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

Chapter 279 Unearthing China's Black Ledger, Settling scores with all nations!

Just three months after the "Edict on Conferring Titles to Nobles Throughout the Land" was issued, Zhao Shuo made another big move.

He officially renamed the south gate of the Zhongdu Imperial City, Yiyang Gate, to Chengtian Gate.

Outside Chengtianmen, a major project has begun.

A huge square called "Chengtianmen Square" will be built here. On certain special days, various large-scale celebrations and military parades will be held in Chengtianmen Square, and on ordinary days, soldiers and civilians can rest and enjoy themselves here.

This is not the point.

The key point is that Zhao Shuo will build a high platform in Chengtianmen Square.

A pavilion was built on the high platform, upon which were erected portraits of the thirty-six civil and military officials who made significant contributions to the founding of the dynasty. Although guarded by soldiers on ordinary days, it welcomed visitors from all over the country, both military and civilian. After Zhao Shuo, successive emperors would lead their officials in a sacrificial ceremony on New Year's Day each year.

Upon hearing the news, the civil and military officials were immediately filled with anxiety.

what is this?
The Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai under Emperor Guangwu of Han!
The twenty-four meritorious officials of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, were enshrined in the Lingyan Pavilion!

The pavilion itself is certainly important, and enjoying the national memorial service is even more important, but most importantly, this list is meant to be recorded in history and remembered for all time!
No ethnic group values ​​their posthumous reputation more than the Han Chinese.

The difference in how people were evaluated in later generations regarding who got in and who didn't is enormous.

Zhao Shuo now has 29 Han army commanders and 14 Semu commanders, which is 43 commanders in total, exceeding 36.

Furthermore, what about the Mongols?

Gerile, Zhao Shuo's sworn brother, how could he not be included?
Hai Rige, commander of the Flying Eagle Army and deputy commander of the Western Expedition, once commanded more than a dozen Semu households. How could he not be included?

Even the military judges of the entire army must be included in the list.

He Dahei Batu'er, the Black Knight Commander, shouldn't be included, right?

The late veteran Su He was not only the sworn brother of Zhao Shuo's father Zhao Yong, but also helped Zhao Shuo establish his initial team and even married his daughter to Zhao Shuo. It seems reasonable to include him in the list.

Other Mongol commanders may also be included.

Besides, these are "thirty-six meritorious civil and military officials," and a portion should be allocated to civil officials. Although Zhao Shuo didn't say the number of civil and military officials was equal, at least three or five should be allocated to civil officials, right?
How many are left?

How can those who think it's possible to not even make the 36-man roster not be anxious?

Even those who were guaranteed a spot on the list were getting anxious. For example, Shi Tianni, Guo Baoyu, Zhang Rou, and Yan Shi, as the four earliest commanders of the Han Chinese Eight Banners, were definitely among the thirty-six meritorious officials.

However, Guo Baoyu and Yan Shi have made similar contributions, so who should be ranked first? How can they not compete for the top spot?
Therefore, some people directly wrote to the imperial court, listing their various merits in detail and requesting that they be carefully considered when ranking the officials.

However, many others urged the court to carefully consider whether ranking the officials now was too early.

After all, there are still so many countries in the world that haven't been conquered yet. In the end, it's really uncertain who will have made the most contributions.

Zhao Shuo built the "Chengtianmen Square" primarily to create a large venue for various celebrations. The evaluation of the "Thirty-Six Meritorious Officials" was merely a secondary matter and not something he was in a hurry for.

Since that was the case, he readily agreed and announced that the thirty-six meritorious officials would be re-evaluated ten years later.

The issuance of this decree was like throwing a match into a powder keg, instantly igniting the atmosphere of the empire's founding and expansion!
It's a very simple principle: for military generals, the only opportunity to earn merit is through war. Fighting now is not only about their own wealth and honor, but also about their titles and even whether they can become one of the thirty-six founding heroes!

For civil officials, this was even more significant.

