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

Chapter 296 Zhao Shuo and Yang Miaozhen's son, another killing star!
Three days later, Zhao Shuo's "Edict on the Extermination of Annam" was announced to the world.

The edict begins by stating the fact that Annam has belonged to China since the Qin and Han dynasties.

For the next thousand years, although Annam briefly broke away from Chinese rule, these periods were never long.

It was not until the end of the Tang Dynasty that it completely separated from China and became an independent country.

Now that China is unified, the Annamese not only do not yearn to return to China, but instead resist the imperial army, which is a grave sin.

Yes, it was the Song army that attacked Annam.

However, Zhao Yun was the King of Song appointed by Zhao Shuo, and thus belonged to the Chinese lineage.

Even if Zhao Yun has a thousand faults, he is still Zhao Shuo's dog and must be dealt with by Zhao Shuo. Annam's resistance to Zhao Yun is also a resistance to the Heavenly Army.

As for Annam taking advantage of the disaster in the Jiangnan region of China, not only did they not offer any grain, but they also prohibited the sale of a single grain to China, which is an act that deserves death a hundred times over.

The Annamese colluding with the Persians to oppose the Chinese is another major crime.

He deserves to be exterminated for committing all three crimes!

Then, the troop strength to be mobilized for this war was announced.

First, three Han Chinese military commanders of ten thousand households were transferred from Sichuan and stationed in Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian respectively.

Zhao Shuo initially ordered Annam to contribute 800,000 shi of grain, and Dali to contribute 300,000 shi. Annam did not contribute any grain, but Dali managed to collect 300,000 shi.

Zhao Shuo decided to put Dali aside for the time being and transfer three of the five Wanhu (ten thousand households) in Sichuan to Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian.

The three Han Chinese military commanders from Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian provinces, familiar with the hot and humid climate, will lead the expedition to Annam.

In fact, Sichuan is also relatively humid and hot, just not as humid and hot as these three provinces. If the campaign against Annam does not go smoothly, the three Sichuan commanders would also have entered Annam.

Secondly, one commander each from Shanxi and Gansu was transferred to replace Meng Gong and Gao Da in their respective defense zones.

The grasslands are now extremely barren, and there is no need to station a large force in the north. The army led by Meng Gong and Gao Da was originally the Xiangyang Field Army of the Song Dynasty, which was also the strongest force in the Song Dynasty.

The armies of Fujian, Guangxi, and Guangdong are generally weaker in combat capability.

Northern troops faced difficulties adapting to the climate.

This expedition to Annam was led by Meng Gong and Gao Da, two commanders of the Han army, with three commanders of the same rank from Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian as assistant commanders.

Thirdly, all three naval commanders (ten thousand households) participated in the war.

Annam's terrain is not only long and narrow from north to south, but also borders the sea to the east, making it ideal for naval operations.

Fourth, the four provinces of Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hunan mobilized 100,000 local troops to provide logistical support for the army.

Fifth, the crown prince Zhao He was appointed commander-in-chief, Meng Gong was appointed deputy commander-in-chief, and Zhao Shuo's sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth sons joined the expedition.

At this point, the specific troop strength for this campaign against Annam has been determined.

Five Han army commanders, three navy commanders, 100,000 garrison soldiers, plus Zhao Yun's more than 20,000 remnants, brought the total force to over 200,000.

Annam has a total population of only about four million, which is less than half that of Japan, so deploying so many troops is quite a lot.

The fact that Crown Prince Jo Hyuk and the four princes participated in the war against Annam further demonstrates the importance they attach to Annam.

Finally, there was the matter of dealing with the Annamese.

Wherever the army went, any Annamese in towns and villages who fired an arrow at Zhao Shuo's army were immediately stripped of their chariot wheels, leaving only the young women behind.

"Zhao Shuo is trying to treat us Annamese people like the Japanese! But Annamese people will never be the next Japan!"

Inside the Annam royal palace, Chen Shoudu knelt on the ground and loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, please issue a decree to officially change the name of Annam to Dai Viet, and Your Majesty to be the Emperor of Dai Viet. Mobilize all the forces of Dai Viet to fight Zhao Shuo to the death!"

Although he had some premonition, Chen Shoudu was still extremely angry after reading Zhao Shuo's "Imperial Edict for the Destruction of Annam" and made suggestions to Chen Jiong.

Show your cards, stop pretending.

"Annam" was the name of the country bestowed upon them by Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty more than fifty years ago. "The imperial edict bestowed the name Annam upon the country and enfeoffed Li Tianzuo, the Prince of Nanping, as the King of Annam."

They, however, have always believed that their country should be called Dai Viet.

Its territory included not only present-day Annam, but also Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian in China.

When Zhao Yun attacked Annam, Annam had not changed its name.

Now that he had already broken ties with Zhao Shuo, Chen Shoudu simply proposed restoring Dayue.

Chen Jiong said, "Since you think the name of the country is appropriate, then let's restore the name of the country. However, to defeat Zhao Shuo's army, it is probably not something that can be solved by simply changing the name of the country."

