Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
West Xia Requests Reinforcements
Prior to the battle, Yeli Wangrong and his brother were really confident. However, when they truly fought against the Mongol cavalry, they finally learned how terrifying this opponent was. Muqali and Tolei’s troops were like two sharp knives stabbing right into West Xia.
400 thousand cavalry were enough to cover the earth.
The Mongol cavalry that was not proficient at sieging went around the West Xia capital Xingqing House that was not far from the border and went down south to increase the fear levels all around West Xia.
Massacring villages, killing cities, wiping out towns…
To spread fear, there was nothing that the Mongol cavalry did not do.
Even though the Qiang people were strong, facing such crazy killings, they slowly felt fear and sadness spread all over. Villages were burned to the ground, cities were robbed, black smoke bellowed, and corpses were strewn all over.
The pitiful West Xia people now faced a human disaster after the natural disaster.
However, calamities were easy to hide from unlike man-made ones. Those that avoided the locust calamity collected their feelings and were gathering up grain for the winter were mercilessly killed.
The unfairness and sadness of life was shown right there.
In a chaotic world, people were like dogs, there to be murdered by anyone. West Xia originally wanted to have some peace, but they were pushed to the forefront of this war and were unable to get away from it.
In a chaotic world, one would die unless one advanced, and there was no clean land.
The idea of the Mongols was simple, “Don’t they care a lot about their grain? Then let’s kill those who eat the grain.”
The 400 thousand Mongol cavalry were not even gathered at one spot. They spread out like a net, like a drop of water entering the pond that was West Xia, spreading fear all over.
The West Xia emperor’s face turned green. He gave the brothers the order to fight to the death and stop the Mongol cavalry. They had to find a chance to turn the tables.
The brothers were experienced generals and would obviously go all out. Seeing their homeland falling and their families in trouble, the West Xia soldiers were all furious.
As such, a sad army would definitely win.
11th month, 28th day, after careful planning, the two groups of West Xia troops finally blocked off the Muqali forces in the south west region and had a huge battle in the wilderness.
This battle showed the strength and luster of the West Xia army.
Although Muqali was a top general, and the Mongol cavalry was a presence only weaker than the Great Xia cavalry, they were forced back in defeat against the West Xia army that was fighting to the death.
However, just as West Xia was about to totally surround Muqali’s forces, Capital City Xingqing House sent an emergency report. Tolei was drawing close, so they ordered the army to rush back to assist.
All their hard work was wasted.
The Mongol cavalry was truly experts at this, making use of the weakness of West Xia wanting to have a final battle to use Muqali’s troops as bait to attract the West Xia main force.
The hiding Tolei forces had gathered together to sneak attack Xingqing House.
All of a sudden, the Capital City was in trouble.
The West Xia army suddenly faced a tough situation. If they retreated and assisted the capital, they would waste the chance of killing the enemy, and they might even be bitten by Muqali’s chasing forces.
However, if they did not assist, the Capital City might fall.
Even if the Mongol cavalry were not good at sieging, Qingxing House only had less than 50 thousand defending troops. If this went on, the Mongol army would definitely break in.
At that point, the country would be in danger.
…
Xingqing House, Palace.
Seeing Tolei’s forces charge right at the Capital City while the West Xia army was stuck in the southwest battlefield, Li Yuanhao was as anxious as ants on a hotpot. This was when he realized how big the appetite of the Mongols was.
“They want to wipe West Xia out.” Li Yuanhao gritted his teeth.
He only had two paths; he could surrender to the Mongol Empire, or he could ask for help from Great Xia.
The former was immediately rejected.
If it were not the ambassador matter, surrendering might actually work. However, Genghis Khan was already humiliated by West Xia, and he wanted to vent his frustration. As such, how would he be willing to accept West Xia’s surrender?
If they did not wipe out the entire Xingqing House, the Mongol cavalry would not stop.
This was also the normal procedure of the Mongol Empire against resistance, and there were no exceptions.
Only then could they protect the terrifying and scary image of the Mongol Empire to tear down the enemy’s fighting spirit; this reduced the number of sieges the Mongol cavalry had to attempt, allowing them to expand easily.
Even Genghis Khan had to follow this iron rule.
Hence, even if Li Yuanhao wanted to surrender, he could not. Furthermore, even if they accepted the surrender, there would be many conflicts given the character of the Mongol Empire.
The two sides were from different civilizations.
The only way was to seek help from Great Xia.
Li Yuanhao was someone that knew when to ask for help. He did not hesitate, contacting Great Xia to request them to save the flames.
For that, West Xia was willing to recognize Great Xia as their suzerain.