Now, besides Yelü Chucai, who can say for sure that they'll make the final roster of 36?

Moreover, while there is no first place in literature, there is a second place in martial arts, and the merits of scholars are difficult to quantify.

We still have to go to war!
On the new land, stabilizing the local area was a very significant achievement. Providing logistical support was also a very significant achievement.

Countless civil officials voluntarily submitted petitions requesting to serve as officials in Egypt, Syria, Tibet, or other regions directly under the jurisdiction of the imperial court in Southeast Asia.

Even if they don't make it into the final list of thirty-six, aren't they still likely to be granted a noble title? Civil officials, more than military generals, yearn for a stable legacy to pass down to their descendants!

While the people were discussing who should be on the list of thirty-six people, they also had a strong interest in the empire's continued expansion.

After all, land taxes in the four provinces have now dropped to 20% of their original level. Goods from various workshops are sold all over the world, and various specialty products from around the world are flooding into the countryside. In addition, the slaves from Annam that Zhao Yun presented are currently building water conservancy projects in the north, greatly reducing the corvée labor burden on the people.

Zhao Shuo fulfilled his promise to share the world with the Han and Mongol peoples. This territorial expansion not only benefited Zhao Shuo and the imperial court, but also brought enormous gains to the Chinese people.

So, where should we attack now?
Newspapers published numerous articles by scholars, citing classical texts to tell everyone which countries should be conquered.

Take Dali, for example. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, it was called Nanzhao. It fought many battles with the Tang Dynasty, even capturing Chengdu. It abducted over 300,000 Han Chinese slaves. Even now, their descendants are still suffering in Dali. How can we not save these descendants of the Han Chinese?
Take Japan, for example. During the Tang Dynasty, it coveted the mainland and suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Baekgang. Now, it has harbored the Korean Kim Yak-seon, showing disrespect to the imperial court. Now that the imperial navy is complete, how can we not destroy this nation?
Take India, for example. Back then, Emperor Xuanze of the Tang Dynasty led his troops all the way to the Ganges. Now, however, the border is merely the Indus River. How can the imperial court be satisfied with this?

Take Annam, for example. It was incorporated into the Chinese territory during the Han Dynasty, but later repeatedly surrendered and rebelled. Now, Zhao Yun of the Song Dynasty is not having an easy time attacking Annam. If he can't do it, then someone else should! The imperial court should send troops to attack Annam and slaughter all these two-faced traitors!

This is one of the advantages of having historical records in China.

Is this a history book? It's a black ledger!
The harm done to China by the surrounding barbarian countries is well-documented. Now that China is stronger than ever before, it's time to settle those scores!

Such a strong atmosphere of war-seeking in China could not be kept secret from the surrounding countries, and the world was shaken for a time!

……

……

Inside the Imperial Palace in Dali.

"Prime Minister Gao, Zhao Shuo had long ago transferred five commanders of ten thousand households to Sichuan, intending to target both Tibet and Dali. Now that Tibet has surrendered, the five commanders' only remaining target is Dali. Newspapers in Zhao Shuo's country are filled with clamor, calling for an invasion of Dali to avenge the blood feud from the end of the Tang Dynasty. What do you think we, Dali, should do?"

King Duan Zhixiang of Dali looked cautiously at his prime minister, Gao Taixiang.

At this time, although the Duan family was nominally the ruler of Dali Kingdom, the main military and political power in the country had long since fallen into the hands of the Gao family.

Duan Zhixiang had been in power for over thirty years and had long since resigned himself to his fate. As long as the Gao family gave him enough money to build Buddhist temples in order to pray for a better afterlife, he would be content.

Unexpectedly, the rise of the Mongols in the north and Zhao Shuo's deployment of troops in Sichuan revealed his obvious covetousness for Dali.

Now that Tibet has surrendered, there are calls for war throughout Zhao Shuo's country. According to his thinking, he might as well just surrender as well.

