I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

...

The complete victory at the Battle of Talas not only signified a triumphant start to the Song Dynasty's western expedition, but also meant that the mighty Song Dynasty was about to enter Central Asia, like a dragon entering the sea.

Soon, the Song army and the Central Asian coalition led by the Western Karakhanid army fought their second major battle in the Wakhan Corridor.

The Wakhan Corridor is located between the Pamir Mountains. The road is narrow and winding, with snow-capped peaks on both sides and streams formed by glacial meltwater meandering along the valley floor. It provides the only water source for travelers and makes this passage a natural choke point.

Traveling eastward along the Wakhan Corridor, one can reach the southern edge of the Tarim Basin, connecting with the Western Regions of the Song Dynasty; traversing the valley to the west, one can follow a tributary of the Panj River all the way to the south bank of the Amu Darya River, and beyond the mountains lies the flat plain of Tokharistan. Traveling another three hundred li or so south, one reaches Ghazni, the heartland of the Gorkinin Dynasty.

This land, known as the "Crossroads of Asia," is located at the intersection of East Asia, West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia, and possesses an extremely advantageous strategic position.

As early as the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian had traveled to this area during his mission to the Western Regions. When Ban Chao was managing the Western Regions, he regarded the Wakhan Corridor as a barrier to prevent the Yuezhi from advancing eastward. During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the soldiers of the Anxi Protectorate set up beacon towers here to ensure the smooth passage of the southern route of the Silk Road. Xuanzang also crossed the Pamir Mountains here on his journey to India to obtain Buddhist scriptures. Even the Western Turks, who had previously dominated Central Asia, fought many battles with the Tang Dynasty for control of this passage.

Whoever controls the Wakhan Corridor effectively strangles the exchange between the four major civilizations.

Silk and tea from East Asia were transmitted westward through this route, while spices and jewels from West Asia entered from the east. Buddhism from South Asia and fine horses from Central Asia converged here.

Such a strategic location is destined to be at the heart of the power struggle among major nations.

For the Song Dynasty's expeditionary force, the importance of the Wakhan Corridor went beyond this.

This place was not only a vital route between the Western Regions and Central Asia of the Song Dynasty, but also a crucial springboard for the Song army to realize its cross-continental expansion strategy.

—As long as the Song Dynasty's expeditionary force captures the Wakhan Corridor and crosses the Amu Darya River, it can march south directly to Ghazni, the military and political center of the Gorkinin Dynasty, and then conquer the South Asian subcontinent; westward, it can advance along the Amu Darya plain, directly threatening the eastern border of Persia, and fight a decisive battle with the remnants of the Western Karakhanid Dynasty; northward, it can echo the previously conquered Talas region, forming a strategic encirclement of the Central Asian steppe tribes; and eastward, it can firmly control the return route and supply lines, ensuring that the western expeditionary army's connection with the Song Dynasty's homeland is not cut off.

This strategically important location, with its excellent transportation links, was the core objective of the first phase of the Song Dynasty's western expedition.

Taking the Wakhan Corridor meant that the Song army had completely broken the geographical blockade imposed by Central Asian powers, and from then on, they could attack or defend at will.

Therefore, when the Song Dynasty's expeditionary force confronted the Central Asian coalition led by the Western Karakhanid army in the Wakhan Corridor, both sides were well aware of the decisive significance of this battle.

In order to ensure that the Song Dynasty's expeditionary force could not seize the Wakhan Corridor, the Central Asian coalition led by the Western Karakhanid army quickly assembled a force three times that of the Song army, relying on the strategic importance of the valley to set up defenses, attempting to block the Song army outside the Pamir Mountains.

Meanwhile, the Song army, relying on its superior firearms and combined infantry and cavalry tactics, advanced step by step, determined to completely control this "crossroads of Asia".

Soon, the two sides engaged in this second battle.

In the narrow valley, shouts of battle echoed across the snow-capped peaks as 600,000 Central Asian troops lined up in strategic positions. The iron cavalry of the Western Karakhanid Khans were at the forefront, while infantry from various Western Regions tribes guarded the valley entrance, and Persian light cavalry circled around the mountainside on both sides, forming layers of defense, intending to use their superior numbers to trap the Song army in the corridor.

