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

Chapter 300 Bloody Revenge: Hair and Clothes Disguise, Scalp Cut!

In the great victory at Zhiling Pass, 18,000 Han soldiers beheaded 14,359 enemy soldiers and captured 63,642. The remaining barbarians and Annamite soldiers fled into the mountains.

At Zhao He's command, the more than 60,000 captured Annamese soldiers were all beheaded and their heads were used to build a huge mound of heads.

These barbarians and Annamese soldiers who fled into the mountains could not be said to be safe.

The primeval forests of Annam pose a tremendous challenge to the local people, with perhaps 60% of them perishing in the forests.

Furthermore, the thirteenth prince, Zhao Zhuo, personally killed the commander-in-chief of the Annamese army, Chen Rijiao, and his deputy, Li Qin, greatly boosting the morale of the entire army.

Then, the army split into three routes.

Crown Prince Zhao He personally led the central army to conquer the Lang Son route. The seventh prince Zhao Ye led the army to conquer the Thai Nguyen route in Annam, and the eighth prince Zhao Yi led the army to conquer the Hai Dong route in Annam.

The Annamite regular army had a total of only 80,000 men. In the Battle of Chi Leng Pass, 20,000 of them were wiped out. Most of the army had to be used to defend the capital, Thang Long, and to guard against the deployment of the Zhao Shuo Khanate's navy.

The three routes of Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, and Hai Tung were undefended and no match for the Han army. In just twenty days, the entire territory had fallen into the hands of the Han army.

Then, the Han army joined forces and advanced to the Liangjiang Road, felled trees to make boats, and crossed the Changjiang River in Annam.

However, further south from Changjiang, there was no resistance.

The Annamese realized that this method of defending the city was nothing more than feeding the Han army.

They have relocated all the Annamese people from the area between the Changjiang and Fuliangjiang rivers to the area south of the Fuliangjiang River.

In addition to these people, the Annamese also forcibly mobilized more than 1.7 million people, including men, women, and children, from the prefectures on the south bank of the Phu Luong River, to set up defenses along the river, with the entire defense line stretching for 900 li.

Not only that, the Annamese also felled and sharpened the redwoods on the south bank of the Phluung River, and stuck them into the river, calling them "standing stakes." Large ships could not pass through at all, and small boats would be met with concentrated fire from the Annamese army if they tried to cross the river.

Clearly, the Annamese and the Han army were going all out.

They held the Fulang River defense line to the death, determined to wage a protracted war against the Han army.

Wait until June or July of next year, when the weather is hot and humid and malaria is rampant, then launch a full-scale counterattack to recover lost territory.

Inside the central command tent of the Han army.

"What do you think?"

Zhao He slowly looked at the generals and said, "Now, we have only three options. First, we can use the navy to enter the Phu Luong River from the mouth of the Bach Dang River during high tide and march on Thang Long Prefecture. However, the Annamese have also established a large number of camps at the mouth of the Bach Dang River. It is hard to say whether our navy can defeat the Annamese navy during high tide."

"Secondly, how could Annam's 900-mile defense line be without any loopholes? Our army can launch a probing attack to find the Annam's weaknesses. Then, we can send a portion of our troops across the river, defeat a part of the Annam army, and then send the entire army across the river."

"Thirdly, it will just be as the Annamese wish, and we'll stay here and see whether we can't withstand the Annamese's malaria first, or whether the Annamese can't withstand their mobilization of more than 1.7 million people first."

Wow~~
As soon as Zhao He finished speaking, a commotion broke out inside the tent.

"Of course, we should choose the second method. When it comes to conquering cities and seizing territory, we still need the Eight Banners of the Han Army. Why would we need the navy? Your Highness can just have the navy transport grain to us from the East Coast."

"Your Highness is right. A nine-hundred-mile-long defensive line cannot be without flaws. If we probe a few more times, we will eventually find a suitable place to break through."

