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

Chapter 346 The Power of the Great Yuan Lighthouse Nation, Guangxi Wolf Soldiers' Genes Awaken!
Thus, the Jinglong Golden Palace Kingdom chose to remain inactive. If Dali could withstand Zhao Shuo's army, that would be ideal, and Daolong Jianzai could continue being his local tyrant. If Dali couldn't withstand the Yuan army, Daolong Jianzai would simply lead the Jinglong Golden Palace Kingdom to surrender.

The three kingdoms of Boli, Abo, and Baiman in southern Dali were different from the Jinglong Golden Palace Kingdom. They actually shared a common origin with the Dali people. However, the Dali people had absorbed more Central Plains technology and were more Sinicized, looking down on their former poor relatives and regarding them as barbarians.

Now that Dali is in danger, these three small kingdoms, out of kinship, have stood on Dali's side.

However, to be fair, Dali's southern border meets Annam's northern border, and the Bai Man and Aba kingdoms are located on the route that the Yuan dynasty's Annamite army must take. Their large armies are needed to defend their homeland, so it's impossible to expect them to support Dali.

Only the Kingdom of Boli, under the leadership of its ruler Xichafu, mobilized its entire army of 20,000 to go to Shanchan (Kunming) to help the Dali people defend the eastern region.

Of the three kingdoms east of Dali, the Qi Kingdom chose to obey Zhao Shuo's edict and attack Dali, as did the other two kingdoms.

Like Ziqi Kingdom, Luodian Kingdom's main source of income was trading Dali horses as a middleman between Dali and the Central Plains.

However, the State of Song at that time needed Dali horses, but its weak military presence in the south limited the scale of its trade. The States of Luodian and Ziqi frequently sabotaged each other in their competition for trade share. Luodian fell far behind, its annual trade share only reaching 30% of Ziqi's.

After Zhao Shuo conquered the State of Song, although he no longer restricted the scale of trade, Zhao Shuo had no shortage of horses, so the scale of trade still did not expand, and the State of Luodian remained frustrated.

Are you saying we can't outsell the people of Ziqi when it comes to selling horses, and we can't even outfight the people of Ziqi when it comes to fighting?
The two countries vied with each other and invaded Shicheng County (Qujing) of Dali.

The road to the Luo clan's ghost kingdom is too difficult; there's no profit to be made in horse trading. Fortunately, there haven't been any conflicts with these two countries before.

However, with the 60,000 troops eyeing Guangxi and Hunan with predatory intent, how could the Luo clan's Ghost Kingdom dare to lag too far behind the Ziqi Kingdom and the Luodian Kingdom? They quickly joined the war as well.

Within Dali City, the main population still consists of the thirty-seven tribes of the barbarians from eastern Yunnan. These thirty-seven tribes are not a monolithic entity; some have established independent kingdoms, while others continue to be under the rule of Dali.

Therefore, the fighting in Shicheng County was essentially an internal conflict among the thirty-seven tribes of eastern Yunnan. Only after Shicheng County was captured could they attack Shanshan (Kunming), which belonged to the core area of ​​Dali.

Just as the fighting was raging in Shicheng County, Zhao Zhuo and Meng Gong arrived in Xuzhou, Sichuan.

There are now five Han Chinese military commanders stationed in Xuzhou.

The first commander of a ten-thousand-household unit was Yu Jie, a famous general of the Song Dynasty. Since surrendering to Zhao Shuo, Yu Jie had been stationed in Sichuan but had not fought any battles. Now, his opportunity had finally arrived.

The second commander of ten thousand households was Wang Kui. Wang Kui was originally the governor of Lizhou in the State of Song. Although he was good at fighting, he was also cruel, bloodthirsty, unruly, and difficult to control.

According to historical records, Yu Jie could no longer tolerate Wang Kui's disobedience and lured him to his death.

Zhao Shuo changed history; before Yu Jie could even lure and kill Wang Kui, the world was already at peace.

How can we disobey orders from our superiors?
Although Zhao Shuo didn't kill Wang Kui, he demoted him to a common soldier and transferred him to Meng Gong's command. Yu Jie was good at fighting, but that was his ability to command in battle formations. His personal martial arts skills were not much better than those of a person who couldn't even kill a chicken. Wang Kui looked down on such a weak scholar.

Meng Gong, however, was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and was a man who could single-handedly charge into a vast army to rescue his elderly father.