The 200,000-strong Song expeditionary force, led by Yue Fei, was also on high alert. Its infantry formed a square formation in the center, while its cavalry were positioned on the left and right flanks, ready to strike at any moment. What made the allied forces most uneasy was the Li Lin Cannon, whose muzzle was pointed directly at the pass, its cold edge gleaming under the icy light of the glacier.

It is worth mentioning that, because the Song Dynasty won the Battle of Talas, many small countries, tribes and forces that were originally dependent on the Western Karakhanid Khanate came to pledge allegiance to the Song Dynasty.

Some leaders of slightly larger small states, tribes, and minor powers even traveled by train from the Song Dynasty to Chang'an to pay homage to Zhao Yu and present him with gifts.

To be honest, these small countries, tribes, and forces are extremely poor, some even struggling to afford food, so they really don't have any presents to offer.

Good thing!

Zhao Yu's reputation for being a womanizer has spread throughout the world.

As a result, almost all of these small countries, tribes, and forces chose to offer beautiful women to Zhao Yu.

Princesses, daughters of Khans, the most beautiful women—regardless of their authenticity, they were all sent to Zhao Yu.

As long as the beauties sent by the other party weren't too bad, Zhao Yu would accept them without question.

Not only that, Zhao Yu would also give them very generous gifts in return.

Tea, glassware, porcelain, silk, light and heavy industrial products, and even grain and salt.

For these small countries, tribes, and powers that were so poor they were practically urinating blood, Zhao Yu's return gift was incredibly generous.

They can also immediately tell who to associate with to achieve a good life.

In this way, without the Song Dynasty even having to say anything, these small countries, tribes, and forces voluntarily expressed their willingness to help the Song Dynasty attack the Western Karakhanid Khanate.

Zhao Yu didn't hesitate and readily agreed, saying that as long as they made meritorious contributions, he would certainly reward them handsomely.

Zhao Yu even promised that those who made great contributions could move to the Song Dynasty and he would give them a piece of rich land or pasture to settle down.

These small countries, tribes, and forces, some with only tens of thousands of people, others with only a few thousand, or even just a few hundred or a few dozen, actually had very little fighting strength. At most, they could only fight alongside the Song army in favorable battles.

However, that's not how you calculate it.

Although they are not good at fighting, they are familiar with Central Asia.

With them serving as guides for the Song Dynasty, the Song's westward expedition would be much easier.

Therefore, Zhao Yu accepted all small countries, tribes, and forces that came to seek refuge with the Song Dynasty.

Of course, Zhao Yu had already informed the generals at the front lines to use these opportunists with caution.

No one dared to disobey Zhao Yu's supreme orders.

In this battle, Yue Fei deployed the troops of these small countries, tribes, and forces in front of the Song Dynasty's elite forces to ensure that they would not defect like the Karluks in the Battle of Talas 1.0.

War breaks out.

The Song army launched the first attack.

The Song army's infantry squares in the center advanced steadily, while the cavalry on both flanks were poised to attack. Hundreds of Li Lin cannons were arrayed in front of the formation, their muzzles pointing directly at the allied forces' pass defenses. The troops of the small countries, tribes, and forces that had surrendered were deployed at the front of the squares and advanced according to the Song army's orders.

Seeing the Song army launch an attack, the Central Asian allied forces immediately retaliated with arrows and catapults. Persian light cavalry on the mountainside lined up on horseback, attempting to outflank the Song army, while the Karakhanid cavalry at the front were ready to charge. The Song army advanced to within the effective range of Li Lin's cannons.

At the command of Zhang Xian, the front-line commander, dozens of Li Lin cannons roared simultaneously, their shells engulfed in flames as they crashed into the Allied defenses. The Allied infantry formation at the pass was instantly breached in several places, with stone chips and blood flying everywhere. The stone fortifications that the Allied forces were relying on also collapsed with a crash.

The allied forces' retaliatory arrows and catapults were weak.

Unfortunately, the range and power of bows and arrows and catapults were far inferior to those of the Song army's Li Lin cannons, so they were quickly suppressed by the Song army's artillery fire.

