The prince is more stable

Chapter 654 Unification of the Jurchens
Hejian Prefecture, one of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, was captured by the Song army in less than three hours.

It was still a case of the new civilization crushing the old one, and the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

The moment the city fell, tens of thousands of Song soldiers rushed into the city and engaged in street fighting with the Liao army that had retreated into the city.

The street fighting was a one-sided massacre. As the city fell, the Liao army was utterly terrified and could no longer muster the will to resist. It was less a street battle and more a case of the Liao army being chased and killed by the Song army.

In the eyes of the bloodthirsty Song soldiers, what they saw was no longer the Liao army, but fresh, hot heads, and military achievements that could be exchanged for promotions and wealth.

Throughout history, the fall of a city has often turned it into a living hell, where neither the defending soldiers nor the officials and common people could escape unscathed.

Unfortunately, this time the Song army's capture of Hejian Prefecture was no exception.

From the moment Hejian Prefecture fell, the fate of the defending officers and civilians within the city was sealed.

In terms of military discipline, Zhao Xiaoqian was always quite lenient with his soldiers.

For soldiers in ancient times, a lenient and permissive military discipline was actually a form of benefit. If the generals above turned a blind eye, wouldn't the benefits for ordinary soldiers come from this?

After the city fell, part of the Song army pursued and annihilated the Liao army inside, while the other part stormed into government offices and wealthy households, beginning a large-scale massacre and looting.

The Song generals followed them into the city. Seeing the frenzied behavior of their soldiers, which resembled that of wild beasts, the generals simply sighed and turned their heads away.

If I can't see it, then it didn't happen.

I can't stop it, and I don't want to.

Indulging in killing and looting is a benefit and reward for one's soldiers, and this has been the case since ancient times.

If generals prevent their soldiers from burning, killing, and looting after the city falls, it is tantamount to blocking someone's path to wealth and killing their parents; they will be shot in the back later.

Chaos reigned throughout the city, filled with cries of anguish. Flames soared into the sky from all directions, accompanied by the roars of men and the screams of women. Hejian Prefecture was now a living hell.

Zhong Jianzhong, clad in armor, strode into the city. Upon seeing the scene before him, he couldn't help but frown.

While the soldiers were allowed to plunder, Hejian Prefecture was ultimately special, as it was the title of the Prince.

"One hour from now, all soldiers who have entered the city shall assemble and return to their posts. No killing or looting is permitted. Anyone who violates this order will be executed!" Zhong Jianzhong coldly commanded.

"Before Your Highness enters the city, I want to see a peaceful and prosperous Hejian Prefecture, so as not to cause you any trouble."

One hour was Zhong Jianzhong's tacit approval of the soldiers' final indulgence.

Sitting in his position, he has to think about things more and more deeply than ordinary soldiers.

He knew that the Song Dynasty's recapture of the cities of Yan and Yun was only the first step. More important and troublesome was the court's efforts to win over the hearts and minds of the officials and people of Yan and Yun.

With such killings and looting, committing all sorts of evil, how can people's hearts be won over?
Once territory and cities are conquered, how many years will it take for the imperial court to assimilate them and truly win their hearts?

The people of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun had been ruled by the Liao Dynasty for many years and had long been alienated from the Central Plains court, even harboring hostility. Winning their hearts and minds was an extremely long process.

"Quickly eliminate the remaining enemies in the city, clean up the Hejian government office, seal up the government treasury and granary, issue a proclamation to reassure the people, restore order in the city as soon as possible, and finally send someone to welcome His Highness into the city."

After issuing a series of orders, Zhong Jianzhong glanced once more at the devastated streets and alleys, and walked expressionlessly toward the government office.

…………

Two hours later, Chen Shou and three hundred imperial guards escorted Zhao Xiaoqian, riding slowly to the outskirts of Hejian Prefecture.

The open spaces outside the city and the drawbridge were filled with corpses that had not yet been collected. The towering city walls were full of gaps, and tattered banners hung from the arrow towers and city walls. Smoke from gunpowder could be seen rising everywhere.

The devastated scene made Zhao Xiaoqian feel as if he were in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Although he knew he was the victor, he could not feel the joy of victory.

Dismounting outside the city gate, Zhao Xiaoqian stepped onto the scorched earth mixed with blood, his expression cold and solemn as he surveyed his surroundings.

Thousands of Song soldiers stood in neat rows outside the city gate, bowing and waiting for Zhao Xiaoqian to approach.

"Welcome His Highness the Prince of Hejian to Hejian Prefecture!" the soldiers roared in unison, their voices like thunder.

Zhong Jianzhong stood at the front of the line and stepped forward to meet them.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at him, pointed to the thousands of Song soldiers who were welcoming him, and said, "What kind of trouble did you cause?"

Zhong Jianzhong grinned: "This humble general is not used to doing this, but Hejian Prefecture has a different meaning for Your Highness. After thinking about it, this humble general decided to just go through the motions. Is Your Highness satisfied?"

"Ha! I'm so satisfied. You've got a great plan. Don't even think about it again."

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced once more at the devastated city, then entered the city expressionlessly.

The scene inside the city was even worse than outside. Zhong Jianzhong ordered the cleanup in advance and promptly restrained the behavior of his soldiers. However, the damage that war inflicts on a city cannot be restored in just a few hours.

Many houses in the city were still burning, and the Song army was still mopping up the enemy. Homeless people huddled along the streets with their families, while idle Song soldiers slowly carried away the corpses on the streets. Some of the corpses belonged to Liao soldiers, while others belonged to innocent civilians.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed inwardly as he watched this scene.

This is the price of war, which no one can avoid. As the commander-in-chief, Zhao Xiaoqian would not condemn the soldiers for their indiscriminate killing.