Chen Shoudu said, "That's natural. In my opinion, now that things have come to this, there are three things that our Great Yue needs to do."

Although Zhao Shuo had already issued the "Edict to Annan," it would take time to mobilize the army, and the real war would not begin for at least another six months. The Yue people still had plenty of time to prepare.

Chen Jiong said, "Please speak, Your Excellency."

Chen Shoudu said, "First, we must strengthen the military strength of our Great Yue. All men over the age of eighteen should be enlisted. In this way, our Great Yue can organize an army of at least 400,000!"

Annam has a population of about four million, and if all forces were mobilized, the number would be much higher.

However, there were a large number of "barbarians" within Annam, and the Annamite court only exercised a policy of appeasement. Even if the Annamite court ordered a full mobilization of them, they might not necessarily comply.

Therefore, Chen Shoudu gave the figure of 400,000.

Of course, the combat strength of these 400,000 troops is indeed questionable.

In fact, Annam's standing army numbered around 80,000. Since Zhao Yun's invasion of Annam, Annam has increased its total military strength to 230,000.

But the main force in the army was still the 80,000 troops.

Chen Jiong asked, "And the second one?"

"Secondly, send envoys to the Angkor Dynasty, Champa, and Laos to tell them that our Dai Viet is now facing the danger of national extinction and has decided to fight Zhao Shuo to the death."

"It would be best if they were willing to offer assistance to my Great Viet. If they are not willing to offer assistance, we should consider the principle of mutual dependence and remain neutral."

In fact, expecting these three countries to provide assistance to Annam is pure wishful thinking.

These three countries have never fought a war with China, but they frequently waged war against Annam in order to compete for the hegemony of the Indochina Peninsula, and their hatred runs deep.

Back then, when the Song Dynasty launched a revenge war against Annam, these three countries were all allies of the Song Dynasty, attacking Annam together.

It was only because the Zhao Shuo Khanate was powerful and would eventually attack these three kingdoms that no envoys were sent to them to demand that they join forces.

Chen Shoudu said this simply because he hoped that the three kingdoms would not side with each other.

Chen Jiong said, "Our Great Yue's main force only has 80,000 men. When we fought against the Song Kingdom, only 50,000 were transferred to the front line. There are still 30,000 men guarding against these three kingdoms. If they agree, these 30,000 troops can be transferred back."

Chen Shoudu gave a wry smile: "Even if they verbally agree, we dare not let our guard down. However, we can always bring back ten thousand troops." Chen Jiong then asked, "What about the third one?"

Chen Shoudu smiled sinisterly and said, "Thirdly, we will adopt a scorched-earth policy. In fact, we, Da Yue, have no advantage in defending the city. However, dense forests and miasma are our best friends. The people will take their food and flee into the dense forests, which will not only prevent Zhao Shuo's army from receiving supplies, but also allow them to launch continuous attacks from the forests to harass Zhao Shuo's army's logistics. Let's see what they do then!"

"In that case, Zhao Shuo and our Great Yue will be irreconcilable enemies!" Chen Jiong sighed softly.

He certainly understood that the brutal jungle guerrilla warfare waged by the Annamese and the Han army would make the Han army feel that no Annamese could be trusted.

The Zhao Shuo Khanate was vast, and even if it suffered a temporary setback, it could quickly make a comeback.

Even if Annam wins the final victory in this war, it is unknown how many of Annam's men will be left.

Chen Shoudu gritted his teeth slightly and said, "It was originally a fight to the death! Your Majesty, now that things have come to this, do you still expect that my Great Yue people and Zhao Shuo will have even the slightest possibility of compromise?"

"That's true, then... let's do as you say, Master!"

Chen Jiong nodded.

Meanwhile, in the palace of the Zhao Shuo Khanate.

"What? The Annamite Prisonering Warrant? Zhuo'er, I didn't expect that even though you don't like reading, you've actually filled in the gaps in my knowledge this time."

Zhao Shuo looked at Zhao Zhuo with admiration.

Zhao Zhuo is his son with Yang Miaozhen.

Yang Miaozhen bore Zhao Shuo two sons and two daughters: the eldest son, Zhao Yi, and the second son, Zhao Zhuo. Zhao Zhuo is only fourteen years old this year.

He inherited the excellent genes of Zhao Shuo and Yang Miaozhen, and at only fourteen years old, he is already as tall as Zhao Shuo.

Moreover, he possessed superhuman strength and loved martial arts. At the age of twelve, he volunteered to join the Han Army's Eight Banners for training.

His dislike of studying had always been a major headache for Yang Miaozhen, who practically beat him from childhood to adulthood. Anyway, Yang Miaozhen couldn't bring herself to kill him, and Zhao Zhuo was thick-skinned and tough, so his academic knowledge was truly lacking.

Zhao Zhuo was overjoyed by Zhao Shuo's praise and explained, "I heard that the 'Southeast Pacific Privateering Certificates' that Father King issued were very effective. Not only did they capture many Southeast Asian monkeys and stabilize the region, but the nobles you appointed also used these monkeys to establish plantations and reaped considerable profits. During this major disaster in Jiangnan, those nobles alone donated 400,000 shi of grain. In time, Southeast Asia will surely become the nation's granary."