Taking advantage of the chaos in the allied forces, the Song army's archers and Li Lin's musketeers lined up and fired in unison. Arrows and lead bullets rained down from the sky, and the Karakhan cavalry at the front were hit by arrows and fell from their horses. Men and horses trampled each other, and the chaos at the pass intensified.

Although the troops of those small countries, tribes, and forces that surrendered were of mediocre fighting strength, they took advantage of the Song army's firepower to advance and kill, while also clearing out the scattered allied troops, making it difficult for the allied forces to organize an effective counterattack.

Mehmed II hastily dispatched light cavalry from the mountainside to reinforce the pass, but they were intercepted and slaughtered by the Song army's cavalry on both flanks. The Song cavalry were equipped with thunderclaps, which could sometimes detonate in groups. Crucially, the sound of the thunderclaps would frighten the allied warhorses, which had not received the appropriate training, causing them to charge wildly, tearing and shoving, disrupting the allied attack formation and causing the offensive to quickly collapse.

Meanwhile, the allied forces' follow-up troops were restricted by the narrow valley, which caused congestion and made it impossible for them to reinforce in time. They could only retreat step by step under the Song army's artillery and crossbow fire.

Seeing that the allied forces' defenses had been breached, Yue Fei immediately ordered the entire army to advance. Li Lin's cannons moved forward with the army, continuously bombarding the remaining allied positions. Divine archers, Li Lin's musketeers, and infantry followed closely behind, while cavalry broke through the gaps to divide the allied forces' formation.

Unable to deploy in the canyon, the 600,000-strong allied army lost its numerical advantage and, facing the Song army's superior weaponry, could only fight individually. Ultimately, morale collapsed, and the army fled westward in droves.

In this battle, the Song army, with the absolute suppression of Li Lin's cannons, the long-range advantage of Shenbi crossbows and Li Lin guns, and the coordination of infantry and cavalry, defeated the Central Asian allied army, which was three times its size, head-on. The allied army suffered more than half its losses, and the rest scattered and fled westward. The Song army then took control of the entire Wakhan Corridor, capturing all the passes and beacon towers along the way.

When Zhao Yu's sons led more than 20,000 Song light cavalry westward to the Huzhan region, they encountered resistance from a force of about 100,000 hastily organized by Muhammad II.

The two armies clashed again.

As a result, the 100,000-strong allied army was easily defeated by more than 20,000 Song Dynasty light cavalry, and Mehmed II fled back to the capital, Samarkand.

This event severely shocked the inhabitants of the Western Karakhanid Khanate, exacerbating their panic and frustration as they awaited the arrival of the Song Dynasty's expeditionary force.

The same was true for the inhabitants of Bukhara and other cities in the river valley.

Knowing that the Song Dynasty would not let the matter rest, Muhammad II once again sought help from Sultan Sanjar of his suzerain state, the Seljuk Turks.

Prior to this, Mehmed II had already sent envoys to Sanjar to request assistance, saying that Central Asia was facing a great disaster and urging him to defend Central Asia.

Sanjar had only recently ascended to the throne of Sultan and wanted to consolidate his power with a resounding victory. Therefore, he rejected his ministers' suggestion to send envoys to negotiate peace with the Song Dynasty and instead began to organize an allied army to prepare for a holy war.

At Sanjar's urging, the kings of Khorasan, Sigestan, Ghazna, Mazanland, and Ghur all brought their troops to join.

Sanjar amassed an army of over a million men, preparing to personally lead this massive force across the Amu Darya River to engage the Song army in battle.

At the same time, Zhao Yu, who had received the news of victory from Yue Fei, quickly issued an imperial edict ordering the Song Dynasty expeditionary force, which had been resting and regrouping, to continue westward, cross the Pamir Mountains, enter Central Asia through the Wahan Corridor, and attack Samarkand, the capital of the Western Karakhanid Khanate.

The Pamir Mountains, which later became known as the Pamir Plateau, mean "flat-roofed house" in Persian. Located in southeastern Central Asia and the westernmost part of China, they form a massive mountain knot where the Kunlun, Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Tian Shan mountains meet.

