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

Chapter 286 The Demon King's Manifestation: Plague, Famine, War, and Death!
Meanwhile, in Hokkaido.

"Kill all the evil neighbors!"

"Destroy the Yamato people and reclaim the land of our ancestors!"

"Long live the King! I am willing to die for the King!"

……

More than 50,000 Utari men, dressed in animal skins and with thick beards and hair, brandished knives and spears, roaring angrily, their eyes flashing with excited, bloodthirsty vengeance.

The so-called Utari people are the "Ainu" people, which are also known as the "Ezo people" in Japan.

"Ainu" is a neutral term, and they don't like it. They prefer to call themselves "Utari," which means "partner."

"Ezo people" was a derogatory term used by the Fusang people to refer to these people as hairy, short, and barbaric.

The title of "Sei-i Taishogun" (Shogun of the Fusang Shogunate) was ostensibly created for the purpose of conquering the Emishi (Japanese pirates).

The Ainu people were indeed hairy, but whether they were short depends on the comparison. According to later archaeological statistics, their average height was one to two centimeters taller than that of the Yamato people.

The idea of ​​them being barbarians is a bit of a stretch; they were originally the native inhabitants of Japan.

It is impossible to know whether these Utari people were originally spread throughout the four islands of Japan or only in Honshu and Hokkaido.

In short, the Yamato people drove them to the barren and cold Hokkaido, where they could only survive by fishing and hunting, and were frequently attacked by the Yamato army.

Because the local climate was too harsh to support many Utari people, some of them migrated to Sakhalin Island in the northwest and the Chiba Islands in the northeast.

Initially, Dorbodo Heishen, Altana, and other Mongol commanders jointly petitioned Zhao Shuo, requesting that in this campaign against Japan, people from the grasslands be mobilized to land in Hokkaido and join the main army in a pincer attack on Japan from the north and south.

After careful consideration, Zhao Shuo concluded that open-field battles between the Mongols and the Japanese were certainly feasible. However, such long-distance raids would be hampered by the inability to carry siege equipment, and a few Mongol commanders would likely not be of much use.

However, this idea is not without its merits; it could mobilize the Utari people of Hokkaido to participate in the war.

Their warmest and most prosperous land was taken by the Japanese, and they often fought wars with the Japanese. The two sides had a blood feud and were good partners for alliance.

With the support of these Utari people, a few Mongol commanders could accomplish much more.

Even more crucially, after conquering Fusang, the Utari people migrated to the three islands of Fusang, and they were probably even more vigilant than the Han Chinese in guarding against any potential counterattacks from the remaining Yamato people.

Therefore, he instructed the three Mongol commanders, including Dorbodo Heishin, not to rush into Hokkaido, but to first land on Sakhalin Island. This would not only gain the support of the Utari people on Sakhalin Island, but also greatly reduce the trouble of communicating with the Utari people in Hokkaido.

The Utari people are so poor that they are basically still in the late stage of primitive society. Iron pots, needles and thread, salt, and cotton cloth are enough to make them grateful to tears.

When the Utari people on Sakhalin Island heard that Zhao Shuo's army was going to join them in marching back to Japan and redistributing land to them, they were filled with fervor.

Only then did the three Mongol commanders and some Utari people from Sakhalin Island land in Hokkaido with the help of the Navy's Red Banner.

In less than three months, all the men in Hokkaido were organized and armed.

revenge!

revenge!

revenge!

The Utari people, led by Zhao Shuo's Mongol army, were to slaughter every Yamato they saw and use the Yamato's blood to irrigate the land that rightfully belonged to them!
……

……

It was at this time that Zhao Shuo issued an order to advance on Shikoku Island.

After Zhao Shuo's army captured Kyushu Island, there were only two directions to take: Honshu Island and Shikoku Island.

However, unlike Shikoku and Kyushu, which are separated by the sea, Honshu and Kyushu are only separated by the Kanmon Strait, which is less than a mile wide at its narrowest point, making it too easy to pass through.

Since Zhang Shijie invaded Kyushu, the island has been in a state of panic. First, countless merchants and nobles fled towards Kyoto (Heian-kyo), and later countless ordinary people joined them.

Hojo Yasutoki's order to implement a scorched-earth policy was merely a matter of taking advantage of the situation.

After the order was given, the Japanese carried it out with great determination, taking away all the grain, burning the crops and houses, and destroying the water source.

Zhao Shuo's army was heading towards Honshu Island, but it would be difficult to obtain supplies locally, so they had to maintain a long supply line.

Therefore, Zhao Shuo first attacked Shikoku Island, which was easier to attack.

This place has four "countries": Awa, Sanuki, Iyo, and Tosa, so it is named Shikoku Island.