"Actually, it's not impossible to just keep at it with the Annamese. We Song people have been at it with the Annamese for several years now, it's just that the Annamese weren't this desperate back then. 1.7 million people, who will farm? Who will transport the grain? We can wear the Annamese down."

“I also think the second method is better. Our naval officers and soldiers should not be wasted in the small streams of Annam.”

"We cannot ignore the malaria epidemic in Annam. It would be safer to use the second method."

……

The generals then took turns speaking.

Most people agreed with the second method, a small number chose the third method, and no one chose the first method.

After all, if the navy were to achieve the greatest merit in this campaign against Annam, where would that leave the Han Chinese Eight Banners?
As the generals' voices gradually subsided, the seventh prince, Zhao Ye, suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Brother, I agree with the third method."

As soon as he said this, the tent fell silent.

After all, Zhao Ye was the third son of Zhao Shuo and Hua Zheng, and Zhao Shuo's legitimate son. Among the army that conquered Annam, apart from the crown prince Zhao He himself, the seventh prince Zhao Ye held the most prestigious position.

Zhao He nodded slightly and said, "Seventh Brother, explain your reasons in detail."

"I believe that the choice of which method to use depends on our fundamental objective. Is it to take Annam and force it to submit, or to completely incorporate Annam into our Chinese territory?"

"If it's the former, then without a doubt, we should deploy the navy. I refuse to believe that my 30,000 navy, if we proceed steadily and surely, can't break through the mouth of the Shiratō River?"

"However, if it is the latter, then we need to choose a third method. I think that this time, our campaign against Annam should be slow rather than fast."

A glint flashed in Zhao He's eyes, and he said with great interest, "Tell me in detail. It's better to take it slow than to rush."

"Yes."

Zhao Ye did not answer immediately, but instead sorted out his thoughts before slowly speaking.

"There are three main reasons. First, there are many barbarians in the mountains and forests behind us. Roughly estimated, there are around 800,000 of them. We haven't had time to wipe them out yet. The Annamese might even be planning to use them to harass our logistics."

"Should we keep these barbarians as a threat to Annam? It would be better to take advantage of the opportunity when our army marches into Annam and make them completely submit, so that they will never be a worry for China again."

"Secondly, even if we are eager to break through Thang Long, so what? The Emperor of Annam can still run to Thanh Hoa, to the mountains and forests of southern Annam, and resist us to the end."

"But now, the Emperor of Annam has concentrated most of his people on the south bank of the Phu Luong River, which has greatly depleted Annam's national strength and has actually done us a great favor."

"Thirdly, if the conquest of Annam is too swift, what if the Annamites choose to surrender? This will leave Annam with too many people, who will become a threat to China sooner or later."

Zhao He said, "What you said makes some sense. However, in a protracted war with the Annamese, our army has two problems to solve. One is food, and the other is the plague. How do you plan to solve them?"

Guangxi was not a wealthy region to begin with, and the roads were difficult to traverse. Transporting grain from Guangxi was extremely costly.

Using the navy to transport grain could only reach the east coast of Annam. Transporting it from the east coast to various parts of Annam's interior was equally costly.

Zhao Ye said, “Regarding the food issue, we can definitely establish military farms in Annam. The wealthiest region in Annam is the Phu Luong River Delta. We have already occupied one-third of the Phu Luong River Delta. We can use Annamites and our own soldiers to establish military farms. The land in the Phu Luong River Delta is fertile, yielding two or even three harvests a year. With the addition of grain transport from the rear, I think there shouldn't be much of a problem.”

"As for the plague, the Song people had been deep in Annam for several years and had accumulated some experience in dealing with plagues. We can learn from the Song people's experience without much problem."

Zhao He's thoughts were actually similar to Zhao Ye's, and he had even discussed it with Meng Gong, the deputy commander of the southern expeditionary force. Asking the generals for their opinions earlier was simply a way to allow them to express their views first, and then reach a consensus later.
After all, that's 1.7 million people!