Since we're all just playing the role of a grandson anyway, what difference does it make whether we're playing for Gao Taixiang or Zhao Shuo?
Moreover, although the Gao family held absolute power, they had never shortchanged him financially over the years. Wouldn't it be great for him to take such a large sum of money to Zhongdu and become the "Marquis of Dali"? He was getting old and didn't have many years left to live; it would be a good opportunity for him to see the splendor of the largest city in the world.

However, Gao Taixiang snorted coldly and said, "I've read all the opinions in the newspapers of Zhao Shuo's Khanate. It's utterly outrageous! Are Nanzhao and our Dali the same thing? Are the Tang and Song dynasties of China the same thing? If they want to invade Dali, these reasons are nothing but fabricated charges; they'll always find a pretext." "Even so," he continued, "Zhao Shuo's power is immense, and Dali truly cannot resist!"

"So what? Wasn't the Tang Dynasty powerful back then? It launched three campaigns against Nanzhao, but it still had to retreat. Dali is mountainous and densely forested, with a hot and humid climate and treacherous terrain. Zhao Shuo doesn't think it'll be so easy for us to swallow it whole!"

You just said that Dali and Nanzhao are not the same thing. Why are you bringing up Nanzhao now?
Duan Zhixiang secretly grumbled to himself, but dared not show it.

He simply said, "So, according to Prime Minister Gao, we're going to deal with Zhao Shuo to the very end?"

"That's natural."

Gao Taixiang replied without hesitation, "Your subject swears to protect Dali with his life! If Zhao Shuo wants to devour Dali, he will first have to step over my dead body!"

If you want to die, take the Gao family of Dali with you, don't take the Duan family of Dali with you.

Duan Zhixiang had no choice but to say, "Then everything will depend on Prime Minister Gao."

However, what he was actually thinking was that he should quickly and secretly send an envoy to Zhongdu to tell him of his intention to surrender.

If Zhao Shuo really launches a massive military offensive, then everything will be over!
……

……

Meanwhile, in Japan, at Kamakura Castle.

"Given the strong public opinion against Zhao Shuo in China, do you think he will attack Japan? And how should Japan respond?"

Hojo Yasutoki's gaze was intense as he looked at the group of important retainers of the Kamakura Shogunate.

In present-day Japan, the Emperor has lost power, which is now in the hands of the Shogunate. However, the Shogun's power has also been almost entirely usurped by the Hojo clan.

In other words, Hojo Yasutoki is the de facto master of Japan today.

This Hojo Yasutoshi is quite extraordinary.

Sixteen years ago, he led the shogunate army into Kyoto, defeated Emperor Go-Toba, established the Rokuhara Office, and served as its first Rokuhara Tandai, supervising the imperial court and handling administrative and legal affairs in the Kinai and western provinces.

Thirteen years ago, after Hojo Yoshitoki died, Hojo Yasutoki took over the position of "regent" of the shogunate, belonging to the Hojo faction, and controlled Japan.

Three years ago, he also formulated the "Code of Success and Failure" for the military family, which served as the basic legal code of the Kamakura Shogunate, thus establishing the ruling political system of the Kamakura Shogunate with the Hojo clan at its core.

It must be said that Hojo Yasutoki was one of the most outstanding figures in Japanese history.

When the incident of Ögedei Khan killing Tolui came to light, the Song people urged Zhao Shuo to ascend the throne. Whether it was the Shogun Fujiwara no Yoritsune, the real power holder Hojo Yasutoki, or even the important officials of Japan, they were all extremely excited.

They felt that there were significant internal conflicts within Mongolia.

It is likely that Mongolia will soon be embroiled in a protracted civil war, and the opportunity for Japan to invade the mainland and take control of the Central Plains has arrived!

Therefore, they unanimously agreed to build a powerful navy, ready to send troops to the mainland at any time.

However, unexpectedly, after Zhao Shuo and others forced Ögedei to issue an "Edict of Self-Reproach," they not only let the matter drop but also launched the eldest son's western expedition.