"And most importantly, Annam and Southeast Asia have similar environments. What if the Annamese, like those Southeast Asian monkeys, hide in the dense forests? It would be better to sign more 'Annam Prisonering Certificates.' The court would not only be able to wipe out the Annamese monkeys in the dense forests without spending a penny, but would also make a huge profit."

"If Father Khan thinks that these Annamese are unwilling to be Chinese and only want to be foreigners, and that is really hateful, then he can castrate them all to eliminate future troubles."

Zhao Zhuo licked his lips, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Castrated?"

Zhao Shuo had never really thought about this.

He nodded slightly and said, "That's one way. I'll think about it."

“Uh…” Zhao Zhuo hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

Zhao Shuo asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Actually, it's not a big deal. It's just that Father Khan wants my eldest brother, along with my sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth brothers, to go on an expedition to Annam. I'm not young anymore, and I'd like to go too."

"Nonsense! How old are you?"

“Father, I’m not a child anymore!” Zhao Zhuo revealed the words he had prepared beforehand, saying, “I’m fourteen years old this year! Back then, which of Genghis Khan’s sons didn’t go to the battlefield at the age of fourteen? And you, Father, when you were fourteen, you must have chopped off no less than ten heads!”

"As your son, what's so strange about me going to the battlefield at fourteen? Besides, you know my abilities. If those commanders fought me fairly, who could be my match?"

This is true.

Zhao Zhuo possessed superhuman strength and had also mastered Yang Miaozhen's unparalleled Pear Blossom Spear Technique. Although only fourteen years old, he was already far superior to most commanders.

Zhao Shuo said, "Oh, so the reason you came to see me today was just to use the 'Annam Prisonering Certificate' as a pretext. Your real purpose is to go to Annam!"

"Will Father Khan agree or not?"

"That's right."

Zhao Zhuo's martial arts skills are quite impressive.

Moreover, judging from his appearance, he is absolutely not a woman of any mercy and should not suffer any losses in the Annam War.

Zhao Shuo has already agreed to Zhao Zhuo's request.

He even said, “Your personal martial arts skills are extraordinary, and they will certainly be put to good use in this campaign against Annam. After all, Annam is a country with a dense network of waterways and many rice paddies. The jungles are dense and can block out the sun. Not to mention that cavalry cannot move freely, even infantry often do not have a suitable place to form ranks. Personal martial prowess is most easily displayed in Annam.”

"Thank you, Father!"

"Furthermore, this campaign against Annam will not begin for another six months. You don't need to wait for your elder brother and the others to act together; go to Guangxi now."

"Why? Father, are you going to be the vanguard of this southern expedition?" Zhao Zhuo asked eagerly.

Zhao Shuo shook his head slightly and said, "I have so many generals under my command, why would I need you to be the vanguard? However, the conquest of Annam has always been part of my plan. In recent years, the Han Chinese military commanders in Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi have been training a new tactic. It would be good for you to go there early so you can familiarize yourself with it."

"What tactics?"

"Mandarin Duck Formation".

The Mandarin Duck Formation is a military formation invented by Qi Jiguang, a great military strategist of the Ming Dynasty. It was developed based on the characteristics of the southeastern coastal region, which is characterized by hills, ravines, crisscrossing rivers and canals, narrow roads, and the combat tactics of Japanese pirates. It is named after the mandarin ducks that resemble each other.

Annam has a complex terrain, with many places similar to the Jiangnan region, characterized by "crisscrossing rivers and canals and narrow roads," making it ideal for the Mandarin Duck Formation to be effective.

Who said that Zhao Shuo's Han Army Banner Ten Thousand Households in Jiangnan were similar to Zhao Yun's Song Army?
Besides the differences in logistics, warhorses, weapons, and morale, they were also taught new tactics!

"The Mandarin Duck Formation? Excellent! I'll go to Guangxi right now to see just how powerful my father's Mandarin Duck Formation really is!"

"Go ahead. Haven't you always had your eye on that little red horse? If you truly achieve great things in Annam, that little red horse will be yours!"

Zhao Shuo's golden steed, Jin Shanshan, is now long old.

He's now riding the third generation of the gold-plated motorcycle.

Among these third-generation golden descendants, two are the most outstanding: one is golden and the other is red.

That golden horse was, of course, Zhao Shuo's future mount.

Zhao Zhuo had long coveted that little red horse and had asked for it countless times, but Zhao Shuo had never given in.

"Thank you, Father!" Zhao Zhuo replied loudly.

Thus, Zhao Shuo had already arranged for six sons to be included in his army that went to Annam.

Zhao He was groomed to be Zhao Shuo's successor, and he proved his abilities during his eldest son's western expedition.

The other five sons would have to see who was the best candidate during the campaign against Annam.

Annam has become a touchstone for Zhao Shuo's sons!
(End of this chapter)