Shikoku Island is surrounded by the sea to the west. Only a small number of the military and civilians on the island fled to Honshu Island, while the majority defended the four major cities on the island.

By now, Zhao Shuo's final 50,000 troops for the campaign against Japan have landed, and with the addition of conscripted soldiers, the total force exceeds 300,000.

With the transport of three 10,000 naval units, an army of 200,000 landed on Shikoku Island and pacified the entire island in just over a month.

"Oh? The Japanese call me the Sixth Heavenly Demon King?"

Zhao Shuo looked at the "Japanese traitor" in front of him.

This person's name is Tsukushi Heimori, a "legless" samurai from the Satsuma region of Kyushu.

The term "without feet" means having no land. In other words, Tsukushi Hirakatsu was a fallen nobleman of Japan, possessing only the title of samurai but no land of his own.

Although Tsukushi Taimori intended to revive his family business, he also learned Chinese in order to gain the favor of a "daimyo." Being able to use Chinese and Chinese characters has been one of the hallmarks of nobility and elegance in Japan for six hundred years.

However, Tsukushi Taimori was not skilled in martial arts and had always been unlucky, so he did not achieve much.

Later, when Zhao Shuo's army invaded Fusang, he not only missed the Battle of Hyakudohara, but also reported a Fusang deserter hiding in a village.

As a result, it gradually caught the eye of the Han army and was absorbed by the Black Ice Guard.

Tsukushi Taimori's main task now is to send some "Japanese traitors" deep into Honshu Island to gather intelligence on the Japanese.

"Your Majesty, please calm down!"

Tsukushi Taimori kowtowed deeply and said, "Those bald monks are 'neither tax nor income' in Japan, meaning they don't have to pay any taxes and are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Japanese government. Moreover, their temples shelter prisoners, and the government dares not interfere, enjoying all kinds of privileges. Your Majesty treats all Japanese people equally, so of course they are very dissatisfied and have given Your Majesty such a vicious name. As Your Majesty's warrior, I truly wish I could tear those bald monks to pieces!"

Zhao Shuo shook his head slightly and said, "No, you misunderstood. What I meant was, since the Japanese call me the Sixth Heavenly Demon King, wouldn't it be a pity not to do some demon king things?"

"Your Majesty means..."

"Is there a plague in Japan that starts with fever, body aches, and weakness? Then, papules appear on the body, which quickly ulcerate, gradually turn into blisters, and eventually develop into pustules."

"Your Majesty is referring to 'impetigo'? Yes! Impetigo has been a problem in Japan for eight hundred years, though it has varied in scale in different years."

Thinking of the horror of "pustular disease," Tsukushi Heimori's face changed slightly.

The so-called "pustular disease" is smallpox, which was introduced to Japan more than 800 years ago. The most severe period was more than 500 years ago, when a smallpox plague swept across most of Japan, especially Heian-kyo (the capital of Japan). According to records, about one-third of the population of Japan died at that time, the imperial tax and labor system was on the verge of collapse, and social order was severely impacted.

In order to quell this unprecedented disaster and pray for the Buddha's blessing, Emperor Shomu vowed to build a huge bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha, which is the Great Buddha of Todai-ji Temple in Nara. This act exhausted the wealth of the Japanese court at that time.

Smallpox has never been eradicated in Japan since then, occurring repeatedly. The most recent major outbreak occurred fourteen years ago in the Kamakura region.

The mere mention of "pustular disease" evokes fear in all Japanese people.

Zhao Shuo then asked, "Does the Kyushu region have impetigo?"

"Impatiens disease is rampant, and it must exist in the Kyushu region."

"That makes things simple. You send people to find some impetigo patients, disguise them as refugees, and infiltrate Heian-kyo, the capital of Japan, to spread impetigo."

When the Jin dynasty was destroyed, the Jin people relocated all the soldiers, civilians, and residents from the vicinity of Bianliang to the city. As a result, the population was too large and the sanitation conditions were too poor, leading to a large-scale plague outbreak.

The Japanese adopted a scorched-earth policy, and many fled to Heian-kyo (Kyoto). According to Tsukushi Taimori's intelligence, the population of Heian-kyo was already around 1.3 million.

With so many people gathered together, Zhao Shuo sent some smallpox patients over as well.

Is there anything good left in Heian-kyo?

"But……"

Boom boom boom!
Since Tsukushi Taimori had become a "traitor to Japan," there was no turning back, and he was single-mindedly devoted to being Zhao Shuo's loyal dog.

After kowtowing three times, he said, "Spreading impetigo will indeed cause great losses to the Japanese. However, Your Majesty's army will eventually attack Heian-kyo. This impetigo will also become a powerful weapon to hinder Your Majesty's army!"

