Ch.154Gigantic Crown (5)

The Emperor of the Song Dynasty was aware of the war between the Jin Dynasty and the Mongols.

This was because the Song Dynasty had always harbored a desire to attack the Jin Dynasty and recover their lost territories.

For this reason, they had dispatched many spies to the Jin Dynasty.

Despite being far from Shanxi Province where the war was taking place, the Song Dynasty was able to quickly receive news of the conflict.

“A war between the Mongols and the Jin Dynasty.”

At the emperor’s words, Prime Minister Ye Ong stepped forward.

After bowing to the emperor, he expressed his opinion.

“This is an excellent opportunity to recover our lost territories. We must attack the Jin Dynasty now.”

At Ye Ong’s words, the other officials all nodded in agreement.

The Song Dynasty harbored deep resentment toward the Jin Dynasty.

This stemmed from the Jingkang Incident, an event the Song Dynasty could never forget.

During the Jingkang Incident, the Song Dynasty suffered the humiliation of having their emperor taken captive by the Jin Dynasty.

Moreover, they lost control over much of the territory north of the Yangtze River.

From the Song Dynasty’s perspective, the Jin Dynasty was nothing short of a mortal enemy.

Hearing only this, one might think the Jin Dynasty was simply a villainous nation.

However, looking at the actual facts, the situation was largely of the Song Dynasty’s own making.

In truth, the Song Dynasty had used the Jurchen people to overthrow the Liao Dynasty.

They had promised to pay tribute and joined hands with the Jin Dynasty to attack the Liao.

The joint attack led to the fall of the Liao Dynasty, after which the Jin Dynasty demanded the promised tribute from the Song Dynasty.

However, the Song Dynasty refused to pay the promised tribute.

They even secretly formed an alliance with the last emperor of the fallen Liao Dynasty to attack the Jin Dynasty.

When the Jin Dynasty eventually discovered this betrayal, they openly condemned the Song Dynasty’s treachery.

Even after these events, the Song Dynasty failed to come to its senses.

Emperor Huizong, who ruled at that time, insisted on continuing the war with the Jin Dynasty despite the chaotic situation.

Enraged, the Jin Dynasty led their troops to capture Kaifeng, the capital of the Song Dynasty.

Later, despite a counterattack led by the great generals Yue Fei and Zhu Shengzong, the traitor Qin Hui excluded them and made peace with the Jin.

As a result, the Song Dynasty was left to rule only the lands south of the Yangtze River.

Given these circumstances, even if a third party pointed out that the Song Dynasty had provided the cause for the Jin Dynasty’s actions, they could not deny it.

Of course, no one within the Song Dynasty would openly admit this.

Thus, led by Prime Minister Ye Ong, the Song Dynasty continued to advocate for war to reclaim their lost territories.

“It’s certainly an excellent opportunity to recover our lost territories. However…”

The emperor couldn’t finish his sentence.

This was because the Jin Dynasty’s current weakness in the war against the Mongols might only be temporary.

As mentioned repeatedly, the Jin Dynasty was a nation capable of mobilizing an army of one million.

So even after losing 350,000 troops, they could still field 650,000 more.

While quality differences existed, numerical superiority could never be ignored in warfare.

Additionally, the Jin were defending their territory while the Mongols were an expeditionary force.

If the Mongols faced any crisis, the Jin could counterattack and reclaim their lost lands.

Of course, this perspective somewhat ignored the Mongols’ supply capabilities.

Although they traded with the Mongols, the Song were unaware that roads covered the entire Mongol territory.

Even if they knew about them, they assumed these were poorly constructed roads.

This was because, from the Song Dynasty’s perspective, the Mongols were barbarians.

In any case, the emperor considered the possibility that the Jin Dynasty might defeat the Mongols if they launched a counterattack.

“If we move our troops to reclaim our lost territories, we might face the Jin Dynasty’s wrath should the Mongols be defeated.”

At the emperor’s words, the officials nodded.

The Jin army overwhelmed the Song army. It was beyond the Song forces’ capability to withstand such an army.

“However, Your Majesty, if we don’t move our troops now out of fear of the Jin Dynasty’s anger, we might never recover our lost territories.”

Left Prime Minister Wei Qi also advised the emperor.

With both prime ministers advocating for war, the emperor had to seriously consider conflict with the Jin Dynasty.

As mentioned repeatedly, the current emperor also desired to reclaim the territories where his ancestors had lived.

However, as the leader of a nation, he needed to act cautiously, aware of the potential consequences of his decisions.

Otherwise, the Jingkang Incident might repeat itself.

The emperor fell into contemplation with these thoughts.

At that moment, a guard approached the emperor with an urgent expression.

“Your Majesty, the Jin Dynasty has requested military support.”

“Military support?”

“Yes. They say that since the Mongols have attacked their superior nation, the Song Dynasty should rightfully help by sending troops.”

Though the guard expressed it indirectly, the Jin Dynasty’s demand was simple.

As their vassal state, the Song should send troops because their superior nation was under attack.

“Explain exactly what they’re requesting in detail.”