It's a real pity that the Annamese are overdrawing their national strength so much and not making good use of it.

Moreover, the barbarians in northern Annam do indeed need to be eliminated.

Now that Zhao Ye had explained the reasoning so clearly, Zhao He said no more.

He simply said, “Actually, I also think the third method is good. However, if we have to confront the Annamese army on the banks of Phuc Luong while also dealing with the barbarians, I’m afraid our forces are still a bit too weak. I’ll write a letter to Zhongdu to ask my father for his support.”

"As it should be."

In fact, if it were an expedition to the West and any support from the rear was needed, Zhao He could simply issue the order and then report it to Zhao Shuo.

After all, the situation on the front lines can change rapidly. If you consult Zhao Shuo about everything, it'll be too late.

However, the post stations within the territory of China were the most numerous and of the best quality. From here, the urgent 800-li journey would take only half a month to reach Zhongdu. Zhao He decided to consult Zhao Shuo first before making a final decision.

"Excellent! It's truly rare to find someone as insightful as Ye'er."

Upon receiving Zhao He's report, Zhao Shuo was overjoyed, even more so than upon learning that Zhao Zhuo had executed Chen Rijiao and Li Qin. The empire was vast, and possessed numerous elite troops and fierce generals.

Whether Zhao Shuo's sons would become kings or demonstrate strategic brilliance would be more to his liking.

Of course, this doesn't mean Zhao Ye is better than Zhao Zhuo. Zhao Zhuo is only fourteen years old and has unlimited potential for development.

Soon after discussing with Yelü Chucai and Shi Tianni, Zhao Shuo issued four imperial edicts.

Firstly, the three Han Chinese Eight Banners commanders stationed in Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian should not wait for a rotation and should immediately march towards Annam to await the Crown Prince's orders.

Secondly, the government encouraged its soldiers, as well as the elderly, women, and children of the Song army, to cultivate land in Annam. The government would purchase the grain they grew at three times the price.

Zhao Shuo refused to believe it. When it comes to farming, who can compare to the Chinese?
Buying grain at three times the price would allow these farmers to make a small fortune, thus maximizing their enthusiasm.

Moreover, with such a vast empire and such a rich treasury, why not use it for territorial expansion instead of letting the money rot in the treasury?

Thirdly, the army stationed in Annam began to exterminate the barbarians in the northern mountainous areas of Annam. All barbarians were required to abandon their original clothing, wear Han Chinese clothing, style their hair in Han Chinese buns, and pay taxes. Furthermore, troops were dispatched to assist the Han Chinese in conquering other barbarian villages that did not submit to the Han rule.

This is actually a compliance test.

Those barbarians who refused to wear Han clothing and hairstyles were simply not submitting to Han rule. There was nothing that could be done; once a barbarian village was breached, the cartwheels were laid flat, and only the young women were spared.

Fourth, anyone who purchases a "Letter of Privateering in Annam" will immediately enter the Annam region to search for and exterminate those barbarians who are unwilling to submit to the Zhao Shuo Khanate and dare not resist in their mountain strongholds, and who have fled into the mountains and forests.

It would be best if they were willing to sell the captured barbarians into slavery.

If you feel there are too many barbarians and the journey is too long, and you don't want to take them with you, you can kill the barbarians directly and sell their scalps to the Han army.

The barbarians had "hair tattoos," and their scalps couldn't be faked.

Zhao Shuo decided to use five taels of silver to buy a barbarian's scalp.

In conclusion, the blood debt of the barbarians who have harassed China for three hundred years must be thoroughly settled.

These barbarians must either submit completely or die!
……

……

Gushi Village, in the northern mountainous region of Annam.

This mountain stronghold belongs to the Black Tooth Barbarians. In addition to their long hair and tattoos, they also like to blacken their teeth.

The chief of this mountain stronghold was named Li Moke.