He used both kindness and severity, employing a variety of underhanded tactics, to completely subdue Wang Kui. Wang Kui was indeed a capable and valiant warrior; after accompanying Meng Gong on the campaign against Annam, he had risen from an ordinary soldier to a commander of a thousand households based on his merits.

Three years ago, Zhao Shuo prepared to wage war against Dali and transferred Wang Kui back to Sichuan to command a Sichuan 10,000-household unit.

The third commander of a ten-thousand-household unit was Meng Ying, Meng Gong's tenth younger brother. After Meng Gong was promoted, Meng Ying succeeded him as commander of the ten-thousand-household unit.

The fourth commander of the ten-thousand-household units was Guo Yong'an, an old acquaintance of Zhao Zhuo. Guo Yong'an, who was stationed in Guangxi, was more suited to the climate of Dali and was transferred to Sichuan by Zhao Shuo. The three ten-thousand-household units currently stationed in Guangxi, however, were transferred from other provinces.

The fifth commander of ten thousand households was named Zhang Rongshi. Zhang Rongshi was the son of Zhang Jin. Zhang Jin was first the Duke of Beiping of the Jin Dynasty, but later surrendered to the Song Dynasty. When Zhao Shuo attacked the Song Dynasty, Zhang Jin surrendered voluntarily and defeated Liu Zheng and captured Wang Jian in a battle against the vanguard of the Song army.

Zhang Jin has now retired, while Zhang Rongshi has accumulated merits and become a commander of ten thousand households in the Yuan army.

Zhang Rongshi is thirty-four years old this year, which is the peak age for a military general.

It must be said that Zhao Shuo preserved too much of China's vitality, and his army had far too many capable and experienced generals.

Judging from the central route army alone, the current campaign against Dali seems like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

In any case, the five heads of ten thousand households, along with the main civil and military officials of Xuzhou, welcomed Zhao Zhuo and Meng Gong into Xuzhou City.

Zhao Zhuo and Meng Gong did not choose to rest; they immediately began discussions with the five heads of households that same day.

Zhao Zhuo sat in the main seat, with Meng Gong sitting beside him.

After the five commanders of ten thousand households paid their respects to Zhao Zhuo and Meng Gong, they took their seats in the two side rooms.

Zhao Zhuo said, "According to the latest intelligence, the Qi Kingdom, the Luo Kingdom, and the Luo Dian Kingdom have already sent troops to fight against the Dali people. The Annamite army will enter Dali soon. How are our preparations going?"

Yu Jie, who had been stationed in Sichuan, and whose territory included Xuzhou, quickly stood up and reported, "Fifty thousand troops and one hundred thousand soldiers are already stationed near Xuzhou. As long as Your Highness gives the order, we can march on Dali."

Zhao Zhuo asked, "What's the situation with the barbarians in the vicinity?"

The only areas bordering Dali to Sichuan were Xuzhou and Lizhou. The various tribes south of Xuzhou were called the Xuzhou barbarians, and they were under the control of both the Song and Dali kingdoms. The situation of the tribes south of Lizhou was originally similar to that of the Xuzhou barbarians. They could be seen as a buffer zone between the Song and Dali kingdoms.

However, more than 30 years ago, Dali sent troops to suppress the various barbarians in Lizhou and took over the area south of the Dadu River in Lizhou, causing the Song Dynasty to lose a major barrier.

Yu Jie said, “Since His Majesty’s edict was issued, the barbarians of Xuzhou have been terrified and have taken the initiative to come to Xuzhou to offer horses and submit. The barbarians of Lizhou were only annexed by Dali thirty years ago and do not submit to Dali’s control. Now that His Majesty wants to destroy Dali, they have also sent people to Lizhou, willing to be our inside agents.”

Zhao Zhuo said, "We don't need to worry about the barbarians of Lizhou for now; they're not on the army's route. Once we destroy Dali, whatever their intentions, they'll have to submit to our Great Yuan. As for the barbarians of Xuzhou, simply offering horses isn't enough. We don't need them to transport supplies; we need all their men to join the vanguard in attacking Dali. Those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded, and those who commit wrongdoing will be punished."

Whether these Xuzhou barbarians truly surrendered or feigned surrender, separating their families and male members would prevent any further disturbances.

After a pause, Zhao Zhuo looked at Meng Gong and said, "Commander Meng, what do you think?"