At the Left Prime Minister’s words, the guard bowed and continued his explanation.

“The Jin Dynasty wants us to attack the Mongols from behind, whom they claim betrayed them. If we attack and force the Mongol army to retreat, they say we won’t have to pay the promised tribute for five years.”

Hearing this, the emperor laughed loudly.

Though the Jin Dynasty presented it as a generous offer, their words revealed their desperate situation.

Asking the Song Dynasty to attack the Mongols from behind was not something that would normally happen.

The Jin Dynasty knew the military strength of the Song army.

Yet they still requested support, clearly showing how desperate the Jin had become.

“Hahaha!”

The emperor laughed so hard that he pounded his throne, roaring with laughter.

The officials looked at the emperor with confused expressions.

As their gazes converged on him, the emperor stopped laughing and looked at the Prime Minister.

“The Jin Dynasty is requesting military support from us. How should we respond to benefit our nation?”

At the emperor’s words, Ye Ong silently looked at the emperor for a moment.

Then, as if understanding the emperor’s intention, he bowed and expressed his opinion.

“I believe you should definitely send troops, Your Majesty.”

“Indeed. We must send troops as our superior nation requests.”

Though he said this, the emperor’s upturned lips showed no sign of dropping.

This was because it was an excellent opportunity.

An excellent opportunity to send troops north of the Yangtze River.

The emperor couldn’t help but be pleased that the Jin Dynasty was offering such an opportunity themselves.

“Gather all the troops in our nation. These are forces for our superior nation, the Jin Dynasty, so we must gather as many as possible.”

At the emperor’s command, the Prime Minister bowed.

And so began the recruitment of troops to help the Jin Dynasty—or more accurately, to attack the Jin Dynasty from behind.

* * *

Like the Song Dynasty, there was one more nation that received a request from the Jin Dynasty.

It was none other than Goryeo.

“A request for help from the Jin Dynasty?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Heaven would be shocked.”

The King of Goryeo joked while saying this.

Then he turned his head to look at Kim Bu-sik, who was to become the Chief State Councilor.

“What do you think, Honorary Grand Minister?”

“It seems the Jin Dynasty is quite desperate. They’re requesting help from our nation, of all places.”

At Kim Bu-sik’s words, the king nodded.

“I should end the banquet and return to the palace soon.”

The king was currently staying at Heungwang Temple, enjoying a banquet.

In this situation, with such news arriving from the Jin Dynasty, he wanted to return to the palace.

“A wise decision, Your Majesty.”

Saying this, Kim Bu-sik ordered his son, Kim Don-jung, to prepare for their return.

As they were about to leave, the king sensed something unusual in the atmosphere around him.

It was a feeling difficult to describe precisely.

But the king felt that something was off about the Dragon Guard who usually protected him.

So the king called for Han Roe, an official who served as his personal attendant.

“Did you call for me, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. Go to where the Dragon Guard is stationed and tell Captain Yi Uibang that I summon him.”

Han Roe bowed and approached a soldier near the king to carry out the order.

He asked where Captain Yi Uibang was currently located.

The military officer replied that he didn’t know but would bring him when found.

At this, Han Roe slapped the officer’s face and shouted loudly.

“I am carrying out His Majesty’s orders. How dare you tell me to come back later!”

Han Roe was merely a low-ranking civil official.

In contrast, the military officer he slapped was a fifth-rank officer responsible for the king’s protection.

So in terms of rank, Han Roe had struck someone far above his station.

The enraged officer glared at Han Roe.

In response, Han Roe, drunk from the banquet, slapped the officer’s face again as if to say “What are you looking at?”

An unpleasant atmosphere descended.

Having been slapped in front of everyone, including the king, the military officer glared at Han Roe as if ready to cut him down immediately.

At that moment, Yi Uibang, fully armed, appeared behind the officer.

“How dare you slap the face of a Dragon Guard who protects the king’s safety.”

Han Roe bowed and apologized.

However, his manner showed no sincerity whatsoever.

“I apologize, sir. But His Majesty is looking for you, and this officer told me to wait. What was I to do?”

“…”

“So I slapped him to fulfill my duty faithfully.”

Han Roe looked at the officer mockingly.

The insulted officer glared back at Han Roe.

“Anyway, it’s fine now that you’re here, sir.”

After saying this, Han Roe looked at Yi Uibang.

And then he did something he absolutely should not have done to Yi Uibang.

Slap!

“…”

“Should someone who’s supposed to protect His Majesty be absent from his post? Though I’m the one slapping you, I’m essentially acting on behalf of the king, so don’t be angry.”

The drunken Han Roe spouted this nonsensical sophistry while mocking even Yi Uibang.

Seeing this, the military officer could no longer contain himself and moved to draw his sword.

At that moment, Yi Uibang raised his hand to stop him.

Then, with a calm expression, he looked at Han Roe.

“I’ll remember your words.”

“Hehehe. Thank you, sir.”

After saying this, Yi Uibang moved away.

Three men followed behind him.

They were Jeong Jung-bu, Yi Go, and Belgutei, who had become Yi Uibang’s son-in-law.