Dynasty remained silent, as if destroying the Japanese navy was just a trivial matter for the Tang Dynasty.

Only then did Japan feel at ease and humbly send "envoys to Tang China" to learn from the strongest country on that land.

As time passed, during the Song Dynasty, the Japanese even sent women to the Song Dynasty to "transfer their seed" in order to improve the human race.

However, despite its humble appearance, Fusang's longing for that land has never changed.

Imagine if the most powerful country on that land were to experience internal strife, would other countries intervene?

If a protracted and brutal war with countless casualties were to break out, wouldn't Japan's opportunity come?

Japan could take advantage of the fact that the continental countries are exhausted from fighting and launch another westward invasion!

Fujiwara no Yoritsune's good days are about to begin, aren't they?
He could have used the invasion as an opportunity to strengthen his authority, weaken the Hojo clan, and become the de facto ruler of the Kamakura Shogunate.

"During the Jin Dynasty on that land, the War of the Eight Princes caused immense death and injury. This led to the Five Barbarian Invasions. Unfortunately, we in Japan were not fortunate enough to experience that period!"

"Now the opportunity has finally arrived! In ancient times, there were the Five Barbarian Invasions in China; now, perhaps Japan will also invade China. First, we will conquer Goryeo, then invade China, and take the opportunity to weaken the Hojo clan. I will be the greatest Shogun in history! No, I will be the greatest Emperor of Japan!"

Fujiwara no Yoritsune thought to himself.

The Japanese people were deeply attached to the Emperor, and even though the Kamakura Shogunate held the reins of military and political power throughout the country, they dared not allow the Shogun to replace him.

But what if Fujiwara no Yoritsune fulfilled the Japanese people's dream of nearly a thousand years?
What if Fujiwara no Yoritsune had expanded Japan's territory by thousands of miles?
Who can say that he is not qualified to sit on that supreme position?

Fujiwara no Yoritsune became increasingly excited as he thought about it, and immediately summoned the "judges" to hold a meeting.

“Tell Zhao Shuo’s envoy that we in Japan have never seen any Jin Ruoxian! If he doesn’t believe us, there’s nothing we can do.”

"Furthermore, the entire nation shall begin training its navy from this moment forward! When an unprecedented chaos erupts on that vast land, Japan will mobilize its entire army to first conquer Goryeo, and then annihilate China!"

Fujiwara no Yoritsugu declared with great pride.

"Hi!"

All thirteen of the Gokenin, including Hojo Yasutoki, bowed their heads, their eyes filled with fervor and greed for that land!
……

……

The Ayyubid dynasty in the west, Cairo, the capital, inside the royal palace.

"Is this true? Good! This is truly divine intervention!"

Sultan Kamil of the Ayyubid dynasty shouted excitedly upon receiving the report from his prime minister, Al-Ahlai.

He's been having a really tough time lately.

At that time, Guyuk and Subutai led an army of 30,000, sweeping away not only the renowned Jalal ad-Din in the west, but also Baghdad. Nasir, the nominal supreme ruler of the True God sect, along with his eldest son and five ministers, were trampled to death by the Mongol horses.

If the Mongol army could destroy Khwarazm and Iraq, why couldn't it destroy the Ayyubid dynasty?

The Ayyubid dynasty at that time was truly on high alert, with constant alarm.

Even after Guyuk and his troops returned to Mongolia, the Ayyubid dynasty dared not relax its vigilance in the slightest. After all, the Mongols had already come to the west twice; couldn't there be a third or fourth time?
Kamil was truly uneasy about Mongolia's formidable strength.

Unexpectedly, within two years, the situation took a dramatic turn. Ögedei Khan, the Great Khan of the Mongols, used a treacherous scheme to kill his own brother, Tolui, the highest-ranking military leader among the Mongols, and the plot was exposed. Zhao Shuo accepted the Persian territories of Tolui's lineage, clearly demonstrating his defiance of Ögedei's authority.

Now that Ögedei is seriously ill and a woman is in charge, a civil war of unprecedented scale may break out at any time.

Has the greatest enemy threatening the Ayyubid dynasty simply declined like this?
If this isn't a manifestation of the true God, then what is?

Prime Minister Allai cautioned, "That being said, the Mongols are still powerful, and we must not be the first to act!"

"Of course I understand the gravity of this matter."

Kamil said, "We must not act rashly before there is internal turmoil in Mongolia. However, necessary preparations are still necessary."

"The Sultan means..."

“The current nations of the True God religion, besides ourselves, include the Sultanate of Rum and some countries in Arabia. Now that Nasir is dead, we are the most powerful nation of the True God religion. We can send envoys to them to request the reconstruction of the True God Alliance.”

After the first Mongol westward expedition, the True God-religious nations established the True God Alliance within the Baghdad royal palace.

However, each country had its own ulterior motives. When Guyuk and Subutai led their armies into Iraq and besieged Baghdad, they all hoped that others would send their main forces, while they themselves only sent a symbolic portion of their troops.

As a result, people share the same mindset and the same principles, and the Caliph in Baghdad received very few reinforcements. He was killed by the Mongols with little effort.

The so-called True God Alliance naturally collapsed.

Now, Camille wants to establish a second True God Alliance!
Last time, the Mongol army was powerful, and everyone wanted to preserve their strength, so the True God Alliance was of no use.

Now that Mongolia has declined, everyone will be vying for the spoils of war, and surely everyone will be eager to fight and compete for the top spot?

The second True God Alliance should be successful.

Al-Ahlai understood Kamil's meaning and said, "The Sultan is wise! As soon as the Mongol civil war begins, our True God Alliance will take action and reclaim Iraq, this land that rightfully belongs to the True God. Then, we will continue eastward to reclaim Khwarazm, and even continue eastward to invade the heartland of the Mongols!"

Camille shook his head slightly and said, "The outcome of the Mongol civil war is hard to predict. The True God Cult alone probably cannot accomplish this. How about this, the European countries should not have received this news yet. I will send some envoys to the West to announce this to them and let them prepare to send troops together."

"What? You want to form an alliance with the European countries?"

"Why not?" Camille smiled sinisterly and said, "Although we and Europe may have different beliefs, we are still much closer than those unbelievers in the East, aren't we? Besides, I don't believe that the European countries are unmoved by the endless wealth and beauties of the East!"

……

……

In short, the changes in Mongolia have caused a mix of elation and restlessness among the countries of Asia, Europe and Africa.

Is Mongolia still doing well now?

Once Mongolia falls into internal strife, they will reveal their bloodthirsty fangs and devour this largest kingdom in history!
(End of this chapter)