Meng Gong bowed slightly and said, "The Grand Commander's arrangement is very appropriate."

Although Zhao Zhuo is the thirteenth prince of Zhao Shuo, his current official position is Grand Commander of the Southern Expedition. Meng Gong's official position is Deputy Privy Councilor and Deputy Grand Commander of the Southern Expedition, so Meng Gong addresses Zhao Zhuo as "Grand Commander".

In fact, Zhao Zhuo had already discussed with Meng Gong how to deal with the barbarians of Xuzhou.

However, in such an important military discussion, Meng Gong should still be given the necessary respect.

Zhao Zhuo was only fourteen years old when he attacked Annam, but he is already twenty-six this year. Over the years, under the careful training of Zhao Shuo, he has grown from a super warrior into a qualified commander.

Zhao Zhuo continued looking at the five commanders and asked, "So, who will be the vanguard in this campaign against Dali?"

"This humble general is willing to go!" Yu Jie was the first to express his opinion.

Wang Kui shook his head and said, "When it comes to the ability to defend a city, I admire Commander Yu. However, when it comes to the ability to attack and capture cities, you are probably inferior to me."

Then, he stood up, bowed deeply to Zhao Zhuo, and said, "Your Highness, I believe that the Sichuan army is the most important force in attacking Dali. And among the two commanders of the Sichuan army, I am more suitable than Yu Jie!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Ying was displeased and said, "Why should we prioritize the Sichuan Army? Are you suggesting that our Jingxiang Army is just for show?"

Zhang Rongshi echoed with a cold laugh, "If the Sichuan army were truly capable, they would have destroyed Dali during the Song Dynasty. Why wait until now?"

Guo Yong'an, however, acted as a peacemaker, saying, "To be fair, the Eight Banners are all regular troops of the Great Yuan. How much difference could their combat strength be? To belittle our brother units in order to claim credit is a low-class act." Zhao Zhuo asked, "Then, in your opinion, which commander should be the vanguard?"

Guo Yong'an said, "Of course it is this humble general who is in charge of ten thousand men. Your Highness is wise. In the war against Annam, I, as the commander of ten thousand men, suffered considerable losses. After returning to Guangxi to rest and recuperate, I consulted His Majesty and was able to replenish my ranks with a thousand servants. These servants are not only exceptionally brave, but also accustomed to fighting in the mountains and forests. Using them to control those barbarians of Xuzhou is much more suitable than using others."

“You…” Yu Jie, Wang Kui, Meng Ying, and Zhang Rongshi glared angrily at Guo Yong’an. It turned out this guy wasn’t trying to break up the fight, but rather to steal the credit!
However, what Guo Yong'an said did make sense. Zhao Zhuo and Meng Gong exchanged a glance, nodded, and said, "Alright, for this attack on Dali, our army will take Guo Yong'an's 10,000-household commander as the vanguard."

"Yes!"

The army was already prepared, and the next day Guo Yong'an led his ten thousand households into the barbarian territory.

The various ethnic minorities of Xuzhou were naturally unwilling to contribute men to fight alongside the Yuan army. However, with 150,000 troops eyeing them covetously, what other choice did they have?

Ten days later, Guo Yong'an had integrated the various tribes of Xuzhou Man, and with 30,000 able-bodied men from Xuzhou Man, he marched into Dali territory.

South of Xuzhou Man lies Dongchuan County of Dali.

This prefecture is not part of the core area of ​​Dali, and there are a large number of barbarian tribes within its territory. The city defenses of each city are pitifully weak.

For towns that surrendered upon hearing the news, the Yuan army only required them to supply food and provisions.

For towns that put up a stubborn resistance, the Yuan army provided long-range support with triple-bow crossbows, while the young and strong men of Xuzhou organized attacks.

After the city fell, not a single chicken or dog was spared, and half of the spoils of war were given to the barbarians of Xuzhou.

As they conquered more and more cities and acquired more and more spoils, the morale of the Xuzhou barbarians soared.

A month later, they had captured Dongchuan County and entered Huichuan Prefecture.

Huichuan Prefecture was part of the core area of ​​the Dali Kingdom, and its capital was located near Huili in later Sichuan.

The commander of Huichuan was named Gao Tong, who was also a member of the Gao clan of Dali. He led 3,000 regular Dali soldiers and 15,000 conscripted local militia and barbarian laborers, and refused to surrender.

This city needs to be fought well.

