Ch.159Alliance (2)

I originally plan to run a horse ranch on Tamra Island, following historical precedent.

Additionally, I intend to build numerous ports around it, turning it into a pirate haven like Tsushima Island.

The reason for this approach is simple: the Mongols had absolutely no naval battle experience.

Of course, the later Mongol Empire gained naval experience through conquering various countries.

When conquering the Song Dynasty, they used ships to cross the Yangtze River for their attacks, and they also used ships when attempting to conquer Vietnam, though that campaign failed.

Unlike these historical facts, the current Ulus was in its early imperial stage, living a life completely disconnected from the ocean.

As a result, all the territories they were conquering were connected to the mainland.

“I need to develop a navy early to avoid regrets later.”

The reason people say the Mongol Empire was strong in land battles but weak in naval warfare stems largely from this issue.

So I planned to invest heavily in naval development from the empire’s early days.

However, the current Ulus had no territories adjacent to the sea.

That’s why I requested to lease Tamra Island from Goryeo.

I planned to learn shipbuilding technology there and then apply it to raid the Japanese archipelago.

“There’s no better training method for developing a navy than piracy.”

This was a method no proper nation would ever consider.

But the Mongols, who had built walls against the ocean, were not such a normal nation.

The sea was unfamiliar, making proper education difficult.

Therefore, for training purposes, I had no choice but to follow England’s methods.

Plunder.

Coincidentally, Japan during this era had abundant grain production.

So it was suitable for running a plunder economy while gaining naval experience by raiding there.

Japan would certainly complain about this, but they couldn’t send envoys to the distant Ulus.

Naturally, they would complain to Goryeo who had leased Tamra Island, and Goryeo would inevitably claim it wasn’t their responsibility.

Then Japan would surely send troops to eliminate the Mongol pirates on Tamra Island.

“That’s when we call on Goryeo.”

Tamra was Goryeo territory, not Mongol land.

We were merely leasing it.

So I planned to tell Goryeo that if they didn’t protect the place, they would lose it, essentially forcing their hand.

Then Goryeo would have no choice but to comply with our demands, however reluctantly.

Otherwise, Tamra Island would become Japanese territory.

Losing Tamra would mean losing influence over the South Sea.

This was something Goryeo could never accept.

So whether they liked it or not, they would have to move according to our demands.

“I’m just returning what I received.”

Honestly, I was still upset about being deceived regarding Belgutei.

If Belgutei’s separate letter hadn’t mentioned that Princess Hwasun was living happily in her marriage and was pregnant, I might have pushed Goryeo over the edge.

“I’ll spare them for my son’s sake.”

I decided to spare Goryeo with these thoughts.

While I was thinking, the door of the ger opened and Elunka approached.

“Gur Khagan, the soldiers have rested sufficiently and their morale is sky-high.”

“Good.”

With morale so high, it was time to attack Zhongdu.

The army was scheduled to arrive at Zhongdu Daxingfu tomorrow.

“May God, Tengri, and our ancestors protect the Ulus.”

I said this while making the sign of the cross.

Tomorrow, at this moment.

The war to determine the ruler of the steppe was about to begin.

* * *

Thousands of ships floated on the Yangtze River.

The Song Dynasty flag flew from the stern of these vessels.

“We can finally recover our homeland, General.”

The Song general nodded at these words.

After the Jingkang Incident, the Song Dynasty had essentially lost all territory north of the Yangtze River.

Despite continuous efforts to reclaim these lost lands, they couldn’t even attempt it due to the Jin Dynasty’s overwhelming military power.

This changed with the Mongol invasion.

“The Mongols are helping us.”

The Song general said this while looking north.

Thanks to the Mongols who had submitted to Song, the Song Dynasty received a military support request from Jin.

Because of this, Song could cross the Yangtze without any interference.

“General!”

A messenger urgently approached the Song general.

After bowing, he began his report.

“Jin soldiers are positioned north of the Yangtze River.”

Hearing the messenger’s report, the general turned to look north of the Yangtze.

Indeed, Jin soldiers were positioned there, just as the messenger had said.

“It will be difficult to break through there.”

The adjutant nodded at this.

Then he immediately added:

“Yes, General. However, since our forces are moving at Jin’s request, they shouldn’t interfere with us.”

“There are too many of them for that to be the case.”

The general calmly observed the Jin soldiers positioned north of the Yangtze.

Their equipment was poor, but their numbers were too great.

This meant that forcing a breakthrough would lead to undesirable consequences.

“As expected of Jin. They maintain solid defenses against the Great Song.”