In fact, when a city is captured, both sides are on high alert. No one can say for sure whether the innocent civilians who die in the war are actually enemy in disguise or the Song army killing indiscriminately to vent their tension.

Only in a peaceful environment can there be laws and constraints. In the chaos created by war, the concept of laws seems particularly ridiculous.

“Zhong Jianzhong, quickly restore order in the city. Immediately send officials and servants from Zhen Ding City to take over Hejian Prefecture. Set up charity tents outside the city to provide porridge to the homeless. Leave only three thousand soldiers in the city to maintain order, and the rest should all withdraw and set up camp outside the city.”

"Yes."

Zhao Xiaoqian continued, "The soldiers who withdrew from the city dispatched 30,000 troops to sweep through all the prefectures, counties, towns, and villages under the jurisdiction of Hejian Prefecture, as well as the Liao garrison, local militias, and so on. This land will completely belong to the Great Song Dynasty. Liao government agencies, civilian armed forces, and so on will not be allowed to exist."

Zhong Jianzhong accepted the order, then hesitated and said, "Your Highness, Hejian Prefecture has fallen. Should our army attack Datong Prefecture or Xijin Prefecture next?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "No rush. Let the soldiers rest for a few days. We have already made our move. Now let's see how the Liao emperor and his ministers react."

…………

North of Liaodong, at the foot of Changbai Mountain, between the white mountains and the black waters, the Jurchen tribes lived and thrived.

The Jurchen tribe has been called by different names throughout history. During the Han and Jin dynasties, they were called "Yilou", during the Northern and Southern dynasties, they were called "Wuji", and during the Sui and Tang dynasties, they were called "Heishui Mohe".

Its name may vary, but its people have continued to multiply since ancient times.

Just as Zhao Xiaoqian led his troops to capture Hejian Prefecture, a war broke out among the Jurchen tribes.

The Wanyan tribe, known for its strength among the Jurchen peoples, finally launched a war of unification against the other tribes.

Wanyan Polashu, the leader of the Wanyan tribe, personally led his people to attack other tribes.

The war came unexpectedly. Yesterday, the Wanyan tribe was still getting along well with other tribes, but today they suddenly turned against each other.

Wanyan Polashu led 3,000 men from the Wanyan tribe in a surprise attack on the Jurchen tribes living in Changbai Mountain, Sumo River, and Ningjiang Prefecture.

The attack came too suddenly; the large and small Jurchen tribes had no time to prepare. In the middle of the night, while they were asleep, the Wanyan tribe stormed in, and a cruel and merciless massacre ensued.

Compared to the cruel methods used by the Wanyan tribe against other female tribes, the actions of the Song army in conquering Hejian Prefecture could be described as merciful.

The barbarian tribes are not good at farming, strategy, or culture; they are not good at anything, but they are exceptionally gifted at killing.

In order to achieve the effect of speed, Wanyan Polashu led his troops to raid one tribe and left no survivors. After killing them, he rushed to the next tribe.

Of course, Wanyan Polashu's audacity stemmed from his confidence.

The grain, armor, and weapons that the Song Dynasty sent to the Wanyan tribe via sea transport have arrived.

The three thousand able-bodied men of the Wanyan tribe were armed from head to toe. Already the most powerful tribe, with the support of overseas funds, as well as weapons, equipment and food, the Wanyan tribe was even more powerful.

In just a few days, the Wanyan tribe launched surprise attacks on one tribe after another.

On the same day that Zhao Xiaoqian led his troops to capture Hejian Prefecture, Wanyan Polashu also delivered the final blow to the last able-bodied man of the last tribe of the Jurchens.

The wild cheers from all around shook the sky. Wanyan Polashu, covered in blood, stood like a ghost on the grass littered with corpses. Facing the frenzied howls of her tribesmen, Wanyan Polashu fiercely wiped the blood from her face and raised her right hand high with a knife.

"My Wanyan clan has completely unified the Jurchen people today. From now on, all Jurchen tribes shall recognize my Wanyan clan as their king. Those who disobey shall be exterminated!" Wanyan Polashu roared, opening his blood-red mouth.

Another round of howls and cheers erupted from all around.

Footsteps came from behind, it was Wanyan Gao, Wanyan Polashu's nephew and Wanyan Aguda's half-brother.

Wanyan Gao stood behind him, and after the tribesmen celebrated their victory wildly, he whispered behind him, "Uncle, my brother sent an urgent letter from the Song Kingdom, urging us to unify the Jurchens as soon as possible and start a war against the Liao dogs. We can't delay any longer. Prince Zhao Xiaoqian of the Song Kingdom is losing patience."

Wanyan Polashu frowned and said, "Our people have just gone through a bloody battle, and our warriors are exhausted. To start a war against the Liao dogs at this time, I'm afraid..."

Wanyan Gao sighed, “The weapons, armor and food of the Song Dynasty are not given to us for free. If we miss the opportunity, not only will my brother be killed by the Song people, but the Liao dogs will not sit idly by and watch my Wanyan tribe unify the Jurchens. Their troops will arrive soon.”

"Instead of passively defending, we should take advantage of the fact that the Liao people are busy dealing with the Song Dynasty in the south. We should launch a war in the north as agreed, and attack the Liao dogs from both the north and the south. The initiative is in our hands, and we can advance or retreat at will."

Wanyan Polashu lowered his head and pondered for a long time. Then he gritted his teeth and said, "Tomorrow, in the name of my unification of the Jurchen tribe, I will issue a call to arms to the warriors of the Bohai, Shiwei, and Wure tribes in the Changbai Mountains and Heilongjiang River region. The Liao dogs have oppressed our tribes for a hundred years. Now is the time to pay them back!"

"After tomorrow, with my Jurchen tribe as the leader, we will attack the Liao!"

(End of this chapter)