Li Yuanhao knew that there was no free lunch in the world. To make Great Xia help, they needed to take out their sincerity. Recognizing Great Xia as a suzerain state was the diplomacy card he was going to use.
Not only would this solve the current crisis, but they would also not need to fear the Mongol Empire in the future.
Li Yuanhao’s plan was so well thought out, but Ouyang Shuo did not fall for it.
…
11th month, 29th day, Shanhai City.
Within the Imperial Reading Room, Zhang Yi personally reported about the West Xia matter and asked the king about his decision.
“How do you think I should reply?” Ouyang Shuo asked.
Zhang Yi was stunned, “This matter involves the military. I should not speak about it.” Although he was the Honglu Temple head and was all rounded, Zhang Yi knew his place.
When to speak and when to keep silent, Zhang Yi did it really well.
“Let it drag out; do not reply to anything.”
“Yes, my king!”
Zhang Yi was filled with thoughts.
“Did anything happen in Tibet?”
The Mongol Empire did not only threaten West Xia – they threatened the Tibet Dynasty as well. Who knows what considerations Ogedai Khan had in not attacking.
Zhang Yi replied, “My king, Tibet has not contacted the Honglu Temple.”
Ouyang Shuo nodded, seemingly smiling, “They can take it so well, not giving up till they are about to die.”
These words were filled with meaning.
Since the calamity of the 10th month, Qin, Tang, and Song were all having a tough time. Based on the news from the Shanhai Guard spies, there were refugees everywhere and most came from Tang.
Long ago, Ouyang Shuo had let people reveal to the outside world that Great Xia had mountains of grain and were willing to help their allies. Their attempt to recruit others was really evident.
Helplessly, no one had replied till now, which made Ouyang Shuo really disappointed.
Seeing that, Zhang Yi hesitated but still said, “My king, I think that this is quite normal.”
“Why so?” Ouyang Shuo did not understand.
“Looking at Chinese history, such things have always happened, and the people are long used to it. Their ability to bear hunger exceeds our imagination. Hence, even though there are a lot of refugees, it would shake the foundations of the dynasty, so why would they lower their heads to us?”
“….”
Zhang Yi’s words stunned Ouyang Shuo on the spot and enlightened him.
“That’s right. Such calamities are not enough to crush countries.”
In the end, as a modern person, Ouyang Shuo had no idea how resilient the people were in ancient times where keeping warm and full were their greatest desires.
“Thank you for your reminder.” Ouyang Shuo said.
“I do not dare.”
Zhang Yi’s heart felt warm. He knew that the king was not that interested in speaking more, so he left.
Once Zhang Yi left, Ouyang Shuo immediately ordered, “Tell the northwest to get ready to enter West Xia, but do not let the West Xia spies notice.”
If it were last year, Ouyang Shuo would have agreed to his request. However, the times were now different, and Great Xia’s attempt to unify China could not be stopped. What was the use of having a puppet state like West Xia now?
Ouyang Shuo’s appetite was as great as Genghis Khan’s.
West Xia was like a prey that has given itself up. One needed only a little more patience to make them surrender.
…
That afternoon, Chengdu.
Since the Shu Han dynasty submitted, the northwest headquarters were moved here. Ouyang Shuo’s orders sent in the afternoon was stamped and sent to the office.
When Li Jing read the order, he instantly understood.
As the northwest commander, be it Tibet in the west or West Xia in the north, both were under his close supervision. The Battle of West Xia obviously did not escape his eyes.
Thinking about it, he used the communication compass to contact Eagle marshal Li Mu, “Get your troops into battle mode, and get ready to invade West Xia.”
“Commander, are we finally fighting?”
Li Mu found it hard to hide his excitement and happiness. Evidently, he had been waiting for this for a long time.
Talking with smart people was always easy, as they understood right away.
The part that excited Li Mu was not just entering the West Xia battle, rather, it was Li Jing’s decision to give the mission to the Eagle legion corps and not the Bear legion corps that he himself led.
If he could take down West Xia, it would be a big credit.
Li Jing’s magnanimity filled Li Mu with respect.
“We still need to wait for orders from the king as for when to start.” After pausing, he continued, “It is about to be the Emperor dynasty upgrading ceremony. To me and to the northwest warzone, nothing is better than taking down West Xia. You should understand how important this battle is. Not only must you win, but you laso must win it beautifully.”
“Do not worry commander, the Eagle legion corps will not tarnish the reputation of the warzone.”
This was a promise.
Hearing that, Li Jing nodded his head in satisfaction, “Make a list of resources you need for the warzone to coordinate.”
“Thank you, commander!”
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