Barbarians have no surnames, so he was not originally surnamed Li. However, his ancestors had once been wealthy and served as the leaders of the Black Teeth Barbarians. They were given a princess by the Ly Dynasty of Annam, and the whole family took the princess's surname, becoming Li.

Although his surname was Li, Li Moke didn't have much affection for the Li Dynasty. When the Tran family usurped the Li family's throne as emperor of Annam, he didn't say a word.

However, he and the Chen family shared the same attitude towards the Chinese people.

Back then, when Zhao Yun led the Song army into Annam, Li Moke, relying on the stronghold of Gushi Village, didn't take the Song people seriously at all.

For the time being, the Song state was unwilling to expend too much effort to attack the fortress, and Gushi Fortress maintained its independence.

Later, after the Song army was defeated at Fuliangjiang, Li Moke even led 500 barbarian soldiers out of the camp, killing more than 100 Song soldiers and abducting more than 40 Song women.

Li Moke kept twenty for himself.

Unfortunately, due to his cruelty, in less than a year, only nine Song women remained.

When Zhao Shuo's decree arrived at Gushi Village, he still disregarded it. Not only that, he even killed a surrendered barbarian soldier who had come as an envoy.

What's the big deal in his eyes?

No matter how powerful Zhao Shuo's army is, can it adapt to Annam's climate for long? It's possible that Zhao Yun's tragedy will repeat itself.

His Gushi Village had over two thousand barbarians and five hundred barbarian soldiers. It was located deep in the mountains, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

What can Zhao Shuo's army do to him?
Ultimately, Zhao Shuo's army's greatest enemy was the Annamese!
"Drink! Drink up! After you've finished, you can serve me properly!"

Li Moke glared fiercely at a woman from the Song Dynasty.

The woman surnamed Song dared not disobey, because she had personally witnessed a sister whose neck was broken for refusing to listen to Li Moke.

After watching the Song woman drink a large cup of wine, Li Moke burst into laughter.

He loved seeing Song Nu's submissive attitude, even though she was clearly unwilling.

It will surely be even more fun when we start playing later.

Haha!

However, just then, a barbarian soldier rushed into the house, shouting, "It's terrible! Chieftain, something terrible has happened! The Song people are attacking!"

……

……

Meanwhile, five miles outside the mountain stronghold.

A thousand Song soldiers and a thousand barbarian servants were slowly advancing towards Gushi Village.

The leader of the army was none other than Dong Huai, the prime minister of the Song Dynasty.

This man was tall and strong, skilled in both literature and martial arts. He loved military affairs since he was a young man, especially reading stories about Sun Tzu and Cao Cao. He once said to someone, "If I am put to use, I will sweep across the Central Plains and return it to the Emperor."

Dong Huai's father, Dong Yong, thought he was too arrogant and admonished him, saying, "You don't study hard, you like to talk big, and you are arrogant and conceited. I don't want you to become like that."

Afterwards, Dong Huai studied diligently, passed the imperial examination with high honors, and rose through the ranks to become the Pacification Commissioner of Guangxi in the Song Dynasty.

Later, he was promoted to prime minister by the Southern Song court.

It would be a waste of his talents to lead a thousand Song soldiers.

In fact, given Dong Huai's status, he shouldn't have needed to go to the battlefield personally.

However, after the defeat at Fulangjiang, his granddaughter fell into the hands of barbarians, and it is unknown which barbarian tribe she belonged to.

Therefore, he personally led his army to attack the many mountain strongholds of the barbarians.

Gushi Village is just one of them.

Dong Huai was of course aware that Gushi Village had attacked the Song army and abducted Song women.

The previous attempt to persuade them to surrender only resulted in the destruction of the stronghold at minimal cost.

"Hmph, I originally planned to only execute all the men after Gushi Village surrendered. Since Li Moke is so stubborn, then Gushi Village is doomed! Except for the young women, kill them all!"

Dong Huai thought to himself, gripping his waist knife tightly, his eyes already bloodshot.

(End of this chapter)