"It's alright. I have my own methods to ensure that my army is not infected with impetigo. In other words, this impetigo will only infect the Japanese."

"What? The king's army is immune to impetigo?"

Tsukushi Heimori was both surprised and delighted, exclaiming in surprise, feeling as if he had latched onto the strongest leg in the world!
His martial arts skills weren't very good, so he hadn't made a name for himself in Japan before.

However, he is quite intelligent; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to learn fluent Chinese despite his difficult life.

Since joining the Black Ice Guard, he has been actively trying to align himself with the Han army.

He knew that King Zhao Shuo was not only called the "Sixth Heaven Demon King" by the Japanese, but he was also known as the "Calamity of God" when he conquered the West.

Now, Zhao Shuo can even subdue the terrifying plague!

It's likely that both the rumors of the "Sixth Heaven Demon King" and the "God's Calamity" are true!
think about it.

With so many soldiers and civilians suddenly flooding into Heian-kyo, and the Japanese nobles needing to gather provisions for the defense of the city, the people of Heian-kyo will likely soon face widespread hunger. If this continues, they may resort to cannibalism, even exchanging children for food!

At this time, a terrible plague descended upon Heian-kyo, and countless people died in agony.

This is not over yet.

Zhao Shuo's army will eventually arrive, bringing endless slaughter and death to Heian-kyo!

The entire Heian-kyo is about to gradually turn into a living hell!
What is this if not a calamity of God?
What else could this be but the Sixth Demon King?
Of course, as someone who follows the Demon King, Tsukushi Taimori truly felt honored.

"Hi!"

Tsukushi Taimori kowtowed again and said, "I will spare no expense to turn Heian-kyo into a plague capital!"

"Go!"

……

……

Within Heian-kyo, Tsukushi Heimori's vision is gradually becoming a reality.

Originally, the Buddhist sect in Japan called Zhao Shuo the "Sixth Heaven Demon King" in order to incite the Japanese people's sense of shared hatred against the enemy.

However, with the outbreak of a great plague, the legend of the "Sixth Heaven Demon King" was severely damaging the morale of the Japanese.

Was this great plague brought about by the Sixth Heaven Demon King?

Where is Amaterasu, the sun goddess of Japan, and the Buddha and Bodhisattvas worshipped by some of the Japanese people?
We are just ordinary mortals, how can we possibly fight against the Demon King?
Morale in Heian-kyo plummeted.

However, Emperor Go-Saga of Japan was feeling quite pleased with himself at this time.

It's a very simple principle: Heian-kyo is located in the south of Honshu Island, while Kamakura Castle is in the north of Honshu Island.

Zhao Shuo's army is attacking from Kyushu Island in the south, and Heian-kyo will definitely be the first to be hit.

Unfortunately, a detachment of Zhao Shuo's army, leading a vengeful force of the Emishi, marched north towards Honshu. They were even more terrifying than Zhao Shuo's main army, killing indiscriminately and refusing to surrender. The Mongols still needed some young women, but the Emishi didn't even want women from Japan.

The Ainu people only wanted to see the Japanese bleed and die!
Hojo Yasutoki, fearing the loss of his stronghold, quickly led a portion of his army back to Kamakura.

The Shogun Fujiwara no Yoritsune, however, did not return with them.

Emperor Go-Saga seized the opportunity to work with Fujiwara no Yoritsune, and together they regained considerable power in Kyoto.

It feels so good to have power back!

The plague that swept through Heian-kyo gave Emperor Go-Saga hope of stopping Zhao Shuo's army.

"Issue the decree: The plague in Heian-kyo is not the work of the Sixth Heaven Demon King, but a manifestation of Amaterasu. No matter how valiant Zhao Shuo's army is, it is utterly useless against the plague. Although this plague has harmed some of the Japanese people, that is merely a necessary price to pay. It will ultimately protect Japan and help us overcome the current crisis!"

Emperor Go-Saga, full of fighting spirit, issued an edict.

"May Amaterasu protect Japan!"

"Zhao Shuo's army is no match for the plague!"

"Fusang will always be Fusang for the people of Fusang!"

"Victory is certain! The Japanese will surely win!"

……

Emperor Go-Saga's decree did indeed have some effect.

Although the Japanese were in a living hell, they treated the plague as their last straw for protection, and their morale improved.

It was at this moment that Zhao Shuo's army was mobilized.

Fifty thousand soldiers were stationed to suppress the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu.

Fifty thousand soldiers and numerous conscripts provided logistical support for the army. Zhao Shuo's main force, numbering one hundred thousand, along with one hundred thousand conscripts, marched in a mighty procession towards Heian-kyo!
The largest massacre in history is about to begin!
(End of this chapter)