Seven days after the siege equipment was built, Guo Yong'an ordered the barbarians of Xuzhou to launch an attack on Huichuan City.

After nine days of continuous attacks, the barbarian tribes of Xuzhou suffered over eight thousand casualties, and their morale plummeted. Of course, the Han army's thunderbolts and catapults were not to be trifled with either, and the resistance within the city grew increasingly weak.

Guo Yong'an immediately made a decision and ordered two Han army commanders in each of the four directions (east, west, south, and north) to launch a general attack on Huichuan City.

Whoosh whoosh!
Countless stones, each weighing seven and a half pounds, rained down on the city walls of Huichuan.

Boom boom boom!
Thunderous roars and deafening thunderclaps are unleashing their power.

Whoosh whoosh!
One spear and three swords and arrows were mercilessly reaping the lives of the Huichuan defenders.

"Charge! Kill!"

"Conquer Dali and capture Huichuan City!"

"The first to reach the summit will be rewarded with three promising futures!"

……

Countless agile figures, carrying ladders and pushing battering rams, surged towards Huichuan like a tidal wave to launch a general offensive!

Wei Aliang was one of the Yuan soldiers who participated in this general offensive.

At the same time, he was also a servant recruited by the state in Guangxi.

The Zhuang people of Guangxi had a relatively good relationship with the imperial court during the Song Dynasty. They once helped the Song state quell Nong Zhigao's rebellion. Of course, they also rebelled when the Song state oppressed them too much—dignity is always earned through fighting.

Wei Aliang had never felt that life was so good.

Under the rule of the State of Song, he was still a child, and his family often went hungry. Salt was a precious commodity among the Tong people, extremely expensive, and ordinary families rarely tasted salt.

But ever since Zhao Shuo conquered the State of Song, the price of salt has dropped rapidly, and the Zhuang people have achieved salt freedom.

Later, with the economic development of the Zhao Shuo Khanate, the mountain products and medicinal herbs could be sold for good prices, and A Liang was finally able to eat his fill, which felt like a dream.

This is not over yet!

Ah Liang was selected for the Eight Banners Army because of his considerable strength and bravery. The Eight Banners Army offered generous treatment that went far beyond just having enough to eat and wear.
Ah Liang became the most handsome guy in the village, attracting envious glances from almost everyone. He married a beautiful wife and had three children.

Now, Wei Aliang's eldest son has entered a school run free of charge by the Yuan Dynasty and is able to read and write.

He was full of hope for the future and utterly loyal to the empire.

Arrows rained down from the city walls like a swarm of locusts, striking the shields with a sickening thud. Screams of agony rang out as comrades fell, but the ranks pressed on resolutely.

boom!
The moment the ladder reached the city wall, the battle entered its most brutal phase. Lobs and stones rained down with destructive force. Wei Aliang braced his shoulder against his shield; a tremendous force sent shivers down his spine, numbing his arms, but he held on with unwavering strength.

"Charge!" The centurion behind him roared, brandishing his sword.

Ah Liang took a deep breath, slung the shield behind his back, held the knife in his mouth, and climbed upwards using both hands and feet, like a monkey.

A stone grazed his scalp, and blood instantly smeared his left eye. He groaned, wiped it haphazardly with his sleeve, and continued climbing.

He recalled his hunting experience in the mountains and forests: patience, agility, and the deadly strike.

At this moment, the genes of the Guangxi wolf soldiers awakened!

The battlements were close at hand when a soldier's ferocious face appeared, raising his scimitar high. Wei Aliang suddenly exerted his strength, grabbing the edge of the battlements with his left hand, using the momentum to swing his body upwards, while simultaneously transferring the dagger from his mouth to his right hand and slashing upwards!

"Pfft!"

The sensation of the blade piercing his flesh traveled up the hilt, and warm liquid sprayed onto his face. He paid no heed, leaping onto the city wall and finally gaining his footing in this narrow, deadly zone.

"Wei Aliang of the Great Yuan Dynasty is here! Long live the Great Yuan Dynasty!"

Ah Liang roared like thunder in his heavily accented Mandarin, a cry that was not only a battle cry but also a declaration.

He charged left and right on the city wall, wielding his sword and parrying with his shield, to create a foothold for his comrades who followed.

In no time at all, they had cleared a space!
The servant Wei Aliang was willing to die for the Yuan Dynasty and made the first move to conquer Huichuan!

(End of this chapter)