Long before conquering the Indochina Peninsula, Emperor Zhao Yu and his ministers had already decided that the boundary would be the Ural Mountains—Pamir Mountains—Himalayan Mountains—western Indochina Peninsula—Strait of Malacca. All land and sea east of this line would be the territory of the Song Dynasty, also known as the East. To the west would be the regions that Zhao Yu planned to enfeoff to his sons, namely the vassal states under the rule of the Song Dynasty. Although they belonged to the West, they were required to protect the Song Dynasty, obey its orders, pay tribute to the Song Dynasty on schedule, and fight alongside the Song Dynasty.

For example.

If Zhao Yu's plan succeeds.

In the future, a small country, tribe, or power in the West may rise up in rebellion against the Song Dynasty.

In the initial stage, the Song Dynasty certainly could not go to the trouble of sending troops from its own territory to conquer this remote small country, tribe, or power. The simplest, most convenient, and most economical option was to send one or more neighboring vassal states to send troops to annihilate it.

On the Song side, at most they would send a few commanders, or provide some economic, weaponry, and material support.

This is similar to military aid in later times.

After the Song Dynasty's expeditionary force successively left the Wakhan Corridor and arrived in Central Asia, it immediately divided into three routes to prepare for a full-scale attack on the Western Karakhanid Khanate.

The left flank army numbered approximately 100,000, with an additional 100,000 laborers responsible for transporting provisions. This force took the route of the "Panj River Valley - Badakhshan - Hisar" line, advancing westward along the north bank of the Amu Darya River.

The core intention of this deployment is to flank and cut off external support.

The Panj River Valley has a relatively flat terrain, which facilitates the transport of firearms and provisions. The army can control the oasis city-states along the valley, replenish supplies, and guard against the Seljuk coalition's eastward reinforcements from Khorasan.

Upon reaching the Hisar Pass, the left flank will divide its forces to guard the pass, while the main force will turn southwest and head straight for Bukhara.

This important town in Transoxiana was not only a grain distribution center for the Western Karakhanid Khanate, but also a hub connecting Samarkand and the Murghab River basin. Taking Bukhara would cut off Samarkand's connection with reinforcements from the southern Ghurid Kingdom, forming a left-wing encirclement of the Western Karakhanid capital.

The central army, numbering over 100,000, along with an additional 200,000 civilian laborers, served as the main force for the assault, advancing along the "upper reaches of the Kabul River—Ghazni—Kashka River valley" and heading straight for Samarkand, the capital of the Western Karakhanid Khanate.

Although this route requires traversing the mountains of the upper Kabul River, it is lined with dense oases and is the core territory of the Western Karakhanid Khanate. The Song army can rely on its advantage in long-range firearms to directly defeat the fortified strongholds along the way.

Before setting off, Yue Fei's deployment emphasized "steady advance and deterring the entire territory." Every hundred li the army advanced, temporary beacon towers were built, telegraph lines were erected, and grain storage points were set up to coordinate with the rear base in the Wakhan Corridor.

At the same time, light cavalry scouts were dispatched to spread the proclamation that "the Song army will not harm civilians, but only punish traitors," thereby undermining the will of the Western Karakhanid Khanate's army and people to resist.

The ultimate goal of the central army was to reach the walls of Samarkand, use its superior firepower to besiege the city, draw the main force of the Western Karakhanid Khanate back to defend, and create opportunities for the left and right wings.

The right flank army was also composed of 100,000 soldiers and 100,000 laborers. Their main strategy was "rapid mobility and containment of the flanks." They took the route "southern foothills of the Pamir Plateau - western section of the Wakhan Corridor - Fergana Basin" and advanced westward along the southern Tian Shan Mountains.

This route has the most complex terrain, with many high mountains and deep valleys, but light cavalry can quickly maneuver through it thanks to their mobility.

After the Fergana Basin was pacified, the main force advanced eastward along the north bank of the Syr Darya River, directly threatening the northern outskirts of Samarkand, forming a pincer movement with the central army from the north and south.

The three armies agreed to assemble outside Samarkand and seize the Western Karakhanid Khanate in one fell swoop...

...(End of this chapter)