The Mongols have proven with facts that they have internal contradictions. The thing foreigners should do most is not to celebrate, but to worry that they might become the target of the Mongols' efforts to divert attention from their internal contradictions.

The Japanese were dumbfounded, and the navy they had originally trained was disbanded.

However, the Korean Kim Ruoxian and his group did not give it to Zhao Shuo.

After all, the Japanese still had their pride. They felt that even if Zhao Shuo was powerful enough, what could he do to them, separated by vast oceans?
However, they didn't consider that if they dared to plot against the mainland, separated by vast oceans, why wouldn't Zhao Shuo dare to plot against Japan?

Next, Zhao Shuo issued the "Edict on Conferring Titles Overseas" and the "Edict on Conferring Titles Throughout the Land," which further proved this point.

Zhao Shuo even desires to bring unknown territories under his control. How much more so would he want to bring the known land of Japan, which sheltered Jin Ruoxian, whom Zhao Shuo had wanted?
Now, public opinion in Zhao Shuohan's country is raging, and the Japanese have lost all hope.

"In my opinion, Zhao Shuo's greed for land is insatiable. It is inevitable that he will send troops to attack my Fusang; it's just a matter of when. If all else fails, we might consider surrendering."

"That's right! According to our intelligence, Zhao Shuo's navy is capable of crossing oceans and reaching Egypt. Its seafaring capabilities far surpass those of our Japanese ships! In land battles, the Mongol army is invincible, and even the Japanese warriors are probably no match for them!"

"Even if we don't surrender immediately, we should bind Jin Ruo first and hand him over to Zhao Shuo. Let him attack other countries first, and then attack our Fusang last. This will give us Fusang enough time to prepare for war."

"What kind of talk is this? Fusang is a kingdom established by the gods. How can it kneel before an enemy?"

"The Japanese warriors are incredibly powerful! One of them can take on two...five Han Chinese!"

"The Mongols were invincible before, but that's because they hadn't met us, the Japanese! If they dare to cross the sea, let them see the might of our Japanese warriors!"

"Our Fusang has a population of six million and an army of hundreds of thousands! How many men can Zhao Shuo bring across the ocean? Can their logistics support them? Under the protection of the gods, victory will surely belong to us!"

"All Japanese are willing to die for Japan! Even if six million lives are lost, they will not surrender to Zhao Shuo!"

……

The senior retainers of the Kamakura Shogunate were in an uproar. A small number advocated surrendering, but most felt that they should resist resolutely.

"very good!"

Seeing that the army's morale was so high, Hojo Yasutoki nodded in satisfaction and said, "Our Fusang is a divine nation, which cannot be won by wisdom or force! Zhao Shuo's idea of ​​swallowing Fusang whole is simply wishful thinking. Now, pass on my orders!"

"Hi!"

Hojo Yasutoki said, "First, Kim Wakashin, we will continue to provide protection. Otherwise, we may not only be able to delay Zhao Shuo's advance, but we will also damage the morale of our Fusang."

"Secondly, Zhao Shuo's navy is most likely to attack Kyushu. Starting today, the Gokenin of each country in Kyushu will cease their 'Great Banzai' (military service) and instead take turns 'Yikoku Jinggu Banzai' (military service to guard key areas such as Chikuzen and Hizen along the northern Kyushu coast) to guard the area."

"Secondly, all regions of Fusang should compile and submit 'Ota Documents' to conduct a general survey of the population and material potential of the entire Fusang, and prepare to gather all forces to fight a decisive battle against Zhao Shuo's army."

"In short, we Japanese will never surrender to Zhao Shuo. We will sacrifice six million lives for him!"

"Hi!"

Hojo Yasutoki had made up his mind, and the senior retainers of the Kamakura Shogunate unanimously agreed, preparing for battle.

Thus, the fate of Fusang was sealed!
(End of this chapter)