The general said this while swallowing his disappointment.

After pondering for a moment, he addressed his staff officer.

“Order the entire navy to raise white flags. I will meet with the enemy general immediately.”

The Song general chose to resolve the situation through dialogue.

Since they were moving troops at Jin’s request, he needed to meet with the general leading the Jin forces positioned north of the Yangtze.

So, when they raised white flags, Jin responded with signals.

Following these signals, the Song ships moved and docked nearby.

As soon as they docked, Jin soldiers approached the Song vessel.

“By order of His Highness the Prince of Jin! The Song army is to wait here.”

The Song general nodded at this.

It meant that Wanyan Shunan, the son of the current emperor, was present.

Therefore, they had to minimize troop movements as much as possible.

With these thoughts, the general disembarked with his adjutant and staff officer.

Then he walked toward the tent where Wanyan Shunan was located.

“Welcome.”

Wanyan Shunan welcomed the Song army with these words.

The general bowed and showed proper respect befitting the prince of a superior country.

“I am honored to meet Your Highness the Prince.”

Wanyan Shunan was greatly pleased by this Central Plains etiquette.

Though originally of Jurchen descent, he had already been significantly sinicized and preferred such Central Plains customs.

The Prince then guided the general to his seat.

The general bowed before sitting down.

“The great Song army crossing the Yangtze was an impressive sight.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

“By the way, we seem to be meeting for the first time. What is your name?”

“I am Zhang Xiaoshang, Military Commissioner of the Northern Border.”

“I see.”

Wanyan Shunan nodded.

Then he immediately got to the point.

“Approximately how many Song troops are there?”

Zhang Xiaoshang showed reluctance at this question.

“About 200,000.”

“200,000? That’s fewer than I expected.”

The Prince made no effort to hide his displeasure.

This was understandable because Southern Song, though reduced after being driven south of the Yangtze following Northern Song’s fall, was still a country capable of easily conscripting 700,000 troops.

It was natural for the Prince to show displeasure at receiving less than that number.

“There has been a poor harvest in Song, so we couldn’t mobilize many soldiers. We hope the superior country will understand this situation with generosity.”

“Hmm, I suppose it can’t be helped.”

The Prince cleared his throat and put on an expression of magnanimity.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaoshang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

While the Song forces gathered near the Yangtze numbered 200,000, another 500,000 troops were waiting beyond the river, having not yet boarded ships to cross.

The reason they didn’t bring all their forces at once was concern that Jin might suspect Song’s intentions.

If they brought too many troops, Jin would be more likely to be suspicious rather than pleased.

So they mentioned poor harvests and reported only about 1/3 of their known military strength.

Jin, as the superior country, seemed to understand this, having predicted Song’s supporting forces to be around this number.

“Anyway, I’m grateful that Song has maintained its loyalty to the superior country. You’re much better than those beastly Goryeo people.”

Wanyan Shunan said this while criticizing Goryeo.

This was because when Jin requested supporting troops from Goryeo, they didn’t respond.

Jin had already assumed that Goryeo would not dispatch troops, as was often the case.

Hearing this information, Zhang Xiaoshang tilted his head in confusion.

According to Song intelligence networks, they had received reports that Goryeo troops were moving northward.

It was strange that this contradicted the Prince’s words.

He didn’t show this confusion outwardly.

If Goryeo attacked Jin, Song would benefit.

Of course, he could have tried to gain Jin’s favor by warning that Goryeo was planning betrayal.

Then Jin would condemn Goryeo’s betrayal and focus attention on them.

But this would be pointless in the current situation.

Jin had no troops to stop Goryeo from attacking their rear.

So it was better to let Goryeo strike Jin’s rear.

“Is that so? Indeed, those Goryeo people cannot be trusted.”

Zhang Xiaoshang agreed with the Prince’s words.

In fact, during the Jingkang Incident, Song had requested reinforcements from Goryeo, but Goryeo had refused.

With this history, Wanyan Shunan was pleased by Song’s agreement.

“Unlike Goryeo, Song has sent troops like this, proving it is truly Jin’s brother nation.”

Wanyan Shunan said this while clapping his hands.

He wanted to hold a banquet to celebrate Zhang Xiaoshang and the Song reinforcements.

Zhang Xiaoshang bowed and accepted Wanyan Shunan’s kindness.

At the same time, he signaled to his adjutant.

Receiving this signal, the adjutant secretly slipped out during the banquet.

Then he sent a signal that only the Song army would understand to their main force across the river.

In response, a massive fleet began to emerge across the Yangtze, creating an ominous atmosphere.